JUST PEAce COMMITTEE

For Life, Sovereignty and Peace!

 Jorge Pérez Cruz reported on the World Anti-imperialist Encounter: For Life, Sovereignty and Peace, which met  “to define strategies for the development and future of humanity” (informacion@granmai.cu, posted January 23, 2020 13:01:38, accessed January 26, 2020). Some 1500 delegates from 72 countries on five continents attended as an international gathering against imperialism during two days in January.

Cruz wrote: “Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros stated that the two-day event was ‘bringing together political movements, leaders, and social movements of the expanded Sao Paulo Forum, to draft an agenda for 2020,’ at the Hotel Alba Caracas, while Victor Gaute López, member of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee Secretariat, noted, ‘Cuba and Venezuela are not responsible for the anger of the peoples rebelling against the recycled neoliberalism being imposed with blood and fire,’ and called on progressive and left parties, organizations and social movements to reach and strengthen unity in diversity, focusing on what we agree on, rather than cultural, regional, ethnic or religious differences.”

 

On January 23, the first panel of the encuentro featured a professor from Syria, a trade union leader from Brazil, and an official from the Communist Party of Cuba. Diosdado Cabello, a member of the National Assembly from the Venezuelan United Socialist Party (PSUV) was one of the opening speakers. His presentation underscored the value and necessity for the Bolivarian struggle of the people in Venezuela. It has persisted despite US imperialist aggression, economic warfare, interference, propaganda and trickery over the last 20 years. The Venezuelan people are continuing their march to defend sovereignty, their dignity and for socialism. When Latin American states have kowtowed to the US, conflict, poverty and destruction have resulted. Just look at Colombia, Brazil and Paraguay.

 

In his closing plenary speech on January 24, Nicolas Maduro summed up the collective sentiments, political positions and objectives of this global gathering (“Clausura del Encuentro Mundial Antiimperialista,” https://www.facebook.com/NicolasMaduro/videos/1454783598036346/, posted on January 24, 2020 and accessed January 27, 2020).  First of all, said Maduro, this event was an event of Caracas, an accomplishment for Caracas. Second, he said, it launches an important year of worldwide mobilization, solidarity and struggle against imperialism for liberation. Third, this meeting was important for Venezuela and the movement of the people against imperialism, the Right and the attacks by the news media. Fourth, it represented Latin American struggles for social justice and liberation, especially for Chile, Colombia and the indigenous peoples of Bolivia and Ecuador.

 

President Maduro next paid tribute to Hugo Chavez and all his followers. The people of Venezuela have been reclaiming just peace and we must sound the call far and wide for just peace. He remarked that President Chavez marched among millions in the streets who were together striving to realize their dreams.

 

President Maduro then spoke about international solidarity. He clarified that all the peoples of the American continents are Americans; they are compatriots fighting for peace with social justice. The empire steals from and exploits all the peoples of the world. It attacks and persecutes us all, so we all have a common enemy. Here at this meeting, people of 72 countries have united. President Maduro claimed that 62% of the world’s peoples want some alternative to neo-liberalism. We have grand objectives: overcoming climate change, poverty and oppression, war and interventions in the name of peace. We have a right to a new world and a new world is possible. We march together for truth.

 

The subsequent topic President Maduro addressed was the situation facing the people of the Middle East (aka West Asia). He expressed deep concern for and solidarity with the peoples of Syria, Iraq and Libya. He condemned the US hostilities against Iran and militarization in the region. At the same time, he denounced Islamic fundamentalism, stating that it offers no benefit to the people. The people of Venezuela have taken up solidarity work for the people in many Middle Eastern countries. There are solidarity “clubs” or “houses” for Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, etc. in many cities in Venezuela.

 

The anti-imperialist people of the world are united by ideas, spirit and strength, said President Maduro. Furthermore, he declared that Venezuela is at the center of the people’s movements of resistance to imperialism and for change. It is not about him, he pointed out; rather, it is a historical momentum for life, a necessity for the peoples to march together for social progress and real and lasting peace.

 

President Maduro concluded this speech with comments on the democratic process of the Venezuelan government and made an announcement in that light. He defended the Venezuelan constitution, which he described as a product of the democratizing republic and its legitimate electoral process. The electoral process functions well and voting is free. The people of Venezuela and the Bolivarian government will not let foreign interventions and the Right to paralyze it. The US is scheming to have the constitution destroyed. However, the value of this constitution can be measured by the social and economic gains enjoyed by the people. The Venezuelan Bolivarian revolution, one year after the coup attempt on February 23, 2019, is now stronger than ever!

 

There is an investigation into the wealth has stolen from Venezuela with the aid of Juan Guaido, added Maduro. There will be justice!

