Word: libya
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...missiles and their launchers. Once they had been destroyed, the third wave would hit adjacent airfields, destroying the runways so that Gaddafi's 550 combat aircraft could not scramble to counterattack the fleet. Supposedly, all that would take little more than an hour, at the end of which Libya would be crippled militarily at the price of a handful of U.S. casualties...
Another likely group of targets consists of communications facilities: radio-TV stations, ground-to-satellite stations and dishes, main telephone terminals. Knocking them out would, in theory, virtually cut Libya off from the outside world, at least for a time. Other potential targets offer both rewards and drawbacks. Hitting two training camps for terrorists that are known to operate near Tripoli and Benghazi would most closely fit the punishment for terrorism to the crime of inciting and supporting it. But the camps are thought to be empty right now, and when occupied they are also heavily used to train young...
...studied the evidence concerning the disco bombing and the intercepted messages indicating that Gaddafi was ordering a new wave of terrorist attacks. Admiral Crowe voiced his concerns about firepower, and CIA Director William Casey about getting agents out of Libya. But they and everyone else present agreed with Shultz, who said, "We have taken enough punishment and beating. We have to act." For the sake of tactical surprise, it was agreed that the assault should be launched by carrier planes as soon as the flattops could get into position. Reagan directed that all precautions be taken to minimize casualties...
After the President's news conference, a news blackout came down. White House Spokesman Larry Speakes opened a press briefing the next morning by announcing that he would answer no questions about Gaddafi or Libya. With or without any real information, however, enough people were speculating about the details of the operation to cause the Administration to feel that it was becoming impossible to maintain tactical surprise. It also became extremely difficult to keep open the option of making no major response to the most recent terror attack. "There's no question we created a bit of a Frankenstein...
...what would an attack on any or all of these targets actually do to combat terrorism? That is the essential question. If the Reagan Administration does hit Libya, the most it can count on is silent and grudging acquiescence from most of its allies and more vocal but still guarded approval from Congress--and that assumes the fighting is over quickly with no heavy loss of American lives. Heartier approval would follow only if the attack seemed likely to bring about a sizable decline in terrorist outrages...