Notes from Organization Of American States Combined Reports on Communist Subversion
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Since the great majority of the citizens of the Americas believe in the ideals of national independence and individual liberty, and reject intervention and dictatorship, the Communists can strengthen themselves, and even come into power, only through a program of deceit that assumes many and varied forms. Only thus can Communist subversion triumph.
Only by fraud and deception can the Communists hope to gain even momentary acceptance by the peoples of the Americas.
They camouflage their true objectives by supporting all popular causes and posing as the champions of human freedom and dignity. Their immediate goal is to promote and sustain disorder; to impede progress by frustrating land and social reforms, and by sabotaging programs for economic development like the Alliance for Progress and efforts toward an effective Latin-American “common market.” In short, to discredit and debilitate any scheme that shows promise of
success.
As pointed out by the Consultative Committee, the Communist assault in the Western Hemisphere manifests itself in five major ways: (a) Subversive activities (agitation, strikes, guerrilla warfare, etc.), which in some countries have reached the point of open
insurrection;
(6) Acts of sabotage and sympathetic terrorism, carried out by small, but perfectly trained and equipped groups, following pre-established plans and intended to create a climate conducive to general insurrection
(c) Infiltration into governmental spheres, including the armed forces, which endangers institutional stability itself;
(d) Penetration into information agencies and media (press, radio, and television) with personnel especially trained in Communist propaganda; and
(e) Growing participation in the educational field, particularly at the university level, seeking, among other things, to rapprochement workers, not for the purposes of trade union improvement but only to develop their own subversive activities.
It bears repeating that the Communists do not necessarily plan to succeed next week, although they would like to, but they are dedicated to constant, sustained subversion over “any” number of years.
The reports which follow, prepared by the Organization of American States, by Latin Americans themselves, expose the international Communist movement for what it really is: a movement based on fraud and deceit, on violence and terror—a movement which, while it claims to be revolutionary and progressive, is the embodiment of .everything reactionary and retrogressive.
the purpose of this offensive is “the destruction of democratic institutions and the establishment of totalitarian dictatorships at the service of extracontinental powers.” Here the incongruity lies in the fact that citizens of free countries of this hemisphere tolerate, or are inclined to tolerate and support, known Communists.
With respect to the magnitude of the Communist danger, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs declared that Communist subversion constitutes “one of the most subtle and dangerous forms of intervention in the internal affairs of other countries.” Nevertheless, prominent persons in the hemisphere underestimate, or persist in underestimating, the Communist danger, maintaining that it is easy to control since the number of Communists in the hemisphere is still small. *
a. Evolution of the direction of the international Communist Movement
To provide a better understanding of the objectives pursued by international communism and of its methods and modes of action, it is important to make a synthesis of the evolution that has occurred in the direction of the movement.
The forms and tactics employed have been many and varied, but it is interesting to point out that communism inexorably adheres to four fundamental principles: maintenance of the objective, economy of forces, sustained action, and the firm will to win.
In order to create more confusion in the thinking of the free world, international communism falsely preaches a policy of “peaceful coexistence,” just as it deceitfully distorts the traditional concepts of peace and democracy, or exploits the just aspirations of slowly developing nations for welfare and progress, inflaming their equally just nationalist, anti-colonialist, and anti-imperialist sentiments.
the structure of the democratic countries taken as a whole is not monolithic, in the same sense as that of the Communist world, whose unity of command has so far shown no rifts. Irrespective of whether the ideological dispute between the principal members of the Communist world is fictitious or real, the important thing is that any such dispute does not substantially affect the tactic of deceiving and upsetting the free world.
B. Brief References to the World Situation of Communism
One characteristic deception is the incorporation of Communists in genuine national movements for political, social, economic, and cultural reform, in order eventually to take control of them. Thesis a Communist tactic designed to seduce and win over most, if not all, of public opinion. Thus, it tries to overcome any popular resistance to the systematic diversion of those national movements toward the international Communist line dictated from abroad.
The psychological tactic of deceit—applied in the areas of just aspirations for national independence, self-determination, democracy, economic progress, cultural improvement, and social justice—is what in some cases in Asia, Africa, [and America has deformed legitimate popular movements in respect to electoral policies, differences, and revolutionary or trade-union struggles. This is exactly what happened in Cuba in the just and heroic phase of the revolution, and what is happening or can happen in other countries of America.
Groups, classes, regions, and nations— conscious or unconscious of the aforementioned psychological attitude, more sentimental than rational, that takes hold in the disorderly and shapeless popular mind—put forth claims that international communism always tries to cement and coordinate according to specific strategic methods in support of its policy of world supremacy, which is aimed toward the prior destruction of all the postulates of democracy.
the policy of democratic revolution, a policy of constructive progress instead of the destruction of values, has to travel a rougher road. This is due to the fact that the feelings of rebellion among the despairing and discouraged sectors of the countries’ populations are frequently based on the prevailing indifference to national problems and on a lack of faith in the political, social, and economic values of Western civilization.
International communism takes advantage of this state of mind, which is widespread in Latin America, and also in certain sectors of the United States, to develop its psychological campaign. It seeks to infiltrate and seize control of political parties by making use of demagogic opportunism; of labor groups by taking advantage of the absence of trade-union traditions; of groups of rural workers by making false promises; and of student groups by taking advantage of the idealism and enthusiasm characteristic of youth.
C. Incidence of the International Communist Movement in THE American Hemisphere
Always preserving its centralized direction, the international Communist movement plots its strategy and its tactics in accordance with the resolutions approved at the numerous congresses, meetings, and conferences of the Communist Party and its related bodies.
At its second congress (1920), the Third International established 21 conditions for affiliation of the Communist Parties of the entire world, including those in the Americas, thereby establishing their international character. According to the second of these conditions
Every organization desiring to join the Communist International shall be bound systematically and regularly to remove from all the responsible posts in the labor movement (party organization, editorship, labor unions, parliamentary factions, cooperatives, municipalities, etc.) all reformists and followers of the center and to have them replaced by Communists. * * *
The third condition stated that:
The class struggle in almost every country of Europe and America is entering the phase of civil war. Under such conditions the Communists can have no. confidence in bourgeois laws. They should create everywhere a parallel illegal apparatus, which at the decisive moment should be of assistance to the party to do its duty toward the revolution. In every country where, in consequence of martial law or of other exceptional laws, the Communists are unable to carry on their work legally, a combination of legal and illegal work is absolutely necessary.
And in the seventh condition it was stated that Parties desirous of joining the Communist International must recognize the necessity of a complete and absolute rupture with reformism and the policy of the “centrists,” and must advocate this rupture amongst the widest circles of the party membership without which condition a consistent Communist policy is impossible. The Communist International demands unconditionally and peremptorily that such rupture be brought about with the least possible delay.
The Seventh Congress of the Third International (1935), definitively establishing the thesis of Dimitrov, based on the intensive use of intellectuals, led to the creation of popular fronts to participate in the various kinds of electoral battles in the various countries.^ In its application to Latin America this thesis of the popular front was most successful in the labor groups.
when the integration of the aforementioned popular fronts was consolidated under the inspiration and directives of international communism, Moscow created front or facade organizations * and installed the Cominform as the coordination and information office •of the Communist Parties as well as an instrument of propaganda and reinforcement in the so-called cold war.
