Socialist Action No. 46, 24 February 1984
The scan: 046-feb-24-1984-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
BACK BENN!
THE CHESTERFIELD
policies,
All of us who are active within the party must assist in everv wav possible to secure a Labour victory
Chesterfield. Clearly, an antagonistic media will do all it can to undermine Tony Benn.
They reil tres play up any ditterences phasis which continue to exist in the party. They will seek to paint Tony as a 'loonie leftie'
But Labour's policies are clear. We oppose nice weapons are base on and around British soil. We are opposed to US in-
BY-ELECTION crucial importance to the future of the Labour Party. At present, Tony Benn is the standard bearer of the party. It is he who has to explain Labour's
ward off a hostile press, and develop a theme for a socialist Britain as part of the struggle for a socialist world. This is a heavy responsibility.
Central America and elsewhere. we are ooposed te Soviet policies which harm beace and subbiess nal democracy.
We defend the tional Health Service, and want to see it developed as genuinely free service.
We oppose privilege ecucaon ane want 200d comprehensive education tor all. And we suppor equality for women land for all other oppressed section of society.
The Tories have introduced legislation
No. 46 24 February 1984 30p
SociAlist
ACTION
By
hamstring the unions. Labour is committea to repealing all or I. And we will defend the metropolitan councils and the GLC against abolition, and the rate-capping legislation. The truth is that the Tories and Liberals/SDP are sides same coin They all believe in the concapitalism.
The Liberals are than the Tories or the SDP. But it is acclacht that Baker recently sides, from the SDP to the of
Tories.
If Labour does at Chesterfield, it will help all the forces who are inlenton stooping winning the next . election Labour sound socialist policies to develon public ownership and to fight unemployment. It Labour is to make a serious impact, it needs further advance holding Chesterfield - by Na- electing Tony Benn.
A lot of rubbish has been written Chesterfield's in MP. Eric Varley, being a
moderate. when Eric Varley elected in 1964. It was on a clear left programme He was a so-called protége of Bert Wynn, miners' leader in the area to - and Bert was renowned
Eric Heffer MP
trade for being on the left of the
party. Eric certainly moved to the centre over the years, but his Spokesman pamphlet control of the mines and Tories other articles
The was a man of the left.
the The myth that Chester-
two field is an oasis of modera-
tion in a sea of extremism - as suggested recently by Leon Brittain slightly untrue. Like all other par-
Chesterfield LCD. supports Clause IV of the
Noel consutulion. It is not surchanged prising they should select a
candidate who is fighting for Labour's badly socialist ideas.
I would urge all those who can give a hand in the election to do so. general still plenty of work
Has done, and
welcomed. By helping get Tony Benn elected, al c cause of socialism in Bri- helping advance the
talli.
HELP!
about previous Outside helpers for the
Chesterfield campaign are urgently wanted and are
was
asked to contact election agent Peter Coleman the Labour Club,
the Houser,
Chesterfield Chesterfield 208387).
workers' - is simply
Dalu
basic,
• here Is
will be
you Unity Saltergate,
(phone
INSIDE THIS WEEK
US 'freeze' movement pp6-7
Benn campaign p2 Conflicts in Eastern Europe p9
Mid-East war clouds pl2 More votes for constituencies?
p4
Page 2 scan of this page
On the campaign trail
2 laws was unveiled.
government essential services.
Sir Leonard chairs the research group on trade
the Centre Policy Studies - the Tory *think tank' SCL Keith Joseph and Margaret Thatcher. This Institute has pre-outlined all previous stages of the anti-union laws. Neal was also chair of the Heath government's Commission on Industrial Relations.
According to extensive 'leaks' reported by Financial Times on February the Neal report Bames the essential services in which the strikes would be made ilegal as clectricity, gas, water supply, sewage and the health service.
Neal's report however is much
CHOTe HOUST soing than previously aked plans. rules Oul ay pretence of defending
after the right
trike has been abolished saying. 'It ought not to be «a • ewa oo oe for not taking immoral actiOs'
CUR
CIVIL
RIGHTS
ARE NOT
FORSALE
The report also takes a Erectiep step in two other
It argues should made erikes in essential services responsible
ven if thes eare uno ficial.
open up the public ecior unions to unlimited NGA style' fines even where they did not call any trike action.
Secondly not only strikes in essential services henselves will be illegal bat also any strike in other adustries which could damage' lnese services. oa strike which cut off Thas, for example,
power stations corald be declared illegal vca although formally a
strike would not tacif be illegal.
Taking these measures
gether the power of ef-
chive trade unionism poald be taken away from
send milias orkers
areas
onomy.
In a cynical front page por oin decias profises,
Financial 1 ülico
doris se fetty is omed
matters, notes E Thatcher, senis leey 1 azicner, 'has been
tH!
should continue
Socialist Action 24 February 1984
Thatcher plans
new union ban
THE GOVERNMENT has not slipped up in banning the unions at GCHQ. It is the first move in a plan 1o ban the right to strike in major areas of the British economy. This became obvious last week as government thinking for another round of anti-trade union
A report by Tory industrial relations adviser Sir Leonard Neal made it clear that the next target for action should be banning strikes in
relatively powerless to impede it on the grounds that an upturn in employment will see a reassertion former SOLIC strength and attempts to claw back some lost control'.
The paper editorialises that, ine ume is ripe lor continued eonie Hie dons remain officially wo ue avcue mal te lau the has no place in industrial 20 relations, are in no shape to stop it'
Neal report also contains number other proposals for clamping down on tne unions notably making illegal all SIRIKeS Camee dul infringe ae ceLCIs.
By John Ross
Thatcher has promised a major new piece of anti-union legislation every two years.
Bill on political funds and closed SOp become law this summer.
Banning the right to strike gas, electricity, water, health and other services has clearly marked down fourth round of cher's anti-union tion. Cheltenham kicks off that process. ere the new ronnd og where the al• oi to come the leaks of the Neal report show suicidal is the course bein pursued by the around the GCHQ dispute and by its talks government on the bit/King Bill Undoubtedly the government underestimated oDposition on the unions enham. was prepared for laneous civil service strikes that tollowed it nor by the public outery against decisions.
But by refusing to call industrial aciton the Cheltenham ban. and instead snsike a reemesi, ihe TUC proposing
is opening the door for the round of attacks. By King and Thatcher General Council is giving credibility to the new elitae re o strike which are coming.
The ICLICal Cheltenham has to be ended and all proposals for 'no-strike' withdrawn.
February 'Day of Action' called by the •ILIA O SSE SIOI to a day of industrial acin tion. The IUC has to call the off its talks with
union legislation.
Cheltenham stop being regarded as an solated event A logical anu cobemens plan fo take coherent away the right to strike from millions of trade are unionists.
union
legislative
wedded
WIECH procedure IeDDIl/ AIn,
Will
been
for
LIFC That-
legisla-
round are going
how homes, TUČ
with
Teb- have arrived Mete thusiastic
ban rived from as far afield as
Chelt- Cornwall, 400 miles away,
not to support spon- paign.
that local its snutt victorv in the air. But this is not reflected in the lOcal DECSS.
against Benn
and Benn parochial' are just a couple of examples of how the press is treating Labour's Thatcher's campaign. talking with that,
the Hattersley where 450 gathered in a 'plans local hall, while more than ulat numock away - the press led with infamous:
Jenkins meeting'! freeme es The Friday
with Dennis Skinner RaV civil service was big
Margaret Chesterfield Labour Party the quite clear that only an uncompromising. against the missiles could
has to secure a future for young
SCOOC and seen for Buckton
the union Cheltenham was an attack on democratic rights.
Denos stole the show in a speech that explained the days of
Benn conducting street meeting in Chesterfield BETWEEN PACKED public meetings, field's candidate Tony Benn has visited old people's
factories and the local market place. each occasion activity has come to a standstill while crowds gathered to hear their Labour candidate.
Three mini-buses a day
from Shef with en- tion Labour sup- labour Coaches have ar.
Benn's campoverty
It's not surprising then the threat
campaigners proud to vote
the lories. back-tracked' becomes
And another is following the Bennfollowing. meeting health Ene
WCIC Lurncu best '60 attend confidence people. meeting doubt that the and Buckton of ASLEF against begun Chesterfield. success.
Valans of the District made
fight
HAPPIS
while Ray explained why ban
Dhato. I0L
Skinner
Chester-
On
middle-of-the-road itics were over: This elec-
fight between and capital, he said; pointing out that the Tories thrive on the fear created by their policies tear of unemployment, of
and illness and Photo: JOHN HARRIS of world-wide conflict. 'People should be
for Lony Benn, he's sure to take on
By Paul Davidson
Benn understands that
the defeats of train drivers and the NGA wolkers the
LaDOu VIllUr, in this by-election would be the
way to rebuild the working And the audience lett Friday's meeting,
fightback 'orie. had earnest
Dlat Mupc navis
still with many more outside, to hear David
for local government.
Benn addressed crowds of health workers.
News
photo: GM COOKSON
Phoe• TAROUR HERALD
• Wednesday: 300 people in a local school,
Blunkett and Tony Benn attack Tory plans
• Monday: 500 people left outside the meeting with Tony Benn and Roy Hattersley, after the hall was packed to capacity. • Thursday: Michael Meacher and Tony
• Friday: 600 turn out to hear Tony Benn; Ray Buckton and Dennis Skinner on why. they should boot the Thatcher government. out.
Page 3 scan of this page
Chesterfield's political map
News
Benn's candidacy.
