Some of the reactionary Peruvians in the Internet keep on posting their scribbling supporting tyrant Fujimori in Peru and slandering our positions. They do not say a thing of any relevance, but only display their ignorance about the oppressive nature of capitalism or their complete indifference to it. Personally, I've got to praise The New Flag for posting the only intelligent and insightful articles in the Peru newsgroup. Its articles display thorough research and well thought out theories. I certainly realize that most reactionary Peruvians are not at the level of The New Flag. But just because they cannot understand what the editors of The New Flag are saying is no reason to condemn the right The New Flag has to express its views. Moreover, it is important that we have direct access to the views of the PCP instead of having to rely for that information on the clearly biased capitalist media.
Regarding the violence of the PCP the reactionaries so much condemn, the Peruvian government has been the perpetrator of much more violence that the PCP could have. States, as Max Weber put it, have a monopoly of violence--for good or bad. That is what allows them to become the dominant institution in society.
If the PCP was any more violent than the Peruvian government, then the PCP would be the government. You see that the Peruvian masses have been oppressed by the minority controlled state for several centuries now. The oppression and repression perpetrated by the state-which allows for vast privileges for one group over another--will not be given up by the state peacefully. People do not like to give up their privileges, however unjust they may be. So we see that a violent resistance is needed to bring about an end to suffering of the most (the people). If this does not happen, then the visible violence (that which differs from the norm--i.e., the PCP) will give way to the violence of the state. The state's violence is not as visible as that of the PCP, because it is the norm rather than the exception. Many people have come to accept it as a part of reality. But the suffering is still there, and people are still being murdered, coerced by hunger and disease. Those arguments that condemn the PCP's violence are truly short sighted. Instead they turn out to be another's "lets not make any trouble, and let the people keep suffering."
Keep up the good work!
Oscar.
Interviewer: Veronica Insausti, "Revista Dominical" Channel 4 of Lima.
Question 1. Is The New Flag the main propaganda vehicle of RIM or one of the many Marxist- Leninist-Maoist groups worldwide?
Answer. There is a saying in Ayacucho: "Forget us but do not confuse us." We have nothing to do with RIM. RIM is a progressive group that with all its limitations and shortcomings supports the revolution in our country. The New Flag is the voice of the Peru's People's Movement (MPP) in North America. Our goal is to increase the awareness of the American people on the struggle of the oppressed masses that are making reality the heroic People's War led by the PCP. The Peruvian people face the most brutal repression and censorship in their history by the genocidal regime headed by U.S. lackey Fujimori. The New Flag informs the public about the democratic character of the revolution in Peru and the unstoppable advances of the People's War today in the stage of strategic equilibrium.
Question 2. What are the objectives of this new system of propaganda, using the cybernet worldwide? I asked this question because generally, the press reports the PCP is an old fashioned organization.
Answer. Contrary to the contentions of the yellow press in Peru and the mercenaries known as Senderologists, the PCP is a Communist Party of a new type. The PCP has nothing of archaic or occult. It is a Marxist-Leninist-Maoist Party. The PCP document: "The Rectification Campaign with Peoples War Yes, and Elections No" states that we must use all informational weapons in our reach (including modern technology) to spread the ideology of the Party and thus generate an international public opinion favorable to the People's War.
Question 3. Who is Quispe? Why don't you tell us who your leaders are?
Answer. And would you like their addresses, also? Your question appears to be like a police interrogation. This is a question frequently asked by entities such as SIN, headed by the murderer Montesinos. Let us remind you that we are not afraid at all of the criminal regime of Fujimori. Where is its great labor of intelligence that they don'tknow who the opposition abroad is? The same happens with the "great intelligence of Fujimori" inside Peru. For instance, most of the 4,000 thousand political prisoners were thrown in jail illegally to fit its cheap propaganda of a "defeated Sendero". It is a crude psychological warfare to prevent Peruvians abroad, those with dignity and courage, to speak up and denounce the countless crimes committed by the most despicable, the most criminal in Peruvian history, the most corrupt and sellouts to Yanqui imperialism: Fujimori and his cohorts in the genocidal Armed Forces.
