Political Hotsheet
March 18, 2011 2:48 PM

Obama to Qaddafi: Compliance is "not negotiable"

Updated 3:04 p.m. Eastern Time

President Obama said that Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi must immediately comply with the demands of the international community and stop attacking his own people - and that a failure to comply will be met with military action.

The president said Qaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from key areas of the country, allow for humanitarian assistance to reach Libyans, and make sure his people have access to water, gas and electricity.

"Let me be clear, these terms are not negotiable," said Mr. Obama. "These terms are not subject to negotiation. If Qaddafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences. The resolution will be enforced through military action."

The United Nations Security Council voted Thursday to authorize "all necessary measures" to keep Qaddafi's government from attacking the Libyan people, including the creation of a no-fly zone. The Libyan government declared a cease-fire following that vote, but Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed skepticism about it Friday, saying, "we would have to see actions on the ground, and that is not yet at all clear."

The Libyan Transitional National Council, which has spoken for the rebels, said Friday that the cease-fire is being breached and demanded immediate military action against Qaddafi.

Mr. Obama said that the United States would not lead any military action against Qaddafi but rather act in concert with the international community, and he said the United States "is not going to deploy ground troops into Libya. And we are not going to use force to go beyond a well-defined goal [of protecting civilians]."

Though U.S. officials say Qaddafi must ultimately step down, the president insisted that regime change in Libya and elsewhere in the Arab world "will not and cannot" be imposed from abroad.

The president said there is no decision that he considers more carefully than sending American troops into combat, particularly with two wars already raging. But, he said, America "will not stand idly by in the face of actions that undermine global peace and security."

"I've taken this decision with the confidence that action is necessary and that we will not be acting alone," he said. "Our goal is focused. Our cause is just, and our coalition is strong."

The president said Libyan protesters were "met with an iron fist" when they demanded accountable government universal rights, even as members of the government and others aligned themselves with the protesters.

(At left, CBS News' Harry Smith and CBS News national security correspondent David Martin discuss what kinds of consequences Qaddafi could face if he does not comply with the U.N. Security Council's demands.)

"Muammar Qaddafi clearly lost the confidence of his own people and the legitimacy to lead," he said. "Instead of respecting the rights of his own people, Qaddafi chose the path of brutal suppression. Innocent civilians were beaten, imprisoned and in some cases killed. Peaceful protests were forcefully put down. Hospitals were attacked and patients disappeared."

"There should be no doubt about his intentions because he, himself, has made them clear," added the president. "For decades he's demonstrated a willingness to use brute force through his sponsorship of terrorism against the American people as well as others and through the killings that he has carried out within his own borders."

The president said the United States and international community moved swiftly in response, culminating in Thursday's vote. He also made the case for action on the part of the United States and its allies.

President Obama addresses the situation in Libya from the White House, March 18, 2011.

(Credit: CBS)
"Here is why this matters to us," he said. "Left unchecked we have every reason to believe that Qaddafi would commit atrocities against his people. Many thousands could die. A humanitarian crisis would ensue. The entire region could be destabilized, endangering many of our allies and partners. The calls of the Libyan people for help would go unanswered. The democratic values that we stand for would be overrun. Moreover, the words of the international community would be rendered hollow."

"The United States did not seek this outcome," he added. "Our decisions have been driven by Qaddafi's refusal to respect the rights of his people and the potential for mass murder of innocent civilians."

The comments followed a meeting between the president and a group of Congressional leaders from both parties. Rep. Mike Rogers, the Michigan Republican who chairs the House intelligence committee, told CBS News the meeting was serious in tone. He said the United States would play a supporting role in any possible military actions led by the British, the French and Arab League countries.

Mr. Obama did not specify in his comments when military action would begin if Qaddafi does not comply.

Libya closes airspace after U.N. OKs no-fly zone
Video: U.N. votes on Libya "no-fly zone"
Complete coverage: Anger in the Arab World

Tags:
obama ,
cbsegypt ,
Muammar Qaddafi ,
libya
Topics:
Foreign Policy

Add a Comment See all 279 Comments
by dot92141 March 19, 2011 5:11 PM EDT
Ican assure you that when he returns you will see more jobs leaving our country.
Reply to this comment
by BBFmail March 19, 2011 4:47 PM EDT
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article27651.htm

Ron Paul says no-fly zone over Libya is an 'act of war,' needs approval from Congress

By Pete Kasperowicz

March 10, 2011 "The Hill" -- Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) on Thursday argued that establishing a no-fly zone over Libya is an act of war that should require congressional approval, and will introduce a sense-of-Congress resolution saying the administration should seek input from the branch before imposing a no-fly policy.

"Congress should act," Paul said. "I'm preparing to introduce a resolution next week, and it's a sense of Congress, that the executive branch can't do this without approval from the Congress.

"We have to remember, a no-fly zone is an act of war," he added.

Paul equated a no-fly zone with an act of war based on the U.S. experience in Iraq, which started with a no-fly zone in the 1990s and ultimately ended in war. He also said it is difficult to establish a no-fly zone without some military activity.

"You can't just all of a sudden turn a switch and say don't fly over Libya," Paul said. "You have to bomb a lot of anti-aircraft sites and a lot of military establishment. So the war is on."

Paul also argued that there is no legitimate reason for a no-fly zone over Libya, which is entering a civil war but does not pose any national security threat to the United States.

