“…The True Revolutionary Is Guided By Great Feelings Of Love”:
Last night the millions of the people of South Africa, majority of whom the working class and poor, and the billions of the rest of the people the world over, lost a true revolutionary, President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Tata Madiba.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) joins the people of South Africa and the world in expressing its most sincere condolences to Ms Graca Machel and the entire Mandela family on the loss of what President Zuma correctly described as South Africa’s greatest son, Comrade Mandela. We also wish to use this opportunity to express our solidarity with the African National Congress, an organisation that produced him and that he also served with distinction, as well as all his colleagues and comrades in our broader liberation movement. As Tata Madiba said: “It is not the kings and generals that make history but the masses of the people, the workers, the peasants…”

The passing away of Cde Mandela marks an end to the life of one of the greatest revolutionaries of the 20th century, who fought for freedom and against all forms of oppression in both their countries and globally. As part of the masses that make history, Cde Mandela’s contribution in the struggle for freedom was located and steeled in the collective membership and leadership of our revolutionary national liberation movement as led by the ANC – for he was not an island. In Cde Mandela we had a brave and courageous soldier, patriot and internationalist who, to borrow from Che Guevara, was a true revolutionary guided by great feelings of love for his people, an outstanding feature of all genuine people’s revolutionaries.

At his arrest in August 1962, Nelson Mandela was not only a member of the then underground South African Communist Party, but was also a member of our Party’s Central Committee. To us as South African communists, Cde Mandela shall forever symbolise the monumental contribution of the SACP in our liberation struggle. The contribution of communists in the struggle to achieve the South African freedom has very few parallels in the history of our country. After his release from prison in 1990, Cde Madiba became a great and close friend of the communists till his last days.

The one major lesson we need to learn from Mandela and his generation of leaders was their commitment to principled unity within each of our Alliance formations as well as the unity of our Alliance as a whole and that of the entire mass democratic movement. Their generation struggled to build and cement the unity of our Alliance, and we therefore owe it to the memory of Cde Madiba to preserve the unity of our Alliance. Let those who do not understand the extent to which blood was spilt in pursuance of Alliance unity be reminded not to throw mud at the legacy and memory of the likes of Madiba by being reckless and gambling with the unity of our Alliance.

The SACP supported Madiba’s championing of national reconciliation. But national reconciliation for him never meant avoiding tackling the class and other social inequalities in our society, as some would like to make us believe today. For Madiba, national reconciliation was a platform to pursue the objective of building a more egalitarian South African society free of the scourge of racism, patriarchy and gross inequalities. And true national reconciliation shall never be achieved in a society still characterized by the yawning gap of inequalities and capitalist exploitation.

In honour of this gallant fighter the SACP will intensify the struggle against all forms of inequality, including intensifying the struggle for socialism, as the only political and economic solution to the problems facing humanity.

For the SACP the passing away of Madiba must give all those South Africans who had not fully embraced a democratic South Africa, and who still in one way or the other hanker to the era of white domination, a second chance to come to terms with a democratic South Africa founded on the principle of majority rule.

We call upon all South Africans to emulate his example of selflessness, sacrifice, commitment and service to his people.

The SACP says Hamba kahle Mkhonto!

Issued by SACP

Contact:

Alex Mashilo – National Spokesperson
Mobile: 082 9200 308
Office: 011 339 3621
Email: alexmashilo.sacp@gmail.com

Michael Parenti speaks at the University of Colorado, Boulder: “US Interventionism, the 3rd world, and the USSR” on April 15, 1986. http://youtu.be/xP8CzlFhc14

Outstanding scholar and teacher, Michael Parenti, delivers an electrifying lecture on the world situation in 1986 during the Reagan era (some might say regime). There are surprising parallels with the situation in the world today. Listen to his prophetic words which will help you understand why we are in the state we are in currently.