Question 4. Now that most of the leaders of the PCP are dead or in prison, do you have contacts with the PCP?
Answer. The tale of Fujimori of a dead PCP or a leaderless People's War cannot be taken seriously. A basic knowledge of counterinsurgency warfare tactics applied by the U.S. in several countries reveals that any innocent civilian, forcefully taken from his home, may be converted by the Army (and highlighted by its press) for propaganda purposes as an important "captured" guerrilla leader. The same human rights groups financed by imperialism maintain that 70-75% of imprisoned in Peru for "terrorism" are innocents. Granted, we concede that their only merit was the capture of President Gonzalo. However, this was not due to their great intelligence work but to the inevitable mistakes in the revolutionary camp. The regime has capitalized on this unfortunate event to the fullest extent, but the fruits of its "success" has been exhausted. They have nothing else to show. The battlefields show the victories of the People's Army. The PCP has generated thousands of leaders. Their ideological strength enable the cadres to assume Party responsibilities at higher levels. They are like the fish in a river that never dries up. Its flow can change speed, but it will never reverse course or stop until the arrival of Communism. Where is the claim of a 'personality cult' attributed to the PCP? It was a lie. The masses make history, the PCP leads. After 500 years of misery and exploitation, in 1980 the fury of the masses launched revolutionary violence, the PCP channels it in a organized manner. Contrary to the slanders that the PCP engages in "terrorism", it leads a genuine revolution, a People's War. And it will seize power. You shall see it.
[Editor's Note. In future issues The New Flag will publish reports and interviews on its activities (e.g., CCN February 26, 1995, The Miami Herald, among others.]
Dear Editor:
Hello, I have been following your mail in the news groups (Internet). I have lived in Peru for around one year. Now I go to Randolph-Macon College in Richmond, Va. I have been preparing a paper for one of my classes over the last couple of months. It is on the PCP (the real one), and the Shining Path (the false one slandered in the press). Part of my project is a report in front of many students and teachers. So I was wondering, since I noticed that you are very truthful and straightforward, whether you would like to write a letter that I could read out loud coming from you and directed to these people. I have lived in South America (Colombia, Bolivia, y Peru) for about 12 years, total. But I still find it difficult to express certain ideas that you do a very clear job of explaining. So I would be very grateful for any words you send me to pass on to these people in Virginia.
Muchas Gracias,
Charles
Note. We sent a letter to Charlie so he can educate his class. It is true `Shining Path' is a term used for those who think Communism is dead, those who accept the demonization of the PCP. We, revolutionaries in the world emphatically state: We support the Communist Party of Peru (PCP).
Thank you for The New Flag in English. This kind of information has been sorely lacking. This is the first time I'm hearing from an authoritative source that the People's War is continuing in spite of the capture of President Gonzalo. The RCP-USA and RIM have consistently downplayed in their publications the advances made by the People's War during the last three years, and have remained silent about the hundreds of guerrilla actions carried out during that time. This silence was a grievous mistake which gave credence to the media lie that the PCP has been dealt a crippling blow.
In my experience, there are some serious flaws in the founding of RIM, especially in regard to RCP's role. In order to boost the semblance of a full blown International overnight, the RCP sponsored two fake organizations, representing Haiti and the Dominican Republic, to sign the declaration on an equal footing with mass based parties in their respective countries, and some of them are already engaged in armed struggle. At the time, the Haitian Revolutionary Internationalist Group (GRIA), the signing organization, consisted of a single individual (a Haitian revolutionary) and RCP sympathizer living in the United States. Later, some comrades, including myself, sought to join GRIA and to develop it in a honest basis of criticism and rectification. But the RCP Branch in New York circumvented several attempts to correspond with RIM's international secretariat and especially with the PCP, and hurriedly relocated the only GRIA member to another city in the U.S.
