After a meeting on September 24th , the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Brazil has issued the following statement regarding the development of the international situation.

USA THREATENS PEOPLES WITH INFINITE HORROR

1 - The attacks on New York and Washington on September, 11th have deservedly been reproved by our Party as well as by the unanimous opinion of the democratic and progressive forces all over the world and these events are making important changes in the world scenario. Humanity is undergoing tense days and being confronted with threats that, should they be accomplished, would result in a huge catastrophe with ominous consequences. The international situation, which presents serious economic, social and geopolitical contradictions, was intensely aggravated during the last days. The USA imperialism has proclaimed "the first war of the 21st century", which will be, according to President George W. Bush, "long and dirty", "a lengthy campaign, unlike any other" and will imply the use of "every necessary weapon of war". These are serious threats to the world peace, to democracy and to the safety of peoples and nations. They should not be underestimated for they will influence the progress of the international situation for a long time. The United States is preparing the infinite horror to the peoples.

2 - The American military forces, the most colossal incubator of international terrorist acts of all times, responsible for wars of aggression and for the massacre of many peoples, are coming from many parts of the world to gather in Central Asia, preparing itself for a massive attack on Afghanistan, a defenseless and exhausted country, on the pretext of hunting down the suspect for the attack on the USA without presenting evidences nor even clear clues. The consequences of an American military campaign are incalculable since it is aimed at long-term expansionist objectives. The attack on Afghanistan will be the first step of a strategy on which the USA president will target on many countries and peoples at the same time. On an address full of threats, he promised to "pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism", amounting to 60 countries according to the American intelligence agencies. The president of the superpower defies the world to make a decision: "either you are with us or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime." The evaluation is arbitrary and the term "terrorist" sounds imprecise and diffuse among the president's words. We should not be mistaken. The "terrorist" "network" or "system" that is being considered the enemy to be fought will include peoples and countries that struggle against the imperialist globalization, that resist neocolonialism and that make legitimate efforts towards true democracy, national independence and social progress.

3 - The USA imperialism have faced many defeats during international forums and is now trying to take advantage of the situation created by the attacks on September, 11th - which are surely condemnable - and of the just and sincere feelings of commiseration of the international community with intent to delineate a new system of alliances under its unquestionable domain. This system is characterized as a pact of war, which is an imposed pact since it is applied by means of an economic, commercial and financial blockade or by means of military interventions. By demanding a choice between the USA or the "terrorists", between supporting their war acts and being considered enemies, George W. Bush leads the world to an impasse, ignores norms of international relations, establishes a new code of relations among countries and definitely tears apart the United Nations Charter.

4 - The Communist Party of Brazil, in consonance with the other democratic and patriotic national forces, believes that our country has measures to take regarding the necessary relations with the USA and within the realm of OAS, aiming at struggling against acts such as the attacks on September, 11th . Such measures must obligingly respect the sovereignty of nations and be supported by the United Nations and by the norms of international relations in effect. A nation or a group of nations must not be punished due to terrorist attacks committed by isolated groups. Brazil traditionally makes use of non-interventionist and pacifist diplomacy. This must remain the standard procedure of governmental action in this matter. Therefore it is inadequate and unreasonable to invoke the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (ITRA), since the attacks on the USA do not constitute an attack of any foreign State on the country. The involvement of Brazilian military must not be accepted under any circumstances. Involving our country in war campaigns on behalf of external interests would be disastrous.

5 - By making moves towards war, the USA imperialism has proclaimed the "brand new world order", which implies the intensification of their hegemonic plans. Due to this new situation, the struggle for PEACE is paramount to the political action of communists and other progressive forces in our country. This struggle is closely related to the fight against the United States' attempts at controlling the world and against the neocolonialist threat. It involves the defense of our degraded sovereignty, democracy and the rights of the Brazilian people.

SAY NO TO THE IMPERIALIST WAR. PEACE AND JUSTICE FOR THE PEOPLES!

SAY NO TO THE INTERVENTIONS OF THE USA!

FOR THE SOVEREIGNTY AND INDEPENDENCY OF NATIONS!

FOR AN INDEPENDENT BRAZILIAN EXTERNAL POLICY!

São Paulo, September 24th , 2001

Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Brazil.

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