Chechensev
News From the Soviet Union
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| V.N. Chechensev |
It is only natural that on this International Day of Workers Solidarity, that workers march on the streets with their slogans and demands, together under the red banners and flags in one massive unified column. That’s how it was this year in the majority of cities and villages of Russia.
But it was different in Moscow -- the leader of the capitalist reforms in Russia and other former Soviet republics. Having liquidated the economic potential, built up a huge assemble of banks, both internal and foreign ownership, many offices, magazines, small bins selling merchandise, this capitalist regime has formed instead of a working class, as it was under socialism, has turned Moscow into a trading city and business speculators. The voices of the workers that are still left have a hard time to be heard among these bourgeoisie.
This is why the workers of Moscow marched in three separate columns on this May Day.
One marching column, coming to the Vasilevsky section, right near the Red Square, was composed of the party that favours the present regime, called "One Russia" with the pro-regime trade union FNPR. In the first ranks of the march, there was Mayor Luzhkov of Moscow, going side by side with the leader of this pro-regime trade union Shmakov.
The meeting of these "whites" (judging by their colours and slogans) was about 140,000 marchers. This was accomplished by the purse strings of the state and, also by the city of Moscow, and each participant got paid for his or her participation. In order to show the state loyalty to these "while" trade unions, etc. the Moscow authorities allowed them to march right on the Red Square. Thanks to these so-called trade union elite bosses, they showed their absolute loyalty to the present regime and are partners in reforming the last remains of socialism into capitalist robbery.
(It seems that these so-called trade union leaders have learned well from the AFL-CIO in the USA – Editor)
The other "rose colour" marching column was organized by the CPRF – Communist Party of the Russian Federation- As is well known now, the policy and actions of the CPRF in the Russian parliament Duma, was of complete cooperation with the Putin regime. The CPRF leadership tried to present itself to the people that nothing out of ordinary did not take place on this May Day, that the CPRF and its allies are the only movement that is there to be the loyal opposition to Putin-Graff.
This agitation had its results, and on the October Square here they gathered, about 50,000 people. The weather was fine and the CPRF leaders certainly did not look or behave like they are leading workers. The marchers were greeted by the leader of the CPRF, Gennady Zyuganov.
Of course, the CPRF is not wanting in finances also, some from sources that are still unknown, can get the masses and publicity of the Russian media to bring out masses of people.
But you cannot make comments on only the number of people that can be turned out , but you can only judge this party by its slogans, its demands from the present regime, but since Zyuganov always states tat "Russia has reached its limit of revolutions" this is just what the regime requires from these leaders who are in actual fact prolonging and extending the life of this present capitalist regime of Russia.
The columns of the CPRF marchers were also filled with the adherents to Victor Anpilov's "Trudovaya Rossia", which somehow does not fit Anpilov's revolutionary rhetoric and program.
There was another marching May Day column (about 1,000 people) that was solidly united under only red banners, Soviet flags and revolutionary slogans. They also met on the October Square. This column was composed of the representatives of the RCWP-RPC, RPV-CPSU, AUCPB, KPS, RCUY (B), RNK, Congress of Soviet Workers, Farmers, intellectuals and service workers, Movement for the Defense of Children and other communist organizations and movements.
The smallness of all of the participating marchers of this "red column" was caused by the complete media blockade of any publicity or announcements especially those issued by the Russian Communist Workers Party-Russian Party of Communists as the leading party in the Russian Union of Communist Parties. Besides this, the Moscow authorities started a campaign that there are gong to be extremists and bombs on May Day in our columns. Then on May Day there was an extraordinary police and security personnel, to add to the trauma, scare tactics and intimidation.
What was very characteristic is that into our Red Column there came and joined workers who are members of the Union of Workers of Moscow. They said that their place is in the column of dedicated workers and defenders of socialism, not in the "parade conscious CPRF" who support the present capitalist reforms.
