On Libya, As Russia & India Say Can't Arm Rebels, Ban Punts...

UNITED NATIONS, March 29 -- While the chairman of the UN's Libya Sanctions committee says that arming the rebels would be impermissible, and the Permanent Representatives of Russia and India told Inner City Press just that on the morning of March 29, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon apparently, or conveniently, takes no position.

Inner City Press at the noon briefing asked Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky for if it is Ban's understanding that the arms embargo of Resolution 1970 still prohibits arming the rebels, despite the protection of civilians “notwithstanding” clause of Resolution 1973. “I think that's for the Security Council to determine,” said Nesirky, who had just said that “the ceasefire means what is says,” a ceasefire on both side.

Why would Ban opine on one portion of the resolutions and not another? Inner City Press pointed out to Nesirky that Ban's predecessor was willing, at least once, to opine on the legality of a Permanent Council member's action.

The US, notably, is now arguing that the resolutions give the “flexibility” to arm the rebels, and France is saying it is ready to talk about it, seemingly not through the UN Security Council.

http://www.innercitypress.com/unsc5reslib032911.html

If the judgement of the active powers is that arming the rebels is necessary to 'prevent harm to civilians' then that is what they will and legally can do....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704360404576206992835270906.html

The the Arab league potentates and UN vote is just a fig. leaf