Socialist Action No. 145, 27 June 1986
The scan: 145-jun-27-1986-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
Page 1 scan of this page
AcTion BUILDING AN ALLIANCE FOR SOCIALISM No. 145 27 June 1986 30p
SANCTORS
NOW
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Sanctions pressure mounts
apartheid's greatest friend'
Socialist Action
Action SOCiALiST
BUILDING AN ALLIANCE FOR SOCIALISM
False problems on
South Africa
IN SOUTH Africa one of the greatest revolutions of the twentieth century is
misunderstood by large sections of the left in Britain. So much so that it is worth devoting an
According to much of the left, echoed by such papers as Socialist Worker or Socialist Organiser, locked in a double dead end. On the one side are
frican National Congress and its supporters
meant many of the leading forces which created the non-racial trade unions FOSATU (Federation
According to this analysis disastrous political problems exist as, evidently, neither 'populists',
'workerists' can lead the working class, or the South African revolution, forward.
Fortunately the masses of South Africa are wayh increasing success, with the ing ot
dULCoO destroying apartheid. Far from diverging, 'populists' are more and more converging.
Already the creation of COSATU saw the ANC and the forces from the independent non-racial trade unions converging to create the largest trade union federation in South African history: That coming together reached an even higher level in the general strikes of 1 May and 16 June
greatest crisis in the history of the apartheid
Forms of organisation going even beyond mass strikes, above all the street committees
alternative state power to that of the apartheid
All the riddles to which analysis of the South African revolution is subjected, counterposition of 'workerists' and made both in Britain and by parts of the white left in South Africa, are however resolved once the nature of the revolution South understood.
The incredible power of the mass movement in South Africa comes from the fact that the black South African working class is increasingly leading the entire mass of the oppressed population against the apartheid regime. It is doing so overwhelmingly on the demands of a national democratic revolution — to distribute the landto the black majority, to forge a non-racial South African nation, to achieve political liberty. Every one of these tasks is blocked by apartheid and its state.
When these tasks are understood then what would constitute real 'workerism' South • Africa populism is to deny the leading role of the working class in the national democratic revolution -to fail to organise the dependently and to dissolve it into an amorphous, purely democratic mean to abandon COSATU, Dul• d Maryist party in workerism is for the working class to refuse to lead the entire oppressed population in the national democratic revolution against apartheid. It would mean to keep isolation' - to fail to unite with the ANC in the struggle against apartheid.
But it is not what is occurring. workerist formulas, that should not seek to lead the revolution to overthrow apartheid, were at one time expressed in FOSATÚ. But today the COSATU leaders stress correctly: the working class and the alliances it must make • lead the overthrow of apartheid. The ANC j ot seeking to dissolve CÓSATU but more an more closely working with it create it. That alliance of the ANC and COSATU explains the depth of the struggle in South Africa in the last two months.
27 June 1986 to spelling out the lessons of that
all the false 'populists'
Africa is populism' and real Real
working class in-
movement. It would to fail to seek to South Africa. Real
COSATU in 'splendid
Genuinely the working class
both the independent organisation of
and helped to
SPEAKING IN the recent Commons debate on South Africa, foreign secretary Geoffrey Howe expressed 'our complete and absolute condemnation
township, he said, had been 'an alarming and deeply moving experience'. characteristic of the Tory government's hypocrisy
— no doubt at the thought of approaching black
despite Thatcher's best efforts to the contrary, the pressure for Britain to impose sanctions against the
Wicclill?
Al.ne and the invitation to ANC Thatcher government will
their triends wil go to to
DOULI
uc wu uycslcals.
cease' before negotiations
the ANC and other black
LNUSA
1 ColH.
ON TUESDAY 17 June the House of Commons debated a Labour motion for 'the imposition of effective economic measures against the government of South Africa'. Needless to say, it was lost. Speaking during the debate TONY Newham North, put the case for sanctions against the white minority regime. tracts from his speech.
THE government's attitude to South Africa and apartheid onc of breathtaking LIVDUCIISy The Eminent Persons Group (EPG) of which we have heard so much today, was originally device designed prime minister to try to delay takmig ally actioll
She expected it to come back saying, 'do nothing' or 'do very little'. She certainly did not expect it to come back saying that economic sanctions should be imposed.
Lord Barber is alleged to have said that he would not have become member of the EPG if he had known at the outset that it would recommend sanctions. In my opinion, it is clear that he was colluding WILfl CLINC prunc minister in thinking, that LIC ZIOUD would be means of delaying definitive action.
we have heard today from the government the
His own past visit to the Soweto disappearing down the drain. But, o une oromeremeele between president Tambo and a lorv minister is thal
too has refused to meet the
This is still a long way Africans) as a counter to sanctions is proof enough
al a UTCNS
ing of his visit to Britain,
that Britain might now try
It is beginning to look as if the Čommonwealth
'and that Britain is taking
saotken on
'British government is
BANKS, MP for
We reproduce below ex-
ritual denunciation. of apartheid, but they revealed themselves to be stead. lastiy opposcu lo any elfective measures to end it r nc cove muenl ac avar-
shee Soreat At rica. They
Africa. They are as much a mainstay of apartheid as the whips and guns of Botha's police
twisted justification the vl llie
are unprincipled, and
Tecuve against South because of the profits that British
That applies
what
Britain's invest-
Namibia.
The racist regime in South Africa was clearly afraid sanctions, Tambo pointed out. Botha had made it an offence encourage them, under the state of emergency.
The Labour Party leadership has called for 'effective measures against apartheid and dispatched shadow foreign spokesperson Denis Healey
o Partval Hiat ate ment
al lival. lllal respect the laws of the country while I'm here' stands in contrast to his denunciation ot the mınority regime in his opening speech of the. Commons debate.
.'We have in South Africa today, he said then, 'a police state which the government's agents have a licence to ar. rest without explanation and to • kill without OCHE called to account. South ments in South Africa are worth about £3 billion.
heard the foreign secrerav sav that South Africa is part of the frec world. That also should make what happens there our responsibility.
do not accept, however, that South Africa is part of the free world The MP for Perth and Kinross (Fairbairn) should
to tell that to the 24 million blacks are denied the right to vote or oraanse eviae ln lue lrcd world is a pretty sick joke
We also hear that sanctions will seriously damage the interests of blacks in South Africa and the front-line states. That concern comes ill from Conservative members. They have never before shown any interest in the blacks in South Africa.
I prefer to listen to the genuine representatives of black South Africans such as the ANC, and representatives of front-line states such as Kaunda and Nyere. I should also like to know what damages the interests of blacks most, sanctions or apartheid. It is not surprising that, although they know they will suffer from sanctions, many Dlacks and their representatives
Africa today suffers from a news blackout (sic) far more compiele Inan . Cl1) Communist country has ever known.'
His meek compliance to that police state gives no room for confidence that in power, Labour would act decisively against the apartheid regime. After all wnen a Labour government, including Denis Healey, had chance to impose salll
on South Atrica li did not do so. It is a sad TOC CLICHI on the part' that one of its leaders lacked even the courage of the Archbishop Canter bury's envoy, Terry Waite
defying Lue media reporting embargo.
Despite the intransigence of the British government, and wavering of Labour's oculawc acauc us. sanctions against theid must applied And there must be are prepared to say that they want sancuions ow because the evils of apartheid are so much worse.
The third argument is that South Africa has made some progress In dismantling apartheid and that, if we impose sanc-
will imperil that Luls. we progress. Whatever miserable concessions have been made, have been made on-
because of domestic unrest and external pressure.
The people who tell us now nor o muoose sare tions are the very people willu sure, even the Gleneagles anicculcil sporting sanctions.
The truth is that Botha and his government understand only force. They are terrified of that force and look to the Tory government to protect them trom it.
This speech, the foreign secretary made no DUSILIVe suggestions referred only to the need to negotiate. I believe that he deceives himself, and that
deceive himself willingly
President Botha will not negotiate apartheid out of existence. He has said as much, and the EPG
Analysis
pressure to force this issue.
This Dressure will comt from the • actions of the mass movement. Standing in solidarity with their black sisters and brothers in South Africa, the ac-
of anti apartheid avutes and labour movement campaigners on the streets of their own. cities is the best way to ensure that the growing nae or revulsiol against South Africa's wite racists become. unbearable weight on gorealenls
The shift by the Thatcher government should be taken as the green light to build the biggest aemonstralion ever on luc streets of London against lne rollen system ol apaltheid. Saturday 28 June is the besi lacuita UOoUl tunity for anti apartheid activists in Britain to mand: Sanctions Now! Break All Links With Apartheid! verifies it. He will concede only when he is faced. by force
The government's amendment the opposition motion calls for an end to violence on all sides. Apartheid institutionalised VIO CECe
The black majority is denied the
•Dall political process of South Africa. is denied. th right to form its own organisations, and it is not allowed to vote. We know that Botha will not negotiate, , so what is the black majority to do?
Is it to sit and wait for the Conservative govern-
to introduce a fen mild sanctions that will not work and that are designed not to work? What options does the black majority have, other than armed resistance?
The fuse in South Africa has almost burned cowu. loweconone dn‹ political sanctions might - but only just -brIE about fundamental change.
I feel that South Africa co unse for cilil sear n. e is now firmly cause of the coming bloodbath relates entirely to the brutal system of apartheid.
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Thatcher fails to stem the tide
Politics Today
Eminent Persons Report
AS BOTHA reintroduced the state of emergency in South Africa, the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group (EPG) published a report of its failed attempt to negotiate an end to apartheid. The saga of the EPG represents a fascinating insight into the relations between Britain and the apartheid regime.
The stated objective of the October 1985 meeting of Commonwealth leaders, which established the EPG, was the potential threat of increasingly severe sanctions against the white minority regime in order to force the dismantling of the apartheid system.
The real aim, by Margaret Thatcher, was to head off the demand for sanctions. No effective sanctions have been applied. The EPG's six-month tour of South Africa ended in dismal and public failure. The work of the EPG was used — by Botha and by Commonwealth heads of government alike - as the opportunity to diffuse the pressure which has been mounting against South Africa. But despite this even the 'eminent persons' reveal some of the true horror of the apartheid state and the struggle against it. CAROL TURNER reviews the EPG report.
