Nick’s e-mail to party members on Libya

Dear Daniel,

As you will have seen in the news our coalition government has successfully led efforts in the UN Security Council to agree a ‘no-fly zone’ across Libya.

Colonel Gaddafi’s treatment of his own people has been brutal, savage and wholly unacceptable. We have worked with Libya’s regional neighbours, especially the Arab League, and countries across the globe, to secure a resolution in UN Security Council. This resolution will allow us to act lawfully  in deploying our forces to up-hold a ‘no-fly zone’ in Libya.

The Prime Minister gave a statement yesterday, which you can read here. And on Monday we will have a full debate in the House of Commons, followed by a vote. In addition we will be publishing a summary of the legal advice of the Attorney-General.

That is the right approach. This is a coalition government that will act decisively to protect innocent lives and uphold universal human rights. But one which will do so working with, not against, international law and the international community.

 

Best wishes,

Nick Clegg MP

Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats

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Dangerous times

Fears are growing that Gaddafi could use chemical weapons on his own people as he still refuses to yield to protesters demands. The deluded BBC interview, in which he declares his own people “love him”, might be ridiculously facetious but it is also disturbing.

UN diplomats have secretly questioned the sanity of the dictator.

The Ministry of Defence have ordered RAF Typhoons to be stationed in Cyprus and the United States authorised the maneuvering of military assets to the area. France has signaled its willingness to support NATO-led intervention (due to a defence pact with Britain, France would -in theory- have no choice)

But military action might be counterproductive. It could even work in favour for other authoritarian regimes in the region, allowing the Iranian narrative of “American inspired demonstrations” to become accepted by the people. More dangerously though, for the West, these civil conflicts could transpire into a more catastrophic regional war, creating a far greater dangerous climate.

We cannot forget, we are still currently fighting a war in Afghanistan. Soldiers will not be withdrawing until the Autumn. Britain, and most European NATO countries, do not have the finances or resources to engage into a second conflict.

The United Nations, reportedly, ruled out the “Iraq doctrine” of invasion and occupation last night. We must be vigilante, though, because Gaddafi might be plotting to draw Western armies into a bloody war.

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