Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Nepal: Maoists come back in power - solidarity statement from CARC Party Italy
National Direction - International Relations Department
Tel. +39 0226306454 - e-mail: HYPERLINK "mailto:carc.ri@libero.it" carc.ri@libero.it
29/05/2010
Nepal: Maoists come back in power
The government of the reactionary forces in Nepal, which came in power one year ago with a maneuver conducted by the Indian government, was forced to resign.
It has been the government of the Congress Party, representing the most reactionary forces in the country, aiming to keep it in the political, social and economic backwardness of the feudal system and in direct dependence on India, and the government of the Union of Marxist Leninist, a revisionist communist party that as a matter of fact shared Congress Party’s aims.
A government will be formed that will include the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) party that has the majority in the Constituent Assembly.
Here it is the agreement signed yesterday May 28.
1. We are firmly committed to move ahead working together with consensus to immediately consummate the outstanding task in relation to the peace process into logical end and to accomplish the historical task of drafting new constitution.
2. In process of drafting the new constitution, however, considerable task has been accomplished but everything has not been accomplished yet therefore, we agree to extend the constituent assembly term for a year.
3. To achieve the above stated responsibility and task at the earliest, we agree to move ahead forming a national unity government in the basis of consensus. For this, we clarify that the prime-minister of the current coalition government will be ready to resign immediately.
Signed: Pushpakamal Dahal (Prachanda) Chairman, Unified CPN (Maoist)
Signed: Ramchandra Paudel, Leader of the Congress parliamentary party.
Signed: Jhalanath Khanal, Chairman, CPN (UML)
The Maoists in Nepal make another step forward in their victorious path.
They show the world that communism is alive, rising again in its most advanced form, that is Maoism, and that Maoism, applied to the concrete situation of each single country, ensures success.
In particular, the Nepalese comrades show in practice what it means to use one of the main tools that Maoism gives us: the mass line. One of the ways in which the mass line is practiced is in ensuring that the left conquer the center and isolate the right. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Unified has isolated the right on different levels.
• On the political level: Maoists’ action created such contradictions in the centre party, the Union of Marxist-Leninist, that most of its members and its own vice president has demanded the resignation of Prime Minister, who is a member of UML himself.
• On the social level: Maoists’ action has put the part that until a month ago did not support them, the national bourgeoisie and intellectuals, against the government, so that representatives of the national bourgeoisie have demanded its resignation threatening that otherwise they would not have paid taxes.
• On international level: Maoists’ action has created contradictions between the U.S. imperialists and the Indian government, so that the U.S. imperialists dissociated themselves from the pressures of India for keeping Maoists out of the government, and India remained isolated.
The Maoists in Nepal show that the revolution is possible, contradicting those who say it is not, the enemies of the revolution, and giving confidence to those who have not it yet, still confused and still oppressed by the corruption of the revisionists, which lasted more than half a century, and led the first socialist countries and major parties as the first Italian Communist Party to ruin.
The Maoists in Nepal show that revolution is possible even in a relatively small and economically backward country, surrounded by powers like India and China.
They show that the revolution is something that has to be built with scientific method, with determination, passion, step by step, just like every small and great human deed. The revolution is not something that breaks out, something to expect, as a gift of history or of some kind of Providence. The revolution is not something you just talk about until the day that history will prove you are right, so as dogmatists think, nor it is something that will grow spontaneously as more the revolt of the masses will grow, as economists think.
Let’s support the revolutionary movement of Nepal! The CARC Party promotes the constitution of Committee for Solidarity with New Nepal in Italy and in many other European countries.
Let’s learn from the revolutionary movement of Nepal. Let’s regain the confidence. The masses make history: let’s assume the leading role that belongs to us! Let’s form in Italy a People’s Bloc Government able to meet our needs and our interests, able to face the economic crisis that the bourgeoisie seeks to resolve sharpening the war against the masses and against the peoples of each country and worldwide. Let’s begin again the construction of the new world. Socialism is the way out of crisis. Communism is the future of humanity!
Second Statement from CPI (Maoist) on the Train Accident - we are not involved
We were not involved in the sabotage in the railway line. Still we are being falsely implicated in it.
