Euro News: 'Libya Puts The E.U. To The Test'

Source:Euro News- Catherine Ashton: Chief of Foreign Policy, for the European Union.

"Euronews is a European pay television news network, headquartered in Lyon, France. The network began broadcasting on 1 January 1993 and aimed to cover world news from a pan-European perspective.

It is jointly owned by several European and North African public and state-owned broadcasting organizations, and is currently majority-owned (88%) by Media Globe Networks, led by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, who is the chairman of the supervisory board. It is also a provider of live streaming world news, which can be viewed via its website, on YouTube, and on various mobile devices and digital media players." 

From Wikipedia 

"The flag of the Europe Union was raised in the rebel held town in Benghazi four months after the revolution in Libya started. It was more than symbolism and backed with the opening of an office by Catherine Ashton after politics and posturing within member states. In Brussels on Tuesday she outlined the bloc's latest response saying she will sit down with the UN, African Union and Arab League in New York at the end of the week. It is, Ashton admitted a test on how the EU can act effectively. Euro News." 

From Euro News

With the United States facing a national debt of 14T$ and a budget Deficit of 1.8T$ and with a weak economy with very little economic or job growth, where we are already over committed in the world, the last thing we should do right now is have more American troops on the ground in another country, especially another Middle Eastern country. 

We need to step back and play a major role from the outside with things like foreign aide and helping them form their own national government. But don't do it for them, but Libya is an example of where the European Union which is just a short swim away from Libya. (Not literally in case, you are thinking of swimming from Italy to Libya or something)

Here's an example of where the European Union could play a major constructive role in their backyard. In areas like helping Libya developed its new military, law enforcement, developing their provincial government's. With their troops as well as foreign aide and having trade agreements with Libya which is something the United States should do as well. 

This is an opportunity where the E.U. can step up of show some influence in the world and not just in Europe and be a real player and partner on the world stage by helping Libya close this ugly forty two year chapter in their history of the Gadafi Regime. And move to form a responsible government that respects its people and respects human rights. 

This is also an area where the Arab League can step up and play a major constructive role as well, especially Egypt to help secure the new Libya as they work to build their new government and country. With troops and other resources as well. 

Libya is a very large country about the size of Iran physically with thirty two provinces. And will need additional armed forces to defend this large country especially as the Libyan rebels and NATO beat down a lot of the Gadafi military. Libya will also need help rebuilding its military. 

Libya is an opportunity where the European Union can influence what type of national constitution and national government Libya will have going forward. And developing those things and show them what type of governments are in Europe and to influence them in that way as well. Not to try to make them set up their type of government, only Libya can decide that for themselves, but to have a say in what type of government they have through influence. 

Libya has a long way to go before they'll have a functional government that will be able to defend the country in a responsible way. And will need help in developing that especially since the Gadafi Regime did almost nothing to develop its own governmental institutions. The European Union and Arab League could help play a vital role here while the United States steps back instead of trying to be the sole policemen of the world.