Global crisis 'won't stop the US empire'

Louise Nousratpour in Croydon
Tuesday May 27, 2008
The Morning Star

CPB congress: COMMUNIST Party delegates vowed on Monday to build broad and non-sectarian resistance against imperialism in the face of a new wave of anti-communism brought on by the latest capitalist crisis.

Congress warned that the economic crisis gripping the world, far from spelling the end of capitalist rule, would lead to more imperialist wars and proxy wars around the world in search of maximising profits through opening up new markets and control over world resources.

In a comprehensive debate on international issues, delegates at the 50th CPB congress pointed to sweeping radical changes in Latin America led by Cuba and Venezuela to free the region from the clutches of the imperialist power "in the north."

CPB international secretary John Foster argued that the protracted capitalist crisis had led to the "emergence of new areas of resistance to capital domination."

But he warned against complacency, noting that, while the dominant US imperialism was facing long-term economic and political challenges, its military power exceeded that of the rest of the world combined.

As well as attempting to destabilise the Middle East, the US is now engaged in proxy wars in Africa in search of new markets and resources, he said.

"The EU is also playing a key role as an imperialist military interventionist," Mr Foster said, rejecting claims by some in the labour movement that the EU could counterbalance US hegemony.

Executive committee member Gawain Little highlighted proposals in the EU treaty which would lead to further militarisation of the member states as well as the whole-scale privatisation of all remaining public assets.

Mr Foster argued that China, not the EU, could effectively challenge the US.

He cited the recent escalation in anti-China propaganda through the so-called Free Tibet campaign as proof that the imperialist powers were becoming increasingly weary of the socialist country's rapid economic development.

North London delegate Andrew Murray made the case for continued efforts to maintain and build a powerful anti-war movement that cuts across the sectarian divide.

And Scottish CND delegate Alan McKinnon urged communists to renew support for the campaign against Trident replacement.

"Winning this battle would help break the link that ties Britain to US foreign policy," Mr McKinnon added.

Mr Foster concluded: "Socialism is not just possible but it is the only system that can meet the challenges of sustainable development and bring peace and social justice to the world."