Chesterfield has changed over the years. Outlying villages are now awash with Rovers and • Volvos. Jodhpurs are
common than pit entire cast Midlands region showed a. higher Tory SWlle thar average in pit areas during the general election
The biggest for Labour role or ils local councillors. Council leader rianagan has run a righi wing Labour Group with an iron rod - and a total lack OT ideas beyond balancing the budget. Housing. ( repairs and general services have Celenoralco. and CONplaints multiplied.
"uts unpobularitv has been reflected in two big "wine acası Laboul ll local by-elections, although the latest defeat had roots in a local incident outside the realm of council politics.
The local Labour Party has changed recentiv. he left has grown in a few wards. One of these has a membership roughly equal to the rest of the constituency. Those wards silil firmly under right control
small memberships. (The ward the Liberals won recently had an active membership of six!)
chosen because of this left shift in both the wards and union delegations. Flanagan the main standard bearer of the right - performed disastrously, dismaying even his closest supporters The constituency annual meeting wil tormalise the defeat of the right.
There are a total of 17 Cameces ac omus Only two others count. Bourne is clone - à 33 year old solicitor from Nottinghamshire, who fought ne ac gener e coll n
Chesterfield, and wants a
View from
Westminster
CHESTERFIELD is eminently winnable by Labour and by Tony Benn. But it would be wrong to see Chesterfield as a solid bastion of the working class. All is not well within the Chesterfield labour movement. But this has precious little to do with Tony
safe seat somewhere else in the next.
By Andrew Kirk
Liberal Max Payne makes a great play of being a local. He has tought
tons in (hestened. Hecs
tions in Chesterfield. not highly regarded by his managers, who have vall tried to keep him out of any debate with the other candidates.
Both Tories and Liberals present Benn as the carpet-bagging Vulsuc Dolle Ine Labour right even mumble about Benn 'being in it for himseif'. A bit of this has rubbed off on the electorate. But the dominant mood of belligerent antiOVSID can be wWOl support for socialist polices. It this is done Benn can win, and easily.
The degeneration and acacacl alivll of the Chesterfield Labour movement are both already clearly visible. victory for Benn will also be a victory for the forces of progress and renewal.
11
On the stump again By Bob Parry (MP for Liverpool Riverside)
THE RE-ELECTION of Thatcher's government has made George Orwell's 1984 much HO TE likely. Already this we' ve seen a real move to the right which, in my opinion, brings a British police state closer.
The massive level of unemployment has been used, especially in areas like Merseyside, to frighten workers in jobs into accepting low wage sensemens Obviously hundreds of people chasing onv a tev jobs has a demoly conitent,
constituency is a typical dockland inner ci-
area. It has the unenvole Tecoe or savne the highest level of male unemployment Britain, according of-
David Steel campaigning with Liberal candidate Max ('Махт') Payne
Thatcher's Britain
ficial government statistics: around 37 per Calil
And in certain areas of the constituency, the real level of unemployment is anything between 55 and 60 per cent. That's horrendous anybody's standards. Husu be levels the highest the western world.
We are about to lose 1100 more jobs due to the closure British-American Tobacco. This factory is just around the corner from the Tate and Lyle sile 2000 jobs were lost only where nearly
two years ago.
Toxteth is now in my constituenev. where high unemployment and bad environmental conditons led to rots in 1981. Margaret Thatcher has lakeu no miciest l lrying to save jobs in
Merseyside, she's wash-
hel hands any responsibility for the alca
High unemployment has also been used to at. tack the unions first the vational Graphical Association, and now the Cheltenham GCHQ. The behaviour of Mrs Thatcher Geoffrey
aliu Howe over the question of workers' Ickililiale right to belong to a trade union is disgraceful. State
These attacks hand in hand with strengthening the state. First the government is intending to attack local democracy with the abolition of the GLC and metropolitan councils, and by introducing rate
But they tapanle taking measures in addi
tion to these.
They have strengthened the powers of the police with cent Prevention of Terrorism Act. And now it stands for a full five
Socialist Action 24 February 1984 years, instead of having to be renewed annuall]
previously the was case.
Liverpool has probably seen people arrested under this Act Inan MOOSI country. They are held
fingerwinoul unlarges, printed and photograph-
and wher they're released as the vast majority are, without being charged those records are kept on file Criminal Evidence BiniS nenew Police anlolnci InOVe Loware. putting more power the hands of the police We're seeing with the return of the SUS laws we ampaigned
ard to get rid
Police will have the right to stop and search people without any real justification except
And these Nau dosuicil powers will be used par ticularly against youth, and black youth at that.
this bill becomes law, l can see more riots
Toxteth, in Manchester's Moss Side, in
3 Brixton, and other places. By introducing such laws, the right pecetully protest - like the Greenham Common Women seriously thrown into question.
The present government is the most righ wing one since the 30s All people's civil rights are now under threat, as
move Vorwoss police closer Closer Lo state in Britain.
Urgent
To prevent this kind of society, we must work for the return of Labour government, committed to socialist policies based on democracy, peace, jobs and freedom. This means a positive move towards an equitable : distribution
urgent commitment to public ownership and the renationalisation without comensation of any public sector nesme privatised by this Tory government.
Page 4 scan of this page
More votes for the
Socialist Action
IRELAND
UNFREE
Labour Party
to organise in
Six Counties
THE IDEA OF organising Labour Party in the occupied six counties of Northern Ireland is a strange anyone with any sense knows that it doesn't stand a chance of getting off the ground.
Yet it allows everyone who suports reactionary loyalism to pass variant of socialism. Nothing could be further from the truth Labour representation in the North must go to the Much of the crealt for British and Irish group that split off from the Irish Communist Party because they thought Krusche's criticism of Stalinist repression was unfair. Of course, barmy idea that the loyalists got a national identity at the same time as the Orange State does not carry much sway with the likes of Roy Mason. He just draws a balance sheet of his years of torture and intimidation in office and decides that if the Labour Party is not to fall into the hands of the 'troops out' brigade, have to be presented in a more circumspect manner.
Frank Allaun asks in childlike naivity Orange versus Green Labour versus Tory stuggle we know rest of Britain?' He says that if the British Labour Party were to open shop in the North ... 'everyone knows that our party is supported by Catholics, There would be no suspicion of religious domination'
So, they all trooped to Belfast on a consultation exercise. Some, like Labour Barry had talked to loyalists before. His is said to have hidden behind a table in the departure lounge
Belfast
with Ken Livingstone and councillors Kathy and Steve Bundred, who were over
talking to a rather different set of people Ireland representatives of several trade unions, the The Person SDLP, the Sticky' Workers' Party, Paddy Devlin
and the Northern Ireland Labour Party. The Nor
thern Ireland Labour Party has been described as
'near-comatose'. This tragedy should not now be
repeated as farce. Paddy Devlin — like his former pal Lord Fitt - is only interested in organising a
party based on himsell.
Both the Workers' Party and the SDLP would
not welcome the competition' of a third party
there
'bread and butter' issues as it is.
are the trade unions who, naturally, would be ex-
pected to provide the funds for any new party.
Most would seem quite happy to allow a con-
ference to take place in the summer on the subject
of labour organisation, but their view
that it would be better to 'have it all out in the
open' and drop the idea completely.
The powerful Orange Lodges which double as
meeting places for the loyalist
unions would be 'up in arms" if anything
serious was on the agenda. As it is, they are happy
enough to leave the Militant and their supporters
prattling away about how
and how the voters of the Short Strand should ig
nore the soldiers kicking in their front doors and
start to protect the job prospects of their Protes
tant brothers threatened by the shipyard closures.
Jobs which the Fair Employment
reported are being barred to Catholics by the pro-
loyalist umous.
his were reducable to the very British anti-Tor!
struggle we all know so well.
24 February 1984 the British
notion
off their backward ideas as
the promotion
Communist Organisation
their
une case or the urance roer wil
Tribune with almost not transform the vicious battle into the non-violent so well in the
Jews, Hindus, Moslems and atheists.
led by Alex Kitson from the TGWU, off
party office boy Dick
airport to avoid being photographed
at the same time
LICE Northern not enough voters interested just in
Most important
seems to be
dominated craft more
Sinn Fein are fascists
Agency has
Oh how comforting it would be to imagine al
A DISCUSSION has begun on whether the relative voting strengths of trade unions and constituencies at Labour Party annual conference should be changed. Trade unions have roughly 91 per cent of the votes, constituency parties roughly eight percent. The questions was formally Labour Party conference in a composite resolution calling on the National Executive Committee '...to initiate a study aimed at restructuring Labour Party conference' so as 'to secure a more just division of conference votes'. This resolution was remitted to the NEC.
At both Campaign for Labour Party emocracy and Labour Coordinating Committee allilal ings since then resolutions have been passed in favour of increasing the voiting strength of the constituencies.
There is, of course, no 'impartial' or Just stall dard by which the proportion of the vote should be measured. The decision on what these proportions are is a political one.
At present the votes of constituencies and trade
are calculated On assumed equivalence filiated' through his or her Bally member 'aftrade union, and an indivdual member belonging to a constituency party.
Allilate memvels pay 50 pence a year as part of their trade union membership dues into their union's political fund.
Their union executive may inen pass to the Labour Party a part of the money
The number of affiliate members mined by the amount paid to the Labour Party.
Levy
Most unions do not pass on the whole of the political levy. There is no rule or convention which
them do so
How much is passed on, if any, the
discretion of the executive
Thus there
is no way of telling which
of the union members are
or are not affiliate
members of the party.
fact, HOSt union
members who pay political
levy would regard
themselves as Labour Par-
ty members. In contrast
individual member of
the Labour Party fills in a
membership form, Is ac-
cepted by a constituency
and regards him or herself
as indisputably a party
A PIECE
OOK, JOHN, IT'S NI FOOD SIMPLY CALLIN ME A DEFEATIST....
