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| By Maria Donchenko, Moscow |
We wrote many times about the International Council for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People and the Northstar Compass journal, with which we have contacts for many years. At this time I was fortunate to get acquainted personally with this Friendship Society and the Friendship House in Toronto, as one a delegation from the Soviet Society for Friendship with Foreign Countries from which I attended, together with Vladimir Chechentsev the International Council Conference that was held on October 10-11-12, 2008 in Toronto, Canada.
This very important International Council Conference was attended by many delegates from Canada, USA, India, Turkey-North Kurdistan, Senegal, Czech Republic, Poland, Chile, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland. From Russia (former USSR) there was Maria Donchenko (AKM-TR) and Valadimir Chechentsev, Editor of the Russian Edition of NSC. Viktor Bourenkov the Chairman of the Soviet Society for Friendship with Foreign Countries (RCWP-RPC, RCUY-B) was not able to attend. His Report was sent by e-mail and was read from the Tribunal. (It’s published in this issue of NSC Editor). There were many delegates that were refused visa by the Canadian government.
We gathered in very nice hall decorated with Soviet posters and slogans, plus photographs and very many oil paintings by Michael Lucas the Chairman of the International Council and Editor of the English Edition of Northstar Compass. There is a very extensive library of Soviet books, a video library of Soviet Videos, DVD’s, CD’s and Tapes of Soviet music. As Michasel Lucas said: “This is a little part of USSR in far away Canada!”
The Conference was opened by Frank Trampus, Chairman of the Toronto Branch of the Canadian Friends of Soviet People. The Main Conference Report was given by Michael Lucas, Chairman of the International Council and Editor of NSC.
This was followed by heated discussions about successes and weaknesses of the work from many countries. There were reports by the Russian French and Spanish Editors of NSC. There was very lively and sometimes heated discussions that took place about the present situation in Russia and in other post Soviet republics. There was no unity achieved as far as what is present Russia - a semi colony or an imperialist state. I Defended the first one – Russia is a neo-colony since there is practically a complete elimination of industrial capacity, education, economic growth – all of our raw resources – oil and gas – but hardly any manufacturing. Therefore Russia is not an imperialist state.
In our discussion we agreed that the conflict between Georgia in South Ossetia, it was agreed that both sides are to blame. Strangely a few observers just wanted to put the blame on Georgia and absolve Putin and Medvedev of any blame. These observers wanted this to be deleted from the resolution. This proposal was defeated.
There were many resolutions adopted after full discussion, which are published here in NSC in full.
On Sunday October 12th the Canadian hosts arranged by bus an excursion to Niagara Falls for all the delegates and observers. This natural wonder is a worldwide tourist attraction and it is a pleasure to see a rainbow over the Niagara Falls through the mist while the rushing water is cascading from 53 meters above.
In conclusion I would like to say a few words – that Michael Lucas is nor only the Chairman of the International Council for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People and Editor of Northstar Compass, but a musician-orchestra leader and an artist. Two of his paintings were won in a raffle for all of the delegates and the lucky winners were delegates from Poland and the U.S. Two of his paintings were given as a gift to a woman delegate from Turkey (we do not publish her name or photo due to obvious reasons), two other paintings were given to me for which I want to thank Michael very sincerely for his special gift.
This 3-day conference went by very fast as I flew over the night-lights of the City of Toronto on my way to Moscow.
Ahead is the organization of the Third World
Congress for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People and the daily
work to do by all of us in our own countries to make certain that this
Third World Congress is a great success!
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