Socialist Action No. 146, 4 July 1986
The scan: 146-jul-04-1986-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
SOUTH AFRICAN UNIONS
SANCTIONS
BUILDING AN ALLIANCE FOR SOCIALISM BRITAIN IS the only country that is standing between us and our total freedom. If Britain were to agree with the proposals to go ahead with sanctions we are sure that a lot of pressure would be put on the South African regime and apartheid could start crumbling.
"The message that we have for the British labour movement is that their support in our struggle for liberation is important. And by support we don't mean only verbal support. We don't only mean words. We mean sanctions.?
With these words, made in a speech to this week's NUM conference, Cyril general secretary of the South African National Union of Miners, smashed to pieces all Thatcher's arguments against sanctions.
He went on: 'Sanctions will never hurt us. Because today we are nothing. We have nothing to cose. •When we have achieved our liberation we will
not forget what Mrs Thatcher is doing. We will not forget what president Reagan is doing. always remember?
When asked by reporters what he replied to Thatcher's claim that sanctions would hurt the black majority Ramaphosa said: 'We cannot deny that there will be hardship. But workers in South Africa are prepared to pay the ultimate price to get Their Treedom. The slogan that is going now is "Freedom first. Then the rest will follow.
*If sanctions are applied, yes, there will be suffering. But the end result far outweighs any other short term benefit that we can get. Many politicians the world over have been at the "diplomatic pressure" game far too long. That has not brought us freedom.
'We are under no illusions that we will get our freedom through the assistance of western coun tries or any other countries. We know that we have got to suffer ourselves. But we also believe that any form of pressure against the regime trom other countries does contribute to our cause.' asked what Sir Geoffrey Howe's visit to South
Ramaphosa said:
Alrica woula produce, thing. We've had missions such as the one you contemplate coming to South Africa. And they have achieved virtually nothing.
*What is even worse with this one is that he is going to South Africa at this time when the struggle has reached the height it has reached. there is complete violence from the regime. When the people in South Africa see his visit as a supportive act to the government.
While Ramaphosa was speaking, Africa the unions were announcing another round of strikes. The South African National Union of Miners declared that it would start strikes for the release of imprisoned trade union leaders this week.
Meeting in secret session the executive of the Congress South African Trade (COSATU) has also called for strikes to force the release of trade union members. Among those arrested under the State of Emergency Naidoo, general secretary of COSATU.
The ability of Ramaphosa to leave the country, the ability of COSATU to hold an illegal leadership meeting, the planned strikes, the reports on deaths from around South Africa show the continued, and mounting, resistance to the apartheid regime.
Cyril Ramaphosa spelt out the struggle in South Africa without equivocation. positive that we will succeed. Our goal is within
reach. We can see that we are going to get liberation. And it is not far off.
On 28 June 250,000 people demonstrated in
this country for sanctions. Thatcher still refuses
them. The most urgent task that faces the entire
labour movement is to get those sanctions impos-
ed.
ACTION
Ramaphosa,
We will around When
'NoWhen
in South
Unions
is Jay 'We are
No. 146 4 July 1986 30p
Inside:
Manoeuvres against sanctions p2
Marching for freedom p3
Martin McGuinness speaks рб
Khan-Scally campaign p5
NUM in conference p11
COSATU
HE HOETALS
VITR
DEMAND
Page 2 scan of this page
New manoeuvres against sanctions
Socialist Action 4 July 1986
Action SOCiAList
BUILDING AN ALLIANCE FOR SOCIALISM
A new agenda for
the left
EVENTS ARE now moving very rapidly in the Labour Party. Their driving forces are the continued problems of the Thatcher overnment, and the huge crisis in South frica. Their effect is to bring about a rapid reorganisation of the left wing of the party.
The first, and most important, development which has taken place in recent weeks is the rapid arrival at a common agenda for the left of the party.
South Africa, the campaign for the removal of all US bases from Britain, successes in the unions on raising the issue of British withdrawal from Ireland.
Committee for an electoral college to elect the women's places on the NEC, continuing support for Black Sections, the launching of a campaign against the expulsions of Khan and Scally are all important steps forward. They widespread demand for an end to nuclear power. Without this political agreement it is impossible for the left to go forward.
In the constituencies an important step forward has been taken with the formation of Labnour Left Liaison. Supported by the most important campaigns in the party, Labour Left Liaison has the potential to powerful organisation in the constituency section of the party.
This will be the most important public meeting of the left since Tony Benn's 1981 deputy leadership campaign.
In the constituencies an important step forward has been taken our Left Liaison. Supported by the most important campaigns in the party, Labour Left Liaison has the potential to become easily the most powerful organisation in the constituency section of the party.
Another important development has been the launching of the Labour Youth Campaign Group. Kingsley Abrams, the Black Section candidate for the LPYS NEC place, knit together the left leading to this year's LPYS conference. The Labour Youth Campaign Group can build on this and also take up the struggle for the politics of the Campaign group against the Labour Coordinating Committee's domination of the National Organisation of Labour Students.
In the unions there is undoubtedly a shift to the right and a rallying around Kinnock in the run up to an election. But even here it is possible to gain successes. The vote by ference this week to support the demands of the Women's Action Committee is one exampie. The major votes in favour of black sell-organisation ai the NUT conference, and the victory at the NUJ conference, success of Rail Against Apartheid. meetings than ever before have been held at union conferences on Ireland. It seems clear at least some unions will vote for the demand for US bases out at this year's party conference.
What is also significant is that the launching of Campaign Group News gives the Campaign group, for the first time, a voice with which to begin to actively constituencies, the unions, and all sections of the party.
What still remains to be achieved is to fit all these developments together.
It would of course be completely false to present all this in too positive a light. Overall the pressure in the party, particularly in the unions, to rally around the party leadership is strong. The right wing unions themselves very strongly in the election for the NEC at this year's conference.
But what is taking place is a maturing of the left. Not only is the left much socially deeper than previously, based on the most oppressed
sections of the working class, but it is getting a much clearer idea of its perspectives. It is not
out to oppose anyone. It is presenting a clear and
coherent perspective for creating a majority for
socialism in Britain.
That left is still the largest part of the CLPs. It
is based on major campaigns in the party. It is a
minority, but a significant minority in the unions.
It is beginning to get itself together - although a
higher level of cooperation between its different
parts has to be achieved.
agenda which is being created for the left is
however its key to success.
The demand for sanctions against
the initiative of the Women's Action
fill out the become easily the most
the formation of Labalready helped the NUR con-
are other examples. So also is the
Larger
influence its supporters in the are likely to assert That new political
IN FACE OF the growing international pressure against the white minority regime in South Africa, Margaret Thatcher and her government have been forced to do a soft-shoe shuffle on the question of sanctions against apartheid. Of course, the proposal that comes out of last week's EEC meeting is completely useless. But it does reflect the demand for action which is mounting every day — and the fact that the Tories feel increasingly unable publicly to press their hard line. Considering sanctions after three months 'breathing space' is a bit like telling the cops you're going to rob the Bank of England at o'clock next Friday unless the director leaves the pots of gold outside its doors meanwhile. In view of the increasing repression against the black majority, there is not the slightest 'reconsider'.
But Margaret Thatcher knows that. She is simply employing sleight hand, pretending to consider sanctions the better to back Botha's regime in reality.
The point of the BEC Geesen offset pressure to take economic action against the South African racists and
the Commonwealth mini-summit in August. Inis ruse wai unconsciously summed up by the Guardian on Tuesday. Diplomatic
Of Geoffrey Howe's proposed visit "framework for dialogue, Africa establish the diplomatic correspondent wrote. He aims to do this in just a little more
La month a task which escaped the seven-
Commonwealth Eminent. • Persons Group during more than six mon ths of painstaking work and travel. In effect, the foreign secretary hopes to cullic one-man (sic)
The obiect of the EPG excercise as far as
concerned, was precisely to head off was the demand for sanctions.
The same article explained the white minorIty's response so far. Howe
1s being cold-shouldered by the African leadership and warned by Pretoria
10
chance that Botha will
that is in no mood for concessions'. The willle rik B's for gas airtary
Botha already 'criticised' so-called object of Howe's visit, to negotiate an end to apartheid.
By Carol Turner
Meanwhile South Africa's white minority are making their own plans
die. The international pressure. regime is stepping up its support for Chief Buthelezi and the Inkatha movement.
Through this puppet, Botha and his thugs aim to cool the international temperature. At the beginning of this week, Buthelezi was reported to be considering proposed na Botha's *na tional council'
Buthelezi said, 'mark the SLaLL for the black struggle for of the tina victor
liberation'.
Buthelezi
Ted councile bite mooted the white racists as means power-sharing' with South Africa's black majority. Until now Buthelezi has remained silent on the proposal.
He chose a weekend meeting in Soweto to make his favourable response to Botha's mock reform.
EMBARGO®
Buthelezi's Soweto rally is
initiative to win black sup himself as a viable black CesarisI leader. an image which nas been much tarnished as the reactionary role or nis inkatha organisation has been exposed.
arrived
Kullneez Soweto by helicopter and
tight security armed Kwazula police. As the Guardian coyly com-
of this so-called CHILS prayer meeting: "The gran-
ting of permissio for
Chief Buthelezi's Inkath to hold the rally contrasted conspicuously with the restrictions imposed on Inkatha's rival black movements, notably United Democratic Front and the Azanian People's Organisation. In parts of South Africa it is an of fence even possess: T-shirts with UDF ог AZAPO motifs, let alone propagate their cause.' Romantic
Despite such candid front-page the same issue the Guar-
Bma lace. su uale the circle. The editorial, "Credibility and the chief', has this to say: LANe largest minority is the Zulu tribe, alone DULnumbers the white by about tour to three and ac counts for more than
the African population...
'Having resisted European conquest more effectively than ally other
group, they retain a strong
triba tradition and special, largely sentimenta. and romantic, regard from the white minoritv. For al
Chier Busheez, would er,
any case have a unique role
South African public
life.
His "principal problem aamits une cartonial.
• one of credibility. But:
ror more inlan 15 years
Chief Buthelezi has stood firm on his conviction that
he could get a fair deal from the whites, despite their failure to give him a shred of concrete justification for nis bellel. chief said in Soweto that "blacks now bargaining power which tions will succeed ila- ensure tha
No doubt some readers will draw the required conclusion, that Buthelezi's Convic. tion' over 15 fruitless years
to bring apartheid to its
Perhaps a few will Knees. draw a somewhat different
Another Guardian relates that 'several item more important South African trade unions leaders - have neel rested', including COSATU secre-
ary Jay Naidoo and that
COSTS. warned that
arrest could "spark widespread and spontaneous worker tion"
The point is this. Far from Buthelezi's 15 years patient waiting paying off, it is the struggle of the independent trade unions and the activities of black organisations like the ANC other which are responsible for
pressult which mounting against the apar theid The Zulu leader is simply trying cash in on this to head off the struggle against the regime. Collaborator
Buthelezi's role, as a stooge of Botha, has been simply to help try and head off tha inevitable pressure Neither is it fo the 'freedom of his people that he plays this role has earned him a not insignificant personal fortune and 'the regard' of
white society. Buthelezi is a lnug, a collaboralol alli
ed against the black ma-
jority. Guardian's support for Buthelezi
Analysis
speaks worlds about its politics.
Whatever the Guardian and those of similar ilk would have us believe, one act does cincige don this particularly dirty piece OT When comes to fun-
bleeding-heart liberals and Tory liners alike are on the same side. • wnelner lncy opelly support Botha and Thatcher or preter to nide behina a pro-sanctions cover, they alre idealis. ally Lillll: that would represent the
theid and all its works.
Page 3 scan of this page
Politics Today
ANT
Biggest ever US anti-
apartheid rally
APPROXIMATELY 100,000 people marched and rallied in New York on 14 June in the largest anti-apartheid protest yet to take place in the United States. The rally demanded an end to all US ties with the apartheid regime and commemorated the tenth anniversary of the Soweto rebellion.