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY & THAT TONY BENN WILL BE DEFEATED AT CHESTERFIELD...
constituencies?
raised at the 1983
member,
Employed members pay a subscription 14 times higher than the amount
an affiliate member pays in political
Thus it can be seen that the equivalence of the two types of membership is no more or less arbitrary than any other kind weighting.
Concern
Those who drafted the PRIS 1918 realised the constitution
there was criterion for such weighting other than political one. The decision that an affiliate member would count the same as an individual member for conference voting
dominaece to en the dominance conservative-minded trade union wing of the party,
the 'politically unreliable' constituency
The same biased thinking lay behind that part of the Labour Party constitution which provided NEC constituency representatives nominated by constituencies but elected by the
of conterence that is, by the block vote of trade union delegations. The constituencies managed to get this changed in 1931 rocedure
same ruling is used today
in relation the five women on the NEC.
not surprising, therefore, that those most
about the ex-
isting proportionality are
amongst the most reac-
tionary of the trade union
leaders.
What is of concern is
that some comrades on the
left regard a prospective
increase consumc
voting strength as an atLanderstandably, they are THOUS
concerned trade
unions are present
YES, YES, ITS A POSSIBILITY! AND SHOULD SUCH A DISASTER OCCUR WE WILL EXAMINE THE SITUATION IN A COOL AND RATIONAL MANNER
under fire, and fear that questioning their Tole conference may be used by Labour's enemies.
Yet the critics of the trade unions may find it hard to use the unions willingness relinquish some of their power as an argument against them In fact relations between the
and constituencies are likely to im prove if the constituencies are given a bigger say
Trade union involvement at ine constituene. level is minimal except in rock-solid LaDOUI seats which the unions control. Trade unionists probably see no need to attend constituency when they know that whatever is proposed, the trade union
3THEN..
voting conference overwhelmingly dominates the decision.
At present constituenСУ and political trade union activists only see each other at party conference and there is little opportunity for them come together. tuencies were to have more votes at conference, trade unionists might see attending general committee meetings and influencing constituency decisions as important.
Thel contribution might make constituencies more 'conservative' but -on the positive side - i would lead to a two-way traffic of ideas and greater understanding of the two points of view.
WE WILL ANALYSE THE CAUSES OF THE DEFEAT, WE WILL DRAW LESSONS, WE WILL PRODUCE PERSPECTIVES FOR THE COMING PERIOD.... AND
...AND THEN....?
News
A more spurious argu ment against changing the present proportions that it would be an act of hostility against the unions - appears to be based on the assumption that trade union Collance of the Labour Party necessary condition for the party becoming socialis We are told tha Labour can be won policies only by winning the argument for socialism in the unions.
underlving and unstated assumption
is that the unions coula be transformed into, or act as "political party. In fact, the unions by their very nature cannot take the place of a socialist party.
The recruitment is the provement of pay and con-
ditions of a particular sec tion of the working class
within a capitalist society Entich derives union' particular
_ that is. which from the special needs and claims of
its members — prevents il from going outside the capitalist framework.
Impact
In practice, in matters
of national politics, unions
rely on the lead given to
them by the political wing
of the labour Party: ent
the Labour Party.
question then
whether the unions can
become socialist but
whether the Labour Par
ty's political wing has the
potential of becoming so
The Marxist left
refuses to accept that the
Labour Party
about socialist changes
However, their numerous
attempts to set themselves
up as a political force our-
side the Labour Party hav
been Unfor
tunately, the result has not
only political isolation, but - DCCI their • own
more importantly - their
non-participation within
possible for Labour's right the wall made
wing to remain dominant
In the last analysis, we
are faced with the refusal
Marxists
acknowledge the reality of
the political conditions
under which they must
operate it ther wish to
have a political impact.
" CORMÄC
...and then I'll slip into a hot bath and slit my
wrists....
Page 5 scan of this page
What's happening?
Interview
THE INVASION of Grenada on 25 October 1983 was the first US military intervention English-speaking Caribbean. Fifteen thousand military personnel attacked a population of only 108,000 people.
In December a labour movement delegation went to discover the full extent of the impact of the invasion. variety of unions and Labour Parties were represented on the eight person delegation.
TREVOR SHELDON
RUPERT DOWNING, chairperson of the Britain Friendship Society, and a delegation member, i about dings.
What were the immediate effects of the US invasion of Grenada? It resulted in a heavy death toll of Grenadians, definitely more than the
difficult to assess exactly, heard reports about mass Grenadians killed during the fighting
We saw large scale destruction of utilities due to the combat.
Have OCCI solidating their position.
mass ve burge suspected of being at all progressive.
Two thousand Grenadians have beeahed under appaling. Thdi- been detained at Point Salines. tions and interrogated. Many people have been under surveillance and harassment in an effort. to suppress any opposition to the continuing occupation of the country.
You say they are occupying the coun-
Combat troops from Witedala. their
combat troops trom Grenada. this is just not true. At least 450 from the szna airborne division Deployment Force) remain. These are supported by nearly 600 heavily arm-
Caribbean forces Jamaican and Barbadan), and supported by four coast guard units and 15-16 helicopter gunships
In addition there are 250 CIA and military intelligence officers who have taken over a ministry building in st Georges.
Is there any evidence of torture? We interviewed people who had been detained for short periods of time and
showed us scars or the torture which had been used.
having been strangled twice almost to death. with rope and then submerged in water almost until drowning, during interrogation. Others had received similar treatment.
Of those detained at Richmond Hill least two suffered shock calment. right hand as a result of the torture us-
main in detention without charge and all delegations have been refused access to these detainees.
So who controls Grenada?
Very clearly the Americans. governor general is at all times surrounded by American aides, and has assumed near dictatorial powers. The posedly as a neutral, care feker body; posedly as a neutral, caretaker is acting as a stooge for US interests
Rather than acting purely ministratively they are transforming ine country politically economically, turning dependency of the US.
Economic development projects, part of Grenada's attempt to become economically more nave been walco. with the purges of the civil and educaLon services ased to dommo s. workers being sacked since the invaSUll which the revolution brought down from around 50 per cent under Gairy, to 12 per cent in 1983, has now returned to the levels of the Gairy dictator-
The US are clearly disrupting the curiolly. multinational investment and US aid, thus transforming Grenada into an economic colony of the United States. One of the achievements revolution was the development of free trade unions and popular mass
in the
trade
Tasks
Grenada
their fin-
YOUR
Buy
since we graves lor
and public
Also the
This has
HaVe
(Rapid
(mainly One trade
electric
lost his
At least 37 re-
The
ad-
and
into organisations
to these since the invasion?
self-sufficient combined
individual executive
Evaders have used right (e.g the scallici
the progressive unoas. they are resisting. force. were
but the negotiated settlement.
of the
Grenada -
SUPPORT
LOCAL
WOMEN FOR TRAINING Growing Grenudian resistance still confronts US repression
what has happened
Now the trade unions have been subiece to sport and resources ang under of their transport and resources
members have been arrested, detained, interrogated and in some cases torturea. Ine in
wing unions WCIC and waterTonl workers union) and the American Institute for Free Labour Development (AlFLD) to attack other unions, run smear campaings and try to take over
However, Recently, оссируdown an agricultural workers strike, brought in to
workers held out and got a
The revolution represented a major gain for women in Grenada. How
have women in particular been effected?
Women have been worst hit because
the revolution progress women and their involvement in the process, especially in employment, Hau caly moved o the sacked civil servants and teachers
Also CUBC Nationa Women's, Organisation disbanded and its staff sacked as have the staff of the Ministry of Women's Affairs.
Assistance to single parents and alt other social welfare programmes have been stopped and this has hit the large
For women in urenada wac are single parents.
So how have the Grenadan responded to the invasion? Did you see any evidence of resistance?
GRENAD
WILL
ALWAY
BE
FREE
It's true that initially the position of
most people was relief at the removal
of the Military
threw Bishop
who did it. Now the mood is changing
very rapidly.
jority Grenadians
frustrated and angry
tinued occupation of their country
The majority of working Grenadans been
we spoke to were bert dosule.
sanitary Coul ay i their
country
They do not want their programmes
closed down or the pople harassed by
the military
in the first place.
This increasing people clear.
stoned by young poeple in the coun
tryside, American
Socialist Action 24 February 1984
posters
wearing
headscarves.
events? that the
from
been British sent and
the country.
major blow
clear
For
sion.
This and What
anywhere events Secondly, delegation's tions,
Council which over- Trade
They didn't really care
It was clear that the ma-
were very with the con-
their back and revolution back.' tionalist
work. which they never invited
resistance Labour We saw American troops being Grenada,
Roseberry propaganda 01-806 9112.
5
torn down angrily by Grenadans and people quite openly
Maurice Bishop badges recently produced and revolutionary
What role has the British governmen played in the invasion and subsquent
It is important to understand that the Us invasion was planned a long time ago and they have had dress rehearsals like the 1981 Amber and the Amberines exercises.
clear from the ReaganThatcher alliance on foreign policy
Thatcher government was
volved. Indeed we now have information that one hundred
Plymouth were flown to the region five days before the invasion and were in Barbados along with the
US forces prepared to go in.
The Tory government has also involved the police "advisors' have been most of the £3/4 million brilsh ald Is going towards selting ur a 550-man paramilitary defence force which will take over the running of
What are the international implications of the invasion?
The defeat of the revoluion has been a
to progressive struggles throughout the Caribbean and is a
indication of the aggressive character and development of US imperialism in the region.
example, Jamaican officers told us that when they left Jamaica. they were told that they were going to Barbados to defend it against inva
However, when they got there ano were too tney were coleow u invade Grenada, a large number oi the men retused to obev and were seni back to Jamaica.
shows a level of anti-imperialist understanding that will continue to develop and sharpen in the Caribbean despite the apparent strength of the United States. What do Grenadans see as our role here in solidarity?
