1) India; address by the Anti-imperialist Camp
2) Italy; speech of Sammi Alaa of the Iraqi Patriotic Alliance
3) Germany; amidst anti-Islamic hysteria
4) Norway; Free Iraq Committee founded
5) Austria; Social democratic Muslim leaders split
6) Hungary, Russia, Turkey,
7) Kolkota Convention Against Imperialism

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c...@antiimperialista.org
Saturday, October 2, 2004
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1) Iraqi resistance protests in Assam not allowed to march Press Communique

Solidarity Meeting for Iraqi Resistance

Guwahati, September 25, 2004: On the occasion of "International Day of Action for the Iraqi Resistance" a protest meeting, was held today in Nagaon, Assam. The meeting was organised byManab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS), under the aegis of North East Coordination Committee for Human Rights (NECOHR), an umbrella organisation of several human rights groups of the Northeast. The citizens at the meeting condemned the brutalisation of Iraq and its people under the neo-colonial agenda instigated by the United States of America and its allies. The citizens also said that this was a moment of great hope people who have been resisting the occupation of their lands and the killings of their loved ones, by occupation forces. They also mentioned that like in Northeast India, the western press was trying to demonise and de-legitimise the political content of the movement. In Iraq, the western media have shamelessly distorted facts and twisted the truth to serve the needs of those who wield global power.

The citizens meeting also sent a clear signal to the authorities in India by reiterating that the problems in the Northeast cannot be wished away by politicians and bureaucrats in India. The often used military option has to be ended, they said. Extending solidarity to the struggle against Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur and also calling for the government to initiate dialogue with the armed opposition groups, the citizens meeting adjourned and went on its proposed march into the town. However, sensing the outrage of the large numbers of citizens who had gathered there, the district administration refused them permission to carry out the march.

Lachit Bordoloi
Secretary General, NECOHR

Self-determination of the Northeast and Iraq - one struggle!

Solidarity address by the Anti-imperialist Camp to the protest rally in Nagaon, Assam

www.antiimperialista.com/sept25/view.shtml?category=51&id=1096026389&key...

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2) Sept 25 - on Step forward
Press release of the Committees Free Iraq Italy

Launched at Mumbai Resistance the international day of action for the Iraqi resistance was observed in several countries including the US. As Committee Free Iraq Italy we draw a positive balance sheet of our activities. However, following difficult political environment should be taken into account:

a) The reflux of the movement against the war.

b) The so-called anti-terrorist campaign of the Berlusconi government and the parliamentary opposition who both exploited the kidnapping of the two Simonas.

c) The powerful offensive of the media against the resistance labelling it "barbarous terrorism" and criminalizing its supporters in Italy.

d) The witch hunt which in the last months has led to the persecution and arrest of many anti-imperialists.

e) The new turn of Rifondazione Comunista who withdrew the demand of the pull-out of the Italian troops and participated in the national alliance over the case of the two Simonas.

Despite this four pro-resistance mobilisations took place in Italy, namely in Milan, Rome and Sassari. In Perugia about 500 gathered in a combative demonstration in defiance of a ban which had been lifted only a short period before. Several hundreds participated also in the concert following suit.

While we remain a minority we cannot be ignored. We are the thorn in the side of the two party system which keeps trying to ban us but so far did not succeed. Thus we are preparing the ground for a growing consensus around the movement in support of the Iraqi resistance.

Emblematic therefore is the demonstration called by Rifondazione Comunista on the very same day which was observed only relatively scarcely. Nevertheless the party leadership was not able to suppress the voices in support of the Iraqi resistance. There are other such symptoms.

We are deeply convinced that the growth of the Iraqi resistance will help to strengthen the Italian one. This does not only require courage but also the maximum unity of the antagonist forces.

Iraq: Struggle against a giant monster
Sammi Alaa addresses the pro-resistance demo in Perugia, Italy, Sept 25, 2004

Sammi Alaa is member of the "Iraqi Patriotic Alliance" (IPA) and spokesman of the Danish Free Iraq Committee
www.antiimperialista.com/sept25/view.shtml?category=51&id=1096240567&key...

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3) Mobilisation for Palestine and the Iraqi resistance in Germany
Amidst hysteria over a so-called "Islamist conference"

The strongest demonstration and politically most consequent one took place in Cologne with about 1,000 participants. It has been organised by the "Cologne Coalition against the Apartheid Wall in Palestine" consisting of German, Arab and Turkish forces. The main slogans were "Dismantle the wall in Palestine", Stop the occupation in Palestine and Iraq", "No German Armament supplies to Israel", "Close down the US bases in Germany".

The main speakers were a representative of the Palestinian Community of Germany, Felicia Langer, a lawyer originating from Israel supporting the Palestinian case and winner of the Alternative Nobel Award, Klaus Hartmann, chairman of the German Free Thinkers and Dimitri Tsalos, spokesman of the Free Iraq Committee Germany.

