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WPI Briefing Number 102-103, Weekly of the Wo wpibriefing - 16.04.2003 01:39
imposition of another reactionary government on the people of Iraq! * Statement of the Worker Communist Party of Iraq WPI Briefing Number 102-103, Weekly of the Worker-communist Party of Iran http://www.wpibriefing.com 15 April 2003 Editor: Maryam Namazie; Assistant Editor: Fariborz Pooya In this Issue: * Baghdad's fall to US military. Condemn the imposition of another reactionary government on the people of Iraq! * Statement of the Worker Communist Party of Iraq on the Collapse of the Fascist Ba'ath Regime * War, anti-war movement, and consequences of war, Part II, Interview with Koorosh Modaresi and Hamid Taghvaie * WPI TV begins * Listen to Radio International ******************************************************************************** Only Koorosh still pending * Baghdad's fall to US military Condemn the imposition of another reactionary government on the people of Iraq! Following three weeks of the USA and Britain's continued and heavy bombardment of Iraqi cities with weapons of mass destruction and the killing of thousands of defenceless Iraqi civilians, Baghdad and all major Iraqi cities have fallen to the USA military. Saddam Hussein's regime has effectively collapsed. Contrary to the deceitful claims of the hireling media, the aim of the war is neither weapons of mass destruction nor the liberation of the people of Iraq. The aim is to turn war into the norm of international relations and impose US bullying. The USA military victory against Iraq is a stepping stone in the building of this 'new world order'. As far as Iraqi society is concerned, the US victory will not assure any freedom, prosperity and justice for the people of Iraq. Following twelve years of economic sanctions, the killing and wounding of countless defenceless people in this criminal war has left Iraqi society on the verge of insecurity, civil war, religious and ethnic rifts and other reactionary and backward conflicts. This dark scenario is unfolding; the US rule in Iraq will itself be a factor in its escalation. Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath regime were responsible for three and half decades of oppression, rightlessness and widespread organised crimes and the people of Iraq struggled hard to free themselves from this regime. However, for the people of Iraq the US victory over Saddam’s regime, which the US and European governments themselves maintained in power, is not the route to achieve freedom and prosperity. A government that is to be put together by victorious US generals with the aid of tribal heads and religious mullahs has nothing to do with the demands, desires and shattered hopes of the deprived people of Iraq. None of the just and progressive demands of the people of Iraq are represented in the post-Saddam regime. The danger of the disintegration of the fabric of society is threatening the lives of the people of Iraq. Under such circumstances, the Worker-communist Party of Iran (WPI) believes that the most appropriate and immediate solution is the urgent withdrawal of US and British troops and the introduction of UN forces for a transitory period, as well as the recognition of people's political and civil rights in order to allow them to determine their preferred government under free and secure circumstances. The progressive struggle of the people of Iraq on the one hand and the continued struggle of the people of the world on the other is the necessary precondition for its realisation and imposition on the US and UN. The WPI has the deepest sympathies for the oppressed people of Iraq who are the victims of this war and will do everything in its power to realise the just, progressive and egalitarian demands of the people of Iraq and a legitimate, free and humane government alongside the Worker Communist Party of Iraq. The WPI calls on all progressive people of the world to support the Worker Communist Party of Iraq, condemn the reactionary US imposed government on the people of Iraq, oppose the USA and British military presence in Iraq, support the just and humane demands of the people of Iraq for political freedoms and to extend the fight against the new world order and the barbarity it offers for humanity. * Statement of the Worker Communist Party of Iraq on: The Collapse of the Fascist Ba'ath Regime With the entry of American and British troops into the centre of Baghdad, the fascist Ba'ath regime has uttered it last words. Now, the Iraqi regime has been ousted; a major obstacle has been eliminated but the result is a gloomy future for the people in Iraq. The collapse of this barbaric regime has not been the outcome of the struggle of the people, but an outcome of US missiles and bombs, the most barbaric massacre whose victims are thousands of innocent children, elderly, women and men. Millions have been displaced and have held their breath for weeks due to the devastating and ghastly horror. The collapse has occurred at the expense of the destruction of the infrastructure of society and