They were quite clear on that. The progressive trade unions are desperate Tor our SuDoorl . CON tinue to operate unless they have international assistance to reduce the level of repression. They said that it's really important that you organise to get the troops out, to get the pressure off us and to get those CIA bastard out. We want you to act very quickly
urgently to help uS return Grenada to some forin of democratic self-determination'
One thing that began while we were there and has now been formall!
Maurice Bishor Memorial Foundation. This will be used to channe assistance to the vic tims of the massacre of 19 October and the invasion.
should organisations and labour movement bodies do now? Firstly we need to get the facts known and the delegation welcomes invitations for speakers from organisations
... to inform groups about and discuss the situation there are copies of the comprehensive report available and we welcome orders. It is important to get out to as many labour movement bodies as possible
It is important for organisations to raise the human rights violations, the harassment, the searches, deten-
torture and situations where rights of employment are removed ar bitrarily because of political beliefs.
unions particular must organise around this
We also urge organisations and individuals to attilate to the Britai Grenada Friendship Society which.
1980, played an important role in building support for the Grenadan revolution We think that the Caribbean is an important part of the world and that it is a priority to continue our interna-
work. So we urge all bodies ana malviauals to get invoivea in ini:
• Copies of the delegation's repor are available at fl. For further infor mation. soeakers and so on contac
Movement Delegation Grats Bisse Avenue, Lorco- EC.#
Page 6 scan of this page
U.S. Freeze movement
SUPPORT FOR a nuclear freeze has spread very widely in the United States. Should American socialists give their endorsement to movement or should they insist that the movement be unilateralist?
In the following article which is an edited version of one that appeared in American Socialist Action the author MARK HARRIS argues that the freeze movement should be supported. He points out that its dynamic will lead it into conflict with American ruling take it along the path against the military goals of US imperialism.
The stakes in the struggle against nuclear war are immense., J'here are some 50,000 nuclear ready for use in the world today with the capacity human life some 22 times over.
As Albert Einstein said, know what weapons are going to be user in the next war. But I know verv well the ones that will be used in the war after that: "the bow and arrow.'
With this sober realisation in mind, nearly three million people took to the streets of Europe's major cities last Oc cober in opposition to Ronald Reagan's clan for deploying 572 Pershing Il and Cruise missiles in Europe. In West Germany alone, where 108 Pershing missiles will be based, more than a million people demonstrated on 23 October.
A million people gathered in New York City on 12 June 1982, in the
demonstration history, to protest the spiraling nuclear arris buildup. Contrary glit assertion in 1981 that a limited nuclear exchange is possible in Europe, millions of people instinctively grasp the reality that a nuclear war is not winnable'
In the United States the latest resurgence of the anti-nulcear weapons movement took its initial form in the campaign for a bilateral freeze of the arms race by the United States and the Soviet Union. Ballot propositions eight of nine states and hundreds of cities have expressed widespread support for the bilateral freeze proposal.
While the proposal appeared at first Zance 1o be equally United States and the Soviet Union, the great majority of the activists in the movement, as well as the millions who aided the periodi anti-nuclear actions
TIE A 5-:m
the freeze
anti-nuclear
explicitly
the newspaper
the class and
weapons
destroy all
'I don't II of the US government.
This flowed from
threatens qualitatively superior weapons.
American
Reagan's US intervention in Central
and social services. suport for a nuclear freeze.
directed at the then is for the United States,
Union,
deadly missiles
FOR ON
FOR THEIRCHILDREN
across the country, saw the freeze as primarily directed against the policies
the simple fact that it is only the United States that
deploy new and their Every demonstration for a nuclear freeze ha also shown by its banners, slogans and speakers, a natural tendency to oppose treeze
America, and to counterpose to the billions spent on arms to the lack of funds for jobs replace
The Soviet Union has declared its
The inescapable logic of the freeze demand
not the agree. And of precisely the US refusal to back off on its plan to deploy the new and more
Europe that
LDREN
CHLDREN
guarantees the focus against US policy Will deepen.
It is true that the leaders of the Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign risk derailing the movement through
policy of reliance on Democratic Party. At their annual conference last December, they ed a major campaign to support 'pro-
cances can stale. national elections in 1984. At the heart of their strategy will be a campaign to
Ronald Reagan with presidential candidate of Democratic Party. But it is missing the point about the nuclear freeze move-
simply reduce manoeuvre of the Democrat Party aimed to take the heat off Washington's 'real war' in Central America and done to hold the USSR solely responsible for the nuclear threat.
The ability of the anti-nuclear movement to organise as an independent. non exclusive campaign turnec towards involving the largest number
people through mass action and mobilising around the anti-capitalist demand of: 'No nuclear weapons' directed at the US rulers will be the
STOP
THE MADNESS
Freeze movement demonstration: should be supported in the United States
ultimate measure of its success.
The ultimate capacity of the movement to find an organisational expression in the US labour movement prove to be an indication of its future
the growth and power.
the
the
Democratic Party politicians who claim support for the nulcear freeze understand the extent of popular support for an end to the arms race, but they fear the thrust of an independent mass movement against Washington's war drive.
This was also the case during the movement against the Vietnam When the first demonstration against war was held Washington, DC, demonstrators accu hostility from a large American population. paign of mass action, demonstrations,
up, nam syndrome.
CHILDREN'S
making
services,
nuclear
will alsd ported race.
Calls tale buildup.
isn't the thrust
War. MX
April 1965
the 20,000
considerable
sector of the Washington?
But the cam- As
MiG
teach-ins and student strikes never let
and the antiwar movement even. tually won the hearts and minds of a majority of the American people. The antiwar movement was not only an instrumental factor in forcing the United States out of Vietnam. It so profoundly altered the political climate in the coun try that the American ruling class still strains against the albatross of the Viet-
The movement against the war in Vietnam showed the power of masses of people - mobilised in the streets and
broad, democratic decisionconferences win the withdrawal of US troops, and to overcome the manoeuvres of forces oriented towards the Democratic Party
Today with the cutbacks in social massive unemployment, al tacks on minority and women's rights, and attacks against the unions, the potential power of the antiwar, anti
weapons movement even greater than during the 1960s. While less than 14 per cent of the public sup-
'immediate withdrawal' from Vietnam in 1965, today a large majority not only oppose new US weapons in Europe but are against US intervention in Central America
Despite the formal wording of the resolution for a bilateral freeze, there is an inherent dvnamic to this campaigr that focuses on the US role in the arms
It is ine umica slales Inal unilaterally raising the stakes of the
by its relentless military
When a million people demonstrate in America against nuclear weapons
Not thi action aimed directly at Washington? When citizens in Utah and Montana demand that no
missiles be placed in their state isn't this a unilateral demand on the US government? When demonstrators call for 'Jobs, not Bombs,' or 'No Neutron Bombs,' isn't this aimed unilaterally at
Washington continues escalate the arms race, the demand for
Page 7 scan of this page
a nulcear freeze will increasingly tend to give way concrete demands, such as no new missiles in Europe. Are the supporters of a nuclear freeze ready to 'freeze' the now existing Cruise and Pershing lI curope. Uoviousty not.
We know that there can lasting disarmament, no lasting security from the threat of nuclear destruction until the capitalist system, spawned the horrible possibility nuclear war, is eliminated. But saying this does not make irrelevant deployment of Cruise and Pershing II missiles in Europe.
The peace movement certainly earned a victory in 1963 when a ban on atmospheric nuclear tests was ratified. Any and every step toward the disarmament of capitalism is in the interests of the working class. The best counter liberal Democrats' to turn the freeze campaign into a petty diplomatic affair in the hip pocket of the Democratic Party is to steer the anti-nuciear weapons toward a clear mass-action perspective challenging every front of Reagan's military buildup from nuclear weapons to intervention in Central America.
Speaking to the real concerns millions of ordinary Americans, the anti-war and anti-nuclear movement can mobilise a broad mass struggle wrench into the military objectives of that not only throw
the government but, also, deepen the political awareness, experience, capacity for organization of the majority of working people.
Socialist Action can
obtained from Socialist Action Publishing Association, 3435 Army Street, 94110 San California, USA.
scription price •s is 20 dollars (£15 sterl.
for conspiracy.
We then
arrest for trespass.
unilateral
missiles in
be no
which has
the
intentoas
movement
of
weapons
and
be
No. 308, Francisco,
The
for 12
I WAS DOING a speaking tour in Michigan which included visits to an action at Williams International Corporation at Walled Lake just north of Detroit. They have a con-
make a F107 turbo jet engine for cruise. Each engine costs $300,000. It was then I got arrested
During the last blockade on Friday 2 December some supporters heard my name coming over the police walkietalkie with instructions to arrest me.
went through a fumbling charade of trying to hide me in the crowd and change my clothes! It was no good. A young Quaker tried to help me by taking me to his car, but I was grabbed from behind and told I was under
It seems that the Sheriff's department had infiltrated the training sessions. Hitty one people were charged with conspiracy and trespass. I am the only person who is charged only with conspiracy. I did not take part in the
USAF
blockade. My release was secured by raising two $1,000 personal loans pending two trials on three counts of conspiracy. Two of the charges carry one vear maximum sentences and the other 6 months maximum. If they were to run concurrently my maximum time in jail will be 10 months.
My crimes involve:
* Showing a film of Greenham about blockading, taking over the sentry box and celebrating. I joked about the film being dangerous material.
