Posted on 03/30/2011 6:09:16 AM PDT by 11th_VA
Belgium voiced its opposition to arming Libya's rebels on Wednesday, warning that the idea being considered by US, French and British officials could alienate Arab nations.
Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere, whose country has deployed fighter jets as part of a NATO-led campaign to protect Libyan civilians, said providing weapons to the insurgents would be "a step too far."
"This would cost us the support of the Arab world," he said.
Vanackere denied that the West was leading a "crusade" against Moamer Kadhafi's regime.
He said the aim of the international military operations in Libya -- mandated by a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at protecting civilians -- was not to remove Kadhafi by force.
"The goal is not to use force until Kadhafi steps down," Vanackere told VRT radio.
The United States, France and Britain -- the nations that have led air strikes against Kadhafi forces -- have all refused to rule out providing weapons to the opposition in Libya.
I can hardly wait for the Frontline PBS Special by the same title ... (/sarcasm)
“The goal is not to use force until Kadhafi steps down,”
WTF...We’re only going to use force after Kadhafi steps down????????? Why then???
Does Belgium make licensed AK-47s? I don’t think so! I think the Romanians get that contract.
Maybe these same people while they are at it can arm the Tea Party, and we can start the real revolution.
Google "FN Herstal".
Interesting. But I did not see anything like a $137 AK-47 there...they had high-tech assault rifles w/Picatinny rails and all manner of interchangeable everything, but nothing so primitive as an AK-47...or even close!
True enough, although over the years, FN has manufactured everything from the Browning Hi-Power pistol, to the FAL rifle, the M2 .50 cal, the M249 SAW, etc. My only point is that virtually every NATO nation uses FN weapons, or some derivative thereof, and if NATO plans on providing arms to Libya (or anybody), Belgium stands to make at least a little money out of the proposition.
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