Socialist Action No. 32, 4 November 1983
The scan: 032-nov-04-1983-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's thugs Grenada!
No. 32 4 November 1983 tion.
other supporters of the NJM.
are being tortured.
The next step will be to set up a puppet government loyal to the US and eventually to replace the US troops with a Commonwealth force. Neither a Commonwealth force nor a government under the Governor General Paul Scoon will
MODERN
TIMES
HiL We welcome the American invasion• what else can I say in the circumstances...?
30p
out of
No British complicity
THE UNITED STATES' invasion of Grenada is an act of international gangsterism. Reagan wants the US military to be the 'cops of the world' smashing down on working people anywhere who raise their voices against oppression and exploita-
Now in Grenada the US troops are carrying out a ruthless purge. All supporters of the New Jewel Movement are being rounded up and imprisoned.
The first priority is to get the US troops out, and to ensure the release of Howard Austin, Bernard Coard and all
The imprisoned leaders are being thoroughly 'questioned' - and from Vietnam we know what that means: they
amount to self-determination for the Grenadian people.
The labour movement must fight against any British involvement in these plans. Self means no foreign troops, and the right of the Grenadian people to choose their own form of government.
Thatcher has been trying to distance the British government
RONALD and his buddies have told an extraordinary string of vicious lies about Grenada most of them faithfully relayed by the media.
Here are a few them.
LIE ONE: The US invaded to safeguard the citizens.
But arrangements been made for the evacuation of any US citizens who wanted to go. The Principal of the US medical school was instructed by the State Department to
SOCiAlist
ACTiON
from the invasion, Tories are up to their necks in this business. months about US contingency plans. They knew several days before the invasion that it was going ahead, but they failed to tell an independent monwealth country of impending attack. Escalation
The Tories ticipated fully in Reagan's anti communist directly at Grenada, Cuba and revolutionary Nicaragua. they are participating fully in Inel US nuclear Europe. guilt for this appalling act of sordid aggression. determination
build solidarity with the Grenada, and in solidarity with the people of threatened with a similar US. backed invasion.
Reagan's lies
REAGAN say that the
students were in danger. fact they were only put in danger when the Americans invaded.
LIE TWO: The US decided to -intervene after 'leftist thugs took power In fact the United States of had been since 1980
Bishop, for whom lives of its now
The had assassinate Bishop by a bomb explosion at a rally in 1981.
LIE THREE: Grenada was being turned Cuban/Soviet military base.
The Americans now con-
but the
nev knew tor
Com-
have par
crusade, aimed
And
escalation in Thatcher shares the
Now in Britain we have to a mass movement of
people of
Nicaragua lives of his
planning an invasion
against the of Maurice they are talked about. crying crocodile tears.
attempted than Cubans!
into The students went every morning,
cede that their figures for the number of Cuban workers on the island was grossly inflated - there were about 800 and not the 1100 they originally
There were more Americans in Grenada
LIE FIVE:
LIE FOUR: The airport was a 'secret' military installation.
airport, which US running on was neither
HANDS OFF GRENADA!
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION
Saturday 5 November 12.30pm, Speakers Corner Hyde Park for march via US Embassy to Trafalgar Square Called by the New Jewel Movement
All Socialist Action supporters should attend
HANDS OFF
GRENADA
secret nor military. The Cuban ing construction workers were supervised by engineers from the British company Plessey.
The EEC funded the airport to aid Grenada' tourism.
The Grenadian people were repressed by'dic tatorship for four years.
This is the really big lie.
The New Jewel government which replaced the dictator Gairy, raised the liv-
Boycott
the
Olympics!
THE Australian Amalgamated Metal, Foundry and Shipwrights Union has called for a boycott of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles in protest at the invasion of Grenada.
Pass it on! standards of ordinary Grenadians and organised Tree medical aid and educa tion. Bishop's government was immensely popular, and organised mass organisations of popular participation. THESE ARE just a few of the lies which your television screens are bringing you. Socialist Action will nail more of them in the weeks to come.
Page 2 scan of this page
2
ACTioN SOCiALS
Grenada for
the Grenadians
PROGRESSIVE OPINION everywhere has been outraged by invasion of Grenada by the US government and their Caribbean puppets. resistance of the Grenadian militia and Cuban workers on the island has shown that, whatever the terrible blows to the revolution, the Grenadian people have decided that their atfairs are their own to decide and no one else's.
That spirit — to make the USA pay a heavy price for its crimes — must be matched , in the building of solidarity in this country and internationally.
The whole world has now been alerted to the logic of the remilitarisation drive mena ism - • tO and peasants of the third world to throw off the
adventures - in the Aren.
All the western European government's have protested against the invasion. events fuel further the growth of anti-militarist feeling in their own countries, particularly after the massive demonstrations against the last weekend. The only exception cowardly and
Puppet
But even the Tories own ranks are rebelling at
that the british state should take political consequences of the invasion through the installation of a puppet government by the British monarchy. And while Denis Healey has correctly denounced the US invasion he has inted himset from the ides that Britain shoud through the Commonwealth, after the departure of the US invaders.
There is nothing more British imperialism marines. their future.
The events of Wednesday 19 October when Maurice Bishop and a major section of the leadersip of the New Jewel assassinated along been used to justify the invasion. kave contributed to the bloodshed, not halted it.
Revolution
The initial excuse of the US that it was intervening to restore law and order was known to be a lie by the Caribbean peoples who had witnessed the mock invasions carried out by the Pentagon in the period when Maurice Bishop and the Peoples Revole merya have been surprise eri Grenadian people through their alliance with Cuban military engineers have fought so determinedly after the heavy blow suffered to their revolution. the overthrow of Gairy the PRG had fought with de people of Grenada to overcome the dire social and economic problems imposed on the island by imperialism. tide of flame and blood. Aggression
Our job now is to make the US pay the heaviest rice possible for the invasion of Grenada; to warn he whole labour movement of the further acts of Anerican aggression Nicaragua and in the British collaboration in the particularly against the establishment of a puppet regime by the British state.
We must also continue our fight against the
stallation of cruise missiles in thi
dof the struggle of the Grenadian people a mas er to weaken its c
ti-imperialist movement opposing imperialist infervention in Central America and elsewhere can be bora which can link itself to the fight of the colmial peoples and particularly the heroic resistance of the Grenadian people.
Socialist Action 4 November 1983
the brutal and cynical
The heroic of US im-
smash the struggle of the workers
Middle East and Central
They know that the to
to this is the
perfidious role of the Thatcher
the
not disassoc-
police the island
progressive about volcing Grenada than US Only the Grenadian people can decide
Movement were with unarmed civilians have surprised that the militia and in
This is because in the years since
Now imperialism has returned on a Middle Bast, to oppose planned against US intervention
By John Ross
'A MADMAN IS loose armed with aircraft carriers, nuclear bombs, and cruise missiles.' That was the reaction of hundreds of thousands of people when they heard of Reagan's invasion of Grenada.
counse naa quile d ferent term for it in the House of Commons. He said the attack on the US invasion by Denis Healey and others was 'pandering
anti-American sentiment'. Howe was right in
charge. But Denis newley was merely respon ding to growing sentiment against the United Stater
the world and not creating it.
What is the nature of this 'anti-Americanism' that Howe worried about and which nas in
MAGGIE
ANGRY
ABOUT
'I expect she wanted to invade it first' deed been growing in the last ten to fifteen years?
The 'anti-American sentiment' Howe refers to Has got nolning to do witn opposition to the American people. No one who has fought against United States policy in the world today has shorn any hostility whatever the people of the United States.
The Vietnamese throughout the twenty
were fighting against the US invasion of their country, relied on the people of the United States to help get the American army out of their country. *Fighting FMLN
the US-backed military dictatorship in El Salvador take every portunity to go into the United States to explain
Special
their position to the American people.
'antiAmericanism' which is Crowile and which worries is the 1 calisallull nature of US government the real
foreign policy, and the real nature of the United States military alliances For Grenada, like the cruise missiles, takes the lid off what is really taking place on a world scale. Grenada is today's most urgent task of solidarity. But it is only the most glaring and open example of what United
GRENADA
States foreign policy is about.
In Lebanon the bomb explosion in Beirut also brought home many people what Ine rea situation in that country.
American, French, British and Italian troops Have nolning to ao will boice They are ere sins 'peace keeping ly to prop up the rotten regime of Amin Gemayel ed by ove majority of to ed by the majority the Lebanese people.
organised bloody of the Palestinians at Sabra anc Shatila refugee camps. would be overthrown tomorrow it it wasn't for the presence of the US fleet ott shores of Lebanon.
USA and Britain-
relationship:
mass murder
The United States is not in Lebanon to 'keep the peace'. It is there simply to prop up a regime it hopes will do a deal with its Israeli allies.
In Central America it is exactly the same story. The junta in El Salvador, financed and armed by the United States, Slaughtered 30,000 people last year. will kill as many again this year. Why this brutality and 'violation of human rights'? Because the Salvadorean junta is hated by the population it rules over and would be overthrown within 24 hours if the United States did not
Nicaragua the United States openly finances the 'contras' carrying out armed actions against the FSLN government. What is the FSIN's crime in the eyes of the United States government? It taught the ma jority of the Nicaraguar population to read and write. It has spread doctors throughout the country. It gave land to people who needed and lac tories to those who worked them. There is no doubt those really are crimes against humanity according to US imperialism.
And who are the forces the United States government Is suppollo agalls the FSLN? are the
National Guard. The National Guard that raped 13 year olds in front of their parents, poured petrol over them and burned them alive. The National Guard that locked people in houses and burnt them down. The National Guard that bombed and burned the slums Managua right up to the
very last moments before Somoza fell.
The regimes that the United States supports throughout the world to day invariably the dregs of the earth. Dozens of secret police forces and petty Gestapos bear the badge 'Made in the USA'
growing 'anti-Americanism' Howe reterred to
Howe is worried about it for a verv good reason The British government has go its hand the same till as the United States. It is in the same camp as the South African lacisto the Lebanese Phalange and the Salvadorean military jun-
These are Thatcher's global mates. Resing op op position the States isn't going to stop there. For Britain has plenty its own
Grenadas
The first will be supporting and forming whatever puppet government is set up in Grenada itself TOT government is up to its neck in what is happening
the Caribbean today.
the second COll tinued British military occupation of the Malvinas
muscliste Bryan
'President Reagan doesn't like your
choice of eight gramaphone records'.
News
(Falklands). The third is
British partnion of WInG
starts i in interin
dustbin policy will soon find plenty of rotten British there. That's why Howe doesn't want anybody to even start looking
For Grenada, like cruise, poses the most fundamental of all Britain's choices international politics that the developing debate in the Labour Party
policy is not god to be
policy is no going lo able to avoid.
The of British foreign policy today is the alliance with the United States. It is the American military bases. lt the continued British involvement in dirty policies in Grenada, Lebanon, Central America and the rest of the world. There is no 'non-alignment' whatever while Britain 3lIl NATO and all that goes with it.
The only other choice is to get out of NATO; get the American bases out of Britain; to get the nuclear weapons out of Europe and to support the people
fighting against the United States in Grenada
The link people made in their Dewween Grenada and cruise was a correct one. It reflects the real choices world politics today.
Page 3 scan of this page
Battle for
News
US troops. Their arrogant commanders, who ex-
rude shock.
in the battle.
The invasion started at 5.40am last Tuesday morning. The first attacks came on the two airports — al ror sannes ana al Pearls airport in the north ot the CONIE At the same time there were air attacks on Fort Frederick. the main army barracks, and the capital St. George's.
Early in the morning a US helicopter was shot down in St. George's harDOlE one of lne Inree US helicopters shot down on the first day of the invasion.
The attack Cuban construction WOrKES du Port Salines WON particularly brutal. While they
SCOl LICHT wooden huts were attacked by six helicopter gunships. Each of the workers had been issued with a rifle and 700 rounds of
300 condemn
invasion
Chris Palmer, El Salvador Solidarity Campaign West Midlands (secretary)
CROWD of 300 demonstrations marched through the busy streets of BirminghamR at 5.30 last Thursday,
protest the imperialist invasion of Grenada.
The demonstration; hastily coordinated by the El Salvador Solidarity Campaign with the SuDport of a series of Afro-Caribbean
ocaubauus. was preceded by a short rally.
Speakers, including Paul Mackney, Trades Council President,
HUCIU city councillor, and Phillip Murphy from the
Hands off Grenada
'HANDS off Grenada! Troops out now!' was the cry from over two hundred demonstrators in Manchester last Wednesday night.
town-centre rally organised by aral davis o ae ara NICA
standing ovation as she denounced the US invasion.
'Reagan says he was invited to invade by other governments in the region
f he was to be asked by all the countries of black Africa invade South Africa to crush apartheid would he do it?', she said to loud applause.
Grenada
THE FIGHT for Grenada was no push over for the
pected a 24-hour walk over against the tiny People's Revolutionary Army and the People's Militia got a In particular, the Cuban construction workers and military advisors played an heroic role
ammunition before the invasion — and they fought back undaunted by the casualties they had taken in the first assault.
By Paul Lawson
Throughout Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday fighting continued in and around St. George's. While American marines tried to fight their way from the Port Salines bridgehead towards the capital, meeting fierce resistance by the PRA and Cubans all the way, troops parachuted in to the north and east of st. teoree tried to fight their way solen. For three days the capital was bombarded by American let fighters and helicopter gunships.
savage fighting took place around Richmond Afro-Caribbean resource сепис, conaemnca une In' vasion before the demonstraton moved oft around the streets to the chanting
Kcalall Thatcher. Hands off Grenada. Troops Out Now.
A message of support
also received Irom Clare Short, Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood who was unable to attend.
Later the same evening, packed room al Digbeth Civic Hall heard Delia Smallman, an internanomas workereev returned from Grenada, explain the revolution and the implications of the inVaNol.
Speakers from Greater Manchester CND and Manchester City Labour Party slammed the inva sion and along with Jaime Lopez representative the E Salvadorean FDR, drew stark parallels with Vietnam and dangers fo the rest of Central America.
