Translated "Avante!" article by Jorge Cadima, Member of the International Department
One of the greatest human tragedies’ centenary is almost due to begin: World War I. A carnage which destroyed many millions of lives. Not caused by “new threats”, as Ciber-terrorism, climate changes or Islamic fundamentalism. Nor caused by the communists, trade-unionists or other patronage bugbears. The powers in question, which fought among themselves were European, Western, Christian, of “elected races” and ruled by “elites” under “divine law”. Dominant classes disputed, through war, their domain upon natural resources, seas, continents and peoples of the planet. Including their own peoples, the conflict’s greatest victims. A hundred years upon, the great capital seems to repeat History.
The 1914 parallel is sustained by Martin Wolf, a system’s spokesman (in Financial Times, 2013.12.03), entitled “ China ought not to follow the Kaiser’s mistakes”, and “ The Communist China’s ascension poses a current question “ is the same as “ the one posed on Imperial Germany as the very first economic and military power, at the end of the XIX th century”. He does not explain that the 1914 “issue” was to be that his British Empire wanted to carry on being the unique under which “the Sun never sets”. Currently, Wolf says: “ the risk of a ruinous conflict exists “. And adds: “ Military experts consider that in an open conflict, China would be a looser […]. The USA are under control of the seas. If an open conflict took place, the USA would cut world trade with China. And would ruin a great part of China’s wealth abroad. The economic consequences would be […] worse for China than the USA and its allies”. But never mentioning human consequences. The war propaganda will present China as a dangerous threat. But 14 years ago, general Loureiro dos Santos explained (in Diário de Notícias”, entitled “World war is inevitable“, 2000.03.13): “ one must recall that the origin of the situation is the world resources dispute”. He mentioned emerging powers, as China and Russia, which have the capacity of being USA’s opponents or challengers”, adding: “ and therefore the USA will have to act. Not just now, but in 15 or 20 years to come, it is practically inevitable”. And sinisterly: “ the atomic weapon will carry on being very important[…], but on what concerns great powers will not be an obstacle”. The general’ s mentioned time is coming near. And the capitalism crisis makes it urgent.
The European Union powers, with recent wars within Libya and Syria and occupations in Africa, are currently engaged in imposing troikas upon the Ukrainians and inciting the conflict with Russia. And during the today’s European Summit, on how to achieve a quality leap was in discussion, concerning its war machine , in order to “ achieve the European ambitions within the worldwide scenario”. Catherine Ashton, the High War Representative’s report on Oct.15th, foresees all: the EU must be ready to “engage in the 5 ambiences ( land, air, sea, space and CIBER- space) from Africa to the Artic , and “round the globe”. Having to be able to make “ direct interventions”, project power and use ”drones”. More state military expenses are required, along with the usual subsidies for the private sector: “VAT exemptions”, “ for its protection […] from budget cuts, with PPP’s (Public, Private Partnerships), and “finding innovating financial solutions in order to return to investments” and mobilizing university research. There is no money for the peoples, but for profits and war it cannot fail.
The European military-industrial complex is in progress, and already has a name EDTIB( European Defence Technological and Industrial Base). But as the report concludes, indoctrinating the peoples is missing, “ even if our citizens do not perceive an immediate external threat to security”. But the menace upon the European peoples (and others) is the internal menace of its putrid but dangerous dominant classes.
