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NATO Rules Out Libya No-Fly Zone, for Now (11th March, 2011)

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has ruled out implementing a no-fly zone across parts or all of Libya. Speaking at a Brussels press conference, he told reporters a U.N. resolution would be needed to make a no-fly zone a legal course of action. However, he did suggest that air strikes and a no-fly zone could happen in the future. He said he could not imagine the international community would "stand idly by" if Colonel Gaddafi continued attacking innocent civilians. NATO military leaders have said a no-fly zone could be up and running in two to three days. The German foreign minister said: "One thing for the German government is absolutely clear. We do not want to get sucked into a war in North Africa.”

Rasmussen set out three conditions for NATO intervention: "Firstly, there has to be a demonstrable need for NATO action. Secondly, there has to be a clear legal basis. And thirdly, there has to be firm regional support," he said. The 22-member Arab League meets on Saturday to discuss the situation in Libya. If they recognize the rebel Libya National Council (LNC) as the legitimate representative of Libya's people, this may bring a no-fly zone a step closer. The French government has already said it only recognizes the LNC as Libya’s representative and has invited the group to establish a diplomatic presence in Paris. Libya’s Deputy Foreign Minister said this was illegal and warned Libya would “break diplomatic relations with France”.


WARM-UPS

1. LIBYA: Walk around the class and talk to other students about Libya. Change partners often. Sit with your first partner(s) and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

NATO / no-fly zone / Libya / UN resolutions / stand idly by / sucked into war / conditions / intervention / regional support / Arab League / diplomatic presence

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. PROS & CONS: Complete this table about the pros & cons of courses of action in Libya with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again.

Action

Pros

Cons

Nothing

 

 

No-fly zone

 

 

Arms embargo

 

 

Arming rebels

 

 

Invasion

 

 

UN resolutions

 

 

4. NO-FLY ZONE: Students A strongly believe there should be one; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

5. NO-ZONE: Which of these would work best in Libya? Rank them and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners and share your rankings again.

  • no-fly zone
  • no-work zone (all ex-pats)
  • no-buy-Libyan-oil zone
  • no-more-arms-to-Libya zone
  • no-export zone
  • no-travel zone (for all regime members)
  • no-sell-weapons zone
  • no-Libyan-airplane zone (at intnl airports)

6. UNITED NATIONS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the United Nations. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.


 
 

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

The chief of NATO did not speak about a no-fly zone.

T / F

b.

He said he expected the international community to stand idly by.

T / F

c.

Military chiefs said a no-fly zone could be ready within three days.

T / F

d.

Germany said it is not prepared to take part in military action.

T / F

e.

NATO’s chief said five things were needed to start a no-fly zone.

T / F

f.

He said there was no clear need for Libya’s neighbours to agree to one.

T / F

g.

France has asked the rebels to set up a kind of embassy in Paris.

T / F

h.

Libya has threatened to break diplomatic relations with France.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

chief

a.

mixed up in

2

course

b.

set up

3.

stand idly by

c.

boss

4.

up and running

d.

definite

5.

sucked into

e.

plan

6.

conditions

f.

legal

7.

firm

g.

existence

8.

legitimate

h.

not act

9.

establish

i.

circumstances

10.

presence

j.

operating

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

ruled out implementing

a.

in Paris

2

a legal course

b.

and running

3.

stand idly

c.

legal basis

4.

a no-fly zone could be up

d.

of action

5.

We do not want to get sucked

e.

for NATO intervention

6.

Rasmussen set out three conditions

f.

with France

7.

there has to be a clear

g.

of Libya's people

8.

the legitimate representative

h.

a no-fly zone

9.

establish a diplomatic presence

i.

by

10.

break diplomatic relations

j.

into a war


 
 

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has ruled (1) ____________ implementing a no-fly zone across parts or all of Libya. Speaking at a Brussels press conference, he told reporters a U.N. resolution would be (2) ____________ to make a no-fly zone a legal (3) ____________ of action. However, he did suggest that air (4) ____________ and a no-fly zone could happen in the future. He said he could not imagine the international community would "(5) ____________ idly by" if Colonel Gaddafi continued attacking innocent civilians. NATO military leaders have said a no-fly zone could be up and (6) ____________ in two to three days. The German foreign minister said: "One thing for the German government is absolutely (7) ____________. We do not want to get (8) ____________ into a war in North Africa.”

