South Asia conference planned for December
By Shoaib Bhatti
The Asia Pacific Solidarity Conference opened a new chapter of combined strategies and struggles against capitalist attacks. The resolutions on the need for independence in Tahiti, East Timor and other countries in the region, and against the Suharto dictatorship in Indonesia, were of particular importance.
The conference coincided with economic crises in most Asian countries, accentuated by the terms and conditions imposed by the IMF and World Bank, which have further intensified inflation, unemployment and public service cuts.
Because of this, the political and economic situation is changing very rapidly. Along with the deepening problems, the workers' movements are gathering momentum. But in order to lead the present workers' movements to success, there is a need for not only international solidarity, but also international leadership.
There is an urgent need for a combined line of action against capitalist attacks. This conference was very important in this regard, because it provided a chance for progressive organisations and left parties in the region to share experiences and strategies.
During the conference, delegates from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka decided to hold a south Asia conference in December, in Lahore, Pakistan.
About 22% of the world's population live in south Asia, of which more than 40% live below the poverty line. The south Asian countries are rich in agriculture and in natural resources, but they share less than 1.3% of the world economy. Because of poverty, unemployment and a lack of basic public services, these countries are clear examples of the failure of the capitalist system.
The December conference will attempt to adopt combined strategies against the IMF's and World Bank's policies of privatisation and "free trade". It aims to further strengthen the workers' movements against capitalist attacks.
[Shoaib Bhatti is chairperson of the Labour Party of Pakistan.]