Let us know what you think.
PHill1917@comcast.net

Conversaciones con Ignacio Ramonet

Varios han sido los libros publicados en el mundo a partir de largas entrevistas o conversaciones con Fidel Castro; pero ninguno como “Cien Horas con Fidel” alcanza la magnitud, la diversidad, la amplitud, el alcance y la transcendencia que tiene esta entrevista realizada entre y periodista francѐs Ignacio Ramonet, director del mensuario parisino “Le Monde Diplomatique”, un de las voces más prestigiosas entre la intelectualidad progresista europea contemporánea, autor de numerosos libros y ensayos sobre temas de comunicación social y politica internacional, uno de los principales impulsores y animadores del movimiento mundial de lucha contra la globalizacion neoliberal y amigo leal y sincero de y de la Revolucion Cubana. Por el nivel de información y sagacidad del entrevistador, por la agudeza y pertinencia de sus preguntas; pero, sobre todo, por la profundidad, franqueza, modernidad y hondura de las respuestas del entrevistado, la apasionante conversación contenida en el ya célebre libro tendrá, sin lugar a dudas, un valor perdurable, más allá de coyunturas y circunstancias. Por ello, la grabaciòn audiovisual de la mencionada entrevista, deviene como un material de notable trascendencia histórico documental.

http://youtu.be/Y-uyCvV8qHU  (Part 1)

http://youtu.be/kKlBHBdaunY  (Part 2)

http://youtu.be/XZ49mBVzizQ  (Part 3)

http://youtu.be/ikWb-71A_N4  (Part 4)

Portrait of Fidel Castro by Antonio Guerrero, one of the Cuban 5

Art by Antonio Guerrero, one of the Cuban 5

By James Thompson

HOUSTON-On 9/7/2013 about 50 people gathered near the Galleria shopping center on the corner of Post Oak and Westheimer to express their opposition to the proposed war in Syria. It was a diverse group which was multicultural and multiethnic and included men and women. There were Republicans, Green party members, Marxists, Communists and others present. Chants were loud and vigorous.

Across Westheimer was a smaller group (about 20) expressing their support for an unprovoked military strike against Syria proposed by President Obama.

The demonstrations were loud, but peaceful. Houston police officers were present and were respectful of the exercise of free speech by both demonstrations.

Many of the demonstrators were pleased that both Texas senators, John Cornin and Ted Cruz are opposed to the proposed military strike. They were also happy that many of the members of the US House of Representatives from Texas are also opposed to the proposed military strike.

There were many signs displayed by the demonstrators. Some signs read “US out of the Middle East!” Others read “Don’t Bomb Syria!”

Nationwide polls have shown that the overwhelming majority of the people in the US oppose any military intervention in Syria. Some wonder why the Obama administration is pressing so hard for this war that does not have the support of the people of this country or people around the world. Even the UK Parliament voted against British military support for this foolhardy operation.

Some of the demonstrators noted that the latest proposed military intervention is yet another expression of US Imperialism. Lenin wrote many years ago that Imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism. He pointed out that Imperialism necessitates continual wars. These wars are necessary for Imperialism to function properly since there must be a continual redistribution of land and resources. As the capitalists jockey for land and power, millions of people are slaughtered needlessly as a result of the senseless competition. Lenin’s words were true at the time he wrote them, but history has proven the accuracy of his writings.

More demonstrations are needed and more people of conscience need to contact their legislators to express their opposition to the potential catastrophe that could result from US military intervention in Syria.

PHill1917@comcast.net

By Darrell Rankin, People’s Voice, May 1, 2013

Dealing a blow to workers and the poor, the Manitoba NDP raised the provincial sales tax from seven to eight percent in its April 16 budget. Take-home pay is taking another hit, reinforcing Manitoba’s status as a low-wage province.

An active coalition to demand a Peoples Budget is needed now, or business groups will increase their grip on the provincial government in the 2015 election.

