EditorialEditorial
From
Party of Labour
Belgium
We are informing you comrades that the Parti De Travail De Belgique is sending two delegates to the World Congress - Ludo Martens, Chairman of the Central Committee of Belgian Workers Party and Jef Bossuyt, responsible for the 5oviet Union in the International Section.
Enclosed also are the three Resolutions that we propose to the Congress. These resolutions were elaborated on and discussed and signed at the Brussels seminars by the Russian Communist Workers’ Party, the Alll Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, Trudova Rossia and Union of Communists of Ukraine.
We truly hope that this Congress will be fruitful and stimulate the rebuilding of the Soviet Union, main support of the international workers’ movement.
On behalf of the International Section of WPB
Jef Bossuyt
From
Rustavi
Georgia
Just a few words about the suggestions for the Resolutions at the Congress. I agree with all the items except Item Number 2 - (Struggle against internal revisionism in the Communist movements, both inside the former Soviet Union and in the international movement). I don't really think that there will be time to go into that matter at the Congress. Our Congress is not going to be a Congress of the Communist Parties.
The venue of the incoming International Council should be in Europe but the official organ of the Council should be Northstar Compass. There are also opinions expressed that the next World Congress should be held in Moscow My point of view is that it should be held any place in the Soviet Union which shall prove to be most convenient for such a great event.
The future political situation itself will prompt the decision as to where the venue should be.
Helen Blau
From
Multan
Pakistan
Dear friends:
Following your Northstar Compass Website on the Internet. I pay great attention to its contents. As a young youth I joined the progressive movement while in Grade 9. I did this because in our country our people have terrible problems since they have no rights as human beings. The poverty for the people is unbelievable and they have to live under $1 per day, while there are 9-14 children in an average family.
There was always hope for us in the USSR as a country that looked after and raised the level of life for its multinational society. Here in Pakistan we were busy and struggled as they did in the Soviet Union in order to better the life of the working class.
Now the situation has changed and there is no longer the USSR Capitalism came and is growing stronger and stronger each day. When our people who looked to the Soviet Union saw this the hopes are dashed and spirits broken by this tragedy.
We in Pakistan looked up -the USSR as our KABA. In Muslim belief KABA is like a prophet that everyone looks up to. The Soviet Union was our prophet and our guiding light to the future! Some opportunists in the former USSR have demolished our KABA, destroying that light which shone on the path forward.
Now there is just a small ligh that is flickering in our hearts and in the hearts of my friends… and therefore we appreciate that you our dear friends are lighting the way for us through the journal Northstar Compass!
We grasp your hands and your feet in appreciation.
We shall try to participate in the World Congress this year with two people.
Yours truly
Mohammed Asif Rasheed
Awami Committee
Pakistan
The World Congress would certainly welcome Awami representatives from Pakistan.
From
Bangladesh
We express our solidarity with the World Congress for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People. We are eager to attend this World Congress. Please send us details.
N.S. Beena Sikdar
General Secretary
Progressive Women's Movement of Bangladesh
From
Amiens
France
Dear comrades:
The Chadian Action for Unity and Socialism" (ACTUS) asks you comrades to register us as one of the signatories to the Appeal for a World Congress for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People.
We hope to send a two-member delegation of our committee. Enclosed are some documents which show French imperialism as it rages in our country of Chad in Africa.
Ley-Ngardical Djimadoum
General Secretary
Chadian Action for Unity and Socialism
From
Paris
France
Dear comrades:
We have been receiving NSC regularly and we feel that exchanges between our publications will be beneficial for both sides. We are going to send you our "Initiative Communiste" regularly in exchange for Northstar Compass.
We are interested in the forthcoming World Congress.
Rene Lefort
Secretary for International Affairs
"Coordination Des Militants Communistes"
From
Radio Havana
Cuba
We read NSC and the Call for the World Congress of Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People and we are glad that Cuba confirmed that they shall participate. We welcome you to our Radio Havana broadcasts and we send you our cordial greetings.
Sincerely yours
Lourdes Lopez
Head of International Department
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| Prof. Vilma Paez Cuba |
As a member of the Organizing Committee I have read all of the documents sent to me and I think that the World Congress will be a great success. All you comrades have put such great efforts into this important project and have taken care of every detail. The fact that many parties, institutions and organizations of the world have signed the Call means that the International Council for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People has not been a wild idea, but an idea whose time has come.
As for the situation in former Soviet Union, I do agree with Nina Andreeva of the AUCPB when she says that "…alone your enemies cannot be defeated." We must also remember that not every unity or fusion of parties together always gives the desired results that is much expected or needed. If every communist party, especially the ones that declare themselves as Communist, could join together, then they will become strong and would have the possibility of working seriously for the restoration of the Soviet Union. Opportunism and revisionism were some of the main causes of the temporary collapse of the Soviet Union and that is why I do agree with the participants of the Mini-Conference that was held last year (October 28-29th) when the conference stated that "unity cannot be confused with the question of criticism and self-criticism" but we have to emphasize the question of UNITY! Without unity we cannot proceed. Without unity, all the so-called Communist parties in the USSR will not build a united and strong country!