"Now, what moral right do we have to participate in war activity against Libya?" he asked. "Libya hasn't done anything to the United States. It would be foolish, it would have a downside, and we should think very, very carefully before we go expanding the wars that we're already involved in."

Paul is one of 10 House members who sponsored a resolution on Wednesday to direct the president to remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

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by sjc_1 March 19, 2011 4:27 PM EDT
Bush said the U.N. was irrelevant when they did not agree with him and then relevant when they did. That is what you get with a drunken spoiled trust fund frat brat.
Reply to this comment
by samael2014 March 19, 2011 4:19 PM EDT
"The United States did not seek this outcome," he added. "Our decisions have been driven by Qaddafi's refusal to respect the rights of his people and the potential for mass murder of innocent civilians."


And you're going to have to stop speaking on behalf of the United States, when you're speaking on behalf of your administration, jackass.

Because, it's quite clear that your decisions are driven by the same refusal to respect the rights of people and the "potential" for mass murder of innocent civilians as Tunisia, Bahrain, the Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia and others. And that these are acts of war that are being committed selectively against Libya, while you give a higher level respect to these dictatorships and psychopaths who reign terror in countries supported by your administration, and leave those unarmed people in those nations to rot.


If you could just promise that you won't run for re-election in 2012, and make this HORRIFYING mistake of Democrats electing you just a 4 year NIGHTMARE, than that will suffice.

And again, no need to speak on behalf of the United States, when we aren't currently a hive-mind, thanks. As much as you are Bush all over again, and treat "rule of law", like scent of dog-$hit Republican handled Constitutional democracy.
Reply to this comment
by david4673 March 19, 2011 1:04 PM EDT
Reading only the headline is no way to be an informed American citizen.

So many of you choose to ignore the full story on any issue, you just spew your same ol' propaganda -- wow, you really are transparent.

You just don't care for facts. Thank God, there are more Americans that do love our country enough to be informed and objective.

That sleeping giant of the American middle of the road political ideology is yawning... and your attacks and pointless misinterpretation of the serious issues our country faces, will not be on the breakfast menu. Nobody like to wake up to a bunch of bullsh!t... just sayin'
Reply to this comment
by erichsh March 19, 2011 1:32 PM EDT
by david4673 March 19, 2011 1:04 PM EDT
Reading only the headline is no way to be an informed American citizen.

I don't know what you mean by the "full story" - but as my post pointed out, that "full story" isn't even contained within the article much less the headline. Headlines are designed by the editors/producers/writers to plant an immediate impression about an issue in the reader's mind, and with MSM outlets like CBS, are frequently deceptive and misleading at best - and in some cases outright contradict the rest of the story. In this case, the headline reader goes away with the impression that Obama is 'firm' and 'decisive' (i.e., what CBS/etc. wants you to believe), when in reality he is anything but! And as Paul Harvey would say, 'that's the rest of the story'.
by michaelm07 March 19, 2011 12:54 PM EDT
This poor excuse for a president is 90% smoke and only 10% horsepower.
Reply to this comment
by erichsh March 19, 2011 12:09 PM EDT
Wow - based on the headline, Qaddafi must be shaking in his boots! Why, what fearless leadership from our 'strong' and 'decisive' Obama! Where's the story about how he's been dithering and dikking around until Hillary (of all people!) as well as the rest of the Western world finally convinced to no longer sit on both hands and make at least a half-arsed, feeble attempt to follow other countries' leadership.
Reply to this comment
by jessytell March 19, 2011 12:10 PM EDT
They convinced him to go on vacation! LMAO. I hope he stays in Brazil.
by jessytell March 19, 2011 12:06 PM EDT
Just a tip to the vacationing Obama. In Brazil they do not speak the language of DUA,Well, Well,Hua, Hum,Ya know,etc.... They speech mostly Portuguese and a verity of other languages just not yours. Oh one more thing they hate people like you and Chavez and Qaddafi, They love freedom and they love to succeed. Something you are not versed in so I hope you learn something on your vacation. By the way stay PLEASE stay as long as you can even longer. I promise we will not even know you are not here since you have never done a dam thing for the American people except make us suffer more.
Reply to this comment
by jessytell March 19, 2011 12:09 PM EDT
Oh Obama, verity is: The quality or condition of being true, factual, or real. Something you are also not able to do.
by ProsperityBeginsIn2012 March 19, 2011 11:46 AM EDT
With no disrespect, when you have the French taken the lead, it shows how much the U.S. had fallen under the obamas regime.
The deterrent is gone, bad guys of the world just laugh at barack....
Reply to this comment
by samael2014 March 19, 2011 4:07 PM EDT
With complete disrespect, if you're ANOTHER ONE of these armchair warmongers -- and I'm guessing anybody with the "patriotism" and nationalism you spew and demand, you MUST BE actually in the armed services and serving your country RIGHT NOW, that your not some lazy jackass, or veteran who thinks they've put their time in, but still want action (there's plenty you can do for your country in the armed services these days, regardless of your weight and age), without they themselves being part of the action -- then PLEASE, for God's sake, kill yourself now. This country can't deal with any more $hit like yourself.
by zengxeng March 19, 2011 11:31 AM EDT
Wish the US would start minding its own business for a change and stop wasting billions policing world in places it clearly has no business. Should deal with its own problems.

www.real-privacy.it.tc
Reply to this comment
by ProsperityBeginsIn2012 March 19, 2011 11:38 AM EDT
Hmmm....the nazis totally agreed with you, they could have rule the world.....
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