04) OMINOUS EVENTS IN KIEV

 

People's Voice Editorial

 

            The latest so-called "colour revolution" has led to a coup against the elected government of Ukraine. This development brings new dangers for Ukraine and for the entire region.

 

            The circumstances of the coup are not identical to the imperialist attempts to overthrow the governments of Syria or Venezuela. As the Ukrainian communists have made clear, the ousted President Yanukovych and his party represent the interests of one section of the oligarchic clans in that country, associated with anti-working class policies and corruption.

 

            But there are serious reasons to fear the outcome of the struggle which has rocked Kiev and other cities in recent months. One is the open participation within the "opposition" forces by a wide range of fascist, racist, and even pro-Nazi movements. Aligning with the "nationalist" groupings which occupied the Maidan square in Kiev, these elements included violent thugs who battled the government's police and soldiers. The fascist groups will help to provide stormtroopers for the new regime's attacks on the working class of Ukraine.

 

            While some in Ukraine may believe that a tilt towards the European Union will bring economic prosperity, other countries have gone through a very different experience. Membership in the EU has not meant privileges for the workers of Greece, Portugal, Italy or Spain. Through this entire region, EU-imposed austerity cuts have resulted in skyrocketing unemployment, lower wages, and the gutting of public services. Any "bailout" from the EU will come with the same strings attached, wiping out Ukrainian sovereignty.

 

            Not least, a new pro-western government in Kiev will strengthen the US-led NATO war alliance, and increase military tensions in eastern Europe.

 

            Make no mistake. The "revolution" in Kiev aims at crushing the Ukrainian working class, selling out the country to European capital, and tightening the imperialist noose around Russia. None of this is any reason for working people to celebrate.

 

(The above article is from the March 1-15, 2014, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)