Our Cuban Communist Party emphasizes unity. We do believe in democratic centralism. We are not perfect though. In our meetings criticism and self-criticism prevails. We are free to express our opinions, but at the end we have to accept what the majority decides, and most of the times, this collective brain is correct, or very close to the right decision We always follow our slogan: "Our Party is the Party of Democracy and the Unity which we defend!"
We must support all those parties in former Soviet Union as long as they DO represent the interests of the vast majority of the population, but it is very disappointing with some who speak nicely, who pretend to tell the truth, who claim themselves to be a true leader of a just cause, who repeat that the only possible way of attaining victory is to work together for a new and stronger Soviet Union. But as Nina Andreeva said: there are many leaders who are opportunistic that we must struggle against. It is sad to see that some leaders look for only self-recognition and propaganda. If Nina Andreeva is correct as was reported in NSC, then many leaders are not truthful when they state that they are for a united front and united actions.
The United Front as promoted through NSC and documents by the Organizing Committee for an International Council of Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People, must give way to ample discussions, must respect personal and group opinions, but it must also promote unity of action and a single and unique idea:
TOGETHER WE SHALL WIN!
When Karl Marx and Frederick Engels were given the task of writing a concrete and detailed theoretical and practical program in (1847) for the Communist League, the Communist Manifesto emerged as the only program that could join together all Communists all over the world.
The world has changed, but the fight of all workers, the struggles of the people for their rights are still the same, so the motto of "Workers of All Countries Unite!" still calls for unity all over the world. We must ask all those parties and comrades in the Soviet Union: "Communists of All Parties of the Soviet Union, Unite!
I agree with everything that Michael Lucas, the Chairman and Editor has been sending to all of the members of the Organizing Committee for an International Council. I wish that I could be of more help. Maybe I could offer to do translations into Spanish of the Main Congress Documents. I am not in a position financially to attend this World Congress, but I wish all the success to the Organizing Committee.
Hearty greetings comrades!
Professor Vilma Paez
Holguin University
Cuba
From
"Word of a Communist"
Odessa, Ukraine
Dear comrades:
I am forthright in letting you know that in my estimation it is a mistake to have changed the venue of the World Congress from Minsk, Byelorussia to Toronto, Canada. The effectiveness and the results in Minsk would have been more productive, since there would have been the opportunity for many more communists to reach Minsk. Communists in our country are the poorest part of society.
But those "communists" that are going to come to the Congress are the rich communists, they will not represent the rank and file What are you going to talk about with Zyuganov and his command?
I fear that the discussions at this important congress will be just discussions and nothing more. If it was in Minsk, the results would be better. Can't you change the venue? Is it too late? With this in mind, of course our communist newspaper cannot be represented for lack of funds.
Guram Tsushbaya
Editor
It was not possible to hold it in Minsk due to the uncertain situation there. Besides this, the cost factor from our part since we had to pay hotels, meals etc, in US dollars. Regarding Zyuganov, he will not come and he is not welcomed. The representatives that will come are not what you say "wealthy communists," they have to scrounge for their airfare.
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| Tamara Khabarova |
To the Organizing Committee From
Executive Committee - Moscow
Dear colleagues:
Having received the minutes of the meeting of members of the Organizing Committee for an International Council that was held on October 28-29, 2000, we had a discussion on them with our Executive on December 18, 2000.
Here are some of our analysis and comments:
1. We are not in agreement and absolutely cannot understand that you will exclude all representatives and not allow any ideological debates during the work of the Congress or in the committees that shall be elected.
We tried many times to explain to you that in the present psychological war on this planet your method is to give up the battle field to the class enemy. It is sad that you let this go by your ears. You did not publish any of our letters regarding our position in NSC and we did not receive any answers to our proposals.
2. We also are not in agreement with your proposal as to how the future International Council should be elected or function.
How can we understand your proposal that delegates from different parties and groups coming from USSR should elect amongst themselves their main speaker who shall be given 15 minutes to present their views. But you are well aware that on the territory of the USSR there is going on a harsh theoretical struggle on ideological grounds and some of these parties-movements are filled with many agents of influence. To us it seems that at the Congress there shall be no opportunity given to real fighters for the rights and interests of Soviet people, which at the moment are not the majority. But speaking and agitating from the Congress tribunal will be people speaking about the Soviet people who for many years do not agree that Soviet people are existing and will do all in their power to disrupt the work of the Congress.
We do not agree with your proposal that each country should elect its representative to the forthcoming International Council. The left forces in the USSR at the moment cannot speak as a united front. This is not an objective analysis. This will mean that representing the Soviet people on the International Council will be those who should not be elected to the International Council.
Let us give you an example.
Your organization is not a party and do not have dealings with the CPC. Let us suppose that we were organizing in Moscow an event where we invite you and the CPC together and ask you to elect amongst yourself a speaker. Of course this will not be to your liking or the CPC's liking. You would demand equal voice but we keep mum.
Of course you shall not be happy with our silence or answer.
3. And the more we read about the composition of the Organizing Committee the more we are disturbed. What kind of Organizing Committee is this which has no representatives of the Soviet Union on it? That is from citizens of the Soviet Union!!
Before we had nominated a few members to be part of this Organizing Committee, representing different parts of the USSR. They were willing to promote the aims of the World Congress, but they were not welcomed somehow by your committee.
You stated in NSC Vol.6, #10, May 1998 that all proposed candidates should be included in the Organizing Committee. Why did you ignore our proposals? We know the situation in USSR better than you Comrades in Canada USA, Spain or Latin America! You look at our situation through a venue which is not realistic or correct. Why did you not discuss our proposals at your last Mini-Conference?
We demand that you publish all the names of members of the Organizing Committee in NSC. If our names are not on that list then we do not see how we can cooperate further. We should not be discriminated against.
In summary, to come to Toronto in September we cannot come, since obviously we have no financial means. But we shall send an English translation of our 15-minute report on behalf of the Congress of Citizens of USSR and The Bolshevik Platform of the USSR and ask that it be read at the World Congress.... without any OMISSIONS! We shall not "arrange" anything with any Soviet representative if we come to the Congress or if we do not come. Without any arrangements with other Soviet delegates, we shall propose our own delegate to the International Council.
We suggest that you invite to the Congress not just anyone, but organizations and parties who have already done work and have a program for the Soviet people in their struggles. But not those who will just start to think and give reports that are just thought out in order to present to the delegates. This can be seen very clearly as to with whom you correspond, of course if you really want to see things. All the organizations that will follow what we have stated should be given the opportunity to speak for 15 minutes at the Congress, to speak about the CONCRETE WORK, and each organization must have the right to delegate its own representative to the International Council. Then this International Council shall in fact be a representative Council and not a Trotskyite debate, which there is enough of in this world of ours, but they do not bring any results for the resurrection of the USSR.
We are hoping that soon we shall receive an argumentative answer to our letter.
Sincerely yours
Members of the Executive Committee of the Congress of Citizens
of USSR
T. Khabarova, V. Korotaev, V. Lebedev, G. Petrov
P.S. We received the information in the NSC issue of December 2000 which lists the members of the Organizing Committee. We did not find our proposed candidates to this committee listed. It seems that you have deceived us when you told us that we as others will be accepted into the Organizing Committee. You have put us into an untenable position, since we have thought that we are members of the Organizing Committee. But your unprincipled attitude the Committee is self-appointed.
We do not see names of representatives from "Trudovaya Rossia" also. This must be a joke - a Committee to help the Soviet people --- but not one representative is on it from the Soviet Union!
Your Credo is that of the aims of the "Hands Off Russia Committee" but you have now turned to be a leader of the anti-imperialist forces of the world, standing above the "ideological" struggles. Your understanding of the struggles lacks clarity. This is not clear thinking or you are trying to influence through informational psychological war.
If you continue on this course then we must understand that our organization in fact was not invited to the World Congress!
Reply from Northstar Compass
To: Executive Committee
Congress of Citizens of USSR
Dear friends:
We re-publish your recent letter (slightly abridged) above, together with our rejoinder to your critical Comments and implied threat to withdraw from the World Congress for "Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People" in September of this year.
We respect your views although we find them somewhat troubling and difficult. If in the past issues of NSC we have not published your materials in full, we inform you that materials of equal relevance are excluded from every issue for reasons of space and cost. We apologize for that but must inform you that since 1992 and our first edition, all our activity has all been done by volunteer labor, without pay including publication costs. To finance that effort (which includes monthly free mailings to the Soviets of many dozens of copies) has been our most difficult undertaking. Had we received massive financial help, more important materials would have been found in our pages. Costs per edition exceed two thousand dollars per month and we rely totally upon subscriber and membership donations. We take pride that we have thus far succeeded.
There are other aspects of your letter we find more disturbing and that we feel we must comment upon to clarify understanding as to what are the goals and purposes (as well as limitations) before the World Congress. What disposal the World Congress might place upon them is not at this time predictable since final determination of program will rest in the hands of the delegates and leadership they will elect.
