A Chance for America

Submitted by Michel C. Zala (Switzerland), Mar 15, 2011 at 12:39

Lybia has had very little interaction with the US, compared to the UK, Germany, France, Russia and above all Italy.

I concur that the duty to resolve this ugly conflict lays clearly with the Europeans and the Arab League. So far, the US Admin has to my opinion acted responsibly and considerately, the immense Anti-American sentiments in Europa and the middle east due to the Iraq war considered.

The UN security council is a sham. Russia will always block any real action, as it profits directly from the conflict. Its oil and gas exports to Europe are at an all-time high. China will of course veto any no-fly zone, as it sits in the glasshouse herself and will not allow for any precedence, its own human rights record considered. Thus any UN resolution or legitimation with undoubtedly fail right there.

Sorry to say it again and again. The UN is a failed institution. To hope for tangible results and decisions by this overpaid coffee club in the face of really critical situations, would be naive.

No matter what - Gaddafi today announced that he will in the future no longer deliver oil to Europe, but to China and "friendly" nations, such as pacifistic and chronically undecided Germany....

If therefore Gaddafi stays in power, America and its national security interests will be at peril. RU and CHi influence in the region, still critical for our National Security, will increase dramatically.

If America decides to ignore the helpless UN, basing legitimation upon Arab League, GCC and Nato plus world opinion, it may in the longterm have been instrumental in creating an unstable nation with the potential to grow islamist in nature.

It is a dilemma, however, if in doubt, do the morally right thing, is my personal conclusion.

If America establishes in concert with Arab league nations, spearheaded by for instance Egypt, a No-Fly Zone, supports from behind Egypt a military intervention to eliminate Gaddafi, a longterm friend in the middle east may be won and the global economy, upon which America is depending after all, may be stabilized. The leadership required however must come from the Arab League and NATO should be (officially) in service of their intentions with immediate withhdrawal upon collapse of the Gaddafi regime.

The likelyhood for such decisive action is small. Local interests and antipathies will prevail. The mistrust against any western interference throughout the Arab world is too great. On the other hand, every week passing by with indecidedness will only help Gaddafi solidify his position, which is why he plays for time.

I fear that America misses a great chance to prove to the world that moral, humanitarian intentions matter as much as oil interests. Saddam had to be eliminated, no matter the WMDs. The same must be said about this Maniac Gaddafi. America'sIraq intentions can gain hindsight legitimacy and credibility, if the Admin takes a stance and action in concert with the Arab League.

Gaddafi staying in power will result in a clear loss for America. Gaddafi eliminated may result in a win for America. That's about the nutshell.

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