Address: 1, Eleftherias Sq. 105 53 ñ ATHENS Tel.: (+30) 210 3378400 Fax: (+30) 210 3217 003, 3219 121 E-mail: [email protected] COALITION OF AND PROGRESS-GREECE Visit our Website: www.syn.gr INTERNATIONAL No 30, MAY- JUNE 2003 SYNASPISMOS European Programmatic Congress Party of Party title amended to the Left "Coalition of the Left of the Movements and Ecology" SYNASPISMOS held an important programmatic congress in the Left" (KEDA) Yiannis Theonas (former KKE MEP), S. Athens on 30, 31 May and 1 June 2003. The congress Martalis (DEA), Th. Tsikas (AEKA), E. Yianniris (Ecologists – he process for the creation of a discussed and approved the guidelines for a new party Greens), R. Rinaldi (KOE), Y. Felekis ("Spartakos"), S. European Party of the Left was programme which will be further elaborated and to this end a Papadopoulos (OKDE), T. Fotopoulos (Communist T launched on 22 March 2003 with a decision was taken for the creation of a "programmatic Renewal), P. Toumbanis – Vovos (Social and political rights meeting in Athens hosted by SYNASPISMOS. council". A proposal submitted by the SYN President N. network). At the end of the meeting the following press Costantopoulos and the Political Secretariat to amend the Continued on Page 2 release was issued: title of the party was also approved and consequently the full name of SYNASPISMOS is now "Coalition of the Left of the Following an invitation by SYNASPISMOS, Movements and Ecology" instead of "Coalition of the Left representatives of AKEL, PDS, PCF, PRC, IU and Progress". and the hosts met in Athens on the 22nd of March to exchange views on the issue of the The congress was opened with a speech by the SYN creation of a political entity of the European President N.Costantopoulos followed by greetings from Left. representatives of the entire . In particular PASOK was represented by its Secretary Costas Laliotis, In a thorough discussion, the above parties Nea Dimokratia by its parliamentary spokesman Dimitris converged in the view that it is necessary to Sioufas, DIKKI by G. Papassimos. In addition all the currents enhance the co-operation among the left of the left and ecology were represented (with the exception parties of Europe and upgrade this co- of the C.P. of Greece, which was invited but did not attend), operation on the basis of a political platform with , secretary of AKOA Yiannis Banias, capable to correspond to our immediate and representative of the "Movement for the Unity in Action of strategic tasks in this critical period. The parties consider as a positive step the continuation and promotion of this effort, by constituting an Initiative Group, which will start a process of preparation for the creation of a Party of the European Left. This process will be open to all parties of the Left which are FOR A DIFFERENT EUROPE willing to participate in it. Social movements meet and demostrate in Thessaloniki The six parties underlined the importance of the multiform anti-war movement as well as of n the occasion of the EU summit, Thessaloniki the movement against neoliberal globalization, will be the site of a wide range of activities which are developing and expanding in various O including panel discussions, seminars and mass European countries, movements co-ordinated demonstrations during the week starting 16 June 2003. by the European Social Forum. The above The Greek Social Forum has programmed several events parties participate in these movements and On June 18, there will be seminars and workshops on which will climax on Saturday 21 June 2003 with an work for their strengthening, as well as the "Europe of democracy and social rights", "Ecology and International Demonstration. Another demonstration strengthening of the trade union, ecological, everyday life", "Civil Society in the European against racism and in favor of the rights of the immigrants feminist and other modern movements, Constitutions", "Collectivity and Solidarity", "Political will take place on June 19. recognizing their specific and growing political parties and movements", "Youth of Greece – Cyprus – and social role. Delegations from all over Europe and other parts of the Turkey for a future of freedom, democracy and peaceful world are expected to participate in the events. co-existence", "The Crisis of the traditional trade union Finally the meeting issued a joint appeal of the movement", etc. PROGRAMME parties, urging for the immediate stop of the war against Iraq. The events will start on 17 June 2003 with the opening of On June 19, some of the above events will continue and a Welcoming and Information Center of the GSF and a some new ones will take place, but the main event will be seminar on "Neoliberalism and Education". a march against racism starting at 19:30.