 

 

 

strikes
sucked
clear
needed
stand
out
course
running

Rasmussen set (9) ____________ three conditions for NATO intervention: "Firstly, there has to be a demonstrable (10) ____________ for NATO action. Secondly, there has to be a (11) ____________ legal basis. And thirdly, there has to be firm regional support," he said. The 22-member Arab League meets on Saturday to (12) ____________ the situation in Libya. If they recognize the rebel Libya National Council (LNC) as the (13) ____________ representative of Libya's people, this may bring a no-fly zone a (14) ____________ closer. The French government has already said it only recognizes the LNC as Libya’s representative and has invited the group to (15) ____________ a diplomatic presence in Paris. Libya’s Deputy Foreign Minister said this was illegal and warned Libya would “(16) ____________ diplomatic relations with France”.

 

 

discuss
establish
need
out
step
break
clear
legitimate

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has ruled out implementing a no-fly zone __________________ Libya. Speaking at a Brussels press conference, he told reporters a U.N. resolution would be needed to make a no-fly zone a __________________. However, he did suggest that air strikes and a no-fly zone could happen in the future. He said he __________________ international community __________________ " if Colonel Gaddafi continued attacking innocent civilians. NATO military leaders have said a no-fly zone could be __________________ two to three days. The German foreign minister said: "One thing for the German government is absolutely clear. We do not want __________________ a war in North Africa.”

Rasmussen set out three conditions for NATO intervention: "Firstly, there has to be a demonstrable __________________. Secondly, there has to be __________________. And thirdly, there has to be __________________," he said. The 22-member Arab League meets on Saturday to discuss the situation in Libya. If they __________________ Libya National Council (LNC) as the legitimate representative of Libya's people, this may bring a no-fly zone a step closer. The French government has already said it only recognizes the LNC as Libya’s representative and __________________ to establish a diplomatic presence in Paris. Libya’s Deputy Foreign Minister said this was illegal and warned Libya would “_____________________ with France”.


 
 

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words ‘fly’ and ‘zone’.

fly

zone

 

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • parts
  • course
  • suggest
  • imagine
  • running
  • sucked
  • need
  • legal
  • discuss
  • member
  • establish
  • break

STUDENT LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about a Libya no-fly zone in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘Libya’?

c)

Do you think there should be a no-fly zone over Libya?

d)

What is stopping the U.N. and NATO from implementing a no-fly zone?

e)

What do you think about what’s happening in Libya?

f)

What message would you give to Muammar Gaddafi?

g)

How would a no-fly zone change the uprising?

h)

What TV images about Libya are most memorable?

i)

Is the international community standing “idly by” now?

j)

Do you think Libya could see genocide?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article?

b)

Is there “a demonstrable need for NATO action”?

c)

What needs to happen for there to be “a clear legal basis”?

d)

Do you think there is “firm regional support” for NATO intervention?

e)

Do you think the Arab League should try and oust Gaddafi?

f)

Where do you think Libya will be six months from now?

g)

Is Gaddafi “the legitimate representative of Libya's people”?

h)

What do you think of France’s recognition of the Libya National Council? Should other countries follow suit

i)

Where will North Africa and the Middle East be a year from now?

j)

What questions would you like to ask NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen?

LANGUAGE – MULTIPLE CHOICE

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has (1) ____ out implementing a no-fly zone across parts or all of Libya. Speaking at a Brussels press conference, he told reporters a U.N. resolution would be needed to make a no-fly zone a legal (2) ____ of action. However, he did suggest that air strikes and a no-fly zone could happen in the future. He said he could not imagine the international community would "(3) ____ idly by" if Colonel Gaddafi continued attacking innocent civilians. NATO military leaders have said a no-fly zone could be up and (4) ____ in two to three days. The German foreign minister said: "One (5) ____ for the German government is absolutely clear. We do not want to get (6) ____ into a war in North Africa.”

