Shocking conditions for refugees as winter cold and snow cover settled over Greece - Question by the KKE in the Parliament asking for immediate measures

Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall are making life even harder for thousands of refugees living in limbo across Greece. Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas admitted that the situation on the islands due to the sub-zero temperatures is not acceptable but suggested that the main reason for this is that locals have obstructed plans to expand reception facilities so migrants can be moved out of the hotspots, where some are housed in tents. 

"The UN Refugee Agency is today reiterating its call to accelerate the moving of asylum seekers from the Aegean islands to the Greek mainland," spokesman Adrian Edwards said last Friday in Geneva. "The need for better protection will become all the more acute this weekend when temperatures on the islands are expected to drop. We are worried."

Statement of the GS of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas on the developments regarding the Cyprus Issue

On Monday 9th of December, within the framework of informational meetings of Greece's Prime Minister with the Parties' leaders regarding the Cyprus negotations, the General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas met with Alexis Tsipras. After the meeting, the General Secretary made the following statement:

"The Cyprus Issue is an problem of invasion and occupation.

If we want to talk about a negotiation which will lead to a solution, that means first of all the immediate withdrawal of all the occupational forces. That means the abolition of the state of guarantor powers.

Solution means one state and not two states. A single, viable state, with one sovereignty, one nationality, one international personality, a common homeland of Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots, without foreign bases, guarantors and protectors.

Today, the negotiation is actually undermined first and foremost by the Turkish leadership, as well by the Turkish-Cypriot one, with the involvement of other powers and big interests, such as the USA, as long as it is a negotiation that in fact takes place under the terms of a dichotomous solution. 

What is needed today is the biggest possible vigilance from the people of Greece and Cyprus".

Source: 902.gr / Translation: In Defense of Communism.

Elisseos Vagenas (KKE): The struggle for a united Cyprus must continue

The ongoing developments regarding the Cyprus Issue were the major subject of an interview given by Elisseos Vagenas, member of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and responsible for the Party's International Relations department, on the Voice of Greece radio.

As Vagenas pointed out, the bazaars for the "solution" plan move towards the creation of a new Annan Plan, which conditions the creation of two constituent states and, in fact, consists a dichotomοus solution, with occupational forces, foreign bases and guarantor powers remaining in the island.

He underlined that the actual basis of the bazaars is the dangerous developments in south eastern Mediterranean and in the Middle East and that the promoted solution in Cyprus could become the "pattern" for the occupation of other lands in Syria or Iraq.

Message of the KKE to the people for the New Year

The KKE wishes a good and militant year to the working people, the unemployed and self-employed ones, the poor farmers, the young people and the women of the popular strata, to the refugees and immigrants, who live or remain trapped in our country.

The new year 2017, which starts with new burdens for our people, can leave a strong imprint on the effort for the recasting of the labour movement, building of the social alliance, strengthening of the KKE, in order to pave the way for a better future for our people.

The SYRIZA-ANEL government, as well as the other parties of the system, despite their disagreements for the governmental chair, cultivate to the people the false explectation that the recovery of the capitalist economy will supposedly put an end to the people's sacrifices, will stop the deterioration process of his life.

The reality is completely different. Even if there is some kind of recovery, it will be for the profits of the few, it will be uncertain, because the developments themselves in the global and european economy are inauspicious. Above all, it will be a recovery which not only will not replenish the huge losses for the people, but will be accompanied by new masures, “bloody” surpluses, sustained “cutters” of working-peoples' rights.

Message of the KKE to the Communist Party of Cuba for the 58th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution

On the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the victory of the Cuban Revolution, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) send to the Communist Party of Cuba (Partido Comunista de Cuba) the following message:

"To the CC of the CP of Cuba.

Athens, Thursday 29 December 2016.

Dear comrades,

The KKE warmly salutes the 58th anniversary of the victory of the Revolution in Cuba.

KKE’s perception on socialism: Assessments and conclusions on socialist construction during the 20th century, focusing on the USSR

18^th Congress of the KKE: Resolution on Socialism.

The following is the Resolution of the 18th Congress of the KKE (held on February 2009), containing assessments and conclusions on socialist construction during the 20th century, focusing on the USSR.

The 18^th Congress of KKE, fulfilling the task set forward by the 17^th Congress four years ago, dwelled deeper into the causes of the victory of the counterrevolution and of capitalist restoration. This has been an imperative and timely obligation for our Party, as it is for every Communist Party. It was thus that we faced this task during all the years that have elapsed since the 14^th Congress and the National Conference of 1995. It is a task interlinked with the revival of consciousness and of faith in socialism.

For more than a century now, bourgeois polemics against the communist movement, often assuming the form of an intellectual elitism, concentrate their fire on the revolutionary core of the workers’ movement; they struggle, in general, against the necessity of revolution and its political offspring, the dictatorship of the proletariat that is the revolutionary working class power. In particular, they fight against the outcome of the first victorious revolution, of the October Revolution in Russia, fiercely opposing every phase where the Revolution exposed and repelled counterrevolutionary activities and opportunist barriers, which, in the final analysis, were weakening, directly or indirectly, the Revolution at a social and political level.

