Socialist Challenge No. 103, 5 July 1979
The scan: sc-n103-jul-05-1979.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.
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Socialist Challenge An Invitation to a New Slump Margaret Thatcher, Geoffrey Howe, Keith Joseph and other members of Her Majesty's Government request the pleasure of your company for the next few
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS:
years * Over million unemployed
* Hospital closures * Sale of council houses * More and more scapegoats
* Capital punishment for
secondary pickets
they don't know What is that my supporters
will be there...
[blacks, gays, women, etc.]
0
No. 103 5 July 1979 15g 1929 Slump Golden Celebration Jubilee
Page 2 scan of this page
Socialist Challenge. 328/9 Upper Street. London N1 2XQ. Editorial: 01-3598180/9. Distribution/ Advertising: 01-359 8371. Protect us from 'our' leaders
ANL prepares conference
OUR POLICIES
Capitalism is in crisis. The leaders of the Lahour Party and the trade unions ofter solutions that are in
of the workers NO EPTES. but of the capitalist class.
Socialist Challenge believes that the two vilal tasks
COULTERLEE
• To build broad-based class struggle tendencies in opposition
labour movement. These should
grouping together militants hold- to caluate in character, ing a wide range of political views.
• To begin to fight
unified Creamin democratic revolutionary socialist organisation an application united front laclics, begin to be seen as an alternative by thousands workers engaged in struggles.
Such an organisation should be based on the understanding that:
The for seeks to unite the fight of against the with that of other oppressed layers of society — gays struggling for liberation. This socialism can only be achieved by creating new organs ot power ano cerealing will al necessary means the power of the capitalist state. 2 than wh Our socialism will
• more democratic than what exists in Britain today, with tull rights political parties and currents that do not take up arms against the socialist state. The Stalinist models of socialism' in the ISSR and
have discredited socialism in the eyes of millions af workers roughur the We are opposed to them and will offer full support fighting for socialist democracy.
The interests of workers and
on a world scale. Capitalism has not only created market. has created politics. Thus we fight for working class unity an an international
will in the long run he decisive in defeating both the imperialist regimes in the West and the brutal dictatorships they suktain in lalin America. and Asia.
In Britain it implies demanding the immediate withdrawal British troops from Ireland and letting the Irish people determine their own future.
The Communist parties Europe are in crisis. the 'Eurocommunist the pro-Moscow wings have any meaningtul for overthrow of the capitalist
Ven resolutionary socialist parties are more necessary than
Conditions loday more favnurable than over the preceding three recades. But such partes can only he rejecting sectarianism and seeing internal democracy not as a luxury hat as a vital necessity.
the right do organise tactions and ienaencie..
Photo: VIRGINIA TURBETT
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EDITORIAL for the
and editorial on throuch
of the Tory offensive.
familiar
struggles socialism muscle for political reasons'.
La right-wing backlash to fascism'.
their
be
world.
Clara Howard
THE PACE of the
The ANL on
world
world
fascists' support.
also threat
Africa policy of blatant thuggery.
But these of
resolved by the National Party in 1975. in The present crisis on
iveither
пог
the The latter
state.
an ideological scapegoat. ever The fight
DUIN
This meat:
more e 5 July 1979 Page 2
•WHEN SENSIBLE AND RATIONAL trades unionists make sensible and rational speeches, newspapers of a broadly Conservative outlook hesitate to praise for fear of the injury they may do to the advocate of sense and reason.
*Ancient and nameless fears may be conjured up simply by our name. Very well, then, Mr Joe Gormley will have to endure the scorching impact of our hand upon his shoulder. For Mr Gormley in his address to the National Union of Mineworkers yesterday spoke very good sense indeed.'
Thus wrote the Daily Telegraph in its lead
Tuesday. What appealed to this extreme right-wing Tory paper was Gormley's attacks on the left and his declaration that the unions should lie down and offer no resistance to
The form which Gormley's attack took is the
social-democratic refusal to see inter-relationship between industrial and political
There must be no use of industrial
Any attempts to remove the Tories would, according to Joe Gormley, 'inevitably bring about
Gormley and his friends in the trade union By Andrew Jenkins, Oliver New, and
political crisis inside the National Front quickens.
one side and rightward lurch of the Tories on the other have narrowed the base of the
The long-term project of the NF becoming a mass 'British' fascism is
the British plebeian Movement fascists are nibbling away at the Front's base by embarking on a
won't new problems merely
serve to highlight the old dilemmas confronting the NF, which were last
departure of the required
the NF directorate is between smooth, middle class Nazis who back Tyndall on the one hand, and Martin Webster on the It
cast as Webster uncouth, gay, ex-Nazi who is used as
one carried out
DAMAGE after fascists attacked
all along the line.
was published a Treasury
the
out to be a totally false hope.
as split threatens N
through secret factions, nonymous letters, and the like - — now takes place in the pages of Spearhead. :
Webster argued that the Marxist contention that 'fascist' (Webster's sole stylistic fig leaf these days is the use of quotation marks round the word fascist) were used as the goon squads of Capital had 'some element of justification'.
Webster has been Fascisting the
basis "socialism' of the fools. He that a turn is necessary as the
be built on middle-class foundations'.
In reply, , Tyndall announces that he has no intention of turning the NF into a 'debating society'. What moviment which accepts the line. So active, disciplined long as I lead this party I do not intend to allow it to dissolve again into ideological factions,' Tyndall wrote.
might not be long finds himself dubbed *racial Bolshevik' and is booted out. If this happens he will take some of the roughnecks with him ...
moyement fail to understand that every union struggle to defend living standards, every strike to defend union rights, is automatically political. Especially in a period of grave economic crisis when capitalist governments seek to protect their class there is no other way of resistance but a fightback
As for the notion that the thin line defending British society from fascism is the Conseryative government... all one can say is that old Uncle Joe must have been a good deal less than politically sober to make wild assertions of this sort.
The day that the miners' conference began there
report by the Independent Economic Model Club (ITEM). semi-official report boldly stated that Britain was heading for a worse slump than in 1974-75 (thus confirming Ernest Mandel's analysis published in the Guardian in May) that this slump had nothing to do with the oil crisis and that it would necessitate a massive confrontation with the unions.
The ideologues of the Tory Party are clearly hoping that the rise in unemployment will frighten the unions as it did in the '30s, but this could turn
In reality, of far greater use to the Tories will be
SPG cover -up
THE cover-up groups swing. Blair Peach's brother, has gone back to expressing the fear that never find out the name of the SPG killer. The national press is simply not interested, and the far left remains weak.
Nonetheless it should be possible argues to launch INF ordinated campaign against the SPG at the present time The fact that Labour is now in opposition might make it easier to get about a dozen campaigning on Moreover the campaign could bring together all the victims of the SPC: blacks, gays, pickets, et While campaigning against before SPG is sorely needed, it must not be forgotten that this merely one arm of the paraphernalia of repression The magistrates courts in this M
VPF 59IM
Tories a vital necessity at the present time.
labour movement.
rights can be expected fairly soon.
paper. militant's armoury.
If the only
labour movement
nothing but contempt. undemocratic magistrates seems to be in full
Roy, New Zealand we might
THE Anti Nazi
concerted and co-
the process thousands MPs committed to
this ANL
unemployed,
the racism.
police unit also
relevance.
union leaders like Gormley who argue agsinst any action on the grounds that it is a 'challenge to democracy". It is this that makes a struggle againsi the union leaders advocating collaboration with the
The Rank and File conference to 'Defend the Unions' was therefore a politically vital initiative. The Code of Practice which emerged from the conference must be taken into the heart of the
The Tories are not playing games. They realise perfectly well that with a new slump looming on the horizon they have to 'sort out' the unions. An offensive on the powers of pickets and other union
Thus the Code of Practice is not just a piece of
It should become a vital part of every
obstacle which confronted the British working class was the Tories, the solution would be relatively easier. It is the leaders of the
make the fight really difficult. They are 'sensible and rational' to the needs of capitalism. For its victims they show
country are an absolute scandal. The melnod which are appointed in this country is now utilised even by fascist legal experts in Spain to defend the status quo in the Spanish judiciary .. ANL conference (League conference scheduled for 14 July will be a timely opportunity to discuss many of these
The main aim of the ANL was to combat the growth of Nazi influence. It has done that fairly effectively, in weaning away of white youths from racism and racist influence. Now the build itself In localities, develop alliances with local black organisations, and fight against the most pernicious aspects of state
The blatant attacks on the left b the British Movement fascists woul indicate that the question self-defence acquires an immediate BLACK and white gays together on the 10,000-strong Gay Pride demo in London last Saturday.
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It's good for your health
HOME NEWS By Geoffrey Sheridan
THE ELIZABETH Anderson hospital became something
symbol at Fightback conference health cuts.
As Candy Udwin from the Save the EGA campaign pointed out, the work-in against the closure of the women's hospital began just two days after the 80,000-strong stration against public sector cuts in November 1976.
'Now,' she said, 'I don't feel the strength of a movement to counter the cuts which could keep the hospital open. This is the situation in most of the country,' she added. for our health has been left to local
considered.
Aberdare, a campaign to stop health
who supported an occupation of the
AHA rapidly backed down.
formation of the Service. Now the EGA was facing the
whose plan for the hospital was that it should become a charitable Fertility
'A prestigious hospital prestigious women,' speaker put it.
The experience of local campaigns
lacking conterence. With 223 from 17 trades councils, and from unions which included the TGWU, NUM, NATHE, NUPE, COHSE, NALGO. ASTMS — many had been involved in actions to stop cuts and closures.
The defence of the NHS was one of the themes of the conference. Confronting its inadequacies and the social causes of ill-health another.
Delegates were told of the racism in the health service, example, two-thirds of the women in East London who had prescribed the dangerous contracep-
News
nowhere
Whose freedom
ON 4-6 July there is a Book Fair being organised at Caxton Westminster. So what? Well, it's a book difference. organisers are those lovers of books, Aims of Industry).
The fair was to be opened by Sir Keith Joseph, but he has withdrawn. He was replaced freedom-fighter William Rees-Mogg,
The limes publishers have been excluded, but by some accident Merlin Press received an invitation.
So Merlin decided to accept the offer of a free stall. However, it also decided to exhibit only one of books at the stall and distributing a leaflet to explain its choice. The book in question: Marxist Economic Theory by Ernest Mandel. Glove transfer
WHEN the well-known economist David Yaffe was expelled
anally Brighton branch of the International Socialists he claimed that he had been punched during a dispute preceding
Fightback against the cuts
Garrett
Saturday's against the
demon-
"The fight National Health
for another
1
delegates
CPSA, AUEW, and once.
with, for Again,
been well-woman
This expulsion. This was from condemned by
Revolutionary
months later Communist born
RCG
the chair, David Yaffe, assaulted by Hall, members'..
well-known AIMS (formerly
in
that of meetings,
disruptions. (RIP).
meeting $/he LACESCOR
CARMuppance its THE wretched BBC, will be Police to allow
Norwegian government.
