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The invasion of Yugoslavia

We strongly draw the attention of all the Portuguese, particularly of the youngsters, to an extremely serious fact, which deserves profound indignation.

And this is that, by the hand and command of a Socialist Party (PS) government, for the 1st time after the 25th of April 1974 that brought us peace, Portuguese troops are directly involved in a military aggression against a sovereign State.

Also the fact that, in a moment when the socialists govern 13 out of 15 European Union countries, Europe beats all records of submission and servility to the USA and that, for the 1st time since the end of World War Two, 54 years ago, a war between states returns to the European mainland and it returns through NATO's decisions and weapons, now remaining perfectly clear why NATO is kept, after having so often proclaimed that "war is over".

We sincerely hope that nothing happens to the Portuguese soldiers, pushed by the PS government into this aggression on Yugoslavia.

But let no one think that this sincere wish of ours means any sort of alignment with the government's indecent behaviour, making it a scandalous accomplice of a clear violation of international law, without any UN backing.

We also raise our voice against the fact that, revealing an insolent disrespect for the Portuguese people and for the democratic institutions, the government involved Portugal in this operation, without any debate in Parliament or consultation to this body and also without any formal or detailed explanation to the country, on the grounds for their attitude.

The truth is that the PS has its mouth full of transparency and democracy, but then go as far as linking Portugal to true war actions as if they were mere current affairs or matters of no relevance.

On our part, we reiterate our strong demand that an immediate end is put to the bombing of Yugoslavia, for apart from that, it offers no solution whatsoever to the political problems which truly exist and can only dangerously destabilise the whole region of the Balkans, bring heavy suffering to its populations and jeopardise a political solution.

Another international issue which is very dear to the Portuguese youth and the JCP, is the East-Timor question.

To the prophets of human doom and disbelief, we show them past and present examples that teach us the struggle path, to win over challenges and all noble and fair causes. In Timor, the timorense people were not afraid, they have fought and they shall win, like so many other peoples, throughout history.

The struggle of the Maubere people in the mountains, on the streets, in schools, in the heart of Mankind is there, on the verge of beating the giant, the Indonesian colossus. This is an exemplary struggle of a people, who suppressed and oppressed by the terror of the Indonesian dictatorship, were capable of uniting, organising and move forward despite all their isolation, including geographically.

We feel the success of the Maubere people's struggle as if it was ours and the unfinished joy of the timorense as if it was our own. We hope and fight so that the proclaimed victory comes sooner than later and that Xanana Gusmão and all political prisoners are released, that all timorense citizens may return to Timor, that all Indonesian soldiers leave the territory and that all the armed militias are disarmed.

For us, an essential point is that the UN may be present in the territory so that a (required genuine and democratic) consultation may take place in such a way that the timorense people may express themselves in total freedom.

As you are aware, the PCP has always supported the struggle of the timorense people and has links of friendship, solidarity and co-operation with FRETILIN and with the Maubere National Resistance Council. On this occasion, we would like to re-assert to the Maubere Resistance that, according to our possibilities, they can continue to count on the PCP's solidarity.

Our supreme aim is contributing, for the timorense people to be able to exercise their right to self-determination. Reason why we believe that, besides our own position, Portugal must have a consensus position in order to carry weight in the international community, so that East-Timor may be self-determined and independent.

Portugal must engage itself thoroughly for the Indonesian troops to get out of Timor, for the disarmament of militias and in preventing the authorities from launching chaos and destabilisation of the territory.

At the end of our century, the neo-liberal preachers may well try to praise the virtues of the "American model", as was done only a few days ago by some OECD cretins, but in fact what is capable is more solidly sustaining Mankind's future and civilisation's advance is not capitalism, but socialism, rooted in a renewed and enriched project, built with the workers and peoples action, intervention and creativity, embracing what is best in their heritage, but also open to novelty brought about by our historic future.
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