Libyan Revolution Tweets, Day 16 (or 18*), Part 10

[Catherina]

Libyan Revolution Tweets, Day 16 (or 18*), Part 10

Today's threads: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9

#Feb17 Youth organizers invite Gaddafi's collaborators to stand under his umbrella ella ella ella ella ella http://bit.ly/faa34E

"We have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C. Plan A is to live and die in Libya. Plan B is to live and die in Libya. Plan C is to live and die in Libya."
- Saif Islam Qaddafi during interview

*I called this Day 16 because the official start date was #Feb17 but events kicked off 2 days earlier.

Previous Day 15 threads: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

The world’s 100 largest arms dealers, excluding Chinese vendors, sold weapons for $401 billion in 2009, with US vendors in first place

Threads for Days 1-15 are in my journal

"I was born in Tunisia, I persevered in Egypt, I sacrificed myself in Libya, I have fought in Yemen&Bahrain. I am Freedom, I will not die."
- Libyan4life Jeel Ghathub

LibyanThinker The Libyan Thinker
New video of Soldiers Executed for Refusing to Shoot Protesters in #Libya

MAP of Protests across the Middle East



Click here for updated and interactive map
Google Earth DL here to see positions of army and patrolling route of mercenaries

Please rec if you read these so I know if the effort here is worth it.

[joshcryer]

1. K&R

[pinboy3niner]

2. K&R

[Catherina]

3. HILARIOUS video made by koreans (i think) of #gaddafi!

IbnOmar2005 Ibn Omar
http://youtu.be/0zYxj9COHdo HILARIOUS video made by koreans (i think) of #gaddafi!!!! #libya
20 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply


利比亞領袖發誓不退位(Gadhafi refuses stepping down)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zYxj9COHdo&feature=youtu.be

[sasha031]

9. kick

:rofl:

[pinboy3niner]

4. Fighting in Libya takes center stage on day of Arab protest

Posted in LBN by chill_wind:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4757842

[Catherina]

5. #Egypt: VIDEO Alexandria police shooting protesters trying to march over SS building

3arabawy Hossam عمو حسام
VIDEO Alexandria police shooting protesters trying to march over SS building http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnHCMykXzJE
6 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

VIDEO Alexandria police shooting protesters trying to march over SS building
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnHCMykXzJE

The got in. Secured some documents even as the police was maniacally trying to shred evidence of past crimes.
They were advised to secure the equipment too. I hope they did

[Catherina]

6. Just got my first malware warning

Just got my first malware warning from the Google BitDefender built into my browser:
The link was from someone I totally trust who's working on disseminating some information about torture in Egypt (#NasrCity #Torture #Police).

Look at the warning I got. I sent him the screenshot. This is disturbing.

[formercia]

12. Someone infected their site,

Googlebot probably found it while archiving the site.

Someone doesn't like your friend, or they could have picked it up by accident.

Expect more of this as the bad guys try and shut the opposition down.

It's War.

[Catherina]

7. from an MD working in #zawiya ... "He is burning us down" "He is killing us all"

hamzamu hamzamu
Heading to BMC the hospital to check on the victims and write a medical report about them #libya #feb17
4 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

#zawiya electric power is off on all the city since an hour god be with them #libya #feb17

some #gaddafi men working actively in #benigazi even spies #libya #feb17 god be with us

#zawiya mercanaries are killing the injuired and victims in Zawiya hospitals #libya #feb17

In Sert city , #gaddafi puts mercenaries on every house on Sert in fear of its own city to join the revolution

another call from #zawiya :"He is burning us down ","He is killing us all " #libya #feb17
22 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

#zawiya is calling for help

Same style #egypt #libya #tunisia they r targeting victims at the hospital #feb17 #jan25

amzamu hamzamu
Confirmed : more than 100 r killed in #zawiya today,injured at hospitals killed by #gaddafi units #libya #feb17
3 minutes ago

visited the hospitals today seen victims,dead ,cries shock,but the people r strong
3 minutes ago

