Neo-imperialism is as brutally cruel as was old-fashioned imperialism of 18th-20th century. In a sense it is more inhuman and dangerous than the imperialism which believed in physical occupation and colonization of countries. Then, as well as now, the purpose has been economic exploitation of weaker nations. Imperialism, however, was brazen while neo-imperialism is subtle, shrewd and, therefore, more dangerous than its former incarnation.
Neo-imperialism has enormous resources, mental as well as financial. Its minds perversely exploit and manipulate international mechanisms and covenants such as UNO and Universal Declaration of Human Rights etc. to advance their interests. If weaker nations fall in line willingly, and without protest, they are spared of brazen intimidation, invasion and occupation. Those countries which protest against their exploitation are harassed and threatened to surrender. And the ones which oppose neo-imperialism openly, vigorously and vehemently are intimidated, invaded and occupied. This happened to Saddam’s defiant Iraq earlier, and now Iran is in the firing line.
Capitalism-motivated neo-imperialism’s most deadly and sinister design or weapon is their capability of manipulating and exploiting the United Nations to advance their selfish interests. Not long ago, the US and Britain tried to highjack the Security Council to play their game in Iraq. When they failed in their mission, they invaded and occupied Iraq in March-April 2003, and since then they have been exploiting this country’s economy and killing its people to give them democracy. The impotent United Nations which failed to prevent Anglo-American invasion and occupation of Iraq, quickly approved of their rule in the ill-fated country permitting the so called coalition forces to plunder and murder at will in order to establish “enlightened democracy” there. Today, the entire world knows how Saddam’s so-called dictatorially governed Iraq is cruelly misgoverned, even it has been converted into a “killing field”. Moreover, the sinister and wild allegations made against the Saddam regime have been proved to be totally wrong. And yet the United Nations does not seem to be learning any lessons.
Iran has signed NPT, opened all its nuclear facilities for UN inspection and has assured the world time and again that its nuclear programme is peaceful and that it has no intention of making a nuclear bomb. But the UN, dominated by the US-led West, would not believe Tehran and stand by the suspicion of America whose lies about Iraq are still fresh in our memory. Iran is pursuing what it is permitted to do as an NPT signatory. But the American-dominated Security Council of the UN is a law unto itself and thinks it can compel a country to forego the rights guaranteed to it by international agreements. Today no one is questioning if it was legally tenable for the Security Council to undermine international agreements and covenants; instead every one, even Russia, France, Germany and others who had vehemently opposed and tried to prevent American invasion of Iraq, are toeing the American line on Iran. Perhaps this time they do not want to miss the “bus of invasion” which the US is trying to force-enter into Iran and deprive them of the benefits that the “conquest of Iran” will give them.
It may be conceded that the goals of the United Nations are, by and large, noble and have been designed to bring about peace and prosperity in the world. But due to the undemocratic nature and composition of the all powerful Security Council it is well nigh impossible to realize these lofty goals. It is distressing to witness that the so-called great champions of democracy, the US, Britain and France etc., have created a Security Council where they enjoy undemocratic privileges through their veto power. And even more distressing is the fact that the rest of the world has accepted this undemocratically acquired superiority of a few powerful nations. Although a few nations protested against the way the five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany have been treating them in the case of imposing additional sanctions against Iran, there should not be expected any further defiance from them. When it will come to voting against or in favour of the resolution against Tehran, most third world and non-aligned nations would go with America than side with Iran, a fellow third world and non-aligned nation. This is an equally grave tragedy. If the US-led West is cruel, the third world would, in all probability, approve of the cruelties which may be committed soon against a fellow third world country, Iran.
In the end, Iran would be left alone to fight against the US, and it should not expect any worthwhile support from the rest of the world. But let us hope that Tehran would not commit the mistake that Mr. Saddam committed and would respond to any invasion with all the force it has at its command. Let us also hope that Iran’s missiles will be at least as dangerous as the “deadly inaccuracy” of Hizbullah’s missiles which created panic among Israelis and defeated the habitual aggressor for the first time.
[March, 2007]
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