MISSION TO
SOUTH AFRICA
THE COMMONWEALTH REPORT
THE FINDINGS OF THE
COMMONWEALTH EMINENT PERSONS
GROUP ON SOUTHERN AFRICA
FOREWORD BY SHRIDATH RAMPHAL
THE latest introduction of the security forces.'
state of emergency in The objective of the South Africa, including a EPG, established at ban on media reporting of Commonwealth meeting the actions of the so-called Nassau last autumn,
quite simply was to try to to hide the intensification ind a way to head off the of the struggle of the black revolution which was majority against the apar- feared to be approaching theid state and the increas- more rapidly as each day ingly violent retaliation of passed. The means were to the state-paid thugs which be a negotiated end to the accompanies it. Despite aparthela system brought the press embargo, it is evi- about under the threat of dent that the 16 June com- sanctions memoration of the Soweto member states. uprising anions Inevitably, 1t failed. black South Africans take "The group's report makes
it clear that, in the six hated apartheid regime. months of their efforts,
there has been no progress
There have been ‚towards the dismantling of waves past,' of protest in says Ine EPG the apartheid,' wealth secretary Ramphal Common•
report, published only is forced to admit in his indays before the Soweto an- troduction to the publishdoversary, "invariably put ed report. down the 'Sanctions and peace forces. Today's is without for South Africa have now precedent in its scale and become one and the same, immensity ... ne says. Those outside
who say that sanctions will
'Calls for work stay- "hurt the blacks" do not aways, consumer boycotts black and general strikes achieve sufferider ready is a level of response. Under accord solidarity that could not drawn up at the Nassau have been dreamt meeting, Commonwealt! five years The leaders government has now been point programme of acdriven to the point where it South Africa is unable to police its own They called on the laws in some Back atol Pretoria regime to: declare coloured townships, where it would take 'specific and its policies inevitably lead meaningful' acUl to systematic repression by dismantle apartheid; ter-
minate the then existing state of emergency; 'im. mediately uncondi-
Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners; lift the ban on the ANC and other political parties; and, 'in the context of a suspension of violence on all sides' Inlale a alalogue icaullig to the establishment of a 'non-racial tative government'.
The muscle behind this call was supposedly joint action aconwealt the Com-
countries, including. enorcencil the United Nations man-
against South Africa and other 'economic ures'. Among the latter were: a ban on the sale and export ot _oll to South Africa, unilateral action to stop the import of Krugerrands, and a ban on sales et, pment and technology. and exports oI millary
after month review, such measures had failed, the Commonwealth heads of government would look again' at further and more stringent sanctions against Botha.
Time is up. No effective action was taken by member states. No signifi cant results have been achieved by the EPG.
In fact, while the Botha regime has run rings round the EPG (as chapter 6 of the published report makes clear), Margaret Thatcher and others have used its existence as a Licalls of avoiding the issue of sanctions. British Tory Party and
Commonwealth governments face an irreconciable contradiction
that is, the dependence of their own ruling classes on profits generated by the exploianon of the black majority in South Africa and their fear of black majority rule.
For this reason, far from increasing international Pretoria, the EPG was the occasion for defusing it. The failure of its mission was inevitable
Rut the nublication of the EPG report is itself a damning indictment of the apartheid system. That is all the more dramatic for the sharp contrast between
'analysis' and 'concluSIons
'None of was prepared for the full realiiy of apartheid, says the report. 'As a contrivance of social engineering, it is awesome lets cell
It is achieved and sustained onlv through torce creating human misery and deprivation and blighting the lives millions The living standards BOULD
Africa's white cities and towns must rank with the highest anywhere; those of the black townships which surround them defy living standards rms of
. Apartheid creates and separates them; black and white live
strangers in the same
land.'
The irreformable nat-
ure of apartheid is laid
baře in page after page of
the EPG report.
'The reserves,' it says,
'were used by the
chitects or apartnela. nol
only to create the so-called homelands, LINC
after u was Jurevomoed
enduring
cent
per cent
antly becomes Willle.
tinues: "It reason
remainder whelming
over
years, ment
tions fected,
ner and on reveal
ter camp
report
the says
discarded rugated Wilt
'The
water
farm labourer was summarily dismissed from his job
basis of a more formal and division of the
land to
was to be
"self-
"independ-
country
black
con-
that nearl) of the ter-
the over.
million
the govern
rough-shod people af-
inherent
symbol
EPG. 'were
from
and lined and
have
communal Yet, Ill
Above: A family whose child was born by the roadside after the
Below: Headquarters of the Release Nelson Mandela Campaign
triumph of the human spirit, the people were
the shacks generally tidy. Even in conditions such these the infant mortality rate, we were told, is barely a quarter o that in the nome aros a telling commentary on
there
"Indeed. the almost
of course,
families, these
of South they
the and leaders
ANC and UDF,
the ANC's view,
crisis in Africa
mediately the steps
accord. coincided with what South had been demanding for years.
negotiations
essential issue,
analysis,
of reform the
was under.
ANC black
Socialist Action 27 June 1986 that the main purpose of the EPG group 'to assist relieving the pressures South African government'
discussions with black organisations were summed UD 'Almost without exception, the government was regarded
deceitful and trustworthy, a past-master "double-speak" "double-think"
. Its word was not to be believed. In any case, the country was now looking for deeds not words.'
This view, of course, is completely vindicated the EPG account of its discussions with the apartheid regime
The group put forward proposals to Pretoria, the 'Possible Negotiating Concept', designed enable negotiations on dismantling apartheid to commence Despite welcoming the EPG itiative, .E. practice the
African regime cocked a public snook
On 19 May, just prior to the EPG's plauned meeting with the cabinet constitutional committee
Cape Town, South African broadcasting stations announced that raids. had taken place against so-called ANC bases in Zam1012 Zimbabwe and Botswana. . The ANC commented that the attacks were 'the regime's crystal clear response' to the EPG
initiahe EPG report
The accepts that: It was all too plain that, while talking to the group about negotiations and peaceful solutions, the government had been planning these armed
3 attacks.' The Eminent Persons left South Africa
Ten days later, while the preparation of report was underway, they received trom foreign minister
Botha. South African government,' said, 'cannot accept the suggestion that violence should be discontinued only for as long as negotiations take place. The
judgement' of the EPG was furthe would lead nowhere
The conclusions in the EPG published. report with regard to the five points were as follows: • Specific and dismantle apartheid *We have examined the government's reforms ros gramme of and have been forced to conclude that at present there is no genuine intention on the of the South African government to dismantle apartheid.' • Termination of the existing state of emergency:
Although the state of emergency was technically lifted the substantive powers remain broadly in force under the ordinary laws of the land which, Call We alc being Tur ther strengthened in this direction. • Release Nelson Mandela and other DOE DRUIN
'Nelson Mandela and other political leaders remain in prison.
Lift the ban on the ANC and other political organisations:
is far from being established; if anything, rigorously The ANC political parties remain banned.
• Initiate a dialogue to establish a non-racial and representative govern ment in the context of a suspension of violence on
all sides:
Tuner-le of vilence and
counter-violence spiralled and there is no
present prospect of a pro
gress of dialogue leadin
to the establishment of a non-racial and represen
tative government.
As an exercise in peaceful
ly ending apartheid - and
an attempt to defuse inter-
national pressure the
EPG mission was doome
to failure from the start
But from the point of view
of an authoritative and ef-
fective exposure of the real
character of the white
South Asta: The Com
monwealth Report should be read and digested. It
can be used by every anti apartheid activist to heh
bring pressure to bear fo breaking all links with the
South African regime
TO to defuse
pressure for sanctions th
EPG produced a repor reveal the fall horror o which helps to
apartheid and the duplicit!
and vileness of its govern-
ment. ricission the 10 i South
Africa: Com
monwealth Report
available in Penguin
paperback, priced £2.50
for 176 explosive pages
Page 4 scan of this page
Campaign group (Scotland) formed
"Liverpool today, others tomorrow"
WAC's proposed electoral college
4
Labour Youth
Campaign Group
formed YOUTH ACTIVISTS of the Labour Party's left campaigns and newspapers are currently forming a coordinating body, Youth Campaign Group, to strengthen the fight for left policies, democratic change and representation in Labour's youth and student sections.
The campaigns and political issues we want to
for Labour Labour | Campaign for Labour Party Black Sections.
We believe that many more young people will be attracted activity in movements if they actively promote the struggles of women, black people and lesbians and gay men against discrimination and oppression as well as Danny Nicol, Hornsey and Wood Green LPYS, CLPD all struggles of the working class and youth.
In Dartcular Wall l publicise speaking tours, meetins and information about other action around colleges. We aim to extend the growing number of Campaign Groups that are now being formed in college and university Labour Clubs, publications like Campaign Group Witch Hunt News.
In the LPYS it is hoped that the practice of fielding just one left candidate for the LPYS place on the Labour Party NEC will be continued.
The next planning meeting of the LYCG will be on Sunday 29th June at 2pm in the Fabian Society, Dartmouth Streei, London. (St James tube). It is open to everyone interested in promoting these campaigns through Labour's youth sections. In particualr it will discuss campaigning around the colleges over next term.
The following letter publicising the Labour Youth Campaign Group has been sent out to Labour Party youth organisations. Dear comrades,
Enclosed is a copy of Campaign Group News, the monthly newspaper of the Campaign Group of Labour MPs.
Campaign Group News provides vital information on the activity of the Parliamentary Labour Party, the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party, the Campaign Group of MPs itself, as well as political discussion and material from Labour Party campaigns like the Women's Action Committee, Labour Party Black Sections, Labour Committee on Ireland, Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights and the Labour Party Democracy.
The newspaper, which started as four pages, is now eight pages and it is hoped to expand it to twelve pages from Labour Party conference. To make this feasible the newspaper needs to achieve a wide circulation. You can help assist its distribution by placing a regular bulk order for circulation. Bulk orders are sent out monthly, at the rate of twenty made payable to 'Campaign Group News'.
you are interested in helping distribution of Campaign Group News, by taking a bulk order, write to: Campaign Group of Labour MPs, c/o Alan Meale (Secretary), House of Commons, London SWIA DAA.
Yours in Comradeship,
Danny Nicol,
Labour Youth Campaign Group.
CAMPAIGN GROUP
PUBLIC MEETING
WHICH WAY FOR
THE LEFT?
8pm Tuesday 22 July
Hampstead Town Hall Haverstock Hill (Belsize tube)
ist Action 27 June 1986
the Labour vemocracy, Women's Action Committee, the Labour
Lesbian and Gay Rights, and the
Labour's youth coordinate and
and will promote the
News and Campaign for Cheques should be
with the that
the
THE CAMPAIGN Group (Scotland) was establish-
ed at a well attended meeting in Glasgow on 21 June.
The meeting was addressed by Eric Clarke, secretary of the Scottish NUM and the union's representative
on the Labour Party NEC, and Tam Dalyell MP.
Apologies were received from Campaign
MPs Gavin Strang and Dennis Canavan.