 

Finally, President Maduro expressed gratitude for the international solidarity demonstrated at this conference. The programming at this event was precious and special. The delegates were all invited because of all their hard work and pledges of solidarity for Venezuela and Latin America. He announced an invitation to all Bolivarian Venezuela’s supporters to attend, observe, assist and verify the elections of the National Assembly in 2020. “We will show the world that this is a model democracy, the best in the world!” he declared.

 

Also, there will be a global day of solidarity with the people of Bolivia on February 25, 2020. The last announcement for action was the planning of a second anti-imperialist gathering in 2021.

*Fight for a just peace by actively resisting war with Iran!* Commission 4 of the ILPS condemns the recent war provocations on behalf of the US towards the people of Iran and calls on all members to join in a global day of action on January 25th, called by a number of progressive organizations around the world.

The assassination by the US of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and other Iranian officers reflect the death throes of a dying imperialist power, striking out wherever it can with no plan and no care for peace or human rights. In addition to the threats against the people of Iran, this conflict is currently playing out on Iraqi soil, with every missile fired and every strike ordered once again violating the sovereignty of a country who has seen and suffered through decades of imperialist aggression.

The reckless assassinations invited retaliations and an escalation of conflict between Iran and the US which harm the people in Iraq and stir up animosities globally. The US is targeting these two countries as a means to protect its hegemony in the region. Since the 1979 revolution, Iran has vehemently stood in opposition to the aggression of the US and has resisted US imperialism with its own expansionist aims of leading Islamism (Muslim fundamentalist rule). Iraq’s government recently resolved to expel all US troops given the current situation, which would have marked a severe blow to US military power in the region and removed one of its primary satellite nations. The mass uprisings of people in Iraq against corruption and US-backed anti-people policies in Iraq further shows that the masses of the world stand in complete opposition to the violations of sovereignty and theft of resources that have been facilitated by the military intervention of the US since it rose to become an imperialist power.

While the world has watched in shock at these recent provocations, the war on the Iranian and Iraqi people has been waged for decades in the form of economic sanctions. The US sanctioned Iran just after the 1979 revolution and Iraq in 1990 following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait until the US removed Saddam Hussein from power in 2003. Since Trump has threatened to renew Iraqi sanctions in response to the recent vote to expel US troops, it is important to remember the extreme malnutrition, lack of medical supplies and failing infrastructure that led to the deaths of potentially hundreds of thousands of Iraqis due to past sanctions. Despite a brief reprise under the Obama regime, Iranian sanctions were reimposed by Trump, continuing the fall of the Iranian currency and a major rise in inflation on basic goods. In short, US sanctions have amounted to prolonged economic warfare.

These actions on behalf of US imperialism do not benefit the people of Iran, Iraq and the rest of the world, not even those in the US. As ILPS chairperson emeritus Jose Maria Sison wrote, “[the US] will continue to lose trillions of dollars in military expenditures without being able to expand stable economic territory. The US public debt will increase at an accelerated rate even as the US military industrial complex profits.” ILPS chairperson Len Cooper reminds us that any invasion will, “use American poor and working-class youths as cannon fodder for a war that will serve only US imperialist interests.” There is no regard for human rights and life on the part of the US and global oligarchy and aggressors.

Now is the time to wage united militant struggle against the machinations of a dying US imperialism. To quote the recent statement from ILPS-US, “The US empire in decline is a rogue state, with no respect of international law, the sovereignty of nations, or the norms of diplomacy; it represents the single greatest threat to life on the planet. The people of the world, united in struggle, represent the solution.”

On January 25th, take to the streets with all progressive forces of the world to demand an end to the military violence and economic warfare of the ruling classes and for a genuinely just and lasting peace, the basis upon which the people of the world can build a bright future free of militarism and wars of aggression.

STATEMENT

Issued by the Office of the Chairperson Len Cooper, Chairperson International League of Peoples’ Struggle 4 January 2020

The International League of Peoples Struggles (ILPS) condemns United States imperialism’s latest act of aggression and war against Iran and Iraq.
The murder of General Qasem Soleimani of Iran, on Iraq soil, represents an arrogantact of murder by the US government and a blatant violation of international law and Iraqi sovereignty by US imperialism. It is a direct attack on the workers and peoples of Iraq, Iran and the Middle East and a provocation, if not a declaration, of war that raises no less than the spectre of the start of another world war.

This is the latest culmination of the US’s decades of efforts to impose its imperialist will on the Middle East and to force the Iranian government to bow down in submission to its dictates in order to further carry out plunder in the region. It is an attack on all peoples and governments of the world who are standing up for national sovereignty and self-determination against US imperialist dictates.

