Former Congressman Detained in Libya Was on Vigilante Peace Mission

[Renew Deal]

Former U.S. member of Congress Walter Fauntroy, currently held in Tripoli's Rixos Hotel, had traveled to Libya on a self-appointed peace mission. His trip did not have his government's approval, though he appears to have planned to negotiate on behalf of his country, and came as a complete surprise to the State Department, government sources tell The Atlantic. Fauntroy is being detained by troops loyal to Muammar Qaddafi along with several Western journalists at the Rixos Hotel. It is not immediately clear if they are being held as hostages by the regime.

Fauntroy, a 78-year-old veteran of the U.S. civil rights movement and a Baptist pastor, served as District of Columbia's non-voting delegate to Congress from 1971 to 1991. He is currently serving as the president of the Global Campaign for Middle East Peace, which defines itself as a "multicultural, interfaith organization, launching an international campaign for peace in the Middle East with a primary focus on resolving the tragic conflict between Israelis and Palestinians." It's not clear if he was traveling on behalf of the group, the website for which -- a WordPress blog -- lists no contact information.

U.S. officials said they could confirm that the purpose of Fauntroy's Libya trip was, as he has said, to broker peace there. CNN reporter Matthew Chance, who is also at the Rixos and has emerged as a sort of informal spokesman for the journalists there, also confirmed on Twitter that Fauntroy was present and "was on a peace mission." Chance has also detailed the group's efforts to remain safe and secure food as fighting rages outside.

Though sitting members of Congress require State Department approval for diplomatic trips, former members such as Fauntroy do not. Still, his visit and captivity have complicated the State Department's already difficult dual mission to protect Americans in Libya while working toward the Qaddafi regime's end. His detention by loyalist troops will strengthen Qaddafi's hand in any negotiation with the U.S. or NATO.
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http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/08/former-congressman-detained-in-libya-was-on-vigilante-peace-mission/244062/

[Tippy]

1. Dam whats up with these people?

he wants to negotiate on behalf of his country.....Well it is our country TOO and I don't think he should just....oh well some feel they know more and are smarter then the rest, like the tea party..

[Owlet]

2. Wasn't Cynthia McKinney there for a while, too?

But I seem to recall that she was there somehow in support of Ghaddafi.

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. Yes, she went there and criticized President Obama Libyan TV:

http://www.ajc.com/news/cnn-mckinney-blasts-u-954720.html

[Historic NY]

3. Violation of the Logan Act is a felony.

[yellowcanine]

5. "he appears to have planned to negotiate on behalf of his country"

Does the Logan Act cover what people APPEAR to be thinking?

Only George Orwell would see any violation of U.S. law here.