Centre for Research on Globalization
Centre de recherche sur la mondialisation
THE CRIMINALIZATION OF THE STATE
by Michel Chossudovsky
23 November 2003
Commentary on General Franks' Statement
In the wake of the Iraq war, 18 Iraqis and 2 Jordanians introduced a class action law suit in a Brussels Court against
General Franks, Commander of the US Armed Forces in Iraq.
Based on the law of “universal jurisdiction”, characteristic of Belgian law concerning genocide and war crimes, General
Franks was identified:
"for ordering war crimes and for not preventing others from committing them or for providing protection to the
perpetrators."
The law suit does not solely implicate General Franks, who was obeying orders from higher up: Under the war agenda, high
ranking officials of the Bush administration, members of the military, the US Congress and the Judiciary have been
granted the authority not only to commit criminal acts, but also to designate those opposed to these criminal acts as
"enemies of the State."
In other words, the "Criminalization of the State", is when war criminals legitimately occupy positions of authority,
which enable them to decide "who are the criminals", when in fact they are criminals.
Franks' statement no doubt reflects a consensus within the Military as to how events ought to unfold. It is clear in his
mind that the "war on terrorism" provides a justification for repealing the Rule of Law, ultimately with a view to
preserving civil liberties.
Franks' interview suggests that an Al Qaeda sponsored terrorist attack will be used as a "trigger mechanism" for a
military coup d'état in America. Franks is alluding to a so-called "Pearl Harbor type event" which would be used as a
justification for declaring a State of emergency, leading to the establishment of a military government.
In many regards, the militarisation of civilian State institutions is already functional under the facade of a bogus
democracy.
General Franks has nonetheless identified with cynical accuracy the precise scenario whereby military rule will be
established:
"a terrorist, massive, casualty-producing event [will occur] somewhere in the Western world – it may be in the United
States of America – that causes our population to question our own Constitution and to begin to militarize our country
in order to avoid a repeat of another mass, casualty-producing event."
This statement from an individual who was actively involved in military and intelligence planning at the highest levels,
suggests that the "militarisation of our country" is an ongoing operational assumption. It is part of the broader
"Washington consensus". It identifies the Bush administration's "roadmap" of war and Homeland Defense. Needless to say,
it is also an integral part of the neoliberal agenda.
The "terrorist massive casualty-producing event" is presented by General Franks as a crucial political turning point.
The resulting crisis and social turmoil are intended to facilitate a major shift in US political, social and
institutional structures.
In the words of David Rockefeller:
"We are on the verge of global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New
World Order."
A similar statement was made by Zbigniew Brzezinski in the Grand Chessboard:
"As America becomes an increasingly multicultural society, it may find it more difficult to fashion a consensus on
foreign policy issues, except in the circumstances of a truly massive and widely perceived direct external threat."
The NeoCons' Project for the New American Century (PNAC), published in September 2000, barely two months before the
presidential elections, called for:
"some catastrophic and catalyzing event, like a new Pearl Harbor." (See http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/NAC304A.html )
What is terrifying in General Franks' statement is that it accurately reflects official US foreign policy. It comes from
a man who obeys orders emanating from the military command structure.
In other words, his statement accurately reveals the Pentagon's frame of mind. Moreover, it comes from a military man
who speaks with a profound sense of conviction, who firmly believes in the righteousness of war as a means to
safeguarding democratic values.
In other words, the military actors and politicians are totally blinded by the "war on terrorism" dogma. Truth is
falsehood and falsehood is truth. Realities are turned upside down. Acts of war are heralded as "humanitarian
interventions" geared towards upholding democracy. Military occupation and the killing of civilians are presented as
"peace-keeping operations." The repeal of democracy is portrayed by General Franks as a means to providing "domestic
security" and upholding civil liberties.
Needless to say: any attempt by antiwar critics to reveal these "inconsistencies" or "unanswered questions" would
--under General Frank's scenario-- be defined as a "criminal act". In other words, those who are investigating "the war
on terrorism" and the military, political and economic actors behind the New World Order, with a view to establishing
the truth, are categorized as "enemies of the State", and consequently as criminals:
"The 'war on terrorism' is the cover for the war on dissent."
("Homeland Defense" and the Militarisation of America by Frank Morales, http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/MOR309A.html , September 2003)
* * *
JUST RELEASED:
GLOBAL OUTLOOK, Issue No. 6, Winter 2004
BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!
American Serviceman Speaks Out
Coverup at Ground Zero
"Homeland Insecurity"
"War is Good for Business"
The David Kelly Affair: Suicide or Murder?
The US Global Military Crusade (1945-2003)
The Politics of the UN tragedy
The War on Terrorism is Bogus
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