Let the "Moscow Komsomolets" cry and deride the Red Column marchers as it did on May 4th that the Red Column was composed of old diehards and speaking boring speeches and longing for the old days, etc. Of course this Moscow correspondent of the "Komsomolets" did not like the speeches or listen to the tremendous Revolutionary Square, the fiery speeches. But to the marchers this was a tremendous uplifting experience as to the power of the working class, feeling the strength and unity of the world working class fighting together with them for a new world and socialism.
(It is interesting as to why this vicious publication "Komsomolets" which carries the glorious name of the Soviet Young Komsomol League, and this newspaper was its organ… you would think that this being the mouthpiece of the Putin regime, being anti-Communist to its chore, but still carries the name of Komsomolets! Of course, this is the policy of lies and the reporter that covered this "Red Column" is nothing more or less than a prostitute -– the only difference is that this "Komsomolets" journalist sits while the prostitute takes a different position. – Editor)
This tremendous feeling was evident when Vera V. Osinceva from the city of Rovno, Ukraine appeared on the speaker platform. She is the mother of the young Nadezhda Raks, member of the RCWP-RPC. The mother spoke of how she is proud of her young daughter who is a political prisoner and how she remains true to her Communist ideals, socialism while being held in prison.
We are informing you comrades that on April 11, 2002 in the Byelorussian Republic a peoples unity organization "For Union and for the Communist Party of the Union", was formed which stands for the following tasks: to realize the Resolution adopted to unite Byelorussia and Russia, to strengthen this Unity and Union, and to accept into this union all other former Soviet republics, to give rebirth to one Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Members of the U CPU support the proletarian line in the all-union communist movements, take part in the work of the Union of Communist Parties-CPSU, head by Oleg Shenin, and are against any nationalist-communism, Gorbachevism and social-democratic policies.
The official publication is the newspaper "Vernost" (Loyalty).
Please send us regularly NSC and other materials, so that we can cooperate together.
L. Shkolnikov
Secretary-Coordinator of U CPU
From newspaper
VOICE OF A COMMUNIST
As was reported by the newspaper "Nezavisimaya Gazeta", there was shown in Moscow a special film, called "Our Gorbachev Today -- 10 Year after." The hero of this film again raised the question of the reburial of V.I. Lenin from the Red Square Mausoleum. Gorbachev said that the earth should claim the body of Lenin, but he asked that no one should "make a sensation out his proposal."
Well, as the saying goes, "only the grave will straighten out the hunchback". It seems that it’s not enough of all the political damage that Gorbachev did, at a time when he could have done some good. Since that time he is constantly trying to heap abuse and vile accusations even more to play havoc in the dismembered ex-USSR.
Two years ago, this "former" reported in great details about some of his trips into foreign countries, where be bragged that the "death of Communism was my main goal in life."
At that time I wrote an article, directed at Mikhail Gorbachev. He threatened that he was going to bring me to trial in an International Court for defamation of character! What character?
After that, we saw how Gorbachev and his entourage of shady characters, such as Yakovlev, Titova, Popova and others - who today are very slavishly kissing the hands of Putin as they also kissed the hands and other parts of Boris Yeltsin…trying to form some kind of a United Social Democratic Party and, this showed in fact what the social-democrats of such ilk are capable of.
And now – it is V.I. Lenin whom Gorbachev wants to quickly rebury! Gorbachev would not be Gorbachev if he would not try to institute, attack, connive ad try to weasel his thoughts out and try also to bamboozle people into a corner. On this question, he held a special interview, by the Nezavisimaya Gazeta in Moscow, where he tried to back-track his proposal to rebury Lenin’s body and do away with the Mausoleum on the Red Square: "My remarks were just in answer to a question…you cannot take my answer as a demand and a course of action. I said and I meant that we should follow the Orthodox faith and tradition and give Lenin’s body to the Earth where it belongs." Of course this is what Gorbachev demands and proposes.
But he continued further: "I feel (he tries to back track, this Judas) that this should take time. We have to be very careful about this act and the role of history, because Lenin is part of that history." And further on he stated:" We are at this time critical of Lenin and his policies. Therefore we have to do an analyses, we should not rush into this."
