Of course there are some disputes and problems between Turkey and Greece; and I do believe that we can not easily agree with even KKE about those historical problems:

What are those problems? Let me say: Do the Aegean songs belong to the Greek or Turkish culture? What is the correct name of the coffee we drink? The Turkish or Greek coffee?

Yes, if someone has to speak about problems between two peoples the so- called problems can only be defined in these terms. I mean, there can not be other problems. Two weeks ago we proved this fact in a meeting assembled in Turkey. The leftist Parties of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus participated to this conference. Of course KKE was among them. So we all together showed the entire world that there is no problem between our peoples. Imperialism and its valet governments create the so - called problems. We proved that from the standpoint of nationalism and imperialism, only the wars and the hostilities could be reproduced. We proved that in the name of socialism and internationalism only the peace and the friendship could be reproduced.

Last year, in October 1997 on behalf of our Party I participated in an International Workshop on the « Socialism Towards the 21^st Century» assembled in Cuba. There, the communists from all over the world discussed the same problems and endorsed the similar solutions.

In Havana we all together pointed out that the realities of contemporary socialism couldn’t be separated from the realities of contemporary capitalism. And the perception of contemporary socialism can only be achieved on the critical analysis of the closing era, i.e., the previous historical era of socialism. On this planet, as long as capitalism as a process exists, socialism will reproduce itself as long as exploitation of the labor exists; the struggle against the capital will survive.

It is known that socialism can only be gained by a revolution. Beyond this fact, socialism itself is a revolution. Because it is a transition society from capitalism to communism. So that, only a revolutionary socialism could have the chance to progress upon its historical line; when a socialist practice looses its revolutionary aspect, it denies itself. Then a practical question stamps on our discussion: What is a revolutionary socialism?

The answer is very simple. As long as socialism endures as a desirable way of life; a creditable choice for the people; and if it can be changed and even rectified by the desires of the people, then we may speak about a revolutionary socialism. Here we must not forget the warning that was made by Lenin many years ago: Lenin said, « Ideologies become power when they are grasped by the people». In my opinion, in this wise sentence, the key word is «to grasp»; because when you say «grasp», you imply «to handle», also «to perceive»…. So when the people perceive socialism; when they create socialism with their own hands and when they reproduce it by their own hands, this means that socialist ideology is in the power. And any other force cannot take it over. Because it just becomes a cause that people can die for it; a desire that people can no longer give up….

So; how can we make socialism an acceptable cause for the masses struggling against the corruption and exploitation of capitalism? Since the so – called «collapse» of socialism, these masses left the red flag and began to follow the banners of micro nationalism or as in our case, in Turkey, fundamental Islamic challenges. Because they do not believe in socialism. When we speak about socialism, now they are showing that fatal example and they are making fun of us: «Hey you! What do you mean? Do you want to repeat all the things that happened in Russia?» Or Albania! As my comrade from Albania remarked here…

Then, what shall we do? First of all, we have to convince the working masses through their own experience…. In my country, some years ago we succeeded in some practices towards this aim. While struggling against fascism in Turkey, during this struggle we created mass organizations in which organs of people’s power were established as a tendency; or in other words, the nucleus forms of the organs of people’s power were begun to be created.

It was in deed this revolutionary perspective and style of work that taught us many things that are not written in the books: Moving from this point, I may say that our project about socialism; our imagination, conception about socialism must be realized in our organizations and style of work…Our organizations must be the embodiment, i.e., the concrete and actual forms of our socialism projects: I mean the socialism, just now!

Dear Comrades,
In Turkey, nowadays, we are realizing and discussing the realities of contemporary socialism under the roof of an organization, which aims to convince the people for socialism and prepare the masses for socialism. The name of this organization is the Party of Freedom and Solidarity. (We call it, shortly, IDP). Et is a new Party. But in deed it is rather an old Party. Because it was founded by various socialist and revolutionary organizations which accumulated 30 years of revolutionary experience, cadres and programs.

The Freedom and Solidarity Party was formed in order to respond the need for a labor, a socialist alternative to the crises of capitalism and imperialism; to overcome the fractured existence of revolutionary opposition and to unite the forces of revolution and democracy in the fight against violence and exploitation of capitalism an imperialism.

For this sake, such a Party should be pluralist mass Party comprising various groups of disparate organizational background and of traditions of struggle. According to our socialism project which promises freedom and equality, such a Party should recognize legitimacy of difference of opinions and should guarantee the rights of minorities within the organization. Such a choice reflects the tendency or the nucleus forms of the organs of the socialist democracy when the people gain the power. Yes, how can socialism be a desirable cause without these aims?

For this sake, the increasing struggle for the democracy is of pivotal importance. Last week, as you know, the gangs organized by the state committed to murder Akin Birdal, the President of the Human Rights Association. Of course, a staunch stand against human rights violations should be adopted too. And of course, such a Party should organize or support the organizations of the working masses in their struggle against all kinds of political and economic aggression.

Moreover, in Turkey there is the Kurdish national problem. For more than 10 years a civil war is continuing between the Turkish State and the Kurdish people; and thousands of Kurds are massacred in this dirty war. The other problem is Islamic fundamentalism. That is why in such a country the deceived masses can easily gather under the banner of chauvinistic nationalism and fundamental Islamism instead of socialism. Because they are mobilized and convinced bay these causes. So today in my country, to speak of the reality of socialism is to speak of a socialism based on freedom; which maintains equality for everyone and provides a multi cultural life. We have to struggle against the fascist gangs organized by the state and within the state, against the military putsch desires; against the chauvinistic war upon the Kurdish people and against the reactionary fundamentalist Islamic movements. In deed today in Turkey prevails a veiled military intervention by the army.

Finally, we try to organize «the solidarity assemblies» through which the communal lives of working masses are experienced. These solidarity assemblies are becoming concrete examples for the non-Party masses; and when we are speaking of socialism, thus, we are starting with these solidarity assemblies in which every member has a chance to perceive the concepts of freedom and equality by her / his own experience. On the other hand, these solidarity assemblies, which are the nucleus forms of the future socialist democracy, are becoming the essential and basic forms of organizations of our Party. We have to do many things for this aim, but it is one of our main desires that we can not give up. In such a Party, of course, the discrimination between the rulers and those who are ruled is disappearing. The producers, the workers at the same time are becoming the «de facto» rulers of their own organizations.

Of course, these are some small practical solutions of our theoretical problems about socialism. But we believe that opening a new historical era for socialism will not be possible, if these first steps are not taken.

But big steps for a revolution!

So then:

Down with the imperialism!

Long live the friendship and solidarity of Greek and Turkish and Kurdish peoples!

Long live the revolution!