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Extending NATO’s Libya Mandate

NATO’s commitment to the mission faces a key test in September when the operation’s second 90-day mandate comes to an end. The United States is floating the idea of asking NATO ambassadors to consider an open-ended mandate this time, sources familiar with the discussions told AFP [bold mine-DL]. “This would put our procedures in tune […]

NATO’s commitment to the mission faces a key test in September when the operation’s second 90-day mandate comes to an end.

The United States is floating the idea of asking NATO ambassadors to consider an open-ended mandate this time, sources familiar with the discussions told AFP [bold mine-DL].

“This would put our procedures in tune with our message,” said a senior NATO official. “It would be logical because we say that we will stay as long as it’s necessary.”

A NATO diplomat said an indefinite mandate would be a tough sell as some nations would require parliamentary approval.

“There will be a hot debate,” the diplomat said, adding that the alliance will likely back a renewal of at least 90 days, however, because “what is at stake is the credibility of NATO, so common sense will prevail.” ~AFP

Via NATO Source

If common sense prevailed, the vast majority of NATO governments not involved in bombing Libya would stop lending it political support by extending NATO’s mandate. The purpose of having limited mandates is presumably so that alliance members can reassess and reconsider whether it makes sense to continue a particular mission. An indefinite mandate would require alliance members to approve continuing the mission without having another opportunity to put an end to the it if it went on too long. Then again, if the alliance keeps approving 90-day extensions as a matter of course for the sake of “credibility,” the end result is much the same: a bad policy will be continued because it would be too embarrassing to put a stop to it.

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