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Originally posted by ironfalcon
Even though he is a globalist politician at heart, Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is correct on Obama crossing the line.
Kucinich says Obama "crossed the line," calls attacks on Libya an "indisputable" impeachable offense
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) told Hotsheet today that it's an "indisputable fact" that President Obama committed an impeachable offense by authorizing a military attack without congressional approval.
"The next question is what does Congress do it about it," Kucinich said, adding that he hasn't said he's introducing a resolution for impeachment.
"This is a teachable moment," he said. "The American people should understand that our Constitution does not provide for the president to wage war any times he pleases."
Kucinich and other lawmakers -- including both liberal Democrats and some Republicans -- are raising concerns about the air strikes the U.S. military is conducting in Libya to prevent Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi from killing civilians who oppose his rule.
A similar statement from Senator Richard Luger (R-IN), regarding congressional approval prior to waging foreign military action.
Lugar: Obama needs congressional approval for 'war' in Libya
Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., says Congress needs to debate the military action in Libya and President Obama should seek "a declaration of war."
This is kind of a big deal; though Republicans remain a minority in the Senate, Lugar, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is well-regarded in both parties, and Obama has often spoken highly of him.
As we accepted help so to did we incur an obligation to give help. There could be no plainer fact that the success of the Arab Spring, bringing with it the establishment of democracies throughout the Middle East would be of enormous benefit to you, I, and the entire world. Let it happen.
bringing with it the establishment of democracies throughout the Middle East would be of enormous benefit to you, I, and the entire world.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 09 PARIS 001698
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2018
TAGS: PREL PINR ECON MARR PHUM XA FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE'S CHANGING AFRICA POLICY: PART III
(MILITARY PRESENCE AND OTHER STRUCTURAL CHANGES)
¶29. (C) In sum, French military objectives in Africa
parallel the non-military aspects of Sarkozy's Africa policy
in terms of strengthening African capabilities; reducing, if
not ending, African dependence on France; promoting openness
and transparency; abandoning colonial-era sentiments and
"special" treatment; engaging the EU and other bodies into
French-led programs; and identifying and exploiting shared
interests and priorities. Ancillary benefits would include
increased commitment to democratization, meritocracy,
professionalism, and self-reliance.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 PARIS 000174
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O 12958: DECL: 02/08/20
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR FR IR AF NATO
SUBJECT: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE GATES'S MEETING WITH FRENCH FOREIGN
MINISTER KOUCHNER, FEBRUARY 8, 2010
¶14. (C) Kouchner then raised NATO, declaring that France was ready to
play its role in defining the Alliance's future strategy. He said that
General Abrial (Supreme Allied Commander - Transformation) has offered
input, but emphasized that it was critical to come up with real
strategy that we could explain in debates in Parliament. Kouchner
stressed that we needed to clarify NATO's roles and missions, as well
as its role in combating the threats of terrorism, poverty and
oppression. SecDef agreed that the Strategic Concept should deal with
21st century security threats Q with an emphasis on the word
"security." He said the Strategic Concept should also incorporate
lessons learned from Afghanistan - particularly the need for
comprehensive civil-military strategies and better partnership between
NATO and the EU and UN.
Global private equity firm Carlyle Group plans to open offices in Johannesburg and Lagos and start investing in capital growth ventures and buyouts in the fast-growing region.
Washington D.C.-based Carlyle, which has $16.6 billion of assets under management in emerging markets, said it would begin with investments in the consumer goods, financial services, agriculture, infrastructure and energy sectors.
Carlyle plans to start fundraising for a fund to invest in sub-Saharan Africa and is targeting about $500 million, said a source familiar with the planning.
The firm finished raising a Middle East and North Africa fund of $500 million in 2009.
"The entrance of a global player like Carlyle into sub-Saharan Africa is a testament to the region's progress and prospects and will attract more capital and talent to the region," Danie Jordaan, Carlyle's sub-Saharan Africa co-head, said in a statement.
"We also believe Carlyle's global network will facilitate the growth of its sub-Saharan Africa investments in the major international markets."
Helped by a 2002-2008 commodities boom, sub-Saharan Africa has enjoyed nearly a decade of robust growth, accompanied by relative political stability and deepening capital markets.