NAR: We shall block nationalism and the war, not the refugees

New Left Current (NAR) for the Communist Liberation announcement

We shall block nationalism and the war, not the refugees

NAR for the Communist Liberation denounces the government's cruel anti-immigration, racist policy and its media supporters. The tragedy of refugees at the border these days with the repression and mobilization of the army and police against desperate people is the culmination of the barbaric and failed policy of New Democracy (ND) and SYRIZA, the EU and NATO. The dirty government propaganda and the statements that the border is being protected by women and children show the downfall of racist politics. The ND government is rapidly being transformed into the Balkan Orban and is transforming Greece into a barbarian Europe-fortress jail. The government does not hesitate to send the riot police (MAT) to “banish” refugees, and attack islanders and workers when they resist their plans. Particularly challenging and dangerous is the undemocratic challenge of using the army against refugees. The conscript soldiers, children of the Greek people have no job on such dirty missions!

At the same time, the government and the dominant political system continue the manipulation according to which the refugee issue is completely cut off from the war in Syria, the long-standing imperialist interventions throughout the region (Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) and the overall responsibilities of the "civilized world", that is, modern capitalism and the competition for oil and energy roads that has turned vast areas of the Middle East and North Africa into hell.

The government and its allies acquit the real culprits, the imperialists and the capital, whose "invasion" (with bases, military facilities and multinational contracts) has been supported by the domestic ruling class in order to secure power, a regional role and a share from the EEZ profits. This is how the Greek-Turkish competition for both the Greek and Turkish bourgeoisie is translated. This is where the Greek government's complicity in imperialist interventions, its anti-refugee policy, its participation in the EEZ wars together with multinational companies, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt and under US guidance, is aimed at.

These facts explain why KINAL (ex-PASOK) and the far-right “Greek Solution” parties stand by the government, and also why SYRIZA applied the same policy in Eidomeni (northern Greek borders) and Moria (refugee camp in the island of Lesvos). It is no coincidence that SYRIZA does not speak about the right to asylum for all refugees and leaves the EU and US intact for their criminal responsibilities, while bidding on the line of Greek-Turkish competition and the arms race. The truth of the matter is that US-EU-NATO have torn Syria and Iraq into pieces so as to grab energy resources and roads, while engaging competitors such as Russia. This makes the development even more explosive. There is a need through the anti-war fight of the people to prevent such a development for our country and to help extinguish the fire of war in the wider region.

It is these dirty businesses that created the 5 million refugees who shamefully and cynically are being used as yet another tool by those involved in the bloody wars and competitions. As the Erdogan regime is doing these days, which is trying to provocatively use desperate refugees by pushing them to the frontiers, asking the EU and NATO for more funding and support for the Turkish intervention in Syria. We condemn Turkey's third invasion of Syria. Stop the secret US-NATO-Saudi Arabian intervention plans in support of Erdogan. Let all foreign armies, with official or unofficial presence, leave Syria now. 

The EU is co-responsible with the US and the reactionary local regimes for the massacre in the Middle East and must immediately open its borders to refugees. Any action that leads to military tension must be stopped. It is a gross lie that the EU of the 600 million people cannot afford those people who have been displaced by war, economic disaster and political persecution. Through the EU-Turkey agreement, he EU of "democracy" and "solidarity” has transformed Greece and Turkey into prisons of helpless souls, staging thousands of refugees and immigrants in miserable concentration camps, which constitute a big shame for our civilization. They also condemn residents of the islands in deteriorating their life quality, as is the case on the islands of Lesvos, Chios, whose residents have recently been attacked by the riot police. 

There is a need to immediately annul the EU-Turkey Agreement, which, among other things, allows Erdogan to blackmail. The Greek government is here and now required to open the borders with Turkey specifically for the refugees and grant asylum and aid to them, as well as open the borders to EU countries for a free exit from Greece for those who want to travel to Europe or other destinations, effectively abolishing the Dublin Agreements.

There is a need to immediately annul the EU-Turkey Agreement, which, among other things, allows Erdogan to blackmail. The Greek government is here and now required to open the borders with Turkey specifically for the refugees and grant asylum and aid to them, as well as open the borders to EU countries for a free exit from Greece for those who want to travel to Europe or other destinations, effectively abolishing the Dublin Agreements.

There is a need for the popular movement to defend peace and demand: no Greek involvement in the military plans, to close down all US-NATO bases on Greek soil, for foreign troops and Frontex to withdraw. Greece must withdraw from NATO, and be disengaged from the EU.

• Stop the arms race and the economic bleeding of the poor people.
• The power of solidarity shall emerge and the anti-refugee policy must stop.
• No person without rights and documents in Greece.
• Reception, care, asylum, assistance for the social integration of refugees.
• No to the the bloodthirsty walls of the EU fortress.
• Give refugees the possibility to travel to the countries they want, European or other.
• Put a stop to the war propaganda. We shall not undermine our future for the interests of the multinational companies and the imperialists.
• We shall not fight for the oil and gas extractions in the EEZ zones.
• We shall defend the right to a peaceful life for the peoples of the region and a healthy natural environment.

In these critical times the Left has to turn the page and maintain a consistent anti-imperialist, anti-war and internationalist stance. Against the logic of the capital which is seeking support for the attachment to the forces of imperialist competition. In rift with the war propaganda. With unconditional solidarity with the refugees. We support the struggle of the youth, in the army and outside army camps, so as not to be used in skirmishes against refugees.
For either the solidarity of the people will prevail or the fear and hatred of “the other”, which always leads to dark times.

NAR for the Communist Liberation, March the 1^st, 2020

Athens, Greece