The action was orcalised by the New York Anti Apartheid Coordinating Council, broad-based union-led united front ot more than 200 organisations formed last September. labour organisations in the city endorsea te cemolstlation
The timing of the protest was quite significant.
Il occured the South African regime
all oailcu declaring nationwide state of emergency.
The action drew people ot al ages. but in lIs majority was young. chers funneled from nine assemoly DOlll around the city, converging on the park from both the north and south.
the AsselnDlng United Nations building, march organisers say, were
Gr
40,000 demonstrators, grouped in labour, wom-
Central CuS Aulichcall. student, and other con-
By Brian Williams
tingents. The labour contingent was the largest.
Hundreds of activists involved Central American solidarity work marched behind banners demanding 'Boycott South Africa, not Nicaragua', aid contras in Nicaragua or Angola', and 'US out of Central America and southern Africa'.
Many college and school students parucidce LnTe prolesl Marching behind a banner • youlI halilst Kacısm WCLC New York City school students who have •set up their own branch affiliated the French
organisation SOS Racism — ranas vlt my buaay.
From Harlem several thousand black people rallied and led a spirited march that linked up with hundreds of Puetro Ricans from Barrio'. Also in this contingent welc Dominicans and Salvadorans. Together they marched into the park from the north.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu sent a message to the rally, which was presented by his daughter Mpho Tutu. The featured guest speaker was alfr ed
secretarv-general of the African National Con-
A message of greetings and solidarity Trom half-million-strong South African trade federation COSAT was presented by Amon VSauc aso slewau dl the 3M Company in South Africa.
At the end of the rally the anti-apartheid coordinating council vowed to continue organising future protests against apartheid.
largest demonstration
the tasks for the Anti Apartheid. Movement now.
concert on Clapham Common ever demonstration against apartheid
The march and concert were made up overwhelmingly of young people and students. There was
participation IaNSLV( young women the
demonstration at least nair oi mose lakilg pali were women. Colours
The four mile demonstration from Hyde Park was participated in by over 100,000. Well over that many again joined at Clapham Common. ing. the day as whole clear'v morethan a quartel of a million participated The biast Clapham Common was draped with Africa National Con-
(ANC) South Africa Peoples (SWAPO) dsalel colours, and their speakers were welcomed the most enthusiastically by the auGicucc
The demonstration, accompanied by the recent opinion polls, shows the massive demand for sanctions and support for the black struggle NONLE Africa. Had the march LaKCu Dlalc during the university and polytechnic term it would clearly have been even bigger
The whole first half of the march was dominated by banners of the Anti-Apartheid Movement (ÁAM), with represented from all over the country. As well organising the demonstra tion, it was clear that it was the AAM which had built the march up and down the country, through local groups and supporters. Banners represented groups trom every corner of the country.
While ,young people dominated the march, there was also a serious mobilisation from organisations of the labour move-
A large number of LICIIL London Labour Parties had turned out for the maren, ana tell banner. were scattered through the crowd. lhere were a smal number of banners from other parts of the country. However the demonstra-
BLACK)
SECTIONS
your voice
in the Labour Part
Marching for
LAST SATURDAY'S March for Freedom was the
Never seen in Britain in solidarity with the struggle against apartheid. JUDE WOODWARD looks at the march and concert, and The spectacular size of the London March for Freedom in South Africa and Namibia last Saturday reveals beyond any doubt that the majority of the population of Britain is demanding an end to apartheid. A quarter of a million people attended the
Britain's largest
tion could not be described as a massive mobilisation itself Jal le although undoubtedly many anti-apartheid Party DVISSaRenLaDotlr members. indicates that while Labour Party conNCHC Luany baboc. solid ,resolutions against apartheid, and in solidarity with those fighting it ir South Africa, the issues posed by the new security laws in South Africa have not hit home in the party.
The task between now and bour racoarerenk to generate this understanding in the local parties - through resoltions committing Neil Kinnock sanctions and breaking all links, through inviting ANC atie
SWiato s Pea ers AM
attihatior locally.
The debate at the Oc tober conference must not go through 'on the nod but be serious and substantial discussion that helps mobilise the ranks of lavoui LIOyCHCl fight for sanctions and solidarity
Campaign
A fair number of local trade union branches were there but union acuvists need to learn the lessons of Rail Against Apartheid in particular. The work of Rail Against Apartheid campaign within the NUR affiliated to the AAM nanonany, ensurca lal tnert was substantial con tingent of rail Daillici. from around the country - and representatives of other areas that had not been able to bring banners.
The work of this kind oI aoe on camacu in getting speakers out into ne oca brancucs winning more local affiliation to the AAM, and giving a focus for activity within the for those individuals looking ior a way of expressing their opposition to apartheid, is an important way to fight to Lne paper _COINIlLment of national unions into real campaigning ac-
Socialist Action 4 July 1986 3
freedom
Teachers were well represented, led off by the Inner London Teachers banne eCCHOI again of the work of union activists in turning
Poe Nunto real activity in
Other unions with local or national representation included NALGO. the NCU EETPU, AUEW and ASTMS. The absence of NUM banners was a piLy, given tne Tirm sondari
that the union has extended
•articulaiiy le South African mineWULALS On the nod
A number of blac] organisations had mobilis ed for the event, including
Labour Section was well represented
black The Camden black workers had
march, exien no, ana a real injecțion energy for ongoins cal alil revealed
the cam-
while
there, the 1iuk
two factors Firstly the
has to
Apartheid. is particularly the
alutuae oI Labour Party
as South
through
It does not
with In particular need
African Unions (Cosatu) must be canvassed as the TUC tries avoid the demands of solidarity on the grounds Cosatu has not affiliated to the pro-imperialist international trade union federation the ICFTU
The very best way of taking the fight forward on all these fronts is to step up local activity over the summer to provide a focu for campaigning across the
in the avou levell. black communities, and among youth. Some areas are already planning local activities Manchester AAM is already planning a local festival for August with financial help from the local Labour council.
The enthusiasm and dynamism generated bs the London march has li be the kicking off poin: a SLCBDCu up campa@ activity in every laia =z tabour Pary 0nL3 3 every union, and Anti Apartheid Morenet over ine summe. prepare for a nes cue r the colleges as socc z IK re-open in the aurusa
Page 4 scan of this page
Campaign Group calls rally
U.S. Bases Out Campaign
4 Socialist Action 4 July 1986
Other Books
Now! BRUTAL FORCE: THE APARTHEID WAR MACHINE Gavin Cawthra, IDAF 318 pages £6.00 + 66p postage
WHIRLWIND BEFORE THE STORM The origins and development of the uprising in Soweto and the rest of South Africa June-December 1976 IDAF 368 pages £4.00 + 66p postage
THE FREEDOM CHARTER SELECTED WRITINGS ANC 106 pages £l.95 + 28p postage NELSONMANDELA
THE STRUGGLE IS MY LIFE
NELSON MANDELA: The Struggle is My Life His speeches and writings brought together with historical documents and accounts of Mandela in prison by fellow-prisoners. IDAF 250 pages £4.50 + 46p postage MALCOLM X SPEAKS Grove Press/distributed Pathfinder 226 pages £4.25 + 28p postage
LEON TROTSKY ON BLACK NATIONALISM & SELF-DETERMINATION Pathfinder Press 96 pages £2.25 + 22p postage
WE ALL LIVE ON THREE MILE ISLAND The case against nuclear power Greg Adamson, Pathfinder Press 153 pages £3.95 + 34p postage IRELAND AFTER BRITAIN Ed. Martin Collins, Pluto Press 173 pages £3.95 + 22p postage NICARAGUA: Speeches by Sandinista
THE SANDINISTA PEOPLE'S REVOLUTION Pathfinder 412 pages £6.95 + 66p postage FIDEL CASTRO SPEECHES 1984-85 WAR & CRISIS IN THE AMERICAS Pathtinder Press 249 pages £5.75 + 46p postage HUMANISM & SOCIALISM George Novack. Pathfinder Press 159 pages £4.25 + 28p postage SHIFTING HORIZONS: A TESTAMENT TO THE PART PLAYED BY WOMEN IN THE MINERS STRIKE Lynn Beaton, Canary Press 265 pages £5.65 + 46p postage JUSTICE. THE MINERS STRIKE 1984-85 Campaign Group of Labour MPs Verso 65 pages f1.95 + 18p postage RAILWORKERS AND MINERS, The story of Coalville during the Miners Strike. United against the Tories Socialist Action 24 pages 50p + 12p postage These pamphlets and books are available from Other Books, PO Box 50, London N1 2XP (cheques payable to Other Books).
in the on
ON 22 JULY one of the most important meetings of
the left for a long time will take place in London.
The Campaign Group of MPs, including Margaret
Beckett, Tony Benn, Eric Heffer, and Dennis Škin-
ner, are sharing a platform with the Campaign for Labour Party
Committee, and the Labour Party Black Sections. It is the most important meeting of the left in the party, and the left in parliament, since the Benn deputy leadership campaign of 1981.
The impetus to the meeting from
both in the
campaigns last months organised themselves
Labour Liason (LLL). as affiliates observers
tion the Labour Party Black
for
(CLPD) CND
paign for abnd
Rights and other
The clearly has SLILIL become the
LUsI
the
the on
group OI MPS itself been
development.
goals to:
union outside parlament.
that
Since the Campaign group has undergone a significant development. It, and its leading members, have come out
mains Accord, eA
Accord favour of Black Sections.
Meanwhile it has launched
monthly Campaign Group News.
It is these political steps
have created the MEETING OVER last weekend, the Labour CND (LCND) executive committee laid plans for the activities at this year's Labour Party conference. The organisation of a joint fringe meeting with Labour Action for Peace, on the theme of All US Bases Out of Britain, is already well underway. That meeting will be held on Monday evening of conference, to allow plenty of time to set the scene for the debate which will take place on Wednesday or Thursday of the conference agenda.
The LCND executive also plans further
LWU events Labour CND's tradiLORa eve of conference rally and demonstration this year will be held under
slogan of Nuclear Free Britain Us bases Out' In this way
imum support around the
the anti-nuclear debate:
rid of power and evicting all US bases from this country
will be held
Sunday 28 September in Blackpool. lt as noped tingents of bour Par- mobilise large CeND activists across the trade unions, and
the Women's Action
basis for cooperation between the campaigns in the party and the Campaign group of MPs. All the ma-
aor well as Labour Ley,
well Labour Liason, have made it clear that they are not interested in the politics of style a situation where papers, such Tribune or Socialist, attempt to give
supporting women or black people, for example, but conceal the fact that they refuse to
their demands
ithin the part
In a publicity leaflet Campaign Group
News Ann Pettifor, member of the WAC ex-
and Marc Wadsworth, national chair of the Labour Party Black Section made almost exactly
the same points. That Campaign Group News has, and mas comme to open is pages to the campaigns in the party to speak in their own words.
Ann Pettifor stated: "There IS virtually no political space for women
occupy within . our democracy. Campaign
group News offers womer
political space which they themselves can control. Women should write for it and read it.'
Marc Wadsworth wrote: " welcome as a signiticant step forward the .Campaign group's decision to support constitutionally recognised Black Sections
the Party. Campaign Group News provides a lesson for all publications in the labour movement by giving us the opportunity
speak our behalf in its columns.'
This is line with points which campaigns in the party have made on
'NATO and
lue of making
debate
activists discuss the gains of and
conference,
which
Tribune for example
Marc Wadsworth, recently pointed out: 'Tribune have a long record of excluding black people from
writing their own
behalf in their pages. Having one column by a black Prospective Parliamentary
Candidate is not how you genuinely reflect a plurali-
Ly o1 Diack Dollical • opi-
nion in the party. Black
legitimate voice for all black
of the party but all black . people get from Tribune is white people writing about us.
pointed out: How about Black Section having a regular column write ourselves? They want to
which individuas views they carry. We want
and our collective demands — as a group and not as individuals.