Marxist Open Door
from the
its broadcast producer
NOTING the cuts at a workshop during Fightback's conference in London. Right: Janet Maguire, who argued that the Tories aim to dismantle the welfare state. tive drug Depo-Provera being Asian; and of the way the NHS discriminates
with those •of post-child rearing age at the end of the waiting lists, while young women with fertility problems are dealt with
the EGA represented for ba weth-estrale, with and als
clinic out-patient abortion clinic linked to
roundly all and sundry (including many members of the IS).
David then left and set up the
Communist Group (RCG). This suffered a split several
and the Revolutionary Tendency (RCT)
Now the RCT has alleged that at a
meeting one members 'was punched in the face by
before being • half dozen RCG The RCG says that the RCT had embarked on a policy of 'deliberately provocative disruptions' and was out to destroy its meetings.
Nonetheless physical attacks can
no wav be lustitied. iiven the proliferation of sects, an agreement can surely be reached on the conduct
without fisticuffs When a member of the public accidentally turns up to such a
LIUSL be utterly
fresh from doing a deal with the Metropolitan
the cops to material dealing with police matters, and refusing to repeat or sell overseas tne excellent Law and vraer series. has now been put to shame by the
The BBC management hates the
UNCLEC exposing TV's racism made by the Campaign Against Racism in the Media. After
in February, every presenter
the campaign to save the hospital.
is the Tory government which harpene dicked up the healer ASTMS's South-east medical branch explained:
'We talked about the Labour government's Tory policies, Tory government implementing Tory policies is a very different matter.' criticised in the programme duly
super-stars Robin Day and Ludovic Kennedy, who two weeks ago received the unusual accolade from the Beeb of dissociațed the corporation from any
The Norwegian government takes a different view of its responsibilities. Its Secretariat of Immigrant Affairs has asked to purchase a copy of the programme to snow al a seminar I0l
The Secretariat writes: 'We have conferences with the press and other media on how to handle immigrant
discrimination, minority groups and
30-minute programme to meetings should write to CARM, PO
Gaddafi's new friends
Britain was over, a lull descended over
waited to hear what their old friend and patron, Colonel Gaddafi, would think of the Workers' Revolutionary
They needn't have worried. The Libyan leader didn't waste too much time on them. Instead he greeted the
'We think the Tories are closer to
in matters of social values and
In paper Le Matin, 25 May).
The fact that the daily News Line
Their objective, she argued, was to crush trade union rights and take us back to the dismantled welfare state for the poor and private medicine for those who could afford it.
It was the fact that the trade union leadership would respond to this -while they colluded in Labour cuts —
indicates their new turn. They appear to have transferred their loyalties to the Iraqi BloodBaath party. Motto of
members and friends to Calais. The French port has a PCF mayor who
booze-up, and a joint demo against the Common Market. A good idea? Certainly, but wait..
CP members led by dynamic London CP leader Gerry Cohen crossed the
excellent, but Gerry got a bit carried away. In his speech at the banquet he blamed French farmers for high food
French party has lots of farmers in it.
militant and some were even ultra left' in 1968. More to the point a few were present at the lunch. They didn't ments. The lunch ended in disaster. The evening booze-up was cancelled,
unionists, and there was no joint
Usage and abusage THERE are lies, damned lies, and | newspaper headlines.
Jack,
plan.
South-east.
Carl Brecker,
the ourselves. Swamped
removal of for a of that struggle.
It
the 223
pre-NHS days of Voice
Group,
Further racists' mill.
Trends The The food and drink was
society,
such
only'.
But it's
writers, Suffice commitment
Such, with Powell.
Fightback went forward conference, NAL SO official Andren first speaker
who is chairperson of the South-east Regional TUC's anti-cut campaign, had revealed SERTUC's
He said that SERTUC would be calling on the TUC for a one-day national strike against the sector cuts in the autumn. th the bic failed to respond, SERTUC would organise a one-day strike in the
I'm glad to hear of that,' said
speaking for the
while leadership remains in the backrooms talking to
Tories, we have to defend
"We have to develop in a practical way and prepare for industrial action against the Tories. We cannot delay on this,' he added.
While the conference voted for a plan of opposition to all cuts in public expenditure, it narrowly defeated a resolution proposed by Janet Maguire
included demands to hour week, and a e 35-hour week, minimum wage, and a campaign by Fightback for the implementation of NUPE's policy against pay beds.
'When the comes, argued Ray Varnes of ILEA NUPE, seconding the resolution, won't be Fightback in the leadership
We have to regard ourselves as a left current within that movement, building activity and with clear alternative policies. Otherwise we will be swamped.'
• WIlt be Fightback's annual general meeting in September which considers the policies to adopt
Both the geographical spread of
delegates Saturday's conference and the political spectrum represented - including the Militam group, Hospital Workel Women's
the International Marxist and members of the Communist Party and Labour Party
showed that Fightback is in position to make a strong impact on the shape of the anti-cuts battle.
information and Fightback bulletins, c/o 30 Camden Road, London NW1. unseemly regularity, is the case with statistics concerning Britain's blac population. It is the game that Powel perfected, and now the government's Office of Population Censuses anc Surveys is churning out grist to the
Last month's issue of Population
projected what the black population would be in 1991, and by contrasting this with the , estimated black population in 1976 arrived at a growth rate approaching a hundred per call over thal period
This supposed statistic can, of course, be used to drum up racist fear
numbers would be irrelevant if Britain were not a racist
but since it is, anti-racist organisations are quite right to point out how such figures are concocted.
The British Society for Social Responsibility in Science points out that the report is dotted with phrases
assumptions 'arbitrary assumptions', and even 'speculative assumptions for 'illustrative purpose
the tendentious conclusions which grab the headline
and papers such as the Southend Evening Echo duly obligor with 'One in 20 blacks by 1991'. Th Echo did, in fact, mention several of BSSRS's criticisms, but this didn't prompt a headline such as 'Dubice statistics aid rascists'
to add that the to publish thes projections was given in Parliamenti response to a question from Enoc
1 Chalesee 5 July 1979 Page 3
Page 4 scan of this page
a public outrage 'CHURC
CORRIE'S
LAW
Forced
childbirth
Montage: ALAN LENTON
Photos: TOM MALOWE, ANGELA PHILLIPS (IFL)
By Geoff Bell
JOHN Corrie's Bill to 'amend' Abortion Act had its first reading in Parliament last week. The second reading is scheduled for 13 July.
Details of the proposed legislation have yet to be made public, but among those who have seen
the society for Unborn Child woman's right to choose.
And last week SPUC's reaction to Corrie's proposals was little short spokesperson, Phyllis Bowman, was quoted in the Catholic Church saying: "Ine Bill provides humanly possible, available.'
Universe went on to report that Corrie's Bill would include the reduction of the time limit on abortion from 28 weeks to 20, but in practice, should the Bill become law, the time limit will be even lower.
Pregnant
Jeanne Saint, National Abortion Campaign, very difficult to say exactly how pregnant a woman is, and doctors who perform abortions are always worried that if they assess the time wrongly they will be prosecuted.
'A time limit of 20 weeks will mean, in effect, 16 weeks, for this way doctors will be making sure there is no danger of prosecution.
Jeanne is one of two voluntary workers who service the National Abortion Campaign from its London office. The other, agrees that the legal time limit is often not the real one.
"Today, although the limit is 28 weeks, it's very difficult to get an abortion any time after 22 weeks,' she says. "Usually, the only method used for assessing time is the size of a woman's belly.'
The National Abortion Campaign, or NAC as it is commonly known, is now four years old, and it is fair to say that with the publication of Socialist Challenge 5 July 1979
JEANNE Saint (top left) and Jan McKenly (top centre), NAC office workers:
the 1967
the Protection of the - the leading opponents of a
ecstatic.
journal Universe as much is the short time
voluntary worker for the
explains: It is Jan McKenly, Page 4
20 weeks limit
saie
early
abortions
more daycare
clinics NOW!
ABORTION•
WE HAVE
THE RIGHT
TO CHOOSE
the Corrie Bill, the campaign faces its greatest challenge to date.
One reason is the composition of the present which, estimate, there are only 190 MPs who will vote. against Corrie's Bill.
For this reason. says Jan, important to stress that we have to have extraparliamentary activities. So much depends on the public outtage. The truth is that if it were all decided on a parliamentary level we'd give up now.'
organising campaign workers stressed that NAC, words, 'will be working pro-abortion groups. We want a broad-based pro-abortion campaign.' organisational role will be played out at Jan's and Jeanne's King's Cross offices.
At present there are approximately 80 local NAC groups across the country. As with other "single issue' campaigns, decline when the issue in question isn't to the fore.
But now the Corrie Bill is underway, NAC is expecting a spectacular growth in activity and support. One indication is that last week three new NAC groups were formed.
To these groups can be added the near 500 affiliates • to the campaign, individuals, trade student unions, and women's organisations. All these NAC will be calling on to defeat the Corrie Bill, but special attention will be paid to the labour movement.
Reading
trade unions to work through their branches and executives. We want the demonstration in October, planned around the time of the third reading, to be organised by the TUC. beCause bere it and the women's To are The reference pledged to organise in the event of restrictive legislation. By any standards, Corrie's Bill is restrictive.
NAC - ready to create
ON
DEMAND
want a broad-based pro-abortion campaign
according one
It's really
outrage.
, in Jam's
with the other
But the central to
activity tends
which include NUJ, branches,
adds:
safe
early
abortions
AND STILL
more aaycare
clinies
¡ABORTION
WOMEN
The report in last week's Universe stated: 'Several clauses in the original Bill have been omitted: those referring to the rights of the father, police powers of entry to clinics to check records, and the licensing of clinics and referral agencies.'
But simply because these clauses are left out at present is no guarantee that they won't find their way in again once the Bill reaches its committee stage.
What can definitely be ruled out is any clause in Corrie's Bill aimed at improving abortion facilities for those under 16 weeks' pregnant. Affiliates
As Jeanne points out: 'Corrie's done nothing
improve the situation, obliges about 50 per cent of women to have abortions outside the National Health Service
'NAC has always had an offensive approach to its campaign; for instance the many local campaigns we have run to demand day-care clinics. The best way to lessen the number of late abortions is to provide better facilities for early ones.'
On paper, NAC has a lot of support behind it. Five unions are affiliated to the organisation nationally, and 500 people attended its trade
COLIC CLICC last included delegates from the TGWU
NUT, UPW, GMWU, POEU and many others.
