The 18thPancyprian Congress of EDON which was held from the 2nd until the 4th of January 2016 in Nicosia, after an in-depth discussion on the International situation concluded:
A.Our Conference is taking place in conditions of a more general capitalist crisis on an international level, which has resulted in a deep intensification of imperialist antagonisms between the powerful centers of the world, as well as in the class contradictions between capital and labour. It is a structural crisis of capitalism, which has verified the theoretical analysis of the classics of Marxism and has confirmed the Leninist analysis of imperialism. It is a crisis rooted in the basic contradiction of capitalism, which wants production to assume a social character, but the result of production to end up in the hands of a privileged few, the multinational corporations and monopolies, whose sole goal is to ensure maximization of profits.
B. In the developed capitalistic countriesthe working class in a tragic state. Unemployment is rising and has now become a permanent and tough reality for millions of working people, especially young people, who are forced to emigrate. Labour rights are being trampled on, cheap and flexible labour is being institutionalized, miserable wages are being enforced and the right to strike and organized struggle is being criminalized. Education and health are being commercialized and from a right have become a privilege of a select few, whilst class barriers are being erected in all areas of social life. At the same time, states, businesses and households are indebted up to a point where there seems to be no way out of.
C.Neoliberalism has prevailed, contributing to the violent outbreak of the crisis. Everything are privatized and deregulated in favor of the great capital, while what was left of the so-called welfare state disintegrates. However, the scheme of idealizing neoliberal globalization continues, using an entire ideological fabrication, which aims in essence to impose unpopular policies. Organizations - tools in the hands of imperialism, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Union, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the international rating agencies are serving the interests of capital, which, together with bourgeois governments are imposing tough measures aiming always at ensuring capitalist development.
D. EU is increasingly linked to the objectives of NATO. The ongoing agreement process between EU and US of the so called Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is indicative of the effort to shape a common Euro-Atlantic market, an "economic NATO" that will remove every barrier to the activities of multinationals and monopolies. Billions of euros out of the EU and Member States budget are given to armament programs and military missions, to support "preventive wars".
E. The position of the EU on the situation in Ukraine, along with the support to the extreme right and neo-Nazi government, is added to the EUs former stance in the Balkans, in Yugoslavia during the '90s, in the case of independence process of Kosovo, etc.The participation of the EU, together with NATO and its allies, in the imperialist wars is creating huge flows of immigration, especially from the Middle East and Africa. EU is complicit in the victimization of immigrants and refugees, as not only it does not address the root causes of migration, but on the contrary EU turns more and more into an "enclosed fortress", strengthening its repressive mechanisms.
F. The crisis of capitalism intensifies antagonism for dominance in the global market between the imperialist centers and the new global and regional imperialist powers. Nowadays, the upheavals within the international imperialist pyramid, the changes in the correlation of power, the formation of new alliances and the resurgence of war conflicts are typical examples. Within these upheavals the rise of countries like China, India and Russia, as well as of other countries of the BRICS (Brazil, South Africa) triggers financial, political and military aggression by US-NATO-EU, in order to defend their hegemony in the imperialist "new world order".
G. The wider region of the south eastern Mediterranean attracts the greatest interest of the imperialists, given that this is where the biggest energy reserves are concentrated. The inter-imperialist competition between Turkey and Israel for primacy in the region leads to further destabilization, while the US and the EU have dominant role in the militarization of the region.
H. The chain of events following the -so called- "Arab Spring", where also followed by the intervention of the NATO, the EU and its allies in the region (Turkey, Israel and the Arab Gulf States in particular). In Afghanistan, the US have secured the permanency of their military presence in the area and have also expanded their raids as far as Pakistan. Libya and Yemen are still in chaos, due to the religious and sectarian conflicts. After 12 years of US occupation, Iraq is still de facto divided in three areas. Syria is torn by civil war and foreign intervention and in the neighboring Lebanon there is still instability and continuous Israeli threats.
I. The fundamentalist and forces taking us back to the dark ages (for example, "Islamic State") which they created, armed and trained, as they themselves have admitted. In doing so, they have unleashed these forces which proceeded to commit gruesome crimes against the local populations. All these actions are not out of line with the policy set out by the plans of NATO and its allies in the region. In fact, the actions of the "Islamic State" serve their interests in the region, since it is a major factor of destabilization and chaos that moves toward future military interventions.
J. The actions of NATO and especially Turkey, indicate their insistence on supporting the “Islamic State”. The US and NATO provide full cover to Turkey, whose actions continue to provoke international peace and security (eg. the Russian aircraft that was shot down by Turkish air force), and consist a peace breaker in the Eastern Mediterranean area. Turkey, as a country-member of NATO and the G-20, as well as a privileged ally of E.E. and the US, is a characteristic example indicating the hypocritical stance of the West towards compacting ISIS. Not only did they contributed to the creation of ISIS, but even now that they have declared war against it, they still allow Turkey to act against the basic oppossers of ISIS, as is Russia, the government of Syria and the Kurds of Syria.
