Former British diplomat Carne Ross says he is disappointed by the lack of talk about using non-violent alternatives against Libya’s government for its attacks on civilians. Ross names 10 tactics that should be tried before any violent military action is contemplated to put pressure on Muammar al-Gaddafi’s regime to step down. 

 

1. Establish an escrow account for Libyan oil revenues.

2. List all Libyan personnel involved in repression in order to qualify them for UN sanctions.

3. Get corporations to stop doing all business with the Gaddafi regime.

4. Position monitoring units on all borders and establish a naval blockade to ensure that the military embargo is not violated.

5. Create an air blockade to also maintain the embargo.

6. Electronically jam all regime communications and attack the government’s IT infrastructure.

7. Distribute immediate and substantial humanitarian assistance in rebel-held areas. 

8. Set up publicly accessible websites using satellite and other reconnaissance data to inform anti-Gaddafi forces of the disposition of regime military and irregular units.

9. Consider making the Libyan currency non-convertible.

10. Establish representations in the rebel-held areas to offer political support, facilitate communication with anti-Gaddafi forces and coordinate aid disbursement.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Libya - Ten Non-Violent Options (Carne Ross)