The Mission

[Clio the Leo]

THE MISSION, per Donilon, is “limited in duration and scope: one, to set the conditions for the enforcement of a no-fly zone in Libya; second, to take actions to protect citizens in Libya from attack; and third, to set the conditions and open up the ability for humanitarian assistance to reach citizens in Libya. … we'll continue to monitor Qaddafi’s actions, not just his words, and continue the efforts on behalf of the international community, working with the international community to enforce the terms of United Nations Security Council 1973.

http://www.politico.com/playbook/

Note: Nowhere in this statement does Donilon say, "the mission is to removed Gaddafi from power" or "the mission is to aid the rebels in removing Gaddafi from power." That may be a DESIRE, but it's (apparently) not a part of the mission.

To base one's argument on the presumption of the contrary would be inaccurate.



President Barack Obama is briefed on the situation in Libya during a secure conference call with National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, right, Chief of Staff Bill Daley, left, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, AFRICOM Commander General Carter Ham, and Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, March 20, 2011.

[Clio the Leo]

1. Related - Crowley: The involvement of U.S. military aircraft in strikes on Libya has "plateaued,"

The involvement of U.S. military aircraft in strikes on Libya has "plateaued," a spokesman for United States Africa Command says. The U.S. conducted missile strikes overnight, spokesman Vince Crowley said.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/21/libya-live-blog-u-s-to-hand-over-control-of-mission-in-coming-days/