K. In Eastern Europe, NATO continues to expand and strengthen its military presence, focusing on the Baltic Sea. Along with the increased involvement of NATO partners in the NATO budget, the creation of a rapid-reaction NATO-force is being implemented. In addition to all of the above, an extension of the missile defense system takes place around the world and particularly in European territory. The redrawn of borders and the creation / recognition of new States-protectorates (i.e. the case of Kosovo) remains an endearing practice, violating international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the sovereignty of independent states.
L.In Latin America, corruption and coups against progressive governments encounter the fierce resistance of the peoples, who are resisting the imperialist hegemony of the US. The economic blockade imposed by the US on Venezuela, is yet another blockade policy in addition that imposed on Cuba and its people. Cuba still defends its independence and socialism against the efforts by the US and the E.U. to undermine the sovereignty of the country. The release of the five Cuban heroes is a victory for the socialist Cuba and the international anti-imperialist movement, which fights against the crimes of imperialism and the continuous violations of the US against the Cuban people. Additionally, even if the diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US were restored, the blockade is not yet lifted, which indicates that the aggressive policy of the American imperialism against Cuba is not going to change.
M. The interventions in North Africa reveal the neo-colonialism trend and intensify exploitation and poverty in a continent tortured by racial, religious and ethnic conflicts and flagrant violation of human rights. At the same time, Africa has become a guinea pig of the pharmaceutical industry and a dump place of nuclear and toxic waste. At the same time, the US declared turn to Southeast Asia and the Pacific, as well as the plans to encircle Russia and China respectively, reveal the intentions of the imperialist centers.
Taking into consideration the situation presented above, the 18thPancyprian Congress of EDON:
1. Fights against imperialism, the “New World Order” and supports all the progressive, democratic, peace-making forces all over the world, who demand cessation of all imperialist war conflicts and fight for the overthrow of imperialism.
2. Condemns the imperialistic machinations of the US, NATO, Turkey and the Gulf states, against the people of Syria. Also condemns fundamentalistandforces taking us back to the dark ages (forexample, "IslamicState"). Expresses solidarity to the people of Syria and his right to choose and built a future of democracy and progress, free of imperialist wars and interventions, as well as free of the “Islamic state” terrorism, which is a thread not only for the people of Syria, but also for the rest of the world.
3. Expresses solidarity to the fighting people of Palestine against the Israeli occupation and demands justice to the struggle of the Palestinians for an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital and the implementation of UN resolutions.
4. Condemns the criminal blockade of the US against Cuba and Venezuela, which also includes the supply prohibition of pharmaceutical medication and other healthcare necessities that consist an important obstacle for the development of those countries. EDON demands the termination ofblockade and supports the struggles of those peoples.
5. Stands in solidarity to the people of West Sahara, who suffer from Moroccan occupations since 1975. Also, reaffirms the support to their struggle to recover their legitimate and undisputable national rights, including the right of self-determination.
6. Condemns all the neoliberal policies of the E.E., the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), especially when they are applied through the blackmails of Troika. Contemns any violation of the people’s and worker’s rights. EDON will continue to be by the side of the fighting peoples of Europe, who fight against the machinations of the E.E. and its mechanisms.
7. Condemns the position of the EU on the situation in Ukraine, along with the support to the extreme right and neo-Nazi. Also contemns the anti-communism campaign on behalf of the E.E. and other states. Their efforts to counterfeit history, to equate communism with fascism, the ban of communist symbols, political parties and youth organizations consist an attack against the democratic and progressive youth. It is an effort to silence and tame any voice of resistance to their anti-popular plans. EDON expresses solidarity to all the fraternal organizations who are persecuted and also declares that such actions will not discourage the Left.
8. Is ready to fight against the raise of fascism, fuelled by the crisis and is funded by the ruling class. Fascism is used as a tool to suppress the workers-peoples movement and all the democratic liberties. Nationalist - chauvinist elements are born and bred by the capitalist system, willing to set in motion it’s most inhuman commands. At the same time, EDON condemns any expression of racism, as well as any racial, social and other discrimination.
9. Affirms the support to all the immigrants around the world who are victims of the capitalist development.
10. Declares its commitment in struggling against the destruction of the environment and fights against the very system that is causing it. EDON’s political positions and actions decisively enhance the creation of environmental consciousness in society and youth in particular.
11. Expresses its determination to continue the struggle to overthrow imperialism and reaffirms that the future of this world cannot be capitalism. EDON will stand by the side of youth, workers and peoples of the world. Expresses with certainty its commitment to the only way for human progress, the road of solidarity, equality, peace, for a socialist world.
JANUARY 2016, NICOSIA