Barack Obama interviewed with Diane Sawyer about Muammar Gaddafi, and Libya. President Barack Obama launched an air campaign against Libya on March 19, 2011. What are the insights in his reverse speech?
Brackets [ ] indicate where the reversal occurs. Click on the reversal to hear the audio.
ABC News 3-29-11
Diane Sawyer: Starting with Libya, as of this moment any sign Gaddafi wants out?
Barack Obama: Well I think what we’re seeing is that the circle around Gaddafi understands that the noose is tightening. That their days are probably numbered, and they’re going to have to think [through what their next step]s are. That scoundrel the worst.
We had a conference today in London where you had scores of countries, European, Arab, [the United Nati]ons, the African Union all coming together saying it was time for him to go. Shared value.
The first step is for Gaddafi to send a signal that he understands the Libyan people don’t want him ruling anymore. That forty years of tyranny is enough. And once he makes that decision, I think the international community will come together and make a determination as to [what uh the most appropriate]… They worked some of that out.
…way of [facilitating] him stepping down will be. He needs to listen.
We have instituted a no fly zone that can be sustained for quite time because it’s an international effort. It’s not just a U.S. effort. And so we’ve got scores of countries that are participating. Including Arab countries like Qatar and the [United Ar-Arab Emirates]. Still may bring a bounty.
[That means he can’t use] any air power. His air defense systems have been completely disabled. Soon make his name bad.
If you measured his remaining capability to rebel, or opposition capability, then he is still more powerful on the ground in Libya. That’s why it’s important for us to not only keep up the military pressure, but it’s also important for us to maintain the diplomatic and political pressure. But it’s also important for us to maintain the diplomatic and the political pressure. [But also send a mess]age to the rebels in the opposition…Send the missiles. Slaughter. (Obama has stated that Gaddafi’s forces are stronger on the ground than the rebels. It doesn’t seem likely this reversal is telling the rebels to fire on Gaddafis forces, but rather he is letting the rebels know there is a plan to kill Gaddafi and/or his forces for them. UPDATE: Rebel forces killed Gaddafi on October 20, 2011.)
Dian sawyer: I wanted to try and clarify what you were saying today to the people of Syria. To the people who are dying for full democracy in Syria, and I’ve got the list from last night {Obama’s previous night’s speech}. If they rise up in force and are faced with violence on a horrific scale, a unique ability we have stop that violence, a broad coalition Arab countries coming in and they make a plea for help, are you saying to them we will be there for you to help as we there in Libya?
Barack Obama: I’m not saying that. What I’m saying is that those are the criteria that I consider in making a very difficult decision [about whether to apply military force]. So fearful, a mouth over the web. (There currently are many protests among the people of Middle Eastern countries. The coordination of these uprisings has been said to be done through social media such as Twitter and Facebook. These have been dubbed “Facebook Revolutions”. Facebook has 600 million users worldwide. As of April 2011 U.S. lawmakers are drafting a wide-ranging legislation that includes President Barack Obama’s desire for an internet kill switch. The Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act will give President Barack Obama the ability to declare a state of “cyber-security emergency”, during which he would have full control over internet networks for up to 4 months without Congressional approval.)
There are a whole host of countries that are going through turmoil [in the Middle East right now], and we should not expect that somehow are going to be able to impose a solution on each and every one of those every time. I doubt you eliminate.