for debate - CPN maoist about International Communist Movement

International Communist Movement and our role by C P Gajurel "Gaurav" Vice Chairman of CPN Maoist

Democracy and Class Struggle welcomes this article by Comrade Gajurel has it outlines a path for International Communist Unity not only rejecting Prachanda's Neo Revisionism but also RCPUSA's New Synthesis.

The Anti Imperialist character of the Bolivarian Movement in South America is noted has is importance of Nepal establishing friendly relations with North Korea etc.

Democracy and Class Struggle agrees with comment of Comrade Gajurel that :

"Therefore, the need of the hour is to carry on the positive discussions and debates aiming to unite all genuine Maoist forces in a single centre and forge new unity in the new basis.

It is necessary to change the negative situation of non-functional condition of two centres into a positive step of forging a new and single centre.

We should utilize this opportunity to unify the Maoist forces in a single centre rather than to make effort to revive the old centre or centres."

Communist Movement is an international movement in itself. Because of the common guiding principle, common ideology, common goal et al it is quite natural that it contains international character. Therefore, communist movement of a single country is also an international communist movement, side by side. All the communists of the world should realize the essence of communism that 'either we all will reach or none of us'.

Our glorious party, CPN (Maoist) being a vanguard of international proletariat, the revolution of Nepal being most advance revolution in the contemporary world, it is obvious that our party should play more important role. Based on the present situation of the international communist movement, the question of how we can make our role more effective and how we can seek cooperation or how to strengthen unity is a question of vital importance for all genuine communists. The course that the world revolution can be advanced is by making revolution in one or some countries, communist revolutionaries would be advancing the world revolution by accomplishing revolution in their own country. We are advancing the task of making revolution in Nepal, we are also advancing world revolution side by side. The neo-revisionist Prachanda-Baburam group has not only betrayed and deceived the Nepalese revolution, but also betrayed the world revolution as well. This is the reason why communists of many countries are criticizing and exposing them.

In the historic Seventh Congress of our Party which was successfully held on January 9-15, 2013, the delegates from various fraternal and friendly parties all the way from Canada, USA, Turkey to India expressed their solidarity expressing that 'you advance the Nepalese revolution, we are always with you' and also congratulated for breaking with the renegade Prachanda-Baburam group. It was a contrast that the foreign delegates who attended the Hetauda congress of neo-revisionists "congratulated" them for giving up the revolutionary path and for being degenerated to revisionism. These events also confirm that the Nepalese revolution assumes international character.

An organization of international level is essential and unavoidable to lead and conduct this international movement. This is the reason why First International was established under the initiative and leadership of great Marx himself. As its continuation, Second and Third Internationals were successively established under the leadership of Engels and Lenin, by breaking relation with opportunists.

Imperialism is also an international phenomena and its character had been so right from the beginning.

Imperialism has further broadened and internationalized itself while arriving at the end of 20th Century.

It has formulated parliamentary multiparty system in politics, human rights in social sector; liberalization, globalization, World Bank, international monetary fund in economic sector, 'international court of justice' in judicial sector and NATO in military sector. It is all the more necessary for the communists to establish proletarian international centre and to strengthen it. The genuine communist revolutionaries of the world should realize this fact.


Absence of International: a broken chain

We have already stated about the international character of communist movement. Commonness in ideology, philosophy and aim demand international organization to advance communist movement. Marx, Engels and Lenin not only realized it in principle but put into practice as well. "Communist League" was established in 1847 as an international organization of communists. Marx himself had taken initiative and leadership of this organization.

It gave responsibility to Marx and Engels to prepare its manifesto. "Communist Manifesto" the first authentic document of communists came out in 1848. First international was dissolved on 1876 due to various reasons. After that, the Second international was reestablished on 1889 under the leadership of Engels. In course of time the leadership of second international was usurped by the right opportunists and third international was reestablished under the leadership of Lenin. Despite his poor health, he continued to lead it as a powerful instrument to advance the world revolution.

