OPINION:
@-Text.noindent:As witnessed during NATO’s illegal and vicious war against Serbia, unilateral intervention in civil wars is very dangerous, can result in untold civilian casualties and likely will create enmity that may linger for decades (“Coalition batters Libya’s air defenses,” Page 1, Sunday). Intervening on behalf of one side in the current Libyan conflict will have the same adverse effect.
@-Text.normal:The Libyan rebels will be emboldened to fight on and will be less inclined to negotiate with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, as they now have air support from the West. On top of that, Tomahawk missiles cost at least $1 million apiece. Given the enormity of our nation’s economic crisis, can we really afford this hasty, irreversible and likely drawn-out action, which will only make the world less safe and open yet another Pandora’s box in Africa?
Beyond this, have we given any serious thought to who will replace Libya’s dictator? This problem caused us no end of headaches in Iraq.
At the present time, it looks as if Islamic extremists will fill the vacuum caused by Col. Gadhafi’s departure, which would be harmful to the interests of the West in the long run.
@-Text.noindent:MICHAEL PRAVICA
Henderson, Nev.
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