p A study of the basic problems of modern international relations in the light of Lenin’s ideas enables one to reveal the essence and specific nature of this sphere of social life, to show how complicated it is, to see its dynamism and growing importance. These trends which are clearly apparent in the course of international events of the past and the present will develop further in future.

p The final quarter of the 20th century is a time when the productive forces will grow rapidly on the basis of the scientific and technological revolution, a time when the pace of social development and the far-reaching changes in the world will increase under the impact of revolutionary forces, a time when the battle between socialism and capitalism will be stepped up in the economic, political and ideological spheres.

p All this inevitably enhances the role of international relations, leads to an even closer intertwining of internal and external factors in the life of peoples, and will engender a multiplicity of forms of class struggle internationally and the possibility of unexpected permutations and sharp turns of the foreign policy of individual countries. Without taking account of the growing role and the new laws of international relations today it is impossible to make a serious scholarly study either of the trends of world development or 284 of the situation and prospects of individual countries. This objective fact lies behind the growing importance of international problems in the activity of classes, parties and governments. In the decades to come, the objective prerequisites will grow for a more active influence by progressive social forces on the world situation and on the resolution of fundamental international problems in the interests of social progress.

p The accomplishment of these tasks demands an increasingly profound understanding of the nature, laws and mechanism of international affairs, which are becoming more and more complicated, a careful study of new phenomena, a scientific forecast of trends and prospects in this sphere, and a search for more effective ways for socialist countries and Communist Parties to pursue their foreign policy. All this is possible only on the firm foundation of revolutionary thought which, as Lenin showed, sets questions “not only in the sense of explaining the past but also in the sense of a bold forecast of the future and of bold practical action for its achievement.”  [284•* 

p Lenin was never divorced from life, from actuality, from real-life conditions and, at the same time, was able to see the coming fate of humanity. Like no one before him, as Maxim Gorky wrote, “he was able to foresee what must be. He could do that, I believe, because half of his great soul lived in the future; his iron yet flexible logic showed him the remote future in completely concrete and real forms.”  [284•** 

p The Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the world communist movement, being guided by the Marxist-Leninist teaching, by the most advanced revolutionary science of the present time, are doing all they can to further develop that science. The Lenin centenary celebrations were a worldwide review of the attainments and victories of MarxismLeninism and the forces of peace, democracy, national independence and socialism.

p The 24th Congress of the CPSU in March and April of 285 1971 marked a new triumph for Lenin’s ideas. The Report of the CPSU Central Committee and the Congress decisions analysed profoundly and comprehensively the results of international development and provided well-substantiated directives for the future. These documents elaborated the major issues of the development of the world socialist system—the decisive anti-imperialist force and the bulwark of peace and social progress—provided an assessment of contemporary imperialism, revealed the part played by the international working class as the militant vanguard of all revolutionary forces, showed how the national liberation struggle in many countries was growing into a struggle against exploiting relations, emphasised the importance of unity of the world communist movement and formulated the urgent tasks in this sphere.

p Soviet foreign policy held an important place at the Congress. The successes in building communism, the growing economic and military might, and the Leninist foreign policy have for over a quarter of a century been safeguarding the peaceful labour of the Soviet people. The Congress confirmed the basic aims and principles of Soviet foreign policy. In implementing the foreign policy elaborated by the Party, a policy that is principled and realistic in the Leninist style, the Congress put forward a wide-ranging constructive programme of work for peace and international co- operation, for the freedom and independence of all peoples. The six points of this programme envisaging the settlement of major international problems met with enthusiastic support from the fraternal socialist countries and the popular masses throughout the world.

p The 24th CPSU Congress, in the work of which 102 foreign delegations took part, forcefully demonstrated the growing unity of present-day revolutionary forces and the high international prestige of the Soviet Union and its Communist Party. A resolution of the plenary meeting of the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party Central Committee noted, for example, that the Congress "reflected the fundamental role of the Soviet Union in the worldwide struggle which is deciding the fate of all mankind, the struggle for peace and security of the nations".

p The 24th Congress of the CPSU made an immense contribution to the development of Marxist-Leninist theory; it was a new testimony to the inexhaustible depth and everlasting importance of Lenin’s ideological and political legacy. The Congress underlined the importance of the Party’s vigorous theoretical activity for the growth of the international prestige of Marxism-Leninism, and pointed out the importance of the creative development of Marxist-Leninist thought and the further elaboration of vital problems of the day.

p “As an eternally living and developing teaching,” the Report of the CPSU Central Committee to the 24th CPSU Congress emphasised: “Leninism has been, remains and will be the crux of the Party’s ideological life, and the foundation of all its revolutionary, transformative activity. While drawing on Lenin’s ideological legacy, the Party holds that its cardinal task is to find solutions to pressing problems of communist construction on the basis of Lenin’s ideas and Lenin’s methodology.”  [286•* 

p A profound study and creative development of Lenin’s work in the theory and practice of international relations are an inexhaustible source of inspiration and constitute the scientific basis of the foreign policy pursued by the CPSU and the Soviet Government.

p The unchanging viability and mighty transforming power of Leninist ideas and Leninist principles of foreign policy and Lenin’s approach to the solution of international problems are strikingly borne out in the present age.

p The chronicle of international relations in the modern age contains many events that have made an indelible mark on the course of world development. However the early seventies of this century must be accorded a special place in view of the concentration of important developments in this period and the opportunities and perspectives which took shape. Events of recent years clearly reflect the changes that have taken place in the alignment of forces in the world, the dynamic nature of the international situation and the increasingly important role of the active peace policy of the 287 socialist countries. The intensive and singleminded activity of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Soviet Government aimed towards the implementation of the Peace Programme put forward at the 24th Congress of the CPSU is becoming an increasingly effective factor in the turn now visible in world politics away from the cold war in the direction of detente.

p The termination of the war in Vietnam, the unreserved recognition of the German Democratic Republic in accordance with the rules of international law, the regulation of relations between Czechoslovakia and the Federal Republic of Germany, the consolidation of Cuba’s international position and the successful beginnings of the European Conference on Securtiy and Co-operation are but some of the recent achievements which point to a continuation of the process of detente. Greatly contributed to the improvement of the overall international atmosphere meetings and negotiations between leaders of the socialist countries and representatives of the capitalist states, in particular the visits paid by Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU, to the United States, West Germany and France in 1973 which reaped political and practical results of tremendous significance.

p An important step towards reducing and finally removing the threat of nuclear war and towards the creation of a system of effective guarantees of international security was taken with the signing of the Soviet-American Agreement on the prevention of nuclear war that is subject to no timelimit. A practical switch from atomic confrontation to a policy aimed at ruling out the possibility of nuclear war and the settlement of all outstanding questions through negotiation will have an historic significance for the whole of mankind.

p Increasingly widespread recognition for the principles of peaceful coexistence of states with different social systems, a reduction in the threat of an outright confrontation between the two world systems, the emergence of a whole series of treaties, agreements, arrangements providing a basis for peaceful and constructive relations between socialist and capitalist states, the extension of mutually advantageous 288 economic ties between them, all provide grounds for viewing the current deteete not as a passing phenomenon but as the beginning of a fundamental restructuring of international relations.

p To implement this restructuring which is in the interests of the whole of mankind is unthinkable without struggle, without active efforts of the peace-loving forces, without overcoming the resistance of those in favour of aggressive policies.

Creative Marxism-Leninism and the immortal ideas of Lenin provide a powerful weapon in the struggle to consolidate a truly firm peace on earth.