Is it possible to build communism? Interview by N.A. Andreeva to Russian newspaper Argumenti i Fakti "AIF" in connection with the 75th anniversary edition of the newspaper
Corr. "AIF": Is it possible to build communism?
N.A. - Of course you can! After all, communism is the objective course of human development. According to Marx, all previous formations is only pre-history and the history of humanity begins with communism, of course, through a transitional period - socialism. Capitalism today is completely exhausted and has brought humanity to the brink of self-destruction. This is evidenced by the global systemic crisis: the global economic crisis (unemployment in European countries increased for too long and in some places over 20% and even 50 percent, with falling production, working mainly for the war. The market as the basis of capitalist production has been exhausted completely. Overproduction of goods - the inability of the population of highly developed European countries with one a billion population to consume what is produced, with abject poverty, hunger, epidemics and lack of livelihood and so forth, among the other nearly seven billion people.)
The global political crisis (Existing system of world order and way of life is no longer valid - the UN Security Council. Etc.);
The global environmental crisis (a result of man-made activities of mankind), and as a result of all is the deepest crisis of the human person - the preaching of same-sex marriage as a norm of behavior rather than illness or perversion, leading to the extinction of humanity, the preaching of violence, cruelty and pornography.
Why is communism the future of humanity? Because communism (its first transition phase is socialism) best reflects the universal values - ethics, morality, Christian precepts, etc., and human interests - harmony with nature, the absence of war (war - an unavoidable aspect of capitalism) international friendship of peoples, etc.
The historic mission of Russia –is to go ahead of the rest - to lead the process of transition to a new formation. Why us? We have a rich experience of building socialism, not perverted opportunism and revisionism of Khrushchev and his followers. Victory in the Great Patriotic War, won thanks to socialism. International friendship of peoples in a multinational country.
Today there is a social explosion in Russian society because of the low standard of living of the majority of the population, mass unemployment due to the collapse of the industry, the poor state of health, the collapse of the system of education, science, and very low wages of the general population (10-15 thousand rubles a month), that is just not enough for life, not to mention the organization of a young family. Wages that do not allow for a normal life and not suffer because of the inability to acquire adequate food, clothing, etc. More than half of Russia's population live below the poverty line - according to sociological research. A trip abroad, of whom you talk about amounts to a tiny fraction of the population, which revolves around so-called business - a typical spec (small and medium business), do not create wealth for society and only fleece the consumer, and the service staff is very swollen in the number of criminals and corrupt officials in all sectors of the economy and politics. Advertising by the mass media about holidays abroad is nothing more than an echo from an empty barrel.
Today in Russia the conditions for a radical change in the social system is not yet ripe (subjective factor) because the people have not yet matured. They are still being duped, drugged. They have been transformed into a state where no one understands, and noone want to understand. That is, they have been brought to a state of frenzy, and stupidity, that besides a feeding bowl under their nose, they see nothing. If the people are brought to such a state, they cannot think about politics. We are now in roughly that situation.
But it will soon be over. Is a difficult, but with the acceleration of an understanding of what happened and why, and what to do it can be done.
There is a fundamental change in the relationship to Joseph Stalin - the organizer of the successful building of socialism in the Soviet Union, and thus to SOCIALISM as such.
August 13, 2013.
Some additions to the author's interview with "AIF"
Great harm to the political maturation of the people has been done by the obviously useless to the cause of socialism role of the pacifier – the participation in election campaigns. These campaigns spent a lot of effort and energy to the masses, and the result is known to be zero for the people in the long run and only the personal enrichment of the "communist" or "people's" representatives, passing through the election of a paying service to the regime, and even for various fraudulent actions for personal purposes. "Communistic" MPs who have reached the coveted chair of the Duma, as a rule, lost, or they have been simply kicked out of parliament.
For the passage of power through elections the party leaders do everything to fit their programs to the requirements of the ruling power and by deception of the people have never implemented in practice their pre-election promises. This leads to the dismay of the population and a missed opportunity to change something for the better, which then leads to apathy, and absorbs the energy of the masses. The dream of changing lives for the better through the election campaign is a dead-end path, and always losing, as demonstrated by life itself.
Therefore we Bolsheviks invite all "voters" to put an end to engaging in the participation in empty elections, and to not believe the deliberately deceptive beautiful assurances and promises of the candidates for their own prestigious places in the government, and to take on the real deal ...
Nina Alexandrovna Andreeva
General Secretary of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks (CC AUCPB)
16.08.2013
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IN MEMORY OF OUR COMRADE
On 5 August 2013 after a long and serious illness Comrade Vladimir Houhlyantsev (D.I.Izyumov) passed away. His farewell was held on August 14 in St. Petersburg.
V.I. Houhlyantsev in the AUCPB column during the laying of wreaths at the monument to the Motherland on Piskarevskoe Memorial Cemetery (Leningrad, May 9, 2010).
Vladimir Ivanovich was born on 20 February 1947. His childhood and youth were held in Western Belarus (Brest), where he graduated from high school. After leaving school he worked in Brest in several fields in search of his calling.
In 1968 he enrolled in the Higher Naval Submarine School Lenin Komsomol (Leningrad). He graduated from college with honors. He was sent to serve in the Northern Fleet. His entire service was held on nuclear submarines (more than 15 years of continuous service), and commanded a missile warhead submarine. He tested the latest Soviet submarine equipment, and was leading engineer. The last 4 years of service, he held in Leningrad. He has government awards and retired with the rank of Captain 3rd Rank. A veteran of military service – of 36 years seniority.
By vocation he entered the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks and was active in it. With his deep knowledge in various fields, including - of military science, he produced a lot of material on the history of the Great Patriotic War. The last 10 years he was the assistant general secretary of the AUCPB.
In September and October 1993, V.I. Houhlyantsev was the commander of the Leningrad militia who stood up to defend the foundations of Soviet power, which was then, in 1993, the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR. But, as it turned out, the leaders of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR were more afraid of their own defenders, the militia, who arrived in Moscow from different regions of the country than Yeltsin. (Arriving to defend the Supreme Soviet in September 1993, they were called "the regiment of the Supreme Soviet".) Refusing to issue its defenders with weapons ("minister of defense" was Colonel-General ACHALOV officially in charge of Regiment of the Supreme Soviet), the leaders condemned them to the Yeltsin security forces shooting. Then, in the tragic events of 1993, Soviet officer V.I. Houhlyantsev accomplished the feat by taking only right decision in the circumstances - to withdraw his unarmed militia from the encirclement of the building of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, which he did. He saved people from needless deaths. Those defenders who stayed in the building after the assault were shot by Yeltsinites.
Vladimir Ivanovich had fine human qualities. He had surprising modesty, unwavering loyalty once and for all the chosen of life-communist principles, loyalty and sworn oath of allegiance to Soviet power and the Soviet people. He was distinguished by respect for his comrades not only in the party but to all who knew him, and had great respect by them.
Into the CC of the AUCPB in connection with the death of Vladimir Ivanovich arrived received many telegrams from the Regional Bureaus of the Central Committee of the AUCPB, the Youth Bureau of the Central Committee of AUCPB, the AUCPB party organizations of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, from socio-political organizations of the communist orientation, from former militiamen, from his friends and social networks and individual citizens who knew him, with an expression of deep condolence to colleagues, family and friends of Vladimir Ivanovich.
In bright memory of Vladimir Ivanovich Houhlyantseve - Soviet officer, Communist-Bolshevik, active fighter for Soviet power, for the revival of the Soviet Union preserved in our hearts.
CC AUCPB
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AUGUST 15 MARKS THE DAY OF THE DPRK NATIONAL LIBERATION
On August 15, 1945 under the leadership of Comrade Kim Il Sung, Korea was liberated from Japanese rule. By that date, the Korean people had marched four long hard decades. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung, at age 13 leaving his homeland groaning under the yoke of the Japanese, vowed to go back to a liberated Korea. The future great commander Kim Il Sung (childhood Song Ju Kim) grew up in a family of revolutionaries, and from early childhood absorbed the ideas of the struggle for the liberation of Korea. All the years of his youthful life in exile were years of active preparation for major revolutionary activities and the struggle for the liberation of his beloved homeland. In 1930, he created the first armed organization, made up of Korean communists – a political and guerrilla organization to prepare for the deployment of the anti-Japanese armed struggle. On April 25, 1932, the first armed forces of the people were set up on a permanent basis - the Korean People's Revolutionary Army. Kim Il Sung became its commander.
Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang - the symbol of victory in the fight against the Japanese invaders
On May 5, 1936, Kim Il Sung created the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland - the organization of an anti-Japanese national united front and was elected its Chairman. In the second half of the 30s, Kim Il Sung created the Paektusan guerrilla base (area of Mount Paektu) – the operational base for the development of the Korean revolution to expand nationwide anti-Japanese national liberation struggle.
The entire anti-Japanese struggle was overcoming unprecedented difficulties: hiking in southern and northern Manchuria, a hard campaign ... In this struggle, he formed the backbone of the future revolutionary Workers' Party of Korea.
Comrade Kim Il Sung kept his oath. The tense military and revolutionary struggle ended in a great victory and the great triumph of national liberation. In memory of the greatness of the Victory in the centre of Pyongyang a monument was erected – the Arch of Triumph, which resembles the modern generation of the heroism of those who freed the country from Japanese colonial rule and opened the pages of modern history of Korea - a free and independent country, its people proudly and enthusiastically building their own prosperous socialist future.
Our Party congratulates our Korean friends on the 68 anniversary of the liberation of the country. We wish the people of the DPRK great strides towards building a prosperous socialist nation.
CC AUCPB
On the occasion of this significant date in the name of the First Secretary of the WPK Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the AUCPB comrade N.A. Andreeva sent a congratulatory telegram to Pyongyang.
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AUGUST 13, 2013 THE LEGENDARY LEADER OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION FIDEL CASTRO CELEBRATES 87 YEARS
More than half a century later, and Cuba is sticking to its guns and adhering to the socialist path and its Commander. "Everything can be bought for money except the souls of people who will not be brought to their knees (Fidel Castro).
Despite the brutal economic blockade by the imperialist United States, regular terrorist attacks and threats, Cuba remains a beacon of socialist transformation of the whole of Latin America.
Fidel Castro has survived 638 assassination attempts. This is some record. He is still willing, but is monitoring the situation in the world, actively and fruitfully.
We congratulate Comrade Fidel Castro on his birthday and wish him good health, long life, courage, and success in work for the good of the motherland.
We believe that the Cuban people under the wise leadership of Fidel and Raul Castro remain faithful to the revolutionary traditions established in the storming of the Moncada barracks.
Editorial
To Member of Parliament of the Republic of Cuba
Legendary Commander
Comrade Fidel Castro Ruz
Havana, Republic of Cuba
Dear Comrade Fidel Castro!
On behalf of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks (CC AUCPB) and myself, I cordially congratulate you on your birthday! We wish you, Dear Comrade Fidel Castro, YOU, the legendary Commander, good health and a long fruitful years of active life for the benefit of the Cuban people and the struggle of the peoples of the world against the threat hanging over mankind OF World War III.
The victory of the Cuban Revolution, which was headed by YOU and Raul Castro lit a bright torch, heralded the beginning of the liberation of the peoples of Latin America from colonialism, enslavement and plunder of the American national natural resources in other continents. Today in Latin America, and not only there, studying the experience of the Cuban revolution and the building of a new society, more countries are fighting for their independence and won in a fierce battle with the colonizers of the XXI century.
Dear Comrade Fidel Castro! Please accept my sincere wishes for success to you and to the Cuban people to build a free socialist society.
N.A.Andreeva
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the AUCPB
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OVERVIEW OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT (JULY 15 - AUGUST 1)
Kirishsky bakery workers stage rally
More than 200 workers gathered into a rally against cuts and closure of the bakery and confectionery production at JSC "Kirishsky Bakery" (Leningrad region). About 5 years ago it was bought by the German company Lorenz Sneck-World, which decided this year to reshape it for production of snacks. The result will be about 100 people laid off (two thirds of the state enterprise), formerly employed at the bakery and confectionery industries.
Company employees from 15 companies and organizations inn Kirishsky district, including employees at Kirishskaya TPP came along to support their comrades.
At the end of the rally, a resolution was adopted with the demand to keep their bread - bakery production at the plant, among guaranteeing stable low grain prices in the area.
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Cruise ship crew strike in Moscow
About 80 passengers were not able to take a trip by boat from Moscow. The ship was to sail to Solovki on July 22.
The reason for the delay was due to a strike, announced by the sailors. According to them, the CEO for three months has not paid any wages.
The double-decked ship had 12 days to travel to Russia - into St. Petersburg, Valaam and back to Solovki.
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Yakut drivers protest
On July 30, labor activists took to the picket line at the company's headquarters "JAkutugol" in Moscow. On 10 July, another 220 representatives of labor collectives of convoys number 1, 2 and 4 of ATA held a general meeting, putting forward economic demands to the management. The transport ATA - is one of the largest branches "JAkutugol" (employing more than a thousand people), and engaged in transportation at the coal mine "Neryungrinsky."
Trade unionist Urusov in an interview with the newspaper "Sobesednik", described the working conditions in the region: "In winter, the temperature in the pit falls to minus 72 degrees, with heavy-duty truck frames bursting from the cold. There are serious consequences for health from the fumes and heavy water, which contains the entire periodic table. Year of work in that job is causing irreparable damage to the health of workers. "
When inflated plans (drivers work even during breaks with serious traffic accidents), drivers of heavy trucks now get wages of only 40-50 thousand rubles, which is to the North with its harsh climate and a decent living wage - actually amounts to dole money.
However, a protest on July 24 under the windows of the office building "JAkutugol" in Neryungri brought no results - no one even came out from the management of the company to the workers.
It is known that Neryungrinsky "JAkutugol" belongs to JSC "Mechel" oligarch Igor Zyuzin, who bought the company from the state in 2007. Prior to privatization, wages of local workers was regularly increased, but since 2008 the growth stopped, and in 2012, salaries began to fall (on average, by 10 thousand). However, in this case, the financial state of the billionaire has increased several times.
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A sit-in at "Benteler"
Automotive workers at the Benteler plant in Kaluga southwest of Moscow went on strike on Thursday night demanding higher wages, a trade union spokesman said.
“Now more than 50 workers are on strike at the factory and another 50 from other plants in Kaluga have arrived to support their colleagues at the plant entrance,” said Dmitry Kozhnev, the Kaluga coordinator of the inter-regional car industry trade unions.
The plant workers are demanding wages equal to their conterparts at the neighboring Volkswagen plant, which receives Benteler-made car components. The Benteler Automotive managers were not immediately available for comment.
Riot police have arrived at the scene but are watching from a distance, Kozhnev added.
“I’ve been politely warned that police might start arresting people,” Kozhnev said.
The strike committee wants collective negotiations. The plant managers are now discussing the possibility of the talks.
Benteler said it would not be providing information to the media during the strike.
The head of the Kaluga branch of the independent trade union federation, Vladimir Grechaninov, arrived at the factory earlier in an effort to persuade the workers to give up the strike, the inter-regional car industry trade unions said on its website .
The plant workers refused to stop their action and said they would continue until the company's managers sit down to the negotiating table.
Benteler Automotive is a car parts division of the Austria-based Benteler International AG, one of the largest independent automotive suppliers. It employs 24,000 people in 38 countries.
Textile workers in Georgia held a protest
Workers at a textile factory in Khelvachauri recently staged a protest. They demanded higher wages and extra pay for weekend work on Saturday and Sunday.
The company's administration held four hour talks with workers behind closed doors. Patrol police and local security were mobilized on the site. Journalists at the factory are not allowed to enter. The lawyer at "Batumi textile" called the action illegal.
The strikers' demands were not met, said General Manager of Tuilin Dzhambulgu. According to him, this year the company's employees salaries have increased by about 20 percent, and as for Saturdays, this issue is being discussed and will be announced.
From Ed.: What kind of non-compliance with the demands of the strikers in this case, is it? The workers do not interfere with the administration to punish factories for bestial attitudes towards workers.
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EMPLOYEES OF "NAIRIT" HELD A PROTEST AT PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE, DEMANDING SALARY
Employees of the chemical giant "Nairit" held a protest in front of the government building, demanding pay arrears for a year.
The action was attended by about 500 workers. The Armenian government decided to pay the debt for two months, which did not satisfy the protesters, and they in procession marched to the presidential residence.
Workers of "Nairit" were received by the head of the presidential administration Vigen Sargsyan and were promised almost the same as that of the government. We recall that similar events are held periodically, the protesters are paid a salary for several months and then arrears all over again in a new circle.
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RAIL STRIKE IN BUCHAREST
In the Romanian capital of the state company workers went on strike at «CFR Marfa» / rail freight /.
Several thousand workers came marched to the government headquarters with demands to stop cutting staff and provide a decent wage. The demonstrators brought the slogans "We want to work", "Down with the thieves," "Down with privatization."
The workers have warned that if their demands are not met, they will start a general strike to demand the resignation of the government.
Working Turkish subsidiary of OJSC "MMK" on strike
Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (OJSC MMK) has reported that the strike organised by the Turkish Trade Union Organization at its Turkish subsidiary has officially ended.
The parties have agreed that the disputed issues, including salary and fringe benefits, will become part of the collective labour Agreement.
The company's production lines in Turkey are currently being put back into regular operation.
Overview prepared by the Department of the Central Committee of the AUCPB relations with the workers’ and the trade union movement
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We Are Tireless Fighters for Life
Ramón Labañino expressed this in a message spread through the International Committee for the release of the Cuban Five, apropos of René Gonzalez’ 57th birthday.
By: Juventud Rebelde
WASHINGTON, August 14.- Our tireless fight for life is the best way we have for celebrating dates said Ramón Labañino, one of the Cuban Five convicted unjustly to long sentences in the US for fighting terrorism.
Labañino, who is serving a 30-year sentence in a jail in Kentucky, sent a message spread today through the International Committee for the Release of the Cuban Five, on the occasion of René González’ birthday, on August 13.
The text highlights that the Cuban Five, as Labañino, Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and René González Sehewerert are universally known, will always be committed to the struggle for a better world, and for peace.
He also expressed his hope for their return to Cuba, in freedom and surrounded by all their relatives, their people together with brothers and sisters from different parts of the world. “I’m sure it will be a memorable day”, he added.
