Thursday, June 10, 2004
Interview: “Iraqi Communist Party’s support of embargo is crime”
"Iraqi Communist Party's support of embargo is crime"
Interview with Ahmed Karim, National Democratic Communist Movement of Iraq
Authorised interview with Ahmed Karim, leader of the National
Democratic Communist Movement founded in 2001. Karim is of Kurdish
origin and has been member of the Iraqi Communist Party (ICP) since
1954. Most of his life he has been representative for the party in
Eastern European countries leading the party's radio broadcasting
services.
Q: How would you characterise the Iraqi Communist Party of today?
The ICP is an opportunist party indirectly helping imperialism. Its
leadership has switched sides and want the war in order to topple
Saddam. But you cannot say that it has turned altogether into a
reactionary force. The leadership is not prepared to guide the
membership. They do not function as a party, they are not inside the
country but abroad or in Kurdistan. They have no activity inside, they
are simply sleeping. If we once will return we need to conduct a
conference electing a new leadership truly representing all tendencies
of the party.
Q: How can you think that such a party which supported the crime of
the decade long embargo can be reformed?
There were three major crimes. First the embargo, second the support
to Iran during the war and third the destruction of the party. But
still I believe it is possible to recuperate the party and build a new
leadership.
Q: How did your opposition develop?
In 1986 there was large criticism within the ranks of the party and we
founded the newspaper "Al Manber" (Tribune). The oppositional views
were regarding the unclear position of the leadership in the war with
Iran. Originally we all shared the opposition against the war which we
considered as an aggression, instigated by the US, on a people with
whom we have to seek friendship. We called upon both sides to end the
war. But from the moment onwards Iranian troops entered Iraqi
territory, the position had to be adjusted. We had to defend our
country as long as it was occupied by foreign troops. We asked Hamid
Moussa, today first secretary, how he could support the reactionary
regime of Khomeini? They thought the Iranians would topple Saddam but
he revealed to be stronger. I remember one member of the Central
Committee as saying that we have to prefer occupation to Saddam. The
same they apply now with regard to the Americans. They have completely
forgotten what colonial occupation meant to our people fifty years ago.
However, in 1991 during the American aggression, the "Tribune"
vanished as many of the editorial staff adapted themselves to the new
situation, became more and more opportunist and some even very rich.
Q: Does your opposition movement have something to do with the split
of the ICP of 1967?
No, as this group let by Aziz al Hadsch was completely extinguished.
In order to understand this schism we have to go back in 63. In the
aftermath of the Baathist coup d'etat the leadership of the party got
killed and since then the party had been wavering. While the leading
group of the CC had been advocating from 64 onwards to join the ranks
of Arif, we were about to prepare the seizure of power. We were
infiltrating the state apparatus, the media, the army and even the
Republican Guard. By the way Baath was doing the same thing. We wanted
to chance the party leadership but without risking a split. When we
heard that Aziz al Hadsch had done this step we were astonished.
Originally the opposition had great support but Aziz was considered to
be the weakest of the leading opposition group. He had bad records in
jail. Soon the support began to fade away. He went to the southern
marches and started armed struggle. The territory is not appropriate
for that guerrilla warfare as you easily can be traced by helicopter
gunship. Many comrades lost their lives. Aziz was captured in 68. He
betrayed his comrades and was even released by Saddam.
Q: How strong has the Chinese influence been on the movement of Aziz
al Hadsch?
China tried to gain influence. They invited cadres to China, they
offered support and so on. There was quite a lot of sympathy but never
there was an open pro-Chinese tendency within the ICP.
Q: Let us go back as far as in 1959. It is generally agreed upon that
between the events of Mosul in march and in Kirkuk in July the
communist movement touched its climax. Many say, even die-hard enemies
of the ICP, that the party would have had the strength to seize power?
I remember May 1st then millions marched. The demonstrations started
in the early morning and even in the late afternoon there were still
people to pass. In the CC there were two wings. On one side the one
around the first secretary Salam Adil who were against to take power
and on the other hand the army committee, who advocated to take power
by military means. Only later I got to know that Moscow intervened to
the detriment of a military coup. Seen retrospectively the Russian
intervention was decisive for the line of the party.
Q: What you think of the National Front in the 70ies and how it ended?
The National Front was the best period of the ICP. It was Saddam who
bears the responsibility of the break. But nevertheless we reacted in
a wrong way. When Saddam hung 43 communists in 1979 despite of
contrary promises it was obvious that we had to give a clear response.
But the party conducted a kind of mass flight. The closed all papers,
offices, mass organisations and so one and the leading cadres left the
country. Yes, it was indeed necessary to prepare underground work. But
we virtually stopped party activity.
Q: What was your position on the war with Kuwait?
I supported Iraq as Kuwait forms historically part of Iraq.
Q: Is it possible that the US will adopt those communists into a
post-Saddam administration?
In the first run no, but later on maybe.
Q: Which course this war will take?
Its not possible to make a serious prediction. It could last three
days but also one month or more. In any case the US will have to face
big problems once established in Iraq.
Q: Is a civil war possible?