Since then the popular fronts and the local affiliates of the inter- national front organizations have manifested themselves through Communist participation in the electoral campaigns in democratic countries; in opposition groups; in countries where dictatorships exist in popular movements on behalf of various causes, and revolutionary movements that have been chiefly anti-imperialist in purpose; in infiltration in labor unions, particularly with a view to promoting strikes; in utilization and winning over of student and young people’s groups, especially through the exploitation of nationalistic ideas; in systematic propaganda about the U.S.S.R. by all possible means, designed principally to awaken enthusiasm for international communism and stir up hatred for the democratic system; and in false campaigns in favor of free trade and pacifism.
1. The meeting of South American Communist Parties, convened
by the Cominform and held in Montevideo in 1950: Its objective was to examine the situation in the area concerned, for the purpose of implementing the appropriate strategy and coordinating the struggles in the regional areas involved.
Its declared purposes were to accelerate the gradual destruction of the forces of capitalism, democratic systems, and private enterprise, and to weaken and impair the standing of international capitalism and the enemies of the U.S.S.R.
Taking into account the strategic position of the Caribbean area, in 1952 Moscow worked out a plan for Communist operations in that area. The features of this plan were as follows:
(a) Its realistic approach, since it took advantage of all conditions that would be favorable to its activities, such as the critical situation of the Latin American economy in the postwar period; economic, social, and cultural underdevelopment; class and racial differences; autocratic governemnts; the continued existence of foreign colonies; and, in general, all of the factors that foster latent discontent among the masses.
(b) Its prudence in transforming the Communist Parties into disguised instruments of what is really Red action, by creating organizations and movements that apparently have no connection with Communist leadership (fronts for anti-imperialism, anti- colonialism, national liberation, peace, etc.)
(c) Its flexibility in utilizing a great variety of methods involving action that is sometimes “peaceful” and other times revolutionary, and ceaseless psychological action.
The results of these resolutions in the American Hemisphere have been as follows: the appointment of a greater number of Latin American representatives in international front organizations; meetings of the Communist Parties for the purpose of “exchanging experiences” and “forming new cadres”; change in operational tactics to avoid committing the Communist Parties to activities that are opposed to peaceful coexistence, and instead, carrying out revolutionary operations through agents who have infiltrated into non- Communist organizations; and intensification of psychological action through a cultural and artistic offensive among the higher social classes.
D. Conclusions
4. In the leadership of the American Communist Parties, the tactic presently employed is that of keeping the principal leaders concealed and using as a front person whose notoriety as Communists lessens their effectiveness. This tactic enables them to infiltrate agents into key positions in the political, economic, and social organizations of the American countries. This is an element of grave danger to the independence and democratic systems of these nations.
5. Since 1945 international communism has made very wide use of “frontism,” based on front (or facade) organizations to promote action that will favor its aims. This action tends chiefly toward the creation of “fronts” that may cover various fields, such as “peace front,” “labor front,” or “student front,” their outstanding characteristic being that they are regarded as non-Communist.
6. Communism exploits the logical desire of the peoples to seek solutions for their problems—problems that are evident and that, furthermore, stand in urgent need of solution. Through the tactics of deceit, communism takes advantage of social realities so that when the moment arrives in which governments are approaching solutions in the national interest, it creates obstacles to any measures which, precisely because they are suitable, would deprive it of its battle cry.
7. Communism adapts to the environment and creates conflicts or intensifies existing situations, seeking party members and “fellow travelers” (these latter being more numerous, influential, and listened to than the declared Communists).
8. Communism employs various strategies and trickeries, it uses legal and illegal procedures; it remains silent and conceals the truth; it acts alone, or jointly with any ally who may help achieve its purpose. Its final objective is to dominate the world.
9. Communist strategy has found a new route of approach, taking advantage of the peoples’ yearning for independence and desire for peace, and of neutralism and the existence of neutralist blocs, whether or not these are developed under the direction of international communism, in order to attempt to reduce the potential of the free world.
1. THE GREAT DECEIT OF COMMUNISM
The Communists’ greatest deceit is in the way they mask their true objectives.
National Communist Parties in our hemisphere publicly profess ideals that are accepted by most people. Their statements constantly affirm Communist intentions to achieve power through peaceful means, to provide land to the peasants and homes for the workers, and to establish a government by the people.
2. COMMUNIST OBJECTIVE: TRIUMPH THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
After the 1960 meeting of 81 Communist and Labor Parties of the world in Moscow, Birushchev declared, on January 6, 1961:
The unity of the ranks of every Communist Party and the unity of all Communist Parties constitutes the united international Communist movement directed at the achievement of our common goal: the triumph of communism throughout the world.
In referring to the same meeting, M. A. Suslov, a member of the Presidium of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.K., declared on January 18, 1961:
After this historic meeting, the ways of the international Communist movement became still clearer, the means of our common struggle still more reliable and true, our ranks still closer and our great goal—communism—still nearer.
Thus, Khrushchev and Suslov with blatant clarity affirmed that communism is aggressive. In so doing they have repeated the theme proclaimed by Communist leaders since the 1917 October revolution and which as long ago as 1922 Stalin himself had defined in unmistakable terms as “the amalgamation of the toilers of the whole world into a single world Socialist Soviet Republic.”
3. DOMINATION OF THE SOVIET COMMUNIST PARTY OVER COMMUNIST PARTIES IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE
As has been noted, the major meetings of the world Communist movement since 1917 have been held in Moscow and have been staged and dominated by the Communist Party of the U.S.S.E.
The Second Congress of the Third Communist International, in the 16th of its 21 conditions, provided that the decisions of the Communist International would be binding on all parties belonging to it. This condition has meant in practice that every Communist Party must unreservedly support the U.S.S.R. The clearest verification of such support is to be found in the radical shifts that Communist Parties have had to make in the course of the years to adjust to the change m Soviet foreign policy. These readjustments have taken place irrespective of whether the world Communist movement called itself the Comintern, the Cominform or, as at present, had no formal name. In this way, the conduct of the Communists has shown the falseness of the argument that the national Communist Parties are autonomous, as well as of the idea that they adhere to the principles of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R. only because, like the Marxist-Leninists
4. THE TRIUMPH OF COMMUNISM IS FATAL TO NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE.
the national government and exercise power with Soviet military aid. In no country have the Communists, once they have gained power, permitted demonstrations of opposition to Soviet-directed policy, or any other form of national independence. The countries dominated by the Communists have transformed their political, economic, and social institutions to adjust them to the Soviet model.
B. Deceit in Communist Methods
1. Communists’ need for deceit
Always operating as a subversive minority in free nations, and pursuing basic objectives incompatible with national independence, the Communists try to capture the strength of their fellow citizens through wide use of deceit.
The Communist Parties of the world acknowledged no ethical restraints on their methods. Thus, in 1920 Lenin declared:
At the basis of Communist morality lies the struggle for the consolidation and consummation of communism. That also is the basis of Communist training, education, and tuition.
statements made by Matyas Kakosi, Deputy Premier of Hungary in 1952 and by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in 1948, both emphasize that the Communists deliberately deferred statements of their final aims during their struggle to obtain power.
A few days later, on December 20, 1961, Castro made it perfectly clear that his reasons for having deceived the Cuban people were essentially the same as the reasons for which Czech Communists and Hungarian Communists had deceived the Czech and Hungarian peoples. Castro told the National Congress of the Schools of Revolutionary Instruction:
Of course, if we stood on Turquino Peak at the time when we were “cuatro gatos,” and said, we are Marxist-Leninists—from the top of Turquino Peak we might possibly have been unable to descend to the plain below.