[defendandprotect]

16. LIBYA HURRA -- !!

[Catherina]

8. #Gaddafi forces surrounding Az Zawiya armed with anti-aircraft machine guns, possibly tanks.

feb17voices Feb 17 voices
LPC from Az Zawiya:#Gaddafi forces surrounding city, armed with anti-aircraft machine guns, possibly tanks. #Libya #Feb17
43 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply


feb17voices Feb 17 voices
LPC from Az Zawiya: "the (city) square has 11 graveyards for 11 of our fallen comrades" #Libya #Feb17
42 minutes ago


feb17voices Feb 17 voices
Audioboo: LPC frm AzZawiya:Libyan media says #Gaddafi captured the town.Not true.City held by opposition #Libya #Feb17 http://boo.fm/b294277
33 minutes ago

[Catherina]

10. I'm going to nap now. There's almost nothing coming across

and what little there is is related to Egypt. Tripoli's off the net, it's t's 2:41 am there, and Zawiya isn't sending updates.

See you in a few hours if you're up :hi:

[pinboy3niner]

11. Libya depends on imports for about 90 per cent of its food supply...

AJE reports:

Libya depends on imports for about 90 per cent of its food supply, and earlier this week the UN's World Food Programme warned of an impending crisis if violence in the country continues. While not at quite the 'crisis' level yet, food prices in the country are rising, as Al Jazeera's Tim Friend reports.

Video report here at 2:47am timestamp:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

13. CNN: Libya can still count on a few allies

Libya can still count on a few allies
By Thair Shaikh, CNN
March 4, 2011 4:27 p.m. EST

<snip>

So while many countries have criticized Gadhafi in the aftermath of protests that have left more than 1,000 people dead and many more injured, according to the U.N., some of his allies, including Venezuela and Zimbabwe, refuse to publicly criticize Libya.

<snip>

"Venezuela, for example, also has close links with Iran," added Seener.

<snip>

There is also a second group of nations -- including China, Russia and Turkey -- which while unlikely to openly back Gadhafi, would not support an invasion and they would also be against a no-fly zone, said Seener.

"It is not simply a case of being anti-Western. Turkey for example is increasing diplomatic and economic links with Iran and as it does so it is entering the Iranian sphere of influence. They will not condemn what Gadhafi is doing in Libya," says Seener.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/04/libya.allies/

[Desertrose]

15. Why? Also- wonder what the death toll really is by now.

I can't believe ANYONE would still support Gadaffi at this point but then its not always about saving lives but about saving power, control $$ & oil. Still...anyone who sides with G is on the losing side.

[pinboy3niner]

14. Free Libya forces still hold Az Zawiya; regime's claims are "the biggest lie"

Via AJE (posted 20 minutes ago):

The latest report from Voices of Feb 17 from on the ground in Az Zawiya indicates that while there are "plenty of Gaddafi troops" holding positions outside the city, the main square is still under the control of anti-government forces. The activist who left this audio message called Libyan state media reports that Gaddafi loyalists had taken the city as "the biggest lie".

AUDIO here at 3:03am timestamp:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[sasha031]

17. Rec

[pinboy3niner]

18. NYT: Unrest in Libya and the Middle East Is Costing the Russian Arms Industry

Unrest in Libya and the Middle East Is Costing the Russian Arms Industry
By ANDREW E. KRAMER
Published: March 4, 2011

MOSCOW — In its statements and actions, Russia has joined the international community in condemning the violence by Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi of Libya against his citizens. But that has not stopped Russia from counting up its business losses from canceled arms sales to Libya.

Russia will lose $4 billion because of the unrest in Libya and the subsequent United Nations embargo, Sergei V. Chemezov, the director of the Russian state company in charge of weapons exports, said on Friday.

Over all, unrest in the Middle East has toppled or threatens to topple several governments that are longtime customers of Russian military industries, Mr. Chemezov said, and the total losses could reach $10 billion.

