Nearly four weeks after the attacks on WTC towers and Pentagon, US and British planes attacked Kabul, Kandhar and Jalalabad in Afghanistan. They are pouring death and destruction from the skies over the hapless Afghans ostensibly to avenge the blows of death from the skies on September 11. Hundreds have died and lakhs have been forced to leave their hearths and homes due to this "counter-terror" unleashed by US imperialism. Prior to launching these attacks, US and British forces stationed themselves in Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Oman and other Gulf states. This is the beginning of the “New War” declared by the US President against the whole world i.e. whosoever dare to defy the US dictates over their war against “global terrorism.”

Attacks on WTC Towers

September 11 attacks on WTC towers were condemnable and condemned by the people and the Govts. the world over. There was no justification, nor could there be any, in targeting civilians for the injustice done by the Govt. of a country. Thousands of workers, clerks, janitors, office staff, housekeeping and maintenance staff were brought down to earth in concrete coffins through the aircraft missiles used by the attackers. One could not help feeling the tremendous human tragedy as the towers came tumbling down along with thousands of the people encapsulated therein. CPI(ML) forthrightly condemned these attacks, expressing condolences to the members of the families, relatives and friends of those who perished in the attacks.

These attacks and the loss of civilian lives in them were bound to generate sorrow and anger. This was sure to be channelized by the US rulers to channelize it into attacks on other countries and peoples. But one hoped that, in these moments, US people would take a deeper and harder look at the policies pursued by their rulers against the poor and deprived of the world, how they were abusing their power to impose their will on different countries by military and economic means. One hoped that injustice and terror perpetrated by their Govt. abroad would also force itself into their reckoning. Justice too is indivisible.

Terrorist attacks motivated by attacking the noncombatants i.e. the civilians, for the acts of the combatants, are isolated acts cut off from the people on whose behalf these acts are done. In this light the attacks of September 11 were definitely terrorist acts which had involved prior planning. However, the US rulers themselves have been the worst perpetrators of such attacks the world over. Even not going to the death and mayhem in the earlier period, they have hardly discriminated between military and civilian targets even in the post-Second World War period. Atom Bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, carpet bombing over Vietnam, Kampuchea and Laos, the live telecasted aerial bombings over Iraq and continued economic blockade of that country killing over 5 lakh children for want of medicines alone, wiping out of most of the pharmaceutical industry of Sudan, bombings of Serbia and Bosnia- all targeted civilian targets and civilian population. US imperialists, like the colonial conquerors earlier, have held the whole people in contempt and unleashed a reign of terror to impose their rule and will. Added to this are inhuman crimes of US rulers against revolutionary forces in Latin American countries, Philippines, Korea and other countries from training of death squads to specialized terror missions against the people to drain off the support of revolutionaries. No record of US conspiracies against the revolutionary movements can omit their engineering the worst butchering of communists and their sympathizers in 1965-'67 in which over a million and a half were massacred by the Indonesian Army under the supervision of CIA. US support to the military dictators was eloquently summed up by the then US President Eisenhower who commented about Gen. Magasaysay of Philippines that “I know he is the son of a bitch, but he is our son of a bitch.”

Their support to inhuman brutalities by Israel against Palestinian unarmed civilian people runs in the face of all their tall claims of civilized behaviour. During the Gulf War they promised to take steps to solve the Palestinian problem to give an excuse to the Arab rulers to line behind USA. After the war they imposed Oslo Accords on an unwilling Palestinian leadership. And now even that Accord is lying in shambles with Israel crushing it under military boots and the US saints preaching further talks rather than demanding that Israel implement the Accord. The list of crimes of US rulers against the people of the world is indeed very long. The main point is that the US rulers have never differentiated between military and civilian targets.

US imperialism, besides raining terror on the people of different countries, has never hesitated to use and train even private terror gangs against their opponents, revolutionary forces in particular. Their training of death squads in El Salvador, private gangs in Columbia and a host of other countries, including Afghanistan, in the past is an eloquent testimony of the utter hypocrisy of the assumed moral high ground by US imperialists.

The attackers chose the trade and military centres of US, the superpower used to lording over the world, attacking without fear of retaliation. The pride of the superpower was wounded beyond the huge loss of human lives, and it showed in their response.

