ANTARSYA’s press release on the disastrous fires (24.7.2018)

“Asymmetric Threat”[1] for people and the environment is the capitalist development as shown by disastrous fires 

Compensation of victims and protection of the affected areas from the interests of arsonists

The only “asymmetric threat” responsible for the devastating fires in East Attica, Corinthia and Fthiotida, Chania, Evros is the destructive development in favour of speculation of capitalization. Profits get over people and the natural environment.

Society was hit by the consequences of catastrophic fires with minimum help by the state apparatus, with the fire brigade disintegrated and underemployed while its staff are making heroic efforts, the forest service dissolved and the rough lack of preventive measures. Just a few months before, another area in Attica was hit by the devastating floods with dozens of dead people.

The country is second in military spending amongst NATO members, but it does not have the basic infrastructure to deal with the fires and floods caused by the construction contractor’s impunity. SYRIZA-ANEL government and the Attica regional authorities, are hiding behind arguments of tedious weather. They followed the same tactics followed for decades by the previous governments of Nea Dimokratia and PASOK, which left untouched the arsonists’ interests to speculate on destruction. They set no burden for the speculation of the earth, the blockage of the natural water flows, the destruction of the coastline, all that led dozens of people not having an easy route of escape, with the known tragic consequences.

ANTARSYA expresses condolences to the victims’ relatives and its solidarity with those who have experienced tragic moments, having been damaged by the devastating fires. It calls for the mobilisation of the popular movement to support the region in an effort to overcome the disaster on the grounds of solidarity.

Immediate measures are needed:

•        To compensate all the victims of the disaster, immediately and altogether, in order to protect themselves against the various interests which are targeting the area and their property.
•         To prevent land use in burned areas, protecting the area from business and construction contractor’s interests.
•          To reorganize fire protection. Mass recruitment for the fire brigade. Renewal of equipment, especially in vehicles. Reorganization of the Forest Service.
•         Take immediate flood protection measures to prevent new victims from flooding in winter.
•         Expenditures on fire protection and social needs, not for bloody public surpluses and the army – cancellation of the public debt!

It takes decisiveness and struggle to respond to the policy that removes resources from social needs, such as fire protection, in order to repay the public debt, fulfil the memoranda obligations, finance the bloody public surpluses, and fund army expenditures and NATO.

 ANTARSYA 24/7/2018