<snip>

The Libyan Army filled its now partially looted arsenals with weapons from France, the United States, Sweden, North Korea and other countries, according to an assessment by Jane’s Information Group. Libya also has obtained weaponry from the European defense contractor BAE Systems; the American defense company Raytheon; a branch of Saab of Sweden; and Beretta, the Italian gunsmith, according to Jane’s.

More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/05/world/europe/05russia.html

NOTE: At the very end of the article, Chemezov is asked where the Russian arms industry could turn to make up for its loss.

HIS REPLY: "There is always Latin America."

[pinboy3niner]

19. Witness: Peaceful protesters mowed down in Libya

Witness: Peaceful protesters mowed down in Libya

By the CNN Wire Staff
March 4, 2011 8:42 p.m. EST

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- "Indescribable" and deadly violence rippled through the Libyan city of Zawiya on Friday, according to a witness who said pro-government forces gunned down peaceful protesters there.

The witness said battalions of forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi attacked the protesters with mortars and machine guns as they were demonstrating in the city's Martyrs Square, and they assaulted an ambulance, killing its occupants.

<snip>

At least 15 people died and 200 others were wounded in the city, according to one doctor, who said there was "a river of blood" at the hospital where the wounded were being treated. "The situation is very bad," he said, adding that the facility was short of medical supplies.

More:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/04/libya.conflict/index.html

[pinboy3niner]

20. More on that shipload of Libyan cash "escorted into a British port" yesterday...

More on that shipload of Libyan cash "escorted into a British port" yesterday...

Some US$162million-worth of Libyan dinars was seized by officials after warning the ship's owners that the cash was subject to UN sanctions, reports The Independent.

The London-based newspaper notes that, with revenue from oil and gas exports drying up, Gaddafi's administration "is increasingly desperate for new currency to meet its costs".

The Brits last week reportedly pulled off a "go-slow" operation, delaying the export of some US$1.4billion-worth of Libyan cash - printed by a specialist currency printing firm in Gateshead, north-east England - until a control order banning the export of any Libyan currency came into force on Sunday.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

21. Free Libya forces win battle for city of Ras Lanouf; city now under opposition control

From AJE Live Blog - Libya March 5:

(All times are local in Libya GMT+2) < (USA EST +7, PST +10) >

6:20am

The city of Ras Lanouf is reportedly now in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces, after infighting led to a division opening up between Gaddafi loyalists in the city. Hundreds of oposition fighters pushed west from Ajdabiya, carrying whatever weapons they had, reports Al Jazeera Arabic.

They came under fire from airstrikes, but took control of the city's security base, Al Jazeera reports. One revolutionary told us:

"We will fight until the end, until victory - God willing. We will fight against the tyrant Gaddafi - God is great."

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

22. AJE: Az Zawiyah remains in the hands of the opposition after overnight attack

Al Jazeera reports at least 30 people have been killed in the city of Az Zawiyah in the overnight attack by Gaddafi forces attempting to re-take control of the city, just 75km west of capital Tripoli.

As the sun rises, however, the city remains in the hands of the opposition.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

23. CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 7AM (MARCH 5)

Libya time is EST +7 hours, PST +10 hours.

[pinboy3niner]

24. NYT: Qaddafi Brutalizes Foes, Armed or Defenseless

Qaddafi Brutalizes Foes, Armed or Defenseless

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
Published: March 4, 2011

TRIPOLI, Libya — Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi counterattacked with brutal force on Friday, battling rebel forces on two fronts, firing on unarmed protesters in front of international news media and leaving the rebels seeking his ouster in disarray.

His militia’s actions seemed likely to stir renewed debate over international intervention to limit his use of military power against his own citizens, possibly by imposing a no-flight zone.

About 30 miles outside the capital, the elite Khamis Brigade, a militia named for the Qaddafi son who commands it, surrounded the rebel-controlled town of Zawiyah and opened fire with mortars, machine guns and other heavy weapons, witnesses said, in two separate skirmishes.