The two latter ones clearly spoke out for the unconditional support for the Iraqi and Palestinian resistance which is also legitimate according to international law. Within the demonstration this slogan was also raised.

The demonstrations Cologne and Magdeburg adhered to the international day of action for the Iraqi resistance. Also in Berlin, Hamburg and Stuttgard protests against occupation and the Apartheid wall were staged.

Especially the Cologne demonstration is being regarded as a big success of the pro-resistance forces as the weeks before September 25 were marked by a hysteric media campaign against a so-called "Islamist conference" to be held in Berlin in the beginning of October. On the ground that the organisers were openly supporting the Iraqi and Palestinian resistance and dared to call the US and Israeli aggression terror the conference was forbidden and its main organiser, Fadi Madi, expelled to Lebanon.

The Free Iraq Committee and the Turkish Islamic organisation Human Dignity and Rights (HDR), both promoters of the Cologne demonstration, were the only ones to defend the Berlin conference.

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4) Norway: full week of action on Iraq and Palestine
Free Iraq Committee on the eve of founding

25th of September our guest to the Palestine committee this week Ali Abunimeh spoke in our conference on the one-state solution as the only realistic, democratic and progressive solution. The speech was followed by debate, with book publisher on the Oslo Agreement Arne Ørum, Øyvind Sagedal (Chair of the Palestine Committee and priest in the Lutheran church) and several others attending. The debate circled around the future of the PLO, a representative from the Palestinian delegation also attending, making a strong supportive statement of the PLO. Abumineh focused on the problem that the PLO is not any longer making itself relevant to the Palestinian people, and that he, as a 32-years old was never able to contribute to the future of the PLO. Also, this was discussed in relation to the next seminar on the question of the refugees.

28th of September: We held a rally against the occupation of Iraq and Palestine, 400 people attending, both Arabs and Norwegians, and representatives from all the progressive left in Norway. Speakers were Ali Abumineh from www.electronicintifada.net, who focused in his speech on the need for Europeans and westerners to realize who is to blame for the continuation of the atrocities in Palestine. He made a strong call for ourselves to realize our responsibilities to speak out against Israel.

The rally was chaired by Ingrid Baltzersen, head of the Palestine committee in Oslo and vice leader of the Workers Communist Party. As an introduction to the rally, we held one minute of silence for the Palestinian martyrs after four years of the Intifada. Abla Eid from "Stop the Wall campaign" in Palestine focused on the devastating effects of the wall, and the absolute need to confront the wall being built into the soil of the west bank. Nils Røhne from Norwegian People's Aid (progressive Norwegian NGO) called for a stronger focus on Palestine in the international solidarity movement, and repeated urgent calls for politicians to react toward the crisis. Liv Gulbrandsen, member of the City Parliament for the Red Electoral Alliance focused on the need not only to protest but to build a solidarity movement that is able to confront the continuation of the US aggression, which will only continue in the years to come.

The rally went forward to the Zionist embassy where a representative from the autonomous anarchist/communist groups made a statement on the prisoner issues in Palestine, and related this to the pressure against asylum seekers and political liberties in Norway. Finally, we announced the formation of the Free Iraq Committee in Norway, which has received attention these last days on our intention to collect funds for medical equipment sent directly to the resistance. In our speech the focus was on the relation between the Palestinian and Iraqi cause, and our need to confront not only wars and occupation, but also to support those resisting occupation. We also spoke out against those claiming that we support "islamic fundamentalists", and argued that the fundamentalist approach was to be found in those forces supporting the idea that the west could, or should try to enforce its values on the Iraqi nation. We will go forward and launch our committee on the 30th, while openly expressing our goals and actions, and our strong support of the Iraqi resistance, in correlation to international law and moral standards. (Norwegian report on this controversy here http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=247260)

The rally was concluded by a strong statement to support and applause our comrades and friends being held captive by the American aggressors and especially Marwan Barghouti and Abdul Jabbar Al-Kubaisi, both strong symbols of both the repression on the Arab nation, and of hope and resistance. The whole week has been full of activities, by our independent actions we have confronted the forces supporting the US aggression, and made steps towards a stronger solidarity movement for both Iraq and Palestine.

For the Norwegian Free Iraq committee
Lars Akerhaug

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5) 250 in Vienna for the Iraqi resistance

On the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the Palestinian Intifada a coalition of Austrian, Arab and Turkish forces gathered in the centre of Vienna to protest against the occupation of Iraq and Palestine and to express support to the resistance.

The crowd was addressed by the Anti-imperialist Camp, several Arab organisations including the Arab Palestine Club and the Vice president of the Palestinian Community in Austria, the anti-imperialist opposition within the Communist Party and least but not least Turkish ILPS supporters and the DHKC – also from Turkey.

The speakers not only opposed the occupation but also lent support to the legitimate resistance both in Iraq and Palestine. There was also consensus about the need to stop the American pre-emptive war with the final aim to bring down the American empire driving this war against the peoples of the world struggling for their liberation.