Those at the meeting
included Strathclyde Luciles Regional
Counci. Dumbarton Dist-
rict Council, the Scottish
regional committee of the
LPYS, Glasgow Maryhill
CLP, Glasgow Pollock
CLP, Glasgow Cathcart
CLP, Glasgow Central
CLP. Glasgow Hillhead
CLP, Stirling CLP, Dum-
Paisley South CLP, Clydebank
Milngavie
Dundee Trades Council,
THE EXPULSIONS by the NEC of the Liverpool party members are an absolute disgrace. In many instances nothing at all has been proved by the national executive trials. In any case, there is no crime in supporting a particular newspaper.
Concerning the so-
called malpractices in the Liverpool District Labour Party, the fact is that there
rover there
either. But if those charg ed with navracuice were guilty, then so were the
District Labour Party members who were not charged.
The procedures for the NEC trial were also disgrace. For example. in the case of Tony Mulhearn, material was introduced and referred to dur-
discussion after he left which was never actuany been pur lo him.
I objected very strong-
is to thisdiciad i do hors.
prejudicial to follow such a practice.
I don't normally agree with people taking the nar. ty to court. But under the THE PROPOSALs put forward by the Labour Women's Action Committee (WAC) to establish an electoral college at women's conference to elect the five women's places of the NEC is a major initiative. Socialist Action asked DIANE ABBOTT, member of the executive of WAC, for her view on the issue.
IN the last four or five years at Labour women's conference we have seen successive gains by women
on whole range of issues, but more specifically the constitutional demands of
Labour Action Committee (WAC)
This year saw attempt to roll them back.
Those attempting to do so described themselves as "trade union women', like Sarah Benton New Statesman who described conterence as a split between trade unions and the left.
Gains
That was a wholly false dichotomy. What happened on the Isle of Bute was
tew wing women attempted to use
cover the Lace unions against gains made by the left.
On the specific issue of
Group
the Labour Committee on
Ireland, and the Labour
Women's Action Commit
tee (Scotland).
The speakers pointed
out that the Campaign
Group (Scotland) not
about personalities but
will concentrate on cam-
paigning for socialist
policies. It was reported
that efforts will be made to
establish Campaign
throughout the
Scottish labour movecircumstances think
Mulhearn is right to do so.
Those expelled simply
aren't getting square deal.
By Eric Heffer
After his expulsion, the Garston party
nas taken a allow Tony
Mulhearn to continue
aliena tne meetings or tne
party. The fact is that they ahemselves inte difficulty with the rules of the party.
The NEC has decided to send Jovce Gould Garston to . outline the situation. That is against my wishes and those of
other members of the ex-
are opposed to expulsions.
We have argued that this should be a question of mediation - a question
Women's Action Committee
the NUPE resolution, one nas to accept unal ll was a genuine attempt at some kind of compromise. Year after year women's conference unites behind the constitutional demands
Stalemate
of WAC, and year after
annual Dally conference we lose. It was beginning to look like a stalemate and NUPE was attempting conciliation. In retrospect, it would have been better to put down an amendment which would have made their resolution acceptabic lo us
WAC is anxious that there shouldn't be any kind of genuine
spit between women in the unions and women in WAC. We accept
point of involving the trade unions the decisions of women's conference.
Originally we were in favour of a rules revision
The meeting agreed to
invite the members of the
Campaign Groun
Labour MPs in Scotland
and Eric Clarke, membe
of the Labour Party NEC
and member of the Cam-
paign Group, , to become
the honorary presidents of
Campaign Group
(Scotland).
The other officers of
Campaign Group (Scot-
are Peter Hogg,
member of the Labour
Scottish executive
and An ender on Scote
erganise
Labour Nomen's Actio
Committee.
The Campaign Group
(Scotland) plans to hold a
major public rally in early
December.
with the local party. This
has been done before. As
chair of the party I was in-
volved in such discussions
mysell.
But in Liverpool the heavv being threatened. fear that
Garstor could itself disbanded.
This won't apply only to Garston. My own constituency has said that if Felicity Dowling is thrown out they will not recognise conference which would have looked at the unions' role. Now we would like to discuss the organisation of an electoral college which would give more say to the unions than they presently have at women's conference, on the basis of their female membership.
WAC College proposing
50-50 between unions and socialist societies on the one hand and Labour Party women's councils and sections on the other. That seems reasonable to me, but think it should be open to negotiation
Tam Dalyell
We could be faced with
the same situation and
•SO could all the other
Liverpool constituencies
who stand four square
with those who have been
thrown out by the NEC.
We could end up with the situation where most of the constituency parties
Liverpool are disbanded
That is a very serious matter.
What rank and file
members don't underslanu — wilal s not gelling
across to the party - is the
pening . It isn't just a ques
of individuals being LUll expelled serious though
that is. It is a matte whole parties being disbanded, and of
"111 dividuals then being vetted as to whether they can reJoin the party once this has
happened
When you consider tha the 'crimes' of the Liverpool District Labour Party were that they discussed
such nucotics
The problem is who controls the votes cast b the trade unions. WAC supporters In une umons are going to have to work tor by women union members that moment. Elected
Take the issue of who is elected onto the Labour rary NEC Under the present system, basically the trade acclac who will be on the women's section of the NEC.
The issue of whether the women elected are actually supported by women is missed. Trade union men sit around in hotels on Sunday and do little deals. That's why you Boothroyd elected. wonder Betty
seriously alc talking about advancing the interests of Len women mon red. bers must have some say in how their unions cast thei votes. But that requires
activists working wollen within the trade union structures. No one from outside can tell a trade union what to do.
News
South party leader_LIe
ship election all these
things are said to be out.
side the rules of the party!
would put it to every
single party member in the
country: it parties are no allowed to discuss such matters, what is the point
having • organisations like District Labour Par shes having coordinating
bodies to mobilise the par ty in the city to carry out
the struggle for socialism?
This • 18 belg missed in considering the expulsions as just an issue
Militant witch hunt is far bigger than that issue.
An enormity is taking place in the party at the
• Garston and other parties in Liverpool are threaten ed with disbandment, the entire Labour Party across the country must mobilise against it. It is Liverpoo today but them tomorrow.
believe our interest in trying to find an
issues raised by the NUPE resolution will bring women in WAC and wo1IC1 in the unions closi together, and will have a blow-on effect in the trade unions. That process will generate more involvement in the trade unions women. began having a women's conference four or five
can don are ve small, but last women attended.
This ha had galvanising effect on the union. A lot of women, including myself, began by getting in women's conference. From there we got more involved in the union as a whole Positive
This has had a very positive effect on a whole range of policies within the union. Now the ACTT executive is half women, TOT example caven the hardened misogynists ACTT accept that women have given a radical cutting edge to the union.
Page 5 scan of this page
News
Party's expulsion of Amir
expulsion.
What makes the
and
the by Roy
Hattersley
and involved Khan/Scally expulsion. Yet, despite
Hattersley
casting
occurred NEC
Cure. Cure
which the
Cure
both the and the appeals mediation
appeals mediation committee Cure
his chair's
rather than expel. Khan
expulsion.
Roy addition, used his formal right as an officer of the party to be present at the appeals mediation committee Hattersley's vote ensured appeal against expulsion was rejected by 3 votes to 2. Hattersley then voted on the NEC reject the
New issue of
Witch Hunt
News
THE June/July issue
of Witch Hunt News,
published by Labour
Left Liaison and
CLPD in association
with the Campaign
Group of MPs, has just been published.
The new issue in-
cludes, among other
materials, details of the Khan/Scally expulsions; articles on the expulsions of Hatton, Mulhearn and others in Liverpool; material on the extension
National Organisation of Labour Students; an article on three new expulsions in Scotland, the beginning of legal actions in Ipswich. • Witch Hunt News is available price 20p, incrualig postage from Witch Hunt News, c/o 36 Melbourne Rd, London E17. Bulk orders may be placed at fl for
copies, postage included.
Justice demanded for
Khan and Scally
ANGER WAS rising in the Labour party last week over the NEC's ratification of Sparkbrook Labour
Khan and Kevin Scally. The vote on the NEC was 13 to 12 in favour of the
appeals Khan and
Scally.
This procedure where-
by someone is both part of
the investigating team and
sits in judgement the
procedure followed by
Cure has already been
courts.
The Party
Black been
Kevin
action,
for
COULSC
ed for
Kevin Scally every fect all sections of the party.
For that reason it is unfortunate to report that the London conference called against the witch hunt on 21 June was a tailure. Not because opposition to the witch hunt is shrinking — on the contrary it is growing, The reason was that both the
of the con-
erence, and the resolution coming out OI lL, were ruined by childish ultralett sectarianısm pul lor ward by supporters of Labour Briefing
The first step to wrecking. the conference, and which led to its failure, started when the steering committee to prepare the conterence, with the vote of Labour Briefing SUoporters. refused to allow
Livingstone to speak al tne conrerence. Whatever other positions Livingstone has expressed, he has spoken out repeatedly against expulsions the party including those of Khan and Scally Militant supporters, and all others.
Black section victory in ILEA selections
In fact he
Black R should be formed. Hattersley has declared
Black Sections. suspicion held, that for
political
national hunt
shocked by irregularities
Scally
these
out that television scarcely THE WITCH hunt is a fundamental issue facing
member of the Labour Party. It threatens every single campaigner for women's liberation, against racism, for socialism, for British withdrawal from Ireland, or other issues in the party. As the expulsions of Amir Khan and Kevin Scally have shown any witch hunt, whether launched against Militant or anyone else, inevitably spreads out to af-
The sectariar and ultra-left basis on which the conference was built, meant that despite impressive platform the conterence was very small - around 100 people.
The resolution adopted Ine conference continued the same path. The ICSOLLO presented attempted to lay down that the conference: 'calls on CLPs whose "expelled", by the NEC or members ale
Regional Executives ... to reluse such decisions. Only at the last moment, after the conference had been built on the original basis, was the resolution correctly changed to being that the conference 'supports' the CLPs that take the path of refusing recognize expulsions.
Any attempt to impose such universal tactic, which involves the risk of disbandment of CLPs by the NEC such conference is absurd.
Earlier proposals by
Reinstate Amir Khanand Kevin Scally
brought to
The Party
Black
Locally Is a
supporter, have both
made till ney
Group
mediately the
sions by a press
Commons Tric Her.
paign MPs,
and
in the
Ine Coor.
dinating Committee,
How not to fight the witch hunt
supporters of Socialist Action to remove these ultra-left sections of the
resolution had been voted down.
