Fuwa speaks on prospects for international peace

Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Fuwa Tetsuzo on May 31 gave a lecture on "the world and Asia in the 21st century" at a gathering held in Osaka to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Osaka Asia Africa Latin America Solidarity Committee (Osaka AALA).

Fuwa started his speech to an audien

ce of 1,150 at the Osaka City Public Hall by saying, "We can understand the course of history with a centennial yardstick, not with a yearly assessment."

Fuwa spoke on what we should learn from the 20th century: a pro-peace current emerging internationally during the buildup to the Iraq War; a world trend that may decide the course of the 21st century; an outlook of the movements for an international order for peace and against U.S. hegemonism; and opposition party diplomatic activities by the JCP.

A 27-year-old woman who participated in the meeting said, "Looking at the present situation in fragments, I often lose hope for the future. But Fuwa's speech has inspired in me a certain hope."

A 29-year-old woman said, "I'm glad to know that our movements are a part of the efforts that makes history from a global and long-term point of view." (end)