"SAVE CHITTAGONG, SAVE COUNTRY" NATIONAL
CONVENTION
FINAL CHITTAGONG DECLARATION.
On 18th March 2004, we met in a national convention held in Chittagong,
Bangladesh. One thousand of us came from the various parts of the
country. We came from Khulna, Mongla, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Dhaka
-- and we came from all parts and trades of Chittagong. Among us there
were trade union leaders, workers, peasants, youth, students,
professional educators and intellectuals.
Throughout the whole day we heard presentations from speakers, prominent
among whom were:
* Mr. Sk Shahidullah, Convener, "Save Oil, Gas, Port, Power
National Committee";
* Clarence Thomas, Executive board member, ILWU Local 10 (United
States);
* Tafazzul Hussain, President, Democratic Workers Party of Bangladesh;
* Alhaj A.B.M. Mahiudding Chowdhury, Mayor of Chittagong;
* Ahsan ullah Choudhury, Veteran port worker leader;
* Mostaque Ahmed, President, Chittagong Journalists Union;
* Jamal Nazrul, Professor of Islam, Chittagong university;
* Dr. Mahfuzur Rahaman , Freedom fighter & BSD leader;
* Abu Taher and Azizul Hague, Rail workers' leaders;
* Sunil Aice, Port worker leader;
* Ranesh Barua, C&F leader;
* Majibor Rahaman, National Workers Federation leader from Dinajpur;
* Mrs. Abida Sultana, President, Chittagong Women's Association;
* C. Khaliquzzaman, Convener BSD;
* C. Bazlus Sattar. Comrade Gulzar Ahmed Choudhury, General Secretary,
All Pakistan Trade Union Federation (Pakistan);
* C. Chandan Sanyal, General Secretary, National Federation of Sales
Representatives (India);
A message from the ILC was delivered by C. François Forgue. In
addition, 21 messages of international solidarity were read in the
convention.
The main presentation to the convention was delivered by comrade Shariat
Ullah, General Secretary of the Chittagong Port Workers Union. It
explained in detail the disastrous scenario resulting from the
privatization and conspiracy to hand over our land to the U.S.
corporation SSA.
Our poor but resourceful country is passing a dreadful juncture of
history. All our industries, agriculture, health services, transport,
railway, education and even daily life are being destroyed by the
onslaught of the imperialist capital. Under these circumstances, the
holding of this convention was necessary -- not only because our
establishments and wealth are at a stake, but because our independence
and sovereignty are under serious jeopardy by this onslaught.
This convention was of utmost necessity because we believe that the
struggle against privatization and imperialist plunder has to be given
an international dimension. This is because these international
plunderers are not only attacking our wealth, they are playing havoc
everywhere in the world. As such, to fight back these international
looters, there is no alternative but to globalize our resistance. The
facts given by the speakers provide ample proof of how important it is
to hold a national convention to save the country.
It was planned to sell the land to SSA to build a private port in 1997.
An agreement was signed with SSA in 1998. As per this agreement, SSA
will build a $500-million port facility. But the workers of the
Chittagong port staged a vehement opposition to this plan of
privatization. In this resistance, the heroic people of Chittagong
joined the workers. The resistance movement got momentum in 2001. The
fierce movement, the long march and the human chain gave impetus to the
anti-privatization movement.
At the same time, the High Court & Supreme Court declared some of
the clauses of the agreement as unlawful. As a result, the construction
of this private port is halted for the time being. But the conspiracy
has not stopped. Previous U.S. Ambassadors to Bangladesh -- Mr. Holzman,
Mary Ann Peters and present Ambassador H. K. Thomas -- have continued
their shameless advocacy in favor of SSA. The corrupt bureaucrats,
collaborators and politicians have joined them in their misdeeds. This
convention declares strong opposition to their heinous activities.
Clarence Thomas informed us all about SSA. It is the fourth largest
stevedoring company in the world and operates in 14 countries. It has
been given the control of the port of Umm Qassr in Iraq by the
occupation authorities. In the United States, SSA has a long record of
attempting to destroy the trade union movement. If SSA reaches its goal,
the workers of Chittagong harbor will be deprived of their jobs, their
benefits and their rights.
We must save Bangladesh and for that we issue this clarion call to
support our cause to all the organization, trade unions and individuals
-- to all those who are committed to uphold democracy, human and
workers' rights. In spite of our political differences and diversified
views, we are sure to build a joint resistance against the aggressor to
save every inch of our motherland.
Bangladesh will survive, if we are able to halt the present form of
plundering by the imperialist capital. For this we must build a united
resistance whatever legitimate political differences may exist among us.
We have to fight all attempts to forge enmity between ethnic groups and
communities. We have to refuse to be divided by religious and sectarian
differences.
Privatization is our common enemy; privatization is of the root of our
destruction. Privatization means plunder of our wealth and economy.
Today this evil power of imperialist capital is exploiting the whole
world in the same pace. By instigating conflict between ethnic and
religious groups and among various sects, they bring war and destruction
to facilitate looting and plunder. As such to save our port, oil, gas,
railway from privatization means saving the very existence of
Bangladesh. Our fight will be the fight of the whole subcontinent,
because we are fighting against the same enemy. We have to fight jointly
as we fought against the British colonial power.. We have to denounce
imperialist globalization in a body. Imperialists instigate war among us
for their own benefit and to fish in the troubled water. That is why the
contribution alongside trade unionists of Bangladesh of trade unionists
from Pakistan and India is so important as a beacon of peace and
solidarity between the people of our subcontinent.
