Lies, Damn Lies, and NATO Claiming Control Across Libya
At an October 11 press briefing, NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu claimed Operation Unified Protector (NATO's aggression on Libya)
"has been a great success. We're pretty close to the end, but we're not there yet." "We did the right thing. We saved countless lives. We did it the right way, fast, with flexibility, involving Partners from the start, and we did it for the right reasons; to fully implement the mandate of the United Nations Security Council." "Now we will make sure the end of the operation will come when the time is right. We will not leave the job half done." "Our mission, as you know, is to prevent attacks and threats against civilians, so we will terminate the mission once we assess that there is no longer a systematic and significant threat...."
NATO military spokesperson Col. Roland Lavoie followed Lungescu with similar comments, claiming "we have witnessed a significant evolution of the situation in Libya." He added that "NATO is exercising air power only when necessary and always with caution, discernment and precision."
Fact check
On October 13, UN Support Mission to Libya head Ian Martin briefed Security Council members by video-link. His assessment differed greatly from NATO, saying:
"The situation (in Libya) is far from stable. There are many security concerns. The fighting is still on. Violations of human rights and international humanitarian law have been registered."
Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin called the briefing "open and sobering," adding:
"The Libyan authorities clearly need support, an effective UN mission, and this is where the Security Council will concentrate its efforts in the next few months."
Loyalists, in fact, are Libya's only authority, not NATO or TNC puppet officials. UN action to halt terror bombing and rebel cutthroats is crucial.
Libyan sovereignty must be recognized and supported, free from NATO and UN Blue Helmet paramilitary occupation.
Libyans won't tolerate less nor should they. Their struggle deserves global support, including by world body leaders. NATO must be condemned as a rogue aggressor. Responsible member states must be held accountable.
On October 9, Russia Today (RT.com) said:
"....NATO exposed its hypocrisy toward protecting civilian lives, letting (TNC fighters) shell loyalist cities and assault them despite great losses among the civilian population." "We know what this war was about. It was about regime change....NATO does not care about civilians."
WikiLeaks Julian Assange told RT:
"The lesson for Libya is that there are only two superpowers....the US and the EU." They attacked Libya lawlessly. "It shows that there is no effective rule of law as far as the UN is concerned."
RT said "NATO stands accused of turning a blind eye to huge civilian casualties in Libya." Libyans know Western forces didn't come as liberators. They came as imperial predators.
NATO's Imperial Aggression
Since March 19, NATO waged lawless aggression against a nonbelligerent country, mischaracterized as humanitarian intervention responsibility to protect.
It violated UN Charter's Chapter VI calling for peaceful conflict dispute resolutions. Humanitarian intervention authority never permits military force or other hostile acts.
It ignored Chapter VII authorization to impose boycotts, embargoes, blockades, and severed diplomatic ties when justified - never war, except in self-defense and only until the Security Council acts.
No justification whatever existed. A humanitarian crisis didn't exist until NATO arrived. For seven months, it terror bombed Libya relentlessly. Targets included schools, hospitals, mosques, civilian neighborhoods, and others unrelated to military necessity.
Tens of thousands of Libyans have been massacred in cold blood, including women, children, the elderly and infirm. Areas across the country were ravaged. Food, water, medical supplies, electricity, and fuel were cut off.
NATO is a rogue killing machine. It's mission isn't liberation. It's slaughtering, ravaging and pillaging for power and profit.
Wherever it intervenes, human misery follows. Death, disease, starvation, depravation and desperation haunt the living. Libya is one of history's great crimes.
Against overwhelming odds, loyalists tied down the world's mightiest military force for seven months, determined to resist, live free, and rebuild.
NATO and major media scoundrels claim victory is close at hand. NSNBC's daily updates tell a much different story.
On October 15, it said early on October 14, TNC fighters controlled parts of Sirte, as well as small areas of Sabah, Bani Walid, Benghazi and Tripoli. "This picture would change dramatically over the next 24 hours."
Overnight, Zuwara residents attacked TNC rebels, burned their local office, "and forced the occupiers to flee....taking heavy casualties."
Elsewhere across Libya, early morning hours were marked by demonstrations. Loyalists won't tolerate NATO terror, "oppression, massacres and atrocities for one moment longer. Libya was at the brink of exploding from anger and frustration."
In Tripoli, demonstration began at 8:00AM. They grew in size when Wirsh Fana Tribal members joined it. Chants said, "This is it. Today we take our city and our country back."
TNC fighters fled in haste from Bani Walid, Sirte, and Sabah, taking heavy casualties. "The retreat in Tripoli was a drive through a shooting gallery as people all over Libya rose to the occasion."