Proposals to suppport Campaign Khan-Scally Defence
were diSO attacked from the floor as 'dividing' the against the witch hunt victory in restating i an failing to and Scally would, on the
speakers
Audrey
convincingly
and
Linda
VICe
perspective. She pointed
greater vilification within the
Labour Black
hunts. She out
Inestone
ILLCO and
have
participate the cam-
paign and
reinstate-
ment,
Mare
Party Section, has
Black will be
Amir
Khan they
to Kevin
Scally. will defend
unstinting
SuDDOrL
Action.
the Party
Black did not
make for Black
defence
campaign Khan and
members par-
ticipate
Amir Khan Black Section member Amir Khan in Birming ham.
Dave Anderson, speaking from the Durham mechanics, pointed out the dual standards being applied in the witch hunt. People were openly associating with a non TUC organisation the UDM in the Labour Party in Nottingham, and action being taken against them.
Tony Mulhearn's Soceci also seemed to represent a certain step forward in how Militant were expressing their thinking. He strongly defended the right of the Labour Party Black Section to put forward their ideas in the partywhile expressing the
Militant opposition Black Sections.
In short there was a lot of fruitful material that . was brought
GUL conterence that could have provided the basis
conference was wrecked by tue ultra-left and sectarian policies both before the conference and at it
This type of infantile leftist politics is not a joke, it has to be fought against by the left if it is not to suffer unnecessary reverses.
IRELAND
UNFREE
Divorce
referendum
ban on divorce.
volved, concentrating
state continue to deny
women's rights?
in the United States.
contraception.
result of the referendum.
'plague of divorce' disaster' knew no national boundaries.
'compassionate' character of ners a 'second
prevent divorce from being 'too easy'.
even because it is estimated there are
divorce.
public debate.
be neutra on the
fight the case for
ban on the right to divorce.
for what is, in fact, a basic civil right.'
Hypocrisy or idiocy?
SINN FEIN councillors
claiming that violence' could be so honoured! • From Republican News, 5 June 1986.
Socialist Action 27 June 1986
5
ON 26 JUNE voters in the 26 Counties go to
the polls to vote in a referendum which would
amend the 1937 constitution to remove the
Akhough the establishment
parties have steered well clear of the issues in-
on gaining petty
political advantage from each other's em
barassment, the stakes are clear — can the
"traditional' relationship between church and
civil liberties and
In the 1983 debate on abortion, the church was
used by reactionary Catholic organisations to 'test
the water' for a full-scale assault on abortion rights
. Although a woman's right to
control her fertility is now denied not just by law
but by the constitution as well, the public airing of
the issues educated thousands of women previous-
ly denied basic information about abortion and
Opinion polls showed that there
had been a swing in favour of abortion rights as a
Each time that an item of civil rights comes
before the electorate as a whole the claim of the church that it is entitled to rule on matters of civil
as well as moral law is undermined. Mindful of the
blow to the Catholic church caused by the Italian divorce referendum, Archbishop of Dublin, Kevin
McNamara talked in a recent interview of the
which like the Chernobyl
Government coalition partners, Fine Gael and Labour have been careful to present the issue in a way that does not threaten the 'special relationship' between church and state, and stresses the which will strengthen the family by allowing part- the amendment deleting all reference to the indisolubility of mar- chance'. Rather than simply riage from the constitution, their amendment introduces a right' to divorce after five years of legal separation on the grounds of marriage breakdown. It is stressed that there are 'safeguards' to
They have chosen to introduce such an amendment now, not because it is a basic civil liberty, nor
70,000 spouses in a 'marital breakdown situation' — but because opinion polls show 57 per cent in favour of
They calculate a successful referendum will reinvigorate their 'reforming' image as against the more traditional Fianna Fail opposition
The Divorce Action Group, which for years has been trying to introduce a change in the law is frustrated by the cynical establishment response to
Whilst extreme right wing religious organisations like the Knights of Columbanus and Opus Dei, under the umbrella of Family Solidarity', have been mobilised to visit every home, the government has put virtually no energy into its vote 'yes' campaign. Fianna Fail claimed to
referendum, but every major spokesperson has identified with the anti-divorce lobby. It has been left to the labour movement to
divorce as a civil rights and feminist issue. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions identified itself early in the campaign as in favour of the deletion of an 'undemocratic and sectarian
Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, accused the forces behind the anti divorce campaign of engaging in a subtle form of blackmail to force their own views on society in general. Once again,' he said, •Sinn Fein is calling for a massive show of support
in Omagh recently presented a plaque to the Irish Anti Apartheid Movement honouring Nelson Mandela. Two months previously they had made him a citizen of the district. In contrast to the stated position of the SDLP leadership, its local councillors objected —
'no one who failed to renounce
Page 6 scan of this page
6 Socialist Action
LAST WEEK Oliver Tambo, president of the African National Congress, made a speech in Paris which was reported around the world. Speaking in the UNESCO hall Tambo said that South Africa must prepare itself for war. The ANC hoped for a speedy end to the apartheid regime, which could be brought about by international action, but if that were not forthcoming it would take any measures necessary to free South Africa. We are printing OLIVER TAMBO'S speech in full.
THIS HALL, situated in historic city of Paris, evokes in us a feeling of inspiration. We who come from South Africa always associate it with our struggle. To us, it is a battleground on which many battles have fought successfully in furtherance of the efforts of the peoples of Namibia and Southern Africa as well South Africa to free themselves from racial and colonial domination, exploitation and aggression. It stands already as an historic tribute to the resolve of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia maintain their humanity by refusing to accept the subjugation of our people.
As you know, Mr Chairman, we say this because, over the years; we have convened a number times in this very hall of UNESCO, to consider what should collectively be done to bring to a speedy end the intolerable situation which continues to persist in Southern Africa. From here there emerged decisions expressing world point of view which made an enormous contribution to the process which has brought us to the stage when we can say that although hard battles, bigger battles remain yet to be fought, yet our common victory stands in sight.
We thank the United Nations and in particular, the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid which has enabled us to convene here today especially at this critical time in the struggle to free Namibia and South Africa.
UNESCO for hosting this ference.
There have been brought here
eading personalities from aroun
he world, well-known opponent of colonialism, racism and apartheid. We have even heard
again the voice of that great fighter
for justice and peace, Olaf Palme.
A voice which came through by
way of a statement made here by
his widow, our sister,
Palme. We extend to everyone pre-
sent here the greeting of
African National Congress and the
beleagured people of South Africa.
We salute all our friends in the
United States. our supporters in
Britain and West Germany as well
as in this country. We salute our
fellow fighters, the PLO
SWAPO. And to you all we bring
the assurance that racism and col-
onialism in Southern Africa cannot
survive our common efforts.
cannot survive much longer.
At the same time, we carry with
us the simple message that the
times demand of all of us, drawn
from all parts of the globe, that we
sue for victory now rather than
later, today rather than tomorrow.
The fact that victory is
proaching is no longer open to
doubt. The questions that remain
unanswered are when and at what
27 June 1986 the
will
been
to
of
have
costs: The answer to the latter has question rests entirely with the in-
ternational community. pay any cost necessary to liberation to our country in the shortest possible time. But the time may be protracted by the hesitations of the international munity to intervene at our call and on our appeal.
Gains In that sense, it is most apthank propriate that we meet in this hall
to cóntinue the were born here. It is manifestly imperative that gathered as we are at this conference, we deliberately build on our successes, and basing ourselves on our gains,
yet move forward in an uninterrupted
offensive that will banishment of racism, colonialism, fascism and war in Southern Africa once and for all time.
Lizabeth And what, Mr Chairman,
these gains to which we refer? The
the result of our common efforts is
that today there are few people in the world who do not know what apartheid means, who aware of the evil nature of this man hating system. There are today very few people who will not oppose the
and apartheid monster by
deed, who are unwilling to do that little more which will bring this monster to its knees. In reality,
It even the argument in favour of
sanctions has been won except on the part of those who, of racist principle or avaricious self-interest, continue to argue that the Pretoria regime must be treated as an errant child within the bosom of the family of
ap- Halvis. Occasionally,
chided and offered sweets as an inducement to mend its
Tambo: 'The fact that victory is approaching is no longer open to doubt'
us that from these successes, which We shall are truly significant, we can in fact bring enhance the isolation of apartheid South Africa, in a meaningful way.
Taking advantage of mass, popular sentiment in favour of sanctions, com-
in an era of peace,
tions. endeavours that
should
result in the
the people themselves.
are
are Soweto uprising.
word or
Massacre
for reasons
- lovingly kept
gently
wayward
It would therefore seem clear to
governments that are committed to anti-racism and truly interested to minimise the bloodshed and usher
freedom and justice in Southern Africa, can and must take firm steps towards the imposition of comprehensive sanc-
Equally, this feeling in favour of meaningful action against the apartheid regime provides the basis
for the imposition of sanctions by
Surely, it has by now become patently clear to all thinking people that unless the world takes decisive action now, a bloodbath in South and Southern Africa is inevitable.
We met yesterday on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the
youth who were killed ten years ago and to advance the cause for which they perished, the African National Congress and all other democratic forces in our country called for a national general strike, as well as commemorative mass rallies and
As all of us here know, the apartheid regime, in response, took unprecedented measures to place itself in a position where it could, on that very day, massacre our people in their tens of thousands. Huge numbers of armed soldiers and policemen were deployed and con- humanity.
tinue to be deployed in both the black and white areas of our coun try. The enemy hopes that through
serve sheer use of terror, it can force our people to go to work against their own decision, and having done so, not to engage in mass demonstrations in the centres of towns and
from work. It has perhaps been the
history of South Africa
which as we have said was deployed everywhere across the What we do not know and what has not yet come through fully is what did the regime do behind the screen imposed by restrictions against the publication of information. was it necessary to cut off from the South African scene the eyes and the ears of the world? What crime was the regime preparing for? The perpetration of which should not be known to the international com-
happened, some reports yet to be
slaughter in South Africa yester-
have gone ahead with their mass demonstrations and rallies. And it appears that they were treated to
what may have been monstrous
will do everything within its power to conceal the magnitude of that
crime. But the crime will be there
nonetheless. And exactly because
of that crime, the need arises very
strongly for the criminals to be li-
quidated and eliminated. The apar-
theid system has to be destroyed
and put an end to this crime against
'We
our
For death, which has become our daily bread in South Africa, has also become so much a part of our daily lives that it can no longer
as deterence discouraging struggle. Indeed, death has become so much a part of our daily lives that the urgent necessity to end the murderous system of apartheid presses on us with the greatest insistence. And therefore, having learnt the lessons that the enemy seeks to teach us today, our people
will join the armed offensive in
even greater numbers, displaying the same bravery and the same contempt for death that they have shown in the past two years and
even before.
