Socialist Action No. 20, 29 July 1983
The scan: 020-jul-29-1983-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
Reagan out of
Cuba si!
AS US imperialism
bellows, threats and
brandishes its military
hardware in Central
America and the
Caribbean, the
Cubans are cele-
brating the thirtieth
anniversary of the
heroic attack on the
Moncada barracks.
That attack ended
in failure. But less
than six years later
Fulgencio Batista the
Cuban * dictator,
creature of the
American State
MODERN
TIMES
4422 SOCIALIST ACTION will be taking a two week break and will be back on 18 August. hope all our readers have a good holiday.
in the event of any further moves by the US and Honduras against the Nicaraguan revolution, Socialist Action will con-
any emergency solidarity mobilisations.
Be prepared.
No. 20 29 July 1983 Fidel Castro Department and hireling of the Mafia, had been driven out of the country by the Castroled rebels.
The Cubans had shown that the revolutionary road was the way to dispose of the hated
exploiters the poor and the oppressed. and whose were
by the US guaranteed marines.
Cuba became, and still is, a beacon of hope and a revolutionary inspiration downtrodden America's so-called backyard.
Its example fuelled the struggles of the Sandinistas Nicaragua, the New Jewel Movement in Grenada and the FMLN in El Salvador. Heart
Throughout Latin America those who rebe against and fight the corrupt, tatorships take heart From we victory of le Cuban revolution.
Ins Is waal enrages the Reagan administra-
is testimony to the fact that
Monroe Doctrine which spelt out that Central and Latin America were the preserve of the USA is now being ripped apart.
For all who believe in the right of
determination, tor all those who are against
injustice and for all those
oppose imperais war the message is clear
defend Cuba against the threats of imperialism.
Interview with FMLN fighter - page 3.
30p
SOCiALiSt
ACTIoN
government of PATRIA LIBRE O MORIR
Central
America
THE REAGAN administration is waging war against the revolutionary Sandinista
Nicaragua. The war, organised by the Central Intelligence Agency, is the most extensive covert operation organised by the US since the Vietnam war.
Plans approved this week by the White House will mean that the present force of
NO
INTERVE
LOS AWATINAS from Bolivia were the highlight of a concert and rally held in London on 22 July to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Nicaraguan revolution
10,000 counter-revolutionaries trying
be radically increased.
The CIA-organised war will receive fresh backing from the US Defence Department in the shape of military supplies. And for the first time, 5,000 US
National demonstration
No more Chiles -
hands off Central America!
Sunday 11 September in London
Defend the workers of
El Salvador and Chile!
to overthrow the Nicaraguan government will
combat troops will join Honduran troops military exercises next month.
The exercises form part of military manoeuvres which included the dispatch of two major naval forces to the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Nicaraona
By the Editor
For the first time too US military advisors will Salvadoran government troops into battle against the FMLN The appointment of Henrv Kissinger. the ar chitect of the later stages of the Vietnam Wal head a commission of inquiry into the situation in Central America has raised both scorn and alarm among such props of the US establishment the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. They fear • unal Keagans poncy will lead to all-out war between nicarama dression duras, followed by a new Vietnam WIll military engagement.
Papers
Both papers have called on the administration to take part in negotiations called for by the Contact group of Latin American governments ane backed by the Nicaraguan govern-
The reasons for the US war drive were explained by a senior US diplomat in area who, that the purpose of the US government drive was to
US Hands off Central America! Stop British complicity!
defend
democrac Nicaragua, was asked why the ack of democracy rightist governments in the area di I not provoke the same reaction from Washington. Influence
He replied: We have more influence over the others. You can trust them not to go against vital US
Reagan fears that the example of the Sandinistas in throwing off the yoke of dictatorship will be followed, not only by other countries in Centra America such El Salvador and Guatemala but also by the powerful working classes of Brazil, Chile and Argentina.
If the US succeed in their campaign of intimidation it will set back the prospect of working Cass advance in Latin America and boost the US war drive world-wide.
Support
That is why it is in the interests of the peace movement Britain to give full support the campaign to get the US out of Central America and end Thatcher's complicity
major opportunity for Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament groups and the labour movement to show their solidarity comes on 11 September.
The call for a national demonstration on the tenth anniversary of the Chilean coup is a major opportunity for the peace movement make voice heard against the bloody war in Centra America.
Solidarity with revolutionary Nicaragua!
Page 2 scan of this page
What alternative to Kinnock?
2
went wrong.
way forward for the labour movement.
Since the election debacle the right wing in Lne have taken the offensive. Their
laid out in the manifesto of
the main right wing calldidate the Party leadership contest, Roy Hattersley.
He quite specifically unges our ne need for Labour support incomes poncy, to ena Ils opposition to the EEC, and to develop 'more convincing' defence policy
dron nuclear disarmament.
At the same time he has called, along with another right wing challenger Peter Shore, for secret ballots to be introduced for Party leadership electors June effect of this would be to weaken the power of the left wing constituencies and to bolster the power of the media to determine inLellidi Labour Party affairs.
All of the moves by the right wing on policy and the witch hunt are justified by the need to 'be more in touch' with the ordinary LADOUT supporter. Translated, this means Hale caboras to be more in tune with the
British imperialism and its ruling class
Fortunately this cur-
emerged from the election weaker in the new parliament and the trade union leadership, and somewhat discredited for its election campaign sabotage. Futility
For the centre left Par-
and union bureaucrats
election defeat may demonstrated the of their line Tarty unity' at all costs, Cu: they have nevertheless emerged from the election
stronger position azainst both the right and de: wings of the party.
This is clear in relation
one leadersmp
here their candidate Neil
likely CROCK JOUKS
comfortably
Kinnock 1s a younger
e sion of Michael Foot in
ways charismatic South Wales
part of the tradi-
ionalist party Зетт wing
moving rightwards sufficiently quickly to inspire confidence in many a moderate union
cader.
Furthermore he also
shown his preparedness deal ru hlessly with the party's
left wing, both in his
or the Militant editorial
Militant editorial bazard members and in his effective ditching of Tony Bern's deputy leadership Carpaign two years ago.
The right wing bureaucrac y would like to
ry leader and Roy Hatte This is known as the as his deputy.
ricket' because - mare for Tne
for the tsunary of a left vic-
Socialist Action 29 July 1983 LABOUR'S ELECTION DEFEAT and the scale of the Tories' planned attacks have stunned the labour movement and led to a profound inquest on what
The contenders for the Labour Party leadership each reflect differing views inside the labour movement on what happened and where we should go from here. DAVY JONES looks at the debate on the
LOLY In reality Kinnock/Hattersley leader-
ship team would be almost
identical the
Foot/Healey team that
The Labour left suftered a maior defeat in the election. Not only
Benn and Livingstone denied seats, but there was
also a malor acital ounc left's political line into the election
This had been summed up by Benn as 'uniting the party around the existing policies, the existing
leadership and the existing membership unity round the left manifesto and the Foot/Healey
leadership in return tor an end to internal party witch hunts. Dump
What really happened before and during the elecnon was inal ine existing leadership organised to
and the existing membership!
What's more the leading lefts failed to challenge the routinist electoralist campaign of ine Labour leadersmp or the right wing's sabotage of the election campaigr itself with their continual attacks on party policies.
As a result the left is weaker after this election inside the Labour Party. Its candidates for the party leadership contest, Eric Heffer for Beauer Cane Michael Meacher for deputv. in no wav inspire the same enthusiasm among rank and file activists as did Tony Benn's campaign two years ago.
Indeed while Meacher has an outside chance of winning the deputy leader ship contest, which would be a big blow against the right wing of the labour movement, Eric Heffer is likely to get a derisory VOLe
The impact Labour's election debacle has hastened the recomposition of the Bennite left in the Labour Party and the unions.
Impact
One section,
Darticularly the Labour Coordinating Committee, whose
SUDOOLIC Meacher and which still enjoys the sponsorship of Tony Benn, is shifting to the right under the impact of Labour's defeat. Even among some of the lefts
are signs backsliding withdrawal from the EEC and over the centrality of campaigning for unilateral nuclear disarmament.
But importantly inside the unions the shift to the left of the last few years has continued. Another major industrial union, LOe ranworkers. year's annual conference declared
Whated nuclear disarmament. This
reaffirmed at lllally
LOWE, the cartoonist
used to draw the TUC
venerable carAller the
debacle of last rear's
health workers'
dispute and their
retreats before That-
cherism on unemploy-
ment and cuts in the
welfare state, even this
caricature is too flat-
lering. Further
retreats are planned.
The first feelers have
been put out to start talks
with Employment
Secretary worman Teh-
bit. Discussions will start
funds, but Bill Keyes of
union SOGAT
who is chairperson of the
Il Cemplosment com
mittee admitted 'wider
Tangig talks were possl-
ble Tebbit and
Connerences this somenmes against the advice of the right wing leadership, as in the steelworkers' union.
Broad Left currents are now developing in number unions with varying degrees rank and file support and independence trom bureaucracy. They O calls around TeTT policies, greater union democracv and all have a tendency to see their strug gle within the unions as increasingly interlinked with &that of the Labour left.
clear that the labour movement is entering momentous times. The next see
Workers protest against Thatcher's policies. The anger is there, can Labour organise it?
No talks with the Tories!
prepared to listen and to other ministers
he flesible
Bill Keves pride:
miselt as a left realist
pretering cooperation
with 10 confrontation with il
government hell bent on
hreaking the power of the unions.
But do not get idea that the TUC has gone soft. In fact thes are getting really tough
with Bill Keyes col leagues in the vationa Graphical Association who will not accept the TUC's formula for selling out their dispute with the Financial Times
Nor are The TUC leaders going to stand any nonsense Blackpool this They have made in clear Halnone 01 Ine four contestants for the
significant tests of strength between the Thatcher government and the working class.
The Tories aim to qualitatively weaken the tinks between the unions and the Labour Party and to further undermine the possibility of Labour forming an alternative government. They aim to increase unemployment lower living standards and undermine the welfare state.
At the same time they plan to reduce democratic rights across the board and to strengthen their powers of repression lo acal will resistance. Failure to roll
Labour leadership welcome Their
vien round-rable-discussion.
Strangel! enough Mross Evans, another 'lett. their presence 'would distract delegates and the media from the important business of conterence' With policies like the TEC is pursuing one would have thought that
been pleased
delegates' minds were distracred elsewatre. Election
There is i minorit! within The ranks of the union leaders who are opposing this disastrou
the TIC
back these attacks would mean a serious defeat for
organised labour movement of major pro-
These are the stakes in the conflict.
