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CAUSA (Confederation for the Association and the Unity of the Societies of the Americas)
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Digital Library Collections This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections. Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files Folder Title: CAUSA (Confederation for the Association and the Unity of the Societies of the Americas) Box: 5 To see more digitized collections visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected] Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/ Mr. Morton Blackwell The White House Washington, D.C. confederstion new the of the for the locieties association fileusa January 19, 1983 Dear Morton, of The americas Attached is the approved draft of the brochure which will be the only written vehicle for explaining CAUSA. Also attached is a draft letter to be sent to invitees. Please note the names of speakers on page two. Jay Parker and Ambassador Chaves have agreed to be there. I am still in the process of working out arrangements with Terry and Howie. The letter will not go out with their names unless we have their consent. Terry has already turned over many names of people from around the country who will be invited to the conference. As I mentioned on the phone, you are invited to come, but we know you can't because of your government connection. However, I do think you could strike a great blow for freedom if you could give us names of good conserv- ative activists who want to participate in the best planned operation to combat communism I have ever seen. Incidentally, I started working in this fight in 1954, when I went to the Justice Department as an attorney in the Internal Security Division. We would like to send out invitations by Friday night (the 21st). If you have any questions, please call me at the hospital, 269-8625, or call Terry, Jay or Howie. Lynn Bouchey, a staunch Roman Catholic and a good con- servative, is the conference chairman. You can call him at 543-6622, if you want to talk to yet another. Whether you are able to recommend people or not, I really do appreciate your consideration of this matter. Sincerely, WSR LETTER OF INVITATION TO CAUSA CONFERENCE IN JAMAICA From February 26 through March 2, 1983, CAUSA International will hold a special conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where its program for Inter-American development will be presented to a select group of participants from the United States and Canada. You are cordially invited to attend. By means of this conference, we would like to familiarize you with the goals and activities of CAUSA. It is our hope that you will find CAUSA's philosophy inspiring and that you may subsequently wish to work with CAUSA which is just becoming active here in North America. Attendance at this conference, however, requires no commitment on your part. If you are able to accept our invitation, CAUSA International will be happy to provide your air travel, hotel and meals as well as hotel and meals for your spouse. The conference will be held at the Rose Hall Intercontinental Hotel. Your stay should be most pleasant. CAUSA stands for the Confederation for the Association and the Unity of the Societies of the Americas. CAUSA International is an inter-American non-profit, non-political, educational and social- oriented organization. Its purpose is to promote unity and the moral and material development of the nations of the Americas. CAUSA is presenting a world view based on the great ethical and philosophical traditions of our civilization. CAUSA International is funded by of Rev, moon business interests connected with the Unification Church, but is itself non-sectarian. Founded in 1980, CAUSA is headquartered in New York and is current- ly active in 18 countries in the Western Hemisphere. After having participated and lectured on Marxism at previous CAUSA seminars in Latin America, I am convinced that CAUSA is a dynamic, positive new force in this hemisphere, and I am honored to serve as the chairman of the first conference of CAUSA North America. Within the context of the challenge of revolutionary Marxism, the Jamaica conference will be considering concrete proposals for human and social development. (2) Among the panelists and speakers who have already agreed to be with us are Mr. Jay Parker, President, Lincoln Institute, Mr. Terry Dolan, National Conservative Political Action Committee, Ambassador Jose Maria Chaves, Former Colombian Delegate to the U.N., and Mr. Howard Phillips, Conservative Caucus. Time is so short and available hotel space is so limited, that we ask you to please telephone your acceptance of this invitation ithin 48 hours if at all possible. By the first of February, we will send you a complete program together with information on the beautiful Rose Hall Inter-Continental Hotel. I look forward to seeing you in Jamaica. CAUSA INTERNATIONAL CAUSA stands for the confederation for the Association and the Unity of the Societies of the Americas. CAUSA International