STOP THE U.S. WAR AGAINST LIBYA
STATMENT FROM International Action Center
End Imperialist Threats and Domination!
- All U.S. Troops Out of Iraq!
- All U.S. Troops Out of Afghanistan!
- Hands off Libya, Iran, North Korea!
- End the War on Workers at Home - Money for Jobs, Education, Housing and
Healthcare!
On March 17, Washington showed its true intentions by pushing through a
U.N. Security Council resolution that amounts to a declaration of war on the
government and people of Libya.
A U.S. attack is the worst possible thing that could happen to the people
of Libya. It also puts the unfolding Arab revolutions, which have inspired
people across North Africa and Western Asia, in the gravest danger.
The resolution goes beyond a no-fly zone. It includes language saying U.N.
member states could "take all necessary measures" ... "by halting attacks
by air, land and sea forces under the control of the Gadhafi regime."
(CNN.com, March 17)
The new resolution not only calls for attacks on Libyan aircraft and air
defenses, but authorizes the strafing and bombing of ground forces as well.
The U.S. and French governments immediately announced that they were ready
to go. Britain and Italy are aiding. In essence the former colonial powers
have begun an armed attack on the Libyan government and its people, backing
one side of a civil war.
No matter how one feels about Libya today and the role of the Gadhafi
government; regardless of how one evaluates the Libyan opposition, a U.S.-led
war or intervention in Libya is a disaster for the Libyan people and for
peace and progress around the world.
The U.S. and its allies are constantly repeating the lie that they are
trying to "prevent attacks on civilians" and are acting from humanitarian
motives. But nobody should be fooled. Consider these “humanitarians” and how
they react to events in Bahrain.
The U.S. Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, which is an absolute monarchy.
Its people have been valiantly trying to change their government for weeks.
They had some initial success. The king responded with deadly repression
and later with hints at reform.
On March 14, however, the day after Secretary of Defense Gates visited
Bahrain, supposedly to urge "restraint," the Bahraini government commenced a
brutal crackdown, backed up by Saudi Arabian troops. Helicopters, tear gas,
rubber bullets and live ammunition were used, killing and injuring many
people. Nearly all of Bahrain's security forces are foreign mercenaries.
Unlike the Libyan rebels, the Bahraini people have absolutely no arms. But
there has been no talk of a no-fly zone over Bahrain -- let alone attacks
on the murderous Bahraini and Saudi armies.
This is because the real motivation for the U.S. and its allies in both
Bahrain and Libya, and indeed the whole region, is to control the OIL! It is
Washington’s main strategic interest and the primary financial interest of
U.S. big business.
This is true, even though the U.S. is not directly dependent on imported
oil from Libya. Oil is a worldwide commodity, and any country which imports
oil must deal with a world market, no matter from which individual country
or countries they import it.
Of even more importance to the U.S. and Europeans is who controls the flow
of oil. A military presence or a reliable puppet in Libya would give
Washington -- and to a lesser extent the European imperialists -- control of
the
oil spigot to Europe and also establish a military presence in North
Africa from which to influence or prevent the development of the revolutions
in
Egypt and Tunisia.
Not only a demonization campaign against the Libyan leader, but every form
of fraud and propaganda are being used to push for this intervention,
including a supposed "vote" by the Arab League supporting the latest U.N.
resolution. Left unsaid is the fact that only 11 of the 22 members of the
League
even attended the meeting, which was held behind closed doors. Two of the
11 attending members, Syria and Algeria, made clear that they were
completely opposed to military intervention in Libya.
Meanwhile the corporate media have ignored a resolution by the African
Union, representing 53 countries, which adamantly rejected a no-fly zone or
other intervention.
The U.S. blocked any U.N. action, even a toothless resolution, during the
massive Israeli bombardment of Gaza in 2008-09 and also during the Israeli
bombing and attempted invasion of Lebanon in 2006.
It is important that peace-loving and progressive people around the world
develop a consistent approach opposing ALL U.S. intervention. This is the
only way to avoid becoming just an echo of the U.S. State Department and the
Pentagon.
U.S., French, British, Italian hands off Libya!
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==
<CONTENT
_No war against Libya!_
(http://fightbacknews.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a29530af96a02fc55d345e735&id=5a7c2eee3b&e=cf861a9df0)
By Freedom Road Socialist Organization
Following a UN Security Council vote on the evening of March 17, an attack
on Libya is imminent. The United States, Britain and France are expected
to begin air strikes in a matter of days or even hours. All people of
conscience should stand firmly against this act of war.