its economic pillars and is edging it towards chaos and insecurity. Such an outcome will not achieve the people's expectations. The USA is not the 'liberator' of the people of Iraq. It is not their 'saviour'. The collapse of the Ba'ath regime is the result of a reactionary war waged by America to impose its hegemony on the world. This collapse can not be considered a victory for the people of Iraq. The USA and its allies propped up Saddam Hussein's regime vis-à-vis communism and workers, freedom and equality, left and radicalism, and the efforts for a better life during the Cold War era. They backed him and strengthened his repressive institutions. They trained his criminal gangs. They disregarded his crimes, genocide and bloodbaths. They aligned themselves with the regime against the struggle of the people in Iraq for liberation and equality. They helped maintain to even longer by imposing economic sanctions on the people in Iraq. The USA is responsible for the death of more than a million people in Iraq due to the oppressive sanctions. Getting rid of the USA, its ominous role, and its plans and projects are an obvious goal declared by the people in Iraq and all over the world. The USA seeks to impose a military interim government to rule Iraq and openly denies the people's right of determining their political destiny and political rule. It does not refrain from supporting nationalist, religious, tribal and sectarian militias and groups, ex-hirelings of the fascist Ba'ath regime and its ex-generals such as Al Khazrajy, Al Samerrae and Al Jobory and nominates them for the future government in Iraq, disregarding the people's opinions and against their will. The USA wants to hand over the responsibility of ruling Basra and Amara to sheikhs that society has swept away decades ago. The government the Pentagon is after is not the representative of the people in Iraq just as the Ba'ath regime wasn't. It enjoys no legitimacy and must unconditionally and immediately withdraw. The Worker Communist Party of Iraq seeks to build a socialist republic by establishing the authority of people's councils and calls on the people to organise in councils and take the initiative. At the same time, the WCPI demands that USA and British troops withdraw immediately from Iraq and that the UN is held responsible for the security of Iraqi cities, the safety of civilians and ensuring free political circumstances that will give the people in Iraq the opportunity to determine their own political rule. The WCPI calls on all people all over the world, namely the millions that have taken to the streets against the war on Iraq, to defend the banner of the Party, support the people's demands to establish a just, free and equal society. The priority must be the right of the Iraqi people to choose their political alternative freely. * War, anti-war movement, and consequences of war, Part II, Interview with Koorosh Modaresi and Hamid Taghvaie What is your stance on the American mass media, such as CNN, their role in reflecting the realities of the war and their relationship with the Pentagon? Koorosh Modaresi: These are war propaganda machines. Pay attention to the words they use. 'Our forces', 'enemy', 'people are getting killed' [whereby they mean their 'own' forces and not the people of Iraq]. Today, the relationship between official journalism and the state is the same as the role the church played in the Middle Ages. It is an apparatus of ignorance whose role is to bring people under the yoke of the system. The BBC and CNN are only a part of this huge octopus. And the role they play is not limited to this war. The image of the world and its problems that they portray for their audiences is an upside down one. It is the image that they want people to see. As far as the war is concerned they are nothing but the continuation of the Pentagon and war propaganda machinery of the military. Contrary to the first Gulf war, some Western countries as well as the UN and the NATO did not line up behind the US. In particular Germany, France, China and Russia were against the war. What will be the effect of the US disregard for these oppositions in the UN, NATO and the relationship between bourgeois states? Hamid Taghvaie: In the first Gulf war, the balance of forces between countries had not yet collapsed and the tradition of the Cold War was still in operation. That is why the Western bloc supported the US and international institutions backed the US attack on Iraq. Today, however, the situation is different. Russia has left behind the shock and the difficulties of the Gorbachev and Yeltsin era and Russian nationalism is looking for a new role in the world. China too has overcome the impact of the political crisis of the fall of the Berlin wall and at least in the economic sphere sees a fairly strong future for itself as a superpower. More importantly, Western Europe, the old US ally during the Cold War, has united with its Eastern half and a European Union has become a serious political and economic rival for the US. These factors, in a world where there is no longer a threat from