The first was arguably provoked by rebels who tried to attack the better-equipped militia because it was blocking rebel supporters from entering the town, the witnesses said. But the second, described as a “massacre” by rebel witnesses, took aim at a group of unarmed protesters who attempted to march through the militia lines toward the capital.

More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/05/world/africa/05libya.html

[Catherina]

26. Good to see you.

Gonna make a few updates and force myself back to sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be busy.

[pinboy3niner]

27. Hi, Catherina--good to see you, too!

Surviving on coffee and catnaps only goes so far. Get some good rest while you can--I have a feeling we're going to need you back later.

:hi:

[Catherina]

29. Problem is I feel so awake now.

Ugh. But I'm going to try to force myself to sleep in half an hour. And lol, I don't drink coffee, red bull or any of that stuff. Really don't worry, my life is structured such that I can sleep whenever I want to, without constraints. You're rally one to talk you know! It seems you're always up.

[defendandprotect]

40. LIBYA HURRA -- !!

[Catherina]

25. Libyan doctors need help. Visit this FB page and see what you can do!

timeoutcorner Andrew McInnes
Libyan doctors need help. Visit this FB page and see what you can do! http://on.fb.me/gpBrJt Please retweet!
3 hours ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply

https://www.facebook.com/LibyanMedicalRelief?ref=ts

[Catherina]

28. From the new CNN.com: Gadhafi's claims debunked (#G does a drug bust)

Gheblawi Ghazi Gheblawi
From the new CNN.com: Gadhafi's claims debunked - http://bit.ly/hIdZTp #cnn #Libya
3 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2011/03/03/exp.ac.kth.ibrahim.debunked.cnn.html

If you didn't see AC360 the night before, watching this one first video from 12:45 will give you more history http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/podcasts/ac360/site/2011/03/03/cooper.podcast.wednesday.cnn (or this link http://cnn.com/video/?/video/podcasts/ac360/site/2011/03/03/cooper.podcast.wednesday.cnn) Even if you don't watch the first video, the second one is great.

[Catherina]

30. Breaking News: Empires don't liberate countries; they rob resources, bomb civilian populations & >>

Remroum Remi Kanazi
Breaking News: Empires don't liberate countries; they rob resources, bomb civilian populations & occupy land
3 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Remroum Remi Kanazi
Obama services corporations over the interests of US citizens, you think he's going to go over to Libya to "liberate" people #WakeUp
3 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

31. So sick of West's 'dismay' over #Saif being same as dad-

LibyaLiberty Army of One
So sick of West's 'dismay' over #Saif being same as dad- http://tiny.cc/8gr2k -Should'a asked Libyans, we were not so naive, just no choice.
3 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Peter Goodspeed: The Jekyll and Hyde case of Gaddafi son Saif al-Islam
Peter Goodspeed March 4, 2011 – 6:26 pm


?w=300&h=406
Saif al-Islam in 2007 MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP/Getty Images Files

...

For nearly a decade Saif al-Islam (Sword of Islam) Gaddafi embodied the hopes of a new future for Libya and the Middle East.

...

Articulate in English, German, French and Arabic, with a PhD in political philosophy from the London School of Economics, the 38-year-old Libyan heir-apparent moved in the best of circles.

...

Last October, when he gave the London School of Economics $2.3-million to study ways to enhance democracy in North Africa, Mr. Gaddafi was publicly praised “as someone who looks to democracy, civil society and deep liberal values for the core of his inspiration.”

This week, he stood on the roof of an SUV in Tripoli, brandishing a machine gun and exhorting a mob of his father’s supporters to take up arms to fight pro-democracy demonstrators who he called “bums, brats and druggies.”

...