Timed by US president Donald Trump to influence impeachment proceedings against him and the upcoming US elections, this attack is a declaration of war that did not receive US Congress’ approval. It is therefore illegal even by US imperialist laws, to use American poor and working-class youths as cannon fodder for a war that will serve only US imperialist interests, and should hasten Trump’s downfall.
The ILPS fully supports the workers and people of the United States, Middle East, particularly of Iran and Iraq, and the world who are mobilising and protesting against this latest act of US imperialist aggression.

The ILPS calls on all ILPS organs and supporters, and the workers and people of the world to immediately mobilise, organise and protest against this latest outrage by US imperialism in the Middle East.

The ILPS strongly supports the following calls:

Stop the US war on Iran! US troops out of Iraq and the Middle East! Prosecute Trump for yet another cowardly, illegal drone murder of a citizen of another country! Oppose US imperialist wars and aggression! Down with US imperialism!

Statement of the ILPS Commission 4, November 25, 2019

Build the anti-imperialist movement! Struggle for just peace everywhere!

ILPS Commission 4 called for activities to join in the protests against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during the time of the NATO Summit held in London, UK NATO 70^th anniversary events will take place from December 1 to 3 this year.

What is worth celebrating? NATO is a military and political alliance established decades ago. It has been building and running more and more military bases in Europe, keeping military surveillance of the Middle East, practicing war games, mobilizing forces around states it sees as deviants and threats, developing misinformation campaigns to justify aggressions or foster counter-revolutions, carrying out invasions such as the occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq, and making strikes such as the bombing of Yugoslavia, Libya and Syria.

NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization and is an alliance of 29 states committed to upholding its common goals. Created after WW2 and building on the Western alliance, it was creating as the Cold War and was a factor for causing the Cold War. Whereas the Soviet Union had been an ally during WW2, it was an enemy to NATO. The founding members were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK and The United States. They all agreed to provide collective security from attack by the USSR and stop communism from spreading. Although the USSR is no more, NATO’s modus operandi is still to deter or stop states and movements deviating from the monopoly-capitalism model. It defends the present-day set of policies known as neo-liberalism. Its work is thus to develop counter-revolutionary strategy and launch offensives, which imperialist military and political leaders typically characterize as defense of freedom and democracy.

The US, though, has been increasingly going rogue. Its terrible intervention in Iraq began without the cooperation of NATO partners, for example. With the Trump presidential office increasingly backing out of international agreements, and questioning the role and purpose of NATO, there is some debate as to whether to dismantle NATO. Many European states, however, want to extend NATO’s existence. This is one of many signs of sharpening inter-imperialist rivalries around the world.

It is also a sign of the financial, political and social crisis deepening in the US. Complaining that NATO members should pay more for participating in NATO. It is also in conflict with its allies in other regions of the world, such as Asia, about payments for cooperative activities such as military exercises, and base sharing and construction. Some independent economists cite US government liabilities at $120 trillion and consumer debt at $8 trillion, while many of its people cannot pay for housing and lack access to basic services. The US budget for 2019 is nearly $1 trillion. It cannot afford to continue on the same path. It is therefore demanding that other states raise their military budgets.

Two weeks ago, the Associated Press reported on the meeting between US President Trump and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg emerged from this meeting, declaring: “Before allies were cutting defense budgets. Now, they are adding billions to their budgets and by the end of next year, NATO allies in Europe and Canada will have added $100 billion or actually more than $100 billion to their defense spending” since 2016.

Far from showing any willingness to relinquish its special position as ruler of the world, the US and the powers and financial operations that it represents and defends remain entrenched despite the crisis. President Trump and US followers are feeding the rise of fascist thought and organization.

Of course, the expanding arms trade wants to keep the business of war and terror rolling. Big corporations such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, BAE and Raython are making billions every year from death and destruction.

The peoples of the world again face world war, destruction by nuclear weapons and mega-bombs, more terror and militarization. It is extremely important and absolutely necessary that the people who want true democracy, social justice and lasting peace get organized and rise up for life and just peace.

The ILPS urges working people to join in protests against the upcoming summit. More than that, we urge them to raise the demand for their respective countries to withdraw from NATO and to get their governments to call for the dismantling of NATO. Take action against militarization, wars of aggression and counter-revolution, and weapons of mass destruction. Demand that your governments reduce military spending and take measures to reduce the arms trade.

 

US, Hands off Venezuela, Syria, Cuba, Iran, North Korea!                              Support the just causes of the peoples! 

Resume the peace talks regarding the Philippines, Palestine, and Colombia, now!            Israel, out of Palestine!

Universal nuclear non-proliferation now!             No to NATO!                      Not a single person used for war again!

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ILPS Commission 4 opposes wars of aggression and aggression, and weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons. Peace4@vcn.bc.ca                      Website:   https://peace450.wixsite.com   Actions:   No to NATO Summit! Dec. 1-3       Tax Day, April 15  / Earth Day April 22
International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS)                   http://Ilps.info

Statement of Commission 4 of the International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS) for Armistice Day, November 11, 2019

BUILD THE MOVEMENT FOR JUST PEACE!

