May 14, 2010
C. P. Gajurel “Gaurav”, Secretary of UCPN-Maoist, published
an article this week in the new issue of Nepal’s Maoist English language
journal Red Star. Gajurel addresses an
issue much debated within the party: Is the international situation favorable
for the Maoists to take over Nepal?
Born in 1948, Mr. Gajurel made headlines during the 10-year
insurrection when, in 2003, Indian authorities apprehended him in Chennai.
Although wanted for homicide, armed robbery and complicity in terrorism, India
charged Gajurel with possession of false papers and “conspiracy against India”.
After the CPN(M) and the government of Nepal signed a Comprehensive Peace
Agreement, India dropped charges against him. He was released on November 28
2006 and returned to Nepal on December 1. Since then, Gajurel has acted,
periodically, as a spokesman for his party.
Although there are no startling revelations in the Red Star article, it does serve to fine-tune one’s
understanding of the inter-party effort to define itself at this point in time.
There are three blaringly off-target remarks, however:
1. Mr. Gajurel asserts that, “that during the middle of the
20th century more than half of the globe and the people inhabited in it were
liberated from capitalism and were enjoying socialism.” I doubt that the
millions of Chinese who starved to death during Mao Zedong’s Great Leap
Forward and the additional millions who
were imprisoned and repressed during the Cultural Revolution would agree.
2. Mr. Gajurel claims that, currently, Beijing knows
“that only the Maoist party in power can curb the ‘free Tibet movement’ in
Nepal”. I see no evidence to substantiate this. It seems far more likely that any government – from UML, to Nepali Congress, to
monarchists – would and will vociferously support Bejing’s One China Policy.
3. Mr. Gajurel's assessment of the economic situations in Europe and the United States: He states that Western economies are so vulnerable that "such crisis will definitely be overcome by revolution." I would suggest that this is wishful thinking.
RED STAR
“International situation: Favourable or Unfavourable?
by C. P. Gajurel ‘Gaurav’ – Secretary of UCPN-Maoist
Communist Movement is an internationalist movement. Goal of
all communists, provided they are truly communists, is communism. We should not
be confused about vulgar distortions of communism whether it is ‘National
communism’ or ‘Euro communism’. Internationalist nature of communists is
characterized by the principle ‘either we all reach or none of us’. This is the
basis of proletarian internationalism.
International situation is not same as proletarian
internationalism.
Apart from the domestic situation, which is decisive,
Communist movement is definitely influenced by international situation of the
given time. Development of communist movement of a single country definitely
depends upon the favourable or unfavourable international situation. Success or
failure of revolution of individual country also largely depends on favourable
or unfavourable international situation. In many cases, the question of
‘unfavourable international situation’ is being (mis)used by rightists or
revisionists to justify their degeneration from a communist or revolutionary to
a revisionist or a bourgeois politician. None of the revisionists of the world
declare themselves as revisionists; rather they try to show that they are
revolutionaries and are still communists. Capitalist class is an exploiter and
oppressor class. So it is quite natural that the politicians openly
representing the class interest of this class will not be able to garner
support from the broad masses.
So in order to garner support of the broad masses, the
revisionists, who represent the class interest of the bourgeoisie, disguise
themselves as “communists”. They always distort the revolutionary line and
situation in service of the bourgeoisie. They are the people who sabotage the
revolution from within. Words like “Communism”, “revolution” are the masks of
revisionists under which they cover their ugly bourgeois face. Revisionists of
this era always prolong or delay or stop the revolution in the pretext of
“unfavourable” international situation. They have regular and long time idea
which states that no revolution can take place when there is “unfavourable
international situation” and for them “unfavourable international situation” is
permanent.
Thus the conclusion of this statement is that revolution
cannot take place at this era. Therefore, while making assessment of the
international situation, we should not be the victim of permanently “no
favourable situation therefore no revolution”.
We should be realistic in making assessment of the
international situation. We should adopt Maoist approach while making
assessment of the international situation. Definitely there are some serious
unfavourable factors which we cannot ignore. Side by side there are some
favourable factors which we have to take into account. Let us try to make a
brief summation of bright side as well as the dark side of the present
international situation in making revolution.
