Showing posts with label UN resolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UN resolution. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Völkerrecht contra Bürgerkrieg: Die Militärintervention gegen Gaddafi ist illegitim

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Ob man Diktatoren zum Teufel jagen soll, ist die eine Frage - selbstverständlich soll man das, so gut es geht. Man muss sich aber auch dem trostlosen Befund aussetzen: Die Intervention der Alliierten in Libyen steht auf brüchigem normativem Boden.

Die Resolution 1973 des UN-Sicherheitsrats vom 17. März, die den Weg zur militärischen Intervention in Libyen freigab, und Maß und Ziel dieser Intervention selbst überschreiten die Grenzen des Rechts. Nicht einfach nur die Grenzen positiver Normen – das geschieht im Völkerrecht oft und gehört zum Motor seiner Entwicklung. Sondern die seiner Fundamente: der Prinzipien, auf denen jedes Recht zwischen den Staaten beruht. Die Entscheidung der Bundesregierung, der Resolution nicht zuzustimmen, war richtig. Die empörte Kritik daran ist so kurzsichtig und fahrlässig wie die Entscheidung des Sicherheitsrats und die Art der Intervention selbst: kurzsichtig im Ausblenden wesentlicher Voraussetzungen der Situation in Libyen, fahrlässig im Hinblick auf die Folgen dieses Kriegs für die Normenordnung der Welt.

Strenger als es der Sicherheitsrat getan hat, müssen zwei denkbare Ziele der Intervention unterschieden werden: die Verhinderung schwerer völkerrechtlicher Verbrechen und die gewaltsame Parteinahme zur Entscheidung eines Bürgerkriegs. Beides unterliegt höchst unterschiedlichen Möglichkeiten der Rechtfertigung. An eine dritte Unterscheidung sei vorsichtshalber erinnert: Ob man Gewalttaten unterbinden oder Diktatoren zum Teufel jagen soll, ist die eine Frage – selbstverständlich soll man das, so gut es geht. Eine ganz andere ist es aber, ob man zu diesem Zweck einen Krieg führen darf, dessen Folgen politisch wie normativ schwer abzusehen sind. » | Von Reinhard Merkel | Dienstag, 22. März 2011

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Allied Forces Attack Libya

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: U.S. and coalition forces launched military strikes against Libya, a calculated gamble that a rapid, and substantial attack could knock out loyalist support for strongman Col. Moammar Gadhafi.

In an opening salvo, U.S. and U.K. forces on Saturday unleashed around 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles against Libyan targets. U.S. Vice. Adm. William Gortney told reporters that the missiles, which struck Libya around 3 p.m. EDT, were aimed at more than 20 Libyan air-defense sites.

In the early hours Sunday in Tripoli, heavy antiaircraft guns and small-arms fire were heard for about 15 minutes close to Col. Gadhafi's compound. It couldn't be determined if coalition aircraft were in the vicinity, however.

The coalition missile strikes represented a dramatic escalation in turmoil that has swept across the Mideast and North Africa. They came after Col. Gadhafi appeared determined to press his attack on Benghazi, the eastern Libyan city that's become the last bastion of opposition resistance.

Despite a United Nations resolution authorizing force against the regime, the colonel's troops penetrated deep into the city Saturday and heavily shelled the rebel capital's residential neighborhoods, threatening to snuff out the month-old Libyan revolution.

In a brief audio address broadcast by state media shortly before midnight Libya time, Col. Gadhafi responded to the strikes by vowing to turn the Mediterranean basin and North Africa into "a battleground," and said he would arm all Libyan civilians to defend the country against "a second Crusader war."

Al-Jamahiriya television, the state's main channel, aired a photo of Col. Gadhafi's headquarters in Bab Aziziya in Tripoli, which was hit in U.S. airstrikes in 1986, and played Pan-Arab patriotic songs from the 1950s.

A Libyan military spokesman said 48 people had been killed and more than 150 injured in the coalition strikes against civilian and military targets in Benghazi, Misrata, Tripoli, Sirte and Zuwara. The spokesman, who appeared on state television reading from a prepared statement, didn't provide further details.

The casualty figures couldn't be independently verified and no coalition strikes could be heard in Tripoli.

A doctor in Misrata said allied strikes hit two locations for Col. Gadhafi's forces. The doctor said massive explosions lit up the sky.

State-media said strikes by U.S. and coalition forces hit a civilian hospital on the outskirts of Tripoli and a gas storage facility in Misrata. Neither statement could be independently verified. » | Nathan Hodge in Washington, D.C., Keith Johnson in Paris and Sam Dagher in Tripoli | Sunday, March 20, 2011



Saturday, March 19, 2011

Gaddafi Claims UN Military Intervention 'Illegal'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Col Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, has rejected UN-backed military intervention as an illegal act in a series of letters to world leaders.


