Noam Chomsky: The US says it is fighting for democracy - but is deaf to the cries of the Iraqis

[marmar]

From the UK Independent:


Noam Chomsky: The US says it is fighting for democracy - but is deaf to the cries of the Iraqis
They are not building a palatial embassy with the intention of going

Published: 11 February 2007
There was unprecedented élite condemnation of the plans to invade Iraq. Sensible analysts were able to perceive that the enterprise carried significant risks for US interests, however conceived. Phrases thrown in by the official Presidential Directive from the standard boilerplate about freedom that accompany every action, and are close to a historical universal, were dismissed as meaningless by reasonable people. Global opposition was utterly overwhelming, and the likely costs to the US were apparent, though the catastrophe created by the invasion went far beyond anyone's worst expectations. It's amusing to watch the lying as the strongest supporters of the war try to deny what they very clearly said.

On the US motives for staying in Iraq, I can only repeat what I've been saying for years. A sovereign Iraq, partially democratic, could well be a disaster for US planners. With a Shia majority, it is likely to continue improving relations with Iran. There is a Shia population right across the border in Saudi Arabia, bitterly oppressed by the US-backed tyranny. Any step towards sovereignty in Iraq encourages activism there for human rights and a degree of autonomy - and that happens to be where most of Saudi oil is.

Sovereignty in Iraq might well lead to a loose Shia alliance controlling most of the world's petroleum resources and independent of the US, undermining a primary goal of US foreign policy since it became the world-dominant power after the Second World War. Worse yet, though the US can intimidate Europe, it cannot intimidate China, which blithely goes its own way, even in Saudi Arabia, the jewel in the crown - the primary reason why China is considered a leading threat. An independent energy bloc in the Gulf area is likely to link up with the China-based Asian Energy Security Grid and Shanghai Cooperation Council, with Russia (which has its own huge resources) as an integral part, and with the Central Asian states (already members), possibly India. Iran is already associated with them, and a Shia-dominated bloc in the Arab states might well go along. All of that would be a nightmare for US planners and their Western allies.

There are, then, very powerful reasons why the US and UK are likely to try in every possible way to maintain effective control over Iraq. The US is not constructing a palatial embassy, by far the largest in the world and virtually a separate city within Baghdad, and pouring money into military bases, with the intention of leaving Iraq to Iraqis. All of this is quite separate from the expectations that matters can be arranged so that US corporations profit from the vast riches of Iraq. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/article2258798.ece

[Marrak]

1. Where we are...

the "standard boilerplate about freedom that accompany every action, and are close to a historical universal, were dismissed as meaningless by reasonable people. Global opposition was utterly overwhelming, and the likely costs to the US were apparent, though the catastrophe created by the invasion went far beyond anyone's worst expectations. It's amusing to watch the lying as the strongest supporters of the war try to deny what they very clearly said."
:kick:

[marmar]

2. That is a great summary sentence....

and reading it just makes my blood boil all over again.:mad:

[cliss]

3. Thanks for the update, mar.

I always appreciate reading updates from Mr. Chomsky. I know I'm getting the real deal.

Regarding the US presence in Iraq. How much have we spent to date? Over $300 billion? (that's probably just the down payment).

Re: U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
Hope springs eternal, doesn't it?
There is NO way they will be able to use it, ever. It will be like a cancerous growth by the Tigris River. I've read it's enormous, like a small city with a swimming pool, homes, a self contained ARMED FORTRESS. It will be bombed, subject to threats, indefinitely.
They just don't get it in Washington. They think they can just build something, as the Flames of Dante's Inferno are burning.

Unbelievable. There's just something Self Annihilating about stuff like this.

[marmar]

4. No problem....That "radical, America-hating" Chomsky is right again....

He always is....