"Avante|! Aricle by Jorge Cadima, member of the International Department
The war in Afghanistan continues provoking numerous casualties. The greatest number are those less spoken about: the Afghani population. Many victims are also among the occupation forces. But equally, there are heavy casualties among the aggressor powers’ leaders. The Dutch Government fell, February last, following the Prime-Minister ‘s refusal to accomplish the electoral promises of withdrawing the troops. Some weeks ago, the German President was dismissed, after confessing the truth publically: the German participation has as a purpose to defend the great German capital “interests”. Currently, the USA’s General Stanley Chrystal’s resignation, NATO’s troops commander-in chief , in Afghanistan.
The resignation’s immediate cause was the Rolling Stone magazine’s article, in which McChrystal and his collaborators discharge in all directions, including against USA’s political power high rank members. The article traces a deep cleavage framework, which reveals the major cause of such low politics: the war’s total failure, after nine years of occupation of one of the poorest countries within the planet, pursued by the richer and most powerful imperialist powers of our days. It makes one think. According to the Rolling Stone, “ the General’s staff is a carefully chosen assassins, spies, genius, patriots, political manipulators and total maniacs’ collection”. Who are we to refute all this? The columnist states that the General “ was blemished by prisoners’ abuse and torture in Camp Nama, Iraq, […] and was extremely well succeeded as the Joint Special Operations Command in chief, the elite forces which are due to execute the Government’s most sombre operations”. While the Iraq escalade in progress, his team killed and captured thousands of insurgents […] “ the JSOC was a death machine “ as stated by Major General Mayville, his operations’ in chief”. But ultimately, the article reports as a complaints’ spokesman, in which General McChrystal prevented to kill as much within Afghanistan, adding: “ when it regards Afghanistan, History is not on McChrystal’s side. The only foreign invader which achieved some success was Gengis Khan – and he was not limited by issues as human rights, economic development and media control”. Human rights? Economic development? Media control? Of which Afghanistan are you talking about? In the article it is stated that “McChrystal admitted, recently, that “ we have killed an impressive number of people”, but the General’s statement final part was cut off : “ but as far as I’m informed , none of them have proved a threat” (in New York Times, 26.03.10 ). The highest military responsible’s confession, on the NATO’s war in Afghanistan is a monstrous crime against civil population, and was not considered a major news issue.
The Afghanistan invasion, being a Bush’s task, Obama decides making it “his war”, by committing more than 50 thousand soldiers and appointing McChrystal. Success was promised, including “ the greatest land offensive since Vietnam”. The comparison is adequate, facing the evident failure. But it would be a mistake to underestimate the dangers. The NATO forces’ new commander, General Petraeus, is the author of “ a secret directive […] which authorizes the USA’s Special Operations’ troops commitment unto both friendly and hostile countries […] which might open the way to possible military attacks against Iran[…]. General Petraeus includes himself among the very important commanders which defend […] the troops must act beyond Iraq and Afghanistan” (in NYT, 24.05.10).
The magazine’s cover which sunk McChrystal is ironically symbolic. Singer Lady Gaga is portrayed in lingerie, grasping two machine-guns. In fact, imperialism is decrepit and reality is otherwise. But one mustn’t underestimate the danger that might take hold of the military arsenal in order to – throughout a criminal adventurist drift – attempt to overall it’s huge crisis via violence and war.