I do not think that a civil war will break out in parallel with the
American aggression as the latter is directed the entire Iraqi people,
Arabs, Kurds, against all national parties.
Interview with Ahmed Karim, National Democratic Communist Movement of Iraq
Authorised interview with Ahmed Karim, leader of the National
Democratic Communist Movement founded in 2001. Karim is of Kurdish
origin and has been member of the Iraqi Communist Party (ICP) since
1954. Most of his life he has been representative for the party in
Eastern European countries leading the party's radio broadcasting
services.
Q: How would you characterise the Iraqi Communist Party of today?
The ICP is an opportunist party indirectly helping imperialism. Its
leadership has switched sides and want the war in order to topple
Saddam. But you cannot say that it has turned altogether into a
reactionary force. The leadership is not prepared to guide the
membership. They do not function as a party, they are not inside the
country but abroad or in Kurdistan. They have no activity inside, they
are simply sleeping. If we once will return we need to conduct a
conference electing a new leadership truly representing all tendencies
of the party.
Q: How can you think that such a party which supported the crime of
the decade long embargo can be reformed?
There were three major crimes. First the embargo, second the support
to Iran during the war and third the destruction of the party. But
still I believe it is possible to recuperate the party and build a new
leadership.
Q: How did your opposition develop?
In 1986 there was large criticism within the ranks of the party and we
founded the newspaper "Al Manber" (Tribune). The oppositional views
were regarding the unclear position of the leadership in the war with
Iran. Originally we all shared the opposition against the war which we
considered as an aggression, instigated by the US, on a people with
whom we have to seek friendship. We called upon both sides to end the
war. But from the moment onwards Iranian troops entered Iraqi
territory, the position had to be adjusted. We had to defend our
country as long as it was occupied by foreign troops. We asked Hamid
Moussa, today first secretary, how he could support the reactionary
regime of Khomeini? They thought the Iranians would topple Saddam but
he revealed to be stronger. I remember one member of the Central
Committee as saying that we have to prefer occupation to Saddam. The
same they apply now with regard to the Americans. They have completely
forgotten what colonial occupation meant to our people fifty years ago.
However, in 1991 during the American aggression, the "Tribune"
vanished as many of the editorial staff adapted themselves to the new
situation, became more and more opportunist and some even very rich.
Q: Does your opposition movement have something to do with the split
of the ICP of 1967?
No, as this group let by Aziz al Hadsch was completely extinguished.
In order to understand this schism we have to go back in 63. In the
aftermath of the Baathist coup d'etat the leadership of the party got
killed and since then the party had been wavering. While the leading
group of the CC had been advocating from 64 onwards to join the ranks
of Arif, we were about to prepare the seizure of power. We were
infiltrating the state apparatus, the media, the army and even the
Republican Guard. By the way Baath was doing the same thing. We wanted
to chance the party leadership but without risking a split. When we
heard that Aziz al Hadsch had done this step we were astonished.
Originally the opposition had great support but Aziz was considered to
be the weakest of the leading opposition group. He had bad records in
jail. Soon the support began to fade away. He went to the southern
marches and started armed struggle. The territory is not appropriate
for that guerrilla warfare as you easily can be traced by helicopter
gunship. Many comrades lost their lives. Aziz was captured in 68. He
betrayed his comrades and was even released by Saddam.
Q: How strong has the Chinese influence been on the movement of Aziz
al Hadsch?
China tried to gain influence. They invited cadres to China, they
offered support and so on. There was quite a lot of sympathy but never
there was an open pro-Chinese tendency within the ICP.
Q: Let us go back as far as in 1959. It is generally agreed upon that
between the events of Mosul in march and in Kirkuk in July the
communist movement touched its climax. Many say, even die-hard enemies
of the ICP, that the party would have had the strength to seize power?
I remember May 1st then millions marched. The demonstrations started
in the early morning and even in the late afternoon there were still
people to pass. In the CC there were two wings. On one side the one
around the first secretary Salam Adil who were against to take power
and on the other hand the army committee, who advocated to take power
by military means. Only later I got to know that Moscow intervened to
the detriment of a military coup. Seen retrospectively the Russian
intervention was decisive for the line of the party.
Q: What you think of the National Front in the 70ies and how it ended?
The National Front was the best period of the ICP. It was Saddam who
bears the responsibility of the break. But nevertheless we reacted in
a wrong way. When Saddam hung 43 communists in 1979 despite of
contrary promises it was obvious that we had to give a clear response.
But the party conducted a kind of mass flight. The closed all papers,
offices, mass organisations and so one and the leading cadres left the
country. Yes, it was indeed necessary to prepare underground work. But
we virtually stopped party activity.
Q: What was your position on the war with Kuwait?
I supported Iraq as Kuwait forms historically part of Iraq.
Q: Is it possible that the US will adopt those communists into a
post-Saddam administration?
In the first run no, but later on maybe.
Q: Which course this war will take?
Its not possible to make a serious prediction. It could last three
days but also one month or more. In any case the US will have to face
big problems once established in Iraq.
Q: Is a civil war possible?
I do not think that a civil war will break out in parallel with the
American aggression as the latter is directed the entire Iraqi people,
Arabs, Kurds, against all national parties.
