Resolution by the Central Political Committee of
SYNASPISMOSResolution by the Central Political Committee of
SYNASPISMOS1. NATO’s military intervention in Yugoslavia, in violation of every concept of
international law and order, constitutes an illegal venture with absolutely no moral
foundation that represents a grave threat to peace in the Balkans and to stability in
Europe.
Its aim is to impose American power in the Balkans, to lead Europe as a whole, and to
convert NATO into a striking force to promote US interests throughout the world.
The citing by NATO and the US of “humanitarian” reasons and the need to “protect”
the Albanians of Kosovo in order to justify their intervention is false and hypocritical,
as proved by their undermining of any possibility of agreement between all parties based
on the Contact Group points in the final phase of the Rambouillet conference.
The existing and long-term problem of Kosovo, which was aggravated by the lifting of its
previous autonomy and violations of Albanian minority rights, could and should have been
handled with political means under international law, safeguarding autonomy for Kosovo
within the existing frontiers of the sovereign state of Yugoslavia.
The Synaspismos stated its position clearly from the beginning, pointing out the
responsibility of Belgrade. But we also pointed out the blame attributable to those who
fed the secessionist and nationalistic tendencies of Albanians in Kosovo.
There are problems related to human rights violations in other countries as well, even in
countries that are NATO members; and both the US and Europe have for years now shown
themselves to be completely indifferent to these problems. It is this indifference that
proves the hypocritical nature of the current operation.
NATO’s military intervention in a sovereign state, without even a previous UN
resolution, constitutes a return to the past and creates a terrible precedent for humanity
as a whole.
2. The
intervention in Yugoslavia, raises for the first time since World War II, the issue of
re-drawing borders in Europe and creates the grave danger of broader destabilisation
throughout the Balkans, rekindles and aggravates nationalist tensions, thus torpedoing the
future of the Balkans, and causes incalculable damage to the peoples and to the ecological
balance in our region.
The governments of Europe assume historic responsibility for this dramatic development.
The European leaders, who are co-responsible within the NATO framework, have not been
strong enough to resist US pressure, and by virtue of this choice they have struck a very
powerful blow against the credibility of the European Union and the prospects for
political unification and for its autonomous role.
This dramatic development further widens the chasm between present day Europe and the
united Europe desired by its peoples and envisioned by the Left: a Europe politically
united, independent of US hegemony, a Europe which is a force for peace in the world, a
Europe with a social and humane face.
The SYN, as a party of the European Left that is fighting precisely for this prospect,
feels an even greater need to underscore the special responsibility of the present
socialdemocratic governments in Europe and any other forces which directly or indirectly
support their current choices.
Deploring these choices and fighting to change the present correlations is one way of
transforming the present disillusionment and bitterness into a positive force and
breathing new life into the European idea.
3. The
Greek government - despite the particularly difficult circumstances for Greece - should
not have endorsed the decisions that led to the NATO operation and should have put forward
a tougher resistance, in the name of stability in the Balkans. Likewise it should not have
become involved in any way nor have contributed to planning operations or promoting NATO
troops.
Unfortunately, however, the lack of political insight, strategic planning and substantial
national consensus that characterise both the present and previous governments has
gradually rendered our country susceptible to pressures and hostage to decisions made by
others.
4. The
Synaspismos believes that in the conditions prevailing today it is necessary for Greece to
take every possible initiative within the framework of the European Union and NATO, as
well as in all international organisations of which it is a member, to end the bombing
immediately and to begin negotiations for a peaceful solution. In any event, it should not
endorse the next phases of the intervention, and particularly the escalation of the
bombings or the planning of the ground operations. It should refuse to cooperate by
suspending the operation of the bases for as long as the intervention last.
The Synaspismos also believes that Greece should step up its efforts, in conjunction with
the other Balkan countries, to address the immediate problem of the refugees and to find
ways of doing so that will not constitute sources of future tension and conflicts.
The SYN points out that the intervention in Yugoslavia renders imperative the effort to
cancel the new role sought by NATO, a role which will be formally ratified at the
forthcoming NATO summit in New York. Within this context are demonstrated the timeliness
and correctness of the SYN’s position in favour of the gradual winding down of NATO in
view of its abolition, and the simultaneous strengthening of an autonomous system of
European security, and also reinforcement of the UN’s role.
The Synaspismos believes that Greece should contribute with all its forces to creating a
new, strongly anti-war climate in Europe and throughout the world and should reinforce all
initiatives which have this same aim.
Our country’s response to the needs of these difficult times necessitates an immediate
change in the way foreign policy is charted and implemented, an immediate change in
government priorities with the conditions of social cohesion and national rallying secured
at all levels.
The Synaspismos proposes that a National Foreign Policy Council be established immediately
and that a framework be laid down for stable cooperation between political forces and
institutions that will ensure the more active participation of social organisations and
citizens.
5. To help overcome the present crisis and to restore stability in the region, the Synaspismos proposes:
The Synaspismos will take immediate initiatives based on
this policy within the framework of the European Left, aiming to create a Europe-wide
anti-war movement, to bring pressure to bear on European govenments to stop the bombing
and find a peaceful solution, and to strengthen the anti-nationalist tendencies and
initiatives in the modern world. In this direction, the joint declaration by the parties
of the United Left within the European Parliament constitutes a first step and creates a
positive context for actions.
At the same time, SYNASPISMOS will take initiatives in the Balkans, utilising its previous
experience and its relations with political forces in all Balkan countries. Its aim will
be to foster cooperation among the Balkan peoples to end the war and to avert the risks of
destabilisation and nationalistic awakenings.
6. The
Synaspismos salutes the great mobilisation of the Greek people against NATO’s bombing of
Yugoslavia and its activation in the cause of peace.
It is precisely this activation that constitutes the most solid foundation on which the
Greek government and all parties could develop political initiatives that will permit
Greece to avert the threats that are becoming clearly visible on the horizon and to play a
role in the cause of peace and stability in the region.
