Statement of the Assembly of the Social Movements, World Social Forum, Venezuela, January 29th 2006 (section on war)
The WSF as a body remains unable to take common action. But the meeting in Caracas showed a clear polarisation expressed best by the spectacular speech of Chavez. He called for the formation of an Anti-imperialist Front, warned of the descent of the WSF into folklore and pressed for a concrete plan of action. This is what could be hammered out by the left wing of the WSF. While the Iraqi resistance remains unmentioned it is at least no step back:
March 18th: International day of mobilisation against the occupation of Iraq.
Against the war and occupations. No more wars. Peace is the only solution.
* We demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq and an end to the privatisation of energy resources.
* We oppose all occupations by foreign troops and demand an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. We call for the creation of an independant Palestinian state.
* We oppose intervention in Syria, Iran and Latin American countries, for example Plan Colombia and the presence of foreign military bases. We also oppose the use of economic blockades as a weapon of war, as used for example against Cuba.
* We call for the the elimination of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.
* We demand respect for human rights, civil liberties and an end to torture, kidnappings and illegal detentions including secret prisons.
* We call for participation in the Cairo Conference in Egypt on the 23 to the 26th March against US hegemonyand the occupation of Iraq.
* We call to everyone to mobilise on March 18th 2006 for a day of global protest against the occupation of Iraq as part of the campaign to get the troops out.