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INTERNATIONAL SYNASPISMOS ACTIVITIES Programmatic Congress ...from the front page 10 – 12.1.2003 23rd NELF meeting in Paris. Panos Trigazis and Katy Nicolatos represented Main tasks In this light, our efforts to promote the creation of a SYNASPISMOS. European party of the left and build the European Social In his opening speech SYN President N. Costantopoulos Forum must be evaluated. Only the left, the SYN 21.1.2003 Patriotic Unity of Kurdistan (PUK) said that the first key to analyze the present world President said, can decisively defend the idea of a delegation met at SYN headquarters with P. situation is the term "neoliberal capitalist globalization European constitution which will be the basis for political Trigazis and A. Papadomichelaki. under the US hegemony". He pointed out that "the integration in a federal direction. internationalization of the economic functions is 23 – 28.1.2003 SYN President N. undoubtedly an objective tendency of capitalism", which On the issue of the European integration, N. Constantopoulos participated in the 3rd World is "fascilitated by technological progress". Costantopoulos added, the European left has to counter not Social Forum in Porto Alegre, accompanied by only the policies of the Right but of Socialdemocracy too. N. Theodorakopoulou, H. Golemis, C. Issychos. This situation, he went on, is marked by certain political, economic and geostrategic options, especially by the US He also pointed out that the issues of the European 24.01.2003 SYN appeal against war on Iraq with their aim to dominate the world by promoting their integration must be linked with the struggles against handed to Spanish Ambassador by A. imperial model as well as their economic model. But neoliberal globalization and for world peace. Papadomichelaki. there is growing opposition to this situation, N. Speaking about the domestic situation, N. 24.01.2003 SYN President N. Costantopoulos Costantopoulos said, and stressed the great significance Costantopoulos criticized sharply the economic and of the new social movements and the World Social meets with Worker’s Party of Brazil delegation social policies followed by the PASOK government which Forum as well as the unprecedented world movement did not bring about a progressive modernization of headed by Aloizio Mercadante, Secretary of against the war on Iraq. International Relations Greece, as were left out of its agenda issues such as the Great emphasis was laid in N. Costantopoulos’ speech to change of the political system, the democratization and 25 – 26.1.2003 Congress of the Freedom and the European integration process, as "a possibility to decentralization of the state, the separation of the church Solidarity Party of Turkey (ODP). PS member, change the balance of forces and question the presently from the state, the creation of structures for a welfare Yannis Tolios represented SYNASPISMOS. dominant political, social and economic options". A state similar to European ones, etc. European integration which "will supersede the logic of 27.01.2003 An appeal against war on Iraq was the single market and assume more and more essential Therefore, N. Costantopoulos concluded, our will is "to handed to the German Ambassador in . political characteristics, which will lead to Europe’s fight with all the forces of the radical left and the Speegel by N. Houndis and P. Trigazis. autonomy from the USA". A United Europe based on movements, to change the present relation of forces and 28.01.2003 Appeal against war on Iraq handed social cohesion and solidarity represents a true promote a strong anti-neoliberal pole which will work possibility to oppose the neoliberal globalization and towards a social and political majority in Greek society". to representatives of the Russian Embassy by P. contribute to a different world. Trigazis and A. Papadomichelaki. 3.2.2003 SYN President N. Costantopoulos and P. Trigazis met with Mr. Colin Archer, General Secretary of International Peace Bureau. 3.2.2003 P. Trigazis and A. Courtis visited the Appeal of Left leaders to ambassador of Pakistan Mr. Javet Hafiz to hand an appeal against war on Iraq. 10.2.2003 SYN President N. Costantopoulos, the EU Summit on Iraq T. Trikkas and P. Trigazis, met with Alan Simpson, MP, British Labor Party. wide range of initiatives were taken by A war on Iraq by the United States of America will also be 10.02.2003 Invited by SYN, British Labour SYNASPISMOS against war on Iraq, on a effectively a war on Europe, the U.N. and the very MP Alan Simpson, spokesman of the Socialist A national and European level. One of the most premises of the International Law. It will be against the Campaign Group of Labour Party MPs, spoke significant was an initiative by SYN President whole of Humanity, as it will set an extremely dangerous at a press conference and a public meeting in the N.Constantopoulos to propose to other European Left precedent for "preventive wars". municipality of Kesariani against war on Iraq. leaders a joint