Dear readers, subscribers, friends and comrades:
To you all, our warm greetings.
We would like to draw your attention to the coming II World Congress to be hosted here in Toronto, Canada. The significance of it cannot be stressed enough. The Second Congress takes place in the current unstable international situation of the most wretched armed conflicts, whereby the savage face of capitalism is demonstrated brutally in many places around the globe. These facts cannot be either ignored and/or denounced, but they must be exposed in all of its vileness.
We can proudly say that NSC and CFSP have resolutely and relentlessly done just that.
It has not been easy to be the sore constantly throbbing in the back of the 'left' and so-called progressive forces here at home as well as abroad. But, we are determined to continue.
This message is not just another letter, not just another appeal for funds or for membership – it is a call to unite our strengths, our wisdom, our energies and our voices to join together against the war-mongering intents of capitalism and its followers, against indifference, apathy and complacency. Has the will and/or capacity to fight disappeared? We sincerely hope that it is not the case. However, your contribution can take many forms; we encourage you to come forth.
You may ask as to why we are still persisting in this endeavor? Frankly, there is no simple answer, but, we could say the following: we have come from different countries, and we are here-reunited under the generous shade of our desire for Peace and Socialism, as we believe it is the only humane system for the peoples of the world – there is no other. For many years, Northstar Compass and the Canadian Friends of Soviet - People have witnessed incredible changes in the world. We have followed these events taking place in the international arena with mixed feelings of both joy and sadness. But, we cannot and will not surrender to the current system of lies, to a system where poverty is multiplied in order to multiply the wealth of a few. We refuse to surrender to a system that distorts history and makes a mockery of truth.
We have seen many of our friends and allies pass away, but we have to continue in their footsteps. It is not a choice, but it is because we have to, because we will not betray their memory. And it is their fire that burns brightly in our hearts and minds, and with your support it will continue to burn.
The flames of this fire get nurtured with your contribution and with your membership. The Second World Congress will shed light on some issues of tantamount importance in the lives of both the NSC and CFSP, here in Canada and in the International Council for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People.
The role that NSC and CFSP have played and can continue to play is a positive and most needed contribution to the dispelling of lies of capitalist expansionism and its dark army of slaughter.
We are hopeful, for hope is the taller part of humankind. We are hopeful because people's struggles around the world call for our optimism and solidarity, whether in Iraq, Palestine, Latin America, Asia, former USSR or Africa.
People are fighting back and resisting; we, here, in the belly of the beast can do nothing less.
We await your response,
Rickie Esguerra
Chairperson, Canadian Friends of Soviet People
Cristina Fernandez
Public Relations for the Canadian Friends of Soviet People
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