have, over the last week, worked hard to head off and deflate the huge wave of opposition which swept Britain in reaction to Reagan's bombing of Libya.
Right from the beginning Kinnock called for economic sanctions against Libya. He has follow ed that up with support for Thatcher's illegal and racist expulsion of twenty-one crime' of having been born in Libya For Gerald Kaufman the only problem witt Thatcher's expulsions is that they did not take place earlier.
What kind of lead does this give the tens of thousands of disgusted young people who turned out on the streets this weekend. millions more who opposed Reagan's action? Why have the Labour leadership learned literally nothing from the Malvinas war?
The key lies in the whole approach which Kinnock outlined, right from the beginning of the crisis. He had no opposition campaign against Libya. His criticism was simply that different methods should have been used to attack the country. Economic sanctions and diplomatic boycotts, not bombing, was the way to 'deal with' Qaddafi.
And where did he get those ideas from - for evidently they have nothing to do with the interests of the people of Libya or the children and civilians killed by Reagan's they anything to do with 'fighting terrorism' as it is Reagan who is the number 1 terrorist in the world. Kinnock got his ideas straight from the imperialists some of those in Britain. tificating all week about how different methoas should used attack diplomatic campaign, furthermore, will be used to justify further attacks on Libya.
There is not one ounce of anti-imperialism in Neil Kinnock. Nor could there be from someone who loudly proclaims his British 'patriotism' the patriotism of the country that ruled the most blood stained and long standing empire the world has known.
Take as an example the new Labour party campaign "fairness and freedom' launched with such great fanfare on Tuesday. social reforms and social benefits more police.
And what about the people oppressed by British imperialism and the international allies it chooses to exist with.
Ireland? Will it get rid of the US bases that are used to attack not only Libya but also to threaten every semi-colonial country in the world? Will Britain be pulling every single one of its assets, down to the last penny, out of South Africa? Will Nicaragua be supplied with the economic aid it so desperately needs — and the weapons to defend itself against the Reagan is waging against it? The answer to all of these, naturally, is 'no'.
There is a name for a programme such as Neil Kinnock is advancing at the moment. It is called social imperialism.
It is a debased and rotten programme. One that stands in the way not only of socialism but even of the most elementary justice, democracy, and humanity in Britain itself complicit if not in bombing, if Kinnock gets his way, but in every other attack on Libya.
Fortunately there are others in the labour movement who have been prepared to speak out. The response of the Labour Party Black Sec tion, which we print on our front page is one of the best. Arthur spoken out in real terms against the attack. Dennis Skinner and other Campaign group MPs have called for the closing of all US bases. But then these forces are the ones Neil Kinnock is trying to crush.
Neil Kinnock has shown once again that no-one can rely on him or his policies. Whether you are a miner, a black person, someone waiting for a house in Liverpool, or a child facing American bombs and threats in Libya, you can be sure Neil Kinnock is waiting to undermine you few weasel words about democracy to cover up the fact that in practice he is going to support your enemy and oppressor.
The labour movement should have nothing to do with Neil Kinnock's line whatever. The enemy is not Qaddafi's Libya - a country which is part of the Arab peoples who have been fighting to free themselves from foreign oppression for five centuries. The enemy we and they face is imperialism - in all its forms and national colours.
No bombs against Libya. Reagan and Thatcher and those they serve, are our enemy - not Qaddafi and the people of Libya.
people for the to the US bombs. Nor have Europe including They have been ponQaddafi. That It promises us • as well as Will Britain get out of terrorist campaign _ for Britain is Scargill, and others, have - with a - and no sanctions eltner - war? I believe that there was a debt to be discharg We did not win the Falklands war by sending