Over 100 years since the conclusion of World War One, and war is still a constant, major problem for humanity. The International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS; ilps.info) supports the just struggles of the peoples for national liberation, genuine democracy and a decent standard of living. We condemn militarization, bigotry and wars of aggression and counter-revolution. We oppose military intervention aimed at destroying social progress, popular democracy and societies that reject the global monopoly-capitalist system in favour of social and economic arrangements that benefit the people. We oppose occupation and domination. We call for the universal non-proliferation of nuclear and all weapons of mass destruction. In sum, we choose life. We support peace with social justice. We firmly reject the propaganda of aggression to achieve human rights and a “way of life”, as was used to justify wholesale terror and destruction of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.

The ILPS calls for the respect of and return to peace processes in cases of internal conflict. Demands of the people for social justice must be addressed, such as demands for land reform, political and economic reforms, and legal or compensatory justice for the people. If those demands are ignored, the people have reason to wage their struggle, even armed struggle, for such conflicts are matters of survival. Rights and standards acknowledged and set internationally must be honoured. Neither people facing repressive and inhumane states can be expected to lay down their arms and abandon their struggles, nor oppressed nations under domination, unless social justice is respected and put on the table for honest negotiation. We call for ceasefires and resumption or initiation of peace talks in the Philippines, Colombia, Palestine, the Ukraine, Syria, Turkey and the Kashmir.

States and factions committing offenses such as invasion, genocide and “ethnic cleansing”, extrajudicial killings and detentions, deprivation of their citizens, and obstruction to democratic processes must be confronted and dealt with according to international norms and law. Sovereignty must be respected. States plotting and ganging up against another state or interfering and intervening against a peaceful, non-threatening state, (which is done largely for profit, control and political bias) should also be confronted and treated in the name of social and legal justice. The ILPS thus stands against the meddling and disruptive practices against countries such as Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia and North Korea. It thoroughly opposes the occupation of Palestine. We also oppose the implementation of economic tactics to crush enemy states and peoples’ movements as they punish the people with deprivation. The ILPS thus condemns the US blockades against Cuba and North Korea, as well as the economic measures against Venezuela and Iran. Plans to invade as a so-called solution to conflicts are totally unacceptable, so we also oppose the militarization and war exercises around North Korea, Venezuela, the Ukraine, the Persian Gulf, the Caribbean and anywhere else.

World War One was a clash of old empires, including the British Empire, in which there was no sane reason for engaging millions of young people and unleashing widespread destruction of civilians and civilizations. Four empires fell by the end of WW1: the Russian Tsarist Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Prussian Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire; it was the desertion of Russian soldiers and, eventually, the Russian Revolution that were the main factors for peace. Competing states sent millions of soldiers to wholesale slaughter. Just as Tsarist Russia had deployed masses of soldiers to satisfy a pact with Serbia, the British Empire intentionally mobilized divisions of men from its colonies, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, to stage futile battles such as Gallipoli, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele.

New empires asserted themselves after WW1. Born out of the redivision of European states, industrializing Germany under the Nazi fascists attempted to build a new empire but was crushed by the dedication of myriads of men and women. Imperialist Japan, meanwhile, tried to make the most of the conflict in Europe to expand its territories and resources by invading more countries in East Asia, which forced a military response on the part of the US. The US had been creating its own empire establishing colonies in the Pacific and Caribbean regions, though it had held back for much of the two World Wars. However, vulture-like interests, especially profiteers in the US, drooled over the benefits they could enjoy from war and the destruction of Europe: chemical and arms corporations grew, and the US poised itself to reap the rewards and come out on top. Just as the Nazis were doing, the US also exploited the opportunity to develop arms, most notably the nuclear bomb. History has concluded that the release of nuclear bombs over Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan was not justified, intended rather as an experimentation and a display of might and conquest. The US thus asserted its role as a ruling empire of the world.

It is the US empire, which supports and defends the global elite, the global moguls of finance capital, that is the main factor for war today. This is the “way of life” that it declares it stands for. The kind of freedom it desires is market freedom, at any cost to the peoples of the world. It has been a factor in stirring up aggressive, anti-West Islamists who are trying hard to establish an Islamist empire in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions today. The US plays both sides in the conflicts with the Islamist movements, supporting some terrorists, for example in Libya and Syria so as to crush political and market obstacles, while gunning after others, such as the fundamentalist regime of Iran, so as to open up markets and spheres of influence. ILPS opposes all terror.