the Soviet Union, will question the US leadership. The military invasion of Iraq is essentially the US response to this dilemma. Had the EU continued to accept US leadership and Russia and China had not opposed US foreign policy, there would be no reason for raising the issue of the 'Axis of Evil' and military intervention in Iraq. Even if the current war ends in complete military and political victory for the US, it is unlikely to help bridge or reduce the divisions between the US and the EU. The basic harsh facts that have caused the divisions, that is the economic and the political rivalry between the states that believe they should have a bigger share of the world after the Cold War will continue to endure. The US show of force will be unable to resolve the issue. As far as the opponents are concerned, the current war is part of the problem not the solution. Regarding international institutions and relations, as I said earlier, they belong to the bygone era of the Cold War and their usefulness has expired. Whatever the outcome of the war, international rules and institutions must be re-drawn. The opposition of France, Germany, Russia and China to US policy regarding this war means that these countries are unwilling to line up behind the US leadership in a unipolar world. Do you think that the US victory in this war will establish a ‘new world order’ led by the US? If this is not the case, what will be the future shape of the rivalries? Koorosh Modaresi: As you said the opposition by the French and Germany is because of their capitalist economic interests. Therefore if they receive a bigger share of the world, they would then go along with the policy. These very governments are important sources of some of the current problems. If the first Gulf war, where they were going to have a bigger share, they were adding fuel to the fire. In the 12 years after the Gulf war, it became clear that French and German companies were not receiving enough of the war trophies, so they began to challenge this. But will the US victory turn the world into a uni-polar world? I think not. Of course a US military victory is an important step in this direction, but this is far from the final resolution of the problem. The differences between the capitalist states and their rivalry to divide the world are far more real for it to be sorted out this easily. The balance of forces is not so much in favour of the US either. US policy has created a very deep ideological crisis in the European Union, which I believe will redefine the EU. This war and the British policy have created a deep division within the EU, a division which goes to the heart of the EU. The future of the EU cannot be saved just by reconciliation and a simple handshake. The very idea is in crisis. At least some European states, under the old and familiar excuse of a 'two speed Europe', will oppose the US. The divisions within the capitalist world have deepened. The end result of this war and the conflict is not clear yet. More importantly, a new force has come to the stage which will have a tremendous effect on the outcome of this situation, i.e. the establishment of the new world order: people all around the world, and especially in Europe are shaking off the numbness of the '90s and once more are opening their eyes on the realities of the capitalist world and are opposing it. Once again civilised humanity has arrived onto the stage. Socialism and socialist ideas are advancing again. The era is not the era of the '90s. This era can in its first step turn the US military victory into a political defeat. The future of the world is not yet sealed. The move against the new world order and essentially the world order has just begun. We are at the forefront of this movement and for our part will endeavour to turn the world in favour of humanity and socialism. What do you think of the post Saddam government in Iraq? Do you think that the post-war political situation will allow a US puppet government to take charge of the administration in Iraq? Hamid Taghvaie: Most probably Iraq after Saddam will not be any better than during the Saddam dictatorship. The consequences of the war will not be limited to the downfall of Saddam. Millions of people who have lost their loved ones and their homes, refugees, and generally a smashed and disintegrated society will be the other outcomes of this war. The US has named its war 'Iraqi Freedom' but this freedom can only be in the minds of those who have any illusions about this war. A society which is beaten and smashed cannot be freed by the forces that have brought about its destruction. Neither is the US aim to free and liberate Iraq nor do the Iraqi people have any such expectations or illusions after the end of the war. With the end of the US war, the real problems will only just begin. The people will not accept a government put together by the US nor will Arab nationalism in the region accept such a government; any US puppet government will not be able to rule. If Islamic tribal-clan groups that are the candidates at the disposal of the US have any expertise, it