Communist subversive activities range from the narrowly covert (such as espionage), to hidden participation in legal organizations (such as labor unions), _ to open activity as an avowed Communist Party. All these activities are characterized by deceit in varying degree as to their ultimate objective—or as to their methods, or both. Therefore, they are not always easy to identify.
3. USE OF WORDS
(a) Nationalism
The Communists recognize that the love of national independence
is a powerful political force and they seek to identify themselves with it. They permit, in the areas under their domination, expressions of “national feelings,” in limited forms, as in the use of national costumes, songs, and languages.
(6) “Peaceful coexistence”
peaceful coexistence” is merely a modern name for the constant Communist attack against free nations, in which they employ all means short of general war.
(c) Democracy
As shown in the ideas quoted, Khrushchev identifies democracy with dictatorship; and Castro shows how this works—by selection instead of election, selection by the Communist Party instead of election by the people. Democratic centralism thus practiced is by no means democratic, but it certainly is centralized. It is the Communists’ disguise for Communist dictatorship.
(d) Dictatorship
Lenin repeatedly endorsed dictatorship.
The Communists have no quarrel with dictatorship, provided they can control it through the Communist Party.
True to the Communist tactics of deceit, and well aware of the Western Hemisphere’s aversion to dictatorship, Castro declared in a speech made on April 22, 1959, in Central Park, New York City, that his revolution practiced the democratic principles of “humanism,” which meant “neither dictatorships of men, nor dictatorships of castes, nor oligarchy of classes: government of the people without dictatorships and without oligarchy.
4. USE OF PEOPLE
(a) Workers
The Communists frequently make use of labor organizations and
foment strikes, not to improve the workers’ welfare but to achieve Communist domination over the workers’ organizations.
(6) Students
The Communists make special efforts to use students, cynically
trying to exploit their vitality, idealism, and capacity for leadership. In most student organizations the independent students far outnumber the Communists and have succeeded in maintaining control. But in some organizations the Communist minorities have taken advantage of divisions and apathy on the part of the majority to acquire positions from which they can dominate them.
One of the favorite tactics of the Communist Party is to use students to organize demonstrations on behalf of persons or positions that suit Moscow’s objectives. The Communists call these demonstrations spontaneous. But everyone sees that they use the same slogans, occur at the same time in different countries, and generally follow shortly after an exhortation in Pravda.
(c) The so-called reactionaries
The Communists not only use leaders of students’ and workers’
groups but also collaborate with those whom they publicly call reactionaries.
5. COMMUNIST USE OF PROMISES
(a) Prosperity
The Communists try to extend their power by making false promises. They tout their economic system as the only truly scientific and efficient system capable of assuring material prosperity, personal security, and social equality to the common man.
The Communists promise a better life for the common man but the record shows that they have not been able to produce it. They strip the people of their civil liberties and rights under the pretext that the temporary sacrifice of personal freedom is essential to the achievement of the common welfare. They are unable to establish social equality because their system of totalitarian control makes it imperative that the vast state bureaucracy become a privileged oligarchy. They have failed to achieve material prosperity for the masses of the people because the insatiably power-hungry apparatus of the state places military and industrial requirements ahead of the needs of the individual.
(b) Land
Perhaps the most tragic deceit practiced by the Communists is the
false promise they make in response to man’s natural desire to own his own land. The Communists promise that their revolution will make this hope come true.
In the Communist system prevailing in Cuba a “people’s farm” means the same thing as what Communists in other countries call a sovjos, that is, that the land does not belong to the man who works it.
However, that may be, the important fact is that the Communists seek by every means to turn aside the rural workers from the constructive plans that are being prepared or carried out through democratic channels in the campaign for an equitable agrarian reform, in order to involve them in a hateful class conflict. Thus, they place agrarian reform at the service of international Communist agitation instead of placing at the service of the genuine interests of rural workers, as true democrats do, the sufficient technicians and resources for an effective rational exploitation of the land for the benefit of man.
6. COMMUNIST USE OF VIOLENCE
Obviously, violence plays an important role among Communist tactics and is by no means regarded by the Communists as inconsistent with peaceful coexistence.
The Venezuelan Communists have requested aid from abroad against the Government of Venezuela. OnApril10,1962, the official organ of the Communist Party of the United States, the Daily Worker, published a letter from the Secretary for International Relations of the Communist Party of Venezuela, requesting the fraternal support of the Communist and Workers’ Parties against “the policy of the Betancourt-Copei government of servile betrayal in favor of imperialism. * * *” There is no reason why the Venezuelan Communists should have any scruples about asking the U.S. Communists for help, since both are foreign agents of the same boss.
7. COMMUNIST OPPOSITION TO CONSTRTTCTIVE REFORMS
Jealously attempting to monopolize for themselves all credit for any socially constructive measures, the Communists aggressively practice a “dog-in-the-manger” policy regarding any constructive measures proposed by others.
C. Conclusions
The Communist technique of deceit uses and abuses words and robs them of their legitimate meaning, replacing it with a Marxist-Leninist interpretation. The seduction which such words exercise over the popular mind furthers the purposes of Communist aggression against the Western World.
Democracy must itself not play the Communist game of misuse of words. In this respect, it should avoid applying the epithet “Communist” to persons who, with good intentions and not influenced by disruptive ideas, ask for reforms that are necessary or oppose procedures that, to serve personal interests, run counter to the interests of the community.
The Committee is convinced that the peoples of America, when they know the objectives, methods, and procedures of communism as these are exposed to the light of the truth, cannot tolerate known Communists, accept the existence of a national Communist Party, or much less allow communism to achieve its goal of world domination.
IV. REPLY OF DEMOCEATIC SOCIETY
Throughout the course of this work various aspects of the inter- national Communist movement were exposed and analyzed, including its development and the deceitfulness of its purposes and methods. Men in general, and particularly those who endure its tensions, will have asked themselves to what its development is due, in view of its destructive purpose and the falsity of its acts.
The Committee is firmly convinced that the Communist advance is due mainly to the lack of information regarding its true aims; to the fact that it takes possession of legitimate aspirations of the people, distorting these to its benefit, as has been said; and to the lack of faith in the institutions and leaders of democracy on the part of certain discouraged sectors.
the concept of caste prevailing in the selection of leaders of the Communist movement, which thus becomes autocratic and oligarchic, is quite well known. This excludes every possibility that it would give acceptance to the free play of democratic institutions that characterizes our society, in which every man may succeed in acquiring significance and representation in line with his aptitudes and qualifications. It is for this reason that communism considers our democratic electoral systems decadent and replaces them with the preeminence of a single despotic and cruel party.
The deeply human basis on which the development of culture and science in the democratic countries rests permits the purest and freest creations of the mind and spirit. Must this be changed because subjugation to the state and to the party, the sole sources capable of creations such as those advocated by communism, is better?
