IN A SHOW of gunboat diplomacy more reminiscent of the nineteenth century than the last quarter of the twentieth, the United States armed forces are parading the Mediterranean threatening military action against Libya. The US aircraft carrier Coral Sea has started to cruise off the Libyan coast. Other military threats made against Libya include B52 bomber strikes from bases in the United States and F1-11 attacks from US bases in Britain.
The Israeli regime meanwhile has let il be known that it plans reneweo millary acloll. Dul llis nol staling. asatilsi whom this will be directed.
The alleged reason for this military activily were the attacks at Vienna and Kome al les But the real reasons are the problems facing US Israeli policy in the Middle East.
When the Israeli army invaded the summer of 98211 was seen as a logical step in forcing Arao acceolance oi dic cxistence of the Zionist state in the Middle East. Egypt had already concluded Kalc Wilh Israel Camp David agreement.
Israel s aim was lo install a regime favourable to it in This would turn permit Jordan's King Hussein come 10 an agreement with Israel.
But events turned out very amerenty lo le way the invaders had planned. he Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), UlluCI Arafat, was forced out But Israeli altempts lo create a client Christian regime in Lebanon completely failed. Syria emerged as the dominant force the Having been defealed Lebanon the United Stales SaCI turned The aim nas 1o force ane aim was lo force the PLO to accept the United Nations resolutions recognising state Israel and allow Hussein to completely suDoronale the Arafal-led PLO 1o his governcl But, for this plan 1o work, either Syria and the PLO, had 1o be lolally broken, so inal Hussein was safe lo carry through a complete sell oul, least some concession had be offered 1o Jordan Palestinians. the event Israel failed 10 smash Syria and it had no concessions wilateve. the Palestinian people. On the Israel has been Culillaly stepping up its policy of colonisation repression in the occupied West Bank.
Syria The result was that the Teso uuOns recognising Israel some reconciliawith the Syrian LOIl government Facing this impasse Israel the United Stales are contemplating a way out through renewed military Strategically, Israel needs 1o blow against Svria This, however, would involve a Haoraew war.
First, therefore, Syria must be isolated. If this cannot be achieved diplomacy then military allacks on other Arab stales which refuse 10 fall US ane will Israeli policies may be called for. Libya is one such US aircrafi carrier al sea state.
This is the real reason for the US mililary threals. nothing struggle "ler. rorism'.