We call for peace in the entire world. All people have the right to
decide their own fate. We call for the end of the occupation of Iraq and
the immediate withdrawal of all the foreign military forces under
American command. This convention gives its full support to all those in
Bangladesh and worldwide will demonstrate for those aims on March the
20th.
"Save Chittagong, Save the country!" Chittagong is not for
sale, the country is not for sale. If our movement starting from this
convention is successful, we will be able to save our natural resources,
our industry and our agriculture.
The port of Chittagong is the lifeline of the country. This is the only
active seaport, as the Mongla port is almost abandoned through
conspiracy. If the Chittagong port is taken over by the foreign
ownership, the whole country as its hinterland will go under the foreign
rule. Chittagong is the center of all economic activities of the
country; if it goes at the foreign hand, the whole country will be
subjugated.
We will definitely be successful in this movement from Chittagong
because Chittagong has a heroic history. The anti-British movement
started from this Chittagong. 1971 liberation war was started from this
Chittagong. During the liberation war, the American 7th fleet could not
anchor in Chittagong due to the heroic resistance from the people here.
Today, jointly we declare that we will form a follow-up action committee
to continue and keep up the movement. With the mandate of 1000 persons
present here today, we declare that we will make today's theme of
"Save Chittagong, Save the Country" as the main call of this
year's "May Day" rally. We call upon all organizations that
claim to defend workers' right and the sovereignty of our country to
unite around this call. In each town, village, plants, university let us
form united action committee under the banner of "The country is
not for sale, Chittagong is not for sale." -- "Save Chittagong,
Save the Country!" Together, united, let us prepare the 1st of May.
On that day we will renew our pledge to save the country from the
clutches of this privatization process. We will save our port, save our
land, save our industries, save our agriculture and save our natural
resources.
Today we take oath that we will continue our fight. The working class
organization of the whole world will be in the forefront of this
movement. We call upon all international trade union federations to
support the movement of the Bangladeshi working class. We propose that
the trade union federations of Bangladesh address in common a letter to
ILO informing it of the threats against the workers' rights spelled out
by the ILO conventions and norms which would become effective if
Chittagong is sold out.
We believe that the appeal of this declaration will unite all the
exploited people of the world. Movement & sacrifice of 1st May was
started from America and the American working class. Today, also we
recognize and value the contribution of the American port workers'
representative from ILWU local 10. By joining the movement to oppose the
destruction of Chittagong they really prove that "An Injury to One
Is An Injury to All."
CHITTAGONG THE 18th March 20, 2004
********************
NATIONAL CONVENTION IN BANGLADESH:
"SAVE CHITTAGONG, SAVE THE COUNTRY"
LIST OF SPEAKERS AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
HELD IN CHITTAGONG 18TH MARCH 2004
1st Session:
Chairperson: Prof. Mr. Siddiqul Islam, President, Transport Workers
Union.
Keynote Presentation: Shariat Ullah, General Secretary, Bandar Sramik
Union (Port Workers Union)
Speakers:
1. Ahsan Ullah Choudhury, Veteran port workers leader. He was jailed
several times due to his trade union activities.
2. Engr. Sk. Mohammad Shadullah, Convener, "Save Oil, Gas and
Natural Resources" Committee
3. Al-hajj. A.B.M. Mahiuddin Choudhury, Honorable Mayor of Chittagong.
4. Mr. Sunil Aice, Joint Secretary Port Workers Union and one of the
plaintiffs in the case against SSA
5. Majibur Rahaman. President, Dinajpur Textile Workers Union, and
secretary, Ganatantric Majdoor party north Bengal branch.
6. Mrs. Abida Sultana, President, Chittagong Women Association
7. Ranesh Barua, President C& F. Workers Union
8. Mostaque Ahmed, President, Chittagong Union of journalists
2nd Session:
Chairperson: Rafiquzzaman, President, Ganatantric Majdoor Party,
Chittagong Region
9. Khaliquzzaman, Convener, Bangladesh Socialist Party
10. Dr. Mahfuzur Rahaman, BSD Leader
11. Al-Hajj. Bazlus Sattar, (age 90) veteran Communist leader.
12. Prof. Jamal Nazrul Islam, Chittagong University.
13. Mahfuzur Rahaman, President, Jatiyo Sramik League, Chittagong
14. Azizul Haque, Office Secretary Railway Sramik League
15. Abu Taher, Asst. Secretary. Railway Karigor Parishad, Central
Committee.
16. Sk. Abdur Rashid, President Mohsin Jute Workers Union Khulna
17. Tafazzul Hussain, President, Ganatantric Majdoor Party. (The
Chittagong
Declaration and resolutions were presented by him.)
Foreign Guest Speakers:
1. Clarence Thomas, Executive Board Member, ILWU local 10.
2. Gulzar Ahmed Choudhury, General Secretary, All Pakistan Trade Union
Federation (APTUF), Pakistan
3. Chandan Kumar Sanyal. Secretary NFSRU, India
3. François Forgue, ILC, France
Ahmed Kabir , Secretary Ganatantric Majdoor Party, Chittagong managed
the total convention
Cultural part, song & dramas were conducted by various
organizations.
Food, Security and volunteers were managed by c. Badruddoza, Convener,
Revolutionary Youth organization.
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