The Congress Organizing Committee, the Canadian Friends of Soviet People throughout the events and decisions leading to the organization of the World Congress, have stated clearly. It is NOT the place to try and settle all basic ideological and political differences. Secondly, we have repeatedly projected a policy that the restoration of Socialism and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics CAN BE NOW BROUGHT ABOUT ONLY BY THE UNITED WILL AND ACTIVITY OF THE SOVIET PEOPLE.
You may rest assured we have tried to adhere to that principled position and will continue to do so.
We believe that the Congress must state that international activity of Friendship, Peace and Solidarity will assist our Soviet friends in the long struggles to choose and bring to life their own socialist destiny. It is abundantly clear that this can best be achieved under the banners of leadership of Marxist-Leninist Socialism with a clear perspective of eliminating capitalist exploitation, competition and domination of peoples everywhere. Socialism in the Soviet Union can lead toward Communism and the end of class-dominated society. Those have been and remain our profound beliefs. Why is that so?
Throughout the world and in what were the Soviet Republics, people struggle for freedom from abhorrent ills placed upon them by world monopoly capitalism... what Vladimir Lenin correctly defined as "imperialism'. But it was the people of All the Soviet Republics, as long as they were united and with the united working class and peasantry, who forged the marvels of Socialist fundamental change.
We believe that the World Congress should express, with great gratitude the fact of Soviet triumphs in war and peace that brought all lands and people to new paths of democratic and human development.
The deliberate elimination of the Soviet Union and the resulting RESURGENCE OF MONOPOLY CAPITALISM HAS REVERSED OR SERIOUSLY IMPEDED FREEDOM AND ALSO THE CONSTRUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
Such conditions universally are being thrust upon all peoples. That is a common fate and increasingly places the demand for the solidarity of the Congress. Our aim and purpose therefore is to create in advance of the World Congress, guidelines and rules that will preclude as far as possible elements designed to confuse, divide and possibly destroy friendship, solidarity and peace between all people. The powers of Transnational Corporate Capital must be curbed, reversed and ultimately replaced. Nobody can be surprised that we confront widespread hostility and opposition to our aims.
Should your decision be to withdraw or even oppose our activity for the upcoming World Congress, naturally we have no power or magic wand to compel, or to influence your decision. Knowing at even this distance that your peoples have suffered assaults and painful deprivations since 1990, it is our earnest and profound hope that your Congress of Citizens of USSR will find it both useful and expedient to more than forward your fifteen minute report, as you indicate. The welcome mat is before you here and we entreat your presence. At the Congress there will be many parties, organizations, movements and publications, with differing or even conflicting views.
As you correctly point out, throughout our existence we have repeatedly said in all sincerity that we are not a political party, and we have neither the intent nor agenda to organize political movements, or events. Should uninformed or even hostile elements seek to drape that mantle or purpose upon us, we reject it out-of-hand as malicious at worst and unacceptable at best. We make careful note of the fact that forces from the camp of the TNC Imperialists, wherever located, will bend every effort to divert and if possible to create confusion to defeat our aims.
The courageous cooperation we have enjoyed during particularly the past ten years from our Soviet friends has convinced us that solidarity and peace will emerge as a vital new force for all humanity.
Greetings to the Communist Party of Australia
Dear friends and comrades:
We thank you for your letter-fax of March 26 and the information about the 9th Congress of your party in Sydney, April 13-16th of this year. We have found the information concerning this to be of great interest and relevance and express our solidarity and friendship in your endeavor.
As you may be aware, our organization the "Canadian Friends of Soviet People" has a very long history, dating back to the original formation in Canada of the "Hands Off Russia" Committee formed during the years of intervention against the Soviet Socialist Revolution and the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Today, as in that period, our activity is based on the essential work of "international friendship, solidarity and peace" between all nations and peoples.
Since 1992, following the dismantling of the USSR by the counter-revolutionary forces and their government, with the overt complicity of Western Transnational Corporate powers and nations, and led by the United States of America, we have called for and support the restoration of socialism. We see this as the foremost task of the peoples of the former Soviet Republics, but are strongly convinced that an international movement of friendship, solidarity and peace will be of significance to them.
To that end since 1992 we have published our journal "Northstar Compass" that today is read in more than seventy different countries and has wide international support. In itself it has been an onerous and difficult task, and is based on the proposals and program of the widest and most effective unity of "United Front" forces. The editorial and ideological policy of the magazine is based on precepts of Marxism-Leninism, as the main requirement to achieve the curbing of all powers now exercised by the TNC forces and in that way render assistance to the struggles of the people of the Soviets.
In order to further such ends, we are hosting here in Toronto, Canada a WORLD CONGRESS, SEPTEMBER 21-22-23 2001 FOR FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY WITH SOVIET PEOPLE. We believe that this is of great significance and invite your support and assistance, as possible.
Will Lambert
President
Ray Stevenson
Associate Editor
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