Rasmussen (7) ____ out three conditions for NATO intervention: "Firstly, there has to be a demonstrable (8) ____ for NATO action. Secondly, there has to be a clear legal basis. And thirdly, there has to be (9) ____ regional support," he said. The 22-member Arab League meets on Saturday to discuss the situation in Libya. If they recognize the rebel Libya National Council (LNC) as the (10) ____ representative of Libya's people, this may bring a no-fly zone a step (11) ____. The French government has already said it only recognizes the LNC as Libya’s representative and has invited the group to establish a diplomatic presence in Paris. Libya’s Deputy Foreign Minister said this was illegal and warned Libya would “(12) ____ diplomatic relations with France”.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

stapled

(b)

taped

(c)

pinned

(d)

ruled

2.

(a)

course

(b)

because

(c)

cause

(d)

case

3.

(a)

kneel

(b)

stand

(c)

bow

(d)

pace

4.

(a)

jogging

(b)

sprinting

(c)

running

(d)

walking

5.

(a)

think

(b)

ping

(c)

thing

(d)

link

6.

(a)

mucked

(b)

sucked

(c)

bucked

(d)

ducked

7.

(a)

let

(b)

met

(c)

net

(d)

set

8.

(a)

need

(b)

needy

(c)

necessary

(d)

needless

9.

(a)

form

(b)

firm

(c)

frame

(d)

from

10.

(a)

clique

(b)

diplomacy

(c)

ambassador

(d)

legitimate

11.

(a)

near

(b)

here

(c)

closer

(d)

now

12.

(a)

break

(b)

snap

(c)

slash

(d)

slice


 
 

WRITING

Write about a Libya no-fly zone for 10 minutes. Correct your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about a Libya no-fly zone. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE: Make a poster about a Libya no-fly zone. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. LIBYA UPRISING: Write a magazine article about the Libya uprising. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. LETTER: Write a letter to Colonel Gaddafi. Ask him three questions about a Libya no-fly zone. Give him three of your opinions on his leadership. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.


 


 
 

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

a.

F

b.

F

c.

T

d.

T

e.

F

f.

F

g.

T

h.

T

SYNONYM MATCH:

1.

chief

a.

boss

2

course

b.

plan

3.

stand idly by

c.

not act

4.

up and running

d.

operating

5.

sucked into

e.

mixed up in

6.

conditions

f.

circumstances

7.

firm

g.

definite

8.

legitimate

h.

legal

9.

establish

i.

set up

10.

presence

j.

existence

PHRASE MATCH:

1.

ruled out implementing

a.

a no-fly zone

2

a legal course

b.

of action

3.

stand idly

c.

by

4.

a no-fly zone could be up

d.

and running

5.

We do not want to get sucked

e.

into a war

6.

Rasmussen set out three conditions

f.

for NATO intervention

7.

there has to be a clear

g.

legal basis

8.

the legitimate representative

h.

of Libya's people

9.

establish a diplomatic presence

i.

in Paris

10.

break diplomatic relations

j.

with France

GAP FILL:

NATO rules out Libya no-fly zone, for now

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has ruled (1) out implementing a no-fly zone across parts or all of Libya. Speaking at a Brussels press conference, he told reporters a U.N. resolution would be (2) needed to make a no-fly zone a legal (3) course of action. However, he did suggest that air (4) strikes and a no-fly zone could happen in the future. He said he could not imagine the international community would "(5) stand idly by" if Colonel Gaddafi continued attacking innocent civilians. NATO military leaders have said a no-fly zone could be up and (6) running in two to three days. The German foreign minister said: "One thing for the German government is absolutely (7) clear. We do not want to get (8) sucked into a war in North Africa.”

Rasmussen set (9) out three conditions for NATO intervention: "Firstly, there has to be a demonstrable (10) need for NATO action. Secondly, there has to be a (11) clear legal basis. And thirdly, there has to be firm regional support," he said. The 22-member Arab League meets on Saturday to (12) discuss the situation in Libya. If they recognize the rebel Libya National Council (LNC) as the (13) legitimate representative of Libya's people, this may bring a no-fly zone a (14) step closer. The French government has already said it only recognizes the LNC as Libya’s representative and has invited the group to (15) establish a diplomatic presence in Paris. Libya’s Deputy Foreign Minister said this was illegal and warned Libya would “(16) break diplomatic relations with France”.

LANGUAGE WORK

1 - d

2 - a

3 - b

4 - c

5 - c

6 - b

7 - d

8 - a

9 - b

10 - d

11 - c

12 - a

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