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发帖数: 4825 | 1 http://abcnews.go.com/International/us-calls-gadhafi-delusional
The Obama administration has frozen $30 billion in assets belonging to the
regime of Libyan strongman Moamar Gadhafi who one top American official
today said was "delusional."
The White House's actions came just hours after the European Union imposed
sanctions on the tottering Libyan dictatorship.
"As of today, at least $30 billion in government of Libya assets under
United States jurisdiction have been blocked as a result of the executive
order issued by President Obama," Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and
Financial Intelligence David Cohen said. "This is the largest blocking under
any sanctions program ever."
The $30 billion is the total of all of assets of the government of Libya,
the Central Bank of Libya and the Libyan Investment Authority. Cohen was
unable to provide details as to how much belonged to the Gadhafi family.
Cohen said there was no evidence that Ghadafi or anyone from his government
had tried to remove the money.
"These blocking actions... serve two very important objectives: depriving
Col Gadhafi and his government of access to these assets and simultaneously
safeguarding them for the Libyan people," Cohen said.
Officials said the U.S. was also imposing an arms embargo on Libya.
UN Ambassador Susan Rice said the U.S. was watching developments in Libya,
uncertain who would take charge of the country if the Gadhafi regime
collapses.
PHOTO In exclusive interviews with ABC News' Christiane Amanpour, Gadhafi's
sons, said that their father is not going anywhere.
Mahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty Images
Saif al-Islam Kadhafi, son of Libyan leader... View Full Caption
Saif al-Islam Kadhafi, son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, speaks during
an interview with AFP in Tripoli, Feb. 26, 2011, amid political turmoil and
an insurrection against Gadhafi's crumbling regime. In exclusive interviews
with ABC News' Christiane Amanpour, Gadhafi's sons said that their father is
not going anywhere. Close
Amb. to UN on ABC Gadhafi Interview: 'Delusional' Watch Video
Christiane Amanpour's Exclusive With Gadhafi Watch Video
Gadhafis Cling to Power Watch Video
"It's unclear at this point who will emerge as the critical opposition
elements," Rice said.
She dismissed Gadhafi's claims in an exclusive interview with ABC News'
Christiane Amanpour that "my people love me," and that his troops did not
fire on anti-government protesters.
"It sounds just frankly delusional and when he can laugh and talking to
American and international journalists while he is slaughtering his own
people. It only underscores how unfit he is to lead and how disconnected he
is from reality," the ambassador said.
As many as 1,000 people have died in confrontations with Gadhafi's
supporters and fighter jet pilots have said they defected rather than obey
orders to fire on protesters.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton conducted high-level talks in Geneva with
foreign ministers from Europe today, pressing for tough sanctions on the
Libyan government in an effort to force the ouster of leader Col. Moammar
Gadhafi.
"We have seen Colonel Gadhafi's security forces open fire on peaceful
protesters," Clinton said at a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights
Council. "They have used heavy weapons on unarmed civilians. Mercenaries and
thugs have been turned loose to attack demonstrators."
Clinton called on Gadhafi to leave power "now, without further violence or
delay."
The European Union also declared sanctions against the North African country
, reinforcing the United Nations Security Council's resolution passed
against Gadhafi's regime on Saturday.
The International Criminal Court is deciding whether to open a formal
investigation into alleged crimes against humanity being committed in Libya,
saying it will act "swiftly and impartially" and that "there will be no
impunity for leaders involved in the commission of crimes."
The first humanitarian aid from the west is on its way to Libya from France.
The United States has also pledged aid.
British Prime Minister David Cameron told his parliament this morning that
he has asked the Ministry of Defense to work with the United Kingdom's
allies to enforce a military no-fly zone around Libya. |
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