[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 15, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 102--CALLING FOR A NO-FLY ZONE AND THE RECOGNITION OF 
               THE TRANSITIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL IN LIBYA

  Mr. McCAIN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 102

       Whereas peaceful demonstrations, inspired by similar 
     peaceful demonstrations in Tunisia, Egypt, and elsewhere in 
     the Middle East, began in Libya with calls for greater 
     political reform, opportunity, justice, and the rule of law 
     and quickly spread to cities around the country.
       Whereas Muammar Qaddafi, his sons, and forces loyal to them 
     have responded to the peaceful demonstrations by authorizing 
     and initiating violence against civilian non-combatants in 
     Libya, including the use of airpower, foreign mercenaries, 
     helicopters, mortar and artillery fire, naval assets, 
     snipers, and soldiers;
       Whereas, in response to Qaddafi's assault on the people of 
     Libya, the imposition of a ``no-fly zone'' in Libya was 
     called for by the Gulf Cooperation Council on March 7, 2011; 
     by the head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference on 
     March 8, 2011; and by the Arab League on March 12, 2011;
       Whereas the Governments of France and the United Kingdom 
     have drafted a United Nations Security Council Resolution to 
     mandate the imposition of a ``no-fly zone'' in Libya;
       Whereas the Libyan Transitional National Council was formed 
     in Benghazi, with representation of Libyan leaders from 
     across the country;
       Whereas, on March 10, 2011, the Government of France 
     recognized the Libyan Transitional National Council, based in 
     Benghazi, as the sole legitimate government of Libya and has 
     announced its intention to send an ambassador there;
       Whereas, despite initial gains, the opposition has been 
     losing ground against Qaddafi's forces, which are currently 
     advancing against the opposition stronghold of Benghazi;
       Whereas, on March 3, 2011, President Barack Obama said, 
     ``Let me just be very unambiguous about this. Colonel Qaddafi 
     needs to step down from power and leave''; and
       Whereas, on March 10, 2011, the Director of National 
     Intelligence testified before Congress that, because of 
     Qaddafi's superior military resources, including airpower, 
     and in the absence of outside assistance to the opposition, 
     ``I think [over] the long term that the [Qaddafi] regime will 
     prevail.'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) applauds the bravery of the Libyan people, who are 
     fighting to secure their universal rights against the violent 
     dictatorship of Muammar Qaddafi;
       (2) condemns Muammar Qaddafi, and the forces loyal to him, 
     for using overwhelming and indiscriminate violence, including 
     the use of airpower and foreign mercenaries, against peaceful 
     demonstrators and civilians, which has resulted in gross 
     human rights abuses, grave loss of innocent life, and 
     potentially crimes against humanity;
       (3) strongly welcomes the calls for imposing a ``no-fly 
     zone'' in Libya made by the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation 
     Council, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference;
       (4) reiterates that it is the policy of the United States, 
     as stated by President Obama, that Colonel Qaddafi must step 
     down and leave power; and
       (5) calls on the President--
       (A) to recognize the Libyan Transitional National Council, 
     based in Benghazi but representative of Libyan communities 
     across the country, as the sole legitimate governing 
     authority in Libya;
       (B) to take immediate steps to implement a ``no-fly zone'' 
     in Libya with international support; and
       (C) to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to 
     achieve the stated United States policy objective of Qaddafi 
     leaving power.

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