KKE: Statement regarding the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Turkey and the Berlin attack

Regarding the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Ankara and the deadly attack in Berlin, the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued the following statement:

"The KKE condemns the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Ankara, as well as the deadly attack in Berlin.

These actions, regardless the especial objectives of the perpetrators, consist a component of the imperialist war in the 21st century and that applies regardless of the extend to which the activity of such organisations is formed under the support or tolerance of imperialist centers or it is manifested as an element of autonomy of these forces from any powerful centers that strengthened them in the past.

Solidarity with the just struggle of the Palestinian people - للتضامن مع النضال العادل للشعب الفلسطيني

Source: inter.kke.gr.

The event organized by the Attica Party Organization of the KKE in cooperation with the Palestinian Embassy at the "Alkyonis" cinema on the evening of Sunday 11/12 sent warm militant greetings to the Palestinian people and also sent a message calling for the intensification of internationalist solidarity with them.

Aleka Papariga: Capitalism will not live forever; it will be overthrown

Speaking in a political event organised by the KKE Sectoral Organisation of Volos on Sunday 11/12, the member of the CC of the KKE and former General Secretary of the Party Aleka Papariga, mentioned, among others, the following:

"The KKE is the only Party that knows very well what the capitalist system means. It knows very well the danger of Capitalism, the power it has in its hands, but also knows that the capitalist system isn't a system that will live forever. On the contrary, it is a system which can be overthrown. [...] Many believe that as long as the Socialist system does not exist today, the only system that can exist is Capitalism. We say that Capitalism has contradictions and deadlocks- even today, when it appears in a global scale, without opponent- and can be overthrown.

Of course, it will not collapse by itself, but in one or another country the conditions for its overthrow can be created. And what is important today, above all, is that the working class and her allies must understand that there is the potentiality to take the power in their hands. 

Kostas Papadakis (KKE MEP)- No trust in any bourgeois government, any bourgeois class, any imperialist alliance

Source: inter.kke.gr.

Kostas Papadakis, member of the CC and MEP, in the introductory speech of the KKE at the international seminar of the KKE's delegation to the European Parliament stressed the following:

Dear comrades,

Our seminar today aims to shed light on contemporary, complex and serious (for the workers) developments, through the prism of  Leninist thought, as this was exemplified 100 years ago in the work "On the Slogan for a United States of Europe". With the utilization of other works that also analyze the constituent elements of imperialism, as the highest stage of capitalism.

Today, we see new inter-state unions next to the old ones, like NATO and the EU. Unions are emerging in Eurasia, Latin America, Asia that supposedly aim to unite the peoples and economic life of entire continents. The problems are serious, because apart from the mutated parties that bear the "communist" title and follow the social-democratic path, there are CPs that are trying, struggling but detach this development from its economic base and salute it, adopting the ideological construct of the so-called "multi-polar world".

The 20th Congress of the Communist Party of Greece to be held between 30 March- 2 April 2017

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) decided that the Party's 20th Congress will take place on the days from 30 March to 2 April 2017 in Athens. The two subjects of the Congress will be:

Successful International communist seminar regarding Vladimir Lenin's work was organised by the KKE in Athens

The International Seminar, with the subject: "A century from the publication of the work of V.I.Lenin "On the slogan of a United States of Europe", took place today, Saturday 10th December, organised by the European Parliament Team of the KKE in Athens, responding to the call of the Plenary session of the Parties of the "European Communist Initiative".

"On the slogan for a United States of Europe"- Communist Parties to participate in international seminar in Athens

IDC / Info from 902.gr.

At least 20 Communist Parties from around the world will participate in the international seminar that will take place in Athens on Saturday 10 December. The seminar's subject is the 100th anniversary since the publication of V.I.Lenin's work "On the slogan for a United States of Europe" and is organised by the European Parliament team of the KKE. 

The seminar's major speaker is Kostas Papadakis, member of the CC of the KKE and KKE MEP. The General Secretary of the CC of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas will also attend the seminar and will deliver a short greeting message.

The venue of the seminar is Stanley Hotel at Karaiskaki Square (1 Odysseos str). 

KKE slams PM Tsipras: "His announcements consist provocative mockery for the people"

Regarding today's announcement (read below) by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, the Press Office of the CC of the KKE issued the following comment (Source: 902.gr).

"When the government votes in the Parliament another budget with new taxes and cuts for the people and prepares a new blow to the working-people's rights for the sake of the second evaluation and Eurogroup decision, the governmental announcements, which distribute "crumbs" - from the bloody surpluses- to the most impoverished people that its own policy creates multiplies, cannot be regarded as anythng but provocative mockery.

Even worse, they aim to persuade the people to forget any sense of right and to compromise with the minimum and the sums benefits-"crumbs".

