While as a humble councillor my main interest is in local politics I still retain a keen interest in national and international politics, something I developed growing up in the 70s and 80s, when there was conflict in the middle east and we were governed by a right-wing Tory government (some things don't change).
I have tended not to post too much on international politics as I often don't feel I have enough information to make an informed comment and also situations as rarely black and white.
The Iraq war is a case in point. I am still trying to work out if riding the world of a vicious dictator was the right thing to do despite the carnage that followed and the highly questionable basis on which 'we' went to war.
The current situation in Libya is similarly perplexing.
It has been interesting watching someone like Lib Dem grandee Sir Menzies Campbell, who vehemently opposed the Iraq war, make the case for intervention in Libya to bring about regime change. I am sure this has nothing to do with the fact that his party is part of the coalition government.
A few weeks ago it looked very much like Gaddafi was on his way out as the 'rebels' seized control of large parts of the country. Western powers were content at that time to stand back and let events run their course. With Gaddafi's forces having re-gained the upper hand 'we' have now secured a UN resolution that effectively gives the western powers carte blanche to destroy Gaddafi's forces, paving the way for a 'rebel' victory.
Despite the UN resolution there are those who would question the right of any country to intervene in the internal affairs of another country in this way (see the Stop the War Coalition website stopwar.org.uk).
There is also the question of how popular the uprising against Gaddafi is.
If the vast majority of the Libyan people are desperate to get rid of him how has he been able to turn his fortunes around so dramatically in the past couple of weeks?
Could it be the case that he does enjoy the support of a significant proportion of the Libyan population?
Are we dealing here with a situation where a small, ruthless elite are trying to subjugate the people of Libya or have we been observing a civil war where both sides can claim a degree of popular support?
Despite watching a lot of coverage of the conflict in Libya I don't know the answers to these questions.
Who knows how events will unfold over the coming days.
I pray for a peaceful and just resolution to this conflict.
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The legitimacy of any conflict will always divide opinion and living in a democracy we should be grateful that if we object to conflict it is our right and our duty if we feel strongly to protest .But as you rightly point out regarding Menzies Campbell in regards to Iraq ,political posturing is reprehensible in situations where demonstrators are murdered and the innocent are indiscriminately executed .To then change your convictions when your party is in power is despicable . British intervention in Sierra Leone did not pass without criticism at the time from the Tories . Bill Clinton at the time had little appetite for military intervention and Tony Blair on this occasion decided if need be Britain would go it alone due to the brutality of the RUF whos calling card was to hack off limbs off men, women and children and gang-rape girls.
ReplyDeleteMilosevic unleashed wars in Bosnia and Croatia, creating 2 million refugees and leaving a quarter of a million people dead ,mastering mass ethnic cleansing and genocide, Again at the time Alex Salmonds decribe intervention as unpardonable folly".
Iraq has dominated the question of international jurisdiction and legitimacy, and will do so for many years to come. It takes a brave man to try and separate these conflicts. But to use these conflicts for political capital is unforgivable.
Colin J
I agree with you on not fully understanding what is going on in Libya,I dont think us members of the public ever know the full story with people involved in politics.Colin above has a valid point regarding the way politicians change their mind when it is them that is in charge. Sierr Lione and Bosnia was like something from WW2. We had to intervene even if it did mean doing it ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThe Iraq war was something that if it hadnt taken place.With all the fallout from the middle east at the moment Saddam Hussein would have been a nightmare waiting to happen allover again.
Keep up the good work on the blog it has been very interesting reading the last few weeks.
I think one of the reasons we are not fully aware of what is going on Iain is that the main news media in this country are not providing unbiased coverage. They have clearly taken the view that since our armed forces are in action they have a duty to 'support our boys'.
ReplyDeleteWhile I have no time for Gaddafi I think there are serious questions that need to be asked and answered, which are not being, if the UK public is to be convinced that the current military action is absolutely necessary and that the end will justify the means.