Labañino confirmed his joy for René who is in Cuba, where he is celebrating “a new year of life and struggle.”
René González arrived in Cuba last April 22 with a permit from the US authorities to attend the honours in memory of his late father who died that very month.
Once in Cuba he presented a motion to be allowed to stay in Cuba with his family, in exchange for the waiver of his US citizenship, approved by the judge from the Southern Florida district Joan Lenard. González Sehewerert had left the prison in October 2011 after serving an unjust sentence and as an additional penalty he passed to the regime of supervised released in the US territory.
The Cuban Five were arrested in Miami on September 12, 1998 while monitoring terrorist groups of Cuban origin based there, operating against Cuba with full immunity for more than 50 years.
A UN panel on May 2005 came to the conclusion that these men’s arrest was illegal and arbitrary; however the White House has done nothing for their release.
Translated by ESTI
FARC-EP Demands Social Control of Mass Media
President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos begins his last year of office confident that he will achieve peace
By: Yailé Balloqui Bonzón
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia- People’s Army (FARC-EP) released Wednesday a new group of minimal proposals aimed at the democratization of information and the mass media in a future scenario of peace in the South American nation.
The rebel group proposes the decentralization of the control of the big media monopolies run by the economic powers and the strengthening of state-run media; it also calls for funding for alternative and community media; as well as the promotion of culture, education and recreation through mass media outlets.
The FARC-EP also demands the right to truthful and timely information without prejudice to the freedom of speech and with right to reply as well as the democratization of the radio spectrum in Colombia, in favour of the opposition and the social media.
Another proposal suggests that the less privileged groups of the population can have access to the new technologies. They also call for an improvement of the working conditions of the mass media workers.
They promote in particular a special program of information and communication that favours social justice and reconciliation targeted to all the citizens. This project will be essentially aimed to spread and explain the agreements stemming from the table of dialogues.
A few days before, the FARC-EP also proposed the State fund the implementation of their mass media, namely a newspaper, a magazine, a radio station and a television network.
On Wednesday, Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos started his fourth years in office. In his speech commemorating his last year in office, he criticized the opposition who discredits the achievements of his Government and the peace negotiations with the guerrilla of the FARC-EP.
In this sense, he lamented that there are some people who prefer more years of pain and death over peace in a clear reference to his predecessor Álvaro Uribe, who has prevailed as a strong opponent to the dialogues and has become a major opponent of his Government.
Without admitting or denying whether he would seek a second term as president, Juan Manuel Santos said he was confident that the administration that succeeds him in 2014 will go on with the policies of his Government.
Translated by ESTI
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U.S.-S. Korea War Exercises Slammed
Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- The National Peace Committee of Korea spokesman issued the following statement Thursday:
Recently the situation on the Korean Peninsula has turned to the road of detente from that of confrontation. This was thanks to the initiative measures taken by the DPRK for the improvement of the north-south ties and the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the sincere efforts made by it for them.
But the trend for reconciliation and unity has faced a serious challenge due to the reckless nuclear war moves and confrontational racket against the DPRK being kicked up by the U.S. and the south Korean warmongers.
On August 27, the U.S. imperialist aggressors flew two B-52H nuclear strategic bombers to the sky above south Korea from an air force base in the U.S. mainland to stage a nuclear attack drill targeting the DPRK before their deployment on Guam.
At night on August 15 and during the day on August 21, a few days after they started Ulji Freedom Guardian, they flew Guam-based B-52H to the sky above Jik Islet in south Korea, two planes each, staging DPRK-targeted nuclear strike drills.
The U.S. introduction of the nuclear strategic bombers, one of three nuclear strategic strike means, timed to coincide with the massive Ulji Freedom Guardian which it is staging together with the puppet south Korean warmongers with the involvement of its huge troops, is an open nuclear threat to the DPRK, a revelation of its hideous scheme to ignite a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula at any cost and another unpardonable grave provocation.
The south Korean warmongers kicked up the racket for confrontation with the DPRK, saying that when a war breaks out they have to surely win and full combat readiness should be taken, openly throwing a hurdle in the way for hardly arranged north-south dialogue.
This is an intolerable mockery of the DPRK, which is making big efforts while exercising patience for detente, and an anachronistic act of going against the aspiration of the Koreans for the improvement of the north-south ties and stability and against the trend of the times.
Question is if they have face to talk about "dialogue", "genuine peace" and "stability" while being bent on war moves against the DPRK with the use of nuclear strategic bombers, the dialogue partner.
Moreover, it is the height of folly and brigandish sophism to cry out for "dismantlement of nuclear program" by the DPRK while posing a nuclear threat to it.
The situation clearly proves that it is exactly the U.S. and the south Korean warmongers who are straining the situation on the Korean Peninsula and escalating confrontation.
There is a limit to the patience of the DPRK as it had already clarified.
Peace, stability and advancement of the north-south ties can never be realized with the efforts by one side only.
The U.S. imperialists and the south Korean military warmongers should know that dangerous provocations violating sovereignty of the DPRK and encroaching upon its supreme interests will lead to an irrevocable development.
The U.S. and the south Korean warmongers should behave with discretion, not misjudging the patience and self-restraint exercised by the army and people of the DPRK.
Monday, 2 September 2013
Sunday, 28 July 2013
For Bolshevism - No 8 (125) August 2013
72nd ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR
June 22, 2013 marked 72 years since treacherous Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union and the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet people under the leadership of the CPSU (b) and J.V. Stalin.
On this day in the city of Krasnodar at the "Fire of Eternal Glory" a rally and wreath-laying ceremony was held by activists of the AUCPB, the Kuban Union of Soviet officers, the CPSU, the RCWP and CPRF.
The Bolsheviks unfurled their party symbols, red flags and distributed leaflets and newspapers.
Krasnodar Regional Committee of the AUCPB
In the city of Pyatigorsk, on June 22, on the memorial Day of the 72-nd anniversary since treacherous Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union, the Bolsheviks held a commemorative event on Lenin Square. Flowers and two baskets of flowers with a scarlet ribbon with the inscription: "Fallen for Our Soviet Motherland!" were laid by the Fire of Eternal Glory. Campaign materials were distributed.
After laying flowers, the Bolsheviks held a meeting dedicated to the 72th anniversary of the treacherous Nazi Germany invasion of the Soviet Union.
Pyatigorsk Town Committee of the AUCPB
AUCPB-Minsk: A memorial watch on the western borders of the USSR at the walls of the Brest Fortress
Commemorative events in Brest fortress, dedicated to the tragic date in the history of our country - the beginning of the Great Patriotic War and the heroic defenders of the fortress, are traditionally held on the night of 21 to 22 June. On these days, many guests come from all over the former Soviet Union to Brest: they include war veterans, participants in the defensive battles in June 1941 on the territory of Belarus, and representatives of patriotic youth organizations.
Traditionally, on the Ceremonial Square of the fortress at 4 pm, a meeting was held where veterans made speeches and after that lowered wreaths into the water of Western Bug and laid flowers at the Everlasting Flame. After that, a military-historical re-enactment of the first morning of the war took place, in the form of an impromptu battle at dawn by the Northern Gates, at the Kobrin fortification next to caponier Petre Gavrilov.
AUCPB activists at Kholmsky Gates of the Brest Fortress.
June 22, 5:00 am
The event was attended by Belarusian Bolsheviks. Our paraphernalia was particularly popular. Many boys and girls asked if they could have the opportunity to hold Soviet flags and be photographed next to Bolshevik symbols. When members of commemorative events walked along in a long, narrow column by 5am five in the morning moved towards the battle site, the young people were given the opportunity to carry our Soviet attributes and it looked a pretty impressive procession, which was captured by correspondents and simply those who came along with the camera.
AUCPB activists in the process of these commemorative events distributed leaflets "The Great Patriotic War: Myth and Truth", "Battle for the Victory continues," and others, as well as the Bolshevik newspapers "Vperyod" and "Hammer and Sickle".
In Chelyabinsk, on June 22, commemorative events were held, which were attended by activists of the AUCPB. By the Everlasting Flame, flowers were laid, and newspapers and leaflets were distributed.
Eternal Glory and Memory to the fallen in the battles for our Soviet Motherland!
Nobody is forgotten, nothing is forgotten!
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THE ECHO OF JUNE 15
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
On June 15, 2000 in Pyongyang, the "June 15 North-South Joint Declaration" was adopted.
13 years ago, in June 2000, Pyongyang - the capital of the DPRK, a historic event took place. For the first time in the 55-year history of the division of the Korean nation, an inter-Korean summit was held at the highest level and the historical "June 15 North-South Joint Declaration" was published, the major aspect of which is the independent and peaceful solution to the issue of Korean unification.
The North and South of Korea in the Joint Declaration agreed on ways to unify and agreed on the need for close cooperation in order to transform inter-Korean relations into a relationship of mutual respect and trust, and to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Once the declaration was published, it was met with warm approval and support from the wider international community, not to mention all the Koreans. In carrying out the great cause of unification of the Korean nation, extraordinary changes on the Korean Peninsula took place that opened a new era that could never have been imagined in the past.
Inter-Korean dialogue and negotiations in different spheres of life were conducted - political, economic, cultural, military and others, with encouraging results obtained for the purpose of reconciliation and unity, cooperation and exchange. Events held in the past separately in North and South Korea under the theme of "unity", a lot of waiting and attention throughout the nation and in a solemn ceremony were held in Pyongyang, Seoul and the Kumgang mountains as a great festival of national unification with the participation of representatives of the North, South Korea and abroad. Compatriots of the North and the South, mutually visiting Pyongyang and Seoul, carried out various activities - demonstrations of traditional masters of the national martial art taekwondo, sports competitions, joint artistic presentation. Meeting of historians on both sides took place to organize a joint exhibition and seminar of materials, joint photo exhibitions, etc. In September 2000, at the opening of the Sydney Olympic Games, athletes of North and South Korea took to the field of games under the banner of a unified Korea, which greatly touched the hearts of people around the world. This reality, showing the desire of the Korean nation to unite the country, and was present at the XIV Asian Games (in September 2002) and the Olympic Games in Athens (August 2004), and at the XV Asian Games (December 2006).
An air and sea route as well as a road were opened which had remained cut off for more than half a century, and numerous meetings of relatives of separated families of North and South Korea were held. Numerous groups of South Koreans visiting Pyongyang, watched the mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang", listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest show, made tourist trips to Mount Paektu, Kumgang, Myohyang and other noteworthy places in North Korea.
That's not all. Large-scale work has been carried out on humanitarian cooperation between the North and the South in the city of Kaesong near the military demarcation line dividing Korea into North and South, in teh building of an industrial park that is shared by both sides of Korea, where more than a hundred North Korean and scores of South Korean companies operate, promoting the common development and prosperity of the nation.
In 2007, the October 4 Declaration was adopted as a practical program of the Joint Declaration of June 15, and thus opened a bright prospect on the way towards the unification of the Korean nation.
Striking changes in inter-Korean relations were brought about by the June 15 Joint Declaration, which confirmed the agreement of both parties on the implementation of the country's cause of unification and achieving common prosperity of the nation with the combined forces of the Korean nation. And such an unattainable reality Koreans in the past called "the era of unification on June 15."
However, the era of unification of June 15 began facing serious challenges, as soon as Lee Mung Bak was elected to the throne of the South Korean government.
Immediately after the Lee Myung Bak clique came to power, they completely rejected the June 15 Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration. They extensively prevented the normal process of cooperation between the North and the South, continuously committed war provocations, which led the inter-Korean relations towards confrontation. Mutual exchanges and cooperation between the two parts of Korea were almost stopped. Tourist trips to Mount Kumgang, considered a symbol of inter-Korean dialogue were completely suspended. Lee Myung-bak and his clique persistently pursued a policy of using foreign forces, a policy of confrontation between fellow countrymen that created the crisis in the Korean Peninsula situation fraught with the danger of war.
The aggravated relations between the two sides of Korea is experiencing a major crisis under the current regime of Park Geun Hye of South Korea. From the outset, the new government, standing on the side of the United States, found fault with the launch of a North Korean civilian satellite, trying not to give in to others in the international campaign against the DPRK to introduce "sanctions". As a consequence, the already difficult work on keeping cooperation between civil society organizations has completely stopped.
In such an extremely severe situation, the work at the Kaesong industrial park has continued, which is called the "priceless son on June 15." But the South Korean authorities, angrily repeat that it serves the North, according to them, "the source of making money," daring to touch the dignity of North Korea. She is even ranting about the "hostage rescue measures" intended to deploy in this peaceful Special Economic Zone (SEZ) American Special Forces troops, to turn it into a hotbed of war. Thus, the industrial park in Kaesong has been facing a crisis of complete closure.
Inter-Korean relations of the past years show that the support and implementation of the two parts of Korea of the June 15 Joint Declaration, will lead to reconciliation and consolidation, and consolidation of peace and the attempts of their denial and revocation entail mistrust and confrontation, and ultimately will lead to war.
The endorsement of the June 15 Joint Declaration means unification and its negation - war. Anyone deep in their hearts knows this truth.
Kim Jong-Un in this year's New Year's address already outlined principles for the elimination of the state of confrontation between North and South Korea, and respect for and implementation of inter-Korean joint declarations on issues of unification on an independent basis on the united efforts of the Korean nation.
Having fully strengthened the DPRK military deterrent force, he laid the foundation and guarantee for the peaceful reunification of the country.
Now Korean compatriots lead a nationwide struggle for the defence of the June 15 Joint Declaration, and the return to the era of peace, unification and prosperity. The South Korean population in condemning the rulers who have driven inter-Korean relations to a standstill, are raising their voices, demanding the preservation of the spirit of the 15 June Joint Declaration and of consistent putting it into practice.
The current government of South Korea declare the establishment of trust between the North and the South, but if they genuinely want an atmosphere on trust on the Korean peninsula, they first have to prove in practice their commitment to the implementation of the inter-Korean joint declarations.
Our party the AUCPB sincerely wishes the Koreans as soon as possible to achieve unification of the nation under the banner of the June 15 Joint North-South Declaration, and to ensure lasting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
AUCPB
calendar>>July 26. 2013 Juche 102
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National Meeting Marks 60th Anniversary of Victory in Fatherland Liberation War
Pyongyang, July 26 (KCNA) -- A grand national meeting was held at May Day Stadium Friday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War.
Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, appeared at the tribune of honor of the meeting place.
Taking the tribune of honor were senior officials of the party, the state and the army including Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju and Choe Ryong Hae, Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party, and officials of the party and armed forces organs.
Seen there were Li Yuanchao, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and vice-president of the People's Republic of China, Abdullah al-Ahmar, deputy general secretary of the Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party, Guy Scott, vice-president of the Republic of Zambia, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekand, vice-president of the Republic of Uganda, and heads of foreign delegations.
Also seen there were Hong In Hum, chairman of the Central Audit Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, Choe Un Bok, chairperson of the General Association of Koreans in China, and Kim Kang Hui, head of the lecturers group of veterans of the Chinese People's Volunteers.
Present at the meeting were delegates of war veterans, officials of the party, armed forces and power organs, social organizations, ministries and national institutions, bereaved families of fallen fighters, service personnel of the KPA and the Korean People's Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, art and literature, public health and media, merited persons, Pyongyangites, delegations of overseas compatriots, compatriots abroad and chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.
Present on invitation there were diplomatic envoys of various countries, representatives of international organizations and members of the military attaches corps here, delegations and delegates of various countries staying here to participate in events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the victory in the war and other foreign guests.
KPA Vice Marshal Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, declared the meeting open.
Kim Yong Nam, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, made a report at the meeting.
He said:
The U.S. imperialists ignited the Korean war on June 25, 1950 to realize their wild ambition to dominate Asia and the rest of the world with the Korean Peninsula as its springboard. They hurled into the war even troops of its satellite countries by abusing the UN flag, and applied all sorts of the most brutal war methods and means including the threat of A-bombs.
The army and people of the DPRK defeated the invaders of 16 countries including the U.S. and the south Korean puppet forces in the war.
The historic victory in the war was the victory of the Juche-oriented military idea and outstanding strategy and tactics of President Kim Il Sung and one of the indomitable mental power of the army and people of the DPRK as they heroically fought, united close around the party and the leader.
The U.S. imperialists sustained a heavy defeat for the first time in their more than 100-year-long history of wars of aggression in the three-year-long Korean war and signed an instrument of surrender.
The DPRK, which beat back U.S. imperialism, was widely known as a country of heroes and its army and people earned worldwide fame as a heroic army and people.
During the war the party and government of China sent volunteers organized by its fine sons and daughters under the banner of resisting America and aiding Korea, safeguarding the home and defending the motherland even under the difficult situation where they just won victory in the people's revolution. They helped the Korean people in their just struggle at the cost of blood.
The internationalist example set by the Chinese People's Volunteers in the war recorded a shining page in the history of the DPRK-China friendship and the Korean party and people will always remember this.
The army and people of the DPRK greeted a new era of history in which they are successfully carrying forward the history and tradition of sure victory which started in Mt. Paektu and reliably steering the human cause of independence, thanks to Kim Jong Un, the reporter noted, and went on:
We should hold the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the eternal leaders of our party and people and the sun of Juche for all ages and firmly uphold and eternally glorify the undying feats Kim Il Sung performed by winning a victory in the war and the Songun revolutionary feats of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
The army and people of the DPRK will continue dynamically advancing for peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia and the rest of the world together with the progressive people who aspire after justice and value conscience.
Only July 27 of victory will be in store for the DPRK as the undying feats Kim Il Sung performed by winning the victory in the war and the Songun revolutionary exploits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are shedding their rays and there are the invincible Paektusan army and the great unity of the army and people wisely led by Marshal Kim Jong Un.
Similar meetings took place in provinces, cities (districts), counties and industrial complexes to mark the anniversary.
Copyright (C) KOREA NEWS SERVICE(KNS) All Rights Reserved.
AUCPB page
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Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba
AUTHORITIES from the Republic of Panama have announced the detention in the Port of Colón of the Chong Chon Gang cargo boat, flying the flag of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which arrived from Cuba.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the abovementioned boat sailed from a Cuban port, bound for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with a cargo mostly consisting of 10,000 tons of sugar.
Additionally, the ship was transporting 240 metric tons of obsolete defensive armaments – two Volga and Pechora antiaircraft rocket launcher complexes, nine rockets in parts and spares, two MiG-21bis and 15 engines for this type of aircraft, all manufactured in the mid-90s – to be repaired and returned to our country.
