Clinton On Libya: Gaddafi Is 'Game Playing' But Could Be Looking For Exit Strategy

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking with ABC's Diane Sawyer, said that Gaddafi was engaged in "theater" and "game playing," but that he might be looking for an exit strategy.

After claiming that allies have allegedly been reaching out on Gaddafi's behalf, Clinton acknowledged that a lot of the Libyan leader's actions were "theater." However, she then added that "some of it, we think, is exploring. You know, what are my options, where could I go, what could I do. And we would encourage that."

The U.S., which is currently cooperating with an international coalition on Operation Odyssey Dawn, has said repeatedly that Gaddafi must leave power in Libya. However, Clinton refused to speculate on the outcome of the military operation, declining to say that she was confident the strongman would be removed.

She added that, "Now obviously, if we want to see a stable, peaceful, hopefully someday democratic Libya, it is highly unlikely that can be accomplished if he stays in power as he is."

You can find the latest updates on Libya here, and watch the interview below:

Comments

[kengault]

02:32 PM on 03/24/2011

Pants suit Hillary Clinton was a driving force behind the Libya attack. In 2007 Hillary said, "If the administration believes that any, any use of force against Iran is necessary, the president must come to Congress to seek that authority,"
So Hillary Clinton just joins the ranks of Barack Obama, Joe Biden and the ObamaMedia ..... yes, all of these people hammered the idea in 2007 of military action without congressional approval.
More Democrat hypocrisy.

[Michelle Black]

12:35 AM on 03/24/2011

Did anyone in the USA notice that Germany has pulled out of operations in Libya?

It seems not much attention is given to that story here

[yesIcan]

03:39 PM on 03/23/2011

If we were truly in this for moral and democracy reasons, then we would be helping the extremely oppressed people in Darfur.

[waldopepper]

12:24 AM on 03/24/2011

I believe this to be false. The reason that the countries that are participating in Libya are there is because both the Arab League and UN have sanctioned the effort. Neither of these bodies have authorized such action for Darfur, sadly.

[truthglow]

12:09 PM on 03/23/2011

But YOU are not "game playing" are you, Mrs. Clinton? WHO believes YOU or your boss anymore? Not too many, including Democrats.

[ReasonOverRant]

11:31 AM on 03/23/2011

No one is looking for an exit strategy as furiously as the Obama Administration. Gaddafi is home and has nowhere to go. Obama, on the other hand, being far behind the curve on the Egyptian situation tried to get out in front of this one and almost immeditately said Gaddafi has to go. He didn't think he was sticking his neck out, but now it's clear he was because Gaddafi isn't going, at least not without a war.

[fmz]

11:29 AM on 03/23/2011

The US is game playing not Gaddafi.

[BOBINMO]

11:27 AM on 03/23/2011

Hillary is going to make a great Prez in 2016.

[truthglow]

12:09 PM on 03/23/2011

Don't count on it.

[Dieseldagreat98]

11:13 AM on 03/23/2011

I was willing to vote for her for President. Good thing it never came to that. If it that was the case we'd be in 7 Wars not 3 :(

[omobob]

10:48 AM on 03/23/2011

> Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said that Gaddafi was engaged in "theater" and "game playing," but that he might be looking for an exit strategy.

Clinton has been wrong from the start about Libya and Gaddafi. Her remarks as to his ouster have only entrenched his followers. She has only exasperated problems in Libya. Time to take a back seat and learn to listen.

[TheIndependentView]

10:26 AM on 03/23/2011

Hillary is an expert on exit strategy. She's been blocking Bill's for decades.

[wikwox]

10:24 AM on 03/23/2011

Of course Gaddafi has an exit strategy, all dictators in third world countries have one if not two. But he'll hang on as long as possible or until he's captured or killed. And thats fine as long as there are no American boots on the ground, no bases built or nations formed.

[Crystal water]

09:45 AM on 03/23/2011

Way to go, girl.Power to women .Our clown of president figure has no credibility or b.lls to stand up for America and the world.Good you caught him in between next Hawaian vacation and game of golf to say "yes".

[nwfurn]

11:12 AM on 03/23/2011

If he did otherwise, you would claim he was being uppity. Sad to be you!

[BOBINMO]

11:29 AM on 03/23/2011

Oh my,turn off FOX...your wittle brain is being fried.

[April22]

09:41 AM on 03/23/2011

And our game is? World peace or empire?

As much as I would like to believe our government is just and first in line to do what is right, l am afraid those days are over and our goverment's and military's goals are those of self-interest and self-gain.

Just from what I have gathered from our foreign policy and business associations and councils in the Middle East and in Northern Africa, I have discovered large US industries and corportations and our government's and military's funding and support of corrupt and repressive leaders is the continuation of building empire and at the expense of so many other human beings, ourselves included!

As the ancient Roman Empire relied on foreign military bases to enforce their rule, so too have we!

http://www.monthlyreview.org/0302editr.htm