If you threaten US interests, you may be destroyed – ex-London Mayor Ken Livingstone

[go west young man]

Full interview at RT

http://rt.com/uk/201459-uk-isis-ken-livingston/


Excerpt:

It’s time for the UK to have an independent foreign policy and stop being a cheerleader for Washington, says former London mayor, Ken Livingstone. But politicians know that posing a threat to US interests may end badly for you, he told RT.

Livingstone, a vocal critic of Britain’s military involvement in Iraq, believes that since as far back as the First World War, the United States, with Britain’s help, has intervened on numerous occasions all over the Middle East just to control the flow of oil.

"If you read what now is published in people's diaries and official documents, immediately after 9/11 when Tony Blair arrived at the White House he was shocked because everyone around George Bush was not talking about Afghanistan and Al-Qaeda, they were talking about Iraq and Saddam Hussein.”

So, it was always a cover, adds Livingstone.

“Ever since the end of the WW1 Britain and America have intervened all of the Middle East to control the flow of oil. It's been the center of their economy. They put up completely corrupt regimes, they overthrew democratically elected ones, like in Iran in 1953. We've just had a hundred years of Western intervention. And the tragedy is, when you look at the loss of life and what it cost us, we would have been better off if we paid an honest price for the oil, having the Arab countries sell it themselves."

Livingstone says one of the reasons he supports Labour leader Edward Miliband is because he is a leader who is prepared to stand up to the Tories on foreign wars, as was proven when his stance was instrumental in Cameron’s parliamentary defeat on British involvement in Syria.

"If we get a Labor government, and I think we will, it's not just going to be Washington's puppet."

Livingstone believes that if a UK Prime Minster stands up to represent Britain’s interests and “not just be a cheerleader for the United States,” there will be huge public support, as people are overwhelmingly opposed to any more involvement in America's wars in the Middle East.

"We've had thousands and thousands of our young men killed fighting for America's economic interests. This is nonsense!"

Livingstone says that standing up to Washington may come at a cost, though.

"Everyone coming out from the political system knows: if you pose a threat to the American interest, you might be destabilized, there might be a smear campaign or you might even have a nasty accident. An awful lot of people who challenge American interest seem to die..."

What’s more, he said that all the main newspapers and media outlets in Britain are owned by a few billionaires and give unwavering support to America’s interests despite the loss of “thousands of British lives.”

"Seventy percent of the papers British people read are owned by five billionaires: Murdoch, the Barclay brothers, Lord Rothermere, completely signed up to the American-Anglo alliance..."

Livingstone added that the British media goes along with the government foreign policy objectives.

[djean111]

1. I know it is RT, but I have to agree with a lot of what Livingstone says here.

[go west young man]

2. Regardless of what people at DU want to convince themselves about RT....

our own media is no different these days and I would venture to say.....much more involved in doing the bidding of the government and covering up the truth. We are being propagandized on a massive scale. My criticism is not directed at you. Thanks for your understanding comment.

[jalan48]

3. Corporate Wars

Dressed up and sold to a gullible American public as wars to bring democracy to the Middle East. Remember all those Iraqis with "blue fingers"? That was to show they voted in an election! Democracy! Where are those blue fingered people today?

[KoKo]

4. That show was an interesting watch from View "Across the Pond." K&R

[Agony]

5. Hey! national security interests, It's a divine right, get used to it world!

from the mouth of the empire, the always awesome Duane Clarridge speaks!

skip to 2:24 for the impatient

not just the Middle East...