Agreements signed by Cuba in this sphere are based on the need to maintain our defense capacity in order to preserve national sovereignty.
The Republic of Cuba reiterates its firm and irrevocable commitment to peace, disarmament – including nuclear disarmament – and respect for international law.
Havana, July 16, 2013
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A look at Cuba’s model of wellbeing
Dr. Patricia Arés Muzio
ON many occasions, I have asked my students what might be the principal reasons to support for saying that it’s good to live in Cuba. The majority of the responses refer to universal health care, education, social security. These are precisely the pillars of our socialist model, but they constitute, for many young people, common realities of our daily lives, thus becoming altogether customary, frozen in the popular discourse, practically irrelevant as a result of constant repetition.
I would go so far as to say that there is a Cuban model of wellbeing that has been incorporated with such uncritical familiarity that it has become invisible to us, paradoxically more often noted by those who are no longer here, after having lost it, or by visitors who live in other realities in their countries of origin. In daily life in Cuba, most conversation is generally about the difficulties, above all those of an economic nature. Very rarely is there talk of our assets or strengths.
Some of my professional experiences have led me to think a great deal about our socialism, seen as an alternative culture and civilization. When, as psychologists and other specialists, we were involved in the process of securing the return of Elián González [2000], this issue emerged as a significant one.
More recently, ideas about Cuba’s model of wellbeing have reemerged in my practice as I have conversed with older Cubans who have returned to the island; with children who, as a result of their parents’ decisions, must leave to reside in another country, and young people who have returned from Spain after having experienced being thrown onto the streets there, without money to pay their rent.
I recall that when Elián was in the United States, his grandfather Juanito told him over the phone how he was making a chivichana (an improvised box-car on skate wheels) for the boy to have upon his return. The next day, Elián’s Miami relatives appeared on our television screens giving Elían a life-like remote control car. When his father told Elían his dog missed him, the next day the boy appeared with a Labrador puppy. If he said he had bought Elían a little Elpidio Valdés book, the next day there was Elián dressed up as Batman. Nevertheless, his family’s affection, the love of those waiting for him here, the solidarity of his young classmates and teachers, were more powerful than all the material things in the world.
Conversing recently with an older man who made the decision not to return to the United States after living there for 19 years, he told me, "It’s true, Doctor, you can live more comfortably there, but that's not all there is to life. Over there, you’re nobody, you don’t exist for anyone."
He told me he spent long hours alone in the house, waiting for his children and grandchildren to return from work or school. He was left imprisoned because they told him not to go out, since, according to them, he was too old and they wouldn’t let him drive. The neighborhood, he said, looked like a deserted model town, he hardly saw anyone at all, and no one would take the time for a conversation.
On a visit to see a daughter living in Cuba, he decided to stay. He told me he was exercising in the park, playing dominoes in the afternoons, helping his grandson and two little friends with their homework. He had found some mates from the "old guard" and with money sent from the States, he helped his family here and had enough to cover his expenses. Here are his very words, "Some acquaintances told me I was coming back to hell, but in reality, Doctor, I feel like I’m in heaven." Clearly the lifestyle he is now living is not heaven, but it does offer greater wellbeing.
One day, a young boy was brought to see me, the son of two diplomats, who was on vacation here. He didn’t want to return with his parents to the mission where they were working. He was rebelling, on strike, saying that they should leave him here with his grandmother, that he didn’t want to leave, didn’t like being there. When I asked the parents about the boy's life abroad, they explained that he lived locked up, for reasons of security, and hardly had any friends to play with after school. His cousins, who he adored, weren't there. Since he had been back in Cuba, he was as free as a bird, his parents said, going to the corner park with his neighborhood friends, going out with his cousins, playing baseball and football in the street. He spent the day surrounded by his grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors. During my interview with the boy, he told me that his cousins said he was a fool for wanting to stay in Cuba, passing up the opportunity to live in another country. He said, "When I'm here, I really miss the pizza with pepperoni, but I would trade a million pizzas to stay and live right now in Cuba."
A young man who had returned from Spain told me that he had been left without work and, of course, didn't have the money to pay his rent. The landlady gave him three months to come up with it and when he couldn't, he was evicted onto the street. But the saddest thing was that no one, none of his friends lent him a hand, saying that given the economic crisis, "he would have to figure something out as best he could." He was obliged to return to his parents’ home in Cuba, since his only other option was sleeping in the subway. "In the end, it’s your own people who are willing to take you in," he affirmed.
I've been thinking about this testimony which could very well serve many young people who see nothing good whatsoever about living in Cuba, who only imagine a better life abroad, overvaluing life there as successful, with great opportunities.
I ask myself: What do we have here that is lacking in other places? What did the diplomats' boy, the older man and the young one who returned from Spain, discover during their time abroad, that those of us living here don't see?
Does the lifestyle offered by contemporary capitalist societies truly constitute a model of wellbeing, despite being sold in the mass media as the promised dream of progress? Are we talking about the good life or living well? Of a life full of things or a full life? Is it necessarily economic and technological development which guarantees personal and social wellbeing?
I will attempt a synthesis of these professional experiences to shed light on what I believe are some of the fundamental elements of Cuba’s model of wellbeing.
FIRST PLACE: THE FEELING OF INCLUSION, OF NOT LIVING ANONYMOUSLY
This is an issue of profound spiritual and ethical connotations. When you arrive in a Cuban neighborhood and ask for someone, generally you are told, "He lives in that house."
All Cubans have a name and a life story because we all belong someplace, be it a family, school, community or workplace, and have social participation. We have all assumed responsibilities during our lives, attended neighborhood meetings, visited the family clinic, voted in the same locale, bought our food at the same markets or had the same person pick them up for us. Surely, at some point, we've all said, "The same faces everyday..." but that is precisely where a vital element of great solidarity and humanism resides.
Social anonymity - which the grandfather I interviewed described when he said "You don't exist" - is far removed from the way we live in Cuba. It is the experience of living without a place of your own, without being recognized or noticed. The opposite is not necessarily a physical place, but rather a symbolic one where there is belonging and participation, a place that gives meaning to life. Living 'nowhere' is feeling isolated, alone, strange and this is one of the problems the world currently faces. Even places where many people co-exist are no longer meeting places, but rather true nowheres. It is incredible that in a subway where hundreds of people see each other everyday, few say a single word, most showing more interest in their technological media than in human interaction.
Other non-places are airports and malls, cathedrals to consumerism. Many people around you and absolutely no contact. If you fall, people hesitate to help you up, since so many laws exist to supposedly protect people, from an individualistic point of view. People are afraid of being charged with sexual harassment if they touch you. Non-contact and indifference are legislated.
Today, the social reality in other countries has left people more excluded than included. Given the existence of social inequality as a consequence of Cuba’s current economic reality, our policies promote social inclusion in an effort to overcome differences of gender, ethnic origin, physical ability and sexual orientation. Cuba, as a social system, is attempting to construct a world in which we all belong and in which spontaneous human reciprocity is promoted by the very conditions of life. In other geographical locations on the neoliberal world map, people are divided by class, interpersonal relations are eroded by a variety of differences and some are separated from others by invisible borders, which damage cohesiveness and participation.
DIVERSE AREAS OF SOCIALIZATION
Areas of socialization are important in life, social structures are a resource and support for everyone, given that it is within them that people can develop their full potential. Currently, families live in isolation in many parts of the world, and the higher the standard of living, the greater their cloistered lifestyle. Nobody knows their neighbors, who is who; within the home members do not have much interaction, given that the technological invasion is such that a father can be chatting with a colleague in Japan and not have the least idea what is happening with his son in the adjoining room. Studies in various countries have revealed that the daily average of direct conversation between parents and children (particularly fathers) does not exceed 15 minutes.
One of the major impacts of the current hegemonic capitalist model is lack of family time or other community areas; during the week the family as a group does "not exist." Long and intensive working days, multi-occupations in order to meet ever-growing consumer demands have banished former family rituals and traditions. Psychologists and sociologists have stated that the greatest impact of this reality is infant isolation and the absence of links with older adults. Many middle or upper class children arrive home from school without seeing an adult face until late in the evening, or have a child minder who provides food but who cannot supplant the affection and attention of parents.
Technology has appeared as an antidote to solitariness, but lacking restrictions imposed by adults, this can lead to an addiction to video games, increase violence and stimulate early eroticism. Access to public places, streets and parks as meeting places are infrequently available for children and adolescents, given the lack of citizens’ security. Space and time universes in the urban network directed toward youth are perceived by adults as places of threat and danger rather than places for recreation and the construction of social ties. In Cuba, parks and plazas continue being areas of socialization for different generations.
Cuban families are interwoven within social networks of interchange, with neighbors, organizations, schools, relations, and including the émigré community. Characteristic of the Cuban way of life are socialization areas, or a social network in which nobody is excluded or unnamed. I would say that, in addition to the family as home, the basic nucleus of Cuban society is the social and neighborly interchange network, which represents one of the major and invisible strengths of the Cuban model of wellbeing. It is here where the greatest success of the social process is located, taking the form of social solidarity, social containment, constant social interchange. This capital is only perceptible to those who lose it or embark on a different lifestyle outside of the country.
In spite of unresolved economic difficulties and problems, the family exists in Cuba. Family life becomes intensive after the school or college day, when children and students begin their family-community life. Family life in Cuba does not take place behind closed doors. Those doors are also frequently opened to fumigators, neighbors, family nurses, grassroots leaders or self-employed vendors. People have to leave their homes daily, to go to the store or collect food items from a neighbor, dispose of the garbage, visit the pharmacy, fetch the children from school. Family life in Cuba is multi-generational, persons from all age groups interact and older adults do not live in senior citizens’ homes, their real place in general being the community.
SOCIAL SOLIDARITY AS OPPOSED TO INDIVIDUALISM
In the present day international arena, individual wellbeing is given greater importance than social wellbeing. The predominant economic development model places people before the desire to live "better" (at times to the cost of the rest) and above collective wellbeing. The discourse is, "I’m not doing anyone any harm, I don’t want anyone interfering in my life, I like it, it’s good for me, it’s my body, my life, my space," and electing a conduct which will maximize their benefits and income. "We" has been replaced by "I." Egoistic conduct in the present hegemonic world is identified and praised as "instrumental rationality," when in real terms what this rationality conceals is great social insensibility.
Social solidarity exists in Cuba, although we are currently living in a kind of parallelism between solidarity conduct and the insensibility of certain persons. The socialization of transport, or the botella (hitching a ride), for example; plus making neighbors part of one’s family, sharing neighborhood private telephone lines, passing on school uniforms and certain medicines, offering one’s house as a temporary classroom in the wake of a hurricane, are all examples of cooperative interchange. A young girl studying at the Lenin Senior High (a weekly boarding school) told me that her group of friends equitably shared out everything they brought from home and thus all ate the same, independently of whether some brought more and others, next to nothing. The most important aspect was friendship and sisterhood. This was a generalized practice.
CREATIVITY AND COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
In Cuba, in addition to conversing and having multiple social interchanges, we have the luxury of serious discussions with a number of people. Everyone knows something about something, everyone can express an opinion or have good ideas. Cubans have a political culture, a sports culture, and others are well informed about art. We have an accumulated cultural capital, part of our social heritage and invisible wellbeing. We are not an ignorant people, given the educational levels attained. Cuban men and women are impressive in their capacity to converse, express ideas and beliefs. One of my major problems as a clinical psychologist attending to patients is that time flies, because we are used to conversing. Some people bring me a written list so as not to forget something they want to say. We are used to giving ourselves time and this has become a luxury in an age when nobody has spare time, where the hurried syndrome is apparent.
During visits to give lectures in Latin American countries or in family study classes I have taken there, students express a family-social reality which leaves me perplexed, on account of the burden of accumulated social problems which cut across social class. From what I hear, I have realized that we are light years apart, because the issue is not an economic one, but one derived from ignorance; accumulated mental poverty; social stigmas; class, gender and race prejudices; violence against women; magical solutions to problems which lack any scientific basis; child sex abuse; polygamy; genetic defects resulting from irresponsible sexuality or incestuous relationships; all of these are daily problems. They are problems associated with social neglect, the absence of social prevention programs. What is daily life for them is the exception for Cubans.
As a professor, I feel that our population is educated and developed and we live that almost without realizing it. Although the quotidian may seem insignificant, it is the great backdrop of history. Young émigrés usually become aware of a very distinct social reality with which they have to do battle.
HOW TO PROMOTE THE CUBAN MODEL OF WELLBEING?
The objectives of Cuba’s new economic model include increasing productivity. The major challenge of this model is to strengthen our proposal for wellbeing, which represents an alternative to the dominant anti-model, a concept shared and reiterated by virtually all indigenous peoples on the continent and in the world. This concept comes from a long tradition within diverse religious manifestations.
All of these visions, including the Cuban one, is that the global objective of development is not constantly having more, but being more; not amassing more wealth, but more humanity. It is expressed in terms of living well instead of better, which implies solidarity among all, reciprocal practices and the desire to attain or restore environmental balance and at the same time improve the living conditions of the population. However, improvements in living conditions are not going to resolve the problems of a social nature we have accumulated. The economic dimension cannot be isolated from the social, cultural, historical and political dimensions, which endow development with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary context, in order to recover the sense of wellbeing and decorous living as a fundamental objective.
One does not have to be a social scientist to notice that, apart from living conditions, there are many families in Cuba who, more than material poverty, are mired in spiritual poverty. Some families suffer from mental poverty expressed in life strategies distanced from the most elemental decent conduct, in consumer habits removed from the country’s realities, close to having surplus objects, removed from shared wellbeing in their aspirations. This is the source of the culture of banality and frivolity reflected in the current hegemonic model.
The accumulation of material problems arising from the acute economic crisis of the 1990’s has substantially deteriorated values at the social level. Values are not principles, but must be accompanied by behavior to avoid them losing their effectiveness. If practices contradict principles, then we are facing a crisis of values.
Cuba is not removed from the hegemonic influences of the current unipolar and supposedly global world. We must continue trying to build an alternative model of wellbeing, despite all the influences which generate the colonization of subjectivity; one of inclusion, despite the modulating effect of our social policies. Ideals are valueless in the market, only consumer capacity. Non-consumers become "unrecognized" human beings, excluded from any kind of social recognition.
In the present-day world, there is an over-saturation of information, some of which is very good, but a large volume which is plagued by mediocrity and superficiality. The media of the current hegemonic model foment banality with the aim of selling more. We are crammed with entertainment, soap operas, series and violent movies which possess incredible enchantment because they entrap, but we run the risk of being drawn into idleness and addiction (to drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity, easy money, games of chance, video games).
When the Nobel Peace prize winner Gandhi pointed to the seven capital sins of contemporary society he was precisely referring to the global context in which we are immersed: riches without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without utility, commerce without morality, science without humility, adoration without sacrifice and politics without principles.
In general terms, publicity and the market associate wellbeing with pleasure, with being successful, having status.
It is a fact that if we do not have a strong culture, the tendency to think that wellbeing lies in having and letting ourselves be ensnared by consumerism grows like a weed. We are subjecting ourselves to ignorance. The ethic of being requires a moral foundation, training, family education, an education of greater magnitude in general, and that is what we have to promote as a society.
FOMENTING SOCIAL SOLIDARITY
With the strengthening of self-employment in Cuba, the community signifies a vital area for many families. Family-community-organizations-work are fortified in their links. However, new social landscapes constitute an excellent opportunity for strengthening community life, in addition to promoting work to the benefit of shared wellbeing. Cuba contributes the difference in the context of solidarity and the social responsibility we have incorporated.
It is necessary to promote a culture of solidarity and social responsibility which will serve as an antidote to the penetration of the culture of the market. It is important that people maintain their solidarity ethics, that the collective project does not fragment.
FORTIFYING COMMUNITY AREAS
Families and the community have increased in importance in Cuba as scenes of life. When visitors observe the community way of life here, they sometimes comment that life in their country used to be like that, but for more than a decade now, people have been living behind closed doors. And houses are empty during a large part of the day. In the main, this is due to the emergence of new technologies, ever-increasing hours of work, more frequent changes of job and home, ever-growing and more densely populated cities. The exacerbated growth of individualism is making it increasingly difficult to have a sense of community. Community has been reduced to the minimal family nucleus, and in these circumstances it is very easy to fall into isolation, which brings with it loneliness and depression, creating an extensive social collapse, with results as drastic as increased violence, drug abuse and mental illness.
When people of all ages, social and cultural groups feel a sense of belonging to a community, they tend to be happier and healthier and create stronger, more stable and cooperative social networks. A strong community contributes many benefits, both individual and to the group as a whole, thus helping to create a better society in general. The great challenge is not to close the doors, not to lose sensitivity toward others, the neighborhood and the environment, to continue being concerned for the common good.
Different forms of insertion in the economy have not noticeably deteriorated the existing social tissue, Cuban society is not a stratified one of social class, but woven together in family, neighbor and social networks, maintaining an ethic of solidarity.
One important aspiration is to find innovative solutions within the community for many existing social problems, fundamentally based on the concept of the community empowering such solutions. For this, greater community dynamism is needed at the local level.
It is important to maintain citizens’ involvement in social life, to preserve caring for these areas, respecting senior citizens, children, women, people with disabilities and above all, maintaining a sense of social responsibility in educating younger generations.
Taking into account all these aspects, I believe we have a great social responsibility to uphold the Cuban model of wellbeing, that the country has unprecedented conditions for marking the difference, which is precisely by continuing to resist the colonization of culture and subjectivity, and that the great challenge is to continue proposing other models of human beings and collectivity which genuinely lead to the paths of true humanization.
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FARC statement on the capture of U.S. soldier Kevin Scott Sutay
Statement by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) |
July 24, 2013
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Revolutionarily Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Communiqué: Captured North-American soldier Kevin Scott Sutay
The Secretariat of the Central High Command of the FARC-EP informs to the national and international public opinion that on June 20, 2013 in the municipality Retorno, Guaviare, was captured the American soldier Kevin Scott Sutay, born in the city of New York, according to the passport no. 488667176, issued on February 3, 2012, he had with him when he was detained by guerrilla units.
