Realizing the importance of the W.F.D.Y. affiliations in Latin America, and the acuteness of the problems concerning youth, the last meeting of the W.F.D.Y. Council decided to send to Latin America an international delegation consisting of representatives of the youth of the United States, the Soviet Union, France, Czechoslovakia, Republican Spain, Yugoslavia, Canada, and the International Union of Students. It was decided that this delegation would study the problems of Latin American youth, and acquaint them with W.F.D.Y. and its activities.

The young people of Latin America hailed with enthusiasm this decision of the council meeting. They sent the delegation numerous invitations to Visit their countries; they organized reception committees to welcome the delegation. They launched a campaign for popularizing W.F.D.Y. and its Latin American delegation. They asked that their Governments grant visas to the commission. This enthusiasm is an excellent sign of the willingness and the determination of the South American youth to work together with the democratic youth of the world through the intermediary of W.F.D.Y., and in line with the realization of their aims.

Visas Refused

But the reactionary elements in South America have an altogether different point of view. They began by directing their hostilities against W.F.D.Y. and its delegation. Supported by the U.S., these reactionary elements have gone to unbelievable lengths to prevent the delegation from visiting the different countries of Latin America. Despite W.F.D.Y. demands reiterated since the beginning of October. 1947. and of the strongest protests on the part of the Souh American youth organizations, the Governments of Argentina. Brazil, Chile and Venezuela refused to grant the necessary visas to the delegation although it had been invited to the UNESCO Conference which had met in Mexico last November.

Such a set-back certainly did not constitute any progress towards the mutual understanding, co-operation and unity of democratic youth, with a view to safeguarding peace, in accordance with the principles of U.N. A hindrance deliberately imposed is in opposition to the interests of democratic youth.

Confronted with this situation one would gain the impression (not without foundation) that the question of granting visas to the international delegation has been made the subject of long meetings behind closed doors between the different countries, and one country which jealously overlooks the "infiltration" of democratic elements into the Western Hemisphere, but who on the other hand gave the greatest support to collaboration with anti-democratic elements. Do we not see here an "iron curtain," which reaction is in the process of creating in South America, upheld and directed by Washington? Is not this the "system of continental defence" in full force?

The young democrats of the world are disgusted by the attitude of these South American Governments. The democratic youth of the U.S. the U.S.S.R., the U.K. France. Canada. Scandinavia. Italy, the Latin American countries themselves, and many more, have protested vigorously against the delay brought about by the holding back of visas, and have launched forceful appeals that they should be granted without delay.

Most of the women of these countries cannot vote nor have they any right to take part in political life. Education is denied to the great majority of their young people. Wages are low and conditions are poor in the American financed industries. Under the guise of the "system of continental defence" the U.S. has established military bases at many points.

The democratic forces of South America and particularly the youth are fighting campaigns for normal liberties in face of strong internal reaction and American imperialism. A lasting peace, democracy, national independence and a new deal for youth are their aims.