Anti-communist escalation at the EU level
We write you in order to inform you about a new, very negative development occurred in the European Parliament.
On 8th of April 2008 the Commission of the EU organized jointly with the Slovenian Presidency a “Hearing on crimes committed by totalitarian regimes” in order to further reinforce the anticommunist measures in the EU member countries. In that hearing on behalf of the Commission spoke Mr. Jacques Barrot European Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security.
In order to see the speech of Mr. Barrot in the abovementioned hearing please click here as well as in order to see a relevant answer of Mr. Frattini on behalf of the Commission to a recent question at the European Parliamentplease click here .
In fact the Commission relays exactly on the same arguments and “facts” of the motion in “Condemnation of the crimes of communism” rejected 2 years ago at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe formally.
All the groups in the European Parliament have welcomed the statement.
Unfortunately the same is true concerning the statement made by the President of the GUE/NGL group F.Wurtz, which we consider completely unacceptable.
This move by the Commission follows provocative measures like the recent ban of the Communist Youth Union in the Czech Republic, the processes against the Hungarian Communist Workers Party, the rehabilitation of Antonescou in Romania, the destroying of the monument of the Red Army in Estonia, the vandalism of the grave of Janos Kadar, the establishments of “national institutes for the investigation of the crimes committed by the communists” and the new “lustration laws” in Poland, Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria, the anticommunist statement of the European Parliament regarding Budapest 1956 and many other.
We consider that we are facing and dangerous escalation of the anticommunist offensive since it is the first time that such an initiative comes from the Commission itself, that is from the “executive” body of the EU directly involving the national governments, no matter if the Commission has no legitimacy especially concerning these issues.
It becomes clear that we have to do with a new attempt to manage the deteriorating situation for the workers and poor people in the EU, especially now that the dramatic impact of the “Lisbon strategy” on prices, employment, wages and social security becomes visible. This situation will be further aggravated by the explosion in the energy and food prices as well as by the emerging economic crisis.
In our opinion the leading reactionary forces in the EU , by attacking the communists, prepare the ground to respond to the growing protests and strikes in almost all EU member countries over the last period. They also pave the way for the implementation of the new EU Lisbon Treaty and create a negative climate in view of the coming elections for the European Parliament in 2009.
Our party has already informed the public in our country and denounced this in the Greek Parliament with a statement of the General Secretary of the CC Aleka Papariga concerning the hearing and the Commissioner’s statement.
We consider it’s imperative to intensify the exchange of views on this issue and to explore all possibilities for convergent and joint activities.
Looking forward to hear form you, receive please dear comrades our fraternal greetings.
B.Angourakis
Responsible for International Relations Section of the CC of KKE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP
PRESS RELEASE
Statement of the CPG European Parliamentary Group on the commission statement concerning "the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by totalitarian regimes"
The discussion set under way by the European Union on "crimes of totalitarian regimes" with the consensus and encouragement of the EPP, PSE, ALDE, UEN and Greens has the objective of imposing an ideological Dark Age and obscurantism by means of the revision and falsifying of history.
Like a new Inquisition, it aims to silence and slander any who reject capitalism and struggle to overturn it. It has repeatedly tried and continues to try to equate fascism and communism and the fascist and socialist regimes. It attempts to identify the monstrous and inhumane theory of fascism, which is the true offspring of capitalism, with the vanguard and deeply humane theory of communism, the most progressive theory known to the history of mankind.
The debate dredges up the supposed crimes of socialism, ignoring the millions of Communists sacrificed in the struggle against fascism, in order to hide the great crimes committed in both past and present by imperialism all over the world. It wishes to poison the minds of the younger generation, which is increasingly rejecting capitalist barbarity, coming together and fighting for the concepts and ideals of socialism. It is attempting to extract recantations from communists and from all those who have struggled and continue to struggle for a just society without exploitation of man by his fellow man. It tries to intimidate parties, movements and popular forces that put up resistance.
Considering that we express the concerns and hopes of millions of people, we reply to this venomous orchestration saying. WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF THEM.
The class struggle and social revolutions have constituted the objective law governing the movement of society throughout its existence. They will not stop with decisions of the EU and the imperialists, which show an ignorance of history, just as the earth continued to revolve despite the ban of the Inquisition. The choice between socialism and barbarity ever more strongly imbues social struggles and will constitute a nightmare for all who attempt to silence the voices of social evolution and the forces that would abolish exploitation.
The imperialists' attempt to impose an ideological matrix and their terror tactics show their fear in the face of the general discontent and contestation of their policies. As always, thus now as well, communists and progressive people will stand in the front lines to rebut the crude anticommunism of the EU and to organize the people's struggle for socialism.
e-mail:cpg@int.kke.gr