a

WORLD

-Guatamalans are united
In liberation struggle

The recent coup that ousted the
Ormer president of Guatemala,

frain Rios Montt, whose
16month reign of terror drew
Worldwide condemnation, does
Not mean an end to state repression
Ora lessening of the grip the United
States has held the Central

erican nation in since 1954.

_In fact, Rios Montt’s ouster by
his former governing colleague,
General Mejia Victores, is the
Tesult of the Reagan administra-
lion’s jockeying for a better hold
on the country, with the aim of in-
‘reasing the oppression and in-
cluding its unwilling citizens in
US. war plans for the region.

Only the popular, armed strug-
gle waged in more than two-thirds
Of the resource-rich nation will br-
Ing about the democratic,
Pluralistic society sought by the
Vast majority of Guatemalans,
Garbriel Aguilera, a spokesman

or the Guatemalan Committee of
atriotic Unity, told the Tribune in
aN interview.

“Rios Montt was ousted because
he Tefused to involve Guatemalan
oops in the U.S. war plans against

Icaragua — not because he sup-
Ported the Sandinista government,

Ut because he was afraid to wagea
War on two fronts,”’ said Aguilera
Uring a stopover in Vancouver as
Part of a North American tour.
he Patriotic Unity committee
Consists of 40 representatives from
broad cross-section of
Guatemalan society, including
trade unionists, church leaders and
democratic political parties. Its role
's similar to that of the FMLN in El

Vador, with the main task the
Promotion of worldwide solidarity
Movements with the Guatemalan

Cration struggle.

3 at struggle — an armed strug-
Sle since 1962 — has been growing
Power and’ support as even
‘Pper-class elements of Guatemala
ts 'N opposition to the series of
Mitary dictatorships that have
S0verned since U.S.-backed
iietcenaries invaded and crushed
ref ees of liberal, democratic
a Tm by the government of
Cobo Argenz in 1954, said
ilera,
of Ousands died under the heel
the invader while the
7. depnalan army refused to fight
Cfense of the country.
fer Oday the situation is very dif-

‘nt, with the Guatemalan

eee,

SEPTEMBER ‘83
Youth Month

ate YCL welcomes you to
OIN us in celebrating our 60th

Nniversary with four major
Events:

Summer

. hool — Theme: “Youth in
Ut Society” September 3-5,
Ofrento, B.C.

Provincial Convention
s September 10-11, Van-
al Mae B.C. Welcome to

S€rvers,
Saronvention Dance —
turday, September 10th,

Fishe
~ermen’
With S Hall, Vancouver

$5.09, COMMUNIQUE” —
a Both Anniversary Ban-

St — End of September.

Ss For more info.
above see classifieds,

PHONE 254-9836

GABRIEL AGUILER . pro-

\ moting international solidarity.

Revolutionary National Union, a
large guerilla organization com-
prising four major liberation
groups, waging an active armed
struggle. It draws largely on
Guatemala’s majority Mayan In-
dian population for support, which
explains the bloody repression car-
ried out by Rios Montt.

“Rios Montt’s policy was not to
attack the guerillas, but to wipe out
the peasants that gave them sup-
port. We estimate he slaughtered
some 10,000 peasants, mainly In-
dians, through his scorched earth
policy,” said Aguilera.

The bloody actions drew con-
demnation from 20 international
human rights organizations, in-
cluding the United Nations.

With Rios Montt out of the way,
the new military junta is free to pur-
sue military aims on behalf of the
Reagan administration in Central
America. ‘‘The U.S. plans to use

Guatemalan troops for logistic
support in the war it hopes to wage
through Honduras against
Nicaragua,”’ he explained.

“That is a dangerous situation.

‘ The regional war could escalte to

include Cuba, and from that
escalate to another, much larger
war involving the major world
powers,’ Aguilera warned.

That’s why Guatemala’s
democratic forces support the ef-
forts of the self-named ‘‘contra’’
group of countries — Central
American Nations including Coata
Rica, Venezuela and Panama, as
well as Mexico. Their united call
for a political, rather than military
solution to the conflicts in the
region has already isolated the
Reagan administration, said
Aguilera.

Guatemala’s liberation forces
draw their support from many
social sectors, including members
of the ruling class, small
entrepeneurs and some sectors
the army, as well as peasants and
trade unionists.

All forces have united around a
program that includes respect for
human rights, economic.and social
transformations for a mixed
economy of public and private
enterprise, and an international
policy of non-alignment, said
Aguilera.

But the movement faces power-
ful enemies, and that’s where inter-
national solidarity plays a part.

Aguilera urged Canadians ‘‘to
play a role in this — by pressuring
their government not to support
the plans of the U.S. government in
Central America.”