is only in the Balkanisation of Iraqi society. I believe that the Iraqi experience, not because of the war, but because of the consequences of the war will amply show that the new world order strategy is fundamentally and principally condemned to defeat. The anti-war movement in its breadth and international dimension has become an influential pole in international politics. Being mindful of its incompatible constituent parts, in your view what are the factors that could influence the development and progress of this movement in stopping this war and furthermore generally strengthening the humane and radical movement in politics? Hamid Taghvaie: In terms of the dimensions, mass participation as well as its humane and progressive nature, this movement has been unrivalled in world history. Even at the height of the Vietnam War in the sixties, we did not witness such a movement. Undoubtedly, there are various political tendencies in this movement and some, such as Arab nationalism and political Islam, are completely reactionary. The foundations of this mass movement, those millions of people all over the world who have come to the streets in opposition to this war, however, have genuine humane intentions. Nationalism and religion do not characterise this movement. This fact therefore provides the left and communists with an opportunity to organise, develop and lead this movement. The growth and victory of this movement, before anything else, depends on the influence and growth of the left and socialists within it. In case of a drawn-out war, which all indications point to this, the anti-war movement will become more widespread, radical and left and it is very much probable that like the Vietnam War experience, it could force the US to end the war. Even if the war ends in a military victory for the US, this movement could turn it into a political defeat for the US and its allies. This, to some extent, has been done. Because of the street protests by millions, the US could not go into this war with the moral high ground and it should not be allowed to come out of it victorious. The political defeat of the US in this war must be the minimum objective of the anti-war movement. With the end of the war, will the anti war movement cease to exist? If not, what will be the defining characteristics of this movement, and what will be the future of this movement and the tendencies emerging from it? Koorosh Modaresi: With the official end of the war, this movement will lose its meaning. One, however, must note that: firstly with the official end of the war i.e. the collapse or surrender of the Iraqi regime, the war will not end. But the war will enter another phase. For a period, Iraq, as I mentioned earlier, will become an occupied country with a puppet government without any real power. The very fabric of civil society will collapse and anarchy and disintegration of social and civil life will become the rule. The resistance to occupation and this disintegration of the social structure will be the most basic and initial reaction of the people of Iraq, which could take political, social and even military forms. Therefore with the 'end' of the war, war will not end. The second factor is the foundation of the anti-war movement. This movement is today protesting against this war. But in fact it is the protest of the people against the realities of the capitalist world. This movement will take action on other issues and in other forms including on this very issue of Iraq. There are various tendencies within this movement. Capitalism always inspires progressive as well as backward and even reactionary opposition to itself. We see this in the main trends within this movement. But let’s deal with this issue on some other occasion. Currently the WPI is actively working against the US war on Iraq, What are the main activities that the WPI is planning for the future? Koorosh Modaresi: The Worker-communist party of Iran will continue with its current policies. We have been and will be at the forefront of the protest against the war and US militarism and new world order. In Iran, the Worker-communist Party of Iran is proud to be the most prominent defender and representative of the anti-war movement in Iranian politics and will continue to be so. I believe we have discredited the perception and prospect that the US and the right-wing nationalists are presenting to society. People are today witnessing the realities that we have long pointed out. Thanks to the general and local activities or our Party as well as the activities of Communist Youth Organisation we are about to see a definite turn to the left in society, which means the emergence of the Worker-communist Party as the main alternative for political power in Iran. I believe a free, equal and prosperous Iran will be a socialist one which will work against the misery and darkness of the new world order. The Worker-communist Party of Iran, alongside civilised humanity in the world, is participating in building a new front against the new world order. On an international level, we will, in a more extensive and