Finally, it should be pointed out that the committee is fully aware of the negative effect which two well-known factors have, or can have, on efforts to form a united front against communism in various countries. These factors are: what has become known as “McCarthy- ism,” that is, a deformation of the action that was advocated by the late Senator Joseph McCarthy of the United States; and the existence of persons and organizations who make a “business” of anti-Communist sentiment and action. Both elements, working at the official and the private level, and conscious or not of the damage they are doing, follow a hard line of action against persons, organizations, or governments, accusing them indiscriminately of being Communist. Besides frequently causing unjust injury to the persons, organizations, and governments accused, this line of action provides free propaganda for communism and, what is still more serious, detracts from the solution of the real problems facing the people.
V. RECOMMENDATIONS
Modern democratic society has, without ceasing, adopted systems of life in order that its peoples might enjoy greater well-being, receiving the benefits of technology while developing greater and greater respect for human rights and fundamental liberties. In this democratic revolution all sectors are actively participating (governments, intellectuals, students, workers, the rural population, business- men, the armed forces, and churches), and this revolution reaches into every field of complex modern society as a consequence of the many- faceted activities of man.
International communism therefore has no right to arrogate to itself
any claim to having initiated this social revolution, belonging as it does to the people, who with great effort and sacrifice are forging a better world. For example, the standards set by the Catholic Church for reforming the social order and the condition of workers are clearly revolutionary.’ In particular, the programs of the Alliance for Progress, both in concept and scope, embody a profound economic and social revolution.
This is the background of the revolutionary change that the Communists are exploiting. They are the vultures of this process of modernization. They believe that the unstable conditions that emerge during the course of this process of modernization are vulnerable to subversion, sabotage, and even guerrilla warfare. Despite their doctrine of “historic inevitability” they know that they have only a limited time in which to gain power in the underdeveloped areas.
They recognize that their opportunities to gain power diminish in proportion to the speed with which progress becomes evident and social problems find proper solution. Hence, their great emphasis on subverting existing institutions, and exploiting, the tensions, strains, and conflicts of interest that necessarily accompany so radical a change in the social system.
4. When the problem of the preservation and defense of democracy against the threat of subversive action by international communism was presented for the first time at the Conference of Bogota (1948), the American Republics resolved
1. To reaffirm their decision to maintain and further an effective social and economic policy for the purpose of raising the standard of living of their peoples; and their conviction that only under a system founded upon a guarantee of the essential freedoms and rights of the individual is it possible to attain this goal.
2. To condemn the methods of every system tending to suppress political and civil rights and liberties, and in particular the action of international communism or any other totalitarian doctrine.
3. To adopt, within their respective territories and in accordance with their respective constitutional provisions, the measures necessary to eradicate and prevent activities, directed, assisted, or instigated by foreign governments, organizations, or individuals tending to over- throw their institutions by violence, to foment disorder in their domestic political life, or to disturb, by means of pressure, subversive propaganda, threats, or by any other means, the free and sovereign right of their peoples to govern themselves in accordance with their democratic aspirations.
4. To proceed with a full exchange of information concerning any
of the aforementioned activities that are carried on within their _
respective jurisdictions.
5. The fourth meeting of consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs
(Washington, 1951), convoked specifically because “the growing threat of international Communist aggression has demonstrated the urgent necessity that the free nations of the world determine the most effective methods for preserving their freedom and independence,” and “the need for adopting measures to insure the economic, political, and military defense of this hemisphere is urgent and of common interest to the American Republics,” resolved:
(1) To recommend to the governments of the American States-
la) That, mindful of their unity of pm-pose and taking account of the contents of Resolution VI of the second meeting of consultation in Havana and Resolution XXXII of the Ninth International Conference of American States in Bogota, each American republic examine its respective laws and regulations and adopt such changes as it may consider necessary to assure
that the subversive activities of the agents of international communism directed against any of them, may be adequately prevented and punished;
(b) That, in accordance with their respective constitutional provisions they enact measures necessary to regulate in the countries of America transit across international boundaries of those foreigners who there is reason to expect will attempt to carry out subversive acts against the defense of the American Continent; and
(c) That, in the application of this resolution, they bear in mind the necessity of guaranteeing and defending by the most efficacious means the rights of the human person as well as their firm determination to preserve and defend the basic democratic institutions of the peoples of the American republics.
For the purpose of facilitating the fulfilment of the objectives of this resolution, it was recommended that the Pan American Union prepare technical studies on certain aspects of subversive action.
6. In the “Declaration of Solidarity for the Preservation of the Political Integrity of the American States Against the Intervention of International Communism,” the 10th Inter-American Conference (Caracas, 1954), again insisted on the need to adopt and carry out measures to counteract the subversive activities of the international Communist movement, recommending that the American governments, without prejudice to such other measures as they might con- sider desirable, should give special attention to the following steps for the purpose of counteracting such activities within their respective jurisdictions:
(a) Measures to require disclosure of the identity, activities, and sources of funds of those who are spreading propaganda of the international Communist movement or who travel in the interests of that movement, and of those who act as its agents or in its behalf; and
(b) The exchange of information among governments to assist in fulfilling the purpose of the resolutions adopted by the inter-American conferences and meetings of Ministers of Foreign Affairs regarding international communism.
owing to the methods employed by international communism, the lack of cooperation of one state can render inoperative the measures adopted by a contiguous state; and when several states fail to cooperate, the system for defense against subversion as a whole becomes ineffective. The interdependence of the measures to counteract subversive action is such that if any government fails to apply them, the system is weakened and is entire effectiveness is undermined. This is the impression one receives from surveying the American scene over the past few years.
the Committee wishes to add that the subversive action of international communism here supposes the performance of acts directed, assisted, or instigated by foreign powers or governments, and that therefore, they constitute grave acts against the public order and the security of the state, especially when the “,gent carrying out the subversive action is a national or citizen of that state. Under the laws of all the countries of the world, and the international instruments governing the matter, the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental liberties is subject to the limitations and restrictions that the state is expressly authorized to impose for reasons of internal security or other reasons that are considered vital to the welfare of the nation. It can be easily under- stood, therefore, what a legal and political mistake it would be to tolerate subversive activity or fail to combat it adequately, out of fear that human rights and fundamental liberties would not be respected.
The above recommendations and considerations, therefore, are completely consistent with the aim, already expressed in Resolution VIII repeatedly quoted, that in applying the measures referred to, the states should bear in mind “the necessity of guaranteeing and defending by the most efficacious means the rights of the human person as well as their firm determination to preserve and defend the
basic democratic institutions of the peoples of the American Republics.” On this point, the above-mentioned Pan American Union report states that in its conclusions care was taken to guard “against the possibility that such ways and means be used to obstruct or sup- press genuinely democratic expressions of opinion, activities, or political aspirations, completely foreign to international communism.”
PAPER PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE ENTRUSTED WITH THE STUDY OF THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS FOR SUBVERSIVE PURPOSES, THE FLOW OF SUBVERSIVE PROPAGANDA AND THE UTILIZATION OF CUBA AS A BASE FOR TRAINING IN SUBVERSIVE TECHNIQUES
The specific recommendations the Committee suggests in this study do not refer to any particular country. They include the adoption of certain measures that, in the abstract and without prejudice to other measures that may be better adapted to circumstances within each country, are considered technically necessary to counter- act, at least in part, the subversive activity that international communism is carrying out in the Western Hemisphere, especially through Cuba.
It also presents them with complete awareness that the Governments and peoples of the Americas have the right, the capacity, and the interest to confront the subversive action of international communism, and that if these recommendations are adopted, they will be applied taking into account the statements made in the initial general report, chapter V.A. 9, 10, and 11.