On the evening of “America Under Attack”, US President announced his “New War” against “Global Terrorism”. With the arrogance of the sole superpower and with utter disregard for the lesser mortals inhabiting this planet, he declared that everybody has to chose whether they are with terrorism or America. One hopes he himself has made the choice given the track record of US Admn. as the main sponsor and perpetrator of terrorist attacks both in terms of such attacks by their armed forces as well as for sponsoring the terrorist groups.

The next day, even when the enquiry into the New York attacks had hardly commenced, US Admn. identified Afghanistan based Saudi fugitive Osama Bin Laden as the prime suspect and demanded that the Govt. of Afghanistan hand him over to USA and destroy all camps of his outfit- Al Qaeda. No evidence of the involvement of Osama bin Laden or his organization was shown to the Govt. of Afghanistan, or for that matter, to any other Govt.; not even those which had declared their support for the US war, nor any such need was felt. In Bushspeak, their word is the law.

US attack a part of long term strategy

It appears that the present attack on Afghanistan is part of a well-thought out strategy or at least a “developing conspiracy” on the part of the US rulers to station their troops in the region. It appears that September 11 attacks are being used to implement that strategy. The aim of this strategy is to control Central Asia and increase their influence in South Asia. Controlling Central Asia is important for not only oil and other natural resources, it is also important for them to push back Russian influence from South as their eastward extension of NATO is meant to push back Russian influence from the West. US control of Central Asia will insulate Russia from Middle-East, which has for long been a very vital region for US and western imperialist powers. No less important is its strategic importance in containing China. US military presence in Afghanistan will bring them in direct contact with China, particularly her restive national minorities. One should view US actions not as those of any other imperialist power but as a hegemonic trying to control all regions of the world and encircling all foes- present and potential ones. President Bush has enunciated a new doctrine that US has a right not only to "punish" those guilty of terrorism but has also the right to attack countries harbouring terrorism which can be any country so designated by them. And for this even no international tribunal or institution is necessary, what is required is for US to demand and the concerned country has to comply. Obviously this places no similar obligation on US and its friends.

For a long time Afghanistan, situated at the strategic centre of many important regions of the world, has been coveted by the US imperialists (and before them by British colonial rulers in India). It has long been the balancing region against the possible Russian advance towards the south. US strategy, in its global interests, since long had been not to let Russians dominate Afghanistan. When Russians captured Afghanistan, CIA, Britain’s M16 and Pakistan’s ISI collaborated to recruit radical Muslims to fight against Russians in Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden, belonging to a rich Yemeni family with strong ties to Saudi royal family, was one such recruit working as a leader of Saudi jehadis in Afghanistan.

With the break-up of the Soviet Union with its resultant loss of superpower status and coming into existence of independent Central Asian republics, US strategy towards Afghanistan changed. They were no longer satisfied with a ‘neutral' Afghanistan to contain Russian advance but aspired to use it as a base for controlling Central Asia and in that Pakistan’s Army played a vital role. This was the main reason why US did not even condemn Army coup in Pakistan despite its lofty proclamations in favour of ‘democracy’.

The US strategy was executed through training of Islamic militants from Madarsas in Pakistan with Saudi funds and Pakistani Army’s supervision. Talibaan (Students) swept through most of Afghanistan on the strength of this trinity- US, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Swift victory of Talibaan in most parts of Afghanistan also reflected the urge of Afghan people for a unification of their country under a single rule which the groups that had fought against the Russian occupation forces were unable to deliver. Pakistan Army and Talibaan were utilized for spreading fundamentalist fervour in Central Asian republics to sweep away regimes there which had their strong links with Russia. The deposed Govt. of Rabbani and Masood, forced northward (now represented by Northern Alliance) was forced to depend on Russia and its friends.

The US imperialist interests and those of Talibaan were to come into clash eventually as US sought to control the region directly. It is for this purpose that US wanted to station its troops there and they needed an excuse for this. One should not forget that Gulf War had ended 10 years back but the US troops are still stationed in Gulf countries. As a popular saying goes they may come on your wish but they leave on their own wish.

Further, US designs can be known from the US President's statement that the “New War” would be a long one and the attack on Afghanistan is only the first stage of this war. It is clear that US imperialism is envisaging a series of wars aimed at different third world countries. One cannot help noticing that economies of imperialist countries have been going through stagnation and recession. Probably this oxygen of a long war will be to infuse new life into their economies.

