World News Brief, Tuesday April 5

Greek PM, Libya's deputy foreign minister and Qaddafi's sons emerge as possible peace negotiators (+ analysis); Rebels in push to recapture Brega; Japan relealses low level radioactive water; Soldiers kill protesters in Yemen; Obama announces 2012 reelection run; and more

Top of the Agenda: Multiple Efforts Arise to End Libyan Conflict

Libya's deputy foreign minister, Abdelati Obeidi, arrived in Athens on Sunday to discuss an end to hostilities (FT) with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou. British diplomats played down the gesture, as there was no indication of the negotiations' terms. The New York Times reports that two of Muammar al-Qaddafi's sons, Seif and Saadi, are also proposing a resolution to the fighting, which would end their father's rule and transition the country to a constitutional democracy under Seif's leadership. It is not clear whether Qaddafi approves of this move, and both coalition forces and the Libyan opposition have, so far, sought a more "radical break" with the regime.

The British government sent envoys to Benghazi over the weekend to meet with key members of the opposition Transitional National Council (al-Jazeera) to obtain further information about the movement and the ongoing conflict. In a renewed offensive, rebel forces pushed toward Brega (BBC) in an effort to recapture the oil town lost to Qaddafi loyalists. Misurata, the only western town still under rebel control, remains under siege by regime soldiers.

Analysis:

The United States needs to "differentiate" among its interests to determine how and when to intervene in protests sweeping the region, and should engage assertively in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, says Middle East expert Edward P. Djerejian.

In the Washington Post, CFR's Meghan O'Sullivan asks if Libya will become Obama's Iraq.

In the National Review Online, Brett Schaefer discusses the complications of multilateralism in the context of the Libyan conflict.

Background:

Read President Obama's speech on Libya on March 28, 2011.

The UN Security Council resolution regarding Libya was passed on March 17, 2011.

 

PACIFIC RIM: Japan to Dump Radioactive Water

Japanese officials said they will release some 11,500 tons of water contaminated with low levels of radiation into the sea water off the Fukushima nuclear plant (NYT). The measure is needed to prevent the water from flooding generators that are cooling two of the plant's six reactors.

As Japan struggles to control problems at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, it also must grapple with questions about nuclear power in the face of immediate and long-term energy needs.

China: The whereabouts of China's most prominent artist, Ai Weiwei (Guardian), are unknown following his detention by authorities over the weekend. Ai's wife and assistant, who were also detained, were released late Sunday night.

 

ELSEWHERE:

- Live Fire Kills Protestors in South Yemen
- Obama Announces Reelection Run

 

This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org.