International Diplomacy Has Economic Face, and Not Humanitarian

Finally, NATO has reluctantly agreed to shoulder the burden of the ‘No-Fly-Zone’ air-raid mission of the Allied nations in Libya. The Coalition Forces has decided on the next line of action to take in Libya. They claim everything is being done in line with UN resolution 1973. But much is left to be achieved as major nations who spear-headed the air-raid would soon to find out. What the Coalition Forces did not realize before they moved in was the fact that Gaddafi is no mean man to be pushed aside just like that. He said at the heat of the battle that he would not be intimidated by the Coalition Forces; that he is ready to die in Libya’s soil. It is clear that the rebels are not organized in their bid to take over power from their leader of 42 years. They are confined to Benghazi which is far away from the capital, Tripoli. How successful will the insurrection be without them taking hold of the Tripoli?

The outcome of the London Conference is still very vague as it was not totally agreed on the use of ground troops in order to flush out Gaddafi troops. How far would they go to completely oust Gaddafi? Would they assist the rebels to export crude oil in order to raise finance for the humanitarian needs of the people? The situation in Libya still remains very critical. The international media which the whole world rely upon for first-hand information from Tripoli, are facing the challenge of access as Gaddafi will only allow them to report what he deems fit.

It is still unclear why Western Powers have not taken any military action against Mr. Laurent Gbagbo of Cote d’Ivoire, who has been on killing spree since January. Mr. Gaddafi and his Ivorian counterpart are doing this same thing-killing their civilian population. Why is Cote d’Ivoire’s case different? Is it because Gbagbo‘s soil cannot spew the ‘Black Gold’? International diplomacy has been reduced squarely to economic interest rather than humanitarian interest. Their strategic interest is oil, and nothing less. While the air-raids continued; only time will tell the consequences of the action so far taken. The World is waiting.