Crude Western interests in Libya

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Published time: August 23, 2011 06:11
Edited time: August 23, 2011 15:43

A Libyan rebel fighter wearing his old national flag as a cape flashes the "victory" sign as he looks at an airforce fighter jet flying overhead at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the oil town of Ras Lanuf (AFP Photo / Getty Images)

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Conflict, Investment, Laura Smith, Libya, Marina Dzhashi, Nuclear, Oil, Politics, Terrorism, War

The fight is not over in Tripoli, but the carve-up of Libya's vast oil riches - the biggest in Africa - is already beginning and no doubt the process will not come cheaply for the Libyan people.

The Italian Foreign Minister fired the starting gun, saying Italy's ENI oil company will play the number-one role in the region.

British PM David Cameron already delivered a promise, seen by many as more of a threat, that the NATO mission in Libya, which is “to protect civilians,” will continue for “as long as it is needed” to ensure a safe transition to democracy.

As allied forces lend air support to the rebels to take Tripoli, the Stop the War Coalition warns Libyans not to expect that they are getting something for nothing.

“The Western powers do not do this without asking for a payback. Why is it that the head TNC [Transitional National Council] is running off to Paris to meet with the French President?” questions John Rees from the Stop the War Coalition. “Well of course that is one very important issue that was why the Western powers and Tony Blair and others struck a deal with Gaddafi in the first place. It will be exactly what they're seeking to continue with the TNC to further exploit those oil riches.”

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The British government makes no secret of the fact that its motives in supporting the rebels are not entirely altruistic. Last year alone the UK exported around US$40 billion worth of goods and services to North Africa and the Middle East.

But “black gold” is the key – Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa.

“When Western powers look at the region, they talk about humanity and democracy, but they’re thinking about oil,” reveals Greg Muttitt, War on Want campaigns and policy director.

Muttitt says it is impossible not to draw a comparison with Iraq. He has written a book about the aftermath of the Iraq invasion, in which he maintains Western powers imposed a democracy which played on sectarian divisions. That ensured years of tribal struggle, but meant the allies retained control of the oil supply. While the UK government insists lessons have been learnt from Iraq, Western oil firms are moving into Libya.

Even before the fate of Tripoli is sealed, the great oil grab is already beginning. BP has a contentious oil and gas exploration contract in Libya, which the UK government will be anxious for it to resume. Italian oil giant ENI is the first to send staff back to Libya, and its shares rose on the news. France’s Total and Austria’s OMV also did well as investors hoped they would soon be able to resume production in Libya. But at what price to the Libyan people?

“The great fear is that just as they did in Iraq they'll create a democracy that serves British interests or the West’s interests or the oil companies’ interests and does nothing for the people of Libya,” Greg Muttitt explains.

Comments (12)

Roxy Chick 25.08.2011 07:09

Libyan Rebels should sell it to BRIC and negotiate protection from the west, BRIC are the next super powers if Libya gets this right they can have financial help in future AND force the west out, the west never negotiates for this black gold they always fight and kill innocent people for 'humanity/democracy' . The Rebels should THINK about this carefully not worship NATO that is what the west is counting on. Typically the people see NATO as some rescue service and give in to them, BRIC are going to run the world in a 10/30 years time, Libya would suit to get in with BRIC not the west which is fast falling. Look at he U.S. they can not afford anymore wars they are nearly broke, BRIC can pay for that oil handsomely. Libya please think carefully about this use your head look at what the west did to Iraq, why do you think they ran away from Afghanistan? The west witnessed BRIC Imperialism there but will never admit to it. Negotiate with China so what? If China pays well and it benefits the people why not? Is BRIC killing people? No!

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Dan (unregistered) 24.08.2011 08:41

The so called "War on Terror" and battle against "Oppressive Regimes" continues unabated, the only question is "who's next" on the list? The vast majority of the media...terrified to report anything less than pure NATO propaganda. It has ALWAYS been about the oil and natural resources, the Bush/Blair years helped pave the way forward for the so called "super powers" to exploit nations for their wealth (except that time they actually called it war), a simple "smash and grab" under the flimsy pretence of "limited Allied involvement" is what we have now, this has economic hitman written all over it. And who leads the charge to claim Libya's wealth while the country is still in a state of shock? Step forward that great beacon of light...Italy, closely followed by other beacons...Britain... France...and oh, hang on...I almost forgot...the ace in the hole...the place of freedom and liberty itself... how could I have have forgotten...America, wow I feel so much safer knowing these people are in charge on the world, don't you? I mean, these people actually care about democracy and all that good stuff we read about every day in the news and reported by the media, it's not about material wealth, noooooo, this is about FREEDOM people, so get with the program, it's time to shape up, or shut up. In generations to come, when humanity has actually woken up to see what our governments have created in the name of "peace and democracy", they (our children) will hang their heads in shame at what this century of "peace" has accomplishe d. Remember, the victors write history, not the losers, and it's always the people on the ground that are the losers, just ask the thousands of Libyan's that have lost family members to the Allied bombing campaign. NATO, the UN and America, are nothing more than a combined group of world economic thieves.

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Wheres Democracy 24.08.2011 03:50

Of course it will be worse. That's how it always goes..it gets worse. Take down the dictator to install another one just to make sure you can come back anytime and bring 'em Peace again..sure. I ain't pro-Gadhafi and of course every country has material interests, so if Russia started a war against anyone i'd be reading US-news to know what's probably going on. If they would at least combine their agenda with the will to install an independent Regime that won't make the people suffer more after taking down the old one i could live with that..but that's not going to happen and you don't even have to be that smart to know. And if it's going to happen this time for the first ever then yes "God bless NATO" for doing right! (but please don't use that uranium-ammunition no more)

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