Conghaileach
23rd December 2002, 11:44
The Che-Leila Youth Brigades
USA Chapter
Interview Ramzi Kanafani, Co-Founder
North American Committee Against Zionism and Racism (NACAZAR), and
The Arab Progressive Coalition of North America.
Comrade Kanafani will be speaking at The Back to Back Cafe on Saturday Dec 28th 6:30pm and Laughing Horse Books on Sunday December 29th at 1 pm.
A demonstration in Solidarity with the Palestinian Intifadah (struggle) is set for Sept 27th @ 5 pm Pioneer Square.
************************************************** ****************************
The comments of Ramzi Kanafani are those of himself or the respected organizations he represents, and not necassarily those of the Che-Leila Youth Brigades Internationale. The Che-Leila Youth Brigades are not a Marxist-Leninist Party or Front Organization, per say, and do not claim to be an attempt at, or alternative to the forming of such entities. We do however share Comrade Kanafani's condemnation of "Human Rights Watch" and organizations, like them in general. Such National Chauvenism, and Opertunism coming from Imperialist countries is entirely reactionary.
************************************************** ************************************************
Q. Perhaps you could explain to people what the Arab Progressive Coalition of North America is? Why it was created and what it hopes to accomplish?
A. The Arab Progressive Coalition in North America is an idea for creating an organized Arab Socialist presencein North America. The effects of the destruction and devastation of capitalism-imperialism on the Arab, African, and Asian lands has forced millions of Arabs and non-Arabs on the periphery of capitalism to immigrate to North America seeking better living conditions. This makes the necessity of organizing the working-class of Arabs in North America in a Socialist organization more and more pressing. That is what the idea for the Arab Progressive Coalition in North America is. It exists today primarily as an email list awaiting the gathering of the revolutionary socialist elements to make it a reality. In addition to the coalition a number of anti-Oslo Arabs have been working on creating (NACAZAR) the North America Committee Against Zionism and Racism. This committee is in the forming stage and is soliciting cadres committed to opposing Zionism in North America regardless of national origin.
Q. From a number of articles that I have read it appears that the Arab Progressive Coalition is ideologically opposed to the Oslo Peace Accords. Why is that, and what alternative does the Arab Progressive Coalition suggest? Is it similar to theideas and demands of Rejectionist Front" organizations?
A. The Arab Progressive Coalition is centered around three principles which form its triangle of struggle. First a commitment to complete liberation of Palestine; including affirming its Arab identity. Second, a commitment to unification of the Arab homeland, Third, and most importantly the building of Socialism in the Arab homeland and internationally. On the first principle the Arab identity of Palestine , is a binding principle and the coalition affirms its commitment to the original Palestinian National Charter, Which stipulates the complete liberation of Palestine with all means necessary, and affirms the Arab identity of Palestine. Incidently, the original Palestinian National Charter was requested torn by Bill Clinton and the Zionists, and Yassir Arafat and Bill Clinton tore it obligingly during the height of the joke called the Oslo process. So the Coalition is completely opposed to the Oslo process which it considers a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and a betrayal of the Palestinian National Charter. We characterize Oslo as a Bourgeois-Comprador, Imperialist-Zionist project which is against the interests of the Arab people, the Palestinian people, and the revolutionary internationalist movement. The alternative we represent is a commitment to the original Palestinian National Charter, a commitment to the Arab revolutionary unification project (under the rule of the dictatorship of the proletariat) not the petit-bourgeois or bourgeois, and a commitment to world socialist revolution.
Q. Recently Human Rights Watch issued a very damning statement on not only Hamas, but several other Palestinian Organizations such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. What do you make of this? Are the various Islamic Factions to be regarded more as terrorists or as revolutionary factions?