We speak not with a sense of
satisfaction when we say that the
Botha regime is dragging our coun
Death, which has become our daily b
Page 7 scan of this page
should steel selves for war'
ror it can force our people to go to work try into the situation which we witness today. The growing numbers of people killed and injured, be they black or white, does not fill us with any joy. We view it as a sombre prospect and wish it could have been avoided.
However, have look reality in the face.' demands that in order to win our liberty we must make the necessary sacrifices. also demands that we should steel ourselves for war with all the consequences which that implies. are certainly not prepared to live as slaves and will therefore continue to intensify our offensive for the victory of the cause of democracy, national liberation and peace in our
The certainty of greatly increas-
BELEAGE
prospect OI
countries of that region. many people have
learnt to That reality
be prepared to Blame We
in particular the ed in South Africa, has also become so much a part of our daily lives that it can no longer serve as deterence
ed violence is not confined to South ed Africa. It is a prospect which faces the peoples of Southern Africa, the
Already died in our region and enormous destruction these has been caused by the aggression of the apartheid regime. Many people are dying and destruction is in process. As the regime grows more desperate, so will it seek to wreak more havoc throughout the region. drawn
from
The major western powers and
United States, Great Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany as well as others, cannot avoid taking the blame for this inevitable and terrible outcome. It sons is they who have, above all, shield-
the apartheid regime decisive international action. They have aided and abetted this regime in the past and continue to do so today. Current reports confirm that
governments remain determined to persist in their ignoble and dishonourable role as allies of a truly murderous regime.
It has been our fervent hope that these governments would have
the necessary conclusions the report of the monwealth Group of Eminent Persons, that to which Sir Shridath Ramphal, secretary general of the Commonwealth referred when he addressed this conference. Moved by what it saw and heard in South Africa, the Group of Eminent Per-
has given timely warning about the impending horrendous
from bloodbath and called for decisive action by the international munity to avert this possibility.
in the first instance to the principal economic South Africa, have already mentioned. It is one of the great tragedies of our epoch that countries which see themselves as the most exemplary democracies of all time should choose to go Com- down in history as the force that blocked the birth of democracy in South Africa and elected instead to appease racism and white minority rule and consequently to see our people perish in their millions.
has not done so already. who have the power and obligation to impose sanctions fail to do so
Socialist Action 27 June 1986 Already,
despite These
democratic
Photo:
deed over
result, maintain minority violence
arguments
of promoting negotiated
the perpetuation
into that trap
this call.
Of necessity this call is directed wielding
partners of apartheid shooting our the countries
armed. handed.
will
Time is indeed running out if it to mention
If those
We,
Nations
give
avoided.
Racist
IDAF
Dhatai
regime.
now, then history will surely judge them as co-conspirators and participants in the commission of a crime of immense dimensions
The African National Congress and the masses of the people it leads are committed to the victory of the cause of democracy in our country. There should be no doubt whatsoever that with your support,
shall emerge victorious. reports coming out of South Africa today confirm that
all the extraordinary measures of state terrorism that the Botha regime has adopted, our people as we have said, have moved to demonstrate their determination to bring the regime down. Liberation
and their organisation, the ANC and other
forces, would have dearly loved to liberate our country from a racist tyranny by peaceful means, including negotiations. In-
many years we tried again and again to achieve this
to no avail. The Commonwealth Group of Eminent Persons has now added its confirmation that the Botha regime is not prepared to resolve the problems of South Africa by negotiations. It is instead as committed as ever to
the system of white rule by repression and
This surely must lay to rest the illusion that negotiations are an option available to us and confirms the hollowness and bankruptcy of
that decisive action should be avoided in the interests
the chances of settlement. The call made on us to renounce violence, as it is called, is nothing but a ruse to render us impotent precisely for
purpose of ensuring the of the apartheid system. We shall certainly not fall
It is significant who is making
those who power and armed force against the people. They who are
people down, they will come to the conference table
We must get there empty
Offensive
To achieve change we must and
continue to intensify Our political and military offensive. We owe it to ourselves as a people and to the thousands who've died even in the period since 16 June 1976 not
those who died that date. We owe it to the peoples of Southern Africa, the peoples of Africa and the rest of the world
as the representatives within South Africa of the objectives contained in the Charter of the United
and the Declaration Human Rights count on you all to
us all-round support. The obligation to choose to be on the side of the oppressed people of our country and their national liberation movement can no longer be
On behalf of the African National Congress and the fighting people of South Africa, we greet all participants at this timely world conterence on Sanctions Against
South Africa. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have acted to help end the apartheid system. Over many years you have stood side by side with us because you would not countenance the humanity. We call on you today, commission of a crime agalls. on this important occasion in our history, the 10th anniversary of Soweto, when it is possible that yet more massacres will take place. call on you to act decisively now for the total isolation of the apartheid
Page 8 scan of this page
Anti-zionism and anti-semitism
8 WITH THE US bombing of Libya the world has again been alerted to the potential of the Middle East as a flashpoint for international conflict. Even a Conservative Politician like . Heath can recognise that. In order to explain what was happening around Libya he said: 'We need to go back to the root of the Middle East problem, which Palestinian problem and the relationship between Israel and the Arab World.'
How much of a coincidence is it then, that when some attention is at last focussed on the plight of the Paiestinians, tne Issue or lel antisemitism' is quickly thrust into the limelight by zionists give a convincing defence views, seek instead to shift the ground of the debate? It is no accident at all. It is a tactic guaranteed to confuse the liberal conscience and analytical mind.
If anti-semitism exists left', then that is serious and must be dealt with. However, the fight against anti-semitism nol creating in peoples' minds a false connection between anti-semitism and antı-zionism.
By Linda Balfe
Anu-semusmn Is racism, orten or the kind that equates an ethnic group with a particular social function and class and then talks in racial, Laungasoes hen he isives ih the Young does
when he writes in Guardian 27 May 1986 that: as one can generalise, the Jewish ideal elevates such qualties as ambition. purposefulness, material success, and self-help towards self-advancement ... as a moral code for upward mobili-
such as Mrs. Thatcher devoutly cannes ane counurvlo asoue loaJewisu teaching supplies a valuable model.'
Anti-zionism is something quite different. It is a principled opposition to a political theory, and, hence, the ideology underpinning the realisation of that theory, in the state of Israel. It is not directed against Jewish people, any more than anti-apartheid struggles are directed against white South Africans as such. In both cases it is the political system of the country that is under attack.
Zionism is an ideology which, at the least, accepts the logic of antiSemEsul agreeing utal because of 'human nature', cannot live multi-ethnic (although the vast majority of Jews do) and thus seeks to set up a separațe Jewish 'Homeland'. At worst, certain zionists actually collaborated auti-sCullcs. trying to persuade em o ove moe waredewo teste
Zionism is also racist. Not only because it sells out the Jews with a 'false Messiah', but because it could never have been possible to establish a Jewish 'Homeland', the state of Israel to which all Jews in the world have the right to 'return', without destroying Palestine and expelling or subjugating the Palestinians. This known but rarely admitted even to this day. Theodor Herzl, founder of the Zionist Organisation, 1886 however, explicitly envisaged the future Israeli State as: wall of defence for Europe in Asia, an outpost of civilisation against barbarism', i.e. a colonial-settler state.
Reality
The real test of zionism, of course, Is not lts mlenuon, oul lls really In Palestine. What is the reality for the Palestinians? November 1,380,000 Palestinian Arabs were living in Palestine. By 15 May 1948, 960,000 of those Palestinians had become refugees and 78 per cent of
•secome 1967, Israel occupied what remained of Palestine: the West Bank of the Jordan and the Gaza Strip. As a consequence, a further 500,000 Palestinians became homeless.
Socialist Action 27 June 1986
Edward
is the who, unable to
of their
inhibit the
on the
helped by
LaluC.
'Insofar
there are now
completely Palestine,
Bank and 750,000 (17 population) citizens in DanUSE-HKCCCILORS
Wap. Massacre
Jews, try? In 1948, in Der near Jerusalem, communities
Begin's "Irgun'
with
nascent state of Israel. was always NO AXSEHC
there either ...
as far back as a lormei
(Ha'aretz 4 April 1969).
The West •.. Dall ol a
of illegal Israeli settlements.
Arab villages.
Golan have 1947, citizenship.
Occupation
In In 1982,
desperate, and cessful, alicllol Palestine
The result of this today is that
over four million Palestinians: two million of them live
outside of Occupied 1,500,000 live as stateless persons under occupation in the West
Gaza, wille a turther live as cent of Israel's second class that itions. None of under
them lives in Palestine because it no longer exists. It has been wiped off the
How did four million people lose, not only their homes, but their coun-
Yassin, a village 253 civilians were massacred in cold blood by Menachin
Gang. The word spread and other Palestinians fled in terror, hoping to return. Most are still waiting and could never return: a total of 385 villages were destroyed, and their inhabitants driven away, by the
As Moshe Dayan, a leading Israeli politician put it: 'Jewish villages were built in the place of Arab villages. You do not even know the names of these Arab villages, and I don't blame you, because those geography books no longer exist; not only do the books
Vlilages are nol There is not one single
hace a former Arnt popularion.
Arab population.
Bank and Gaza, occupied in 1967, are covered, in scores
Similarly, the Syrian Golan Heights, occupied in 1967 and annexed in 1981, has seen the destruction of over 100
Only four remain, cheek by jowl with new Israeli settlements. The Syrian Druze of the
been forced, despite vigorous opposition, to take Israeli
the whole of south Lebanon was occupied by Israel in a
ultimately unsucdestroy the Liberation Organisation (PLO) politically as well as militarily.
It is estimated that at least 12,000 people were killed and 40,000 wounded in this venture. Another 300,000 were made homeless and Beruit devastated. The war in Lebanon has not yet ended.
It is no coincidence then, given such past record, that together with the United neighbour Canada, the country not to condemn the British and American attack on Libya. Only six months earlier, in October 1985, eight US made jet fighters of the Israeli Air Force swept over Tunis and bombed PLO headquarters,
dead ana 120 Washington called the 'legitimate'. Adventure
In January of this year, it became clear that the US had another such adventure lined lor ner East proxy. Ma'aviv, language newspaper, reported on 2 January: "The world and especially
US is today fooking at Libya through a rifle's viewfinder. Americans are heroically leaning on us to attack and punish Ghaddafi and the terrorists under his protection..
Four days later tne newspaper informed the Israeli public that: •Prime Minister Shimon Peres nas rerusea lo ruie oul an punishment raid on the terrorist camps in Libya.'