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/03/04/peter-goodspeed-the-jekyll-and-hyde-case-of-gaddafi-son-saif-al-islam/

[Catherina]

32. been raided, computer smashed, furniture thrown outside onto street by army, luckily I wasn't home

Tripolitanian Libyan
One of my homes in #Libya has been raided, computer smashed, furniture thrown outside onto street by army, luckily I wasn't home :S
2 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

33. Learn mr about Ali Abdussalam Treki, #G's pick for UN - You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

feb17libya Feb17Libya
Learn mr about Ali Abdussalam Trek, #Gaddafi 's pick for @United_Nations- You Cannot Teach an Old Dog New Tricks http://bit.ly/gyIn4Q #Libya
2 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

You Cannot Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
Posted on March 4, 2011 by main

By: Main, Editor-in-Chief

...

While Treki sounds like a suitable recommendation, why were his “aspirations” not carried out in his home country of Libya as a start? Why did he forget his people all of these years? Are they not humans? They have been fighting for their dignity and human rights for 42 years, most of which occurring under Treki’s watch.

Treki is heavily entrenched in the old-school diplomatic policies of the Gaddafi regime. With this choice, not only is Gaddafi reaffirming the fact that he himself is completely incapable of reform, he is also doing whatever it takes to re-inject people who support his oppressive government back into the system.

For this reason, Treki makes sense. Support for Gaddafi and his crimes against humanity is made by choice at this point. He knows how Gaddafi likes the job done and has been obedient to his master for over 35 years.Why would this change now?

Here Treki, Treki, here boy.

http://feb17.info/media/you-cannot-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricks/

[Catherina]

34. Bradley Manning and the stench of US hypocrisy (Guardian)

CyanideL Lily
Bradley Manning and the stench of US hypocrisy | Ryan Gallagher gu.com/p/2ngz8/tw via @guardian
2 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Bradley Manning and the stench of US hypocrisy
The US condemns human rights abuses abroad yet appears to be allowing the psychological torture of Bradley Manning

Ryan Gallagher
guardian.co.uk, Friday 4 March 2011 17.48 GMT


Bradley Manning was forced to sleep naked in his cell, according to his lawyers. Photograph: EPA


...

One of the few people to have visited Manning, David House, spoke yesterday of how he had witnessed his friend go from a "bright-eyed intelligent young man" to someone who at times has appeared "catatonic" with "very high difficulty carrying on day to day conversation". House drew similarities with the case of Bobby Dellelo, an American prisoner who developed psychosis after a lengthy period in solitary confinement conditions similar to Manning's. "For me this has been like watching a really good friend succumb to an illness or something," he said. "I think that Bradley Manning is being punished this way because the US government wants him to crack ahead of his trial."

While there has been widespread and well publicised condemnation of issues surrounding Manning's detainment, his conditions have failed to improve. In fact, things may have got worse, not better, for the Oklahoma-born soldier who is incidentally entitled to UK citizenship through his Welsh mother. Just two days ago, for instance, only 24 hours after having been told he now faces a capital charge, Manning was made to strip naked in his cell for no apparent reason. According to David Coombs, Manning's lawyer, the soldier was then left without clothes for seven hours. When the wake-up call sounded for the detainees at 5am, in an act of forced humiliation, Manning was made to stand naked at the front of his cell.

The incident, described as "inexcusable and without justification" by Coombs, is symbolic of the entire twisted saga: a gross injustice on a nauseating scale. We must bear in mind, of course, that Manning allegedly leaked military files because he, according to unverified internet chat logs, saw wrongdoing and had no other course of action because his superiors told him they "didn't want to hear any of it". He did not want to be complicit in war crimes, and felt that by leaking the files he could prompt "worldwide discussion, debates, and reforms".

In recent days and weeks the US government has condemned human rights abuses and repression in almost every country across the Middle East – yet at a prison within its own borders it sanctions the persecution, alleged psychological torture and debasement of a young soldier who appears to have made a principled choice in the name of progress.

...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2011/mar/04/bradley-manning-us-wikileaks-hypocrisy?CMP=twt_gu

[defendandprotect]

41. k/r -- Witnesses to his prior condition, general ability to interact, etal ...

should be available to testify when Manning is ever brought to trial --

and government should be held accountable for any damage they have done.

Reminds me of Daniel Elsberg release Pentagon Papers and Nixon arranging to

have his psychiatrist's office broken into to try to find info to defame Elsberg.