is an inter-American non-profit, non-political, educational and social-oriented organization. Its purpose is to promote the unity and the moral and material development of the nations of the Americas. CAUSA is presetning a world view based on the great ethical and philosophic traditions of our civilzation. CAUSA International is funded by business interests connected with af Rev. Moon the Unification Church but is itself non-sectarian. CAUSA Internaitonal was founded in 1980 and incorporated in 1981 in Washington, D.C. It operates with headquarters in New York and currently is active and has representatives in eighteen countries in the Western Hemisphere. CAUSA: A Movement of the Highest Ideals CAUSA is philosophically rather than theologically oriented. It transcends denomination and is a movement uniting all religious people as one God-accepting force. Organization of CAUSA CAUSA International is comprised of three basic elements, CAUSA headquarters in New York, the national CAUSA offices in each country and the CAUSA Institute. The national branches of CAUSA are autonomous but interrelate among each other and coordinate with CAUSA headquarters. The CAUSA Institute -2- works closely with the national offices and of course, with the headquarters. Each national branch is responsible for the activities and programs of CAUSA within its own country. Basic Activities One of CAUSA International's primary purposes is that of education. It holds numerous seminars and conferences each year. CAUSA particularly aims at gathering concerned individuals who care about their nation's or community's well-being. CAUSA does so in the belief that when leaders are united in conviction and direction, positive social change and unity can occur. In addition, CAUSA is engaged in the promotion of cultural and sports programs, educational aid and scholarship programs, specialized future leadership programs, and also participates in relief acitivites throughout the Americas. Two major regional CAUSA seminars were held in 1982, one in Acapulco, Moxico, for representatives of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America, and one in Montevideo, Uruguay, for the Southern Cone nations and Peru. Seminars have been held individually in the last two years in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Chile. In addition, a seminar for members of the diplomatic corps was held in Washington, D.C. -3- The CAUSA Institute The CAUSA Institute is primarily engaged in relating the CAUSA world view to the areas of politics, economics, science, philosophy and human needs. It provides the basic curriculum and staff of the CAUSA seminars and publishes textbooks and other materials. It also publishes CAUSA, a quarterly magazine devoted to current affairs. It will begin a major publishing operation soon and aims at establishing CAUSA institutes through- out the Americas. The CAUSA Institute also collaborates with existing universities at implementing the study of the CAUSA world view as part of their overall curriculum. Cultural and Sports Programs CAUSA promotes active cultural exchange between the nations of the Americas, particularly in the performing arts. CAUSA also encourages international exchange in a variety of sports, as a means of strengthening inter-American friendship. Educational Scholarship Programs CAUSA International and the CAUSA Institute plan to provide a fellowship program for Spanish-speaking students of the highest intellectual and leadership potential. This pro- gram will eventually compare to the Rhodes scholar program for students in the English-speaking world. Future Leadership Programs Young people throughout the Americas with high leadership potential are eligible for specialized CAUSA seminars aimed at developing leadership capability on the national and inter- -4- national level. Such seminars are held in accord with the needs of each particular group of students. CAUSA expects to make a large contribution to national and world leadership by the end of the decade. CAUSA Satisfies Human Needs In conjuction with its seminars, CAUSA International also participates in relief activities in the Americas. Working in conjunction with the International Relief Firendship Foundation (IRFF) it has delivered food and medical supplies to Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Honduras, particularly after major natural disasters. THE NATURE OF THE WORLD'S CONFLICT Since ancient times, human beings have struggled to understand who they are and where they come from. In looking for answers, two views have emerged. One view holds that human beings come from a Creater, God, and the entire world is God's creation. Based on this belief, religions have come about, and the values, ethics, and spiritual heritage of our world has developed. This is the God-centered view. A fundamentally different view maintains that there is no God, and that this world was not created. In this view, matter alone has always existed and is the essence of the uni- verse. Human life is seen as nothing more than a phenomenon associated with