STATEMENTS BY THE KKE AND PAME ON THE FATAL TRAIN CRASH IN GREECE: "CRIME, NOT ACCIDENT"

In a statement about the fatal train crash in Tempe, near the city of Larissa in central Greece, the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party (KKE) issued the following statement:

"The KKE expresses its sorrow for the unprecedented fatal train accident in Tempe and its sincere condolences to the families of the victims. It calls upon its members and friends to participate in the blood donations held in the towns where the injured are being hospitalized.

We demand that there be a full investigation into the causes of this tragedy, that nothing be covered up!

In Solidarity with the Communist Party of Poland and Against Escalating Anti-Communism!

The Communist Party of Sweden (SKP) condemns the anti-communist and anti-democratic legislative changes which are set to enter into force in Poland on March 14. 

 

With the impending changes to the penal code, promoting a communist “totalitarian state system” will be punishable by up to three years in prison, and the same will apply to the spreading, selling or possession of texts or other material, or the carrying of communist symbols, with the same aforementioned aim of promoting communism. In addition, the new legislation equates communism with nazism and fascism. 

Fatal train crash in Greece: A crime against the people that was bound to happen

Late in the evening of 28 February, two trains, one passenger and one cargo, running on the Athens-Thessaloniki line collided head-on near the city of Larissa, resulting in the injury and the tragic loss of dozens of people.

From the first moment, the GS of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Dimitris Koutsoumbas, stated the following:

“It is a day of unspeakable sorrow for the unprecedented fatal train accident in Tempe, but also of anger for how it is possible that human lives are lost in this tragic way.

Communist Party of Ireland: On the "Northern Ireland Protocol" between EU and Britain

In a statement issued on 23 February about the "Northern Ireland Protocol" negotiations - which ended with a deal between Britain and the European Union - the Communist Party of Ireland (Páirtí Cumannach na hÉireann) points out:

"The “Northern Ireland Protocol” negotiations are best characterised as part of the inter-imperialist struggle between the EU and Britain with regard to the latter’s future trading relationship and access to markets within that bloc. They are about securing Britain’s future relationship with the EU and are not about the Irish people north or south of the British imposed border.

European Communist Initiative: Statement on the 80th Anniversary of the Heroic Battle of Stalingrad

In a statement on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the heroic and decisive victory of the Soviet Red Army against Nazi Germany in Stalingrad, the Secretariat of the European Communist Initiative stresses out:

"This year marks the 80th anniversary of the great Battle of Stalingrad, which was of decisive importance and contribution to the Antifascist Victory of the Peoples, and to the class struggle overall.

One year since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine: The KKE firmly at the forefront of the struggle against the imperialist war

One year since the outbreak of the imperialist war in Ukraine: blood and tears for the peoples - profits for capital

The KKE firmly at the forefront of the struggle against the imperialist war

Twelve days before V. Putin announced the “Special Military Operation”, as he called the Russian military invasion of the Ukrainian territories, Rizospastis commented the statements of the US official Kurt Volker, who claimed that “Russia may annex one-third of Ukraine”, assessing that Ukraine could lose all access to the Sea of Azov and that a land passage could be formed connecting the Russian Federation with Crimea.

D. Koutsoumbas: Statement on the one year since the beginning of NATO-Russia war in Ukraine

On the occasion of the first anniversary of the beginning of the war between NATO and Russia in Ukraine, the General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Dimitris Koutsoumbas, made the following statement (here in Greek):

“After a year of war in Ukraine and the danger of a generalization of the war is more than existing, especially when the conflict between USA and China for the primacy in the imperialist system is clearly projected in the “big picture”. 

¡Basta señor Maduro! Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) denounces persecution against Albert Narváez

The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) denounces before national and international public opinion, the act of persecution against comrade Albert Narváez, member of the Central Committee of the PCV and Political Secretary of the Party in the state of Monagas, who was summoned by the Coordination of Intelligence and Preventive Strategies of the regional police without any justification whatsoever. 

"Blinken Go Home": Greek communists demonstrated against US-NATO in Athens and Thessaloniki

With slogans like “NATO-US bases out of Greece” and “No participation in imperialist interventions”, thousands of young men and women, members and friends of the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE), protested in Athens against the visit of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Greece.

