Cameron relief as Obama declares open mind on no-fly zones

[jakeXT]

Source: guardian

Previously, the PM had been looking isolated on the world stage when the US defence secretary warned of "loose talk"

A tricky week for David Cameron, in which cabinet divisions were exposed and Tory MPs warned that the prime minister was "shooting from the hip" in response to the Libyan crisis, has finally shown signs of abating.

The prime minister, who caused some surprise on both sides of the Atlantic when he called for Britain and its allies to draw up plans for a no-fly zone over Libya, was offered important support by Barack Obama on Thursday night. American military planners had been instructed to draw up a full range of options, including a no-fly zone, Obama said at the White House during a press conference with his Mexican counterpart, Felipe Calderón.

The remarks came as a relief to Cameron, who had looked isolated on the world stage when Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, had warned on Wednesday of "loose talk" about a no-fly zone.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/mar/04/cameron-relief-no-fly-zones

[Wilms]

1. Cool. We're back up to two loose talking leaders.

Just like the old days.

[chill_wind]

2. The Arab League has expressed support- has said

it may be willing to work with the African Union to impose a no-fly zone, although it rejected "direct outside military intervention" the region, according to Al Jazeera.

"The situation in Libya is sorrowful and it is not correct that we accept it or live with it," said Amr Moussa, the Arab League's secretary general, according to Al Jazeera. "The Arab League will not stand with its hands tied while the blood of the brotherly Libyan people is spilt.”

China wants further diplomatic actions, but is leaving itself somewhat open to the possibility:

Li added that China would “heed and respect the opinions and positions of Arab countries and African countries.”

Italy has begun weighing in also:

"Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini expressed support for the idea, telling the Il Messaggero newspaper in Rome that a no-fly zone could help protect the lives of Libyans."


But Russia is NOT onboard:

But Russian NATO Ambassador Dmitry Rogozin has made his country's opposition to the proposal clear, and Russia's approval is needed if NATO forces are to be used because use of NATO forces requires approval from the UN Security Council, where Russia has veto power.

Nations weigh imposing no-fly zone on Libya
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2011/0303/Nations-weigh-imposing-no-fly-zone-on-Libya

[chill_wind]

3. Libya's Ambassador Urges Obama to Issue No-Fly Zone

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june11/libya2_03-03.html

[robcon]

4. I think the no-fly zone is a no-brainer.

The world has to stand up to Gaddafi.

[jakeXT]

5. I don't know where they got this guy from

Sens. Meet Libyan About Accusations Khadafy Ordered Lockerbie Bombing

BY Michael McAuliff

New York and New Jersey senators are meeting with the former Libyan ambassador to America this morning, trying to find out if he can prove recent accusations that Moammar Khadafy is behind the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.

Democratic Jersey Sens. Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg and New York's Kirsten Gillibrand were talking with former Libyan ambassador Ali Suleiman Aujali, just ahead of a press teleconference.

Aides said they want to know if Aujali knows Khadafy is resposible for the bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people, including 189 Americans. They also want to know if he has evidence, or can provide evidence. Libya's former justice minister, Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, recently said Khadafy was guilty.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dc/2011/03/sens-meet-libyan-about-accusations-khadafy-ordered-lockerbie-bombing



Police chief- Lockerbie evidence was faked

Published Date: 28 August 2005
By MARCELLO MEGA

A FORMER Scottish police chief has given lawyers a signed statement claiming that key evidence in the Lockerbie bombing trial was fabricated.

The retired officer - of assistant chief constable rank or higher - has testified that the CIA planted the tiny fragment of circuit board crucial in convicting a Libyan for the 1989 mass murder of 270 people.

...

The officer, who was a member of the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland, is supporting earlier claims by a former CIA agent that his bosses "wrote the script" to incriminate Libya.

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Police-chief-Lockerbie-evidence-was.2656485.jp