On the other hand it is likely that the Tories will face mounting unpopularity disastrous state the British economy becomes more transparent. The basis will exist for organising widespread oppositior to the Tories and defensive struggles by the labour movement are likely Development years
Development ,and solidarity with these struggles will be a decisive fac-
leaders.
Scargill has spotien tor millions of
trade unionists Io oppose coi-
Tories and for a light by
TIC Thatcher
Workers auste like telecommunications Have voted leaderships 10 defend their jobs and conditions from the Tory offensive.
This minorit! needs to be unified and linked with the left the Labour Party. Then in The course of the coming
the Tories there • will be the hasis to build a nes leadership pledged 10) class struggle rather than the shameful class col.
of len yur ras. Moss Evans and Bill Keves.
tor in determining the outcome of the class battles under Thatcher Debate
These battles will closely interlink with the debate within the labour ment on the way forward under Thatcher. Millions of workers are asking two questions: how can resist Thatcher's attacks and how can we ever get another Labour government to replace the Tories? There coherent answers to these Cuestuls : which form the heart of the debate wracking ine labour movemen from top to bottom.
News
One response is for the
labour movement to form
al al acad bloc
with the SDP/Liberal
Alliance which entails
dropping the left wing
adonted by the
labour movement in recent cal. and waitig • TIVE
years for the parliamen-
tary opportunity to dump
Thatcher.
Such perspective rules out the use of mass
action or industrial power,
and endorses the weaken-
ing • of the links between the Labour Partv and the trade union movement.
Such a right wing coalitionist • perspective has powerful supporters both in the Labour Party and the unions. Its implementation would lead to major defeats for the working class at the hands of the Tories and to a historic weakening of the strength of the labour movement.
Revolutionary Marxists draw the opposite conclusion. The very depth of
social and UNIC political crisis in Britain, and the Tories' offensive will deepen the trend of the most advanced workers turning to their traditional
both the (Report)
Labour Party and the unions, to seek methods of resisting the Tories and for rebuilding new leadership of the labour movement committed to a class struggle perspective
For that reason revolutionary Marxists in Britain place themselves right at LOC Conte the position the left cur-
within the Labour Party, the LPYS and the unions to fight for a line of rebuilding the Labour Party and the unions on a class struggle perspective.
Support
That means building the 'hard left' current l the Labour Party round the Labour Briefing journal which enjoys wide support among constituency activists, the : Broad Lefts and their Broad Left Organising Committee within the unions and building the Labour Party Young Socialists
It means over the next months the left throwing its weight behind each and every industrial struggle which breaks out against the Tories. • It means backing the Irish liberation struggle, • supporting the black youth fighting for their rights and building the CND mass demonstration on 22 October.
means the left organising behind the Hef fer/Meacher ticket in the Labour leadership elections, and organising conferences the labour movement in the autumn to organise the fight back against the Tories on privatisation, the politica Let and of nell are stre and defence of the vices
And it will be vital for the left to raise its sights beyond the confines of the British situation and show solidarity with the revolu tions in Central America against the threats of US imperialism and their allies in the region.
Speciticallv the 11
SHandber demons andra
'Hands Central America - No more Chiles' must be made into a major priority for socialists.
Page 3 scan of this page
US prepares for all-out war
Interview with Rosa Elena of the FMLN
News
NICARA NICAR NICA
A
NICAR NICARA NICARAGU-
Pacific Ocea FMLN.woman fighter ROSA ELENA is a member of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front of El Salvador, and was interviewed in Mexico earlier this. year by JILL BARCLAY.
You have said, Rosa Elena, that you want peace for your country.
you are fighting?
In El Salvador struggling for more than years. Our
high
tions' power'. So said week, as the US build-up against Nicaragua.
the border with
Provocations against the FSLN government and violations of Niearaguan sovereignty are occurring almost daily: • Reagan has ordered a naval task force, as big as the British invasion fleet to the Malvinas, to Nicaraguan waters. On board are 5000 US soldiers. • The United States is organising huge arms shipments to counter-revolutionaries in Honduras from Israel, in cluding artillery, mortars and ammunition. • Honduran fighters are overflying Nicaraguan territory on an almost daily basis. Planes have They
tured, whom allow callc Can you explain to us then why
tion we have been fifty people have tried by every possible means to obtain their just demands for peasants to have land and for workers to have
enough salaries so that we can live in peace without hunger.
'THERE IS NO chance of serious negotiawhile the Sandinistas are still in President Reagan last began a huge military
In addition to the considerable preparations being made by the Honduran army on Nicaragua, the United States is preparing to use its own forces to co-ordinate and assist the invasion effort.
flown within 25 miles of the capital Managua. • 5000 US soldiers will join the Honduran army for military manoeuvres in the first two weeks of August. Last February US-Honduran manoeuvres came within five miles of the Nicaraguan border. • US newspapers have reported that the CIA is carrying out cartographic studies of Nicaraguan waters to prepare for possible mining of Nicaraguan ports. • Honduran patrol boats have attacked. Nicaraguan vessels, in Nicaraguan waters in the Gulf of
Fonseca.
We have the same basic needs as the rich.
The government and the oligarchy have never allowed the development ot our country and have never resolvThey prave mevr en wergeto at.
encouraged development of industry.
Instead our people have been tor-
massacred and have peared' cycly time they tried change things by peaceful means. For example the massacres of 1932 when 30,000 people were killed including women, children and old people
We are not against the elections. What we say is that in El Salvador fair elections are not possible. lhe people have never been allowed to have their voices heard in elections. auc us blatant example was that of Duarte
the people voted
But what happened? There was a fraud and people were kidnapped and killed.
Ninety per cent of natural deaths in El Salvador are from things that could be cured, especially diarrhoea. But there aren't medicines and there aren't hospitals.
We believe in peace. We are a people who love peace. For years we have veen exoneo oa l• wa work ing for miserable wages which do not
cal. But there a moment when 'Enough is enough. We won't take more of this exploitation and repression' and we began to fight.
What do you think when you hear Reagan savino that the struoge in H Salvador is a result of the East/West conflict?
We know that imperialism will do everything it can to hold back the revolutions in Central America. And that they will use every justification that they can.
But Reagan knows what our fight s about. It is clear that our struggle i
part ot the East/ west contiict revolutions cannot be transported. The conditions and process of revolu-
in each country is different. Although it's certain V revolutions in other countries can make our own easier. But the process is not automatic.
Why is imperialism so keen on maintaining the social structure of Salvador'
Through these military preparations the US is maximising its options for an invasion. It seems clear, however, that US forces would at the very least be used to 'quarantine' Nicaragua while a Honduran-backed invasion took place. US ships would prevent supplies of arms or other equipment coming in by sea.
Other options short of the use of US troops include using US ship-based planes to attack targets inside Nicaragua, and the use of US planes to transport Honduran and counter-revolutionary troops.
The US possesses the capability to use its air force base at Fort Howard in Panama to carry out these operations, in addition to its naval task force.
Reagan and his friends are preparing, in full view of world public opmon, a crime agalnsı the people of Central America. It is vital that the international solidarity effort is stepped up nOw.
Imperialism has learnt from the Vietnam war that a whole people in arms camoi be cereated What .they hope Salvador is to hold back our revolution. They know that in the end we are going to win because we are united ir the determination that we are going to triumph.
Imperialism feels its interests in El 'disap-
Salvador strategic economic — our's is a small country -but of course it has economic interests here. But they are scared that if they lose Salvador America anO America will follow.
What about the role of the solidarity movements in the imperialist counfor. tries?
If the people of the world do not supDolL us we de zome toose ue wor Solidarity is all the type of direct intervention that happened in Vietnam. announced conditions on US aid to E Salvador came pressure: it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for solidarity.
The people of the world are not at the stage they were at the beginning of the Vietnam war. Now the peoples of said:
mne world nave a clearer understan ding of what imperialism is. They will not allow direct intervention
What is the overall women in w savador
There was always an attitude in our country that women weren't capable of doing anything to do everything for women. result of this there was always a lot oa
suffering on the part of the women: we were paid less and little possibility of realising participation.
But now we are coming to realise all this. We are realising. can't fight for our liberation. So we urselves into the struggle at all levate decision thai of participation.
There are women who lend their houses for meetings, or who help with food for all the companeros who are militants. Then there are women who help at the level of propoganda. Some WOlCT and military levels:
EI -JICCLIHEA tignung
though at
Socialist Action 29 July 1983
NOO LI FRONTERA.
Sandinista militia developing. do El
are involved evervone l
rather than
Central
eventually Latin
double day she
who cooking,
that is holding back
develop.
The recently
as a result of this
zones?
Life for
cities
thirteen casallls situation O1
fields.
and that men hac
and had worse work SChOOl.
adults
that men
integrate land
everyone society.
are militants at the political ticinate to the
participating in capable our army, this time women's par-
3 ticipation in the army is not at the same level as men's - - our army is still
But very many women are involved in our struggle at all levels. Women
too at the rural level: involved in our struggle all must fight for the liberation of all.
What are the differences between the ¡ves or women in une noeratea zone. as compared to their lives previously?
Women always used lo grave to work a The differences are Peasant
- working alongside the men in the fields despite the fact that
her household tasks Now everyone just has one job. Those
example work doing the do only this work. They also People chary ge the tasks they have to military and pollical alnilg
People's personal
What changes have there been in the lives of children in the liberated
ordinary children in C Oll country has always been hard. For the children of working class in the
they would leave school at twelve to learn a trade and start work
For. the children of te was even harder. They wouldn't be able to go to school at all Decause there wouldn't be a school Instead they'd get up at four or five i the morning to work like adults in th
School doesn't fill the stomachs, working in the fields does
But now in the liberated zones the main task of the children is to go to
Is also attended by when there isn't an offensive and when the day's work is finished.
But the children also have tasks to ao, Ior example in the house. which 1 work not just for girls or women. But they don't have the same obligations as before to work a full day on the
- they are tasks for children
They are given responsibilities
must oe responsible for We are trying to create a new kind of person, a more just society. Everyone is fighting for a better society for all and so everyone must par-
…exten they're
Page 4 scan of this page
CND calls mass demo for October
4 Socialist Action
IRELAND
UNFREE
Sinn Fein and
Westminster
The following is an abridged version of the front page editorial of the latest issue of Socialist Republic newspaper Democracy, Irish section of the Fourth International.
The vote for Sinn Fein in the North is the main spark of hope within a general election which otherwise marked a major victory for the British Tories' and a major defeat for the working class in both Britain and Ireland. It's clear from the opening of the new parliament and the British Queen's Speech outlining the government's programme that a new offensive is to begin now.
But the Tories and their Unionist allies have won a battle, not the war. The real struggle comes now. when thev trv to crush the resistance of the Irish people and their own minorities and working class opposition.
