Recession is communists' tool for revival.

RECESSION is the new political weapon in the hands of the communists.

Lambasting the US and its banks for triggering the global economic crisis that has rendered about six crore people unemployed, the first international communists congress in Asia, held in the Capital on Sunday, resolved to use this situation for political mileage and re- establish the importance of socialism in the modern world.

Delegates from 48 countries representing 87 parties endorsed the ' Delhi Declaration', which proclaims a united communist determination to fight against " capitalist and imperialist forces" all across the globe. The conference is jointly organised by the CPM and the CPI. CPM general secretary Prakash Karat said: " We will involve all those who have been rendered jobless, homeless and hungry in our agitation and re- establish socialism as the only way forward for the human race." Karat said India was spared the grim impact that the US and the Western economies faced only because of the strong agitation by the Left during the UPA's first term. " We stonewalled foreign direct investment in the financial and insurance sectors for five years. It is our efforts that protected the Indian economy and saved lakhs from unemployment, poverty and hunger," he said.

Quoting World Bank figures on unemployment and poverty, Karat said the pro- big business inclination of the US government had rendered six crore people jobless, while the number of people below poverty line would increase to nine crore by the end of next year. " It is only the Left that fights such forces and ensures the welfare of the oppressed," he said.

CPI general secretary A. B. Bardhan pointed to the bonhomie on the stage, which included delegates from sworn rivals like the US and Cuba, Israel and Palestine, India, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

" What unites all of us is the common cause.

And anywhere in the world where there is an agitation for the poor and the oppressed, irrespective of who else is there, the Left will be present," he said.

In a gesture of solidarity, the US and Cuban delegates hugged each other, as did the Israeli and Palestinian delegates. The congress, in a six- point agenda, resolved to mark November 29 as solidarity with the Palestinian struggle and fight against NATO's global expansion among other issues.

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