WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS

APPEAL

To the workers and trade unions of the world...

Working men and women, trade unionists
of the world!

The situation in the present-day world
brings out more graphically the growing con-
tradictions between the interests of the work-
ers and policies pursued by imperialism, par-
ticularly American imperialism, and the na-
tional and international monopolies.

The great recent struggles of the workers
in many countries testify to the growth of
awareness and militancy of the workers, and
sharpening social conflicts.

Many united strikes in given industries or
general strikes of the working class are taking
place in the capitalist countries of Europe,
America, Asia and Africa, and most of them
meet with repressions from the manufacturers
and governments.

The basic typical feature of these actions
is the fact that demands of economic and
political character are linked with demands
to grant to the workers and trade unions the
right to interfere at their enterprises in all
questions concerning freedoms, genuine de-
mocracy, national independence and the abo-
lition of the exploitation of man by man.

Millions of workers, peasants, and students
are taking part in these struggles. The par-
ticipation of a great number of women, young
people, office workers, engineers and tech-
nicians is a new and important factor.

It is becoming ever more evident today that
such a society is incapable of overcoming its
contradictions.

The working people of industrialized coun-
tries do not enjoy in full measure the benefits
of scientific and technological progress. The
changes taking place in the means of produc-
tion and working methods often lead to the
worsening of working conditions, and have
an adverse moral and physical effect on
workers, including engineers and technicians.

Instead of bringing about an effective re-
duction of the working hours, the utilization
of scientific and technological progress ex-
clusively in the interests of the monopolies
gives rise to unemployment, and to job in-
security, and reduces the possibilities of find-
ing employment for young people and women.

Men and women workers must fight against’

the negative anti-social consequences of
modern working methods so that scientific
Progress may lead to immediate social and
human progress. : ;

Whereas all the world admires the unpre-
cedented scientific achievements, millions of
people continue to live in unbearable con-
ditions. Millions of people are suffering from
hunger and malnutrition. Illiteracy is the
scourge of many countries of the world.

At the same time, an ever narrowing mino-
rity of rich people hoards the wealth obtained
by the exploitation of the workers. Consider-
able sums of money are spent on arma-
ments and the improvement of atomic and
bacteriological weapons, the use of which
would cause an irreparable tragedy to huma-
nity.

In the socialist countries, the application
-of scientific-technical progress, the develop-
-ment of a planned economy, the extension of
democracy, and the growing role of trade
unions in society provide conditions for fur-
ther progress in the economic, scientific, so-
cial and cultural fields.

Continuous economic development opens
up new prospects before the socialist coun-
tries where creative energy, free from con-
straint, is directed to improve the welfare and

cultural development of the workers. and

peoples.

These achievements, their consistent peace-
loving policy, and their international class
solidarity consolidate the position of the socia-
list countries in the international arena, con-
stantly enhance the prestige of socialism in
the eyes of the workers.

Working men and women, trade unionists
of the world! :

Faced with such social and political con-
tradictions, world imperialism constantly
mounts aggression in order to survive. The
main force of wofld reaction—American im-
perialism, supported by its allies, has estab-
lished aggressive military pacts on all the
continents.

Without giving up the idea of a new world
war which is ‘difficult to unleash because of
the presence and growing activity of the
peace forces, American imperialism continues
its provocations against Korea and Cuba,
keeps hotbeds of war in several parts of the
world, particularly in Palestine, and the Mid-
dle East, and pursues its criminal aggressive
war against Vietnam.

Let us intensify solidarity and the struggle
to end the American aggression so that the
people cf Vietnam may live in peace and
freedom!

ln Asia, the revival of Japanese militarism,
and the U.S.-Japanese military pact consti-
tute a serious danger in this part of the world.

In Europe, the revival of neo-nazism and
the revenge-seeking policy of the F.R.G., its
refusal to recognize the frontiers that have
arisen after the second world war, its refusal,
and that of some other countries, to grant
legal recognition to the G.D.R. endanger
European security.

The vestiges of colonialism in many African
countries, ‘successive coups against progres-
sive states, neo-colonialism and the plunder
of natural wealth in Africa, Asia and Latin
America result in the preservation of the eco-
nomic backwardness and poverty of the popu-
lation.

The fascist regimes in Spain, Greece and
Portugal, racism in all South Africa and the
United States, and Zionism in Israel are evi-
dence of the decline of capitalism, its con-
tempt for man, and are condemned by all
progressive forces.