intense manner, engage with the anti-war movement and its practical and political organisers. We will strive to be the humane and socialist voice of this movement. In this period we have done so alongside the Worker Communist Party of Iraq. As I said, the near future will be extremely difficult and complicated for the people of Iraq. In this period we and particularly the Worker Communist Party of Iraq will face defining and new challenges. The Worker-communist Party of Iran will be alongside the Worker Communist Party of Iraq, politically and practically, and will work for our movement to lead the people of Iraq towards liberation, freedom, equality and prosperity. An exciting future could await humanity. Socialist revolutions in Iran and Iraq could alter the feature of the world forever. This is our guiding light. Overthrowing the Islamic regime of Iran, organising the Iraqi people’s struggle to rebuild their lives and clear the society from all these political, tribal and ethnic bandits, and an active involvement and engagement in the protests against the capitalist system for socialist ideas and politics have all offered our movement an incredible opportunity. The Worker-communist Parties of Iran and Iraq must both practically and politically rise to this challenge. How will the war on Iraq affect the politics in Iran, the situation of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its factions? Koorosh Modaresi: In the long run, the ouster of the Iraqi regime by the USA and the establishment of US forces in Iraq will not be in the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In political Islam's system, the US is supposed to be the 'Great Satan'. Political Islam defines the US as its nemesis. The unrivalled domination of the US in the world is a defeat for this Islamic Ideology and its government. Even the whisper that Iran might be the next US target could contribute to the further instability of the Islamic regime. Incidentally, this instability and weakening are not necessarily in the interests of the freedom-seeking movement in Iran. The notion that the US, like in Iraq, will come and 'liberate' Iran is a view, which is publicly entertained and in fact capitalized on by the conservative right-wing opposition in Iran that are loosely collaborating under the Monarchist umbrella. The people of Iran desire freedom, equality and emancipation. The US is after its own business of establishing its uni-polar world order that has nothing to do with people’s freedom. The outcome of the 'shock and awe' policy for the people in Iraq has shown what the US has in mind. These facts as well as the influence and the active role of the Worker-communist Party of Iran in Iranian politics will defiantly restrict the tendency to look up to US militarism in Iran. We are a part of the civilized world rising up against this new world order. We will replace the Islamic Republic with freedom, equality and prosperity. With regards to the various factions of the Islamic Republic it is clear that the right-wing opposes the war. The so-called Islamic reformist (2nd Khordad) faction, however, is more diverse and includes anti-Americans such as the 'Mujahedin of the Islamic Revolution' and those that are less allergic to the US like the 'Mosharekat' (Participation group). For the moment, the general policy is not to trigger any confrontation with the US but keep 'Islamic hands' in Iraq through pro-Iranian Islamic groups. I believe the policy of the Islamic Republic regarding the war lacks any significance and is not an important issue in its relation to the people in Iran. Like in the first Gulf war, Kurdish nationalist parties in Iraq are at the service of the US military and support US policy. On the other hand, the other US ally in this war, Turkey, has moved its troops into Iraqi Kurdistan, which is troubling Kurdish nationalists. What is the future for these Kurdish nationalists; why are they working with the US and what role will they play in the future of Iraqi Kurdistan? Finally what will be the outcome of their possible dispute with the Turkish military? Koorosh Modaresi: It is interesting that the position taken by the Kurdish and right-wing Iranian nationalists regarding this war is similar. Both are on their knees in front of St. GW Bush. Apparently, the US is to fulfil antagonistic Iranian and Kurdish nationalist aspirations. For the Kurdish nationalist, like all other branches of this ideology, humanity does not have any meaning as such. Either you are a Kurd or not. If disaster befalls those who are not Kurds it is none of Kurdish nationalists' business. Their only concern is whether this disaster benefits them as the self proclaimed guardians of 'Kurdishness' or not. They would support it if they believed it serves their interest, even if it does not necessarily have anything to do with the interests of the people in Kurdistan. Their stand in the USA war on Iraq is set by the same law - no principle is involved; it is simply business. In this respect they do not want to miss the train of fortune in this US adventure. They do not care