It is an axiom of international order that countries do not meddle in the internal affairs of another country - even when the "meddling" would save lives or right grevious wrongs committed by rulers. We can find many examples of this axiom : the Soviet Union's gulags and prison camps, the Pinochet atrocities in Chile, the serious humanitarian offenses committed regularly by the Chinese regime.
But, when the basic norms of common humanity are so badly breached that nothing will be served by being passive in the face of them, intervention is permitted. It is required in the name of humanity. Examples include the Congo UN peacekeeping force, the Darfor genocide leading to UN intervention, the Cambodian trials of the Khmer Rouge who systematically tortured and killed millions of their own citizens.
Yesterday, the world saw the example of such wanton disregard by Qadhaffi for the lives of Libyan citizens that it is now time for intervention rather than words. Using military aircraft and artillery to try to disperse freedom fighters marching in the streets of Tripoli was the step too far by this ruthless and mentally unstable despot who has made life unbearable not only for his people but also for the world during the past 40 years - Lockerbie, the Berlin bombing, the menacing attacks on the world's press, the holding of Swiss hostages because of the criminal behavior of his son in Switzerland which the Swiss had the courage to denounce.
When the United Nations Security Council meets later today, it must choose to intervene. The mechanism may be land troops or air attack, if it can be done without threatening civilian life, or peacekeepers, if Qadhaffi would agree to yield all power to them. But, the goal should be made clear. Either the Qadhaffi clan leaves Libya or they face a united international front that will include military intervention, if needed, to save the Libyan people.
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