But who and when will this deed be accomplished?
"I feel that life itself will bring us to this question - that we must rebury Lenin. Maybe this will be done by our next generation -. they will decide this question in a more peaceful way. Of course I cannot give you an exact date. But I can say that this decision will be made by the future generation."
But here is the clincher: " It does not matter in what form this volatile question will be raised, it is bound to become a "hot issue, a hot match", thrown into a kerosene lamp." This is certainly the truth!
Isn’t Gorbachev himself lighting this match? Wasn’t this question taken up as the torch by a certain TV personality Parfenov? This intellectual on his own TV program NTV, (April 7, 2002) with all bombastic might he eyes demanded over the airways that "we must take out the Lenin Mausoleum also On what grounds? Because there is a popular café near GUM store, standing on Red Square and right across from the Mausoleum!"
All this would be laughable if it was not for the ongoing intellectual campaign. No matter how this will be resolved, the fact will always remain, that in the role of a provocateur was and is a Small Demon – whose name is Mikhail Gorbachev!
Alexei Prigarin
From International Solidarity with Workers in Russia
Over two dozen people had been arrested during a protest in June at the Russia-European Union summit in Moscow. The rally was declared illegal by the Putin government and was violently broken up by the OMON riot squad. The arrested include V. Petrov, the coordinator of the independent union Zashchita. I. Budraitskis, leading campaigner against the new anti-Union Labor Code and the Chechen war, and S. Sychev, union leader of the large GPZ enterprise in Moscow.
Slogans at the rally included: anti-capitalist, ant-racist and anti-war slogans as well as specific demands to end foreign debt repayments, against the new Labor Code which (effectively imposes a 58-hour working week) and against the enforced rise in rent.
Colleague of the arrested trade unionists believe that the rally was violently broken up in order to save the Russian government from the embarrassment at a time when Russia is negotiating close co-operation with its number one partner, the EU and NATO.
Please send your protests by contacting the Moscow police, demanding that all charges be dropped and that the detained protestors be released.
The address of the police station is:
Russia
Kharmovnik 119048
Moscow
Usacheva St.
(7095) 245-0104 and (7095) 2452-426.
Also, we ask you to send your protests to the Russian Embassy in your country. Your immediate support could be vital in preventing further violation of the rights of those arrested, so PLEASE ACT NOW!
The Editorial Board of NSC and the Executive Committee of the International Council have sent their protests.
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| Felix Gorelik |
Ten years ago, when the first number of Northstar Compass saw the light of day, the first copy came out when the world was covered in darkness. Counterrevolutionaries in Russia and other Soviet republics of the USSR, with the help of world reaction and imperialism, in order to hide their real thoughts, they called black white and white, black. The counterrevolution in USSR they called the "democratic revolution", the dedicated Communists in USSR were now called "conservatives" "reactionaries", "rightists", while themselves they called "leftwing", "democrats", "fighters for freedom, human rights for men".
The reason for the demise of the Soviet Union was covered in secrecy without any reasons. Leading people all over the world were in shock, dismayed, did not understand as to why this happened: at the head of the counterrevolution there came people, who headed the CPSU! All the world bourgeoisie press started to heap abuse, print lies about Lenin, Stalin, socialism and communism. How much manhood and, how much bravery there was needed in order to come to the defense of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics…that to be the first in the world – outside the borders of the USSR, to stand up to defend the USSR, to offer a hand of friendship to the Soviet people, disbanded to all separate corners by the grave diggers socialism, to tell the TRUTH about what actually transpired in the Soviet Union, to defend the ideals of Marxism-Leninism.
Northstar Compass journal was the first torch in the world press, which opened the light with a modest beginning. "From the spark there starts a fire" this is the motto that NSC took up, and that Lenin started publishing the "Iskra" newspaper. Michael Lucas started this flame for Internationalism, the struggle for solidarity with Soviet people, for the resurrection of the Communist International, for a one unified Communist Party in the ex-USSR to fight the present capitalist regime.