'The Marines have gone into the Caribbean to find another Beirut, but what they'l get is angther Hanoi.
• For more information COLLECE NICA, 300 Oxford Road, Manchester.
3p-: :
CARIBBEAN SEA Grenada y; nmond
GEORGES A COI
(Point "
Salines Hill and Medical College
skiz amsto thorge s
skirts George's before the US troops could fight their way into the capital.
On Thursday and Friday hand-to-hand fighting went on in st George's, with PRA fighters blockconanow suee winamoured cars — and in turn
attacked with the Dellg murderous helicopter gunships.
During the first three days the invasion fighting continued along the main road from Pearls Airport which passes through the nils in the centre of the island.
By Saturday there were more than 6000 US troops on the island - three time the total numer of the PRA. As Fort Frederick and the capital were taken, resistance fighters moved both into the hills in the centre of the island and towards the south coast General Howard Austin was believed to be with the SECOnU HOuD
The Cuban construction workers put up their last stand at Calivigny three miles from Port Salines. They fought until only six were left alive against repeated air at-
Victoria
5 Miles St Catherine-
GRENADA Grille
Broad trom
nal airport
tacks by Corsair A-7 jets.
By Sunday reports were coult through of the capture of New Jewel
leaders Austin VOYC CHL and Coard. US troops were
conducting wide-spread identity checks to hunt supporters of the New Jewel Movement. Withouta doubt the American intention to crush the NJM for years to come.
In addition to the demand for the withdrawal of the US troops, the solidarity movement must demand the release of all supporters of the NJM. particular, Amnesty International must be pressuris ed into taking up this campaign.
At the tume of writing the resistance has still not been totally defeated. At least some Cuban advisors are thought to be with units of * the PRA in the central hills.
Whatever the immediate the
dulcollc.
Cuban workers and advisors and the People's Revolutionary Army have written a glorious page in the history of the international workers movement. They have shown that even a tiny island can resist im-
and they perlausi vividly demonstrated to Marines with sophisticated equipment took days to gain control
imperialism the cost of an
on Clhg Nicaragua. And they have Jad the basis Jorel More
ing the New Jewe IEHLAIUIKELNLYIULE political struggle ahead.
Hands Off Grenada!
Solidarity events
London: National demonstration: Sat 5 Nov, 12.30pm, Hyde Park.
akte Duonc mccune organised by Hackney Nth & Sth Labour Parties: Wed 2 Nov, 7.30pm, Stoke Newington Town Hall.
Hounslow forum organised by Socialis Action supporters: Thur 3 Nov, 7.30pm, Old Town Hall, Treaty Road Birmingham: Torun organised by Socialist Action supporters: Wed 2 Nov, 1.3upm Birmingham's Other DUKSIUD
Rally organised by ELSSOC: Thur 3 Nov,
. Chamberlain Square Wakefield: public meeting organised by ELSSOC & Britain/Cuba Resource Centre: Mon 7 Nov, 7.30pm, Wakefield Labour Club, Vicarage Street.
(Many more events are being organised up and owi ne corner contact your local Central "America solidarity camapigns for details).
Socialist Action 4 November 1983 US embassy.
invasion 1965
invasion.
Berkeley,
New Orleans.
In Mexico City 10,000
Sunday.
the LCR and the Young Communists. ON SATURDAY 29
paign against the
plus contingents
of Scottish Medical Aid for Nicaragua.
3 Invasion greeted
with world-wide
demonstrations
THE OUTRAGE provoked by Reagan's invasion of Grenada was expressed in demonstrations all over the world. On Wednesday 26 October 5000 people organised by the Communist Party and the French Trotskyist LCR demonstrated outside the
In Santo Domingo, itself the victim of the US
demonstrators clashed with police in a large demonstration the day after the
In the United States 4000 people demonstrated outside the United Nations on 26 October. Smaller actions of protest were held in many US towns, in-
Francisco, Washington, Minneapolis, Detroit and
people demonstrated last Wednesday, and at least 50,000 turned out last
US consulates in several Italian towns were the targets of pickets last week, supported by the far left organisations PDUP, Democratzia Proletaria, Edinburgh Demo condemns invasion
By Neil Cruickshank & Duncan Smith
October there was an emergency demo and rally in Edinburgh called by the Edinburgh Latin American Solidarity Cam-
US invasion Grenada.
Although the organisers only had four days to mobilise, over 300 people from Edinburgh Labour parties, trade unions and other political groups
from Glasgow and Stirling, assembled outside the US Consulate before marching to a rally in the city centre. The rally was addressed by Ron Brown MP, Alec Wood, leader of Edinburgh council Labour group and Des Tierney
Page 4 scan of this page
Socialist Action THE NEW Labour Party NEC has expelled Tariq Ali, the party's best known black Marxist. hip was approved by the Labour Party national Conference on the NEC's recommendation, on the asis of legal advice that the NEC could not prevent Hornsey — Tariq's party — recruiting him.
The NEC then took the
Extraordinary step
This recruit-
ent in order to expel him The NEC heard a short atatement from Tariq but
not questior him.
mbers of the NEC who
ranted to ask him quesions were instructed
do so. Diana Minns, Hornsey Party sculelal y,
as not allowed to accom-
Tariq into the neeting.
Tariq explained that he
ad been a Party member
efore in the sixties, and
— like thousands of left in disgust the party s suppor the Vietnam war. He
ad rejoined after the SDP left, having himself left the International Marxist Group. He accepts the
and objects of the Party as laid down by the •onsulutiol.
Oxroe HE
ISTMS MORE THAN 100 nurses, porters and
other health workers
invaded a meeting of the Oxford Health Authority last week which was to consider orders to axe 77 jobs. (see photo). Health Administrators had refused a request to hold the meeting in a venue large enough to take the public, and had to abandon the meeting later
4 November 1983
Tarią Ali
expelled
Tariq's period of officially recognised member-
The most alarming feature of the discussion inat tollowea, aller land had left, was the attitude taken by Neil Kinnock and the reason given for Tariq's expulsion. Jim Mortimer, Party
spoke Tariq's expulsion. Unlike
Militant, said, Tariq's expulsion Was question of ideology, since he was not a member or any organisation.
Ideas
For Neil Kinnock, however, was precisely Tariq's ideas that made him ineligible: 'We are a parliamentary party, not a revolutionary party', said, in the keynote speech of the discussion.
Neil Kinnock has now introduced a new principle
Invasion of the health workers
date.
Meanwhile, the
London Borough
Hillingdon, Hayes Cot-
tage hosputal nas been
occupied the staff
since 25 October to pre-
vent closure.
-ters has been the
workers been cir-
culated by the London &.
Health Service Cam-
paign to
organisations
ana
fighting the cuts to help
the occupation by raising
and sending
representatives to help
of membership which raiser une in the witch hunt.
First, he has persuaded the new NEC directly to contradict the promise given by Jim Mortime and Michael Foot to the
_conterence of the Labour Party, that no-one would expelled from the Labour Party for their views.
Arbitrary
Secondly, Tariq has been expelled for views which contradict personal interpretation of the Party's aims by Neil Kinnock.
In short, the basis for his expulsion is totally arbitrary. Nowhere the
does it Party. COnSULULUl state that Tariq's ideas are incompatible with membership; nowhere has the Party ever taken this decision.
Neil Kinnock's aims
ane Later patty accre
party according to his own narrow political philosophy and
run the picket lines.
Staff at the nearby
Northwood and Pinner
Cottage Hospital nove
also voted overwhelm-
ingly to occupy against
closure.
The appeal says: 'Our
fight to preserve a decent
health your
fight as well. A victory
for Hillingdon will act as
an inspiration for every
Both
NUPE and COHSE have
made the occupation of-
exclude, without discussion those who disagree with him.
Who fought the witch hunt?
Against Tariq's expulsion
Jo Maynard, Jo Richardson, Audrey Wise, Were
Benn, David LOIN Blunkett, orenic Eric Heffer, Steve Dennis Skinner and Tom Sawyer
keep the open. This is an action
would like see WE repeateen preposed. sl repeated wherever possible in your area!
• Hayes Cottage Hospital Occupation Committee, Hayes Cot-
Hospital, Grang Road, Hayes, 01-573 5593.
• London Heath Ser
vice Campaign, Dalston Lane, London E8 3AZ 01-249 8086.
upcoming regional conferences.
Resolutions London 18 November 1983 Scotland 30 November Southern 2 December 1983
LAW's resolution reads as follows: 'This Conference notes the position taken by
and General at the
Decrelary 1983 Party Conference that there must be no witch hunt and that the party must concentrate on campaigning for a Socialist Britain.
'Conference recognises that curs can emccl matters individual members' activities should only tollow a formal re quest from the Constituency concerned! Party the member
CLPD's model resolution, supported by LAW, is on Manchester Wythenshawe and reads HONOWS.
"This annual meeting expresses its deep concern over the suspension Manchester Wythenshawe CLP by the NEC tollow ing an internal dispute.
particula this Annual
Meeting regret (a) that CLP was suspended before the CLP officers given chance to state their case
the section of the
1983 NEC report dealing
with the matter states onl
the case against the CLef officers;
Tariq Ali
Model resolutions
on the witch hunt
LABOUR Against the Witch hunt and the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy have both sent out model resolutions on the witch hunt for three Deadlines for motions to regional conferences as follows:
Amendments 13 January 1984 30 January 1984 20 January 1984
(c) that the NEC enquiry has still not pleted five months after ine depriving the CLP of the suspension,
part in the 1983 Annual Conference and answer the sided account given in the NEC report.
"This annual meeting accepts the right of the NEĆ to intervene in a CLP where necessary, but considers it essential for the NEC to only do so with regard natural justice, and not i to abuse which it has been granted. LABOUR AGAINST THE WITCH HUNT
MEETING
26 November 1983
Camden Town Hall
Wythenshawe Labour Party Audrey Wise Jo Richardson MP
dividual affiliates of LAW Apply to: Keith Lichman, secretary, phone (01)-802 1709
News
Other NEC decisions • The NEC voted establish a new 'campaign committee with sweeping comprising the leader, deputy leader, six NEC representatives, Shadow Cabinet. bers four members of Trade Unions Victory British Labour member the Labour Group and the General Secretary.
The left believes this committee will bypass the NEC, effectively becoming a policy sakiamendproposed amendensure the new body remained within the NEČ's control. This move was defeated teacher having Michael voted against. • The NEC deferred a proposal to establish a new appeals committee to deal with disciplinary matters.
The NEC issued an ap peal to local boroughs refuse co-operation with Jenkins in schemes to wind up Metropolitan Boroughs. ANNUAL GENERAL Speakers include: Alf Homes, chair, Manchester
Delegation (with affiliation) from CLPs, wards, and all affiliated Labour Party sections, plus in-
Labour Against Witch hunt, I1 Wilderton Road, London N16 o1
Page 5 scan of this page
News
GOVERNMENT known as telling lies to win an argument order of the day as Reagan and Thatcher limber up to meet the challenge of policing in 1984.
cise is the same: lie through your teeth and rely on the media to report it as the objective truth. new, revamped, Police and Criminal Evidence Bill is a case in point. along wish the Bill was Published week Briefing Guide from the Home Office 67 of propaganda and distortion which most of the
snuffled up and regurgitated enCausasucalv.
By Hilary Driver
The Bill has been redrafted because of the tremendous the original version, which united and medical professsions with civil and equal rights campaigners. The new version attempts placate the HOIC influential sections of the establishment without ditching the meat of the proposals.
Under the guise of
police por gela
police UUWCIS the seeks to legalise and extend already current abuses of the powers of search, arrest and detainment. The Tories have given the Bill a face-lift
even plastic surgery couldn't serve to disguise its intent a lilassive cAtension and legalisation of police powers.
The main changes to the bill are as follows:
A arrestable offence' includes murder,
kidnapping and so on. But any offence can be deemed serious if it has or could result in harm to the security of the state or to public order: SO watch yourself demos or picket lines.
An offence can "serious' if it results in or could lead to serious financial loss to anybody.
Earls Court
Over the past few months, police officers have been dressing. up in ripped jeans and I-Shirts in order to entrap gay men outside the gay pub The Colherne.
They have used the 1956 Sexual Offences Act, the so-called 'gay sus-law'.
By Paul Canning
This law, "soliciting for
immoral purpose public place' is specifically designed to keep men off the streets. It can- gay not be used for men who harass women, but is used extensively against prosulues.
The police know that most gay men charged wil plead guilty as there is a verv rea inreat ot losing their jobs through any
the highest clear-up rate: 97 per cent. Officers like it
New Bill for
the old bill
disinformation otherwise
- is the
Whether 'policing' Grenada or Britain the exer-
The
And it's the person who suffers the loss along with the police who decide if
hoey think it's serious or
If the cops decide to arrest you on a serious ofrence wey can keep you l custody without charge for up to 4 days. . A new police power of forcible stop and search will be established throughout the country, with the powerte list 'reasonable torce necessary'. • Police would be able to carry out intimate body searches on the pretext of searching which could be used to cause olysical ingury, well as strip searches on any pretext.
Insignificant changes nave veen made mome sections of the Bill which
powers to set up road DOCKS. CALCISOU grounds to get search warTalls. the right to arrest and detain for minor offences of people who have no fixed addresses; criminalisation of the oftence of 'atfront to public decency'; and detention without charge for up to 96 hours for serious oftences and denial of access to a lawyer for up to 36
Looking at the Bill as a
becomes Cical who are the targets of the
and powers. UlaLk Asian youth, gays, the homeless, trade unionists, demonstrators the oppressed and the dispossessed.
The Bill aims to legalise the already current prac-
Police harass gays in
boss their arrest ligues because it's and
However gays fighting back. packed
Earls mcculle Court decided to set up a defence Calvas lu men who use the pub. Many gay men spoke of their experiences al the hands of the police, including one Irish man who was hospitalised result.
