Europe's Weak Hand Against Gadhafi

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa issued statements May 11 discussing the Europe-led NATO effort to oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Frattini said Gadhafi has until the end of the month to go into exile, or the International Criminal Court will issue an arrest warrant. La Russa hinted that Gadhafi would be a legitimate target for an airstrike, implying that the Italian government is open to attempts to kill the Libyan leader. The officials' comments reflect the various methods being considered to foment regime change in Tripoli, but they also exemplify the inability of the European countries leading the NATO air campaign to accomplish their goal of ousting Gadhafi. The threat of exile or arrest is unlikely to sway Gadhafi, while an assassination attempt from the air would be a difficult operation.