The wealthy elite will barely notice the PST hike. However, workers will have less for the necessities of life. This is a wage cut by other, indirect means – about $300 a year per family. Before-tax wages in Manitoba were $3,500 (or 8 percent) below the country’s annual average in 2012.

The budget follows the model of pro-corporate governments around the world, making cuts that harm workers and the needy and protecting the corporations and the wealthy. Impoverishing workers prolongs and deepens the economic crisis that has gripped global capitalism since 2008.

In one sense, it is a standard Canadian Prairie provincial budget with no grand vision or hope for a fair society. It is blind to inequality, the wholesale robbery of Aboriginal peoples, the inequality of women and the growing climate catastrophe. Good-paying jobs, higher education and child care will continue to be just a crushed dream for many.

Without any factual basis, Manitoba NDP Finance Minister Stan Struthers claims that the PST hike will be “shared by everyone.” Struthers emphasizes the need for urgent flood protection spending, but most new spending is for overdue maintenance and an aging population’s needs.

Needed spending has been delayed for decades as a way to keep public spending low and give Manitoba a “competitive advantage,” but there is a limit to how long our infrastructure will last. The Manitoba NDP’s spending and tax hikes were demanded by local corporate leaders.

There is no other reason why workers and the poor are facing this new burden. The Chamber of Commerce differs with the NDP only by suggesting that the PST hike be entirely directed to municipal infrastructure. And unlike the two-year wage pause announced in the 2010 provincial budget that continues to rob public sector workers of hundreds of millions of dollars, this tax hike hurts all workers.

Labour and other groups are condemning the budget for promoting inequality and failing to reduce poverty. For example, the Progressive Conservative and Liberal opposition parties both endorsed an anti-poverty campaign pledge to raise the welfare housing allowance to 75 percent of market value, weeks before the budget.

The budget raised the housing allowance by a paltry $20 a month, far below the required amount of $100 to meet the anti-poverty coalition demands. This is the first real increase in the allowance since 1992.

A relatively small sum of $19 million would solve the housing allowance demand, something the NDP might do before the 2015 election. It will take far more significant measures to eliminate poverty, create good-paying jobs and grow the economy than this minor reform.

The Manitoba Federation of Labour is pointing out that the NDP has cut $1 billion in personal and corporate taxes since it was elected in 1999. These tax cuts helped the corporate elite. They also helped create a weaker and more unequal economy.

Taxes must shift to a progressive basis, on ability to pay. An inheritance tax on large estates would also go a long way to boost revenue for needed public spending and reduce social inequality.

Working people and the poor are being told by the Manitoba NDP that they must pay more to solve the crisis. It’s like the NDP has no memory how Canada’s economy grew faster and more people had better paying jobs when the wealthy and the corporations paid higher taxes.

The NDP is pushing the line that taxes are good regardless who pays them because we need medicare and roads, but the NDP overlooks the main reality. Today’s tax hikes and spending cuts are impoverishing workers. They protect the greedy, not the needy.

The Manitoba NDP is creating a new, cruel reality just like other pro-corporate governments.

Darrell Rankin is the leader of the Communist Party of Canada Manitoba

by Henry Lowendorf

International Conference: Yes to Peace – No to NATO
Lisbon, 2010 November 19
Presentation from the United States Peace Council
Henry Lowendorf

Introduction. The U.S. Peace Council thanks the Portuguese Council for Peace and
Cooperation for today’s opportunity to participate in the major actions for peace it has
organized this week.

The U.S. Peace Council joins the call of the World Peace Council for the immediate
abolition of NATO.

