The news received by the International Council for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People and the Editorial Board of NSC about the formation of a new Russian Friendship Society with Foreign Countries, which replaces the defunct Union of Soviet Societies for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries that operated for more than 70 years in the former USSR has to welcomed with open arms. Of course the circumstances under which the new society has been now established are considerably different from those during Soviet times and the conditions under which they are going to operate are a lot more difficult. Where the former Society had the full blessing and support of the Soviet State, the new society will have to tough it out on its own. This is one reason why we extend our warmest wishes for the success of this initiative to the

Today, the consequences of the dissolution of the USSR organizers of the new society are there for all of the world to see. The one-superpower unipolar world, coupled with the rise to power of an extreme right-wing regime in the United States, has now resulted in a war with Iraq, that may well spill over to other parts of the world and which will undoubtedly have many further repercussions in the years and even in decades to come. The imperialist character of the United States has shown its ugly face and sees the opportunity to extend its tentacles throughout the world, which it seek to dominate for as far as the future as possible, using any means at its disposal. This could have never happened if the Soviet Union was still there! Soviet Union, despite some of its weaknesses, was the only country able to counterbalance the power and ambitions of the USA. It not only matched the US in military strength, but it offered an alternative to the capitalist way of life, even though it still had to overcome some shortcomings and had to struggle through many difficulties and hardships, it nevertheless always held out the prospect of a peaceful, stable and relatively prosperous future for its citizens and those who chose to follow their lead.

The importance of the Soviet Friendship Society and their counterpart societies in many countries of the world lay primarily in the fact that they promoted Friendship and Understanding between countries with different social systems, maintaining open channels of communications between the people and fostered peaceful relations between nations. In times of conflict, these societies were often the only channels of communications still functioning. Cultural and professional exchanges were arranged to foster a spirit of appreciation and understanding of each other’s way of life and to build a basis for mutually beneficial co-operation. On a regular basis, Protocols of Agreement were signed between the various societies committing each other to carry out specific activities in their own country to support the overall objectives.

But that’s the way it was and, for the moment, there is no Soviet Union. This however does not mean that there are no Soviet People! Many have never accepted or forgiven them that their nation was dismantled by traitorous leaders who sold out their Soviet heritage and their people. And even though their are many different viewpoints as to how to rebuild their socialist society, collectively they are a progressive force to be reckoned with. It is these people who are now coming to the fore in re-establishing the Russian Society for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

The task before them and before all Friendship Societies abroad clearly cannot be the same as it was before. For that to happen, socialism first needs to be rebuilt in Russia and in its former republics. In this task, which is theirs and theirs alone, we may however be able to help. Just how and in what manner and capacity will need to be worked out in future agreements. What is not in question however is the need to do so. Credible counterforce to the aggression of the United States is needed to stop their imperialist actions and ambitions. A socialist way of life is needed to their selfish, demeaning, soul destroying, all-conquering, greedy way of life so that peaceful cooperative relations can flourish between people and between nations in all parts of the world. That is no mean task.