Statement of the Political Bureau of the KKE on the refugee crisis in Greek-Turkish borders

On March 3, 2020, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement regarding the refugee situation in the Greek-Turkish borders and the measures announced by the government. You can read previous statements by the KKE about the issue here and here. 

The statement is the following:

The latest developments, with the entrapment of thousands of refugees and immigrants on the Aegean islands and at the Greek-Turkish border in Evros, confirm once again that the EU and NATO policy that the Greek governments have followed and are fervently adhering to now is, on the one hand, responsible for the dissolution of countries and the uprooting of peoples and on the other,  for the entrapment of uprooted peoples on islands and at borders. This policy has paved the way for Erdogan to try to impose his own objectives, using the refugee situation as a vehicle.

KKE slams Greek government: "Demonstrate your strength to EU and NATO, not to refugees"

Greek riot police forces behind the fences at Kastanies
border crossing, 29 February 2020 EPA/EFE.

After a meeting on Sunday chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece’s Government Council on National Security (KYSEA) decided to step up the level of deterrence to the maximum point at the Greek-Turkish borders in Evros. 

The conservative ND government also decided to suspend new asylum applications, while the presence of army units and police forces across Kastanies border gates has been strengthened. Additionally, Athens has requested from EU border agency FRONTEX to provide additional aid in the protection of the borders.

Greek government's authoritarianism exceeded all limits: Police brutality hits Aegean islands

In the last two days, the Greek government has unleashed a brutal attack against protesters in the islands of the Aegean, particularly those that have been at the epicenter of the refugee-migrants issue during the last years. 

Demonstrators in Lesvos, Chios and Samos suffered excessive repression and violence by riot police forces as they demanded the end of the concentration camps. The local unions in Lesvos, Chios and Samos, have been in the front line demanding real measures of protection and assistance to the refugees, as well as support to the local communities, who witness their land turn into huge EU’s detention centers.

Greek government's authoritarian attempt to criminalize demonstrations shall not pass

A new draft law, prepared by the conservative New Democracy (ND) government in Greece, threatens to restrict even further workers’ freedoms and rights. 

More specifically, according to information leaked through the pro-governmental newspaper “Kathimerini”, the draft law will include restrictions, prosecutions and even the prohibition of mobilizations, thus creating an environment of state and police repression against the organized workers’ movement. 

Massive strike in Greece: Thousands took the streets against anti-Social Security reforms

Photo: 902.gr.

With powerful strike demonstrations in more than 60 cities across Greece the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) and the class movement of the country gave a militant response to the government’s anti-people policy on Social Security and pensions. 

From midnight workers gathered in factories, labour places and production units to prevent possible strikebreaking efforts, while in Athens public transportation was stopped. 

KKE leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas blasts Greek government's anti-worker policy

“Capitalist development neither is nor can ever be development for all” said the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas during his speech in the Parliament on labour issues. 

Koutsoumbas fired against New Democracy government reforms saying that what Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis describes as “Greece of development and prosperity” has absolutely nothing to do with what the workers are experiencing.

EU migration policy turns Greek islands into prisons for refugees — Statement by KKE

The Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) sharply criticized New Democracy (ND) government’s legislative act which introduces requisition of land and facilities for migration purposes. 

Stelios Petsas, the governmental spokesperson, announced on Monday that the current administration will issue a Legislative Act by which the state will be able to proceed with the requisition of public and private properties where new migrant camps (hotspots) will be constructed.

PAME calls for strike on February 18th against ND government's Social Security reforms

A nationwide General Strike in both state and private sector has been announced by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) for February 18th, as a response to the anti-people reforms of the Greek government on Social Security and Pensions. 

In a statement addressed to workers, pensioners, farmers, self-employed people and students, PAME calls for mass participation in February 18th’s strike. 

“Social Security has to do with our lives. The unacceptable anti-Social Security draft law must be withdrawn!” is the headline of the call which reads:

Interview of the General Secretary of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas in "EfSyn" newspaper

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), gave a comprehensive interview in the weekend edition (1-2 February) of the "Efimerida ton Syntakton" (EfSyn) newspaper. 

The KKE leader refered to various interesting issues, including Greece's domestic political matters, the country's relations with neighboring Turkey, the sinful role of social democracy and the stance of the KKE towards cooperation governments. 

Below, you can read a translated version of the interview:

KKE condemns Greek Premier Mitsotakis over his support to Venezuelan coup leader Guaidó

In a statement published in 902 portal, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) condemns Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' expressed support to U.S-backed Venezuelan coup plotter Juan Guaido. Mitsotakis met with Guaido on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The KKE statement reads:

KKE: The Berlin Conference on Libya is not a process for the benefit of the Libyan people

On the occasion of the International Conference on Libya that is taking place in Berlin and the discussion about Greece's non-participation in it, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement which was published on 902 portal. 