Israel's failure to attack Libya, leaving it to Britain and the US, does
on her part. Rather it seems increasingly likely that a war against Syria or Jordan or both is in prospect. Israel's aggression towards both her Arab neighbours and the Palestinians continues unabated.
The prospects for the Palestinians today are not good. But, even as they again come under attack rerugee camps of South Lebanon, who suffer 'Occupied ritories' under the Israeli 'Iron Fist' policy and are the object of hollow 'peace proposals' which seek to deny them their inalienable rights, Palestinians are steadfast. They continue to resist and their resistance is increasing.
The logic of zionist expansionism
and
Was
tion. Arabs out!
SOlTO1.
Israel, But the Palestinians
States
only of Tawfik
Nazareth: of orange trees and olive trees Our nerves are of ice leaving But our hearts blaze with fire wounded.
acuull stones
Middle Hebrew
The
Ha 'aretz
Israeli in the
Ter-
Lule 93108 Montreui
is the threats of Mier Kahane, a fascist
increasingly popular Knesset member: 'I'm saying what everyone is thinking. There's only one solution.
Only one. And it's not a partial solu-
Out! That's the
continue to reaffirm the words, now 20 years old,
Zayyad, mayor of
• w e ae caadus or loc siæ i leads
We sow ideas like yeast in the pastry
If we are thirsty we shall wring the
Internationa
VIEWPOINT
MEMPOON
SPECIAL: Giant step by Black labor in South Africa
Marooe caustht with bend in ballot box. The test o
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In Depth
We shall eat dirt if we are hungry But we shall never leave And we shall never begrudge our blood
Here we have a past A present Here is our future.
The same logic that inspires people to fight against anti-semitism, or against apartheid in South Africa,
them also fight against Zionism and the state of Israel
. • Quotations from Israeli press, translated from the Hebrew by Israeli Mirror, 21 Collingham Rd, London SW5 ONU.
Page 9 scan of this page
Mass strikes grip Belgium
Spanish abortion laws defied
International
history. More than 150,000 people marched
tions.
the austerity
cutting
followed weeks of strikes in Belgium.
Demonstrations
against the austerity plan
started even betore it was
officially announced. At
the beginning of April
18,000 miners Lim-
bourg, Flanders, went on
strike agalst une Inreal l0
3,000 jobs. On 21 April
they started all
public workers'
trade union federation
(CGSP) the
traditional Day
with
actions which.
successful with no
ning: telecom-
munications, radio and
paralysed.
the of
between the CGSP
Christian federations historical
weakness of the Belgian labour the
(SCCC), includes railway and the
cludes em-
state sector.
the decide whether result was that only teachers in the Antwerp region joined the 6 May strike.
Among the rank and file workers there was real determination movement announced on 7 June that the previous week 10 illegal abortions had been carried out in seven different cities. The purpose of the abortions
feminists using the abortions — was to highlight the inadequacy of the Spanish abortion law and demand free abortion on demand.
The announcement highlighted the lack of any commitment to improve the abortion laws in the governing Socialist Party (PSOE) election
DIUsallilic.
In its first year of operation, this abortion law has only resolved the situation of 2 or 3 per cent of women wanting abortion. The law only allows or terminahon of pregnancy when two doctors agree
danger, or that the foetus is diseased or deformed, or
31 MAY SAW the biggest demonstration in Belgian
in Brussels — equivalent to 1.2 million in a country with a population the size of Britain. The march was called by the Belgian labour movement and supported by women's, ecological and other organisa-
The demonstration was called to protest against
policy of the right wing. Martens government. This has put forward an austerity plan involving government 'savings' of $4.4 billion and
28,000 jobs — mainly in education, the civil service, and social services. The demonstration
fight. Railworkers Charleroi organised cross-sectoral meeting the Socialist-led Belgian -general workers icaeranon By Hilary Eleanor (FGTB) which declared: 'we won't wait for the end of the month to act.' A national demonstration against the austerity measures was-planned for 31 May. Under pressure FGTB leadership decided to call a 48 hour strike in the week leading to 31 May On 7 May a demonstration of private sector teaces 15,000 people in Brussels. This was a maior blow to the politics of austerity, traditionally private sector teachers support the government. Teachers On 12 May, after the bank holiday weekend, 24 hour strike was called for 16 May. This time the CSGP teachers built the strike across the whole movement. Even though the Christian CCSP were still build united actions with the socialists, the • strike was
maye successful than on 6
On 23 May and 24 May there was a total strike in LeononC sector mine French speaking part of Belgium. Support in the private sector however was still weak. In the Flemish speaking, part of Belgium on v a minoritv of workers joined the strike but they were very militant. Massive pickets were established to try to stop members of the Christian unions from working this resulted in the police intervening on a number of occasions.
THE ABORTION campaign of the Spanish feminist
— all performed rapidly and without anaesthetic by
aspiration method for early
in the case of rapé. The per cent of By M Lear
women still have to seek backstreet abortions, with allf accompanying hygiene dangers Laver lo London 11 ther can afford it.
Last November, for example, the papers publicis.ed the case of Carmen, a 39-year old mother four, pregnant with suffering. from Down's syndrome. For several weeks she was
On 27 May the govern-
ment officially announced its austerity package. Tne government had been careful not adopt measures likely to rub the caustan lions. up the wrong way and push them towards united action with the Socialist unions:
Women
Despite this the austeribalkard War severe. In addition to job
will be expected to contributions health care. Women in particular will be hit by the proposal to severely reduce — or in some cases even abolish -Detents To unemployed people who are cohabiting. unable to obtain an abortion allowed for under the law She had when .21 weeks pregnant
after every hospital in Greater Barcelona had flatly of the Ministry of Health to perform the abortion
The 'conscience' clause in the abortion law is so wide, and the reluctance of the Socialist Party challenge reactionary hospital administrations anno CHOCLOTS glaring that the law can be flouted
During conference last November of 4000 women in Barcelona celebrating 10 years of the mass feminist movement, two abortions were performed by women using the Karman aspiration
conscious challenge to the •state, over 3000 women signed statement
111-
The attacks on benefits also affect workers in the private sector, but inese are less evident
Following the publication of the austerity plan the Christian unions, as forseen by Martens,
back. ed down. On the railways. the SCCC strike call and announced that it would no longer pay strike benefits. As a result the struggle LIC railworkers who constituted the most advanced section of the mass movement ended. Only the railworkers Henault province where the Socialists lead the union, continued to strike.
On 31 May the national demonstration Brussels which had been criminating themselves for performing the abortions. Police Haves canoe resulted in no prosecution, for 'lack of evidence'. real reason was that women's massive solidarity would have turned any prosecution into a denunciation of the disgraceful lack of abortion provision, and highlighted the government's lack of will even to calty oul lne extremely limited law.
, Such simple, rapid safe abortions, performed without need O1 allacs
complicated technology, also challenge
medical protession's control of health. By USC the aspiration method, are showing that the majority of abortions could be carried out by
_Pard medical staff in day clinics.
OOR ALL
by ne FTB and the
FGTB and parties took place. Even though the national leaderships lett it up to the regions and federations over 150,000 people turned out to show their opposition to the austerity plans.
Watch
The strike wave had undoubted weaknesses -mainly the failure workers in the private sector to participate in strikes. But in a situation where mass fightbacks against capitalist the srity drive are stil rare
struggle in Belgium an important one to watch. From International Viewpoint
This campaign Spanish feminists is receiving strong union and left porters of a woman's right SUODULL, British to choose nave a speciti responsibility to highlight
plight Spanish women who travel to London for abortions usually having to rely on a private medicine system and hostels run strictly for profit not support.
• Message‹ supporting the women's abortion campaign can be sent lo Abortion Campaign Women's Movement Apartado 32125 Barcelona. Messages prorest government's abortion SOLIC •CUI be Felipe González, Presidente del Gobierno, Palacio de la Moncloa, Madrid, Spain.
EI Salvador
hours before dispersing
of Napoleon Duarte.
Peru missiles, demolition squads. Senator Armandon
defend the principles of democracy'
Mexico claimed — a difference of 5.9 million.
chief of staff.
to US imperialism begun within the PRI for de la Madrid's
favour the international banks in debt negotiations.
of USA the
tile court.
discrimination quotas by
the right of Rehnquist.
France
10 July last year. The French socialist
of
European declaration opposing
for an apology for the
secretary general.
Socialist Action 27 June 1986 9
WORLD
On 19 June the FMLN seized the main barracks in the east of El Salvador at San Miguel. They inflicted 253 casualties on the armed forces and held the barracks for four
The FMLN show of force indicates the position of strength they wish to negotiate from in the new round of talks with the government
As the Socialist International opened its conference in Lima, the Peruvian army crushed a prison revolt led by the Sendero Luminoso guerilla organisation at the cost of at least 160 lives. The prison uprising began last Monday when inmates at Lurigancho, the country's largest jail, overpowered guards and seized two hostages. At El Fronton they took four hostages and in Santa Barbara, a women's prison, the warden and two guards were seized.
Security forces attacked with anti-tank
explosives, rocket-firing helicopters and Villanueva, a government spokesperson, said the government had acted "to re-establish order and
A US Senator claims that Mexican president Miguel de la Madrid was fraudently elected in 1982 and that his Institutional Revolutionary Party stole the legislative elections last year Senator Jesse Helms says de la Madrid got 39.8 per cent of the vote rather than the 71.3 per cent he claimed, a difference of 7.4 million votes, and that it got 48 per cent of the vote for the 1985 Chamber of Deputies instead of the 71.1 per cent
Helms based his claim on secret documents alleged to have been drawn up by the military
Mexico's intensifying debt crisis makes the coming 1988 elections a matter of grave concern
and jockeying has already
successor. But the favourite until recently, Finance Minister Jesus Herzog, has just been dismissed because, it is alleged, he tended to
Hard on the heels of his defeat on the abortion issue at the hands of the Supreme Court, Reagan has appointed two further ultrahardline conservatives to key positions in the Supreme Court. William Hubbs Rehnquist, who was first nominated to the Supreme Court by Richard Nixon, is proposed by Reagan as Chief Justice - the head of the court - following the resignation of Warren E Burger. Judge Antonin Scalia has been nominated as a new member of
Rehnquist, described as 'well to the right of the Reagan administration', is against abortion, for capital punishment, and against positive
- all key issues on which Reagan has been trying to turn back the clock with the Court's assistance. Scalia is probably to
The nominations have to be confirmed by the Senate, which normally rubber-stamps them, though it recently rebuffed Reagan when he tried to appoint a former Ku Klux Klan member.
