WORLD Chilean C.P. on forms of struggle Everything to topple Pinoche Using a state of seige imposed Nov. 7, Pinochet’s police and military have arrested thousands of oppo- nents to the fascist regime in raids on shantytowns. On Nov. 10, in one outskirt of Santiago alone, 2,000 men, every male between 16 and 60 years of age were picked up. The regime’s crackdown, which includes bans on op- position media and freedom of assembly, is its response to the overwhelming call for a return to democracy by the Chilean people dramatized in general strikes, the latest closing most of the country for one day. New protests are planned for Nov. 27-28. : Following the mass protests of Sept. 4-5 and General Pinochet’s public declaration he will stay in power until at least 1989, and that he intends to crush all opposition to his regime, the drive to achieve the maximum unity of all pro-democratic forces and the conviction that no political organization by itself, nor one party acting alone can obtain democracy has grown. In September, the Christian Democratic Party put forward a proposal for a ‘‘constitutional pact” to. be signed by all Chilean parties. One of its clauses would require signatories to agree that only peaceful methods of struggle be employed and to condemn violence in any form and from any quarter. In a public letter to all political parties opposed to the Pinochet dictatorship, the Communist Party of Chile set forth its views on the vital question of maximum unity and effective struggle against the regime. Brutal Dictatorship ‘We are facing a brutal and ferocious dictatorship which maintains itself by armed force, assassination, _ exile, torture and prisons. It has swept aside human rights and supresses peaceful demonstrations with bul- lets, tear gas, machine-guns and armored cars, as it did against people singing the national anthem in Santiago,” the CPC writes. ‘* As our Party’s recent National Conference affirmed, ‘the people do not seek violence, and when the people have resorted to violence it has been done as a legitimate defence’. We would add that the Chilean people want an end to violence which is used against them daily causing countless deaths. But we again say that considering the facts, it is wrong to condemn violence from any quarter, rather we must identify its source. The CPC letter points out that ‘‘there is such brutality and violence employed by the regime that the people are impelled to use a variety of forms of struggle in their own defence. People are using bricks against the police and CNI (National Intelligence Centre) agents, erecting bar- ricades of burning tires, in an effort to call attention to their poverty and oppression. Support all Forms ‘““We Communists can not condemn these forms of struggle and expressions of violence used by a people fighting fascism. We support the people, we participate in the struggle, because we consider the use of a variety of forms of struggle is just and will widen the road to victory.” Referring to Pinochet’s charge that his crackdown is U.S. role in El Salvad aimed at ‘‘criminal elements’’, the CPC letter argues that y even such actions ‘‘represent nothing more than ex- pression from a humiliated, hungry, oppressed people who are suffering to such a degree that any desperate action can be considered a rejection of the fascist regime. Drug addiction, prostitution, robbery and delinquency are the regime’s products and the regime is guilty, not its victims.” ‘In the struggle against fascist tyranny, paramilitary groups have emerged like the Manual Rodriguez Patrio- tic Front which, though not the military arm of the Communist Party, has our sympathy because it helps erode the regime and because its members have a high combatitive morale and are convinced that the cause of freedom imposes risks and sacrifices. ‘*We Communists can not condemn those who expose and lose their lives in the struggle against the tyranny, nor can we reject violence ‘in general’ without re- nouncing our principles and offending the memories of our forefathers.” How is it Logical? ‘The CPC letter quotes a declaration published by the National Council of the Christian Democratic Party in La Nacion on June 11; 1967 during the Frei government in which it said: ‘‘The CDP maintains that the demo- cratic road is the better way for the people’s develop- ment in the struggle against all forms of imperialism, in the struggle to overcome exploitation and poverty. The Party admits, however, according with our principles, that in the case of government denying the fundamental right of people, of closing the road to a democratic solu- tion, it is legitimate to defend these rights through armed ’ insurrection.” “If in 1967 the Christian Democratic Party supported armed insurrection,” the Communist Party letter asks, ‘how is it logical today to demand from us that we condemn violence in the struggle against the Pinochet regime? Everybody knows the regime suppresses people’s rights and has blocked the road to peaceful change in Chile.” The letter reminds the Christian Democratic Party that, ‘“‘with some honorable exceptions’, that Party supported the worst forms of violence in 1973 — the