The ILPS understands that conflict is inherent in the imperialist economic system, which is rife with contradictions: inter-imperialist rivalries, class, nation, corporate competition, and so on. It thrives on violence and social division, seeking market niches, cheap resources, cheap labour, technological innovations, expropriations… In short, it is an exploiting and plundering system. Also, it imposes itself as far and as wide as possible by force. Arms are both a means and an industry.

Let us observe, educate and organize according to this reality, this scenario of social injustice and crimes against humanity and the planet. Let us not celebrate the imperialist violence. Let us not glorify war for domination and profit. Let us raise our voices together in calling and mobilizing for just peace!

All out to say, “No to NATO” from December 1 to 3, the time of the NATO summit in London, UK. Denounce all crimes against humanity and defend life and human rights on International Human Rights Day on December 10. Say, “No Taxes for War” on April 15. March for land, life and just peace on Earth Day, April 22. March on May Day, May 1^st.

 

US, Hands off Venezuela, Syria, Cuba, Iran, North Korea!                              Support the just causes of the peoples! 

Resume the peace talks regarding the Philippines, Palestine, and Colombia, now!            Israel, out of Palestine!

Universal nuclear non-proliferation now!             No to NATO!                      Not a single person used for war again!

 

ILPS Commission 4 opposes wars of aggression and aggression, and weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons. Peace4@vcn.bc.ca   Actions:   No to NATO Summit! Dec. 1-3       Tax Day, April 15  / Earth Day April 22
International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS)                     http://Ilps.info

https://ilps.info/en/2019/10/11/push-back-turkeys-invasion

Support the Kurdish struggle for self-determination!

Trump and Erdogan have no one else to blame but themselves in the worsening political and humanitarian crisis in Syria. The US aggression for regime change in Syria using the terrorist Islamic State failed and only increased hostilities.

What effectively thwarted the terrorist menace in Syria were the people themselves and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), composed mainly of armed Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ).

A few weeks before the Turkish invasion, the US convinced the SDF to remove fortifications in the border area providing the SDF security guarantees. Following a phone conversation between the US and Turkish presidents, the US announced that it “will no longer be in the immediate area”. US military garrisons in Tel Abyad, Tel Musa, Tel Hinzir and Tel Arqam were abandoned. US and Turkey joint patrols in the border ceased. The US practically green-lighted the Turkish invasion and back-stabbed the SDF and Kurdish forces.

Trump released a statement on October 6 that Turkey will soon carry out its “long-planned operation” into northern Syria. Erdogan used the October 7 pullout of US forces in northern Syria to launch the first phase of “Operation Peace Spring” under the pretext of establishing a “safe zone” along the border. Its real intention is to demolish the self-administration of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the liberated areas in Syria and cut-off the Kurds in southern Turkey long struggling for self-determination under the leadership of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The party is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the US and NATO.

Turkey’s invasion of northeast Syria is not only a violation of international law and a blatant breach of the International Security Council’s resolutions. It threatens a new wave of violence against Syria and the Kurdish people. Erdogan already threatened to open the doors and send 3.6 million migrants to Europe if the EU insists to denounce the operation as an invasion. The Syrian crisis has already engendered the largest refugee crisis of our time with more than 13 million in need of humanitarian assistance and 11 million refugees.

The International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) is one with the Kurdish people in fighting for their liberation. We are one with the Arab world and the rest of the international community in condemning Turkey’s invasion.  The Kurds have heroically defended Kobane and Rojava in the past. We trust that their resolute resistance and our solidarity can push back Turkey from northern Syria, and foil the US with its NATO allies from its imperialist intervention in the Middle East.

We call on all ILPS affiliates from across the globe to issue their own statements and hold indignation rallies against US and Turkey as well as solidarity actions for the Kurds.

Len Cooper
Chairperson
International League of Peoples’ Struggle

Melbourne Rally for International Day of Peace 21 September
No Australian Support for U.S. wars! Climate Action for Peace!