The aim is now to mobilise this support and the first test is rally in Westminster, at 6.30pm on 13 July. admits: "It's going to be a terrific fight'. But she
don't feel negatiye
The aim is to use the summer to organise a 20,000 plus demonstration in October. As the NAC press statement says, there is too much at stake to give up now:
'Women should not be children they do not want. We are expected to love and care for them throughout their lives
"Surely we should have the right to decide whether and when we want them. designed to limit that choice and we will fight it with all the support we can muster.'
BURNT
WITCHES
OPPRESSES
30 There
We
in at us. Police One
immediately.
arrested
always away, which presently undertaken
once again.
November These RAR
NUM, UCATT, the Gigs
Caxton Hall, Jeanine
about it." Communist several Technical
forced to bear
This Bill is
Nazis
attack
RAR
gig
By Andy Bateman and Pete Cannell
• THE ROCK Against Racism gig at the Acklam Hall, Notting Hill, last Friday was going well. Everyone was enjoying the music. And then
Nazis from the British Movement turned up to attack us.
Some of us who were isolated outside the building were badly beaten up by the racist hoodlums. Two were still in hospital on Sunday. Those of us inside were subjected to a siege.
The Nazis were armed with sticks, pick handles and iron bars, and we could not hold the doors against them because the doors themselves disintegrated.
this point the atmosphere became one of panic.
WCTe people who WEET vomiting and fainting. Howeyel the RAR stewards and some of the audience began to organise.
hurled chairs into the lobbies, making them impossible
and anyone who tried was pelted with bottles, cans, and the bricks that had been flung
of the lobbies was eventually barricaded completely. In this way we held our attackers at bay for three quarters of an hour.
The police had been called
Over half an hour later they arrived, strutting in like the recayal to Finch cons they
ready theht only Nazis and searched one of our friends, who was lying there badly injured.
Question: Why are the police
late in defending anti-racists and blacks against fascist attacks and always eariy in defending Nazis? Answer: Because they don't like us and lots of them sympathise with the Nazis.
The fascists won't scare us
but as of now they've broken our bank, and we need at least £500 to pay for the smashed up vans, hall and equipment.
Already the labour movement is rallying round. Delegates at the Fightback conference on Saturday donated £30, and Hammersmith and Kensington Trades Counci have promised help. But we need some money from you.
The lesson that comes through is obvious: we can only rely on ourselves, our organisations, our
fightback Self-defence precautions will have to be
for every gig. police have revealed their colours
Donations to: N.Kensington London Epport, c/0 Box 82
Postscriptum: This is not the first gig to be attacked. A RAR gig was attacked recently in Ealing with
resuits. Young League gig held weeks ago Ealing College was alse wrecked by the Nazis.
And recently in West London a multi-racial school festival was attacked: the black children had to be taken out in special vans. In all cases the police waited till the Nazi thugs had done their worst before intervening.
Page 5 scan of this page
Taking uncivil liberties
IRELAND By Geoff Bell THE NATIONAL Council for Civil Liberties has told its Northern Ireland Officer, Pat McCarthy, that she will not be allowed to work out the notice she had given from position in the NCCL
also prohibited from entering the NCCL'S London headquarters.
Both these moves consequence of McCarthy's support
L HE International Tribunal Britain's Presence in Ireland, to be held weekend In Conway Hall, and her sponsorship of the 12 August London demonstration calling Britain to intention to withdraw from Ireland.
In addition, the NCCL general secretary, Patricia Hewitt, confirmed to Socialist Challenge that her organisation had adopted a policy of not employing those who support an withdrawal of British troops from Ireland.
The story behind these worrying developments began earlier this year when McCarthy handed in her notice to the NCCL because differences over the council's position on Ireland.
Status
McCarthy supporter immediate withdrawal troops and of political Republican prisoners. opposes both these demands.
Despite her personal
McCarthy never publicly associated the NCCL with them. For instance, her sponsorship of 12 August was for
demonstration which
called on the basis that Britain should
'commit itself withdrawal from Ireland'
On the other hand, McCarthy has
publicly associated herself with the
NCCL's POSILIOn
prisoners — despite her disagreement
with it.
For example, she signed a letter to
THE Communist Party-sp
Communist University
organised a debate on troops out of
Ireland — thanks to pressure from
Socialist Challenge.
It will take place on Monday 9
July at the University
Union, Malet Street at 6.30pm.
Originally the debate
for July
Socialist Challenge phoned the CUL's.
organisers to check final details we
were told that the debate had been
cancelled because of late
mation of a speaker from Cuba.
Apparently the
speaker was available was when the
troops out debate was scheduled.
Socialist Challenge then pointed
out that the proposed cancellation
each. Conway Hall.
NCCL victimisation claim
her full-time
been
London's
declare its
Monday
"Trots' immediate
GIll policy
of British status for Ireland the Morning Star, The NCCL August 1978, opinions,
NCCL,
simply And yet
title and policy McCarthy's August which prohibited from Republican notice.
As a letter from
Communist University
to debate 'troops out
onsored (CUL) ha
out, and that the would be
of London about to wAs but when re-arrange the
confir- troops out argument.
only time this
that Geoff Bell Challenge speak.
International Tribunal on Britain's
Presence in Ireland 7/8 July, Conway
Hall, Red Lion Sq, London
10am - 5pm, each day. Entrance £1
Evening social and film, 7 July.
Showing of 'The Patriot Game', followed by social with bar. Starts
7pm. £1.50 for film and social, fl for
JACK DROMEY, architect of the NCCL's pro-Communist Party policies on
published on 7 interns implication rejected the political status demand. The letter, initiated by others in the
signed •Pat McCarthy (Northern Ireland Officer NCCL).
Patricia Hewitt now claims that McCarthy never had this
its inclusion sponsorship for 12 led to her being working out her
McCarthy to Hewitt replying to the allegations put the it: I find it somewhat strange that it would be added to a rather long list of previous occasions when the CP had declined to discuss the issue of troops
CUL's decision interpreted as a further
Then, just as Socialist Challenge was aber Jackie Rushforth phoned to press, CUL tell us that it had been decided to
debate for the following day. We were also asked to arrange a speaker on behalf of the
After hurried consultation with # number of members of the United Troops Out Movement it was agreed
from the Socialist editorial board would
was perfectly in order to sign a letter
the Morning Star arguing
position Northern Ireland officer, but not when it does not suit.'
In the letter to Hewitt, McCarthy further reveals the NCCL policy ol selective employment. She wrote: remember fairly well the when you (Hewitt) stated that if we were to have a placement student to work in the office we must make sure that the person was not a supporter of
Troops Out movement "Trot":
socialist, feminist (031) 557 0133.
Patricia Hewitt Socialist Challenge decision had indeed been made
leadership of the NCCL Ireland has disturbed observers for some time.
An example was a delegation of the NCCL to the North of Ireland towards the end of last year. delegation was Dromey, former chairperson of the NCCL, and the responsible for the formulation of the NCCL's Irish policy.
During TENT delegation, the NCCL members met a host of organisations, including the Official Unionist Communist Party Sinn Fein, the However it did not meet Provisiona Sinn Fein, despite, it is understood, a request from delegation to do so.
Penalise Such an attitude corresponds to Dromey's personal towards the Provisional Republican Movement and his support for Sinn Fein, the Workers Party.
Dromey is also a backer of the Better Life For All Campaign, an initiative launched by the Communist parties of Ireland and Great Britain and supported by a number of trade union leaders. Hewitt support for "Better Life' was indeer NCCL policy What all this suggests is that as far as the NCCL attitudes of its Ireland is to back the initiatives of the Communist oppose all others; to the extent of penalising its own staff who, even privately, do not toe the line. meeting But now at least, decision of Pat McCarthy to make Hewitt, the COL'policies are out open. or familiar phrase 'No Trots need apply'.
Bly See Say
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Page 6 scan of this page
Charter trial looms ALL TEN of the Charter 77 activists arrested in Czechoslovakia at the end of May now face sentences of three to ten years on charges of subversion 'on a
Diensibier [both Charter spokespersons], Vaclay Havel, Ladislay Lis, Vaclay
Eastern Europe since the 1950s — could take place at any time after the second
ALMOST EXACTLY three years ago, a Czech revolutionary Marxist called Petr Uh! set off across Prague to visit the apartment of a former Czechoslovak CP Central Committee secretary and Politburo member by the name of Zdenek Mlynar. This was to be the first of a wide range of discussions from which came the alliance that launched Charter 77 at the beginning of 1977.
Petr Uhl made his journey in response to a of some nonconformist musicians by a Pragne court on 6 July 1976. Uhl and his friends on the radical left had good contact with the Czech musical underground.
On the day in 1973 when he had completed his four-year prison sentence for his role in the political struggle against the Soviet invasion, Uhl had been greeted by a concert laid on to celebrate his release.
Zdenek Mlynar inhabited another world. For many years a shadowy presence in the upper reaches of the bureaucracy, he was a key figure in the Dubcekite leadership in 1968, though more cautious than some others at that tim With a reputation for astuteness and flexibility he had voluntarily retired into the background after the Soviet invasion. And in 1976 he was the undisputed leader of the Prague Club of Dubcekite former party leaders in opposition to the Husak regime.
Takeover
For a long time, radical left and the Dubcekites in opposition had been bad. Many of the latter had supported Husak's takeover in 1969, alliance with him against the open opponents of the Prague Spring.
In the early seeking an alliance with the Russians against the Husak regime, and during the run-up to the European Communist Party summit in July 1976 they had tried to use the Western CPs as a lever to pressurise the intervening against Husak.
Such moves, all aimed at restoring the Dubcekites to leading positions in the party, evoked deep suspicions among other sectors of the opposition. opposition had maintained contact with the Soviet military time, and had also had intermittent contact will une bally cagersa.
Where, some people information gained by about other sectors of the opposition end up?
But the efforts of Petr Uhl and others to achieve united action with Dubcekites eventually paid off. Mlynar himself was already breaking from short-term re-integration of the Prague Spring leaders, and he saw the value of linking up with the younger generation of oppositionists. The alliance thus formed in defence of the musicial underground laid the basis Charter 77 in January 1977.
Extended
The general situation in Czechoslovakia in 1976-77 was not especially favourable for any attempt to engage in an open political struggle. Unlike Poland, there was no acute economic CTISIS. Though the «COTONY long-term structural problems, standards of the population had been rising steadily in the first half of the 1970s.