A triumphant United States created NATO in 1949 in order to advance the threat and
spread the expense of its expanding empire. The U.S. directs NATO on behalf of the
financial institutions, the weapons manufacturers, petroleum giants and other
transnational corporations. With NATO’s expansion eastward to absorb more member
countries U.S. imperialism hopes to more ably dominate the globe. This week in Lisbon
the U.S., in a much weakened position economically and politically, urgently seeks
NATO member states to take up the burden of imperialism that it can no longer afford.
A major step forward will be the popular demand to dismantle NATO altogether.
Military extensions of imperialism. The U.S. drew NATO countries into the wars on
Afghanistan and Iraq, and Yugoslavia before that. The militarists are prepared to occupy
Afghanistan and Iraq indefinitely. The people pay with hundreds of thousands dead,
millions wounded, millions forced to flee home, increased civil violence and despoiled
environments. These bloody wars of occupation are waged to control petroleum reserves
and pipeline routes in the oil-rich Middle East and the Caspian Sea region. They are
fought to extend the ring of military bases around Russia and to close in on China. The
thousand U.S. military bases on every continent threaten the national sovereignty of host
and neighboring countries. That the people of many NATO member countries have
forced their governments into recalling military forces from Afghanistan and Iraq is a
welcome step. This step forces the superpower to use its own diminishing resources to
fund its imperial dreams. Let us make sure that this step is not reversed. The U.S. Peace
Council joins the global majority by demanding that the occupations of Iraq and
Afghanistan end now, that all foreign troops and mercenaries be sent home now.
NATO’s agreement to target Iran with economic sanctions and threats of nuclear attack is
part of the undisguised plot to plant additional subservient governments, steal Iran’s
petroleum and install more military bases. Supporting the global network to close all
foreign military bases and shutting down NATO are key elements in fighting
imperialism. We insist that military threats against any country end now.
A major piece of the Pentagon scheme for first-strike capability and what it calls “full
spectrum dominance” is to place weapons in space. Already space satellites are being
used to direct drone attacks against targets in South Asia.

The so-called “missile defense” is part of this first-strike scheme. NATO countries that
agree to install such “missile defense” systems become parties to the Pentagon’s first
strike aggressions over which they will have no determination. They will become parties
to a new arms race that will absorb their resources and youth. They will be advancing
imperialist exploitation to their own and others’ detriment. We call on the people of
Europe and everywhere to forthrightly reject “missile defense.”

In 2009 President Obama announced that the U.S. would lead the effort to abolish nuclear
weapons. But then he dramatically increased the budget for nuclear weapons factories.
Building more nuclear weapons violates the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty. Testing
nuclear-ready InterContinental Ballistic Missiles violates the NPT. The U.S. nuclear deal
with India violates the NPT. We must shout, “End these violations!” To obtain favors and
to support the vast armaments industry, the Obama administration is circling the globe
selling advanced weaponry, thus inflaming the prospects for war. Weapons sales, made in
America, are number one in the world. We join vast humanity in demanding that the U.S.
immediately remove its nuclear weapons from other countries and that the nuclearweapons
states agree on a convention to promptly and totally abolish all nuclear
weapons. We call on an end to the arms trade.

TURNING INWARD

Imperialism has scattered millions of victims over the planet. Among them are the people
of the United States of America. The U.S. empire is threatened by Latin America’s
independent development and its resistance to continued imperial penetration. A
militarist, profit-hungry few are driving the U.S. economy into a deeper ditch even as it is
apparent that other, fast growing economies are quickly recovering from the current
“global” economic crisis or have avoided it altogether. As a result, the financial and
corporate elites are more and more leveling their gun sights on the U.S. population.
Economic crisis. The economic crisis was catalyzed by overwhelming debt, personal,
corporate and national1. One-tenth percent of the U.S. population is bulging with wealth,
while 31 million workers are unemployed or underemployed. Two thirds of the
unemployed receive no compensation2. 42 million people, one in 7 households, receive
food subsidies3. Nearly 60 million people lacked health care coverage for all or part of a
year or more4. When fully implemented, the modest health care legislation signed into
law by President Obama last spring would eventually provide coverage to about half
those currently excluded. Yet many Congressional winners of the recent midterm election
vow to bury health care and additionally intend to slash pensions and medical care for the
elderly and very poor that the people’s struggles created over the last 75 years. In place of
this safety net they propose more tax cuts for millionaires.