Case was dismissed based on that. Any attempt at torture of Manning -- which is

is certainly provable -- should amount to the same thing!

Release Manning --

Turn this corrupt and criminal and fascist government around!!

[pinboy3niner]

35. AJE: AZ ZAWIYIAH UNDER ATTACK AGAIN

8:35am < (about 20 minutes ago) >

The attack against Az Zawiyah - just west of Tripoli - was renewed at 6am, Al Jazeera is told.


7:25am

The Al-Gaddafi brigades have reportedly renewed the offensive against Az Zawiyah - where 30 were killed in last night's attack. An eyewitness tells Al Jazeera Arabic the city is being shelled, and tanks have been seen entering the city centre.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[Catherina]

36. Azawiya ... situation dire... overnight massacre, bombs, #G Battalions entering now!

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Azawiya overnight saw massacres as snipers shoot anything that moves in the city... #Libya
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply


iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Azawiya now seeing an attack by #Gaddafi tanks... situation dire. #Libya
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply


iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Gaddafi battalions are entering Azawiya now after artillery bombardment. Situation dire. #Libya
11 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

37. Still no contact from Tripoli yet, over 36 hours now.

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Still no contact from Tripoli yet, over 36 hours now... #Libya
1 hour ago

[Catherina]

38. Oil Industry Group Opposes Obama's Sanctions : more blood sucking lobbyists

HeyJude408 Judy
RT Obadiah6610 RT @Anony_Ops: Oil Industry Group Opposes Obama's Sanctions : more blood sucking lobbyists http://bit.ly/gR15PS know your enemy! via @dragonfly3 #Libya
1 hour ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply

Libya: Oil Industry Group Opposes Obama's Sanctions
A lobbying outfit that represents Halliburton and other US companies says the administration is pursuing a "failed strategy."

By Suzy Khimm on Fri. March 4, 2011 12:01 AM PDT

...

USA*Engage—a business coalition whose members include Halliburton and, reportedly, ExxonMobil, BP, ConocoPhillips, and Shell—criticized unilateral sanctions as a "failed strategy" when Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) began pushing this approach last month. Instead, the group argues, the US should only pursue a multilateral strategy, working through the United Nations. USA*Engage insists that "a go-it-alone approach" simply isn't an effective plan. "When you act unilaterally, the odds of success are much lower—too many people out there are not on board," Bill Reinsch, the group's co-chair, told Mother Jones. "The goods and services being withheld from the target country by the US are readily available from other sources."

But critics say USA*Engage has a history of opposing unilateral sanctions in order to make it easier for US companies to operate in rogue regimes. Given the lack of international consensus, simply waiting for a strong multilateral response is often unrealistic, they charge. And even when the international community does take action—as the UN Security Council moved to do this week, with American support—it tends to be weaker than the punishment countries like the US dole out.

...

Established in 1997 by the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), the country's oldest free-trade lobbying group, USA*Engage was among the organizations that pushed to lift US sanctions in Libya in 2004 as European countries began to do business in the country. The group similarly lobbied to open up Burma, Nigeria, and other repressive regimes to American companies. USA*Engage's powerful, deep-pocked members have actively supported its work: as CEO of Halliburton, Dick Cheney helped the group lobby against sanctions on Libya, Iran, Syria, and Pakistan, criticizing the US as "sanctions-happy."

USA*Engage frequently cites a host of reasons—political, humanitarian—for supporting diplomatic solutions over punitive ones, but the group's bottom line is to support business interests. "The sole result of US sanctions will be to multiply opportunities for foreign companies in Libya," Reinsch, a former Clinton administration official, said in 2003. Echoing the arguments of US lobbyists for Qaddafi, USA*Engage maintained that Libya, having surrendered its WMDs, was no longer a pariah state even if it remained an autocratic one.

...

http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2011/03/libya-qaddafi-usa-engage-sanctions

[Catherina]

39. Day 17, Part 1 here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x562710