Monday, March 21, 2011

Army Gen. Carter Ham (Commander Of Libya Operations) Answers Reporter's Questions



U.S. General: We Won’t Help Libya’s Rebels (Unless We Do) -- The Danger Room

The general in charge of enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya swears that he’s not actively aiding the rebels there. His pilots are just, um, blowing up Moammar Gadhafi’s tanks. Get your razor blade out, because it’s time to slice some answers mighty thin.

Gen. Carter Ham, head of U.S. Africa Command, told reporters at the Pentagon that he’s interpreting the United Nations Security Council mandate — ground Libyan aircraft; protect civilians — narrowly. He’s had “no official communication” with the Libyan rebels currently pushing west from Benghazi. “We do not provide close air support for the opposition forces,” he said, even though his planes have attacked pro-Gadhafi loyalists. “We protect civilians… We have no mission to support opposition forces if they should engage in offensive operations.”

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More News On General Ham`s News Conference

TRANSCRIPT: General Ham Briefs Pentagon Press on Operation Odyssey Dawn -- U.S. Africa Command

No mission to back Libya ground offensive: US general -- AFP
General: Coalition strikes more Gadhafi defences, patrols new no-fly zone -- Canadian Press
General: Coalition Forces Strike Additional Qaddafi Defenses -- FOX News
General: Coalition strikes more Gadhafi defenses -- AP
Forces not providing air support for rebels-general -- Reuters
Libya no-fly zone to soon reach 1,000 km-general -- Reuters
Targeting Gaddafi not part of mission - US general -- Reuters
Libya bombing campaign slows, but coalition's ultimate leadership undecided -- Stars And Stripes
Libyan operation hampered by confusion and dispute -- The Guardian
With Libya Fight, U.S. Africa Command Thrust Into a Leadership Role -- New York Times

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