organised a delegation to Nicaragua to report to the British Labour movement its observations of the revolution and the impact of United States aggression.
just obtained an exclusive interview with FATHER MIGUEL D'ESCOTO Nicaragua from which we publish the following excerpts. 'UNTIL NOW, the Contras have had to rely mainly on former members of Somoza's National Guard. They cannot find any significant ADEN Des of dinary citizens.
"They have about 7500-8000 people that they have managed to train and arm. Having made little headway by mid-June, returned to Honduras to regroup and rearm.
'They are still making raids into Nicaragua. an we are not able to go over in hot pursuit ine trontier - that would be to fall into the trap that has been set by the United States.
PEACE AND-FREEDOM-IN-LATIN AMERICA
National Assemble 1pm, Clerkenwell Green,.
London EC1 Rally in Trafalgar spaper wila tne rost urrice Lare Laterrises, ru box ou, London Ni. ‹∞ s • visi ll | ka. Loraon tz. One of the delegation, BRIAN WILSON, has the foreign minister of "There is already an increase in the level of activity again, and we now expect the Honduran armed forces to be involved in the next offensive• probably in September. They will be rebuffed, but the Honalorce Colt Co quite a lot of damage.
Outfit 'We have virtually no airforce. Honduras happens lo nave une best Central America. But Take more win a war. When to te morde oranues. there is really no comparson pire you can understand they (the Americans ed) should be insisting on squashing Nicaragua's revolton. il was ceneraly accepted in the area that there be SuC cessful revolution, at least this We disproved that.
Pact •Moreover - in spoile of the enormous foreign debt that we have accepted responsibility for, whether we were morally obliged to • • 101 answels lu some Drolouniu as ourallon our people.
We are giving better than those of richer couillice which have not suffered in the way has sutICICU 'We have become a ray of hope for many people in Latin America who mould £ ... 200ee a Chile Democratico, El Salvador Solida America 1s now. on its LTestod.. "Squashing Nicarazud d revolution would really be like sending message to other patriotic forces throughout Latin America • • that it's useless to attempt it •Incidentally, it's being said today that the US sees this as an East/West conflict. 'Maybe that allows them to get a bit of sympathy from their people at none bul we Krow la things never change. They invaded us in 19l2. betore the Russian revolution had People "They invaded us 1928 — Nicaragua was the first victim divebombing, you know and at that time we were Merco • We are awars on the Artists inc ude Los Awatinas from Bolivia Yolocamaba-ita from El Salvador Mayapi, Puebio. Adrian Mitcher British film Premiere: 'Fuera de Aqui, September 10th Festival For Chile, El Salvador, and Nicaragua 10.30am-11.30pm cond something else. The ollly way ' they have been able to get along with was when Somoza was In powel one of the most despotic rulers in the historv of the Americas, yet they got on 'Roosevelt was asked OHCC distinguished journalist how they could have anything to do with that son of bitch Somoza.
'He replied "But he's our son of a bitch!"
"That has been their attitude. Now for the first time we are making a firm effort to democratise our country.
'We are on the eve of passing a law which wil guarantee the existence of political parties. And it is now that they are so conabout democraci in Nicaragua •Our relations with Cuba are excellent, just as they are with many other curie: the basis don't compromise our autonom!
• We would like to have excellen: relations with the LS par thal autonom! being recognis•We don't have ans military country. Phat is why mie with any cant have any illusions that in the event of an Subscription rates:
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"Just as in the nast we had to rely on ourselves to get rid of somoza. So In the future we will have to rely on ourselves to defend the revolution.
"That is not to say that we do not appreciate the enormous solidarity we have receivea...
War "It's understandable that we shoud have ad. visors. Ours is a new army.
army, was an American C calcu armv. was totally dispers ed.
'We have got to look for advisors who will not repeat the immoral criminal outfit that was created for Somoza.
'The National Guard burned its own cities, killea Ils own people we will never have that again in vicaragua..
'More more, Reagan's actions against being repudiated throughout the whole world •It looks so awful for the Sole western supporter alons Israel and Pinochet's Chile It's aw ful company for Britain to be keeping.
subscribe SPEEK For multi-reader institutions double the above rates Please sena me as special orler ...............• Send to Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1 2XP.
solidarity WEST LONDON.
Wednesday September Film benefit with invited speakers, including an eye witness reporter JON SNOW. 7.30 The Electric Сіпета, Portobello Road.
Organised by West London El Salvador Solidarity Campaign.
EAST LONDON Solidarity rally spon. sored Hacknes North, Labour Party, East London Hackney CND. speakers FSLN Guatemala and films.
Rio Cinema Dalston. On Sunday 4 September. SPECIAL For readers who take out a year's inland subscription we are offering a free copy of Hard Times, a new book in the 'Arguments for Socialism' series by Bob Sutcliffe. The book normally costs $2.50 Alternatively we are offering Alan Freeman's book, The Benn Heresy. For new readers there is our special introductory offer of 8 issues for §2 All subscriptions are posted first class on day of publication.
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STOP IIS. INTERVENTION IN CENTRAL AMERICA
Square MATIONAL DAY OF ACTION September 11th
AMERICAN CULTURE RESISTS