The campaign especially relevant as
"This branch/GMC/etc 1. Deplores the conduct
importuning tor immoral purooses
3. Demands that the Metropolis should immediately instruct his officers.
ual Offences Act 1956 should
as to annoyance caused by the alleged conduct.
Socialist Action 4 November 1983
tices of leakedo ice. recently report, commissioned by Metropolitan Police themselves, Concluece that there was already widespread abuse power to stop , and search on reasonable and that racist language and racial prejudice alc rampant among London's defenders of law and order.
Along with the increas ed USC surve lance. computers and informers the Police Bill completes a package which Thatcher MODES will be adequate tc deal with political and social unrest which could explode in the future and Wllake the 1981 uprisings look like a picnic.
The National Cambalgn against the Police Bill has plannea a conference on 19 January next ycal. Ine unanimous accision of the Labour Party Conic cice lo oppose the Bill has to be transformed from vlactical and active opposition the lactive opoment and
local areas.'
As Cecil Gutzmore, secretary of the campaign says: The so-called concessions cannot disguise the essentially reactionary and oppressive thrust this Bill . If it becomes law, the ightmare of a ponce state will be a reality.
• National Campaign against the Police Bill can be contacted at 50 Rectory Road, London N16, 01-249 8334.
National Conference: Sat 19 November, Sir William Collins School, Charrington Street, London NW1.
National march and rally: Sat 21 January, Brockwell Park, London to Trafalgar Square.
pighit the potice bill is
police bill passed with its anti-gay clauses, legally!
Labour parties, camDalens and orcanisation. are asked to give their support through the following motion. Copies Earls Court Defence Campaign, c/0 Gay London Police monitoring group 38 Mount Pleasant, London WC1X 7SPB. (01-278 6215). Speakers are available.
the Metropolitan Police towards gay people and particularly the use in Earls Court of plain clothes officers to entrap gay men on charges of
Z.ct 195for the repeal of section 32 of the Sexual Offences
Commissioner of Police for the
a) That they showa not use entrapment against any • sexual offence, and b) That alleged offences against section 32 of the Sex
not be prosecuted without the corroborative evidence of at least one civilian witness
AN EMERGENCY meeting of Muhammad Idrish Defence Campaign was convened in Birmingham on 19 October, which included representatives from NALGO'S NEC (Muhammad's union) and from the Bristol support group.
Its purpose was to mobilise the labour movement and black communities to fight Muhammad's imminent deportation.
On the 13 October Muhammad appeared before the High Court in London. He was appealing against the Home Office Adjudicator's interpretation of his marriage as being fraudulent and GENe absurdities regarding passport regulations. His appeal was re. jected and he was recommended for deportation.
Idrish campaign calls for action
Obviously ine state the and its agencies have
singled him out for his
voluntary social work activities among the black
alla Asian communities
and
Bristol.
By Bob Smith (campaign treasurer)
Muhammad says:
'My barrister said after the Home Office and courts
working together against me'
The campaign decided on a series of activities to fight the deportation and build support before the final appeal to the High Court.
Coaches will be laid on for supporters to joinMuhammad and many Labour Virs in a delega-
and tate o bobby the
lobby the High Court hearing in London which will take
THIS IS AN
UNOFFICIAL PICKET
LINE
INHAPPIS
Photo:
Muhammad Idrish
by the end of November.
NALGO are to be asked to call a national labour ference against deportations that will highlight Muhammad's case The campaign is also circulating a petition and a new model resolution
for unions and Labour
Labour's NEC and the TUC to send letters of condemnation to the Home Office
As well as leading the delegation to the Home Office, Labour MPs are being asked to raise
: ar Darly Day Monon In Ine House of Commons
60 MPs have already signed up in support of the campaign
A film of the defence camapign activities ana the large demonstration held in Birmingham plus our future activities is being produced for use l the labour movement and localities and will be available with speakers.
• For details of affiliation, where to send donations and other informa tion on how you can help please contact: Barry Lovejoy, 30 Atrobus Ra, Handsworth, Birm ingham 21 (021-523 8923).
Page 6 scan of this page
Socialist Action PRESIDENT REAGAN has now settled on the pretext that the invasion force arrived in Grenada 'just in time' before Cuba took over the island and turned it into an armed outpost.
the Cuban Communist Party and revolutionary government on the events in Grenada, Reagan's slanders in the words of the themselves.
Havana 20 October
CAN be seen clearly
sone weeks. maybe months, pro-
contiict has OCCI developing in the leadership and within the governing party of Grenada.
Fidel Castro
On 12 October our Embassy in Grenada intormca us or lne surprising and unpleasant about the profound divisions within the Central Committee of the Grenadian Party. On the morning of the day, Mr. Bishop humself communicated OuT Embassy the differences which had been surfacing for some time
which were being discussed and attempts to resolve them, but he had never imagined the
that would arise during his
(Bishop had just relurned from Eastern Europe and had briefly stopped over in Cuba ees)
We continuously received Embassy in Grenada durIng regarding the positions of
sides
LWU the conflict. In our opiface hectics ts were infact conflicts personalities and conceptions
leadership methods,
bere subjective factors
rere also present, rather han internal conflicts... le Fidel Caster sent a IS October. com. rade
nessage to the New Jewel Party Central Committee elling of Cuba's stand, stuch is ruled by the principle of abstaining Irom nierfering in the party's and country's internal affairs..
In that message it was expressed that Cuba's
4 November 1983
Cubans on the
Grenadian crisis
«We will
overcome"
Below we reproduce extracts from statements of
which rebut Cubans
commitment would be
ment to the Grenadian
regardless changes in the leadership of the Party and in the country, since these were vulcy lute la WlalEcs..
On 19 October in the early hours of the morning we began to receive news that the workers had gone on strike and that the people were on the streets in support of Bishop. Multitudes of people arrived at his home where they freed him from house arICOL. would although the news is not
inat an army in stallation was occupied by the people...
During the afternoon the dramatic outcome was made known, an official collulu us announced the deaths of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop (and the other NJM leaders eds). It is to be regretted that the divisions between the Grenadian
in this bloody drama.
No doctrine, no princiPiself revolutionary, no opinion calling no internal split can justify such atrocious acts as the physical elimination of Bishop and the prominent signified leaders who died honest and yesterday.
The death of Bishop and his comrades must be explained and if they were executedl cold blood, those responsible must be punished as an example.
Now imperialism will attempt to use this tragedy and the grave errors committed by the Grenadian revolutionaries to wipe out the revolutionary process in Grenada and subject her once again to imperialist and neo-colonialist dominance...
Havana 25 October
The Cuban revolutionary covenment reports that the Cuban Embassy in St Georges has reported that at dawn today US balaLOUCS began land in the area of the new Grenadian airport, which is still under construction. The landings were a short distance from the hostels where Cuban building workers are living. The workers had instructions
nemselves they were attacked...
Havana 2o Melober
declaration of the Cuban Communist Party and and governest readidel
of State Fide Castro at 1 a.m. press conference speaks of the 'unjustified, criminal, perfidious imperialist attack'
eastern Caribbean by a US air and naval connell, and some members of the al Ills of Jamaica, St. Lucia and Barbados.
He said that the Grenadian authorities, faced with the threat of invasion, requested Cuban collaboration, a request that was not easy to grant after the things that had happened in that country.
Castro said that the option of immediate evacua. tion of Cuban personel at a time in which US warships were approaching 'could have proven to be highly aemoransing dishonourable for our country the eyes of world opinion.
The declaration adds that the Grenadian leaders were informed that the
CIVlllan cooperators were very sman lore to be recaded as a factor of military im-
largescale US invasion, while the possibility of sending reinforcements was 'impossible and unthinkable'
The Cuban president stated that in a message to the Grenadian authorities, Cuba said that 'the Grenadian revolutionaries
aL C the only ones to blame for having created this un-
and difficult situation for the revoluLolar y process the political and military spheres.'
The public is informed
the at 6a.0 a moass do in
the Cuban ambassador Grenada Fidel's note to the United States
was lcdu Cuban personnel and the comrades replled that, worthy heirs of our people's traditions that following the example of Commander Chief, we will fight to the last man and the last shot and our moral high: Motherland or Death! Will overcome!'
(These extracts are taken from telexes from the Prensa Latina Agency in Havana. The translation is Resource Centrea Britain-Cuba
Grenadian unionists on the march
Ven Jend Morement Support Group (l k)
ON THE MORNING of Tuesday, 25 October, 1983 at 5.00am tiny Grenada was brutally invaded by the United States of
America the most
powerful country in the world.
consisted The invasion of 4,000 101 US special forces, followed by a token force of some 200 Caribbean soldiers and policemen from Jamaica, Darudaos, wolnillica St. Vincent, Antigua and St. Lucia.
Topper ted by are bel
ing supported naval and airborne task force which includes two aircraft carriers with over one hundred bombers, jet fighters, helicopters, gunships and other sophisticated means of mass destruction.
The invasion has violated all international law and has OCCI condemned world wide The pretext (which is not yet fully constructed) was to restore 'peace and democracy' Grenada and to remove the military Lner President Reagan said was posed to the US and the region.
Grenada does not, and could not pose a military threat to the US or any of its neighbours. What
GRENADA BELONGS
TO THE GRENADIANS
Grenada was doing was developing a people's participatory democracy which is an anathema to the governments of some neighbouring states, their imperialistic master, United States. Hostility
Ever since the people's revolution of 13 March 1979. Grenada has been subjected to hostility and threats the Unites States administration and
certain Caribbean countries
The revolution did not ONV these onslaughts, but went from suengli to strengin brought considerable material benefits people of Grenada. The
People's Revolutionary Government was admired by many other Third World Peoples, who during that same period faced increased exploitation the hands of imperialism
The internal disputes within the NJM, the ruling Prime Minister; ‹illing the comrade
Maurice Bishop and other members of the People's Revolutionary Government, in no way can be interpreted as a breakdown in law, oreel or the popular democracy practiced in our country.
In any event, these facts are no justification for the Americans to invade Grenada, or, as it is
Grenada Cobnieat
And
being put about be the other
countric. region, to invite the United States to invade our country.
As Grenadians, we feel that whatever Oul •all
For internal problems. torelgil DOWe has the right to intervene in our affairs. We believe that the aim of the United States and its lackeys is to eliminate all progressive elements in Grenada anc impose on its people puppet regime to serve the interests of US imperialism Resistance
The United States carrying out in discriminate bombings highly populated areas in
still fierce resistance,
heroic soldiers people defend their homeland and the tangible gains achieved by the
The United States are also conducting systematic rounding and executing the leaders
government, members of the NJM, and prominent leaders. Many Grenadians
been killed Oul casualties heavy and Grenada has a population alc of only 110,000. Every family will be affected.
The United States has attempicu impose total news blackout in order to conceal from the
International
Union
TICSL of the world the genocidal the! are committing against our
The United States has greatly underestimated the fierce resistance that the Grenadan people mounted to aerena tel •country s independence and territorial integrity. Whatever short term advantage the United States may gair they will never succeed in wiping out the gains of the revolution
We of the NJM support group call on Grenadians, Caribbean peoples Halema ponical partes. trade union groups, church and could organisations in helping to achieve the following now:
Immediate, uncondi-
foreign invaders.
international aid to alleviate the suffering and care of the injured.
Sending of observers to stop the assassination of JTULICOSIVI leaders.
For Grenadians to be allowed to determine their
US bases in Grenada — no mortgaging
Out with all foreign invaders!
Grenada belongs to the Grenadians!
Foward ever backward never!
Long live the New Jewel Movement!
The struggle continues!
Page 7 scan of this page
"This is the hour of unity in defence of the revolution'
International
ON FRIDAY 28 October the Grenadian and Nicaraguan flags flew over Lambeth Town Hall in an act of solidarity.
Over 500 people crammed into an anti-intervention rally called by Vauxhall Labour Party, with a further 250 overspill meeting.
Among the speakers were Fennis Augustine the Grenadian High Com-
me FOR MIN of E Salvador and
Francisco D'Escoto the Nicaraguan ambassador. We publish extracts from their speeches.
Fennis Augustine,
Grenadian High
Commissioner
THIS IS not a time for tears. This is a time when we have to reinforce the \JM motto 'Forward ever! Backward never"" I want to tale the opportunity to thank you for the support which has been given to the Grenadian revolution from March 1979, and hopefully the support that you will continue to give us, because comrades the struggle continues!
You may have heard President Reagan sayıng television night that he had saved Grenada just in the nick of time. You will remember
sallle Reagan who we mounted a because of in carefully because carefully planned rehearsal, COok named 'Amber', which we at Grenada. Then some people believed us. some didn't.
British government didn't know
There are very pressing reasons for President Reagan to find DULLIC means of justification.
He has discovered a major arms storage depot.
Comrades, it would have been irresponsible of the People's Revolutionary Government, given the threats of invasion in 1981 and after, not to have prepared themselves!
Comrades, we have arms, we nave bullcts and we have a militia of 20,000 strone are told that the Cubans are there in force It is interesting that from the very day of the invasion, the figure of 1000 Cuban troops was quoted.
Then we were told that 200 were disarmed and taken to Barbados - but there continued to 1000
Now the purpose of that is clear. It
of the heroic struggle being waged by OU! comrades the towns, in the houses, in the hills.
It is a clear indication of the strength and committment to a system that the Americans did not want to see exist in that part of the world.
I was. called to the
participating in an Foreign Office to be told that Her Majesty's governMerl SUCCES that the lives and property of British nationals in Grenada will be protected. ine lollowillg day the Foreign Office received those assurances in the form of a broadcast by General Austin.
The very day I was summoned was the day that Reagan issued
lives of American na-
I find it extremely difficult to believe the
tionals. should be protected.
Comrades, in politics there is no such thing as an accident. I find it extremely difficult to belleve that the Government did not know or were not consulted.
Let us suppose
disapproved. But if the didn't make this public it
that they are quietly agreeeing.
I don't want to have a long discussion on our 'friends' in the Caribbean who either appealed to the United States, or the United States appealed to them to appeal to them.
