Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Noam Chomsky on Libya

Libya's leader Col. Moammar Qaddafi shakes hands with supporters upon arrival at a tent-like convention hall on the grounds of the Rixos Al Nasr Tripoli Hotel before presiding over the Libyan People General Congress in Tripoli, Libya, on March 2, 2011. (Photo: Moises Saman / The New York Times)

Noam Chomsky (Truthout):
What the West seeks is what Bush announced: control, or at least dependable clients, and in the case of Libya, access to vast unexplored areas expected to be rich in oil. U.S and British internal documents stress that the “virus of nationalism” is the greatest fear, since it might breed disobedience.

The intervention is being conducted by the three traditional imperial powers (though we may recall – Libyans presumably do – that, after World War I, Italy conducted genocide in eastern Libya).

The western powers are acting in virtual isolation. States in the region – Turkey and Egypt – want no part of it, nor does Africa. The Gulf dictators would be happy to see Gadhafi gone – but, even as they’re groaning under the weight of advanced weapons provided to them to recycle petrodollars and ensure obedience, they barely offer more than token participation. The same is true beyond: India, Brazil and even Germany. MORE...

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