While this particular incident may seem trite and inconclusive, revolutionaries from other countries, especially from the Third World, who have come in contact with the RCP within the U.S., will readily attest to RCP's big country chauvinism (...) Some of this is evident in Bob Avakian's attempt to define the principal world contradiction in the 1980's in terms of the imperialist competition between the U.S. and the URSS. This definition a la Trotsky negated the role of the masses under imperialism and amounted to a revision of the Marxist principle that class struggle is the motor of history. At the same time and in a subtle way, by making the U.S. the epicenter of world revolution and the principal aspect of the world contradictions, RCP was putting forward its claim to leadership within RIM. Meanwhile, it abandoned all pretense of organizing the genuine proletariat within the U.S. and entered into all kinds of reformist alliances with the U.S. anti-nuke movement, with the obvious result that the party became a small middle-class white organization with only a handful of blacks and Latinos in visible token positions.
I do not raise these issues to add fuel to the fire, but with the conviction that the only correct way to redress errors is through sharp criticism and self-criticism followed by rectification. Overall, I do not consider RCP a reactionary organization.
I am a firm supporter of the People's War in Peru, and I believe Nueva Bandera's position is correct on this issue.
Solidarite Mouvman Popile.
Our revolutionary greetings for your work in support of the People's War. We would like to exchange ideas and join our efforts in this great cause that must be tied to two important tasks: 1) In Defense of the Leadership, Against the Genocidal Dictatorship, and 2) Long Live Maoism. In the same manner, we must continue our struggle against capitulators, revisionists and informants who are being wipe out by the unstoppable advances of the People's War.
[...]
Distance is not an obstacle when there's a will.
Studiekretsen Rode Sol
[Sol Peru-Denmark]
BRUSSELS. Letter from Diario International to suppoters in RI and WA. March 21, 95.
Dear cc.,
As you know, the CSRP which is led by RCP-USA has discontinued the translation of Diario International (DI). They also refuse to distribute our Spanish Edition. The problem between them and us is ideological. It tends to become an antagonic contradiction. Besides the boycott imposed to the distribution of DI by the bureaucracies of RIM, RCP, ICE, and others, we are making efforts to publish in English the main articles of DI. This is our task and we are asking for your cooperation.
[Here is the document In Defense of the Peruvian Revolution...]
In the near future, the articles of DI will be distributed in the worldwide Internet system, and they will be published monthly.
L.A.B.
El Diario International
[Editor's Note. This letter was sent to a supporter in Rhode Island. The New Flag has translated into English the documents of DI: "Operation Capitulation", and selected articles of recent issues. In addition, we have distributed it worldwide by e-mail. The New Flag makes this contribution to any group in support of the People's War, we do it without asking anything in return as long as they live up to their principles. The MPP does not necessarily agree with Mr. Arce's position. But we believe he has taken a principled stand on the reactionary issue of the "peace accords"]
May 29, 1995
Dear comrades:
My name is J.K. I am a member of Local [deleted] United Steel Workers of America. I work at [deleted] in Southern RI. I recently learned of the People's War through one of your fliers. I have also seem some posters in Westerly and Kingston.
I also received past issues of El Diario, Lima in English. They were very good. I wish there was a militantly pro-worker Communist Party in the U.S., or at least in this area. The workers here are told many lies about revolution and especially about the Communist Party of Peru or Shining path. Our leaders fear it like the plague. What are they afraid of? The truth! They brag and swagger over the "death of Communism" but they are always looking over their shoulder [sic] and are scared to death that they may be overturned.
They know they are screwing the masses, who they want to drill into passivity with their drugs and entertainment and sex, etc. I am glad the Peru Support Committee in my area is there and so visible to tell the truth.
I have a question. In Diario of January 12, 1988, there is a reference to an article called: "The proletariat and the Struggle for Emancipation: Marxism and the Trade Union Movement." Would you please send me a complete copy. I would pay for it (although you never sent me a bill for the other stuff you have sent me).
There is an excellent bookstore in [deleted]. If you want, I would be glad to ask if they can carry your publications and The New Flag. Let me know.
Sincerely.
J.K.
March 15, 95
Dear friends,
I received The New Flag. It is excellent! However, I am no longer at USP-Marion. I've been transferred to the Administrative Maximun at Florence, CO.
Viva el PCP!
Raymond L. Levasseur.