These countries con-
pired in a disgusting way
They feared the one coun try in the English speaking Caribbean where the people could make a comparison. The Americans have come up, despite their size against a determined people. We ask for your assistance to see what pressure can be brought to secure ceasefire, American and carl beal
American and forces from the Island and
Commonwealth force,
the Commonwealth forces involved in the conspiracy.
Fransisco D'Escoto,
Vicaragua Ambassador
the United States.
the Reagan challenge for us, we must organise ourselves.
Salvador Moncada FDR-FMLN representative the realities of the United States
Europe.
The same people who oppose democracy in Central America are the people who oppose demo-
in the developed countries.
It is necessary for the people to understand that
and unite, because the enemy is the same enemy.
NICARAGUA condemns the unjustified military occupation of Grenada by interventionist troops of
This proves without any doubt the clear desire of
administration for war. There is a THE SITUATION in Central America and the Caribbean region has changed so suddenly and so much in the last couple of weeks. It has been defined by naked imperialist aggression towards Grenada. We strongly believe that what is happening in Central America and in Grenada is not so far away from
and Western
We of course know full well what United States Guatemala in 1954, it is Cuba in 1961, is is Santa Domingo in 1965, it is now Grenada and it probably will be, if we allow them to do it, Central America in the near
While the invasion of Grenada was taking place Guatemala, el Sa of
Salvador and Honduras were having a meeting to activate their military alliance and see if they will invite Reagan's troops into Central America.
Our intelligence has confirmed that in the near future you will be reading in the press that we, the sandinistas, nave carrice out sabotage in economic sectors in Costa Rica and
future.
We have destroyers, aircraft carriers, planes, helicopter gunships military advisors ana thousands of soldiers on the Honduran and Nicaraguan border. They have organised joint military manoeuvres with the armv of Hondura. military manoeuvres that will last from August 1983 to March 1984.
Socialist Action 4 November 1983 Honduras.
The reason is to arouse the people of Costa Rica and Honduras against Nicaragua. Tonight we would like to pay tribute to the heroic people of Grenada and to the inter nationalist spirit shown by the Cuban workers We in Nicaragua have Cuban workers in the education and health fields. We are very proud nave them in Nicaragua.
You have heard many
Honduras has now become plattorn for launching attacks against Nicaragua and ine lorce. of the FDR-FMLN in El Salvador. situation has to be stopped.
The same people who oppose democracy in Central America are the people who oppose democracy in the developed countries.
We are fighting, we are continuing struggle, but we are completely conscious of the fact that it is necessary also to have your and understanding.
proposals for peace for United state guar Nicaragua t ment. There can peace without justice
Peace is impossible a long as the powerful mair tain their arrogant stand c demanding the developin countries act in acco
with imperiall interests.
This is the hour of un ty in action for the defenc of our country and revolu tion. Our people are read to fight and resist.
We need to talk an share experiences in orde to be able to find the bes way to fight the commo Cuculy
I want to pay speci tribute to those fighters i vrenada wno al tne mo ment are in the hills an still resisting. Every Cuba who has given his life fo the defence of the territor of Grenada is a hero doing what they are doin they are showing that ther is no possibility of givin up the fight
We have to continu and we have to tino ti most effective way to carr on this fight. want t finish by saying what th Grenadians always forward ever, backwar never!
Page 8 scan of this page
Maurice Bishop
THE DEATH| Bishop is a tragedy for the Grenadian revolution, the whole revolutionary process in Central America and the Caribbean and socialists throughout world. For over four years he was leader of the tionary process in Grenada, giving hope and inspiration to the oppressed peoples of the Caribbean. The crocodile tears shed by imperialism are an insult to the struggle he led.
The circumstances surrounding his death are confused. With the United States invasion, the real facts of the internal dissension within the NJM and the precise circamstances of his killing may never be known.
What is certain is that from the days of his return to Grenada in 1970 after his legal studies in Lon-
The was an immensely popular
re on the island. He and other
Ents returning ht with them the ideas of the power movement. In 1973,
of Maurice
for
for the
revolu-
named, was thugs.
The formed,
Wing up Nicaragua, for the
everywhere. He,
and pressures
determined their own future.
at that time
have come
Socialist Action 4 November 1983
along with his legal colleague Kendrick Radix, he set up an opposition organisation called the Movement For Assemblies of the People and began work amongst what he called 'the masses'. With the other leaders of the New Jewel Movement which grew out of MAP, Bishop received brutal treatment at the hands of the Gairy dictatorship. In 1974, his father, Rupert, revolution, after whom the main army garrison
shot by Gairy's
After the revolution he became Prime Minister in the new People's internal Revolutionary Government which
taking responsibility, not just as a figurehead, for crucial areas of the islands development as the NJM set out on the path to socialism. He became a world wide ambassador for Grenada also tak- legislative
support for Cuba, for revolutionary forces of the FMLN/FDR in El half Salvador, for oppressed peoples
and his govern- The ment, refused to bow to the threats
of imperialism they made their own friends and
revolution:
Now his tragic killing has been followed by the US invasion. But Whatever the disagreements that
out in recent weeks within the New Jewel Movement, Day 1980.
and within the People's Revolutionary Government, there can be no excuse for the bloody consequences of the disagreements. The Cuban condemnation is absolutely correct. The lesson is that real proletarian democracy is not an optional extra for a revolution but a crucial component.
Despite the positive gains of the
there was no real democracy within the NJM and only a consultative process with the population as a whole. The NJM does not possess the structures of
democracy by which disputes may be resolved.
The last reported words of Maurice Bishop when a demonstration released him from house arrest were, cryptically, 'The masses'. If the masses had been allowed a real
and decision making role, then the US threat of invasion, a real threat for four and a
years, might have become actuality.
Grenadian revolution might still be on course, and Comrade Maurice Bishop might still be alive to give the battle cry of the
'Forward Ever, Backward Never.'
We print opposite his inspiring speech on solidarity with the victory of the revolution: Together we shall win! given in Havana on May
THE IMPERIALIST INVASION of Grenada is aimed at crushing the revolutionary process begun on 13 March 1970, imperialist and domination. Having assert its independence after centuries of exploitation Grenada is to be crushed.
This exploitation, French colonialists in the seventeenth century was based on plantations worked by thousands African slaves, whose descendants form the vast bulk of the island's 110,000 inhabitants. British takeover changed only which colonial power profited.
Opposition to British throughout the first half of the twenfieth century, reaching a peak in 1950 when Eric Gairy founded the Grenada Manual and Mental Workers Union (GMMWU). His first act, supported by strikes on twelve estates was to demand a 50 per cent wage increase for sugar plantation workers. Sensing mass support Gairy organised a general strike anu uie burua downdeseeot arrest then provoked mass protest and he was finally released after agreeing to calm the workers. Gairy was now the workers' hero, their undisputed leader.
He quickly took steps to transform this influence into organising the Grenada People's Party (GPP) and winning a landslide victory in the 1952 elections. He inspired pride and rebellion in the Grenadian people shaking rule by the plantation owners to the foundations.
Colonial
But the planters were not beaten They refused to accept Gairy and set about undermining his power. A further general strike was a failure, Gairy relying on rhetoric rather than politics and programme. His lack of a national strategy led to compromise with the colonial government and his support fell away. The hero became part of the problem, his own vanity and eccentricities, spending his spare time practising witchcraft, doing helped maintain him in power.
Electoral support vanished in 1957 with the election of the Grenada National Party (GNP) led by former henchman, Herbert Blaize. But the GNP did not have the answers to Grenada's problems any Gairy as the net income of the planters rose 170 per cent while agricultural pay rose only 15 per cent. unemployement was 42.6 per cent.
Gairy got back power in the 1967 elections and in the next twelve years ran an increasingly oppressive dictatorship marked by economic deterioration, domestic repression and personal corruption. The Labour Party (GULP), as the GPP had been renamed, maintained its power by electoral fraud.
But the 1960s also brought to the Caribbean the Black Power movement
young and radical returned home from education in Britain and the United States. So, in 1970, Maurice Bishop, just back from law studies in Britain led demonstrations in solidarity with youth
GRENAD
revolution anc
counter-revol
unyeiled
and re-establishing
neo-colonial begun to
CHRARAARASTRTO begun by
LWU
drick
Whiteman.
rule gren
tion to Gairy.
convened
Evicting
political power, savagely Gang. elements
Gairy
Wing the strike, DrOKeI uP
began Grenadian developing
tions for
increasingly concerned with
parliamentary favours for those who
Gairy's military
Gairy more than
Meanwhile,
population
the new Grenada United Government.
intellectuals
rebellions
Trinidad, denouncing Gairy and calling for 'more jobs now'.
To cope with this new threat, Gairy
the Mongoose Gang - { paramilitary squad of criminal thugs. They were shortly followed by the night ambush squad and other organisations as Gairy's favourite pastime became creating new arms of the repressive
In response, the new opposition began to organise itself, initially into
organisations: Movement for assemblies of the People (MAP) led by Bishop and his lawyer colleague Ken-
Radix, and JEWEL (Joint Endeavour for Welfare, Education anc Liberation) led by economist Unisor
In March 1973 the groups fused into the New Jewel Movement (NJM), not a marxist party, nor yet one which considered the revolutionary seizure of power, but one which took up the central concerns of opposi-
Brutality
Events moved rapidly as the NJM
two People's Congresses, each attended by 10,000 islanders, con-
Gairy of corruption, competence and brutality and calling for him to resign within two weeks or face a general strike.
The strike was called but six main leaders of the NJM were arrested and
beaten by the Mongoose At this point, anti-Gairy amongst the bourgeoisie formed the Committee of 22 and the strike began on 19 November, 1973.
survived, _oul a more serious strike began on 1 January, 1974. Dur-
which was eventually Grenada was granted in dependence from Britain on 7 February
Learning from this failure, the NJM
to organise and educate the people more effectively, support groups in every village and town, establishing organisa-
women and youth, and systematically organising its work in unions and amongst the unemployed. An electoral alliance with the GNP won
TCUICCLaLUl in 1976 but blatant fraud kept Gairy in power Realising parliament was a farce and that an electoral strategy would not succeed, the NJM organised a secret
wing, the People's Revolutionary Army (PRA).
left the country early in March 1979 to further his research into Unidentified Flying Objects leaving instructions for the execution of the NJM leadership. The response was rapid and decisive as the NJM in the early hours of 13 March seized the army barracks and radio station. The response of the
was equally decisive. By 4pm the island was under the control of
People's Revolutionary
Creating socialism was not seen as the immediate task but as something
maelermmale ruture. Mean• while the plan was for a mixed economy in which the state sector would be dominant. Initial plans to nationalise banks for example, were dropped although
tion. Even so, the immediate acts of the
were a whole series of pro. working class laws and measures aimed
Page 9 scan of this page
DA:
rtion
… overcoming the oppression ULCL. Radical social measures reated the basis of a Welfare State for he first time. Develonments ke tree health care immediately improved the ives of the islanders. State control over key imports and exports was also established.
"he concent of Westminister-stvle emocracy was ridiculed and the basis of a real democratic alternative began lo be established throughout the island. This took the form of workers councils, arish councils and other mass organisations ike the National Women's organisation and the National Youth organisation.
The flaw was that these institutions vere imposed from above rather than lowing naturally out of revolutionary apheavals. They were consultative not -gislative. Certainly leaders were acountable to them, certainly they faced riticisms in them, certainly they took ote of them, but, ultimately, the peole themselves were not able to legislate rough them.
The popularity of the revolution nd of Maurice Bishop in particular, minimised these contradictions radually popular participation fell way. Major disagreements about the ature of the revolution seem not to ave received a full and open discussion
- as is evidenced by the bloody manner
which concealed disagreements final-
crabic mio we killing or Dislop.
The most decisive changes however ame in the field of foreign policy as ree Grenada began to make its own iends in a process Bishop termed lisengagement from imperialism'. As non-aligned nation Cuba became the ain ally. As the US refused to give aid ad blocked aid elsewhere, the Soviet
Decame a crucial source conomic assistance.
Reagan was enraged. The new airort, crucial to tourist developiuell,
as debased ret in Cree
base. Ine real gains or the evolution were attacked. стосгасу under development ounced as dictatorship. Intervention as planned and rehearsed.
In the face of problems eagan's hostility and the nature of the conomy, distorted by centuries of exbitation, reliant on nutmeg, cocoa ad bananas, Grenadian economic covery was nothing short draculous. Growth last year was five er cent, a rate unheard of in the Cariban, far outstripping the stagnation ipping the economies of the major estern capitalist countries. Even the ternational Monetary Fund was forcI to take notice.
Here was the real threat to imerialism — not a military threat, but a treat by example. The example of the rogress a people can make when they
themselves from imperialist omination and begin to determine eir own future.
The process started on 13 March 19, the process of socialist revolution
ms to have been at least temporarily rought to halt by imperialist
unter-revolution. The United States
ends to establish a puppet regime
subjects Grenadian people again to oppression.
Socialists throughout the world
It rally to the defence of the Grenarevolution so that cries of 'ForEver, Backward Never' may once
"Cuba,
of
Esteemed Comrade Fidel Castro Esteemed Comrade Daniel Ortega Beloved Revolutionary Comrades of Free and Revolutionary Cuba I bring you today warm revolutionary greetings from the people of free Grenada. This morning, comrades, Il was addressing a rally in my own country to honour International Workers Day, and I left my country some time after 11 o'clock this morning to travel more than 1000 miles to come to your country. But even if the distance was 10,000 miles, no force on earth could have stopped me from being here today.
The unity, the militant solidarity which unities our countries, our peoples' struggles, it is this unity and this solidarity which is today making imperialism tremble because we recognise in Grenada just as imperialists recognise that without the but Cuban revolution of 1959 there could have been no Grenadian revolution, nor Nicaraguan revolution in 1979.
They therefore have good reason to tremble when they hear the masses of Cubans saying: 'Cuba, Grenada, together we shall win.'
