One Step Ahead for WACL

The Seventh World Anti-Communist League Conference in Washington D. C. proved to be a step forward — but, as expected, it also uncovered some serious problems which must be squarely faced if the WACL is to become a truly effective international organization.

Perhaps the greatest victory was the resolution, unanimously adopted at the last moment, which condemns anti- Semitism and extremism in general, providing for the expulsion of organizations or individuals found to be acting out of accord which the WACL charter’s adherence to the principles of ‘’freedom, democracy and equality.”

The resolution, passed by acclamation, was explicitly supported by· the two organizations most prominently accused of anti-Semitism: The Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations (ABN) and the Mexican Anti-Communist Federation (FEMACO). Thus, an important seep has been taken.

But it must be recognized as only one seep in a series; the goal of clearing WACL’s name and providing for effective international action against Communism is still beset by several significant obstacles.

First is the fact that there do remain in the WACL several organizations of a very dubious nature. Despite its official denial of anti-Semitism, for instance, the Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations is allegedly riddled with former Nazi collaborators who have not, according to expert testimony, renounced their former quisling leaders nor fundamentally changed their anti-Semitic and ultra-nationalist outlook. Several Latin American groups, too, remain a subject for scrutiny, especially considering the strong-arm tactics they used to try to push through their resolutions.

Moreover, at least one delegate from Western Europe has been identified as a leader of a neo-Nazi organization whose publication declares: “If we do not destroy Judaism, Judaism will destroy us.” Organizations of the latter type are clearly unacceptable as members of a League which stresses the importance of religious freedom and human rights in the struggle against Communist totalitarianism.

Such organizations should be expelled at the next conference or sooner. Otherwise it would be extremely difficult for the Freedom Leadership Foundation or any other with a similar concern for universal freedom, to remain. Expulsion of extremist elements, moreover, would ultimately mean broader representation since more democratic anti-Communist groups representing similar regions would then feel free to join.

Beyond the question of dealing with fanatics and extremists, however, is another problem of even greater long- run importance: how to create and maintain a working unity among responsible groups with divergent yet legitimate interests. In some cases this will necessitate setting important issues aside. It would be foolish, for instance, to expect the WACL to take a stand one way or the other on the Arab-Israeli war, since the League contains both Arabs and Jews. It also contains Khmers and Vietnamese, Serbs and Croats, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, Buddhists and Hindus, Koreans and Japanese, and many more potentially antagonistic elements.

Given its goal, the League cannot be expected to solve or even act on many of these problems. But one divergence must be overcome so that the organization might become truly effective. Some of the groups are of what we would call a narrowly nationalistic perspective. Others are more universal in their outlook. For most nations represented in WACL, strong nationalism is a prerequisite in their anti-Communist struggle. And patriotism is surely a virtue for people of all nations. But in today’s world, Communism poses a global, as well as a national threat. The immediate threat is to the nation, and that threat must be met with nationalistic strength and patriotic fervor. But the ultimate threat is to all of civilization. This threat must be met with both international solidarity and universalize counteraction and concern.

Such concern was expressed eloquently by men such as Dr. Ku Cheng-kang, Rev. Raymond de Jaegher and FLF President Neil Salonen. It is summed up in the belief that “a world united in love” is not an empty ideal nor simply a Communist slogan. “A world united in love” is a universal ideal living deep in the heart of every human being. It is, moreover, the desire and ultimate will of God.

The purpose of the nation is important… important enough to die for… important enough to devote one’s life to its fulfillment. So much more so is the purpose of the whole world.

The conference next spring in Brazil should prove even more critical than the one just concluded in Washington. It is hoped, first of all, that the extremists will be rooted out and, secondly, that a working unity can be achieved among the strictly nationalist and the more universalize elements.

Particularly important will be the degree of cooperation among the Latin American and U.S. contingents. If such cooperation is maintained, not only will the WACL be saved, but it could be another important step toward the ultimate solution of inter-American and international problems.