By early afternoon, mass demonstrations waved green flags across Libya. TNC Tripoli forces attacked them. NATO helicopter gunships strafed nonviolent civilians.
The scene proved "what brand of 'Democracy' (NATO) advocates," showing no regard whatever for human life.
At 6:00PM, reports suggested heavy fighting in parts of Tripoli. Abu Salim and other areas were "firmly" under loyalist control. At 6:30PM, "a NATO Apache helicopter was shot down."
Losing control of Tripoli, NATO sent reinforcements from Zawiya. En route, they were "ambushed. The entire convoy was destroyed, and there were numerous casualties and prisoners."
By late evening, most of Tripoli was liberated, 80% of Benghazi, and other large areas across Libya. TNC's Benghazi headquaters was "stormed. Over 90% of TNC members had resigned." Those in Tripoli fled.
NATO planes began bombing Abu Salim. A caller said "they are carpet bombing our district." More Wirsh Fana Tribal members arrived, "entirely changing the military situation."
"Attacks on heavily fortified TNC and NATO positions began, while special operations units from the Libyan forces began deploying to capture key Libyan and foreign political and military figures."
Gheriyan is again free. Residents there like elsewhere say they'll "never accept a TNC that is forced on them by NATO."
On October 15 overnight, loyalists attacked the Rixos Hotel, Military Camp 77 and Green Square. Bodies there provided evidence of a NATO/TNC massacre. Unconfirmed reports said Washington's ambassador is missing.
Zlitan and Gheriay-based tribes said they'll send reinforcements to Tripoli and Sirte. Early Saturday morning, "a NATO Chinook helicopter was shot down near Zlitan."
Heavy fighting continued overnight through early morning. TNC fighters took heavy casualties. Courageous loyalists persist against their best military might, including daily terror bombing.
Showing no regard for human life and welfare, their imperial mission focuses solely on conquest, colonization, resource control, exploitation, and unchallenged dominance. Libyans want none of it and won't quit, no matter the odds.
Reports circulated about Kmamis Gaddafi's death, including on Syria's Arrai TV. He commands Libya's 32nd Elite Brigade. However, Algeria ISP called his death fabricated NATO propaganda. So far, no confirmation either way is available.
NATO and major media scoundrels have gone all out to control the message. Nothing they say is credible. On October 16, Algeria ISP said NATO and TNC officials implemented a disinformation campaign to help locate loyalist government and military officials.
Whether they're captured or free, dead or alive, diverts attention from what matters most - the committed will of millions of Libyans to resist. Fighting for their lives, liberation and futures drives them daily.
New leaders stand ready to replace fallen ones. It's working, as loyalists so far bested NATO's killing machine for seven months. They'll fight seven more or as long as it takes to live free.
Military conditions are "volatile, but in spite of NATO's" air power, rebel mercenaries, and Special Forces directing them, loyalists keep making "slow but steady progress."
New reports NSNBC got say most Tripoli residential districts "are controlled by Libyan forces and popular resistance. The green flag was hoisted over the Rixos Hotel and Military Camp 77."
Heavy clashes continue across greater Tripoli and Tarhuna. Loyalists control most of Bani Walid. Zawiyah is free.
Stepped up loyalist resistance Friday in Tripoli forced NATO to shift Sirte forces there. Nonetheless, Sirte has been relentlessly terror bombed and shelled by "light, medium range and heavy artillery."
Supportive major media scoundrels suppress the truth when they report anything about NATO lawlessness they call humanitarian intervention.
More updates will discuss what they distort, censor and suppress.
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Stephen Lendman: I was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. Raised in a modest middle class family, attended public schools, received a BA from Harvard University in 1956 and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of PA in 1960 following 2 years of obligatory military service in the US Army. Spent the next 6 years as a marketing research analyst for several large US corporations before becoming part of a new small family business in 1967, remaining there until retiring at the end of 1999. Have since devoted my time and efforts to the progressive causes and organizations I support, all involved in working for a more humane and just world for all people everywhere, but especially for the most needy, disadvantaged and oppressed. My efforts since summer 2005 have included writing on a broad range of vital topics ranging from war and peace; social, economic and political equity for all; and justice for all the oppressed peoples of the world like the long-suffering people of Haiti and the Palestinians. Also co-hosting The Global Research News Hour, occasional public talks, and frequent appearances on radio and at times television. Stephen Lendman is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization. He lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The Lendman News Hour on RepublicBroadcasting.org Monday - Friday at 10AM US Central time for cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on world and national issues. All programs are archived for easy listening. Stephen's new book "How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion and Class War" can be ordered HERE.
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URL: http://www.a-w-i-p.com/index.php/2011/10/18/lies-damn-lies-and-nato-claiming-control