And as East European regimes go, Husak team was strongly entrenched. It had shown the masses is capa s,
early gained a lot from the purges of 1970-71, firmly united against any moves for political reform.
for the half million members, 99 per cent of them had long since given up any thought of political opposition despite myths in the West to the contrary. The one social group incipient revolt was the especially working class youth in the industrial cities of the Czech part of the country.
but ine musak regime racea international situation on the Charter's foundation. as the product of the 1968 invasion, its existence and repressive policies remained a bone of contention between Moscow and the Western CPs. And the latter had indeed been focusing 'attention on Czechoslovakia in their growing dispute with Moscow in the mid-1970s. Socialist Challenge 5 July 2979
relations between the
hoping lor an
*70s, they had swung round to
Russians into
After all, the Dubcekites
mission in Prague for some
asked, would certain Dubcekites
the former
ideas of any
for launching suffered from the living
the
to crush all and the replenished by people who had
was
purged party
which showed signs of young people, and
La delicate eve of the Universally recognised
base capitalisin,
Page 6
information bulletin].
week in July.
At the same time, the Helsinki review conference was due to open in Belgrade in the autumn of 1977 and some of the East European regimes, notably the Hungarian and Polish governments, would be very unhappy to their painstaking efforts to improve relations with the capitalist world jeopardised on the eve of that conference by a new crackdown against the opposition in Czechoslovakia.
The Charter movement was launched as a campaign to obtain signatures for a short document, the Charter, demanding Czechoslovak authorities observe basic civil
polițical rights which were enshrined in Czechoslovak law.
Such demands as freedom of information, oi speech. and fundamental working class demands bureaucratised workers' states. The Stalinist bureaucracy, lacking the independent
in the economic field can maintain its through denying all political rights to other
the first steps which have been taken in building a solidarity campaign.
must see socialists.
especially
that the which the already bureaucratic violence.
Secondly,
of course,
in the against the regime.
class enjoyed by an apparently
power only
The ten are: Olka Bednarova, Jarmila Belikova, Vaclay Benda and Jiri
Dana Vemenva, Jiri Nemec, and Petr Uhl (editor of the Charter
The need to build solidarity is now very urgent, as their trial-the biggest in
Below OLIVER MACDONALD looks at the significance of Charter 77 and
sections of the population.
Any attempt to mobilise sections of the masses in a political struggle to win these rights unconditionally supported
The issue of civil rights gave the Chartists two levers for their attempt to prise open the lid of repression. By linking up with the burning concerns of a large number of young people, those involved in the cultural underground, the Chartists could hope to cut a path for the opposition into broader layers of the population and thereby gain a base from movement could withstand
the Chartists could use the international conjuncture before the Belgrade conference and the various elections in Western Europe to protect themselves in the short term
The slogan of human rights had grown, like a great inflatable balloon, until it had become dominating feature of political landscape in Europe. Despite all the hot air which they blew into it, neither the
imperialist
balloon.
by
would be responsible for bursting it. political issue.
Carter administration.
the
Czechoslovakia.
bourgeoisies nor the Stalinist leaders cared a damn about this human rights
But they cared even less to be the ones who
seen throughout the world to be This gave the Chartists an opening for political action.
Some Marxists and socialists in the West have been disoriented by the use which some imperialist leaders, notably Carter, have made of human and civil rights. Living in a world of simple schemas they have had difficulty in grasping that at any given moment absolutely heterogeneous class forces in different parts of the world simultaneously make use of the same
working class interests in Eastern Europe have involved a struggle for the same rights that were being used for quite different propagandistic and diplomatic reasons by the
And because, for a limited time, some of the imperialist powers could harness the struggle in
to their own propaganda offensive, these socialists lose sight of the basic
Page 7 scan of this page
in Czechoslovakia
needs of the working Europe.
The Charter in Czechoslovakia has never for one moment attempted to turn the masses in Czechoslovakia towards the imperialist powers -as supposedly liberating struggle against Stalinism. The class character of movements for working castern europe cannotbe decided propaganda use made of them at this or that moment by bourgeois forces in the West.
When the Charter appeared in January 1977, the first reflex of the regime was to try to crush it. A plan was drawn up to jail some, expel others from the country, and deport most of the rest to the countryside. unprecedented campaign of intimidation and press hysteria preparation measures.
But the international of solidarity reached February: All the together with 13 Western CPs, supported the Charter's right to operate and denounced the
masses in Eastern
under
influences 1n the sacking class rights in the
actually Charter There was an
for these
movement held firm until the
support and crescenao early social-democratic parties,
prominent IVULUCIN nomentum. has
Lyon, anti-racist country;
La NUPE ASTMS
and University
repressive measures of the regime.
Then, in early February, almost certainly
pressure from Moscow, worried about the fate of the Helsinki review conference, the regime drew back and limited itself to jailing half a dozen
from their simultaneously declared that it contemplated
repressive measures against signing the Charter!
The terroristic campaign during the first weeks of the movement was sufficient to limit its scope, and only about a thousand people
signed Charter 77. 77's achievements impressive.
The regime was forced to relax a number of the restrictions on the families of those purged
the legal institutions of the country, through the off-shoot Committee in Defence of Unjustly Prosecuted Persons (VONS), has systematically exposed attempts by the regime to stage-manage political trials.
International appeal
launched
LABOUR movement protests against the recent arrest of 10
Charter 77 supare rapidly gaining
A model of the sort of local protest that is required came from the labour and student movements in York. A protest letter demanding the release of
from
been Czechoslovak Embassy:
The letter has been signed by local Labour MP Alex
well-known for his stand in this by Ken Cooper, the leader of the Labour Group on York City Council; Joanna de Groot, secretary of the York and District Trades Council; on local trade unionists, including
senior steward, branch chairperson and a CPSA branch secretary;
the executive of York Students Union which was
Chartists and throwing jobs.
people for in Czechoslovakia
groups,
Nevertheless, have been politics,
social issues.
especially Unofficial which University.
This sort of action should be repeated throughout the KHULLY. an international appeal to he release of the 1| / is now circulating the labour movements of Western Europe ano Norn this country it has already won support from Russell Peace Foundation and more than Labour MPs. It is hoped that the appeal will be supported officially by the Communist Party of Great Britain.
Copies of the appeal can be obtained from the Charter 77 Defenee Committee — formed the Committee to Defend Czechoslovak Socialists with the support of the Eastern Europe Solidarity Campaign and the journal Labour Focus •Eastern Europe. The Charter 77 Defence Committee is co-ordinating all aspects of the defence campaign in the British labour movement and its address is: 14 Elgin Court, Montpelier Road, London W5.
Most recently, the Charter has forced the scaedal that it had tried to co eup, and has scandal that it had tried to cover up, also made possible a considerable development of the cultural underground in Czechoslovakia,
back the regime's attempts extinguish the movement in the mid-1970s.
But the Charter's greatest achievement has been to create a new centre of open political life
Within and around the movement a wide range of activities, working
and discussion circles has emerged. General political journals have been started, as well as special magazines on cultural life, world
Polish affairs, theoretical philosophical problems, and economic and
Working groups have produced detailed studies of issues ranging from nuclear power to discrimination against gypsies; from problems of consumption to the country's prison system.
educational courses have started in the so-called 'Jan Patocka
Most precious of all, the movement has
reformist political awareness Survival within the movement.
Others
liberties
oriented wing
occasions took very sharp forms
movement, development within it.
the street? hours? Who
attempted and in what stages?
wrapped up, administration atmosphere for SALT 2.
Dackaroun of retrenchment,
workers international favourable for a round-up.
Roots
much deeper roots in
not a race ot movement. and
course possible eventually break the Charter.
serious defeat been Free
provided a framework within which various ideological and political currents could debate with each other and define themselves. There has been the emergence of various strands of
Dubcekite CATCHLO democrats reformist socialists, revolutionary Marxists and libertarians as well as Christian socialists.
The large majority of the Chartists do not necessarily identify themselves with any one strand of political thinking, and many within the movement see themselves purely as human rights camoaigners. Nevertheless. the Charte has brought a new generation of activists to
and experience, making possible the continuity and development of the anti-Stalinist movement in Czechoslovakia.
However, the basic tenet for the Charter since its foundation has been its ability to sink firm enough roots in the society and to operate in a clear enough direction to ensure its survival in the face of the regime's desire to crush it.
It has been these questions of orientation which have caused the most intense debate
The radical left has sought to strengthen the movement's organisation and the pluralism within it, directing its etforts towards voicing the real grievances and concerns of the broad masses of the Czechoslovak population.
notably some of the exDubcekites, have sought to limit the movement to the role of a loose protest campaign over civil
and the strict application of legal norms. Last year, the more radical and socially
of the movement won ascendancy, but the debate continued and on
Meanwhile hundreds of pairs of political police officers' eyes have been peering into the
watching every nuance and
Who should be beaten up anonymously on
Who should be • arrested to 48 should be bombarded WIll anonymous phone calls? What provocations should be staged within the movement? Who should be blackmailed into turning informer? 'And above all, when should a crack-down be
The international conjuncture changed, as it was bound to. The Helsinki conference was
and the United States wanted to create the right
In March 1979, the New York Times' main East European correspondent wrote off the Charter as a bunch of leftists. Against a
electoral defeats and some of the Western CPs drew Eastern Europe. climate became much more
But by now Charter 77 has managed to sink
Fi Czechoslovak society, especially among working class youth in the
response was the reverse of what happened in January 1977. International reaction in the press and from the main political forces was minimal. But inside the country, the movement reacted vigorously and resolutely.
Iwo new spokespersons immediately came forward and 13 new members of VONS, the Committee in Defence of Unjustly Prosecuted Persons, filled the gap left by the 10 jailed
VONS issued a statement on the affair which was cold and devastating. There
disarray within
This reaction indicates that the round-up of 29 May has been totally insufficient to break the movement. Much more will be required from the police to achieve that objective. But it
whether labour movement in the West is concerned to see the survival and strengthening of the socialist opposition to Stalinism in Czechoslovakia.
If Western socialists stand aside, it is of
for the regime to
This will not mean an end to oppositional activity in Czechoslovakia. But it could mean a
for the left within that opposition. And that would be a terrible blow to the really fundamental cause of the workers of Europe: the struggle for a really united, genuinely socialist and democratic continent.
Socialist Challenge 5 July 1979 Page 7
Page 8 scan of this page
The Marxist who helped to trace the origins of women's oppression
By Connie Harris EVELYN Reed, a long-time leader of the Socialist Workers Party (USA) and one of the foremost Marxist writers on women's oppression, died of cancer in New York City on 22 March. She was aged 73.
At a meeting held in New York on 8 April, five hundred people paid tribute to Evelyn's life and work. Messages were received from all parts of the world; from sections of the Fourth International, and Evelyn's outstanding work feminist, and a fighter for the working class.
At the meeting $7,591 contributed to the Evelyn Fund, a special fund to help establish a school Photo: Q.M. COOKBON wnere selected SWP(USA) engage in an intensive study of Marxism.
As a young woman in the 1920s, Evelyn — a promising artist — sought to live on her own terms and not those imposed by adopting a way of life that she thought would give her the freedom to make her own way.