A. This is typical hypocrisy and a case of double standards. But also it falls into the scheme of the imperialist US and European bourgeois' plans who are taking advantage of public opinion shaped by the events of September 11 to liquidate revolutionary organizations. Many are familiar with the opportunist attempts being made in Europe and around the world (like Colombia and the Philippines, etc..) to create the Black Lists which are listing revolutionary organizations as "terrorist" in order to liquidate them. Citizens and the revolutionary forces like those who rallied in Brussels recently have to stand-up to this trickery and manipulation and they are. Human Rights Watch only condemns and flexes its muscles on the weak, and ignores conveniently the strong. Since the United States is the country committing (in the past) and at present the most in human rights violations Hiroshima, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Panama, Guantanamo, etc..Yet we hear nothing done to condemn these violations because US imperialism is strong. The Durban conference against Racism in South Africa condemned the US and "Israel" so the US imperialists and Zionists withdrew from the conference calling it a "failure". I think there is a growing strong opposition to the US and "Israel" and it is showing all over the world and getting stronger and more vocal. As to Hamas and Jihad both are organizations that necessitate from all revolutionary socialists support and solidarity because they are leading the struggle against Zionism in occupied Palestine and they are very effective. Their martyrdom operations are costing the Zionist enemy dearly and hastening withdrawal from the 1967 Palestinian territories (of course we do not want to stop there but carry the struggle on to 1948 Palestine and reject recognition of "Israel"). In addition to this, they enjoy large support from within the masses and have a strong popular base because of their success in leading struggle. They are effective and the people trust them because they are getting the job done against the enemy. Of course we have serious ideological differences with them, but we are committed to supporting them as the Intifadah has shown because the priority right now is to defeat the enemy. So the Intifadah has demonstrated this, and there are no internal Palestinian conflicts but , coordination between the different organizations to combat the enemy and this is good to sustain and encourage.
Q. Recently Yassar Arafat has under fire from Reactionary Zionism. Under such circumstances, do you think that perhaps some tactical support for him as part of a broad unified front against Imperialism is needed?
A. Now Arafat, he is different and is a little problematic. Because we understand Arafat to be a bourgeois project and a comprador to imperialism we can not support him, but are ready to ignore him for now. He has bankrupted himself. A recent poll run by the Arab popular satellite television channel al-Jazeerah asked people in the West Bank and Gaza about the support they hold for Arafat. The results showed a low percentage supporting him strongly (around 16% as I recall) with an equal percentage strongly opposing him. He does not enjoy wide support even in the 67 territories and I suspect less so with the Palestinians outside in the diaspora. He has sold himself to the imperialist-Zionist project of Oslo. He has nothing else to support him but these two. I think of him and the bourgeois political elements that surround him as the equivelant of the Vichy government in France during the Nazi occupation. This example illustrates the point: When Sharon came to power he lost the Zionist Barak (and before him lost his "partner" Rabin who was killed). When Sharon wanted to liquidate him or at-least expel him he thought the American imperialists were going to save him. They didn't. Actually, Bush came out and told Sharon "Ok, whatever you want to do,"; giving him the green light. Those that stepped into save him were the Arab bourgeois regimes of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and especially Egypt. If it wasn't for them he could have been finished. Actually, until a Labor government is elected with Mitsna'a perhaps the labor candidate to succeed Sharon (whom he is now coming out to support as Arafat's latest strategy)he will have only the Arab bourgeois regimes to protect him and especially Egypt. In the West Bank and Gaza itself we know that his support is due mainly because he represented independence for the Palestinians in the 67 territories and of course the older generation sees him still as "big brother" and a "symbol of the Palestinian struggle and identity" and that is why many still support him. But what about outside of the independence of the 1967 Palestinian territories? with the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon? in Syria? in the diaspora, in the Arabian gulf, and in the West? In fact the last poll in the 67 territories shows there is a large silent majority over 60% which does not mind ignoring him for now but probably does not want to see the "Israelis" take him out, as that would mean the Palestinian independence of the 1967 territories might be taken out with him.
Q. What do you make of the state of relations between Anti-imperialists in the First World and Anti-Imperialist in the Arab world, particularly Palestine and Lebanon? Do you have any constructive criticisms to offer for improving our relations and building a powerful movement?
