Translated "Avante!" article by Albano Nunes, Member of the Secretariat of the CC
5th September 2013

In announcing that he would hear the Congress, Obama bought a waiting period in the war escalade against Syria. For a moment the world breathes some relief. But the forces of peace have to remain vigilant and be more aware of the power of enlightened public and mobilised opinion to tie imperialism’s hands.
Indeed, behind the difficulties encountered by the US in its march to war and the manoeuvre to involve Congress and gain time and recover from important political, diplomatic and even military setbacks, is the power of public opinion, are the popular demonstrations which, as in the US, already have a sizable dimension.

Reported opinion polls show a widespread opposition to the war, a truth that power cannot ignore, as seen in the British Parliament with Cameron’s defeat, unexpectedly depriving Washington of its main ally. But North American imperialism, in the name of «US credibility and future interests», does not give up aggression, even without any UN cover or the alliances it wanted. Kerry has already shown «evidence» that «require» giving an «exemplary lesson». The decision is made. Now it is time to give it a façade of legitimacy that Congress will surely give because they are not « representatives of the American people» but representatives of capital.

Let us thus be prepared for a new episode of terrorist propaganda, singing praises to «American democracy» to justify the war, with veritable pieces of mercenarism and professional indignity like the ones that, beating the drums of war, the major media organs showered on us, especially the daily Público, always ready to shamelessly reproduce the voice of the aggressor, In the meanwhile, vigilance, explanation and mobilisation have to continue. Against war, respecting the UN Charter, for a just political solution of the conflict, whatever the conclusions of what really took place on August 21. However «limited» or «surgical» it is presented, the aggression against Syria can only cause suffering and destruction and set the entire region in flames.