Absence of international organization
We have no strong international organization or strong
international centre of communist parties at this moment. The Third
International which was initiated and led by Lenin himself was disbanded during
the time of 2nd world war at the behest of capitalist and imperialist countries
in order to pave the way for ‘Anti-fascist united front’ against fascist
imperialist Germany.
It seems that the intention of Stalin, who was the main
leader of the Third International after the demise of Lenin, was not to
dissolve the Communist International permanently. Stalin formed COMINFORM
(Communist Information Centre) under his leadership after the end of the 2nd
WW. But it was far from being developed to an international centre like
COMINTERN. Gradually, the Cominform became passive and virtually it became
defunct.
Now, we have international embryonic centre of communist
parties and organisations, the Revolutionary Internationalist Movement (RIM).
But its strength is limited.
Absence of socialist block
It is true that there was no international centre like
Comintern during the time the Chinese revolution that became victorious in the
year 1949. But there was socialist Russia and international socialist block
which pro-vided very significant support to the Chinese revolution. We have no
such international socialist block to day. This is darkest part of the present
international situation. It seems that had there been international socialist
base, the New Democratic Revolution would have been succeeded long before and
the Nepalese society would have been grappling for socialism by now.
Dearth of international working class movement
It is also true that there was neither Communist
International nor Socialist block during the time of Socialist revolution in
Russia in 1919. But there was very strong working class movement in Europe and
socialist revolution in Germany was very close to success. The strength of the
working class movement was a very strong support to the Russian revolution. But
we have no such strong working class movement in any continent at present.
Hostility among imperialist countries not in climax
There is one common international factor in Russian and
Chinese revolution that the Russian revolution succeeded during the time of 1st
WW and the Chinese revolution succeeded during the 2nd WW. It does not mean
that WW is essential part of the success of every revolution. It is worth to be
considered that during the time of WW, the imperialist powers were cutting each
others’ throat. One imperialist country was enemy for another imperialist
country. The hostility among the imperialist countries was so ferocious that
one’s existence depended on elimination of the other. They had little time to
fight against communist forces during the time of WW. There is no doubt that
contradiction among various imperialist forces exists today, but it has not
reached to the level of hostility of eliminating each other.
Situation—provided or can be created?
When we talk about the favourable international situation,
there are some aspects to be considered. Firstly, the international situation
is favourable in the given time and the revolutionaries can have the
opportunity to utilize the favourable situation as outside support of the
revolution. If this situation exists it is well and good. All the revolutionary
parties will wish such a situation to prevail. Such situation is always
welcomed. But our wish does not determine everything including the favourable
international situation.
Secondly, the duty of the revolutionaries is to create such
a situation which helps the revolution to grow and to succeed. Revolutionaries
do not wait for a good fortune to arrive. Such a situation may or may not be
completely favourable. If we cannot create completely favourable situation, we
should try to create relatively favourable situation. If we cannot even achieve
relatively favourable situation, we should try to create such a situation which
is not harmful to the revolution. What often happens is that at the era of
imperialism and proletarian revolution it is difficult for the communist
revolutionaries to get a readymade favourable international situation.
Third, favourable or unfavourable situation is not a static
phenomenon. It goes on changing depending on the changed situation. In many
cases the revolution itself causes the international situation to be changed
and the situation goes the other way round. The revolution is itself a force
which brings change in the international situation and unfavourable situation
turns to be relatively favourable or at least not harmful to the revolution. It
is evident from the event of Nepalese revolution. When we initiated the
historic People’s War (in February 13, 1996), the international situation was
not at all favourable for the revolution. Eleven long years of PW has caused
change in the national as well as the international situation. It is obvious
that the international situation is less unfavourable for the revolution today
than it was during the initiation of the PW. We will mention about some of the
emerging relatively favourable factors at the international level.
Emergence of anti-imperialist forces
Mao while making assessment of the international situation
arrived at a conclusion that Asia, Africa and Latin America are the ‘storm
centers’ of the world revolution. Still it holds good to some extent. There was
revolutionary wave in the Latin American countries during the time of Cuban
revolution and consequently during the 60s and 70s. After the bloody coup in
Chile in 1972, communist movement in Latin America had to face a big setback.