matter, and human beings must thus create their own meaning and purpose, as well as their own solutions to life's problems. This is the materialistic view. These two views of life exist in uncompromising opposition. One way of thinking affirms that there is an Absolute Being and therefore there are absolute values. The opposing way of thinking holds that there is no Absolute Being, and therefore values are relative. One way affirms -6- that happiness is achieved by the development of the internal nature of man, according to moral and ethical principles. The other way indicates that happiness is attained through the development of one's external aspects, and through the pursuit of sensual satisfaction. In short, a materialistic view of the world says that human beings must come up with theories, systems of thought, and solutions to the world's problems on their own, because there simply is not anyone else to do it. But a God-centered world view demands that all theories, systems of thought and solutions to world problems must begin with God, because He is the First Cause of everything. CAUSA follows the God-centered tradition. Materialism While the philosophy of materialism has existed from time immemorial its real start in the modern era of world history occured during the 15th century. At that time the Christian world was shaken by the Renaissance, and all aspects of society were transformed, including culture, political structure, the economy and even religion. The heritage of the Renaissance has been, to a great extent, a tremendous development in the external capabilities of man, particularly science and the pursuit of technical excellence. While the Renaissance and the scientific revolution brought many great benefits to mankind, for some people, scientism and technological advance have come to take the place of religion. The eptiome of materialistic philosophy is what we call Communism. -7- Communism: A Long March to Nowhere It is not necessary to recount the history of communism. It is enought to remember that in the early 1960's, Soviet party leader Nikita Khruschev proclaimed the imminent coming of the ideal communist state. He maintained that the Soviet Union was soon to surpass all of the economic powers of the West in terms of prosperity and production capability. For Khruschev, this was to occur by 1980. In deed, if this were to be realized, there might even be need to acquiesce to many deaths which had resulted from the realization of the materialist goal. We could perhaps concede that even 150,000,000 deaths were necessary to realize an ideal state and ultimately an ideal world, or to borrow, as Lenin did, the words of Machiavelli, "The ends justify the means." Today in 1983, we recognize that Khruschev was a very poor prophet. Over the past twenty years, the life expectancy of the average Soviet male has decreased from 67 to 62. This can compare to Japan where the life expectancy during the same period increased from 70 to 77. During the same period the Soviet infant mortality rate more than doubled. Instead of being a solution to injustice, current Soviet President Yuri Andropov has admitted that his country has become a paragon of political corruption and graft. This all leads us to conclude that communism has taken its sacrifical and idealistic followers on a long march to nowhere. The best summary of communism is that is a philosophical justification for violence. -8- CAUSA's World View: God Centered The CAUSA world view can serve as a foundation for world peace. It can help to implement this ever-sought goal because it is not only of high intellectual quality but it also speaks to the human heart. The CAUSA world view is founded on the very principle that God exists. God is perceived as the origin of the universe and as the Absolute Being who looks over the world, as Pope Leo XIII said in Rerum Novarum, with "fatherly care." In other words, the world view in accord with the great ethical and poli- tical traditions of our civilization sees God as a caring and feeling Being. CAUSA's world view assails communism as a pseudo-solution to man's problems. The teachings of Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Che Guevara, et. al., are founded on a twisted vision of man. The CAUSA world view concurs with communism when it points out serious problems in society. However, it disagrees with Marx in his diagnosis of the real problem. Communism miscalculated the cause of human misery. Its proponents did not recognize that all evil stems from human greed and selfishness. The reason for the tremendous corruption which is found in the Soviet Union today stems from the fact that Marx had no real solution to human greed. Communism has brought a solution to the human condition. Like Nazism and Facism, it has only worsened it. According to former Soviet -9- official Ilja Zemstov, the communist elite live in villas while the poor of Aberdijian and elsewhere continue to live in caves. For More Information Write: CAUSA International 401 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10016/USA