That struggle won't be fought in Westminister, and it won't centre around the way the vote went in an election now past. streets, in the factories and trade union structures. And it will depend on the combativity, awareness and level of organisation of ordinary working class militants.
If Sinn Fein recognise and respond to this central fact then the spark of hope that their victory represents can be converted into a new blaze of resistance against British rule in both parts of Ireland.
It's not enough to point to votes cast, to point to the next election, to offer an advice service or to pretend that military action by itself offers any Drospect of victory. that unites the mass of the people in a fight against Britain's military repression and economic oppression, against the Stormont Assembly, and for an anti-imperialist alternative to the Council for a New Ireland will DITI organisation for the battles ahead ...
One gain of the struggle before the election was the new dialogue between Sinn Kein and sections of the British Labour Party Left. Gerry MP has already announced his intention of going to Britain to reopen those discussions.
We believe that the Sinn Fein abstention policy is wrong, but without moving on that Sinn Fein could learn from the experiences of Bernadette McAliskey as an MP. Gerry Adams should speak not only to the leaders but to the militants. By going on picket lines with British workers and joining build a real solidarity in action.
But at the end of the day solidarity from British workers depends on a real mass struggle here. The left in Sinn Fein are aware of this and in numerous public statements extending to Assembly elections have pledged to build such a movement against the fighting for this in the Westminster elections they settled for the principled icadershp.
Anti-imperialists have gained in the elections, but the imperialists have gained in a much more dramatic way. We gained a breathing space — let's use it to spell out 'principled leadership' as a political programme that will lead to a fight back against the Assembly, oppose the Council for a New Ireland with an assembly, build anti-imperialist opposition to the right wing, 'pro-life' amendment to the constitution, and workers in all 32 counties in a fight against the economic austerity her puppets in Dublin!
Subscribe to
* SOCIALIST REPUBLIC
Subscribe to the only paper with a revolutionary Marxist analysis of current events in Ireland, North and South. 12 issues for £6.50. Send to Connolly Bookshop, 6 Avoca Park, Belfast.
29 July 1983 of Peoples It will be fought in the
political Only a programme of action
our confidence and
Adams well before the
Assembly. Instead of
politically meaningless slogan of
all-Ireland constituent
lead both employed and unemployed
programme of Thatcher and
IT'S CRUNCH TIME for the anti-missiles movement. Last week the US Congress voted for deploying the first ten MX first strike missiles. And by the end of this year cruise and Pershing missiles are due for. installation across Europe. Now's the time for the anti-missiles movement to sort out its strategy and to develop some effective tactics.
Only fools now believe that the Geneva disarma ment talks will make any serious progress in stopping the deployment cruise and Pershing missiles.
By Redmond O'Neill
The capitalist governments of intend to ignore the views ot the overwhelmingly majority of European people.
and Britain right-wing. governments are preparing to physically confront the peace
In Greece and. Spain social democratic governmens ave retreaicu promises prondrawal of US bases. in
France, the Mitterrand government. has been the most fervent supporter of Reagan's plan to station new nuclear missiles
That's the context in which the National Council of CND met in London UVCL the weekend 16/17 July. It had to decide how
regain the initiative which the Tories won as a result Labour's disastrous pertormance in the general election campaign.
Important
The Council's most important accisioll call for a mass demonstranon deanst cruse andndent in London on 22 Oc-
All ovel Europe similar demonstrations will take place on the same weekend.
But the Council did not crack the really tough nut of how to qualitatively broaden the forces involved in such mass actions as the date of deployment of
A PIECE
Aren't you prouc our parliament' civilized. i
As Reagan steps up war drive
cruise approaches
This is in marked contrast to the rest of Europe. For example the Dutch movement is discussing the call for a general strike agalist cruise. In yelial the peace movement nas called for a week of action to precede 22 October with days of action by women, by youth, in the factories, etc. In Italy the movement, together with a section the unions demanding a referendum to demonstrate that the Socialist-led government has no mandate on cruise. Strategy
All over Europe basic questions of strategy are openly under debate in the mass movement. It is dividual self-sacrifice is no cea that substitute for a strategy to force the workers' organisations, committed on paper to oppose the Hussies. actual mobilise the immense DOWell of their TICHOCE ship against their governnorin relying her the point in relying eaderships of the unions. or the Socialist and the Communist parties to put their paper commitments ILLO already been shown by the ty and TUC to organise the day of action which their 1982 conferences pledged them to on Hiroshima Day What is possible and necessary is for the peac movements to publicly demand and campaign for such action and for the left wing in tne unions and ine Labour Party to organise pressure for such action For example Labour CND is organising a lobby of the
OF THE ACTION
A resounding victory!! An overwhelming majority against the barbarous practice of hanging!!
Labour Party conference to support its conference resolutions which demands that Labour mobilises for 22 October.
the necessary to start organising to make action against the missiles an
For example, for local government unions could refuse to carry out Post. Cenice ang the
Office could cut off phones to the bases, and so on.
by of the TUC which forcetilv brings home the message that action speaks
that words and strike action loudest of all.
Rejected
But this approach is rejected by the central cor of the CND Executive. On the contrary, they have added the slogan to* 'nuclear freeze' the demands of the October demo. E.P. Thompson advocates freeze as the basis for agreement with the Liberal/SDP This line threatens the anti-missiles with disastrous defeat as the Region of
the irish? Don't
(But.. problem? f y but
THE FIRTH OF CLYDE
Photomontage by Peter Kennard, taken from GLC peace posters pack. The pack is part of the GLC peace year, available free to peace and community groups, etc. to Peace Year organisers, Dept of Recreation & Arts, County Hall, London SEI 7PB
CND and others have recognised In what way does the 'freeze' take us beyond the demands 'No cruise, Trident'? In way does a 'freeze' prepare us for a situation where cruise and Pershing are actually deployed?
In reality it is a retreat from unilateralism, prepares for the accep of cruise substitutes cuddling with those great disarmers of the SDP, for the task of fighting to put the leaders movement on the spot.
How do the leaders of CND propose to foist this SUCH line movement? Very simple, they Have borrowec idea from the Labour Pared a their opponents. the meaning of the CND Executive's decision first suspend and then imJUDa veto over the actions of the democraticall elected executive Labour CND. Every CND body and every Labour and trade union hranch should demand that this witch hunt is ended.
But what about
you think we neec stronger measure. to deal with that
News
Where
will you be
Oct 22?
Write
Thankfully the CND Council narrowly rejected a still more ineffective and divisive slogan: 'Defend Britain without the bomb'. The idea that CND can take on the Tories on the basis of building more battleships to send to the Falklands, recruiting more soldiers to die in Ireland, or building est more tanks to occupy Germany shows just how disoriented some of CND's leaders have become following the general election.
Drift
must blocked. forces that stand in its way ale all or lose, like the • Greenham movement, the Youth and abour CND the CND branches and regions, as well as the left wing in the unions and Labour Party, who nuinely want to stop and scrap nuclear weapons These forces will increas ingly constitute the leftwing within CND. Its first task is to pull out all the stops to mobilise against cruise and Trident on 22 October.
BY 7/B:
Stronger measures?!? Have you ever seen what a plastic bullet. can do to a head?
1 sa civilized!
Page 5 scan of this page
Young Socialists must be based on mass campaigns
News
IN THE PLEASANT surroundings of the Forest of Dean on 30 July the Labour Party Young Socialists holds its annual week long summer camp. As always in the Party's history, periods are acutely reflected in its youth movements.
This year's camp background of a Labour leadership election in which most of the contenders are advocating the expulsion of LPYS members on account of their support for bold socialist policies.
There is a bitter debate as to how Labour can rebulld its base, having secured the support of only a minority of workers at the election, in orael lo fight the Tories.
By Piers Mostyn
At the election, young people's support lor Labour stumpeu. published in the Guardian According. survey less first time voters supported Labour than either the Alliance or the Tories.
And yet, as a part ot its witch hunt, Labour's ex ecutive Slas CuL the YS budget, resulting a rise in ine summer camp regisua
on the road
THE FIRST ISSUE of the proposed new National Briefing Supplement is to appear in late September in time for the Labour Party conference, its editorial board decided at its meeting on Saturday 23 July.
The new journal, up initially to link locally-
LABOUR
BRIEFING
THE CAMPAIGN Group of MPs have agreed with Post Office Engineering Union Broad Left to try and establish campaigning links between local Labour Parties and workers fighting privatisation.
SAVE MARYLEBONE STATION
Public meeting organised by NUR & ASLEF
Thursday 28 July, 7pm,
Community School, London NWI Speakers: Jimmy Knapp (Gen Sec NUR).
Labour's most turbulent
will be held against the
tion fee from £15 in 1981
to £25. a prohibitive in-
crease for any unemployed
youth or school student.
There is nothing new in
this situation. every
period of youth radicalisa-
SCOTTY
years, Labour's
Wild especially when
allowed to foreanise anas
discuss politics
grown rapidly.
No sooner has this
happened, Line
Labour leadership has im-
posed restrictions,
suspended national struc-
tures or closed down the
organisation altogether.
League of Youth was set 1927. miner Labour
up. Lne Call
paigns around fascism and
National Briefing
based left groupings in the
constituency parties, took
all portant step lorward
by agreeing include a
strong trade union section
dedicated to news, strategy
discussion
amongst the new emerging
union broad lefts.
The journal was
founded by a conference
of local Briefing
last month, to build on the
advances made by London
Briefing
creating a broad forum for
the Labour Party's 'hard
left' at local level.
The new supplement, it
Left MPs back action
against privatisation
A Campaign Group
meeting on Wednesday 20 by Phil Holt of he POd which was addressed
executive and Broad Left.
Afterwards Jeremy Cor-
byn MP 'said that the two
groups will work together
to try and ensure that the
Labour Party at all levels is
active in backing up action
Lne telecons
North Westminster
Penfold Street,
Tony Benn plus speaker from ASLEF
unemployment in the early 1930s claiming 25,000 members branches 1934. And with the advent of the Spanish Civil War it was active in organising aid for the Republican side. Discuss
Heavy restrictions were placed on the right to discuss resolutions and
leadership
League continued to grow In 1939 its conference was cancelled and the National Advisory Committee suspended by the Labour leadership. Large numbers
JoIn Lne Young Communist League.
the war the organisation reformed and tensions again developed in response the tight control by the Labour Party. By 1949, had 507 branches.
The right to a national ComiC Cac Wal WOll 1950 and 1951 the League claimed 25,000 is hoped, will provide a national organising forum for the hard left in the par-
and through which it can try and give a new strategic orientation to the lett as a whole
National Briefing will challenge the drift towards Kinnock and propose instead a left wing clearly linked
of industrial HO CICIN and political resistance to the Tories.