CPI (Maoist) tells the Indian rail authorities to ply their trains
(Note: In view of the train accident that took the lives of more than a hundred passengers and left many more injured who had been travelling by Gnaneswari Express, the railways have been contemplating of postponing train services along that route at night and re-schedule its timings accordingly. In response, the CPI(Maoist) has issued a statement on 29 May 2010 that came out in a Bengali daily Ananda Bazar Patrika published from Kolkata. It was published on 30 May 30, 2010 under the caption ‘The Maoists ask the railways to ply trains without fear’ in page 7.)
Let the railway authorities ply their trains on schedule. There is nothing to fear. On Saturday, on behalf of the State Committee of the CPI (Maoist), Aakash issued this statement to the press. “We were not involved in the sabotage in the railway line. Still we are being falsely implicated in it. There is no need to stop railway service on the plea of Maoist sabotage. Let the rail authorities ply their trains. Nothing (no harm) will be done from our side”.
The Maoists stated: We gave a call for organizing a ‘Black Period’ from 23 May to 2 June; it was not directed against the railways. Besides price rise and operation by the security forces, it was also directed against the central government policy of selling out shares of public sector undertakings, taking US assistance for the defence sector and the creation of special economic zones. Our aim was to make propaganda and create awareness on these issues among the people. Wearing black badges, organizing processions comprise part of our programme, but there was nothing against the railways. The Maoists claimed: “Whenever there is any programme against the railways or a call for stopping railway services, there is a formal notification much before that date”. Aakash said: “We do not know who were involved in the incident. But what we do know is that on that very day, the security forces along with the CPI(M) cadres carried out operation in 32 villages under Manikpara and Kotwali police station areas. Houses were broken. Women were tortured, giving rise to much popular anger and discontent.” Discarding the demand for investigation by the WB government-controlled CID and the central government-controlled CBI, the Maoists stated: “Both are biased. So we would welcome a neutral investigation team comprising intellectuals, scientists, engineers and unofficial experts. Let them find out who had done the sabotage and why. We want an independent investigation. We want the truth to come out”.
The Sunday Hindustan Times carried only a brief portion of the statement its Kolkata edition on 30 May 2010 under the caption “Maoists now want independent probe”. The report reads as follows: “Maoists on Saturday once again denied having any hand in the tragedy. Akash, a CPI(Maoist) state committee member, told HT over phone from an undisclosed location that the outfit would welcome probe by an “independent group of intellectuals”.
Jean Jacques Dessalines - a warning to tyrants - from a fearless warrior
Jean-Jacques Dessalines (Haitian Creole: Janjak Desalin) (20 September 1758 – 17 October 1806) was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent Haiti under the 1801 constitution. Beginning as Governor-General, Dessalines later named himself Emperor Jacques I of Haiti (1804–1806). He is remembered as one of the founding fathers of Haiti.
Dessalines served as an officer in the French army when the colony was trying to withstand Spanish and British incursions. Later he rose to become a commander in the revolt against France. As Toussaint L'Ouverture's principal lieutenant, he led many successful engagements, such as the Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot.
After the betrayal and capture of Toussaint Louverture in 1802, Dessalines became the leader of the revolution. He defeated French troops sent by Napoleon at the Battle of Vertières in 1803. Declaring Haiti an independent nation in 1804, Dessalines was chosen by a council of generals (blacks and mulattos) to assume the office of Governor-General. In September 1804, he proclaimed himself Emperor and ruled in that capacity until being assassinated in 1806.
FOR THE STRUGGLE IN HAITI TODAY WATCH INTERVIEW WITH LEADER OF BATAY OUVRIYE
http://nickglais-springthunder.blogspot.com/2010/05/us-military-attack-on-haitian-unions.html
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Robert Bryan Mumia's Lead Counsel in Brixton London 10th June 2010
Save Life of Mumia Abu-Jamal and and support Global Abolition of the Death Penalty
"Mumia's very life hangs in the balance. So we badly need international activism & pressure" - says Robert Bryan - Lead Counsel to Mumia Abu-Jamal
The Free Mumia Abu Jamal Defence Campaign in the UK invites you to meet :
ROBERT BRYAN - LEAD COUNSEL FOR MUMIA ABU-JAMAL IN BRIXTON TO UPDATE YOU ABOUT THE CASE OF MUMIA ABU JAMAL ON 10TH JUNE 2010.