(e) The appendix to this study illustrates, with specific cases, the techniques of subversive activity employed by communism in America and to which reference is made herein.
The world is virtually at war—an atypical kind of war, which is being waged by international communism and suffered by the democracies. In this sense it is undeniable that the Marxist dialectic has changed the saying of Clausewitz that “war is the continuation of politics by other means,” to the assertion that “peace is only the continuation of war by other means.”
In a speech delivered January 6, 1961, Khrushchev pointed out three kinds of war: “world wars, local wars, and wars of liberation or popular insurrections.” He said that this classification made it “necessary to devise tactics that are correct for each of these types of wars.”
What Khrushchev describes as a ”war of liberation’ or “popular uprising” is really hidden aggression: subversion.
Exploiting the desire of the democracies to avoid war, particularly under present circumstances, in which arms of great _ destructive power might be used, the design of Communist expansion finds in subversion the least costly way of acquiring peoples and territories without exaggerated risk.
Subversion, the techniques of which vary from simple infiltration to violent intervention, is conceived, developed, and perfected by the leaders of communism, who utilize it to carry forward their world revolution. Its aim is to replace the political, economic, and social order existing in a country by a new order, which presupposes the complete physical and moral control of the people.
B. SOME TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED
1. Recruitment and training
In 1900, Lenin wrote: “We must train men and women who will dedicate not only their free afternoons to the revolution, but their entire lives.”
I. J. Peters, in his Organization Manual of the Communist Party, explaining what Lenin meant by a professional revolutionary, said that such a person is a highly skilled comrade, trained in the theory and practice of revolution, tested in battle, who gives his whole life to the struggle for the interests of his own class. A professional of the revolution, he said, is ready to go wherever and whenever the party orders him and, if the class struggle requires it, he must leave his family for months or even years.
2. Infiltration
Through this technique, activists are infiltrated into previously selected organizations and institutions in order, progressively and methodically, to gain absolute direction and control of them. To do this, the activist studies the problems of the group and takes advantage of those that are sources of agitation, exploiting them in such a way as to gain the group’s adherence to party interests. In other words, the activist avails himself of all circumstances enabling him to attract non-Communists in the vicinity.
3. Psychological impregnation
The individual action of the activists is complemented by well
planned and developed psychological action. An effort is made to attract and convert indifferent people by exploiting the contradictions present in every organized society and the justified longings to resolve them. For this purpose, attractive material, easily accessible to the masses, is drawn up or prepared.
4. Dislocation
Dislocation The object of dislocation is to weaken the social structure. Just as with psychological impregnation, dislocation skillfully exploits existing contradictions, student or labor conflicts, religious or social differences, and so forth for the purpose of creating disorder and provoking violence.
…People’s discontent and justified aspirations are taken advantage of by the Communists to serve as a useful, and in some cases, highly effective means of creating disorder and driving the authorities to rigorous law enforcement and the consequent use of police measures. Freedom to congregate, the right to strike, and other liberties granted by democracy are abused; laws are labeled as antidemocratic or dictatorial, and the authorities are criticized and attacked as being solely responsible for the situation. With disorder thus stirred up, all kinds of arms are employed and offenses are perpetrated against individuals and also against public and private property, thereby inciting violent action on the part of the police, which serves the Communists’ ulterior ends.
In a parallel way, by means of the propaganda available to them, they undertake a campaign to misrepresent and discredit the government, the authorities, and all non-Communist individuals of any influence in society.
Finally, an effort is made to hinder or paralyze the development of trade and the national economy; to put to the test lawful means of internal security and to invent new actions to frustrate them; in short, to create uncertainty and chaos, in order to demonstrate the inefficiency of the power controlling the situation through lawful procedures. A propitious atmosphere is thereby created for total subversion.
5. Process of militarization
Through a process of proper organization, a military apparatus of growing complexity is created. First, action or shock teams are created. These are small in number and are usually used for hand fighting, sabotage, or acts of terrorism.
II. Cuba as a Base for Subversion in America
A. CUBA AS A TRAINING CENTER
The different media of information often describe subversive activities in different American countries and point to Cuba as center for training in the techniques of Communist subversion.
1. Training centers
There can be no doubt that the creation and maintenance of a Communist government in Cuba facilitates to an extraordinary degree the subversive action of international communism in America. This is true not only with respect to the spread of the Communist ideology, but also—what is more dangerous—because it constitutes a center quite nearby for training agents of every kind whose function it is to develop subversion in the countries of the hemisphere.
The fellowship program announced by Fidel Castro in his speech of June 9, 1961, which included the granting of 1,000 fellowships for students of the various American countries, gives an idea of how, from its very first years, the Cuban Communist regime gave primary importance to the indoctrination and training of American youths in Communist techniques.
2. Organizations devoted to the spread of subversion in America
In addition to the training centers, there are in Cuba some organizations whose purpose it is to carry subversion to America. There is
knowledge that the following are functioning:
3. Congresses and meetings
Concurrently with the systematic preparation of Communist
subversive agents a series of meetings, conferences, congresses, and so on are being held in Cuba, attended by the Communist elements of America and by sympathizers, the real purpose of which is to discuss plans, fix objectives, and issue directives that must be observed by the different groups, with respect to Communist subversive action of every form.
These congresses, conferences and meetings bring together persons linked to the different fields of human activity: workers, students, intellectuals, athletes, etc.
If.. Conclusions
It is clear that Cuba is being used as a base for training in communism and its spread in America.
That activity of international communism, and particularly on the
part of the Cuban Government, is greatly facilitated by the lack of suitable measures, and of cooperation among the American countries, to check the constant and heavy stream of travelers to and from Cuba. The importance of this problem makes it necessary to devote a special section to it.
B. CONTROL OF TRAVEL
1. General considerations
The nations that maintain normal and friendly relations recognize
that it is desirable and even necessary to facilitate travel by their nationals across their borders as a means of strengthening cultural and economic ties, becoming better known, and becoming qualified and ready to support one another in the solution of their problems.
These facilities are used by communism so that its agents may circulate freely and, in this way, introduce propaganda and move the money needed in planning, encouraging, and carrying on subversion. It has already been pointed out in this connection that it is of public knowledge that many individuals of antinational and communistic tendencies travel to Cuba for various reasons connected with sub- version. Cuba is also utilized as the point of departure for trips to the Communist countries of Europe or Asia for the same reasons.
III. Transmission of Subversive Propaganda
A. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Considering the primary importance of propaganda or publicity in the lives of nations, and the development it has now attained, it is advisable to point out that this means of so directly influencing the people is very effectively used by international communism.
Obviously, the international Communist movement is constantly endeavoring to increase its propaganda. That increase and the danger represented by such propaganda can be measured, in part, by the number of organizations that are at its service; the circulation of newspapers and magazines, books, pamphlets, leaflets, posters, and, in general, all kinds of publications presenting Communist ideology; the number of radio broadcasts and showings of motion pictures; the organization of an attendance at festivals, congresses, meetings, lectures, and so on; the establishment and operation of training and indoctrination schools; trips to or from the Communist countries; and so on.
The degree of this danger can also be measured by the resources that international communism invests to maintain the propaganda apparatus in the Western countries. But what best gives a true measure of it is the fact that the Communists themselves consider propaganda as one of the essential means of prime importance to the success of their political action.
