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Communiqué of the Executive Committee WPC,
Havana/Cuba, April 29-30, 2011
The 30 Organisations and Movements from respective number of countries which met from 29-30 April 2011 in Havana/Cuba for the Executive Committee of the WPC concluded after a rich and fruitful discussion with the following Communiqué:
The participants of the EC of the WPC express their vehement condemnation to the imperialist military aggression against the Libyan people carried out by the USA, France, Great Britain and the entire NATO along with several willing allies from the Arab World. We demand the immediate and unconditional halt of the war operations and the withdrawal of all foreign troops and navies from the area. We reject any interventions which infringe the right of the peoples to determine their own fortunes and internal matters. The recent decision of the UK to send “special military advisors” to Libya along with France and the CIA, who were there already, will only escalate the situation and open the way for ground force invasion and occupation, with many thousands of dead civilians more. We denounce the “doctrine of regime change” and reiterate that the Libyan people, with who we are in solidarity, are the only one to decide upon its leadership and future, free from foreign interference and intervention. In this context we reject the UN SC Resolution 1973 which paved the way for the aggression. The WPC denounces also the hypocritical standpoints of forces which do not participate in the bombing in Libya, but tolerate all the way the actions of war from NATO side, or increase their share in other NATO-aggressions like in Afghanistan. The EC of the WPC is sending out a warning to the peoples of the world to be vigilant for the direct or indirect invasion of ground troops as it is planned by the European Union Army (Battle Groups) on humanitarian pretext or the protection of civilian population.
At this moment, as the crisis in Syria deepens and becomes more dangerous, we declare our solidarity with the Syrian people in their genuine demands and oppose clearly any effort by imperialism to intervene, under any pretext. The Situation in the country must be resolved by the Syrian people, through peaceful national dialogue.
Once more the International Law, claimed arbitrarily by the NATO aggressors as pretext for their attacks, is being flagrantly violated and the UN is being instrumentalized more and more for reactionary geostrategical plans. After Yugoslavia in 1999, Afghanistan 2001 and Iraq 2003, and despite the differences of each case, a new episode of imperialist aggression has been launched, again for the geostrategical control of resources and spheres of influence, again under false pretexts.
The meeting of the EC took place in the midst of the global capitalist crisis, with millions of workers, peasants and youth as victims of the crisis and of the austerity measures of the governments in many places in the world. The achievements of decades are being taken back for the sake of saving the “national economies”. At the same time while we are witnessing the brutal attack on labour rights and on the income of the people, the monopolies, the Banks and big capital are increasing their profits, squeezing the labour force into impoverishment. The EC denounces the military spending which is growing in majority of the countries, setting new records every year. The WPC expresses its condemnation of imperialism which is seeking through wars and military aggression to overcome the capitalist crisis.
The meeting salutes the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa for their massive uprising and protests and demands for deep democratic changes and freedoms and for social justice. The developments particularly in Egypt and Tunisia show that the peoples can impose their will and overthrow totalitarian regimes. We express our solidarity to the peoples still striving for social transformation and which are not accepting the maneuvers of the old economic-political and military establishment for a face-lifting.
The Executive Committee of the WPC expresses its full hearted solidarity with the people of Japan and their suffering after the Earthquake and Tsunami which hit the Northern part of the country, but especially for the tragic consequences with the Nuclear plant in Fukushima which has converted the Japanese people for the third time after 1945 (Hiroshima&Nagasaki) and 1954 (Bikini Atoll), again a victim of Nuclear horror, this time because of the policy of the Japanese government based a safety myth” as well as the fatal greed of the private enterprises for more profits in the field of nuclear power. Under this light the IAEA is to be blamed for arbitrary tolerance of the safety conditions in Fukushima and lack of will to confront corporate interests in this field.
The WPC reiterates its position for nuclear disarmament, denounces the “nuclear deterrence” policy and supports and promotes campaigns for the total abolition of all nuclear weapons, including the “Appeal for the total ban on nuclear weapons”.
The WPC notes with concern the increasing presence of US Navy around the Korean Peninsula, which together with the more than 130 US Military Bases in Japan and 70 US Bases in South Korea (with 28.000 US troops) are imposing a threat to peace and security to the whole region. The WPC expresses its solidarity with the movement for the removal of the US Bases and against the outrageous actions of the US Military, including Okinawa region. The WPC denounces the aggressive reinforcement of the Japan-US military alliance and supports the struggle for its abrogation. We support the direct talks of the involved parties and the independent peaceful reunification of Korea, with the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the peninsula. We denounce the provocations and interference in the domestic affairs of China and support the one-China policy.
