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[House Document 112-14]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

112th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 112-14

 
 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT REGARDING THE COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS IN 
                                 LIBYA

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                  THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

A MESSAGE ON THE UNITED STATES' INVOLVEMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT 
           AUTHORIZED BY THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

   March 29, 2011.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
                         ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                        Washington, March 21, 2011.
Hon. John A. Boehner,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: At approximately 3:00 p.m. Eastern 
Daylight Time, on March 19, 2011, at my direction, U.S. 
military forces commenced operations to assist an international 
effort authorized by the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council 
and undertaken with the support of European allies and Arab 
partners, to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and address the 
threat posed to international peace and security by the crisis 
in Libya. As part of the multilateral response authorized under 
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, U.S. military forces, 
under the command of Commander, U.S. Africa Command, began a 
series of strikes against air defense systems and military 
airfields for the purposes of preparing a no-fly zone. These 
strikes will be limited in their nature, duration, and scope. 
Their purpose is to support an international coalition as it 
takes all necessary measures to enforce the terms of U.N. 
Security Council Resolution 1973. These limited U.S. actions 
will set the stage for further action by other coalition 
partners.
    United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 authorized 
Member States, under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, to take 
all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian 
populated areas under threat of attack in Libya, including the 
establishment and enforcement of a ``no-fly zone'' in the 
airspace of Libya. United States military efforts are discrete 
and focused on employing unique U.S. military capabilities to 
set the conditions for our European allies and Arab partners to 
carry out the measures authorized by the U.N. Security Council 
Resolution.
    Muammar Qadhafi was provided a very clear message that a 
cease-fire must be implemented immediately. The international 
community made clear that all attacks against civilians had to 
stop; Qadhafi had to stop his forces from advancing on 
Benghazi; pull them back from Ajdabiya, Misrata, and Zawiya; 
and establish water, electricity, and gas supplies to all 
areas. Finally, humanitarian assistance had to be allowed to 
reach the people of Libya.
    Although Qadhafi's Foreign Minister announced an immediate 
cease-fire, Qadhafi and his forces made no attempt to implement 
such a cease-fire, and instead continued attacks on Misrata and 
advanced on Benghazi. Qadhafi's continued attacks and threats 
against civilians and civilian populated areas are of grave 
concern to neighboring Arab nations and, as expressly stated in 
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, constitute a threat to 
the region and to international peace and security. His 
illegitimate use of force not only is causing the deaths of 
substantial numbers of civilians among his own people, but also 
is forcing many others to flee to neighboring countries, 
thereby destabilizing the peace and security of the region. 
Left unaddressed, the growing instability in Libya could ignite 
wider instability in the Middle East, with dangerous 
consequences to the national security interests of the United 
States. Qadhafi's defiance of the Arab League, as well as the 
broader international community moreover, represents a lawless 
challenge to the authority of the Security Council and its 
efforts to preserve stability in the region. Qadhafi has 
forfeited his responsibility to protect his own citizens and 
created a serious need for immediate humanitarian assistance 
and protection, with any delay only putting more civilians at 
risk.
    The United States has not deployed ground forces into 
Libya. United States forces are conducting a limited and well-
defined mission in support of international efforts to protect 
civilians and prevent a humanitarian disaster. Accordingly, 
U.S. forces have targeted the Qadhafi regime's air defense 
systems, command and control structures, and other capabilities 
of Qadhafi's armed forces used to attack civilians and civilian 
populated areas. We will seek a rapid, but responsible, 
transition of operations to coalition, regional, or 
international organizations that are postured to continue 
activities as may be necessary to realize the objectives of 
U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973.
    For these purposes, I have directed these actions, which 
are in the national security and foreign policy interests of 
the United States, pursuant to my constitutional authority to 
conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and 
Chief Executive.
    I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep 
the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution. I appreciate the support of the Congress in this 
action.
            Sincerely,
                                                      Barack Obama.

                                  
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