[Note: If late-breaking news is any indication, President Obama is perhaps only hours away from having to inform the public that the United States is set to commit itself to a third war in a Muslim nation – this time in Libya. If the President would instead opt to keep the US out of the Libyan conflict, here’s one version of what he could say:]
My fellow Americans –
As you are aware, the country of Libya, in North Africa, has been hit by large-scale civil unrest. Observers are even calling it a civil war in the making.
Today, some of America’s close allies have used debates at the United Nations to press for authority to stage a military intervention in Libya.
I am using this address to inform you that, after consulting with my advisors, I have made the decision that the United States will not participate in any military intervention in Libya.
I will not authorize any members of the US armed forces to be sent to Libya. Nor will I authorize them to assist in any operation against Libya.
My decision does not mean we will ignore the plight of the Libyan rebels. I have instructed the State Department to work with our allies to assist those members of the rebellion who have fled Libya into neighboring countries, to ensure they receive medical and other supplies.
This was not an easy decision.
Like all Americans, I feel great sympathy for the cause of those who are fighting Colonel Gadhafi’s army.
Our own country, of course, was created following a rebellion against rulers who, like Colonel Gadhafi, wanted to wield power without any accountability to the people.
However, in deciding whether to commit US forces to military operations against Libya, a President cannot think only of where his sympathies happen to lie.
He must also think of the larger national interest.
I am not convinced that any US vital interests are at stake in Libya.
Indeed, I instead believe that it is in our vital interest not to enter into a third foreign war. I see little to be gained by putting the lives of our soldiers, sailors and airmen at risk in Libya.
I fear that by participating in operations against Libya, the United States will be drawn deeply into that unhappy country’s internal affairs.
Military intervention in Libya would only be the start of a long, expensive and exhausting debacle.
Thomas Jefferson, our third President, warned his contemporaries against becoming too entangled in the affairs of the wider world.
My fellow Americans, I believe this is a good time to recall the wisdom of Jefferson…
