Clinton recently signed into law another act to punish other countries
for doing business with governments that US imperialism is trying to
overthrow. Like the criminal Helms-Burton law against countries doing
business with Cuba, this act targets those who do business with Libya and
Iran. It imposes sanctions against any company worldwide that invests $40
million or more a year in oil and gas projects in Libya or Iran.
Countries of the European Union, including France and Germany, angrily
opposed the law and plan retaliatory measures. One official said, "It's a
completely unacceptable form of conducting trade and foreign policy." China
and Japan also opposed the law.
Clinton made use of the terrorist scare whipped up in the past few weeks
to justify the measure. He stated US readiness to "act alone" and called on
Americans to "all work together" to "fight against today's
enemy--terrorism." (Radio address 8/10/96).
The US wants to dominate the Middle East and control its oil. In
addition to attacking Iran and Libya, a main target
of these sanctions is France's Total, which last year invested over $600
million in Iran's offshore Sirri oil fields.
A ferocious fight for markets and profits is going on among the
imperialist powers. These unilateral US actions have sharpened these
contradictions. The US is increasingly isolated, striking out on its own to
be the sole superpower.
US actions serve to increase the danger of war, which will devastate the
world and Americans. Americans should get together, to oppose these measures
and fight to overthrow US imperialism.
Shawgi Tell
University at Buffalo
Graduate School of Education
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
