Mladic to Qadhaffi: You Can Run But You Can't Hide

Late last night the Libyan prime minister called on the UN and the African Union to broker a cease fire between the Qadhaffi regime and the rebel Transitional National Council.

The call came after Tripoli was pounded on Tuesday and Thursday evenings by bunker-busting bombs. Apparently, few people were killed (3 according to Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi) but 150 were injured.

Qadhaffi was not injured, probably because it is reported that he and his family are now moving around every day, often staying in hospitals overnight and trying to avoid any places that could be bombing targets.

Al-Mahmoudi did not say that Qadhaffi’s military would be sent back to their barracks, a requirement of the international community as a prerequisite for any cease-fire.

Wednesday in London, British Prime Minister David Cameron called for Qadhaffi to step down unconditionally and leave the country. At the side of Cameron at the time, US President Obama seemed to differ slightly, saying that the stand down could be made in phases. But, it is clear that America and Britain are telling Qadhaffi to leave Libya, even suggesting that he could find a safe haven unless he delays his departure for too much longer.

However, the Transitional National Council would prefer that Qadhaffi be tried for his crimes, and he is already sought under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

In a reply all too reminiscent of Qadhaffi’s well-known temperament, Prime Minister al-Mahmoudi said that only Qadhaffi would determine his future role. “It is he who decides what the Libyan people want.”

If that statement is not a red flag waved at a raging bull, we have never seen one. It also makes Qadhaffi’s call for a cease fire very suspicious. He has already gotten one cease fire, which the rebels and UN honored only to find that Qadhaffi had actually stepped up his bombing of rebel cities during the cease fire period.

President Ronald Reagan said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall.”

What we need now is for the UN and international leaders to give a similar unequivocal challenge. “Mr. Qadhaffi, step down. Leave Libya. Or else we will hunt you down and arrest you.”

Bosnian Serb General Radko Mladic just learned this lesson the hard way. He was arrested after a 16-year search and will be tried for war crimes.

It is true - You can run, but you can’t hide.