The steady march ahead for realization of the tasks set upon us by the First Word Congress for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People that was held three years ago in Toronto, Canada is going full speed ahead. Much has been accomplished. But, the present world situation is bringing us new problems. This demands analytical know-how and correct decisions. But as the Open Letter by Michael Lucas and Ray Stevenson that we received in Russian, the finding of a location to hold the Second World Congress was not as successful as was hoped. What can we do? It is hard for us here to come up with a definite proposal, but we have ideas that we would like to bring to your attention.

1: The main thing is that the Second World Congress must take place! We are certain that this will happen. It is important that where it might take place, we must be certain that the outside state forces will allow it to take place. Even though the executive of the Russian Society for Friendship with Foreign Countries is willing to help to hold it in Moscow, but there is no guarantee that Putin and Co. who was just elected for another 4 year term, will allow this Congress to take place. A situation can develop where delegates from over 30 countries that are expected to come - outlaying money for air travel and hotel expenses, no one there can guarantee that the authorities will allow the Congress to take place. President Putin again shows himself as a reactionary, and very pro-US imperialism.

In the Byelorussian Republic, President Lukashenko finds himself surrounded on all sides and does not want the situation to get any worse. Greece would have been fine but with the Olympics being held this year, plus the party there which had sent a delegate to the first congress is not strong enough to host us, while the other larger party is not too interested. The comrades in Belgium also are nit too keen.

If the Congress will be held in Toronto, even though there might be some problems with visas at this time, it seems as the logical choice.

2: The authors of the Open Letter are correct when they say that there is no unity in the world revolutionary movement, as in the former USSR. The rebirth of socialism in former Soviet Union will take time. But the spirit of the Great October is there and this spirit is felt all over the world. The safeguarding and promoting the ideals of Communism, this is the responsibility of the working class of the world. That is why it is always necessary to remind people of the great significance of the Great October Socialist Revolution. The criteria of any real and genuine revolutionary party, is its attitude to the dictatorship of the proletariat and the ownership of the means of production. Any other attitude to this cardinal question is –opportunism.

3: We have to realize and admit that the present Imperialism is bringing mankind towards a terrible global catastrophe. At this dangerous time it is imperative that there is unity between all anti-imperialist and anti-globalist movements, who are struggling against terrorism in the world, headed by the USA. These are, in the first place, terrorists from the Pentagon, having bludgeoned and devastated Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq, utilizing weapons with depleted uranium. Bush threatens North Korea, Cuba and now invaded Haiti.

In keeping our heads clear and looking at all the movements that seem progressive, we should be careful not to slide down the slippery path of opportunism. Putin does not seem to care that American bases are now surrounding all of Russia.

We have to keep Marxism-Leninism pure and cannot allow it to become the battering ram against Bolshevism. Our task is to unite the socialist-communist movements into one stream, which will carry onwards the idea towards the future for mankind – communism.

4: We feel that it is important that the International Council and Northstar Compass should arrange a cycle of lectures about problems of cooperation of countries and of people. This should be attempted in countries that have signed the protocol to help in the work of the International Council. Maybe some comrades could give lectures, hold discussions about this cardinal problem in many countries.

In a previous issue of NSC we showed how this can be done in order to influence the younger generation. We on our part would be ready to do this. Maybe our proposal might be taken as a bluff or a mirage. A catastrophe is waiting for mankind. Can we just stand by?

5: We feel that Northstar Compass should become the vehicle of the exchange of ideas, discussions, suggestions, criticism and self-criticism. The bourgeois propaganda through the mass media is constantly bellowing in Ukraine how the countries like Hungary, Poland, Czechs, and Baltic republics are developing standards of living etc., which basically is just convoluted lies and half-truths. Therefore we need to have the real truth reach us like some of our friends are helping us by sending us news from Poland, Czech Republic and from Brazil.

If it could be possible and feasible for us to publish books, brochures to distribute all over where possible – that would help to bring our message to a wider audience. In this respect we like to thank NSC and its Editor Michael Lucas for translating and publishing books such as the "Geography of the Ukraine" and "My Calvary". It would be very good if we could find a sponsor for the manuscript I sent, called "My Niagara" written after attending the First Word Congress in Toronto in 200. The manuscript is in the offices of NSC.

We jut covered some aspects of our cooperation here in order to consolidate our work on all the continents.

Workers of the word, unite!

On behalf of the Ukraine-Canada Society
Professor Vladimir Herasymchuk