Arm the Spirit
June 23, 95
Dear comrades,
VIVA EL PCP! Yes, the People's War is invincible. I am being transferred to the new Super Max Code for Torture Chamber. I would like to continue receiving your magazine, The New Flag. Please for the PCP, all I had.
In struggle and remains yours.
Zakia.
Action Socialiste,
C.P. 1004,
Sucursale "C",
Montreal, Quebec
Canada, H2L4V2
The nothing-to-lose proletariat must lead the people to raise up in struggle against the system NOW! It is Right to Rebel! declared President Mao. And that's what the people on the bottom of society -the class of modern slaves with nothing to lose but its chains-must do: Rise up and throw off the oppressors. Yes, revolution is the only solution to the crimes the imperialism system metes out to the oppressed in Australia and the world over. In other countries, most notable in Peru, our class brothers and sisters are waging People's War and dealing powerful blows to imperialism. We must raise up the specter of real communism, Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. Let the ruling classes tremble at a communist revolution!
C.R.C.P.
BOX 474D
G.P.O. Melbourne 3001
Australia
Note. Two important documents in support of the PCP was published by the Maoists in Australia: "Why we support the revolution in Peru," and the book "The Maoist revolution in Peru."
We are writing to express our appreciation for your tireless efforts in support of the revolutionary struggle against capitalism and U.S. imperialism in particular.
The articles of The New Flag have been invaluable in combating the reactionary political and ideological offensive against the internationalism communist movement, Maoism and the PCP, being waged in this country as in other around the world. These communiques have been valuable for consolidating the ideological position of revolutionaries in this country around the banner of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and have also been welcome herald for Peruvian refugees here, who face a deafening silence from the media here on the progress of the People's War in Peru. We have taken the liberty of reprinting your articles in our journal "Revolution."
The Communist Party of New Zealand is regrouping comrades in this country betrayed by the realignments of left and right opportunists in the wake of the collapse of the revisionist regimes in Eastern Europe. In particular, the National Committee of the CP of New Zealand has abandoned its long, albeit often opportunist, associations with the internationalist communist movement, renouncing this for Trotskysm. We, of course, welcome the break of such opportunists from the CP. We see the revolutionary road through the reaffirmation of the basic tenets of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. We are anxious to learn from the experiences and analysis of the Communist Party of Peru (PCP) as we commit ourselves to supporting the rapidly reemerging revolutionary communist movement from the sea of opportunism.
In struggle,
R. H.
Secretary General.
P.O. 2751
Auckland
New Zealand (Aotearoa)
A comrade of the MPP-Switzerland has provided me with the French translation of your article: "Reply from the MPP-USA to the RCP-USA." I greet your stand on the phony "peace accords", and I am in total agreement with the slogans: "Long Live the People's War", "Long Live Maoism, Down with revisionism."
In 1983, the RCP-USA contacted the PCP. They invited the Party to sign the Declaration of RIM of 1980 and the PCP turned down the proposal. The PCP did not agree with the contents of such a statement. RIM did not consider Mao-Tsetung Thought as Maoism or Marxism-Leninism-Maoism as today's Marxism. The decision of the PCP to become a fraction of RIM in order to develop Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, principally Maoism, was reaffirmed in the Fourth National Conference of the PCP in 1986.
In 1987-1988, the PCP published in "Bases of Discussion" a chapter on the international line addressing the RIM issue.
