European governments “completely puzzled” about Obama’s indecision on Libya
This is what happens when we elect an unqualified community organizer as leader of the free world.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s meetings in Paris with the G8 foreign ministers on Monday left her European interlocutors with more questions than answers about the Obama administration’s stance on intervention in Libya.Inside the foreign ministers’ meeting, a loud and contentious debate erupted about whether to move forward with stronger action to halt Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi’s campaign against the Libyan rebels and the violence being perpetrated against civilians. Britain and France argued for immediate action while Germany and Russia opposed such a move, according to two European diplomats who were briefed on the meeting.
Clinton stayed out of the fray, repeating the administration’s position that all options are on the table but not specifically endorsing any particular step. She also did not voice support for stronger action in the near term, such as a no-fly zone or military aid to the rebels, both diplomats said.
“The way the U.S. acted was to let the Germans and the Russians block everything, which announced for us an alignment with the Germans as far as we are concerned,” one of the diplomats told The Cable.
Clinton’s unwillingness to commit the United States to a specific position led many in the room to wonder exactly where the administration stood on the situation in Libya.
“Frankly we are just completely puzzled,” the diplomat said. “We are wondering if this is a priority for the United States.”
On the same day, Clinton had a short meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in which Sarkozy pressed Clinton to come out more forcefully in favor of action in Libya. She declined Sarkozy’s request, according to a government source familiar with the meeting.
Sarkozy told Clinton that “we need action now” and she responded to him, “there are difficulties,” the source said, explaining that Clinton was referring to China and Russia’s opposition to intervention at the United Nations. Sarkozy replied that the United States should at least try to overcome the difficulties by leading a strong push at the U.N., but Clinton simply repeated, “There are difficulties.”
One diplomat, who supports stronger action in Libya, contended that the United States’ lack of clarity on this issue is only strengthening those who oppose action.
“The risk we run is to look weak because we’ve asked him to leave and we aren’t taking any action to support our rhetoric and that has consequences on the ground and in the region,” said the European diplomat.
British and French frustration with the lack of international will to intervene in Libya is growing. British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Tuesday that Arab sentiment was, “if you don’t show your support for the Libyan people and for democracy at this time, you are saying you will intervene only when it’s about your security, but you won’t help when it’s about our democracy.”
France sent letters on Wednesday to all the members of the U.N. Security Council, which is discussing a Lebanon-sponsored resolution to implement a no-fly zone, calling on them to support the resolution, as has been requested by the Arab League.
It’s pretty damn pathetic when the French take a more aggressive position for democracy than we do.
Meanwhile, Obama wags his finger at Gaddafi; “Don’t make me come over there. You better stop it. I’m gonna count to three… right after I get back from Rio de Janeiro! Par-tay! Whoop whoop! Gotta check on how my buddies at Petrobras are enjoying the $2 billion dollar loan I gave them…”
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UPDATE: Given the fact that on the 16th it was reported that Hillary was refusing to commit to a specific position in front of the G8 foreign ministers, and then on the 19th Obama was announcing military operations against Libya were about to begin, was she being intentionally cryptic or has Obama purposely kept his Secretary of State in the dark?
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT






Every thing is above Obama's pay grade