N° 29 novembre 2022 The 6th CICA summit (1) was held last week in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan . It was of particular importance in the context of international tensions and due to the diplomatic meetings to which it gave rise
and especially that between Presidents V. Putin for Russia and R. Erdogan for Turkey, the latter being considered as a mediator in the conflict in Ukraine . V. Putin also spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, on the impact of the Ukrainian crisis on energy markets, food security as well as the situation in Libya, Syria and Iranian nuclear negotiations. Everything therefore shows that this summit was a place where the major problems of the moment were discussed. Several interventions were made by countries at war, such as Russia and Azerbaijan.
The final declaration at the end of the 6thCICA Summit, indicates that the heads of state and government of the member countries who participated in the summit, decided to start the process to transform the CICA into an international organization with broad competences: "We will strengthen our joint efforts within of our organization, in order to identify common solutions to the problems of the 21st century and to ensure the peaceful resolution of conflicts, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations (UN), for a secure and prosperous region".
In his speech, but this theme is found in other speeches, V. Putin, according to the Reuters agency, affirmed that: "The world was heading towards multipolarity and that Asia was playing a major role in this new order " . He added: "that Asia has become the engine of global economic growth, underscoring Russia's support for the rise and prosperity of Asia and the establishment of economic ties in the region.". These affirmations, that of multi-polarity and that of the role of Asia, show that Russia's gaze is turning more and more resolutely in this direction, confirming the break with the West. They also confirm that the process, accelerated by the war in Ukraine, of the constitution of rival imperialist blocs around the United States and China is indeed in motion. The proposal made by V. Putin to R. Erdogan to establish a gas hub in Turkey to supply Europe by turning away from the routes of central and northern Europe confirms Russia's desire to maintain its energy influence in Europe while freeing itself from the constraints imposed on it by the United States and the European Union. After their meeting in Astana, "Our Energy Ministry and the Russian side will come up with a work plan. Once adopted, we will move forward without wasting time," he said. The Turkish President proposed Thrace as a location, "Thrace is the most suitable region to host a gas distribution center. We have given, with Mr. Putin, the instructions to our institutions" , he estimated . This project and its location in the more or less long term are the translation that energy issues constitute a major issue in the competition between the capitalist powers.
*Conference for Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). The CICA covers nearly 90% of the territory and population of Asia, generating about 2/3 of the World GDP
(1) CICA member countries
The Conference for Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA ) is an inter-governmental forum that aims to strengthen cooperation to promote peace on the basis of trust among Asian states. Decision-making mechanisms are based on unanimity.
Bulgaria: New elections, but still the political crisis!
On October 4, 2020 legislative elections took place in Bulgaria. These are the fourth since April 2021. They have not brought any upheaval in the balance of political forces and it is likely that they will not resolve the political crisis forcing new elections in March. To understand this situation, we asked some questions to Ivan Penchev (IP), secretary of the Bulgarian Communist party.
In your opinion, what should be learned from the last elections in Bulgaria
Ivan Penchev: What is important to highlight is the very low turnout of 37% This is a record and to this is added the 5% who used the vote " I don't support any party . " It is therefore more than 2/3 of the registered who refused to decide. Thus expressing, in their own way, the disavowal of the policies carried out by the various parties which succeed one another in power. To explain this characteristic phenomenon for Bulgaria, it is necessary to take a detour through history.
What does this detour tell us?
Ivan Penchev:In general, and this is experienced as such by the vast majority of the population, there are two main lines of demarcation which deeply divide Bulgarian society. On the one hand the left-right division, on the other the pro-Russian (Russophiles) and anti-Russian (Russophobes) orientations which are also called Atlantic Euros. These two dividing lines have deep and specific historical roots for Bulgarian society.
What do you think these roots are?
Ivan Penchev: Let's start with the first of these two dividing lines, although in most cases they coincide.
