Tag Archives: 2010

The Truth about the Shelling of Yeonpyeong

24 Nov

U.S. Imperialists Seek War With North Korea

If you live in the United States or any other imperialist or imperialist-subjugated country, you have doubtlessly heard the news reports of the recent North Korean “attack” on a South Korean island, laced with words and slogans like “provocative assault” or “military state,” or perhaps something about the “insane tyrant” of the “communist dictatorship” of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) attempting to provoke war and the like. Of course, all of that is propaganda designed to rally the people of the imperialist countries against one of the last states that dares to resist NATO hegemony.

Here are the quick facts: on November 23, 2010, at 13:00, the South Korean military began conducting military exercises on the island of Yeonpyeong. At approximately 14:34, the KPA fired roughly 100 shells at the island. The Southerners returned fire with at least 80 shells. Casualties on the North side are unknown, while on the Southern side 2 marines were killed, 16 marines were wounded, 2 civilians were killed and 3 were wounded. Since the armistice which formally ended hostilities (but not the Korean War) in 1953, the DPRK has disputed the western maritime border (Northern Limit line), which is claimed by South Korea.

The DPRK does not recognize the legitimacy of this line. The disputed territory also contain waters which are valuable for fishing. Claiming these resources would allow the DPRK to pursue its right to self-determination. In addition, there has been a long history of aggression by the Southern puppet state. The media in the United States is fond of portraying its imperial puppet as a blameless, peace-loving victim of communist aggression. Suffice to say this is not the case at all. Several incidents prior to the retaliation by the Korean People’s Army attest to this.

Who is the Aggressor?

Prior to this incident, unarmed civilian fishing ships from the DPRK crossed the unrecognized border several times in order to take advantage of the fishing resources in the disputed territory. All were shot at by Southern military forces before retreating back into friendly waters. Trigger-happy Southern warships should have known that since the waters are claimed by the DPRK, the government of the North would consider such “warning shots” threatening civilians, which would obviously result in retaliation. In fact, South Korea admits to conducting military drills on the island of Yeonpyeong. The island itself being 7.5 miles off the coast of the DPRK, it should have been obvious to South Korean leadership that retaliation was certain.

The day before the incident, the South Korean government said it was requesting for the U.S. government to place nuclear weapons on the peninsula in order to threaten the DPRK, a country which has not been proven to be pursuing any kind of nuclear weapon in response to external threats and aggression. Militarily, reaction by the KPA was a long time in coming, and the South has no business playing innocent. The Southern tactic of using civilians as shields is cowardice at its worst. The installation attacked was primarily a military target, but the puppet government saw fit to place civilians on the island in an attempt to dissuade the DPRK into not challenging the issue of the contested waters. The KPA minimized civilian casualties during the strike.

Brief Historical Facts Regarding Korea

It is worth noting the history of the Korean nation, which has been tragically partitioned into two countries for decades under what was originally claimed to be a “temporary” partition. The imperialists installed an illegitimate American-friendly regime in the South, backed by a force of 50,000 troops. After over 2,617 troop incursions into the Northern half, sometimes with as many as a few thousand troops, a war ensued when North Korea finally invaded South Korea in response. The three-year Korean War took place and killed millions. Thousands of American troops remain in occupied South Korea to this day.

The imperialist bourgeoisie of the United States and South Korea should cease warmongering and putting the lives of their citizens in danger, either by utilizing them as shields, requesting or deploying American nukes, firing into the DPRK’s waters or by conducting military drills less than eight miles from the North, knowing full well that such actions will result in a military action by the Korean People’s Army.

Further Reading:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/23/3074606.htm

Stop Attack on DPRK! Sign the Petition!


Statements from the Chilean Communist Party (Proletarian Action) & Indigenous Groups Regarding the Attempted Coup in Ecuador

4 Oct

The PC(AP), or in Spanish the Partido Comunista Chileno (Acción Proletaria) is a Marxist-Leninist party in Chile. It is a member of the ICMLPO (Unity & Struggle) along with the Marxist-Leninist parties such as the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party of Ecuador (PCMLE) and has issued a parallel statement in joint with the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), Ecuador’s largest Indigenous organization encompassing other major regional groupings of the Indigenous such as ECUARUNARI and CAOI.From the Chilean Communist Party (Proletarian Action) and the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE):

THE POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS OF ECUADOR AGAINST THE POLICE REVOLT:  THE POLICY OF THE PARTY OF ACTION AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REACTIONARIES AND IMPERIALISM TO PROMOTE A COUP D’ETAT!