Just as in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, this war will be waged under
the pretense of humanitarian intervention. But just as in Iraq and
Afghanistan, military intervention by the U.S. and its allies will be done for
the
benefit of the rich and powerful at the expense of working and oppressed
people both here and in Libya. Countless civilians will die as a result of
these attacks and countless dollars will be taken from over-stretched budgets
and social programs to fund a new war. The lessons of history are clear in
showing us that the outcome of the war, if the U.S., Britain and France
have their way, will be in favor of the interests of the rich, not in favor of
democracy and self-determination for the people of Libya.
Since day one of the crisis in Libya, the corporate media has been in
motion, preparing public opinion for war with Libya. Likewise, since the
beginning of the crisis, the western, imperialist powers have been maneuvering
militarily to take advantage of the situation. Meanwhile, it is clear that
the rebels in Libya are not of one mind. Some of their leaders are tied to
the old CIA-funded National Front for the Salvation of Libya, which would
like to see Libya’s oil industry completely privatized, meaning an end to the
current free health care and free education programs enjoyed by the Libyan
people. Some are monarchists and others who wish to turn back the clock on
Libyan social progress. Undoubtedly, war with Libya will mean the most
reactionary forces among the rebels coming to power if Gaddafi’s government is
defeated by the guns and bombs of the west. Progressive people in the
Middle East and around the world want an independent Libya, not a new puppet
government like those that exist under occupied Iraq and Afghanistan.
The patriotic people of Libya will resist this war by any means necessary.
We in the Freedom Road Socialist Organization intend to do our part to
show them solidarity. This means, first and foremost, firmly standing against
U.S. intervention. We will organize and join rallies, demonstrations and
other mass actions in the coming days to make sure that it is heard loud and
clear:
No War Against Libya!
Citizens For Legitimate Government
17 Mar 2011 -- Late Edition
_http://www.legitgov.org_ (http://www.legitgov.org/)
Breaking: _U.N. Security Council votes to approve Libyan no-fly zone;
military strikes expected_
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/un-backs-no-fly-zone-strikes-in-libya-2011-03-17)
17 Mar 2011 The United Nations Security
Council voted 10 to 0 supporting the use of "all necessary measures" including
the use of a no-fly zone to protect civilians and rebel forces in Libya
from forces loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi. Russia and China, which held veto
powers, abstained from the vote, along with three other council members. The
passing of the measure is expected to lead to U.N.-backed military strikes
in Libya within hours, according to media reports.
_Britain, France and US prepare for Libya air strikes_
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/17/libya-no-fly-zone-united-nations)
17 Mar 2011
British, French and US military aircraft are preparing to defend the Libyan
rebel stronghold of Benghazi after Washington said it was ready to support a
no-fly zone and air strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's forces. Jets could
take off from French military bases if a no-fly zone is approved [it was] in
a fresh United Nations security council resolution authorising "all
necessary measures short of an occupation force" to protect civilians. France,
which has led the calls for a no-fly zone along with Britain, has offered the
use of military bases on its Mediterranean coast about 750 miles from the
Libyan coast.
_UK forces 'could be in action by Friday'_
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12770467) 17 Mar 2011 UK forces could
be in action over Libya as
early as Friday, after the UN backed a no-fly zone and "all necessary
measures" to protect [?!?] civilians. A senior UK government source has told
the
BBC action could take longer, but would be within days of the vote. The
resolution rules out a foreign occupation force in any part of Libya. Foreign
Secretary William Hague said the UK would "now respond" to the
responsibility it placed on UN members.
.
_UNSC orders no-fly zone over Libya_
(http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170484.html) 17 Mar 2011 The United Nations
Security Council has passed a
resolution ordering a no-fly zone over Libya, while suspending the country from
the
Human Rights Council. Resolution 1970 authorizes a no-fly zone over Libya
and to allow "all necessary measures" to be taken "to protect civilians and
civilian populated areas under threat of attack in (Libya), including
Benghazi, while excluding an occupation force," Reuters reported on Thursday.
It
allows for airstrikes to halt Gaddafi's offensive against the
revolutionary forces in Libya.
_In Reversal, US Backs Libya No-Fly Zone_ (http://w
ww.aolnews.com/2011/03/17/in-reversal-us-backs-libya-no-fly-zone/) 17 Mar 2011
Supporters of a
no-fly zone over Libya called for a vote Thursday on a U.N. resolution aimed
at preventing Moammar Gadhafi's planes from carrying out aerial attacks,
while the United States, in a striking reversal, pushed for broader action to
'protect civilians' from ground and sea attacks as well. U.S. Ambassador
Susan Rice said the Obama administration is "fully focused on the urgency and
the gravity of the situation on the ground," where Gadhafi's fighters are
intensifying attacks and heading toward rebel-held Bengazi, Libya's
second-largest city, and is working "very hard" for a vote on Thursday.
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==
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