NEW ZEALAND TV
PAUL Yeah. Well, where’s it going to end? In the end, will the despots win? Or will people power be unstoppable, do you think?
TARIQ I think a lot will depend on what happens in Egypt. If in Egypt the democracy movement will succeed in having a new constitution which enshrines democratic freedoms and social rights – this is a very important part of the campaign – the right to work, the right to a free education, free health – this is part of the movement.
PAUL What’s the attitude of the army going to be, though?
TARIQ The army will do what the Pentagon tells them, because the top commanders of the army have been help to the States. They are paid billions each year for their salaries and to keep their armies happy, so they will do what the Americans want, but the Americans cannot totally determine the situation, because just three days ago there was another huge demonstration in Egypt saying they want the military out.
PAUL Now let’s talk about Libya just quickly because the deputy foreign minister was on television yesterday – bizarre performance saying, ‘We will not enter Benghazi. We will not enter Benghazi – this is our assurance to the world. Send in the obvservers.’ And last night Gaddafi’s tanks entered Benghazi. The French overnight have fired on a military vehicle. What’s going to happen in Libya?
TARIQ Well, I think a loss, and tragically, the Libyan upsurge ran out of steam. They were hoping that the military would split and some of it would come over to their side. Some did. A few pilots fled the land, but it wasn’t enough to sway the thing. My own feeling about the Western intervention is that it’s a disastrous intervention that will strengthen Libya. And, of course, the Libyan propaganda outfits are saying, you know, ‘Who are these people to attack us. They were doing deals with us. We paying Sarkozy’s election campaign money and the Brits money – all these sorts.’
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