Regime change - the rationale
Sarath Wijesinghe - LL.M (London)
Solicitor-Attorney-at-Law
In the world, family governments change either democratically or
violently. In the past, violent changes of governments have taken place
more often. Fortunately, the current situation in government changes are
comparatively non violent.
Change of government is generally known as ‘regime change’. In the
present world order, rich and powerful countries manoeuvre to have
control over small countries with natural resources or which are
strategically situated. They want the rulers of other countries of their
choice to be under their control. They want to have control over the
natural resources as a long-term political strategy.
Escalating Libyan uprising has a negative impact on oil rich
economy. Picture. courtesy: Google |
One of the main reasons to seek control over other nations is natural
resources and energy. Energy is in great demand today especially for
developed and industrialized countries. The main consumers of energy
today are not in possession of resources in their countries. Therefore,
they depend on oil and gas rich countries. Apart from nuclear power
energy, today, is still in the form of oil and gas without which rich
countries cannot prosper.
Complete use of nuclear power or other sources of energy such as
solar, wind, waste is not yet achievable. The best method for rich
countries to have control over the natural resources of other countries
is to have puppet regimes and make regime changes accordingly.
Natural resources
Some countries though rich in natural resources are poor in other
ways. Nigeria and many other African countries are rich in natural
resources such as oil, gold, copper, diamond and gas. Their wealth is
being used by rich countries and NGOs when the local population is
living in poverty and misery. Iraq has been the cradle of civilization
where its history runs back to over 5,000 years. It is oil rich and was
ruled by Saddam Hussain with his iron fist and had full control over the
resources which he manoeuvred and manipulated.
There were allegations that Iraq is in possession of nuclear arms and
despite the fact that the United Nations found the opposite, there was
compulsion for a regime change with the change of the leader Saddam
Hussain who was alleged to be a dictatorial leader backed by the army.
Though no nuclear arms were found, the country is now ruled by an
elected regime but is unstable and has not been blessed with peace,
prosperity or development. The country is in shatters since bombs are
exploded, businesses are being wasted and the nation is in flames. The
suffering of the people is enormous. Afghanistan is a haven for Al Qaeda
and terrorist activities. Elected governments in Afghanistan are shaky
and the people go through misery despite the new found resources in the
country, apart from the existing traditional wealth.
Libya
Libya is another source of oil and it was governed previously by
Colonel Gadaffi who had a tight grip of the country. Now it is divided
and a part of it is controlled by rebels. The situation is dangerous and
disruption is enormous while the loss of human lives is immense. It was
an oil rich country run by the iron fist of Gadaffi and powerful
countries and NGOs were continuously aiming for Libya’s oil. The
situation in the Middle East is very uncertain. Egypt is another country
with a proud history which also has an uncertain future.
Cyber revolution has initiated the orchestration of an
anti-establishment process in Tunisia with a regime change prompted by
mass rallies catalyzed by invisible forces. These forces are not yet
known. But Tunisia could not have initiated this without outside help.
This pattern spread to neighbours with a ripple effect and
subsequently Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Bahrain and Jordan became partial or
full victims. There is agitation among the peoples. It is not clear
whether they need a Western form of democracy, regime change, freedom,
human rights or any other form of change. But unfortunately there are
agitations, killings and destructions which have completely destabilized
the countries and the region.
Sri Lanka
Currently, Sri Lanka is one of the most peaceful and stable countries
in the world having defeated terrorism which prevailed for nearly 30
years. For 30 years the nation bled with the misery of terrorism which
President Mahinda Rajapaksa with his strategy and leadership
masterminded the eradication of the LTTE with little help from the
outside world which considered the Sri Lankan issue unwinnable,
irresolvable complicated. With the help of close friends and the
security forces which was properly trained, President Rajapaksa saved
Sri Lanka from disruption, maintaining independence, integrity and
sovereignty of the nation.
Today the economy and tourism is booming, the stock market performing
well and Sri Lanka is one of the most sought after destinations for
tourism and investment.
The foreign policy of Sri Lanka is that it is friendly and
non-aligned. Unfortunately, there are some misunderstandings which have
to be eradicated and there are invisible forces; some NGOs and misguided
diaspora backed by the network of LTTE front organizations, criticizing
and misguiding governments and NGOs while obstructing the development
and progress of Sri Lanka. The people have given the mandate for
President Rajapaksa and his popularity is increasing day-by-day.
Rwanda
In Rwanda millions of civilians were massacred in a similar fashion
to Vietnam and Laos. There was no pressure or agitation from invisible
forces of the West or rich countries because they have no oil or natural
resources.
Attention is always on countries with natural resources and regime
changes are wanted in such countries. Currently, Laos and Vietnam are
spending millions of dollars to get rid of criminals and carpet bombings
which has hampered the people’s day-to-day life and development process.
It is uncertain who are responsible for these crimes and whether it
amounts to crimes against humanity.
The underlined feature is the manoeuvring of regime change by
changing leaders and governments of countries with natural resources and
strategic importance. In such circumstances one has to ascertain to what
extent the United Nations Organization that emerged in 1945 in the
aftermath of World War II could manage the affairs.
The sixty six year old organization has not brought in any change
since the inception and some of the five world powers leading it are no
longer world powers though they have full control over other members of
the world body. The present exclusive club jealously guard the territory
without bringing in any changes.
However, the global economic downtown has caused super powers to come
to terms with reality and reason. It showed the current issues faced by
many countries in the West and how they go through difficulties
economically and otherwise forcing the world to be fair to everybody in
keeping with the intentions and aspirations of the United Nations.
Therefore, it is time for the people in the world and especially the
victims of the current system to rise for democracy in the UN and the
world to make the ideals of human rights a reality. Democratization
process is also one of the main demands of the third generation of
democratic ideals. Therefore, regime change should be implemented
democratically, freely and with the will of the people of the respective
nations, with no outside influence.
The good news is that we are day-by-day aspiring to be a free, fair
and peaceful world which respects equality, sovereignty and human
rights. Sri Lanka has fortunately been extremely lucky to have embraced
democracy and practised it from time immemorial. This practice helped us
carry forward the democratic ideals even after decolonization. Powerful
elements backed by powerful non-governmental and international
organizations used their influence to appoint rulers of their choice
using various direct and indirect methods.
World powers will continue to want more power. They will not like
independent leaders who act for the benefit of their people. There is
always conflict of interests between such countries and foreign powers
seeking control for obvious reasons.
(The
writer is the Sri Lankan Ambassador in UAE - [email protected])
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