Stalin led the international communist movement after the demise of Lenin. United front against fascism was forged at the initiative of Stalin during the Second World War. The imperialist countries demanded the dissolution of the Communist International (Comintern) as a precondition to forge anti-fascist united front with them. Eventually it was formally dissolved on 1943. Stalin initiated 'Cominform' in place of Comintern after the end of the WW 2. But it was limited as simply centre of exchange of information. The debate is still going on in the international communist movement about whether it was correct to dissolve the communist international at the cost of defense of socialist state of Russia and for the sake of forging unity with the imperialist countries.

After that Com. Mao emerged as outstanding leader of international communist movement. He provided leadership to the ICM, however concrete initiative for establishing New International could not take place. Definitely there are various reasons behind it, nevertheless it is a matter of debate in the ICM till today. In this way there is a break of chain in the ICM. The negative experience that the Comintern was functioning as a "world party" and "imposing decisions to the parties from above", might have caused problem in its initiation. Correct and important idea is to discard the negative experiences of the Commintern and create the basis for the formation of international organization of genuine communist parties by applying the positive experiences. In this way, to link the broken chain of ICM is important task of the communists today.

Establishing 'RIM' as an international centre

As an effort to link the broken chain, Revolutionary Internationalist Movement (RIM) was formed as it was called "the embryonic centre", in 1984 at an International Conference of Marxist-Leninist parties and organisations consisting of 19 parties and organisations including the then Communist Party of Nepal (Mashal), Communist Party of Peru, Revolutionary Communist Party, USA, CRC, CPI(ML), TKP (ML) etc. The Conference also adopted 'Declaration of RIM' which laid ideological-political basis of unity at the international level. Committee of RIM was formed to provide the leadership to the Movement. The 'RIM' has played quite a significant role in a short span of time as follows:

(a) Marxism-Leninism-Mao Thought was considered as the ideological basis of unity right at the time of its inception. In a significant development the expanded meeting of the RIM in 1993 decided to develop its guiding ideology from Marxism-Leninism-Mao thought to Marxism –Leninism-Maoism. This decision proved to be so historical that the genuine communist parties which were not included in the RIM also adopted and implemented it later.

(b) the task of carrying out propaganda and support campaign—the act of carrying out propaganda in favour of the People's War led by the Communist Party of Peru and People's War advanced in Nepal under the leadership of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) deserves to be praised.

(c)worldwide campaign was conducted to save the lives of those comrades who were captured by the reactionary states.

(d) role played by the RIM in forging communist parties in different countries and efforts being made to bring the communist parties within the fold of RIM.(e) Important contribution in ideological-political area—RIM used to publish 'A World to Win' a theoretical Maoist journal in various languages and also brought out 'News Service' an online political bulletin, thus making important contribution in MLM ideology and politics.

(e) Organizing an international mass organization—In the later period, international mass organization, World People's Resistance Movement (WPRM) was organized in various countries of the world under the direct or indirect leadership of the RIM. But, it is a matter of worry that now 'RIM' has not only become passive, but also heading to a situation of zero. Therefore, reorganization of an international centre comprising of genuine communists has become an urgent task for us. Therefore, this task has become an agenda of priority for us.

Difference relating to the inception of RIM

During the time of inception of the RIM in 1984, the then Communist Party of India (ML)(PW), Maoist Communist Centre of India and Communist Party of the Philippines were not included, which was biggest weakness.

In the contemporary International Communist Movement, CPI(Maoist) and Communist Party of Philippines have significant position and role. Both the parties are constantly waging people's wars in their respective countries.

The inception of RIM without incorporating the two Maoist parties was an incomplete task. The debate of international centre of this type should be started or not was going on during the time of its formation and the same debate is still continuing in different ways. In this context the opinion that there are some negative examples in the latest period when Stalin was leading, such as, the International was acting as a "world communist party", "the centre dictating the small parties" leads to the conclusion that such International should not be formed. Apart from that there was an argument regarding the question of forming anti-fascist united front and defending socialist Russia, which was the base area of the ICM, at the cost of dissolution of the Third International was correct or incorrect. It has been proved to be correct that the inception of 'RIM' with an understanding that the debates should be accepted as debates within the ICM and should be continued in a friendly way.

