F 8 z a Continental women’s meet plans increased solidarity MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Two hundred and fifty women from 21 countries met here March 24-26 to participate in a Continental Meeting on the Role of Women in the Struggle for Peace and Inde- pendence. Hosted by the Association of Nicaraguan Women (AMNLAEB), the meeting considered steps to strengthen solidarity with the women of Latin America and the Caribbean in face of threats by the Reagan administration. In her opening remarks to the conference, AMNLAE president Glenda Monterrey spoke of her nation struggling to overcome decades of Somoza rule and today under attack: ‘*... the re- gion today faces extreme danger and is in the midst of an alarming and dramatic situation created by the Reagan administration. ““The U.S. organizes and carries out military manoeuvres, arms, advises and grants credits to the genocidal regimes of the area and the continent; brings economic pressures to bear on democratic governments through blackmail and threats and has designed a policy of destabilization against the peoples of Nicaragua, Cuba and Grenada. ...”’ Monterrey spoke of the spirit of sacrifice and dedication of the fighters for national liberation in Central America and their determination to win despite growing U.S. support for military juntas. “In Guatemala the people are being massacred by the military at the service of the United States . U.S. imperialism has tried to impose its “democracy” of scorched earth and genocide upon the valiant, heroic and fraternal people of El Sal- vador. “There, an entire people are waging a life and death struggle against an army and oligarchy but- tressed by the government of the USA through the Christian Democratic military junta which desper- ately tries to hold elections in the midst of bayonets, torture and death.” Turning to her own country, Monterrey said, “The enemies of mankind cannot forgive the peoples’ vocation for peace, independence and freedom and have raised their aggressive talons against Nicaragua. “They wish to crush us because we have made this nation a free country which has declared war on hunger, poverty and exploitation. We have bent our will on the construction of a better world ... and they attack us.” She listed the evidence of U.S.-led provocations against Nicaragua including armed attacks by forces from neighboring Honduras and open calls from Washington to topple the Sandinista revolu- tion. She called on women of the world to join together in solidarity with all peoples of the region fighting for independence and justice. ’ The conference created four workshops to examine: factors that threaten peace in Latin America and the region; national independence, a factor for peace in the region; women’s role in the struggle for the defence of natural resources and national sovereignty and women’s activity in international solidarity. The gathering heard reports of U.S. threats, black- mail and destabilization against Cuba, Nicaragua and Grenada. The plenary session was opened by remarks by Freda Brown, president of the Women’s Inter- national Democratic Federation which represents 131 national organizations in 116 countries. Past WIDF president Fanny Edelman, recently re- leased from an Argentine prison, also spoke. Canadian delegates were Lilo Morse, represent- ing the Congress of Canadian Women and Vit- torina Bronzatti from La Ligue des Femmes du Quebec. Both participated in the workshop on international solidarity where they spoke of the activities of Canadians in support of the struggles underway in Latin America and the Caribbean. The conferencé adopted the report from this workshop which called on women’s organizations to “‘mobilize continental and international public opinion behind the Mexican and French govern- ment initiatives for a negotiated settlement to the El Salvadorean conflict and the peace proposals put forward by Nicaragua at the United Nations to decrease tensions in the region. It called for increased action in opposition to U.S. provocations against Nicaragua, El Salvador, Cuba, Grenada and Guatemala. “This continental front,”’ the document stated, “which reflects the spirit of this meeting, is con- ceived as a fiexible, representative and dynamic entity that will allow the rapid deployment and broad mobilization of women together with the trade union movement, peasants’ organizations, intellectuals and artists, students, and the broadest political, democratic, religious and progressive sectors of Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States and Canada.”’ Conference delegates participated in a march and rally March 26 with thousands of Nicaraguan citizens in Managua in protest against U.S. threats. # Vietnam CP 5th Congress Vietnam reaffirmed its readiness to establish good neighborly relations with the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and urged them to hold talks on any existing problems at the Fifth Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) which opened in Hanoi on March In his report to the congress, Le Duan, general secretary of the CPV said that efforts to improve relations in South-East Asia ‘tare encountering ob- stacles created by Peking and Washington.” About 1,000 delegates are attending the con- gress, representing the country’s 1.7 million Com- munists and numerous fraternal delegations. Le Duan pointed to the tireless efforts of the Soviet Union to strengthen peace on earth and expressed full support for the most recent dis- armament proposals. He stressed his country’s determination to strengthen ties of friendship with Laos and Kam- puchea because, friendship among the three coun- tries is vitally important for the destinies of our peoples.” Le Duan also said that his country would active- ly broaden cooperation with socialist countries PACIFIC TRIBUNE—APRIL 16, 1982—Page 8 within the framework of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). He stressed Vietnam’s readiness to restore nor- mal relations with China. “‘We have repeatedly offered to resume the talks with China but the Chinese side invariably rebuffed our proposals. The Chinese leaders continue to persue a policy of expansion and great power hegemonism.”’ Le Duan’s report expressed ‘‘full support for the struggle of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America for the elimination of colonialism and for strengthening national independence.”’ He gave high praise to the important political role of the non-aligned movement, noting especially the con- tribution of such prominent participants as India. The report gave an extensive analysis of the’ problems of Vietnam’s national economic tasks for the coming years. He said that the country must build socialism and, at the same time, always be ready to defend the country against attacks. “The task is to make Vietnam a socialist state with a modern industrial and agricultural base,”’ Le Duan said. ‘‘We must build an advanced culture, ~ science and technology and a powerful national defence to ensure a secure and happy life for our pe ople.”’ rs it ae eK mage te moe. fF Cael | U.S. sales to South Africa WASHINGTON (PL) — Two aircraft manufacturers have re- quested licenses under Reagan’s new trade liberalization policy toward South Africa to,supply aircraft to Pretoria. Beech aircraft and Piper say they want to sell South Africa turbo-prop planes to be used as ambu- lances for the South African armed forces, a move which, say Washington officials, would not circumvent a UN embargo because the aircraft are ‘‘medical supplies’’. The Washington Post, which broke the news, also revealled that U.S. firms are applying to se “Cyber 170-750"’ computer equipment to South Africa. a World News A , Surinam lifts martial law ¥ PARAMARIBO, Surinam — Military authorities here have an- nounced the lifting of martial law following an aborted right-wing coup March 11. At the same time, anew 1 1-member civilian cabinet has been - established to run this South American nation, formerly a Dutch col- ony. The government also reports new details of the coup attempt which included plans to assassinate leaders of the revolutionary coun- cil. Ghana tackles transnationals ACCRA, Ghana — The Provisional National Defence Council said it will revise agreements signed by the previous regime with foreign ‘corporations in an effort to bring Ghana’s economy under its control. The PNDC also announced formation of the National Association of Peasant Farmers to mobilize the population to carry out needed economic advance toward national reconstruction. Cuba-Polish trade increase 4 WARSAW — A new three year trade agreement signed here March — 21 has boosted Cuban-Polish trade by 75% over the previous five year period. Under terms of the new agreement, Poland will supply Cuba _ with aircraft for crop-dusting, automobiles, computers, and machinery for the country’s sugar industry. Cuba will sell Poland nickel, sugar, fresh and canned fruit, cigarettes, beverages and other products. West Bank protest “tie! . 4 ae shee pp ys United demonstrations in solidarity with the fighting people of Palestine are taking place throughout the occupied territories endorsed by the Union of Arab Mayors in Israel. These followed a march of over 50,000 in Tel Aviv as Begin pursues his annexation plan despite widespread national and international opposition. : - Falklands crisis threatens showdown A 40-ship British armada, in- cluding two aircraft carriers, has left for the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic following Argentina’s invasion and occupa- tion April 2 of the British colony of 1,800 inhabitants. The UN Security Council April 3 called on Argentina to withdraw its forces and that country has taken its case to the Organization of American States. The crisis — has so far proved embarrassing to the Reagan administration which regards both Britain and Argen- tina as allies. The two weeks it will take the — British fleet to arrive off Argen- tina are being used for diplomatic moves to avert an all-out shooting war between the two protagon- ists. U.S. Secretary of State Ale- The. invasion has created a major crisis for the Thatcher government and has resulted in the resignation of Foreign Secret- ary Lord Carrington and a war hysteria not seen since the 1956 Suez crisis. Britain has retaliated by breaking diplomatic relations with Argentina and freezing all Argentine assets in the United Kingdom. The invasion, carried out by 4,500 Argentine marines backed by warships and armor quickly overcame the small British con- foreign ministers and Britain and Argentina are busy lining up sup-_ port for their claims to the islands. The Falklands have been held by Britain since 1833 and, prior to the building of the Panama Canal, Wo xander Haig has met with both | were an important stopover for | tingent. The new regime hascon- shipping sailing around the tip of fined the Islanders to their homes South America. Today the is- and calls for penalties to persons lands’ economy is based on opposing Argentine occupation. sheep-raising. 5; lo Wt ¢ po Matatd © ma ae ol moe,