Marching outside the US Embassy, the protesters sent a powerful message that the US “minister of war” is not welcome in Greece and demanded the immediate closure of all US-NATO military bases in the country, 902 portal reported.

Statement of the KKE: On the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Greece

Concerning the official visit of the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in Athens within the framework of his European trip to Germany, Turkey and Greece, the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued the following statement (here in Greek): 

"The visit of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Greece marks the even more active and in all ways active participation of our country in the dangerous US-NATO plans in the broader region, with the current imperialist war between NATO and Russia in Ukraine being at the epicenter. Actually, it has been made absolutely clear that Greece is willing to continue its military support with weapons and other ways towards the reactionary Zelensky government. 

"We will not suffocate under rubble once again!": Large solidarity event by the Communist Party of Turkey held in Ankara

On the dawn of the 6th of February, the southern region of Turkey was hit by a grave earthquake, followed by another one during the day, of 7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes, respectively. The earthquake impacted a wide zone of more than 10 cities. The Communist Party of Turkey initiated its rescue and solidarity work immediately after the earthquake, in the impacted region as well as other parts of the country, collecting aid materials and channeling them to those in need. 

On Saturday, the 18th of February, a massive event in the Kocatepe Cultural Center of Ankara was held, with the slogan “We are standing up, not to suffocate under rubble once again!

KKE in EU Parliament: "Solidarity with the people and the Communist Party of Swaziland"

On Wednesday 15 February, the plenary of EU Parliament in Strasbourg organized a discussion concerning "the situation of human rights defenders in Eswatini" (Swaziland). 

 

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) intervened in the debate expressing its solidarity with the people and the Communist Party of Swaziland who fight against the authoritarian regime of King Mswati II. 

More specifically, KKE MEP Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos pointed out in his speech:

Communist and Workers Parties condemn the anti-communist practices of the Venezuelan government

In a joint statement, Communist and Workers Parties condemn the anti-communist machinations by the social democratic government of Venezuela and express their solidarity towards the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV). The full statement reads:

WE CONDEMN THE PLAN TO ASSAULT AND INTERVENE IN THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VENEZUELA (PCV)

KKE: The Turkish communists detained in Osmaniye must be immediately released

In a statement issued today, the  International Relations Section of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) denounces the premeditated detention of ten members and cadres of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) in Osmaniye. More specifically the statement is the following:

The Turkish communists must be immediately released and any action by the Turkish authorities to hamper their activity must be stopped!

Solidarity with the people and the Communist Party of Turkey 

Tudeh Party of Iran: Statement on the 40th anniversary of the onslaught of the Islamic Republic regime on the Party

Dear compatriots,

6 February 2023 is the 40th anniversary of the onslaught by the security apparatuses of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the Tudeh Party of Iran. In the past 40 years, many documents and writings have been published both by our Party as well as in the memoirs and comments of a number of the then leaders of the Islamic Republic and others on this matter- documents and writings that reveal [both] the obvious and hidden reasons for this all-out attack [designed] to destroy the Tudeh Party of Iran. 

Kazakhstan's communists denounce decommunization and the rehabilitation of Nazi collaborators

The Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan notes the strengthening of the state campaign for the total decommunization of the country, which is expressed, among other things, through the "final rehabilitation" of those who were repressed from 1918 to 1953, which now include Basmachi, who participated in anti-Soviet uprisings, terrorists and militants of the Turkestan Legion of the Wehrmacht and Muslim SS units.

It is interesting that Astana is now reporting on 250 thousand rehabilitated, but so far the lists of these have not been made public so that we can make sure who actually got into them. 

KKE: Hands off the Communist Party of Venezuela! The anti-communist provocations will fail!

In a statement, the International Relations Section of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) stresses out:

In the last few days, a plan of open intervention against the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) has been set in motion, organized by the ruling social-democratic United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). On 4 February, small groups with shirts and flags bearing the emblems of the CP of Venezuela appeared in a staged manner at rallies of the ruling PSUV, declaring their support for the government’s anti-popular policy and condemning the leadership of the CP of Venezuela for opposing it. 