On 21 September, the International Day of Peace several peace, antiwar and community organisations came together in Melbourne, Australia, at a colourful and spirited rally calling for global peace, an end to wars of aggression and ending Australia’s support for U.S. wars.
The rally called for the removal of US bases and troops, an end to US/Australia military alliance and for an indepen-dent and peaceful foreign policy. Speakers called for an end to imperialist wars of aggression, more public funds to hospitals, schools and climate action, not to wars and fossil fuel profiteers and makers of climate change. Solidarity with people and countries fighting for justice, peace and independence.
In a powerful speech an Indigenous Palawa Woman from Tasmania, pointed out that “there’s no way that we could ever truly achieve peaceful foreign policy without confronting our colonial past and acts of genocide that have happened and been ignored, and the acts happening now that are also being ignored.” A member of Young Unionists for Climate Action Network made a compelling speech on the urgency for collective grass roots mobilisation by ordinary people demanding climate action, not to wait and rely on politicians who will never act. Several speakers made links between climate crisis and wars, in particular on how fossil fuel corporations and military corporations profit from and promote the world’s continuing dependency on fossil fuel and being in a perpetual state of wars. “Military/Industrial monopolies need fossil fuels and wars!” proclaimed one placard.
Coming one day after the massive climate crisis strike and march through Melbourne on 20September by more than 150,000 young people and supporters, including unionists and working people who left their jobs to participate, both rallies sent powerful messages. The rally heard 10 excellent speakers representing different organisations, including: Independent and Peaceful Australia Network; Medical Association for Prevention of War; Young Unionists for Climate Action Network and an Electrical Trades Union member; Monash University student and Indigenous woman from Tasmania; Spirit of Eureka; West Papuan student; ILPS/Australia; Migrante Melbourne; Venezuela Solidarity; an independent journalist; and peace activists.
An IPAN speaker concluded the speech noting “Australian people’s contribution to ending global wars of aggression is to build a broad people’s movement that unites many strands of peace, antiwar and anti/imperialist campaigns and struggles to remove U.S. bases and troops, end US\Australia military Alliance, and promote an independent and peaceful foreign policy that respects the sovereignty of people and countries. Independence from all big powers. This will be our meaningful contribution to global peace and justice.”
Spirit of Eureka is an affiliate of ILPS Australia. http://www.spiritofeureka.org/

HANDS OFF VENEZUELA!

 

In anticipation of a potential border incident that could trigger aggression from the imperialists and the state of Colombia, Venezuela is holding military exercises along the Venezuela-Colombia border until September 28. The reason is that Colombia is trying to provoke the US and its allies by spreading fake news saying that Colombian revolutionary guerrillas are taking refuge in Venezuela. The Vancouver Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver (VPSC) condemns the propaganda, the militarization of the border and any plans for a military intervention against Venezuela.

 

The Colombian state led by President Ivan Duque is in crisis. After the peace treaty with a large revolutionary faction, FARC, disintegrated, FARC Commander Ivan Marquez announced on August 29 that FARC was taking up arms again and resuming guerrilla warfare in the jungles. The decades-old Colombian revolution seeks social liberation, decent living conditions and democracy. The Colombian state has one of the worst records in history of allowing paramilitary engagements and assassinating civil leaders such as union leaders and human rights advocates as well as guerrilla leaders. Many Colombians live in miserable conditions. It has used the campaign against drug lords as an excuse and has solicited the support of the US and allies. US and allied forces came up with Plan Colombia over 20 years ago and have maintained a military encirclement of Colombia. With the gains of the civil war peace process and the growth of the Right in South America, Colombian and allied forces have been manifesting along the Venezuela-Colombia border as part of the counter-revolutionary campaign against the Bolivarian leadership of Venezuela.

 

The VPSC stands against the militarization of the region, expresses staunch solidarity with the just struggles of people of the Colombia, and deplores the human rights abuses by the Colombian state. Moreover, we strongly oppose the complicity of the US and its allies in both meddling in the civil war in Colombia and supporting the repressive Colombian state, while we oppose the interference in Venezuelan affairs that aims to stir up a civil war inside Venezuela.

 

The VPSC calls for full diplomatic relations and privileges to be restored between Canada and Venezuela. We want an end to the economic war that is causing deprivation to the people. We reject the propaganda against Venezuela, namely that the President was illegitimately elected and there is a “humanitarian crisis” in Venezuela. It is the imposition of economic restrictions on Venezuela that is really the major cause of shortages of goods in Venezuela. Dangerous lies are being used to drum up support for sanctions, interference and possibly military intervention against Bolivarian Venezuela.

 

No more lies! Respect the democratic process and sovereignty of Venezuela! Diplomacy, not war!

 

As a group based in Canada, we condemn the Canadian state’s propaganda against Venezuela, its participation in executing the sanctions, and its role in orchestrating counter-revolution in Venezuela. Hand in hand with the US, the Government of Canada is hitting diplomatic ties with Venezuela. Canada has kicked out the Venezuelan Ambassador to Canada, though the Chargé d’Affaires is still running the Venezuelan Embassy in Canada. Venezuela has been forced to close its consular services in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal because Canada is refusing to renew diplomatic visas to Venezuela’s consular staff in Canada.

 

Again, Canada followed the US lead when the US shut down the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, DC, and arrested and charged some of the defenders of the Embassy.

 

Canada is a facilitator of building the Right-wing alliance of South America known as the Lima Group to oppose Bolivarian Venezuela; working in tandem with its US imperialist masters, it and other imperialist allies are spreading lies through corporate media and other channels about a false “humanitarian crisis” and vicious and illegitimate “dictatorship” while it supports the interference, coercive economic measures and destabilization efforts against Venezuela. Largely because of the economic embargo, the need for real humanitarian aid is growing; however, the imperialists including Canada blame the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro for causing a crisis.

 

Part of the counter-revolutionary strategy is to disturb Venezuelan-Cuban relations and attack the Cuban revolution. The US has been accusing Cuba of leading the revolution in Venezuela and running the Venezuelan Bolivarian armed forces. It says that the 20,000 Cubans in Venezuela at present are Cuban military personnel when they are, in fact, mostly women who are in Venezuela to carry out collaborative programs such as medical and educational services. Canada has lent a hand by making it more difficult for Cubans to get Canadian visas.

 

We call for an end to the repression and harassment against Venezuelan diplomats and diplomatic relations with Venezuela. We reject economic war, military planning and interference against Bolivarian Venezuela and all legitimate and democratic nations demonstrating alternatives to the imperialist model. We demand a return to diplomacy and negotiations. We want the Venezuelan Ambassador to Canada returned and diplomatic visas to Canada renewed. We want the legitimately elected and re-elected President Maduro and all his representatives abroad respected.

 

Stop the lies and interference in Venezuela and Cuba! Hands off Venezuela and Cuba!

 

We support the Venezuelan people, the peoples of Latin America and the Bolivarian movement by uniting in action to stop the imperialist interference, destabilization efforts including cyber-attacks, economic war including unilateral coercive measures, attacks on embassies and regime change schemes against Venezuela and its regional allies such as Cuba and Nicaragua.

 

 

Justpeace87@yahoo.com

Facebook: Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver

 

(Also, see Hugo Chávez People´s Defense Front/ Frente para la Defensa de los Pueblos Hugo Chávez)

Statement of the International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS, ilps.info)

The International Day of Peace, September 21, 2019

OPPOSE WAR! BUILD THE MOVEMENT FOR PEACE WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE!  

The ILPS has organized in unity with its members and allies to make world peace day meaningful. We hope that it helps to bring more mass organizations together to build movements for just peace.Unite opposition to aggression and militarization!

The International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations Organization General Assembly in 1981. This year’s theme is “Climate Action for Peace,” which intends to “draw attention to the importance of combating climate change as a way to protect and promote peace throughout the world. Climate change causes clear threats to international peace and security.” (https://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/) Problems of access to and shortages of resources such as agricultural land, drinking water and energy are resulting in increasing tensions around the world and causing serious conflicts. In 2015, UN member states established 17 Sustainable Development Goals covering issues including “poverty, hunger, health, education, climate change, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, environment and social justice.” (ibid.) The 13^th goal is climate action; the UN is holding a Climate Action Summit on September 23, 2019.

The ILPS likewise links environmental problems to conflict. For one thing, we understand that military activities cause waste and environmental damage and destroy resources. We understand that many of the biggest conflicts in the world today are related to the petroleum industry and other extraction industries. We also appreciate that military forces and arms producers use and depend on large sources of petroleum and other minerals, as well as water.

The ILPS looks deeply at the causes of violence, including environmental destruction. We share the analysis that the global market economy and the ideals that propel it are the roots of most aggression, domination and militarization. That is, imperialism. First of all, resource extraction is unplanned or ill-planned. Resources are usually privately claimed and fought over, often with political and military support. Ownership, distribution and accessibility are unequal, causing an inherent major rift. Only a small fraction of the population own the wealth and control resources. Tensions of inter-imperialist rivalries and all the contradictions of a global system in deep crisis are higher than ever before. Military mobilization is increasing while militarist and terrorist ideas and groupings are flourishing and the arms production industries churning while the people everywhere are working to resist and create alternatives to the failing system. States are adopting aggressive policies and investing in war. Every tactic of imperialism, from cyber attacks to misinformation campaigns, from economic attacks to support for terrorism, from internal interference for regime-change to armed interventions, is being deployed against states that deviate from the imperialist blueprint and movements that resist or pursue independence. The people must rise to the challenge; the whole planet is at stake.

International military alliances pose dangers, as well. Take North America Treaty Organization (NATO), for example, which is expanding and building more bases, deploying more forces. Led by the US, it was created as a Cold War military challenge to communism. Its role is still to defeat socialism, protect private markets, defend corporate monopoly interests and keep capitalism in control. Today the US and its allies are engaging in many operations and schemes of counter-revolution, especially in Latin America.

Moreover, they are trying to stir up internal conflict or take advantage of internal conflict and domestic turmoil, offering economic sanctions and military intervention as a supposed solution to crises. Media hype and misinformation campaigns are carried out to manufacture consent. The result?—destruction and mayhem in places like Libya, Syria, and Iraq. New plots and threats are being made against Venezuela and Iran today. The sanctions against such countries that pose no international threat are unjust.  They are causing shortages of resources and products that civilian populations need in everyday life. Well targeted and measured sanctions or other penalties could be justified against real fascist regimes and aggressors, such as Israel, Philippines and Saudi Arabia, but these are the friends of US imperialism and its allies. The UN cannot resolve such matters as long as the US controls it with the veto power in the Security Council.