• For information contact: Graham Bash, 23 Leghorn Road, London NW3. engineers against the government's proposals to privatise British Telecoms.
The Campaign group sees unis as tne nirst step to secure close links between
Broad Lefts and the left in the Labour Party.
They intend organise meeting with representatives the Broad Lefts who came together to form the Broad Lefts Organising Committee, of which Phil Holt is secretary.
The aim, Jeremy Corbyn told a meeting of the National Briefing Supple ment board on Saturday 23 July, is to try
broad conference in the autumn between left MPs, union left wingers, and constituency lefts.
members in 820 branches. But, after Labour's defeat « ne eechoo ano with ne cold war another witch hunt developed. 1952 the League conterence was cancelled and in following members were expelled. In 1955 the organisation was closed down and 'youth sections' under tight party control set up instead
However these sections became politically
particular altive. through the developing movement the Hydrogen bomb.
Under this pressure, and with the realisation that Labour was lacking the youthful support needed to beat the Tories, une loung socialists war formed. At its first conterence Easter 1961 it claimed 726 branches and passed resolutions supporting unilateralism and
withdrawal from NATO.
Another witch hunt began and Keep Left
a paper of one of the left currents in the YS
proscribed by the was
Labour National Executive Committee and Luce Keep Left YS Nationa. Committee memoels were expelica The number of YS branches declined and ir 1965 Keep Left split off to form the youth wing what is now the Workers Revolutionary Party. Part the remains were reconstituted as the Labour Party Young Socialists which held Its first conference that year and has continued organise to this day.
Lessons
There are lessons to be learnt from this history. At present the LPYS small organisation of, at 4,5000. growing, but compared to uropean equivalents and given Ine 70,000 youth who turned out for the youth CND demo and festival in May, there room for dynamic growth An I.PYS based on the campaigns ol youll could be, as in the 1930s
MALE
ORDER
their support for the Legal Age of Majority Act. This Act, now in force, gave black women majority status for the first time
Socialist Action 29 July 1983 the late '40s and the early 1960s. like 20-30,000.
Such an LPYS will always be witchhunted, but even moderating its policie will not
save from the attacks of the Labour leadership, as the events of the last year confirm
The Militant dominated leadership refused to oppose last year's war in the South Atlantic, , have not thrown the LPYS into building Youth CND and gave its backing the fudged manifesto that lost Labour the election.
In fact the small size of the LPYS and its isolation trom the missiles WHO VO ment, , mass campaigns of wullcu. blacks and gav and the main currents of the labour movement left, make it more vulnerable to a purge:
Supporters of the youth paper Revolution will be making these points at the summer camp arguing that a mass campaigning youth organisation can be built. But this
PERSON
MANPOWER
THIS. wonderful picture comes from Zimbabwe and shows women late last year demonstrating
5 involves organising in action with and leading all the struggles against th bosses and the Tories.
It means. above all
gest mass mintement ig
gest mass youth against the Tories: YCND.
Builder
The 22 October CND
DOses a ared op portunity for the LPYS to SHOV SILSCUI the besi builder of YCND
Revolution will be sup porting the call by Oxfor LPY! for a women's conference and it's meeting to organise al those LPYS branches and members that want build such a conference.
Additionally, to be
VOULI organisation thai defends workers interna
the LPYS welcome the visit of Sinr Fein MP Gerry Adams to Britain and follow Youth CND's lead in building a massive youth contingent on the 11 September Chile demonstration.
TOWER
Vo,
Page 6 scan of this page
Why socialists should oppose tl
THE BOSSES' MARI
Last week Neil Kinnock proposed to change the Labour Party's position of opposition to British membership of the EEC. Stuart Holland, in the pages of Socialist Action and elsewhere, has presented new support for Britain being in the Common Market.
Marxism Today has also been running a series of articles favouring EEC membership. The autumn Labour Party conference will be asked by the Union of Communication Workers to change the party's position to one of support for the Common Market.
JOHN ROSS traces the changing attitude of the Labour Party leadership to the EEC and why socialists should continue to oppose the Common Market and Britain's membership of it.
Socialists and the EEC *Looking further ahead, I believe that Europe is going to emerge as one of the largest and richest communities in the world with the potential of the present powers and it is unthinkable that this new Europe should lack adequate means of self-defence.
'Moreover, this new will be a global power whether she likes it or not. Trade will be her life blood as it has been Britain's for centuries. Her interests will not stop at the Tropic of Cancer. Increasingly West Europeans have to look outward and play their part in maintaining peace and stability in the world.
That was how one of the most far sighted representatives of the British ruling class, ington, summed up the real nature
purpose of the Common Market.
The EEC is not, as is commonly supposed, simply an agreement on free trade in goods the name is used in English. If it were merely that it would have little impact in British politics and be of little interest to socialists. No one bothered their head about the old European Free Trade Association (EFTA) to which Britain used to belong and which still exists if anyone cares.
The EEC was intended by the European capitalist powers to be, and still is, something very much more. It is an attempt to marshall
super
the powers Europe petitive struggle with
tional
doubt Lord Carr-
national capitalism. that
— a 'Market' as
The needs of European capitalism tion. requires resources and huge markets.
Increasingly Labour leaders are becoming converted from chauvinism to fake 'internationalism' Socialist Action 29 July 1983
EEC ministers in summit — planning for a Western European imperialism
of the European capitalist states to engage in a com-
the United States, to develop a military capacity to defend European capitalist interests against the colonial revolu-
the Soviet Union, and to strengthen the position of every na-
European state against its own working class. Whether European capitalism can succeed in this goal is of course open to great
- almost certainly it cannot and the EEC will weaken under the deepening contradictions of inter-
But that does socialists do not have to have a clear attitude to this process of European capitalist coordination. That attitude should be very clear - total opposition. areas
The necessity for the European capitalist powers to attempt to build up a centralisation and coordination of their forces is obvious. Modern capitalist produc- with
huge productive final No
NO SMONING
OMMON MA
individual European capitalist state can even remotely compete with the productive power of the United States.
Furthermore since mid-1970s the US has mounted a huge economic counter-offensive against Western Europe with the result that today United States capitalism is once more core rapidly than is BE rivals.
' rivals.
Without the protection of the EEC each of the West European capitalist states would economically crushed.
Furthermore military power is still the final arbiter of the interests of capitalist states. United States imposes its solutions of the capitatist world
the capitalist because it has the military power to do so. As long as European capitalism has no independent military power it must accept United States dictats on all fundamental questions and remains weakened when confronted with challenges to its interests.
While the EEC commences
economic integration goal 1s precisely to building a unified foreign policy
of the European capitalist states and the strengthening military power There should also be no illuthe sions as
culmination of such Military power in the world means above weapons. Each European capitalist states is today developing its nuclear armaments or the means to create them. The build up of atomic weapons by the Mitterrand France is the most rapid ever embarked upon by a European state. During the recent negotiations on The cruise and Pershing missiles the
Mitterrand the French nuclear world West Germany
future alternative, ment, to that of the United States. As for Britain, the only differences within the ruling over atomic weapons and military strategy is what type of arms build up it wants. of the British ruling class most closely tied to the United States -its the Thatcher leadership of the aid Tory Party
strike' Trident missile system.
NO!
of their ruling
to what would be the
policy. weapons modern all nuclear of the major
government in
go far
government offered
'shield' to as possible
comple- of the
class Europe':
Those sections The
want the 'first
capitalist teeth.
existence,
to build up
military
each
Policy
mon
to do with peasants'
Those sections of the British class more oriented to European capitalism - such as the SDP and the Liberals - want more emphasis on conventional
and more 'deterrent' nuclear ones. But this is only a difference on how to build up military and nuclear strength and not on whether to.
While nuclear co-operation of the West European powers is the most difficult to achieve, ad vances on the field of conventional weapons have been able to
further. The incredible sums of money spent on the Concorde airliner were not in order to fly people across the Atlantic at high speed. They were intended to develop the high technology skills
French and British war plane manufacturers. The Jaguar fighter bomber is just one of the products of this strengthening o
military aircraft manufacturing capacity.
Europe for which the EEC is intended as an instrument
"independent of the tw super-powers but of European
states armed to the Whether or not the Eurc pean capitalists states can ever br ing that co-ordination fully into
nevertheless socialists have to fight against every move
European capitalist power. Even without a 'European state' each step in economic and
integration aids the political and military capacity of
independent europear capitalist power.
The Common Agricultural
The second key mechanism need ed to build up a really powerfu European capitalism is the Com
Agricultural Policy. The stories of the 'butter mountains and 'wine lakes' are not the jokes they are made out to be in the press. Nor do they have anything
'subsidising Frenc as the chauvinist arguments against the EEC state
The EEC is in fact engaged in
Page 7 scan of this page
Today are changing on the EEC
, EEC
gricultural war with the United tates — one which in its implicaOIS is far more serious nything which has so far occured over the steel industry or the iberian gas pipeline. roductivity in agriculture in 1980 yas still twice that of Imost four times that of West
and one and a half imes that of Britain.
British agriculture has exanded massively since joining he EEC - up 32 per cent since 975- precisely because it is the nost efficient in Europe. The Natonal Farmers Union, nost conscious of all capitalist rganisations in Britain, anatical advocate of membership if the EEC for very good reason.
But the Common Agricultural olicy has nothing to do eeping in business easants'. The aim of the CAP is recisely to drive many small armers out of production and low the concentration of prouction in agriculture in order to ompete with the United States.
Already between 967, 882,000 family farms in urope were closed. In Western germany 30 per cent of farms
the EEC and 1975. holt Plan for griculture aimed to reduce the umber of persons employed in griculture in the EEC from million to 5 million between 1970 nd 1980 • a figure which was most achieved, and aakes ine rate unemployment even in industry bok small in comparison.
Combined with the sweeping dans for rationalising agriculture ne Common Agricultural Policy so creates higher food prices for
working class. By 1982 the AP had increased agricultural rices in the EEC to a level 25 per ent above what would have exted on the world market — rice naturally passed on to the orking class of Europe,
But the high prices involved ere not going to easants' but, as we have seen, to milding up an efficient European gricultural capitalism.
agriculture!
This Common
EEC the membership BECS logical drive economic United States.
The great steel closure
that the EEC protects jobs million jobs
SDP, and claim?