It is the Cuban revolution that has taught the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean how to face blockades, how to defeat criminal invasions of their territories. The people of this region have looked at Giron, they have looked at La Coubre, they have looked at Escambray, they have looked at of assassination attempts on their leadership; they remember the October 1976 destruction of their Cubana airliner, they have seen your struggles; they have been inspired by your victories; and they have observed The that even in the face of these de- able to wipe out illiteracy, difficulties revolutionary Cuba was prostitution, drug-taking, and like unemployment. They were able to see you build socialism in your small country. They have seen your strides and achievements in health and education. of Blood
They have seen that today, 21 years after your revolution, your country is able to assist more than 30 countries around the world. And countries like Grenada and Nicaragua will always feel grateful to the people of Cuba and to the Cuban revolution for their assistance with their doctors, with their teachers, and with their selfless workers.
Certainly we in Grenada will never forget that it was the military of our revolution that provided us with the basis to defend our own revolution. And when imperialism and reaction keep saying to us in Grenada. Why do we need arms. where are the arms coming from, should such a small country need so much arms, we always give them the answer our people have given. Whenever mercenaries or foreign aggressors land in our country, they will ascover now much arnis we Have, whether we can use the arms, and where the arms came from as we shed their blood on our soil.
Your revolution, comrades, has also provided the region and the
Nicaragua,
Grenada
together we
shall win!'
world with a living legend with your great and indomitable leader, Fidel how to fight, but also how to work, how to build socialism, and how to lead our country in a spirit of
firm revolutionary leadership.
It is important to be in revolutionary Cuba at this period in world history. Today we can see another crisis in international capitalism. Today we can see them complaining that their superprofits are falling.
school lunches they have been providing for their children, even
$500 million. finding that jobs are disappearing.
on investments around the world demand that they create new tension in the world, so that their economy would once again flourish. Struggles Nicaragua,
They are also terrified by the victories of the national liberation movements in Africa, in Asia, in the Middle East, and right here in Latin America. They have looked around and they see that today the struggles of the people of the region are
look at El Salvador and they recognise that while yesterday it was Cuba, Nicaragua, and Grenada tomorrow it will undoubtedly be El Salvador.
more than $142 billion on arms. the same time, the invasions which
shaping now to create new doctrines, to plan new manoeuvres, to obtain new bases to strengthen and deepen their military presence in the hope that this will crush the rising wave of national liberation consciousness that is sweeping our region and the world. Nicaragua, in Colombia, in the Dominican Republic, in Haiti, in Honduras, all or tnese invasions
they are now preparing once again to embark on a new campaign of terror
region
direct intervention, sometimes they rely more on control and force, on the techniques of destabilisation, on the use of diplomatic pressure, on the use of propaganda destabilisation. on ibe policy of economic isolation. 5=. = why
от.
In 1954, they succeeded in
In 1973, they succeeded in
the one lesson that they have never
Giron right here in revolutionary Cuba!
Castro. Fidel has taught us not only
humanity, sincerity, commitment, and
We can see their interest rate running towards 20 per cent. The
that, they have had to reduce by over
Their workers are daily
But their more than $33 billion profit
against our peoples. which is based on war and armament continuing to reach new heights. They
So they have decided to step up on their arms supply and their arms race.
They have decided to spend this year
At
have characterised their relations with Grenada too'. our region over the years starting with the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, they are
Their interventions in Mexico, in
in Panama,
which they have had over the years...
and intimidation of the people of our
But sometimes it is no longer by
manipulation, on the use of threat of
CMETETECTI
overthrowing Arbenz in Guatemala. overthrowing Allende in Chile. But forgotten and will never forget is that in 1961 they failed when they tried at military power.
Fidel Castro with Maurice Bishop
Today we can hear them setting up their cries against the revolutionary processes in Nicaragua and Cuba
You can hear them talking about human rights, you can hear them calling for elections even though they won't understand that our revolutions are popular revolutions. You can see them encouraging the ultraleftists in our countries to take violent action
Their propaganda has reached thẹ: point where our countries have become electoral issues in the presidential campaign in that country. And at the same time, as usual, the threats against revolutionary Cuba, the continuation of the criminal economic blockade against revolutionary Cuba, the creation of artificial crisis after artificial crisis.
First the question of the Soviet troops in October last year, and now the question of so-called refugees at this point in time. All of this is part and parcel of the imperialist campaign to try to defame the Cuban revolution, to try to isolate the Cuban people, to try to lay the basis for an armed invasion or other form of intervention of your beloved country. But in Grenada we have been using a slogan and that slogan has been saying that 'if they touch Cuba or if they touch Nicaragua, then they touch
Comrades, as the people who own this region, as the people who belong to these countries, it is for us to decide what we want to do with our lives in our countries. It is for us, the people of the region, to demand whether or not we want to have military bases on our territory. It is for us to decide whether or not we want other peoples' planes to fly over our countries. And one of the most contemptuous and arrogant acts of imperialism is todav to presume that in 1980 not only do they have the right to have a base in Guantanamo but that they also have a right to operate military manoeuvres on the very soil of free and revolutionary Cuba.
That is an insult and a piece of contempt that the people of the region wil never forgive or forget. And the people of this region are going to continue in our demand
demand an end to all mitary 2sk
forces and air and sea patrols of our region. We demand that the people of
the region must be free from
aggressive military harassment of any
We demand an end to
the Monroe Doctrine and to the
Carter Doctrine and all other
doctrines which are aimed at perpetuating interventionism or backyardism in the region.
There must be and end to all attempts to use the so-called peacekeeping apparatus of the Organisation of American States to militarily intervene in the region. tc hold back progressive and patriotic movements.
We also call today that the right to self-determination for all the peoples in the region must be recognised anc acceptea We today renew our call for the independence of the sister people of Puerto Rico. We today insist that all of the people of the region in the 25 colonial countries which still exist
English, Dutch, French, the American territories — we demand the right to independence for the peoples of those countries. We demand that a principle of ideological pluralism musi be respected and practiced by imperialist powers.
We must have the right to build our processes in our own way, free from outside interference, free from all forms of threats or attempts to force us to accept other peoples' processes. Integrity
Today we insist that there must be and end to the invasions, an end to the landing by marines, an end to the gunboats, an end to the Playa Giron, an end to the slaughters and massacres of our Sandinos, our Ches, and our Allendes
We call also for an end to the arming and financing of counterrevolutionary and anti-popular, antidemocratic or anti-progressive regimes. There must be an end to the manipulation of regional and world tension for electoral purposes. The future of the region and the future of the world, the question of world peace cannot be compromised because of any election, no matter whose election.
There must therefore be respect for the sovereignty, legal equality, and territorial integrity of the countries of our region.
It is clear today, comrades. cha: the desperaie Jars a:
Cariodea die Centrai American region continues to go forward with
We salute you, the freedom-loving people of revolutionary Cuba. , We seader, Comrade Fidel Castro. salute your and revolutionary Socialist Action 4 November 1983 9
Page 10 scan of this page
THE ACTION INTERVIEW African state asked the US to in- tervene to overthrow the racist, apartheid state of South Africa that Reagan would do it? I think
Top row, left to right: Maurice Bishop, Kendrick Radix, Unison Whiteman. Bottom row, left to right: Howard Austin,
10 CAROL DAVIS left Grenada on Tuesday 18 October just seven days before the US invasion and the day before Maurice. Bishop died. She is a member of the New Jewel Movement and a senior administrative officer in the Ministry of Education.
She was in Britain to attend a War on Want conference on health and literacy. She is now speaking at solidarity rallies. Below she tells JUDE WOODWARD what the NJM had achieved in Grenada and gives her analysis of what caused the dispute inside the NJM.
We are publishing her opinion on the dispute so that our readers can learn from all sides what went on in the NJM. Socialist Action does not endorse Carol's view however.
We agree with the Cubans who in a statement made from Havana on 20 October said: 'No doctrine, no principle, no opinion calling itself revolutionary, and no internal split can justify such atrocious acts as the physical elimination of Bishop and the prominent group of honest and dignified leaders who died'.
Why do you think that the US invaded Grenada this week?
The US government has tried justify the invasion of Grenada by saying that Grenada was a threat to US security and interests. They certainly cannot mean that Grenada was
physical threat. That would be ludicrous.
The population of our island is 110,000. Grenada is so won't find it on a map unless you first know where to look for the pinprick. Our army is only 2000 strong. don't have a navy at all. Well we refer to 'our navy', but it is one boat hardly the size of this room coastguard's vessel!
Our army does technology equipment. we spend our monev on armaments. our money is used to raise the standard of living people.
Peoples Revolutionary came to power unemployment in our country was 50 per cent. We put a lot of effort into that and the last time we
- was down to 14 per cent. That's still :a0 high. But its a big achievement.
Health
We have a literacy programme is -are reduced illiteracy to 10 per
We abolished school fees for seria: schools so that no Grena-
=i zould be denied an educasait of the financial Instead: their family.
riduced free bealth care. sit be tea a programme of house
=5: 0i great big buildings. trodes homes of the Repairs were done bere were proper
Socialist Action 4 November 1983
not.
small you
We
which is the
not have high
don't
When Government
Bernard Coard, Selwyn Strachan
'threat to its security'.
other Caribbean countries.
tervention, like Trinidad. cirOverthrow
opposed Grenada Americans to go in.
US to
bes af Tom the LS government.
ple. That is what the US means by a
We achieved things through our independence and our government, that the puppet governments of other Caribbean islands have not achieved.
The other reason Reagan gives is that he was asked to intervene by
Many of the most important opposed the in-
smale: courizes ali puppe regimes
wanted the But that's not why the US did it. Do you think if every single African state asked the need
intervene to overthro the
cist, apartheid state of South Afric thar Reagan would do it? I think not.
There has been a long campaign of
Last our revolution in Grenada
Do you think if every single
we were building a secret submarine base for the Russians. But they didn't lake mucn account or lne geograpmy of our island, as they claimed it was being built in the dam in the mountains of Grenada, which is totally inaccessible by sea!
Then they claimed that our new international arport was in realitv a military base for the Soviet The international airport is a key
есопотк development. tomy is corally dependen: on two
agriculture and tourism. Ar presen: de anil have an airport for small aurerati. and is can oniv be us. ed in the day as there are no lights. To develop tourism and bring in numbers of international tourists, we
the new airport. Increasing tourism is vital to raise the living standards of our people.
Then the US claimed that we had Cuban troops in our country. sent technicians to help us build our airport, as did many other countries You have to understand the feat of
engineering involved in the international airport. Grenada is a small and mountamous space long enough for a runway for international jets involved filling in part of the sea, and chopping bits off mountains.
people, and we did not have the skills or technology to do this ourselves. We Union.
Plessey has Our
doing the lights. Militia
large Cuban workers had to fight because a
bullet will not dodge around you if you are a worker and not a soldier. A bullet can't choose, Cubans fought alongside our army
Cuba
bitten off more than it can chew. They admitted resistance was tougher than expected.
leadership.
for the party.
The
Bernard Coard,
joint leadership
against it Maurice rumours about
side the party.
why Bishop's vasion.
rule.
military
lo tind a flat
We are a small island with few
Even a British company been involved, they are
But when the US intervened the
the British troops every and
But the US may find that it has We
that the
International
And even if they manage to set uj some kind of government it will not be over. It cannot ever be over for us. We have fought too long for that. Maurice Bishop who was and is great revolutionary would turn in his grave at the idea.
How did the differences inside the NJM start to surface?
You must understand that we have two separate structures in Grenada the government and the party. There was a problem in the party. A majority felt that there should be a joint
No challenged the fact that Maurice Bishop should be Prime Minister, but people felt that one man running things was not right
Response
imperialist press have presented the situation as a 'power struggle'! This is not the case at all.
who was to be the joint leader of the party, was not pro. moting his own case. The change was in response to the feelings of the majority of the party which favoured a
Maurice Bishop first of all agreed and then changed his mind and was
Then it appeared that Bishop began to spread Coard which parts members felt could endanger Coard's life. This was unacceptable
Maurice Bishop was undoubtedly the leader with popular support out-
But for a leader to endanger the life of another is a serious matter, and would not be allowed.
It was a matter of principle. This is
Bishop places under house arrest. But for the people of Grenada Maurice Bishop was the New Jewel Movement. Explaining the difference between Maurice Bishop and the party was very difficult.
Things got worse when a few of
supporters 1n the NJM leadership led a demonstration which resulted in his release. They then led the march to the fort in St Georges which is the military headquarters and arsenal. It was clear that they were seeking to arm nemselves As the Peoples Revolutionary Army remained loyal to the majority of the NJM this could only have resulted in civil war. It was to prevent this occuring that the shooting took place. Invasion
This was our tragedy, our problem, and does not justify the UŠ in-
We sort ourselves. And we would have done.
On the Monday, the day before the US invasion, martial law had been lifted and we had returned to civilian
Normality had been restored. There was no military coup. The
took control temporarily because a military situation was posed. There was a threat of civil war The army was loyal to the NJM
The NJM was in control of the government throughout the situation It is a misconcention that there wer major disagreements on policy. policy we had always had a collective approach and there is no reason to suppose that any major changes in pclicy were to be expected.
What should happen now?
Here you must build up pressure on
government to get US COUL of Grenada. Mobilise organis thon you call on Lois basis. And get as many people to London as possible on 5 November. We will fight on in Grenada.
have fight. We have nothing to lose by fighting on. And it will not be over when the fighting itself has stopped
Page 11 scan of this page
An open letter to Labour's left from the LCC "Turn the Party outwards'
National Labour Briefing
Letters
The LCC is anxious to
explore the basis for a
new unity on
Labour left. Our anxie-
ty is underlined by the
different reactions
the Brighton
ference and to the new
Party
amongst various
Photo: CHRIS DAVIES (Report groups.
Even before the con-
ference, the left
severely split, not least bet-
ween those based in Lon-
don and those in the rest of
the country.