ABOLISH THE RACIST DEATH PENALTY – FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS NOW
Date & Time: 7 PM –10 pm Thursday 10th June 2010
Venue: KARIBU EDUCATION CENTRE, 7 GRESHAM ROAD, BRIXTON, LONDON SW9 7PH
(Third Right Street From Brixton Tube Station)
Organised by
George Jackson Socialist League
Democracy and Class Struggle
Supported by
Global Afrikan Congress
Fight Racism Fight Imperialism
World Peoples Resistance Movement (Britain)
Afrikan Socialist International
Co-ordination Committee of the Revolutionary Communists of Britain
Keynote speaker
Robert Bryan - Lead Councel to Mumia Abu-Jamal
Other Invited Speakers:
Steve Headley of RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Worker)
Selma James of Global Women’s Strike
Glenn Watson of Global Afrikan Congress
Luwezi Kinshasa of Afrikan Socialist International
Mumia Abu-Jamal and The Global Abolition of the Death Penalty
The death penalty has the ultimate form of punishment is unacceptable in a civilized society and undermines human dignity. (U.N. General Assembly, Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty, Resolution 62/149, Dec. 18, 2007; reaffirmed, Resolution 63/168, Dec. 18, 2008.)
Mr. Abu-Jamal, a renowned black journalist and author, has been on Pennsylvania’s death row for nearly three decades.Mr Abu-Jamal has become a global symbol, the "Voice of the Voiceless", in the struggle against capital punishment and human-rights abuses. There are over 20,000 awaiting execution around the globe, with over 3,000 on death rows in the United States.
The 1982 trial of Mr. Abu-Jamal was tainted by racism, and occurred in Philadelphia which has a history of police corruption and discrimination. Amnesty International, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, "determined that numerous aspects of this case clearly failed to meet international standards safeguarding the fairness of legal proceedings. [T]he interests of justice would best be served by the granting of a new trial to Mumia Abu-Jamal. The trial should fully comply with international standards of justice and should not allow for the re-imposition of the death penalty." (A Life In the Balance - The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, at 34, Amnesty Int’l, 2000; www. Amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR51/001/2000.)
See you in Brixton on 10th June - Save the Life of Mumia Abu-Jamal but sign petition Now
http://mumialegal.org/node/72
Both the CPI (Maoist) and PCAPA have denied their involvement in the Friday train derailment
Yesterday’s( 28 May 2010) Gnaneshwari Express and a goods train tragedy near Kharagpur in West Bengal in which 80 people were killed and 200 injured was attributed to CPI(Maoist) and Peoples Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) by the media. The media unscrupulously played false news stories blaming CPI (Maoist) and Peoples Committee for two days. Some political parties like Trinomial Congress and the ruling CPI(Marxist) also blamed these organisations without any verification. Significantly Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has declined to attribute the blame on the CPI (Maoist) and also announced that there was no evidence of any bomb blast in the incident.
The Union Home Minister has ordered an enquiry into find out any possibility of sabotage. During the day the leaders of CPI (Maoist) clarified through a long statement that they were not responsible for the train tragedy and condemned any possible sabotage work if any force involved behind the incident. They have also expressed their condolences for the families of deceased. The PCAPA also clarified that their activists are not involved in this incident. They suspected the ruling CPI(Marxist) to have been involved in the sabotage desperately trying to tilt the public opinion against the fighting forces.
Purposefully the media did not cover the statement issued by the CPI (Maoist) while playing the false stories and commentaries blaming the CPI (Maoist) for the incident. Some all India newspapers like The Hindu wrote editorials blaming the CPI (Maoist) for the incident. Many other newspapers wrote major articles decrying the CPI (Maoist) as terrorist attributing the blame on them. Now when the clarifications come from CPI (Maoist) and PCAPA, will these media houses withdraw their false stories and give the facts to the people? Will they regret for propagating the false news?
These two days of false propaganda is made with a malicious intension of maligning the CPI (Maoist) and PCAPA.