The aim of this propaganda is to provoke social and economic chaos, weaken the governments, and bring the masses of the people into a prerevolutionary situation from which the Communists can launch their attack on the seats of power. Each Communist Party, through its agitation and propaganda section, sows hate, doubt, and confusion, which carry with them the seeds of political and economic decay. Through these agitation and propaganda sections, the members receive, from the international headquarters or from the executive or central committee in their respective countries, precise instructions on the general topics they should develop. Then they adapt them to the local or national situation and exploit them, making use of all known media of dissemination of information.
The tactics frequently change, but the objective remains un- changing: To dissolve or undo the democratic system in order to replace it with the dictatorship of the Communist Party.
B. SUBJECTS OF THE PROPAGANDA
The subjects of the Communist propaganda in America vary from country to country and from region to region, according to circum- stances. Nevertheless, this variation is more one of form than of substance, since in all cases the particular approach is in accordance with the general program of Communist propaganda for America planned from abroad.
C. INSTRUMENTS OF PROPAGANDA
1. Diplomatic and consular missions
The informational activity carried on by countries through their
diplomatic and consular missions is well known and accepted. How- ever, the use of these missions for purposes of political and ideological propaganda as a means of favoring subversion is relatively new.
2. Trade and technical assistance missions
Just as in the case of their diplomatic and consular missions, the
Communists make use of their trade and technical assistance missions that have been established in certain American countries as one more instrument for spreading their subversive propaganda. Through these missions, the countries of the Communist bloc introduce techniques for sabotage, agitation, and propaganda in various countries.
3. Binational centers and associations for friendship or culture
Since 1945, international communism has employed a great profusion of front organizations to promote actions favoring its efforts and as a means of infiltrating democratic society. Among these we may mention the binational centers and associations for friendship or culture, which currently make a practice of organizing activities such as film festivals, artistic performances of various kinds, trips, lectures, congresses of writers and intellectuals, and so on, all of
which serve the ends of Communist propaganda.
B. Printed propaganda
Printed propaganda is one of the media most often utilized by the
Communists to spread their doctrine and carry on their subversive activities. _ For these purposes they make use of both foreign and local publications.
(a) Foreign publications
This kind of propaganda is spread through news services, mail,
travelers, diplomatic, consular, and commercial missions, and by clandestine means.
The introduction of these publications by travelers is another method commonly used by the Communists to disseminate their propaganda. While it is difficult for ordinary travelers to transport large amounts of propaganda of this sort, this is not true of those who travel under the protection of official or diplomatic passports, and this is an important channel for the entry of subversive propaganda.
D. CONCLUSIONS
The Communist propaganda from Cuba and the Sino-Soviet bloc is constantly increasing and radiates to all the countries of the Western Hemisphere, taking maximum advantage of all means of dissemination. Essentially, the aim of this propaganda is to destroy the foundations of democracy, fomenting and exploiting for its own benefit the social, religious, political, economic, and racial problems that exist, to a greater or lesser degree, in the American countries.
Communist propaganda constitutes a form of subversive action that is just as dangerous to the internal security of the American nations as any other form subversion takes, and, likewise, represents a serious threat to the peace and security of America.
It must be recognized that, so far, there is no real awareness in the American countries of the danger to their security that lies in adopting a passive attitude toward the activity of Communist propaganda.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
This Committee submits the following recommendations (on action to be taken by the governments) for consideration by the Committee of the Council:
In general, that each American country should have the agencies needed to enable it to plan, direct, and carry on the psychological action (propaganda and counterpropaganda) to counteract, weaken, or cancel out the Communist propaganda that is carried on through any medium.
IV. Transfer of Funds to the American Republics for Subversive Purposes
a. general considerations
It is an indisputable fact that Communist or pro-Communist groups in the American countries must necessarily have a large amount of money to carry on their subversive activities.
If it is considered that these groups, in addition to being a minority in their respective countries, are mainly composed of individuals of limited economic resources, it may be concluded that they do not have the means for financing themselves.
Financial aid for the subversive purposes of communism is very difficult to verify, owing to the secretive and disguised manner in which it is practiced. Nevertheless, according to information supplied by some American countries and news that has appeared in news organs of proved seriousness it can be affirmed that it is the present Cuban Government that is responsible for providing, directly or indirectly, a large portion of the financial support received by the Communist Parties in the other American Republics.
Cuba, when the Castro-Communist government was first installed in Havana, gave its moral, material, and financial support to a series of invasions, organized within its territory, into different countries in the Caribbean region. Since 1959 this form of activity was sus- pended through fear that these flagrant acts of intervention would give rise to a collective inter-American action. This did not mean that Castro-Communist interference in the affairs of the Americas had ceased to exist; on the contrary, her subversive activity was intensified in many other ways, among them, through abundant and continual financial aid.
B. OBTAINING OP FUNDS
The American Communist Parties, in order to obtain the necessary funds for their subversive purposes, have two main sources available: the collection of funds in their respective countries and the receipt of funds coming from abroad.
2. Funds received from abroad
These funds constitute the major part of the income of the Communist Parties. The instrument most frequently used to receive and distribute such funds is the Communist diplomatic mission in those countries with which their countries maintain relations. They receive the quantities assigned to the national Communist groups and those of the other countries, and from their respective headquarters they distribute financial aid to the addressees through their agents, the postal service, and the banks.
Mention should also be made here of transfers of funds intended for imaginary or real business concerns, which are utilized in subversive Communist activity once they have been brought into the country.
C. CONCLUSIONS
The movement of funds from Communist countries to the American Republics for use in subversive activities is extremely difficult to control, not only because of the different methods used to carry it out, but owing to the facilities that exist for making transfers of money.
D. RECOMMENDATIONS
(1) To inspect Communist entities and persons, as well as Communist suspects, in the different countries in order to determine the origin of the funds that permit them to develop Communist subversive activities.
(2) To control contraband, particularly of narcotics, which, as is known, is one of the most effective means employed by communism to obtain funds.
(3) To consider the possibility that experts in the matter, within the respective legal systems of the American countries, might study the means that would make it possible to control the entry of money or securities that it is believed are intended to serve the ends of Communist subversion.
(4) To exercise strict control over the national procedures used by Communists to obtain funds, as pointed out in this chapter.
v. General Recommendations
2. That the American Governments be asked to devote particular attention to their intelligence services, creating or improving them, in order that they may have the means that will enable them to plan, coordinate and carry out effective action against Communist sub- version; and, likewise, to organize, equip and train their security forces so that they may be in proper condition to repress the subversive activities of international communism.
VI. Final Consideration
Since the time of its initial general report, the Committee has observed that the establishment of a beachhead on American territory, achieved by the Communist offensive, “poses a threat of the utmost gravity to the security of the hemisphere.” The events that have taken place since that time, particularly the military strengthening of Cuba by the Soviet Union, by greatly increasing the capacity of the Cuban Government to send arms into neighboring countries and to intensify other subversive activities, render the threat to hemispheric security much more serious, a threat that assumes an urgent character with respect to the security of the countries of the Caribbean region. This has become evident, sometimes in a dramatic manner, in the recent wave of terrorism, sabotage, and other subversive activities that Castro communism has unleashed in some of the Latin American countries.