"Nato Killers Go Home": KKE protesters mobilized against Greek-US joint military drill in Thrace

Photos: 902.gr

Under the slogan “NATO Killers Go Home”, members and supporters of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in Xanthi, northern Greece, organized on Monday a protest against the country's involvement in the imperialist war and the presence of NATO forces in the region, 902 portal reported.

The protesters gathered at Petrochori, where the joint Greek-USA military drill dubbed “Thracian Cooperation 23” takes place with the participation of units from numerous Greek brigades, including airborne, armored, and aviation, as well as with the US 101st Airborne Division. The exercise is due to continue until February 24. 

Turkish communist leader Kemal Okuyan assesses the earthquake disaster: "A big storm is brewing"

On February 10th, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), Kemal Okuyan, made an assessment about the disaster in the earthquake-hit region of southern Turkey:

"The darkness of the AKP along with the market economy based on exploitation and plunder cost the lives of tens of thousands of our citizens , and left millions of people homeless. This is a terrible, unacceptable, revolting situation. There is more. Turkey has become completely open to a new operation of domestic and foreign capital and imperialist centers.

The 13th Congress of KNE kicked off in Athens

13th Congress of KNE. Photo: 902.gr

Under the slogan “We are the spark that will turn darkness into light”, the 13th Congress of the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE), the youth wing of the KKE, began its works on Friday 10 February in Athens.

The opening of the Congress took place at the KKE headquarters in Perissos, with the participation of 28 Communist Youths and Anti-imperialist groups from all over the world. Among the attendees were representatives from the Embassies of Cuba, Vietnam and the Palestinian Authority, MPs and MEPs of the KKE, the President of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), representatives of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), trade unionists, professors, journalists, people of arts, athletes, etc.

Turkey Earthquake: The Communist Party (TKP) on the frontline of solidarity and material aid

From the very first time after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit southern Turkey and parts of Syria, the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) mobilized all its resources in order to provide aid to the affected people. Members and supporters of TKP participated in rescue teams while others gathered humanitarian aid in numerous cities across the country. 

TKP has issued reports for the days following the earthquake, describing the situation and the role of the Party in providing actual solidarity to the earthquake-hit people.

Ukrainian regime removed the statue of Soviet hero Nikolai Vatutin who liberated Kiev in WWII

The statue of Soviet hero Nikolai Vatunin in Kiev.

In another episode of anti-communist, anti-soviet frenzy in Ukraine, the authorities of Kiev proceeded to the removal of the monument of Nikolai Vatunin, the Soviet General who led the liberation of the Ukrainian capital from the Nazis in World War Two. 

During the Soviet offensive to retake right-bank Ukraine, Vatutin led the 1st Ukrainian Front, which was responsible for the Red Army's offensives to the west and the southwest of Kiev and the eventual liberation of the city. The removal of Vatunin's statue is another link in the chain of the so-called "de-russification" in Ukraine, an anti-communist process that identifies the Soviet Union with capitalist Russia thus leading to the demolition of Soviet-era monuments and memorials (Read: Kiev street renamed to honor neo-Nazi criminals).

Letter to Turkey: “Stay strong my comrade Mehmet”

By Nikos Mottas.

The powerful and destructive earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday brought memories from the 17 August 1999 earthquake (7.6 magnitude earthquake) in Turkey's Kocaeli province, causing approximately 18,000 deaths. 

Two days later, on 19 August, the front page (photo) of the party newspaper of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) “Rizospastis” was reading: “Stay strong my comrade Mehmet”. It was an article written by journalist Pavlos Rizargiotis, emphasizing on the proletarian solidarity expressed by the workers and the people of Greece towards their neighbors. Freely translated, the article, a magnificent sample of internationalist solidarity, was the following:

Stay strong my comrade Mehmet

Greek communist MEPs call the EU to lift sanctions against earthquake-hit Syria

With a letter addressed to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the MEPs of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Kostas Papadakis and Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, demand the immediate lift of the embargo against Syria.

More specifically, as 902 portal reported, the two KKE eurodeputies write: