I am writing about the 73rd anniversary celebrations of the Iraqi Communist Party for a few reasons: first of all, because we are in need of another image of the Iraqi occupation and resistance. It is not exclusively religious, perhaps not even predominantly. The idea that the whole thing is about Sunni/Shia conflict to the point of exclusion is just another Clash of Civilizations lie. Certainly, it has it's importance, but it is not the end-all, be-all of Iraqi resistance and struggle.

Furthermore, the ICP is both a hope and something of a quisling. To take part in the imperialist government and not be fighting the occupants is a terrible mistake. Certainly, they always hated Saddam, but building a mass movement of liberation during imperialist occupation isn't done through collaberation.

Lastly, I myself visited the ICP 73rd anniversary as celebrated here in Lund. It was an interesting experience, if nothing else. For all it's problems, the ICP must remain a group we on some level support, even if we wish they built a secular liberation front rather than sit in the cabinet.