People's Democracy

Greetings To CP Brazil, 12th Congress

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) sent on November 5, 2009 the following message of greetings to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) on the occasion of its twelfth congress.

THE Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) conveys its warm fraternal greetings to all the delegates attending the twelfth congress of the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) and through them to the entire membership of the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB).

Your congress is taking place at a critical juncture when the entire world is suffering from acute capitalist crisis. The current crisis of international financial capital that spearheaded imperialist globalisation in the last two decades is, by much estimation, far graver than any other crisis in the history of capitalism. Though attempts are being made to paint an optimistic picture that the crises has bottomed out and growth is back to majority of the countries, this is not reflected in peoples livelihoods. Unemployment is still rising as factories are 'offloading' their workforce, reducing working hours and many units being closed. Millions of people have lost their jobs. According to the ILO, more than 50 million joined the ranks of the unemployed. Hunger too is on the rise with official estimates of the UN stating that more than 102 million people have joined the ranks of the hungry due to this recession. This means that the number of people suffering from hunger in the world had breached the one billion mark. The social impact of the crisis too is being felt everywhere with rising discontent, increasing protests and riots for food.

The present capitalist crisis, which is in fact a systemic crisis, has once again proved the unsustainability of the path of globalisation pursued for the past few decades and also the bankruptcy of neo-liberalism --- its ideological mask. No amount of reform can make capitalism an exploitation free system.

The objective conditions are opening up possibilities which we can utilise in strengthening the popular movements. We have to intervene effectively to advance the movement for social emancipation and end the exploitation of man by man. The only way for humanity's liberation from this exploitation is the establishment of a socialist system.

Your party congress is being held at a time when people all around the world are watching with interest the attempts being made in Latin America to find alternatives to the neo-liberal prescriptions for development. Apart from Cuba, ten major countries in the continent are being led by Left and Centre-Left parties, among which Venezuela and Bolivia stand out.

Imperialism, which had considered Latin America to be its backyard, is increasingly finding it difficult to influence policies in the continent. The US is trying hard to gain its command in the region and this clearly is its real motive behind the establishment of seven new military bases in Colombia, threatening peace and stability in this region. Its role in the coup in Honduras is also not clean. Naturally, these measures met with widespread popular resistance led by the Communist Parties in the region and other progressive forces. The regional groupings of many countries in Latin America, led by Venezuela, Brazil and Bolivia are playing an important role in developing regional co-operation and reducing the dependency on the hegemonic North. ALBA, the proposal to start an alternate currency SUCRE, are all acts that inspire the confidence of the struggling people worldwide.

Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, opened a new stage in its interaction with the world and joined the struggle for a new international economic and political order. Its role in the BRIC, together with Russia, India, and China for defending the interests of the developing countries is being watched keenly. This has opened up new opportunities and bestowed new responsibilities.

The Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) has a glorious history of struggle and sacrifices. We note with pride the role played by the Brazilian communists in the struggle against imperialism and its striving for global domination. The PCdoB has taken up on itself the responsibility of uniting all the anti-imperialist and peace-loving people of Brazil in the struggle against imperialist war and for peace, against the hegemonic and unilateral  power of US imperialism, for national and social liberation of workers and peoples and for socialism.

Dear Comrades,

As you might be aware, India had a general election to the parliament in the first half of this year and the results are a setback for the Left. The CPI(M) had reviewed its performance and self-critically introspected the results. The Central Committee had already worked out a plan of action to overcome these weaknesses in the coming days.

The present Congress-led UPA government, sans the support of the Left, has embarked on a drive for implementing its neo-liberal agenda. Though the country was saved from facing the brunt of global capitalist crisis --- thanks to the role played by the CPI(M) and the Left --- it too witnessed large scale closure of manufacturing units and job losses. This, together with the acute agrarian crisis that the country is facing, is seriously affecting the livelihoods of the common people. Rising prices, increasing poverty and unavailability of food are the burning issues for the people. The strategic alliance forged with the United States is against the interests of the country and its national sovereignty.  The CPI(M) had taken up various initiatives on these issues, led many struggles and will continue to do so.

Comrades,

Once again, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), we convey our warm fraternal greetings to the twelfth congress of the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB). We are confident that this congress will be able to work out the correct strategy and tactics to meet the situation and rally all the progressive and democratic forces in Brazil to carry forward the struggle for the establishment of a socialist society. While such a struggle will be long and arduous, on behalf of the CPI(M) we assure you of our solidarity and support.

The CPI(M) and the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB)  have a long association of friendship and understanding. We are certain that this mutual trust and bonds of friendship will get further strengthened in the days ahead.

Once again we wish your congress all success.