The statement of the KKE reads the following: 

Communist Party of Greece: Statement about Mitsotakis-Trump meeting in Washington DC

In a statement issued today, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) labels yesterday's meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House an "official and resounding bankruptcy of the policy of the parties of Euro-Atlanticism". 

More specifically, the statement which published on 902 portal, points out the following: 

EastMed pipeline deal only brings new dangers for the people — Statement by the KKE

The EastMed pipeline deal signed between Greece, Cyprus and Israel "only brings new dangers for the people" points out the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in a statement issued earlier today. 

The KKE highlights the fact that the agreement over the gas pipeline, which was signed in Athens by Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Cyprus' President Nikos Anastasiades, has no relation with the actual interests of the region's peoples but on the contrary it consists part of the imperialist plans in East Mediterranean. 

More specifically, in the statement which was published on 902 portal, the KKE stresses out the following:

Netanyahu is unwelcome in Greece — PAME

In a statement issued today, the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) denounces the policy of  New Democracy (ND) government which strengthens Greece's ties with Israel, refering to the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Athens on January 2nd. Netanyahu visit's main purpose is for the signing of the agreement on the East Med pipeline. 

More specifically the PAME statement points out:

“For the profits of the big energy monopolies that have bloodshed the whole of the Middle East, the ND government continues its “friendship” policy with the state of Israel that is killing the Palestinian people daily, stealing Palestinian land with settlements, killing and imprisoning even small children.

The Greek people have nothing positive to gain from monopoly competitions. The “stability” of the Eastern Mediterranean, the government proclaims, are watered with the blood of Palestinian children.

Greece: Thousands demonstrated against the governmental budget-"guillotine"

Under the slogan "No to the budget-guillotine! Struggle for the people's contemporary needs" thousands of workers, students and pensioners demonstrated in Athens and other Greek cities, expressing their opposition with the anti-people state budget submitted by the conservative New Democracy government. 

After a call by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME), the protesters gathered at Propylea and marched towards the Parliament where the debate on state budget will conclude tonight with a roll-call vote. 

KKE slams EU's Pontius Pilate stance on Turkey-Libya maritime agreement

Reports by international media on Thursday state that the EU Council had reached a draft of its statement that the agreement reached by Turkey and Libya on their maritime borders violates international law. From its side, the Greek government and more specifically Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have tried to present the EU position as a diplomatic victory for Greece. 

“Turkey is isolated,” Mitsotakis said after receiving the overwhelming support of his EU peers for Greece’s opposition to the memorandum of understanding Turkey signed with the Tripoli-based Libyan government last month. He also cited support for Greece’s positions from other countries, including the United States and Israel.

KKE: "NATO's 70-year course has been marked by imperialist wars, interventions, threats and coups"

On the occasion of NATO Summit in London (3-4 December), the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement which was published on 902 portal. 

The statement reads:

"The NATO Summit in London considers the further strengthening of the aggressive planning of the wolf-pack alliance against the people. It accelerates the implementation of the decisions of previous Summits for the creation of ground, air and naval military units, preparing for new imperialist wars. It takes additional steps in the competition with Russia and China. Moreover, the NATO Summit considers the even bigger increase of military spending, while Greece is already paying 4.3 billion per year for (military) equipment intended for NATO needs. 

Greece: "Hands Off Social Security" — Large demonstrations held in Athens and other cities

"Hands Off Social Security Rights", that was the message that thousands of working men and women, pensioners, self-employed people, students sent during a large demonstration held earlier today in downtown Athens. 

The protests were organized by Trade Unions, Labour Centers and Pensioner's Associations. Among the speakers were Dimos Koumpouris, President of the Pensioner's Federation, Giorgos Stefanakis, President of the Trade Union of Catering-Tourism-Hotels of Attica and Dimitris Vitalis, member of the Federation of Craft Industry Unions of Athens. 

KKE slams Mitsotakis government's measures for the refugee-migration issue

In a statement published on 902 portal, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) comments on the recent measures announced by the right-wing government of New Democracy (ND) regarding the refugee-migration issue. 

"The measures announced by the ND government for the refugee issue strengthen even further the entrapment and repression to asylum seekers, as well as the suffering of the local Greek population. They cultivate and fuel racism and xenophobic reactions. They are dangerous measures for both the refugees and the Greek people" points out the statement. 

KKE slams Greek Defense Minister's abhorrent and provocative remarks

In a statement regarding the declarations of Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos, who on Thursday, inaugurating the Conference on Ground Forces at the Evelpidon Military School, reassured the commander of the United States Army Europe, Lieutenant-General Chr. Cavoli that “we will shed our blood and in the future, at the side of the USA”, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) noted the following: