A statement on the international situation from the Portuguese Communist Party,
According to the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) "The Central Committee of the PCP, meeting on April 2, assessed the national and international situation, the struggle of the workers, the communities and the peoples, examined the work ahead and assessed the activity which was decided at the PCP National Conference “Take the initiative, strengthen the party, respond to new demands”, indicating lines for immediate work."
On April 2 they issued a political statement flowing out of this assessment which included an excellent and incisive look at the international situation and the role that the US and its imperialist allies are playing in it. We republish that part of the statement in full.
(For the full statement see: Portuguese CP, Communiqué of the PCP Central Committee - April 2, 2023)
Text:
The evolution of the international situation is marked by great instability and uncertainty, in the context of capitalism's deepening structural crisis; by the struggle of the workers and the peoples; by significant events in the process of realignment of forces at the world level; and by dangerous developments arising from imperialism's exploitative offensive.
The PCP Central Committee expresses its solidarity with the workers and the peoples who resist imperialist exploitation, aggression and oppression and who continue the struggle for their rights and sovereignty, in particular the workers who are taking part in important events of struggle in Europe, and values the actions for peace carried out in various countries.
The PCP Central Committee draws attention to the serious and rapid deterioration of living conditions and the ever-greater social inequalities, including in the most economically developed capitalist countries, as well as the worsening situation in a number of developing countries. A situation that can become even worse due to the persistent policies of war, the sanctions and the transfer of massive public resources to the militarist drive and to the financial sector, with resurgent signs of instability, inherent to capitalism and the growing financialisation of the economy; to the decisions of the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank on further increases in interest rates; to the European Union's decision to reimpose the application of the Stability Pact; to new steps in the attacks against social and labour rights and in the privatisation of public services.
Increasingly evident is the intensification of imperialism's strategy of confrontation and war, led by the United States, namely with the spiral of armaments and sanctions; the aggravation and prolongation of the war in Ukraine; the militarist escalation in the Asia-Pacific region and the series of provocations aimed, in particular, against the People's Republic of China; the aggressions and provocations of the United States and Israel against Syria; the continuation of Israel's policy of State terrorism against the Palestinian people; the renewed hostile actions of the United States in Latin America, such as against Cuba and Venezuela; the increase of all kinds of pressure, threats and manoeuvres in international relations, particularly in Africa; the attacks on freedoms and democracy, the promotion of reactionary and fascistic forces, which are associated with the proliferation of boycotts and discrimination, including in culture and sport, and the attempt to impose censorship and one-size-fits-all thinking on a global scale.
It is becoming increasingly clear that it is the United States, with the support of its allies, that promotes a policy of confrontation targeting all countries that do not submit to its hegemonic domination, just as it is evident that it is the big arms, energy, food, distribution or banking corporations, among other sectors, that are gaining from the deteriorating international tensions, by accumulating gigantic profits.
The PCP Central Committee reaffirms that it is urgent that the US, NATO and the EU stop instigating and fuelling the war in Ukraine and obstructing the opening of negotiation channels with the other actors, namely the Russian Federation, in order to achieve a political solution to a conflict that has been going on for nine years, and to address the issue of collective security and disarmament in Europe, complying with the principles of the UN Charter and the Final Act of the Helsinki Conference.
The PCP Central Committee values the calls, initiatives and proposals for mediation with a view to an urgent political solution to the conflict in Ukraine. It draws attention to the particular significance of the recent agreement on the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, mediated by China, an event of great importance not only in the context of the Middle East but also at the international level, which highlights the need for opting for relations of cooperation, based on mutual respect, peace and the peaceful settlement of conflicts.
The PCP Central Committee condemns the foreign policy of the Portuguese government in alignment with imperialism's strategy of confrontation, which narrows Portugal's international relations, and considers that it is increasingly necessary to act in accordance with the principles of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.
Valuing the initiatives for solidarity and peace that have taken place in Portugal, the PCP Central Committee calls on all those who aspire to peace and are aware that it is urgent to stop the escalation of confrontation and war that entails enormous dangers for Humankind, to mobilize and make their voice heard in defence of peace, against fascism and war.
Aware of the dangers, but also of the potential that the international situation entails, the PCP will proceed, with confidence and commitment, in helping to strengthen the international communist and revolutionary movement, extending its cooperation, mutual solidarity and unity in action, as well as to strengthen the anti-imperialist front that confronts imperialism's offensive and broadens the struggle for a new international order of peace, cooperation and social progress.