Editorial Statement

As we approach the above dates for the World Congress, where it is our purpose to establish a worldwide International Council to support the Soviet people in their struggles to restore Socialism and defeat the present hideous counter-revolutionary effects of the dismemberment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, we are particularly surprised when attacks on our organizational activities come our way.

We have operated since 1992 with our publication of "Northstar Compass" and since 1918 as the "Hands Off Russia Committee." Our formation is on the basis of traditional, long-standing programs of international Friendship, Solidarity and Peace. We have consistently declared over and over again that while we are not a political party, or entity, we believe that the development and promotion of such aims will be of significant assistance to the Soviet people in correcting the current conditions that have been brought to them by the counter-revolutionary forces.

We have further proposed that the restoration of Soviet Socialism can be effected only by the Soviet people, is of immense importance and positive results for all people everywhere who now groan under the political, economic and military controls of Transnational capitalism, which is the "new" imperialism, that is termed "Globalization."

In these efforts we have received national, international and global support and assistance from widely differing points of view. Our appeal, so far effectively enforced on a voluntary basis, is that whatever differences exist and often couched in the ideology of Marx and Lenin, must be set aside for more appropriate political forums that the coming world congress cannot and will not entertain.

Our program of Friendship, Solidarity and Peace between all peoples cannot and does not exist within the arena of either some opportunistic rivalries, badly misinterpreted political theories, or even honest differences of opinion that may exist among varying and divided political parties or groups who may carry a particular version of political ideology or practice. Those questions belong in their entirety in the arenas of those who propound and fight for them and should be organized by them.

We are committed totally to the scientific and proven concept that a movement of Friendship. Solidarity and Peace amongst peoples and in support of our long-suffering Soviet friends (who sacrificed beyond all other peoples) can be the result only of the working and common people. We reject elitism in every and all forms and aspects, but at the same time invite organizations, including Communist Parties, to join with us in erecting assistance to our Soviet friends.

Tking all this into account we are both perplexed and saddened to have been branded by he Committee of Canadian Communists, a twenty two year old split-off from the Communist Party of Canada as "an eclectic group of individuals coming out of the wood work, who relate to the past... They are now building a movement in support of Soviet people, but we cannot support it if it is based solely on Maoism and Trotskyism and there is a strong element of that. We need to challenge them to utilize their contacts in the Socialist countries to provide us with an analysis of what happened and what is happening..." (emphasis added).

The Canadian Committee of Communists (CCC) and its leadership have been aware of the Canadian Friends of Soviet People and have been its leading members in the past, plus its predecessor organizations dating back many long years. Equally, since they have been receiving NSC as subscribers since its inception in 1992, they are fully aware of the programs and policies we have pursued throughout. During that time we have not been recipient of more than one or two communications from them. Now they say that they "must engage us in discussion and challenge" us! From whence, or by what mysterious means, have they arrived at "strong elements of Maoism and Trotskyism" we have no way of knowing and can only suggest it arises from well-used ancient notions of "moat-building around the castle of ideological purity"... or from a more dangerous effort to paint colors of hostility to the efforts we have worked without stint to bring to life... the positive elements of Friendship, Solidarity and Peace for the Soviet people on as wide an international scale as possible.

We are perplexed and saddened by the apparently indifferent attitude of other forces sailing onward under the banners of "Communism". Included is the non-cooperative attitude of the Canadian Communist Party. It is not our purpose to engage in debate as to the reasons for this since we view it as internal examination within their own party… or groups. We merely point out that even reluctant agreement that the program of international Friendship, Solidarity and Peace could not other than strengthen the progressive forces that must unite to overcome everywhere baleful and extremely dangerous activities of TNC "globalization."

That is why we extended to any and all political forces and parties a sincere invitation to attend the World Congress 2001 in the capacity of observers, if only to find the truth about what our organization and publication is working to achieve.

We wonder how the signatories to the Call for the World Congress will react to be known and called as "coming out of the woodwork" and that they are "Maoists and Trotskyites?"

We would ask that the leadership of the CCC think about the fact that over 100 Communist and Workers Parties and their Marxist publications in the USSR, Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania will react to the label that you put on them, since they are the Signatories to the Call for a World Congress to establish an International Council for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People?

Amongst the signatories is every existing Communist and Workers Party in the former Soviet Union! These are the comrades who are on the front line of struggle to resurrect the Soviet Union and Socialism and that understand that this World Congress is one of many vehicles that will help to unite forces world-wide and that will help in this process!

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