Anyhow, in the aftermath of September 11 attacks, while airlines owners have been given a bailout package of $15 billion, over 1 lakh workers have been fired by the different airlines. The imperialist bourgeoisie has not forgotten to whip workers at a time which they themselves call a "national crisis."

Russians too Step in through Northern Alliance

With US and British attacking Afghanistan, Russia, the imperialist power having direct military presence and stakes in the region, is seeking to utilize the present situation. They have offered to help the US "new war" against terrorism but in the form of extending greater help to Northern Alliance, a group consisting of Uzbeks, Tazhiks and other smaller ethnic groups inhabiting northern part of Afghanistan. Russians have since long been militarily supporting the Northern Alliance. Now they have stepped up their support to Northern Alliance. There are reports of the Russian troops fighting among the ranks of Northern Alliance. Northern Alliance has, since long, been fighting against US supported forces, but is now supporting the same US. This shows that it is not a true representative of the national interests of the people of Afghanistan or any nationality thereof. Though they are still not liked by US Admn. they are egging on US to launch vigorous attacks against Talibaan. While it may serve their short term goal of establishing their power over a part of Afghanistan including Kabul, they are oblivious of the dangers of US military presence in the region.

US and its allies-Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, do not wish to support Northern Alliance. They are talking of a broad-based Govt. including the moderates in Talibaan with ex-King Zahir Shah as the titular head. Zahir Shah is being resurrected from the Italian museum as US is wary that defeat of Talibaan will facilitate Northern Alliance capturing power in Kabul. US worries beyond 'punishing'  Talibaan for harbouring Osama Ben Laden about the future setup of Afghanistan, amply proves that they have come to Afghanistan to accomplish a greater strategic objective in the region.

While US-Britain and Russia play their games in the region, imperialist powers in Europe are wary of joining the US war efforts. They have contented themselves with extending support to the US 'new war" even as the people in their countries are increasingly feeling against this war.

US war against Afghanistan has exposed the revisionist rulers of China. They have lent support to US war in Afghanistan only putting a rider that it should have "specific targets." They have thrown overboard the rights of countries and are collaborating with western imperialist powers. A similar role was played by Chinese Govt. in Gulf War against Iraq. Govts. of third world countries are also lending support to US war even while people in these countries oppose US hegemonistic attack against a third world country.

Afghan people have a right to defend themselves

US war against Afghanistan is an expression of the sharpening contradiction between imperialism and third world countries. US has no justification to attack Afghanistan and to ride roughshod over international law and institutions, while Afghan people have a legitimate right to defend themselves against the US led attacks on their country.

US attacks on Afghanistan will be resisted by the valiant Afghan people. They have a long history of successfully fighting against foreign domination and invasion. Soviet social-imperialists had learnt their bitter lesson in Afghanistan and US too will learn its lesson, a lesson they had been earlier taught in Vietnam but have apparently forgotten. People and not the weapons are the determining force in the march of history. It is not a question of Talibaan or even Osama Bin Laden but of the Afghan people who have a right to choose their rulers, even the bad ones and no outside force has a right to dictate to them on this score.

There is no doubt that Talibaan had been implementing a reactionary agenda and imposing retrograde policies on the people, particularly on women. Their demolition of the over two millennium old Buddha statues were also condemned by the world people. We cannot but oppose such policies. However it is for the people of Afghanistan to fight against such policies and throw out such rulers. American imperialists have no business to attack that country. Any way US has been the main supporter of such forces throughout the world which prevent the people from challenging the imperialist system and advancing towards progressive society. Religious fundamentalists of all hues have since long been utilized by the imperialists and reactionary forces against the progressive forces and the people.

Indian Govt. conspiring to make India a part of US War

Ever since September 11 attacks in New York, BJP led NDA Govt. has tried to make India a part of US war efforts. They offered America the use of bases and other facilities for its war against Afghanistan. They tried to outdo their neighbour- Pakistan. On the other hand Pakistani military rulers too accepted US demands for use of their airspace, military bases and other military facilities. A contention of sorts between rulers of India and Pakistan was on to please the US Admn.

