before a There are many things still the deteriorating but purity. It is missiles movement have taken place at many CND conferences, but this year's was particularly important. Among the emergency which called for action against three rapes which have taken place at the Molesworth peace camp over the last year.
CND leaders originally decided that these 'unfortunate incidents' should be BUSCO UD because or une adely to benity he were likely Bouciale guaranteea une Issue Diew up at conference without ally vicalalul y discussion within the movement.
three-point resolution was moved by Manchester-Withington recognised 'that rape cannot be tolerated at any cost and resolutions was the national council to: 1) publicly 'withdraw any support from those who camp Molesworth at the present time... 2) 'encourage positive ac tion in dealing with male violence within the peace movement..' 3) 'support further actions whether mixed or women only at Molesworth to stop of cruise'.
refer back the resolution preliminary move to because rape is a matter for the police the courts' was lost, but the resolution was voted in parts. Controversev centred on the first point, which was defeated.
The backward attitude of the conference majority reflected delegates who heckled 'I came here nuclear disarmament and 'what's this got to do witl The debate was sensitively handled sitatform: vice chair Elaina Lieven took the chair for the duration of the debate calling only women to controute. But the issues were not addressed Helen John pointed this out with great clarity Women who have choser to live there now,' she said 'do so at the expense of the women who have been raped The chair failed to call a speaker among the women who were at the camp at the time of the rapes.
voted to pull the teeth of the resolu by rejecting the de nand that CND dissociate itself from the picscuici now at Moleworth which has refused to take any effective action against the rapes.
Instead conference effectively turned the resolution on its head by confirming lulure the camp as it is currently constituted. This led to a silent protest by women followed by a spontaneous walk-out from conference.
Throughout the mass radicalisation against missiles which began at the end of the 1970s womer have played a major role in leading the whole campaign, as the Greenham amply demonstrated.
Few women activists will be prepared to ignore the political implications of conference decision. I is a decision that must bi rejected and campaigned against through the movement.
Socialist Action 21 Nov 1986 THE RESOLUTIONS put to the ICC AGM on relations with Labour Left Liaison by Paul Thompson and Peter Hain are printed below.