Groups of comrades and friends,

The situation which crosses Ecuador today requires a full and dialectical analysis. It is necessary to focus our immediate and long-term interests toward the benefit of the workers and towns. One is not to be against all type of revolts–it is necessary to see them in light of the popular interests of the workers within their framework and not fall into the traps of reactionaries and the right. Thus, even though the revolt of the police occurred within the framework of them claiming that they are in defense of the economic interests that affect the troops and even the working public, it is not possible  to help but observe that it has support from the imperialists. The  problem is to know clearly who desires what politically and to whom the police revolt represents which has occurred in Ecuador. Even with the contradictions, the Party of Action along the workers and towns of Ecuador believe it is not possible to support the fascists and the coup participants. Next we gave an important declaration to them which represents the stance taken by the popular organizations of Ecuador, that gives their vision to us on the political situation that affects the Republic of Ecuador.

No More Dictatorships in Latin America!

Quito, September 30, 2010

In Latin America we have gone from bloody military dictatorship to the dictatorship of transnational capital to neoliberalism. The sectors that benefit from this have always been the same (bankers, commercial entrepreneurs, landowners). And we the impoverished, Indigenous, workers, men and women, have always been the victims, but we have always been fighters who stand for democracy of the oppressed. With this strength and legitimacy we reject any dictatorship from where ever it comes.

The political crisis in Ecuador at this moment caused by the insubordination of the police has been turned by police officers and some military sectors into a coup attempt, behind which is undoubtedly Ecuador’s right wing and the forces of imperialism.

We have no doubt that this political crisis is a right-wing reaction against the 2008 Constitution, adopted by the affirmative vote of 64% of Ecuadorians, and is therefore a clear threat to democracy, Plurinationalism, and the Sumak Kawsay (living well).

In the geopolitical dimension it is also a threat to the Venezuelan and Bolivian processes. It is not coincidental that reactionary sectors of the country celebrated the attempts of destabilization in the Venezuelan elections. They had this same attitude toward attempts to overthrow the Bolivian government. Now the conservative sectors of the country have been adding to these dictatorial attempts.

What is the position of the organized social sectors? The vast majority of popular organizations that resist against dictatorship and neo-liberalism of the pro-imperialist oligarchy in Ecuador, and despite our deep disagreements with the national government that has tried some of our leaders as terrorists, this is no reason to stand with our historic enemies. Behind the protest of the police and their wage claims is the claim of ignorance of the Constitution where we recognize many of our proposals and historical struggles.

Rafael Correa’s Citizen Revolution formed broad alliances with right-wing groups in mining, oil, agribusiness, etc., and attacked and persecuted popular left-wing organizations (especially the Indigenous movement) which leaves those reactionary sectors free to act in this way. Leaving no room for confusion, our position is:

1. Reject the coup attempt and defend the Plurinational State.

2. We declare ourselves in permanent assemblies and alert to mobilize in defense of plurinationalism.

3. As part of a plurinational democracy, the only revolutionary alternative is to fight against supporters of the dictatorship, and to deepen urgent changes in the process of agrarian revolution.

4. We gather ourselves in a large plurinational dialogue of all Ecuadorians, in an atmosphere of peace and democracy to build a large plurinational consensus as the best way to resolve the crisis peacefully.

We have already suffered too much with dictatorships, Honduras still hurts. No more dictatorship in Latin America.

For the Governing Council

Delfín Tenesaca

President of ECUARUNARI From CONAIE:

A process of change, as weak as it may be, runs the risk of being overturned or overtaken by the right, old or new, if it does not establish alliances with organized social and popular sectors, and deepen progressively.

The insubordination of the police, beyond their immediate demands, lays bare at least four substantial things:

1. While the government has dedicated itself exclusively to attacking and delegitimizing organized sectors like the Indigenous movement, workers’ unions, etc., it hasn’t weakened in the least the structures of power of the right, or those within the state apparatus, which has become evident through the rapidity of the response from the public forces.

2. The social crisis that was let loose today was also provoked by the authoritarian character and the non-opening to dialogue in the lawmaking process. We have seen how laws that were consensed around were vetoed by the President of the Republic, closing any possibility of agreement.

3. Faced with the criticism and mobilization of communities against transnational mining, oil, and agro-industrial companies, the government, instead of creating a dialogue, responds with violence and repression, as occurred in Zamora Chinchipe.

4. This scenario nurtures the conservative sectors. Already various sectors and people from the old right are asking for the overthrow of the government and the installation of a civil or military dictatorship; but the new right, from inside and outside the government, will use this context to justify their total alliance with the most reactionary sectors and with emerging business interests.