* Waving a Greenham Common fence around and describing
October action planned by Women Against Cruise
* Generally ment and applause for what they were doing at Greenham.
offered words of Thomas
it seems ther fiscate the Greenham film. many unanswered questions. fact that I Greenham women versus Reagan in the New York Federal Court have anything to do with all this? Or is it simply that Greenham women creatures and the US military must be protected?
The cases of all of us are to be held in two different courts, in Walled Lake and in Pontiac. appeal. In Walled Lake the prosecutor has gone over the top and has asked the whole bench of three judges to disqualify themselves, because of bias in our favour. They have refused and the Reagan and Thatcher: united behind nuclear escalation
offering encourage-
*There was a fourth way in which I
• used the Merton and
There are
am a blalnul the of police
simply sharpen peace are dangerous myself
• Dul all are subject to
locally.
Setter Socialist Action
Prosecutor is appealing to the Supreme Court of the state.
The arguments on my behalf will centre on the First Amendment rights to free speech and advocacy and opi nion is that they ought to succeed, but nothing is certain. One of the lawyers Bill Goodman described my arrest as an attempt to teach the peace movement
make international links. Let's show them that what the New York were cas are one siannes case
repression and police spying in the US in more than a decade will
our commitment to making. Wittier souls than would probably quote things about exiles in a strange land at this point but I can only think of one suitable word. HELP.
Love and Peace, , Jean Hutchinson.
Greenham Woman Against Cruise. I. Leonard St, London E2.
News on International Women's Day Women at CND plan to protes outside a top level arms conference in London and Paris. If you want to join in ring CND on 01-263 0977. Greenham
Women
Against
Cruise
On 29 February Greenham
Women Against Cruise are
proposing that cruise missiles are
dismantled and returned to the
USA. We hope you will join us
in imaginative actions organised
Get your information from
regional contacts
South West 06267 79232
Brighton 0273 556 744
Southampton 0703 554434
London 01-639 8561
Wales 0222 45381/566548
Scotland 041 423 1485
Birmingham 02! 149 8-03
0÷58933
Nottingham 0602 47315
Leeds 0532 868489
Lancaster 0524 751361
Newcastle 0632 653224
Bristol 0272 876731
Oxford 0865 722883
Gloucester 0242 515640
East Anglia 0603 667823
Donations to GWAC, S Leonard
St, London EC2
24 February 1984 7
Page 8 scan of this page
8 veteran
I HAVE read all the issues of Socialist Action and overall I find them pleasing to my eyes. I still
do not quite understand vour political standpoint.
I do not know where vou came rom and wacie
the broad sense that like myself you have a
socialist objective. But so
I have not read much
of the SWP literature these days but I get the
Militant now and then. isn't a patch on Socialist
Action more like a news sheet with an article added.
I was a Communist. I think the CP is dying, but i ao not want to get in on the act of kicking it to ucalll. It is being strangled by its own contradictions and needs no help to do this from
me or the editor of
Socialist Action.
All the Communists I know are fine comrades, Stalinists included. You
they'll do it - and we all Anow lilat action socaks louder than words.
DIARY
•These listings are free for all major labour movement and campaign activities maximum of 50 words. Semi-
cost == per hora ana must De para Send to: Diary,
Socialist Action, 328 Upper
NI 2XP ative not ole, inon Thursday, one week prior 1o
Labour Movement • CLP National conference County Hall, London SEI. Credentials £3 and £2 101 econd delegate (must be a oman), c/o Islington South
• Broad Left Organising conterence oclacon echure. Western Bank, Sheffield, Sat 24 March 11-5.30.
Credentials from George Williamson, 11 Sutton Place London E9 6EH. • Womens Action Commutee nal day conference, Sat 25 Feb,, :-6рт, Sidney Building, All allnls.
Manchester. 'Labour Women Action in sanchesicl Richardson MP, Ann speakers Jo
Pettifor. Worksho creche. Write to WAC, 86 Watts St Manchester 19.
Briefing Women discuss creparation of 'Labour Women and Feminism'
A Womens Place, Hungerford House, Embankment. London. Sun 36 Feb, 2pm.
Action
Join the
fight for
socialism
Socialist Action 24 February 1984 Greetings from a class war Soviet troops in Hungary 1956
History had passed the CPGB by and it doesn't know it.
Communist Russia hangs around its neck like a python. Their objections for redemption and have only split the Party asunder. Its latest cry of a vivau ucholl all alliance' is an impossible dream.
Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland and the Gulag mentality of the
London 328 Upper St. London N1
telephone 01-226 0571
Open — Mon, Tues, Sat, 10-6 Wed 12-7
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% jor P&P
Disarmament
Trade Union CND AGM, Sat 25 Feb.
Details from TUCND, 11 Goodwin St, London N4. • Labour and NATO Labour Briefing discussion conference.
Sat 24 March, 10.30-5pm County Hall, London. • Greenham Common cabaret and benetit.
Chats Palace, Brooksby Walk, London E9. Fri 2 March. With The Exocettes, Sensible Footwear, The Wild Girls. £2.50/£1.50 unwaged.
Name
Address
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.
USSR have sunk deeply into the minds of the western working class and makes explanation of - but sociaismo ocull explain we must. | see that socialist Action supports Broad Left initiatives and I congratulate you on that. 1 am an old class war horse but 1 could be of some help.
J MATHIESON, Glenroches, Scotland.
For Marxist
books, posters,
postcards, badges
Feminist literature
Anti-cuts campaigns • London Health Service 34 maiston Lane.
London E8 3AZ 01-249 8086. BROADSİDE -theatre is ookinetor male ane remale perormers ana
BRITS. ¡us cans ol al races 10.
La new play
we can only pay
Please write giving ful detais to: 20 Pamela House, Haggerston Road, London ro
Monty Python Conference
I COULD not resist writing to you after reading the article headlined 'Left Gains at LPYS Conference' (SA43). You see l recently attended the Wales Regional YS conference in Cardiff as a delegate from Newport West and along with the comrades from Newport East we were the only two branches to offer alternative views to that
Militant had tight control in Cardiff as they did in Brighton and this
opposed a resolution.
Newport West's resolution was to call for the destruction of the Police Bill and we also urged conference to campaign at local levels against the Bill. It was passed but with an amendment, which we opposed, calling for the Police to have trade union rights as they were workers disguised as police!
Newport East had a similar problem, for like Oxford East they called for women's rights within the LP and trade unions, and for the YS to
Ireland • Labour and Ireland day school for budding writers, workshops with trained journalists. London, Feb or March. t. wnite to Labou. and Ireland, BM Box 5355, London WCIN 3XX.
internanona womers Day delegation to Belfast March 9-12, women oni: delegation and mixca pickel of Armagh Jail. Information from London Armagh Group, 374 Gray's Inn Rd WC1.
International • Sri Lankan Research & Information Group will provide speakers on the current situation there for meennes wre o y urays Inn Buildings, London EC1. * rid to the Thire Torrd From War in the Third War - new pamphlet published by El Salvador Order from EISSOC 50p Islington Park St, London NI 01-359 3976. ELSSOC have also produced a 1984 calendar from life in the liberated zones, f3 from same • Sponsored day for El Salvador 24 March. Day of national activities on anniversary of Archbishop Nomneio s assassillalluli Details from ELSSOC, Islington Park St, London
• Victor Jara festival Royal Festival Hall, Fri 2 March, 7.30, featuring Inti Illimiani, Isabel ralla. Ancel rara. Santiago Del Nuevo Extremo
Tickets from Chile Solidarity, 129 Seven Sisters Rd, London N7, tel. 272 4298.
• Film premiere Return to
Haita, based on novel by
Uhassan kanatanı. weo Ly
Feb, University of London
Union, Malet St, London,
7pm.
Concert for El Salvador
with Orchestra Jazira. Fri 24
Feb, 8pm, LSE Houghton
St, (Haldane Rooms),
London Tickets £3.50/£2.50
unwaged.
• Grenada, the Caribbean
and Black People's rights in
Britain labour movement
Thur 1 March.
7.30mm. Highfields
Workshop Centre, Leicester.
Speakers include Ceci
vulsmore, reler soulsoy
(leader of City council)
Surinder Sharma, and from
ine new Jewer vrovement
Support Group.
organise weekend schools on women's richts. It was passed but amended. Instead of weekend schools the amendment called for discussion on women and the fight for
and we all socialism -know what kind of socialism Militant have in mind.
Newport West sponsortu a baboul Briefing fringe meeting
swamped, en masse, , by Militant supporters was a success
We felt as David Sheppard does, that we have to concentrate on organising the YS minorities in different regions. Comrades of Newport West and East
supporters of Revolution
was much needed.
Finally I have to say if we had not laughed we would have cried. The regionai conrerence somehow reminded me of
for Monty Python enthusiasts - wonder why?
DAI BERRY, Newport West LPYS
25 Years of the Cuban Revolution • Britain-Cuba Resource centre normaton about activities, subs to Granma weekly review and newsletters trom 2y Islington Park st, London NI
Womens study tour of . Cuba 4-20 April, information from BCRC, 29 Islington Park St, London
• Cuban workers trade Organised by UCATI outolng workers. 19 April. County Hall, London, 7pm. Tickets f1 from Britain cuba nesource cenie . 29 Islington Park St, London N1.
Civil Rights • Action Group on Immigration and Nationality Conference on the case for
Sat 24 retorm or une lan Marcn, 10-4.30, AUC W House, 43 The Crescent, valora • Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom conference on a new labour movemen oany dave. dun 26 Feb, County Hall,
London SEI, Details from CPBF, 9 Poland St, London WI
Hackney Campaign against the Police Bill day event at Chats Palace Brooksby Walk, London E9 Sat 25 Feb, 2-11pm. Films, exhibitions, theatre, Benjamin Zephaniah, live music • Immigration Widows Kit information and advice on organising against the immigration altacks or women. From Women Immigration and Nationality Group. c/o 4. • i neobala Rd, London WC1. 85p (inc p&p).
