USA

Victory for Cuba

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) welcomes the agreement between the governments of Cuba and the United States to take steps to normalize relations between the two countries. The release of the three remaining “Cuban Five” who were jailed in the US on false charges of espionage and the decision to renew diplomatic relations are a victory for the Cuban people and government who have faced more than five decades of efforts by the United States to isolate it.

Polit Bureau Communiqué

The Polit Bureau took serious note of the fact that the United States has sought to pressurize India on the Indian Patent law and Intellectual Property Rights policy. It also sought the dilution of the civil nuclear liability law of the country. Both these are reflected in the joint statement issued by Prime Minister Modi and President Obama. The joint statement announced the decision to set up an Intellectual Property Working Group. The US pharmaceutical companies have been demanding that India dilute its present patent regime which has utilised the flexibilities provided in the TRIPS agreement. It is this which helps to keep drug prices low for the people in India.

No Collaboration

It is clear the Government of India itself is a collaborating partner in the global spy network of the US, which undermines the sovereignty of India. The CPI(M) deplores this action of the government.The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands that the Manmohan Singh government forthwith stop collaborating with the United States in its snooping on Indian citizens and close down the electronic surveillance facilities provided to it in India.

Flagrant Violation of International Law

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the action take by the governments of France, Portugal, Spain and Italy in denying permission for the plane carrying President Evo Morales of Boliva through their airspace. This act is a flagrant violation of international law and an illegal act against the President of a sovereign country. The United Nations should come out against this lawless action.