The Peoples War in Peru. You have seen it grow. It began in 1980 with a handful of unarmed soldiers of the revolution in Chuschi, Ayacucho. Now it is undisputably the most powerful liberation movement in the world. To paraphrase U.S. imperialism in describing revolutionaries in the world: "The deadliest and the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world." [CIA Fact Book] What is the strength of this revolution? Its ideology, which is todays Marxism: Marxism- Leninism-Maoism (MLM), principally Maoism, and for the specific case of Peru, MLM-Gonzalo Thought; and its leadership, the Communist Party of Peru (PCP). The broad masses of workers, peasants and progressives support this revolution throughout the entire country. The New Flag dedicates its work to the heroic people of Peru, the seeds of the Peoples Republic of Peru in the liberated areas (Peoples Committees), the Peoples Liberation Army and the unblemished leadership of the PCP: The Central Committee and the Regional Committees. We also honor our combatants fallen in battle and those comrades who keep up the struggle in the Luminous Trenches of Combat (concentration camps of Cantogrande, Chorrillos, Yanamayo and others) defeating the trap of "peace accords". This issue features SOME of the political and military actions of the Peoples War that have expanded countrywide. It is hard to keep up with events in Peru: the Peoples War, the political indicator in Peru is so dynamic. DESCO, one anti-PCP Non- Governmental Organization that stores government data on PCP activities, states: "We cant keep up with guerrilla activities in Peru. The Army gives us what they can and want. Senderos actions are everywhere." Yes, the PCP is everywhere "hitting the wall" with strength, keeping up the momentum with 15 years of hard-fought struggle now in a state of strategic equilibrium. As the finish line approaches, the crucial insurrections in the cities are being prepared.
The formidable offensive of the Peoples War coincides with the 15th Anniversary. The actions of the Peoples Liberation Army throughout the country, especially in Lima, Ayacucho, Huallaga, and the Northern Region, has totally silenced the songs of victory of Peruvian and world reaction. These actions of the revolution are too loud and powerful to be censored or silenced by the yellow press in Peru and the imperialist press worldwide. The precision in the synchronization and the accomplishment of the political and military objectives have been truly impressive. Detailed descriptions of some of these actions are in our section "News Briefs". In the interior of the country the ambushes against the Army and the takeover of cities are increasing massively, all which indicates the arrival of a great leap in the development of the Peoples War.
This issue also debunks the illusions of "modernization" being propagated by a regime based on the exploitation, hunger and genocide of the people. It describes the most successful boycott of the electoral farce of the dictatorship. The proletariat and Peruvian people clamor for more Peoples War. Only through armed struggle will real power be conquered. Only struggle educates the masses, only the struggle discovers the depth of our strength, broadens our horizons and forges our will. We also have reports on the solidarity and support movement to the Peoples War in Peru which has expanded worldwide.
Finally, here in the belly of the beast, the people face a critical moment of a political, economic, and ideological assault unprecedented in this century, a time when the hard-fought gains won with blood and struggle in the 30s and 60s, for which so many thousands were jailed and faced persecution, are being erased. The Bill of Rights is being shredded. Budget cuts and austerities, privatizations, breaking labor unions, fascist creations like the Contract with America, growing repression previously saddled in Peru and other Third World peoples, are now here, borne on a tidal wave of racism. Support to the Peoples War in Peru is therefore taking place in an atmosphere of upsurge in political and social struggle. The Peoples resistance at home and the world show that Revolution is the main trend in todays world. People are coming to realize more and more that the path of struggle followed by the PCP is the only one that can lead to liberation. Other movements in the world have chosen other paths, the path of "compromise", the path of "peace processes", the path of "surrender and capitulation" to imperialism and its political tools (U.N., O.A.S.) as well as to its financial tools (IMF, World Bank). The results are not prosperity or peace, but more hunger and misery for the people. So, the Peoples War is overcoming the campaign of slander by the enemy, and overcoming the honest confusion of the people. The duty of exposing the real nature of U.S. intervention in general, and in Peru in particular, is more important than ever. For, in order to effectively fight against the developing social blitzkrieg at home, people need to understand the real nature of the forces behind it, and they are not simply Gingrich, Chirac, Clinton and the Republican Party. To deal with our enemy, we must be able to see how imperialism operates in every arena, in every environment abroad, as well as at home. To deal with our enemy, we must join our struggle with the struggle of the people all over the world, especially the most advanced struggle in todays world: the Peoples War in Peru.
The Editors.