A. This is a very good question. The international communist movement itself has been badly effected in divisions because of this question. You can trace the roots of this problem to the Stalinist-Trotskyite split of the Third International. And with ideas on building Socialism in one country or internationally. Many argue today that the key to world anti-imperialist struggle is in the periphery where revolutionary struggles whether for self-determination or nationalist unification are being fought against Imperialism. This point of view has a lot of merit, and necessitates more support and understanding from the Western anti-imperialist forces. One fatal mistake that cost Arab communist organizing in the Arab world dearly was Stalinism. Stalin accepted the dividing of Palestine and recognized "Israel" many Communist parties followed suit in a show of "Internationalist" solidarity. This meant that the Arab masses tossed them in the garbage can immediately. There can never be any repeat of this mistake. The Nationalist struggle must be unconditionally supported by the Western revolutionary forces. Many Trotskyites are mistaken when they think that revolution must come from the more industrially developed West. It is actually not to be ignored, because I believe each country will have its own conditions for revolution. But to examine where the weakest link for imperialism is, it is on the periphery and it is found in the nationalist struggles for self-determination in the oppressed world, it is there we must pay particular attention and be present. Right now there are many fronts available for active participation, the oppressed nations need the active involvement of anti-imperialist forces. Of course at the end there is no alternative to a Communist World organization that is present all over the world. We can not repeat what happened in the Third International which was subjugated to the whims of Stalin and others placing the Soviet Union interests in WWII (the second imperialist war) and Cold War calculations ahead of world revolution of course this was yet another fatal mistake and something we must learn from never repeating. Palestine was compromised, the Arab nationalist program for unification was compromised, African anti-colonial struggle was compromised, the Spanish struggle in the civil war was compromised, etc...eventually in favor of an opportunist policy of co-existence (later with Khruschev) with imperialism. That the Soviet Union paid heavily for. Religion which plays a central role in the lives ofArabs and Muslims the world over is a major reason the majority turn anti-Communist in the Arab world (also Africa and Asia). All those questions must be dealt with intelligently by the progressive forces. That is how a true international can be acheived between the Eastern part of the anti-imperialist movement and the Western part. There can be no wavering on any of these central issues for a true united internationalist movement to emerge in the face of imperialism. With regards to these questions it is a situation of life and death for Arab communist organizing amongst the Muslim and Arab masses.
Q. Is their anything further you would like to add, perhaps maybe suggestions and advice for young revolutionaries who are inspired by the example of the Palestinian people. In North America i would like to see an organized body take the initiative of inviting all Marxist-Leninists and Socialist currents to a gathering in North America to try to come up with a unified program of principles and a program for action. I think there is too much fragmentation amongst socialists in North America but there are many groups out there. If there was a way to gather those many forces under an umbrella perhaps a program of action can be founded and a binding document of principles agreed on. In this gathering ideological struggle can be waged and different currents allowed to exist in order to debate and confront the sorry state of fragmentation socialists exhibit today.
**************************
TO CONTACT THE CHE-LEILA YOUTH BRIGADES USA CHAPTER:
[email protected]
USA Chapter
Interview Ramzi Kanafani, Co-Founder
North American Committee Against Zionism and Racism (NACAZAR), and
The Arab Progressive Coalition of North America.
Comrade Kanafani will be speaking at The Back to Back Cafe on Saturday Dec 28th 6:30pm and Laughing Horse Books on Sunday December 29th at 1 pm.
A demonstration in Solidarity with the Palestinian Intifadah (struggle) is set for Sept 27th @ 5 pm Pioneer Square.
************************************************** ****************************
The comments of Ramzi Kanafani are those of himself or the respected organizations he represents, and not necassarily those of the Che-Leila Youth Brigades Internationale. The Che-Leila Youth Brigades are not a Marxist-Leninist Party or Front Organization, per say, and do not claim to be an attempt at, or alternative to the forming of such entities. We do however share Comrade Kanafani's condemnation of "Human Rights Watch" and organizations, like them in general. Such National Chauvenism, and Opertunism coming from Imperialist countries is entirely reactionary.
************************************************** ************************************************
Q. Perhaps you could explain to people what the Arab Progressive Coalition of North America is? Why it was created and what it hopes to accomplish?
A. The Arab Progressive Coalition in North America is an idea for creating an organized Arab Socialist presencein North America. The effects of the destruction and devastation of capitalism-imperialism on the Arab, African, and Asian lands has forced millions of Arabs and non-Arabs on the periphery of capitalism to immigrate to North America seeking better living conditions. This makes the necessity of organizing the working-class of Arabs in North America in a Socialist organization more and more pressing. That is what the idea for the Arab Progressive Coalition in North America is. It exists today primarily as an email list awaiting the gathering of the revolutionary socialist elements to make it a reality. In addition to the coalition a number of anti-Oslo Arabs have been working on creating (NACAZAR) the North America Committee Against Zionism and Racism. This committee is in the forming stage and is soliciting cadres committed to opposing Zionism in North America regardless of national origin.
Q. From a number of articles that I have read it appears that the Arab Progressive Coalition is ideologically opposed to the Oslo Peace Accords. Why is that, and what alternative does the Arab Progressive Coalition suggest? Is it similar to theideas and demands of Rejectionist Front" organizations?