The 68-year old told President Barack Obama that his forces were battling al-Qaeda within Libya.

A spokesman read out the letter at a press conference in Tripoli.

"Our son, the president of US," the letter to the US leader said. "I have said to you before that even if Libya and US enter into a war, God forbid. I have all love for you as a son.

"I have all Libyan people with me, and I am prepared to die and they are prepared to die with me. We are confronting al Qaeda and nothing more.

"What would you do if you found them controling American cities with the force of weapons." » | Damien McElroy, Tripoli | Saturday, March 19, 2011
Pro-Gaddafi Forces Enter Benghazi

BBC: Pro-Gaddafi tanks are inside Libya's rebel stronghold of Benghazi, a BBC journalist has witnessed, as the city came under attack.

A jet appears to have been shot down over the city in spite of a declared ceasefire and a UN no-fly resolution.

World leaders are due to meet in Paris to discuss military action.

The rebel leader has appealed to the international community to stop the pro-Gaddafi bombardment, but the government denies claims of attacks.

"Now there is a bombardment by artillery and rockets on all districts of Benghazi," Mustafa Abdul Jalil told Al Jazeera television. "There will be a catastrophe if the international community does not implement the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

"We appeal to the international community, to the all the free world, to stop this tyranny from exterminating civilians."

UN Secretary General ban Ki-moon says the world must "speak with one voice" on Libya.

The new UN resolution authorised "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians. (+ video) » | Saturday, March 19, 2011

Related »

Friday, March 18, 2011

Libya's Gaddafi Given Ultimatum

BBC: Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi must obey the UN's demands or face military action, US President Barack Obama says.

Mr Obama said Thursday's UN resolution, which called for an immediate ceasefire, was not negotiable.

He said the entire region could be destabilised if Col Gaddafi was allowed to continue attacking his own people.

Earlier, the Gaddafi regime announced it had stopped fighting with the rebels, and promised to follow the UN security council resolution.

Mr Obama said Col Gaddafi's troops must pull back from rebel-held towns including Benghazi, and the authorities must allow in humanitarian aid.

"If he does not comply, the international community will impose consequences," said Mr Obama. "The resolution will be enforced by military action." » | Friday, March 18, 2011
Libyen beugt sich Druck und verkündet Ende der Kämpfe

REUTERS DEUTSCHLAND: Tripolis - Libyen beugt sich dem internationalen Druck und hat ein Ende der Kämpfe gegen die Aufständischen verkündet.

Doch Gegner des Machthabers Muammar Gaddafi berichteten aus Misrata, der Beschuss halte an.

Mehrere Stunden nachdem der UN-Sicherheitsrat einen Militäreinsatz erlaubt und Großbritannien schon mit der Verlegung von Kampflugzeugen begonnen hatte, erklärte Libyens Außenminister Mussa Kussa am Freitag in Tripolis: "Wir akzeptieren die UN-Resolution." Doch Frankreich und Großbritannien blieben skeptisch: "Wir müssen sehr vorsichtig sein", sagte ein Sprecher des Außenministeriums in Paris Nachrichtenagentur Reuters. Gaddafi bekomme jetzt Angst, die Bedrohung für die Zivilisten habe sich aber nicht geändert. Ähnlich äußerte sich der britische Premierminister David Cameron in der BBC: Machthaber Muammar Gaddafi werde an seinen Taten gemessen, nicht an seinen Worten.

Immerhin hatte sich Gaddafi noch am Morgen unbeeindruckt von der UN-Resolution gezeigt und die von Aufständischen gehaltene Stadt Misrata im Westen des Landes erneut unter Beschuss nehmen lassen. Und sein Sohn Saif al-Islam hatte laut Fernsehsender Al Dschasira erklärt, Libyen kümmere sich nicht um die Resolution des UN-Sicherheitsrates. Außerdem würden Anti-Terror-Kräfte nach Benghasi im Osten des Landes geschickt, um die Rebellen zu entwaffnen. » | © Reuters | Freitag, 18. März 2011
Libya: Ceasefire Declared in Wake of UN Resolution

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Libya has declared a ceasefire in the country to comply with a United Nations resolution passed overnight.


Moussa Koussa, the Libya foreign minister, announced that the ceasefire would be "immediate" and would result in "an immediate stop to all military operations".

"(Libya) takes great interest in protecting civilians," he said, adding that the country would also protect all foreigners and foreign assets in Libya.

