World peace body asks ‘rapid,
positive’ end to Madrid meet

The Madrid Conference on Security
and Co-operation in Europe, involving
33 European countries plus Canada and
the United States, began in November
1980 and is continuing at this time.

Commenting on the meeting, the
World Peace Council issued a statement
from its Helsinki headquarters, May 31,
Calling ‘‘for a rapid and positive conclu-
Sion to the Madrid meeting.”’

The WPC expressed concern, “‘in a
deteriorating international situation, at
the failure so far of the participants to
reach any agreement.”

The discussions ‘‘have been greatly
protracted,’’ stated the WPC, ‘‘and re-
sponsibility for this must be laid fairly
and squarely at the door of the United
States delegation, whose intransigent in-
sistence on including references in any
final document to their partisan view on
human rights, appears calculated to pre-
vent any consensus being reached.

The World Peace Council statement
On the Conference on Security and Co-
Operation in Europe (CSCE) continues:

“Tn an endeavor to break this impasse,
the neutral and non-aligned countries at
the conference have themselves pre-
pared a draft final document, to which
the Soviet Union has already intimated
its formal agreement, and upon which
Several Western countries have ex-
pressed the belief that it constitutes a
reasoned and balanced basis for agree-
Ment. Given that the political desire
exists on the part of the U.S. there thus
Seems no reason why early and unani-
Mous accord cannot be reached on the
production of a joint statement embody-

ing both the existing area of agreement,
however limited, and future intent to
resolve remaining areas of disagreement.

‘The Helsinki Agreement (signed by
the same 35 countries on Aug. 1, 1975)
consisted of three ‘‘baskets’’. One of
these required signatory states to do
everything possible to foster better rela-
tions and understanding between their
respective peoples. Manifestly this re-
quirement has not been observed by
some countries, particularly the United
States, yet the indivisible nature of the
three baskets is being deliberately
thwarted by the American highly selec-
tive and distorted treatment of one issue.

‘The WPC shares the view of the
heads of state of the six European coun-
tries (Austria, Cyprus, Finland, San
Marino, Sweden and Yugoslavia) who
have declared that “‘political decisions
must be taken without any further delay”’
because “‘positive results would be proof
of our determination to contribute to and
strengthen the durability of the Helsinki
Agreement’’.

‘‘In the present period of tension, with
threats all around, effecting a positive
conclusion to the Madrid meeting is a
task of the highest urgency. The CSCE
constitutes the one place where all the
countries of Europe, regardless of the
politico-socio-economic differences be-
tween them, can meet in order to talk
together.

‘Furthermore, the threats which
acceleration of the arms build-up pose to
peace — the plans to install new nuclear
weapons systems in western Europe in

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particular — make more urgent than ever
the holding of a special debate on ques-
tions of disarmament. This is why the
World Peace Council supports without
reservation the proposal made by the
neutral and non-aligned countries to ar-
range a conference on European dis-
armament in Stockholm in November,
which will devote itself in the first place
to confidence-building measures.

“In contrast, failure of the Madrid
meeting or further postponement of a
final document would mean a virtual end
to detente and dialogue and a return to
relationships based on force and
confrontation.

‘In view of this, the World Peace
Council appeals to the sense of respon-
sibility of the governments concerned. It

also appeals to all peace committees and
to all forces who recognize the gravity for
humanity of what is at stake and the im-
perative necessity, therefore, of preserv-
ing and strengthening the spirit of detente
and co-operation as a permanent feature
of international relations but especially
in this dangerous period — to arouse
public opinion and to make representa-
tions to the appropriate governments so
that the obstacles standing in the way ofa
final agreement might be removed.
‘‘There is no alternative to detente.
Everything which can be done to give a
new impetus to the process begun in Hel-
sinki must be done. This urgent task is
not only an historical necessity, it is also
an opportunity to strike a blow for peace.
‘‘We must not allow it to pass by.”’

Trade unions of the USSR and Canada

Stronger ties would benefit all

Representing the All-Union Central Council of

Trade Unions, the AUCCTU, the Soviet Union's ©

counterpart to the Canadian Labor Congress, the
author in this article sets out his organization’s views
on the importance of strengthening trade union ties
between the two countries in the interests of workers
and the maintenance of world peace.

AUCCTU chairman S.A. Shalayev on the rostrum of the
17th congress, in March 1982, which made the appeal
to unions around the world to commemorate Sept. 1
annually as a day of the broadest possible anti-war
Protests. ;

PHOTO

T

The history of Soviet-Canadian trade union ties is
several decades long. They were particularly exten-
sive and constructive during the Second World War
when the two countries fought against fascism.

The victory of the anti-Hitler coalition helped en-
sure unity in the international trade union movement.
The trade unions of different political orientations
operating in countries with different socio-economic
systems pooled their efforts in the struggle for social
justice and stable peace on earth.

In 1945, the trade unions in the USSR and Canada
took part in setting up a unified, global trade union
centre — the World Federation of Trade Unions,
(WFTU).

Although in subsequent years official ties between
the two countries’ trade union leaders developed un-
evenly, on the whole they developed successfully.
Above all this refers to the Canadian unions repre-
senting auto workers, steel makers, electrical work-
ers, seamen, fishermen, actors, medical workers, air
traffic controllers and construction workers.

In 1978-79 the Odessa regional council of trade
unions, in Ukraine, and the B.C. Federation of labor
exchanged official delegations.

The first official meeting between the leaders of the
trade unions of the USSR and Canada took place in
Moscow in 1975, after a long interval. Taking part in
this meeting was Joe Morris, at that time president of
the two-million member Canadian Labor Congress,
(CLC). :

The same year, a Soviet delegation of the All-Union
Central Council of Trade Unions, (AUCCTU) went to
Canada.

Both trade union centres agreed that whatever the
political and social conditions in their respective
countries, development of ties between their trade
unions meets the interests of the working people and
serves to promote mutual understanding, friendship
and co-operation between all countries.

Soviet trade unions have also established contacts
with Quebec’s Confederation of National Trade

Backgrounder

By REUBEN GRIGORYAN

Unions, (CSN-CNTU), whose official delegations
have visited the USSR on several occasions.

Delegations and special tourist groups of Soviet
trade unionists regularly visit Canada.

Ties between the trade unions of both countries
could be more fruitful, if it weren’t for the artificially-
created obstacles placed in the way of their develop-
ment such as the decision of the CLC leadership to
unilaterally ‘‘suspend’’ official relations with the
trade unions of the socialist countries.

This decision runs counter to the objective and
long-term interests of the trade unions of the USSR
and Canada, particularly today when the international
situation is so grave and when there is a need for
resolute actions in defence of peace on earth.

The AUCCTU’s 17th congress, in March 1982 de-
cided to declare September 1, the day on which World
War Two was launched, a day of trade union actions
for peace and to mark this day by broad anti-war
actions for peace every year.

On behalf ofits 130 million members, the AUCCTU
congress called on the world’s trade unions to take
joint and resolute actions against the forces of aggres-
sion and militarism to stop the arms race.

We were glad to learn of the resolution adopted at
the last Ontario Federation of Labor convention con-
taining the demand to ban the testing and use of nuc-
lear weapons and to stop the arms race.

The OFL also.called on the CLC leadership to
resume the dialogue with the trade unions of the
socialist countries.

For our part, the trade unions of the USSR remain
committed to developing friendly ties with Canadian
labor as we are convinced that our countries will only
benefit by this development.

PACIFIC TRIBUNE—JUNE 17, 1983—Page 5