By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chairperson, International League of Peoples’ Struggle
4 March 2011
The International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) views with grave concern and condemns the preparations being made by US imperialism and its European NATO allies for outright military intervention in Libya in order to tighten their grip on the rich oil resources of that country by installing a reliable puppet regime.
Two US warships have been sent to the Mediterranean and there has been talk in the corridors of Washington and London about imposing a no-fly zone to prevent pro-Qaddafi forces from launching air strikes against rebel forces. To impose the fly zone, the US would have to destroy first the defense capabilities of Libya and inflict massive damage to Libyan lives and property as previously seen in Iraq.
Upon the instigation of the US, the United Nations was quick to apply sanctions on Qaddafi’s government. These have never been applied on the Zionist butchers of the Palestinian people and have not been considered as applicable to the pro-US regimes in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain and other countries that have used violence against the masses marching in the streets demanding democracy and social reforms.
Libya’s Moammar Qaddafi had been considered an enemy by Western governments for nationalizing the oil industry after he seized power in a bloodless coup that overthrew the King Idris monarchy in 1969. From the increased oil income due to nationalization, he improved the Libyan economy and implemented social programs for the benefit of the people. Qaddafi also supported anti-imperialist movements in the 1970s and 1980s.
Because of these he had been the target of demonization, economic sanctions and assassination attempts by the US. In 1986, the US bombed one his residences killing 60 people including Qaddafi’s infant daughter. His wife and seven other children suffered various injuries.
To stave off attacks against Libya similar to those against Iraq, he has made compromises with the imperialist powers and allowed them increased investment privileges in Libya. He opened the door to foreign banks and corporations. He submitted to IMF demands for “structural adjustment.” He privatized state-owned enterprises and cut state subsidies on necessities like food and fuel.
The people of Libya certainly have the right to struggle for national and social liberation or democracy as do the rest of the people in the Middle East and North Africa who have risen up in their millions in asserting their rights. The Western imperialist powers do not have the moral ground to preach democracy by having supported for decades and continuing to support repressive monarchies and dictatorships in exchange for the right to plunder the wealth and natural resources of this region as well as the rest of third world.
Being favored by the imperialist powers to serve as their puppets are monarchists and other reactionaries belonging to the National Front for Salvation of Libya, which has long been financed by the US CIA. They have been played up in the BBC pulling down the green flag of the Jamahiriya and raising the flag of King Idris.
ILPS supports the just demands of the Libyan people for national liberation and democracy and condemns any attempts by the imperialist powers to take advantage of the present turmoil in Libya to promote their imperialist interests and put their puppets in power.
Imperialists, hands off Libya!
Let the Libyan people decide their own fate and future!
Support the struggle of the Libyan people for national and social liberation!
Long live the anti-imperialist and democratic solidarity of the peoples!