The basis on which campaigns in the party have begun to work with Lne Campaign group on certain issues, is that the Campaign group is the only section of the PLP which supports demands of these camJalals
A great deal of hype
and rhetoric has been for comingrom Kinnock and his supporters on the demands of women. black people on freedom for
Ireland, on democracy in the party, and other issues,
whatever have been taken by Tribune, the Tribune group of MPs, etc.
Campaign Group News is
the monthly paper published
by the Campaign Group of
Labour MPs. It has recently
expanded from four to eight
pages. Reports and articles
movement acavis. rIce
20p, from Campaign Group
c/o Alan Meale, House
Commons, London SWIA
OAA.
US bases is expressed, it will necessary evaluate the preliminary agenda pub ished on Mondav July, available from Walworth Koad headouarters, and
sents up consider this.
consider this,
will Bases meerampaign
meeting Wednesday 23 July and the LCND executive on Saturday 26 July.
Readers are encouraged to contact the secretary immediately after that date, on the phone number given below, to discuss amendments.
Labour CND is concerned to Keep separate resolutions on evicting the bases and withdrawing from NATO. That is why LCND circulated separate
Last year a call for th NEC to bring a discussion on NATO e onion ot including option willowel. party conference won wide support even though the vote was lost LCND believes that it is well
The campaigns in the party, are being led to link
with the Campaign group in pursuit of com mon objectives The meeting on 22 July when the Campaign group will some of the most imporlant campaigns in the pardemands explaining their own
their own will logica development this
All this is beginning to bicaie me Vasis lol a lajo restructuring of the left within the party. The ma-
nuclear power
IN THIS ISSUE within reach to win such a discussion, whereas a full commitment to withdraw from the Atlantic alliance is some years off.
However, the support that already exists for throwing out US bases has result of the bensings result the bombing Libya in April this resolution demanding that Winning support Labour commit itself to kicking all the US bases out is an important practical step in raising the
NATO debate within the party. It is for that reason that the two
should kept UI this year's agenda
Meanwhile, Labour CND has just produced a June-July issue of the
CND Activists Newletter. This newsletICT. mailed to all LCND contacts Party and CND, is full o the Labour
up-to-the-minute news LCND's current activities. It includes information on the Bases Out Campaign, discussion and debate on
News
jor campaign in the party
are able to begin to coor
dinate their activity, in the
CLPs in particular,
through the LLL.
Campaign group has
developed its own politics
annered paper
which is able to be a plat
torm for these campains
The obvious next step is to
deepen these ties and to
begin link these
developments into the
unions.
It is to be hoped that
this type of development
will begin to come out of
the meeting on 22 July.
Campaign Group News
Labour must end
the nuclear power issue after Chernobyl, and more.
In the past, these have been free mailings. This year money is tighter.
A CND national council decision at the beginning of this year, to savagely axe LCND finances, has
campaigll la. instituted a subscriptions SVoLCIl 1012). individuals, This is designed to cover the cost of activists mailings and ensure that LCND is able to continue all its regular activities. • Further information about the Bases Out Cam paign and Labour CND is available from the secretary: Carol Turner, 29 Stodmarsh House Cowley Estate, London
daytime). activists newsletter costs 20p non-subscribers. Anyone wanting a copy of this and other information should
stamped selfaddressed envelope and 20p worth of stamps, write to the address above.
Page 5 scan of this page
Khan and Scally reinstatement campaign
News
Khan was expelled for attempting to form a Black Section in the Sparkbrook, Birmingham constituency. Scally was expelled membership returns in the same constituency.
demand for the reinstatement of Khan and Scally in the party. campaign is being sought.
Campaigns and individuals who have declared their support for
national campaign for the reinstatement of Khan and Scally far include
Party black Section, the Campaign for Labour rally Demoliacy, bookshop and its nine directors.
published in this country.
This success follows months of lobbying and
the Defend Gay's The Word Campaign. This effectivediscriminatory use of the exposed present laws governing im-
The law under which the prosecution of Gay's Ine wora was alempied is the 1876 Customs Consolidation Act. I his allows customs to censor the import of printed material in a way that is impossible in relation to material nintoned Brian.
300ks which would have a holary ree printed in this can be arbitrarily stopped if imported.
One of the key aims of the Defend Gay's The Word Campaign was to have this legislation removed from the statute DooK. InIs campalgn will have to continue, as the
still Its laW costs. USe could not only affect gay people, but many other sections of society in the future.
However while this must continue, the campaign to aerend way s ine Word has been crowned WIll success. Customs have promised to notify Gay's The Word in ad-
New issue of
Witch Hunt News
Witen Hunt New
• Witch Hunt News is
available price 20p,
from BUSINE
Witch Hunt News, c/o
36 Melbourne Rd, Lon-
don E17. Bulk Orders
may be placed at fl, for
ten copies, postage it-
cluded.
PREPARATIONS WERE taking place last week to launch a major campaign for the reinstatement of Amir Khan and Kevin Scally in the Labour Party.
for exposing dubious
Ladywood Constituency Labour Party has passed, as its resolution for Labour Party conterence, a
Broad sponsorship for the reinstatement
Margarett Beckett MP, Tony Benn MP, Dennis Skinner MP, Eric Heffer MP, Joan Maynard MP, Jo Richardson members of the Campaign group, Ken Livingstone honourary president of the Committee on
Victory's the word
A GREAT victory has been scored for lesbians and gays with the dropping this week of the entire action against Gay's The Word bookshop in London. On Friday 2T June HM Customs and Excise formally agreed to drop all criminal charges against the
They have also given an undertaking that in future imported books will be treated in exactly the same way as books
OLD 81 LABOUR LEFT Liaison (LLL) held its second meeting on 24 June. It was attended by representatives from the Labour Women's Action Committee (WAC), the Campaign for 1100E Party Democracy (CLPD), the Labour Party Black Section, the Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights (LCLGR), Labour CND, Socialist Action Socialist Organiser, and Labour Briefing. The meeting was chaired by
Ireland, David Blunkett and Peter Hain. Other sponsorships are still coming in with Vladimir vance of any 'in principle'
port of a particular book portunity for the ruling to
›e challenged in the courts before any action is taken.
Moreover customs have agreed that they will
GAYS THE WORD 2Y
Labour Left Liaison meet=
Ann Pettifor from WAC.
The meeting discussed the Black and Asian Ad-
Committee. Since SOlV ine previous meeting both
Derer, secretary of CLPD and Paul Sharma. Condor Organiser of the Labour Tall Black Section, alting as secretaries for the Call all al coill
Gul Zarina Khan has agreed to be one the
Manola campaign
local committee formed in Birmingham to oppose the Khan and Scally expulsions has agreed to support the national campaign and will , participate in Its organisation.
The organisers, Vladimir Derer and Paul Sharma, have made it clear that the basis for the campaign is support for the reinstatement of Khan and not use the legislation to
the import material that would otherwise be freely available in the country. This will allow a massive increase in ine import or previously banned gay and lesbian material, particularly from the USA
LONDON
Pride '86 March 5 July Assemble Speakers Corner ipm, march to Kennington Park March with the
LCLGR banner WAC and had taken positions opposing the committee. The Black Section ther steps in the campaign
divisive body.
The LCLGR's resolution to party conterence was added to those already
adopted by the LLI
The various campaigns present reported uner
discussions on the NEC elections. next meeting of the will decide who to support ir these elections.
Other items discussed included the witch hunt in general and the expulsion
Scally in the party. Individuals, and organisations in the party are invited to participate in the campaign regardless whether they support : the
Party Black . Section, which Khan is a member, or the Labour Committee on Ireland, of which Scally is a supporter.
A major drive to win delegations and CLPs to support the demand tor reinstatement Is plalllica.
Public announcement of the formation of a na-
campaign exthe week.
This is a big step to undermining the functioning of the present law, and exposing its contradictory
However it must still be removed. a postition that
supported by the officers union, ine burs
TO LET
LENDANY
GAY SUITSHBORRE
0F837
of Amir Khan and Kevin
incular LLL also discussed the
proposalto produce a day
bulletin party conference
An affiliation fee of £50 per
major tion has already been aoreed tor the LLL. A part of this will go to finance the activity of the LLL at party conference
The next meeting will lake place on 14 July
• Labour Left Liason may be contacted Vladimir Derer
10 Park Avenue, NW11 7SH.
IRELAND
UNFREE
Divorce defeat
sion.
jority for divorce rights.
struggle.
deprived of family support.
The main bogey
weight given
form of land.
rather than the traditional religious ones.
the Irish constitution.
to the Six Counties.
tions of the police in Britain itself.
cerned resigned
tinue.
to the Anglo-Irish accord.
in the shed where the killing took place.
The
of the tape.
chester force,
tan to Manchester Universitv
Moreover, c/o criminal associates
acainst him
Socialist Action 4 Julu 1986 5. BY THE time the result of the 26 June divorce referendum in the South of Ireland was announced its outcome was a foregone conciu-
The anti-divorce campaigners won a massive 63 per cent of the poll, with Dublin the only area of the country to return a ma-
This result has to be registered as a serious defeat, both for women and for the Irish national
One of the reasons for the defeat of the proposed amendment was that it was not accompanied by legislation to cover allocation of property and alimony payments. This allowed anti-divorce campaigners to undermine support for the amendment among women who feared that liberalisation of divorce without this could lead to them being
of the anti-divorce campaigners was that the absence of such legislation would undermine rights of inheritance — the abili• ty to hand on the "patrimony intact is of enormous
agricuitura economy, with family wealth existing largely in the
The weakness of the constitutional divorce amendment allowed this campaign to build up a head of steam. The farming lobby cynically whippea wo women s Justned concer on almolly as c cover for their aim of maintaining full property rights over their land. Indeed it is striking that even the Catholic Church largely used this economic argument in its campaign against the change,
As a result the defeat on divorce compounds the defeat women suffered in 1983 with the passing of the abortion amendment, outlawing abortion in
This will also have a profound impact on the national struggle in the North of Ireland. Every move to shore up the domination of the Catholic Church over secular matters in the South becomes part of the argument against a united Ireland in the North. The Unionists like Paisley are of cours total hypocrits. because while they proclaim that this proves the Pope rules Ireland, they also oppos ed divorce and abortion legislation being extended
However the impact will be the same, proving yet again that the Catholic Church in the South is one of the chief props of British rule in the North.
The Stalker affair
THE MURKY affair of deputy Chief Constable John Stalker is uncovering more and more unpleasant facts about both the operation of the RUC's shoot-to-kill policy in the North of Ireland, and the criminal connec-
To re-cap: Stalker was the top cop put on to investigating the killings of a number of unarmed people by the RUC in 1982. The trial of three RUC men in relation to four such killings had ended in their acquittal, but not before the Dublin government had intervened because the Judge appeared to be condoning their action, and the coroner conrerularities in RC files that he felt unable to con-
The need for a full inquiry was one of the chief concerns of the Dublin government in the run-up
John Stalker was taken off the inquiry five days before he was due to go to Belfast to collect important new evidence concerning the RUC killing of 17 year old Micheal Tighe. The evidence was a tape of recordings from an MIS listening device
Belfast chief constable had refused to release it. unti directed to hv the Belfast Directol of Public Prosecutions: Stalker himself had apparently come under considerable pressure in Britain not to pursue the issue of the tape-recording. His suspension from duty came close on the heels of his decision to ignore this pressure and get hold
However, while Stalker was pursuing at least part of the truth in the North of Ireland, he has not shown himself so vigorous in respect of the operations of the police force in Manchester. The Man-
under James Anderton, is busy covering up the brutal beatings and intimidation of a number of Manchester students following the violent dispersal of a picket of a visit by Leon Brit-
if it is proved that Stalker had the basis of the charge • then it will reflect on more than Stalker as an individual. He can't be the only cop wnose Dusiness mends Rave aougy connections
Page 6 scan of this page
Socialist Action 4 July 1986
THE BODENSTOWN speech, the annual commemoration of the great Irish revolutionary Wolfe Tone, is taken as an opportunity for the Republican movement to spell out its current strategic and political thinking.