about the people getting slaughtered in Iraq. People in other parts of Iraq are not Kurds; therefore, their plight is irrelevant to them. Yesterday they were busy kissing the hands of Khomeini and Saddam; today they are on their knees for Bush. One particular characteristic of Kurdish nationalism is their pathetic servitude. Living in the gaps between regional states their entire their lives has turned this servitude into inherent characteristics. Nationalists always do deplorable things but Kurdish nationalism does it in the most appalling way. They are so short-sighted that they do not see that Turkish intervention is part of the future of Iraq. The only force, which can change this tragedy of the people in Kurdistan, is the Worker Communist Party of Iraq. If the scene were left to the Kurdish nationalists, they would continue with the same old tactics of accommodating any creature to stay in power. They became mercenaries and scouts of the Shah of Iran and the Islamic Republic's guards; they acted as Iraqi military front battalion against each other. They worked with the Turkish army to fight the PKK and a thousand other such treacheries. They will continue to do the same with the US, Turkey and any powerful beast in the region. But one thing is for sure: whatever they do will have a devastating effect for the people of Kurdistan. It is 12 years now that they have been in power in Iraqi Kurdistan; and as soon as the borders are open, everyone tries to escape. The only way to save the people in Iranian or Iraqi Kurdistan is for the people to push nationalism aside and take control of their own destiny. Despite the opposition of millions across the world to the US war against Iraq, Iranian nationalists and in particular the Monarchists supported the war on Iraq and the killing of the people of Iraq. What is the reason behind such a position and will their disregard for the life and the future of the people of Iraq not show the nature of their aim and policies in Iran? Hamid Taghvaie: Humanity has never meant anything for the nationalists. They have always been for the 'nation' and the 'compatriot' and that only to hide their class interests behind such notions. The Monarchists' position towards this war is a typical and revolting example of such a nationalist stance. Their support for the US criminal war is essentially because they believe that this will help them gain power in Iran. Irrespective of how surreal this notion is, the fact that a political movement or a party sees the destruction, which is currently taking place in Iraq, as a means of gaining power, is deeply reactionary and only shows their bankruptcy. Those who until recently were full of enthusiasm for 'non-violence' and were warning the people of Iran to refrain from violence and not go beyond civil disobedience, today have no objection to the dropping of thousands of bombs on the people of Baghdad and other cities in Iraq. They cannot hide their excitement and their satisfaction. This shows the inhumane nature of nationalism and the essence of democracy and the new world order of the free market, which the Monarchists always advocate. The example of this new world order and the democracy that the US is promising the world and the Monarchists are hoping to represent in the Post-Islamic regime in Iran is taking shape by the killing of people and crimes committed in Iraq. Do the Monarchists want to come to power in such a way? Is the 'regime change' that is taking place in Iraq not the same policy that the non-violent Iranian nationalists are hanging onto? Is this the 'civil' and 'non-violent' means that the Monarchists are advocating to get rid of the regime? Wasn’t all that hue and cry against people’s violence and praise for civil disobedience and a referendum just a means to push the people aside and prepare the road for a US-style regime change? The answers to all these questions are clear. We have always said that the Monarchists’ aim, objective and means are different from that of the people and today their stance on the war exposes them even further. Let me finally add that the scenario that the Monarchists are hoping for is not possible in Iran. The powerful and popular movement for the Islamic regime's overthrow, the influence of the left in this movement and particularly the role of our party in the politics of Iran will not allow similar scenarios of regime change to take place in Iran. The above is the second and final translation of an interview in International Weekly 152, dated 28 March 2003 in Persian. The English translation was first published in WPI Briefing. * WPI TV programme begins International TV, a weekly television programme of the Worker-communist Party of Iran, began broadcasting on Sunday 13 April. The one-hour weekly program is broadcast on Sundays at 5:30pm Tehran time and can be seen throughout the USA and Europe as well via Satellite Channel 1. The program is re-broadcast every Wednesday at 11:30pm Tehran time as well. The programs can also be viewed via Internet on: www.wpiran.org/tv. 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