Nothing
Market
employment. special grades Europe.
this, naturally
tionalisation dustry attempt to United States
than France,
American
towards France,
to build up a with tionalised with against the
big one of the
absolutely
these measures
with Saile as to
'small step. It should
powerful tionalise
Those 1960 and membership of
Market the Chapple, are opposed The Man- British European
seek props capitalism NOTC
which
of EEC are and logical. pean capitalism tive military weapons,
Those port are. like those
and should be totally
'French socialist
should be:
The Britain out of the EEC!
working class of Europe was paying more for its food. in order to help drive small farmers off the land and build up big capitalist
Agricultural Policy is not an 'excess' of the
new converts to of the Common Market pretend. It is an absolute-
consequence of the to build up an alternative to the
Finally what about the argument
-that Britain are dependent on membership of the Common Market as the Tories,
Labour right wing
could be further from the truth than that the Com-
protects jobs. The cole of the EEC is to rationalis capitalism to compete with the •United States and not to create
A classic example is the steel industry. Here the United States has been increasingly putting the queeze on European capitalism The US first threatened to cut ofi all imports of European steel by imposing a tarriff. Then it imposed quotas on European steel imports. Now the United States has unilaterally blocked the import of
steel from
is not beyond. but
the steel In - Gaitskell to with the capitalist of steel Britain but and now
For
with rapolicies,
small ly capitalism.
the EEC
other such be total and The EEC
raand not
advocate the Common the SDP, Boyd,
As 1S now far they aids for with the economic
consistent wall Euro-
atomic and
who supof the EEC aid their Socialists are and
planks of policy
The change of position of Neil Kinnock and Marxism Today on the EEC is only the latest of a long line of shifts within the Labour Party on the question of membership of the Common Market.
When Britain first applied to join the EEC in the early 1960s the right wing leader of the Labour Party, Hugh Gaitskell, violently opposed membership. In a nauseating speech to the 1962 Labour Party conference Gaitskell said that for Britain to joi the EEC would mean 'the end of s thousand years of history, and 'the end of Britain as an independent European state'.
He said, 'it does mean the end of the Commonwealth' and that: 'When
"What did we get out of New Zealand; what did we get out of Australia?" I remember that they came to our aid at once in two world wars. We, at least, do not intend to forget Vimy Ridge and Gallipoli.
When Gaitskell had finished this chauvinist tirade the chairperson of
that: "This historic speech mediately sent to be printed and made available to every party member in the country and to the wider areas
Within 10 years of course the situation had totally changed. The self-proclaimed, and rightful, heirs of
Roy Jenkins Shirley Williams, David Owen Bill Rodgers
had brought the Labour Party to the edge of a split over the question of demanding that Britain should be a member of the Common Market. In 1981 Jenkins and company did split the Labour Party and the question of the EEC was one of the crucial questions in that decision. Campaign
Wilson, the 'historic'
Wilson, and Chapple. 'internationalism'.
are now • as VI Exall• This is now
our very eyes
Why Kinnock and Marxism
Gaitskell, opting for link with US
makes jight and fight again' speech
unexpected? If we recall ... that the
Social Democracy is the agency of the
bourgeoisie, it will become clear that
the Social Democracy, by the logic of
its political degeneration, is bound to
become the agency of the strongest
and most powerful bourgeoisie, the
bourgeoisie of bourgeoisies. This is the American bourgeoisie.
To the extent that Americar "capitalism undertakes the task of
"unifying" Europe,
Europe and "educating" Europe how
to cope with the question of reparations, war indemnities, and so on, and to the extent that the purse is in the hands of the American bourgeoisie, to that extent the entire dependence of the German Social Democracy upon the German bourgeoisie, and of the French Social Democracy upon their own bourgeoisie in France is gradually transterred to the chief master. Yes, a great master has come to Europe Alican captansa. And it Is onl natural that the Social Democracy should assume a position politically dependent on the master of masters ...
"Today the German Social Democracy permits itself the luxury of being in an opposition. own bourgeoisie and thereby keeps a certain distance between itself and the parties of capitalism. How does it criticise its own bourgeoisie? It says: You are self-seeking, ning, but here is a bourgeoisie on the other side of the Atlantic which is, first of all, rich and powerful; secondly, it is humane, reformist and pacifist, and it has come to us and wants to give 800 million marks cash in order to restore une currency. (Trotsky Rhetoric
Following the Second World War of course the Socialist Parties rhetoric was ditterent being the chief argument. But the Cullet Wo Americans intervened to create a proUnited States split from the Socialist Party in Italy, to split the French trade unions, to keep the French Socialist Party on an absurdly pro-Cold War line well into
of the EEC. World working Class.
The
itself. "pacifying' truth!
It criticises its
, dull-witted. cun. for Europe and America). taken
EEC.
What,
• with anti-communism the
capitalism
'Social Democratic'
In Britain innumerable Labour Party committees for 'trans-Atlantic understanding' were created. 'he Labour Party leadership praised the 'special relation' between Britain and the United States. The basis of all this 'trans-Atlantic understanding' was American aid to Europe under the Marshall Plan and to support flagging British capitalism in particular. Gaitskell and the Labour Party leadership even came out against the British invasion of Suez with the blessing of United States capitalism. Narrow British chauvinism, the particular needs of British capitalism, and support for the United States were behind Gaitskell's opposition to membership
But today the capitalist world has changed. The United States is not economically subsidising Europe and Britain, but engaged in an increasingly bitter trade war with it. British capitalism is looking not to Washington but to the EEC for economic support today.
With that change also goes the changing adherence of the Labour right wing leadership. Yesterday the interests of British capitalism demanded a specia restionship with the United States and this could be cloaked in 'defence of British sovereignty'.
Today British capitalist interests demand a 'special relationship' with the EEC so this requires a new cover o1 a soumous internationaism - an internationalism of bombs, European military production capitalist rationalisation of industry The rhetoric changes but the content remains exactly the same. It is defence of capitalist interests not those of the
'soft left', and Marxism Tomom unaRin isni ark iRnsn sr 6fnn in the coat tails of the right wing and the interests of British capitalism
Socialist Organiser and the EEC
By Davy Jones
(Islington South
Labour Party
It's not just Marxism Today
and Neil Kinnock who back
the EEC, it's also Socialist
Organiser!
Thomas proudly boasts that SO
supporters helped to ensure that
a pro-EEC motion was passed at
the last slington south Labour
Party management committee.
Unfortunately he is telling the
The meeting in question saw
an important left/right split over
an inquest on Labour's election
defeat and the way forward for
the Labour Party. The right wing
organised a major offensive in
side the party against Labour's
left policies on the Bomb in
comes policy, and the EEC an
decision-making ballots fo
the Labour leadership election.
Part of that offensive was a
resolution to support the EEC,
moved by the most right wing
ward in the constituency. It was
passed thanks to SO supporters
and a few other left wingers,
by the pseudo-
internationalism of backing the
comrades is interna tionalist about the EEC, NATO or the IMF, all of which co-ordinate
offensive against the workers
movement? Helping to break up
all these institutions would help build real workers internation alism, not voting with the right wing in the Labour Party.
Socialist Action 29 July 1983 7
Page 8 scan of this page
UMECL
The hour of the furnaces approaches
8
DA
NDE
International Monetary Fund are FMI -
hunger, misery and inflation. IN THF MID-1970s Latin America seemed a bleak place for the working class and socialism. Army coup followed army coup, as the workers were defeated.
The Brazilian were securely in power, and had not been since the army coup in 1964. The Chilean army power in 1973.
Peron was overthrown the army in 1976 in Argentina.
And following the defeat of the Tupamaros guerrillas, L'ruguayan authorities created a brutal dictatorship. The flood of Latin American exiles to Larope reflected this series of defeats for the working class.
In 1983 the whole of Amenice hates HCW Everywhere the dictatorships are bemg challengea by a new upsurge of working class protest.
The reasons for this turnaround in -e situation are not Despite the economic problems in the atranced capitalist world, many Je Latin American economies atually growing in the early 1970s. Coday their situation is catastrophic
CLOO C CION camatically demonstrated in chronic sects. with Brazil owing the internaozal financiers something 555.000m. Mexico $30,000m teeina $40,000m. During sce :es of the sixties and early dEié. ire major Latin American
aderment a DEEIE albeit a =0c0e: ci TIUIT
icE.
cas.
Socialist Action 29 July 1983 'The workers united will never be defeated'. Brazilian metal workers on strike last week against austerity proposals imposed by the International Monetary Fund. The government proposes wage increases of only 8 per cent over the next two years, wheras inflation is 120 per cent (!) annually. In Portuguese the initials for the
which the workers say stands for 'Fome, Miseria, Inflacion'
stitutions Welt
and the economies
has not
generals into the United States.
challenged By Paul Lawson
took The end result is Isabella America remains foreign by
debt is equal to its abroad. In Mexico, the discovery
investment during the 1970s. had oil industry a devastating blow.
massive masses throughout the continent.
Latin Sulualivl. ICCOS Ol and middle classes hit.
hard to find.
years. Mexico power of the average
doubled.
being repeated, and inflation Luliaway the Peru, 300 per cent in Argentina).
considerable
The expansion Brazil. ez== =e scaroship in Chile
jor Western banks and financial in- hit
happy loans so long as the interest mounted
: expanded. Then medl s s came the 1974-5 international receshas not yehich the erorid econo us
recovered 'Reaganomic' policies of high interest rates have sucked investment funds
nent.
that Latır with giganțic debts but a colanse of in- with dustrial production to finance them. tionaries. Today, the interest on Brazil's foreign
yearly earnings of oil led to a positive orgy of industrial
But the world recession has dealt the Mexican
ums brocess das restuecn anuae assault on the living standards of the
Chile, the extreme monetarist policies of the Pinochet regime have added to the misery of the effects of the world
and both the working class have been hard any
In Brazil unemployment in the main industrial centre Sao Paulo has rocketed, while real living standards
years delined bico pee put chasing
purchasing worker talen a catastronhic 40 per cent in the last year, while the price of bread has
In Argentina and Peru the same process of falling living standards is
but in concert with (55 Der LOil
Such a huge assault on the living standards of the masses is bound to lead to a response. Most dramatic of all has been the response of the working class in the Sao Paulo district of
a *ek. and the morement against
See problem for the rulers of the Aerian dictatorships is this: === é 5o000 est. ahich has
all third world colulse disproportionately hard, time when the working class move-
recovering Irom political defeats, and when mass. movement ls growing Taler lilan reccullg. The consequence is bound to be an explosive social and political situation.
Moreover, this coincides with the outbreak of a regional revolutionary war in Central America, which promotes and inspires the whole working class mass movement across the conti-
The impact of the Central American revolution has been most strongly reflected in Mexico, where millions of workers actively identify
the Central American revolu-
It the United States pushes forward its plans and organises an inva sion of Nicaragua, or if the revolution in El Salvador is successful - • both of which seem likely the continental repercussions will be enormous, just
'they were after the victory of the Cuban revolution. America arethus ina rap between tie ruling classes Latin world recession and the rise of their own working class. But the attitude of the major represențatives of western capital seems tu Kelv lo give then
respite. This month's visit to Brazil by a delegation ot the International Monetary Fund merely resulted in demands tor more austeritv as tne price for re-negotiation of the debts.