Lesbian & Gay Liberation • London Labou Campaign for Gay Rights new office at 39 Chippenham Rd, W9 2AH
01-286 9692, open Tues-Thur
11am-7pm. (Westbourn Grove tube. Bad access. help available).
Labour Movement vestais Is a nev organisation of lesbians in the labour movement to support each orner anc organise mimarves ou issue. that affect lesbians. Further information from Sarah c/o reminisi Liorary.
Hungerford House, Victoria Embk, London WC2.
SINCE COMRADE Jude Woodward has only been involved with CLPD for a short time she is hardly in a position to make comments such as "the smaller size of this year's conference reflects the first decline in membership' (SA44).
For your information, in 1980 CLPD had a total of 1207 registered supporiers ana organisanons and under 200 attended the AGM. In 1981 we had 1445 registered and only
AGM.
1982-3, the year of the takeover bid, we had 1646 registered and over 500 at the AGM. In 1984 we had 1436 registered and some 230 at the successful three-venu AGM
It is clear therefore that the smaller AGM in
Miscellaneous • GLC workshop:
Employment and training for the future. 23 Feb cooperatives. Dlali Women's Centre Brixton, 41A Stockwell Green London, SW9, 7-9.30 pm 8 March practical workshops for women on computer use.
Room 97 County Hall 22 March Migrants in the NHS, County Hall. 5 April Migrants. black women and trade unions, County Hall.
Abortion Rights and
Facilities Conference
University of London Union, Malet St, London WC1 25 February 1984.
10-5 Registration from
NAC, 47 Waldrum Park
Rd, London SE,23.
INTERNATIONAL
November-December issue out now
Price 75p
In this issue:
Andrew Gamble on the 'special relationship'
between Britain and the States
left
John Ross, on why the left must reject unity
with European imperialism against America
Chris Palmer on Grenada
plus reviews
Order from The Other Bookshops, 329 Upper Si
London NI or 137 Digbeth, Birmingham.
Diary
KLMNOPQRSTU'
IJKLETTERSTU'
IJKLMNOPQRST
CLPD members, the facts RIGALLHE
A URGE
LEF HE 1984 compared to 1982-3 had everything to do with the takeover bid and nothing to do with the small fall in registered supporters.
And for the record, our treasurer Victor Schonfield did not 'attack WAC' Rather he spelt out the facts in relation to the financial suppol CLPD gave to WAC ovei the past year.
PETE WILLSMAN, Assistant Secretary CLPD.
New pamphlet: Politics in the 1980's - The British Crisis.
Articles reprinted from Socialist Action and International - John Ross, British politics in ine 19o0 s; Alan Freeman, How Labour Can Win; Steve Marks, the 1983 Election; John Ross, Facing 1984; Alan Freeman, Rebuilding the Labour Party.
Available from PO Box 50 London N1, price 35p, (plus 16p, p/p).
• Advertisemnen
International
Volume8 NoS 75g
THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE
'UNDER
STRAIN
Ken Livingstone, on a strategy for the Labour
Jude Woodward on sectarianism towards women
Page 9 scan of this page
The Soviet Politbureau. Bottom row (left to right): Ustinov, Gromyko, Chernenko. Behind Chernenko, Romanov and (far right) Gobatchor.
International
ONE OF THE curious features of European politics at the present time is that Washington is imposing far greater monolithism states than is being Moscow.
It is just not on for a NATO regime to oppose cruise and Pershing even lo ask for the dualkey. The most that was allowed was for Greece to ask for SiX months postponement of deployment. Washington also tried to impose monolithism relations with the East,
Reagan's drive for will economic warfare against
although IVIOSCOW. and West European resistance on this issue has been more successful, Washington Continues keep twisting.
In contrast, East European governments have taken a sharply divergent stand on and on economic relations
Husak in will une West.
Prague is the Thatcher of
Warsaw Pact, 'calling LIC for' missiles to deployed Czechoslovakia. And Honecker's acceptance of Soviet missiles great public voicing of dis was accompanied quiet.
Meanwhile Hungary reputedly resist Soviet pressure for missies Zhivkoy in Bulgaria said
This would lidl never accept nuclear weapons on its territory -no doubt easy since Moscow did not intend aeploymenl there, but nevertheless gratuitously categorical statement.
There has been similar
dissonance over foreign
economic policy. Hungary has joined the IMF and is
now breaking further from
the ranks by trying
negotiate a special trade
deal with tne
Market, while the Czecho-
slovaks trumpet the need
for closer integration of
Eastern Europe into Com-
econ.
More generally, it is evident that in place of a
Discordant voices
face Chernenko
on the West European done in Eastern Europe by
general Eastern bloc line, local and regional features are being increasingly emDas sed LIC LOCISI policies of the Comecon
At end, Bulgaria is pre-occupied with Balkan issues, lining up witn Greece TOr nuclear-free zone and groping for a link-up with Albania.
By Oliver MacDonald
At the other end, the GDR is increasingly preoccupied with maintaining good economic with Bonn. Czechoslo-
its neighbours by establishing Thatcherstyle 'special relationship' with its bloc leadership (Moscow).
The source of these centrifugal trends can only partly explained by Soviet flexibility. The much more likely reason is the protracted crisis in the Kremlin. During the slug gish years of Brezhnev's dotage, , Moscow was overwhelmingly pre-occupied with one issue in Eastern europe the Polish revolution.
Struggle
No the SOUrICE Jaruzelski revolution set in motion, Lilall the Kremlin was plunged into the succession crisis. Andropov's ilIness prevented the emergence of a new Soviet line tor bullng the Hast European states together. AnG Lakeover is not going to resolve
leadership crisis. On the contrary it may deepen it by setting off a struggle within the Kremlin.
In many ways, the governments
Europe welcome the extra margin of manoeuvre that the Soviet leadership crisis aliows them. At the same Luic they are nervous because of the uncertainties over Moscow's future course and are feverishly lobbying for answers that favour their own particular interests come our trom the russies witn the Kremlin.
these issues dwarf all others as far as the East European governments are concerned. Firstly what sort of economic reform, if any, will emerge within the USSR? Secondly, will the USSR decide to break the economic between Eastern Europe and the west Comecon
sha rely onse rds accola
response lilc War?
A radical decentralisation of economic
welcomed Hungarians, by the Jaruzelski group within the Polish regime, and
Juruzelski: would welcome more freedom from Moscow
the Bulgarians. The dominant group within the Czechoslovak regime would be hostile to such a reform.
but It 1S the issue of economic relations with the West that is probably the most sensitive issue for the other Comecon governments. A sharp turn towaros awarky would do welcomed the Husak regime and by a powerful group in Poland. It would cause a major crisis in both Hungary and the GDR.
Chernenko's victory has been welcomed most by those who oppose economic reforms, but insofar follows
deals with the West as the
priority Soviet policy abroad, this will be welcomed the East European regimes dependent East-West HUs. trade. But the longer that the drift continues in Moscow, NOTe difficult it will be for Moscow
the line in COWI Eastern Europe.
OVER 2000 political prisoners in Diyarbakir prison, Turkey, went on hunger strike on 3 January 1984 in protest against the retraction of the limited rights gained after their September 1983 hunger strike.
Diyarbakir, a town of 400,000 inhabitants, is the capital of the Kurdish nation whose larger part
the borders of the Turkish state. There are
million Kurds Turkey, about one-fifth of the total population.
Immediately trials in. volving the prisoners were suspended and family visits stopped so that no. one could find out exactl what was happening within the prison walls. On
January fire was started in the wing of the prison where most of the leaders of the Kurdish national liberation movement are held
Some 5,000 people are reported by Kurdish sources to have gathered outside the prison in militant protest against the authorities. Apparently twenty prisoners were badly burned and wounded in
Socialist Action Mass trials like this have convicted tens of thousands of socialists and workers in
New atrocity
in Diyarbakir
this fire and transferred to military hospital.
By Nigel Johnson
On 24 January, relatives four prisoners were told to come and collect the bodies OI their relatives from the military hospital, allegedly victims of the fire. While all news of the incident is banned from the press and radio the information filtered from the
Diyabakir elves prisoners that among the dead Najmeddin Byukkaya, a leader of the Association for Freedom for Kurdistan; Yilmaz Derim, leader of the Socialist Party of TurkeyKurdistan; Khalil Charpakh, a leader of the Kurdish Workers Party,
Reports Mehdi Zana, Mayor of Diya-
five year sentence, was among the victims appear to be unfounded.
This is surely one of the
vile atrocities yet committed by the Turkish
now wearing its civilian clothes-since the
24 February 1984 9
Turkes sham elections four months ago! It is an urgent priority that the 'civilian government Turgut Oza be forced to accept a fact-finding mission to the prison from the International Committer
Red Cross Amnesty International.
Meanwhile we should note that alone duropean councillors, "was the British Tories who engineered the readmittance of Turkey to the Council of Europe by a
which, despite a walk out
councillors ha ensured by a constitutiona
that Turkey's bloody dictatorship will once again be seated at the council
An opportunity to unify and develop the solidarity work on Turkey and Turkey-Kurdistan will come with the Labour Movement Conterence Or Turkey called by a number
MPs for 12 May Make sure your
sends olzallisaliul delegates
• For more information
the Turkey
Cortlull
Solidarity Campaign BM
Box 5965, London WCIN
3XX.
