Russian Envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin Expresses Concern that NATO Aerial Attacks on Libya Might Lead to Ground Campaign

Following are excerpts from an interview with Dmitry Rogozin, the Russian envoy to NATO, which aired on BBC Arabic TV on June 16m 2011:

Dmitry Rogozin: Intervening in a civil war is unacceptable. It might broaden the scope of the war and get other parties involved in it. In my view, someone who gives an order to bomb military and other targets proves that UN Security Council Resolution 1973 has been violated, because it did not authorize Western intervention in the [Libyan] civil war.

Interviewer: Do you think that this military operation will evolve into a ground campaign?

Dmitry Rogozin: All the signs indicate that this is where things are heading, despite denials by everybody in NATO, including the secretary-general. We think that they are, in fact, preparing for a ground attack. Many NATO military officials think that no war can be won by relying only on aerial attacks. They believe that a war is only won when soldiers march in the battlefield. Therefore, the fact that France and Britain have begun to use helicopter gunships is an actual step towards a ground campaign. These helicopters may participate in the battle for control over Tripoli.

Interviewer: Does this worry Russia?

Dmitry Rogozin: Of course.

Interviewer: Why?

Dmitry Rogozin: Because we do not want the UN Security Council resolution, which resembles a harmonious symphony, to become jazz music.

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