This vear the speech
The speech assesses the situation confronting the Republican
movement after the Anglo-Irish Accord and the suspension
of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
both defends the struggle for national liberation against its 'left-wing' critics, and outlines a strategic goal that
is both socialist and internationalist.
We reprint the speech on these pages.
TODAY WE honour Theobald Wolfe Tone, that most dangerous
I remember the last time I spoke at his graveside, the aftermath of Bloody Sunday and following the abolition of Stormont all of us were in no doubt that
and naive to believe that we could
from Toreign occupiers and native
siderable extent underestimate Britain's determination to maintain its controlling influence over the ad-
was serious when he said that 'It
aborators. we have learnt much in the
other in the history of our country. have experienced and withstood internment, torture, murder and martial law.
Our people have shown a dedication, a neroism and a willingness to sacrifice anything in their fight for freedom that
throughout
Filipinoes know all about Bobby Sands
technogically superior an oppressor can
will tor treedom cannot be
Reagan fear and hate us. Our move. ment symbolises freedom, and that, of course is unacceptable to the imperialist walliuss.
freedom in Ireland, oppose sanctions in
determination in Latin the Middle East. Their influence, their
'Internment as a political option is once again on the cards?
military hardware and their vast wealth is usea to suppress needom unrougnou the world and they can depend on their
wno are only too willing to accept the Thatcher Reagan
and Margaret Thatcher, with the support of John Hume and the Catholic
in the UVF and the UDA
nationalist families across the six coun-
highlighted loyalist attacks on RUC bomes, many more nationalis: families
This summer the carnival of reaction
was delivered by MARTIN McGUINNESS, Sinn Fein elected representative for Derry.
The speech defines Sinn Fein's objective of building a republican socialist political party in the whole of Ireland. It
in Ireland, spoken of by James Connolly could
community, John Hume and (South of Ireland foreign minister Peter Barry are trying to convince us that Britain's intentions are not only honourable, but
We have been promised
perienced is increased repression. In the North, the RUC, the UDR and the judiciary have historically represented
do so. Any cosmetic changes made will only enable those violent institutions to
vicious effectiveness. And in the past week after the latest
Barry, who went into it disappointed with the slow rate of progress, came out predicting once again an announcement on a package of legal reforms for
which maintain it, are irreformable and corrupt and as such
repressive screw, John Hume and Peter Barry would have us believe that the Hillsborough Deal (the Anglo-Irish Accord) is achieving reform and change.
But for the nationalist working class nothing has changed.
for the ordinary people of Ireland little has changed. In the short term unionist opposiuon to lne Agreement may well be defeated so that the way will then be cleared for a final assault on Britain's real enemy, the political and military
frightened by shoot-to-kill policies or
This movement will that the war will go on, and this movement will advance the struggle for what
vuls.
London-Dublin Treaty
because they attempt to ignore the principle of self-determination. This is a
right not subject to negotiation, a right
ana a
once again on the cards, both North
and this time Hume and Mallon and Currie will not be organis-
explaining and helping to defend its
have watched the SDLP's, leadership drop all its demands. No longer do we hear calls for the disbandment of the
Hume praised the RUC for their actions in Portadown against loyalists. In Mr Hume's warped thinking the death
La protestant. oy a plastic bullet suddenly balanced things
out and meant that the RUC were in
ling lie law
Mr Hume also steadfastly refuses to tell the Irish people exactly where he and his party stand on the whole issue of extradition. At the funeral of Eddie
asked to sign a petition attacking the proposed extradition of Bik McFarlane
refused to do so. And while the SDLP allegedly condemn the use of perjurors or informers in the show trials his party encourages ordinary people to turn in-
has come scrutiny because of the potential scan-
„penne une
carrying out his inquiries into the Ar magh killings. His findings eventually pointed to a conspiracy to prevent the course of justice within the most senior murder, and RUC surveillance operations in the 26 counties which make a laughing stock of Dublin government claims that they enjoy sovereignty.
tempting to rehabilitate the RUC is as embarrassed by the Stalker report as tie brish government and blat is wol) Peter Barry did not press for the immediate publication of the findings
ing and the entire Free State establishment have tied themselves inextricab v
Evelvr
which the Free State has become, to all intents and purposes, an extention of
dependent upon US dollars that they cannot find it in themselves to condemn
"NO FR
NO PEA
4.!!
America's blatant acts of international aggression. While Reagan, aided and
• hatcher. engaged in the mass slaughter of Libyan children; the 26 county coalition was one of the few states that did not criticise this adventurism
Interestingly, Ireland has been dragged into the global paranoia of America and Britain. In exchange for Thatcher's F1-11 support for Reagan, the US administration is now seeking to link extradition of Irish Republicans to
"This summer, the carnival of
reaction spoken of by James
Connolly could rapidly reach its
climax.
its Senate's financial aid to Ireland Should they SUCCCCU ABSU establishment will fully support the ice way extracion or kepublicans -Just as increasingly attempts undermine Irish neutrality and shift Ireland towards NATO.
In the past week we have witnessed the zo counts administration in the ridiculous position of having to exert diplomatic pressure on Libya at the British government's behest. The bold Peter Barry is now a mouth piece both in ireland and abroad for British in terests
It is a truism that the freedom struggle in Ireland has always been betrayed
native collaborators whose economic and political interests coin cided with those of the British. British rule depends upon repression and col laboration and the Irish people should recognise that who collaborate with Britain in exchange for a slice of the cake, will implement British policy and remain silent when Irish people are murdered and oppressed.
It is they who are responsible for
prolonging the war in Ireland. Without the quislings, the collaborators, we would already have achieved freedom. In the words of Padraig Pearse: 'After all there are in Ireland two parties; those who stand for the English connection and those who stand against it.
The underlying the London-Dublin Agreement the destruction of the Republican movement, and neither the British government nor the 26 county coalition really care about the cost of repression. While the island of ireland boasts an unen viable figure of unemployed men and wolell OLIONS upon millions pounds have been, and are being, spent on propping up the border - and increasing the already frightening array oI lethal weaponry and technology available to the forces of injustice and Occupalon
But the Republican movement has not been destroyed. All the resources, weaponry and technology available to the British government have not been sufficient to defeat our struggle. The men and women volunteer soldiers of the Irish Republican Army have, , with courage and determination, , continued the fight against numerically superior forces. And I apologise to no-one for saving that we support and admire the freedom fighters of the IRA
In the North, attacks on the British army, the RUC and the UDR continue. The IRA has shown continued resourcefulness and capability strike, where and when it wants. Its
has caused considerable
Page 7 scan of this page
CE."
damage not only to crown personnel and fortifications but Britain's carefully planned Ulsterisation policy.
Furthermore, the IRA's decision to a get collablois ana Illanagemenl executives who continue to make massive sums of money by building and mainraining the apparatus of repression in ine six countles, nas posea serious pro blems for the British government. delines that sustain brush forces In Ireland include those people — even so called Irish from within the nationalist population — who build the interrogaHon wno British army camps and barracks.
These lifelines depend on protecion and security. The IRA has now shattered that sense of protection and
will, in the future, have erious consequences for Britain's conrinuing ability to control the six counJes
But sadly, the war of liberation is rought at price. Since the Bodenstown commemoralion, Vo unteers Raymond McLaughlin and
slip McFadden nave died
olunteers Charles English and Tony Gough were killed in action on the streets of Derry, and a few short weeks ego a young Monaghan Volunteer, Seamus Mcllwaine was killed by British troops in a Fermanagh field.
We are here to honour Tone. In his rime Tone was undoubtedly special. Seamus Mcllwaine, a Long waver. coul ascous intelligent volunteer, was just as special and in many ways more important than Tone in that he was of our time, of our strugtle. The British and their native collaborators in the 26 counties know that he IRA is out to win. Republicans will hot be satisfied with another glorious failure. Resistance has deepened and ur absolute committment to victory
provoked a similar commitment on the part of the British to destroy us.
Despite the multi-million pype of the Agreement, despite disinFormation, despite the rewriting
EEDOM
Irish history by west Britons and British
propaganda. more and more peonle are
beginning to realise that internal tinkerg wi te six county statelet solves
nothing, and only the achievement of a
soclanst Kepubnc as
Sinn Fein, can end decades of war, injustice and poverty in Ireland.
Sinn Fein has become an increasing-
ly politicised and coherent force but as a movement we have our flaws, and as people who preach should begin with examining ourselves. James Connolv once remarked tha the real danger to Republicanism was that might become
memorative organisation that mourned its martyrs, that lamented defeats.
There is an element of romanticism
within our ranks that
sciouly defeatist, continues to look at the past for legitimacy. In 14 years time
we will be in the 21st century and the struggle of our past, no matter how heroic, no matter how tragic, will have limited direct relevance. Of course we should remember Irish Republicans we possess a continuity of vision and of action that stretches back to 1798 and beyond.
But the Ireland Wolfe Tone lived in; bears only a historical relationship to the Ireland of today or of tomorrow. Everytime we refuse to consider new options, to engage in revolutionary self-criticism, to examine the politics and the aspirations of the Irish people, we betray reality. all people, should never be afraid to face the real world.
We know at first hand what the calv ot British Any nationalist child in the six counties could stand up here today and give a harrowing allul The British murder, barbarism and repres sion. Anv child in the 26 counties who has suffered poverty, experienced the tragedy of unemployment and witnessed the corruption, the greed and the all-pervading mediocrity service that passes for politics under the Irish establishment, could stand up here and make an eloquent and convincing plea for justice and socialism. People who claim to be Republicans must seek to create and establish a Republicanism that is alive, vibrant, relevant.
Since the hunger-strike Republican movement has sought to last sponsor discussion, to evaluate where we have been, and where we are going to, and to establish genuinely construcand tive structures in which every single perKesh
as we do...
son within the movement can express views and opinions. However. one of our political failings and one that still must be comdalea, is our readiness to dismiss evaluations of the movement that conflict with our own views.
Not every person who argues new dollar positions is a trendy lefty, everyone who advocates of Republicanism is a right-wing tradi-
advocated by Lulla
its heroic
wille not con history. As And Republicans, of tionalist.
blurred our objectives and the means whereby we can achieve them and there must be an end to such nonsense.
occupation means.
dy lefties who would peripheralise and trivialise the movement, but we must accoulll equally be wary of those who hamstring us with narrow reactionary con servatism. We are a socialist republican move, d movement lal supports the use of armed struggle in the six cynicism, the counties, Socialist Republic in the 32 counties of Ireland. In the Europe there is not a revolutionary nor a socialist organisation that enjoys as much popular support as we do and we must be conscious of that fact and attempt to build on it.
the Irish contused many Irish people and James Connolly's teachings and misrepresented by many Should we therefore reject what they taught?
In the whole of Western Europe
there is not a revolutionary nor a
socialist organisation that
enjoys as much popular support
towards today is victory and that also scares many people. Certainly in any inapparent surrectionary situation, radical movement can only offer a leap in the dark to the people struggle continues, it must be our oband not jective to narrow the extent of that leap orthodox by developing policies that take into account the interests and aspirations of
the people of this develop political, our socialism. reactionary.
US LUN categorically Britain...
statements HOLICSL We
have hope and
Ireland.
profiteering
aligned, bloc politics.