She learned that in a myriad of ways society was structured to destroy her as an individual rebel, and force her into the assigned role of her class in her generation. She came to realise that there are no personal solutions; no utopian life-styles that can liberate an individual.
Convinced that It. was humankind to be free under capitalism, Evelyn became a Marxist and gave energy, talents, wealth to building the revolutionary workers® party in the USA. For forty years Evelyn was a tireless activist and builder of the SWP(USA).
Evelyn was specially concerned for women, particularly new revolutionary party, and helped the party to orient to the growing struggles of working class women. She helped them develop as leaders, as thinkers, speakers, theoreticians.
Tour
It was through her contributions to the struggle for women's liberation, together with her publications and speaking tours during the past decade, that Evelyn was primarily known internationally. Just two years before her death she made a successtui promote Women's Evolution: From Matriarchal Clan to Patriarchal Family, and to discuss
the struttle for women's liberation.
jampacked days conferences, gave press, interviews and talk-ins, BBC's Nationwide on International Women's DaY Evelyn addressed public meetings, lectured to university and college classes, discussed with anthropologists, and lectured at a day school organised by the International Marxist Group.
At a meeting in London on International Women's Day, Evelyn, feminists, spoke to over liberationists and their supporters on Women Are Oppressed'. One of the speakers was Irene Brennan.
Communist Party, who valued Evelyn's work on the matriarchy.
Selfless
The tour extended from London to several major cities in England and Wales, and Evelyn carried out the heavy schedule enthusiastically and vigorously in a disciplined and selfless way. She presented her ideas very clearly.
Her aim was to convince everyone she spoke to of the necessity for a materialist approach to women's oppression. This was because Evelyn was convinced that it was only in this way that women would understand that tne ignt lor women's liberation is an integral part of the struggie lor sociansin, and inalIt was helessary to build a powerful women's allied to the struggles of the working class — in order to bring about an end to sex oppression.
Evelyn was always genuinely in individual feminists concerned to recruit them to the revolutionary party. She knew this to be the way they would
the tight for women's liberation through to a victorious end.
Internationalist
Through her tour in Britain, and similar tours in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, Evelyn internationalist understanding and commitSocialist Challenge 5 July 1979
the origins of
individuals. who valued
Marxist,
was pledged and Reed Scholarship
members can
society, impossible for
her strength, intelligence and her personal
recruits
socialism, and International.
Her
ICH
Britain IO
she held press radio, and TV
and appeared live on
alongside other
'Why
a leader of the British
movement
interested deeply Japan, demonstrated her
Page 8
ment to the struggle for women's liberation and
as well as her responsibility as a leader of the world Trotskyist party, the Fourth
work on an international level ha helped revolutionary Marxists gain a bette understanding of the of oppression and the way forward in the struggle for women's liberation.
In 1969, in response to the demand from the explanations of the social and economic roots feminist movement for of women's oppression, some of her articles and published them in Problems of Women's Liberation.
In these articles she polemicised against a whole series of false ideas and self-defeating
- that biology has been women's destiny; that men, not class society, are the enemy; that women form a social class or a caste, whose role in reproduction is comparable to that of the working class in production; that
can be liberated women's revolution against patriarchy rather than through the overthrow of capitalism. Evelyn also contrasted male/female roles today with the leading part played by ancient societies
Evelyn Reed's work on the origins and evolution of women's oppression is based on the historical materialist approach of Marx and Engels. Evelyn was convinced that for women to know how to bring an end to the economic, cultural, and political oppression they suffer, it was necessary for them to understand the roots of this oppression.
•EVELYN SEED.
Evelyn Reed
WOMAN'S
EVOLUTION
•REED
Evelyn Reed 1906-79
To this end, million-year
women's society.
She
scientific
Evelyn assembled
Eyelyn
society. through eventually agriculture,
women in property system -
cradle to the grave.
The
ROBLEMS y
WOMEN'S
- LIBERATION
Evelyn takes expedition through pre-history, from cannibalism to culture, and uncovers the world of the ancient matriarchy. In Woman's Evolution, she explains that women played an essential role in the development of human
explains how was through the collective labour of men and women as a group that human society evolved; and because of their responsibilities in caring for children, the interests of the early 'feminids' went beyond concern for themselves as individuals. enabled women's ancestors to lead the way towards group or communal living, in which tasks were shared equally and every task was essential to the preservation of the group.
explains that women responsible not only for the care of children, ut were also largely responsible for the task
hich were to lead to basic advances in huma T led developed the skills the development medicine, science, engineering, building, and so on.
During this period there was no private
It was communal and classless, and within this system the maternal clan developed. This was a genuine collective in which every individuai was provided for and protected by the entire community from the
matriarchal clan was the direct opposite of the father-family (patriarchy) that requires women to work for a husband, home and children and not for society as a whole.
Problems of Women's Liberation — regularly £1.00; special offer 75p Woman's Evolution — regularly £3.30; special offer £2.50 Sexism and Science Add 10% to cover postage Enclosed is cheque/postal order to cover above order
Send books to: Name.
Address
class
Evelyn's work
Ima-tain centuly.
women occupied positions
patriarchal society division in anthropological evolutionists and anti-evolutionists.
goes into
closest to human life anthropology, socio-biology and primatology.
breed prejudice against
and Lionel Tiger conclusions.
Evelyn points
consistently method of
century anthropologists
on t the new higher stage of socialism.
oppose Marxism
questions of social origins.
false data, which
This theoretical level
passage to class society. She
were system that also innumerable other discriminations and degradations, projects thạt liberation struggle. of teaching, to join
to discover
find what they are looking for
is a vital contribution to this end SPECIAL OFFER
THIS MONTH ONLY
25% DISCOUNT
— regularly £1.90; special offer £1.45 Clip and post to: The Other Bookshop, 328 Upper Street, London NI
There was no concept of male dominance until
society, which divided humanity into property owners and workers.
the evolutionary approach of most of the founders of the then newly-formed science of anthropology in the
Two of their most important discoveries were that primitive society was collectivist and egalitarian; that it was matriarchal, and that
of leadership. in productive and social life and were held in high esteem. The sharp contrast with present-day
brought about a deep circles between
In her last book, Sexism and Science, which is a supplement to Woman's Evolution, Evelyn
these questions exposes the anti-woman bias that permeates the sciences
- biology, sociology the sciences 01
She reveals that the social pressures which
women today lead anthropologists such as Claude Levi-Strauss
male supremist
out that in the field of anthropology, as in other scientific fields,
evolutionist materialist thought has revolutionary implications. She notes how Marx and Engels drew upon the materials provided by the 19th
extend and substantiate their materialist interpretation of history. She concluded that just as primitive collectivism had been destroyed by class society so, in turn, would class society be replaced by
Unwilling to accept these conclusions, reactionary anthropologists were obliged not
but to reject the findings and the theoretical heritage of the
19th century anthropologists on the important
Evelyn explains how these anti-evolutionists and anti-materialists have reduced their science to a patchwork of unrelated facts and
has not only retarded its
growth but also reduced it to an infantile
Evelyn Reed has made a major contribution
to a scientific understanding of humanity's
establishes that women's inferiority is the product of a social
produces and fosters inequalities, , inferiorities, and she perspective for the women's
By her writings and her example, Evelyn gives women confidence and has inspired them
the struggle for a world without
exploitation and oppression, and so help to
create a new society in which everyone is equal.
Evelyn was not able to complete the work
she had undertaken on women's evolution. She
knew that it was essential and urgent for women
their own hidden history, and was
convinced that women will continue their own
intellectual course and explorations until they
the truth
about women's evolution. Evelyn Reed's work
TOTAL.
Page 9 scan of this page
Sandinistas regroup for new attack
Kurds and Arabs challenge Khomeini manoeuvres
By Dave Kellaway
CONTINUOUS bombing of Sandinista-held popular areas in the Nicaraguan capital of Managua finally paid off Somoza last week. Newspaper reports spoke of
where babies and small children were piled like broken dolls outside bombed-out shacks.
The Sandinistas have been withdraw from Managua Massaya and other towns. Meanwbile 100,000 refugees have abandoned the cities and 10,000 more are dead. This setback for the people's struggle won't save Somoza, but it could make imperialism's plan to replace him with a stable bourgeois government a lot easier.
Latest military reports Sandinistas are concentrating on Rivas, on the border with Costa National Guard is pinned down in its barracks there, and the Sandinistas' aim seems to be to consolidate their hold on the northern towns, establish the provisional government in Leon, and regroup for a pincer attack from north and south on Managua once Rivas is taken. Provisional
What will finally decide the situation is politics. The US, situation unmanageable, has ambassador demand ditional resignation. A US envoy has also had discussions in Panama with the provisionai government though stopped short of fully recognising the latter.
Leading figures from By John Leadbetter
A MONTH of 'public debate' on the draft of the new Constitution for an Islamic Republic is under way in Iran. But the regime is already moving to silence the many voices opposition.
Khomeini himself 'opened debate radio and Describing the call for a Constituent Assembly as 'deep against the revolution', he said that, 'Only Iran's enemies would want to delay the implementation Constitution, thus gaining time undermine the achievements of the Islamic revolution'.
It is the Constitution, which is undermining the revolutionary achievements of the people. The draft is an attempt to put
straitjacket on the movement which toppled the Shah in February.
Commander
ALMOSI unlimited assigned to the president, who is also supreme commander of the armed forces, with authority to declare war
and choose the prime minister. regime would thus be removed as far
as possible from any accountability to the masses.
Its ultimate mandate would come HOL from the elected (parliament) but from the supervisory
Council of Guardians,
will be to ensure that all political,
Chile THE Tories are being normalise Britain's relations with the
Chilean junta by
organisations and press
larly the British Chilean Council, the
Sunday Telegraph,
Montgomery
Thatcher isn't likely to want to resist
such pressure, so the left must make it
abundantly citar Wat ally such diores
will be met by greater opposition than
The Chile Solidarity has launched a national
urging that no British Ambassador
should be sent to Chile and that the
supply of arms from Britain to the
Chilean armed forces be banned. The
for President
forced to
and regroup. in
suggest that the
liberating Rica. The anxious to contain the
completely already sent one
dUEL
Washington has
the provisional already been 'public' debate.
raised Tally
the
television. broken up by Islamic thugs.
Lackeys Consulaky
the the peoples
however. degree
provincial affairs' By Vocal Cataris it says, Iranian
powerful Imam Committee.
of Abadan
powers are
end to censorship of radio and TV The and provincial and
Majlis Ahwaz oil whose brief sixteen Hallan
petition will September,
urged to coup, and
demonstration the pro-Pinochet
particu-
Lord Canning House.
Group
Campaign
Wednesday, 11 July petition
7.30pm.
