The Guardian 14 December, 2005
Solidarity with democratic forces of Iraq:
Resolution from Athens Conference
We the undersigned communist and workers parties participating in the International
meeting of Communist and workers Parties in Athens, 18-20 November 2005, express our
profound and internationalist solidarity with the struggle of the Iraqi people for peace,
sovereignty and social progress in their country.
As the political forces that consistently campaigned to prevent the US adventurous and criminal
policy of waging war against Iraq and its occupation, we are now supporting the complex struggle
of the progressive forces, and in particular the fraternal Iraqi Communist Party, to repulse
occupation, stop bloodshed and terror, to end bombing of public buildings, oil installations and
electric, distribution network, and to build a free, democratic, united and sovereign Iraq.
We reject any attempt by the present Iraqi Government to restrict freedom of thought expression
and organisation.
We are deeply concerned about the negative impact of certain formulations contained in the
constitution adopted in October 2005 which are deeply undemocratic and negate women's rights,
create the condition for all the laws to be made subject to a restrictive and reactionary interpretation
of Islam and limit democratic rights.
We condemn Directive 83 of the present Iraqi administration which imposed state control over
trade union resources and seeks an end to free trade unionism in defiance of ILO
statutes.
We support the campaign by democratic forces in Iraq to further develop the presence and
influence of independent trade union, women, youth and peace organisation in Iraq.
We call for:
An end to the occupation of Iraq
An immediate halt to all terroristic and murderous acts of killing of ordinary
people and bombing of civilian targets by murderous gangs of Saddam supporters and
fundamentalist forces.
A peaceful and democratic Middle East
Signatories include: Algerian Party for Democracy & Socialism, PADS; Communist Party of
Australia; Democratic Progressive Tribune, Bahrain; Communist Party of Britain; Communist Party
of Cuba; AKEL-Cyprus; Communist Party in Denmark; Communist Party of Egypt; German
Communist Party (DKP); Tudeh Party of Iran; Iraqi Communist Party; Communist Party of Israel;
Jordanian Communist Party; Lebanese Communist Party; Communist Party of Russian Federation;
Sudanese Communist Party; Syrian Communist Party; Union of Communists of Ukraine;
Communist Party, USA.
For complete list of parties and other resolutions visit: http://www.solidnet.org