The EC of WPC denounces the bilateral military pacts of USA with several countries globally, aiming in rallying allies and support to their plans and at the use of the facilities and infrastructure of the countries which have signed Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreements (ACSA) with them.
Heading towards the next GA of the UN the EC supports the current campaign for the recognition of an independent State of Palestine within the borders of June 1967 and with East Jerusalem as its capital and demands the end of the siege of the Gaza strip and the release of all political prisoners from Israeli jails. The WPC expresses its solidarity with the Palestinian people, for the unity of its people and territories. Likewise the WPC reiterates the right for the return of the Palestinian refugees according to the UN resolution 194.
The ongoing occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq is causing the death of thousands of civilians every year, while NATO armies and the private mercenaries are securing the flow and the roads of Oil. The WPC underlines the right of the peoples under occupation to resist their occupiers and expresses its solidarity with the peoples doing so.
The meeting expresses its deep concern about the situation in the Persian Gulf with the invasion of Bahrain and demands the unconditional withdrawal of the troops of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States. These developments are increasing the threats and a possible future attack against Iran by imperialism. We express our solidarity with the forces struggling for people’s democratic rights and freedoms in Iran and at the same time we reject any idea of foreign interference, political or military, under any pretext. The solution of social problems and internal conflicts should be solved by the Iranian people in a sovereign way.
The EC of the WPC notes with deep concern that Africa has become a focus point for imperialist plans and manoeuvres, with the military invasion in the Ivory Coast by France, the partition of Sudan, and the flagrant aggression of the US, NATO and EU in Somalia with the pretext of the piracy. The USA is planning to deploy its African Command (AFRICOM) on African soil, in order to coordinate better its operations and interventions. The WPC reiterates its support to the just cause of the people of Western Sahara against the Moroccan occupation, for their right to determine freely their future. At the same time we condemn the repression of the Saharawi people in the occupied Alayoune along with the democratic and peace loving forces inside Morocco.
The meeting expresses its solidarity with the Cypriot people (Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) in their struggle and desire to end the Turkish occupation and supports the procedure of direct negotations between the two Communities for a bi-zonal, bi-communal Federation, with one international entity, one citizenship and one sovereignty. At the same time we denounce the plans to incorporate Cyprus into the Partnership for Peace of NATO, which would close amongst others permanently the way for a just and viable solution.
The EC evaluated the anti-NATO activities of the WPC of the last year as very positive, which culminated with the massive manifestation in Lisbon on 20th November, organized by the CPPC Portugal and a broad alliance (“Yes to peace-No to NATO”). The WPC reaffirms its strong opposition to NATO and its new strategic concept as well as against the militarization of the EU. Twelve years after the bombing of Yugoslavia by NATO, we note that one more EU&NATO-protectorate has been created in the Serbian province of Kosovo, along with the previous case of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Balkans is remaining target of the imperialists with the “Missile Defense Shield” of NATO, shifting southwards to Romania and Turkey. We note the effort to substitute the UN by NATO, which further institutionalizes NATO’s role, diverting from its criminal and offensive role. The old and new member States are disclosing the military policy discussions from the public under the pretext of “alliance obligations”.
We support the Irish peace movement's campaign to terminate the use of Shannon Airport by US troops on their way to and from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and express our support to the initiatives and protests of our friendly movement PANA Ireland against the visit of US president Obama to Ireland in May.
The WPC rejects categorically any plan to deploy new US military Bases in Latin America and the Caribbean as an act of threat to peace and the sovereignty of the peoples and countries of the region as well as an effort to interfere in the political developments of the region, like in the cases of Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia. At the same time we demand the withdrawal of the 4th US Fleet from the area, which is an instrument to terrorize peoples and for future imperialist aggressions. The WPC supports the continental campaign against the Foreign Military Bases and expresses its solidarity with the Argentinean people which struggle for the end of the British military presence in the Malvinas islands, which are used by NATO as well. The EC is following with deep concern the situation in Mexico where more than 40.000 Mexicans have lost their lives violently as consequence of the so-called “anti-drug trafficking” measures. We condemn the US “plan merida” aiming in the foreign interventions and threats against Mexico. The WPC demands the withdrawal of the US troops from Haiti expresses its solidarity with the people of Haiti for the sufferings from the earthquake, demanding civilian and medical missions for this country. We demand the right for the return of Ex-President Zelaya to Honduras and denounce the regimes succeeding the Coup d’etat in June 2009.