Tegucigalpa Esteli
La Trinidad Chinandega fe Loon
Pacific Ocean
Managua
bELIZE HONDURAS NICARAGUA LANAMA GUATEMALA
government have been anxious to deny Cuban involvement (which has indeed been and discreet) and to reassure imperialism and its Latin American allies that private property will be safeguarded in any 'new Nicaragua'.
social and economic affairs are based on the spirit and ethics of Islam'.
"The spirit and ethics of Islam' have
used disrupt A few days after Khomeini appeared on television, a
National Democratic Front in the grounds of Tehran University was attacked and
regime's constitutional manoeurring is beinkurdestend bod
Kurdestan The draft effectively denies Iron self-determinationes all
self-determination; 'will be run which Will be dominated by Persian lackeys of the
Thousands of Arabs demonstrated against the draft last week in the city
in Khuzestan. They demanded the removal of governorgeneral Admiral Madani for his role in attacks on Arab demonstrators
Other slogans raised included an
the state-run stations. for the introduction of more Arabs into local
government SLIC for the release of the prisoners held since the clashes with the army at the end of May. Among the prisoners are three members of the
workers' council and Trotskyists of the HKS (Socialist Workers Party), who
be handed in on 11 of the national on September. Petition forms and details of the demonstration are obtainable from Chile Solidarity Campaign, Seven Sisters Road, London N7 7QG.
Iranian Women's
since THE Iranian Women's Solidarity Group is organising a meeting next CYCL
in the Grand Council Chamber, Westminster Hall
The will be chaired by Oonagh McDonald MP, and speakers will include MPs Stan
Granada
Lake Nicaragua
Rivas Lavirgen
Sapoá limited reconstruction
streets
TREE THE
AHWAZ
OIL WORKERS
face possible execution on trumped up charges of sedition.
Saqqez, town in Kurdestan, 5,000 Kurds demonstrated against article 15 of the draft, which makes Shi'ism the state religion: Most Kurds are Moslems, and fear that the clause is designed to make them second class citizens.
In Mahabad, local Kurds stormed
Newens and Jo Richardson and a representative of the solidarity group. Its purpose will be to build support and raise money for a delegation of British women to go to Iran towards the end of the summer.
The repression meted women along with all other oppressed sections of the population by Iran's religious leaders has led to a decline in the organised women's movement
the March which makes international solidarity
more vital than Organise a collection and either bring it to the meeting or send it to: Iranian Women's Solidarity Group, 45 North Street, London SW4.
Too Miles 50
•NICARAGUA
Santo Domingo
Caribbean Sea
La Libertad
Santo Tomas
ПРИИ.
COSTA RICA There is immense political pressure for the
of a stable bourgeois state apparatus to protect non-Somoza capital. But at the same time Sandinista-led committees in
'Leon organising
DEFEND THE
GAINS OF
'THE ISHAN
THIS picket of the Iranian Consulate in New York on 22 June was part of an international solidarity campaign to win the release of those held in Khuzestan.
the city over land ownership rights outside the western city also killed After the announced that they had arrested an officer of the Sunni Guards who had been operating with the local police Committees.
This, coupled with rumours that Apartheid tour LLANELLI Rugby Football Club fly off, for a lour of South Africa next week. Just to show how sport is to be kept free from politics, their send-off dinner on 28 June was addressed by out to Edward Heath and Dawie de Villiers, South 'Africa's Britain.
But outside anti-racists mobilised weeks of active campaigning by the South Wales before. Racism in Sport. Players and officials were greeted by shouts of 'no support for racialist sport' and reminders that Muldergate money had been at the heart of attempts to make Africa internationally respectable.
and holding discussions about
such self-organisation?
the Sandinistas and honest, National Guard officers.
Marxista
militias which already exist.
struggle within the which straddles this leading the mass
Column formed
Here in Britain
Old Isleworth,
informative
your organisation? future.
Freeze
for the impose
The
constitutional Khomeini police station after clashes
and groups in in which ten young Kurds were raid the Kurds whole
disbanded Javidan Oniy then
and Imam
bankrupt Republic. "THE
feature
ambassador in
were about 300
through six
Campaign Against
year (48 cheques to and South
in rioting focuses you prather,
fighting for. Just how easy will it be for any provisional government to halt the growth of
The anti-Somoza forces are proposing & new national army composed of fighters from
patriotic' (sic)
The alternative call from the small Trotskyist forces of the Liga
Revolucionaria. is for the total destruction of the Guard and the formation of militias based on the popular committees and
Decisive will be the outcome of the political
Sandinista movement, social contradiction struggle, but. part of a bourgeois-dominated provisional government.
Solidarity with the anti-Somoza struggle is going on worldwide but is strongest in Lati America, where it appears like a beacon of hope after a series of defeats. Students in Chile have organised solidarity meetings under Pinochet's nose, while several international columns have Tronskyists of the Colombian have just Nicaragua. sent 40 comrades to the Simon Bolivar column.
Central American Human Rights Committee (59a Church Street,
Middlesex TW7 6BE) coordinating solidarity and relief and have an
film on the recent Sandinista offensive. Why not book this and a speaker for
the government is secretly distributing large quantities of arms to the Persian landlords in Kurdestan, suggests that Khomeini-Bazargan are preparing another large offensive in the near
Bazargan, however, is not waiting ratification of the Constitution before moving to take control of the country's economy. Already he has announced nationalisation of the private banks and insurance companies, thus putting a freeze on the flight of capital from the country.
The government's budget, to be announced this week, will seek to austerity measures on working people throughout Iran by massive cuts in public spending and an effort to push up productivity especially in the oil sector, which will provide 75 per cent of Iran's income . call for a Constituent Assembly is a key response to the manipulations of and the ruling class.
Elected representatives of all sector: Iran must meet to discuss and debate fully before the country the problems and needs of the whole Iranian peopl will the need for government of workers and peasant become clear in the minds of thos a still out their faith in the of Islamic
Jones on Cuba
Character of the Cuban Leadership' by Alan Jones is a major in latest issue of Intercontinental Press/Inprecor (Vol. 17, No. 25), which also includes much material on the oil crisis and the situation in Iran.
Single copies of the journal cos 30p plus 10p p&p, but subscription work out much cheaper at $2.50 for an introductory offer of 10 issues, £5 • for six months (24 issues), and £9 for a issues). Please make "Intercontinental Press send to: IP/I, PO Box SO.
London N1 2XP.
Socialist Challenge 5 July 1979 Page9
Page 10 scan of this page
Media and
unions
By Geoffrey Sheridan
AT LAST the TUC has begun to do
something useful about the
media's routine attacks.
unionists. Two booklets
published by the TUC analyse strike
coverage give advice
dealing with Journalists.
A cause for concern examines the
way the media covered the lorry driver
and public sector strikes at
bind ning analytical peiniques
kind analytical
pioneered in the Glasgow University
Media Group's Bad News.
How to handle the media outlines
the way journalists work, explains
how to put out press releases and hold
press conferences, suggests broad-
casting techniques,
phone numbers and addresses.
also deals complaining, including a mention of the NUJ's code of stopping short of such
measures as pickets and occupations
of the press to demand a right of
reply.
Nevertbeless, both will be helpful to trades councils,
union branches, and shop stewards committees. They cost from: TUC, Great Russel St, London
WC1.
Radio
THINKING of challenging the way your local radio operates its franchise, or getting together a community bid for Rights and Information Project aims franchise? LICW to help you do that.
ane project funded Gulbenkian Foundation, and organised by Simon Partridge. contacted aL. 92 Huddleston Road, London N7. Tel. 01-272 5327.
Cuts, limbs
and
gangrene
By Janet Maguire, Secretary, Campaign Against Health Cuts
PEOPLE who have worked all their lives and cannot afford to go to Harley Street private consultants will suffer pain and even premature death because of the government's health cuts — a financial axe that is being swung in order to give big tax cuts to the rich.
The area health authority Lambeth, Southwark, and Lewisham in South London does not like this, but one of the solutions it is putting forward to solve the 'financial crisis' is to cutback on 'specialised services' like kidney dialysis, liver units, pace makers and open heart surgery. These services will be denied to people not living in Ine area. unless hospitals pay for them. This robbing Peter to pay Paul' approach denies the right of every single person to a full and free health service.
Such a policy will not stop at the borough boundry. Once we let one limb of the NHS get chopped off, the gangrene of cuts will infect every. other area.
campaign has been jointly formed by the trades councils in the three boroughs and unions in the NHS and outside, in order to maintain and improve health care in the area. It wants to see the principle of free health care for all at the time of need re-established.
The campaign will be holding a major conference on 10 November and will be producing some 30,000 leatlets for mass distribution in the localities and hospitals.
Socialist Challenge 5 July 1979 Page 10
mass on trade
about
the
techniques and lists media
with: ways of
but offensive
publications
60p
station perhaps
Broadcasting
by the
can be the
for other
represents
jobs no longer exist.
BY NEWTOWN:-
This was
to save a whole community.
When the joined by
with the Tories.'
of steelworks Moors, Ebbw Vale,
recession internationally. other
German
engaged in
British counter-
(fellow workers.
I by With winter,
would always hesitate to embark on! strike be avoided they should be.
Sirs added to this regal deference by union's conference floor, since the ISTC executive.
Newcastle wasteland
By a CPSA member, Newcastle
THE LARGEST branch of the Civil and Public Services Association is the 8,000-strong central office branch of the DHSS in Newcastle. This branch has voted by a 2-1 majority to support the campaign launched by the union's executive against Tory expenditure cuts, and has done so by introducing an overtime ban.
The three-month ban on recruitment in the Civil Service will have a massive effect in our office, which is scheduled for cuts of 6 per cent. There is no way that this can be achieved through 'natural wastage' - to Which we're in 'any case opposed — so the Tories must be thinking ol compulsory redundancies.
At the same time, the long-term effects of computerisation and new technology could lead to a least a fifth of the workforce on the clerical side being eliminated over the next few years. When it is borne in mind that this is the North-East and that over 80 per cent of our workforce are women, the effects of such policies can be readily appreciated.
Civil servants like us don't sit around all day drinking tea. We are, in the main, young workers who would in the past have been employed in the shipyards, engineering, or in the many factories in the area. But these
So we have no choice but to turn to the government offices. If we lose these jobs, the whole region will become a wasteland with no future for school leavers. The CPSA campaign offers us a chance to fight back.
Corby - Premeditated
death of a community
1950
trang
if Death: Speculation.
By Jonathan Silberman 'WE'RE GOING to be the Jarrow of the 1980s.
Frank Smythe, a steel roller from Corby, described the prospects of the closure of the town's steel works.
