The U.S. 'cops of the world'

by Victor Perlo

This article was reprinted from the 26 August, 1995 issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

Recently, in the course of a single day, the United States either took or threatened punitive measures against five countries: Yugoslavia/Serbia (Bosnia),Iraq, Russia, China and Nepal. In the latter case, the US-dominated World Bank withdrew a loan for a Nepalese power project -- suitable punishment for a country governed by Communists.

The Clinton Administration then publicized a decision to go beyond threats against Yugoslavia and gave his tacit blessing to a Croatian military offensive that drove 200,000 Serbians out of their traditional homes.

Next will probably come an ultimatum to Belgrade: accept U.S. terms or face aerial bombardments, a tightened economic blockade and possible ground forces. Simultaneously, pressure against Iraq was intensified by sending a fleet to the Persian Gulf.

In 1991 President Bush invaded Iraq, easily won the war and imposed harsh terms, including effective occupation of half of Iraq's territory, and an economic embargo -- all aimed at forcing President Saddam Hussein out of office and permitting complete U.S.-led imperialist domination of the country.

Desert Storm gave Bush a high rating in the polls and hopes of stimulating the U.S. economy, thus giving him a 1992 election victory. However, his popularity declined rapidly, the economy plunged into a cyclical crisis -- and Bush was defeated. Clinton may believe there is no danger of this scenario being repeated and may hope that war against Yugoslavia will get him reelected.

While long-term contradictions are building up in the economy, the areas of strength seem to equalize areas of weakness, at least for the present. A sharp decline in the stock market, although possible, is not likely to change that balance. And it remains to be seen how military action, threatened or actual, will impact the overall economy.

But more worrisome for Clinton, the Republicans are castigating him as "not tough enough" and demanding more action, more bombing, more cruelty.

U.S. threats and war preparations are guided by two factors:

1. The "sole superpower" complex, so that Anthony Lake, security adviser to Clinton, considers himself "security adviser to the free world." Lake, a prep school, Harvard, Cambridge son, of a rich and sanctimonious family, and direct representative of top circles of finance and industry, is the only person to see Clinton daily. Lake spent 10 years in Vietnam -- from the buildup of U.S. forces to the ignominious fall of Saigon "advising" military and political leaders in Washington and Saigon.

2. The other factor is class hatred that brings with it anti-Communism, anti-socialism, anti-working class policies -- all "principles" of U.S. foreign policy. Lake and others know that the legacy of socialism remains strong among the Russian and other Soviet peoples. They also know that Russia remains the only country able to significantly retaliate against an American nuclear attack.

U.S. imperialism will not be satisfied until that strength is liquidated and there-colonization of Russia is completed. The decision to go all-out against Yugoslavia is meant to humiliate Russia, which opposed, however weakly, Western imperialist intervention in Yugoslavia.

In what seems to be an exception, U.S. imperialism also insists on the destruction -- political and, perhaps, personal -- of the anti-Communist Saddam Hussein, who dared oppose Washington. Undenied rumors also circulate that Washington aims at the destruction of the present Iraqi state, a state that was leader of the oil-producing countries' drive to nationalize their oil industries. The object is not only to get rid of the stubborn Saddam, but to restore ownership of the rich oil fields of Iraq to the international oil cartel.

Any war against Yugoslavia/Serbia will certainly be a costly adventure for the American working class and oppressed peoples, as was Desert Storm. It is, therefore, in the interest of labor as well as all peoples' organizations to mobilize in opposition to these campaigns before they start. This is best done by refuting the lie that the attack would be to "restore democracy and freedom."