KMU slams govt support for US-backed rebels in Libya

Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno condemned today the Aquino government’s expression of support for the National Transitional Council established by the “rebels” in Libya, saying the government is in effect backing the US and NATO’s military aggression in the North African country aimed at advancing superpower interests there.

“The Aquino government’s support for the so-called ‘rebels’ in Libya is despicable,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.

“The Aquino government is in effect backing the US and NATO’s barbaric armed aggression in Libya which has killed many civilians and seeks to advance superpower interests there. Even in the US, there are moves to hold the NATO accountable for crimes against humanity for what it is doing in Libya,” he said.

“The Aquino government is joining the US- and NATO-orchestrated propaganda bandwagon against Col. Moammar Gadhafi, which aims to show that he is on the way out,” he added.

Not like People Power uprisings

“The so-called ‘uprising’ in Libya is in no way comparable to People Power uprisings in the country, which saw the Filipino workers and people defying repression and ousting pro-US and anti-people leaders. In Libya, the ousting of Gadhafi is being undertaken chiefly through NATO aerial strikes, ground movements of Libyan mercenaries and NATO special forces, and a deceitful propaganda offensive,” Labog said.

“We are calling for an end to the armed aggression being undertaken by the NATO and the US in Libya. Let the Libyan workers and people decide their future,” he added.

KMU said the Philippine government’s support for the so-called “rebels” in Libya flies in the face of the following facts:

>> The US and other powerful states aim to advance their expoitative and militarist interests in Libya in wanting to replace Gadhafi with a puppet.

>> The so-called “rebels” are composed of pro-US government officials, monarchists, warlords and Islamic fundamentalists which include al-Qaeda, and are supported by the US and serve US geo-political interests in Libya and the North African region.

>> News about the developments in Libya are controlled by big capitalist media, who are biased in favor of the US and superpower interests.