Infrastructure crisis.

Imperialism has parasitized the infrastructure of the United States.
Dams, bridges, roads, railroads, water and schools are crumbling and desperately need
repair or replacement5. The United States is the most profligate abuser of energy in the
world. Conservation of energy and conversion of generating sources away from burning
petroleum to environmentally sustainable models is painfully needed but is barred by the
transnational fossil-fuel industries. Millions of jobs are waiting to be done. In order to fill
those jobs, however, the people must starve the war machine and tax the rich.

Going forward.

The existing peace organizations alone are not currently strong enough
to turn the U.S. and its NATO allies toward peace. It is critical that we work in unity with
one another, with broad alliances of labor, human rights, and environmental
organizations to create the kind of political pressure needed for essential change. In that
alliance is the possibility of finally terminating imperialism and reversing course toward a
peaceful world.

We salute the Portuguese Peace Council for its work in creating such alliances and in
organizing the events of this weekend. We are inspired by your enlightened example.

La luta continua!

Obrigado.

1 In order to accelerate their accumulation of wealth, corporations for the last 40 years have taken huge
profits from improved productivity. They have not raised real wages and workers are required to increase
family working hours and amass debt. Government starting with President Ronald Reagan reduced taxes on the rich in favor of borrowing from them, dramatically expanding government debt. The U.S. has become a debtor nation.
2 Art Perlo et al. “Program for Jobs in a green, productive, people before profits, economy for the
21st century.” 31 million workers is 20% of the workforce. The unemployment figures hide even
higher rates for Black and Latino workers, and still higher figures for youth.
3 http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010/11/04/some-14-of-us-uses-food-stamps/ The
population using food stamps has increased 50% in the last 3 years.
4 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40098643/ns/health-health_care Nearly 60 million people
lacked health care coverage part of the year and half of that number lack coverage for a year or more.
Fifteen million of these have serious chronic ailments, asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes.
5 http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/

By John Bachtell, via People’s World

In a potentially important development, exiled members of the former People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan are returning to the country to re-found the organization. They plan to hold a Congress in Kabul later this year and rename the organization the Democratic Party of Afghanistan.

The PDPA was the ruling party that led the country on a path of socialism before being ousted from power in 1992 by the U.S. government-backed Taliban. Thousands of PDPA members were slaughtered or driven into exile where they have functioned over the years as scattered groups.

Exiled members met recently in Germany to unite their ranks and agree on an approach to reestablishing a legal political party on Afghanistan soil.

“The main goal is to return to Afghanistan and bring a situation of peace and stability in the region,” said Dr. Zalmay Gulzad, professor of Social Sciences at Harold Washington Community College in Chicago. Gulzad was born in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. as a student in 1971 and stayed. “Once peace is achieved the movement will evolve into different stages.”

In an interview with the People’s World, Gulzad said the new DPA would join the growing democratic movement in Afghanistan that includes a strong women’s movement, intellectuals, students and even some members of the Parliament.

Media reports have noted nostalgia for the PDPA governing years. Many people say times were better then; there was more stability and security. The government built a lot of schools, provided education and health care, according to Gulzad. Many feel “that period was better than during the repression of the Mujahideen and today’s American bombs.”

“It’s a different situation,” he continued. “The conditions are good for unity to bring peace to Afghanistan. Even before Sept. 11, 2001, members of the PDPA returned and became members of Parliament and they’ve been working within the function of government.”

Gulzad termed the Karzai government a corrupt “puppet regime” and said U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry is really running the country.

Gulzad said the main threat to the stability of the Afghan government comes from a resurgent Taliban. While the people don’t want U.S. troops in the country, they fear a return of the Taliban to power, he said.

“The people will not accept a puppet regime. They will work with the Karzai government because of the situation with the Taliban. Once peace comes, people will bring a genuine people’s government,” he said.

