'Operation take Libya's Oil' has begun
Libyan conflict: 48 killed in allied assault, claims report
BENGHAZI, Libya - Libyan state TV is quoting the armed forces command as saying 48 people have been killed and 150 wounded in the the allied assault by US and European forces. The report can't be independently confirmed. The US and European nations have pounded Muammar Gaddafi's forces and air defences with cruise missiles and airstrikes today, launching the broadest international military effort since the Iraq war in support of an uprising that had seemed on the verge of defeat.
The military have called the bombing of Libya 'Operation Odyssey Dawn', which is a bit dull, perhaps they are hinting that like the Odyssey this won't be finished for 10 years and at the end of it no one will remember what the bloody hell it was all for?
Why not call it something more realistic like, 'Operation while-your-attention-is-on-nuclear-reactor-meltdown-we're-going-to-bomb-the-shit-out-of-a-tinpot-dictator-who-was-stupid-enough-to-endanger-Western-oil-supplies'. Not punchy enough for the Pentagon gung ho martini set?
Seeing as our war in Afghanistan is supposedly for feminism, our war in Iraq is supposedly for 'democracy' let's make our war in Libya for cyclist rights.
Let's be clear, if this was really about justice and human rights then why aren't the West bombing Bahrain or Yemen? Both Bahrain and Yemen Governments were killing and shooting their democracy protestors last week, but the West aren't bombing them, why? Because Yemen and Bahrain are our allies.
The West is bombing Libya for oil, not justice.
posted by Bomber @ 3:54 pm
4 comments
4 Comments:
"Let's be clear, if this was really about justice and human rights then why aren't the West bombing Bahrain or Yemen?"
Because in neither case did the Arab League give support to the use of a no-fly zone. The UN Resolution was endorsed by Arab League Member States.
Rawanda. Zimbabwe. Agreed that Libya shouldn't be allowed to become more of a bloodbath, but we do seem to be very inconsistent in our approach to atrocity don't we.
Libya has what, only about 2% of global oil, so I imagine all those people heading to Italy in boats has something to do with Europes motivation also.
But what happens Armchair Warrior n co, when Gaddafi's
tanks and planes are taken out, we continue to watch them fight it out on the streets? Do we have a better plan for post bombardment than we did in Iraq?
With Daffi's heavy stuff gone, that should leave the rebels able to sort it out themselves, as they where doing weeks prior.
Libya will be about oil, in part, yes. But the popular revolution against Gaddaffi makes THIS situation very different to previous ones where military force has been used. THIS time, the force is being used to block progress by Gaddaffi's forces, many of whom are paid African mercenaries deployed against his own people. Where they have taken towns they have executed people they suspect of having opposed Gaddaffi. This time, I see the use of military force as timely and consistent with a just outcome.
Post a Comment
<< Home