Tel: (212) 889-3645 file CAUSA International 401 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10016, Tel. 212/889-3645, Telex 237254 NEWS UR March 28, 1983 Mr. Morton Blackwell The White House Executive Office Building, #191 Washington, D. C. 20500 Dear Mr. Blackwell: You and I have a problem. In theory, the problem is called "Marxism". In practice, it is called "Leninism" or "communism". Whatever you call it, it has taken a terrible toll in human life since it came to dominate its first country sixty-six years ago. In our country we believe that man has the inalienable right to live when life is given. No person or government has the right to send human beings to their death as "enemies of the state". Nevertheless, in an article in the French magazine, Le Figaro, it was esti- mated that, since the death of Marx one hundred years ago, a minimum of 150 million people have been eliminated in order to make way for the com- munist "paradise". There has been a long tradition of "anti-communist" movements in this country and throughout the world. Too often, however, they have had little effect in stemming the tide of the communist advance and have frequently re- sulted in totalitarian regimes of the right. The problem has been that to be "anti-communist" is like trying to win a football game with only the defensive unit on the field. Because communist thought is atheistic and ideological, those people who believe in God have been constantly placed in a defensive position unable to respond adequately on the basis of faith. In order to place the offensive team on the field and win, a positive counterproposal to Marxism must be made by the God-accepting people of the world. Time, however, seems to be running out. We're in the last two minutes of the football game with no time outs left. Unless we act now, more and more people around the world will suffer the practice of communism, eventually our children. CAUSA, the Confederation of Associations for the Unity of the Societies of the Americas, has been formed to accomplish three goals: 1. To point out the dangers of Marxism, in theory and practice, to as many people in the Western Hemisphere as possible; 2. To offer a positive philosophy for God-accepting people thereby placing the Marxists in the defensive position; and 3. To formulate and carry out an action agenda against the spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere and ultimately to liberate the citizens of M)scow. Confederation of the Associations for the Unification of the Societies of the Americas A Non-profit Organization Will you join with us as the offensive team takes the field? By means of a conference in Washington, D.C. on April 21-24, CAUSA will present its worldview and program for inter-American development to a select group of participants from North America. You are cordially invited to attend. We would like to familiarize you with the goals and activities of CAUSA. We hope that you will find CAUSA's philosophy and projects inspiring and that you may subsequently wish to work with CAUSA which is just now becoming active here in North America. This is your opportunity to get involved on the ground floor. The activities of CAUSA are presently funded through the business interests connected with the Unification Church of Reverend Moon. But CAUSA is non-sectarian. The worldview which CAUSA presents as the basis of its activities is a God-centered philosophy which is ecumenical in its appeal. The intent is not conversion to any given church. Rather it is to provide a foundation for the cooperation of God-accepting people against the common enemy, communism. After having participated in previous CAUSA conferences, we believe CAUSA to be a dynamic, positive new force for freedom in this hemisphere. And certainly it is time for a new force. Offices for CAUSA North America have been established in the nation's capital. Our address and phone number are: CAUSA North America 729 8th St. S.E., Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20003 (202) 544-7758 Please give us a call for reservations and/or further information. By April 11, we will send you a complete program together with information on the Sheraton Reston International Conference Center where the conference will be held. Francis Bouchey L. Francis Bouchey Warren Richardson Conference Co-Chairman Conference Co-Chairman President Executive Director, Council for CAUSA North America Inter-American Security CAUSA NORTH AMERICA Report on Jamaica Conference MARCH, 1983 WASHINGTON, D. C. Montego Bay, Jamaica was the site of CAUSA's first North American conference. One-hundred eighty participants from the United States and Canada attended for six days (February 26 through March 3) to discuss the spread of international communism and the threat this God-denying ideology and its practice poses to mankind. The conference brought to- gether people from a diversity of backgrounds who share a common belief in the existence of God and the need to challenge the spread of communism. The conference schedule consisted of lectures, speeches, and