France has temporarily lifted its trade sanctions against New Zealand, imposed in retaliation for the arrest, trial and detention of two of its agents who blew up the Rainbow Warrior, killing a Greenpeace photographer, on government imposed a blockade on the import after New Zealand sent the two agents to trial.
France, a co-signatory of the recent
'state terrorism', has still not acceded to New Zealand's request
incident.
The new move follows agreement to seek arbitration, to be handled by the United Nations
Page 10 scan of this page
Support our fighting fund
10 Socialist Action ly f50 is presently coming into our weekly fightin
On present evidence, however, we still have to plan to miss a number of cer over une summer Unless we start hitting our trov per week largel, we will only publish two issues In July, and one in August. This can be changed if the
fund raised. As our regular readers know, had planned to miss a number quarter, but through fund issues raising initiatives by SUDOUFLCIS Telecoms and Rail, in the event we only had to miss two issues.
We appeal, therefore
every group supporters and every reader to
making donation, no matter how large fighting fund. Summer
difficult for HOlOrIOUSLy no one was surprised.
The decline in 'British spOIl, ana the rise in the
sporting achievements of
third world
Countrics almost exactly parallels the changing relations between these countries. But with has come an incredible chauvinistic reac tion amongst some of the sports fans in Britain.
It is among the com-
analyses on British televi-
will find some of the most racist
Never over the air. Every South Culie American player seems to be only interested in kick-
the poor, English boys (Wilkins!) Foreign referees are either blind scared of the Latin crowds, English referees never make mistakes.
And as for foreign names, they are only there to be made fun of ie
La piece
...and everyone knows that sanctions against South Africa simply
y won't work...
27 June 1986 TO MAINTAIN our weekly schedule, we need £250 per week over and above income from sales. But onfund. Our thanks go this week to those who helped raise the f45.32 at the Yorkshire miners gala and for
This will all help to
keeping up regular flow of funds so we very much need the money now. we believe Socialist Action becoming creasingly indispensible.to every labour movement is the only weekly paper promoting and reporting the activitv of the Labour Party Black Section, Women Against pursued by sargil in urse course the : Women's Action Committee, the fight against null, and many other campaigns.
But these campaigns won't automatically come together let alone be welded into common fighting force. Through work in campaigns SUCH JUSUCe
Victory to Argentina!
WHEN ENGLAND won the world cup in 1966, most English football fans rejoiced in surprise, Bobby Charlton wept and Harold Wilson claimed the credit. Last Sunday, as England were bundled out of the competition by a far superior Argentinian side
*Prima Maradonna' and 'Julius Caesar' instead of Julio Cesar. And where else could you find a selector from Scotland, the team that brought you Souness, calling Une
Reviewed by Pete Evans
Uruguayans 'scum' ecause of their tackling without anyone trying to challenge him.
This was the background to England's match against Argentina the auarter Inals. would have been explosive enough after their 1966 enConner we de cere tinians animals by Aif Ramsey branded as
But more recently, and more importantly, we had the Malvinas war. British chauvinism was whipped up to fever pitch at that time, and it seemed as if we were to get a repeat of the same over a football game.
the ACTION
Sanctions won't change the attitudes of the white rulers!
Mineworkers, the Labour Women's Action Committee and Women Against Pit Closures Labour Left Liaison, we are working with others to lay the basis for the strongest left in the party for years. That is why we believe supporting Socialist Action doesn't cut across but aids every campaign in the party.
English fans in Mexico were heard to be chanting 'Gotcha, Gotcha Argen-
and singing songs about the Belgrano, whilst
Sun wrote in its leader: 'If all goes wen, we i stult tnose Argies on Sunday.'
Well, hey didn't. Maradonna played brilllantly and was England who were 'stuffed'. Now begins the tradi tional English stiff upper lip method of dealing with defeat ... they're blaming une tereree
Never, ld be a sha mis
however, allow That's true...
BUILD AN
ALLIRNCE
SUR There is still a long way to go. A burning necessity to integrate internaperspectives on South Africa, Ireland Central America and othe issues firmly into the left's perspective. Failure fight imperialism has been the rock on which previous Labour left wings have been de-railed by capitalism. Injecting in the chauvinistic crap to spoil what has been lously entertaining tourna ment. rrom Brie Union Denmark, the Soviet and France we have OCCL what football can be like, and in the process a few preconceptions about overseas countries have been torn down.
Quote of the competition so far has got to be Ron Atkinson's just can't believe they (the Soviet Union) are an East European team. I mean, they're being creative!'
The destructive part of the game has also been present, but then after all that the west has done to
..but sanctions might hasten the victory of the ANC and -"and no wonder Mrs T disapproves!
IST ACTION-BRERK
VITH APARTHEID
international dimension is . the next task targetted by Socialist Action.
Your support
Socialist Action adds your weight in helping steer the left wing on a class struggle path internationally in Britain. The most urgent. and practical, support you can give us is to contribute to our fund drive. the people deny them a who could deny them few kicks in return! Such violence and on much o, which ruins professional sport, is not
to disappear overnight. To paraphrase CLR
James on cricket: "If and when society regenerate! itself, football will do th same.'
lets cheer rrance and Argen tina on to the final, and watch some real creativity before the boredom of yet another English begins.
Perhaps England could challenge Argentina cricket? The way things are going they'd only lose again!
ocormac
But sanctions would harm the blacks!
More than
whips? More than
bullets?!
New! BRUTAL FORCE: THE APARTHEID WAR MACHINE Gavin Cawthra, IDAF 318 pages £6.00 + 66p postage
Soweto and the rest of South Africa June-December 1976 IDAF 368 pages f4.00 + 66p postage
THE FREEDOM CHARTER SELECTED WRITINGS ANC 106 pages £1.95 + 28p postage for
THE STRUGGLE IS MY LIFE
Life
Mandela in prison by fellow-prisoners. IDAF 250 pages £4.50 + 46p postage
MALCOLM X SPEAKS Grove Press/distributed Pathfinder 226 pages £4.25 + 28p postage
LEON TROTSKY ON BLACK NATIONALISM & SELF-DETERMINATION Pathfinder Press 96 pages £.2.25 + 22p postage
The case against nuclear power Greg Adamson, Pathfinder Press 153 pages £3.95 + 34p postage IRELAND AFTER BRITAIN Ed. Martin Collins, Pluto Press 173 pages £3.95 + 22p postage
leaders THE SANDINISTA PEOPLE'S REVOLUTION Pathfinder 412 pages £6.95 + 66p postage
Pathfinder Press 249 pages f5.75 + 46p postage HUMANISM & SOCIALISM George Novack. Pathfinder Press 159 pages £4.25 + 28p postage
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Campaign Group of Labour MPs Verso 65 pages £1.95 + 18p postage
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NELSON MANDELA: The Struggle is My
His speeches and writings brought together with historical documents and accounts of WE ALL LIVE ON THREE MILE ISLAND NICARAGUA: Speeches by Sandinista
FIDEL CASTRO SPEECHES 1984-85 WAR & CRISIS IN THE AMERICAS
SHIFTING HORIZONS: A TESTAMENT TO THE PART PLAYED BY WOMEN IN
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Socialist Action 24 pages 50p + 12p postage
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Page 11 scan of this page
Courts continue to attack NUM
NALGO debates South Africa
In the Unions
his legal action against SOGAT,
Wapping plant.
The Times and Sunday Times journalists are also balloting on taking strike action against the sackillg of eight journalists who had refused to move to the scab plant.
instead of eing.
advantage ficulties Murdoch Is tac ing, and calling for stepped support and solidarity from the rest of the labour movement, TUC general secretary Norman® Willis is chiefly demanding the scaus tercede on behalf of the sacked workers! ! Willis has asked the EETPU and the NUJ to 'use their best endeavours with their members at Wapping and
resumption 400U talks?
The 'best endeavours' that the electricians and THE TORIES and their
In refusing, NUM for £500,000 the Tories work.
The problem the courts nave sull not releas ed the NUM's funds which were sequestratea during the miners strike. The courts were finally forced
formally lift the sequestration ano recevership of the union tunds. BulL in reality thev • have used the fact of continuing legal analist NUM as an excuse to hang onto them
The TUC has previously refused NUM financial appeals on the grounds of flashpoints at last week's
workers organised in COSATU
one of the biggest discussion points.
Over 1000 delegates
welcomed the formation of COSATU and looked forward to extending rela-
with SACTU LUIS LIC ANC, the Anti Apartheid Movement and the UDF at
a leve or lic anon
The conference decided it was impossible to end the oppression of black
THERE has been an escalation of flying pickets, and bigger mass pickets at Wapping in the struggle against News International. This is the aftermath of the successful outcome of the ballot on Murdoch's offer and the advances made at the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (Sogat 82) conference. Rupert Murdoch's affidavits to the High Court in
now postponed, reveal the demoralising impact this picketing is having on the electricians and journalists scabbing in the
journalists could make would be to strike in supThis should be the
By Brian Grogan axis of the TUC's call.
We already saw what the 'best endeavours' of the Sun journalists amounted to when, after voting to strike, they were bought off by Murdoch extra £2000 a year TOT each. Only appeals based on class solidarity, not on Murdoch's supposed good nature, can deal with such bribery. Willis didn't know that such principles could be defended before the outcome of the sacked printers ballot he should take that on board now.
An attempt put together another sell-out package undoubtedly lies behind Murdoch's decision courts are still doing everything they can to attack and weaken the National Union of Mineworkers. They are desparate to shore up their crisis ridden organisation — the so-called Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM).
on Monday, an urgent appeal by the TUC is clearly aiding the
now no longer existe nen refusal to respond must be denounced up and down the movement.
The courts also backed British Coal, as it has now
in unilaterally suspending
Tribunal, which arbitrates DetwCCI
NUM, unless the NUM agrees to sit down with the UDM.
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES provided many of the
NALGO conference.
Whether to seek direct links with the South African
— the Confederation of South African Trade Unions — proved to be
people by apartheid through peaceful means alone. However a proposal donate t5.000 to tne ANC to conduct the armca suruggic, proposed by the black workers group, was defeated proposals to widen links with other currents South Africa, such as the
Wapping pickets spread
postpone until 7 July his
action against the
text of the greater self con-
the printers such a legal move at present would only stiffen their resolve and bring
solidarity action from the rest of the movement.
Clearly Murdoch now relying on the SOGAT conference decision to 'maintain the independence of the union'
mean what Brenda Dean would like the scaling down of any action to prevent a clash with the courts. Murdoch rightly reasons that the interpretation Une sacked pickets give this resolution
refusal back down in front CUlL orders the miners also refused.
