National sovereignty and independence is a central issue of our times.
Capitalism, in view of the worsening of its insurmountable contradictions, launches itself in a wide offensive against the historical achievements of the workers, the sovereignty of the peoples and the independence of the State.
Without resorting to oppression and subversion of democracy, national sovereignty and independence, imperialism, capitalism in its monopolist phase, could not impose its political and economic domination and ensure exploitation, likewise, without the full exercise of sovereignty and safeguard of national independence it will not be possible for the workers and peoples to cut loose the instruments of imperialist exploitation and oppression and carry out real processes of social and revolutionary changes.
With its trail of atrocities and destruction, by means of declared or veiled wars, State terrorism, murder and torture, interference and conspiracy, blockades and economic and political boycott, imperialism seeks to impose its will on the workers and peoples and, if possible, prevent their emancipation and sovereign development.
By trying to benefit from the current balance of forces, imperialism undertakes a real re-colonizing escalade, which is accompanied by a complete subversion of the UN Charter, which, following the defeat of Nazi-Fascism, set down the principles that rule the relations among States.
An agenda of interference and war that the United States, NATO and the European Union carry out holds the risk of an even greater escalade of military confrontations.
In solidarity with the peoples who struggle, we strongly condemn all types of imperialist interferences, aggressions and wars, like the one launched against Syria, as well as the actions of provocation, threats and destabilizations that imperialism has long been developing against Iran.
The attack against national sovereignty and independence is equally at the heart of capitalist integration processes, like the European Union - an imperialist bloc, led by the major powers and its monopolist groups, who by promoting the economic dependence of the States on its “periphery”, consequently, alienate their sovereignty and independence, sentencing peoples and countries to an intolerable tutelage and underdevelopment.
Faced with imperialism’s attempts, the workers and peoples are not doomed to submission.
The class struggle has sharpened and broadened, with the communists being mainly responsible in strengthening and deepening the united and mass nature of the struggles around concrete claims, boosting the consolidation of broad alliances that widen the social and political front opposing imperialism.
An important process of realignment of forces which, not exempt from contradictions, objectively questions imperialism’s domination, and can open the prospect of a necessary shift in the balance of forces at world level, if the struggle of the workers and popular masses come to strengthen; the international communist and revolutionary movement strengthens; and, in relation with it, the anti-imperialist Front; if national processes that have as goal progressive, anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist changes advance, and the processes of building socialism are confirmed and deepen.
At this point we have to stress the advances on the patriotic and progressive paths achieved by several Latin American countries, holding meaningful anti-imperialist content and positions.
The history of struggle of the movements of the working class, workers’ and peoples is rich in examples that prove the inseparable relation between the class issue and the national issue in achieving their emancipation.
It is by affirmation and full exercise of the national sovereignty that it is possible to reject foreign impositions and constraints and safeguard democracy, that is, the sovereign right of every people to decide their present and future, to determine in a free and autonomous way their economic policies, guarantee the use and development of the productive potential of every country, carry out a policy of peace, cooperation, solidary with all the peoples who fight for their liberation.
“A nation cannot be free if it oppresses other nations”. The struggle of a nation against imperialist domination and for national sovereignty is the struggle for the acknowledgement of all nations to self-determination and independence.
The Portuguese Armed Forces and the national territory have to stop being used for aggressions against other peoples.
As we have stated, NATO’s dissolution is the crucial goal for the affirmation of national sovereignty and world peace. The goal that should be articulated with the process of Portugal´s dissociation from its military and political structures, in the context of the inalienable right of the Portuguese people to decide leaving this political and military bloc.
In face of imperialism, the struggle for the defence of national sovereignty and independence is an expression of the class struggle, holding an unavoidable internationalist and anti-imperialist content and making clear the importance of the national boundary as a decisive ground of resistance and progressive and revolutionary change.
The communist movement and the progressive and revolutionary forces, the anti-imperialist front have suffered a severe setback that delays, but t does not jeopardize, the process of social and national emancipation.
Historical experience shows that the struggle of the workers and peoples can hold back capitalism’s more aggressive, exploitative and aggressive thrusts, can achieve important gains and impose profound progressive changes.
Sovereignty and national independence are a condition to safeguard democracy; a condition for economic and social development to materialize
the aspirations of the peoples; a condition for a solidary relationship of peace among the peoples of the world; a condition to end the exploitation of man by man; to build and achieve socialism.
To the Portuguese communists, to be a patriot, defend sovereignty and national independence and the inalienable right of the Portuguese people to decide their own fate, is also to be solidary with the workers and peoples of the world in their struggle for their just rights and aspirations.
Aware that their first reason to be is their tasks and commitments to the Portuguese workers and people, PCP believes that these tasks and commitment are not only complementary and inseparable from their international responsibilities, but also the greatest contribution they can give for the advancement of the struggle for liberation by the workers and peoples.
As comrade Alvaro Cunhal has stated, “this is the understanding of the PCP, the party of the working class, the party of the Portuguese people and nation, a party of the universal cause of man’s liberation, a patriotic and internationalist party.”
Long live internationalist solidarity!
Long live the XIX Congress!
Long live the Portuguese Communist Party!