Greens Call For Robust Diplomatic Intervention In Libya

OTTAWA -- The Green Party is calling for a rapid and robust international diplomatic intervention to pre-empt a potential slide towards a protracted Libyan Civil War.  "A long conflict that would lead to great numbers of civilian dead and much destruction of Libyan infrastructure is not in anyone's best interests," said Green Leader Elizabeth May.

On the diplomatic table should be an ultimatum to divert Libyan oil revenues to a United Nations escrow account by a set target date in order to make clear to the Gadhafi Regime that they will not be able to outlast the current UN intervention. "We must keep in mind the priority to prevent the death of countless innocent Libyan civilians," said Ellen Michelson, Green Peace and Security Critic.  "Military presence must also be balanced by diplomatic efforts to ensure that loss of life and damage to infrastructure is minimized."

"The risk of civil war is real and concerning. It is our hope that the UN arms embargo and the no-fly zone will mitigate that situation but we reiterate that Canada should also be pushing for a diplomatic solution," said Eric Walton, Green Critic for International Affairs.

One of the Green Party of Canada's key values is of non-violence.  We believe that security should not rest mainly on military strength but on cooperation, sound economic and social development, environmental safety, and respect for human rights.  The Green Party also advocates for strengthening the United Nations as the global organisation of conflict management and peacekeeping.

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Contact Information:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
Green Party of Canada
media@greenparty.ca
c: 613.240.8921