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Internet-Statement
2012-20 The European Crisis and the
Middle East - hands off Syria! Maria Weiß 06/30/2012
Take the debt (and
financial) crisis in Europe. All countries are affected, including Germany,
and the various whitewash measures
that are currently running here, will not solve this problem,
no matter what means they reach at the end. Whether the individual countries
try to get the debt crisis under control, or whether Europe as a whole
is trying, they will not get a grip. The only social force that would
be capable to cope with this is the working class, but in varying degrees,
more or less not capable nor willing to accept this fundamental and
vital task and take it in hand, and with fundamental task here of course
it is not meant to solve only the debt crisis, which is a product of
capitalism. No, the task is to bring about a social revolution that
makes it at all, to organise society so that this kind of crises can
be avoided, or will not occur. The working class
in Europe but is currently unable or unwilling, based on the historical
development especially in the last 80 or 100 years, to tackle such a
political task comprehensively. Instead, there are various attempts
of bourgeois forces, or even middle-class or social democratic revisionist
forces to develop solution models, by the way no new ones, how they
might get to grips with these contradictions. An example of this type
of attempts is the so-called Left Party, which seeks primarily to mitigate
the problem by enhancing government revenue. These include
the so-called "wealth tax" as well as other measures that
have absolutely nothing new. A tax on the rich, for example, was already
promoted by the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt , who in light
of de Great Depression (Great Depression in 1929 and after) came up
with such ideas. This is nothing new and could not and cannot contribute
to get a grip to the fundamental contradictions as they are broken up
here and will break up further, let alone solve it. There are also always
within the bourgeoisie itself the different conceptions of how to mitigate
the crisis. As an example one can take the
most recent so-called European summit on which the various concepts
clashed, where ultimately a
concept prevailed that not only postpones the problem, but also piles
it up in a gigantic manner, it does not even begin to contribute at
least to a partial solution, but in reality the crash will
be promoted. Also in connection
with the so-called growth package one must ask oneself: What should
really grow? What is meant specifically? For example, what has been
learned so far from France, there growth rather means to draw the conclusion
that the bureaucracy has to grow further there. And how it should look
here concerning the growth, you know that already. Any so-called renewable
energies shall grow? What does this mean for society as a whole, so
far it is clear that this hardly means something really positive in
terms of industrial growth, which certainly now is demanded by some
bourgeois forces increasingly promoting this matter, for example in
terms of re-emergence of major industries which are of importance for
society. For example, nuclear energy, this is just not to grow at all,
on the contrary, though being of great importance for the production
of cheap and environmentally friendly low CO2-carbon electricity , that
is not to grow at all. But the prices of energy will grow and so will
do the associated bureaucratic harassment of the population and industry.
Even in France under the government of
Hollande there are plans
to curtail the nuclear energy sector. And so far
one can, of course, endorse Hollande
when he says that it was not blackmail to exert pressure with
the so-called growth package, as it has allegedly happened
at the recent EU summit. If that's a kind of growth, which is
not of major importance for
the entire economy and society, but on the contrary, this narrows even
further and is destructive, then in
fact it is not extortion. Blackmail can only be practised
with something essentially life-relevant, but not with just backfiring
matters something that serves for blinding and
political opportunism. In fact, it looks alike again, as well as in the nuclear energy issue in the last year, that
the latter has again been the impetus for the turnaround of Mrs. Merkel. We can not detach
this whole European crisis from the international context, and also
not try not to treat it in isolation. Capitalism implies uneven development.
Uneven development between different countries around the world and
uneven exacerbation of the corresponding fundamental contradictions
within the individual countries. In addition to the
current debt crisis in Europe particularly the Middle East conflict
is intensifying. Saying Middle East, I mean not only the Arab countries,
but to some extent the Middle East includes Turkey, although this country
represents a kind of a bridge to Europe. Turkey has had, for
example, a rapid development in
the last ten to twenty years , when capitalism has developed in this
country and the corresponding
contradictions have intensified noticeably. This is driving forward the current ruling clique there, especially under Erdogan, which attempts to embark on a kind of regional
expansion strategy to escape from this
breaking up of contradictions and is the increasingly urgent social contradictions, , which is exploited
and supported massively especially by the U.S. imperialists , which
are plagued themselves at home by
these contradictions inside, and try to use this channel to achieve
besides access to new sources of raw materials, also to achieve strategic
positions in relation to other competing powers such as Russia's and
China's emerging imperialism to secure their own
position . These contrasts are closely interlinked in the Middle
East and are concentrated in the Arab country of Syria. This country, Syria,
from its population structure is a kind of a multi-cultural country
that harbors the most diverse populations in the various ethnic groups
and religious affiliations and lets them live together.
This was at least the case until the beginning of last year,
at least by and large.. There are Kurdish populations, especially in
the north, adjacent to the neighboring country, Turkish and Arab populations
of Sunni religious orientation, as well as Alevites and Christian groups,
it is a very sophisticated multi-ethnic and multi religious population
structure. Such a structure,
of course, always provides approaches
for the intervention of foreign powers. And that is what is currently
going on in this country, for about since a year in the whole region,
since the outbreak of a mass
movement which strives for social emancipation, for
independence from imperialist oppression, for democracy and for independently grasping the own destiny. This
is also something that becomes apparent in Syria, and not only that,
it also provides significant problems for
the currently prevailing grouping under the Assad clan. However,
at the same time unmistakably various
foreign powers intervene in these problems,
to whip them each to their advantage and are eager to exploit
the situation what is not tolerable. But not only that,
it is also exploited by certain regional powers, especially the above-mentioned
Turkish clique of Erdogan, who, even internally under pressure, is committed
to the outside break and try out new expansion opportunities, what worsens
the whole situation here in a not unhazardous manner. Turkey anyway is favoured
for some time by U.S. imperialism. This applies not only to the Middle
East, it is also true for Europe and especially for Germany. For some
time, for several years, at least ten or more, this power is used also
for infiltration, subversion and disintegration of the population structure
in terms of U.S. imperialism with the aim of getting this country into
the grip and, above all things, of bringing the structure down . This
has had many consequences, not all of which can now be treated in detail
here. Recall, the so-called Caliph of Cologne and similar extreme machinations
with the aim to institutionalize Islam here, with a devious double game
having emerged unmistakably in which
the extreme right-wing forces in the state bodies (Office for
the Protection of Constitution, etc.) are obviously playing a key role. Currently, however,
the focus on the direction of the Middle East is increasingly remarkable.