C P I (Maoist) and Communist Party of Philipines have already adopted Marxism-Leninism-Maoism as the guiding ideology of the party. Both the parties are continuing armed struggle to advance the New Democratic Revolution. Both the parties opined that Moist International Centre is essential. In this context, keeping them out of the 'RIM' will certainly hinder the efforts of strengthening and raising it higher.

Why was the unity within the RIM declining?

Two parties, namely CRC,CPI(ML) of India and TKP (ML) of Turkey which were in the RIM Committee decided to stay in the RIM but withdraw from the Committee. Also the Communist Party of Peru had decided to send its representative in a status of observer not that of a delegate. These events definitely played a role of weakening the RIM.

In course of time Communist Party of Peru (PCP) decided to add "Gonzalo Thought" in its guiding ideology. Many parties including our party opposed this decision. After a couple of years of arrest of its chairman Com Gonzalo in 1992, a proposal of "peace accord" was floated from inside the prison stating that it "was from the Party". The dispute of who was the author of this proposal entered in the RIM as well. One section of the PCP blamed "right opportunists" of the party who capitulated with the enemy for this act and called it a "hoax". Another section, especially who were languished in prison claimed that Gonzalo himself was the author of this proposal. Gonzalo's opinion could not come out officially because he was completely kept in isolation. RCP which represents in the Committee advocated that Gonzalo is behind the "peace accord". It further helped deteriorating the relation of PCP with the RIM.

When our party, CPN(Maoist) decided to add "Prachanda path" in the guiding ideology of the party, all other parties were against it. It caused some rift in the relation of CPN(Maoist) and the RIM. But it is wrong to say that it was the only reason for the RIM to be passive. The main reason of division and situation of RIM to go through a crisis is the liquidation of Prachanda-Baburam to right opportunist line. It was a good thing that we continued to establish relation with our fraternal and friendly communist parties when we were in the same party with the renegades Prachanda and Baburam and so we are now in a situation of forging international unity and working actively to carry out joint activities with all these parties.

Apart from all this, a new debate is going on the question of "New Synthesis" propounded by Com Bob Avakian, Chairman of RCP,USA. It seems that we should be firm in standing against the idea that "it was a new dimension in the development of MLM" and trying to impose it as a basis of unity in the ICM. What we have discussed above makes clear that the efforts to impose different types of "synthesis" has merely bred split in the ICM. It is necessary to take lessons from the past mistakes and to be careful about such wrong trends.

ICML as another Centre

In spite of many rounds of talks between representatives of RIM and CPI(Maoist), CPP, incorporation of the two parties could not be materialized. In the later period, one side was not accepting the nomenclature of 'RIM' and its organization and other side was sticking to the nomenclature and organization, which also became main hurdle for the unity.

International Conference of Marxist-Leninist parties (ICML) was organized in the initiative of CPI(Maoist) and CPP, which incepted a centre. Its influence became very limited. It also decided to organize an international mass organization called 'International League for People's Struggle' (ILPS). It is amalgamation of so many loose organisations that to take collective decisions was not possible let alone implementing the decisions.

It is true that RIM is more influential than ICML,however division of the Maoist parties in two different centres is quite bad. We have to pay serious attention to this point.

Two Centres and question of new initiative

The point of how Maoist Parties are divided into two different centres has already been mentioned above. At this point of time both the centres have become passive and very weak. None of them are functioning. It is reflection of the fact that the idea of two different centres of Maoists is not correct.

Some parties and organisations are also taking initiative to reorganize the RIM forces. Reality is that anyway if it succeeds, again all the Maoist parties and organisations t will not come together and same problem will recur. Therefore, the need of the hour is to carry on the positive discussions and debates aiming to unite all genuine Maoist forces in a single centre and forge new unity in the new basis. It is necessary to change the negative situation of non-functional condition of two centres into a positive step of forging a new and single centre. We should utilize this opportunity to unify the Maoist forces in a single centre rather than to make effort to revive the old centre or centres.

