Mitt Romney - Libya
Last Updated: Dec 28, 2011
Summary
Governor Romney has stated that he supported military action in Libya in 2011. He was critical of of President Obama's hesitance for action in Libya in a radio interview in March of 2011 and stated that the Libyan incident was typical of President Obama's lacking overall foreign policy. Governor Romney noted that President Obama had been inconsistent in pushing for America's interests by stating that he’s committed to our success in Afghanistan unless it means commitment beyond 2011, that he stands with Israel but condemns its settlement policy more than Hamas’ rocket attacks, and that he calls for the removal of Muammar Gaddafi, but then conditions our action on the directions we get from the Arab League and the United Nations. Governor Romney stated that President Obama's lack of foreign policy contributed to the problem by forcing him to delegate to the United Nations and the Arab League a decision about our involvement in Libya.
In an op-ed piece in April of 2011, Governor Romney referred to President Obama's policy on Libya as "mission muddle" with an inability to determine if the US was there for humanitarian reasons or to oust Qaddafi.
In August of 2011, Governor Romney stated that he was happy that it looked like Ghaddafi would be removed soon, but that he wanted to see the Lockerbie bomber extradited to the US.
Hugh Hewitt Appearance
On March 21, 2011 Governor Romney appeared on the Hugh Hewitt Radio show and discussed the recent air strikes on Libya, and it's affects on foreign policy.
MR: Thank you. Good to be with you today.
HH: What is your reaction to President Obama’s announcement of air strikes on Libya?
MR: Well, first, I support military action in Libya. I support our troops there and the mission that they’ve been given. But let me also note that thus far, the President has been unable to construct a foreign policy, any foreign policy. I think it’s fair to ask, you know, what is it that explains the absence of any discernable foreign policy from the president of the United States? And I believe that it flows from his fundamental disbelief in American exceptionalism. In the President’s world, all nations have common interests, the lines between good an evil are blurred, America’s history merits apology. And without a compass to guide him in our increasingly turbulent world, he’s tentative, indecisive, timid and nuanced. And as a result, I think, he says, for instance, he’s committed to our success in Afghanistan unless it means commitment beyond 2011. He stands with our ally, Israel, but condemns its settlement policy even more forcefully than he condemns Hamas’ rockets. And he calls for the removal of Muammar Gaddafi, but then conditions our action on the directions we get from the Arab League and the United Nations.
HH: Did he wait too long, Governor Romney, to strike against Libya?
MR: There’s no question but that his inability to have a clear and convincing foreign policy made him delegate to the United Nations and the Arab League a decision about our involvement there. And I happen to have a very personal concern. I mean, 270 people were killed as a result of that tragedy over Lockerbie. We now know that that was ordered directly by Muammar Gaddafi. One of my colleagues at Bain & Co, and a friend, named Nicholas Bright, was killed in that flight. And the President had every piece of information he needed to be able to take action in America’s interest.
HH: Does he appear weak?
MR: You know, I think one of the comments I’ve heard from individuals abroad is that in the past, America has been feared sometimes, has been respected, but today, that America is seen as being weak. We’re following the French into Libya. I appreciate the fact that others are participating in this effort, but I think we look to America to be the leader of the world. You know, the cause of liberty can endure the mistakes that are inevitable consequences of human fallibility. But liberty’s standard can’t prevail if it’s not proudly, decisively and consistently held aloft.
Mission Muddle
On April 21, 2011 Governor Romney wrote an op-ed that appeared on the National Review Online concerning the muddling of the mission in Libya.
Mission Muddle in Libya
April 21, 2011 11:12 A.M.
By Mitt Romney
In a nationally-televised speech on March 28, President Obama defined the American military mission in Libya as humanitarian: We would enforce a no-fly zone to prevent Libyan forces from bombing civilians. I support that specific, limited mission. Last week, the president wrote in an op-ed with his British and French counterparts that “to succeed, Qaddafi must go and go for good.”
It is apparent that our military is engaged in much more than enforcing a no-fly zone. What we are watching in real time is another example of mission creep and mission muddle. In an op-ed in today’s Boston Herald, former U.N. ambassador John Bolton rightly notes that Obama has set himself up for “massive strategic failure” by demanding Qaddafi’s ouster “while restricting military force to the limited objective of protecting civilians.” Military action cannot be under-deliberated and ad hoc. The president owes it to the American people and Congress to immediately explain his new Libya mission and its strategic rationale.
Extradite Libyan Bomber
On August 22, 2011 Governor Romney issued a statement from his campaign website calling upon the rebel government to hand over the Lockerbie bomber to the US or another government.
Romney to New Libyan Government: Extradite Lockerbie Bomber
August 22, 2011
Location
Boston, MA
United States
Mitt Romney today issued the following statement on the situation in Libya:
“The world is about to be rid of Muammar el-Qaddafi, the brutal tyrant who terrorized the Libyan people. It is my hope that Libya will now move toward a representative form of government that supports freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. As a first step, I call on this new government to arrest and extradite the mastermind behind the bombing of Pan Am 103, Abdelbaset Mohmed Ali al-Megrahi, so justice can finally be done.”
Campaign Foreign Policy Position
In November of 2011, Governor Romney issued a position paper on foreign policy. This paper covered Libya as well as other nations.
EGYPT, TUNISIA, AND LIBYA
Nations in the Middle East in transition to new governmental structures face serious pitfalls on the road to more representative forms of government. Already, destabilizing jihadist forces and Iranian-backed elements, often better funded and organized than their democratic counterparts, are seeking to exploit the upheaval to make political inroads. A Romney administration will support those individuals and groups that are seeking to instill lasting democratic values and build sturdy democratic institutions that will sustain open societies in countries that have been closed for too long. Romney will make available technical assistance to governments and transitional bodies to promote democracy, good governance, and sound financial management. He will convene a summit that brings together world leaders, donor organizations, and young leaders of groups that espouse the principles of representative government, religious pluralism, economic opportunity, women’s and minority rights, and freedom of expression and conscience in the Arab world. And in his first 100 days, Romney will engage Congress and relevant executive branch agencies and begin organizing all diplomatic and assistance efforts in the greater Middle East under one regional director. Unlike recent “special envoys” or regional “czars,” this official will possess unified budgetary and directive authority, and therefore real ability to create results. One official with responsibility and accountability will be able to set regional priorities, craft a unified regional strategic plan, and properly direct our soft power toward ensuring the Arab Spring realizes its promise.
References
[1] Website: National Review Online Article: Mission Muddle in Libya Author: Mitt Romney Accessed on: 06/13/2011
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