The danger of nuclear war is high again. China, Russia and the US are developing weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear powered machinery and weaponry. The US tested a nuclear bomb early in 2019.

The ILPS supports the just struggles of the people trying to liberate themselves from oppression and military rule. We support governments that have democratic processes and provide for their peoples. We support responsible leadership that plans for sustainable economy and resource use with environmental protection. In short, we call for peace but peace with social justice. Social equality is at the heart of our vision. We support struggles including armed conflicts organized to defend the people and their lands and construct their own societies as they see fit.

The ILPS is part of the global movement for just peace against imperialism. We oppose wars of aggression and counter-revolution as well as the development of weapons of mass destruction, especial nuclear weapons. We try to encourage and facilitate the peoples’ movements for just peace.

It is of the utmost urgency that the working people and oppressed of all sectors unite and organize against war and for just peace today.

There will be more mass actions on Armistice Day (Europe and North America, Nov. 11) and during the next NATO Summit (London, Dec. 1-3).

 

No more Hiroshimas!                    Oppose militarization and aggression!                  

Just and Lasting Peace!

 

Dismantle NATO and ANZUS!                    Hands off Venezuela, Cuba, Syria, Yemen, Iran and North Korea!

 

Occupation is a crime!  Free, free, Palestine!                     China, Out of the West Philippine Sea!

A Message from International Women’s Alliance 

NO MORE WARS OF AGGRESSION!

NO TO ANOTHER GENERATION OF COMFORT WOMEN!

 The International Women’s Alliance and all its allied organizations call on women of the world to commemorate August 14, the official end of World War II, with renewed energy and commitment to fight imperialist aggression and war. We call on all justice and peace-loving women and people around the world to especially honor the women victims of Japanese military sexual slavery who bravely came out and brought to light the systemic use of sexual violence as a tool of war.

The World War II was an imperialist war to re-divide the world among imperialist powers, an attempt to prevent the collapse of the capitalist system. It brought devastation to the lives of millions of people. Millions were trafficked and forced to work as slaves to produce war needs. Many of the victims were women from Korea, Philippines, China, Indonesia, the Netherlands who were threatened, abducted and forced to serve as sexual slaves to the Japanese imperial army.

 Decades after the war and even after they first publicly spoke of their harrowing experience, they are still crying for justice. Justice for many of these comfort women means the official recognition by the Japanese government and their own governments, as in the case of the Philippines, an official public apology from Japan, and compensation to atone for their suffering. Unfortunately, many of them have died without seeing justice. And with the recent moves of Japan to strengthen its military forces by removing any pretense of “peace” in its constitution, history is bound to repeat itself.

 Beyond the demand for justice for what was done to them, many comfort women have joined the call to end imperialist wars of aggression as these create new generations of comfort women. Until now in many parts of the world, rape is still used as a tool to subjugate, intimidate, humiliate, dominate, and instill fear among a population.

 As imperialist rivalry heightens, so do the attacks on women and their communities.  The imperialist US’ army and the CIA, have systematically used rape and torture to humiliate captives in their “terrorist war”. In Congo, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Iraq, Syria, and many other countries, mass rape of women, abduction and forced marriage are used to sow terror and fear among the population. The attacks against ethnic minority groups such as the Rohingyans have galvanized the systemic use of rape among state military forces to wipe out ethnic populations. So called “peace keeping forces” on the other hand, have been found guilty of rape and other forms of sexual assaults against women in areas of conflict where they were deployed.

 With the economic crisis getting worse and neo-liberal policies in many countries creating more chaos and devastation, we see more wars of aggression for economic and political dominance. With the resurgence of tyranny, fascism, racism, and misogyny, even the international laws, conventions, and institutions that were meant to prevent the use of sexual violence against women in armed conflict and to protect women from such prove to be either useless or are being eroded.

 The grave situation that many women face also gives rise to women who courageously stand for their rights against imperialist attacks. Like the comfort women, we take inspiration from the Yazidi women, from women in Africa, Middle East, and many parts of the world who are publicly telling their stories, to demand justice, and to educate the public about how capitalist greed and wars are creating generations of sexual slaves. Many of them brave public humiliation and threats to their lives to speak out against military sexual slavery and are joining the movements around the world to end imperialist wars of aggression.

 As we honor these women, and all those who fought against tyranny and fascism during WWII and beyond, we enjoin IWA member organizations and allies to actively participate in actions, commemorative activities on August 14 in their countries and communities.

 No to another generation of comfort women!

End the use of sexual violence in war and conflict!

End imperialist wars of aggression!