The Ecuadorian Indigenous movement, CONAIE, with its regional Confederations and its grassroots organizations states before Ecuadorian society and the international community their rejection to the economic and social policies of the government, and with the same energy we reject the actions of the right that in an undercover way form part of the attempted coup d’etat, and to the contrary we will continue to struggle for the construction of a Plurinational State with a true democracy.

Consistent with the mandate of the communities, peoples and nationalities and faithful to our history of struggle and resistance against colonialism, discrimination and exploitation of those who are below, of the poor, we will defend democracy and the rights of the people: no concessions for the right. In these critical moments, our position is:

1. We convene our bases to maintain themselves alert and ready to mobilize in defense of true Plurinational democracy and against the actions of the right.

2. We deepen our mobilization against the extractive model and the imposition of large scale mining, the privatization and concentration of water, and the expansion of the oil frontier.

3. We convene and join together with diverse organized sectors to defend the rights of workers, affected by the arbitrariness which has driven the legislative process, recognizing that they are making legitimate demands.

4. We demand that the national government firmly depose every possible concession to the right. We demand that the government abandons its authoritarian attitude against the popular sectors, that they not criminalize social protest and the persecution of leaders: the only thing this type of politics provokes is to open spaces to the Right and create spaces of destabilization.

The best way to defend democracy is to begin a true revolution that resolves the most urgent and structural questions to the benefit of the majority. On this path is the effective construction of the Plurinational state and the immediate initiation of an agrarian revolution and a de-privatization of water.

This is our position in this context and in this historical period.

Marlon Santi PRESIDENT, CONAIE

Delfín Tenesaca PRESIDENT, ECUARUNARI

Tito Puanchir PRESIDENT, CONFENIAE

Olindo Nastacuaz PRESIDENT, CONAICEhttp://accionproletaria.com/2007/index.php

http://www.conaie.org/

On the Coal Mine Explosion in West Virginia

11 Apr

For Immediate Release:

The worst mining accident in the United States since 1970 has occurred in West Virgina. It has been reported that the company, Massey Energy, and the Upper Big Branch Mine specifically has been cited at least 300 times in the past two to three years for violations of OSHA safety standards. Furthermore, the lack of a union for the coal miners in this mine in particular and for miners and other workers who are employed by Massey Energy has also contributed to this mining problem, costing the lives of 29 workers.

It is in light of these facts that the American Party of Labor calls for the state of West Virgina to charge Don Blankinship, C.E.O. of Massey Energy, with the maximum allowable penalties including involuntary manslaughter. Mr. Blankinship has said himself publicly that his mines routinely do not follow standard safety protocols because these regulations are “nonsensical” from a “mining” standpoint. This of course should be translated into English that the safety regulations are regularly ignored because following them would cut into Massey Energy’s profit margins.

This tragedy, while poignant and shining a bold light on an industry that has been traditionally malevolent towards the very workers they exploit, also exposes the “mule is more valuable than the man” mentality going back to the 19th century and reveals the truth: that capitalism only works for the capitalists.

We call for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act in Congress, we call for prosecution of Don Blankinship for his role in the deaths of these men and we call for the unionization of all mine operations throughout the country.

Anniversary of the Iraq Occupation

20 Mar

Seven Years of War

The 20th of March, 2010 marks the seventh anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. After seven years, over 100,000 dead Iraqi citizens, 700+ billion dollars and almost 5000 US soldier deaths later, what does the American Empire have to show for its expense? Not much. Iraq, even still is a county ruined and torn apart by war. Power in Baghdad is often only on one or two hours per day, crime and ethnic violence are still rampant, and much worse. That country, so rich in oil, is now in debt—a large debt too. The oil fields themselves have been mainly privatized and although they are pumping oil, the efforts of the American exploiter corporations in Iraq are hampered by the heroic efforts of the Iraqi Resistance.

In these past seven years it has been remarkable how much the original reasons behind the invasion have been widely proven to be a lie. By now, everyone knows that the so-called Global War on Terror has nothing to do with terrorism, the Taliban, democracy or womens’ rights in the Middle East. It is also common knowledge that Iraq held no responsibility for attacks against the US, and that the old WMD claims of Saddam’s government possessing biological and nuclear weapons was a lie.