An American flag was burned while the Lebanese singer Moufid Nehme sang a song where the protesters sing the refrain – muqawama (resistance). Then the demonstration marched to the US embassy.

The mobilisation took place in a very difficult political environment as the "civil society left" and the Muslim leadership linked to social democracy had split the mobilisation in order to exclude the anti-Zionist and anti-imperialist forces. This pro-state coalition refuses to support the resistance and indirectly backs the American global hegemony by linking the protest to the regime parties.

However, their attempt to isolate the anti-imperialists failed. The organisers regarded the anti-imperialist protests as a sign of the emerging of a revolutionary pole outside the perimeter of the American-type two party system being established also in Austria.

The Vienna mobilisation was part of the international day of action for the Iraqi resistance launched at the Mumbai Resistance (MR) anti-imperialist gathering in January 2004 in India.

Pics:
www.palaestinensische-gemeinde.at/0409252/index.shtml

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6) Reports from the Sept 25 int'l day of action for the Iraqi Resistance
Hungary, Russia, Turkey

Hungary
About 60 people marched on Sept 25 from the British to the US embassy in Budapest on the occasion of the anniversary of the Palestinian Intifada thus observing the int’l day of action for the Iraqi resistance.

The protest was called by the "Left Front" while ATTAC Hungary, the Arab Community of Hungary as well as Kurdish forces participated.

The protester were denied to hand over their petition to the diplomatic personnel.

Pics:
www.palaestinensische-gemeinde.at/040925h

Russia
The youth organisations (including the members of the "Antiglobalist Resistance") organized the two-days anti-capitalist manifestanion in Moscow and the suburbs (about one thousand of participants). Among other slogans there were slogans against the US occupation of Iraq. The slogan of the Antiglobalist Resistance was "Free Iraq!"

Turkey
Imperialism will be defeated, Intifada will win a victory!

In the 4th year of Intifada, member organizations of "No Occupation and War in Iraq" coordination gathering in Levent, protested the USA and Israel by walking towards Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. Coordination member organizations such as Ozgur-Der, HÖC, ILPS, ESP, SDP, SODAP, HKM carried their signal flags behind "The Resisting Palestinian-Iraqi People will win! Imperialism will be defeated!" placards. The demonstration in which slogans were cried such as, "Murderer Bush, Killer Sharon!", "Damn with Imperialism/Zionism!", "Long live Intifada!", "Biji Biratiya Gelan", "Bi al Ruh Bi al Dam Nafdik Ya Aqsa/Iraq!" an associate press declaration was read. After the declaration ending with the words, "They will neither be able to hamper Intifada with the wall they build despite resisting Palestinian and Iraqi people nor maintain Iraqi occupation via developed arms. The struggle of the public for freedom will get the victory. Intifada will succeed but imperialism will fail." Vardiya Music Group sang songs. The demonstration in which Ruhan Mavruk recite poem maintained with the song composed by Group Yorum related to Palestine. The demonstration ended with slogans after the Arabic song "al Intifada" sung by Group Yuruyus.

The occupation of Palestine and Iraq were protested in Ankara and Diyarbakir as well. (Haksoz-the news)

For photos: www.haksoz.net/english

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7) Kolkota Convention Against Imperialism
5th, 6th and 7th October, 2004

Venu: Biniani Bhavan, 81, Pathuria Ghat Street, Kolkota – 700 003.

Subject: Solidarity message for Anti Imperialist Convention being organised by fighting Indian Organisations from 5th October to 7th October in Kolkota.

As you know that more than three hundred and eleven organisations joined hands and organised a Mumbai Resistance-2004 (MR-2004), a parallel event to WSF, in Mumbai, India in January, 2004.

The organisations from India which participated in MR-2004 later on sat and decided to continue the coordination. On 20th march protest marches were organised all over India. In the present process all those organisations who were not in MR process are also being contacted.

More than one hundred and fifty organisations have already joined this process. We are to build a strong peoples movement against the Imprialist exploitation and oppression of our country, against Hindutava communalism, against the anti-people policies of the Indian state and Indian ruling classes and against feudal exploitation and oppression of the broad Indian masses.

As first step of this process, we are organising a three days programme of plenaries, workshops and cultural activities. The central theme of this programme will be "Imperialist Globalisation and how to fight it in India?". Other India specific issues shall also be discussed e.g. Hindutava communalism, Caste question and state repression etc.

This programme is being organised at Kolkota on 5th, 6th and 7th of October, 2004. We wished your presence in the convention. But due the time constraint and other factors it may not be possible for your presence.

Dr. Darshan Pal
Coordinator, working Committee for Anti-Imperialist Convention
28.09.2004

See full documentation:
www.antiimperialista.com/view.shtml?category=9&id=1096556873

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Antiimperialist Camp
PF 23, A-1040 Vienna, Austria
c...@antiimperialista.org
www.antiimperialista.org/en
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