Why Won’t Obama Negotiate End to Libya Conflict?

The White House seems to be ignoring Libyan dictator Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s supposed entreaties to bring an end to the civil conflict there,  reports DailyCaller.com. According to a June 23 letter from the Libyan prime minister to President Barack Obama that the website obtained and posted, Gadhafi wants to start the negotiation process by freeing $4 billion in assets for humanitarian uses.

The Caller says this offer could not only help defray the United States’ financial commitment to helping the Libyan people, but could also be the first step in ending the conflict. A White House report puts the cost so far of U.S. involvement in Libya at $715 million.

Obama has not responded publicly to this letter or to a June 9 letter from Gadhafi himself that said he was “ready [to] sit at the table.” Obama representative Caitlin Hayden said the administration is “not publicly commenting on these letters.”

At his Wednesday press conference, the president said: “there is no doubt that Gadhafi stepping down from power is — from the international community’s perspective — going to be the primary way that we can assure that the overall mission of Libya’s people being protected is accomplished.”