intervention on this issue to the EU Summit on Iraq on 17.02.2003. As a result a letter was signed by We, therefore, call upon the E.U. leaders to oppose the 20.2.2003 Joint appeal against war and for war and support the implementation of the U.N. democracy in Iraq by PDS, SYN, PCF, SV, VP 13 leaders and addressed to the Summit through Greek PM C. Simitis, stating: Resolutions on Iraq by diplomatic and political means. and the Iraqi CP. For Peace and Democracy in Iraq and throughout the 24.2.2003 SYN President N. Costantopoulos, "We are totally opposed to war as a means to solving Middle East and for this extremely militarised region to international problems. The civilian population of Iraq, become a zone without nuclear, chemical and other N. Houndis and P. Trigazis met with the new especially children, will be the main victims, if the U.S. war mass destruction weapons." President of Cyprus Mr. T. Papadopoulos. plans are carried out. The people of Iraq will experience a The letter was signed by: F. BERTINOTTI, MP, Gen. Secretary, 13.3.2003 new tragedy, in addition to the tremendous toll they have SYN President N. Costantopoulos, Party of Communist Refoundation, Italy, Marie-George BUFFET, met with Arab ambassadors and discussed about paid to the Gulf War, the international embargo and the MP, National Secretary, ,Carlos the crisis on Iraq. brutal dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein. CARVALHAS, MP, General Secretary, Portuguese Communist Party ,Dimitris CHRISTOFIAS, President of the Parliament, 14.3.2003 SYN President N.Costantopoulos ∞ war will not be catastrophic just for Iraq. The whole of General Secretary of the CC of AKEL, Cyprus, Ken COATES, and P. Trigazis visited the Embassy of the the Middle East will be further destabilized and the former MEP, Chairman of the European Network for Peace and Republic of Serbia to pay condolences for the Palestinian just cause severely harmed. Terrorism and Human Rights, Nicos COSTANTOPOULOS, MP, President of assassination of Prime Minister Z. Tjindjic. religious fanaticism will be increased not diminished, SYNASPISMOS, Greece , Armando COSSUTTA, MP, President of because war and terrorism feed each other. the Party of the Italian Communists, Ulla HOFFMANN, MP, 18.3.2003 Turkish – Cypriot poet and peace President of the , Sweden, Hayri KOZANOGLU, activist Ms. Neshe Yasin visited Athens and We have been consistently on the side of the Iraqi People President of the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP), Turkey, spoke in a public meeting co-organized by SYN and the Kurds and have opposed the tyrannical regime of Gaspar LLAMAZARES, MP, President of the , Spain, Saddam. But we firmly believe that democracy and Holger NIELSEN, MP, President of the Socialist Peoples’ Party, and AKEL . Denmark, Alan SIMPSON, MP, on behalf of the Socialist human rights cannot be served by war; on the contrary Campaign Group of Labour MPs, Britain, , war is their supreme violation and denial. President, Party of (PDS), Germany . PAGE ñ 3

INTERNATIONAL European Party of the Left ACTIVITIES ...from the front page

Principles and values the center and the regions ñ That promotes a concept of employment which will 18.3.2003 SYN President N. Costantopoulos, The view of SYNASPISMOS regarding the principles and protect the working people from technological met at SYN headquarters with Turkish-Cypriot values of the proposed new political subject, were downgrading, social exclusion and unemployment poet Neshe Yasin. presented by Political Secretariat member Nikos Hountis ñ That aspires to return to the citizens what capitalism is and are summarized as follows: depriving them of, which means the product of human 19.3.2003 Honorary President of KISOS Mr. labour and human intelligence. Vassos Lissaridis met with SYN President N. 1. The European Party of the Left derives its principles, ñ That redefines the relationship between man and Costantopoulos, at the Greek Parliament. values and strategic orientation from the great traditions nature in order to guarantee sustainability and deal with the imbalance of the ecosystem caused by the over- 22.03.2003 First meeting on the European of the struggles of the left for freedom, democracy, social party of the left hosted by SYN in Athens justice and socialism. These values were created as great exploitation and wasting of natural resources promoted revolutions put millions of people to the center stage of by neoliberal expansionism 3-6.4.2003 Congress French Communist Party history and socio-political developments. ñ That sees the European Union not as an expanding (PCF). PS member, T. Trikkas represented SYN. market but as a society that needs to broaden and These values and principles derive from historical lessons deepen democracy. A society that needs new 3.4.2003 Social and Political Front (FSP) of that concern the day to day struggles of the progressive institutions in order to build the characteristics of a Colombia representative Mr. Carlos Lossano, and left wing forces in capitalist countries