Let’s discuss the fact that the US government stated it was “freeing” a subjugated people. We need not look far to disprove that. Despite claims of “fighting radical Islam,” Saddam’s Ba’ath Party was a secular party throughout its history. The US supports the Saudi Arabian monarchy financially, politically and militarily. The United States and the Bush Administration did not enter the war because it was liberating anyone. Iraq was also not filled with “terrorists” until a military coalition invaded it.

Operation Iraqi “Freedom”

The former Administration of George W. Bush seized the opportunity after the events of 9/11 to launch an occupation against two nations and interfere in several more. The US government assembled a military coalition to secure the economically and strategically crucial Persian Gulf. Iraq’s military and civilian infrastructures have been mostly obliterated by sustained military bombardment and on-the-ground invasion. Predictably, this involved overthrowing Middle Eastern regimes that interfered with US corporate interests in exploiting vast oil fields in Central Asia. This has ended in the installation of a “democratic” government hand-picked by US forces, which of course support the ongoing military presence.

Some Statistics

It’s been seven years since the United States launched its occupation into Iraq, and that means it is time for us to review the numbers. First, take a note. At the time we began writing this article an estimated $712,156,525,787 had been spent on the war.

Number of Coalition Forces who have Died in Iraq: 4,693

4,375 US Military, 179 British Military, 139 Other Country Coalition Forces

Number of Civilians Dead (Iraqi and Other): 151,000

Number of Iraqi Security Forces: 8,745

Number of Insurgent Deaths: 20,987

Number of Private Military Contractor Deaths: 1,186

Number of Journalists: 170

218,397

Source: http://www.icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx

[Due to chaos and civil war, actual totals for Iraqi deaths are most likely much higher than the numbers recorded on this site. As well, the United Nations Human Rights Council as well as the UN can be seen as a group led by the US and therefore cannot be trusted in it's listing of Human Rights Violations. We post these numbers as merely one possible source. Some have listed as high as over 1,000,000 dead.]

That number is 186,781 dead and 31,616 wounded. This is the human cost of a war propagated by the United States government not for the liberation of a people, but for imperialism and the dawn of a New Age of American Colonialism. By the time we finished writing this article an estimated $712,164,983,347 had been spent. That is $8,457,560 dollars worth of writing.

Announcement

With seven years, 186,781 dead and 31,616 wounded under its belt, need this war, now turned into an out-and-out occupation, continue? It will unless the American people stand up and put a stop to imperialist war once and for all.

In light of all that has been said here and must continue to be said, the American Party of Labor must reiterate the call it began making a year ago during the 6th anniversary of this tragedy:

Troops Out of Iraq! Troops Out of Everywhere!

Seven Years of WarThe 20th of March 2010 marks the seventh anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. And after seven years, over 100,000 dead Iraqi citizens, 700+ billion dollars and almost 5000 US soldier deaths later, what does the American Empire have to show for its expense? Not much. Iraq, even still is a county ruined and torn apart by war. Power in Baghdad is often only on one or two hours per day, crime and ethnic violence are still rampant, and much worse. That country, so rich in oil, is now in debt—a large debt too. The oil fields themselves have been mainly privatized and although they are pumping oil, the efforts of the American exploiter corporations in Iraq are hampered by the heroic efforts of the Iraqi Resistance.In these past seven years it has been remarkable how much the original reasons behind the invasion have been widely proven to be a lie. By now, everyone knows that the so-called Global War on Terror has nothing to do with terrorism, the Taliban, democracy or womens’ rights in the Middle East. It is also common knowledge that Iraq held no responsibility for attacks against the US, and that the old WMD claims of Saddam’s government possessing biological and nuclear weapons was a lie.

Let’s discuss the fact that the US government stated it was “freeing” a subjugated people. We need not look far to disprove that. Despite claims of “fighting radical Islam,” Saddam’s Ba’ath Party was a secular party throughout its history. The US supports the Saudi Arabian monarchy financially, politically and militarily. The United States and the Bush Administration did not enter the war because it was liberating anyone. Iraq was also not filled with “terrorists” until a military coalition invaded it.

Operation Iraqi “Freedom”

The former Administration of George W. Bush seized the opportunity after the events of 9/11 to launch an occupation against two nations and interfere in several more. The US government assembled a military coalition to secure the economically and strategically crucial Persian Gulf. Iraq’s military and civilian infrastructures have been mostly obliterated by sustained military bombardment and on-the-ground invasion. Predictably, this involved overthrowing Middle Eastern regimes that interfered with US corporate interests in exploiting vast oil fields in Central Asia. This has ended in the installation of a “democratic” government hand-picked by US forces, which of course support the ongoing military presence.