bloody coup against the constitutional government of Salvador Allende. ‘‘The Communist Party has been fighting for democ- racy and socialism for more than 60 years,” the letter continues. “‘Its methods of struggle have always been connected with the prevailing diverse historical condi‘ tions of the day. Peaceful Path ‘During many years, under the Ibenz, Alessandri, Frei and Allende governments, we strongly supported the thesis of the possibility to develop a deep and wide democracy and reach socialism in a peaceful way, with- out armed struggle. Today we do not reject the use of peaceful methods against the dictatorship. We use them every day, but this is not enough. “To end the dictatorship a great common effort is required, developing a policy of persistent con- scuttle the talks they took place ‘Creating an unmanageable situation for the regime - frontation, practicing diverse forms of struggle, couraging the combatitive mobilization of each worké sector thus creating an unmanageable situation for regime and opening the door to democracy.” While pointing out that full-scale armed insurrectiO premature, the CPC letter argues that the people’s 1 to popular rebellion must be defended and supported: all forms of struggle utilized. “To those who would denounce our Party for refu: to condemn violence ‘in general’, we say we are afraid of the verdict of the Chilean people. But we su it is sad to miss the target; this is not the moment opposition forces to disqualify one another. “We are convinced Pinochet will not give up po peacefully. He must be forced out ... popular violet whether we like it or not, will be as intense as the rep sion exerted by the regime against the people.” — ‘Democracy Now!’ In renewing its call for maximum unity, the ¢ writes, ‘‘life has forced us to understand each other i and more in action.’’ It argues that various method not exclude themselves, but compliment one ano “The people’s decisions and other factors will de mine what methods will prevail. Perhaps the reg! defeat will be the result of a rich combination of st™ forms, not exclusively by peaceful methods or by vi0 ones.”’ : The CPC letter concludes by saying the perspe* for an end to the dictatorship is opening up an tha sections of the popular opposition agree on the slo ‘Democracy Now!”’ It reiterates its readiness to pate in all discussions to bring about a speedy en! regime as well as discussions about the country’s futt ‘The Communist Party gives and will continue g full support to the Popular Democratic Moveme® the same time, as other participants in the PDM do CPC favors developing understanding between position blocs without any exclusions.”’ or condemned — The FMLN rep called for! Special to the Tribune TORONTO — The civil war, which continues to ravish El Sal- vador is fuelled by U.S. military and financial aid to the fascist FMLN-FDR leaders during the Oct. 15 La Palma meeting with El Salvado president Duarte. L-R: Facundo Guardado, Eduardo Sancho, Guillermo Ungo, Ruben Zamora. government of Napolean Duarte, a representative of the FMLN, told a recent meeting of the Silvia Platoon held here. The organization takes its name 8 e PACIFIC TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 21, 1984 from Companera Silvia, a woman who died in battle while attempt- ing to free her country. Her contribution has inspired the for- mation of brigades in her name, both inside the country and. abroad. The platoons, composed solely of women, work among their people to build solidarity for the liberation struggle lead by the FMLN-FDR. re meeting heard a com- ique from the FMLN general command which referred to the intensified struggle of the revolu- tionary forces which has forced Duarte to respond. On Oct. 15, in La Palma, about 75 kilometres outside the capital of San Salvador, a dialogue was begun between the revolutionary forces and the U.S.-backed re- gime. Despite Duarte’s attempt to with the support of the people and broad sections of the international community. Importantly, the dialogue provided the FMLN with a new means to commu- nicate with the people. On Duarte’s recent trip to Europe, after first stopping off in Washington — ‘‘where he re- ceived his instructions’ the FMLN rep charged — he tried to persuade international opinion that he presides over a peace-lov- ing democratic government. However military strikes have intensified since the election ear- lier this year. Civilian villages have been bombed; human rights violations have been documented including persecution, detention, torture and full scale massacres of civilians. national support to help IvE conflict. World opinion, he | should condemn the U.S. ad istration for its role in propp!# the fascist regime. The Congress of Came Women was approached by combatants to set up silvi toons in Canada. ‘‘The cc sued a statement which part: ‘‘We admire the coural those women who have JO! é Silvia Platoon in El Salvad© appreciate the contribute have made to our own stu! 4 equality. We were honore we should be called upo” ; support, and as a symbol | support we immediately L recruitment drive for thé dian Silvia Platoon.” a In Toronto the Platoo? contacted at 463-3187.