Yeah, I read Pilger too
but the worst reasonable accusation is that certain people and organisations within NATO countries were cynical opportunists. I think it's more likely that some nasty bits of realpolitik got mixed in with a genuine humanitarian effort. You know, the usual bumbling farce of international politics, not some sort of devious conspiracy.

I wouldn't read too much into the SAS training troops in Libya - we're a country that makes a fair bit of money out of the arms and military expertise trade, and Libya has been a good customer ever since Blair opened that particular door.

Not sure why the setting up of a rebel central bank is suspicious. I mean, they were planning a civil war - seems pretty savvy to me.

The protest movement really happened, the rebels and the Arab League really did ask for NATO support. You seem to be suggesting that the protests were somehow organised by western powers, who had this endgame in sight all along.

Wait - you're not Saif Gaddafi are you?
(leviticus no longer likes the cut of your gib on, Wed 7 Dec 2011, 15:15, 1 reply)

The SAS were training the rebels so they could become the rebels.


Who was planning a civil war?

I thought it was a grass roots movement for democratic change?

Setting up a bank is very odd when all you are is a group of people wanting democracy...
( Larry Death Anger Pain Fear Aggression, Wed 7 Dec 2011, 15:31, closed)

Well...
The NTC formed in late February, against Gaddafi, and in support of the protests that started in mid-February. They were made up of tribal leaders, bankers, businessmen, and defectors from the military and the Gaddafi regime.

From the outset, they were planning and conducting a civil war. They set up a central bank, paid for the training of troops, bought arms, set up links with NATO countries, all the sort of sensible stuff you do when you're preparing to take on your own government in armed conflict.

Actually, I'm not even sure what alternative reading of this you're implying.
(leviticus no longer likes the cut of your gib on, Wed 7 Dec 2011, 15:47, closed)