Senators Scott Brown, John Kerry React to Gaddafi's Death

With numerous news outlets (including Boston.com) reporting the death of longtime Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Massachusett's two senators have reacted to the news through press statements.

Sen. Scott Brown, R-MA

“No one should shed any tears for Qadhafi.  He  was an international terrorist who had American blood on his hands, and who attempted to slaughter thousands of his own people in order to keep a grip on power.  I hope that with Qadhafi now gone, the Libyan people will be able to finally choose their leaders through free and fair elections.”

Sen. John Kerry, D-MA

“Qaddafi’s death marks the end of his reign of terror and the promise of a new Libya. The United States demonstrated clear-eyed leadership, patience, and foresight by pushing the international community into action after Qaddafi promised a massacre. Though the administration was criticized both for moving too quickly and for not moving quickly enough, it is undeniable that the NATO campaign prevented a massacre and contributed mightily to Qaddafi’s undoing without deploying boots on the ground or suffering a single American fatality. This is a victory for multilateralism and successful coalition-building in defiance of those who derided NATO and predicted a very different outcome.

“Qaddafi denied Libya the basic building blocks of democracy and instead leaves behind a legacy of cruelty and international isolation. This is an extraordinary moment, but the days ahead will not be easy. The Middle East revolutions remind us that creating a free and tolerant political order is a more difficult challenge than removing a despotic one. The Libyan people have inspired the world with their incredible courage and fierce determination to be free. I urge the leaders of the Transitional National Council to begin the political transition to a permanent, democratically elected government. And I urge the international community to continue to stand with the Libyan people and support the creation of viable governing institutions.”