Page 10 scan of this page
Nuclear profits make murder worthwhile
Socialist Action
Youth CND
ast weekend's Youth CND conference agreed to
for a mass demonstration in cagan comes this June. roposed by the Leeds YCND, called on CND to obilise the
ath and students.
The demonstration ould coincide with uropean-wide actions in
period before the EEC
tions.
would, hopefully, vast numbers
turca our in orotest
:Reagan last came to
The bullici cuce.
Bch was hailed as the
representative ever ch 90 groups and 30 in-
iduals registered, was torsed by the CND excurive over the weekend.
The last conference in ly had been declared ined br the executive who
that Was
representative' and
decisions 'outside policy' However,
270 delegates
passed solutions and elected • O1a1 Committee ery similar political lines MC SaSL COHICICICe
was agreed to alise YCND against
24 February 1984
against Reagan
London when The emergency resolution,
whole movement and committed the National Committee to organising a march of
the military interventions
of the western powers in
places like Central
Àmerica and the Middle
East. was decided to
hold a long march around
nuclear bases culminaling
in a Jobs not Bombs car-
nival in London. Resolu-
tions were also passed sup-
the Greenham
01 lille
women, opposing witch
hunts in the peace move-
ment and calling for
greater autonomy for
Youth CND.
Side
YCND reaffirmed its
existing
cumuleulcll
working with the labour
movement and youth on
training schemes and call-
ed for trade union action
avaNsL lIC musSles.Dulol
proposing work with the
JUllIl Labour Party Young
Socialists was rejected.
YOUTH O CND
CRUISE IN
Ken Cameron of the FBU summed up the mood of most of the delegates in his closing speech: 'It's through the vouth of this country that rete going
win VUI auli danilateral disarmament, and not through the Len Murrays or the Terry Duffys'.
MOLES
EYE
VIEW
Cementations
'pork pies'
A LOT Of spiteful people have been accusing the Thatcher family of nepotism. Mark denies this saying he never eats that brand of lasagne.
What's worse
lands jobs Cementation one because of his mam as he is not overburdened with much between his earholes. One former business associate even said 'he (Mark) was not very bright But his name did carry a lot of weight'.
•LOULI detending
imself Mark claimed h had reasonable athletics career and
o eden if ha has dit-
even if he difticulties with his labics and those words with
more than two syllables are a bit tough he can run a bit.
They used to say that 'The battle of Waterloo WA WCDdV2 fields of Eton' so maybe the Oman contract was won on Harrow's running track. Despite all this Mark keeps going. What the public think IS no ConCeru ot his. As ne says he is only responsible to three people of this plant. One of them is ш ome. Cuc SCConus the Almighty and the third is me
So if his mam didn't help to get the contract maybe he anc Almighty did it together.
Mied By Yien i com-
Pennington Contributions should be sent to arrive by Thursday am.
a representative from her trade union.
In her car was detailed evidence which indicted her Kerr-
ConDal McGree with negligence anc falsification about safety regulations al plutonium plant in CimarTonkabona. car crashed and she died. The Stult patrol DUlICC dismissed her death as 'accidental'. The FBI insisted there was no evidence she had been murdered.
By Bob Pennington
car-crash expert hired by her union • the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union said her
nac Deel Tammned from behind. by vehicle and driven off the road. The manila folder with all the damaging material against KerrMcGree conveniently for the company had disappeared • The evidence she had been compiling Kerr- MeGreeysara four about
disregard for health and safety which had put employees at death risk from cancer was gone. Kerr-McGree _could breathe a sigh relief Ms Silkwood's death for them was mosi convenient. Her detailed indictment of the
CUHl pany had been backed up by Doctor Karl Morgan, professor of nuclear enginéering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
He reported that 'plutonium pellets were scattered about desks and hallways' adding 'with regard to long term cancer risks, there seemed to be little concern' Karen's own monitor revealed she had been exposed to the deadly plutonium When investigaters checked her
His mam, wno some suspect thinks she is the Almighty, kept quiet about that because Mark says he and her 'have an agreement
' Well 00 K A001T 11 with all those 'pork pies' iviny CaDOu between Mark and Cementation you can hardly blame her keeping her mouth shu
Micha‹ Slater Cementation's project director and a company spokesperson both denied he worked or got paid Cementation. Then Mark blurted out that he hac worked for them and did get paid.
No wonder his man
seriously thinking about buying him a new car and entering him in a 2-month rally Gobi desert.
Mini-Trog
"There'd bealot WS WIKIRS if you Stopped Saying O-MAN!"
News
ONE EVENING in 1974 Karen Silkwood was driving to meet a reporter from the New York Times and
avaremel ther found cheese and bologna contaminated with plutonium and all the apartment's collclIls had be destroyed.
Cynics
The cynics KeerMcGree claimed she had deliberately contaminated herself with carcinogenic substances just to barass the company! The murder of Karen Silkwood became a cause celebre the United States. union fought against the phoney findings the state police and the FBI. I hes were ioined by her parents, anti-nuclear protestors and feminists more than 100 women arrested at the Pine Gap Резсв Protest the name "Karen Silk wood' to In C.
Meryl Streep is now playing Karen in a recently released film about her life and arranged death. On 12 January a US court ruled after the company admitTeC conspiring the police to steal the manila
her parents were entitled
uallazc». anacocı $10.3 million was awarde to her mother and father.
For Kerr-McGree that sum is peanuts. There are untold billions to be made oul 01 government .contracts for nuclear project:
What's the life of some o its workforce or even the murder of one of them
are so great. :
After all' if you are manufacturing products that will wipe out entire continents. why get squeamish about your own workers?
Social mix
YOU have got to give it to Frank Chapple don't catch him doing daft sectarian things like running around Chesterfield getting votes -for Tony Benn.
He mixes much wider social circles. Last weekne wenk quers for lunch with Maggie and Dennis, Vice President Bush of the USA, Lord and Ladi Carrington, Field Marshal and Lady Bramall, Tarzan Heseltine himself and Geoff - friend of the trade unions Howe.
Frank was pleased to see that not only were no Bennites present, there weren't even any Kinnockites!
Page 11 scan of this page
News
Labour
Party
and the
Unions
Charter
THE LABOUR Coordinating Committee has launched a campaign to win victory in the coming ballots on trade union affiliation to the Labour Party. With an impressive list of sponsors Todd, Arthur Scargill, David Blunkett, ingstone and Michael Meacher -its campaign Unions Charter'.
conference in July to plan a campaign to win union ballots on Labour Party affiliation. Peter Hain, the Vice-Chair of the LCC, explained that it was not intended to be just a conference with speakers but with workshops on different aspects of the campaign. the campaign.
While the LCC would be hosting the conference it would be organising it closely with other groups.
By John Ross
In the press release announcing ine charter te LCC explains, 'Although the Tories' latest anti-union Bill has still not passed Intough ment, barring an earthquake, It will become law
this year. We therefore believe it is vital to prepare the ground now to win the ballots for continued trade union affiliation to the party is
"The that Labour has been losing the battle of ideas antonest
WE ALL BROKE THE LAW WHEN WE FOUGHT FOR THE RIGHTS YOU HAVE TODAY!
TOLPUDDLE
- including Ron Ken Livthe LCC is basing on a four point 'Labour and the
Alongside the charter the LCC plans to hold a workers. Only 39 per cent of trade unionists voted Labour in the last election. Links between trade union •ranches parties have disappeared or ossified. With ICW Calcutions real socialist politics has evaporated from the organisational channels which do remain.
'A well prepared campaign could be a golden opportunity inject socialist ideas and Labour policies workDaces again. We could actually turn the forv threat to ou advantage by mounting. campaign at rank and file level, using the political fund ballots
as a venicle for arguing Labour's case with individual trade UNIONISIS
"The Tories' calculated
force the
MARTY
Ron Todd and Peter Hain supporters of appeal
will not be defeated by na-
circular aru publicity, but by determin-
Party members and union activists
'We are calling for broad-based support for the Charter as a first step We shall be circulating it
other union leaders and MPs asking them become sponsors.
This LCC campaign is a most welcome initiative if it is really intended to run it in a non-sectarian way, and aimed at the Par-
and trade union rank
Winning nue. ballot on trade union affiliation, with defending the cities, is the single most important challenge facing the Labour Party in the next YeCC charter have enough I ne sponsors tor ine
massive campaign if they unk nemselves to une grass roots of the party.
Socialist Action is endorsing the LCC drafted charter. It anneals to al those who support its policies in the trade unions and Labour Party to do the same
from Labour ordinating Committee, Poland Street, London W.1. (439 3749)
WARRINGTON
Labour Party
and the Unions Charter It is vital that we defend the partnership between Labour and the unions and indeed strengthen it at everv level. To this end we call for: 1. Active opposition to the Tory assaults on trade
union rights 2. A campaign of activity and education to win
Labour Party 3. The promotion of socialist policies and suppor
for Labour àt workplace level 4. The strengthening of local union/constituency
labour Partv
Launching sponsors:
Tony Banks MP
"lonv Benn
David Blunkett
Vladimir Derer
Jack Dromey (TGWU)
Peter Hain
Harriet Harman MP
Eric Heffer MP
Ken Livingstone
Mick Martin (TGWU)
Michael Meacher MP
Bill Morris (TGWU)
Alan Sapper (ACTT)
Arthur Scargill (NUM)
Ron Todd (TGWU)
Tribune Group of MPs
years ago. cessive
and our response must be the arrested on the
total in excess of £15,000 Merseyside Movement
the argument for trade union affiliation to the
ahpropriate of Labour Party workplace bran•We meant nothing more, sir, than uniting to keep up the price of labour and to support each other in times of need'.
