*cancellation, a moratorium and the immediate suspension of all payments or the indefinite adjournment of the foreign debt, including interest; for the establishment of a new international economic order and for Latin American and Caribbean unity; for full integration of Latin America and the Caribbean in the interests of full development and independence of our countries.' (from Granma, weekly French language summary, Havana,July 28, 1985). The meeting also decided to organise an international day of action against the foreign debt for October 23.
We publish below a joint statement drawn up by representatives of sections of the Fourth International in Latin America and the
Caribbean with regard to this initiative.
The representatives of trade unions organizations from our and popular met in Havana, Cuba, in countries
July
1985 to discuss the extremely serious problems that payment of the foreign debt is causing our peoples.
Among other things, this conference decided to declare October 23 as the
Pay the Foreign Debt and as a day of action against the International toward our peoples.
Given the importance of this, the
Latin American and Caribbean organizations operating in the framework of the Fourth International declare:
ialist banks and governments our peoples to force payment of the resulted in even harsher implementation of austerity programs that benefit the people, massive layoffs of workers, policy of repression to tions that sponsor them.
Imperialism's policy endorsed by the governments of our countries, or at best, they have taken
26 only timid measures that, far from responding to the needs of the people claim to represent, place them shamelessly and against national interests on the side of those who want to fill the imperialist coffers for their own selfish interests, but also to lash the people and to destabilize those governments, such as our sister Nicaragua, that dare to choose an honorable and sovereign path, placing the national wealth in the hands of the great majority
Because of its size, the debt cannot be paid. Because it is an instrument of exploitation, it should not be paid. The native ruling classes, to imperialism's cannot adopt a firm, independent position toward it.
Contrary to the servile path taken by the governments and bourgeoisies,
American trade unionists and peasants resolved to take the struggle against payment of the foreign into their own hands. Moreover, they on the struggle, without quarter, for a new international economic order that will end imperialism's exploitation of dependent countries such as ours and will orient toward will never recover these resources.
Given this situation, we make a fervent appeal to all workers all peasants, popular forces, revolutionary parties, and democratic organizations to actively and combatively partici. pate in the activities against payment of the foreign debt, October 23, assemblies, rallies, marches, protests, work stoppages, etc. Following the example of the
Trade Union Conference, we call on the trade union federations to continue these sort of meetings, creating greater possibilities to seek common initiatives and actions by the workers and peasants of Latin America and the Caribbean. Against hunger and misery. We will not pay the debt. This is the only way there will be a future for us and our children! No to payment of the foreign debt! Against austerity policies! For defense of democratic rights! Assure the success of the continent-wide protest October 23. Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT), Peru; Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT), Mexico; Revolutionary Marxist Organization - Socialist Democracy (ORM-DS), Brazil; Revolutionary Workers Movement (MRT), Ecuador; Revolutionary Workers Party (Unified) (POR[U]), Bolivia; Socialist Revolution Group (GRS), GuadeloupeMartinique; Revolutionary Socialist Party (PRS), Colombia; Socialist Workers Party (PST), Uruguay; Revolutionary Socialist Party (PSR), Chile. International Viewpoint 28 October 1985
----- pull-quotes on this page -----