Shouldn't we at least sit down with Gaddafi at the negotiating table before we let the bombs fall?

[Cali_Democrat]

Have the US, UK and France had substantive negotiations with Gaddafi about the civil war in Libya?

It seems like the diplomatic path is not being perused to it's fullest extent and we are instead pursuing a path of violence.

[readmoreoften]

1. No. We should arm the rebels and arm the Tunisian and Egyptian rebels to help.

There is no diplomacy. He's not going to step down. That being said I do not support airstrikes against Libyans. How fast did we go from "no-fly zone" to "airstrikes".

[Codeine]

6. Airstrikes are always needed in a no-fly operation

to take out SAMs. Basic air superiority has to be established.

[readmoreoften]

11. Which is why the whole "airstrikes" or "no-fly" was always false advertising.

Let's be clear here. People are under the impression that this is some sort of pacifist operation where we'll only hit the "right" people. I'd love to see Gaddafi smashed to shit. But if this belongs to the rebels at the end of the day, I'll be quite surprised.

[Adsos Letter]

21. Gates was very clear from the beginning that NFZ would involve airstrikes

on runways, AA sites, etc..

The question now is whether Gaddafi has situated his AA units in close proximity to civilian targets in anticipation of just such a response; an enormous problem for anyone attempting to enforce NFZ without causing civilian casualties.

[Drale]

2. He's attacking his own people with fighter jets

He's a sociopath. He is far beyond any diplomacy.

[TroglodyteScholar]

3. Have you seen/heard what he's doing at all? n/t

edit: typo

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[readmoreoften]

15. Oh stop it with your slandering false dichotomies.

I despise Gaddafi and I want to see him wiped off the face of the earth. That doesn't mean I can't seriously question the real motivation of the UN given their track record, given the fact that Gingrich, McCain, and Lieberman support airstrikes. Do you really think they give a shit about the rebels? If we really cared we'd help arm the Tunisians and Egyptians fighting beside them, those who can smuggle in weapons.

[palm_to_forehead]

5. Pacifism for the sake of pacifism

is not virtue.

[Codeine]

7. +1

Not everything is an imperialist plot.

[Lyric]

12. Weird--I was just thinking those *exact* same words.

"Not everything is an imperialist plot".

[Raksha]

8. No.

[GSLevel9]

9. what diplomatic path?

I don't think they've even TRIED.

[tabatha]

10. A UN group visited Gaddafi recently - this week, I think.

[Cali_Democrat]

13. Would you call those substantitive negotiations?

I wouldn't.

[RB TexLa]

17. Sometimes the one you're trying to talk to lets you know real quick talking is a waste of time

[tabatha]

19. Negotiations do not start unless both parties

show willingness. The UN showed willingness.

[Berserker]

14. Do you really

think a diplomatic path with this asshole will do any good? Have you listened to him?

[Cali_Democrat]

18. We should at least persue it IMO

[Robb]

16. In a sense, today's vote was something of a diplomatic message.

"Tick, tock," it said. :shrug:

[Adsos Letter]

20. The threat of action may have convinced Gaddafi to become open to negotiation

according to info in this post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4776143

[dennis4868]

22. of course this is happening...

behind the scenes....