news from the cpi(m)
Following is the mail that we have received from the Communist Party of Greece, which is self-explanatory:
COMMUNIST PARTY OF GREECE - CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Tel:(+30) 210 2592111 . Fax: (+30) 210 2592298 . e-mail: cpg@int.kke.gr
145 Leof.Irakliou, GR- 14231 ATHENS . http://inter.kke.gr
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Dear Comrades,
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.
We send you attached the speech of Mr. Barrot in the abovementioned hearing as well as a relevant answer of Mr. Frattini on behalf of the Commission to a recent question at the European Parliament.
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 issued without any consultation with the different members of the GUE/NGL violating the confederal character of the Group.
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.
B.Angourakis
Responsible for International Relations Section of the CC of KKE
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COMMUNIST PARTY OF GREECE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP
PRESS RELEASE
Strasbourg, 21.04.2008
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.
Recent Developments at the level of the EU institutions
12 March 2008 - Answer to the question of MEP Inese Vaidere (UEN) with subject: Crimes of the totalitarian Communist regime
Parliamentary questions 12 March 2008
P-0576/2008
Answer given by Mr Frattini on behalf of the Commission
1 - 4. The Commission deplores and condemns crimes committed by any totalitarian regime, including totalitarian communist regimes, and considers that these crimes and their victims should always be remembered.
The draft Framework Decision(1) on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law covers crimes committed on the grounds of race, colour, religion, descent and national or ethnic origin. It does not cover crimes committed on other grounds.
On 19 April 2007, the Justice and Home Affairs Council reached political agreement on the framework Decision and stated(2) that it deplores all of these crimes. It requested the Commission 'to examine and to report to the Council within two years after the entry into force of the framework Decision, whether an additional instrument is needed, to cover publicly condoning, denying or grossly trivializing crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes directed against a group of persons defined by reference to criteria other than race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin, such as social status or political convictions'.
The Council also asked the Commission to organise 'a public European hearing on crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by totalitarian regimes as well as those who publicly condone, deny, grossly trivialize them, and emphasises the need for appropriate redress of injustice and-if appropriate-submits a proposal for a framework decision on these crimes'. The Commission is currently jointly organising with the Slovenian Presidency the hearing which will be held in Brussels on 8 April 2008. The hearing will be organised around the issues of recognition of totalitarian crimes and reconciliation.
5. This hearing should enable an exchange of views between independent experts, representatives of national institutes and non-governmental organisations dealing with these issues. This will help attain a greater knowledge on these complex and sensitive issues. Member States, the Parliament and the Council will also be invited.
(1) COM(2001)664 final, OJ C 75E, 26.3.2002.
(2)Statements by the Council to be inserted in the minutes of the Council at the time of adoption of the framework Decision. Press Release 8364/07 (Presse 77).
Text of the Question:
6 February 2008
P-0576/08 WRITTEN QUESTION by Inese Vaidere (UEN) to the Commission
Subject: Crimes of the totalitarian Communist regime
1. With the huge number of victims, the Nazi regime and the totalitarian Communist regime were equal; moreover, the number of victims of the latter was even larger. If the present proposal for a framework decision (5118/07) on combating racism and xenophobia stipulates criminal liability for persons who justify, deny or trivialise Nazi regime crimes, but the same does not apply to the crimes of the totalitarian Communist regime, do you not think that it could create an opinion in Europe that only one criminal regime created and participated in World War II?
2. In Latvia and other new Member States, crimes by the totalitarian Communist regime affected almost every family and their consequences are felt to this day. If we do not have the same attitude towards totalitarian Communist regime crimes as to Nazi regime crimes, how can we talk about an equal attitude of EU countries and citizens towards the history of Europe, which is the objective of the framework decision? Could it not lead to the impression that there are two different classes (first and second) of victims?
3. Is the Commission aware that the crimes of the totalitarian Communist regime, as under the Nazi regime, were very often based on ethnic principles and that the totalitarian Communist regime had a network of concentration camps - just like the Nazi regime?
4. Does the Commission think that reconciliation with Nazi criminals is possible? If not, then is it possible to forgive criminals of the totalitarian Communist regime?
5. What is Commissioner Frattini's opinion on the level at which the Conference on Crimes of Totalitarian Regimes (to be held in April 2008) should take place to realise the objectives of the framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia?
end
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