I attach here news reports covering the statement of clarification from the CPI (Maoist) and PCAPA by a section of newspapers in West Bengal. The same newspaper didn’t cover it in their editions coming from all other cities.
G N Saibaba
Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF)
Statement on Train(Jnaneswari Express) accident by the Maoists
The following report was published in the Bengali Ananda Bazar Patrike dt. 29 May 2010, page 7, Kolkata edition. It bore the caption ‘Denying allegations about their involvement, the Maoists demand enquiry’ and written by Prasun Acharyya. The statement was issued in the name of Aakash, the Maoist WB State Committee leader.
On Friday night, the following statement was issued on behalf of the CPI(Maoist) WB State Committee. “We are in no way involved in this incident. We did not carry out any explosion in the railway line. Killing innocent people by sabotaging railway line is not our agenda. When we carry out any action, there are always some specific reasons behind. We also acknowledge responsibility for that. Whenever we commit mistakes we admit it. However, responsibility is being placed on us now for an incident in which we are in no way involved”. Accusing the CPI(Marxist) of putting blame on them the Maoists said “The CPI(M) is haunted by the prospect of a landslide defeat in the coming municipal elections.
Thus they have opted for a strategy of killing two birds with a single stone. On the one hand, attempts are being made to brand us as terrorists and thus isolate us from the people. On the other hand, they are seeking to prove that Mamata Banerjee is completely misfit as the railway minister”. The Maoists did not directly state that the CPI(M) was involved in the incident. But what they said is: “In the coming days also such unfortunate incidents can take place in order to malign Mamata and the Maoists”. The WB State Committee of the Maoists strongly condemned this act and stated: “This act deserves unequivocal condemnation. We are extending our sympathies to the members of the bereaved families. We also wish the speedy recovery of those who are injured”.
Meanwhile, the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities has accused the CPI(M) of being involved in it. In reply to a query, the Maoists said: “We are not accountable for whatever one might say. We are not saying that the CPI(M) was involved in it. Let the railways make enquiry. The members of our party have made investigation after the incident. It was the removal of fish plates that led to the accident. There was no line for one metre stretch, side-clips were open. That led to derailment. Let the railways enquiry why side clips were open at the junction points of rail lines. No explosion took place at the site. Had there been any explosion, stones would have broken up and thrown out. But nothing like it happened”.
The Maoists said that whenever any untoward incident takes place along the railway route, the tendency is always to accuse them for such incidents. “Three days back, eleven bogies of the New Delhi -Gwahati Rajdhani Express were derailed near Naogachhia Station in Bihar. It was not a major accident. However, initially the blame was put on us. Later on, it was found that it was the fault of the railways that led to such a mishap”.
Even though the Maoists claim not to have directed any attack on the innocent people, why did they carry put land mine explosion in a passenger bus at Dantewada? The statement reads follows: “Special Pollce Officers(SPOs) and the CRPF were travelling in that bus. We have told people in Chhattisgarh time and again not to travel in the same bus along with the police and CRPF personnel. But it was the state government which had forced the common people to travel along with the police in the same bus. That is why common people also died along with the police”.
The Maoists accepted responsibility for the Dantewada incident; but not for this mishap. “We are not involved in the Sardiha incident, so we take no responsibility of it”, the Maoist statement said.
The Hindustan Times dt. 29 May 2010 carried only a brief statement from the Maoists: “Killing innocent civilians is not on our agenda. We have no links with this tragic incident, and we sympathise with the families of the deceased and the injured”. Akash, Member, CPI(Maoist) State Committee, West Bengal.
'Not We, CPI(M) is to blame'
Both the (Maoist) and PCAPA have denied their involvement in the Friday train derailment of the Maharashtra-bound Gyaneshwar Express, and condemned it as an act of criminal conspiracy on part of the ruling CPI(M), as reported by the Bengali daily Sangbad Pratidin, 29 May).
The statement by CPI(Maoist) state committee secretary, Kanchan, says, "This incident is against the line practised by our Party. We are not involved in it. CPI(M) and Police have jointly conspired to effect it."