The aforementioned U.S. citizen claims to have been a member of the U.S. Navy since November 17, 2009 until March 22, 2013 and by his own account he was involved in the war in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2011 where he served as anti-explosives expert, specialist in demining, as part of the company 541 ST of the 54 TN engineering battalion.
His entry into Colombia was on June 8, 2013, following the route Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Bogota, San Jose del Guaviare, headquarters of the Barrancón military base, known from long ago because of its U.S. military presence.
The capture of soldier Kevin shows the active participation in the field of U.S. mercenaries in military and counter-insurgency operations in which they appear under the euphemism of contractors, a privatized form of imperial intervention forces, typical of the era of capitalist globalization, which allows them to exploit another side of the business of war, with less political cost for their campaigns of aggression and predation against the people.
Criminal business, of which President Santos, his defense minister and generals, would like to be part, announcing from the rooftops the signing of a cooperation agreement with the NATO, which positions Colombia as a provider of such mercenary forces available for intervention plans and imperial looting in every corner of the planet.
In spite of the right that assists us to keep the soldier Kevin Scott as a prisoner of war, we have taken the political decision to release him as a gesture that is part of the atmosphere of the peace talks being held in Havana with the Colombian government, to come to an agreement to end the social and armed conflict in our country.
To this end we request the integration of a humanitarian commission headed by Senator Piedad Cordoba, a delegate of the community of Saint Egidio and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Colombian jungle, July 19, 2013.
Central Secretariat of the FARC-EP.
Fight Back News Service
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Between Heaven and Hell
- Declaration of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia- People’s Army (FARC-EP), June 7, 2013 –
The dialogues in Havana are in limbo because of the man who wants to go down in history as the president who made peace in Colombia.
Echoes of the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s just protest over [President Juan Manuel] Santos receiving the opposition leader Capriles in Nariño Palace are reverberating loudly.
Not a few believe that the visit to Bogota of Joe Biden, Vice President of the United States, was the origin of Santos’ outburst. And they link it to a plan of Washington headed up by a Trojan horse named the “Pacific Alliance” which, managed by Washington, aims to destabilize and derail popular governments like those of Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and Uruguay, among others. What would prompt Santos to announce Colombia’s fanciful entry into NATO? To threaten Venezuela, Brazil?
Don’t believe those who attribute the president’s behaviour to ingenuousness, because Santos is no fool. As a statesman he is obliged to measure the effect of his actions.
Juan Manuel Santos knew his provocation against the legitimate government of Venezuela would go off like a firecracker on the dialogue table in Havana, because the issue of Venezuela, the companion and facilitator of the process, is a very sensitive one to the FARC, who see the Venezuelans as the main generators of confidence, and consequently, the main drivers of the peace process.
For all these reasons and because it comes precisely when the enthusiasm for peace planted its flag on the Everest of Colombians’ reconciliation, encouraged by the partial agreement on the land issue — the heart of the conflict, Santos’ invitation to Capriles has been so perplexing. The attitude of Santos deflated the optimism, the atmosphere conducive to peace that had been built with such effort in Havana. It all boils down to the fact that were it not for Venezuela the peace talks in the Cuban capital would not be taking place.
It is contradictory, abysmally contradictory, to aspire to go down in history as the president who made peace, while at the same time launching a string of attacks against peace. The cold blooded murder of Alfonso Cano, the commander and champion of reconciliation, is now an indelible stain. On the other hand no one can understand why the government rejects the necessary bilateral ceasefire proposed by the FARC since the beginning of the talks, if what we are dealing with is stopping the war. During the last six months the Minister of Defence has acted like a sectarian sniper against the process, giving the impression that there is no unity of purpose on the part of the government. And even the President himself does not miss an opportunity to discredit his counterparts with unfounded accusations and threats to break off [the dialogues].
There are other elements as well affecting the dialogue and the construction of an agreement like the government’s annoying cracking of the whip over time and rhythm. What is the rush? To precipitate a bad deal, a botched peace? The progression of such a momentous agreement should not be interfered with either by the timing of an election or legislative deadlines. Parallel with the sessions at the table someone is orchestrating a media campaign from on high, spreading with a certain perfidy the notion of the guerrilla as victimizer on one side and on the other, the State as an angel, fluttering innocently with no historical responsibility for the institutional violence and terrorism.
A government that really wants peace is not always drawing the red lines of its intransigence, of its non-negotiables, but rather acts with magnanimity to facilitate understanding. Where is the goodwill, where the good judgment? What can be seen here is a big inconsistency. And also great stinginess when one’s defence is based on stubborn arguments [and] outrageous privileges. These attitudes contribute little to building an atmosphere of peace. So what are the dialogues for?
Understand that this is not a process of submission, but of peacebuilding. It is not about incorporating the insurgency into the current political system, as it is, without any changes to favour the excluded majorities. Then what would the fight have been for? The best epilogue of this war must be sealed with structural changes of a political, economic and social nature that will give rise to overcoming poverty and inequality.
We must defend this peace process, this hope. After decades of military confrontation we should combine our wills resolutely, everyone, the government, the FARC guerrillas and the social and political organizations of the country, to reach the yearned for reconciliation with social justice. What do Uribe and FEDEGAN [Colombian Cattlemen's Federation] matter if we are resolved to achieve peace.
Secretariat of the General Staff of the FARC-EP
Mountains of Colombia, June 7, 2013
Source
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50 YEARS SINCE OF FIDEL CASTRO'S VISIT TO THE USSR
On July 18, 2013 in Moscow, a Conference was held devoted to the 50th anniversary since the first visit by Fidel Castro to the USSR. The conference was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba in the Russian Federation, the young members of the National Assembly of People's Power, the leaders of the Union of Young Communists and the Federation of University Students, members of the Federation of Cuban Women, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Moscow City Duma, the Moscow Mayor's Office, and other organizations.
In his welcoming speech addressed to those present, the Ambassador of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba in the Russian Federation Emilio Garcia Ratmir Lozada said, "Today we remember the historical event that was not only the birth of friendly relations between Cuba and the Soviet Union, but also opened a new page in relations between Russia and Latin America. It is through Cuba and our Comandante Fidel Castro that the knowledge of Russia came to the countries of the Latin American continent, "- said Emilio Garcia Lozada.
During the six weeks of his visit Fidel Castro visited the cities of Severodvinsk to Samarkand, to get familiar with all areas of Soviet life, from the strategic nuclear forces to the shops in an ordinary mining town. The main thing is that he saw firsthand the lives of ordinary Soviet people. The Soviet Union produced a lasting impression on Fidel Castro.
The conference discussed the prospects of cooperation between Cuba and Russia. It was noted that after 50 years of Russian-Cuban relations, they continue to be an example of a strong and fruitful international cooperation. Cuba continues to be a major partner of Russia in the Western Hemisphere. One of the key themes of the conference was to discuss the trial of the five Cuban patriots condemned by the U.S. to long prison terms.
The speakers expressed their confidence in the unbreakable friendship of Cuban and Russian peoples, preserving and strengthening their mutual affection, supported by practical deeds. As said, by the Cuban ambassador: "We would like our relations to be fruitful for the new generation of Cuban youth, as the ten young people that are visiting these days in Russia, became followers of the ideas that are bequeathed Fidel Castro who visited the Soviet Union 50 years ago . "
At the conclusion of the plenary session, a slide show and documentary films were shown dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's visit to the USSR and the heroism of Cuban soldiers in the Red Army during the Great Patriotic War.
S.V.Khristenko
Photos
source
June 22, 2013 marked 72 years since treacherous Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union and the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet people under the leadership of the CPSU (b) and J.V. Stalin.
On this day in the city of Krasnodar at the "Fire of Eternal Glory" a rally and wreath-laying ceremony was held by activists of the AUCPB, the Kuban Union of Soviet officers, the CPSU, the RCWP and CPRF.
The Bolsheviks unfurled their party symbols, red flags and distributed leaflets and newspapers.
Krasnodar Regional Committee of the AUCPB
In the city of Pyatigorsk, on June 22, on the memorial Day of the 72-nd anniversary since treacherous Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union, the Bolsheviks held a commemorative event on Lenin Square. Flowers and two baskets of flowers with a scarlet ribbon with the inscription: "Fallen for Our Soviet Motherland!" were laid by the Fire of Eternal Glory. Campaign materials were distributed.
After laying flowers, the Bolsheviks held a meeting dedicated to the 72th anniversary of the treacherous Nazi Germany invasion of the Soviet Union.
Pyatigorsk Town Committee of the AUCPB
AUCPB-Minsk: A memorial watch on the western borders of the USSR at the walls of the Brest Fortress
Commemorative events in Brest fortress, dedicated to the tragic date in the history of our country - the beginning of the Great Patriotic War and the heroic defenders of the fortress, are traditionally held on the night of 21 to 22 June. On these days, many guests come from all over the former Soviet Union to Brest: they include war veterans, participants in the defensive battles in June 1941 on the territory of Belarus, and representatives of patriotic youth organizations.
Traditionally, on the Ceremonial Square of the fortress at 4 pm, a meeting was held where veterans made speeches and after that lowered wreaths into the water of Western Bug and laid flowers at the Everlasting Flame. After that, a military-historical re-enactment of the first morning of the war took place, in the form of an impromptu battle at dawn by the Northern Gates, at the Kobrin fortification next to caponier Petre Gavrilov.
AUCPB activists at Kholmsky Gates of the Brest Fortress.
June 22, 5:00 am
The event was attended by Belarusian Bolsheviks. Our paraphernalia was particularly popular. Many boys and girls asked if they could have the opportunity to hold Soviet flags and be photographed next to Bolshevik symbols. When members of commemorative events walked along in a long, narrow column by 5am five in the morning moved towards the battle site, the young people were given the opportunity to carry our Soviet attributes and it looked a pretty impressive procession, which was captured by correspondents and simply those who came along with the camera.
AUCPB activists in the process of these commemorative events distributed leaflets "The Great Patriotic War: Myth and Truth", "Battle for the Victory continues," and others, as well as the Bolshevik newspapers "Vperyod" and "Hammer and Sickle".
In Chelyabinsk, on June 22, commemorative events were held, which were attended by activists of the AUCPB. By the Everlasting Flame, flowers were laid, and newspapers and leaflets were distributed.
Eternal Glory and Memory to the fallen in the battles for our Soviet Motherland!
Nobody is forgotten, nothing is forgotten!
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THE ECHO OF JUNE 15
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
On June 15, 2000 in Pyongyang, the "June 15 North-South Joint Declaration" was adopted.
13 years ago, in June 2000, Pyongyang - the capital of the DPRK, a historic event took place. For the first time in the 55-year history of the division of the Korean nation, an inter-Korean summit was held at the highest level and the historical "June 15 North-South Joint Declaration" was published, the major aspect of which is the independent and peaceful solution to the issue of Korean unification.
The North and South of Korea in the Joint Declaration agreed on ways to unify and agreed on the need for close cooperation in order to transform inter-Korean relations into a relationship of mutual respect and trust, and to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Once the declaration was published, it was met with warm approval and support from the wider international community, not to mention all the Koreans. In carrying out the great cause of unification of the Korean nation, extraordinary changes on the Korean Peninsula took place that opened a new era that could never have been imagined in the past.
Inter-Korean dialogue and negotiations in different spheres of life were conducted - political, economic, cultural, military and others, with encouraging results obtained for the purpose of reconciliation and unity, cooperation and exchange. Events held in the past separately in North and South Korea under the theme of "unity", a lot of waiting and attention throughout the nation and in a solemn ceremony were held in Pyongyang, Seoul and the Kumgang mountains as a great festival of national unification with the participation of representatives of the North, South Korea and abroad. Compatriots of the North and the South, mutually visiting Pyongyang and Seoul, carried out various activities - demonstrations of traditional masters of the national martial art taekwondo, sports competitions, joint artistic presentation. Meeting of historians on both sides took place to organize a joint exhibition and seminar of materials, joint photo exhibitions, etc. In September 2000, at the opening of the Sydney Olympic Games, athletes of North and South Korea took to the field of games under the banner of a unified Korea, which greatly touched the hearts of people around the world. This reality, showing the desire of the Korean nation to unite the country, and was present at the XIV Asian Games (in September 2002) and the Olympic Games in Athens (August 2004), and at the XV Asian Games (December 2006).
An air and sea route as well as a road were opened which had remained cut off for more than half a century, and numerous meetings of relatives of separated families of North and South Korea were held. Numerous groups of South Koreans visiting Pyongyang, watched the mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang", listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest show, made tourist trips to Mount Paektu, Kumgang, Myohyang and other noteworthy places in North Korea.
That's not all. Large-scale work has been carried out on humanitarian cooperation between the North and the South in the city of Kaesong near the military demarcation line dividing Korea into North and South, in teh building of an industrial park that is shared by both sides of Korea, where more than a hundred North Korean and scores of South Korean companies operate, promoting the common development and prosperity of the nation.
In 2007, the October 4 Declaration was adopted as a practical program of the Joint Declaration of June 15, and thus opened a bright prospect on the way towards the unification of the Korean nation.
Striking changes in inter-Korean relations were brought about by the June 15 Joint Declaration, which confirmed the agreement of both parties on the implementation of the country's cause of unification and achieving common prosperity of the nation with the combined forces of the Korean nation. And such an unattainable reality Koreans in the past called "the era of unification on June 15."
However, the era of unification of June 15 began facing serious challenges, as soon as Lee Mung Bak was elected to the throne of the South Korean government.
Immediately after the Lee Myung Bak clique came to power, they completely rejected the June 15 Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration. They extensively prevented the normal process of cooperation between the North and the South, continuously committed war provocations, which led the inter-Korean relations towards confrontation. Mutual exchanges and cooperation between the two parts of Korea were almost stopped. Tourist trips to Mount Kumgang, considered a symbol of inter-Korean dialogue were completely suspended. Lee Myung-bak and his clique persistently pursued a policy of using foreign forces, a policy of confrontation between fellow countrymen that created the crisis in the Korean Peninsula situation fraught with the danger of war.
The aggravated relations between the two sides of Korea is experiencing a major crisis under the current regime of Park Geun Hye of South Korea. From the outset, the new government, standing on the side of the United States, found fault with the launch of a North Korean civilian satellite, trying not to give in to others in the international campaign against the DPRK to introduce "sanctions". As a consequence, the already difficult work on keeping cooperation between civil society organizations has completely stopped.
In such an extremely severe situation, the work at the Kaesong industrial park has continued, which is called the "priceless son on June 15." But the South Korean authorities, angrily repeat that it serves the North, according to them, "the source of making money," daring to touch the dignity of North Korea. She is even ranting about the "hostage rescue measures" intended to deploy in this peaceful Special Economic Zone (SEZ) American Special Forces troops, to turn it into a hotbed of war. Thus, the industrial park in Kaesong has been facing a crisis of complete closure.
Inter-Korean relations of the past years show that the support and implementation of the two parts of Korea of the June 15 Joint Declaration, will lead to reconciliation and consolidation, and consolidation of peace and the attempts of their denial and revocation entail mistrust and confrontation, and ultimately will lead to war.
The endorsement of the June 15 Joint Declaration means unification and its negation - war. Anyone deep in their hearts knows this truth.
Kim Jong-Un in this year's New Year's address already outlined principles for the elimination of the state of confrontation between North and South Korea, and respect for and implementation of inter-Korean joint declarations on issues of unification on an independent basis on the united efforts of the Korean nation.
Having fully strengthened the DPRK military deterrent force, he laid the foundation and guarantee for the peaceful reunification of the country.
Now Korean compatriots lead a nationwide struggle for the defence of the June 15 Joint Declaration, and the return to the era of peace, unification and prosperity. The South Korean population in condemning the rulers who have driven inter-Korean relations to a standstill, are raising their voices, demanding the preservation of the spirit of the 15 June Joint Declaration and of consistent putting it into practice.
The current government of South Korea declare the establishment of trust between the North and the South, but if they genuinely want an atmosphere on trust on the Korean peninsula, they first have to prove in practice their commitment to the implementation of the inter-Korean joint declarations.
Our party the AUCPB sincerely wishes the Koreans as soon as possible to achieve unification of the nation under the banner of the June 15 Joint North-South Declaration, and to ensure lasting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
AUCPB
calendar>>July 26. 2013 Juche 102
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National Meeting Marks 60th Anniversary of Victory in Fatherland Liberation War
Pyongyang, July 26 (KCNA) -- A grand national meeting was held at May Day Stadium Friday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War.
Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, appeared at the tribune of honor of the meeting place.
Taking the tribune of honor were senior officials of the party, the state and the army including Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju and Choe Ryong Hae, Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party, and officials of the party and armed forces organs.
Seen there were Li Yuanchao, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and vice-president of the People's Republic of China, Abdullah al-Ahmar, deputy general secretary of the Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party, Guy Scott, vice-president of the Republic of Zambia, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekand, vice-president of the Republic of Uganda, and heads of foreign delegations.
Also seen there were Hong In Hum, chairman of the Central Audit Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, Choe Un Bok, chairperson of the General Association of Koreans in China, and Kim Kang Hui, head of the lecturers group of veterans of the Chinese People's Volunteers.
Present at the meeting were delegates of war veterans, officials of the party, armed forces and power organs, social organizations, ministries and national institutions, bereaved families of fallen fighters, service personnel of the KPA and the Korean People's Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, art and literature, public health and media, merited persons, Pyongyangites, delegations of overseas compatriots, compatriots abroad and chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.
Present on invitation there were diplomatic envoys of various countries, representatives of international organizations and members of the military attaches corps here, delegations and delegates of various countries staying here to participate in events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the victory in the war and other foreign guests.
KPA Vice Marshal Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, declared the meeting open.
Kim Yong Nam, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, made a report at the meeting.
He said:
The U.S. imperialists ignited the Korean war on June 25, 1950 to realize their wild ambition to dominate Asia and the rest of the world with the Korean Peninsula as its springboard. They hurled into the war even troops of its satellite countries by abusing the UN flag, and applied all sorts of the most brutal war methods and means including the threat of A-bombs.
The army and people of the DPRK defeated the invaders of 16 countries including the U.S. and the south Korean puppet forces in the war.
The historic victory in the war was the victory of the Juche-oriented military idea and outstanding strategy and tactics of President Kim Il Sung and one of the indomitable mental power of the army and people of the DPRK as they heroically fought, united close around the party and the leader.
The U.S. imperialists sustained a heavy defeat for the first time in their more than 100-year-long history of wars of aggression in the three-year-long Korean war and signed an instrument of surrender.