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Pew

Marcos regime cited
for Aquino murder

Demonstrations across North America erupted in the wake of he
murder of Benigno Aquino, leader of the moderate opposition to
the regime of Philippines président Ferdinand Marcos. The pro-
tests, including this one in Vancouver Tuesday, indict the Marcos
government, which has ruled the Philippines for 17 years of
repressive rule, for the assassination. Aquino was gunned down at
the Manila airport following his return from exile.

(_ Classified Advertising )

COMING EVENTS

AUG. 26 — Guatemalan Concert
featuring ‘Kin Lalat”’ folk group and
Teatro Vivo performing the play
“On the Line.” 8 p.m., Ukrainian
Hall, 805 E. Pender St. Don. $5.
Spons. by Cttee. of Solidarity with
People of Guatemala. All welcome.

AUG. 27 — LATIN AMERICAN
DANCE with “Inquisition.” Cum-
bia, disco, salsa, tangos. 8 p.m.
Ukrainian Hall, 805 E. Pender St.
Benefit for Chile. Donation $5.
Sponsored by Chilean Cultural
Group.

AUG. 27 — BEAT the BUDGET
dinner with speakers and live enter-
tainment. 6:30 p.m., Russian Hall,
600 Campbell Ave. Adm. $4,
unemployed, oap $2. Sponsored by
Gr. Van. Cttee., Communist Party.

SEPT. 3-5 — YCL Summer School
in Sorrento, B.C. Topics: (a) Youth
and the struggle for jobs; (b) Anti-
communism and youth; (c) Culture
and our society today. Reg. $20
(plus transportation) — includes
meals, accommodation and recrea-
tion. For more info., 254-9836.

SEPT. 7-15 — CULTURAL AC-
TIVITIES RESUME AT THE
UKRAINIAN CULTURAL CENTRE,
805 E. Pender St. You are invited to
take advantage of the programs
available.

Sept. 7 — JUBILEE CHOIR meets
at 8 p.m.

Sept. 10 — Registration of children
from four years and up to par-
ticipate in the school of dancing,
music, Ukrainian language and
choir, 9:30 a.m.

Sept. 12 — Vancouver Folk Or-
chestra meets, 8 p.m. Interested
musicians will be welcome!

Sept. 14 — Ukrainian language
classes. for adults and for those in-
terested in participating in the
Jubilee Choir, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 — Rehearsals resume for
the Ukrainian Senior Citizens’
Choir. All those over 65 years
welcome to attend, 1 p.m. For
more information, please phone
253-3032, 298-1513.

SEPT. 11 — Protest Chile’s Decade
of Dictatorship. Hear top Chilean
trade unionist Alamiro Guzman,
7:30 p.m., Science of Mind Hall,
2915 Commerical Dr. (at 13th Ave.).
Songs by Puelche and George
Hewison. Refreshments. Spons. by
Canadians for Democracy in Chile,
Vancouver's Chilean Community,
C.U.T. For info., 254-9797.

SEPT. 10 — YCL dance with Com-
munique (formerly Hard Times
Revue). Fishermen’s Hall, 138 E.
Cordova St. Doors open 8 p.m.
Band starts 9 p.m. Adm. $5, $2.50
students and unemployed. For
tickets, 254-9836.

SEPT. 18 — Peace Pioneers dinner
and reception to honor long-time
peace workers. Reminisce at this
first reunion in Sunnyside Hall,
1854—154 St., Surrey, 5 p.m.
Adults, $5, children’$2. For more in-
fo., 531-0106.

WANTED

ELDERLY WOMAN, on welfare,
forced to move by ALRT, needs
2-rm. hskpg. unit in east end.
Desperate. Max. rent $200. Ph.
Atiba, 872-6003.

COMMERCIAL

GRAMMA PUBLICATIONS.
Complete printing services.
Brochures, menus, leaflets, etc.
Special rates for the progressive
movement. A union shop. 1595 W.
3rd Ave., Van. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10
a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat. 12 noon to 5
p.m. 733-6822.

ROOF REPAIRS — New roofs.
Reasonable. Ph. 277-3352.

LEGAL SERVICES

RANKIN, McMURRAY, BOND.
Barristers and Solicitors. Second
floor, 157 Alexander St. 682-3621.

DIRECTORY

COMMUNIST PARTY OF CAN-
ADA offices located at 102-2747 E.
Hastings St., Van. Ph. 254-9836.
For information on political issues
or assistance in political activity.

HALLS FOR RENT

RUSSIAN PEOPLE’S HOME —
Available for rentals. For reserva-
tions phone 254-3430.

WEBSTERS CORNERS HALL —
Available for banquets, meetings,
etc. For rates: Ozzie, 325-4171 or
462-7783.

UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CUL-
TURAL CENTRE — 805 East Pen-
der St., Vancouver. Available for
banquets, weddings, meetings. Ph
254-3436.

1 nviFIC TRIBUNE—AUGUST 26, 1983—Page 7