The use of these terms has
Certainly we must beware the tren-
and the establishment of a ting
whole of western Ireland
Wolfe Tone's theories scared many
Fintan Lalor's writings
actions were Irish people.
What our movement is advancing
pre-revolutionary there is a time when the
While our
island. We must comprehensive, economic and cultural policies that enable people to see and understand the nature of our struggle, and the ways in which we will eventually change the social order
Of course there has always been an element in Irish politics that has derided and condemned and mis-represented
Our attitude to armed struggle is clear and unambiguous and people can either accept it or reject it but they cannot deny it. However, our socialism has left itself open to various interpretations. Republicans have been described variously as left-wing Marxists or right-wing conservatives. There are those who consider armed struggle radical and others who believe it to be
we are variously called narrow-minded nationalists and part of an internationalist conspiracy.
Our position is perfectly simple. The Irish are a subject people who have the right to be free and have the absolute right to oppose in arms the occupying forces of Britain in the six counties. Many people would claim that the IRA is intent on violent confrontation in the 26 counties. That is a deliberate misrepresentation of the IRA's stated and to
lime and again it has statec that does not contemplate and would not countenance "The Irish are a subject people who have the right to be free and
have the absolute right to oppose
in arms the occupying forces of
such action and even those most oppos-
will accept that its are aiways factual and esta Disa society in which no one is oppressed nor exploited, where the young people
where freedom, justice and power rests with the people of country
Next Thursday the divorce referendum will take place in the 26 counties and all republicans should support the provision of this basic human right. We want a society free from multi-national
and foreign influence.
We want a society that is truly non-
that is not a pawn in power
Many English politicans have warned of the dangers of an Irish Cuba off Britain's coast. A socialist Ireland is a threat to England only in so far as our success may spur English radicals to press more actively for political and social changes in their own country Despite our relative lack of a comprehensive social and economic policy where-by we can convince the uncommica lilal a umica socianst Irelana Is in their own interests, we are attemp-
define and articulate a Republican socialism that is relevant to
for them:
Connolly admitted that even he had failed to define Irish socialism. We are still following in his foot-steps and each
BEEFLOT APARTHE I FREE ZONE
WE AIM TO BE FREE Batty
Socialist Action 4 July 1986
day of struggle that passes brings closer
the day when the Irish define clearly their socialist vision. The revolutionary potential of our native language and culture has been acknowledged within the Hillsborough Accord and the so called concessions in this field, which are meant to undermine that potential, have already been made redundant by the achievements of Sinn Fein cultural activists.
While we honour Wolfe Tone today we nonour too all the unsung peonl who lived and fought and died in the struggle for a free Ireland. We honou all those whose teachings and actions helped advance our struggle and we ac cept that with each generation new ideas appropriate the times are developed and it is only through that process that relevance can be maintain. ed. Honouring Wolfe Tone by harking back to distant days does not further our revolution.Eighty seven years ago James Connolly wrote: 'We are told to imitate Wolfe Tone, but the greatness of Wolfe Tone lay in the fact that he imitated nobody. The needs of his time called for a man able to shake from his
unite in his own person hopes of the new revolutionary faith and the ancient aspirations of an oppressed people.
Our aim is not to provide poets and song-writers with more ballads deteat but to build a real revolutionary organisation that will change society for the betterment of the op-
the deprived and the unemployed men and women of this
Revolutionary Ireland throughout the generations has seen many great Irishmen and women. Wolfe Tone was indeed a remarkable person, an Irish revolutionary who believed, as we here believe, in the strength and ability of an oppressed and freedom hungry people to free ourselves of our chains.
Tragically for Ireland, Britains continuing interference here means that freedom can only be gained at the point of an IRA rifle. Pearse put it in a nutsheil: Ireland unarmed will attain just as much freedom as it is convenient for England to give her. Ireland armed will attain ultimately just as much freedom as she wants.'
Finally, we have learned over the years that the British government takes a keen interest on occasions ike inis Tomorrow morning their political and
experts the Ministry of Defence in London will study the contents of this speech. I'll make it simple
No freedom, no peace. We do no fear you. The struggle continues. . We are going to win.
TELL THE WORLD FREEDOM IS AT HAND
Page 8 scan of this page
Socialist Action 4 July 1986
8
SOUTH AFRICA'S apartheid regime is in its deepest ever crisis. The present movement against the regime started in 1984 with the fight against the new constitution, and with the creation of the United Democratic Front (UDF). A new peak was reached on 1 December last year when the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) was formed.
On 5-6 March this year COSATU held formal meellg with African National Congress (ANC). The immediate outcome of the col-
By John Ross laboration between the ANC and COSATU were the general strikes of 1 May and 16 June - the greatest mass strikes in South African history.
The attempt of the apartheid regime 10 stem. this movement, through the reimposition of a State of Emergency, nas lea to the greatest repression in South African history. But despite this. and despite the press censorship, , it is clear that the repression has failed to stem the tide of revolt inside South Africa.
Solidarity
The international solidarity movemc w coa canc, d cur das never been at a higher level - and the apartheid regime has never been more isolated.
It is therefore almost incredible to tina mounting disorientation ding the situation in South Africa in miprtant parts ol lne Dausa ielt. IHstead of seeing, and welcoming, huge steps forward that are made, a part of the left sees the situation in South Africa as wracked by a disastrous crisis of misleadership.
According to Socialist Worker, for example, the resistance to apartheid is now disastrously divided into
dead end currents 'workerists' and the 'populists'.
Thus for example Socialist Worker for 28 June declared: 'In the unions people have been broadly split into two groups, the "workerists" and the "populists". : It argues that the populists have managed to zain ine ascendancy in the unions Socialist Worker makes it clear that it regards the 'populists' being supporters the ANC. These populists are allegedly leading movement to disaster because they believe: 'the movement can win by pressunsilg une stale inlo negotiations.' (Socialist Worker 19 June) Attack
Socialist Organiser launched an even more vimenl attack on tne politics of COSATU claiming in its 19 June issue: "The situation right now 1s starting to look like a repeat of the fifties when the non-racial trade union federation, the South African Congress of Trade Unions, was used as a stage army by the populist leadership of the ANC.
This question is of decisive importance. COSATU is today playing a more and more dominant role South African politics. Together with the ANC it is one of the two most powerful organisations in the struggle against apatheid.
If the leadership of COSATU has now succumbed to 'populism', and its only opponents are dead 'workerists' then the political situation is very grave.
But that then raises another question. Is the backwardness in the situation really that of the policial currents in South Africa? Or is it the politics of those who make such analyses in Britian? To answer that it is necessary to look development politics of COSATU.
An excellent starting point is the speech made by Joe Foster, general secretary of the Federation of South African Trades Unions (FOSATU), in April 1982. This is undoubtedly one of the most important speeches made by a South African Trade Union Icauti.l was moorian nOtnoly because it. adopted as union policy by FOSATU, and widely circulated internationally, including through the book Power, but because
the being the
addressed one of the most funthe damental of all questions of the South
African revolution the dependence of the working class.
The strength of Foster's speech was its totally unequivocable commitment to the independent organisation and politics of the working Foster stated: 'We have no intention of becoming self-satisfied unionists incapable of giving political direction to the workers struggle.' He concluded: 'It is, therefore, that workers must strive to build their own powerful and effective organisation even whilst they are part of the wider popular struggle.' Foster noted: Giving leadership to the working class reouires an organisational base.
While setting out quivocable commitment to working class independence Foster taniously outlined relations with the ANC. Foster stated: "The ANC had to overcome racial division so as to rise above the divisive racism of the oppressors. They had to deal with opDOTLIHUSUC tribal end organise thousands upon thousands
of people and they had to do all this in the face of harsh repression by state. In achieving this there is little wonder that the ANC rose to become one of the great liberation movements in Africa.'
Foster outlined that stressing independent working class organisation the and poltics did not mean opposition
to the ANC. He states: 'FOSATU as a trade union will clear v not constitute TAP I working class would this place FOSATU in opposition to the wider political struggle or its major liberation movement.
The very fact that Foster talked of independent working class organisation, while stating that the working class 'are part of the wider popular leit posed the question o1 working class organisations coopera-
The political
development
of COSATU
ting with a body such as the ANC This policy was dramatically put into - that of the in- Transvaal general strike,
called as a united action between the United Democratic Front (UDF) and
class. point or tne mass acuons I soull Africa prior to the general strikes of 1 trade
Foster's position was its insistence on essential political independence its weakness, and therefore that of FOSATU at that time, was on why such independence was necessary even betore the apar theid regime was overthrown in South
argued this led to the danger of a narrowing of the perspective of working this uneclass independence today simul-
the working class had to be organised independently to protect itself against the type of regime that would exist leadership,
oner doarcc na occu over nowi
cesstul popular movements have had • the as their aim the overthrow of the op-
regimes. But these movements cannot and have not in themselves been able to deal with the particular and fundamental problem of workers. Their
regarded as illegitimate and unaccep-
movement nor workers must strive to build their own
powerful and effective organisation even whilst they are part of the wider
necessal y worker interests and to ensure that the popular movement is not hijacked by elements who will in the end have no
'workerısm'. une sueec.
most often colonial
essentid
apartheid will turn against the working class after the regime's overrthrow this way of posing things is not adequate. Because the decisive probiem today is not what will follow the apar-
but how to overthrow the apartheid regime. A formulation
problem which has to be solved today.
class has to lead the present struggle to overthrow apartheid. This will give against apartheid. It will also leave the working class in the strongest position to deal witn anvone who turns againsi it either before or after the overthrow
contained elements of what Lenin
That is they seemed to suggest that the working class would get on with the trade union struggle while other bourgeois forces waged theid — exactly the type of combination the 'economists' had argued for in Russia. Foster's correct stress on
endence had not yet been wedded to a correct understanding of the strategy
the thinking of the currents coming
speech given by Jay Naidoo, general secretary of COSATU, at the University of Natal on 18 March this year. Naidoo was previousiy a leader of
terms and in relation to the present, as well as the future, struggles in South African. He said: 'we see ourselves as part and parcel of the broad struggle against apartheid and racism. We see ourselves as full participants in the peace in South Africa
independent working class organisation, politics and leadership, the great strength of hoster's position. with ar
make in struggle. He argued: 'We are not fighting for freedom which sees the bulk of workers continuing to sutfer as they do today. We therefore see it as our duty to promote working-
that no struggle has ever involved one social force acting alone. We therefore have to look carefully at our society to
avoid isolating ourselves as workers and defining our friends and allies too narrowly, ie the danger of workerism;
ourselves in an incoherent mass mood Independent
Naidoo stressed: 'It was recognised •that COSATU, as a representative of the working class, is seized with the
Combouel
stress and strength of roster's positior on the development of independent
politics but at the same time stressed the alliances that the working class
step backwards to populism, Naidoo's position registers a massive step forward in the thinking of the COSATU
A Marxist might, of course, want to give a more 'classical' formulation than Naidoo. It could be put as the
In Depth
leading role of the working class in
and the essence of the matter Naidoo is ențirely correct - the necessity of the in-
of the working class, and at the same time the necessity for the working class to enter into alliances to gaip the
poses a still more important question.
tionalist organisation. It does not, nor should it, attempt to convert inself into a revolutionary working class par-
dedicated to the revolutionary overthrow of the apartheid regime programme, the Freedom Charter, is
al dllallic
working class party in South Africa. A party which would not
democratic programme of the ANC but which would enter into united ac. tion with the ANC precisely in order to realise this programme — while at the same time seeking to go beyond this to a socialist revolution in South
the destruction of apartheid involves more than just securing political liber-
would be. He states. Justice for us i not simply a beautiful phrase. it also
justice, and political justice. It means
hunger and poverty the right to work, the right to proper
and a meaningtu education svsten
gone hand in hand with our exploitiation and suffering at the hands of the bosses. Free enterprise has not been something separate and
business to distance themselves from the present discredited regime, have learnt one important lesson, that the root and fruit of the apartheid tree is the exploitaiton of workers in South
merely change the skin colour of our oppressors.' Naidoo concluded: 'It is clear in the specific conditions of our wallly it is inconceivable that
separated trom economic emancipa-
Africa, the destruction of apartheid, itself involves a gigantic social revolution - the taking of the land by the black population, the formation of a
the ot the COlmlv. creation of the base for political liberty. All historical experience, and any examination of the social reality of
confined within the framework of a
the examples of India, Algeria, Zimbaowe ane maav ouner saows
carrying through the destruction of apartheid racism in South Africa. On. ly if the capitalist state is destroyed, if
democratic tasks of the revolution themselves be carried through to their COICIUSIOI -
South Africa will grow out of the
- not bi
class politics with the necessary alliances to
action with the ANC, which poses the question of what type of regime will come out of the revolution in South Alrca
mense stride forward for the struggle
Page 9 scan of this page
New attack on Nicaragua
Bury my heart at Big Mountain
International
government In Nicaragua.
ed the court's jurisdiction.
