A particularly important development is the growing strength of the Communist parties, nearly all of which had long since overcome the crises and special difficulties which most of them had undergone in the 1989-91 period, following the collapse of the Socialist regimes in Europe.

In the former Socialist countries the Communist parties and other left-wing forces are becoming stronger. In Russia, the Communists are already the biggest party - though the way towards overthrowing the dictatorial Yeltsin regime is long and complicated. In Portugal, Greece, France, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Japan, India, Nepal and other countries, strong Communist parties are gaining the support of hundreds of thousands and even millions of voters. In the United States, at the very heart of the main Capitalist power, there are many new adherents to the Communist Party and its youth movement.

Totally refuted are the many predictions of the Communist parties collapsing or disappearing after the fall of the Socialist regimes in Europe. In many countries, all over the world, exist active Communist parties, which uphold the Marxist-Leninist ideology while striving to adjust it to the specific conditions in their own country and to the changing conditions.

It should also be remembered that there are still countries, which succeeded in preserving their Socialist regimes, and continue developing it under difficult international conditions. The experience of these countries is of enormous importance - their achievements and their ability to deal with the new difficulties. We express our special solidarity with Socialist Cuba, which remains a heroic example in facing the prolonged cruel embargo imposed by the United States. We demand that the new government of Israel change immediately the traditional shameful policy of its predecessors, which supported that criminal embargo.