The Prague Post - 28/04/2005 - Matt Reynolds, Staff Writer

With long speeches, frumpy translators and buffet lunches, it looked and sounded like any political conference. That is, except for exclamations of "comrade," references to the 1989 revolution as "the counterrevolution" and the protesters outside using a bullhorn to read off a list of 1,000 people executed by the Czecho-slovak communist government or killed trying to escape.

Communists from 33 countries convened April 24-25 at Prague's Olympik Hotel for their fifth annual congress to hash out competing visions for the world of leftist politics in Europe and around the world. Not surprisingly, most condemned U.S. "imperialism," the European Union constitution and "neo-liberalism," but a few hard-core delegates went further.

Members from the Turkish communist party, outlawed in their own country until 2001, advocate "smashing bourgeois rule," establishing one-party rule and fomenting a series of world revolutions followed by a "dictatorship of the proletariat."

Image makeover

Czech communists, appearing a bit uncomfortable at such language, meanwhile, have seemingly emerged as the moderates of the red world, promoting policies that sound more like blueprints for progressive states with comfortable social safety nets and nationalized utilities than plans for a return to totalitarian regimes. Having readjusted their party strategy since they ruled Czechoslovakia with an iron grip, the party these days tries to sound a bit like, say, Sweden.

"We want core industries — natural gas, electricity, public transportation — in the hands of the state," said Jaromir Kohlicek, a Czech member of the European Parliament. "We don't want to perform the same stupidity of having everything in state hands."

The moderate stance reflects a pragmatic alliance between 23 communist members of the European Parliament such as Kohlicek and 18 members from socialist and environmental parties. The United Left is the fifth-largest coalition in Brussels.

Communist parties from across Europe, North Korea, China, Lebanon and Japan joined 12 delegates from the United Left at the conference, sponsored by the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM). Most delegates ignored the protestors, distanced themselves from Czechoslovakia's former government, or argued they have a history no worse than that of the Catholic Church (which, after all, was behind the Spanish Inquisition).

"If we compare ourselves to the Czechoslovak Communist Party," said Hassan Charfo, a communist for 40 years and KSCM member. "We believe there should be political pluralism — we want to win control in elections, not take it by force. We believe in agricultural collectivism — but again, not by force."

A way to go

The protesters outside seemed unconvinced.

"They say, 'We aren't like them! We aren't like them!'" said Rudolf Vitkovic. "Then why don't they change their name?"

Tobias Pfluger, a 40-year-old German professor and member of the United Left, said he joined an alliance with communists because they shared his opposition to an EU fighting force and the privatization of large industries.

"I come from the peace movement and green parties," he said. " I disagree with authoritarian regimes."

At risk, Pfluger argues, is the privatization of "common goods" such as telecommunications, utilities and electricity — to say nothing of the corporate influence in EU decision making.

Members of the KSCM — one of Europe's most successful communist parties, with 18 percent support in some polls — said their party advocates re-nationalization of large industries, guaranteed jobs for all Czech citizens, and loans and subsidies to families building houses. They also say they back free elections and parliamentary democracy, though they admit they're still seen as pariahs by other Czech political parties.

"We have support of 20 percent of the people and no one wants to listen to us," Charfo said. "You call that democracy?"

Matt Reynolds can be reached at mreynolds@praguepost.com