'law of the jungle'.
Reagan's campaigns
against 'international
lawlessness' and terrorism
stand exposed. Guns and
dollars speak louder than
legal formulas which
are useful in so far as they
defend the Pax
but
disposable old Mac-
donald's wrappers when
they don't.
On Wednesday 25
June, the US House
Representatives
cocailed aggression
against Nicaragua. In
splay ur a new louna
'bipartisan politics, as
Reagan put it, they voted
$100 million aid to the
contra armies will are
currently dug in and lick-
ing their WOULS along
Nicaragua's borders. Sig-
nificantly, $70 million of
this is for direct military
aid.
$40 million is for light
equipment, to be delivered
in September,
maining $30 million for
heavy high tech weaponry
SECr ground to air
missiles which to go
through February.
All this amounts to three
times the previous level of
such aid.
Reagan's rhetoric about
'freedom. fighters' aside,
US policy becoming more open ment No
Pentagon
geneves nat the contras
either the military
Capacily popular
support to hold a single
Nicaraguan village
alone topple the San-
dinistas whose leader-
ship of the country was en-
dorsed with a thumping
majority
popular votes
Nicaraguas first free election only eighteen months ago.
Indeed there has been a sharp debate in the US
More US terrorism:
Arizona.
get their hands uranium beneath the surface.
Big Mountain, at the
the Colarado Plateau, is amongst the JUSt energy and mineralrich land in the world. A number of studies show that this land is also essential climatic balance which regulates global weather patterns.
Not only is the planned 'relocation an infringement of the rights of the oppressed Amenten Indian nations, but its results could have cussions on ecological balance.
trace their occupancy this area back for centuries. For that long, two peopics Have sharea Inese lands, peacefully, raising
LAST FRIDAY, the International Court of Justice ruled that the United States is in breach of international law in its efforts to destabilise the Sandinista
Anticipating such result, the US announced that it no longer recognis-
Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Miguel d'Escoto deplored the US stance as an expression of an international policy based on the
press that the contras comInana structure is so cor politically dubious
incapable of absorbing the ald being fered. At the same time there has been widespread publicity for contra atrocities in Nicaragua and criminal activity across the region.
Revelations that the commandantes have Decile come or the principal By Paul Atkin routes from Columbia to is in Miami, and various rackets have helped keep a majority of US opinion hostile to further but they have not cooled the ardour of the administration. Indeed, there has been direct from the White House of attempts the General Accounting Office to subpeona _contra bank accounts in Miami.
The solution to the conundrum how MaKe force feeding the contras with high tech weaponry both possible and politically acceptable has been to put the CIA directly in charge of fund allocation. On the one side Reagan establishes 'provisional zovernment in exile' made up of contra leaders. On the other, the state takes direct charge of running the war.
The government in exile' is window dressing for a war by proxy in which the US arms, finances and an army of mercenaries to do its dirty wOlk for it. The tall, white, blue eyed boys in the green berets will give the orders. The little brown NICO blue fatigues will fight, murder ON 6 JULY the United States government plans to forcibly evict 10,000 Navajo and Hopi American Indians from their ancestral homelands at Big Moun-
The decision by the Reagan administration is a result of lobbying by mining companies, most notably Peabody Coal, who want to
- and their bank accounts — on the
livestock.
By Carol Turner
They are in complete opposition to the eviction.
Since 1977, they have resisted 1 culuvale 111cluding by armed confrontation.
The main instrument for organising this eviction has been the Navajo-Hopi Indian Relocation comwillch nas so lar spent $50 million in this at. tempt. Since not severa investigations have exposed the corruption of land dealers, implicating the Commission itself.
In an attempt to drive the Navajo and Hopi peoples off Big Mountain,
and die at their command.
United States control
of the war is now open and
proclaimed by the • Us ad-
ministration itself.
The United States' im-
mediate aim is to punish
Nicaragua. Well equipped
contras Call do great
damage to the Nicaraguan
economy. The US decision
means that people will
starve, without
medicine, live in fear.
It bears some
blence to the last phase of
Vietnam When
the US knew that they had wal
lost, they spent several
and billions
dollars trying to bomb
Vietnam flat. Not to 'win'
the war but to try to crip-
ple the victor, as a warning
to anyone else of the terri-
ble consequences of break-
and detying
imperialism. The United
States
wallls
Nicaragua's 'threat of
good example' to the rest
of Latin America into a
warning.
But there is a fun-
damental difference with
Vietnam. The intervention
into Nicaragua is escalthe government has confiscated their livestock over a long period. One example is the woman who applied for graze her sheep together with a cow and a horse. She was granted grazing rights for
one sheep. one horse and one cow and 10 days to appeal within a
"Off you go then
and set fire to anything you see.
save Nicaragua for democracy!
ating. Speculation
Washington centres on
Reagan's desire to over-
throw Sandinistas
before he leaves office in
1988. Wholesale commit-
ment of US military forces
is on the agenda.
In Nicaragua, the res-
ponse has been swift. The
pro-Reagan newspaper
La Prensa, which greeted
the contra aid vote by
plastering a big picture of
Reagan waving the victory
salute all over its tront
page, has been closed.
'What country in time of
war allows the enemy to
openly publish newspapers
Is capital, askea ine
Ministry of Interior.
Physically politalla
Nicaragua San-
dinistas what
necessary to defend the
That cannot
help but involve the rep.
I COS UN Torces who
support the US aggresion.
Supporters of the US will
try to i pass this off as
'repression
rights'. But it is the United
States wnich is responsi
ble for the war and for any complicated legal
which little understanding and no lawyer acl her behalf.
For the American Indians Big. Mountain, "relocation' word for genocide. Intered for relocation there word for
- kill anyone you encounter and blow up One way or another we musi
measures required to deal
witn it. here is no right
to be a fifth coloumnist.
International solidarity
US pressure is designed to now s ever more cca!
diplomatically and
politically isolate
Nicaragua. well
this country, the observers
Irom the US
mingling with crowds at
the Anti-Apartheid
demonstration last Satur-
day must have been
CLUT
cibly struck by. the large
numbers pro-
Sandinista T shirts.
Nicaragua is large in this The bellicill for
country The policies of
the _Labour Party and
many unions are positive
Now is the time for loud
and sharp public retorts of i susta policy as part
sustained campaign
for Nicaragua.
• he Nicaragua Solid-
arity Campaign 1 has a peti-
tion and against
Contra aid. To order them
speakers
situation Stact NS, 202l Can- Nicaragua
pton Terrace, London N1. the Navajo language: the nearest aurillalul means to disappear never to be seen again.
Protest against this latest act of US barbarism
…nOW beginning to spread. Big Mountain
Campaign was launched recently in Britain, and has already held
successful press conference Publicity,
aculon are urgently needed.
in the wake of Chernobyl, and given the clear has with the campaign has with issue nuclear power and weapons, it is not surprising that Greenham women have been in the forefront ot raising Big Mountain in Britain.
• Further information is available from: Big Mountain Support Committee,
Shipton House, Prince of Wales Road, London NW5 3ND (phone: 01-241 5626 or 01-485 1085)
Peru
whom?
eliminated from society'.
by naked greed. Philippines
Feburary.
defence minister Juan Ponce Enrilie.
lease is up for renewal in 1991.
South Pacific
nuclear free zone. It is also pressing New Zealand to modify its non-nuclear
'remove the nuclear umbrella' from Zealand. Prime minister Lange says New
pact.
Socialist Action 4 July 1986
WORLD
British delegates returning from the Second International congress in Lima, Peru have
some explaining to do. As many as 400 Sendero
Luminoso guerillas are now believed massacred
since Wednesday 18 June when president Alan
Garcia ordered the army and navy to crush a
revolt in the country's three strongest jails. At
least 70 were killed after they surrendered, and
in two of the prisons not a single guerilla was left
alive. This action will rank with the most barbarous atrocities of Latin American history.
The Second International, meeting for the
first time in Latin America, under the banner
'Peace and Freedom', greeted it with a terse
declaration. It expressed concern at 'excesses'
but spent most of its time explaining that 'democracy has the right to defend itself against
terrorists'. Excuse us: defend what against
The 'threat' was not an army in the field but captives. As Peruvian writer Mario Vargas has
charged, it involved 'settling accounts with ar enemy and had nothing to do with 'establishing order'. The prisoners, who could not possibly defend themselves, were massacred to intimidate guerillas in the field which the army could not deal with. Garcia knew perfectly well what the armed forces wanted to do. They had been straining at the leash for six months. His own navy minister, Admiral Julio Pacheco, had just stated that 'irrecoverable people have to be
The brutal fact is that the Second International and all its parties, eager for the pickings of resistance to US imperialism in Latin America but frightened of losing new-found allies like Garcia, not merely stood by but congratulated the president on his action. A fitting warning to the people of Latin America of what they can expect from European 'democracy': barbarism and cowardice excused
We repeat: defend what against whom? We hope the British delegates have an answer.
President Cory Aquino is starting
negotiations with the New People's Army and the Philippines Communist Party. Since she came to office the army has redoubled its attacks on the resistance. Over 1000 have died since
. Under Marcos, the annual average was 3000. But the armed forces have been unable to break the resistance. The move has provoked dissént in her cabinet, and rumours are rife of disagreements and even preemptive coups by
The USA, which has recently granted $ million in aid to the Philippines, has officially denied that this is 'rent' for its bases, whose
The US has openly opposed a pact soon to
be signed by 13 South Pacific countries which would turn the South East Pacific into a
• policy so that US nuclear ships can use New Zealand ports.
To this end, Reagan has threatened to
New Zealand will be a lot safer without it and is considering breaking from the ANZUS defence
Anniversary of the Nicaraguan Revolution Saturday 19 July Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Day school
and Rally Nelson Mandela Hall, Kings College Student Union, Surrey Street, London WC2 Speakers include: Nicaraguan embassy,
FDR FMLN of El Salvador, ANC,
SWAPO, CND, and more.
The day school will be folowed by films,
videos and a disco Further details Ordon NSC, 23321 Compton Terrc,...
London NI (01-359 8982)
Page 10 scan of this page
Censorship and anti-zionism
10 A similar attack was made in Socialist Organiser.
The Jewish Chronicle,
Israel with anti-semitism.
struggle.
I WOULD like to thank Socialist Action for proVang me will tills plal: form. In weeks, myset and Have been continually attacked in the press for daring to raise for debate within the National Union
(NUS) issue of Israeli attrocities lowaras lic Palestinians and, in particular, towards Palestinian students
It matter of historical fact that NUS has consistently avoided debating the Middle East ¡ ana une role plays, and now the reason
dantly clear.
