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ACTION SociAlist valley bank Arafat. full Lucil Israelis and his made a force politics, THE BITTER BATTLE now raging on the northern suburbs of Tripoli and the Palestinian camp refugee camp at Baddawi threatens the very existence of the PLO as an independent organisation. The hundreds of people killed in the battle have not died in pursuit of a simple inter-Palestinian dispute. What is at stake is whether the PLO will be brought under total Syrian control.
The fighting, which has already lasted more than two weeks, started with the 'rebel' attack on Narh elBarid refugee camp Tripoli — a stronghold of pro-Arafat forces. PLO fightersin the Bek'aa While many have gone over to TeDes Abu nian civiians both in the Lebanon and on the West remain tried They understand well that the Arafat•Wil led PLO is the only significant Palestinian force that The developed od the defeat sue- conseagain fered at the hands of the last year. Many Palestinian fighters criticised the decision by Arafat to abandon Beirut.
They claimed the PLO was unprepared for the attack. But Abu Masa SUDDORCS lave fatal mistake in developing •ar sions with Syria.
Syrian president Assad is not concerned with mak- tively ing the PLO more power- with ful, only with destroying it as an independent fighting organisation. Assad wants to make Syria the decisive in Middle East the country with united States and Israel have to deal to the seven miles to the north of make peace in the region. Syria's occupation of part of Lebanon is vital to that project.
After the Israeli withdrawal to the Awali river, Assad systematically - LO bring all antiIsraeli forces under his for control. synd nOW arms the Druze militias it is difficult for them to engage in serious fighting without Shi'ite Assad's Muslim assell militias more independent politically, but rely heavily Syrian military assistance.
By making the PLO a Syrian-controlled organisation, Assad can utilise the Palestinians as an important bargaining counter to gain concesthe United States and Israel. At thi for Syrian forces were effec Geneva talks the discussing a deal the United States whereby the Palestinian would launching. attacks against the Israelis, return for recognition of Syria's central role in Lebanon and the ending the LebaneseIsraeli peace agreement so-called 'troop withdrawal agreement'. The United States seems for the moment prepared to go along with such an agreement.
With the PLO destroyed as an indepen. dent military factor the Palestinians on the West Bank will be gravely demoralised. hopes that a new puppet 'moderate' leadership will emerge on the West Bank the United States and the Israelis — perhaps to agre 'autonomous' Palestinian region in Jordan, in return for giving up the fight against Israel Palestinian national self-determination. rayed against the PLO are The forces formidable The Abu Masa rebels are militarily supported by both Syria Libya. Syria has thrown its most modern tanks into the fighting, controls the high groun overlooking the PLO positions • a nere Is now a real danger of a of the Arafat loyalist forces.
The prescill tragic with Palestinian fighting Palestinian, COlL stitutes a major setback the anti-imperialist struggle in the whole region.
• The Labour Committee on Palestine supported by Socialist Action has sent a telegram of support lesser Araral ana a lenter to the Syrian ambassador protesting Syria's role. UP TO one hundred fifty striking Newham students were part of a picket of 4-500 on Monday 14 November outside the Old Bailey, where the trial of the Newham 8 started last week. The Asian students have continued to picket the court all week with other groups of supporters.
Predictably, the Director of Education and the heads of the schools in volved have been trying to victimise intimidate these students. The police have also been harassing students known to be involved in the campaign.
In the last few weeks there have been further serious racial attacks at Little Ilford School the only response of the head has been to claim that Asian students are causing. the trouble. Labour Councillors and NUT activists will be taking these issues up.
By a Newham NUT member On the first day of the trial the defence SuCcessfully challenged the composition of the jury and it now consists of five Afro-Caribbean Asian one rose scion whites. prosecution have dropped the charge conspiracy, leaving charges of causing an afIray and serious assault The defence barristers are challenging every scrap of police evidence have begun the detailed process of tearing it to shreds, much to the pleasure of the defendants and their supporters who filling Lne public gallery.
The pickets have had some problems from racist the Old Bailey. Pickets will CORLEC throughou the 9-11am 1.30-2pm For details your day to picket phone the defence alicals on 01-555 (day) or 01-534 1640 (eves).
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