I want to bow to you Michael, to your wife Helen and to all the comrades on the Board of Northstar Compass, who undertook upon themselves this hard and volunteer mission!
Thank you Michael, you are in my eyes and, in the eyes of all the readers of NSC around the world, you are a true Communist-Leninist!
Reform or robbery
By Edward S. Herman
The United States establishment’s treatment of post-Soviet Russia has been confused, sometimes hostile, and more often than not, apologetic. This is because Russia occupies the odd position of being simultaneously a rival and an obstacle, on the one hand, and a dependent and virtual client state, on the other hand. It is of course a pale shadow of the former USR in economic and military power, but it still has nuclear weapons and regional interests that conflict with the same interests that the United States has. US is clearly after the Caspian oil and other areas near and important to Russia. The USA has bullied, threatened the weakened Russia, expanding NATO to its borders and Russian leadership was jut bullied when USA attacked Yugoslavia and it was unwilling to provide the kind of help that should have been given. Russia just blustered, stood by and obeyed.
On the other hand, Russia is on the payroll of the IMF, World Bank, and it’s "reforms" were engineered with US and other Western countries help. These reforms certainly did not benefit the Russian people. The winners in Russia have been the members of a very tiny elite apparatchiks, criminals, and the opportunists, and agents of the West, engaging in what we may call "post-socialist primitive robbery" – surely the greatest short-term plundering operation in human history. The Russian GDP has fallen by over 50 percent and has effectively turned Russia to the Third World status in the course of ten years. There is over $150 billion capital flight to foreign banks. It is a fact that 90% of the people are worse off materially than it was under the Soviet rule.
The reforms were meant to quickly and forever exit from socialism, and if possible, even from a form of social-democracy. As this began to crumble, the US administration and president Clinton pushed for more and more reforms. The US thinking was that to go slower might give the people an opportunity to realize what was happening and have second thoughts.
The Western gurus of finance that were employed by the IMF, Sachs and David Lipton stated to the US Administration: "Unless hundreds of big Russian firms and industrial enterprises are quickly brought into privatization, the political battle over privatization will soon lead to a stalemate to the entire process, with the devastating long-term result that little privatization would take place at all." (In Vittorio Corbo et al., Reforming Central and Eastern European Economies, World Bank, 1991).
So the Russian (Soviet) people paid an extremely heavy price – a crushed and looted economy-exacted by the Free World for its financial support to the local managers in Russia who were doing the dirty work. The top dealer was Boris Yeltsin, who became a hero in the West, having succeeded by the force of arms and bloodshed to keep the Russian people down. Although the West terms him a flawed leader, he is still a hero, for having done what the West wanted done in former USSR. The West can overlook much about Yeltsin, but he was their man who accomplished what the West wanted and could not do without an inside man.
Much is being written in the West that Yeltsin brought "democracy" to Russia. But it is just a façade for a plutocracy that cannot be dislodged by any electoral process at all. (In this respect, this Western writer, who certainly is not a communist, understands fully, that talking part in the Russian elections, thinking that the communist block will win, is just a fantasy, and not realistic – Editor) The modern Russian businessmen are rapacious and lack any ideological or institutional basis for restraint. This has discredited these top 10% in the eyes of the people, and if future elections occur, they will be even more fraudulent and meaningless than that of 1996. The centralization of power in the hands of Yeltsin and now of Putin is accepted in the West without question. Therefore, the West handles Putin very gently and as Time magazine reported, Putin is more predictable than Yeltsin was and he’s dedicated to complete dismemberment of any and all remembrance of socialism.
It’s very interesting and telling, that Zbigniew Brzezinski in the Wall Street Journal, January4, 2000 wrote and asked whether "Putin will be another Milosevic of Yugoslavia or Pinochet of Chile?… hoping that Putin will turn out to be another Pinochet!"
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