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Tudeh Party of Iran:
Stop Bombing Libya!
Amid the retreat of the forces loyal to the dictatorial regime of Muammar Gaddafi from Ajdabiya on March 26th that happened after the heavy aerial bombing of their positions in the recent days by the British and French fighter jets, the events in Libya entered a new phase. In this phase, the coalition forces of imperialist states are trying to drive back the forces loyal to Gaddafi’s dictatorial regime from cities through heavy attacks with Tomahawk cruise missiles, taking advantage of their dominant air power, in order to cede the control of the cities to the opposition forces and practically separate the eastern oil-rich regions from the rest of the Libya which is under the control of the central government.
In an analysis published in Nameh Mardom 864 (14 March 2011), Tudeh Party of Iran expressed its point of view about the despotic nature and tendencies of Gaddafi’s regime, diverse texture of the opposition forces to Gaddafi, the presence of reactionary and backward minded forces in this mixed texture, and also the intentions of the imperialists in military intervention in Libya. We rightfully supported and commended the protest demonstrations in Libya as part of the current popular movement for participatory democracy and to improve the democratic ambiance in Libya. Tudeh Party of Iran supports these legitimate mass struggles for democracy in Libya, and strongly and unequivocally condemns the bombing of the civilians by the Libyan army. However, what is evident is that the relationships, functions and the supporting funds of the armed forces that have evolved in some of the cities of Libya in the recent weeks are seriously under question mark.
The meetings between the representatives of these forces and Nicolas Sarkozy, the right-wing President of France, as well as with the leaders of the EU and Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, in which they supported the military action of the imperialist states against the central government of Libya and even bombing of Tripoli, is deeply questionable. By the same token, we consider the adoption and execution of Resolution 1973 by the Security Council of the UN (UNSC) to impose a “no-fly zone” over Libya’s air space as basically declaring war against this country by the imperialist states that are trying to straighten out their historical disputes with Muammar Gaddafi with regards to Libya’s position in the 1970’s and 80’s. We consider this measure a very detrimental and biased step by the imperialist countries that sense no responsibility for, and have no interest in the destiny of the Libyan people. This is a measure that first and foremost is to satisfy the greed and thirst of the imperialists for the Libyan oil. In principle, this Resolution infringes upon the commitment of the international community to resolve the global crises without military interventions. The imperialist countries, in distinct collaboration with some of the heads of the States of Arab League, and above all with its Secretary General, Amr Moussa, who is planning to stand as a candidate in the future presidential elections in Egypt, and also based on the claim that the Arab states asked for military action, were able to advocate and push for the adoption of the Resolution 1973 in the Security Council of the UN (UNSC) regarding the situation in Libya. However, this has provoked the strong protest among the Arab countries, and they are distancing themselves from this dangerous adventure. The progressive and patriotic forces in the Middle East rightfully argue that the imperialist forces have been able to take advantage of this Resolution to advance their distinct interests. The fact that Barak Obama, the US President, and David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, in their speeches on March 20th called the military invasion of Libya legitimate and in line with the “vital interests” of their countries, reveals these distinct interests.
Tudeh Party of Iran condemns the military intervention against Libya and believes that the people of Libya should be given the opportunity to decide the destiny and future path of the developments of their country on their own, without any sort of imperialist intervention. We consider the “regime change” policy of the imperialist-affiliated forces in complete contrast to the paramount interests of the Libyan people and the people of the Middle East, and condemn it. In fact, even if the opposition forces to the dictatorial regime of Gaddafi were able to take control of the country or a significant part of it under the military support and coverage of the bomber jets and destructive cruise missiles of the imperialist countries, how could their power and authority have any popular legitimacy? Would such kind of regime not be indebted and beholden forever to the imperialist states? The historical examples like the government of Karzai in Afghanistan are excellent cases in the point.
Tudeh Party of Iran calls for an immediate end to any kind of military action in Libya, including bombarding by the French, British and American forces, and the attacks of the Libyan military forces on the unarmed civilians. We support the resolution of the problems in Libya through political means and based on negotiations with mediation of states that have not been involved in the recent military conflicts, such as the efforts of the African Union. Tudeh Party of Iran continues its support for the legitimate struggle of the nations for democracy, including the aspirations of the Libyan people to democratize that country.
From Nameh Mardom, the central organ of the Tudeh Party of Iran
Issue 865, published 28th March 2011