Confirming it, Com Khokan representing the State Committee leader Akash of CPI(Maoist) said, "We are not at all involved in this incident. We do not kill innocent people. Fearing losing its rule, this is a ploy by CPI(M) to kill two birds with one stone. To paint the Maoists as terrorists and to declare the Railway minister, Mamata Banerjee as incapable. Even before this when the Rajdhani met with an accident, the State government pointed the finger on us. Our State Committee fully condemns this act. We share the pain with the families of the deceased and stand by them in this hour of grief."
The PCAPA has also denied its involvement with the incident, and declared it as an act of sabotage by the ruling CPI(M). Its leader, Asit Mahato said, "We are not involved with this incident. CPI(M) is directly involved in it, and writing posters in our name and planting the same on the site, is trying to put the blame on us."
Meanwhile the student union, USDF, leader Soumya Mandal also said, "Whether this incident is a handiwork of the CPI(M) or the Maoists, we completely condemn it. We offer our condolences to the families of the deceased and demand a comprehensive inquiry into the incident."
The Union Home Minister has ordered an enquiry into find out any possibility of sabotage. During the day the leaders of CPI (Maoist) clarified through a long statement that they were not responsible for the train tragedy and condemned any possible sabotage work if any force involved behind the incident. They have also expressed their condolences for the families of deceased. The PCAPA also clarified that their activists are not involved in this incident. They suspected the ruling CPI(Marxist) to have been involved in the sabotage desperately trying to tilt the public opinion against the fighting forces.
Purposefully the media did not cover the statement issued by the CPI (Maoist) while playing the false stories and commentaries blaming the CPI (Maoist) for the incident. Some all India newspapers like The Hindu wrote editorials blaming the CPI (Maoist) for the incident. Many other newspapers wrote major articles decrying the CPI (Maoist) as terrorist attributing the blame on them. Now when the clarifications come from CPI (Maoist) and PCAPA, will these media houses withdraw their false stories and give the facts to the people? Will they regret for propagating the false news?
These two days of false propaganda is made with a malicious intension of maligning the CPI (Maoist) and PCAPA.
I attach here news reports covering the statement of clarification from the CPI (Maoist) and PCAPA by a section of newspapers in West Bengal. The same newspaper didn’t cover it in their editions coming from all other cities.
G N Saibaba
Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF)
Statement on Train(Jnaneswari Express) accident by the Maoists
The following report was published in the Bengali Ananda Bazar Patrike dt. 29 May 2010, page 7, Kolkata edition. It bore the caption ‘Denying allegations about their involvement, the Maoists demand enquiry’ and written by Prasun Acharyya. The statement was issued in the name of Aakash, the Maoist WB State Committee leader.
On Friday night, the following statement was issued on behalf of the CPI(Maoist) WB State Committee. “We are in no way involved in this incident. We did not carry out any explosion in the railway line. Killing innocent people by sabotaging railway line is not our agenda. When we carry out any action, there are always some specific reasons behind. We also acknowledge responsibility for that. Whenever we commit mistakes we admit it. However, responsibility is being placed on us now for an incident in which we are in no way involved”. Accusing the CPI(Marxist) of putting blame on them the Maoists said “The CPI(M) is haunted by the prospect of a landslide defeat in the coming municipal elections.
Thus they have opted for a strategy of killing two birds with a single stone. On the one hand, attempts are being made to brand us as terrorists and thus isolate us from the people. On the other hand, they are seeking to prove that Mamata Banerjee is completely misfit as the railway minister”. The Maoists did not directly state that the CPI(M) was involved in the incident. But what they said is: “In the coming days also such unfortunate incidents can take place in order to malign Mamata and the Maoists”. The WB State Committee of the Maoists strongly condemned this act and stated: “This act deserves unequivocal condemnation. We are extending our sympathies to the members of the bereaved families. We also wish the speedy recovery of those who are injured”.
Meanwhile, the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities has accused the CPI(M) of being involved in it. In reply to a query, the Maoists said: “We are not accountable for whatever one might say. We are not saying that the CPI(M) was involved in it. Let the railways make enquiry. The members of our party have made investigation after the incident. It was the removal of fish plates that led to the accident. There was no line for one metre stretch, side-clips were open. That led to derailment. Let the railways enquiry why side clips were open at the junction points of rail lines. No explosion took place at the site. Had there been any explosion, stones would have broken up and thrown out. But nothing like it happened”.
