light of this realisation that we presented them with
our modest contribution by assuring them of our
solidarity, of our moral, political and diplomatic support. We told them about our struggle which is a
contribution to their own, and assured them also that
their struggle in turn helps and stimulates us in our
efforts. And by doing this, by learning with them,
by telling them about our experience, we further reinforce these very links of friendship, solidarity and
camaraderie.
A third objective was equally important. For some of
these countries, China and Korea, have already overcome great difficulties and find themselves in advanced phases of economic and social development.
These countries not only underwent sufferings caused
by traditional and imperialist oppression similar to
our own, but also experienced the bitter difficulties
of war. As a result they understand our needs and
aspirations. Moreover, they remain solidly committed to the destruction of imperialism, which still
threatens them and occupies part of their territories —
the Province of Taiwan, the southern part of Korea.
Such countries have decided to make sacrifices to
support our struggle. We sought therefore in our
discussions to explain the phase in which our struggle
finds itself so that their support meet most directly
the needs of our present situation.
Such were our objectives. If we wanted to summarise briefly the lessons which we learnt from our trip,
we ought to present the following points:
1. All those countries have had an experience of
imperialist exploitation as painful as our own. Nor
is their experience forgotten: the enemy is still present. With this in mind, the political parties in each
country take particular care to educate the new
generations in order to keep alive the spirit of internationalist solidarity.
2. In order to successfully fight the enemy these
countries have united the whole people within very
large fronts where all patriotic forces are co-ordinated.
3. Revolutionary ideology is the main instrument for
uniting the masses, for correctly defining the enemy,
for establishing priorities, for distributing tasks.
4. In applying the correct line, and in working
amongst the masses, cadres are the decisive factor.
5. The revolutionary army is the main instrument
for fulfilling political tasks. The army is composed
of the most conscious and firmest elements of the
people.
6. Armed struggle is continuously combined with
political and diplomatic struggle. Although it is
armed struggle which will lead to victory, the situation
will define which form of struggle must take priority
in any given moment.
7. Militants, both within and outside of the army,
continuously combine combat (armed, political, ideological and diplomatic combat) with study (political,
technical, scientific, cultural) and production.
8. Man is the decisive factor of victory. Moreover,
in order to win it is necessary to rely on one's own
forces. Therefore, the freeing of the creative energy
of the masses is a crucial preoccupation.
9. Intense revolutionary discipline is a fundamental
instrument for raising the level of the work. Since
such discipline stems from revolutionary consciousness, it promotes a great spirit of sacrifice and determination.
10. Where there is revolutionary activity, the enemy
tries always to infiltrate, to sabotage the revolution.
Sustained vigilance is therefore necessary.
11. Vigilance is to be extended to ourselves as well,
for war cannot be combined with comfort, nor revolution with corruption. Comfort and corruption are
enemy agents in our midst.
12. International solidarity is very important. We
must value it highly and act correctly so that to
deserve and respect it.
These twelve points, although condensed, summarise
the lessons which we learnt from the experience of
our comrades. They are not new to us, but they do
confirm our experience. Most importantly, they serve
to reinforce our present political orientation and encourage us further along the path which we have
chosen.
Finally, it can be affirmed that our mission was a
very great success from all points of view. Unfortunately the written word is inadequate and cannot
serve easily to describe the warmth and friendship
with which we were received by our comrades-inarms in the countries which we visited. But the
foundation of such friendship will be apparent from
what has been said above and it is of fundamental
importance. For it springs from a basic unity: as we
fight, arms in hand, comrades in other parts of the
world who have also taken strength from their own
hard battle against imperialism, come to respect us,
to value the sacrifices we have been making, and to
work with us. Thus, increasingly, we combat together.