Russia announces turnaround on Libya policy

[Dot Com]

He see's that President O'Bama was/is correct:
In diplomatic shift, Russia calls for Gadhafi to step down - CNN.com

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has joined American and other European leaders in calling for Moammar Gadhafi to step down from power, a shift that appears to indicate a closing diplomatic window for the longtime Libyan strongman.

 

[Mr. H.]

This could be a significant development.

 

[Trajan]

what did it cost us?

 

[waltky]

Mebbe he can go live in Russia...

Russia offers to mediate ex-ally Gadhafi's exit
27 May`11 — Russia abandoned one-time ally Moammar Gadhafi and offered Friday to mediate a deal for the Libyan leader to leave the country he has ruled for more than 40 years.

The striking proposal by a leading critic of the NATO bombing campaign reflects growing international frustration with the Libyan crisis and a desire by the Kremlin for influence in the rapidly changing Arab landscape. With Gadhafi increasingly isolated and NATO jets intensifying their attacks, Russia may also be eyeing Libya's oil and gas and preparing for the prospect that the lucrative Libyan market will fall into full rebel control. Early on Saturday, two NATO air strikes shook the Libyan capital, Tripoli. It was not immediately clear what was targeted.

"He should leave," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said of Gadhafi. "I proposed our mediation services to my partners. Everyone thinks that would be useful." The proposal thrust Medvedev into the spotlight at a summit in France of Group of Eight rich nations. Talk of this year's Arab world uprisings has dominated the summit. Analysts question whether Russia still has any leverage over Gadhafi, and the leaders of France, Britain and Germany said there's no point in negotiating directly with the Libyan leader himself. "If Gadhafi makes this decision, which will be beneficial for the country and the people of Libya, then it will be possible to discuss the form of his departure, what country may accept him and on what terms, and what he may keep and what he must lose," Medvedev told reporters.

Medvedev said he is sending envoy Mikhail Margelov to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi immediately to start negotiating, and that talks with the Libyan government could take place later. Margelov said earlier Friday that it's necessary to negotiate with all "reasonable" representatives of the government, including Gadhafi's sons. In response, Libya's deputy foreign minister, Khaled Kaim, said: "Russia is one of the traditional friends of Libya. … We don't think that Russia will sway its position to side with NATO." He would not say whether Gadhafi had been informed of Medvedev's proposal, but told reporters in Tripoli that the Libyan leader was constantly watching the news. South African President Jacob Zuma is also using his party's ties to Gadhafi to work out a peaceful outcome, heading to Libya on behalf of the African Union.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner called Russian, South African and U.N. mediation efforts with Gadhafi "constructive," but said they needed to make clear that the Libyan leader must leave power. "I don't know if it's up to the international community, given what Gadhafi has done against his own people, to prepare him any kind of easy exit or some kind of golden parachute to leave Libya," Toner told reporters. Asked what value the mediation might then hold, Toner said the efforts could be useful "to make him or his regime see clearly the writing on the wall." "There's no way out," Toner added. "He's no longer the legitimate leader in the eyes of the international community, in the eyes of his own people. The sooner he accepts that and moves on, the better."

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[Dot Com]

what did it cost us?

Well, lets see. So far its cost the U.S. a little over 100 MILLION the last I heard. At the same time the U.S. has frozen 70 BILLION of Qaddafi's assets. During this time the U.S. has pulled-out of direct air action and served as logistical support such as aerial-refueling. Also France has just sent the first helicopter gunships over a few days ago.

 

[Trajan]

what did it cost us?

Well, lets see. So far its cost the U.S. a little over 100 MILLION the last I heard. At the same time the U.S. has frozen 70 BILLION of Qaddafi's assets. During this time the U.S. has pulled-out of direct air action and served as logistical support such as aerial-refueling. Also France has just sent the first helicopter gunships over a few days ago.

thats not what I meant, if Russia has pulled a 180, they didn't do it for nothing, Putin is way to cagey a playa to be influenced by mere altruism.

 

[Dot Com]

They see the writing on the wall. They want access to markets after all is said and done.
Russia finally agrees: Gadhafi has to go - World news - Mideast/N. Africa - msnbc.com

DEAUVILLE, France — Russia abandoned one-time ally Moammar Gadhafi and offered Friday to mediate a deal for the Libyan leader to leave the country he has ruled for more than 40 years.
The striking proposal by a leading critic of the NATO bombing campaign reflects growing international frustration with the Libyan crisis and a desire by the Kremlin for influence in the rapidly changing Arab landscape.
With Gadhafi increasingly isolated and NATO jets ...