In "A World to Win" (AWTW) 1988/12, an article "Marxism-Leninism-Maoism New Document of the RCP-USA" included a resolution greeting RIM's declaration of 1980 (the one repudiated by the PCP). Thus, the title of the resolution and the content of it were contradictory. Here we have the first clear example of opportunism. Specifically, Avakian trying to impose his views to a Party and a great leader such as President Gonzalo already involved in 8 years of People's War. In two letters addressed to MPP-France on 4/24/88 and 5/12/89 I pointed out the hegemonic dreams of Avakian through writings in his newsletter "A World to Win." My first letter (copy enclosed) reads: "...The PCP has opened the path to the development of MLM in theory and practice. Today, without any doubt, the PCP is in the foreground of the international communist movement...In the struggle against opportunism, we observe the behavior of greedy leaders or would be leaders...We are the product of a class society in decomposition and all of us, in different degrees, have the stigma of these ills. The basis of the capitalist society is egoism, very few are free of this. For this reason, the great leaders of the proletariat cannot be counted in the hundreds...This would be rare considering the putrefied society in which we live. In this regard, I received this AWTW that contrary to the previous issues, I did not find a significant article dedicated to the People's War, but few letters from organizations supporting the PCP. The letter from India stated: "On the World Situation and the Tasks of Today" from the Central Committee of the CP (M-L) of India: "...Leading the world rebellion, is the People's War led by the PCP which is the light of the oppressed masses and the people of the world...that's the reason why the two imperialist powers in collusion are acting jointly to defeat this powerful revolution." The second I wrote stated, "...In the Chapter `President Gonzalo and the International Line,' President Gonzalo declared that the PCP considers RIM faces problems in different areas. He particularly demonstrated that the diverging points of the PCP and RIM are on the fundamental and decisive role of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, principally as the only, true and new stage in the development of the proletarian ideology which is applicable worldwide. Therefore, our disagreement, with the denomination of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Tsetung Thought. The later denomination is what Avaikan tried to impose."
In AWTW of 11/12/1988 there is a new document of the RCP-USA entitled, "Marxism-Leninism-Maoism." The newsletter stated that the Second Central Committee of the RCP, a member of RIM, had its 8th Plenum and had approved the new document. In the first place, this was written by the leaders of the RCP and discussed internally by this Party. This document is accompanied by a resolution of the RCP-USA that greets the RIM: " We express our firm support to the declaration of RIM...The Central Committee sends its greetings and firm support to Co-RIM...for its leadership fundamentally correct and perseverance on the basis of the Declaration."
In sum,
1) No rectification on this erroneous declaration on Marxism-Leninism-Mao Tsetung Thought, was done.
2) In the new document "Marxism-Leninism-Maoism" there is not any self-criticism by Avakian and he does not explain the fundamental why the Third epoch is qualified as Maoism.
On the contrary, RIM (or Avakian) presents the abandonment of the slogan Mao Tsetung Thought by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism as his own inspiration. This makes me believe that the RCP development is obstructed by severe and detestable leadership methods, similar methods that facilitated the resurgence of modern revisionism and the liquidation of everything the proletarian revolution has built thorough the decades in struggle. This is a clear example that there will be no progress if we don't embark on an open struggle against opportunism of one thousand faces. [end of the letter]
To conclude, in number 1992/17 of AWTW, Bob Avakian published a large Castro-like article, "Democracy: More Than Ever We Must Do Better Than That." It is good to study this article to confirm our criticism to this opportunist.
I am shocked to learn that the old MPPs in Europe have swalled a huge and gross snake, just like the one the CIA had spread in the world: "The New Decision and New Definition" and "Peace Accords" that the People's War and the leadership of the PCP have completely smashed.
A.F.
Geneva (Suisse).
Dear cc.,
Revolutionary Greetings!
Although I agree with you that the leaders of FSLN and FMLM have shown their traitorous opportunism (New Flag No. 4), the heroic people of El Salvador and Nicaragua have been exemplary in their anti-imperialist struggle. I am sure the PCP leadership has study them thoroughly. Even thought their ideological limitations, the FMLN had reached a strategic equilibrium with the Army, but instead of going forward to launch the offensive, the leaders stabbed the people on the back. They negotiated an agreement with U.S. imperialism and U.N. and sold out the revolution. I think we should look the FMLN's struggle from a technical-military view point. 1) They were capable of maintaining two radio stations, the PCP needs a radio to propagate its actions and ideology. What do the peoples of the world need from the PCP? Yes, we celebrate its actions, but what we need the most is to learn its powerful ideology; 2) The FMLN was capable of neutralizing the air power of the enemy, for example, using missiles Stinger they brought down many helicopters and even U.S. planes. What would have been the end, if the people of El Salvador had the PCP's ideology? We would be celebrating the victory instead of a shameless capitulation. What is the most important task of the People's War in Peru? Seize Power! and then to extend the struggle from Alaska to the Patagonia. Peru, future base of the World Proletarian Revolution! Revolution will be the order of the day in the belly of the beast!