Frank was one of the hundred people who marched from Corby to London last as demonstrating against the closures, they were marching In addition to the 7,500 steel jobs st stake, thousands of others in the town are dependent on the industry. As Frank said: 'Corby was built on steel, and that's all that's there.' marchers arrived in London they were other trade unionists who supported ther lobby of Parliament. But convenor Mick Skelton did not hold out much hope from the lobby. •Now the Tories are in power,' he said, 'the response from the government will be nil. Our only hope is to take a lesson from the miners in "74.
Corby is only the latest in a long line of closures.
In the last 18 months of the Labour government more than 18,000 steel jobs were axed, with the closure Clyde, Hartlepool, East Selton, and Bilston.
Nor is the British steel industry an isolated case.
Technological advance combined have meant a massive shake-out of jobs
European countries steelworkers have launched a militant counter-offensive. steel- workers took national strike action over their claim for a 35-hour week to save jobs. Workers at Longwy in the Lorraine region pitch battles to save their community.
But the difference between these Longwy workers arrived in Paris they were parls are outy oo youie The Corby workers at best a few hundred. predictions of (wo million unemployed this Little can be expected from the genera secretary of the iron and Steel Trades Confederation, recent calls for all-out national strike action to save jobs at Bilstch by saying: 'I
this year! His Highness had little to worry constitution stipulates that It will be up to the shop stewards organisation to turn the tide.
79
week. well - that's the only way to deal
with world-wide
have with the police as they fight
examples and their when the 100000 joined were joined last week
steel redundancies is a high priority.
Bill Sic,p
sponded 1o
I am against strikesi generally, and if they can inviting none other than Prince Charles
confer- ence decisions are not binding on the
AT 8am on Saturday. chambermaids Grosvenor begin their picket duty, they were horrified to discover a large group of men clearing the Room'. The pickets tried to talk to them and explain their case, but the scabs shoved them roughly aside.
Shop steward Ellen Gallagher was struck on the face. All the women were subjected to crude remarks and other abuse. The police told them that they had better get out of the way as The women were forced to watch, some in tears, as the scabs completed the job which the UCATT building workers had refused to touch. The belonged Brentford, a firm well-known for this sort of activity.
THE Teachers
delegate body, following 'Council
The
College
can university
university
majority.
The
and faculty.
disciplinary
autumn period.
address conference
Sussex.
when the sacked by the House Hotel arrived to
hotel's "Great
evicted. workers. they could not guarantee their safety. the entire trade union movement. All
their spirits up.
Goddards of
London wyL.
Bahro
solidarity
By Barry Wilkins
Association of University is backing Bahro. The
association's council, the national
has accepted the motion, which now
becomes national policy:
'AUT supports the call for the
immediate release of Rudolf Bahro
from imprisonment in the German
Democratic Republic, and upholds
the rights of intellectual freedom for
citizens, including the right to publish
views critical of their society and its
government without fear of reprisal
instructs the general
secretarv to communicate this to the
government of the GDR and the GDR
embassy in London.'
only vocal opposition came
from the union's executive, which
invited the proposers — the University
Cardiff branch
withdraw the resolution.
The reason given was that the AUT only take up the cases teachers who suffer
repression, and that Bahro is not a
teacher! the proposers
rejected this feeble argument and
insisted on the resolution being put to
the vote; it was passed by a strong
same meeting narrowly
supported the call for free abortion
on request, to
Which the executive was also opposed.
Sussex
FOR (wo years, students at Sussex
University have been involved in a
campaign to oppose non-final science
exams being utilised as disciplinars
measures. For six months the campus
has also been the scene of a rent strike.
The two campaigns have culmi-
nated in the following direct attacks
by the vice-chancellor: forced re-sits
for exam boycotters; expulsion of the
student union president and one other
activist; the threatened expulsion of
300 rent strikers; six arrests following
the presence of over a hundred cop:
on campus; and the use of physical
violence by members of the science
The decision to expel two students
has now been rescinded by the faculty
committee, but HUTC
charges are being concocted against
the same two students.
The Broad Left's ineptitude and
passivity has meant that students at
Sussex face grave threats in the
The Socialist Students Alliance will
be calling a national demonstration at
the beginning of the new academic
year. A Defence Fund has been set up
and contributions will be welcomed
Write to: Defence Fund, c/o. Sussex
University Students Union, Falmer,
In spite of this, the chambermaids are carrying on their fight. They are demanding reinstatement for several women with long service at the hotel, and financial compensation for the others who have been dismissed and
They are convinced that if they lose management will be given a free hand to threaten sackings whenever the workers attempt to improve their pay and conditions. If they win it will be a victory for all Trust House Forte
They are calling for support from
goods and services to the hotel must be blacked. Support is needed on the picket line, to relieve them and to keep
Further information and donations to: Grosvenor House Support Committee, c/o 59 Star St.,
Page 11 scan of this page
Bands against repression
Left in NALGO
DAVE Burn's report of NALGO's annual conference (21 June) presents a picture of the left in NALGO which
says that the
that they alternative either.
the Broad Left, resolution
put
how the
and can LanC initiatives,
transiorm Ine
CPSA -
activist body'.
that this is
IN your comment on the "Against the
Unity' co-ordination that Big Flame is
involved in (7 June), there is a factual
involved in a 'chauvinist" slate with
populists and the Danish CP.
stood on its own, got 3.5 per cent of
Two further points need to be
MOSS SIDE Socialist Challenge supporters sell
the paper at Moss Side Centre, Saturday,
, c ene na decause of fire damage, but will be reopening hort v ail man fenomres snoule meanwmc u
sent via the paper's national office in London
OLDHAM
ourside Yorkshire Bank, High St. For
details tel. 061-632 7851.
mg: Che svi vat ln Nica
civil песня: speaker from the Sandinista:
Millers nolel Cheetham Manchester General Hospital).
NORTH EASI MIDDLESBROUGH (lave ano centre ind opposite Woolworths. Also available from Linthorpe Road STOCKTON-ON-TEES Tracers
market, Stockion High Si Spencer SCOTLAND the
picase Liasgur. apel
arrangemen (cel nemanona publicatiuils.
John Ford, 553 Eliot Crescent, Hamilton
with an
discussion with did the major
national. economic January meeting
emergency
organise We fully
thing OWS
Many case, correct
Bosses Europe Ray Unity' •CAdIl dialogue
from -LiC 'open (New
member Parliament -potent force in
yaky
"co-ordination"
arallke
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE EVENTS
; for details DeCh closed DUNDEE
SSt. For furthe 11-1, sean ballrday alal-ell
group LEICESTER with Blackthorn Books.
Wed 11 July at the
Hill Road (opp
BIRMINGHAM
sales, •neal ToLery
and hostoe OTTINGHAM
buy meathcote St. nd Revolution from Green
Hall indoor LFAMINGTON
YORKSHIRE Scotland Books
1. Wide range of Fourth
on Saturday mornings
Fourth Interour but* Turin the
the European
discussion. In
'Against the For Workers'
groups
was Left, which
the CONCal
Big
the in Denmark. It signed what it called a
vote other's candidates in the PR system, with VS's votes going to the People's Movement in the event that VS didn't the get enough to have someone elected. national was not invited, deliberately, to the meeting which drew up the framework and first draft platform of
Thirdly, the different camp the
PSU, chase around trying to form &
. nalenge subporica group meets regularly. Phone George ai 031-346 Challenge activities from 64 Queen St, Glasgow Information about Socialist
- sales outside Boots (corner of Reform Highfields Community Contre Paper on sale at montis
supporters sell the
outside New Street station every Saturday, 10-4.
Phone 643 9209 for details of SC activities.
Socialist al Mushroom
me ere oker Sonia Cle slaap
socialisı
libel ei voze eenge con eets fortnightly on Thursdays at the Friendly &
Trades Club, Northumberland St.
DEWSBURY Socialist Challenge sales regularly
in Westgate at the Nat
Westminster Bank. 12:30-2.00pm
LÈEDS Socialist Challenge sales every Saturday
at City Centre Precinct, I lam-1.30pm. And at
joint slate with anyone it could lay its hands on (including an approach to the bourgeois Left Radicals), while the other, the OCT, called for a vote for the LO/LCR joint slate?
In fact the signatories couldn't
co-ordination's platform * was silent on the 35-hour week
social-democratic parties talk about) because DP in Italy UNDER REVIEW
By René of Oxy and the Morons TWO London bands, Charge Oxy and the Morons, travelled to Treland last month to play predominantly Catholic area of West
under the banner of Rock Against Repression. There was much against Repression before we arrived debate over IULIUU in Belfast ... less so by the time we left.
Rock against Repression
formed by people Belfast conjunction with concerned people in England. The organisation already been seen mistalenly as peacenik group promotin any price; or, more understa has been described as 'Rock against
-Brits' by people Counties.
Neither description is completely true. We played in predominantly Catholi‹ aras could be found in Protestant areas, and not through any sectarianism on
par the organisers. accepted that state oppression also
exists in the working class Protestant areas of the Six Counties and is not the exclusive burden of the Catholies.
Rock against Repression seeks to
perform two main functions.
and most important,
provide a forum and platform for
young people interested it
youth culture to perform rock musi‹
to a wide audience in an area of acute
social and cultural deprivation. It is
hoped that alongside this will exist the homed Red - ihen Leeds Ud are playing at HUDDERSFIELD Socialist Challenge regularly Saturdays 1lam-1pm in the Piazza Comm Sicy Bokshop e3 n sale at the Yor Communicy Bookshop,
Thursdavs (12.30-1.43 (11.30-3.30) at Coney Street. Vanhruat LoueLc.
SOUTH WEST
INFORMATION on activities
510 Chelie ari Redo Bist 002. South-West,
every Saturday from 10am-Ipm above bar. Post SOUTHAMPTON Socialist Challenge
Office, Bargate
BRISTOL Socialist Challenge
Mam-lpm in the
Ground', Haymarket
Challenge irom the Oz Shop, 44 Union St, Ryd SLE Ur WiGne reduers a 21 30m ois de actse eye Sa Bal
2-3:JUD11,
20298 for further details
SWINDON saturay sel geials alrune
Saturdays, Kesenl
Centre)
was opposed to its inclusion; *was silent on the need to build an independent women's movement; * was silent on the struggle democratic rights revolution in the other haif of Europe * counterposed 'national identity" - the East: to the European institutions' without MakINg any distinction oppressed nationalities like the Irish means of sharing equipment (which is very scarce) and the occasion for expressing and sharing ideas in public
was
in
well successful, tion.
peace at ably, it
bands. On
Ardoyne Estate,
evelig JUCIl
for being there.
DULUULI seemed, evidence -
First
with music/ obviously in
music.
The
PORTSMOUTH Socialist 11.30аm-1pm, sallauays r rechliet sale:
SOUTH EAST
NORWICH
from Saturday in Davey Place (opp.
York bookstail Saturdays Anglia.