These words were spoken by George Loveless one of the six Tolpuddle Martyrs during the tria that resulted in their deportation to Australia 150
sive tory govanments have stent ways o.
governments have sought ways of destroving our unity and our organisation
The sequestration of NGA funds and the baton Charges on the pickets at warrington were a direc attack on all trades unions and all trades unionists
same as it has always
We have not forgotten the pledges made at the UNITY AND MASS STRUGGLE. TUC Wembley Conference. The Merseyside Trade Union and Labour Campaign Committee which was formed after that conference to coordinate the fight against the Tebbit legislation will continue to give unconditional support to the NGA and any other union in conflict with the anti-union laws.
This committee will not desert those comrades
picket line at Warrington.
Following the police charges on what until then
peacesar mass picker over 140 inlividual trades unionists face fines of up to £50 and we estimate the fines of all those arrested will
Trade Union and Labour Campaign Committee has already spent over £2,000 in support of the NGA
We are now launching a National Appeal for funds to assist those arrested on the picket line and
Socialist Action
Towards a
Labour daily?
EVERYONE in the labour movement knows of the anti-Labour bias of the media. We can all recall stories of press atrocities against progressive campaigns like CND, or against trade unionists taking action.
By Davy Jones, Campaign for Press & Broadcasting Freedom
That's why the call has gone up for a Labour daily of the Tory press. Many leading trade union figures like Moss Evans have supported the idea. The TUC even went so far as to Coss ul study chaired by Lord McCarthy
the feasibility of Labour daily.
McCarthy argued that
a cost of t6.7m
ly wish a diaulion air
Witl! 300,000 with an editorial policy broadly pathetic to the labour
confronting the Tory legislation. The trades union defence was never Len Murray or the TUC
of the members at rank and file level.
Moss Evans, T&GWU
Alan Sapper, ACTT Ray Buckton, ASLEF Arthur Scargill, NUM Rod Bickerstaffe, Bill Keys, SOGAT
Eric Heffer Terry Fields Bob Wareing Bob Parry Alan Roberts Eddie Loyden
Demonstrate
Paul Davies, ington, Liverpool 3.
Warrington.
24 February 1984 11 movement, yet not reading like some turgid journal.
But the unions have not been able to raise the honey backed out and OI some the have idea
altogether. So if a Labour daily seems remote, alternative are there? How about a labour movemen Sunday paper, or a cable TV channel, given that the majority people trom nowadays?
These and other themes will be explored at one day conference organised paign for Press & Broadcasting treedom this sun day 26 February at Lon don's County Hall. fron 10-5pm. Speakers include Alex Kitson, Jill Tweedie Jake Ecclestone and Brian Sedgemore MP. There wil aloU broadcasting be a workshop where Ed
mund Dell will debate Ken Loach over TV censorship Details of the conference and the campaig from CPBF. 9 Poland Street, London W1 3DG, tel 01-437 2795.
to support all trades unions actively engaged in
movement's last line of - the last line of defence has always been the solidarity
Sponsors include:
NUPE
and Merseyside Labour MPs
your support by donating generously to the Merseyside Trade Union and Labour Campaign Committee and the NGA C/(
T&GWU, Transport House, Isl
The funds will be used directly to aid our 140 comrades who have been victims of the courts in
Page 12 scan of this page
for Gulf
AN'S long-expected offensive against Iraq has
begun.
iving towards Iraq's capital city, iting it off from the second largest city, Basra. The war has lasted for 5, and has resulted in three and half
hundred thou
deaths. Because of
Iranian 'human wave'
oks a large number of
dead have been Ira-
, but Iraq too with its
smaller population sustained mass ve
salties. Nearly every
had soone die in the war.
Because of its greater e and human resources,
Penne unc upper
in the war. While the
sufdevastating blows,
is now just kept afloat
money from the alf states Iran's economy undergoing something a resurgence.
Whether Iran's offen-
will be powerful ough to bring down the addam Hussein govern-it has yet to be seen It there are good reasons o think that the West will everything possible to
6 months f8;
12 months €15
Overseas
(12 months only)
Europe €17; Air Mail € 24
« Double these rates
ior multi-reader institutions)
ame
Address
Please send me as special offer
red as a newspaper with the Post Ofici
• bi lardinal Enterprises. PO Box Sl. London London1
bi Last End Utiset cru Lid. London E2
SOCiAList
ACTION
US fleet heads
The Iranian regime has established an y of half a million soldiers, with the objective of
Baghdad, and
prevent it.
An Iranian victory would spread the influence of Shite tundamentalism and threaten westwards the pro-Western oil states in the Gulf. It would represent a major strategic turn around in the area.
Of all the western powers, France has been the most active in supporting Iraq, because of French commercial and financial interests in that coult y While the United States is not on particularly good terms with Iraq, it too would be loathe to see
spicaulle its influence.
Moreover the reactionary Sunni Muslim clan which dominates Saudi Arabia can be guaranteed to pour in money to prevent any victory for its Shiite rivals.
The United States has now despatched its powerful battle fleet in the Arabian Sea towards the Gulf.
SUBSCRIBE
I enclose cheque/PO payable 1o Socialist Action for Send 1o: Socialist Action Subs, 328 Upper St. London N/ 2XP.
Its objective is to keep open the strategic Straits Hormuz, through which large • amounts of Japanese and European oil produced oil companies are Irals Doricu The danger of the closure of the Straits stems from Iraq's utiise its Super etendard planes and Exocet missiles attack shipping in the Gulf, and to destroy the Iranian oil terminal Karg Island. In retaliation the Iranians say they will close the Straits, which the Americans have vowed to keep open.
Neither the Iranian or Iraqi workers have anything to gain from this senseless war. Hundreds dinousands nave ace or nothing. But socialists should completely oppose any attempt by the United States, or other imperialist powers intervene against Iran. Khomeini and the reactionary social order he represents have to
nian workers. Imperialist will only set back that process.
Special free book offer!
Take out a years inland subscription and we will send you free one of these books:
Thatcher and Friends by John Ross Hard Times by Bob Sutcliffe or
Over our Dead Bodies Women Against the Bomb
Introductory offer for new readers: Eight issues for just £2!
LEBANESE President Amin Gemayel cannot now hold out for long. army, and the militias of the Christian Phalange Party, have suffered hands of the Druze Progressive Socialist Party' and the Muslim Shi'ite movement Amal. After the army's offensive around the Beirut had been thrown back, the Muslim forces liberated West Beirut, while the Druze launched an offensive opening up a corridor between the Chouf mountains and Beirut - thus cutting the country in two.
In subsequent offen-
huge tract of territory has been liberated from the army and the Phalange. In the areas liberated from Ine reactionary forces, gory evidence of Phalange massacres come light.
By Paul Lawson
With the army in state of near-collapse the Druze and Shi'ite militias are now poised for a final assaull on souk al-varo, the final outpost of the Phalangist Chouf mountains
The anti-Phalangist victories mark a decisive turnround in the political situation in Lebanon, forcing the reactionary Christian forces onto the defensive. The United States' policy in Lebanon - that of trying to create a strong Phalangist government is now in complete disar-
But this by no means signifies that imperialism
given up in the region.
the first place the United States powerful task force remains in place off the Lebanese coast despite troop withdrawal. But the main danger of a pro-imperialist attack in Lebanon is now the possibility substantial Israeli intervention into the con-
Israel prepares as
Gemayel totters
Over the past two weeks his
a devastating defeat at the
southern suburbs of
flict
Despite the fact that Israeli relations with Amin Gemavel have been strained in recent months, the Israelis understand that there is a major danger facing them if a Muslimdominated state is created in Lebanon namely that units of the PLO will once again utilise Lebanon allack saes northern border.
Already the Israelis have launched air strikes against Druze forces anc alleged Palestinian posiLIULIS While LIle Druze PSP have denied that the postions attacked were in Tact neia dy r alestinians, 11
known that small detachments from the pro Syrian PLO 'dissidents' have taken fighting against the Phalangists and army.
During the past week the United States and Saudi Arabia have been putting together diplo-
scheme try salvage something for Gemayel and the Phalange from the wreckage of the battlefield. But they have come up against the basic reality of the new relation-
nothing will now work without the agreement of the Syrians, who maintain a 30,000 strong army in the
and their Druze and Shiite allies
Now that Amin Gemayel has been forced
abandon his 'troops withdrawal' peace treaty
June government has decided to maintain its occupation of southern Lebanon indefinitely. Several hundred thousand Shi'ite Muslims in that area are now under the iron heel of the Israeli occupallull force, which is the target
The World
Economic Crisis
Saturday/Sunday March 3/4 1984
10am till 5pm
The Conference takes place at Caxton House,
129 St Johns Way, London N19, which is a
couple of minutes walk from Archway Tube
(Northern Line).
Snack lunches will be available on both days.
and there will also be a bar open at lunchtime.
A creche will be provided but it must be booked
by Monday, February 27
There is good access and facilities for the
disabled.
I wish to book
conference on the World Economic Crisis.
I enclose f ......... to cover:
Name: .
Address:
Please make cheques payable to SEC
Street, London N1 2XP.
Israeli armoured column moves north in Lebanon
of daily attacks. Israel will
doubtless USC south
Lebanon enclave as a base
attack anti-Phalangist
forces.
The crucial question
now facing Lebanon is
whether the United States
and Israel are prepared to
live with the defeat which
they have suffered. If not,
then the only result will be
new and bloody fighting. places for the weekend
places for the weekend at f3 each day only at t2 each place for one
and send this form to: Mandel Conference, 328 Upper
← Socialist Action No. 45, 17 February 1984Socialist Action No. 47, 2 March 1984 →