p A specific form of resolving contradictions between the world socialist and capitalist systems is peaceful coexistence of states with different social systems.

p The principle of peaceful coexistence was formulated and substantiated by Lenin. He firmly believed that sooner or later socialism would triumph throughout the world, but maintained that this victory would not take place in all countries at one and the same time. Depending on the level of economic development, the acuteness of the class struggle, the correlation of forces between the proletariat and bourgeoisie and other conditions, some countries would arrive at socialism sooner than others. Proceeding from this premise, Lenin drew the conclusion that during a certain historical period when there would be both capitalist and socialist countries in the world, the coexistence of socialist and capitalist countries is inevitable. Lenin was a proponent of peaceful coexistence, and the CPSU and the Soviet Government firmly adhere to this principle in their foreign policy whose main aim is to ensure peaceful conditions for the building of communism in the USSR and the development of the world socialist system, and, together with all the peace-loving peoples, to save mankind from the horrors of a devastating world war.

p Today when there are monstrous weapons of mass destruction and the means for delivering them to any point on the globe, when another world war would take a colossal toll of lives and cause terrible destruction, the problem of war and peace has become the most acute issue of our time. It has become a problem of life and death for hundreds of millions of people, a problem of the very existence of whole nations and states. That is why the peoples are against war and for peaceful coexistence.

p Peaceful coexistence presupposes renunciation of war as a means of settling international disputes, and their solution by negotiation; equality, mutual understanding and trust 321 between countries; consideration for each other’s interests; non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs and recognition of the right of each nation to solve all its problems by itself; strict respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries; promotion of economic and cultural cooperation on the basis of complete equality and mutual benefit. The CPSU and all other Marxist parties devote a great deal of attention to these lofty tasks.

p Thanks to the efforts of the CPSU, the fraternal Communist parties and all peace-loving forces of the world there is a growing trend towards international detente and peaceful coexistence of states with different social systems. The USSR is fully determined to make detente irreversible, to add military to political detente and to build a reliable material foundation for it.

p This is borne out by the decisions of the 25th Congress of the CPSU which adopted the Programme of Further Struggle for Peace and International Cooperation, and for the Freedom and Independence of the Peoples.  [321•*  In addition to deepening and developing the measures envisaged in the Peace Programme adopted at the 24th CPSU Congress (disarmament, reduction and limitation of strategic weapons, reduction of armed forces and armaments in Central Europe, etc.), the 25th CPSU Congress mapped out new important measures, including work for a world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations, and promotion of Asian security through joint efforts by the states of that continent. These measures aroused great interest and approval throughout the world.

p Consistently implementing the principle of peaceful coexistence Marxist parties take into account that powerful forces which can safeguard and strengthen peace have arisen and are developing in the world. Alongside the world socialist system which is steadily developing and gaining in strength and is the natural centre of attraction for all peaceloving forces in the world, the extensive zone of peace also includes a large group of peaceable non-socialist countries, many of which had cast off the colonial yoke. A major factor in the struggle for peace is the anti-war movement of 322 the broad masses which are more and more actively taking the solution of the.problem of war and peace into their own hands.

p The existence of these powerful peace-loving forces has made it possible for the CPSU and the Marxist parties of other countries to reach the conclusion that in our age war can be averted.

The ability of the peace-loving forces to prevent another world war, however, does not mean that every possibility of a war breaking out has been precluded. Such a possibility will exist so long as capitalism exists. Only communist society will establish eternal peace on Earth. In present conditions, however, the unremitting, consistent struggle of the USSR and other socialist countries, and all honest people for peace and security encounters the bitter resistance of reactionary imperialist circles, the military-industrial complex in the first place. Faced with the danger of another world war, the Soviet Union is compelled to take the necessary measures to strengthen its defences and protect the Soviet people and the people of the entire socialist camp.