Kerry, Levin Defend Timing and Scope of Libya Response

[jefferson_dem]

Kerry, Levin Defend Timing and Scope of Libya Response
By David M. Drucker
Roll Call Staff
March 20, 2011, 12:04 p.m.

Leading Senate Democrats on Sunday defended President Barack Obama’s approach to Libya and made clear that U.S. military action would be strictly limited to protecting civilians and not target Libyan strongman Moammar Gaddafi.

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.), appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press” from Cairo, described the activities of U.S. military forces in Libya as a “humanitarian initiative” that was wholly unconcerned with removing Gaddafi from power.

Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin said the Obama administration’s cautious and deliberate strategy for Libya has the support of the military brass and would be well-received on Capitol Hill.

“One of the reasons I predict there will be strong bipartisan support in the Congress for the president’s decision is because it is a limited mission — no boots on the ground — and because he has done this with great caution, with great care, and I saw that in person in the White House on Friday,” said the Michigan Democrat, who appeared with Kerry on “Meet the Press.” “One of the things I know our military were very concerned about was that there could be mission creep. They don’t have that concern anymore because this mission has been very carefully limited.”

“The goal of this mission is not to get rid of Gaddafi,” Kerry added. “That’s not what the United Nations licensed, and I would not call it going to war. This is a very limited operation that is geared to save lives. ... It is not geared to try to get rid of Gaddafi, he has not been targeted.”

<SNIP>

http://www.rollcall.com/news/-204248-1.html?zkPrintable=true

[gateley]

1. K&R (not that the rec did any good) - This is my sense of it, too. nt

[ClarkUSA]

2. Thank you for the facts. This is not war, it is limited UN approved action by 12 nations & counting

“The goal of this mission is not to get rid of Gaddafi,” Kerry added. “That’s not what the United Nations licensed, and I would not call it going to war. This is a very limited operation that is geared to save lives. ... It is not geared to try to get rid of Gaddafi, he has not been targeted.”

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=633755&mesg_id=633755

BTW, Qatar announced it was joining the coalition today.

[blm]

3. it's just too easy to say this is EXACTLY what Bush did

that way there's no tax to the brain

[ClarkUSA]

5. Yes, it is. Well-said.

It's good to see you again, blm. I hope you are well. :hi:

[Tippy]

4. K&R...I fully support our President on this issue

[great white snark]

6. K&R, thank you for posting.

[robcon]

7. Did Kerry and Levin happen to mention their opinion to the Joint Chiefs?

I don't see anything from anyone other than Kerry and Levin that suggests that there will be no attacks om Gaddafi and his supporters.

[karynnj]

9. The UN resolution did not call for that

In addition there is a recent article with Defense Secretary Gates saying that - http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCAQqQIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2F2011-03-20%2Fgates-says-targeting-qaddafi-goes-beyond-un-resolution-on-libya.html&rct=j&q=Gates%20Libya%20Gaddafi&ei=K6uGTciuN8K60QGrs6XSCA&usg=AFQjCNEz0knJ_WzvcIZvas6JKZQlLpZRdg&cad=rja

[robcon]

12. Do you REALLY believe this is not about regime change?

Really?

[karynnj]

13. I believe that what they want is for the Libyans to take advantage

of their intervention to depose Gaddafi.

Whether this is a slight difference or a major one is debatable - and I could argue either side - but it is an important difference politically.

By the way, Mullen can be added to Gates saying the same thing - http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/u-s-army-chief-gadhafi-needs-to-make-decisions-on-his-future-1.350547

[Arkana]

14. It's not. We aren't sending in ground troops and we aren't targeting Gaddafi.

Plain and simple. We're trying to keep the rebels alive so they can chase him out themselves.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AtomicKitten]

8. They were great on MTP. Sessions was his usual douche self.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MH1]

15. but ... but ... I thought Congress wasn't consulted?

I guess SFRC doesn't count.