The key to preventing any new sell-out deal being accepted is to continue the mass meetings which discuss and decide the conduct of the dispute together with the liaison committee of representatives striking chapels. Building these, together with stepping up the picketing, is the key task in the coming davs.
The courts backed this abrogation of agreement the 1946 Coal Nationalisa-
Meanwhile HOll ACL Tory energy minister Tony Hunt has promised legislation to include the UDM in the tribunals from autumn it this is necessary.
problem which this creates can be seen in
case thorpe in South Yorkshire where
LWU lave been victimised. Miners immediately walked out and then agreed to return to work pending arbitration. British Coal is now refusing to convene the tribunal unless the UDM is involved nationally. British Coal's blackmail is that unless the NUM capitulates the miners re-
Pan African Congress.
Although a number of agreed, such as speaking tours of WCIC
African trade unionists there was
feeling that the resolutions were fine but still not concrete enough.
The fringe meeting at which SACTU and the AAM spoke attracted over 300 people.
On the home front the big issue was the union's response to the attacks on local government and local democracy. It was voted to donate £5,000 to the sur-
main sacked.
The Tories and courts have reason to step NUM their allacks on
present. Accorfigures registered with the certification ncer, une ww can make claim to little more than 25,000 members. This despite the fact it elected delegates to its recent conference on the basis of a supposed 34,000 membership. Even this latter figure
down on previous claims. it shows that the UDM has completely failed to break out of its Nottinghamshire base.
The UDM's character as a puppet of British Coal and the government becoming still clearer. The UDM's comerence decided to accept any closures that British Coal feels necessary and agreed to two or three year wage acas
As one miner Cull mented to Socialist Action: 'Roy Link may have been in hospital and David Prenses British Coal shill Prendergast dig to the USA. But this
problem for the UDM conference because their 1ca leaders, Tony Hunt and lan McGregor were there the whole time
charged councillors
Overwhelming support workers in dispute at prap- was given to the ping with promises to step
and to call on the TUC to force the electricians out of Wapping.
WaN also worth
noting the impact of the
NALGC black workers group on ine comeicace
especially on the inter-
• questons They, and the lesbian and gay ac-
role winning a more militant stance on some questions. New gains were
* Thursday 10 July *
ISLINGTON RALLY
FOR THE
PRINTWORKERS
7.30 pm RED ROSE CLUB
(Labour Party Social Centre)
125 Seven Sisters Rd N7 SPEAKERS * Tony Dubbins National Secretary NGA * Dennis Skinner MP * John Lang Striker Deputy FOC Times Clerical Chapel * Ann Lilburn Chair of Women Against Pit Closures * Martha Osamore Broadwater Farm Defence Committee,
Haringey Councillor Chair Terry Herbert, Islington councillor,
deputy secretary SOGAT Central London Branch
1 on North Lon Council Joint TUC MOBILISE THE PICKETS FOR WAPPING
Ing 12 July Meanwhile, the NUM the preparing itself more for the struggles it lace Scottish decided at their conference last week to hold a one dar of- strike of the Scottish coalfield in support of victimised miners.
According Hamilton HTON Monk. tonhall, who moved the successful motion, would lead to a national protest stoppage In the same vein, the Yorkshire area is presently ballotting its members to win support for a levy for national solidarity TUnG remobilising the memberand layıng groundwork for a renewed push into the rest of the pit labour movement.
Finally, the Justice Campaign has announced a Justice for Mineworkers to be held Mansfield in the tinghamshire coalfield on September. This once more take the fight right into the heart of the scab UDM.
All these developments make it more urgent than ever or luc laboul luve ment to step up its solidarity with the NÚM
made in developing union's already prehensive policy in reply to anti-Aids hysteria.
In addition to Africa, the NALGO Campaign for a United Ireland drew 150 to its meeting step forward was also registered union's position HUC COI powe. previously had reflected the views of members in the power stations NALGO now calls for no new nuclear power sta tions, and to re-look at the existing ones.
Wapping?
fallacy.
exposed the Dean leadership's treachery
being put to conference. authority over the dispute.
allowed to go -the Dean leadership in the dispute.
cow-towing to Dean.
George Hall, orCi FOC Sun Clerical,
personal capacity.
Hilleis
Davy
this
the
Weapon' (6 June). 'Nott Action.
will Socialist Action
Garry Croft
apartheid
were selling South African goods.
the coll-
South
fringe
African goods at all.
Ann Lemon
on which
their comments. The Editor
Socialist Action 27 June 1986 11 Getting it wrong on
IT IS totally wrong to draw a balance sheet of the SOGAT conference at Scarborough as Brian Grogan did in Socialist Action 20 June 1986. Comrade Brian's idea that a compromise was reached between the sacked printers and the Dean leadership is a
The deal was struck by the London leadership who previously manoeuvred to stifle any real debate taking place which would have
throughout this long-running crucial dispute for trade union recognition and jobs at Wapping
Further, the actual outcome is disastrous. First of all the resolution clearly states that contro of the strike is to be in the hands of the national leadership. The acceptance of this moves control away from the London-based militants and gives the NEC even stronger
Secondly, comrade Brian should realise that the commitment to negotiate a settlement within the law means that there can be no victory. If the state can set the limit to which we are
- we've had it.
Far from recent events being on the side of the militant strike leadership, that strike leadership has been in the pocket of Dean and company all along, only breaking from her and her leadership under pressure. The Scarborough conference was a chance missed to change the relationship of forces within the union, take the dispute to the provinces, and clarify the role of
Even if a call to increase the pressure including calling for a 24-hour shut-down of Fleet Street would have been lost, it would have created a groundswell which has been effectively quashed by the failure of the London leadership
Sexist on Dean?
I WANT to protest, as have other Socialist Action readers in Manchester, regarding the front page of Socialist Action entitled 'Murdoch's Secret
The image of a man, Rupert Murdoch, holding a bag with a women's head in it was sexist and offensive and this image is not in character with the nature of a paper such as Socialist
We hope in future that more careful thought is given in the preparation of items for the pages of
Rapid action on
SIX WEEKS ago Tescos opened up a supermarket in Eastfield on the edge of St Pauls, Bristol. The St Pauls Apartheid Free Zone campaign was informed that they
A letter was sent to the management asking them to remove the South African goods from their shelves. Not suprisingly they declined.
After only two successful pickets, attended by 30 to 40 people, the regional manager came down to inform the campaign that due to the fact that South African goods weren't selling they would no longer be stocking any South
• Socialist Action is starting a regular letter column. Readers are urged to write in with
Page 12 scan of this page
*No repression can quell the spirit of freedom!"
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on Ato American History b
OR The Struggle is My Lile by Nelson Mandela
DESPITE THE news embargo imposed by Botha's white minority regime, the success of the protests two weeks ago which marked the tenth anniversary of the Soweto uprising was total. The media ban imposed by the racist regime cannot hide the determination of South Africa's black majority to sweep away the hated apartheid regime. Action against the repression by Botha's state-paid thugs is still going on. ESSOP PAHAD, a long-time activist of the ANC, described for Socialist Action the situation in South Africa today.
IT IS clear that on the anniversary of Soweto, as on May Day, there was what can only be called a hugely successful general strike by workers through out South Africa. It covered every single major area of the country.
That is not just the pro-
example, in the main in. dustrial and commercia area of Johannesburg, and the surrounding allas i even the racist regime and South African people had to concede that it was very nearly 100 per
ent successful.
Opposition
The situation in the mines is a little more difficult to assess But Cyril Secretary of the National Ramaphosa, the Union OTI Mineworkers, had to go in hiding. From the available intormation that we have there aute a number of successful strike actions.
What we are facing at
moment South Africa is a period of the SIOSI and fierce repression by the regime.
The only way to describe it is to say that it is more wholes e in Conse quences than that which followed the declaration of the state of emergency after Sharpeville 1960 and after the Soweto uprising of 1976.
clampdown, it is very difficult to put an exact igur on the number of people arrested. One can say with absolute certainty that the
MARCHERAREERA
SATURDAY
figures run into thousands. And hundreds if not thousands of activists from mass democratic organisations such as the UDF and the
movement have gone into hiding.
Regime
Because of the news clampdown the fascist political machine of the regime is perpetrating its violence on the peopl with impunity. It is now opening fire at will. Furthermore, they have gone into educational establishments, including schools and churches, and have just arrested people en masse. In the western Cape - - but this applies to the olner parts country too - they have THURA CU and banned about 120 organisations.
You will have noticed in the newspapers ana or television, spokespersons of the racist regime claiming that on l6 June the ANC and the South African Communist Pary were going to launch their war. This is a monstrous lie.
No repectable organisation, and certainly not the ANC. would eve concieve of putting 10,000 of our people in such mortal danger as to march them on Pretoria. These lies were used by the racist regime to impose the state of emergency.
A whole number of strike actions are still going including in
Vil,
NAMIRAX SINTRA-RICA
supermarkets in different parts of the country against the arrests of trade union leaders. Strike achon by scaool students Is still taking place. And in
every township in South Africa,
though the occupation army is there finding different ways of putting up resistance.
No amount of repression at this moment in time can ever duelle solut ol resistance and the fighting quality by the masses That time has gone. The initiative has passed into the hands of the people and their organisations like the ANC
Historically speaking it is true that after Sharpeville in 1960 there was a short period when there was, racist, calm. After 1976 words the too for some months the struggle abated
But in 1986 one can state with absolute confidence that this is not going to happen. The latest bomb blasts in Durban clearly in dicate that the _armed struggle continues
One can say that the state of the racist regime is now one of desperation. They really do not have any conerent suales solution to the problems in South Africa.
The racist regime is açting on a day-to-day basis in which the military and security forces are taking all of the decisions. It is quite clear that even the political members of the
JUNE 28
ANC
interview
cabinet are only informed after actions are taken by the security forces and the army. They are thrashing
extent all of the means of repression and vioience a their disposal.
The fantastic pressure on the Thatcher government should be increase ten-fold, a hundred-fold a thousand-fold — so that even Conservative government which doesn't want to impose any mean measures as she onould call ingful sanctions them, would be compelled by the pressures from the people of this country to take real action against racist South Africa.
would never do anything about South Africa except make pious declarations that she wants apartheid to go. But : we believe that it is possible - all not only possible but necessarv — tor the peon e of the country to show that Margaret Thatcher does not and the atitudes of ene represent the
majority the people who want sanctions to b imposed on racist South Africa.
We want South Africa to be totally isolated in every walk of life. But not the position in which one cosmetic measure posed here there, so that in the end the British Call say sanctions don't really work
We want mandatory sanctions on South Africa — and we want them now
← Socialist Action No. 144, 20 June 1986Socialist Action No. 146, 4 July 1986 →