and especially democratic, multicultural society. met at SYN headquarters with A. the European ones, but also from the lessons left behind Papadomichelaki. by regimes built in the name of the ideas and values of 6. It is within the framework of these ideas that it socialism which collapsed because they found promotes the creation of a new political and social 10.4.2003 Conference on peace and cooperation themselves very far apart from the deep social and coalition, which constitutes a more permanent linkage of in the Mediterranean organized by the Party of democratic content of these values. the forces of social transformation and simultaneously Italian Communists in Reggio Calabria. All these lessons have led us to the conviction that promotes the creation of a as the common SYNASPISMOS was represented by P. Trigazis political subject. socialism and freedom, socialism and democracy are 18.4.2003 SYN President N. Costantopoulos inseparable concepts. 7. It promotes as its direct goal the idea of a new met with the President of Tasnak Party of 2. The method we use to study reality and bring to the constitutional order for Europe that will regulate the rules Armenia, at SYN’s office in the Greek fore the historical social necessity of our period, of democracy, the rules that will govern the inevitable Parliament. approaches the great problems and demands of history and necessary frictions and conflicts between the communal and national authorities, between social 21.4.2003 SYN President N. Costantopoulos as a result of the big and small contradictions of today’s met with the Syrian ambassador Ms. Souat Al globalised capitalist reality; contradictions which, through groups and classes on a national and European level. Ayoubi. their dialectical juxtaposition, give birth to new Rules that will guarantee today’s democratic and social phenomena and new facts. achievements and enable democracy to widen and bring 03.05.2003 Second meeting on the European the citizens closer to the decision making centers. party of the left hosted by SYN in Athens 3. It is clear that the new phase of the globalized capitalism has not yet completed its more permanent 8. The forces of the left have the historical duty to 24-25.5.2003 Congress of Democratic Rally characteristics. However, there is plenty of evidence that contribute so that the great changes they promise and the party of Cyprus was attended by SYN PS proves that under the hegemony of the finance capital, socialist transformation of European society be realized member, Kostas Poulakis. unbridled expansionism and inter-action, the supremacy without the great upheavals of previous times, within the of the military and political establishment of the USA, context of constant defence and broadening of humanity has known and will come to know the greatest democracy and social justice. barbarity of its history. Second meeting 4. Europe the field in which the left forces choose to form a common strategy, common policies and a FOR A DIFFERENT common political subject, does not only have a particular On 3 May 2003 a second meeting of the same issue was historical interest. It constitutes a privileged area for the convened by the Initiative Group, with four new EUROPE Left so much because it contains an extremely rich participants: The Austrian CP, the Party of Italian political history and teachings as much as because Communists, the Left Front of Luxemburg and the Social movements meet and Europe, under conditions that only the Left forces can Portuguese CP. So in total 10 parties of the European Left promote and defend, can exist as an autonomous power, participate. demostrate in Thessaloniki can play a distinctive part in the world balance, a balance The meeting discussed the drafts of the political declaration and the rules and regulations that were of peace, democracy, development and cooperation that ...from the front page can question the capitalist one-way path and reconcile approved as a basis for the continuation of the countries and nations, man and nature. preparations towards the creation of the European Party On June 20, the first major public debate of the GSF will of the Left. The Initiative Group decided to continue the take place (09:30-12:00) on "Neoliberalist integration in 5. All the above mean that the Left does not conceive preparatory process and seek for further enlargement Europe and the response of the movements", to be Europe as a closed fortress. That the future of Europe is with the participation of more parties that are willing to followed by seminars and workshops on "Europe after the not the sole concern of the European capitalists and the participate and accept those documents as a basis. war", "Social Security Systems", "Women’s rights in the Central Bank or the conservative and socialdemocratic The participants in the process of the creation of a European Stability Act", "Removal of the US bases" etc. forces. It concerns the citizens, the working people, all European Left Party, on their next meeting will discuss In