A. M. G.
Womens Prison, Amarillo, Texas.
Dear friends,
Thank you for The New Flag. I am a political prisoner of GRAPO and am in prison for 14 years. I found it very interesting as far as my English allows me to read. A Spanish version is badly needed here. Communist Greetings. Viva el PCP.
Jose Fernandez.
We have received the March 95 issue from our comrades of Devrince Sol. "The whole world is a battle field against imperialism. In Turkey, we are the spreading the fight. After Fazi, Nurtepe and Okmeydani, tomorrow will be all over the country! Revolutionary People's Liberation Front. "The struggle of the working class in Europe, in Africa the resistance of the people of Somalia, Rwanda, and Libia are examples of resistance...the anti-imperialist movements in the Middle East opposing the collaboration of the PLO, the Kurdish National struggle is growing. In Latin America, where the reactionary winds are blowing and despite of all adversities, the continuous armed struggle of the Communist Party of Peru (PCP), the uprising of peasants in Mexico are also the anger of the peoples against imperialism".
[Editors's Note. In Istanbul, 30,000 people marched against fascism on May 1st. The Army massacred the marchers allegedly to "prevent an armed action of the PKK". Another organization in the forefront of anti-fascist struggle in Turkey is the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP-ML), a Marxism-Leninism-Maoist Party.]
"We mark the 20th Anniversary of the U.S. defeat in Vietnam not to simply 'look back' but to look forward. Now more than ever U.S. imperialism needs to be opposed. History has shown us that they can be defeated and this important, lesson needs to be taught today."
VVAW AI
P.O. Box 95172
Seattle, WA 98145-2172
Across the country, capitalist politicians are slashing out public services and jobs. They are whipping up racism and anti-immigrant chauvinism in order to divide and conquer the working class. There are a growing number of revolutionary-minded workers and progressive students who realize the problem isn't just the greed and racism of the rich and their established politicians, but the overthrow of capitalism and the creation of a worker's state.
The Populism of Worker's World Party (WWP) and its front National People's Campaign. WWP was able to organize rallies against the "Contract of America." However, WWP is a barrier to any revolutionary perspective in this country. WWP has a long history of collaboration with politicians of the capitalist Democratic Party. WWP pushes class collaboration. It is trying to build a "populist" cross road movement which, if successful will fall under the control of the Democratic Party. WWP uses the rhetoric of poor against rich instead of class against class. WWP builds front groups and safety-valves protest rallies, which allows liberal politicians to pretend to be on our side. For example, on its May 6 rally, WWP targets mainly the Republicans (Gingrich-Dole-Helms), it hides the fact that both parties together wage a class war. In the past, WWP endorsed Democrat politicians such as Jesse Jackson, Dinkins. Internationally they supported Gorbachev, and Mandela (how about Castro of the 80-90's?)...