Such divisions reflect a
serious fragmentation
1981, Will
groups almost completely
marginalising
at Brighton,
LCC one of the few groups Peter Hain in his campaigning days correctly judging both the
leadership election and the
post general election mood
at rank and file level
Just as the
been damagea in
years by a rigid left/right-
fragmentation of the left
warring
prevents dialogue
points of agreement which
JOHN HARRIS
Conference. -
Co-ordinating committee. Roy Hattersley The key
discussion was
Briefing's response to the
LCC proposals for
unity behind Kinnock.
Approaches
between
Organiser and
Action supporters.
John Bloxam
Socialist Organiser pushed
for outright rejection
while Socialist Action sup-
porters stressed the need to
importance of
So we combed all h the psychiatric hospitals and found a genuine (dyed-in-the-wool path.....
Photo: JOHN HARRIS
Neil Kinnock
the
'83 conhas leadership political left The absence of
for the was volved le contributed
sone structive leadership. lICW Inelselves and with the In Neil
who would
Party has toral college. recent and more current the majority
and tions.
We should THE NATIONAL Labour Briefing Editorial Board met on Sunday 23 October. The meeting was larger than the previous EB meeting, reflecting the success of the first issue (6300 sold) and the impact of the decision to produce a daily bulletin at Labour Party
Briefing is now clearly seen as the most open forum for debate in the Party for those who are critical of the deals and compromises being proposed by Neil Kinnock and his advisers in the Labour
political isolating around
left unity ourselves. differed Socialist Socialist byn should be reply for
action
HOL concrete
A PIECE of the ACTION
psycho-
However, the LCC re
kind of unity operating in
which although effective in pro. mouillg acuvily on a lalrow range of issues such as
suppressed real differences between various left groups.
UUCl and honest political basis
compromises inunity has ICIS to recent
In finding out whether there is anv basis tor a new
able unity, the LCC believes a
attitude to the but It has already boosted the Party internally and externally.
Kinnock we have the kind of left leader
never have won as recently as three vous aco betore mie ece
Even Roy Hattersley is more radical
committed to of Party policies than were many of us predecessors irom int right in leadership posi-
recognise that the new leadership has
fight son,
Cell Briefing from those who voted for Kinnock in the Party by having clear proposals for left
Eventually the meeting decided that Jeremy Cor has
asked to Briefing outlining a basis for unity. The basis of this unity would
against the Tories, for the defence of conference policies and a
commitment to
• an authentic pathological killer!
BrAnd we've placed h him in charge of Britain's nuclear defence J
created new political space in which the left can prosper.
must also that the Party abides by the democratic verdict of the electoral college — our electoral college. This ap plies both to leader and depuly wno each won majorities in all sections of the college.
It does not mean giving the leadership a blank che que. Narner Il means giv ing a priority to other mat-
Labour's left developed almost obsession with the leadership, perhaps understand-
after the appalling Wilson/Callaghan legacy,
strategically short-sighted in its neglect of the overwhelming necessity to rebuild the shattered base of our movement.
For historic and other
adopt an 'oppositionalist' stance in the Partv. In the current circumstances that is a luxury we cannot alford. Instead, the left must take the initiative in turning the Party outwards to construct a new, wide base of support.
Above all, the believes there must now be an absolute priority given
marks successes
the witch-hunt.
Briefing was also to have an editorial specifying its own views.
Future issues will include a reply to Neil Kinnock's article Socialism' by Jo Richard-
the debate on EEC will continue and two different views of the re-
Nato d Campaign conference will be pubished
An International SubCommittee nas been sel up under the chairpersonship of Peter Gowan. Tario Ali
agreed to speak Briefing Coventrv Saturday 19 November followed by the next tional Briefing EB at Lanchester Polytechnic Sunday 26th November.
The deadline for Briefing articles is 7 November.
‹Perhaps
to campaigning create support for socialist values and Party policies insist However,
paigning' matter of better or slicker presentation of policy it is or snoula de aimea al en couraging people to fight for themselves. Within this context, lonowing basis lor unity. 1) Joint policy areas been social policy; decentralisavean tion (including has tion); ecology; Ireland; a
genuinely foreign policy; and an up dated economic strategy capable
crisis. 2) Joint campaigning to win union ballots for affiliation to the Party and strengthen Party/union links. 3) Joint action to ensure that the Party campaigns effectively to branch level 4) An absolute commitment to unilateralism of defence strategy. 5) Building support for LCC the new
minimum and for campaigns to de'My
the
The Street Life Supple ment collective is calling a national meeting in November.
for
the ahead and produce a daily meeling
Na- bulletin
Labour Party Conference There were only two votes against this - John Bloxham and Tony Greenstein, supporters of That sounds a little risky
tome.
you're right.
Socialist Action 4 November 1983
ta
such 'camis not simply a aule challenges
election. suggest the
discussior which have hunt. nolaoy
devolu- tional
non-aligned
alternative volvement
tackling a deepening
from national
Party.
non-nuclear
statutory wage policy,
LABOUR
BRIEFING
dISCUSSIOT
The final decision of
ICXI
terview ingstone.
Socialist
11 fend local democracy and the health service.
6) Unless circumstances unexpected way, no
new leader and deputy, at least until atter the next general
7) Defence of nall datory re-selection and the electoral college, • ana OI position to any new witcl
8) Support tor constitu
reforms to extend women's rights
9) Encouragemen wider consultation and in-
decision-making through local CLP and union branches, whilst maintaining opposition to postal ballots 10) Support for Tribune's continued existence as an independent free from legal attacks by party Te Support for a broad tolerant Party, with no left group putting its own interests above those of the
We look forward to your comments and to seeing whether you can agree with this 11-point plan for unity in action.
LCC Executive, October 1983 Organiser.
All Briefing Groups are entitled to send two representatives as are na tronal campaigns that support Briefing.
tervier pase 13 foLin-
LivY CORMAC #31 To/8s
- But on the other hand, it seemed to us a marginal improvement Yon Ronald Reagan!
Page 12 scan of this page
12
DIARY
These listings are free for all major labour movement and ampaign isplay advertisements cost
word and must be paid
cavance Denie 10. Diary. locialist Action, 328 Upper
London NI 2XP KOL inal Itursday, one week prior to
ablication).
Hands off Grenada!
National march and
Saturday 5 November
Assemble 1pm Hyde Park
march via US Embassy to
rally in Jubilee Gardens,
County Hall, London SE1
From War in the Third World to the Third World
new Damonicl
blished by El Salvador olidarity Campaign, 50p
slington Park St, N1 01-359 3976. ELSSOC ave also produced a 1984 alendar showing scenes irom life in the liberated
£3 from same
Concert for El Salvador With The Republic and Carol Grimes. Fri 11 Nov, 8pm,
Houghton St, London
I would like to become a Socialist Action supporter. • Please send me my supporters bulletin • Please put me in touch • I enclose a standing order/donation of 1
Socialist Action Bankers Order Form
To:
(Name of your bank in capitals)
(Address of your bank in capitals)
Please pay to the credit of Socialist Action, Acc. No.
70372315 at Co-Op Bank, 08-90-33, 1 Islington High
Street, London N1. Starting on
first payment) and thereafter monthly on the same
date until further notice. Debit my A/C No
for the amount of 2
Name
Address.
Signature
When completed and signed please return to:
The Business Manager, Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1 2XP
Please do not send the Bankers Order direct to your
bank. Thank you.
ASCA
Join the
fight for
socialism
Socialist Action 4 November 1983
• Labour Group for man dou on Lanka public meeting with Tony Benn, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Kales Dalasubrantanyal (Labour Group/Tamil Women's League) John Chowcatt (ASTMS) &
Solidarity Campaign. Thur 1 Dec, 7pm, Hampstead lowr
(opp Belsize Pk tube).
Socialist Action Pie and red sunset calcorale unc anniversary of the Russian
Sat 19 Nov,
Community Centre, Mansfield Woodhouse. rood. music. orks speakers and raffle. For
tickets phone Mansfield obscio cl zorooo unwared. • The Hour of Liberation
I of films, videos Music. and discussion, Harenlis Place, Harehills Rd, Leeds 8. Including Fri 11 Nov 8-11pm mum ine hour or civeranon and disco. Sat 12 Nov 1-5pm videos Awake from Mourning. ine cause or Ireland, Aire Valley Yarns plus films, exhibitions, stalls and speaker al pm. lanq Mehmood (Pakistan Workers Association). Sat
The Patriot Game plus Chilean folk group The Carrascos. • Week of Action on Namibia Thur -Wed 2 Nov Details from NSC, PO
• History Workshop 17 Manchester 1983 Industrialisation and after Manchester Polytechnic, All
November. Registration and enquiries to: History Workshop 17. 47 Albanv Road, , Manchester 21. Full fee f7, Students and low wage £3.50. unemploved and OAPs free. Cheques payable to 'History Workshop 17'. with local readers
Date 19
(date of
Name
Address
Tel
Age Union/CLP (if any) If you want more information about Socialist Action or to be put in touch with local supporters send this form to Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1.
• Exhibition on plastic bullets at Islington libraries: Essex ka 31 (JCl-1z INOV; Manor Gdns 14-26 Nov; Finsbury 28 Nov-10 Dec. Organised by Islington TOM with Islington Council. • Norwich/Cambridge Troons Out Dav School. S November, Kings College, Cambridge. Registration
fare. Creche must be booked in advance. For details phone Cambridge 881113. • London Lesbian & Gay Young Socialists meet every
6pm, Marchmont Community Centre Marchmont St. WCI. Next meeting 20 Nov showing *Revenge of the teenage Der verts alla oner vlucus Further details from Martin 01-263 9484. • London Labour Camnaion for Gav Rights next meeting Sun 6 Nov, 6pm, Marchmont communilv centre Marchmont St, WC1.
details from Mike 01-659 2983 or Bob 01-341 Uhoo.
Gay NUR group just forming. For details of inaugural meeting write to Gay NUR c/o 119 DOULIWVCK colular Doul Lane, London SW9,
Lesbians in the Labour rary anu nauc unons ucxi natonal meeting sal Lo NOV,
A Woman's Place,
lictoria Embankment. Lordon we cmoankment tube). Creche available. Further details from Sarah Roelofs c/o Gavs the Word bookshop, Marchmont St, London WCI.
• Advertisemen
Far a Reagar-free Caribbean
Reagan Free Caribbean
acres in venow, dack and red. 25p each (plus
postage); bulk orders 20p
each. Money with orders
to PO Box 36, 136
ingsland High St
London 18. Cheques POs
cavable to Hackney Book Nobody's Backyard. • Central America:
Programme or meeung. organised by North London Central America Group, Tuesdavs at 7.30pm. Hampden Community Centre, 150 Ossulston St, NW1. £S for full course or £l per meeting(£2/50p unwaged). 8 Nov Central America and the peace movement; 15 Nov Liberation Theology 22 Nov 'The First Casualty'
'Ballots & Bullets';
America! Further info Duncan Green 01-359 3976. • Sri Lankan Research &
provide speakers on the current situation there for
Write to y Grays Inn Buildings, London ECI.
Other
SHOI
BOOK
London 328 Upper St. London NI
telephone 01-226 0571
Open - Mon,
Thur, Fri, 11-7.
Birmingham 137 Digbeth Birmingham B5
telephone (021) 643-5904
Open - Mon-Sat 10-6 Closed Wed.
Mail Order Service — Add 20% for P&P
• Haverisemen
• Nobody's Backvard -week of action on Central America, 27 Nov to 3 Dec. ror delaus write to Nobody's Backyard, 4 Replingham Rd, London SW18. • Films at work — a series of films at Jacksons Lane community centre.
Archway Rd, London N6. 6 Nov Saturday Night and unday vorte Salt of the Earth; 20 Nov Finally got the News; 27 Nov The Filleting Machine; 4 Der borinager bee wr Mysteries of the Organism; 19 Dee Days of Hope. stan al 1.s0pm, 11.00/80g UB40. • Labour CND West meeting. alL Nov. 10am, Unity Hall, Damplet St, Bridgwater, , Somerset. necion or onicers an Public meeting pm witl Stuart Holland MP Joy Hurcom be see Labou CND) Alan Freeman
John cleave DANA, day/f1 pm only, , creche available Details from Daf Lincoln, March Lane Bungalow, Galhampton, Nr Yeovil, Somerset 0963 40598.
Ethnic Minority Doctors (NAEMD UK) workshop on the contribution of ethnic minority doctors to the NHS a vostacies lo luci recognition. Sun 13 Nov, Great Western Royal Hotel, Paddington Sin, London
. t. Tor non . For details contact NAEMD (UK), 28 Churchfield Rd. London W3 6EB 01-993 6119.
NEW
LOYAL'ST
VETO
MUST
GO!
AGORARIN REFEDEDCN
NORMERS CAMPAI
• TUC CARTOONS H MUCH A
For Marxist
books, posters,
postcards, badges
Feminist literature
Tues, Sat, 10-6 Wed 12-7
• Dumfries & Galloway Youth CND events: Sat S Nov meeting to organise peace march from Prestwick Airport to Chapelcross next summer, 2pm, Community Centre, 29 Irish S Dumfries. Sat 19 Nov phone protest at the production of tritium at Chapelcross. For intormanon conlact Alar Conchar (sec), 13 Cotton St, Castle Douglas.
Kirkcubrightshire, DG7 1AJ 010 201 • Anti-Privatisation News enter Droauccu D Public Service Action Fourth issue out now includes material on council house sales, failures by private contractors, and on privatisation of the NHS, British Rail, British Gas etc 30p each from SCAT Publications. 27 Clerkenwell Close, London ECI, 01-253
Socialist Bookfair 1983 Covent Garden, London WC2. 4-5 November.
Enquiries to Bookmarks, (SBF). 265. Seven Sister:
Road, London N4 2DE 01-802 6145 • No Intervention in Central America and the Caribbean (NICAC) is a broad based coalition of solidarity groups, human rights orgs, aid agencies and ponnical partie. More details from NICAC 20/21 Compton Terrace, London N1 01-226 6747 • Labour Movemen Conference on Ireland Peace through Democracy.
