After consultations with most members of the Executive Committee in seven countries and, after receiving many written analyses about the forthcoming Second World Congress that was proposed to be held in September of 2004 here in Toronto, Canada – we are publishing some of the views in this issue under the column "Friendship News".

Our Executive members and readers of NSC have expressed their concerns and convictions, looking realistically at the present world situation and also at the volatile political situation - looking at the election in Russia where Putin is again the president (which is not surprising since NSC predicted that will happen… even the cover of last month’s NSC pointed to this) – the overall consensus is that the Second World Congress should be postponed until September of 2005 and held in Toronto, Canada.

No one in former Soviet Union can guarantee us that every delegate shall receive an entry visa – since there are members who were refused visa before this. The Russian Friendship Society with Foreign Countries is still not strong enough at this time to be able to host and help with the preparations that are needed for a Congress of this importance.

Another aspect is the need to be very certain that the present Russian government would not at the last moment decide to stop the Congress from taking place and thus the loss of finances by the delegates for airfare and lodgings and other Congress expenses would cripple the future work of the International Council.

We approached other venues in Europe, such as Belgium and Greece, but the results were not favorable to hold the Congress there.

Judging by the letters and interest in this 2^nd World Congress and looking into the need for further discussions and interchange of ideas (as you will gather from the articles sent it) we expect close to 90 delegates from 36 countries that will send delegations.

We are now opening the pages of Northstar Compass to ideas, proposals, discussion papers and analyses as to what the 2^nd World Congress should achieve during this extremely dangerous situation in the world. Now in former Soviet Union, Putin is going to put even more clamps on freedoms of the people and take another step to be the pawn in the hands of US imperialism. United States even now is surrounding Russia with military bases and fomenting ethnic clashes, instigating rabid nationalism and practically owning all of the raw resources of the former Soviet Union through their multinational corporations.

Soviet people need all the solidarity they can get at this time. They gave their all to save mankind from fascism. They saved the world, but unfortunately they could not save themselves - because they lost vigilance and did not get rid of the traitors that worked from inside.

The Second World Congress will be a vehicle to support the Soviet people in their struggles because their struggle is our struggle also.

In order to help the Soviet people in their struggles for the Soviet Union and Socialism, we call on all readers in all the countries to start now the process of organizing Friendship Societies with Soviet People and in this way promoting friendship, circulating information on the struggles of the Soviet people.

In 2005 these existing Friendship Societies can also send delegates to the Second World Congress for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People.

We expect at least 10-13 delegates from all of the former Soviet republics, representing communist parties, peoples’ organizations, newspapers and also trade union organizations.

In future issues of NSC you will read the opinions from many parts of the world as to what is expected from the Second World Congress! Your input will be appreciated.

On behalf of the Executive Committee
MICHAEL LUCAS, Chairman,
Editor of Northstar Compass