COLCHESTER SG supporters meet regularl For details phone Steve on Wivenhoe 294
Tuesdays. Contact Micky on 605052 . c/o Fullmarks,
every fortnight (phone 247
Portobello Rd/Westbourne Park sell the paper every ". Hale in ery
HEMPSTEAD
Socialist
sales Saturday mornings in Times Square.
meeting: "Ireland liberation", Wuio (L.ad,roke Grie tube).
STATER ALL.
for and political price to pa
the other
between commercially assump-
night, at the
was audicues
and made the most L ILE mention of presence, sufficient
and of
and the
teasenge Commercial KOnO Challeng
Challenge sales ever TOWER Thürsdays at University Midi kCl) East ant supporters
HACKNEY
TOWER HAMLETS Socialist Chale 2e 7 f01
PADDINGTON/N KENSINGTON supporters
Muswell Hill junction Middle W11 BRENT supporters sell every Saturday, 2.30рn Park ai Kilburn Sq, Kilburn High Rd, London NW
supporter:
Mick oy oeser decreniad lor i aiso pae
Also paper
meeting-
8pm, at Meeting Room, 1 Thorpe Close,
Jane 'HILH HA or Basques and imperialist nations.
The sacrifice of such points is, in the IMG's view, an unacceptably high
for 'an international dialogue. The FT's 'own thing', or
hand, was a common campaign in all the EEC countries plus Greece, Spain and Portugal on a CLIVE TURNBU Programme. clear revolutionary
on th: He drore sedate C e with enthusiasm - to Oxy and the Morons. Also, the enclosed nature ol
two entrances) meant that the audience
of
subsequent night at the Green Bria
Here there wo w momed sect
WD0 four of their own bands playing,
never more tban a third full becaes
the atmos,
return some time. Meetings have!
The need for more cultural
social involvement by English pe
Our final view of the Six Countie
road, was to be faced across a
with the English concentration
Long Ke
WALTHAMSTOW readers can bu
from Sheridan's
Fo: Pace/s Newsage s, y Saca ter dae agents, 86 Hoe St, E17
LEYTON readers can buy
socialls sell every weekend: Saturdays a tube Sundays
10am, Brick Lane (corner of Buxton S!)
IACm. in Kingsa Fige, Dals supporter
outside sainsbury s
HARROW Socialist Challenge suppor regularly, details from Box 50, London NI Z
HARINGEY paper sales at Finsbur
and Crouch End Broadways, Satur beven sisters ruDes, laurs cycluss
available Ivinswel Hill Broadway; yae.
Lane, .N8; and Bookmarks
SOUTH LONDON paper sale s at Brixton u
12-2 every Saturday. Aiso available at Ovad e
and Herne HP oK KIOSK:
S.E.TONDONSI group meets Saturdays
outside Midland Bank Deptford High St.
paper salen mais spt or al sapo ne
Watch this spot for details of eet
HACKNEYSC roup meeting: bea
1. bpm, Biranaia preb, Mare Stree, BE Lavour rally durer Socialist Challenge 5 July 1979
Page 12 scan of this page
LAST Saturday's Anti-Apartheid demonstration Zimbabwe was a small but important start in developing a mass movement that becomes daily more urgent as Thatcher threatens to lift sanctions.
Approximately 1,500 marched to Trafalgar Square speeches from ZAPU and ZANU leaders, Labour MPs Joan Lestor and Bob Hughes; and others. demonstration was called around the Slogan 'No Tory Zimbabwe', but its most vociferous section, including contingents from the IMG and Socialist supporters' groups, hammered home the enduring political issue with an incessant chant of 'US, UK, Hands off Zimbabwe!'
The AA, however, had failed to mobilise anything mass base. There banners from only two from trade unions, and one from the Communist Party.
One reason for this poor turn-out is undoubtedly political confusion -eliminated if we are to build a mass something must be movement to counter present moves towards all imperialist-sponsored "settlement' in southern Africa.
was sadly reflected conference organised by AA on 26 June 'celebrate' its anniversary. The dominant theme in
WANTED FOR
ZIME MURDER
MUS
FRE
Photo: G.M. COOKSON (Bolalist Challenge)
ST cor
Photo and Montage: ALAN LENTON
Registered with the
Socialist Challenge
Build mass
movement
that imperialist
London The argument Committee on
Minty, World Peace people anti-apartheid for powers were defend the The Zimbabwe agreement in Namibia. sell-out in they were war against the Challenge
simplistic
like its potential had available to it. COOTERI only LWU AA branches,
urgently end.
at York explaining 20th IAN SMITH
WERE
ALIEN YOUR
*ZANU Speakerfleft), ZAPU Speaker (right), rally at Trafalgar Square, and demonstration
Post Office as a newspaper.
on Zimbabwe
discussion of the present situation was
had undergone a fundamental change.
UN Special Apartheid leader Reddy, AA honorary secretary Abdul
and spokespersons for the Council and Frencr movement was that after efforts at detente' the Western
now determined internal settlement in and the Turnhalle To do this embarking on undeclared front-line. states, which made defence of the latter the was central task for AA campaigners.
One speaker not convinced of this
line was Oliver Tambo, acting president of the South African ANC, who insisted that imperialism
two strategies One was hard line support for white supremacy; but the other was the much more dangerous 'integration' of black collaborators. By implication at least, Tambo was giving warning that the possibilities for such a line were by no means at an
Minty, however, went so far as to advocate that we should be calling for British troops to defend the front-line
stares Any, challenged tie by
challenged any moves by internal imperialism in the area had to be urgently countered by the solidarity
Published by Relgocrest
movement.
Whatever the disguis operation, part of a UN or ever OAU-backed force, policing negotiated settlement of some kind i their function would remain that of British troops anywhere: to defend imperialist interests. Unfortunately no debate was opened on this.
A second area where the leadership's positions were less than satisfactory concerned the need to develop work amongst trade unionists. A member of the NUPE Executive with special responsibility for international work stressed that it
crucial now to prepare rank-and-file action to sanctions if and when Thatcher dropped the sanctions order against Rhodesia. Once again no response
It is clearly necessary for activists. in the movement to ensure that these two central questions are thoroughly aired at Anti-Apartheid's AGM on 28 October.
Meanwhile all possible resources must be turned building demonstration called by Zimbabwe Emergency Campaign Committee for 11 November. Át the same time we must be prepared to take immediate action against moves towards recognition' of the
settlement, and particularly for action response by the labour movement.
NO SELL OUT
ZIMBASVE
*WANTED FOR
MURDER
IAN SMITH
Ltd. for Socialist Challenge, 328/9
ENCOURAGEMENT for our efforts came this week from Brighton Poly Student Union, Their accompanying letter explained:
Wages of Tory rule, the demise of any left paper would be a positive disaster. Especially in the light of the many attacks that student amons can expeci to face in the near future.
We would urge unions throughout the contribute financially and offer their "rescue' support • paper
"obviously committed to defending the rights of working people.' to a slow start, with only £152.30 coming in so far - thanks to: Anon, £2; Dundee SC supporters, £2; £30; Cardiff SC supporters, £10; L. AA Hartop,
Poly SU, £25; urgent supporter, £8.30; H.
Feig, £20; John dry-out, t6; H.
But the main people we take notice of this column this week for are the people who sell the paper. We impose estimate that there are about 750 of
us, including the people in this office. Six copies of the paper is a prett! small number for each of us to some people manage a lot more. But if we all sold that number managed it would be 4,500 papers. It would be a big improvement situation. What is more, we think that people who papers would find the stimulating to try. the Lately we've
groups ringing or writing in to their orders because the colleges have closed down. any wrong here. Term
mean a lot of supporters with more argue time to sell the paper, if you in already selling so many in college.
few and far between, either. Labour's defeat has opened up a debate in the labour movement forward' read about our alternatives. More and more people are angry at the lors attacks and interested in a strategy for the fightback.
So we're asking give the paper your time! The paper isn't just for you, it's for all the people you could sell it to if you took the time out. Don't let it rot in your front TOOM, T the local room, or (worst of all) the corridors of our office. Go out and sell!
Carry some in shoulder-bag, jacket pocket or carrier hag. Use it to illustrate a point in an WORK recalcitrant rather spend the money on a half and borrow your copy. Organise new sales in all the places where iwo or three are gathered together in your locality. Domestic: 6 months, £5; 12 months,
Name ..
Address. 'Socialist Challenge'.
Upper
FREE THE IRANIAN TROTSKYISTS! Picket to demand the immediate release of the 16 members of the Iranian HKS (Socialist Workers Party) arrested in Ahwaz, and of the members of the Ahwaz oilworkers' council also being held.
Saturday 7 July, 2pm, at Iran Air, 73 Piccadilly, W1
OUR FUND DRIVE
targets for : £25. wno sell
'It was decided that in these dark
week
Group Aberdeen other student Basingstoke country to Bath Bedford which Birmingham Bolton Bradford Our special fund drive has got off
Brighton Bristol ; Anon, Crawley Canterbury £5; J. Smith, £5; Brighton Cardiff Manchester SC Colchester Khamis, f5; P.
Coventry May's sponsored Wordsworth, £15. Derby Dundee want to Edinburgh Gravesend Glasgow Harrow
sell; Huddersfield Hull or even an average that Leeds in our financial Leicester Liverpool don't sell that many Manchester it politically Middlesbrough Newcastle had a lot of local Newport Norwich Nottingham There's something Oxford ending Portsmouth were Preston Plymouth Opportunities to sell aren't that St Albans
Sheffield Shrub Hill way Southampton - militants are willing to Stirling Swansea Swindon Wakefield our supporters:
York
London:
Brent organiser's front Camden Hackney Hammersmith your hand-bag, Haringey Islington Lambeth Horce on Newham sympathisers who'd Notting Hill Outer West South East Tower Hamlets To spell out what this means in Wandsworth
SUBSCRIBE NOW
, £10 Abroad: Airmail, £16.50. Surface, €10 per annum. Multi-reader institutions: double individual rate Tenclose a donation for the Fighting Fund of.. Cheques, POs and Money Orders should be made payable to
Complete and return to: Socialist Challenge; 328 Upper Street, London N¿-
London Ni. Printed by
terms of numbers, we've produced
Our supporters localities for a summer sales and subs drive, with the aim of reaching 4,500 individual sales (not shop sales!) a Who's red helleir strets first sube selling extra answer depends on you.
Sales Subs 55 10 30
280 10
Hemel Hempstead
Leamington Spa
320
100 190 30 60 5 Wolverhampton
35
:55 150 150 30 90 10 115 15 150 15
160 90 10 115 10 100 10 Feb Edge Litho Lid (TU), 3-4 The Oval, London E2.
← Socialist Challenge No. 102, 28 June 1979Socialist Challenge No. 104, 12 July 1979 →