Nevertheless, anti-imperialist struggle continued in most of the Latin American
countries at different level. Since last six or seven years, there is a kind of
anti- US imperialist wave in most of the countries in Latin America. Parties
upholding the principle of ‘Bolivarian socialism’ are winning the presidential
and parliamentary elections. Some of the governments like that in Venezuela
have infuriated the U S administration by nationalizing the big oil companies
owned by the US big capitalists. The other ‘socialist governments’ also follow
the same line. The Hugo Chavez government further infuriated the US government
when it (Chavez government) signed a large arm deal quite recently with Russia.
The recent developments in Latin America should be considered as favourable
factor at the international level. These developments in Latin America should
be considered very significant especially in a situation when there is no
socialist block to support the revolution.
Severe economic crisis
Severe crisis that engulfed the imperialist world has shaken
the imperialist system itself. It is one of the severest economic crises
shaking the imperialist system that has recurred after 70 years. The crisis has
not been overcome. The economists assume that the counter shock of this
economic quake is more dangerous which is yet to come. The imperialist system
has been so weakened that it is struggling for its survival. The revolutionary
movements in Europe and US appeared to be in hibernation since long years. The
ruling class is afraid of revolutionary upsurge in its citadel. It seems that
the imperialist system will not be able to withstand another crisis, which it
is assumed may recur within some years, because there is no substantial
recovery. Such crisis will definitely be overcome by revolution.
Attraction to Socialism
History of communist movement has proven that socialism or
communist movement cannot be destroyed by outside intervention of the
imperialist power; rather it is destroyed from within. Capitalist roaders
within communist parties are real destroyers of communist movement and socialism
that has been achieved through hard revolution. We know that during the middle
of the 20th century more than half of the globe and the people inhabited in it
were liberated from capitalism and were enjoying socialism.
The world was divided into two competing blocks—imperialism
and socialism and there was balance of power. Socialism was rising power where
as imperialism was declining power. Socialism was heading towards global
victory and Marx’s dream of communism looked like to be fulfilled. But destruction
of socialism started right from within. Restoration of capitalism started from
the first socialist country of the world, Russia in 1956 under the leadership
of Khruschev, then leader of the Communist Party of Soviet Union (CPSU). It
spread like wild fire.
Later Russia degenerated to a social imperialist country. So
the real socialism was destroyed. During ’90s, “anti-socialism” wave backed by
US imperialism washed away the pro-Soviet Union block which they used to call
“socialism”.
It seems that the anti-socialism wind has taken rest in
western countries and socialism is being remembered. The reason is—the
capitalist and imperialist countries provided some basic facilities to the
masses to persuade them in order to prevent socialist revolution to take place
in their country. When socialism has been destroyed capitalists have no
compulsion to compete with socialism. So they are with-drawing step by step all
the basic facilities they were providing in the name of “social security”. The
poor do not get unemployment allowance, if they get at all, it is quite meager.
The poor are unable to get treatment. So attraction to socialism is increasing,
at least the trend of hate socialism seems to have stopped even in the western
countries where “socialism” was destroyed by big mass actions. We should take
it as a positive trend.
Inter imperialist contradictions still exist
At present there is no WW. But there are still wars going on
as regional war and proxy war. These wars are producing new anti-imperialist forces
and huge number of masses fighting against the aggressors. Inter imperialist
rivalry for the loot of oppressed countries still exists and will continue to
be so till there is imperialism. Lenin said “imperialism is war” which is
always true. There is good opportunity for the communists to take advantage of
these contradictions.
Growing strength of Maoist forces
After demise of Mao there was serious setback at the ICM.
The initiation of PW in the ’80s in Peru and its subsequent development from
strategic defence to strategic equilibrium created great enthusiasm among the
communist revolutionaries at the global level. But unfortunately the Peruvian
revolution suffered a big set back after the capture of its supreme leader
Gonzalo and hosts of the senior leaders of the party during 1992-94.
