US loses status, kicked out of Davos confab

Worst of all it was MBS who kicked Biden out …

MBS head to head with Biden, US officials not invited to ‘Davos‘

 

 

 

 

USA discovers human rights in oil-rich Libya

Something is mighty fishy with this US sudden awareness of human rights in Libya.

The imperial  power that oozed praise on despots like Pinochet and Suharto suddenly cannot abide Gaddafi (their water carrier) in Libya. The World Socialist Website agrees ….

The World Socialist Web Site categorically opposes any military intervention in Libya. The drive toward war, which was given the green light by the UN Security Council on Thursday, has nothing to do with the humanitarian pretexts offered up by the major powers. Rather, it represents the violent imperialist subjugation of a former colony.

The bombing of Libya by French, British and American planes will not protect human life, but will transform the country into a battlefield with thousands of innocent victims. This is an imperialist war. Libya is an oppressed, former colonial country. The WSWS rejects fundamentally and in all circumstances military attacks by imperialist powers on such countries. . .   (more)

http://wsws.org/articles/2011/mar2011/pers-m19.shtml

” . . .  A military presence in Libya, which is bordered by Egypt to the east and Tunisia to the west, would help the major powers to intimidate revolutionary movements throughout the Arab world. . . “

Meanwhile, in N. Africa…. Bahrain blows up

Washington Post –

Gulf security forces enter Bahrain, demonstrations escalate

“DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA – A military force from Bahrain’s Gulf neighbors entered the tiny island nation Monday in an apparent attempt to restore order as anti-government demonstrations escalate.

The Bahrain Defense Force confirmed the arrival of military units from a special Gulf Cooperation Council security force. The Council is a regional economic and military alliance comprised of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman…. “ (more)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/14/AR2011031402091.html

It looks like scared-shitless Saudi royals are pitching in with the US-inspired fig leaf of ‘coalition’  description.

Libya is see-sawing back and forth between pro and anti government forces … or the news organizations are getting that impression without being there. See prior post.  It may be that a secret invasion of oil-importing-nations’ commandos are not getting the results they want.

And Saudi Arabia saw protests even though they mobilized their torturers and henchmen to suppress it.

There’s a nice column about who is in charge in Egypt at WikiLeaks Central –

http://wlcentral.org/node/1452

Follow all the breaking news on North Africa (while the world is looking at Japan) at these sites –

https://flyingcuttlefish.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/follow-news-from-north-africa-as-it-happens/

Al Jazeera: Protests Hit Saudi Arabia

Injuries as protests hit Saudi city

At least three people have been injured after police in Saudi Arabia fired in the air to disperse protesters in the eastern oil-rich city of Qatif.

The injuries came on the eve of a so-called “Day of Rage” planned in the country for Friday.

Mansur al-Turki, a spokesman for the Saudi interior ministry, said shots were fired on Thursday over the heads of the protesters after they attacked a police officer who was documenting the protest.

Around 600-800 protesters, all Shia and including women, took to the streets of Qatif to demand the release of nine Shia prisoners, said a witness, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Qatif has a large Shia community although Saudi Arabia is a Sunni-dominated kingdom.

The shooting continued for about 10 minutes and around 200 policemen were present, the witness said.

“As the procession in the heart of the city was about to finish, soldiers started shooting at the protesters, and three of them were wounded,” the witness added. . .

. . . . . Friday protests have been planned in other Gulf countries including Yemen, Kuwait and Bahrain. The time after Friday prayers has proved to be crucial in popular uprisings that have brought down Tunisian and Egyptian rulers who once seemed invulnerable. . . . . . (more)

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011311542442538.html

Follow news from North Africa as it happens

For rapidly breaking news from Libya, Egypt, and across the African continent try these resources:

ALJAZEERA http://english.aljazeera.net/

WIKILEAKS CENTRAL http://wlcentral.org/

ASIA TIMES http://www.atimes.com/

— and WikiLeaks has been releasing timely cables on the topic.

See the newest embassy cables from The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/series/us-embassy-cables-the-documents

or the WikiLeaks website (Denmark mirror)   http://wikileaks.de/

 

College Valedictorian Tortured, “Confesses”, is Sentanced to Life

Accused by Saudis, tortured by Saudis and given over to the US “Justice” Dept. for disposal.

How shameful that torture is now accepted in US courts and the statements made under torture (self incriminating and sans attorney) is now the routine in the USA.
Read the story in the Washington Post –
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/27/AR2009072701384.html

Shame on the DoJ! Shame on the USA!