The Taliban have their roots in the U.S. drive to destabilize the Soviet Union during the Carter administration. Known then as “freedom fighters” (Mujahideen) they were religious extremists assembled by the CIA to overthrow the government and kill Communists, democrats and Soviet “infidels.” They were recruited from predominantly Muslim countries when they couldn’t be found in Afghanistan.

Because they were trained in Pakistan, they were renamed Taliban, which means “religious students.” These same elements, trained by the CIA, were responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center in September 11, 2001, including Osama Bin Laden.

After the attacks, said Gulzad, they were suddenly renamed “terrorists.” Instead of going into Saudi Arabia where most were from, or Pakistan where they were trained, the Bush administration invaded Afghanistan. Gulzad says the reason is the strategic geopolitical importance of Afghanistan, its proximity to energy resources and Iran, Russian, China and the Persian Gulf.

“If the Taliban retook power they would be a very regressive force. The Afghan people wouldn’t accept it. Remember there was a civil war – north versus south and within the south they were fighting the Taliban. And the region’s countries would get involved in arming various factions – Pakistan, Iran, Russia and China.”

The main source of support for the Taliban is still the military in Pakistan. Gulzad said this is related to Pakistan’s desire for additional territory in its fight against India and for gaining hold of Kashmir. They want a weak government in Afghanistan and to rid it of Indian influence, which has invested heavily in Afghani infrastructure, education and hospitals.

Gulzad said during the arming of the “freedom fighters” against the Soviet Union everyone denied Pakistan was helping. And today everyone knows the Pakistani military and Inter-Service Intelligence are supporting and arming the Taliban, but it’s still denied.

Today, there are now two separate Taliban, one in Afghanistan and one in Pakistan. The Pakistan Taliban is threatening to overthrow the Pakistani secular state. Gulzad said most of the recent terrorist attacks in other parts of the world have emanated from Pakistan including the deadly attack on Mumbai.

All the Obama administration needs to do is put pressure on Pakistan to stop arming the Afghani Taliban and protecting their sanctuaries from which they are launching attacks into Afghanistan, and the problem would be solved, said Gulzad.

“We are losing many Afghan and U.S. troops right now for no reason,” he said. “Pakistan could arrest Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda and terrorist leaders if it wanted to. Many believe the U.S. and Pakistan want to keep it going for their own purposes.”

“The problem reflects the split in (U.S.) ruling circles, in the U.S. military and the Obama administration. Sections of the military and intelligence community see the importance of a long-term presence in Afghanistan for access to energy resources and geo-political purposes,” he said.

Recently, Defense Secretary Gates, Secretary of State Clinton and General McCrytsal let it be known they oppose President Obama’s suggestion of negotiation with the Taliban, who have suffered military defeats recently.

“The institutions of U.S. imperialism are highly developed. Pres. Obama can’t change it alone. He has very good intentions but the people around him – e.g. the Pentagon, CIA, they are not really allowing him to move from that policy,” said Gulzad

The American people have to demand a change in foreign policy to end U.S. involvement and close down the foreign military bases. he said.

“So long as the imperialist mentality exists – hostility to Iran, China, etc. the U.S. is in a good spot,” he said. Which helps explain why they are rejecting offers from Russia and China to help, he said.

“Russia wanted to help Afghanistan, but were denied by the US. Russia has a long history with Afghanistan. Most of the highways and infrastructure were built by the Soviets. They have all the blueprints.”

Gulzad said international help could come by training and educating personal to rebuild the country. They could be sent to Tajikistan and Iran, which both speak the same language and have the same culture as many Afghanis.

“It would require the U.S. to step back and allow the Afghan government to have its own sovereign relations. The American people have a big responsibility. Look, our government is broke and people are suffering. Yet the US has military bases all over the world and it costs a lot to maintain this. The mentality of imperialism is finished. People around the world don’t accept it any longer,” said Gulzad.