Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Monday, June 27, 2011

John Baird In Libya: Foreign Affairs Minister Meets Rebels On Secret Trip

THE CANADIAN PRESS — BENGHAZI, - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird wrapped up a secret trip to Libya on Monday to meet with anti-Gadhafi rebels and deliver a planeload of trauma kits to help the anti-Gadhafi cause.

It's Baird's first big trip as foreign minister, aside from a jaunt to the G8 summit in France last month. The visit comes at a time when the stalemate between Libyan dissident groups and Gadhafi forces have prompted questions about whether the NATO-led bombing campaign in Libya is working.

"It was important to me to come here and get the facts for myself," Baird told The Canadian Press. "We are doing our due diligence because that is what Canadians expect and the Libyan people require."

Canada recently joined European and Arab countries in recognizing the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

Baird spent half a day in rebel-held Benghazi to meet with the leader of the NTC, Mahmoud Jibril, as well as some of his colleagues.

The group is setting itself up as an alternative to long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi. But some of Canada's allies are concerned the council's military strength and political know-how are too thin to do the job.

Baird's main aim was to get a firm grip on how well-prepared the dissidents are to actually govern the country one day _ if Gadhafi is deposed.

"This is one of the many steps that need to happen as Canada and the NTC go forward together," Baird said.

His trip was kept secret until he left Libya so that his safety would not come under threat.

In Benghazi, Baird also met with non-governmental groups to see how Canada's humanitarian aid to Libya could be made most efficient. Ottawa has been pushing for women to be included in democracy-building efforts in a post-Gadhafi Libya.

After Benghazi, the minister travelled on to visit Canadian military forces stationed in Sicily who are spearheading the Canadian participation in the NATO-led bombing campaign of Libya.

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