Libya

Letter to Herald Libya UN Security Council resolution 1703 has given western powers the cover of international legitimacy for military intervention in Libya. The UK and US forces have extensive (some might say serial) historical expertise in not dissimilar circumstances with unfortunate results. It does raise concerns that the UK/US once again appear to want to indulge in the exercise of military power in defence of humanitarian intervention without knowing outcomes. The recent episodes resulted in millions killed in Iraq and over 50,000 deaths in Afghanistan. In the act of preventing a humanitarian disaster in Libya can we be assured that we are not witnessing one being created? Greater UK constitutional parliamentary controls are urgently required. Currently, engaging in armed conflict is a prerogative of the crown and does not require parliamentary approval.The Libya intervention did receive overwhelming Commons support, though once again after the event. On-going democratic accountability and scrutiny will surely be necessary to prevent the 'creep' into post-conflict management that we have seen elsewhere. The other concern must be the fact that the new world powers of the BRIC countries have not supported the UN resolution. Indeed China, Russia and India have raised quite hostile voices. It would appear that the old west might be creating another bi-polar world with the new east which can lead us into parlous consequences. Finally, at the precise juncture when the commercial legitimacy of Atomic energy is being questioned, the 'wests' Libya (read oil) military operations might suggest opportunism.