Diplomats discuss Libya's future as Italy plots Gaddafi's escape route

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Efforts appear to be under way to offer Muammar Gaddafi a way of escape from Libya, with Italy saying it is trying to organise an African haven for him, and the US signalling it will not try to stop the dictator from fleeing.

The move came as diplomatic and military pressure on Gaddafi mounts as Britain tries to assemble a global consensus demanding he surrender power while intensifying air strikes against his forces.

Britain will be hosting an international conference including the UN, Arab states, the African Union, and more than 40 foreign ministers, focused on coordinating assistance in the face of a possible humanitarian disaster, and building a unified international front in condemnation of the Gaddafi regime and in support of a Nato-led military action in Libya.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/28/diplomats-meet-italy-gaddafi-escape

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Trial balloon.

[davidthegnome]

2. They're offering him an escape?

A large part of the reasoning behind this war is that Gadaffi is an evil madman that needs to be stopped. Okay, I'm convinced on that point.

That being the case, why in the hell should we let him get away? After he has caused so much suffering and even been involved in acts of terrorism here in the US, I don't understand the reasoning or justification for offering him an escape route - unless it is to prevent further collateral damage. Either way, he should be held accountable and face trial for crimes against humanity. Though, come to think of it, so should the Bush administration...

It all still comes down to a lack of holding these monsters and cowards accountable. I suppose though, if we can't do that here, we can't be expected to do so in Libya either.

[Arctic Dave]

3. Terrorism in the US?

Could you explain?

[karynnj]

4. Why? Because out of power he can't do much evil

I am somewhat conflicted, but lean to just getting him out of power.

If you were all powerful and knew that the two options were:

- a protracted war where the US and others might become more involved and certainly thousands would die

OR

- Gaddafi is allowed to leave - even to pleasant circumstances in some other country

Which would you choose?

I do get how you feel. I can still visualize one woman, who had gone to the airport to pick up her only child, a lovely girl, who was doing her junior year abroad, only to hear that the plane had exploded. One young male student was from one town over from me. Gaddafi ordered that bombing.

He deserves worse than just being out of power, but how much is that worth in terms of more lives ruined.

The other thing to think about is that letting him off might allow the world to push out more evil leaders than if they see their future if they lose power is death or trial at the Haguw - leading to prison for life. (Other side is that maybe it is less a deterrent.

[Mr Generic Other]

5. heads of state rarely call for

the heads of statesmen. it sets bad precedent.