The degree of develop- ment attained by the political-military apparatus that has been established in Cuba is rendering the system of security against subversion increasingly inadequate and ineffective, based solely on the isolated measures that each country might adopt. Holding this conviction, the Committee has wished to assume responsibility for expressing it, in view of the present state of events, in order that the American governments may effectively confront the subversive action of Castro communism.
COMBINED REPORTS ON COMMITNIST SUBVERSION
III. Communist Activities in the Western Hemisphere
A. GENERAL PANORAMA
1. Present situation
The Special Consultative Committee on Security is of the opinion that, since the date of its last report (February 8, 1963), the subversive activities of international communism in the American states have continued to such an alarming degree that measures must be taken immediately to end this danger to the peace and security of the hemisphere.
2. Principal manifestations
The present line of conduct being followed by the Communists in
carrying out their strategic plan for achieving their ultimate objectives primarily takes the form of
(a) Subversive activities (agitation, strikes, guerrilla warfare, et cetera), which in some countries have reached the point of open insurrection;
(6) Acts of sabotage and systematic terrorism, carried out by small, but perfectly trained and equipped groups, following pre-established plans and intended to create a climate conduce to general insurrection;
(c) Infiltration into governmental spheres, including the armed forces, which endangers institutional stability itself;
(d) Penetration into information agencies and media (press, radio, and television) with personnel especially trained in Communist propaganda; and
(e) Growing participation in the educational field, particularly at the university level, seeking, among other things, to create a rapprochement between professional people, students, and workers, not for purposes of trade union improvement but only to develop their own subversive activities.
freedom of the press is a basic principle in democratic countries. In defense of that principle, then, it is important to point out that organs of the press must exercise strict vigilance to make certain that this freedom is not used by communism for the purpose of destroying it.
Similar observation and vigilance are recommended for the other information media, since they are essential in the development of the propaganda activity of Communist imperialism.
5. The problem in the universities
This aspect deserves special consideration, in view of the important role of the university in preparing the leaders of a country.
The Special Consultative Committee on Security believes that the degree to which communism has infiltrated various university institutions in the American States is of the utmost seriousness. This is being done mainly in the following ways:
By attempting to gain teaching and administrative control of the universities;
By appointing Communist or pro-Communist professors for activities connected with teaching;
By using university funds for Communist propaganda activities;
By organizing university federations, associations, or committees, fostered and directed by Communists, or by taking advantage of existing ones; and
By promoting public functions, lectures, demonstrations, etc., in support of Communist regimes and leaders and the ideas advanced by them.
6. International communism and Castroism
Subversive activities in the American Hemisphere are typical of
international communism, although in some instances it waves the flag of the Castro regime in Cuba, presenting it as if it were a regional or an American movement. Actually, Castroism is nothing more than a collateral movement that obeys extracontinental instructions and directives and is used principally for the purpose of confusing public opinion.
7. “Coexistence”
The Special Consultative Committee on Security believes that in the fight against Communist activities throughout the hemisphere it is of basic importance that the American people not allow themselves to be deceived by the frequent use of the word “coexistence.”
It repeats that in no case is it possible to accept “coexistence,” particularly so long as there persists a policy of intervention and aggression on the part of Communist imperialism. It is evident that at the same time the Soviet leaders speak of “coexistence,” they are actively pursuing their efforts to substitute Communist dictatorship for the institutional order in our countries. Nor is it possible to accept conformity with the philosophical and ideological principles of communism, which are totally foreign to and incompatible with American ideals.
B. CONSIDERATIONS
In summary, it is necessary to stress the need
(1) To keep close watch on the development of Communist action in the universities and other educational centers.
(2) To pass suitable legislation for keeping Communists out of Government agencies and the Armed Forces.
(3) To conduct a suitable information campaign on the methods and techniques of deceit employed by Communist propaganda, particularly in connection with its use of the pre- tended example of the Castro revolution and of the terms “nationalism” and “coexistence.”
(4) To seek the cooperation of information organs in the task of combating and counteracting Communist propaganda.
DESIRABILITY OF STRENGTHENING INTER-AMERICAN COORDINATION AIMED AT THE MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE
I. Object of the Study
It is important for the purposes of this study to recall that communism, owing to its international character, does not act in an isolated manner in each country, but involves a network, regulated and conducted from a central point, which is revealed through connections that go beyond national boundaries. Consequently, any action taken locally by the governments against Communist subversion cannot be made more effective until there is close collaboration and cooperation among them.
It is of interest to note that in an attempt to protect themselves against the activities of organized crime, the various American countries cooperate with the International Police organization, “Interpol,” created to combat such activities. However, in the fight against communism—whose subversive activity is equally or more dangerous—the American countries have not yet adopted a coordinated action,
II. International Cooperation and Coordination
A. MEANS
In the fight against inter- national communism, the specific agencies are the security and intelligence services, which are generally regulated and coordinated by a central organ in charge of the overall action. Consequently, it is logical that these are the agencies that should cooperate with one another at an international level.
Unfortunately, these specialized agencies have not yet been created in some countries, while in others their structure and operation are deficient, thereby hampering seriously effective coordination among states.
B. METHODS
Some of the methods for achieving international cooperation in anti-Communist action are the following: bilateral, multilateral, and overall coordination.
The overall method assumes the participation of all the countries affected by the same problem, and in the case of the Americas this includes all the countries of the hemisphere. Generally, when this method is adopted it is advisable, in view of the number of entities that must be coordinated, to centralize the functions of the system under the direction of one organ that coordinates the technical and specialized services of each country.
In order to have a better understanding of the importance of this procedure, it should be remembered that communism succeeds in the world because, among other reasons, it is based on a centralized action, its strategy and tactics resulting from decisions taken at various congresses, meetings, and conferences that give rise to the directives that channel its activities.
An enemy that conducts itself in this manner can only be effectively combated by a coordinated front, in an overall manner, ranging from an exchange of information to planned joint action. Such a front has not yet been presented in the Americas owing to several factors, among which mention can be made of the countries’ zeal for their autonomy and their natural nationalistic sentiment.
At the present time action against the Communist danger cannot be delayed, and it is therefore necessary for the American countries to confront it and, as they have done in the case of socioeconomic and cultural problems, create the technical organ that is capable of providing overall coordination to anti-Communist action in the hemisphere.
III. The Organization of American States and the Communist Problem
The Organization of American States was created as the expression of a feeling of continental solidarity, in the understanding that the welfare of all the countries, as well as their contribution to the progress and the civilization of the world, would increasingly require “intensive continental cooperation” in order, as the Charter of the Organization states, “* * * to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and their independence.”
V. The Organization of American States and Cooperation Among the Member States
The present status of cooperation among the American States in their fight against international communism is as follows:
1. The Organization of American States, at various inter- American conferences and meetings of consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, has repeatedly made recommendations regarding the need for an exchange of information among the governments, as well as the need for them to furnish such information to the Council of the Organization.
2. There is some cooperation, both bilateral and multilateral, among certain governments.
3. It is desirable that such cooperation be extended to include all of the American countries.
4. Certain obstacles have been present, and still exist, to pre- vent a greater measure of cooperation up to now; but it is believed that these can be overcome by setting up a system for cooperation and coordination within the institutional framework of the Organization of American States.
5. The proper organizations in the various countries for establishing the necessary cooperation are the security and intelligence agencies specializing in anti-Communist action.