Some Statistics

It’s been seven years since the United States launched its occupation into Iraq, and that means it is time for us to review the numbers. First, take a note. At the time we began writing this article an estimated $712,156,525,787 had been spent on the war.

Number of Coalition Forces who have Died in Iraq: 4,693

4,375 US Military, 179 British Military, 139 Other Country Coalition Forces

Number of Civilians Dead (Iraqi and Other): 151,000

Number of Iraqi Security Forces: 8,745

Number of Insurgent Deaths: 20,987

Number of Private Military Contractor Deaths: 1,186

Number of Journalists: 170

218,397

Source: http://www.icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx

[Due to chaos and civil war, actual totals for Iraqi deaths are most likely much higher than the numbers recorded on this site. As well, the United Nations Human Rights Council as well as the UN can be seen as a group led by the US and therefore cannot be trusted in it's listing of Human Rights Violations. We post these numbers as merely one possible source. Some have listed as high as over 1,000,000 dead.]

That number is 186,781 dead and 31,616 wounded. This is the human cost of a war propagated by the United States government not for the liberation of a people, but for imperialism and the dawn of a New Age of American Colonialism. By the time we finished writing this article an estimated $712,164,983,347 had been spent. That is $8,457,560 dollars worth of writing.

Announcement

With seven years under its belt, 186,781 dead and 31,616 wounded, need this war, now turned into an out-and-out occupation, continue? It does, if the American people stand up and put a stop to imperialist war once and for all. In light of all that has been said here and must continue to be said, the American Party of Labor must reiterate the call it began making a year ago during the 6th anniversary of this tragedy.

Troops Out of Iraq! Troops Out of Everywhere!hcuf

Sev

Seven Years of War

The 20th of March 2010 marks the seventh anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. And after seven years, over 100,000 dead Iraqi citizens, 700+ billion dollars and almost 5000 US soldier deaths later, what does the American Empire have to show for its expense? Not much. Iraq, even still is a county ruined and torn apart by war. Power in Baghdad is often only on one or two hours per day, crime and ethnic violence are still rampant, and much worse. That country, so rich in oil, is now in debt—a large debt too. The oil fields themselves have been mainly privatized and although they are pumping oil, the efforts of the American exploiter corporations in Iraq are hampered by the heroic efforts of the Iraqi Resistance.
In these past seven years it has been remarkable how much the original reasons behind the invasion have been widely proven to be a lie. By now, everyone knows that the so-called Global War on Terror has nothing to do with terrorism, the Taliban, democracy or womens’ rights in the Middle East. It is also common knowledge that Iraq held no responsibility for attacks against the US, and that the old WMD claims of Saddam’s government possessing biological and nuclear weapons was a lie.

Let’s discuss the fact that the US government stated it was “freeing” a subjugated people. We need not look far to disprove that. Despite claims of “fighting radical Islam,” Saddam’s Ba’ath Party was a secular party throughout its history. The US supports the Saudi Arabian monarchy financially, politically and militarily. The United States and the Bush Administration did not enter the war because it was liberating anyone. Iraq was also not filled with “terrorists” until a military coalition invaded it.

Operation Iraqi “Freedom”

The former Administration of George W. Bush seized the opportunity after the events of 9/11 to launch an occupation against two nations and interfere in several more. The US government assembled a military coalition to secure the economically and strategically crucial Persian Gulf. Iraq’s military and civilian infrastructures have been mostly obliterated by sustained military bombardment and on-the-ground invasion. Predictably, this involved overthrowing Middle Eastern regimes that interfered with US corporate interests in exploiting vast oil fields in Central Asia. This has ended in the installation of a “democratic” government hand-picked by US forces, which of course support the ongoing military presence.

Some Statistics

It’s been seven years since the United States launched its occupation into Iraq, and that means it is time for us to review the numbers. First, take a note. At the time we began writing this article an estimated $712,156,525,787 had been spent on the war.

Number of Coalition Forces who have Died in Iraq: 4,693

4,375 US Military, 179 British Military, 139 Other Country Coalition Forces

Number of Civilians Dead (Iraqi and Other): 151,000

Number of Iraqi Security Forces: 8,745

Number of Insurgent Deaths: 20,987

Number of Private Military Contractor Deaths: 1,186

Number of Journalists: 170

218,397

Source: http://www.icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx

[Due to chaos and civil war, actual totals for Iraqi deaths are most likely much higher than the numbers recorded on this site. As well, the United Nations Human Rights Council as well as the UN can be seen as a group led by the US and therefore cannot be trusted in it's listing of Human Rights Violations. We post these numbers as merely one possible source. Some have listed as high as over 1,000,000 dead.]