The Maoists said that whenever any untoward incident takes place along the railway route, the tendency is always to accuse them for such incidents. “Three days back, eleven bogies of the New Delhi -Gwahati Rajdhani Express were derailed near Naogachhia Station in Bihar. It was not a major accident. However, initially the blame was put on us. Later on, it was found that it was the fault of the railways that led to such a mishap”.
Even though the Maoists claim not to have directed any attack on the innocent people, why did they carry put land mine explosion in a passenger bus at Dantewada? The statement reads follows: “Special Pollce Officers(SPOs) and the CRPF were travelling in that bus. We have told people in Chhattisgarh time and again not to travel in the same bus along with the police and CRPF personnel. But it was the state government which had forced the common people to travel along with the police in the same bus. That is why common people also died along with the police”.
The Maoists accepted responsibility for the Dantewada incident; but not for this mishap. “We are not involved in the Sardiha incident, so we take no responsibility of it”, the Maoist statement said.
The Hindustan Times dt. 29 May 2010 carried only a brief statement from the Maoists: “Killing innocent civilians is not on our agenda. We have no links with this tragic incident, and we sympathise with the families of the deceased and the injured”. Akash, Member, CPI(Maoist) State Committee, West Bengal.
'Not We, CPI(M) is to blame'
Both the (Maoist) and PCAPA have denied their involvement in the Friday train derailment of the Maharashtra-bound Gyaneshwar Express, and condemned it as an act of criminal conspiracy on part of the ruling CPI(M), as reported by the Bengali daily Sangbad Pratidin, 29 May).
The statement by CPI(Maoist) state committee secretary, Kanchan, says, "This incident is against the line practised by our Party. We are not involved in it. CPI(M) and Police have jointly conspired to effect it."
Confirming it, Com Khokan representing the State Committee leader Akash of CPI(Maoist) said, "We are not at all involved in this incident. We do not kill innocent people. Fearing losing its rule, this is a ploy by CPI(M) to kill two birds with one stone. To paint the Maoists as terrorists and to declare the Railway minister, Mamata Banerjee as incapable. Even before this when the Rajdhani met with an accident, the State government pointed the finger on us. Our State Committee fully condemns this act. We share the pain with the families of the deceased and stand by them in this hour of grief."
The PCAPA has also denied its involvement with the incident, and declared it as an act of sabotage by the ruling CPI(M). Its leader, Asit Mahato said, "We are not involved with this incident. CPI(M) is directly involved in it, and writing posters in our name and planting the same on the site, is trying to put the blame on us."
Meanwhile the student union, USDF, leader Soumya Mandal also said, "Whether this incident is a handiwork of the CPI(M) or the Maoists, we completely condemn it. We offer our condolences to the families of the deceased and demand a comprehensive inquiry into the incident."
The Nepal Agreement - signed by the three party leaders
This is what in the agreement paper signed by the leaders of the three major parties in Nepal to extend the term of the constituent assembly.
In accordance with the verdict of the historical people's movement, the interim constitution of Nepal 2063 (2008), democracy, permanent peace and comprehensive peace accord, we affirm the following commitments:
1. We are firmly committed to move ahead working together with consensus to immediately consummate the outstanding task in relation to carry the peace process into logical end and to accomplish the historical task of drafting new constitution.
2. In process of drafting the new constitution, however, considerable task has been accomplished but everything has not been accomplished yet therefore, we agree to extend the constituent assembly term for a year.
3. To achieve the above stated responsibility and task at the earliest, we agree to move ahead forming a national unity government in the basis of consensus. For this, we clarify that the prime-minister of the current coalition government will be ready to resign immediately.
Signed: Pushpa kamal Dahal, Chairmen, Unified CPN (Maoist)
Signed: Ram chandra Paudel, Leader, Leader of the Congress parliamentary party.
Signed: Jhala nath Khanal, Chairmen, CPN (UML
In accordance with the verdict of the historical people's movement, the interim constitution of Nepal 2063 (2008), democracy, permanent peace and comprehensive peace accord, we affirm the following commitments:
1. We are firmly committed to move ahead working together with consensus to immediately consummate the outstanding task in relation to carry the peace process into logical end and to accomplish the historical task of drafting new constitution.