Victims
The student movemen: has always been to the fore in defending the victims of
and fascism, both nationally and internacionally. In the face of repeated governmental
threats, NUS continues to operate its 'No
Racists and Fascists'.
lus has been the major
prominent national organ-
the
sallull =conomic and social isola-
apartheid South To its credit, NUS
zinca.
Was the first mass
call for out of Ireland.
Students have bravely
combatted the National
particularly
isolating Harrington at the Polytechnic of North Lon-
. in (albeit with little NEC
-upport).
When Reagan bombed
Libya, the student move-
ment rose and condemned
this act of terrorism with
one single united voice.
Therefore, it can be said
that issues TWO BADGES produced by Socialist Action sold massively on last weekend's huge anti-apartheid demonstration - Isolate Apartheid - Sanctions Now'
and 'Smash Apartheid'. Supporters from all over
the country were and about from early
morning selling them.
On the day over £700 was handed to the Socialist Action stall. Another £500 or so is in the pipeline.
Socialist Action 4 July 1986 aT THIS April's NUS conference Dave King, president of Lancashire Polytechnic and Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Ribble Valley made a speech opposing the policies of the state of Israel. This speech was immediately attacked in the -Jewish Chronicle and the Guardian as anti-semitic.
the Guardian and Socialist Organiser have refused to print any reply by Dave King. This tactic of claiming any opposition to Zionism is 'anti-Jewish', and then refusing to print any reply, is a typical tactic of publications which attempt to equate opposition to the state of
Dave King explains here ¡his views on the state of Israel and the Palestinian
racism, • fascism and im. perialism, that NUS has a recoro of soldartv with freedom movements throughout the world.
However, there is one alarming exception to this LIC DILALCONS
actions nd tens ste re ist
stale Israel upon the Palestinian
Jnion of Jewish Students (UJS), many of whom act as apologists for the state of Israel, have continually
in ensuring that criticisms
ensuring that criticisms
Led in debates either on individual Call Duse National Conference.
Their method is as simple
of Israel equals semitism Those who dare to condemn Isreal as racist state that operates a policy of international terthroughout Middle East are hounded, intimidated and scurrilously attacked with all the force and venom that UJS and alles can auster.
Witness what has hap Dened to Georges jonannes of the ANC. In answer to a question on international co-operation betSouth Africa and Israel, the opinion that the ironic support of Israel for the neo-Nazi regime of Pretora was i sonuc mcasule Israel was in some measure continencies which most people thought had died in the Berlin bunker!
The fact that Georges was speaking as a guest of the
Labour Students at a frmeeting of the Na. 112C tional Conference led UJS
FUND
DRNE
Thanks all round to the massive effort involved.
This was a much needed boost to the paper's coffers.
In addition readers in the North West produced and sold 400 ahe brodeds have bein proceeds have been promised for our fund.
It is impossible : to tell how many extra Socialisi A was any sundreds, be i was may anarcus will try to give details in
There are many rallies and testivals over the sum-
to immediately publicise a totally distorted and untruthful account that labl-
both the ANC and NULD as anti-semetic movements.
In lack, this background that
Conference and I chose the opportunity afforded to me by the fact that speaking time was available during a motion The abuse, vitriol and har-
SInce been levelled at me for at-
manifested itself in me be-
labelled 'anti-semitic — the Guardian; 'evil' UJS; 'a nasty Jew baiter Socialist Organiser and the 'nastiest, manifestation of
Jewish Chronicle. I have had let-
•of abuse and ECIS member of UJS was ac-
tually expelled from the floor of conference for trying to set me up on a charge of sexual Haras ment. Recant
have had pressure brought upon me to recant false allegations made my own campus at Lancashire Polytechnic that l
Jewish nave Students', and this is all
criticism occause (admittedly of Israel and its actions against the Palestinians.
What exactiy did I say and what is my viewpoint with regards Israel? Firstly, believe thai
to vive in Palesane righy
to live in Palestine. have a right to protect and mer. This coming weekend is the Durham miners gala. On 29 July there is the
anti-racist NOTRICOI festival. On 22 July there is
Campaign group rally. August sees
Notting Hill carnival. Bookstalls and fund raising initiatives can be planned for SUCH CVCHILS Please contact us for any assistance
Meanwhile our 'Sanctions Now' badge was also a political intervention on the demonstration. It is ex-
doubtedly eXas
Eastern Europe and
Israel
ing the
other de-
world.
Israel has become state of the police force against the
that Soviet influence undermined. This has
Arab
USSR for and with both
assets the
gets eve The
en-
terrorism racism
the Palestinians
perialist
American Isreal must
been said
CHOL
left papers
for against
Storm of
armed of ANC, mass strikes peacetui
South Africa, every
We last week's
with some sects of Christianity, ie Southern Baptists and the Dutch Reformists of South Africa, there are those who use
Interprelaliol Jews as the 'chosen race
having God
the land or milk and
'land milk honey', ie Palestine
Thos Zionists racists to the extreme, and their actions can be rightly compared the cumbents of Pretoria or
ven the Nazis in their ap
roach — even if not in th scale of what they have actually been able 'achieve'
Furthermore, there are Zionists who utilise
Soviet Drencher Jewry to create hysterical anti-Sovie backlash designed detract world attention away from Crima acts carred out, by
themselves. Many 'refusIlks naving occh grantee exit visas from the USSR are immediately encourag ed to settle in Israel, and proceed to condemn Soviets in emotional, irrational terms and to display
the fact that they have now arrived home VI course their settlement has often led to further Palestinians being dispossessed of land on that has been theirs for generations.
Having said this, the USSR is indeed onen to criticism for its treatment of Jews, and indeed 1 sup ported the Soviet Jewry
debated at Conference. However, there is no excuse for Israel's conduct when refusniks as merely a fur-
pawi perverted game of gaining exclusive use of Pălestine for Jews.
So there we are await a continuation of the debate. If nothing else has been acheved. ine ceodit is now in the open. Let it
and boltised without perverted claims
anti-semitism being levelled at critics of the state of Israel. Surely, adherents OI Zionism believe that they have a
they can forward and argue its case in its merits, and not use antisemitism as a refuge.
demonstration wah tremendous success for the anti-apartheid We will be working our throughout the sum mer to build the Apartheid Movement And to do that we need regular contributions from the income to bring out
Please rush your contribution, no matter large or small, to socialis Action, PO Box 50, London N1 2XP
with murder. and
are July 8th, from 6-8pm.
July 20th at 11am
these events and show solidarity with the
to
the Broadwater Farm Defence Campaign.
to
suC-
launched its Black and Asian Advisory
by Jo Richardson MP.
the
labour Party Black Section their
Cup
LneI behind the World Cup.
Action)
flat
Anti ahead
inspired slander campaign.
how unemployment has risen sharply.
detentions are increasing. want food!' de la Piedra, chairperson of FNCR Ali Wasti
Broadwater Farm
AS YOU may know as a result of the uprising last year, 66 people have been charged with affray. A further 13 people, including a number of juveniles, have been charged with rioteous assembly, o of whom have also been charged
The Defence Campaign has decided to hold a picket of Tottenham Police Station to coincide with the publication of the Inquiry Report on
Also we will be having a march from Broadwater Farm to Finsbury Park to join up with Haringey's SALSA Anti-Racist festival on
We therefore invite you to participate in defendants and the struggle against racişm in this
Black Section
As you probably know the Labour Party
Committee at the end of May. The Committee consists of nominees from the national executive committee of the Labour Party, affiliated trade unions and Labour Party Regions. It is chaired
The Labour Party Black Section are adamantly opposed to the Black and Asian Advisory Committee. It represents no one, has no muscle and is inevitable doomed to tallure.
Virendra Sharma, the newly appointed Ethnic Minorities Officer is responsible for servicing the committee. He has written to the trade unions, socialist societies and Constituency Labour Parties requesting invitations to come and explain the role of the Black and Asian Advisorv Committee. We advise that invitations to both the Black and Asian Advisory Committee and the Black Section be made simultaneous v. so that the issue can be fully debated
Please publish this letter in your newspaper and circulate to your branches for information.
Paul Sharma (For the National Committee Mexico and the World
WHILST IT is inevitable that the bourgeois press can set the agenda for what makes news, it is the duty of the left to set the terms of the debate itself. The article 'Victory to Argentina!' (27 June) failed to tackle the political issues
The real story behind the World Cup -ignored by the world's media (and Socialist
— is the way that the Mexicar government has used it to divert attention from its savage austerity policies and increasing
So important did the Mexican government consider the exercise that one of its first declarations after the earthquake last September was to affirm that the World Cup would go
• and the first grants were given to the hotel industry. Meanwhile the Committee of the Disaster Victims is the object of a government-
The minimum wage has been reduced by 40 per cent in real terms in the last ten years. Price: of basic foods have been deregulated and
These policies have led to strikes and demonstrations by workers' and peasants' organisations which have been brutally repressed by the police. 'Disappearances' and arbitrary
The people in the shanty town surrounding the Neza stadium don't even have running water and electricity. bicy are renasg to pay or in decorations carried out by the government to prettify the area for tourists, and are mobilising around the slogan 'We don't want football, we
Socialists should be using the occasion of the World Cup to highlight their campaign and that of the Nationa Front Acainst Repression (FNCR) for the return of the 'disappeared', amnesty for the detainees, and the campaign to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Rosario Ibarra
Page 11 scan of this page
Scargill warns 'we can surrender
Black Section gains at TGWU rules revision conference
In the Unions
NUM in conference:
UNLESS THIS union is prepared to take positive action, up to 42 more pits will close or merge, with 60,000 more jobs wiped out in the next few years', NUM president Arthur Sargill told miners delegates meeting at Tenby on their first day of con-
Monday. strategic choices facing miners. 'This is the reality we face,' he said. "To placate is to surrender. We can surrender or fight back. There is no middle ground.'
Against those who attacked the strike, against calls from on vc evce ve
between the NUM UDM, and unk's scau Scargill reminded conference: 'It is a testimony to the courage and determination of our membership, to the wonderful women's support NUM has not only surviv- our allies that ed but is recognised as a focal point of resistance against attemps to destroy British industry? Pointing to the closure of Gartcosh steelworks in Scotland Scargill attacked the disaster of 'new realism'.
He called instead for a 'revival'
' OT union principles. The National Union Mineworkers, he said
JI CCU to take industrial action 'sooner ra nen than later to
further pit decimaLul.
'Only direct which carries economic Ipaci Colli halt the policies and terrible slide to complete disaster which faces Britain today,' he explained. "That is the key
essol enmiee over the course of the past few years.'
'WE SHOULD be saying we'll give you what you need, transport union general secretary Ron Todd talking about black workers in South Africa. Unfortunately
black workers here in organisation they are flatly refused institutional recognition by white trade union and Labour Party bosses.
Racism and paternalism are alive and kicking the labour move-
Nowhere was this -cull.
nore widely apparent tha
it the TGWL rules revision conterence ADe -deen last month (June).
of almost 200 delegates representing 1.5
just two were • black. naCK workers make up 20 per cent membership, most of them concentrated in the lowest-paid jobs.
Though the TGWU have appointed a black deputy general seretary, there is no room for complacency. The new number two, Morris, discovered when his bid to get TUC council failed, that if you are black you can't build a mass base among, an all-white union executive.
That base should be among the most disadvantaged and least represented
of the membersccuiull ship: black workers. And
or fight back'
He bluntly spelt out the
•commodate or attempt to
Against the calls for unity, through 'concilia-
with the breakaway UDM, Scargill demanded the Labour Party leadersnip lo lake acuon agalnst Notts MPs who backed up 'this company outtit'. resolution from the Scot-
sure apronl unit i
sure unity
calling on the acmieveu vy TUC and the Labour Partv to assıst in reuniting Britain's mining unionists'.
Scargill's speech set the tone for the conference and the differences : that are unfolding within the union. Today national inOlstra action is nol an immediate or realistic proCCL But the issue is how the NUM is to be able to get back into the postion where it is.