panel discussions on a variety of topics of both theoretical and practical interest. Members of the CAUSA Institute in New York presented first a series of lectures outlining a critique of the major ideological pillars of Marxism on a scientific and logical basis. The critique, as presented was devastating to the Marxists' claim of "scientific objectivity" and "verifiability" Following this critique, Col Bo Hi Pak offered a series of lectures outlining a God-centered counterproposal. He presented a logical and scientific argument for the existence of God and went on to demonstrate clearly that all existence, action and multiplication occurs through a harmonious process of give and take, not struggle and contradiction. Interspersed throughout the lecture schedule were panel discussions and speeches on specific projects that might be undertaken by CAUSA as a demonstration of its philosophical commitment and concern for others against the spread of communism. A panel discussion moderated by Terry Dolan (NCPAC) discussed the various ways of helping recent immigrants to our country learn our language and find jobs to support their families, rather than becoming dependent upon public welfare roles. A second panel moderated by Kem Mylar (International Relief Friendship Foundation) introduced the idea of teaching low-level technology to Latin American farmers in such a way as to improve their nutritional and living standards yet, at the same time, be sensitive to their culture. And Lynn Bouchey, of the Council for Inter-American Security, proposed that CAUSA undertake a counter-propaganda campaign aimed at revealing the truth about communist regimes in the media. He asserted that the complete story about the practice of communsim is not getting out in the media, and that CAUSA may be an organization uniquely suited to see that it does. In addition to these lectures and projects, a panel on "Ethics and Economics" moderated by Fr. Enrique Rueda of the Free Congress Founda- tion, discussed the moral foundation of the free enterprise system. In an after dinner address, the Ambassador to the United Nations for Spanish Speaking Organizations and former Colombian Ambassador, Jose Maria Chaves, presented an overview of the history of Pan American values and the re- lationships that existed between the founders of the United States and other Latin American countries. Eldridge Cleaver gave a compelling ac- count of his initial attraction to communism and his activities with the Black Panthers before his eventual conversion to Christianity. Also, for- mer Secretary of the Treasury, Robert B. Anderson, gave a thought provo- king speech on the extremely fragile international monetary situation and the possible roles that CAUSA might play in easing the existing crisis. All in all, the participants left Jamaica with a great deal to ponder and a renewed enthusiasm to take the offensive in the struggle against the spread of communism in this hemisphere. Following the conference, an organizing committee was formed for the purpose of planning further con- ferences and establishing the specific strategies and projects necessary to launch a counter-offensive. The next conference has been scheduled already for April 21-24 in Washington, D.C. "What I like about CAUSA is the fact that they don't just make a one-sided critique but attack communism with a counterproposal." Eldridge Cleaver "Col Pak has given to you as fine an argument for the existence of God as has been given in any theological seminary. And I speak as one who is a graduate of four theological seminaries." Dr. W.S. McBirnie United Community Church "CAUSA is indeed doing a marvelous job in promoting God to the Americans who I believe need it the most. And I am exceptionally grateful to find out that CAUSA is really sincere in fighting world communism." Dr. Maurice H. Zakhem Houston, Texas "I am an optimist, and somehow I believe that God has implanted into the brains and into the lives and capabilities of man a way to find solutions to the problems which we face. Our job is to put our energies together and from crisis move ahead to prosperity." Hon. Robert B. Anderson ********** CAUSA NORTH AMERICA 729 8th St. S.E. Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20003 (202) 544-7758 MEMO: To all conference invitees RE: Initial guidelines for participants If you are able to accept our invitation to this conference, CAUSA will be happy to provide air travel, meals, and hotel accom- modations for you and meals and hotel accommodations for your participating spouse. Please note: CAUSA will pay for your room on a double occu- pancy basis. If you wish a single room you will be charged $36.00 to cover the difference in price between a double and a single room for a three-day period. This additional cost should be paid at the time of registration. Because time is very short and the available hotel space is limited, we ask that you make your reservation within the next few days. Please call (202) 544-7758 for reservations and further information. Hope to see you in Virginia!