House resolution urges Obama to clear up aims of operation in Libya

WASHINGTON, June 4 (Itar-Tass) -- A resolution calling on President
Barack Obama to clarify the objectives and the country's role in military
operations in Libya was adopted by the House of Representatives on Friday
by a 268 majority vote, with 145 nays. The initiator of the resolution was
House Speaker John Baner.
The resolution requires the head of state shall present within two
weeks detailed information on the scale of military operations in Libya
and the associated financial costs. However, the document says nothing
about phasing out U.S. participation in the war in Libya.
The White House called the adoption of the resolution unnecessary and
counter-productive, although it has no binding force. Nevertheless, the
document stipulates that the U.S. should not send ground troops to Libya
except when it comes to the rescue of friendly troops.
The Baner Resolution was supposed to be a compromise. The Congress is
currently considering at least three similar legislative initiatives, but
far more radically worded ones. Thus, the draft resolution put forth by
Democrat Congressman Dennis Kucinich, contains a demand for stopping
American participation in the war in Libya. His main argument is that the
Administration violated the law on military credentials, which requires
the president should within a 60-day period either cease hostilities, or
ask Congress for consent for their continuation. In the case of Libya,
neither has not been done. According to the U.S. Constitution the
exclusive power to declare war belongs to Congress, but the executive
branch of power showed little respect for this rule until recently.
The adoption of the Baner Resolution, even its softly worded version,
is evidence of growing opposition to the continuing U.S. involvement in
military operations in Libya.