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Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.John Bolton offers his opinion on U.S. involvement in Libya and the future of America’s military presence in the M...
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-- was alone joining me now former ambassador to the UN John Bolton.
Mr.
Bolten first of all thank you for for joining -- What's your reaction.
Now to what happens in the future we we can argue about should we have gotten involved are not.
But you can't just back up your bags and go home -- Right I mean I think we were correct in wanting Gadhafi removed from power unfortunately that's not the reason that President Obama authorize the use of military force.
In any event as you say we've got to look forward the Gadhafi regime is finished we don't know yet what the continuing resistance will be.
But but looking at they transitional national council it's a very disparate group of people.
Their only real source of unity.
Was their desire to overthrow Gadhafi and it's very unclear.
What the future holds out disagree with your caller.
Very strongly to this extent we're not just there to fix other countries we have a profound national interest.
-- making sure that Libya does not become a base for international terrorism.
So we have a real stake there how we react to open for debate.
But but this is not an altruistic gesture on our part this this goes to or American interest.
And this is a continuation if you will to some extent of President Bush's policies regarding.
Trying to find some democracy in the Middle East is is President Obama following that same policy.
Why not sure what policy president Obama's following that that's part of our problem I think we've got a -- coherence at the -- of the president's approach one thing in Egypt another thing in Libya another thing again in.
Syria I think what we're really what we should be focusing on especially here just just short time before.
The tenth anniversary of 9/11.
Is remembering that the threat of international terrorism particularly terrorism that might.
Possessed weapons of mass destruction.
Remains very real and that we have a choice we can either sort of pull back to the United States and and hope that our.
Defenses here they've airport -- again and the border security or enough.
Or we can do what I think is the more sensible thing and make sure terrorism can't establish bases of operation.
In places like Libya or Yemen or Afghanistan.
-- and that's where I ask troubled north about are we gonna be either we're gonna have some sort of military presence there for years or decades He said years not decades -- your answer.
In Afghanistan and I I think it's a big mistake for us to be pulling troops out now I think that it's simply.
Signaled to the Taliban we've lost our resolve you know they have this saying the Taliban.
About Americans they say you have the watch is we have the time.
-- -- -- I do think it's different I don't think we need a military presence I think we need a strong political presence that doesn't require boots on the ground it doesn't require American money it requires a little.
Political leadership.
To help those leaders in in Libya going forward who are pro west pro open free pluralistic societies.
Against the al-Qaeda supporters that that the potential terrorists.
Who question to that the what you just said one is it it's.
They -- weapons of mass destruction I mean his chemical weapons and other things there in Libya.
Isn't that a military function to go find that and protected -- keep it from getting into the wrong hands -- the other side.
That is so you're gonna -- a political solution what's that mean writing checks to people still will be our friends.
Well I think that that we should have destroyed that chemical regional long -- and -- Gadhafi agreed to it it's amazing that it's.
Not -- I think we can secure that I'm more worried about the man pads the portable missiles they and I aircraft.
Equipment that we definitely need to secure I think we rebels can can do that that without without substantial American involvement.
But in terms of helping shape the leadership going forward you put your finger on an important.
Point too often in the past our diplomacy does consist of writing checks I don't think we need to do that here.
Libya what it pumps oil again.
That will have substantial revenues what we need is old fashioned behind the scenes political diplomacy to help our people.
Help people who are pro west pro US.
Gain predominance within Libyan politics over the radical Islam assist in the supporters of terrorism.
Who does that is that us State Department -- CI AEA or who does that.
Well it's a little bit of everything and I think frankly to get American investment in there in the well.
Sector and other sectors Libya could have a booming tourist industry has great Roman ruins.
Once the once the ground to secure it has the possibility.
Of a free and prosperous future and I think.
That that is an example but -- an absolute minimum not being you know.
Condition of anarchy where terrorists can take -- is something that we need to continue to pay close attention to.
Investor jumble moment -- to get your view on.