Before this event could have caused big damage to the ICM,
the PW initiated in Nepal under the leadership of the Communist Party of Nepal
(Maoist) developed in leaps and bonds. Within a span of 10 years the Nepalese
revolution reached to the level of strategic offence which created tremendous
enthusiasm throughout the world. In the last few years the PW in India is
developing at the fast pace.
The central government of India very often states that ‘the
Naxal movement (which is often said about Maoists in India) is major threat to
the Indian state’. According to the information, the Maoist party of India has
established proposed base area in Dandakaranya, whose total area is almost
equal to Nepal. The growing strength of the Indian Maoist is positive
development for the revolution in Nepal.
China-India-US factor
Nepal shares about 1800 km border with southern neighbor
India and about 1000 km that with the northern neighbor China. Nepal lies in
between these two giant states. In the past there was hostile relation in
between China and India associated with Indo- China war in 1962. But such a
hostile situation does not exist now. Similarly, USA and China had also hostile
relation in the past. Apparently we do not see such hostility in between these
two powers of the world. Presently China has good economic ties and has good
trade relation with USA and India. But USA by virtue of being most powerful
imperialist country and sole super power does not like “socialist” China as a
prosperous and powerful country. Though US is a sole super power till the date,
but it is a declining state. It has not come out of the economic crisis that it
faced during couple of years. It is becoming increasingly difficult for US to
compete with China economically. So far the relation between China and India is
concerned, it is not so healthy. Even the old border issue between the two
states has not been resolved amicably, especially in Arunanchal Pradesh state.
Chinas good relation with Pakistan is also a factor causing unfriendly relation
between the two neighbors. In short, there is under current contention going
between China and US; China and India.
Under the given circumstances, US likes to control China in
different ways. Tibet and Dalai Lama is one of the factors that US and also
India are using to control China. Apparently, there is good trade relation
between India and China. But still India boards Dalai Lama’s “Government in
Exile” in Dharmasala, a town in Himachal Pradesh state of India. Dalai Lama is
still fighting for “free Tibet” with the support of USA, India and many
imperialist countries. Taking advantage of bordering state with Tibet and
unstable and economically poor country, which has dependency with India and US,
they are trying to use Nepal as a base to conduct “free Tibet movement”. Using
Buddhist religion as a cover they are concentrating their anti- China forces in
Himalayan region and also in Kathmandu. There is growing risk that Nepal may be
used as battle ground for the “free Tibet movement”.
Present Chinese leadership has more than enough knowledge
about the situation stated above. They know that most of the political parties
are loyal to the foreign powers and these parties in power will be instrumental
in facilitating the anti-China movement from Nepal. They also have sufficient
knowledge that only the Maoist party in power can curb the “free Tibet
movement” from Nepal. This is very significant factor which can be used as a
favourable factor for Nepalese revolution and New Nepal.
Conclusion
What we have explained above clearly shows that present day
international situation in not clearly favourable for any revolution led by
genuine communist party in the world today.
To get readymade favourable international situation is well
and good and definitely we all will be happy to get it. But to find such a
situation is very difficult. Our responsibility is not fulfilled only by making
such analysis and statement that the international situation is not favourable
so there cannot be a revolution in Nepal and any part of the world. Now we can
see that this unfavourable international situation has become a pretext for the
reformist and degenerated “communist” parties to justify their degeneration
into reformism and revisionism. What MLM teaches us that if situation is not
favourable we should not sit idle, we should be active in changing the
situation to make it favourable. Another important point is that the force of
revolution can change the situation from unfavourable to favourable.
In our case when we initiated the great PW in Nepal, the
international situation for us was unfavourable. It is favourable many times as
compared to the situation during 1996. The development of the PW has created
the situation more favourable or less unfavourable. We can conclude that
present international situation is not very much favourable for the revolution,
but it is not so unfavourable as well. If the initiative of the Maoist party
increases tremendously this situation will further become less unfavourable and
favourable to some extent.
Therefore for the genuine communist revolutionaries present
international situation is not such a big obstacle and revolutionary movement
can grow and revolution can succeed. Let us hope the Nepalese revolution may be
victorious in near future!
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