RUSSIA EMPHASISES OPPOSITION TO LIBYA INTERVENTION

[dipsydoodle]

Source: AGI News - Italy.

(AGI) Moscow - Russian foreign minister Serghei Lavrov stressed Moscow's opposition to military intervention in Libya.
According to Ria-Novosti press agency Lavrov today said, "we don't see how any form of external intervention could possibly solve the Libyan crisis, especially if it were military in nature. Libyans need to solve their own problems". Lavrov's statements come fast in the wake of statements by NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who had pointed to the Alliance's weighing up military options in Libya. Rasmussen's thoughts were later echoed by US president Barack Obama. . .

Read more: http://www.agi.it/english-version/world/elenco-notizie/201103071853-pol-ren1082-russia_emphasises_opposition_to_libya_intervention

[villager]

1. at this rate, oil really will be the death of us all...

n/t

[Warpy]

2. While quietly supplying rebels might be in order

I have to agree with them on military intervention for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, it's not our fight, it's theirs and we shouldn't take that away from them. There is nothing that can build national unity over tribalism like fighting a revolution against a dictator and deposing him.

Second, our track record on regime changes through force has not been a good one. When we've been successful, the regime change has always been worse for that country's people.

Third, we simply can't afford another quagmire in the Middle East. We the people are footing the bill for a rich man's empire and we've exhausted our resources and I sincerely doubt China is going to pick up the tab, either.

Fourth, we don't have the military manpower and I sincerely doubt people are going to support a draft to oust a stench in the nose of civility like Qadaffi.

Quietly supplying the rebels will be noted and appreciated enough to make us a lasting friend in the region. Coming in with troops would turn them into lasting enemies.

[daa]

4. Just who are these "rebels" you support?

Like the Afghan rebels we quietly armed against the Russians and now they use those missiles and weapons against us? So how did those "rebels" in Iraq work out? Or maybe you like democratic elections like Gaza and Lebanon? Maybe we ought to butt out for once and quit wasting money trying to control the world with our military while we bankrupt the country and cut everything else for the sake of the military.

[Warpy]

5. The reason the Afghans are using that stuff against us

is because we're still there. Were we to leave, they'd use it on each other, most likely.

[on point]

6. 5th. It is illegal under international law to intervene in another state that does not pose a threat

When are the talking heads and conventional wisdom going to start paying attention to the law and catch on that the US DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO INTERVENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a civil war. They do not pose an external threat to others. This law was put in place to stop countries from attacking others without justification in order to build world peace.

Now if you want to pass a UN resolution based on the crimes against humanity, then there would be legal cause to help the rebels. But until and unless that happens, pressure to intervene is not only a bad idea but actually is promoting a war crime.

Russia, like France in the 2nd Iraq war, are paying attention to the law and are on the side of humanity.

The first Iraq war was justified legally to expel an invader of Kuwait. The initial attack on Afghanistan was also legal because the US was attacked.

[Warpy]

7. That, too, although it's a bit more difficult to make that case

since Stupid invaded Iraq on a whim and for profit.

[HereSince1628]

3. IOW: Anything that raises the value of Russian oil is GOOD

I would expect that coming soon we will read something like promises from rebel leaders in the form of "Oil deals for heavy weapons and anti-aircraft protections."

At that point Libyans will really be able to kill Libyans.