Two crucial DIULCSSCS dominate the political scene in most of the countries where the dictators ruled in the 19/0s the growing TONE OI class independence of the working moves towards a democratic opening a n0 BarLe hesitating Dy ine bourgeuisic
The problem for the working class is that in many Latin American countries the first step of constructing a party independent of the bourgeoisie has not been taken.
The biggest advance in overcoming this problem has been taken in Boril, sita the constr led. of the workerc Party (PT), metalwork ersis seme naco da Silas
same piuces reflected in the one million votes received by the Mexican Trotskyists in the 1982 general election, where there
is yet no mass workers party.
In Brazil and Uruguay the process of returning to civilian rule has gone somne way. resulted major DOS LOI parlics have elections.
In Uruguay the party most closely associated with the dictatorship ('Par tido Blanco') decisively lost the 1982 elections to elect preparing a return of party ment. In the December 1982 elections in Brazil the party associated with th dictatorship (the 'Social Democratic Party) lost tion party ine brazillan Democrallc Movement (PMDB).
The significance of these results is not that a mass workers' challenge at the electoral level looks like being successful in the near future, but that the transition to democracy will. if com pleted, and a working class revival. Burdened
In Bolivia, burdened debt, such was the degree of workers' mobilisation that in 1982 the militar! dictatorship voluntarily handed over powerrto acvam coveramenl Democratic Popular Union coalition, which bourgeois nationalist currents and the Communist Party
This civilian government is caught between applying austerity measures, and the pressure of the working class movement Lemeo o c o vian miners. All nullar y to come back to power tals to keen the under control
In Argentina the military have announced elections for October 19o3. seven years arter tne coming lo power of the SIUCUOl miniate ed300000 is in rthn ne tinian foreign debt is $30,000. Employment Colull!
has fallen 30 per cent since 1974 dictatorship was struck a heavy blow
SIRA
bunDOlcaseS ILkas problems, as op- by general
barracks'.
conventions govern-
to the bourgeois opposi-
its
inevitably encourage dissent the crucial task
to consider
anome country
wiln an enormous lorelgi DalILC
tion. If
(UDP) protest includes left
circumstances
and in particular
the time, the back to power it the UDE preparin
economic
continent.
This military and the dictatorshir which
ruins. hundreds
The
International
PEDE:
by its bungling of the Malvinas war, despite the mass popular support for the struggle against Britain
Argentinian politics is dominated
nuu barle Codiilio!. 'Mulitpartidaria' which negotiating with the regime the conditions for a 'return of the army to the
Unfortunately, the dominant party of the Argentinian working class, the Peronist Party, is part of this coalition together with a gaggle of bourgeois parties. But the combativiPeronist union federation the CGT, wok necass. remains intact. Peronism. as soon as a civilian government comes to power, will be more and more torn between
working class base and its bourgeois leadership. The construction of a working class party on the lines of the Brazilian PT - perhaps by splitting the Peronists • remains
One dictatorship which is refusing
Many 'democratisation tocess is or comse wd mn cluc . But Pinochet's days are numbered. . The reouncne or atrduc umon movcuicul and the reorganisation of the political
reached advanced stage. Repression has not been an eftective weanon in crushing all ODDosI-
Pinochet himself remains oblivious to the growing strike and
movement, Chilean bourgeoisie probably will not. And if the Chilean bosses won't act then the dictatorship will fall in the worst of all
— under the impact of a workers' uprising.
No one should underestimate the crime being committed against : the working class and peasantry of Latin America by world imperialism. The
crisis means hunger, disease, illiteracy and infant mortality It means untold millions unemployed
It means misery without end for a
is the social order that Reacan detends when he sends hi gunboats to blockade Nicaragua. But it is impossible to inflict this agony on
OI millions of people without a response.
The years of easy "c:t-e :** dictators are ove:
Page 9 scan of this page
Letters
Hanging debate
BOB Pennington finished
his article on hanging
saying 'as socialists we
must do everylning in our
power to make sure the
death penalty never
comes back'.
Why then, Bob, did
you not do everything in
vol ace o cone
down against hanging!
Your artice wa
reminiscent of a piece I
read recentiv in the
Christian Science Monitor
(per chance!).
I'm sick and bloody
tired of hearing how
horrific and barbaric
hanging is — it reminds
me or lose stories you
hear at Labour Party
Young Socialists
conferences each year
about OPsters Iosing
fingers on unguarded
machinery.
It's all very mo ving
I'm sure. And important.
But as socialists we have
so much more at our
Polish
solidarity
THE END of Agust will
mark the third anniversary of the Gdansk accoras, through which Solidar-
dus was eso sneı!
Poland, and the fifteenth anniversarv of the crushing of the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia by Soviet tanks.
Both the Prague Spring and the rise of Solidarnosc were events ooo or e labour movement. They Showed that working people in Eastern Europe continue to struggle for a real democratic socialism, rejecting both the capitalist exploitation of the West and the bureaucratic misrule in the Eastern bloc.
Theirs is a struggle which should also be ours - and which has much to tell us about fighting for a society which genuinely meets the needs of working people.
This struggle continues today throuch Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia and the impressive underground network of Solidarnosc in Poland.
At the same time, the
KLMNOPORSTU
IJKLETTERSTU
Child oppression
I WOULD like to raise the issue of child oppression in your paper.
Other oppressed groups such as women, gays and black people byvee far left but child lave been well taken oppression seems only to begın at school leaving age where the left are cuntalica
However, I believe that children, another large group in society, are Hul icsscu naa those mentioned above and yet receive no attention in the left press.
For example, the recent series or WCYS CI education on ITV which
'REVIEWS
fingertips to analyse the
problem.
For example, a little
matter such as
scientifically collected
evidence. Internationally
there are almost 50
reports on the effects of -
hanging from New
Zealand to Canada. Onlv
one of these reports
purports to have evidence
to show that hanging is a
deterrent, and this report huge movement against nuclear weapons in the
West is also finding an in-
creasing ecao mn basteri
Europe. The Polish
Soldaritv Committer
(Glasgow) proposes to
hold a working conference in Glasgow on the
weekend of 17/18 September to discuss mese deveio aments.
Proposed sessions in-
of social organisation in Czechoslovakia 1968 and Poland 1980-81; The Peace Movements in Eastern Europe; The situation of women in Eastern Europe.
Speakers invited include Edward Thompson (END), Oliver MacDonald (Labour Focus on Eastern Europe), Marek
NOL
raised very important points with no mention in Socialist Action.
Not only do children have to contend.with hypocrisy, and contradictions,
sychological, physica
ınd even sexual abuse from both parents, but also the scorn and derision irom teacners al school. Then there is the general autude within adult sociery ha: a child's they rệ cic v oDlecor ar to the sterect sed mas= of a boy or a er - =.: deviation is tarel! e tolerated.
Marxists recognise
inar women and children are oppressed by the
has been widely
denounced for its
inaccurate methodology.
That leaves us with
ulanmous evmuence uta
hanging, as a deterrent,
just doesn't work. As an
argument this is far more
substantial than any
humanitarian claptrap.
We should also be
asking ourselves why each
vear the Police Federation
devotes so much time and
energy to the hanging
question in the light of
such overwhelming
evidence and such a large
anti-death penalty lobby
in Parliament.
Why? Because it's
part of a long term drive
towards arming the
police. Their argument
caca year Is unis. Ir we
can't hang those villians
who would kill the great
British bobby in the
course of his duty (sic),
then we need to arm that
LOUIC EU "protect mansel
against such fiends.
IAN DENISON, Bristol
TWVI
CDANSK
Garztecki (Solidarnosc,
Karel Kyncl (Charter 77
signatory) and a representative of the women in Eastern Europe collective.
We believe that discussion of the ex-
perience in Haster
Europe can make a valuable contribution towards resolving the present crisis ot perspective facing the labour movement in Britain today.
For this reason I would urge any of your readers who are interested in participating to contact me as soon as possibie al
• 59 Durward Avenue, Glasgow G41 (tel 041 649 8958).
GORDON MORGAN, Secretary Polish Solidarity Committee, Glasgow
family unit and that women need to organise against male domination. Young children are unabic lo organise, so ll is about time socialists raised the issue of child oppression.
Correct
They should raise it not only because it is morally correct but because politically it is essenlal unal cmarer -through a more free and open uporinging be more receptive to wanting a tree and open socialist sociery. It is time that we demanded tha: children be treated as human beings. It is important to raise women's issues within the workne Cass ane aso children's, and the readership of Socialist
esden -3=
..2.::
=:=a:
:erens on the subjeci of chiidren.
TONY BREEZE, Kenilworth, Warks
Kim Chernin
WOMANSIZE
The Tyranny of Senderness Womansize - the tyranny of senderness by Kim Chernin
new book from The Women's Press, discussing the implications behind society's increasing demands that should be 'fashionably' thin. Women's Press $4.50. Published The same name by Stephen Lowe.
Owen, a house painter and the central character of the book and the play, shows workmen, how money is TenOn used to trick the working class into labour. He does this by using slices of bread to represent all the resources of the torle. inives as facion machiner:. felcn : dust-.s. halipernia sorere grs. sapitalis:s produce made
despa:.
Colours
T-E •23e =
sucT blaill!. Ine pia! itself, whilst reducing long novel of 600 pages to less than three hours performance, loses little
Your holiday reading
Alice Walker The ColorPurple The Colour Purple by Alice Walker A story of two black sisters in the segregated world of America's deep south.
One, Celie, is raped by the man she knows as her father. Her sister has run away and her children are laktn away trom ner. But it is not a depressing book, because shows the liberation that Celie gets from the love and support of other women Published by the Women's Press £3.95
Philanthropists
'THE GREAT MONEY TRICK' a display of how capitalists get richer and the workers find themselves unemployed and begging is just one of the episodes from Robert Tressell's classic novel, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, in the new play of the
the spirit of Tressell's story.
reviewed by Tim Rigby
The obstina:e aitep tance. despite ai. : Overi s arguments ard jetonsaTons.
CEnES: .=- aa: .2u iea Ore their lot e ir ide chic-chat vàn on evnd and che! all howl ith monkey-like shrieks :heir amused disbelief.
The play, as the blurb says, 'as Britain now fights its way through another depression ... strikes an all too familiar chord'.
Socialist Action 29 July 1983
ONE BUNDEED YEARS
OF SOLITUDE
GABRIEL, GARCIA
MARQUEZ One hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez This famous novel is set in a town in the depths of the South American jungle.
