From the office of Ill. Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger (11th District)…
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11), a pilot in the Air National Guard with tours in the Middle East, sent a letter to President Obama urging the institution of a no-fly zone over Libya.
“A similar no-fly zone over Libya could be created through our naval forces in the Mediterranean and Air Force assets in Italy and Turkey,” said Kinzinger. “The Libyan air defense systems are outdated and implementation of the no-fly zone, in my estimation, does not appear to be a daunting task.”
“If our nation is serious about forcing the Qaddafi regime out of Libya, then the President must establish a no-fly zone in order to hinder Qaddafi’s military operations and stop the massacre of the Libyan people,” continued Kinzinger.
Fellow Illinois colleague, Senator Mark Kirk, a U.S. Naval Reserves officer, recently introduced a resolution calling for a no-fly zone over Libya and reiterated the support from the Senate for this measure.
“There is a growing bipartisan consensus to support an American-led coalition no-fly zone to protect the Libyan people,” said Kirk. “The United States should lead, not wait to follow others.”
The text of the letter appears below or click here to view the signed letter.
March 11, 2011
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20500Dear President Obama:
The United States can no longer stand by and watch the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Libya. Every day the violence increases as the Qaddafi regime continues to assault the Libyan people. The world is watching the people of Libya courageously fighting for their freedom and basic human rights. The world also watches as we doing nothing to stop the slaughter.
As a military pilot with tours in the Middle East, I believe the United States can protect the Libyan people from air attacks through the institution of a no-fly zone. Following the Gulf War of 1991 and the slaughter of the Iraqi people, the United States and our allies enforced no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq. A similar no-fly zone over Libya could be created via our naval forces in the Mediterranean and Air Force assets in Italy and Turkey.
The Qaddafi regime is destroying the very nation it has plundered, and our economic sanctions will not stop the massacre of the Libyan people. The New York Times reports U.S. Intelligence officials estimate the Qaddafi regime has stockpiled tens of billions of dollars, which are now being used to pay segments of the military, security forces, and African mercenaries to kill those who resist tyranny. While our sanctions, in concert with the European communities, have frozen an unprecedented amount of overseas assets, those alone may be unable to stop the bloodshed given the regime’s cash reserves.
After forty years of dictatorship, the people of Libya are seeking self-determination and popular sovereignty. The Interim Transitional National Council should be recognized by the State Department as a legitimate governing body for the opposition. Such recognition will hasten the diplomatic and humanitarian outreach so desperately needed by those fighting for their lives and country.
Mr. President, America must show leadership to end the violence. I strongly encourage you to demonstrate to the world that the United States stands with the people of Libya and, above all, for freedom.
Sincerely,
Adam Kinzinger
Member of Congress
http://kinzinger.house.gov/