A. The Arab Progressive Coalition is centered around three principles which form its triangle of struggle. First a commitment to complete liberation of Palestine; including affirming its Arab identity. Second, a commitment to unification of the Arab homeland, Third, and most importantly the building of Socialism in the Arab homeland and internationally. On the first principle the Arab identity of Palestine , is a binding principle and the coalition affirms its commitment to the original Palestinian National Charter, Which stipulates the complete liberation of Palestine with all means necessary, and affirms the Arab identity of Palestine. Incidently, the original Palestinian National Charter was requested torn by Bill Clinton and the Zionists, and Yassir Arafat and Bill Clinton tore it obligingly during the height of the joke called the Oslo process. So the Coalition is completely opposed to the Oslo process which it considers a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and a betrayal of the Palestinian National Charter. We characterize Oslo as a Bourgeois-Comprador, Imperialist-Zionist project which is against the interests of the Arab people, the Palestinian people, and the revolutionary internationalist movement. The alternative we represent is a commitment to the original Palestinian National Charter, a commitment to the Arab revolutionary unification project (under the rule of the dictatorship of the proletariat) not the petit-bourgeois or bourgeois, and a commitment to world socialist revolution.
Q. Recently Human Rights Watch issued a very damning statement on not only Hamas, but several other Palestinian Organizations such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. What do you make of this? Are the various Islamic Factions to be regarded more as terrorists or as revolutionary factions?
A. This is typical hypocrisy and a case of double standards. But also it falls into the scheme of the imperialist US and European bourgeois' plans who are taking advantage of public opinion shaped by the events of September 11 to liquidate revolutionary organizations. Many are familiar with the opportunist attempts being made in Europe and around the world (like Colombia and the Philippines, etc..) to create the Black Lists which are listing revolutionary organizations as "terrorist" in order to liquidate them. Citizens and the revolutionary forces like those who rallied in Brussels recently have to stand-up to this trickery and manipulation and they are. Human Rights Watch only condemns and flexes its muscles on the weak, and ignores conveniently the strong. Since the United States is the country committing (in the past) and at present the most in human rights violations Hiroshima, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Panama, Guantanamo, etc..Yet we hear nothing done to condemn these violations because US imperialism is strong. The Durban conference against Racism in South Africa condemned the US and "Israel" so the US imperialists and Zionists withdrew from the conference calling it a "failure". I think there is a growing strong opposition to the US and "Israel" and it is showing all over the world and getting stronger and more vocal. As to Hamas and Jihad both are organizations that necessitate from all revolutionary socialists support and solidarity because they are leading the struggle against Zionism in occupied Palestine and they are very effective. Their martyrdom operations are costing the Zionist enemy dearly and hastening withdrawal from the 1967 Palestinian territories (of course we do not want to stop there but carry the struggle on to 1948 Palestine and reject recognition of "Israel"). In addition to this, they enjoy large support from within the masses and have a strong popular base because of their success in leading struggle. They are effective and the people trust them because they are getting the job done against the enemy. Of course we have serious ideological differences with them, but we are committed to supporting them as the Intifadah has shown because the priority right now is to defeat the enemy. So the Intifadah has demonstrated this, and there are no internal Palestinian conflicts but , coordination between the different organizations to combat the enemy and this is good to sustain and encourage.
Q. Recently Yassar Arafat has under fire from Reactionary Zionism. Under such circumstances, do you think that perhaps some tactical support for him as part of a broad unified front against Imperialism is needed?