Sat 26 Nov. Speakers include Tony Benn, Ker Livingstone, and Clive Soley.
ABOUR
IRELAND
New issue of Labour and Ireland. 40p Copies from LCI BM Box 5355. London WCI N3XX.
Forum series of 3 meetings on the internationalisation of the wore economv ad ol conflict: 13 Nov The world economic crisis introduced bv John Harrison (author o! The British Economic Disaster); 27 Nov The crisis
the Middle East introduced by Moshe Machover
of Khamsin editorial boara); Il Dec int orchestration of violence and repression with speakers Trom souter Arca Latin America & Palestine. All
Sundays, 7.15pm, George IV pub, ,185 Chiswick High Rd, W4 (Turnham Green tube).
RACE&
CLASS OLUME XX
Challenging racism: strategies for the '80s - A. SIVANANDAN
Capital. "black vouth and crime - CECIL GUIZMOKE
Policing the urban wasteland - LEE BRIDGES
PATIENTS GROU corporate state - BLACK HEALTH WORKERS AND
A common language - CHRIS SEARLE
Address
Send to the Institute of Race Relations
• The Future of the NHS & the prevention of ill-health Socialist Health Association conference, 10am-5pm, Mary Ward Hall, 9 Tavistock Place oncon wel soeakers include Neil Kinnock (Leader of LP); Rodnes Kickerstait fuen ser NUPE); Cyril Taylor (Pres
Fri 4 Nov 12.30-6.30
Sat 5 Nov 11.00-5.00
Red
Mole
T-shirts
RED MOLE T-SHIRTS, red
on yellow. $2.75 or
2.15 each for orders of 10
more (includes
State size: S/M/L. From
ly, Manchester 1.
Diary
• Nottingham Labour
meets monthly. Next meeting 16 Nov, , 8pm. , Salutation na wai warn war Details: Chris Richardson, 21 Devonshire Promenade, Lenton vour lovlz4 • Labour Campaign for 12% 5 iNb, Communit Rights national meeting centre ine archer Industrial Estate, Coventry Details from Chris Kuchareso see Noll LCGR listing) • American Power & Soviet i nreal. Unlique mecule with Mike Cox, , Alex Callinicos and Ben Lowe, Fri 4 Nov, 1.30pm, Universily of London Union, Malet St, WC1, Room 3D.
A JOURNAL FOR BLAUA ANNI THIRD WORLD LIBERATION
NUMBER 2 AUTUMN 1983 £2/$
British racism: the road to 1984
Able to Institute of Rac
SHA). Tickets f3/f1 unwaged. Order now as accomodation is limited Walworth Rd, London SE17.
• Lambeth Lesbian & Gay Action meeting 15 Nov 8pm, Lambeth Town Hall • Advertisement Jubilee Hall, Covent Garden (next to Transport Museum)
Socialist
Bookfair
- Aavertsemen only
post).
The
Page 13 scan of this page
What now for the Labour left?
Interview
Party conference?
for the left with KEN
GLC.
WHAT'S YOUR assessment of Labour Party conference? How do you judge the mood of the Party?
The mood of reflects the fact that a lot of people on the left had a genuine blow to their confid-
After Thatcher's reence. election they thought there was a real possibility that the Party could be replaced by the SDP. The media and the British establishment created the impression that Alliance would replace the Labour Party.
This is starting to evaporate now - the Party's started picking up in the opinion polls, and the government is SCCil vulnerable. It's not even necessarily the case that it will survive it's full term of office.
So, I think it was a very quiet and surenered to take anot on rust. o le subdued conference, should ever underestimate the level of tolerance and desire the Party. It hasn't been evidence in the post-Callaghan year, but it's very much the tradition of the movement.
The interesting thing about the last four years is that the left have been able to mobilise a better vote in the parlamentary Party than in the constituencies.
That reflects what's been happening in the constituencies.
No. It reflects what's happening in the
MPs are actually better vote than CLPs. haven't changed drastically always been leftish inclined. But it's a left which has been prepared to give the leadership ine Denenl l lIC again and again -
of that, again and again.
If you have that assessment, how do
TeSDONd
ordinating Committee letter!
The leiter calls for unity around the present leadership. It says that its pro-
posals for lefi unity are premised on no
challenge CUTCL
before the next election.
The left has to have a positive approach
to the leadership.
to proceed on the basis that the Party
has elected the leadership it wants.
We've been arguing tor some
that the leader isn't paramount. Now
we have to argue
policies that the leadership are going to
carry out up to une ciecuol, anu aklar
it. The left can't start by saying that the
first thing to do is expose Neil Kinnock
SINCE Labour's election defeat
earlier this year, there has been
much reflection on the Party's
future. How far has opinion
changed in the aftermath of
CAROL TURNER discussed
party fortunes and the future
LIVINGSTONE, Leader of the
conference the to for unity within much in
- for the first time -mobilising CLPs - thẹy ve
doubt - and it's lost because
Labour Co- tne communily.
I agree
leadership
port.
You've actually got
teller, HIRIC E time
about the sort of
the lege — it's got to start by bulding a base in
you don't start by saying you think Kinnock will sell out — you have to have a positive approach to unity ... Then you must agree with the LCC letter. There's nothing in it you can't sup-
I agree with the mood reflected in that
should be unity fight the Tories. Socialist Action would say that the whole of the Labour Party should unite to fight the Tories. That is the single most important thing for the British working class, unity in
support the struggle of the health workers, and the POEU, and to defend
the GLC, and so on. These things will settle the question of whether or not Kinnock's up to the job the party' s ser hil' but I don't think the LCC letter is that straight forward. It aims to unite
left under Kinnock's hegemony. There are whole sections of the labour left who won't be prepared to give uj their struggle to change policy. ticular, the fight against witch hunts ... ... the letter says 'no witch hunts'. Well, it actually says defence of mandatory reselection and the electoral col-
- which we all agree with — and no new witch hunts. The left has to oppose the current witch hunts too.
Party conference drew a line under the
splits of the last four years.
and file have actually wiped the slate
clean for Kinnock and Hattersley. You
can't opt out of that.
All the democracy battles of the last
years have been based
understanding that everyone in the Par-
ty - left and right — is tree between
conferences to argue to change policy.
I'm in favour of changing most of our
policies, because I think they're wholly
inadequate.
Exactly! And I think the expulsion of
Militant editorial board, the expulsion
of Tariq Ali, and the ban on the sale of
Militant are important decisions to chant, by aceepting that point in the witch hunts, I think you're dead wrong. If I sign that letter, I'm not signing
my right to dway thing. But no one can disagree with opposition to new witch hunts, can they? In.la We need to restore the damage by the readmission of Militant and Tariq. I imagine we'll eventually get those decisions reversed.
Meanwhile, the LCC letter contains a clear commitment to no further witch hunts. No one else will be driven out of the party. There's nothing in the letter that says the ban on Militant should remain.
Coming back to what we were saying earlier, that the left should go out and campaign. to do this?
If you start fighting on the issues, you're actually drawn into the links that are necessary. If you sit down and try to construct a structure in advance, no one will ever have to get a series of groups coming together on a particular issue, like the Rank and File Mobilising Committee or the Benn deputy leadership campaign.
But leaving aside the fight against the lorles -not important, but I believe we already have agreement on that - there are two key issues I think need raisıng durıns the pero dirst borso posdam weakness in looks as if Kinnock and Hattersley be buying the LCC version of the Alternative Economic Strategy. the AES was exposed as fairly inadequate by the debate in the election cam paign. say that's ocdsc the borrowing side of the package, and didn't emphasıse exporting capital. But unless you tie the Party down package will inevitably emphasise the borrowing and the high taxation rather than the control of capital.
the Party committed to take control of capital: the banks, the finance houses, ana so oll
ing it to rebuild our industry and our
wenae suale that's streets ahead in importance, it's
getting the Party committed to that. If
we don't, any future Labour
Photo: GM COOKSON ment's bound to fail, possibly within
months, because of the economic con-
tradictions that
programme
economy without controlling capital.
the significance of
PLP. Heffer got more PLP than con-
stituency votes in the leadership elec-
tions.
ted on control of the Labour cabinet.
It's not good having won all the adThe rank vances of reselection
dramatic, qualitative improvement
the nature of the PLP unless the PLP
controls the executive, the cabinet and
the Party leadership
Labour Group controls the committer
chairs and the Labour leadership. the
be an influx of MPs who'd be com
pletely on the hard and the soft lett -
you'd have a broad left in parlament
with a substantial hard left minority.
PLP is elected and they all mill around
for three or four years unable to actual-
ly gel lo grips
cabinet and the civil service.
Socialist Action 4 November 1983 OLaS SUrC asydu
campaign on anyleadership unllgs what
leadership, and
Even with your How does the left organise
organised.
would say get agreement. You
not because I think it's
fundamental economic policy. will That's how
In a sense,
The defenders of the AES will
Shore emphasised
Many of the controls on
on how you pay for the
a future Labour government side London.
Wing bulletin All we want to do hinges on getting
ference.
— controlling capital and us-
there's one policy They
Right. would follow from a bridge that , reflate the
The second key issue follows from tion had
the left vote in the stead
We've got to get the Party commit
and seeing
Labour like a council
If we won the next election there'
I'm It would be a big weakness if a good possibility
pletely with controlling the
13 dent we can win the next election? I'm
I think we can win the next election and we can actually win enough of a majority to survive the full five years o1 parlament. I'm sure the parliamentary
will say roughly the right opposition. That's exactly
: Wilson did.
It's no good just having a . programme for what we do in oppositon We've got to start thinking what to d once we've elected a labour : majority: We've got to control the parlamentar!
we've got to nave clear commitment to the control of capital as the basis of all our economic policies. Otherwise the government wil be broken by international lorces
scenario, the left will still need to build because it's been unquestionably the case that what's been won over the last four or five years has been because the left has fought and
Yes, the left has got to give the lead.I
should meet discuss the LCC letter. If the LCC are prepared to accept that you need to control capital and the parliamentary leadership, then we have the foundations for a socialist programme within the next Labour government. The left has to organise to make sure Labour wins on a particular sort of programme, that's what you're saying. But what's the potential organiser of such a campaign? The national supplement Ol London Labour Briefing for example?
we originally Briefing, and it played a major role getting big breakthroughs in the GLC and the London boroughs Do you think there's a potential for Briefing to play that role nationally? I think there's a potential. But to be able to do it, Brifing's got to capture a broad range of opinion, especially out-
Look at what happened with the Brief
• Parti C 11 The lunchtime editorial metings were crowded with delegate: and visitors, people who weren't part of the regular London Brifing team.
were looking for something to plug into nationally.
And Brifing could begin to precisely • because it wasn't associated with one particular set of ideas. Socialist Organiser bulletin didn't have that pull. If Socialist Ac (neteced iwion Breletig n with Briefing wouldn't have had that pull either.
If Brifing is to fullfil its potentia
— and that's still an open question has to be in the democratic control of brifing groups and brifing sellers ap and down the country, it has to have links with the union broad lefts, and il has to include all the : different
paigns: Labour Committee on Ireland
Witch
Women's Action Committee, cAgams
I'm not sure the left is at the stage ye
where this can be done. It sees things i
terms of what'll be happening over thr
next year or two.
convinced that there's a rea that the next governmer
will be Labour. It makes er 3 com
different perspective.
got to start planning now for the
Labour government and what it does
Page 14 scan of this page
HE IDEA that low wages makes for job security
never had much wards. Within GEC it's a sick joke.
profitable private company, cord which makes them
vitalist.
The huge profits accumulated have formed a
i's fifth bank.
It has been the ruthless plication of the concept semi-independent profit patres operating under
strict financial targets
Weinstock which
been the base of this
ncial success. Unlike
Route major
mufacturing company, EC nave prevenica lie ration of strong shop wards combine and any er-site negotiating
This policy of financial oress or closure at plant rel has blocked the unity
confidence of trade
on defence cocoracas i
defence contracts sticy bag and a 01g SuCk
against strongly rganised sites, Weinstock
disciplined the trade
ions into isolation and
rision.
The flip side of this chless approach site ocess has been the for-
of a toothless Na-
WUL
Joint Consultative ammittee on which naonal union officials drink ba with managers. Market
Under the lead of new hairman Lord Carrington remember him?) the drive
keep a success haraco.
Tom being a large
mpany, the GEC Board
its eve on the multina. sockpile and the failed bid market. The
• the West German elec-
ral giant AEG are only a
retaste of the drive for
US electronics inestry.
Such a policy of expan-
Profits and Workforce of GEC
Profit per employee 1974 £704 1979 £2441 1982 £4030
Socialist Action 4 November 1983
General Electric Company
Britain's
fifth
bank
credence amongst shop As Britain's GEC have a the of
mountain which now stands at £1,319 million earns £178 million in interest per year. These inpayments have led to the tag that GEC are Bri-
sion means the rationalisa-
existing UK set-up. of the recession the company are closing sites and rationalising their product groups smaller higher SIMILO technologically advanced
In the Traction group this policy is meeting with stronger resistance than elsewhere. The recent decision to close the Sheffield between 600 SIlC and 700 jobs, coincided with a major conference called by Sheffield City Council on 10 October. Focus
The conference aiming to launch a national campaign for electrification of he railways and a reversal of Tory CULS drew together over 200 delegates rail and rail manufacturing sector.
After hearing national rail union leaders call for a
positive caroduction ainst
introduction stealth, Serpell delegates from both the NUR and GEC stressed that the campaign was vital only if it acts as focus and base for a camto defend existing jobs.
Following the conference, GEC "Traction stewards from Sheffield, Preston. and Trafford Park discussed the company plans for compulsory redundancies on top of the Sheffield After Clusul C the largely successful imposition of a nil increase in 1982, the stewards
No of employees 170,000 155,000 145,000
recognised the uphill nature of the battle and have prepared for a big
Stewards at Preston have planned a huge town based rally aimed at rail for November and GEC workers and their families. The Tall will be addressed by Sheffield will
Will earlier that day have heard their fate from GEC.
