U.S. must help Libyan uprising

By Pat Minor

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On the shoulders of the Arab protests that saw Tunisian and Egyptian dictators toppled in relatively short order, the Libyan population had seen enough. They took their courage in hand - disregarding the violence of past attempts at dislodging Moammar Gadhafi - and took to the streets.

It wasn't long before the regime realized the protesters' worst fears and brought the force of a well-organized, well-disciplined army against them.

Unarmed civilians were slaughtered in the streets. French President Nicholas Sarkozy led the charge in the United Nations and our own President Obama at last sent our military to aid the protesters. In Obama's explanation, he said, “Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries. The United States of America is different. And as president, I refused to wait for the images of slaughter and mass graves before taking action.”

Now what?

Rage against the brutal Gadhafi regime has been building for a long time. Around 1,200 young men disappeared in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their families were not allowed to see them. In 2002 he told the families that their sons and brothers were dead and their families demanded to see their bodies or their graves. Each of them had been sending money monthly from their meager earnings for food and clothing for their relatives. How long had they been dead? Who had killed them? The families believe that the regime murdered them in 1996.

There are a thousand such stories from every corner of the country. For more than 40 years, every Libyan feared he or she could be next. Even when overseas, they didn't dare to tell anyone what had happened. Or rise up against it.

Until now.

America is a leader of the free world. We have a moral obligation to do what is right. It is right to aid the Libyans in their struggle for freedom.

I am not suggesting that we put “boots on the ground” a la Iraq or Afghanistan. Libyans do not need, nor do they want, our version of democracy. They do not want another regime that we put in power. Witness what happened when the United States and allies decided we did not like the democratically elected government of Palestine.

What the Libyans do need is our support to help them achieve their victory. Anything less will leave swathes of death and destruction because Gadhafi has never tolerated dissent - and certainly will not now.

I don't understand war and don't pretend to understand how that victory might be achieved, militarily or politically. I only know that it must be achieved. If it isn't, we will pay the price.

Pat Minor of Iowa City belongs to Palestinian Human Rights Action Network and Concerned Iowans for Middle East Peace. She produces a local access television show called “Peace by Piece.” Comments: patminor51@gmail.com