West Cools on No-Fly Zone (U.S. Defense Chief Decries 'Loose Talk' of Libya Intervention)

The Wall Street Journal ^ | MARCH 3, 2011 | CHARLES LEVINSON, STEPHEN FIDLER in Brussels and JULIAN E. BARNES

[MinorityRepublican]

Senior U.S. defense officials tried to lower expectations of an international military intervention in Libya, as rebels, fighting off a key offensive by forces loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi, called for foreign airstrikes.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, testifying before Congress, criticized "loose talk" about any military intervention in Libya, where military rebels and civilian opponents of the government are trying to topple Col. Gadhafi.

The U.S. and allies have discussed the prospect of imposing a no-fly zone over the North African country to prevent Col. Gadhafi from using air forces to strike at protesters. But Mr. Gates on Wednesday made clear the U.S. military would have to launch pre-emptive strikes to destroy Libya's air defenses if President Barack Obama ordered the imposition of a no-fly zone,

"Let's just call a spade a spade," Mr. Gates said. "A no-fly zone begins with an attack on Libya."

Mr. Gates's words were the strongest public indication of skepticism within the administration about establishing a no-fly zone, especially without broad international support.

[mikhailovich]

Told ya >>

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To: dead
Yep. Help with evacuation. No big deal, blown way out of proportion here. And they won’t enforce a no fly zone. Too many variables. Escaping pilots, relief planes, etc.

41 posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2011 2:57:15 PM by mikhailovich
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies | Report Abuse]

[SunkenCiv]

McCain's in favor of establishing a no-fly zone.

Show of hands -- how many support JOHN MCCAIN? ;')

That should shut everyone up, huh? ;')

Thanks MinorityRepublican.

• McCain vs. Pentagon: Getting personal over Libya Debate By Larry Shaughnessy, CNN Pentagon Producer

[upcountryhorseman]

I heard a very simple but effective idea: Bomb the airfields
so the planes can’t take off!