This line can be dated to June 6, 1923 when a bloody coup overthrew the democratically elected government of the agrarian party, Prime Minister Alexander Stamboliiski was killed there and a dictatorship was established. Thus was interrupted the period of parliamentary democracy since the liberation of the country in 1878. Many eminent intellectuals were killed by paramilitary commandos. A real civil war began and it lasted almost twenty years until September 1944. We can affirm that a first line of demarcation was thus drawn. It was more or less hidden during the socialist period. It was reactivated after the real coup carried out by part of the leadership of the Bulgarian Communist Party under the influence of perestroika traitors led by Gorbachev and Yeltsin. The period following the liquidation of socialist power was catastrophic for the country. It should be emphasized that all this was directed by foreign and especially American advisers. The population has grown from 9 million in 1989 to just over 6 million today. Agriculture was devastated, branches of heavy industry destroyed. All this caused disgust and apathy among the population. People see no way out of this situation. In addition there is no real left party. The communist movement is weak. The former communist party, renamed socialist, has not only lost all revolutionary character, but is only socialist in name. It should be emphasized that all this was directed by foreign and especially American advisers. The population has grown from 9 million in 1989 to just over 6 million today. Agriculture was devastated, branches of heavy industry destroyed. All this caused disgust and apathy among the population. People see no way out of this situation. In addition there is no real left party. The communist movement is weak. The former communist party, renamed socialist, has not only lost all revolutionary character, but is only socialist in name. It should be emphasized that all this was directed by foreign and especially American advisers. The population has grown from 9 million in 1989 to just over 6 million today. Agriculture was devastated, branches of heavy industry destroyed. All this caused disgust and apathy among the population. People see no way out of this situation. In addition there is no real left party. The communist movement is weak. The former communist party, renamed socialist, has not only lost all revolutionary character, but is only socialist in name. All this caused disgust and apathy among the population. People see no way out of this situation. In addition there is no real left party. The communist movement is weak. The former communist party, renamed socialist, has not only lost all revolutionary character, but is only socialist in name. All this caused disgust and apathy among the population. People see no way out of this situation. In addition there is no real left party. The communist movement is weak. The former communist party, renamed socialist, has not only lost all revolutionary character, but is only socialist in name.
It was the first cause, what is the second?
Ivan Penchev:The second is based on historical traditions. We must not forget that the Russian world, that is to say the Slavo-Orthodox world, has its roots in Bulgaria. It was here that the Cyrillic alphabet was created, it was by Bulgaria that Russia was baptized. So the ties between the Bulgarian and Russian peoples are old and solid. It should not be forgotten that Bulgaria had its independence in 1878 as a consequence of the Russo-Turkish war in which more than 250,000 Russian soldiers perished. Bulgarians remember the exploits of Russian soldiers. It is enough to see it to walk in the capital Sofia. The main boulevard bears the name of the Russian emperor Alexander II who is called the Tsar-liberator. In the middle of this boulevard just in front of the building of the National Assembly is the monument of Alexander II. Behind the same building is the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans: the Patriarchal Cathedral which bears the name of the Russian saint Alexander Nevsky. It is a memorial temple built with the money of the Bulgarian people to commemorate the Russian soldiers who perished in the war. On the same boulevard is the imposing monument in homage to the Soviet Army. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that after the October Revolution the two movements – that of the Russophiles and the revolutionary left movement coincided. Bulgaria was the only satellite of Nazi Germany that was not at war with the USSR and a Soviet Embassy has always been present in Sofia. In addition Bulgaria was the only satellite country of Nazi Germany where a resistance movement existed. It should be added that according to the polls between 65 and 75% of the population declare themselves pro-Russian. Unfortunately with NATO and EU membership many of the traditional ties with Russia have been severed.
Who rules Bulgaria today?
Ivan Penchev: A comprador and corrupt political class has been in power for 25 years. Despite this the people resist in a silent way. In September this year several thousand people gathered for a traditional Friends of Russia meeting. On the other hand, with current international events and with the fact that the country is caught up in the Euro-Atlantic system which is in contradiction with historical and cultural traditions, a large part of Russophiles consider their participation in the legislative elections unnecessary.
Dear Comrades of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP)
We have just learned of the mining disaster which occurred at the Asmara mine and which led to the death of several dozen miners. In the name of the Revolutionary COMMUNISTS party, we convey to you, as well as to the families of these workers, our sincere condolences. The Turkish working class is thus paying a heavy price for capitalist exploitation. This new disaster reminds us that mining companies neglect the safety conditions of miners in the name of profits. Already in 2014, the Soma mining disaster claimed the lives of 301 miners.
Our party wishes to assure you of our internationalist solidarity.
Fraternally
For the Communist Revolutionary Party
Michel Gruselle
member of the national office and responsible for international relations