A. Now Arafat, he is different and is a little problematic. Because we understand Arafat to be a bourgeois project and a comprador to imperialism we can not support him, but are ready to ignore him for now. He has bankrupted himself. A recent poll run by the Arab popular satellite television channel al-Jazeerah asked people in the West Bank and Gaza about the support they hold for Arafat. The results showed a low percentage supporting him strongly (around 16% as I recall) with an equal percentage strongly opposing him. He does not enjoy wide support even in the 67 territories and I suspect less so with the Palestinians outside in the diaspora. He has sold himself to the imperialist-Zionist project of Oslo. He has nothing else to support him but these two. I think of him and the bourgeois political elements that surround him as the equivelant of the Vichy government in France during the Nazi occupation. This example illustrates the point: When Sharon came to power he lost the Zionist Barak (and before him lost his "partner" Rabin who was killed). When Sharon wanted to liquidate him or at-least expel him he thought the American imperialists were going to save him. They didn't. Actually, Bush came out and told Sharon "Ok, whatever you want to do,"; giving him the green light. Those that stepped into save him were the Arab bourgeois regimes of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and especially Egypt. If it wasn't for them he could have been finished. Actually, until a Labor government is elected with Mitsna'a perhaps the labor candidate to succeed Sharon (whom he is now coming out to support as Arafat's latest strategy)he will have only the Arab bourgeois regimes to protect him and especially Egypt. In the West Bank and Gaza itself we know that his support is due mainly because he represented independence for the Palestinians in the 67 territories and of course the older generation sees him still as "big brother" and a "symbol of the Palestinian struggle and identity" and that is why many still support him. But what about outside of the independence of the 1967 Palestinian territories? with the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon? in Syria? in the diaspora, in the Arabian gulf, and in the West? In fact the last poll in the 67 territories shows there is a large silent majority over 60% which does not mind ignoring him for now but probably does not want to see the "Israelis" take him out, as that would mean the Palestinian independence of the 1967 territories might be taken out with him.
Q. What do you make of the state of relations between Anti-imperialists in the First World and Anti-Imperialist in the Arab world, particularly Palestine and Lebanon? Do you have any constructive criticisms to offer for improving our relations and building a powerful movement?
A. This is a very good question. The international communist movement itself has been badly effected in divisions because of this question. You can trace the roots of this problem to the Stalinist-Trotskyite split of the Third International. And with ideas on building Socialism in one country or internationally. Many argue today that the key to world anti-imperialist struggle is in the periphery where revolutionary struggles whether for self-determination or nationalist unification are being fought against Imperialism. This point of view has a lot of merit, and necessitates more support and understanding from the Western anti-imperialist forces. One fatal mistake that cost Arab communist organizing in the Arab world dearly was Stalinism. Stalin accepted the dividing of Palestine and recognized "Israel" many Communist parties followed suit in a show of "Internationalist" solidarity. This meant that the Arab masses tossed them in the garbage can immediately. There can never be any repeat of this mistake. The Nationalist struggle must be unconditionally supported by the Western revolutionary forces. Many Trotskyites are mistaken when they think that revolution must come from the more industrially developed West. It is actually not to be ignored, because I believe each country will have its own conditions for revolution. But to examine where the weakest link for imperialism is, it is on the periphery and it is found in the nationalist struggles for self-determination in the oppressed world, it is there we must pay particular attention and be present. Right now there are many fronts available for active participation, the oppressed nations need the active involvement of anti-imperialist forces. Of course at the end there is no alternative to a Communist World organization that is present all over the world. We can not repeat what happened in the Third International which was subjugated to the whims of Stalin and others placing the Soviet Union interests in WWII (the second imperialist war) and Cold War calculations ahead of world revolution of course this was yet another fatal mistake and something we must learn from never repeating. Palestine was compromised, the Arab nationalist program for unification was compromised, African anti-colonial struggle was compromised, the Spanish struggle in the civil war was compromised, etc...eventually in favor of an opportunist policy of co-existence (later with Khruschev) with imperialism. That the Soviet Union paid heavily for. Religion which plays a central role in the lives ofArabs and Muslims the world over is a major reason the majority turn anti-Communist in the Arab world (also Africa and Asia). All those questions must be dealt with intelligently by the progressive forces. That is how a true international can be acheived between the Eastern part of the anti-imperialist movement and the Western part. There can be no wavering on any of these central issues for a true united internationalist movement to emerge in the face of imperialism. With regards to these questions it is a situation of life and death for Arab communist organizing amongst the Muslim and Arab masses.
Q. Is their anything further you would like to add, perhaps maybe suggestions and advice for young revolutionaries who are inspired by the example of the Palestinian people. In North America i would like to see an organized body take the initiative of inviting all Marxist-Leninists and Socialist currents to a gathering in North America to try to come up with a unified program of principles and a program for action. I think there is too much fragmentation amongst socialists in North America but there are many groups out there. If there was a way to gather those many forces under an umbrella perhaps a program of action can be founded and a binding document of principles agreed on. In this gathering ideological struggle can be waged and different currents allowed to exist in order to debate and confront the sorry state of fragmentation socialists exhibit today.
**************************
TO CONTACT THE CHE-LEILA YOUTH BRIGADES USA CHAPTER:
[email protected]