[Reply. Can Troskytes criticize appropriately a group such as the WWP? We don't think so. It is true WWP has been one of the few groups able to call and organize the resistance of the latest attacks of the ruling class in the U.S. But they have limitations on all levels. They don't deliver a revolutionary political and ideological message nor they provide leadership to the desperate masses in this country. We disagree that the WWP is an impediment to revolutionary growth in this country. This is a smokescreen to justify your incapacity to organize the working class in the belly of the beast. As far as we know, WWP has done very little work among workers, immigrants and the student movements. The same is true for all the "left" in this country. But WWP has a political ability the others lack. It has the capacity to convoke the masses with good propaganda work. The masses respond and mobilize, but they feel frustrated. WWP turns to liberals and Democrats to deliver the political message. No wonder their main stars in the rallies are our old friends: Bill Kunstler and Ramsey Clark. On May 6th, we heard Bill shouting: "...We will resist the Contract by any means necessary" What did he mean? Obviously he refers to a lawsuit in the capitalist courts. The opportunist international line of the U.S. left is not the privilegy of the WWP. What "left" group in the U.S. did not support the traitor Mandela of South Africa? How about the "socialist" Gorbachev and his reactionary Perestroika? Some still do. One example is the chronically "infiltrated" reactionary group named Socialist Workers Party. We do criticize WWP's countless blunders on its international line. They cover their opportunism with: "We support all struggles." Thus, they have supported and then abandoned (if they are no longer "hot" or convenient) genuine liberating struggles. For them, the Third World struggles should be used, period. They don't practice self-criticism. Since they "support all struggles" WWP has supported many reactionaries in the world including General Noriega from Panama, Arafat, Abid in Somalia, and the revisionist regimes in Eastern Europe. In the case of the People's War in Peru, after the NYT published articles in the early 90's that the PCP was about to seize power, WWP's Youth Branch pushed its leadership to support the People's War. A Committee was set-up to study and prepare materials. WWP base militants participated in rallies and propaganda work. In 1992, the reactionary propaganda that the People's War was over hit the world. President Gonzalo was captured. WWP dismantled the Peru group. Some of the best pro-PCP militants were given "sweets" such as overseas trips. One of them, a promising youth leader and honest communist, was reassigned and sent to Cuba in a WWP delegation "invited" by Castro. Is the WWP withholding its support to the People's War until the NYT measures the political temperature in Peru? WWP's main "struggle" is the "normalization of U.S.-Cuban relations." Another WWP militant, who was also an active supporter of the People's War, was sent to white Russia as a correspondent of the paper. Thus, for more than two years reports on Peru have vanished from the WPP paper. That's the left in the U.S. The vanguard Party, a Marxist-Leninist-Maoist Party in the U.S. needs to be built. "The working class must take advantage of all possible government hesitations and also the divisions in the bourgeoisie and the reactionary camp in order to accentuate the pressure in the area of economic struggle as well as in the political arena. But the working class, precisely to take fruitful advantage of the situation must maintain the revolutionary directives intact." LENIN.
P.O. Box 168,
Chieng Mai 50100, Thailand
July 3, 1995
Dear comrades,
I received a copy of The New Flag for the first time last week. I was very glad to receive it and learn more about Peru and other parties around the world.
I would also like to inform you about the general situation in Burma.
Burma is rich in natural resouces, and has enough agricultural land for its population of forty million, yet is very underdeveloped. It could surely be prosperous if it had a ruling system that was a people's government.
Burma gained independence in 1948, but along with independence came civil war. While the civil government of U Nu was ruling Burma in 1962, the military staged a coup and have held on to power until now.
The military dictatorship changed its face from the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) to the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) in 1988 after the nationwide uprising against it. There has been a change of generals at the top, but the policies are the same: to oppress and exploit the people as much as they can.
As for the side of the revolution, all the different ethnic groups have their own armed revolutionary army. There is also the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) and the Red Flag Communist Party of Burma. The former party was very big and influential.
However, the latest turning point for the revolutionary groups came in 1989, when the Wa ethnic people, who formed the majority of the CPB, broke away and agreed to a cease-fire with the SLORC. This breakaway group is called the United Wa State Army (UWSA).
The reason the UWSA gave for making a cease-fire was that they did not have enough supplies to stand on their own. The real reason was their narrow nationalism and the fact that they had host their faith in the revolution. The CPB was also at fault for treating the Wa as inferiors and not granting them high positions and not equipping them with Maoist ideology.
Now a mania for "peace" and the awarding for the Nobel Peace Prize to Aung San Suu Kyi has made people blind to the side of the revolution and has sapped their courage for armed struggle.
The main weakness of the revolution in Burma is right-wing opportunism. This has now caused 15 other armed groups to make cease-file agreements with the main enemy, SLORC. They have no hope of gaining anything from the agreements, which only serve to give support to the military regime.
I strongly believe that the people will support a party which has a clear-cut policy against the SLORC, following armed struggle and the strong ideology of Mao.
Many thanks again for your bulletin, which is very encouraging and gives me strength.
In solidarity,
Aye Saung
The People's Liberation Front (Burma)