The family at the centre of the book are represented as ar account of Latin American history.
Published by Picador £2.95.
The Ragged Trousered
The ending, as Owen is dying of TB and yet raises in hope his recently cecoralec DalsHe of FE RABERT, TRESSEL!
I3 JULY
HALF MOOM
THEATRE
790 4000 • SENEY
THE FRAGRANCE - OF GUAVA PLNC APULEYO MENDOZA CARCIA MARUEZ The Fragrance of Guas by Plino Apuleyo Mendoza in conversatio with Gabriel Garcia
Ane raidyede author Hundred Years Solitud disitis l books, his politics America and his life.
Published by Ver Editions £2.50 The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins considered to be the fr Published in 1868 English detective novel. is still probably one of th best and most gripping. tells about disappearance of a famou yellow diamond - yes Nudut somde anue - DU it's unputdownable!
Published Oxfor University Press £O. 75
These books are availabl IOII The Othe Bookshop, 328 Upper Si and 13 Digbeth, Birmingham. workers' unity, brings o: close to tears. See the pl at the Half Moon Thea: e Mile End Road.
THE
RAGGED
TROUSEREDI
PHILANTHROPISE:
LAY BY STEPMEN LOW BASED ON THE BOOK BY
Page 10 scan of this page
10
DIARY
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cavance. Send Diary, Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London NI 2XP inve later Than Thursday, one week prior to publication). Emption cAterence is on
For details please •VOL
Inn Road, London WCI. Tel. 01-278 0153.
Victory to the ANC: Weekly Release Nelson Mandela! picket of South Africa
5.30-7.30, Fridays. Called by City Anti-Apartheid Group. • Jumble sale Sat 13 August, 2pm, St John's Church Hall, Grove Lane,
Proceeds to Grove Ward.
• Binlids and Barricades a s-panel exndition on women and the war in Ireland, produced by the
Committee. Available for hire from the Armagh Citee,
SCI.
Women for Life on Earth
Tux star Marches
• Women for lite on Earth, 1983 Star marches converging at Greenham on
Leaving County Hall, London on 29 July. Mixed. Contact 01-699 6712 for actalls.
Forest Peace Festival
1983 a major folk and jazz festival Sat 10 Sept, noon to pm, Friends Meeting House, Bush Road, Lestonstone, London EIl: *too unwaged/ childrer free. Organised by Waltham Forest CND.
Hounslow Youth CND
March: Stop Cruise! March
from Greenham Common to Greenham Fields, Hounslow, August bank holiday
29th. Details from
#ellington Ka North, Hounslow, Middx.
The Politics of Health in
available for meetings or
£10 (payable in
advance). Send to Books for
South Africa Fund, PO Box
50. London N1.
ACTiON SociAlist
Join the
fight for
socialism
Socialist Action 29 July 1983
• Glasgow Polish Solidarity Cttee Conference 17/18 sentenser. ror delals contact Gordon Morgan, 59 Durward Ave, Glasgow 44475-
• Troons Out Movement is organising a mass delegation to visit Belfast in August. see lot yoursel wilal s golg on in the North of Ireland.
For details contact Gail on 01-250 1293. • Ethnic Switchboard * a new teleorule service offering information and advice on health services; a recial arcucy, ualsialul and interpreung racies In Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, French, German Greek, Guaran sinol. alan Portuguese, Punjabi, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish ana Urau Yam-5pm phone 01-933 6119.
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International
1984
Facing 1984 with articles by Alan Freeman on Rebuilding the Labour Party, the 1983 Peoples March & the CP, John Ross on Facing 1904,
George Kerevan on Scotland after the election,
the Left Opposition.
overseas surrace man. zis overseas monies to International', PO Box 50, London NI
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If you want more information about Socialist Action or to be put in touch with local supporters send this rorin to Sotialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1.
• Leggin' it for peace East London Youth CND March, 17/18 September from Kelvedon Hatch Civil Derence no to London Fields; Hackney. For details contact East London YCND,
E17. ult women's cure Weds Li July, /pm county hall SE1. Discussing nominations
cover childcare, health, older women, planning and transport. ° maiNe can be contacted Free Nelson Mandela c/o ls selous si NW1. 01-387.7966.
The role of the left in the "anour Parv camaen Labour Left meeting with Jeremy Corbyn MP Thurs Lo July. oom. Lavoul Centre, 8 Camden Road, London NW1:
loume& Not
IFACINGE
New issue out now!
Margaret Ward on women and Irish nationalism,
Charlie van Gelderen on the 50th anniversary of
airmail.
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01: 226 057
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horse's mouth!
LAST WEEK in Kentucky — birth place of Colonel Saunders' fried chicken bizarre auction took place
The object of the bidding was a horse. A horse which has never raced. A horse which is just one year old and doesn't even have & Hallie.
Robert Sangster, the millionaire who last year paid over four million
for 'Empire Glory' (son of Nijinsky) initially valued the horse at about million dollars.
kidnapped Shergar was valued at £3 million after winning two classics, the King George Elizabeth stakes. So this unknown with no Hanc When bidding
started, observers searched in vain for the bidders who had shot off to the back of the hall where no one could ser them. As each million dollars came up on the screen a cheer went up startling the poor horse.
Four, five, dollars it seemed like I woulu never stop.
Vital Dick
would like to be oris ation.
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Israel trade union
delegation criticised
THE LABOUR Committee on Palestine has written to * BRish ticipants of a Trade Union Friends of Israel' delegation which
currently visiting Israel.
delegation includes Clive Jenkins of
tific, Technical and Managerial Staffs, John Price of the Post Office Engineering Union Wales. , Russell Tuck and Ken Cure from the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party Morgan of Welsh Labour Partv.
The letter points out
HOSI Histadrut, is not an independen ardue organisation, but a state-run caterprise, the third largest employer
Secondly, and most importantly, only part of the working, population inside Israel is allowed to
Save the lives of
Metris prisoners
ONE THOUSAND people have been on hunger strike in Metris Prison since 7 July.
This is the third hunger strike in LOTS prison known for its atrocious conditions and brutal Li callicull prisoners.
It was sparked by the prison administration's recent steps to remove 170 prisoners into isolation cells and force all prisoners to wear prison uniforms.
Recent measures of the authorities have already resulted in the removal of prisoners' pen and papers, their cell windows have been niacked periods halted and visits by relatives limited to oçcasional brief telephone conversations.
All these add un to a combined effort to break the prisoners' resistance.
The strike is already
week and prisoners are reported to be in very poor health. Their condition has rapidly deteriorated given that few had fully recovered from the effects of previous hunger
International
join it. The Palestinian migrant workers from the Occupied Territories are debarred and the
noting to fight for better condi-
wages them.
The LCP points out too that the Histadrut owns a huge construction company which is engaged in the building of illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories
the West Bank and Gaza.
ace centenans are built on land stolen from Palestinians and vet the settlements are for Jews OHLY The letter calls on the
delegation to pose these questions when they are in Israel, while pointing out that their visit, despite being in a personal capacity, is against the spirit of resolutions passed by the IUC conference and the Labour Party conference year. strikes.
Relatives waiting at the gaics have reported on scores of collapsed prisoners being carried away in military
Meanwhile ambulances. the dubnortie. Have entorced a total news black-out from inside the prison.
There is very little that prisoners? parents can do on their own in todays Turkey. The regime is completely deat to the plight of its own citizens.
international
Unl pressure can at this stage sway the rulers of the country (and its prisons) to release their deadly grip on the prisoners of Metris. was such pressure that helped the
of OULCULiC previous hunger strikes. It is needed again today, urgently.
• Send protest telegrams to the Istanbul Martial Law Command at this address: Istanbul Sikiyöntim Komutanligi, Istanbul, Turkey.
Copies Turkish Solidarity Campaign,
5965, London WCI 3XX.
PEACE Subscription rates: 6 months £9 (95FF); 1 year £16 (175FF)
Payment in French franc if possible. Personal cheques to PEC and mail to: IV, 2 rue Richard Lenoir, 93108 Montreuil.
Page 11 scan of this page
Is feminism a luxury in
News
vear. Over 650 women attended, 499 from Italy and
Australia.
white collar unions. A
delegates to the conference.
ERBA and R.
J.
Italian section LCR.
Anne Spencer I OPTED to attend the
*Salaried or Wage-earning Women workshoo. it was very interesting to see that
problems were very much the same whether their national
was rightwing, left-wing sullie other wing.
In Italy for instance women were being lorcea back into the home, they
for the jobs they did, and women WRO paol Salace progress were often masculine, taking on many of the worst traits of
The themes ot this SESSIOn was that
'part-time work was partLillic unemployment led to reduced pay, reduc-
ed bargaining power and that according some people, the unions were
appy with this situatior
The question was rai ed bv one trade union of-
ficial as to whether part-time work would be a bro blem if they got full-time salaries. but there was no real answer to this.
Une or tne major questions arising from this session was. could women defend the progress that they had made to date. Was the way forward co-management, with more flexibility and a changed social structure, or was it by Ine trade union methods of negotiaTOn. bul mere wasn l a real answer to this quesFOLLOWING its first conference in June this year, the Black Trade Unionists Solidarity Movement (BTUSM) has already begun to make its mark.
tional executive of the National Association Teachers in Further and Higher Education agreed to listen to BTUSM chairperson Bernie Grant explain why they should support NATHE member John Fernandes in his battle against victimisation.
John Fernandes was a lecturer in multicultural studies the Hendon Police College. He insisted that he be allowed to teach the police cadets from an anti-racist viewpoint, emphasising that racism was a white problem, not a black ole.
He was sacked after he released examnies of explicitly racist essays that cadets had written for him to the press.
At first NATFHE gave him lukewarm support, but then decided to back lecturers at the college who opposed him. The result
THAT WAS the title of an international conference on Women and Work held in Turin in April this
156 from other European countries, America and
The bulk of women attending were activists in
representative of the Women's Commission of the EEC was also present. Below we print the impressions of some of the
ANNE SPENCER, an official of the Tailor and Garment Workers Union, was one of the three British women who attended.
CARBONI are members of the of the Fourth International, the
tion.
A report from Fiat was interesting, where they spoke the growth of women's employment during. The recent economic period, but that given the recession, necause women were last in they been out. and this had set back wonen alonz way l larv The picture from all European counties. and even from Australia, was one of women experiencing difficulties in employment, of women being sacked and of losing any that they had made. Jobs were difficult to find, and the attitude of governments did not support women.
Urgent
It was concluded that there was an urgent need to reduce the working day, although this not unanimous, and that this reduction working day should be without loss of earnings.
