p On the eve of the centenary of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin’s birth the thoughts of this Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties turn to the undying genius of our revolutionary age.

p Lenin’s name has come to symbolise the victory of the Great October Revolution and those immense revolutionary advances which have radically changed the face of society on earth and signify the turning of mankind to socialism and communism.

p Lenin was an eminent man of thought who developed in every aspect the science which Marx and Engels established: dialectical materialism, political economy, the theory of the socialist revolution and the building of communist society.

p Lenin founded the Bolshevik Party, the first proletarian party of a new type, he led the world’s first socialist revolution to victory and founded the first proletarian state in history, Soviet socialist democracy.

p Lenin unflinchingly fought imperialism and reaction, he upheld unity in action of all sections of the working people in battle against the common class enemy; he was a thoroughgoing internationalist, he championed equality,- peace and friendship among nations, he wrathfully denounced any manifestation of racialism and chauvinism; he was the friend of all oppressed nations and opened the way to victory in the struggle against colonialism, for the peoples’ independence and freedom, for their right to determine their own destiny.

p The acknowledged leader of the world working class, Lenin saw in the proletariat the leading force able to carry out the historic task of overthrowing capitalism and bringing about the socialist transformation of society. It was he who.evolved the theory of the alliance between the working class and peasantry. Upholding unity of the working-class movement, Lenin was irreconcilably opposed to opportunism in all its forms.

p Generations of Communists, wholly dedicated to the working class, to the people and the socialist cause, have grown up under the influence of Leninism. Lenin’s life and work, his supreme qualities as a revolutionary, a comrade and a human being, will forever by their example inspire millions of revolutionary fighters throughout the world.

p It is under the banner of Leninism that the revolutionary movement in most countries has risen to a new height, Communist Parties have been formed and have grown strong, and the international communist movement has become a truly world-wide political force, the most influential political force of today.

p All the experience of world socialism and of the working class and national liberation movements has confirmed the world significance of Marxist-Leninist teaching. The victory of the socialist revolution in a group of countries, the emergence of the world socialist system, the gains of the working-class movement in capitalist countries, the appearance of peoples of former colonial and semi-colonial countries in the arena of socio-political development as independent agents, and the unprecedented upsurge of the struggle against imperialism—all this is proof that Leninism is historically correct and expresses the fundamental needs of the modern age.

p Today we have every justification for saying about Lenin’s teaching what he himself said about Marxism: it is omnipotent, because it is true. MarxistLeninist theory and its creative application in specific conditions permit scientific answers to be found to the questions facing all contingents of the world revolutionary movement, wherever they are active.

p Loyalty to Marxism-Leninism, to this great international teaching, holds the promise of further successes of the communist movement.

p Communists regard it as their task firmly to uphold the revolutionary principles of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism in the struggle against all enemies, steadfastly to make them a living reality, constantly to develop Marxist-Leninist theory and enrich it on the basis of present experience of waging the class struggle and building socialist society. Communists will always be true to the creative spirit of Leninism.

p The approaching Lenin centenary is an historic date of world significance. The Communist and Workers’ Parties meet it in a situation of increasing revolutionary activity and will mark it by stepping up political and ideological work among the masses and by extending and strengthening their ranks. They are exerting every effort to rouse the working people’s revolutionary energies to struggle against imperialism, for the splendid ideals of socialism.

p The participants in this International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties address to all Communists, to all fighters for the socialist transformation of society and to all champions of progress and peace this call for a worthy celebration of the centenary of great Lenin’s birth. Study Lenin’s works! There you shall find an inexhaustible fund of inspiration for struggle against reaction and oppression, for socialism and peace. Acquaintance with Lenin’s works will help the rising generation to see more clearly the revolutionary prospects of our era. Spread more widely knowledge of the achievements of Leninism, of the successes of the socialist countries, Communist Parties and all revolutionary forces!

p Working people in all countries, peoples of the world!

p In the name of the triumph of Lenin’s ideals, we call upon you to join actively in the great and noble battle of the working class for peace, democracy, national independence and socialism!

p Let us raise higher the banner of Leninism in the struggle for the revolutionary renewal of the world!

p Long live Leninism!

Moscow, June 17, 1969