Application of Measures to the Present Government of Cuba
The said report establishes among its conclusions that “the Republic of Venezuela has been the target of a series of actions sponsored and directed by the Government of Cuba, openly intended to subvert Venezuelan institutions and to overthrow the democratic Government of Venezuela through terrorism, sabotage, assault, and guerrilla warfare,” and
That the aforementioned acts, like all acts of intervention and aggression, conflict with the principles and aims of the Inter-American system.
CONTENTS
I. Object of the study.
II. Summary of background facts.
III. The Chinese Communists in America. A. Their general activities.
B. Influence of the conflict on certain Communist Parties in the Americas.
C. Considerations.
IV. Reflections on the effect of the conflict on international Communist
particularly subversive activities.
V. General conclusion.
I. Object of the Study
The development of the conflict, which has been commented on fully in various publications, has created a climate of optimism in certain parts of the West, including the Americas, that is promoting the advance of communism.
II. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND FACTS
Russia recognizes that violent revolutions may be inevitable in certain situations, but at the same time it maintains that the revolutionary objectives may be achieved at less cost and with less risk if other tactics are used. To that end, it is skillfully exploiting so-called peaceful coexistence, along with constant agitation and infiltration in all spheres of activity of each country, as well as making constant efforts to strengthen the ranks of the Communist Parties and their effectiveness.
This does not by any means prevent the Soviet Union from carrying out its own clandestine campaign of violence in many countries to supplement the subversive activity being carried on by the “local” Communists in those countries.
For its part, China maintains that violence is the most effective, immediate procedure for establishing communism in the world, and, consequently, it urges the application of all the tactics of Communist struggle in accordance with that principle.
The specific criticism that Communist China aims at the policy of the Soviet Union may be summed up in two accusations:
(a) “Soviet flexibility” will, in the long run, deprive the Communists of the trust and determination needed for an effective revolutionary work; and
(b) Soviet policy oscillates dangerously and erratically between risky maneuvers and shameful withdrawals before the determination of the West.
President John F. Kennedy, in referring to the dispute between China and the Soviet Union, stated as follows:
“What comfort can we take from the increasing strains and tensions within the Communist bloc? Here hope must be tempered with caution. For the Soviet-Chinese disagreement is over means, not ends. A dispute over how to bury the West is no grounds for Western rejoicing.”
III. The Chinese Communists in America
A. THEIR GENERAL ACTIVITIES
In recent years, the Chinese Communists have been intensifying their independent operations in Latin America, gradually eliminating or replacing those efforts that had been initiated in cooperation with Moscow.
in 1963-64, Communist China has made progress in its efforts to increase trade with various countries. It has held trade fairs in several of them, and has set up commercial representatives in others. In this way it has even succeeded in establishing official relations with Latin American countries.
B. INFLUENCE OF THE CONFLICT ON CERTAIN COMMUNIST PARTIES IN THE AMERICAS
Support for the position of Communist China has grown within the Argentine Communist Party and, even though its sympathizers are not numerous there are various groups who favor it, among them:
Communist youth groups, who are considered very important, not because of their total number, but because they constitute the party’s reserve.
Infiltrated Trotskyites who support the Chinese policy in the present ideological dispute and are attempting to win over other dissident groups, in order to rise to higher positions within the party.
Venezuela
The Venezuelan Communist Party (PCV), which now has three divergent currents of opinion, began the policy it is now following at the end of 1960 when the Chinese-Soviet differences had just begun to affect other parties. The policy of armed conflict, which is being carried out through the National Liberation Front at the political level and the Armed Forces of National Liberation at the combat level, was adopted by the party at its third congress in 196L
Like certain other parties (the Indonesian and Vietnamese, for example), the PCV is concerned lest a widening of the Chinese-Soviet rift injure its revolutionary prospects, its local alliances, and its internal unity. Dedicated since 1961 to violent conflict, the PCV and its principal ally, the Revolutionary Leftist Movement (MIR) did not experience any serious internal problems until it became obvious that there was very little likelihood that their efforts to overthrow the Government would succeed.
the fundamental method of conducting the revolution in Venezuela continues to be armed conflict. The members of the party should be prepared to resume armed conflict whenever the conditions are favorable. This may be in “15daysor15years.” In the meantime, the bands of guerrillas in the rural areas will be reinforced, and their lines of communication improved.
It is significant that the PCV—the only party in Latin America that has refused to take a position on the Sino-Soviet dispute and that follows closely the attitude of the Castro Communists—has not thus far revealed any open internal splits or expulsions. Of equal importance is the evidence that the dissension and factional currents noted within the PCV and the MIR are caused by the urgent need to adopt new policies in view of the defeats suffered at the hands of the Venezuelan people and Government. Lastly, the case of Venezuela demonstrates that it would be an oversimplification to conclude that the pro-Soviet elements exclude armed conflict as an appropriate course of action, and that the pro-Chinese are dedicated to a policy of immediate armed action everywhere and at any time.
C. CONSIDERATIONS
The study of the effect of the Sino-Soviet conflict, especially among the members of the Communist Parties mentioned, leads us to the following considerations
1. The majority of the top leaders of the Communist Parties in the Latin American countries continue to favor the Soviet position.
2. The efforts of the pro-Chinese Communists to seize the leadership of the Communist political forces have been most successful in Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil.
3. Division and damage to unity within the Communist Parties have been most evident when the party leaders have taken sides in the dispute.
4. The Chinese argument that the violent revolutionary struggle is still the only realistic way to overthrow existing regimes has been widely accepted among young Communists and intellectuals.
5. The most convincing Chinese Communist arguments relating to the best means of preparing the groundwork for establishing the “dictatorship of the proletariat” are being used in a long- range effort within and against the Communist Parties to discredit and eliminate the pro-Soviet leaders of the Communist movement in Latin America and, ultimately, obtain the support of those parties for the Chinese viewpoint in the international movement.
In effect, the Soviet line, by opposing the Chinese Communist line in favor of the use of force, would appear to imply that Russia has renounced the use of force, whereas the truth is that Russian communism continues its efforts toward world domination regardless of methods. This is an aspect that favors communism politically, since in countries not politically and legally constituted so as to cope with the present world situation, Russia finds that its well-known policy of “united fronts” facilitates penetration.
We must consider that, in general, in Latin America there exists a socioeconomic situation whose deficiencies form substantially one of the basic aspects of the problem. The result of this situation is that there is a large mass of discontented people ready to accept any apparent solution of their problems, including the Communist solution, often presented in a “sugar coated” form, with a claim of obtaining better living conditions on the basis of an elementary, though erroneous, rationalization that any change will bring these people more favor- able living conditions. Considering both the Chinese and Russian formulas for obtaining solutions, the apparent road selected by Russia may be longer for them and, consequently, the Chinese line has already won over groups of opinion and action, as stated in the preceding chapter.
It is believed that this power struggle will create new factors of disturbance, especially in labor circles, where both groups will continue a competition characterized by revolutionary action, each one trying to demonstrate that it is capable of obtaining greater benefits and creating labor problems that, in the last analysis, have nothing to do with the workers and their true needs.
V. General Conclusion
in Latin America, the Special Consultative Committee on Security deems it advisable to state as a general conclusion that the dispute between China and the Soviet Union has not diminished the subversive activities of international communism in the Americas, but that, on the contrary, it has, and does, constitute, in many countries, a greater incentive for the use of methods of violence.