Indian Govt. has tried to link the terrorist attacks in New York with the 'terrorism' in Kashmir. They are trying to project that struggle of the people of Kashmir is linked to Talibaan and Osama Bin Laden and hence it should be part of the targets of the "New War" against "Global Terrorism". Thus they have tried to mobilize US support on the issue of Kashmir.  But the US has cold shouldered this posture of the Indian Govt. The geographical situation of Pakistan and widespread interests of USA in Pakistan are responsible for US ignoring the pleadings of Indian Govt. Eventually Indian Foreign Minister had to say publicly that Indian Govt. does not want to increase the difficulties of Pakistan Govt. at "this critical juncture."

Indian Govt. has been pushing its case to be made a party to the decision on the post-Talibaan political arrangement in Afghanistan. They had demanded earlier as well to be made a party to the six plus two meeting on Afghanistan which was vetoed by Pakistan. In fact, Indian Govt. has been supporting Northern Alliance militarily and by other means for quite some time along with Russia and some other countries. Now in the aftermath of US led war against Afghanistan, Indian Govt. has renewed its demand for having a say in the affairs of Afghanistan.

The attempts of the Indian Govt. to tie India to the chariot wheel of US global strategy and make the country a part of US war was widely opposed in the country. CPI(ML) and other communist revolutionary organizations condemned these attempts of the Govt. Parliamentary opposition parties opposed Indian Govt.'s offer of bases and facilities to USA. Parliamentary opposition has confined its opposition to keeping India out of this war. They have failed to take note of the serious implications of the presence of US army in the region and have failed to condemn this.

Despite widespread opposition to dragging India into this US led war, Indian Govt. has given refuelling facility to US war planes at different airports in India. This has been widely condemned in India.

Though having failed in their endeavour to enlist the support of US Admn. on Kashmir in the wake of WTC attack, the Indian Govt. remains undeterred from utilization of this "new war" against "global terrorism" for domestic purposes. They are trying to communalize the opposition to war and seeking to use this to crush the democratic rights of the people of the country. In the name of combating "terrorism" they have projected the whole Muslim community as linked to terrorism. By communalizing the opposition to war, they are trying to divide the growing opposition to US led war against Afghanistan and thus to support the US led war against Afghanistan. Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) was banned for two years and this ban too was projected as imposed due to their links with Talibaan and Osama Bin Laden. Thus they sought to make this ban a part of US war against "global terrorism."

Indian Govt. is conspiring to crush the democratic rights of the people in the name of combating terrorism. For a long time BJP govt. has been conspiring to amass greater powers in order to crush growing struggles of the people through a legislation ostensibly meant to prevent terrorism. Last year it had prepared the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2000. It was widely opposed in the country. Even the Chief Ministers belonging to the parliamentary opposition parties opposed it and the BJP Govt. had to abandon the exercise for the time being. Various notorious provisions of the Bill were incorporated in the state acts. In the present situation the Govt. is again trying to bring the Anti-terrorism Bill and the Union Home Minister had indicated that the same may be done through an Ordinance. Such acts, besides providing horrendous powers to the state machinery against the common citizens, give immunity to the repressive organs from any enquiry or action. One can see their conduct in Kashmir where firing even on a protest against power shutdown is an act of combating terrorism! Or where refusal to give diesel or petrol to military vehicles is a terrorist act! When the Govt. extends the definition, the machinery extends it further to bring virtually everybody under the purview.

World People protest against US attacks

US attacks on Afghanistan have led to world wide anger and protests. These protests are sharpest in third world countries, particularly Muslim and Arab countries. There have been big and continuous demonstrations against this attack in Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia. A number of Arab countries are witnessing large-scale protests against US attacks.

Pakistani people are protesting against support extended by Pakistani Govt. to US attack on Afghanistan. Militant protests have been held in Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi and other towns in which tens of lakhs of people have participated and clashed with the police. It is apparent that decision of Pakistan's military regime runs counter to the opinion of Pakistani people. Over 15 people died in a Bangladesh Rally against US attack on Afghanistan.

In Africa, protests against US war are growing rapidly. Protest demonstrations have been held in South Africa. In Nigeria nearly 200 people have been reported killed in anti-war demonstrations. Protests are being held in other countries too.

In the western countries too people are against US attack on Afghanistan. Protest demonstrations are continuing in European cities including London. Over 20,000 participated in a London rally where a call was given to fight US/UK imperialism and to oppose the war. A large number of people carried placards saying that "It is not my war." A number of MPs in Britain have dissented with the decision of the British Govt. to attack Afghanistan.