And there just Erdogan drives on his special mischief. About two years
ago he developed a strategy that has turned away from the Israeli Zionists,
with whom he was keeping the closest relations before, to a certain
antagonism towards them, towards other Arab countries, in order to
tinker a kind of neo-Ottoman
domination, naturally with the benevolent support of Obama, Hillary
Clinton and the military shield. This is the constellation, which shows
there currently in very unpleasant ways, driving up to mischief. In
this light, the provocations can be seen that take place there, both
violations of Syrian airspace, which have recently led to the shooting
of a Turkish jet, and the current upgrade to the border with Syria on
the part of Turkey, where they connect their threat manifested. Meanwhile, within
Syria primarily the U.S. imperialists as well as certain regional powers
such as Saudi Arabia, support the so-called opposition and supply them
with weapons and infiltrate in this way, and on
the other side, opposing powers such as Russia, which in Syria has its
only military base in this region, tries to
maintains its influence and of course there is to to mention
Iran, they are also trying to retain their influence in this country
and expand if possible. This means that within this country Syria there
is h a downright destructive confrontation between the different population
groups, which contributes not at all to the solving of
any social problem in that country , but mainly serves to give
positions to foreign powers, with total disregard for the interests
of anyone in this Arab country, what can only be described as pretty
criminal enterprise and what needs to be condemned. This does not mean
that in this country, there aren`t any contradictions between the mass
of the population and the current administration. This should not be
denied, of course, it is the case, as it is the case in all countries.
In all these countries is lurking the class contradiction inside, the
internal class conflict and foster the reactionaries who are trying
to find their way out into destruction. But that does not
justify at all the whole imperialist nor the regional big power chauvinist
ambitions, there to pursue their undermining and destroy the country.
This must be condemned from behalf of
the international community, the international working class
and the people of the world being interested in progression in all ways.
It is neither in the interest of states in the Middle East, and certainly
not the European countries, that there will be another devastating war
to come, as for example the Balkan war has been at the end of the nineties,
or even the Iraq War and other wars in this region, not forgetting of
course the still ongoing war in Afghanistan, which is also kept at the
boil constantly by various measures in spite of contrary statements. A new edition
in the Middle East must be absolutely avoided. The countries
of the Middle East, of course also Syria,
have the right to develop independently and to solve their own
internal problems without foreign imperialist interference. By this is of course
meant that especially U.S. imperialism and the Turkish chauvinist clique
of Erdogan, on the spot cease their infiltration and their aiding and
arming of the so-called opposition there. The Syrian
people, no matter what religion, ethnic origin which belong to different
parts, has a right to take their affairs into their own hands and to
regulate them, without interference of foreign powers. To be specific: all
arms sales to that country, especially by the U.S., the CIA, the Saudi
chauvinist clique as well as the Turkish chauvinist clique are to be
stopped immediately! Only then can be seen what actually the majority
in this country is considering as right and what
not. The Russian imperialists
have kindly to keep back. They do not have to exploit their military
base there for running an intervention policy
in their own interest. The Syrian affairs, the question
of the government of Syria, which one has to be in power and which one
not, is the sole responsibility of the Syrian people themselves If the opposition
in Syria has a different idea
than the current government, then they should of course come out with
it and submit their program, but actually a real program, leading to
the development of the country, to another
kind of rule than the present rule there and can provide help
for this purpose. However, weapons and support from foreign imperialist
and chauvinist forces should not be part of such. The latter could be
forgotten. Just let them present
their social and economic program for Syria. Unfortunately, you can
see nothing of this kind until now. At least it is not known. Hands off
Syria! This must be said to address all the imperialist powers. Concerned,
above all, to the address of our own government, which currently constantly
presents itself in words (yet) against an intervention there, but secretly
provides such a clique as the Saudi Arabian one with Civil War weapons.
This must come to an end, too! For the self-determination
of the Syrian people as well as all other nations (including the Palestinian
of course) in the region! Down with the reactionary
imperialist intervention and chauvinist forces in these countries! For the mutual consultation,
support and unification of the revolutionary forces of these countries
and of the European countries and of the countries all over the world! Let us not allow the
imperialists, in order to maintain the effort to keep their own domination
and exploitation of people, once again to plunge the world into a war
adventure, with massive destruction and decline of entire regions! Who wants
to prevent the imperialist war must support the revolution! And reveal
both the imperialist and social-imperialist subversion and fight against
it, or rather destroy it! Hands off Syria! The fates of nations are decided by themselves! We also appeal to
the peoples of the world, to raise their voice decisively against this imperialist drift in the Middle East, to prevent a
renewed slaughter, motivated
and in the heated by imperialist
aims, with unforeseeable consequences.
On that task any opposition will be measured no matter from which country. Not selfish interests of individual
opposition forces in individual countries are required, often with indistinct
thrust in class terms, but the interest of all peoples must ultimately
be the yardstick. |