I wouldn't want to predict what would happen if the French and Malian troops are unsuccessful. They have had some very impressive successes. But we've seen over the past year how bad the human rights situation has been in northern Mali with AQIM and other extremist groups in charge. I won't go into detail, but there are amputations. There are floggings. There's sexual violence committed against women. It's horrific.
On January 31st, 2013. See this statement in context.