U.S. led NATO warplanes bombed Libyan rebels, yet again.
Dr Hasan Malitan, who witnessed the accident, said Wednesday’s air strike hit a building where the rebels were holed up, killing 12 of them. This is at least the third time NATO has bombed the very people they’re supposed to be supporting.
China’s Xinhuanet news is reporting that the Libyan government is arming civilians, to counter a possible invasion by NATO.
Most of the population in the western half of Libya supports the government. It also happens to be the half of Libya with very little oil production. The rebellion/civil war started in the oil rich eastern half.
The Libyan government accused NATO of intercepting an oil tanker that was operating for the Libyan government. That act is not authorized under UNSCR 1973.
In an interview on al Jazeera NATO secretary-general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said the solution to the civil war in Libya will come only through political discussions.
For some reason al Jazeera (who supports the UNSCR 1973) did not mention the statement in the text of their posting. You have to watch the video of the interview. It’s about 1:50 into the interview.
“I hope to see a political solution, sooner rather than later. Obviously there’s no military solution, solely.”-Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Al Jazeera then pointed out that despite the arms embargo, which is part of the UNSCR 1973, Libyan rebel leaders openly state they are getting weapons from the UN coalition (which includes NATO). Rasmussen was asked why, seemingly, NATO was not enforcing the UN arms embargo when it came to the rebels.
“We participate in the arms embargo, and to my knowledge there has been no bridge to the arms embargo.”-Rasmussen
Al Jazeera pressed the NATO leader about the arms embargo, while showing video of rebels receiving new weapons. They also pointed out that UN coalition member Qatar (which is Wahhabi Arab, same as al Qaeda), is openly providing weapons to the rebels. They tried to get a simple yes or no answer, this is what they got: “We participate in the enforcement of the arms embargo in strict conformity with the text of UNSCR 1973.”-Rasmussen
The U.S. general in charge of the United States Africa Command, Gen Carter Ham, says Libyan rebels probably will not win, even with NATO help.
General Ham also says we should not be arming the rebels until there is “a better understanding of exactly who the opposition force is”. There is evidence that some of the rebels are al Qaeda, the group we’re supposed to be at war with.
“NATO are liars. They are siding with Gaddafi.”-Salem Mislat, Libyan rebel
Once again U.S. led NATO has bombed the very people they’re supposed to be supporting. Rebels say five of their troops were killed.
The latest “friendly fire” incident happened in almost the same spot as a “friendly fire” incident last week. NATO says they are investigating.
In a report issued by the Chinese Navy, it is clear they expect some kind of military confrontation in the future, with the United States.
The report was released March 31. It calls for increasing China’s ability to present a strategic deterrent and launch counterattacks at sea. The report is also clear about who they think they might have to launch counterattacks against: The United States.
Their reasoning is that the United States is reinforcing its regional military alliances, and increasing its involvement in Asian security affairs.
Chinese military officials are hoping their government will increase spending on more high tech weaponry. Welcome to the New Cold War.
Hillary Clinton said that NATO members have agreed to take over the military lead in the action against Libya.
She also admitted that there is no unified military plan among the coalition forces. “All 28 allies have also now authorized military authorities to develop an operations plan for NATO to take on the broader civilian protection mission.”- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Can you say: Ad Hoc, last minute, willie nillie, rushed, haphazard, last minute lack of planing?
“We have exported a 1,000-ton cargo of gasoline to Afghanistan this (Iranian year), and we are amidst negotiations to export the second and third cargoes to the country,”-Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Alireza Zeiqami
Ironically, Iran’s refined gas industry has gotten a boost from U.S. and European economic sanctions. So much so that Iran is negotiating new contracts with surrounding countries.
The latest sanctions against Iran forbids companies from selling refined gas to Iran. As a result Iran increased its own fuel refining, and found out that its neighbors, like Afghanistan, wanted to buy it.
Iranian Oil Minister Massoud Mir-Kazzemi said their fuel refining has increased so much that that Iran no longer needs foreign imports. So much for sanctions.
By the way, does anyone like the idea that were throwing billions of U.S. dollars down the drain in Afghanistan, while other countries make money off Afghanistan? Where did Afghanistan get the money to buy the Iranian gas?
Almost from day one of the so called revolution in Libya, President Obama said “It’s time for Gaddafi to go.” He didn’t say that about Mubarak, not for several weeks of the Egyptian Revolution anyway.
Obama has said many times he wanted Gaddafi out. Then Gaddafi’s compound is bombed by coalition forces, and the official statement from coalition leaders is that they were not trying to bomb Gaddafi. That’s one dumb smart bomb then.
Here is what Obama said today: “Now, I also have stated that it is U.S. policy that Gadhafi needs to go.” President Obama has basically admitted that trying to get rid of Gaddafi IS what he’s trying to do. Obama then goes on to admit that UNSCR 1973 does not allow him to do that: “But when it comes to the military action, we are doing so in support of U.N. Resolution 1973 that specifically talks about humanitarian efforts, and we are going to make sure we stick to that mandate.”
Obama also says he’s hoping that other “tools” will be used to allow the Libyan people to kick Gaddafi out. Remember, UNSCR 1973 is supposed to be about protecting peaceful civilians, not regime change. Lies. lies and more lies!
French officials sat NATO is almost ready to help with actions against Libya, possibly in a few days.
The Arab League stated that they did not want the military actions against Libya to become controlled by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Arab League leader Amr Moussa said, “What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone.”
Many EU countries, like Italy & U.K., have asked NATO to take command of the operations against Libya.