The announcement came as David Cameron said RAF warplanes would be in places in the "coming hours".

Military action follows a United Nations Security Resolution, backed by Britain, France and the US. The Arab League has also called for a no-fly zone, and Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are expected to contribute forces to any military operation.

Mr Cameron's statement came amid reports that Western forces could launch bombing raids against the Libyan regime within hours after the UN backed international military action. » | Friday, March 18, 2011
Gaddafi's Son: Libya Not Afraid of UN Resolution

THE JERUSALEM POST: Saif al-Islam responds to UN Security Council decision to authorize military strikes on Libya; France, Norway to join int'l military action.

Libya is not afraid of a UN resolution authorizing military strikes to protect Libyan civilians, Al Arabiya television quoted Saif al-Islam, one of Muammar Gaddafi's sons, as saying on Friday. Al Arabiya did not say where or when he made the remark.

The United Nations Security Council voted Thursday to authorize military force against Gadhafi’s forces.

“Today the Security Council has responded to the Libyan people's cry for help,” US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said. “This Council's purpose is clear: to protect innocent civilians.”

France and Norway announced Friday that they will join the international military action against Gaddafi's forces.

French government spokesman Francois Baroin said on Friday that "The French, who led the calls [for action], will of course be consistent with military intervention." Asked to specify what that meant, he said "they will participate" in operations.

The UN resolution demands the "immediate establishment of a cease-fire and a complete end to violence and all attacks, and abuses, of civilians." The resolution stipulates that member states, upon notification to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, can “take all necessary measures...to protect civilians and civilian populated areas, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory." » | Reuters and Jordana Horn | Friday, March 18, 2011

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Barack Obama Warns North Korea over Rocket Launch as Pyongyang 'Fuels Missile'

THE TELEGRAPH: North Korea can expect a "stern, unified action" from the international community if it test-fires a ballistic missile, US President Barack Obama has said.

Photobucket
South Korean protesters burn a mock missile, pictures of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and North's flags during a rally against North Korea's missile in Seoul, South Korea. Photo courtesy of The Telegraph

Mr Obama promised tough action at a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit as reports emerged that Pyongyang had begun fueling the long-range rocket for an impending launch.

US military officials said that technicians have started to fuel up the three-stage Taepodong-2 missile at Musudan-ri launch site in the country's northeast in defiance of a 2006 UN resolution.

Pyongyang has said that the missile-test is a satellite launch not covered by the UN resolution and has informed international agencies that it will fire the rocket as early as Saturday.

US intelligence officials said that analysis of the rocket's nose-cone appeared to confirm claims that it was a satellite launch, but added that the launch was a cover for testing ballistic missile technology capable of delivering a warhead as far as Alaska or Hawaii.

Diplomatic tensions are building on the Korean peninsula, where relations between North and South have sunk to their lowest levels in a decade. >>> By Peter Foster in Beijing | Thursday, April 2, 2009

Friday, August 22, 2008

Russia, West Remain at Odds on UN Resolution

IRISH TIMES: Russia and key Western nations remained at odds last night over a UN resolution aimed at bringing peace to Georgia, with the US, France and Britain insisting on immediate withdrawal of Russian troops and a commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity, according to UN diplomats.

Russia put its draft resolution, which restates and endorses a six-point peace plan promoted by French president Nicolas Sarkozy and signed last week by Russia and Georgia, into a final form that can be put to a vote in the UN Security Council. But Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin did not indicate when he would call for a vote. 



"Our draft resolution is a reconfirmation of the six-point agreement, and there's no territorial integrity in the six principles," Mr Churkin said after a council meeting yesterday called by Russia. "We believe the six principles are clear and already implemented." 



But the US and its European allies have criticised Russia for remaining in Georgia and performing military operations despite last week's cease-fire. The agreement says both Russian and Georgian forces must move back to positions they held before fighting broke out August 7th in Georgia's South Ossetia region, which has close ties to Russia. 



The American, British and French envoys made clear yesterday that they won't accept a resolution that doesn't include clarifications of the six-point plan including an immediate Russian withdrawal and reaffirmation of Georgia's territorial integrity. Russia, West Remain at Odds on UN Resolution >>> | August 22, 2008

SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL:
A New Arms Race with Russia?: Moscow isn't really afraid of the US missile defense shield. A day after the US signed an important deal with Poland, German commentators say that Russia is merely pining for the good old days of the Soviet Union >>> | August 21, 2008

THE NEW YORK TIMES:
Russia never Wanted a War >>> By Mikhail Gorbachev | August 19, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>