2. In process of drafting the new constitution, however, considerable task has been accomplished but everything has not been accomplished yet therefore, we agree to extend the constituent assembly term for a year.
3. To achieve the above stated responsibility and task at the earliest, we agree to move ahead forming a national unity government in the basis of consensus. For this, we clarify that the prime-minister of the current coalition government will be ready to resign immediately.
Signed: Pushpa kamal Dahal, Chairmen, Unified CPN (Maoist)
Signed: Ram chandra Paudel, Leader, Leader of the Congress parliamentary party.
Signed: Jhala nath Khanal, Chairmen, CPN (UML
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Nepal: Interview with Maoist Leader CP Gajurel by Kaveri Rajaraman
Chandra Prakash Gajurel is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).
Q: Let me start with the most pressing question of the day. Now that the strike has been called off, and it looks like the May 28, 2010 deadline for writing the constitution will not be met, what are the expectations and conditions under which the party will extend the tenure of the Constituent Assembly, and what is the party strategy if its conditions are not met? What will happen after May 28th?
A: The political environment around May 28th will decide our strategy. Right now NC, UML and India are continuing to hope that we will change our minds at the eleventh hour. Even if we deny this now, they are hoping for our last minute acceptance of the extension of the CA’s tenure without our conditions being fulfilled. But I can say this: no, we will not.
This means there are the following options for what happens after May 28th: one, that the CA’s tenure is extended under our party’s leadership, an option provided for by the interim constitution; two, that the government will declare emergency, in which case the CA’s tenure will be extended by 6 months as per the interim constitution; three, worst of all, that Presidential rule will be established on an unconstitutional basis. If emergency is declared, this will be an unpopular move and we will oppose it. It is supposed to be declared, as per the constitution, based on the fulfilment of one of three conditions: external intervention, uncontrollable internal chaos, or severe economic crisis. If President’s rule is declared, we will oppose it and view it as basically a military coup. Our tactics of opposition will depend on the mood of the masses.
Q: What about the conditions of negotiation of leadership of a national unity government for extension of the CA’s tenure? How flexible are you about the following options: having another party’s leader as president, and having another Maoist party leader of the national unity government other than the Chairman?
A: If the proposal is to replace Madhav Kumar Nepal with a leader from a party that is not ours, we will not accept this. In any case, he will not resign voluntarily, and any negotiation to replace him with another party member will not be smooth, and will involve their putting more conditions before us. As for other leaders within the party, the party had decided long ago that if we came to power, it would be best for the Chairman to lead. However, we can be a little flexible about this. The important thing is the party should lead, and any discussion of the conditions of leadership can be discussed in the Central Committee or Politbureau, depending on the new emerging situation.
Q: Will the strike resume?
A: This is not likely before the 28th, but these last few days are crucial for deciding tactics. Right now we have just planned for a centralization of people around the 25th. Again it will be peaceful. Rumours of violence and clashes with the army were employed before May 1 to scare people from joining the marches and rallies. But our cadre were very disciplined and so many people joined us. Even the OHCHR commented that the peace and discipline was “unprecedented”.
Q: Why are fresh elections not an option that the party is seriously considering?
A: The present CA was unable to fulfil its responsibility. This CA has no right to write the constitution. However, fresh elections are not an idea many people or parties are considering seriously. Some trends within the NC and some monarchists are in favour of this, but it is not a logical outcome of the expiration of the CA. If the CA tenure is not expanded, then emergency is the only constitutional option. Of course President’s rule is also an unconstitutional possibility. If the present government continues, it will be merely a puppet government.
Q: In Nepal, Madhav Kumar Nepal is clearly seen as a puppet of the Indian government. What are India’s interests in Nepal and what was their goal earlier in helping broker the peace deal between the Maoists and the 7-party alliance?
A: The present government has been installed by India to serve its interests, since India wishes to control all sectors of the political economy of Nepal. This government has not been put in place by internal forces. Madhav Kumar Nepal is a rotten candidate. Having suffered two electoral defeats in different constituencies, he is clearly unpopular and has no moral ground.
