Is Buying Support with Libyan Oil Money Unethical?

EIN News says, "Libya's Oil Money Let Qaddafi Buy Support in Africa From Liberia to South Africa to the island of Madagascar, Libya's holdings are like a giant venture capital fund, geared to make friends and win influence in the poorest region in the world. This may help explain how Colonel Qaddafi has been able to summon sub-Saharan African soldiers to fight for him in his time of need - Libyans have spoken of "African mercenaries" killing protesters and helping him rout rebel fighters - and why so many African leaders have been so slow to criticize him, even as his forces slaughter his own people. (nytimes.com)".

This is an inflammatory statement typical of the New York Times.

I am not a supporter of Qaddafi. He is a dictator. However we need to judge the actions of dictators or anyone in the proper context. The fact that Qaddafi has used oil revenues to gain the support of poor regions of the world is not without precedent. The United States has done this and continues to do this regularly using taxpayer money and money garnered from inflating the currency.

I don't condone either of these actions, but they are consistent with the facts of life. Money is power and is routinely used to support and gain influence for the holder. I don't see how this can be changed. Meanwhile, let us not unduly criticize the left hand, while the right hand is doing the same thing.