The DPRK, which beat back U.S. imperialism, was widely known as a country of heroes and its army and people earned worldwide fame as a heroic army and people.
During the war the party and government of China sent volunteers organized by its fine sons and daughters under the banner of resisting America and aiding Korea, safeguarding the home and defending the motherland even under the difficult situation where they just won victory in the people's revolution. They helped the Korean people in their just struggle at the cost of blood.
The internationalist example set by the Chinese People's Volunteers in the war recorded a shining page in the history of the DPRK-China friendship and the Korean party and people will always remember this.
The army and people of the DPRK greeted a new era of history in which they are successfully carrying forward the history and tradition of sure victory which started in Mt. Paektu and reliably steering the human cause of independence, thanks to Kim Jong Un, the reporter noted, and went on:
We should hold the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the eternal leaders of our party and people and the sun of Juche for all ages and firmly uphold and eternally glorify the undying feats Kim Il Sung performed by winning a victory in the war and the Songun revolutionary feats of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
The army and people of the DPRK will continue dynamically advancing for peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia and the rest of the world together with the progressive people who aspire after justice and value conscience.
Only July 27 of victory will be in store for the DPRK as the undying feats Kim Il Sung performed by winning the victory in the war and the Songun revolutionary exploits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are shedding their rays and there are the invincible Paektusan army and the great unity of the army and people wisely led by Marshal Kim Jong Un.
Similar meetings took place in provinces, cities (districts), counties and industrial complexes to mark the anniversary.
Copyright (C) KOREA NEWS SERVICE(KNS) All Rights Reserved.
AUCPB page
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Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba
AUTHORITIES from the Republic of Panama have announced the detention in the Port of Colón of the Chong Chon Gang cargo boat, flying the flag of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which arrived from Cuba.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the abovementioned boat sailed from a Cuban port, bound for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with a cargo mostly consisting of 10,000 tons of sugar.
Additionally, the ship was transporting 240 metric tons of obsolete defensive armaments – two Volga and Pechora antiaircraft rocket launcher complexes, nine rockets in parts and spares, two MiG-21bis and 15 engines for this type of aircraft, all manufactured in the mid-90s – to be repaired and returned to our country.
Agreements signed by Cuba in this sphere are based on the need to maintain our defense capacity in order to preserve national sovereignty.
The Republic of Cuba reiterates its firm and irrevocable commitment to peace, disarmament – including nuclear disarmament – and respect for international law.
Havana, July 16, 2013
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A look at Cuba’s model of wellbeing
Dr. Patricia Arés Muzio
ON many occasions, I have asked my students what might be the principal reasons to support for saying that it’s good to live in Cuba. The majority of the responses refer to universal health care, education, social security. These are precisely the pillars of our socialist model, but they constitute, for many young people, common realities of our daily lives, thus becoming altogether customary, frozen in the popular discourse, practically irrelevant as a result of constant repetition.
I would go so far as to say that there is a Cuban model of wellbeing that has been incorporated with such uncritical familiarity that it has become invisible to us, paradoxically more often noted by those who are no longer here, after having lost it, or by visitors who live in other realities in their countries of origin. In daily life in Cuba, most conversation is generally about the difficulties, above all those of an economic nature. Very rarely is there talk of our assets or strengths.
Some of my professional experiences have led me to think a great deal about our socialism, seen as an alternative culture and civilization. When, as psychologists and other specialists, we were involved in the process of securing the return of Elián González [2000], this issue emerged as a significant one.
More recently, ideas about Cuba’s model of wellbeing have reemerged in my practice as I have conversed with older Cubans who have returned to the island; with children who, as a result of their parents’ decisions, must leave to reside in another country, and young people who have returned from Spain after having experienced being thrown onto the streets there, without money to pay their rent.
I recall that when Elián was in the United States, his grandfather Juanito told him over the phone how he was making a chivichana (an improvised box-car on skate wheels) for the boy to have upon his return. The next day, Elián’s Miami relatives appeared on our television screens giving Elían a life-like remote control car. When his father told Elían his dog missed him, the next day the boy appeared with a Labrador puppy. If he said he had bought Elían a little Elpidio Valdés book, the next day there was Elián dressed up as Batman. Nevertheless, his family’s affection, the love of those waiting for him here, the solidarity of his young classmates and teachers, were more powerful than all the material things in the world.
Conversing recently with an older man who made the decision not to return to the United States after living there for 19 years, he told me, "It’s true, Doctor, you can live more comfortably there, but that's not all there is to life. Over there, you’re nobody, you don’t exist for anyone."
He told me he spent long hours alone in the house, waiting for his children and grandchildren to return from work or school. He was left imprisoned because they told him not to go out, since, according to them, he was too old and they wouldn’t let him drive. The neighborhood, he said, looked like a deserted model town, he hardly saw anyone at all, and no one would take the time for a conversation.
On a visit to see a daughter living in Cuba, he decided to stay. He told me he was exercising in the park, playing dominoes in the afternoons, helping his grandson and two little friends with their homework. He had found some mates from the "old guard" and with money sent from the States, he helped his family here and had enough to cover his expenses. Here are his very words, "Some acquaintances told me I was coming back to hell, but in reality, Doctor, I feel like I’m in heaven." Clearly the lifestyle he is now living is not heaven, but it does offer greater wellbeing.
One day, a young boy was brought to see me, the son of two diplomats, who was on vacation here. He didn’t want to return with his parents to the mission where they were working. He was rebelling, on strike, saying that they should leave him here with his grandmother, that he didn’t want to leave, didn’t like being there. When I asked the parents about the boy's life abroad, they explained that he lived locked up, for reasons of security, and hardly had any friends to play with after school. His cousins, who he adored, weren't there. Since he had been back in Cuba, he was as free as a bird, his parents said, going to the corner park with his neighborhood friends, going out with his cousins, playing baseball and football in the street. He spent the day surrounded by his grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors. During my interview with the boy, he told me that his cousins said he was a fool for wanting to stay in Cuba, passing up the opportunity to live in another country. He said, "When I'm here, I really miss the pizza with pepperoni, but I would trade a million pizzas to stay and live right now in Cuba."
A young man who had returned from Spain told me that he had been left without work and, of course, didn't have the money to pay his rent. The landlady gave him three months to come up with it and when he couldn't, he was evicted onto the street. But the saddest thing was that no one, none of his friends lent him a hand, saying that given the economic crisis, "he would have to figure something out as best he could." He was obliged to return to his parents’ home in Cuba, since his only other option was sleeping in the subway. "In the end, it’s your own people who are willing to take you in," he affirmed.
I've been thinking about this testimony which could very well serve many young people who see nothing good whatsoever about living in Cuba, who only imagine a better life abroad, overvaluing life there as successful, with great opportunities.
I ask myself: What do we have here that is lacking in other places? What did the diplomats' boy, the older man and the young one who returned from Spain, discover during their time abroad, that those of us living here don't see?
Does the lifestyle offered by contemporary capitalist societies truly constitute a model of wellbeing, despite being sold in the mass media as the promised dream of progress? Are we talking about the good life or living well? Of a life full of things or a full life? Is it necessarily economic and technological development which guarantees personal and social wellbeing?
I will attempt a synthesis of these professional experiences to shed light on what I believe are some of the fundamental elements of Cuba’s model of wellbeing.
FIRST PLACE: THE FEELING OF INCLUSION, OF NOT LIVING ANONYMOUSLY
This is an issue of profound spiritual and ethical connotations. When you arrive in a Cuban neighborhood and ask for someone, generally you are told, "He lives in that house."
All Cubans have a name and a life story because we all belong someplace, be it a family, school, community or workplace, and have social participation. We have all assumed responsibilities during our lives, attended neighborhood meetings, visited the family clinic, voted in the same locale, bought our food at the same markets or had the same person pick them up for us. Surely, at some point, we've all said, "The same faces everyday..." but that is precisely where a vital element of great solidarity and humanism resides.
Social anonymity - which the grandfather I interviewed described when he said "You don't exist" - is far removed from the way we live in Cuba. It is the experience of living without a place of your own, without being recognized or noticed. The opposite is not necessarily a physical place, but rather a symbolic one where there is belonging and participation, a place that gives meaning to life. Living 'nowhere' is feeling isolated, alone, strange and this is one of the problems the world currently faces. Even places where many people co-exist are no longer meeting places, but rather true nowheres. It is incredible that in a subway where hundreds of people see each other everyday, few say a single word, most showing more interest in their technological media than in human interaction.
Other non-places are airports and malls, cathedrals to consumerism. Many people around you and absolutely no contact. If you fall, people hesitate to help you up, since so many laws exist to supposedly protect people, from an individualistic point of view. People are afraid of being charged with sexual harassment if they touch you. Non-contact and indifference are legislated.
Today, the social reality in other countries has left people more excluded than included. Given the existence of social inequality as a consequence of Cuba’s current economic reality, our policies promote social inclusion in an effort to overcome differences of gender, ethnic origin, physical ability and sexual orientation. Cuba, as a social system, is attempting to construct a world in which we all belong and in which spontaneous human reciprocity is promoted by the very conditions of life. In other geographical locations on the neoliberal world map, people are divided by class, interpersonal relations are eroded by a variety of differences and some are separated from others by invisible borders, which damage cohesiveness and participation.
DIVERSE AREAS OF SOCIALIZATION
Areas of socialization are important in life, social structures are a resource and support for everyone, given that it is within them that people can develop their full potential. Currently, families live in isolation in many parts of the world, and the higher the standard of living, the greater their cloistered lifestyle. Nobody knows their neighbors, who is who; within the home members do not have much interaction, given that the technological invasion is such that a father can be chatting with a colleague in Japan and not have the least idea what is happening with his son in the adjoining room. Studies in various countries have revealed that the daily average of direct conversation between parents and children (particularly fathers) does not exceed 15 minutes.
One of the major impacts of the current hegemonic capitalist model is lack of family time or other community areas; during the week the family as a group does "not exist." Long and intensive working days, multi-occupations in order to meet ever-growing consumer demands have banished former family rituals and traditions. Psychologists and sociologists have stated that the greatest impact of this reality is infant isolation and the absence of links with older adults. Many middle or upper class children arrive home from school without seeing an adult face until late in the evening, or have a child minder who provides food but who cannot supplant the affection and attention of parents.
Technology has appeared as an antidote to solitariness, but lacking restrictions imposed by adults, this can lead to an addiction to video games, increase violence and stimulate early eroticism. Access to public places, streets and parks as meeting places are infrequently available for children and adolescents, given the lack of citizens’ security. Space and time universes in the urban network directed toward youth are perceived by adults as places of threat and danger rather than places for recreation and the construction of social ties. In Cuba, parks and plazas continue being areas of socialization for different generations.
Cuban families are interwoven within social networks of interchange, with neighbors, organizations, schools, relations, and including the émigré community. Characteristic of the Cuban way of life are socialization areas, or a social network in which nobody is excluded or unnamed. I would say that, in addition to the family as home, the basic nucleus of Cuban society is the social and neighborly interchange network, which represents one of the major and invisible strengths of the Cuban model of wellbeing. It is here where the greatest success of the social process is located, taking the form of social solidarity, social containment, constant social interchange. This capital is only perceptible to those who lose it or embark on a different lifestyle outside of the country.
In spite of unresolved economic difficulties and problems, the family exists in Cuba. Family life becomes intensive after the school or college day, when children and students begin their family-community life. Family life in Cuba does not take place behind closed doors. Those doors are also frequently opened to fumigators, neighbors, family nurses, grassroots leaders or self-employed vendors. People have to leave their homes daily, to go to the store or collect food items from a neighbor, dispose of the garbage, visit the pharmacy, fetch the children from school. Family life in Cuba is multi-generational, persons from all age groups interact and older adults do not live in senior citizens’ homes, their real place in general being the community.
SOCIAL SOLIDARITY AS OPPOSED TO INDIVIDUALISM
In the present day international arena, individual wellbeing is given greater importance than social wellbeing. The predominant economic development model places people before the desire to live "better" (at times to the cost of the rest) and above collective wellbeing. The discourse is, "I’m not doing anyone any harm, I don’t want anyone interfering in my life, I like it, it’s good for me, it’s my body, my life, my space," and electing a conduct which will maximize their benefits and income. "We" has been replaced by "I." Egoistic conduct in the present hegemonic world is identified and praised as "instrumental rationality," when in real terms what this rationality conceals is great social insensibility.
Social solidarity exists in Cuba, although we are currently living in a kind of parallelism between solidarity conduct and the insensibility of certain persons. The socialization of transport, or the botella (hitching a ride), for example; plus making neighbors part of one’s family, sharing neighborhood private telephone lines, passing on school uniforms and certain medicines, offering one’s house as a temporary classroom in the wake of a hurricane, are all examples of cooperative interchange. A young girl studying at the Lenin Senior High (a weekly boarding school) told me that her group of friends equitably shared out everything they brought from home and thus all ate the same, independently of whether some brought more and others, next to nothing. The most important aspect was friendship and sisterhood. This was a generalized practice.
CREATIVITY AND COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
In Cuba, in addition to conversing and having multiple social interchanges, we have the luxury of serious discussions with a number of people. Everyone knows something about something, everyone can express an opinion or have good ideas. Cubans have a political culture, a sports culture, and others are well informed about art. We have an accumulated cultural capital, part of our social heritage and invisible wellbeing. We are not an ignorant people, given the educational levels attained. Cuban men and women are impressive in their capacity to converse, express ideas and beliefs. One of my major problems as a clinical psychologist attending to patients is that time flies, because we are used to conversing. Some people bring me a written list so as not to forget something they want to say. We are used to giving ourselves time and this has become a luxury in an age when nobody has spare time, where the hurried syndrome is apparent.
During visits to give lectures in Latin American countries or in family study classes I have taken there, students express a family-social reality which leaves me perplexed, on account of the burden of accumulated social problems which cut across social class. From what I hear, I have realized that we are light years apart, because the issue is not an economic one, but one derived from ignorance; accumulated mental poverty; social stigmas; class, gender and race prejudices; violence against women; magical solutions to problems which lack any scientific basis; child sex abuse; polygamy; genetic defects resulting from irresponsible sexuality or incestuous relationships; all of these are daily problems. They are problems associated with social neglect, the absence of social prevention programs. What is daily life for them is the exception for Cubans.
As a professor, I feel that our population is educated and developed and we live that almost without realizing it. Although the quotidian may seem insignificant, it is the great backdrop of history. Young émigrés usually become aware of a very distinct social reality with which they have to do battle.
HOW TO PROMOTE THE CUBAN MODEL OF WELLBEING?
The objectives of Cuba’s new economic model include increasing productivity. The major challenge of this model is to strengthen our proposal for wellbeing, which represents an alternative to the dominant anti-model, a concept shared and reiterated by virtually all indigenous peoples on the continent and in the world. This concept comes from a long tradition within diverse religious manifestations.
All of these visions, including the Cuban one, is that the global objective of development is not constantly having more, but being more; not amassing more wealth, but more humanity. It is expressed in terms of living well instead of better, which implies solidarity among all, reciprocal practices and the desire to attain or restore environmental balance and at the same time improve the living conditions of the population. However, improvements in living conditions are not going to resolve the problems of a social nature we have accumulated. The economic dimension cannot be isolated from the social, cultural, historical and political dimensions, which endow development with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary context, in order to recover the sense of wellbeing and decorous living as a fundamental objective.
One does not have to be a social scientist to notice that, apart from living conditions, there are many families in Cuba who, more than material poverty, are mired in spiritual poverty. Some families suffer from mental poverty expressed in life strategies distanced from the most elemental decent conduct, in consumer habits removed from the country’s realities, close to having surplus objects, removed from shared wellbeing in their aspirations. This is the source of the culture of banality and frivolity reflected in the current hegemonic model.
The accumulation of material problems arising from the acute economic crisis of the 1990’s has substantially deteriorated values at the social level. Values are not principles, but must be accompanied by behavior to avoid them losing their effectiveness. If practices contradict principles, then we are facing a crisis of values.
Cuba is not removed from the hegemonic influences of the current unipolar and supposedly global world. We must continue trying to build an alternative model of wellbeing, despite all the influences which generate the colonization of subjectivity; one of inclusion, despite the modulating effect of our social policies. Ideals are valueless in the market, only consumer capacity. Non-consumers become "unrecognized" human beings, excluded from any kind of social recognition.
In the present-day world, there is an over-saturation of information, some of which is very good, but a large volume which is plagued by mediocrity and superficiality. The media of the current hegemonic model foment banality with the aim of selling more. We are crammed with entertainment, soap operas, series and violent movies which possess incredible enchantment because they entrap, but we run the risk of being drawn into idleness and addiction (to drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity, easy money, games of chance, video games).
When the Nobel Peace prize winner Gandhi pointed to the seven capital sins of contemporary society he was precisely referring to the global context in which we are immersed: riches without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without utility, commerce without morality, science without humility, adoration without sacrifice and politics without principles.
In general terms, publicity and the market associate wellbeing with pleasure, with being successful, having status.
It is a fact that if we do not have a strong culture, the tendency to think that wellbeing lies in having and letting ourselves be ensnared by consumerism grows like a weed. We are subjecting ourselves to ignorance. The ethic of being requires a moral foundation, training, family education, an education of greater magnitude in general, and that is what we have to promote as a society.
FOMENTING SOCIAL SOLIDARITY
With the strengthening of self-employment in Cuba, the community signifies a vital area for many families. Family-community-organizations-work are fortified in their links. However, new social landscapes constitute an excellent opportunity for strengthening community life, in addition to promoting work to the benefit of shared wellbeing. Cuba contributes the difference in the context of solidarity and the social responsibility we have incorporated.
It is necessary to promote a culture of solidarity and social responsibility which will serve as an antidote to the penetration of the culture of the market. It is important that people maintain their solidarity ethics, that the collective project does not fragment.
FORTIFYING COMMUNITY AREAS
Families and the community have increased in importance in Cuba as scenes of life. When visitors observe the community way of life here, they sometimes comment that life in their country used to be like that, but for more than a decade now, people have been living behind closed doors. And houses are empty during a large part of the day. In the main, this is due to the emergence of new technologies, ever-increasing hours of work, more frequent changes of job and home, ever-growing and more densely populated cities. The exacerbated growth of individualism is making it increasingly difficult to have a sense of community. Community has been reduced to the minimal family nucleus, and in these circumstances it is very easy to fall into isolation, which brings with it loneliness and depression, creating an extensive social collapse, with results as drastic as increased violence, drug abuse and mental illness.