India is the major player waging a proxy war against us and they chose UML as their backer as part of a strategy to use a so-called communist party as the main opposition to a true communist party. They prefer to back the UML than the NC against us, although the NC was their main force to use against the king. They were turning against the monarchy partially because the king began to defy India’s advice, by opposing emergency and purchasing arms from China. Therefore at that time, India was supportive and in fact instrumental in organizing the 7-party alliance. The alliance was supported against the monarchy up to a limit. Their interest was to keep the monarchy, but with reduced powers. They just wanted to teach a lesson to the king, to put the king in his place. But they needed a mass movement against the monarchy, which is where we entered the picture.
When our movement went beyond their control, they sent Karan Singh to negotiate and broker the peace process between the Maoists and the 7-party alliance, because they thought the Maoists can be controlled by the peace process. There are two ways to control a political party. One is through conflict, and the other is the soft way, through political compromise. Initially they tried the second approach, hoping that the process of mainstream parliamentary participation would transform our party into something like the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM). The CPM was once radical, discussing even ideas of Mao and New Democracy, but elections made it friendly to the establishment and now it is playing a role against people’s movements in Lalgarh, etc. India tried to tame our party the friendly way but failed. Now India is opting for conflict with our party, and they are backing Madhav Kumar Nepal knowing that if he does not resign, conflict will ensue after May 28th.
Q: What about the role of other imperialist or foreign forces in this situation?
A. The US is not very involved in this particular situation, or they have a lower role. They are not a deciding factor. We have had ten or more discussions with representatives of the US when they called us during the strike. They questioned UML and NC about how long Madhav Kumar Nepal would stay in power. They see his unpopularity as something that will aggravate this crisis. The EU has been even more proactive, with Madhav Kumar Nepal even replying and telling them to mind their own business. Both these forces do not support the Maoists. But they think Madhav Kumar Nepal should resign because his unpopularity is undermining stability.
Q: What about the role of China?
A: Like the US and EU, they will not like Indian interference in Nepal beyond a limit.
Q: What has the process of constitution-writing been like and how is input being solicited from the masses on the nature of the constitution? Is this input being solicited inside or also outside the party structure?
A: We put forward our declaration before the people, as our election manifesto. When people voted for our party, we modelled the content of our draft of the constitution on the election declaration. We collected responses from the people not just through the party, but through the process of participating in the Constituent Assembly. As part of this, we as well as representatives of other parties visited constituencies and took suggestions made by ordinary citizens.
Q: As you continue to participate in parliamentary politics, what guarantee do the people have that you will not turn into the CPM? What policies or structures will you put in place to ensure people are not dispossessed in the interests of the state or corporations?
A: We want to implement revolutionary land distribution. We want to confiscate the land of big landowners, without compensation, and distribute to the landless and poor. Also the federal structure we propose will provide rights to local people over natural resources, especially over land and water. Ethnic groups will have rights over their forests, land, and rivers.
Q: What is the stand of the party on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)?
A: We will have to decide on something since there are so many foreign corporations and INGOs not working in Nepal’s interests now. We are not saying we are against foreign investment or foreign aid. But whether we welcome it depends crucially on it being in the interest of the Nepali people. But, our concept of development is not based on FDI, which can cause rapid economic development, but at a cost.
Q: What about installing safeguards against something like the Bhopal disaster, where corporations get away with deep misconduct in the interests of quick profits?
A: Again, we will only invite foreign corporations if we are sure they will help the Nepali people. We will not pursue projects not in the people’s interest, and the local people will have a say. To control the behaviour of the corporations, we would depend on the judiciary for strong laws.
Q: How will the rights and interests of women, dalits, janjatis, different ethnic groups, and the LGBT community be safeguarded and represented?
A: Categorically we want women represented as constituents in all spheres of life, including political institutions. In our current draft constitution, we would reserve 33% seats for women, but aim for full equality. Adivasis or janjatis and dalits would also have reservations. Also the federal structure in our proposed constitution aims for more local autonomy, which will give more rights to women and dalits, as compensation for years of oppression.
Source : MRZine
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2010/gajurel250510.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)