That number is 186,781 dead and 31,616 wounded. This is the human cost of a war propagated by the United States government not for the liberation of a people, but for imperialism and the dawn of a New Age of American Colonialism. By the time we finished writing this article an estimated $712,164,983,347 had been spent. That is $8,457,560 dollars worth of writing.

Announcement

With seven years under its belt, 186,781 dead and 31,616 wounded, need this war, now turned into an out-and-out occupation, continue? It does, if the American people stand up and put a stop to imperialist war once and for all. In light of all that has been said here and must continue to be said, the American Party of Labor must reiterate the call it began making a year ago during the 6th anniversary of this tragedy.

Troops Out of Iraq! Troops Out of Everywhere!

en Years of War

The 20th of March 2010 marks the seventh anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. And after seven years, over 100,000 dead Iraqi citizens, 700+ billion dollars and almost 5000 US soldier deaths later, what does the American Empire have to show for its expense? Not much. Iraq, even still is a county ruined and torn apart by war. Power in Baghdad is often only on one or two hours per day, crime and ethnic violence are still rampant, and much worse. That country, so rich in oil, is now in debt—a large debt too. The oil fields themselves have been mainly privatized and although they are pumping oil, the efforts of the American exploiter corporations in Iraq are hampered by the heroic efforts of the Iraqi Resistance.
In these past seven years it has been remarkable how much the original reasons behind the invasion have been widely proven to be a lie. By now, everyone knows that the so-called Global War on Terror has nothing to do with terrorism, the Taliban, democracy or womens’ rights in the Middle East. It is also common knowledge that Iraq held no responsibility for attacks against the US, and that the old WMD claims of Saddam’s government possessing biological and nuclear weapons was a lie.

Let’s discuss the fact that the US government stated it was “freeing” a subjugated people. We need not look far to disprove that. Despite claims of “fighting radical Islam,” Saddam’s Ba’ath Party was a secular party throughout its history. The US supports the Saudi Arabian monarchy financially, politically and militarily. The United States and the Bush Administration did not enter the war because it was liberating anyone. Iraq was also not filled with “terrorists” until a military coalition invaded it.

Operation Iraqi “Freedom”

The former Administration of George W. Bush seized the opportunity after the events of 9/11 to launch an occupation against two nations and interfere in several more. The US government assembled a military coalition to secure the economically and strategically crucial Persian Gulf. Iraq’s military and civilian infrastructures have been mostly obliterated by sustained military bombardment and on-the-ground invasion. Predictably, this involved overthrowing Middle Eastern regimes that interfered with US corporate interests in exploiting vast oil fields in Central Asia. This has ended in the installation of a “democratic” government hand-picked by US forces, which of course support the ongoing military presence.

Some Statistics

It’s been seven years since the United States launched its occupation into Iraq, and that means it is time for us to review the numbers. First, take a note. At the time we began writing this article an estimated $712,156,525,787 had been spent on the war.

Number of Coalition Forces who have Died in Iraq: 4,693

4,375 US Military, 179 British Military, 139 Other Country Coalition Forces

Number of Civilians Dead (Iraqi and Other): 151,000

Number of Iraqi Security Forces: 8,745

Number of Insurgent Deaths: 20,987

Number of Private Military Contractor Deaths: 1,186

Number of Journalists: 170

218,397

Source: http://www.icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx

[Due to chaos and civil war, actual totals for Iraqi deaths are most likely much higher than the numbers recorded on this site. As well, the United Nations Human Rights Council as well as the UN can be seen as a group led by the US and therefore cannot be trusted in it's listing of Human Rights Violations. We post these numbers as merely one possible source. Some have listed as high as over 1,000,000 dead.]

That number is 186,781 dead and 31,616 wounded. This is the human cost of a war propagated by the United States government not for the liberation of a people, but for imperialism and the dawn of a New Age of American Colonialism. By the time we finished writing this article an estimated $712,164,983,347 had been spent. That is $8,457,560 dollars worth of writing.

Announcement

With seven years under its belt, 186,781 dead and 31,616 wounded, need this war, now turned into an out-and-out occupation, continue? It does, if the American people stand up and put a stop to imperialist war once and for all. In light of all that has been said here and must continue to be said, the American Party of Labor must reiterate the call it began making a year ago during the 6th anniversary of this tragedy.

Troops Out of Iraq! Troops Out of Everywhere!

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