The International Action Center calls on all anti-war and
social justice activists to call Emergency Response STOP THE
U.S. WAR AGAINST LIBYA AND BAHRAIN actions in their areas on
Friday, March 18 or Saturday, Marcy 19, or to mobilize support
for any already existing anti-war demonstrations called to
mark the anniversary of the Iraq War, with this statement and
signs to STOP THE U.S. WAR AGAINST LIBYA AND BAHRAIN, as well
as to intensify the mobilization for the April 9th and 10th
Anti-War demonstrations in New York and San Francisco called
by the United National Antiwar Committee.
On March 17, 2011, 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, Mar 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.
BAHRAIN EXPOSES THE LIE ABOUT "PREVENTING
ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS"
The U.S. and its allies are repeating over and over 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 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, hours after Secretary of Defense Gates
visited Bahrain, 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.
NO BLOOD FOR OIL
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
a primary financial interest for 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
the oil.
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, especially in Egypt and Tunisia.
ARAB LEAGUE "VOTE" FRAUD
Not only a demonization campaign against the Libyan leader, but
every form of fraud and propaganda is 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 these 11
attending members, Syria and Algeria, made clear that they were
completely opposed to military intervention in Libya.
Meanwhile the corporate media has ignored a resolution by the
African Union, representing 53 countries, which adamantly
rejected a no-fly zone or other intervention.
WHAT ABOUT GAZA?
The U. S. blocked any UN action, even a toothless resolution,
during the massive Israeli bombardment of Gaza in 2008 and also
during the Israeli bombing and attempted invasion of Lebanon in
2006, as well as the continued bombardment of Gaza as recently
as this week!.
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 Pentagon.
U.S., French, British, Italian hands off Libya!
NO to the U.S. supported attack on the people's movement of
Bahrain!
U.S. Out of Arab and African Lands!