Ihe path being pursued by the Scottish leadership around Mick McGahey in essence is to abandon the fighting line
NUM and seek reconciliation with the UDM. Evidently LEHS would be at the expense of the removar or une Drcocu leadership of the NUM and reversal of its policies.
It clear that this wowrd not save a single job. Policies of complete collaboration with managwhat we think is best for you, said he should fight for mechanism within the structure of union
which gives black people volte That means suppor ting black caucuses. By Ashley Patel, Black Section, TGWU Organiser
Women in the TGWU have advisory committees and a full-time national officer. Black members have neither.
Commenting on Bill Morris's rebuff, one of the black delegates said: "the system does work. The arrogance TGWU officials screwing up the ca ick ot Labour Party Black Section and saying
don't support that without even giving text read, was soul destroving for ou supporters.
One delegate summed up the wall of resistance when he gave his view of black sections that 'Ron Todd speaks for me.
ement, as pursued by the ISTC in the steel industry for example. Icsullcu CVCil greater slaughter of IODS in the mines Such an abandonment of the NUM's policies would break up all the political gains the strike and make te umon a ponce force over its own HIC UCS
The task which exists is
Lane Discussion is about to do Ihlal, anla nol now to carry out a 'reconciliation'. The SaLCai Cvic lakeu Ul Needless to say, Toda implacably opposed us.
Looking at things from a postive view, Black Sec tion fringe meting in Aberdeen was a great success in that it showed that Black Section movement had the organisational ability and practical sup ort to hold a successtu ringe meeting hundreds of miles. awa trom main areas of support at a
that issue will decide the whole future of the NUM.
Conference reaffirmed its commitment to fight for the reinstatement of the 480 miners still sacked.
resolution from the Kent area called on the
ned wiue lu Continue fo provide financial assıstance for those sack ed.
On Tuesday delegates were treated to a suprise and raptuously greeted appearance Atran miners leaders, Including Cyril Ramaphosa,
BLACK
SECTIONS
Your voice inshe habour Party hostile union conference.
successfully leafleted all 200 delegates on at least trees spate o cisio ns
spoke with Bill Morris and Ron Todd at length, and their response will help shape our TGWL strategy in the future We also made valuable contacts for future action.
Our next step is organising and campaign ing for next year's TGWU
general secretary of the NUM, who adressed conference. Delegates will debate resolution from Scotland
ODDUSLE 'the evil of aparthied' and calling, among other things, for the imposition of the UN arms embargo alu ulanualor. sanctions including an oil embargo. The resolution also proposes affiliation to the Anti Apartheid Movement.
But it is the decision o how tight the UDM which will determine the tuture of the miners. biennial delegate conference (BDG). Supporters are being encouraged to pas. IcsorulIons through their branches to ensure that severa resolutions supporting Black Sections will be on the agenda.
We that such
поре resolutions will be thoroughly debated
- U1 the floor of that conference and at a rank and file level.
Socialist Action 4 July 1986
NUR supports WAC
Monday Weston-
super-Mare. Seventy
seven NUR delegates
debated
cash for ballots and firm-
ly rejected the idea But
conference turned down
a demand that the next should repeal Tory ment _LADOl
Tory antilaws Speaking
against the resolution
general secretary Jimmy
Knapp said that the
Labour government
must given 'ilex-
ibility
Against the advice of
the platform however,
conference aNsed
resolution in support o
the DOllI w omten
Action Committee de-
mand that women
should elect the women's
places on Labour's
NEC. The MOLOD was
passed with a four to
three majority.
Tuesday at Weston-
Make the links,
break the chain
ONE important by-product of the disaster at the Chernoby! power station in the USSR was the formation of the Links campaign.
By Carol Turner
Links has brought together a variety of anti-nuclear and other. groups to ensure that the nuclear power programme of this ColuLy N scrapped once and for all
A delegate conferenc which met in Durham over the weekend of 10-11 May decided to take public action. Groups involved include women Agaust Pt Closures, Tyneside CND Tyneside Anti Apartheid, SCRAM and others,
The conference called for a national week of action beginning on 7 June. As a result of action across the country they have collected jumbo petition which was recently handed
10 Downing Street, and demands that no new nuclear power stations be oulll in , this country and that existing nuclear power be ohased out
The Links group took action last week. Over 30 people from
far afield as Scotland and Wales, and including a contingent of Greenham
in the UCW
11 super-Mare. The whole of the morning debate over two hours, was taken up by a resolution opposing the witch hun in the Labour Partv. A wiecking non the undon to calling union LaKe stand agains Militant's policies 'al every level' the Labour Party was passed. skillful and carefully prepared half hour response KnaDo on posed the resolution and called for support for the amendment. chair ann the da, tail During the day, Against Apartheid fringe meting on Tuesday evening. This looks set te be a big and successful event. Railworkers will hear that as they met in session today the Soutl African NUM addressed the British mineworkers coN FE BREAK THE S CHAIN
women, delivered letters to every MP on the subject of the petition Four questions are asked on MPs postions on the USe • or lucedr bower alu demanded.
LINKS will publish the answers, including a list of MPs who do not respond. press statement issued on 25 June says: 'The Links campaign presented petition against nuclear power signed by 55,000 people Locay. Ihe petition collected in the week of 7-14 June 1986, •a lale of one signature every seconds.
Links is now considering a further conference in the autumn. • The Links campaign can be contacted via: Ann Mechanics C/fice, 26 hah Suddick Durham Avenue, Durham DH1 4ED.
Issues for Socialists
Photo: ALAN FREEMAN
An open disussion
meeting
Saturday 5 July,
11am - 5pm
•Fighting Racism' speaker Frank Osie-Tutu
Executive council chair Bob Birmingham WDO 'Womens Rights' speakers Jane Lottus
Liverpool C&CS Cheryl Pugh Chesterfield PHQ chair Billy Hayes Liverpool Amal 'Organising For Change' speaker Stephen
Bell Cardiff Uniform chair Alison Emery Coventy Tels All speakers in a personal capacity
Small Lecture Theatre 2 Polytechnic of Central London
35 Marylebone Rd
Baker Street Tube Station
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SociAlist
ACTiON
CAMPAIGN GROUP OF LABOUR MPs
PUBLIC MEETING
WHICH WAY FOR
THE LEFT?
8pm Tuesday 22 July SPEAKERS MARGARET BECKETT MP TONY BENN MP ERIC HEFFER MP DENNIS SKINNER MP LABOUR PARTY BLACK SECTION LABOUR WOMENS' ACTION COMMITTEE CAMPAIGN FOR LABOUR PARTY DEMOCRACY PHIL TURNER PPC HAMPSTEAD AND HICHGATE Chair Julie Fitzgerald Deputy Leader, Camden Council Hampstead Town Hall Haverstock Hill (Belsize tube)
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Wapping
next steps
RONT ELL
OVER 600 sacked News International print workers held a mass meeting last Saturday 28 June to discuss the next steps in their fight to win re-instatement and union recognition at Wapping. Despite the decisions of the SOGAT national conference, the national leadership of SOGAT, and general secretary Brenda Dean, has done nothing to intensify the fight. It has simply decided upon a relaunch of the consumer boycott campaign. union leadership was underlined by the absence of every single London full time branch secretary from the platform of the meeting.
What Brenda Dean had done is to endorse the visit of electricians' leader Eric Hammond to Rupert Murdoch's Angeles retreat. Hammond had organised the scab electricians to. steal the print workers jobs at Wapping in the first place.
In this the meeting decided demand that any future negotiating team must include the mothers and fathers of the striking chapels. The negotiations opened up by Hammond clearly could not be in the interests the sacked
THE NEWS International dispute has entered its 24th week. This makes it a very long strike indeed — I a fact that is perhaps disguised by comparison to the year long miners' strike.
port to keep going. workers have been up and down the country appeal-
ng for this kind of support. Last week CARMEI
BEDFORD, from the Sogat clerical branch, was i South Wales.
My tour was arranged by
South Waler West
Sogat and the South Wales
NÚM. The NUM paid for
my bed and breakfast and
and driver
everywhere. We did over
1000 miles of driving. had a tremendous reception everywhere I went.
spoke at nine pits, and at
two or three shifts at each
one, to get to everybody. I
was invited into the can-
teens at the pit heads.
The miners
marvellous. Most of them
have still not got over the
financial effects of their
own strike. But they all
responded. • Some of them
have decided on a weekly
levy. Where this isn't
possible they are organis-
Printworkers plan
TIL TIMES This inactivity of the national
printers.
The meeting insisted that the only useful thing By Brian Grogan that Hammond could do was not galavanting off to the States but instructing
to cross his members not the picket line at Wapping.
therefore adopted a further appeal to the electricians for this.
Nonetheless, the
considered that NUCCULI Murdoch's intention to reopen negotiations showed that he was under pressure from the strikers. This Is despite the fact that the na-
Raising support in Wales
Such long strikes need enormous financial sup From the beginning print-
ing a raffle each week on
our behalf, or something
like that.
They are sending
money Sogat every
week. This puts our own
union to shame After
weeks, it has still not im-
posed a national levy. cokemen s conference the
in
Tenby. and both
South Wales miners presi
•enl Des Dutfield, and
Terry Thomas, the vice
president, who set
whole tour up with Sogat
locally.
I went to a big coking
plant called Phurnacite
where there are about 750
workers who have had a
levy for us from the begin-
ning of the strike. It's in-
Sori
SANTI-ABA MPTU
GROUP
tional union had not geared up the Sogat bran-
begin serious solidarity work. It was pointed out TOAT many labour movement bodies were giving gicale. port than their own union and them, notably the miners, were not only donating to the odd collection but organising levics
It was therefore decid ea to demand lal lie mational union impose a levy • for the striking printers a part of the campaign mobilise the membership in solidarity action.
A key focus of this solidarity should be the boycott of all materials coming out of ine scab plant. The Press Associa-
still syndicating copy from Wapping and the rest of the industry is
still handling malena.
trom Bemrose in Liverpool sidiary which prints the
Carmel Bedford
credible
Wales and the South
West Sogat should be held
up as a shining light. In ad
dition to this tour,
similar one next week in
central Wales, they
organising pickets of a
collee un depots in thel
area, one in Swindon and
one in Llantrisant.
They are now planning
a big solidarity rally for
Cardiff on 20 July, and are
asking for people to bring
They
their
hoping it will be addressed
Brenda Dean, Tony
Dubbins and Gavin Laird
ARTHU News of the World coloui supplement. proposal
bovcott adopted unanimously.
Despite the inactivity of the national leadership, picketing had been dramatically stepped since SOGAT ' COnference the sacked printers themselves. Many more day time pickets have been organised visibly contributing to the
morale of those working behind the barbed wire in Murdoch's fortress. The meeting decided to step this up by calling VIl each of the chapels in turn to organise a day time picket to give the scabs no respite.
Clearly, with the decision of Murdoch to reopen negotiations, the dispute is once more entering dangerous phase. It is now important that visible solidarity is remobilised particularly for the Saturday night march and pickets.
from the engineers. This would be the first time that tne AbU las spoken our
on our behalf.
This shows what
possible. Ine rest of the
labour movement is wide
But
OOCU our leadership is failing to
muske the appeals on do te
business
They have just announced
₺150,000 renewec
boycott campaign, which 1
Flavour or. But by
itself this is not enough to
win our dispute.
Since the ballot we feel
we are winning. But this
has only been made good
through the backing of thi
rest of the labour move-
Our leadership
should gel
branch secretary to invite a
up tol • a week, do
an itinerary for them and
saturate their area. If the
leadership won't do it, we
should •set up our own
coordinating
and do it ourselves. . If we
would
colla ao lial
win the strike within a
month.
← Socialist Action No. 145, 27 June 1986Socialist Action No. 147, 29 August 1986 →