We should come out of the prejudice of who was in which international centre. We should utilize our efforts in organizing all genuine Maoist forces in a single centre and strengthen it for advancing the world revolution.

Anti-imperialist Movement

There are many parties and organisations in various parts of the world including India, which were parts of the Marxist-Leninist Movement. Some parties are cadre based and have some mass bases and some organisations are confined in bringing out their organ through which they are identified. Though all of them are not Maoists, but most of them are anti-imperialists. They cannot make any significant contribution in the revolution of their own country and for the world revolution if they remain isolated. If they are united in a loose anti-imperialist movement a significant energy can be accumulated by their collective strength. We should consider them as friends and help them to be organized in support of revolutionary struggle and anti-imperialist, anti-expansionist struggle.

The people of the oppressed countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America are still fighting against the domestic reactionaries and foreign imperialism in their own way. It is not possible for them to fight and get victory individually against stronger reactionary forces. It is quite necessary to help them organize by forging front at international level. Only a genuine Maoist party can fulfill this task. Other forces cannot fulfill this task.

Presence of the representatives of various friendly parties and organisations all the way from Canada, USA, Turkey to India during the historic Seventh National Congress of our party which was successfully completed in the last January reflects such a possibility.

Relation with states

Once, almost two third of the world population was under the banner of socialism. But due to the events of counter revolution staged by the leadership of communist parties and socialist states, the socialism went on squeezing and now it is confined at the stage of strategic defence.

The anti-socialist "democratic movements" designated by the imperialist powers swept away the "socialist states" of East European pro-soviet block during the '90s. The governments of communist parties and socialist states have been reduced to quite few. If we can have a good relation with those survived, it can be of great help to the revolutionaries and the people against the onslaught of domestic and foreign reactionaries.

This relation can play significant role for the development of revolutionary movement, to protect the revolutionary parties and to bring the balance of power in favour of the revolutionaries. It is necessary to develop relation with countries like China, North Korea, Cuba, Latin American countries. In the context of Nepal, the relation with China attaches great importance.


The wave of Bolivarian revolution in Latin America can be considered as anti- US imperialist wave. The "socialism" that has been achieved in Latin American countries differs from the scientific socialism and communism envisaged by communist parties. However it is necessary to salute the revolutionary changes that the people have brought after heroic struggles. We should make serious efforts to develop friendly relation with them. We should understand the significance of balance of power in favour of revolutionary movement.

Prospect of revolution is bright

In the present situation, making revolution in any country is a very challenging task. In today's world it is necessary to make international situation favourable in order to accomplish the revolution. The international situation is not readily favourable, it should be made favourable by formulating a correct line and implementing it with hard work. Now what a favourable situation we have, was not with us during the period of People's War. We should be able to utilize this situation perfectly.

It is not possible to complete the revolution by unleashing only our force. It is necessary to accumulate strength by making long term or short term united front with the forces which can stand in favour of the people and nation.

We have to pay attention in all the possibilities of forging such united fronts at national and international level. We are advancing in the direction of forging united fronts with all the forces with whom we can do and establish good relation with them at the national and international level, especially after we broke the relation with the Prachanda-Baburam group which has betrayed and gave in the revolution. Great possibility to achieve success in this task has been appeared.

The way Prachanda and Baburam presented themselves during their so called Seventh Congress that they have made a "strategic shift" to the reactionary camp, have made clear to those who had a bit of confusion that they still have some amount of revolutionary will. It was necessary for us to expose them clearly, thanks, they have exposed themselves. Ground is open for us. Many favourable factors have emerged in support of Nepalese revolution. We are moving forward cautiously. Because of our maturity some positive results have been achieved in practice. Practice has proved that our assumption and decisions are correct. Let us move forward with full confidence and firm determination, the future of Nepal and Nepalese people is bright. The future of Nepalese revolution is bright.

Source:
Peoples Voice