Interview on Sky News

Transcript, E&OE, proof only

Subjects: Libya, Middle East

26 February 2011

NEWSREADER: You're in Dubai. Okay. Are you actually planning to go to Libya?

KEVIN RUDD: I'll be heading from here to Cairo and I'll be engaged in discussions with the interim Egyptian Government, not just about what is going on there, but, of course, in the neighbouring country of Libya.

This morning, I have also been discussing the political and consular situation in Libya itself with our Consul-General Tom Yates who is still in Tripoli, and mainly dealing with him on the consular implications for Australians.

NEWSREADER: And, of course, we know, we're looking at pictures right now, the situation in Libya is growing more violent by the day. What is the latest advice to Australians in the region?

KEVIN RUDD: Well, the first point I would make is that the country has degenerated into effective civil war and this is of grave concern in terms of the wellbeing of Australians. And that has been our principal responsibility in engaging with our Consul-General on the ground in Tripoli.

We have made arrangements with British and other Governments for charter flights leaving Tripoli today. And we urge all Australians to make their way to Tripoli Airport by first light to get on charter flights. There are 150 seats available on a British flight and nearly 140 on a Canadian flight.

We believe there is still a small number of Australians in Libya. We have made every effort to contact each and every Australian to urge them to make their way to the airport today. And, on top of that, we have also made arrangements with both the British and the Canadians for spaces on these flights.

And about 70 Australians we have managed to assist departing Libya over the course of the last week, including some 17 Australians evacuated by ferry from Tripoli.

NEWSREADER: All right. Now, we know that the UN is meeting to consider sanctions against Colonel Qaddafi tomorrow. What is the Australian Government's position on sanctions?

KEVIN RUDD: Last night, I wrote directly to the President of the Security Council, the Foreign Minister of Brazil, to urge specific action on the part of the council; one, the imposition of a no fly zone; two, an arms embargo against the Libyan regime; three, targeted sanctions against the Libyan regime; and four, appropriate humanitarian support for the people of Libya who are suffering enormously at this time.

In terms of independent and autonomous Australian action, we are now considering the imposition of autonomous sanctions ourselves.

Furthermore, we have been active in the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. The council has now recommended formally to the United Nations General Assembly that Libya be suspended from the Human Rights Council. And we understand the General Assembly will be meeting on this on 1 March.

Together with that, we are also, of course, engaged directly with our friends and our allies on further action in relation to Libya.

NEWSREADER: When, if ever, Mr Rudd, does this become a time for UN intervention in Libya or should the people be left to mount their own what looks like is becoming a people's revolution, possibly a coup?

KEVIN RUDD: Well, the key question right now is to ensure that the regime in Libya is aware that if they undertake courses of action which result in mass killings of the Libyan population, however this turns out, they themselves will be held legally responsible for those deaths. This is called crimes against humanity - not just those who issue the orders, but also those who execute the orders.

Furthermore, in terms of additional actions by the UN Security Council and by government acting in accordance with council resolutions, of course, a range of further interventions may be considered. This is what we have done so far, but there is obviously a range of other options still on the table.

NEWSREADER: After 40 plus years, do you think that Colonel Muammar Qaddafi's days are numbered?

KEVIN RUDD: I believe this dictator has abrogated his credentials as any credible leader of his country, of his people and of the Libyan state.

It's time for Qaddafi to go, and to go now. And, frankly, the situation on the ground would be resolved enormously if Qaddafi and his entourage simply left.

The people of Libya deserve better than this. This is an appalling act on the part of a dictator and therefore it is imperative that we deploy all international instruments in dealing with this regime now.

Our further responsibility, consistent with what I said to you earlier in this interview, concerns the wellbeing of Australians. And I emphasise again that our team in Tripoli, led by Tom Yates, who has been operating in the middle of a war zone, making contact with Australians on the ground in Tripoli and elsewhere in the country - he and his staff have done an extraordinary and courageous job in a very violent environment.

NEWSREADER: You mentioned, Foreign Minister Rudd, that you are on en route to Cairo yourself. What is extraordinary is you certainly couldn't have gone in there just a few weeks ago. Do you see what has happened in Cairo as a blueprint for what is possible for Libya?

KEVIN RUDD: Obviously, there has been profound political change in Tunisia within the course of the last month, Cairo within the course of the last - or Egypt - in the last fortnight and now, we appear to be on the verge of fundamental potential change in Libya itself.

More broadly, across the region, as I've said many times before, it is impossible to suppress the Arab people's yearnings for the basic freedoms which we in the west also enjoy. That is what has come to the surface here. And what we have seen, of course, in Tripoli is violent repression against those who seek to bring about those changes.

It is important that this universal aspiration for political freedom is responded to intelligently, effectively and responsibly by governments throughout the region.

NEWSREADER: All right. Well, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, we know you have taken time out in transit to talk to us, so thank you for sparing the time. And best of luck with your talks in Cairo.

KEVIN RUDD: Thank you for having me on the program.

END

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