Working men and women, trade unionists
of the world!

More than ever, unity stands as the decisive
means of ensuring the triumph of the noble
ideals of the working class and safeguarding

.world peace.

Despite the different international affilia-
tions, there are many common points in the
tasks facing trade union organizations and
their programs of demands.

To begin the dialogue, with full respect for
sovereignty of each organization, in order to
reach joint struggle on the national and in-
ternational level, accords with the expecta-
tions of the workers who are well aware of
what is at stake in this struggle.

The W.F.T.U. is convinced of the need to
have this dialogue and states its readiness to
sponsor and participate in any initiative in
this direction and to work effectively for the
realization of workers’ aspirations.

Long live unity and active solidarity of the
workers and trade unions of the whole world!

Against imperialism, colonialism and neo-
colonialism!

For economic, social and. cultural progress,
democracy and freedom, national indepen-
dence, peace and friendship among the
nations!

Americans, out of Vietnam!

Vietnam for the Vietnamese!

Uke A «* oO. £07) if pain So
January 1, 1970 is the eleventh anniversary of the Cubt
Revolution. Any tribute to the people of Cuba, their govel
ment and Party would necessarily include a detailed lo!
at the fantastic achievements of that Revolution since 195
It would also point up the goals set for the future.

Both of these tasks would have to begin by a look
pre-revolutionary Cuba and the depths to which Americ
exploitation had reduced her. Only then would the achiev
ments and challenges of today’s socialist Cuba be fu
appreciated.

There could be no finer tribute to this Revolution tht
that part af Fidel’s speech which he delivered to one @!
one-half million Cubans assembled on the Revoluti
Square in Havana in 1962: _

“Hungry Indians, landless peasants, exploited work
will write about this epic which is unfolding before °
eyes. It will be described by representatives of the progf
sive masses, honest and gifted intellectuals, of whom thé
are so many in the long-suffering countries of our Ld!
America. They will write about the struggle of the mass
and ideas, about the history which was made by °
peoples, insulted and humiliated by imperialism, our peof
who until now have lived in obscurity and are now beg!
ning to awaken from their sleep. We were considered
helpless and obedient herd, but now this herd is alred
beginning to be feared—the gigantic herd of 200 milli
Latin Americans, in whom the Yankee monopoly capil
already sees its gravediggers.

“These working masses, these people subjected to |
human exploitation, beggars who are ruled by metho
of coercion and command, never counted, or counted !
very little. From the first days of independence one @
the same fate fell to the share of all—Indians, Gauel
mestizoes, Sambos, quadroongs and whites who had n!
ther property nor incomes. The whole of this mass of h
manity was united by a ‘homeland’ which they never hd
which had been sold for millions, which had been torn
pieces, which had won independence from their metro
for the bourgeoisie. These masses of people who wé
driven from the land continued to receive the least of |
social benefits, continued to die of starvation, and of di
ease which could have been cured, from lack of attenti¢
because these people never possessed the most essent
things: ordinary bread, a cot in a hospital, medicines whi
would have saved them, hands which would have broug
them help.

“But the hour has come when they have decided
claim their rights; and this hour has struck over the wh¢
of our continent. Now this faceless mass, this vivid, gf
and sorrowful America, whose heartfelt song of grief flo
over the whole continent, precisely this mass has n°
begun resolutely to make its own history. It has begun
write it in its-own blood, to suffer and die for it. Becau
now, on the plains and the mountains of America, on t
hillsides and in the foothills, in the valleys and tropit
forests, in the remote backwoods and in the noisy ¢
streets, on the shores of the great oceans and the bal
of the great rivers, the world is beginning to shake un
the blows of those who are ready to die, for their ideals,
win the rights which have been trampled underfoot |
nearly 500 years.

"This wave of anger, of demands for justice, of rig]
for the oppressed, which has begun to rise above Ld
America, this wave can no longer be stopped. It will gf
from day to day, because it is being created by the mass!
representing the majority in every way; the masses Ww
by their labor create riches and multiply values, who md
the wheel of history turn. and who now awakening ffé
the long and lethargic sleep, to which they had been c?
demned ...”

And in Latin American revolutionary history it will |
recorded that Cuba was a leader. —T.

Khaw 4

PACIFIC-TRIBUNE— JANUARY 2, 1970--Page 8