the afternoon, activities of civil disobedience will take the social classes that the neoliberal policies attack; it about the initiatives for common action on European place in Chalkidiki. concerns first and foremost the forces of the Left. matters and matters concerning the European citizens and about ways for the strengthening of the social Finally on June 21, in the morning (09:30-12:00) the The Left is the political and ideological current: movements. second major debate of the GSF will take place on "The ñ That opposes nationalism and national isolation permanent war and globalization", followed by a seminar ñ That seeks a new role for Europe in the world and puts Third meeting on the Balkans (12:00-14:30). The climax will be the forward the need for a new, democratic world order. International march starting at 17:00, followed by a ñ That fights against expansionism and the painful The process will take a step further with · 3rd meeting on concert (at 22:00). consequences caused by neoliberal globalisation 22 June 2003 in Thessaloniki on Sunday, 22 June 2003 ñ That struggles for a new, egalitarian relation between A variety of cultural events will take place every evening. in Thessaloniki. PAGE ñ 4

6 - 8 J u n e 2 0 0 3 You may contact NELF XXIV the youth of Synaspismos at the following address in Helsinki - Tallinn

53, Solomou he 24th meeting of the New European Left Forum is jointly organized by the Left Wing – & Third September Str. Alliance of Finland and the ESDLP of Estonia, in Helsinki and Tallinn on 6,7,8 June 104 32 Athens T 2003. The meeting will start in Helsinki on 6 June 2003 with an opening speech by Suvi- Anne Siimes, chairperson of the . The first item of the agenda is the European Convention, with a report Tel.: (+30) 210 523 1520 from Helmut Scholz of the PDS/Germany. In the afternoon the issue "Visions of co-operation: NELF, Trade Unions, NGOs and the European Social Forum" will be discussed, with introductions from Fax: (+30) 210 523 2224 Miriam Feilberg (SF/Denmark) and Jose Cordon (PCF/France). In the evening the delegates will board on a ship to Tallinn, where the session will continue with the E-address: www.neolaiasyn.gr following programme: Sat. 7 June 2003, 09:00, welcoming speech by Tiit Toomsalu, chairperson of the ESDLP, followed by a conference on "Women, Democracy and Peace", with introductions from Iivi E-mail: [email protected] Masso (researcher, Estonia/Finland) and Pauliina Murto-Lehtinen (European Women’s Lobby board member; Left Alliance). In the afternoon the NELF session will resume with discussion on the issue "The current situation in the Middle East/Iraq", introduced by SV and SYNASPISMOS. The closing session will be on Sunday, 8 June 2003 with decisions and resolutions and Visit as at: www.syn.gr organizational matters, including arrangements for the next NELF meeting.

WHAT IS SYNASPISMOS

SYNASPISMOS is a Party, which was founded in June 1992. by 0.06% (the barrier was 3% and it got 2.94% and 203.000 votes). Its name "Synaspismos" (Coalition) has been retained from its But in the September 1996 elections SYNASPISMOS returned to our previous structure, which was a coalition-formed in 1989-of Left and national parliament with strong presence, i.e. 5.11% of the vote and 10 progressive parties and groups. The transformation was decided in MPs. Previously the party won 6.3% (408.000 votes) and elected 2 1991, after the CP of Greece (KKE) split from the Coalition. members to the (Greece has 25 MEs). The Synaspismos identifies itself with the ideas and values of democratic socialism, ecology, feminism and anti-militarism. It In the June 1999 European Parliament elections SYNASPISMOS re- believes in pluralism and considers the defense of human rights non- elected its 2 MEPs with 5,2% of the vote. negotiable. The Party’s regular Congress is held every three years, electing a Finally, in the April 2000 elections for the National Parliament Central Political Committee (CPC). The CPC elects the Party President SYNASPISMOS lost ground and elected 6 MPs with 3,2% of the and a Political Secretariat. On major issues the party members decide vote. directly (e.g. the lists for national and European elections are composed through secret ballot among the members). Strong presence in local Government The Party is closely related with the Left Youth League (EAN). According to the October 2002 Prefectural and Municipal elections Parliamentary representation SYN is the third party in terms of representation in local government. In addition, Synaspismos has a strong presence in the social field Since its foundation the SYN has contested five general elections, three as well. It has high level representation in all major trade unions and for the national Parliament and two for the European Parliament. In social movements - feminist organisations, environmental October 1993 it failed to win representation in the National Parliament movements, antiracist societies, drug-fighting groups and all NGOs.

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