NAM Summit in Havana:

Mounting opposition to US imperialism amongst peoples

The Non Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit which concluded in Havana, Cuba, on 16 th September 2006, took place against the backdrop of the most reprehensible aggressions of US – backed Israeli forces into Lebanon and Palestine, and the drive by US imperialism to carry out “regime change” in various countries that are pursuing a course not to the liking of the imperialists. It is significant that such a large international gathering, of representatives of more than 100 countries, including over 50 heads of states and governments, took place on the soil of a country which has been resisting valiantly, in the face of grave odds, the relentless efforts of isolation and blockade by the US.

While the NAM continues to have as members, countries which have strong military and other ties with the US and other imperialists, the anti – imperialist forces have made use of the recent NAM summit to close ranks. Taking place as it did in the wake of global revulsion against the policies and practices of US imperialism; the NAM summit became a forum for these forces to speak out against the unjust world order sought to be imposed by the imperialists.

The delegations from Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, Iran, Malaysia and some other countries played an important role in highlighting the issues of sovereignty, peace, and a new world order which would not be based on exploitative and unjust and unequal relations between different countries.

Israel came in for strong condemnation in the Final Resolution, for its attacks on Palestinians, for its construction of the wall through Palestinian territory and especially for its attacks on Lebanon. It was in fact demanded that Israel should compensate Lebanon forthwith for all the destruction caused during the war.

Cuba, North Korea, and some other countries called for a united challenge to US dominance in the world through a revived and revitalised NAM. Unfair trade practices and arbitrary actions by powerful nations which controlled the UN Security Council were sternly condemned.

The use of the notorious term “axis of evil” by the US imperialists to malign countries such as Iran and North Korea, which have asserted their rights to have their own political and economic systems, was severely condemned. The summit supported Iran’s right to develop its nuclear technology for peaceful uses.

The delegation of Malaysia, as chairperson of the Organisation of Islamic States, condemned the targeting of Islamic states and peoples by the US and other imperialists under the slogan of “war against terror”.

The Summit was significant for the conscious effort by various anti-imperialist regimes in Asia, Africa and Latin America to coordinate their struggles.

Noticeable in the Summit were the efforts of countries like India and some others to prevent the unity of anti-imperialist governments from being forged.

US imperialism and its allies are facing increasing opposition from the world’s peoples. This opposition found reflection in the NAM Summit. The communists and anti-imperialist forces all over the world have to build and strengthen world wide, a powerful, united movement of the peoples against imperialism, fascism and war, and against the unjust economic order being imposed by the imperialists on all countries and peoples.