Appeal from a Former Russian Political Prisoner

Dear comrades:

I am Anna Petrovna from Russia and I am a Russian Communist. In 2003 I was sentenced for my political activities. I was released on April 13, 2005. I somehow managed to have received your journal, Northstar Compass, but did not have the opportunity to write, since letter writing to other comrades was practically barred. I am happy that now I have the opportunity to write you.

At this time we are cooperating with the political prisoner Igor Gubkin and are working together on plans of effective help to all the political prisoners. In this regard, on September 10 of this year, there is going to be held an International Conference in Moscow to help the political prisoners. Around this International movement there will be established a Financial Fund. This movement suggests the following:

(1) To demand that the Russian regime acknowledges and gives status as political prisoners:

(2) To guarantee all the necessary material needs of the political prisoners:

(3) Guarantee a judicial and lawyer support to all political prisoners:

(4) To make certain that full information about the charges against the political prisoners are available to the public and the position of the state apparatus towards the political prisoners:

(5) Help for the immediate family:

(6) To take all of the necessary steps to gain freedom for the political prisoners.

Today in jails there are held the best young Communists, those that in reality can change the situation in our poor country. They need the help!

Time has gone by when all of these problems could have been solved by peaceful means. And to be truthful, I am afraid that time is running out when this cardinal question can be solved. Just a little more time and our once mighty country will disappear from the map of the earth. And, this one polar world of Imperialism will rule. More and more people are beginning to realize this extreme danger now.

It would be nice if all of the Communists in the world would heed our cry for help. Can you help us in this? Igor Gubkin is still in jail and his sentence of 14 years is still in effect. Even in jail he is working on the question of the defense of the political prisoners.

I am familiar with all of the left-wing political movements here, and I know that Igor Gubkin is an excellent organizer and his dedication to the rebirth of Socialism and of the Soviet Union. He is working on his appeal to the delegates attending the Second World Congress.

We all feel that Northstar Compass should be and can be published in a Russian edition. Please let us know your thoughts on this.

Yours with respect
Anna Petrenko