[A-List] Re: Re Iraqi CPs positions

["Henry C.K. Liu" <hliu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Pip, Peter & Zoe wrote:
> The following are positions sent to Green Left Weekly by the local
> branch of the Worker Communist Party of Iraq.
>
> Peter Boyle
>
> ***
>
> "Saddam Huseein's regime has fallen and this is a good thing for the
> people of Iraq. Unfortunately, its overthrow is the outcome of US and
> its allies' military intervention, not the mobilisation of the Iraqi
> people themselves, hundreds of whom have been killed in the war."

As if this development is a surprise.

> On new demands of the movement:
>
> 1. "The most important and immediate need is for the immediate
> withdrawal of all US and allied military forces from Iraq. This is a
> pre-requisite to the Iraqi people having the possibility of choosing
> their own government."

Yet the ICP opposed the only political entity that had a chance of
resisting the imperialist invaders.

> "Bush & Blair must not be allowed to do what they have announced, which
> is to impose a government of their choosing on the people. Such a
> government will not be in the Iraqi people's interests."

Who's going to stop them?  The only group is Baath Party loyalists.

> 2. The United Nations must take responsibility for security in the
> cities, to enable the people's immediate need for food, water, health
> care, safety, etc. to be met, and so that all political parties are able
> to present their program to the people so that elections that are free
> and fair can be held as soon as possible.

What pressure can the ICP bring to accomplish this demand?

> 3. The sanctions on Iraq must be lifted immediately and unconditionally.
>
> The WCPI add that all revenge/religious killings must be
> stopped/opposed, and that Ba'athists and others responsible for past
> crimes against the people instead be charged and put through the courts.

What court?

> Finally, on the question of self-determination for Kurds, they reiterate
> that they support calls from the Kurdish people for a referendum (for
> the same reasons as previously), and support an independent Kurdish
> state if that is the outcome of such a referendum. Such a referendum,
> they say, could be conducted at the same time as elections for a new
> government if that is the demand of the Kurdish people.

It is treasonous to advocate sessationist moves.  It is one thing to
advocate autonomous status for the Kurd, quite another to advocate an
independent government.  They forget the I in ICP.

Henry C.K. Liu