From Cuba, the island of the Revolution, where the Cuban people is defending its achievements 90 miles away from the coasts of the USA, which never accepted Cuba to be a socialist State, the WPC is sending out a strong message to the USA with the demand to lift the economic blockade and to release the Five Cuban Patriots unjustly imprisoned in the USA. The Guantanamo US Military Base on Cuban soil with its concentration camp is a disgrace for humanity and has to be shut down and the territory returned back to Cuba. We strongly condemn the “common position” of the European Union towards Cuba, which is aiming at the subversion, interference and overthrow of its people’s power. 50 years after the glorious Cuban victory at the Bay of Pigs, the WPC wishes to congratulate the Cuban people and its leadership on this anniversary.
The Executive Committee of the WPC calls upon all peace loving forces to build a world wide front against military aggressions and wars, against imperialist domination and social injustice. The WPC commits itself to spend more energy and efforts in concrete actions around the hot-spots of war and aggression in order to mobilize masses of people against imperialism, its policies and structures. We will exert even more efforts to reach out to the workers and their class oriented trade unions, the militant women and youth movement.
Adopted in the closing session of the EC on 30th April 2011
Appendix 1: Plan of action for the coming period
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4-5 June Dhaka/Bangladesh—ASIA&PACIFIC Peace Conference organized by the Bangladesh Peace Council
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29-30 May Buenos Aires/Argentine—Conference against the Foreign Military Bases organized by MOPASSOL Argentine
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17-18 June Sao Paolo/Brazil---Continental Peace Conference organized by CEBRAPAZ Brazil
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3-9 August Hiroshim-Nagasaki/Japan—World Conference against A&H Bombs organized by GENSUIKYO
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10 August Hanoi/Vietnam—International conference on the 50th anniversary of the use of “Agent Orange” by the USA organized by the Vietnamese Association of victims of Agent Orange
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3-4 September Istanbul/Turkey—II Trilateral meeting of Peace Movements from Turkey,Cyprus and Greece, hosted by the Peace Association of Turkey
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8-10 September Mocca/Dominican Republic—Continental Peace Conference organized by UDPP
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September in Seville/Spain—Mobilization against the NATO meeting of the ministers of Defense organized by CEDESPAZ Spain
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21st September—Global action day on the occasion of the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
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Beginning December Bonn/Germany –Conference against the NATO presence in Afghanistan organized by
the German Peace Movement Appendix 2: List of Organisations participated in the Meeting of the EC WPC Havana, April 29-30, 2011
Members of the EC
1. MOVPAZ Cuba
2. CEBRAPAZ Brazil
3. PEACE COUNCIL USA
4. MOMPASSOL Argentina
5. MOMPADE Mexico
6. PEACE CONGRESS Canada
7. UNION Peridodistas por la Paz Dominican Republic
8. COSI Venezuela
9. CPPC Portugal
10. EEDYE Greece
11. PEACE COUNCIL Cyprus
12. PEACE ASSOCIATION Turkey
13. CEDESPAZ Spain
14. INTAL Belgium
15. MOUVEMENT DE LA ΡΑΙΧ France
16. DANISH PEACE COUNCIL Denmark
17. PALESTINIAN COMMITTEE for PEACE and SOLIDARITY
18. NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL of Syria
19. Association for the defense of Peace, Solidarity and Democracy Iran
20. CONGO PEACE COMMITTEE
21. SENEGAL PEACE COMMITTEE
22. Angolan League for the Friendship of the peoples Angola
23. VIETNAM PEACE COMMITTEE
24. JAPAN PEACE COMMITTEE
25. ALL INDIA PEACE and SOLIDARITY ORGANIZATION
26. UNION of FRIENDSHIP and PEACE Mongolia
27. BANGLADESH PEACE COUNCIL
28. NEPAL PEACE and SOLIDARITY COUNCIL Invited Member Organisations
29. Peace and Solidarity Organisation Sri Lanka
30. Tupaj Amaru Movement Bolivia Invited Organisation
31. Peace Bases Venezuela
