Friday, 27 January 2006
The South African Communist Party (SACP) wishes to express its most profound condolences to the family, comrades, colleagues and the entire membership of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), on the passing away of their leader, Cde Schafick Handal. Cde Handal passed away on Tuesday, 24 January 2006, at 75.
The SACP joins other Communist and progressive leaders, the workers and the poor of the world in expressing a deep sense of loss for all progressive forces on the passing away of this giant.
Comrade Handal was for a long time the General Secretary of the Communist Party of El Salvador, during the most difficult times in the face of persecution by a succession of US backed military and repressive regime in that country. He also played a leading role in the early 1990?s towards a transition to democracy in El Salvador. Cde Handal was a revolutionary combatant, a socialist intellectual, a strategist and a committed communist cadre till the end.
We however take some comfort in that Cde Handal passed away on his return from the inauguration of Cde Evo Morales, an event that was of significant emotional and political significance to him. The inauguration of President Morales and the many advances being made by the left in Latin America, can be no better memory and monument to the sacrifices and heroic struggles by Cde Handal
As the SACP we will continue regarding Comrade Handal not only as Comrade but as a brother as he was at some stage very close to our former Chairperson and General Secretary Comrade Joe Slovo. In this relationship Comrade Handal contributed directly and indirectly to the struggle for our National liberation and Socialism, we shall at all times cherish and honor his role and relationship.
The SACP lowers its banner in honor of this titan of working class struggles. As a leader of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) and a Communist Comrade Handal will remain an example and a role model for many in our own Party and to the entire Working Class movement in the world. We shall honour his memory by continuing to build international solidarity amongst all progressive forces, intensify our struggles against capitalism, national oppression and imperialism.
Blade Nzimande
General Secretary
South African Communist Party
Contact:
Kaizer Mohau
Media Liaison Officer
South African Communist Party (SACP)
Tel: 011 339 3621
Fax: 011 339 4244/6880
Mobile: 076 573 7764
Email: kaizer@sacp.org.za