When people of all ages, social and cultural groups feel a sense of belonging to a community, they tend to be happier and healthier and create stronger, more stable and cooperative social networks. A strong community contributes many benefits, both individual and to the group as a whole, thus helping to create a better society in general. The great challenge is not to close the doors, not to lose sensitivity toward others, the neighborhood and the environment, to continue being concerned for the common good.
Different forms of insertion in the economy have not noticeably deteriorated the existing social tissue, Cuban society is not a stratified one of social class, but woven together in family, neighbor and social networks, maintaining an ethic of solidarity.
One important aspiration is to find innovative solutions within the community for many existing social problems, fundamentally based on the concept of the community empowering such solutions. For this, greater community dynamism is needed at the local level.
It is important to maintain citizens’ involvement in social life, to preserve caring for these areas, respecting senior citizens, children, women, people with disabilities and above all, maintaining a sense of social responsibility in educating younger generations.
Taking into account all these aspects, I believe we have a great social responsibility to uphold the Cuban model of wellbeing, that the country has unprecedented conditions for marking the difference, which is precisely by continuing to resist the colonization of culture and subjectivity, and that the great challenge is to continue proposing other models of human beings and collectivity which genuinely lead to the paths of true humanization.
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FARC statement on the capture of U.S. soldier Kevin Scott Sutay
Statement by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) |
July 24, 2013
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Revolutionarily Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Communiqué: Captured North-American soldier Kevin Scott Sutay
The Secretariat of the Central High Command of the FARC-EP informs to the national and international public opinion that on June 20, 2013 in the municipality Retorno, Guaviare, was captured the American soldier Kevin Scott Sutay, born in the city of New York, according to the passport no. 488667176, issued on February 3, 2012, he had with him when he was detained by guerrilla units.
The aforementioned U.S. citizen claims to have been a member of the U.S. Navy since November 17, 2009 until March 22, 2013 and by his own account he was involved in the war in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2011 where he served as anti-explosives expert, specialist in demining, as part of the company 541 ST of the 54 TN engineering battalion.
His entry into Colombia was on June 8, 2013, following the route Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Bogota, San Jose del Guaviare, headquarters of the Barrancón military base, known from long ago because of its U.S. military presence.
The capture of soldier Kevin shows the active participation in the field of U.S. mercenaries in military and counter-insurgency operations in which they appear under the euphemism of contractors, a privatized form of imperial intervention forces, typical of the era of capitalist globalization, which allows them to exploit another side of the business of war, with less political cost for their campaigns of aggression and predation against the people.
Criminal business, of which President Santos, his defense minister and generals, would like to be part, announcing from the rooftops the signing of a cooperation agreement with the NATO, which positions Colombia as a provider of such mercenary forces available for intervention plans and imperial looting in every corner of the planet.
In spite of the right that assists us to keep the soldier Kevin Scott as a prisoner of war, we have taken the political decision to release him as a gesture that is part of the atmosphere of the peace talks being held in Havana with the Colombian government, to come to an agreement to end the social and armed conflict in our country.
To this end we request the integration of a humanitarian commission headed by Senator Piedad Cordoba, a delegate of the community of Saint Egidio and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Colombian jungle, July 19, 2013.
Central Secretariat of the FARC-EP.
Fight Back News Service
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Between Heaven and Hell
- Declaration of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia- People’s Army (FARC-EP), June 7, 2013 –
The dialogues in Havana are in limbo because of the man who wants to go down in history as the president who made peace in Colombia.
Echoes of the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s just protest over [President Juan Manuel] Santos receiving the opposition leader Capriles in Nariño Palace are reverberating loudly.
Not a few believe that the visit to Bogota of Joe Biden, Vice President of the United States, was the origin of Santos’ outburst. And they link it to a plan of Washington headed up by a Trojan horse named the “Pacific Alliance” which, managed by Washington, aims to destabilize and derail popular governments like those of Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and Uruguay, among others. What would prompt Santos to announce Colombia’s fanciful entry into NATO? To threaten Venezuela, Brazil?
Don’t believe those who attribute the president’s behaviour to ingenuousness, because Santos is no fool. As a statesman he is obliged to measure the effect of his actions.
Juan Manuel Santos knew his provocation against the legitimate government of Venezuela would go off like a firecracker on the dialogue table in Havana, because the issue of Venezuela, the companion and facilitator of the process, is a very sensitive one to the FARC, who see the Venezuelans as the main generators of confidence, and consequently, the main drivers of the peace process.
For all these reasons and because it comes precisely when the enthusiasm for peace planted its flag on the Everest of Colombians’ reconciliation, encouraged by the partial agreement on the land issue — the heart of the conflict, Santos’ invitation to Capriles has been so perplexing. The attitude of Santos deflated the optimism, the atmosphere conducive to peace that had been built with such effort in Havana. It all boils down to the fact that were it not for Venezuela the peace talks in the Cuban capital would not be taking place.
It is contradictory, abysmally contradictory, to aspire to go down in history as the president who made peace, while at the same time launching a string of attacks against peace. The cold blooded murder of Alfonso Cano, the commander and champion of reconciliation, is now an indelible stain. On the other hand no one can understand why the government rejects the necessary bilateral ceasefire proposed by the FARC since the beginning of the talks, if what we are dealing with is stopping the war. During the last six months the Minister of Defence has acted like a sectarian sniper against the process, giving the impression that there is no unity of purpose on the part of the government. And even the President himself does not miss an opportunity to discredit his counterparts with unfounded accusations and threats to break off [the dialogues].
There are other elements as well affecting the dialogue and the construction of an agreement like the government’s annoying cracking of the whip over time and rhythm. What is the rush? To precipitate a bad deal, a botched peace? The progression of such a momentous agreement should not be interfered with either by the timing of an election or legislative deadlines. Parallel with the sessions at the table someone is orchestrating a media campaign from on high, spreading with a certain perfidy the notion of the guerrilla as victimizer on one side and on the other, the State as an angel, fluttering innocently with no historical responsibility for the institutional violence and terrorism.
A government that really wants peace is not always drawing the red lines of its intransigence, of its non-negotiables, but rather acts with magnanimity to facilitate understanding. Where is the goodwill, where the good judgment? What can be seen here is a big inconsistency. And also great stinginess when one’s defence is based on stubborn arguments [and] outrageous privileges. These attitudes contribute little to building an atmosphere of peace. So what are the dialogues for?
Understand that this is not a process of submission, but of peacebuilding. It is not about incorporating the insurgency into the current political system, as it is, without any changes to favour the excluded majorities. Then what would the fight have been for? The best epilogue of this war must be sealed with structural changes of a political, economic and social nature that will give rise to overcoming poverty and inequality.
We must defend this peace process, this hope. After decades of military confrontation we should combine our wills resolutely, everyone, the government, the FARC guerrillas and the social and political organizations of the country, to reach the yearned for reconciliation with social justice. What do Uribe and FEDEGAN [Colombian Cattlemen's Federation] matter if we are resolved to achieve peace.
Secretariat of the General Staff of the FARC-EP
Mountains of Colombia, June 7, 2013
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50 YEARS SINCE OF FIDEL CASTRO'S VISIT TO THE USSR
On July 18, 2013 in Moscow, a Conference was held devoted to the 50th anniversary since the first visit by Fidel Castro to the USSR. The conference was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba in the Russian Federation, the young members of the National Assembly of People's Power, the leaders of the Union of Young Communists and the Federation of University Students, members of the Federation of Cuban Women, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Moscow City Duma, the Moscow Mayor's Office, and other organizations.
In his welcoming speech addressed to those present, the Ambassador of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba in the Russian Federation Emilio Garcia Ratmir Lozada said, "Today we remember the historical event that was not only the birth of friendly relations between Cuba and the Soviet Union, but also opened a new page in relations between Russia and Latin America. It is through Cuba and our Comandante Fidel Castro that the knowledge of Russia came to the countries of the Latin American continent, "- said Emilio Garcia Lozada.
During the six weeks of his visit Fidel Castro visited the cities of Severodvinsk to Samarkand, to get familiar with all areas of Soviet life, from the strategic nuclear forces to the shops in an ordinary mining town. The main thing is that he saw firsthand the lives of ordinary Soviet people. The Soviet Union produced a lasting impression on Fidel Castro.
The conference discussed the prospects of cooperation between Cuba and Russia. It was noted that after 50 years of Russian-Cuban relations, they continue to be an example of a strong and fruitful international cooperation. Cuba continues to be a major partner of Russia in the Western Hemisphere. One of the key themes of the conference was to discuss the trial of the five Cuban patriots condemned by the U.S. to long prison terms.
The speakers expressed their confidence in the unbreakable friendship of Cuban and Russian peoples, preserving and strengthening their mutual affection, supported by practical deeds. As said, by the Cuban ambassador: "We would like our relations to be fruitful for the new generation of Cuban youth, as the ten young people that are visiting these days in Russia, became followers of the ideas that are bequeathed Fidel Castro who visited the Soviet Union 50 years ago . "
At the conclusion of the plenary session, a slide show and documentary films were shown dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's visit to the USSR and the heroism of Cuban soldiers in the Red Army during the Great Patriotic War.
S.V.Khristenko
Photos
source
Sunday, 30 June 2013
For Bolshevism - No 7 (124) July 2013
WORKERS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!
ALL-UNION COMMUNIST PARTY OF BOLSHEVIKS
SOCIALIST REVOLUTION
FOR BOLSHEVISM INSIDE THE COMMUNIST AND WORKERS’ MOVEMENT
FOR BOLSHEVISM-AUCPB website: http://aucpbenglishwebsite.blogspot.com
Monthly AUCPB bulletin on workers’ movement in ex-USSR with additional reports specific to Britain’s hardest hit
No 7 (124) JULY 2013
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VICTORY DAY OVER FASCISM
On May 9, 2013 on Victory Day over Nazi Germany, the Bolsheviks held a variety of commemorative events.
Hero City Minsk. On May 9 Victory Day in Minsk a traditional ceremonial procession was held by veterans from October Square of Minsk to Victory Square. The culmination of the event, as usual, was the President's speech at the Eternal Flame and the ceremonial passing the guard of honour. However, if in the past year, our report on the celebration of Victory Day in Minsk was released under the title "The Belarusian bourgeois authorities consider J.V. Stalin on Victory Day to be unacceptable ", this year there were some positive elements to this great personality.
For example, in his speech at the opening ceremony, Alexander Lukashenko did mention the name of Stalin, but not as a leader of the Communist Party and the Soviet government, Supreme Commander of the Soviet armed forces, but only as follows: "We cherish the memory of the great world leaders - Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, who rose above political differences and formed a united front against the fascist enslavement of nations." Therefore, despite the right words that "It was namely on the lands of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine a previously unstoppable machine of the Wehrmacht was stopped and the fate of Europe resolved", there was no mention in his speech that the soul and inspiration of the Victory was the Communist Party, together with the advantages of the socialist system, which allowed in extremely difficult conditions to achieve victory over the strongest army in the capitalist world, and the outstanding role of J.V. Stalin, as leader of the Victory, thus the real truth about the war in this speech was not sounded. This is not surprising, because a bourgeois president of a capitalist state spoke, which is a fragment of a great country, which our fathers and grandfathers fought for.
Therefore the Bolsheviks have tried as far as possible to fill this gap in the coverage of World War II, for which they had to apply maximum persistence in achieving their goal.
Every year, it is becoming tougher to pass by the area to take part in the laying of flowers: to get to the Eternal Flame one has to pass through special control points, where there are metal detector booths and tables for inspection of bags, bags and other items.
The AUCPB activists also had to endure the humiliating procedure of being searched from head to foot, and were told: "No merchandise and printed products to be carried onto the square," and demanded that all the portraits and banners to turned around to face the wall so as not to appear on display. The security found fault with every word in the greetings leaflets brought along, as if they contained a sedition against the celebrated holiday.
And yet, once the Bolsheviks were on the square in Minsk, as always, they were the object of everyone's attention who came to the Victory Monument. Our AUCPB standard, along with portraits of V.I. Lenin and J.V. Stalin, the Soviet Union and the Byelorussian SSR flags and banners looked good on this sunny day in May. As always there were many people willing to be photographed near the Bolsheviks.
AUCPB activists distributed among people who came to the square the Bolshevik newspapers "Forward" and "Hammer and Sickle", together with leaflets and a portrait of J.V. Stalin with the AUCPB Central Committee message of congratulations. Leaflets were also handed out under the title "The Battle for Victory continues! To the participants in the Great Patriotic War ", which clearly set out the truth about the past war.
It needs to be recognized that after special forces eventually allowed the Bolsheviks onto the Minsk square, they did not interfere further when the Bolsheviks set up in the centre of the Belarusian capital portraits of V.I. Lenin, J.V. Stalin, Soviet flags and banners. Moreover, the Belarusian TV channel ONT showed the moment of laying flowers at the Eternal Flame by AUCPB members together with the Soviet attributes in the news, and the celebration of Victory Day in Minsk.
Krasnoyarsk. AUCPB activists took part in a solemn procession of citizens, veterans and organizations from the Kirov district region, to the traditionally held wreath laying ceremony at the monument to S.M. Kirov at the stele on the 30th anniversary of the Victory. The red flag of the regional party committee and the standard of the AUCPB were set up, and a large portrait of J.V. Stalin hoisted up. The Bolsheviks were joined by a lone RCWP activist with a red flag.
There were no more red flags or symbols of Victory in the column – and a few members of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation talked about flags being brought under a ban, and asked them to be removed, promising that red flags "will be taken of them if they don’t".
In the column, the Bolsheviks took their place in front of a small group of school pupils with Vlasov tricolors, taking advantage of such a moment to explain to our neighbours the significance of these flags. As a result, the head of the school children several times told them to "fly the tricolour flags, asking them why they lowered them".
At the end of the procession near the tank next to the memorial stele a Bolshevik agitation stall was set up. The children literally stuck by the fighting machine decorated with a portrait of JV. Stalin and red flags. Krasnoyarsk residents of all ages were photographed on the background image of the Generalissimo.
Discussions were held with those in the column, and it was possible to distribute many of our newspapers. There was great demand for the young Bolshevik Guard VMGB newspaper "Revolution" especially among the children in reason, some taking just two copies at a time- "for me and my mother."
The memory of them will always live in our hearts!
In Novosibirsk, On May 9, the AUCPB, Working Russia, the RCWP, VMGB activists and the AKM laid a wreath and flowers at the Eternal Flame Monument of Glory in honour of the campaign of Siberians in the Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945.
The citizens of the city, veterans, and young people joined our march who had attached to their chest red ribbons with a hammer and sickle and the five-pointed star, photographed on a background of the flag of the USSR and the portrait of the Generalissimo Stalin.
Eternal glory to the Siberian soldiers, who fell in the struggle for freedom and independence of our Soviet Motherland!
Chelyabinsk. On May 9, the AUCPB and VMGB fighters took an active part in a ceremonial rally of citizens, veterans and city organisations on the Walk of Glory at the eternal flame dedicated to the 68 anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. At the forefront of the protesters was the standard of the AUCPB along with red banners of the City Party Committee and the International Union of Soviet officers.
Just before the start of the city rally, the activists of the AUCPB were approached by a representative of the regional administration who persistently "proposed" that they remove the standard of the AUCPB or move it back into the second row from the front. In his opinion, the standard of the AUCPB was "spoiling the general background and hindering the filming of the celebrations." He also said he was carrying out an order of the "commission of the deputy governor of the region." At the insistence on the proposal by the administration, the AUCPB activists responded with a polite but firm refusal. We were supported by the surrounding ordinary citizens, veterans of the Armed Forces of the USSR, the veterans of the Second World War, and even young people.
During this meeting our activists handed out leaflets and distributed our newspapers. We were the only ones at the rally with red ribbons. The activists of the party "Communists of Russia" came to the meeting with St. George ribbons, the RCWP - CPSU and the official CPRF tailed along at the back of the rally. After the official part of the meeting we laid flowers at the Eternal Flame. Ordinary people repeatedly asked to be photographed next to us, our AUCPB standard and banners. We gladly fulfilled their requests.
Kuibyshev (Samara). On May 9, Kuibyshev VMGB fighters together with anti-fascists laid flowers at the eternal flame, thus honouring the memory of all those killed by the Nazis.
We can not forget all those who laid down their lives for the liberation of our country - the Soviet Union, we can not forget all those who died for freedom and life of different peoples of the world, we can not forget all those who die at the hands of the Nazis now! Eternal memory, eternal glory! To remember means to fight!
Krasnodar. The Bolsheviks took part in a meeting dedicated to the 68th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945., at the "Flame of Eternal Glory" and flowers were laid.
The AUCPB standard was set up, and newspapers, leaflets, brochures distributed. Explanatory work was carried out to raise awareness of the role of Stalin in the victory over the enemies of the Soviet Union.
In the city of Pyatigorsk, a meeting was held on May 9 at the "Flame of Eternal Glory." We exhibited the AUCPB standard and a banner: "Glory to the Bolsheviks - the marshals of Victory", portraits of Lenin and Stalin were put on display, together with the Soviet Union Coat of Arms. Bolshevik newspapers, leaflets, and brochures were circulated.
At the "Flame of Eternal Glory" and the monument to Lenin a wreath was laid with the emblem of the USSR inside. The chairman of the North-Caucasian Bureau of the Central Committee of the AUCPB comrade. N.A. Degtyarenko, and other comrades made speeches to the participants in the meeting.
After the rally, there was a solemn assembly.
In Mineral Waters on May 9 at the monument to Lenin there was a solemn meeting devoted to the 68th anniversary of the Victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War.
A red flag with the hammer and sickle and the standard of the AUCPB was set up with a banner reading, "Glory to the Bolsheviks - the marshals Victory!" and flowers were laid.
Newspapers, and leaflets were circulated. Presentations were made by Comrade. V.P. Skvortsov, - Secretary of the Mineralovodskogo civil town committee of the AUCPB, and other comrades.
In Vladivostok, on 9 May, a meeting was organized by the CPRF. It was attended by almost all the left-wing forces - the Bolsheviks, the RCWP and "Rot Front". A rally was held near the submarine S-56 (a submarine from World War II, set up on shore and turned into a museum).