Campaign
The national combine have agreed to produce 10,000 copies of a special newsletter outlining the Traction campaign and the case for electrification of the railways. wilbe distributed in bulk to the three sites in Traction and throughout the rest of the GEC group of companies.
Support for the Traction workers has also come
from the City of Sheffield council. ADall from organising and hosting the electrification conference, they have backed the Shetfield stewards with practical help.
Failure
At the conference, speaker after speaker referred to the link between Sheffield LaDOUI group's campaigning approach and the desire ol the Tories to abolish the metropolitan authorities.
In facing the giant GEC Dal Cull culuvally. stewards are under no illusions. The failure of the rail unions to date to prevent the closure of the rail workshops and the lack of fight by the engineering unions over shorter working week claim is a grim reminder obstacles
Sheffield steward summed it up when he said that no-one had yet beaten
Weinstock, but someone
will and perhaps it will be
Traction workers.
"Rate of profit (%) 22.4
26.7
27.3
ON
Shildon workers lobby t THE CAMPAIGN for electrification of the rail system is supported by the national rail unions (ASLEF, NUR, TSSA); the GEC National Joint Shop Stewards Committee; the Sheffield, Manchester and Preston Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Union District Committees and Sheffield City Council.
It is based on two principles: • railways are a public asset which should provide the best possible service in transporting people and goods, • investment by ernment electrifica-
of the main railway network improve the service and also create thousands jobs. Directly, it help
'arliament. More closures are on the way guarantee the jobs of railway workers; less directly it will provide work for those in the many industries that supply the railways.
The campaign
organised through the
labour movement against
the Tories whose clear
mining the rail network
cutting spending and
slashing jobs.
Sune need tor
transport is clear 60 per
cent of the population de
not possess driving
The old, the
young, the unemployed,
women are most hurt by
cuts in the rail system.
British Rail's diesel
locos are ¾-way through
their working life and no
governmen decision
replace them will be made
rail
operation on productivity
and job cuts. In contrast to
government job cutting,
one transport consultancy
argue for a package of
electrification which
SAVE
SHILDON
WORKS
Electrify for jobs
could:
• electrify 60 per cent of
the network instead of the
24 per cent currently elec-
trified
• improve track, signall-
ing and train speeds
• re-open 100 stations on
freight only lines, thereby
opening the network to an
additional 2 million poten-
tial passengers
All this would cost on-
ly £3.9 billion or the price
of two Trident sub-
marines!
The new BR Board ten year plan dictated by the Tories covers the 13 year period from 1983 to 1995
provisions contains would generate £250 million of equipment sup£200 million
10M view such commitments is that will continue provided the targets of financial fitability individual lines are met
This target, together with the planned prialisa, tion the railway workshops, is designed to break the power of the railway unions and templ the private sector
like GEC Traction and Brush. To
the public and private sector unions around the electrification campaign required a com-
action programme 1101 agreed at the 10 October conference in Sheffield.
• calling local conferences 4110 union branches, women's ana orner organisations
• establishing local campaign committees involving rail and engineering unions and labour councils • building national
mittees and circulating campaign material, working alongside the Triple
of rail, steel and mining unions.
building the national demonstration and lobby in April 1984.
Page 15 scan of this page
In the Unions
PHONEY WAR telecoms privatisation dispute more thanthree weeks ago. In response to a tremendously effective work to rule by Post Office Engineering Union members at three London International Telecoms management locked out 1600 workers.
bussing in London in an attempt to break picket lines suspending them when they refuse to do so.
Management has peak-
Callbalzil threatening the union with its first real casualties - 19 union members received notices of dismissal, which BT have since opted to postpone until after the union's conference Blackpool
ULI November.
By Ian Grant (POEU)
The present policy of the union to win the dispute selecave tion'. This strategy was successfully developed the POEU in its 1978 fight for the 35 hour week and has been employed for some montas in the campaign against Mercury and which preceded the mass lock out
the international Exchanges
However today we are no longer in the period of
Photo: GM COOKSON
POEU pickets
Plan for Telecoms victory
All out
strike
action!
gave way to real war in the
Exchanges, British
Management have since escalated the dispute by
POEU members from outside central
and
the phoney war, but are fighting a real war with casualties. Secondly the political situation in the 1982 and the high stakes involved over privatisation have little in common with the dispute over shorter working week 1978.
Some have argued all-out strikes anachronism, left over 'hi-tech'
OIC revolution. Of course this were true who would want to go on strike if you could win by a less financially difficulty route! Robots But the time has not yet arrived when robots will fight battles for The POEU membership may have widely different levels of understanding of the stakes involved in the fight, spread as it is from ondale House in London
the most militant centres of the City of London to the more isolated reaches of the Scottish Islands.
But the membership 1s mainly young, undefeated in past confrontations and unlikely 'respond passively to BT's provocations. especially in the wake Mercury's deteat courts.
Moreover, it would be a mistake to underestimate
willingness the membership to fight on an issue which ultimately will determine the future of as many as 1 in 5 jobs. At the moment, the initiative the dispute is in the hands of management so long as the selective action strategy is adhered to by the union.
Selective
Simply from the financial point of view selective action has unavoidable anne merent limitations. How far is possible, without acting decisively, to contain sustained
00liC) by
BT when every suspender member costs £100-150 per week.(The strike bill Cull cul alasproximately £¼m per
POEU
OFFICIAL
PICKET
week.)
The eventual outcome of the legal moves by Mercury are unlikely to go in The union's favour sooner or later the union
avoid this Move lo debilitating blow to its tinances
But the real issue lies, not in the cheque-book, but on the level of involvement of the membership in the action. Without mobilising the full strength of the members in national strike action, even the potential disruptive effect of selected key targets is undermined.
Without picketing around the clock and occupations, manage ment scabs are capable of reducing the union's impact to little more than nuisance value.
Meanwhile the majoriFOEU of the non-participating
members are fair
ame for the media and
propaganda. The cumulative effect of the selective action policy can only be demoralisation and isolation of the most militant sectors under such conditions.
The Tory government
These workers, bussed in from East Area refused to cross picket lines at the Moorgate Exchange is at its least confident phase since the election in the wake of the Parkinson scandals and its complicity
Grenada.
Other public sectorworkers are sizing up for a fight around the National Health Service and also in the rails and mines.
Concerted action by the POEU for the withdrawal of BT's sacking notices and the return
work. of the interna tional Exchange engineers could draw in wide-based trade union support and deal a severe blow to Tory policy.
Idea
The idea that you can win a fight like this on the active participation of only a tiny proportion of the membership undermines the possibility of ultimate victory.
We may, or may not win public support for ou aims. extremely unlikely that we will ever do so on the scale that the nurses were able
We will definitely not
Socialist Action 4 November 1983 have the media on our side, nor are the Tories likely to readily make concessions on one of the major items legislative programme. The courts toc will be against us.
The only base of support capable of winning out against these obstacles
the whole 130,000 membership of the POEU. There is no way that we IT WAS the British Telecom's management decision to suspend the sacking of 19 POEU members until after the union's conference that hit newspaper headlines last week.
Brian Stanley, the POEU's General Secretary, said, it would be a matter for the entire trade union movement if any of the 19 were dismissed'.
Strike action has spread into five cities Manchester, Birmingham Liverpool, Glasgow and Swansea.
the Union of Communication Workers has started a t levy to suppor the action and has begun 24 hour walk-outs in areas where POEU members have been disciplined.
British Telecom's management has responded by stepping up its own campaign of provocation.
Emergency resolu-
tions for national
strike action to the
POEU National Con-
ference 7 November
West End Breach
• AS a 1 resalt of recent
chee
Yes in the event of member being
dismissed for implemen-
ting union policy over
Mercury or privatisa-
tion.
West End Branch
'In the event of an
injunction being granted should call a na the
tional strike calling on
15 can afford to have 99 per cent of them simply putting their hands in their pockets to pay a fl pe week strike levy and stan
din Sion the side hings,
ended the phoney war by Lionin Services out the Interna tional workers' national strike action has been the only option open
the union other thar defeat
Action
escalates
Its polic of bussing
POEU members into othe
when the BT management arranged for faults from the centre area to be reported directly to the North West London Telex office.
North West Lon don POEU members who refused to accept the blacked work were then suspended and sent dismissal letters. This was answered by four North West London exchanges taking protest action and occupying their canteens for one to two hours.
More POEU members were suspended when they were bussed into the Fleet Building from the City and refused CLUS picket lines.
Meanwhile Mercury is carrying on its campaign through the courts with the active encouragement of the government and the
Al elecom manage-
all the unions in the public sector to actively support us.'
City Branch
'The removal of la. ternational Services
bers from ce of work ou the weekead of 8 Ox. rober in
ment to attack the POEU and stop our opposition to the privatisation of BT. This conference en dorses our total opposinon to orvausalon and the interconnection of Mercury and instructs the NEC to take all steps to defend our union and our jobs, up to and including national strike action.'
Page 16 scan of this page
Subscription rates:
Inland: 6 months S8; 1 year S15.
Overseas: (1 year only): Surface and Europe §17/Air mail $24.
Please delete as appropriate)
Name:
Address:
For multi-reader institutions double the above rates. Please send me as special offer ..
maya, with the Post Chice
by Cardinal Enterprises, PO Box 50, London N1.
Beat Bad Offeet (TU) Ltd, London E2.
SociAlist
ACTION
subscribe
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
Send to Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1 2XP.
SPECIAL OFFER
Bob Suteliffe. 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 osted first class on day of publication.
THEY DID IT. The plan worked. Unbelievably all those high powered male security forces surrounding fortress Greenham were foiled again. unilove en was the one portunity Greenham women to take down over a mile of the nine mile long fence surrounding the base where 96 cruise missiles are expected to arrive this week
While CND asked us to ODD Parliament with candles, the Greenham women • were Once again capturing the headlines and showing call leads the campaign to stop cruise.
The aim was pull down the entire fence. But because the action had to be secret it wasn't possible
mobilise the numbers required to do
AS PARLIAMENT debated the arrival of cruise missiles on Monday a Tory plan to keep demonstrations to a minimum was foiled.
The announcement about the debate was left to the last minute so that there would be no time to organise a demonstration.
However, they had considerably underestimated the ability of the local CND groups to respond.
CND's own 'Instant
Response Units' swung into action! During the afternoon, CND organised a lobby of MPs which was one of the largest ever organised. THE GOVERNMENT'S PLAN to dump nuclear waste at Billington on Teeside or at Elstow in Bedford has provoked alarm among local residents.
They are right to be frightened. The 'intermediate level waste', which the nuclear industry produces at the rate of 3000 tons a year is to be stored either
old mine disused ammunition
The authorities say
this assurance haywil
that come as no comfort to the people of Teeside who already put up with 36 petrochemical, gas, oil, nuclear and othel installations in their area.
The truth is that there is no safe level of radioactivity. The history of nuclear power Is one ol disaster, disease and
deception.
The nuclear industry is a threat to our but
There's a hole in
your fence - dear
major, dear major
that. I shall never forget the delight expressed when one orlac wonch rom unc Peace Camp brandished her clippers at a discussion about the action telling us exactly how those clippers should used to bring down each part of the fence in seconds - if you know where to cut.
By Valerie Coultas
In practice the cutting proved more difficult and the tug ol war between women and soldiers meant that certain degree of forceful womanpower was required alongside the wonders moderr
Between three and four thousand people gathered in Trafalgar Square for a march to Downing Street.
As the demonstration left the Square, hundreds of police in buses rushed
up Whitehall to block off
Street. Undeterred, the
Street. Undeterred, demonstrators sat down, and spent the next two hours steadily expanding the area under their COLEO.
The police were not amused, but were unable to prevent the demonstrators systematically blocking all the roads in Trafalgar Square area and lighting a bonfire in the middle of the road.
All in all a very successtul night.
Nuclear dump under No. 10?
even worse it is a threat to our lives.
By Chris Bertram
We can still remember the Three Mile Island. At
Canvon the USA the industry built a reactor on a fault in the earth's crust, but were forced to close it when they discovered that cooling system had been installed back to front.
Nor have nuclear disasters heen limited the capitalist countries. In 1958 there sion of nuclear wastes near
USSR All crops, animals and houses were destroved anc the population evacuated more than 200 kilometres
technology The women said that thev had "take up tools to cut down this chainmail fence of fear and destruction'
More actions are planned ior this next week a cruise missiles
be installed On November Women Against Cruise will be in court in America altemp ting to gain an injunction to stop the deployment of the missiles as a violation ot international Law
The next National Meeting of Greenham
Support Groups
November in Manchester.
Women Against Cruise contact No: 01-720
1374.
Greenham National Office
01-251 3133. from the scene of the explosion. The death toll remains a secret to this day.
but I is nor ony uni risk of catastrophe that
dangers. The effects on our health are even mor insidious. The incident of
is much nigher in Windscale than elsewhere
UK. contamination is now Suntan Darl of all marine foods.
Exhaustion
it is not true that nuclear energy is really needed. The exhaustion of fossil fuels is a long way off electricity always be generated using wind water solar power. It is hard to resist the view • that one reason why the government favours nuclear power is to break the strength of the coal miners one of the
As it is also likely to be proved that the Us ma well be violating international law with its inva sion of Grenada it could be embarrassing to the hardline Reaganites.
Women Against Cruise are calling for peace camps to be set up › outside every American base that day. This is a mixed action and men are being invited to give support.
take place on 12/13
contact No: most combative sections of the British working class.
Civil
There is not a distinct civil nuclear JUWCI industry separate from the people that produce nuclear weapons. Any country that has a reacto has the capacity to pro duce nuclear warheads and the civil and military sides to the industry have fed oft each other
An ICI worker on Teeside summed it uT when he said, 'They would 10| nuclear under 10 Downing Street would they?'
Too right. The fact is that if people had the right to decide whether or not there would be nuclear installations near where they live there would be no dumps reactors anywhere.
← Socialist Action No. 31, 30 October 1983Socialist Action No. 33, 11 November 1983 →