The Turkish government escalates provocative rhetoric over Aegean- Comment by the Communist Party of Greece

Rejep Tayyip Erdogan.

Last Wednesday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu referred to the eastern Aegean Imia islets as “Turkish soil.” Cavusoglu was responding in writing to a question tabled by a Turkish MP regarding the status of islands and islets in the Aegean.

“As long as the AKP is in power there will be no change in the legal and de facto status of islands in the Aegean,” noted Cavusoglu in his statement. 

Cavusoglu’s comments followed comments made by the leader of the Turkish Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu in which he accused Greece of occupying 18 islands in the Aegean.

The Greek Foreign Ministry described the comments by Cavusoglu as “irresponsible and provocative” and a violation of international law. In response, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Huseyin Muftuoglu reaffirmed Ankara’s stance. 

“Turkey’s position on her sovereignty over Kardak Rocks [the Turkish name for the Imia islets] is well known by the international community since 1996. There is no change in our policy in this regard.” said Muftuoglu.

KKE: The people must be ready and vigilant - Statement about foreign policy and the Cyprus Issue

Statement of the GS of the CC of the KKE about foreign policy and the Cyprus Issue.

The GS of the CC of the KKE, Dimitris Koutsoumbas, noted the following on 28/11/2016 in his statements on Foreign Policy and the Cyprus Issue:

“The KKE follows with concern the latest developments regarding both Greek-Turkish relations as well as the Cyprus Issue. The KKE expresses its opinion with responsibility and calls on the Greek people to be in a state of readiness and vigilance.

The major everyday problems which afflict our people are expected to worsen in the coming period, as a result of the second “evaluation” and the government's new agreements with its partners in the EU and IMF.

Condemn the unjust prosecution of young communist- member of KNE by the Greek authorities

Information from 'Rizospastis' and 902.gr.

KILKIS- Numerous working class unions, students and women associations, various bodies of the labour-peoples' movement in Greece have condemned the prosecution by the police authorities of a young woman, member of the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE). The KNE member, a student at Thessaloniki's Aristotle Univerity, was arrested on November 7th outside a high school in the city of Kilkis, northern Greece, after a complaint by the school's director. Her "criminal offense" was that she was....discussing with students the organisation of mobilization and struggle against the governmental policy on Education!

Showing primitive anticommunism the Greek authorities arrested the young comrade and appointed a court hearing on December 2nd. The prosecution was immediately denounced by the KKE Kilkis Sectoral Organisation and the KKE MEP Sotiris Zarianopoulos who expressed their protest to the local police department. 

KKE in the European Parliament: Regarding the issue of the new anti-communist law in Bulgaria

Source: inter.kke.gr.

On the 24^th of November 2016 in Bulgaria a "Law for the amending and supplementing of the Law which declares the communist regime in Bulgaria as criminal” was voted upon in first reading, which among other things provocatively provides for the prohibition of the use and placement of  communist symbols and the removal of symbols, slogans, photographs, signs and other marks or objects from the years of socialism from public spaces or, if it is not possible to remove them immediately, the placement of a sign on these which will refer the following: "the communist regime in Bulgaria during the period 09.09.1944 - 11.10.1989 and the actions of the CP of Bulgaria have been declared criminal by a law voten upon by the 38th National Assembly."

Penalties and large fines are also foreseen for those who do not comply, as well as provisions to the Ministry of Education, the universities, schools, the deans, professors and teachers to harmonize school and university books with this unacceptable law.

"Fidel Castro will always live in the historic memory and the collective consciousness of the people of the world"

During his speech in a political and cultural event in honor of the 98 years of the KKE in Athens, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece Dimitris Koutsoumbas referred to the death of Fidel Castro. Secretary Koutsoumbas expressed the condolences of the Central Committee of the KKE for the death of the legendary Cuban leader. The reference to the name of Fidel caused a generous applause from the audience.

KKE's General Secretary said:

"On behalf of the CC of the Party, from our today's event, we would like to publicly express our deep sadness for the death of the leader of the Cuban revolution, cde.Fidel Castro.

We deliver our condolences to the leadership and the members of the CP of Cuba, to the entire Cuban people.

We farewell a lenendary figure, not only of the Cuban people and Latin America, but of the international communist movement.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE): Statement on the death of the leader of the Cuban revolution Fidel Castro

STATEMENT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE KKE.

In its statement on the death of the leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, the Central Committee of the KKE noted:

«The CC of the KKE, with great sadness, bids farewell to the legendary figure of the international communist movement, the leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro.

We express our most sincere condolences to the President of Cuba, Raul Castro, the CC of the CP of Cuba and to the entire Cuban people.

Fidel Castro was born in Birán, Cuba, on the 13th of August 1926 and studied law at Havana University. As a student he began to participate in the revolutionary movement against the Batista dictatorship in Cuba, a dictatorship which was also openly supported by the USA.