It was difficult to get an exact count of the number of participants, as some people came, and others left, but approximately 300-500 people turned up, and possibly up to 1000 (with the passers-by and stopping for at least a few minutes). We carried the flag of the AUCPB and a portrait of Stalin, distributing newspapers AND, handing out flyers. After the meeting, flowers were laid at the Everlasting Flame.
AUCPB-Vladivostok
City of the Hero Kiev. The main task during the May holidays we Bolsheviks in Ukraine, see in the exposing of the anti-peoples, anti-national, anti-Ukrainian nature of the neo-fascist "Svoboda" party, to expose the anti-peoples character of the ruling regime in Ukraine under Yanukovych-Azarov, expressing the interests of big capital and nurturing "Svoboda." Our most important task we also believe is the disclosure of nationalist propaganda, exalted by the OUN-UPA and its leaders Bandera, Shukhevych who faithfully served Nazi Germany, the bloody-thirsty butchers of Ukrainian, Jewish, Polish, Russian, Byelorussian, Roma and other nations.
May 1 in Kiev
We Bolsheviks called for workers and encourage Ukraine to rise up under the Red Banner of Victory, the banner of Lenin and Stalin, to the revolutionary struggle for the overthrow of the power of capital, the struggle for the restoration of socialism, the Soviet government and the revival of our great Soviet Motherland!
AUCPB activists took an active part in the celebrations in Kiev, coming from the Brjankovsky, Vinnitsa, Kiev, Mukachevo, Sumy and Uman party organizations. They circulated Bolshevik newspapers: "Hammer and Sickle", "Workers' and Peasants' Truth", "Forward", "Revolution", and pamphlets, issued by the publishing house of the "Workers' and Peasants' truth”, together with flyers from the Ukarainian Buro of the CC AUCPB.
9 May in Kiev
The Bolsheviks also supported the Syrian comrades who took part in the festivities in their struggle for freedom and independence of their country, in the fight against the imperialist forces of intervention in the internal affairs of Syria.
9 May in Kiev
The bourgeois government is trying to privatize the great victory, and in every way denigrates the Heroes of War, the Generalissimo of Victory J.V. Stalin in their attempts to belittle the feat of the Soviet people. But with out systematic agitation work we Bolsheviks stand for the class nature of the Great Patriotic War and Victory. We stress that Fascism is a product of imperialism, which will have the same inevitable fate as the Nazi hordes.
We defeated fascism – We will beat capitalism too!
==================================
OVERVIEW OF THE LABOUR MOVEMENT (SPRING 2013)
Protests at "Metrovagonmash" (Moscow region).
On April 17 in the end of a shift, about 20 employees of the plant "Metrovagonmash" (Mytischi, Moscow region) along with interregional and activists of united workers trade union "Zashita" held a picket outside the main entrance of the plant. The workers and engineers recently the only Russian producer of rolling stock for underground trains were protesting against fraud in the payment of salaries, the bonus system, and discrimination of trade union activists of "Zashita."
At the picket, activists of the Inter-regional joint working union "Zashita" held up satirical posters addressed to the representatives of the administration "Metrovagonmash." The picketers chanted: "Our bonuses have been guaranteed by law", "stop the manipulation of wages", "No union discrimination" and others. Activists explained to other shift changeover workers and engineers the reason for the action by the "Zashita" union and called on them to join the union, to jointly fight for their labour rights.
Kiev bakers storm their own baking factory
Kiev Bakery No.12 was taken by storm by the workers. The bakers were trying to defend their jobs. It was leaked that 325 employees could lose their jobs.
Under the walls of the plant gathered about 100 people. They demanded their jobs be saved. The bakers reported that industrial machinery for baking bread has been removed from the factory.
Workers at the entrance were not allowed inside. People were forced to climb over the gate. Under the pressure, the gates had to be opened.
Plant employees want to hear the explanation from management, for whatever reason, as to why their labour is no longer needed. However, the director of the factory was not in his workplace. Neither were the Deputy and Inspector of personnel anywhere to be found. The secretary repeatedly phoned the management to come out, but no one appeared.
Prior to that, bakers learned that somehow bread production had suddenly become unprofitable and uneconomic. But people do not believe in this, stating that orders for bread were not being accepted for some reason now, and the sales department is simply not working, with the management doing nothing to change the situation.
In Azerbaijan, the striking drivers win improved wages
The strike of the drivers of heavy vehicles, contracted for the construction of the road "Alat - Astara", took place in the south of Azerbaijan. Strikers succeeded in raising wages.
On April 29 in the morning, about 60 drivers gathered in the village of Salyan in the Chukhanly region of Azerbaijan in front of the office of the Italian construction company Todini, which is the sub-contractor of the project of construction of the road. They stated that they would refuse to work until their wages were doubled.
Earlier, local staff complained of rudeness on the part of the foreign employees of the company, and one of the Italian managers under pressure from the workers had been dismissed.
Following the negotiations with the strikers, representatives of Todini decided to raise driver salaries from May. In particular, the salaries of drivers increased from 120 manats (about $ 165) to 180 manats ($ 230). In addition, the rates will be increased for mileage and drivers will receive a monthly order of 500 manats ($ 637).
In the afternoon, the drivers resumed work.
Bangladesh: Mass protests against capitalist terror
Workers at garment factories took to the streets of the capital, Dhaka, and in Gazipur and Naryangandzhe on April 26 - the second day in a row after the tragedy at the factory "Savard", during which more than 300 people were killed. Labour organizations planned Sunday, April 28, for a strike from dawn to dusk in all enterprises for the production of clothing in the country to achieve compliance, including – the immediate arrest of the owner of the collapsed building, "Rana Plaza" and other enterprises belonging to him. The strike was to be preceded by funeral processions across the country.
When protesting against the massive loss of life, angry workers smashed cars and factories and clashed with the forces of "order" in the capital. This prompted many factory owners to suspend production. More than 100 vehicles were damaged during the demonstration.
Demonstrators occupied a number of main roads in the capital and blocked them for several hours, demanding death for those responsible for the tragedy, and to take action to enhance the rescue operations. Police fired tear gas to disperse the angry protesters. According to reports, after the protests, most of the garment factories located in Kazipare, Shevrapare, Mirpur and Pallab had been closed.
The workers also staged a protest in front of the Bangladesh Association of Manufacturers and exporters of clothing.
During the violent protests in different parts of Gazipur, workers inflicted damage to one plant after another. The same scenario was in the industrial area of Narayanganj. Traffic on the highway on the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh during the protests was stopped.
Sailors on strike in Kaliningrad
In the port of Kaliningrad began a strike by crew on the ship "Max" under the Russian flag, owned by a St Petersburg company. The mariners have not been paid for over four months.
This was reported by the inspector ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) in the port of Kaliningrad Vadim Mamontov. According to him, the St. Petersburg shipowner already owes the crew of six people over a million rubles.
Wave of discontent at "Volkswagen"
On April 5 at "Volkswagen", a protest against the change by management of shifts schedule was held. The anger by workers was caused by management plans to compensate the resulting on the 33rd week downtime of the enterprise, by forcing workers to work until October for 6-7 days a week.
At 16:00, the first shift workers gathered in the lobby of the office building. Chanting slogans like "We are not serfs - return the weekends off", the employees demanded that the administration payment to workers on the 33rd calendar week due to the downtime caused by the employer.
Then, the workers decided to organize a climb to the second floor and hand over to the management their demand, written on a sheet of drawing paper. The security officers tried to block the way for the protesters, but the crowd of angry workers simply swept them out of the way and entered to the staff department.
The office was empty as soon as they got there as the entire management had left their workplaces. As a result, out of all the management the organizers were only able to find Weber (responsible for working with the trade unions), and handed him the drawing paper with their demand.
According to rough estimates, the rally was attended by 350 to 400 people. The MPRA took responsibility for the organization and conducting of the trade union action.
Russian railway workers attend rally
On April 13 at the main building of JSC "Russian Railways" a rally was held against the HR policy of Vladimir Yakunin.
On March 11, more than 220 suburban train controllers were fired. The reason for this was the desire of the management to reduce the costs by sacking workers. Their place was taken by a private security company "Aerogvard" whose employees perform the same function as the controllers in transport, but at the same time receive a lower salary. Such profitable for the "Russian Railways" conditions gave rise to the mass layoffs.
This event was the third in a row - the previous pickets were held on 18 and 22 March at the office of the Central Suburban Passenger Company, a subsidiary of "Russian Railways". Protesters tried to hand over to management their demands in writing, but the security guards did not allow them to do so.
At Kazan airport, Volgograd on hunger strike
In Kazan airport, Volgograd reconstruction workers hold a hunger strike.
45 Volgograd workers have been involved in the reconstruction of the airport complex in Kazan, working in shifts. However, they have not received more than a month’s salary and per diem. The amount outstanding is approximately 2 million rubles.
Their employer is a subcontractor, who entered into a contract for the supply and installation of equipment for the airport with "Trust Kamdomstroy."
The prosecutor met with the company's employees and organized the verification of their messages.
Builders at Paravan power plant "in Georgia go on strike
Builders working on the construction of "Paravan power plant" in the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, went on strike demanding better working conditions and higher wages.
The strike began on April 15, the media reported about the action on April 16. In the strike were involved about 100 people. Among their demands were the issuing of uniforms and improved nutrition. Participants of the rally also stated that the payment for their work was reduced without their knowledge.
In addition to their demands associated with the improvement of working conditions and higher wages, the strikers demanded the registration of labour agreements.
Parisians against a new labour law
Thousands of people gathered in Paris to protest against the Hollande Government's proposed labour law. According to the president, the bill is to create new jobs and contribute to economic modernization. But the leaders of the trade union movement believe that the adoption of this document will make it easier for employers to dismiss employees. The protesters decided to remind Francois Hollande of his campaign promises.
Similar events were held in nearly 200 cities of France.
Railroad strike in Egypt
A general strike by train drivers paralyzed rail transport across Egypt. The basic requirements of railway workers were higher wages, compensation for overtime and vacation days. In addition, the strikers demanded to abolish the practice of non-normalized work and implement adequate security measures on the railroads, where only in the last few months, a series of major accidents have occurred.
From the Department of the Central Committee of the AUCPB on interaction with the workers and the trade union movement
================================================
Document by of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks (CC AUCPB)
WELCOMING THE COMMUNISTS OF SERBIA IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER OF THE LEFTIST FORCES
The Central Committee of the AUCPB welcomes the merging of left forces in Serbia, carried out in the framework of "cooperation and unity of action among the six left-wing political organizations in order to consolidate the communist movement in Serbia."
This unity is a really important historic event, the first step towards the practical realization of the only realistic plan - steps of unity of leftist political parties with the ultimate goal of creating a unified Marxist-Leninist party. The correctness of this mechanism of unity has been confirmed by history. The unity plan now being implemented by the Serbian comrades is very similar to the plan proposed by us, the AUCPB, back in the early 1990s.
Our Russian "communists" (the RCWP, the RPC and all parties under the name "CPSU" with their various prefixes that have been formed after our party was formed, in opposition to us) were eager to unite all left under their own "wing", but out of this organisational unification taken as the initial phase of unification, NOTHING, as was expected, CAME OUT OF IT, because there was a significant difference in the fundamental ideological and political aspects of the party programs of the parties. The Serbian communists correctly started out with unity of actions and their coordination. We put forward a plan of unification as follows: from unity of actions towards a single unified ideology and then further - towards the organizational unification into a single party.
In the document of the Serbian comrades, it clearly lists the main position that should be common to all the merging parties. Unfortunately, in the list of aims in which the leftist movement in Serbia will be united in the struggle, there is no mention of the overriding criterion of being "communist" – that is, the dictatorship of the proletariat. The thesis on the "return to the creation of worker self-management" is not clearly enough articulated (The given formulation is perceived as a call to anarcho-syndicalism – enterprises that are worked at and run by the workers therefore should be owned by these very same workers).
Other principles mentioned in the Agreement (the slogans of the struggle), which unite left-wing political organizations in Serbia, we share and support.
We welcome the signing of the Belgrade Agreement on cooperation and unity of action between the left-wing political organizations in order to consolidate the communist movement in Serbia, clearly stating their desire to fight for ideological unity, and wish our comrades – the Serbian communists success in their struggle for socialism.
N.A.Andreeva
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the AUCPB.
========================================
STUDENTS IN CHILE TAKE OVER
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
On May 16 in Santiago (Chile), about a hundred students occupied peacefully the headquarters of the Ministry of Finance
demanding the government to ensure access to free and good quality education.
The young people demanded that the administration of President Sebastiana Piñera in the annual report of his presidency,
announce that on May 21, insist on tax reform
and the direction of the proceeds from the sale of copper go towards the implementation of
education reform in accordance with the demands of the people.
"Once and for all, hear the people and their demands, and announce the start of reforms that will be directed at making the
resources which Chile has, be used for
implementation of the people's rights for both free and quality education "- said the representative of the Federation of Students of Chile, Mario Dominguez.
After an hour of protest, the youth ended their protest which was supported by other public buildings in the towns of Concepcion, Valparaiso and Temuco.
Prensa Latina News Agency
===================================
SPAIN: GENERAL STRIKE
IN EDUCATION
Tens of thousands of students took to the streets of Spanish cities on May 13, the day of
the general strike to oppose budget cuts to
education and the privatization of higher education. It is these measures that the conservative government intends to take in their reform of the education system, allegedly to overcome the country’s worst economic crisis.
In Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, the students also expressed their indignation at government plans to reduce the lessons that are Catalonian language. In Valencia, demonstrations turned into clashes with the police. In several cities of Andalusia and Madrid, teachers and parents of high school students joined the protesting students. According to the organizers, the
strikes by65% of students and teachers took part in this strike action.
From Editor.: The inscription on the banner in the photo read the demand for student self-rule is equivalent to the slogan "All power to the Soviets".
=====================================================
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ALL-UNION COMMUNIST PARTY OF BOLSHEVIKS
SOCIALIST REVOLUTION
FOR BOLSHEVISM INSIDE THE COMMUNIST AND WORKERS’ MOVEMENT
FOR BOLSHEVISM-AUCPB website: http://aucpbenglishwebsite.blogspot.com
Monthly AUCPB bulletin on workers’ movement in ex-USSR with additional reports specific to Britain’s hardest hit
No 7 (124) JULY 2013
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VICTORY DAY OVER FASCISM
On May 9, 2013 on Victory Day over Nazi Germany, the Bolsheviks held a variety of commemorative events.
Hero City Minsk. On May 9 Victory Day in Minsk a traditional ceremonial procession was held by veterans from October Square of Minsk to Victory Square. The culmination of the event, as usual, was the President's speech at the Eternal Flame and the ceremonial passing the guard of honour. However, if in the past year, our report on the celebration of Victory Day in Minsk was released under the title "The Belarusian bourgeois authorities consider J.V. Stalin on Victory Day to be unacceptable ", this year there were some positive elements to this great personality.
For example, in his speech at the opening ceremony, Alexander Lukashenko did mention the name of Stalin, but not as a leader of the Communist Party and the Soviet government, Supreme Commander of the Soviet armed forces, but only as follows: "We cherish the memory of the great world leaders - Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, who rose above political differences and formed a united front against the fascist enslavement of nations." Therefore, despite the right words that "It was namely on the lands of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine a previously unstoppable machine of the Wehrmacht was stopped and the fate of Europe resolved", there was no mention in his speech that the soul and inspiration of the Victory was the Communist Party, together with the advantages of the socialist system, which allowed in extremely difficult conditions to achieve victory over the strongest army in the capitalist world, and the outstanding role of J.V. Stalin, as leader of the Victory, thus the real truth about the war in this speech was not sounded. This is not surprising, because a bourgeois president of a capitalist state spoke, which is a fragment of a great country, which our fathers and grandfathers fought for.
Therefore the Bolsheviks have tried as far as possible to fill this gap in the coverage of World War II, for which they had to apply maximum persistence in achieving their goal.
Every year, it is becoming tougher to pass by the area to take part in the laying of flowers: to get to the Eternal Flame one has to pass through special control points, where there are metal detector booths and tables for inspection of bags, bags and other items.
The AUCPB activists also had to endure the humiliating procedure of being searched from head to foot, and were told: "No merchandise and printed products to be carried onto the square," and demanded that all the portraits and banners to turned around to face the wall so as not to appear on display. The security found fault with every word in the greetings leaflets brought along, as if they contained a sedition against the celebrated holiday.
And yet, once the Bolsheviks were on the square in Minsk, as always, they were the object of everyone's attention who came to the Victory Monument. Our AUCPB standard, along with portraits of V.I. Lenin and J.V. Stalin, the Soviet Union and the Byelorussian SSR flags and banners looked good on this sunny day in May. As always there were many people willing to be photographed near the Bolsheviks.
AUCPB activists distributed among people who came to the square the Bolshevik newspapers "Forward" and "Hammer and Sickle", together with leaflets and a portrait of J.V. Stalin with the AUCPB Central Committee message of congratulations. Leaflets were also handed out under the title "The Battle for Victory continues! To the participants in the Great Patriotic War ", which clearly set out the truth about the past war.
It needs to be recognized that after special forces eventually allowed the Bolsheviks onto the Minsk square, they did not interfere further when the Bolsheviks set up in the centre of the Belarusian capital portraits of V.I. Lenin, J.V. Stalin, Soviet flags and banners. Moreover, the Belarusian TV channel ONT showed the moment of laying flowers at the Eternal Flame by AUCPB members together with the Soviet attributes in the news, and the celebration of Victory Day in Minsk.
Krasnoyarsk. AUCPB activists took part in a solemn procession of citizens, veterans and organizations from the Kirov district region, to the traditionally held wreath laying ceremony at the monument to S.M. Kirov at the stele on the 30th anniversary of the Victory. The red flag of the regional party committee and the standard of the AUCPB were set up, and a large portrait of J.V. Stalin hoisted up. The Bolsheviks were joined by a lone RCWP activist with a red flag.
There were no more red flags or symbols of Victory in the column – and a few members of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation talked about flags being brought under a ban, and asked them to be removed, promising that red flags "will be taken of them if they don’t".
In the column, the Bolsheviks took their place in front of a small group of school pupils with Vlasov tricolors, taking advantage of such a moment to explain to our neighbours the significance of these flags. As a result, the head of the school children several times told them to "fly the tricolour flags, asking them why they lowered them".
At the end of the procession near the tank next to the memorial stele a Bolshevik agitation stall was set up. The children literally stuck by the fighting machine decorated with a portrait of JV. Stalin and red flags. Krasnoyarsk residents of all ages were photographed on the background image of the Generalissimo.
Discussions were held with those in the column, and it was possible to distribute many of our newspapers. There was great demand for the young Bolshevik Guard VMGB newspaper "Revolution" especially among the children in reason, some taking just two copies at a time- "for me and my mother."
The memory of them will always live in our hearts!
In Novosibirsk, On May 9, the AUCPB, Working Russia, the RCWP, VMGB activists and the AKM laid a wreath and flowers at the Eternal Flame Monument of Glory in honour of the campaign of Siberians in the Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945.
The citizens of the city, veterans, and young people joined our march who had attached to their chest red ribbons with a hammer and sickle and the five-pointed star, photographed on a background of the flag of the USSR and the portrait of the Generalissimo Stalin.
Eternal glory to the Siberian soldiers, who fell in the struggle for freedom and independence of our Soviet Motherland!
Chelyabinsk. On May 9, the AUCPB and VMGB fighters took an active part in a ceremonial rally of citizens, veterans and city organisations on the Walk of Glory at the eternal flame dedicated to the 68 anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. At the forefront of the protesters was the standard of the AUCPB along with red banners of the City Party Committee and the International Union of Soviet officers.
Just before the start of the city rally, the activists of the AUCPB were approached by a representative of the regional administration who persistently "proposed" that they remove the standard of the AUCPB or move it back into the second row from the front. In his opinion, the standard of the AUCPB was "spoiling the general background and hindering the filming of the celebrations." He also said he was carrying out an order of the "commission of the deputy governor of the region." At the insistence on the proposal by the administration, the AUCPB activists responded with a polite but firm refusal. We were supported by the surrounding ordinary citizens, veterans of the Armed Forces of the USSR, the veterans of the Second World War, and even young people.
During this meeting our activists handed out leaflets and distributed our newspapers. We were the only ones at the rally with red ribbons. The activists of the party "Communists of Russia" came to the meeting with St. George ribbons, the RCWP - CPSU and the official CPRF tailed along at the back of the rally. After the official part of the meeting we laid flowers at the Eternal Flame. Ordinary people repeatedly asked to be photographed next to us, our AUCPB standard and banners. We gladly fulfilled their requests.
Kuibyshev (Samara). On May 9, Kuibyshev VMGB fighters together with anti-fascists laid flowers at the eternal flame, thus honouring the memory of all those killed by the Nazis.
We can not forget all those who laid down their lives for the liberation of our country - the Soviet Union, we can not forget all those who died for freedom and life of different peoples of the world, we can not forget all those who die at the hands of the Nazis now! Eternal memory, eternal glory! To remember means to fight!
Krasnodar. The Bolsheviks took part in a meeting dedicated to the 68th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945., at the "Flame of Eternal Glory" and flowers were laid.
The AUCPB standard was set up, and newspapers, leaflets, brochures distributed. Explanatory work was carried out to raise awareness of the role of Stalin in the victory over the enemies of the Soviet Union.
In the city of Pyatigorsk, a meeting was held on May 9 at the "Flame of Eternal Glory." We exhibited the AUCPB standard and a banner: "Glory to the Bolsheviks - the marshals of Victory", portraits of Lenin and Stalin were put on display, together with the Soviet Union Coat of Arms. Bolshevik newspapers, leaflets, and brochures were circulated.
At the "Flame of Eternal Glory" and the monument to Lenin a wreath was laid with the emblem of the USSR inside. The chairman of the North-Caucasian Bureau of the Central Committee of the AUCPB comrade. N.A. Degtyarenko, and other comrades made speeches to the participants in the meeting.
After the rally, there was a solemn assembly.
In Mineral Waters on May 9 at the monument to Lenin there was a solemn meeting devoted to the 68th anniversary of the Victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War.
A red flag with the hammer and sickle and the standard of the AUCPB was set up with a banner reading, "Glory to the Bolsheviks - the marshals Victory!" and flowers were laid.
Newspapers, and leaflets were circulated. Presentations were made by Comrade. V.P. Skvortsov, - Secretary of the Mineralovodskogo civil town committee of the AUCPB, and other comrades.
In Vladivostok, on 9 May, a meeting was organized by the CPRF. It was attended by almost all the left-wing forces - the Bolsheviks, the RCWP and "Rot Front". A rally was held near the submarine S-56 (a submarine from World War II, set up on shore and turned into a museum).
It was difficult to get an exact count of the number of participants, as some people came, and others left, but approximately 300-500 people turned up, and possibly up to 1000 (with the passers-by and stopping for at least a few minutes). We carried the flag of the AUCPB and a portrait of Stalin, distributing newspapers AND, handing out flyers. After the meeting, flowers were laid at the Everlasting Flame.
AUCPB-Vladivostok
City of the Hero Kiev. The main task during the May holidays we Bolsheviks in Ukraine, see in the exposing of the anti-peoples, anti-national, anti-Ukrainian nature of the neo-fascist "Svoboda" party, to expose the anti-peoples character of the ruling regime in Ukraine under Yanukovych-Azarov, expressing the interests of big capital and nurturing "Svoboda." Our most important task we also believe is the disclosure of nationalist propaganda, exalted by the OUN-UPA and its leaders Bandera, Shukhevych who faithfully served Nazi Germany, the bloody-thirsty butchers of Ukrainian, Jewish, Polish, Russian, Byelorussian, Roma and other nations.
May 1 in Kiev
We Bolsheviks called for workers and encourage Ukraine to rise up under the Red Banner of Victory, the banner of Lenin and Stalin, to the revolutionary struggle for the overthrow of the power of capital, the struggle for the restoration of socialism, the Soviet government and the revival of our great Soviet Motherland!
AUCPB activists took an active part in the celebrations in Kiev, coming from the Brjankovsky, Vinnitsa, Kiev, Mukachevo, Sumy and Uman party organizations. They circulated Bolshevik newspapers: "Hammer and Sickle", "Workers' and Peasants' Truth", "Forward", "Revolution", and pamphlets, issued by the publishing house of the "Workers' and Peasants' truth”, together with flyers from the Ukarainian Buro of the CC AUCPB.
9 May in Kiev
The Bolsheviks also supported the Syrian comrades who took part in the festivities in their struggle for freedom and independence of their country, in the fight against the imperialist forces of intervention in the internal affairs of Syria.
9 May in Kiev
The bourgeois government is trying to privatize the great victory, and in every way denigrates the Heroes of War, the Generalissimo of Victory J.V. Stalin in their attempts to belittle the feat of the Soviet people. But with out systematic agitation work we Bolsheviks stand for the class nature of the Great Patriotic War and Victory. We stress that Fascism is a product of imperialism, which will have the same inevitable fate as the Nazi hordes.
We defeated fascism – We will beat capitalism too!
==================================
OVERVIEW OF THE LABOUR MOVEMENT (SPRING 2013)
Protests at "Metrovagonmash" (Moscow region).
On April 17 in the end of a shift, about 20 employees of the plant "Metrovagonmash" (Mytischi, Moscow region) along with interregional and activists of united workers trade union "Zashita" held a picket outside the main entrance of the plant. The workers and engineers recently the only Russian producer of rolling stock for underground trains were protesting against fraud in the payment of salaries, the bonus system, and discrimination of trade union activists of "Zashita."
At the picket, activists of the Inter-regional joint working union "Zashita" held up satirical posters addressed to the representatives of the administration "Metrovagonmash." The picketers chanted: "Our bonuses have been guaranteed by law", "stop the manipulation of wages", "No union discrimination" and others. Activists explained to other shift changeover workers and engineers the reason for the action by the "Zashita" union and called on them to join the union, to jointly fight for their labour rights.
Kiev bakers storm their own baking factory
Kiev Bakery No.12 was taken by storm by the workers. The bakers were trying to defend their jobs. It was leaked that 325 employees could lose their jobs.
Under the walls of the plant gathered about 100 people. They demanded their jobs be saved. The bakers reported that industrial machinery for baking bread has been removed from the factory.
Workers at the entrance were not allowed inside. People were forced to climb over the gate. Under the pressure, the gates had to be opened.
Plant employees want to hear the explanation from management, for whatever reason, as to why their labour is no longer needed. However, the director of the factory was not in his workplace. Neither were the Deputy and Inspector of personnel anywhere to be found. The secretary repeatedly phoned the management to come out, but no one appeared.
Prior to that, bakers learned that somehow bread production had suddenly become unprofitable and uneconomic. But people do not believe in this, stating that orders for bread were not being accepted for some reason now, and the sales department is simply not working, with the management doing nothing to change the situation.
In Azerbaijan, the striking drivers win improved wages
The strike of the drivers of heavy vehicles, contracted for the construction of the road "Alat - Astara", took place in the south of Azerbaijan. Strikers succeeded in raising wages.
On April 29 in the morning, about 60 drivers gathered in the village of Salyan in the Chukhanly region of Azerbaijan in front of the office of the Italian construction company Todini, which is the sub-contractor of the project of construction of the road. They stated that they would refuse to work until their wages were doubled.
Earlier, local staff complained of rudeness on the part of the foreign employees of the company, and one of the Italian managers under pressure from the workers had been dismissed.
Following the negotiations with the strikers, representatives of Todini decided to raise driver salaries from May. In particular, the salaries of drivers increased from 120 manats (about $ 165) to 180 manats ($ 230). In addition, the rates will be increased for mileage and drivers will receive a monthly order of 500 manats ($ 637).
In the afternoon, the drivers resumed work.
Bangladesh: Mass protests against capitalist terror
Workers at garment factories took to the streets of the capital, Dhaka, and in Gazipur and Naryangandzhe on April 26 - the second day in a row after the tragedy at the factory "Savard", during which more than 300 people were killed. Labour organizations planned Sunday, April 28, for a strike from dawn to dusk in all enterprises for the production of clothing in the country to achieve compliance, including – the immediate arrest of the owner of the collapsed building, "Rana Plaza" and other enterprises belonging to him. The strike was to be preceded by funeral processions across the country.
When protesting against the massive loss of life, angry workers smashed cars and factories and clashed with the forces of "order" in the capital. This prompted many factory owners to suspend production. More than 100 vehicles were damaged during the demonstration.
Demonstrators occupied a number of main roads in the capital and blocked them for several hours, demanding death for those responsible for the tragedy, and to take action to enhance the rescue operations. Police fired tear gas to disperse the angry protesters. According to reports, after the protests, most of the garment factories located in Kazipare, Shevrapare, Mirpur and Pallab had been closed.
The workers also staged a protest in front of the Bangladesh Association of Manufacturers and exporters of clothing.
During the violent protests in different parts of Gazipur, workers inflicted damage to one plant after another. The same scenario was in the industrial area of Narayanganj. Traffic on the highway on the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh during the protests was stopped.
Sailors on strike in Kaliningrad
In the port of Kaliningrad began a strike by crew on the ship "Max" under the Russian flag, owned by a St Petersburg company. The mariners have not been paid for over four months.
This was reported by the inspector ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) in the port of Kaliningrad Vadim Mamontov. According to him, the St. Petersburg shipowner already owes the crew of six people over a million rubles.
Wave of discontent at "Volkswagen"
On April 5 at "Volkswagen", a protest against the change by management of shifts schedule was held. The anger by workers was caused by management plans to compensate the resulting on the 33rd week downtime of the enterprise, by forcing workers to work until October for 6-7 days a week.
At 16:00, the first shift workers gathered in the lobby of the office building. Chanting slogans like "We are not serfs - return the weekends off", the employees demanded that the administration payment to workers on the 33rd calendar week due to the downtime caused by the employer.
Then, the workers decided to organize a climb to the second floor and hand over to the management their demand, written on a sheet of drawing paper. The security officers tried to block the way for the protesters, but the crowd of angry workers simply swept them out of the way and entered to the staff department.
The office was empty as soon as they got there as the entire management had left their workplaces. As a result, out of all the management the organizers were only able to find Weber (responsible for working with the trade unions), and handed him the drawing paper with their demand.
According to rough estimates, the rally was attended by 350 to 400 people. The MPRA took responsibility for the organization and conducting of the trade union action.
Russian railway workers attend rally
On April 13 at the main building of JSC "Russian Railways" a rally was held against the HR policy of Vladimir Yakunin.
On March 11, more than 220 suburban train controllers were fired. The reason for this was the desire of the management to reduce the costs by sacking workers. Their place was taken by a private security company "Aerogvard" whose employees perform the same function as the controllers in transport, but at the same time receive a lower salary. Such profitable for the "Russian Railways" conditions gave rise to the mass layoffs.
This event was the third in a row - the previous pickets were held on 18 and 22 March at the office of the Central Suburban Passenger Company, a subsidiary of "Russian Railways". Protesters tried to hand over to management their demands in writing, but the security guards did not allow them to do so.
At Kazan airport, Volgograd on hunger strike
In Kazan airport, Volgograd reconstruction workers hold a hunger strike.
45 Volgograd workers have been involved in the reconstruction of the airport complex in Kazan, working in shifts. However, they have not received more than a month’s salary and per diem. The amount outstanding is approximately 2 million rubles.
Their employer is a subcontractor, who entered into a contract for the supply and installation of equipment for the airport with "Trust Kamdomstroy."
The prosecutor met with the company's employees and organized the verification of their messages.
Builders at Paravan power plant "in Georgia go on strike
Builders working on the construction of "Paravan power plant" in the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, went on strike demanding better working conditions and higher wages.
The strike began on April 15, the media reported about the action on April 16. In the strike were involved about 100 people. Among their demands were the issuing of uniforms and improved nutrition. Participants of the rally also stated that the payment for their work was reduced without their knowledge.
In addition to their demands associated with the improvement of working conditions and higher wages, the strikers demanded the registration of labour agreements.
Parisians against a new labour law
Thousands of people gathered in Paris to protest against the Hollande Government's proposed labour law. According to the president, the bill is to create new jobs and contribute to economic modernization. But the leaders of the trade union movement believe that the adoption of this document will make it easier for employers to dismiss employees. The protesters decided to remind Francois Hollande of his campaign promises.
Similar events were held in nearly 200 cities of France.
Railroad strike in Egypt
A general strike by train drivers paralyzed rail transport across Egypt. The basic requirements of railway workers were higher wages, compensation for overtime and vacation days. In addition, the strikers demanded to abolish the practice of non-normalized work and implement adequate security measures on the railroads, where only in the last few months, a series of major accidents have occurred.
From the Department of the Central Committee of the AUCPB on interaction with the workers and the trade union movement
================================================
Document by of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks (CC AUCPB)
WELCOMING THE COMMUNISTS OF SERBIA IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER OF THE LEFTIST FORCES
The Central Committee of the AUCPB welcomes the merging of left forces in Serbia, carried out in the framework of "cooperation and unity of action among the six left-wing political organizations in order to consolidate the communist movement in Serbia."
This unity is a really important historic event, the first step towards the practical realization of the only realistic plan - steps of unity of leftist political parties with the ultimate goal of creating a unified Marxist-Leninist party. The correctness of this mechanism of unity has been confirmed by history. The unity plan now being implemented by the Serbian comrades is very similar to the plan proposed by us, the AUCPB, back in the early 1990s.
Our Russian "communists" (the RCWP, the RPC and all parties under the name "CPSU" with their various prefixes that have been formed after our party was formed, in opposition to us) were eager to unite all left under their own "wing", but out of this organisational unification taken as the initial phase of unification, NOTHING, as was expected, CAME OUT OF IT, because there was a significant difference in the fundamental ideological and political aspects of the party programs of the parties. The Serbian communists correctly started out with unity of actions and their coordination. We put forward a plan of unification as follows: from unity of actions towards a single unified ideology and then further - towards the organizational unification into a single party.
In the document of the Serbian comrades, it clearly lists the main position that should be common to all the merging parties. Unfortunately, in the list of aims in which the leftist movement in Serbia will be united in the struggle, there is no mention of the overriding criterion of being "communist" – that is, the dictatorship of the proletariat. The thesis on the "return to the creation of worker self-management" is not clearly enough articulated (The given formulation is perceived as a call to anarcho-syndicalism – enterprises that are worked at and run by the workers therefore should be owned by these very same workers).
Other principles mentioned in the Agreement (the slogans of the struggle), which unite left-wing political organizations in Serbia, we share and support.
We welcome the signing of the Belgrade Agreement on cooperation and unity of action between the left-wing political organizations in order to consolidate the communist movement in Serbia, clearly stating their desire to fight for ideological unity, and wish our comrades – the Serbian communists success in their struggle for socialism.
N.A.Andreeva
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the AUCPB.
========================================
STUDENTS IN CHILE TAKE OVER
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
On May 16 in Santiago (Chile), about a hundred students occupied peacefully the headquarters of the Ministry of Finance
demanding the government to ensure access to free and good quality education.
The young people demanded that the administration of President Sebastiana Piñera in the annual report of his presidency,
announce that on May 21, insist on tax reform
and the direction of the proceeds from the sale of copper go towards the implementation of
education reform in accordance with the demands of the people.
"Once and for all, hear the people and their demands, and announce the start of reforms that will be directed at making the
resources which Chile has, be used for
implementation of the people's rights for both free and quality education "- said the representative of the Federation of Students of Chile, Mario Dominguez.
After an hour of protest, the youth ended their protest which was supported by other public buildings in the towns of Concepcion, Valparaiso and Temuco.
Prensa Latina News Agency
===================================
SPAIN: GENERAL STRIKE
IN EDUCATION
Tens of thousands of students took to the streets of Spanish cities on May 13, the day of
the general strike to oppose budget cuts to
education and the privatization of higher education. It is these measures that the conservative government intends to take in their reform of the education system, allegedly to overcome the country’s worst economic crisis.
In Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, the students also expressed their indignation at government plans to reduce the lessons that are Catalonian language. In Valencia, demonstrations turned into clashes with the police. In several cities of Andalusia and Madrid, teachers and parents of high school students joined the protesting students. According to the organizers, the
strikes by65% of students and teachers took part in this strike action.
From Editor.: The inscription on the banner in the photo read the demand for student self-rule is equivalent to the slogan "All power to the Soviets".
=====================================================
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