INDEPENDENT NEWS

Michel Collon: Keep it simple

Published: Fri 28 Mar 2008 03:47 PM
Keep it simple
Michel Collon
What exact rules govern the right to secession and, more generally, self-determination of peoples? Some tell us these rules are confusing. And if we believe the corporate media, we might think:
In Asia, Tibetans have that right. Not Iraqis, nor Afghans.
In the Middle East, Israelis have this right. But neither Palestinians nor Kurds.
In Africa, the gangster Generals of the East Congo have this right. But not Western Sahara.
In Latin America, wealthy (rightist) provinces of Bolivia and Venezuela have this right. But not Indigenous peoples of Chile, or of Mexico, etc...
In the Balkans, Albanians of Kosovo have this right. But not Serbs of Kosovo, nor those of Bosnia.
In Western Europe, the Flemish might have this right, but not the Northern Irish, nor the Basques.
Complicated, indeed. How can it be simplified? Like this: Only those people who are "with us" are entitled to self-determination. Noone else.
And as long as we're here, let's replace the word "democratic" by "with us" and the word "terrorist" by "against us."
That's politics. Simple when you know how!
Translated by John Catalinotto
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More articles about Tibet, Iraq, Palestine, Congo, Latin America
(in French and soon also in English) : www.michelcollon.info

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