"he'll huff and he'll puff and fly off to campaign and throw Moochell another lobster"
Posted on 03/09/2011 11:59:08 AM PST by Red Badger
The Obama administration today stepped back from the prospect of imminent U.S. military action to support rebel forces in Libya, voicing reluctance to enforce a no-fly zone without United Nations approval.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, CIA Director Leon Panetta and other national security "principals" were meeting in the White House situation room to discuss administration options for Libya.
But Obama had no plans to attend, and press secretary Jay Carney repeatedly made clear that this is "not a decision meeting."
"I don't want to raise expectations that this is a meeting that will lead to imminent, concrete action," Carney said.
Pressure to act has increased amid reports that forces loyal to dictator Moammar Gadhafi are gaining the upper hand on rebels -- thanks in part to aerial bombardment of rebel-held cities that has claimed an unknown number of civilian lives. Both Republicans and more hawkish Democrats have been calling on the White House to follow up on Obama's comments Monday that he is considering military options.
But in an interview on CBS, Clinton noted that the British and French planned to introduce a draft U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing international action, and said, "We think it's very important that there be a U.N. decision on whatever might be done."
She added: "There is still a lot of opposition, as you probably know, within the Security Council."
Asked later if the administration would consider joining an effort to enforce a no-fly zone without a U.N. imprimatur, Carney declined to give a clear answer. Instead, he repeatedly said that "it is our strong preference that the action we take be done with our international partners" and that it's important to work with the U.N.
Russia and China, both permanent Security Council members that wield a veto, have suggested they are likely to oppose approval of a no-fly zone.
The possibility of a decision by NATO countries to step in without a U.N. resolution also appeared increasingly unlikely, in part because NATO member Turkey has suggested it won't back such an effort. Major NATO decisions require a unanimous vote by the alliance's member states.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Brussels late today to discuss Libya with fellow NATO defense ministers this week, but there was no indication he expected to leave with a new plan.
Both Clinton and Carney suggested the administration fears how solely Western intervention might be perceived in the Arab world.
Sponsored Links "We believe it's important that this not be an American or a NATO or a European effort," Clinton said. "We think it's important that there be international support and that there be a broad acceptance by the international community, particularly the Arab world, that something needs to be done on behalf of the opposition in Libya."
Sounding a bit on the defensive, Carney noted the administration has already enacted financial sanctions against Gadhafi's regime, coordinated humanitarian efforts for refugees fleeing the fighting and positioned Navy ships and other resources in the region as it plans for military contingencies.
But he suggested the world shouldn't hold its breath for the next step.
"The actions we have taken have been dramatic," he said, "and we are implementing them in a way we hope will have an effect."
"he'll huff and he'll puff and fly off to campaign and throw Moochell another lobster"
They know Russia will veto any no-fly zone resolution.
As well as China..........
Here he goes again flip flop - flip flop. The muslims in Egypt know Obama well. he will continue to flip flop. That is how he operates - indecisive and votes - present.
But Obama had no plans to attend, and press secretary Jay Carney repeatedly made clear that this is "not a decision meeting."
Actually, they're planning to listen to a rap concert and play cards.
Omaba had coined a phrase for this kind of bait-n-switch or back peddal.
Okie-Doke
This is Obama Okie-Doke #269.
Or is it 270, I lost count.
Meaning when Obama flip flopped in Egypt he is doing the same here in Libya.
Does anyone even really know who is backing the rebels? I wouldn’t want my kid risking his life over their for either side.
National security in the Obama WH.
Could we send some more mixed signals?
I'm sure we will hear media criticism of this any minute now. The NYT is on this like a lazer.
Dude. He's got a year and 10 months tops of the sweetest free ride in the known universe. he ain't wasting that sitting around with Hildabeest and Pannetta in some stinkin stuffy situation room.
As will Hu.
Socialists consider talking about something the same as doing something. If zero wasn't in campaign mode right now, the media wouldn't even discuss this.
Apparently their trial balloon didn’t fly, or the focus groups were not amused.............
Amazing. The clowns in this administration just cannot put together a coherent message and policy. It would be funny if it weren’t such a dangerous world.
I’m against a no-fly zone. I would prefer the USAF destroy the Libyan AF on the ground, and then leave.
FWIW according to Al Jazeera and CNN many of Gadhafi’s pilots are Russian.
Anything to keep the instability going longer and longer, increasing the oil price per barrel more and more - So when gasoline gets to 5-6 $$ per gallon, his green energy might begin to look more cost effective.
1-term-wonder!
Whats with all of the head folks meeting on Libya and Bama boy not attending. Does he think that will give him deniability, is this his way of voting Present without being present, or does he simply realize that he has nothing of merit to submit at this meeting anyway.
I guess he picks and chooses his times to be President.
What a mess we have with this Hybrid in charge.
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