We ended up debating wherner fact, given economic recession, keep our heads down to maintain wnal we nave In order live fight another dav. or whether in fact progress could be made during the time of recession.
Many felt that given that lack of protection in collective bargaining, little
pre mesment. bery oe an
moment. Very often trade unions are not saying
Black workers fight
racism in the unions
As a result of a picket of their meeting the na-
WaS an extraordinary situation where his emers, breat council, are taking a better stand in his defence than his union.
By Chris Guthrie
This is just one of the many instances where trade not defended black workers.
Black workers generally are recruited for jobs with the worst working conditions and find themselves in line for the sack first.
Promotion usually passes
'equal work for the same pay'. They are in fact say-
'let's have WUL KCI solidarity, let's share out what little there is'
There is a need for a new approach for collective bargaining which would take into
accoulll all women's needs both at work and in the home. One of the few speakers not to speak against part-time work pointed out that
in fact in a period like this it did help
wonen relain their skill.
If women don't work at all then by the time the end of the recession collles, re-structuring will have done away with their jobs altogether lopment ly with the development new technology.
D. Erba and R. Carboni
CLEAR PICTURE emerged despite the different political situations:
• there is a generalised attack employment, which most severely attacks the weakest part. of the workforce: women,
• there is an increase in part-time work under dif
ferent forms (eg the 'free Wedensdays' France, remaining at home but on Cal dermany spread In job sharing schemes. or as in the com. mercial sector in Italy working oniy those days of the week or times of the
when demand ycal heavy),
• the spreading concept of the 'family wage' through increasing dependents' allowances "and unemployment benefits or favouring job
'heads of families'.
In Italy there is a severe attack the inflationindexing of wages and workers wages in general. Government decrees have increased allowances dependents. The trade unions and political parthem by. They lack a voice in the trade unions that can protest against these conditions.
It is this situation that led to the formation of the BTUSM, an all-black (Afro-Caribbean and Asian) organisation dedicated to removing racism TrOM Ine unions but which does not see itself as a separate black union.
Its first conference, nel al tne beginning or June was attended by over 300 workers from unions ranging from the National Railwaymen through to
Union Public Employees and the Nationa Government Officers Association
In some unions, particularly NALGO, the formation of black caucuses is well advanced. But the
Pluto Press, £4.95.
ties have agreed to this trade-off. There al c similar developments in Spain.
At the same time there are propaganda cam-
*re-value priyate and tamily lite. part-time work is often put forward means women reconciling their role mother/homemaker and worker.
Again, on a European-wide level there are cuts in pubic spending, will oVious consequences
where many women are employed.
This puts pressure on return to the family and drop out of the
work force and alive social involvement.
Another common feature came out in looking at how the trade union leaderships respond to the effect of the crisis. They base their perspectives on presence of trade unionists
industrial unions is an indication that black caucuses. may be emerging in these unions too.
unionists have claimed that the for-
of BTUSM divide the working class. The contrary BTUSM has been formed because the working class is divided, because trade unions have not properly
black members.
By forcing trade unionists and white workers to correct this. black workers will begin to feel that the unions are genuinely their's as well, promoting unity of black and white workers
• Black terested in joining can get BTUSM, information Southwark rome House, Black Prince Road, London SEI 7SJ.
the slump?
Photograph by Michael Ann Mullen from a new book on photography Committing Photography by Su Braden,
what is "possible', , what is compatible with the capitalist system.
The of the
CASICILO economic crisis was the basis for the proposals by some participants, particularly some trade union
accept the crisis as a given fact, which cannol be changea by le present relationship of ciass forces
The same basic facts were used to argue for : different approach. That now is the time to rebuild the women's movement as
ting with the groupings of women that already exist to try and broaden the struggle involve new layers of women.
Accusations that this approach was 'out of date and not oriented towards developing 'new theories'
which women's movement should base its
GOLLABORATON
Socialist Action 29 July 1983 discussions on productive
and domestic labour, the division of
family and the role of childbear-
Callic Italian intellectuals and trade union officials, who probably feel the
InOS
threatened by the dynamic that a strong independent active women's movement would create.
For us the most significant proposal to come . out of the Coll ference was to launch an international campaign on
slogan •Women against the Crisis'
This proposal came from several Belgian women who have been involved in the Belgian women's campaigr 'Femmes contre la crise' over ine last three vears
The main themes of the campaign agreed at Turin are:
• defence of women's Workers at Grunwick had to fight for TUC support — through a hunger strike
11 right work and economic independence
• opposition to mental employers policies which discriminate against particulary affect women
• opposition to part-time work, for a shorter work. ing week with no loss of pay.
The proposed activities for this campaign were to hold
san international Tribunal March 1984 on all forms of Belgium
sexual discrimination wone conrom a work and later a European-wide women's demonstration
secretariat for this campaign has been established in Brussels as an international reference point. A Women against the Crisis' organising com-
already been formed in Turin involving
were at the conference.
TLIC COLLABORATION
NEGOTATON INCORPO
Page 12 scan of this page
Gerry Adams MP
AFTER the previous day's massive military exercise at Heathrow airport, Sinn Fein MP Gerry Adams flew to London on Tuesday morning. Newsreports claimed that the heavily armed soldiers and tanks at Heathrow were to guard against a possible attack by the Armenian Secret Army.
military occupation of the North of Ireland and the fact that Adams, although now an MP, is far from welcome by the Tory government and its allies.
The last time Adams visited London on behalf of the IRA for secret WILE William he was invited by ken Liv Whitelaw When ingstone and others last December he was excluded
the Prevention of 1 CHOusI HCl
Elected
Sinn Fein's *other
representatives, McGuiness Danny Morrison, are still
this repressive legislation.
The visit has outraged the Tories and their press
on the one hand denouncing visiting London and dar-ing to talk to MP's in the house of Commons - - and on ine demanding that he takes his seat in the
MP' Answer
Adam's answer on ar'I don't know why there should be objec-
Ily London when the Irish xeople have to suffer 30,000 fully armed British troops in their midst'.
After meeting with Tony Benn and coun-
Stop the
M Oiset (TU) Ltd, London E2
SOCiAlist
AcTioN
Welcome
But it brought home the reality of Britain's
cillors from the GLC and Inner Authority Labour group,
conference in County Pass
WHERE DID 1500 police turn out last week to meet only 400-500 demonstrators? No it wasn't to prevent un angry insurrecuon aner ine announcement of MPs pay rises.
THE NATIONAL Front have declared their intention to return to Tottenham on Saturday 30 July.
Earlier this year, in May, the NF held a by-election meeting High Cross School in the of Tot-
They were defended by hundreds of police and groups of their Instant Response Unit whot violently attacked the 700 counter-demonstrators, making 35 arrests.
катріа ГО Box 50, Loadon N1
with Joe Austin of Sinn Fein.
By Piers Mostyn™
Adams said the purpose of his visit was to,
open up a dialogue with the British people and their representatives, to try and offset and penetrate the wall of disinformation that the government has thrown up.
"We will continue until the Irish people as a na-
fascists returning to Tottenham
A few days later, an old fascist named Albert Marriner, who attended the meeting, died of a heart attack.
By Dave Palmer
The NF are claiming that he was killed by 'communists and black power groups' and have formed the Albert Marriner Committee for a Judicial Enquiry.
Their intention Saturday is to hold a raly at the school and lay
tional unit can realise their right to national selfdeternation alle the British people can for the tirst time in centuries commence to build a meaning. ful relationship with us
Explaining why would be taking his seat in the House of Com-
, he said;
'The British parliament is a parliament for Britain — it is Britain's national legislature. In rela-
Irelana il 1S foreign parliament. u trouer mo on noorne cors were mere lo oroiec the Wellcome Research Laboratories in Beckenham, south London, from animal rights demonstrators! a wreath in honour of their 'martyr'
The NF have called a national and international mobilisation for the event. Martin Webster, addressing over 100 Loyalist fascists in Coleraine, in the North of Ireland, invited them to 'a riot in Tottenham'.
Posters
Posters up all over London white patriots'
'It was elected on the basis of not taking up the
don't expect any British MP would consider taking a seat in the parliament of Holland?' Interests
And he added, 'The
governs Ireland against the Interests ol irelana, but in the interests of the British assemble at Tottenham Hale tube station 2pm on Saturday.
An ad-hoc organising committee has been established by local black and labour movement organisations to oppose the NF's attempt to return to Tottenham.
All anti-racists should publicise and support demonstration which assembles at 12 noon, Tottenham Hale, Station Road, N17 on Saturday 30 July.
ruling class
We don't have to take u• seats lo open necessary dialogue that
He emphasised , political plight .of Irish prisoners in Britain.
"The British Trish pris alas as ta ded SUDESURCS ferent category to ordinary
We believe Irish prisoners here should be repatriated on demand. Soldiers
"British
solaler.
ed for rape, theft and so e. We also want an end revalualco DaCK here.
solitary and the prison regime. All hears oy erish people? issues very close
He added that many of the Irish prisoners in angland are
racist pogrom in
Sri Lanka
RIOTERS went on the rampage in Colombo, Sri Lanka this week killing scores of the minori-
Tamil-speaking people and destroying their property.
Press reports indicate that government security forces did little to prevent the pogrom. Other reports indicated that there had been a
of Tamil prisoners held under the island's infamous Prevention of Terrorism Act at the Welikade prison.
The 3.5 million Tamils in Ceylon are demanding greater political autonomy. The government have met their demands, with repression, exposed in an Amnesty International report published this month, and by sanctioning mob violence against the Tamils.
The Tamils have fought back Tamil youth have engaged in armed actions organised by "Tigers' "Tigers' ambushed and killed 13 government troops last weekend
photo, AN PHORIACHT
being recognised as innocent because the
Mature of evidence they were con-
Optimum
Finally, when asked how a withdrawal move ment might be bult in this country he replied, 'We belleve that the optimum situation is one where the British people
accept that this long war, the division between Protestant and Canoe between North and South, has got to end sibility tor endine resta sibility for ending it. very slow process.
"The Irish people have I mm What the British government is doing is wrong. Regardless
what motivation behind people who want to change support them.' that, WC would
Government backs
INDIA Bay of
India after four Tamil women were raped providing the occasion for the Colombo
It will take some time for the true extent of this week's killings to become known since police are able to bury • or cremate bodies without enquiry o
Civil rights lawyers have described this as a 'licence to kill'.
The Tamil conmunity in organising protests against the kill-
the repressive actions of the
More information can be obtained from the Sr Lanka Research and nformation Group , 9 Grays Inn Buildings Roseberr) Avenue, London ECI.
← Socialist Action No. 19, 22 July 1983Socialist Action No. 21, 18 August 1983 →