U.S. Senators Call for No-Flight Zone Over Libya

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

Despite skepticism from Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, three influential United States senators from both political parties on Sunday called for the United States to carve out a no-flight zone in Libya to prevent Col. Muammar Qaddafi from massacring the rebels trying to overthrow him.

But the Obama administration continued to resist such appeals.

“Lots of people throw around phrases like no-fly zone — they talk about it as though it’s just a video game,” William M. Daley, the new White House chief of staff, said in at appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” television news program.

Senator John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, challenged Mr. Gates’s admonition that establishing a no-flight zone required the United States to attack Libya’s antiaircraft installations and other air defenses.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/07/world/middleeast/07nofly.html

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Kerry's interview on CBS's Face the Nation

Daley on Meet the Press

[on point]

1. No Fly Zone would be illegal under international law

I sure hope the Libyan resistance overthrows Qaddafi and sets up a democratic government. But unless the UN allows it, any action on our part on one side of a civil war or another is illegal. We do not have the right to intervene where and when we like.

That is the same reason it was illegal for us to invade Iraq.

It saddens me greatly to hear the talking heads discuss this without first recognizing we do NOT have the right to do so.

Never mind that our military and finances cannot really afford it at the moment.

[No Elephants]

4. Maybe. A no fly zone is different from hunting down a head of state, but maybe.

[wisteria]

11. Senator Kerry did say we would need the support of the international community

before doing this.

[David__77]

2. Obama is handling this correctly.

He is refraining from illegal intervention. That is the right thing to do and he should be praised.

[No Elephants]

3. Very misleading headline from NYT.

[joshcryer]

5. As yet the Liyban air force has not been a major impeedment to the revolutionaries.

Don't need a no-fly-zone yet.

[Plucketeer]

6. For the sake of yet slaughtered innocent

USA pawns....KEEP US THE FUCK OUT OF ANY MORE FRAYS!!!!! Send McCain et al BACK to the HANOI HILTON where they'll be no danger to young men and women of this nation. Better yet, let him and darling Cindy fly one of their private jets over Libya. He's such a fucking HERO, the Libyan's will just throw down their arms when McCain flies over. :grr:

[Bravo Zulu]

8. What you said!

[rpannier]

7. That's fine

IF they're going to fly the planes
Have at it boys

[Fool Count]

9. That's exactly how they started in Iraq - a no-fly zone.

UN's approving that will be as good as approving a full invasion. The main goal here is not protecting anybody's life, but obtaining
a "legitimate" excuse for a full-fledged war. Why can't they negotiate an all-Libya internationally monitored referendum on Qaddafi's rule?
Wouldn't it be better than a civil war or an invasion? Because they are not sure anti-Qaddafi forces would win such referendum, that's why.

[on point]

10. Don't think Qaddafi would go it. Otherwise UN should supervise all elections, including USA!

[faz]

12. Some people really like war

Blood thirsted Sicko

[davidinalameda]

13. you mean like Gadaffi

killing his own people and all

[tuckessee]

14. Well, you know what they say about a civil war....

At least you know whom your killing and probably why.....

BTW, whom are the rebels killing? Granted, they have been massacring a lot of blacks (foreigners) because of the alleged mercenary connection but I imagine they're killing their "own people" with as much eagerness as Gadaffi..

[davidinalameda]

16. I'd imagine you're wrong

these people are fighting for their freedom against a dictator

[Alamuti Lotus]

15. No-fly zone over Afghanistan first