In Berlin (Germany) over 30,000 people protested against the attack on Afghanistan and demanded that war be stopped. Revolutionary communists are also participating in these anti-war demonstrations. In Australia, many anti-war demonstrations have been organized in which a good number of people have participated.

American people too are coming out in protest against the US attacks. Soon after September 11 attacks on WTC a large demonstration took place in New York against treating Arabs and Muslims as enemies and against war preparations. A large anti-war demonstration was again held in New York on September 29. On the day of commencement of US attack over 700 Americans demonstrated against the war.

Protests in India

On the call of the Central Committee of CPI(ML)-New Democracy, protest demonstrations were held at major centres on September 21, 2001. Party activists demonstrated at Delhi, Allahabad and Hyderabad against US war efforts and conspiracy of BJP Govt. to make India a part of US war efforts.

In AP large-scale protest demonstrations were held against US war efforts through organizing rallies, demonstrations, public meetings and burning the effigies of US president. In Vishakhapatnam, Vijainagram, Bobilli, Nellimarla, Nellore and Ongole such programmes were taken up. At eight centres in East Godavari and seven centres in West Godavari demonstrations were held.  Rallies were held in Nizamabad, Nobipet and Armour in Nizamabad district, in Warangal and Mehboobabad in Warangal district, in Laxtipet and Mancherial in Adilabad district, at Godavari Khani in Karimnagar district  and at several centres in Nalgonda, Khammam and  Mehboobnagar districts.

In Patna, Party organized a large demonstration on September 29, 2001 against US war efforts in which over 2000 people participated. The demonstrators were addressed by Com. Umadhar Singh, MLA and Com. V.K. Patole, IFTU NC secretary.

In Kolkata, eight organizations including our Party held a demonstration on September 24, 2001 from Subodh Mullick Chowk to US Information Centre where a meeting was held and an effigy of US President was burnt. Rallyists condemned the Indian Govt. for trying to involve India in the US war.

In Mumbai a protest demonstration was held on September 28 outside Dadar station where demonstrators raised slogans against US war efforts and appealed to forge unity of the people of all communities against US aggressive designs.

After the US-British air strikes on Afghanistan a joint convention was held in Deshbhagat Hall at Jalandhar. On the initiative of Punjab PC of CPI(ML)-New Democracy, six organizations including AIPRF, Lok Sangram Manch, Lok Sangram Morcha, CPI(ML)-Liberation, Inquilabi Ekta Kendra organized this Convention. Besides the organizers, representatives of Darshan Dushanj Vichar Manch and an organization of Nepalis in India too participated. After the Convention, a demonstration of over 800 people was taken out from Deshbhagat Yadgar Hall to DC office against the war. This joint effort has called for state-wide protests against US attack on Afghanistan from October 26 to November 8, 2001.

On October 10, a demonstration to denounce the US attack was held in Delhi at Jantar Mantar. Demonstrations, rallies and other protest actions are continuing throughout the country. Our Party is taking initiative in different states to organize joint programmes against the war.

CPI(ML)-New Democracy organized a procession on October 10 at Vijaywada in AP against  US war on Afghanistan in which over 1000 party activists  gathered  from  various places like Prakasam, Nellore, Guntur, Krishna and West Godavari districts. Party activists shouted slogans against USA terrorism, "STOP THE WAR" "Down with American  Imperialism",  "WAR IS NOT THE WAY." After the rally a public meeting was organized which was addressed by CCM of CPI(ML) Com. M. Narayana Swamy and other leaders including Coms. Brahmaiah, Chithipati, Rama and T.Sudhakar.

On October 10, a joint platform, Jan Abhiyan, held a day long Dharna at Patna Station crossing against US led war against Afghanistan. Over 500 people participated in this Dharna. Coms. Prakash Das, A.P. Singh, Shankar Singh, Arjun Prasad Singh, Arvind Sinha and others addressed the demonstrators

Besides our Party, several other parties and organizations are taking up programmes against the war. CPM, CPI, FB and RSP have organized protests against US bombing of Afghanistan on October 12. AIPRF activists in Delhi were arrested by police while distributing anti-war leaflets while Liberation too organized demonstrations against war.

Some other opposition parties too have condemned the US bombing but have as yet not held public programmes. There is growing anti-US war mood in the country in line with glorious anti-imperialist traditions of Indian people despite crude and despicable attempts by the ruling BJP-RSS combine to communalize the opposition to war.