Gmail - Prof. Marjorie Cohn: The Responsibility to Protect - The Cases of Libya and Ivory Coast - gunnyg@gmail.com

Gmail - Prof. Marjorie Cohn: The Responsibility to Protect - The Cases of Libya and Ivory Coast - gunnyg@gmail.com

The Responsibility to Protect – The Cases of Libya and Ivory Coast By Prof. Marjorie Cohn

URL of this article: www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=24799

Global Research, May 16, 2011

Information Clearing House

The United States, France and Britain invaded Libya with cruise missiles, stealth bombers, fighter jets and attack jets. Although NATO has taken over the military operation, U.S. President Barack Obama has been bombing Libya with Hellfire missiles from unmanned Predator drones. The number of civilians these foreign forces have killed remains unknown. This military campaign was ostensibly launched to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 in order to protect civilians in Libya. In addition, the United Nations and France have been bombing the Ivory Coast to protect civilians against violence by Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to cede power to the newly elected president after a disputed election. UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon insists that the United Nations is “not a party to the conflict.” France, former colonial ruler of Ivory Coast, has over 1,500 troops stationed there. Ivory Coast is the world’s second largest coffee grower and biggest producer of cocoa. The bombing of Ivory Coast is being undertaken to enforce Security Council Resolution 1975 to protect civilians there. The UN Charter does not permit the use of military force for humanitarian interventions. The military invasions of Libya and Ivory Coast have been justified by reference to the Responsibility to Protect doctrine.