Socialist Challenge No. 2, 16 June 1977
The scan: sc-n02-jun-16-1977.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
Page 1 scan of this page
Socialist Challenge
THIS STRIKE MUST WIN!
16 June, 1977
POLICE
MASS
PICKET
Because ...
workers
They have been out over miserable pay and conditions, for union recognition, and against victimisation.
Because, too, as the strikers are mainly Asinn and mainly
vomen, they represent the particularly oppressed mem bers of this societ Because
Last Monday a mass picket outside Grunwick was — in the words of Eddie Hayes, London Area Chairperson of the Association of Profes sional, Executive, Clerical
Computer Staff "savagely attacked by the police.
The arbitrary mature of the more than one hundred arrests is shown by those who were BBC cameranerson Chris Murlowe, 'moderale Labour councillor Karamal Hussein, und APEX London organiser LEE ONSEN-
Because, too, the forces of "law and order" are incressingly being used against trade unionists, whether by judges oudawing traditional union
WHEATHE arrests pickets.
BUILD A SOCIALIST OPPOSITION
No 2
ASSAULT
GRUNWICK
union movement behind the Grunwick strikers. woeld include the Post Office union defying the jodges and boycotting all Grunwick's mail, as its business is mosily done by post.
After the display of law and order on Mondy. should workers words of the representative af such "justice'?
person Car The strike can be won, by •.. undonists
Mobilising the entire trade The TUC publicly calling for a
This the entire trade anion move-
Caion of Postal Workers If it is threatened by the Couris.
why beed the sympathetic throughout the country. The
feel Grunwick would ensure such call such a boycott and by putting reception. ment at the disposal of the By ...
Stepping up the mass pickeling. and
streagth which stopped them
The TUC can also organise opening Saltley coal depot pared to the forces the TUC
action during 1974 strike. trade anding STRET
FOR A UNIFIED REVOLUTIONARY ORGANISATION
about Goverument publicly support
enthusiastic drawing all police from the picket line.
por
the the Grunwick workers, and police with the same show of the entire trade union move-
Labour mobilise. the
the Grunwick strikem, with-
For over a year now the tin
management Grunwick have trodden on
ment. They are nothing com-
Party could Let the mobilisa-
INSIDE
SOWETO "As We go to pross, Sowero is simmaring. All Behool: cin the townshipe are buing arrest of
Sechabn Honislis, presidebt. of the
Repru-
Ing 10 climp down on thi students bator the fast
demonstrations
This is particutarly Inporant lo them since thn -stodits here succeeded in one of their sime smashing: the aparthaid Bantu Urban Council in Sownto On popes DAn Full background lo. the Soweto sonis We expose Mashinini's
EXCLUSIVE
Grigorenko Letter to Western CPs.
page 11-
What happened
at the Surrey CP Opposition meeting lastweek
* Hounslow Hospital work-in p.5 * Chloride Occupiers .P.3
* Derry Irish Front p.6
Page 2 scan of this page
Speakout ~on abortion We should be against all free
HOME NEWS
Editorial
Socialist Challenge, 328/9 Upper Street, London N1.
2nd round
capitalist and non-capitalist states.
policy with a 'new look.
NO EVASIONS
in thia way.
more domocratic than what exists todav.
rights in the USSR, China and Eastern Europe.
OUR DEMOCRACY
any meaningful socialist democracy-
Socialists have to unequivocally argue tor:
up arms against the now state. to publish their newspapers, books.
b) The separation of the
must be independent organs of
delegates over to their views.
Any workers' state
closer to being realised.
attempt to get our own house in order.
5****»
Copitaliam I la crisi The faders of the Labout arty wod he trades nots after solutions pret ar
the wiener, apt of the workers, bel afth
Sociabat Chadenge bellese Jhat the tre Mis asis confrontag resultions socialists sine In opposition in class pulla boyalbonism In she labou moresent These should be son ceasie in chaner let ethpintogether milities holding a wide punge ot political lea * To beglu te Ache Tor The meaniod of n, waited and demnerade revulatomery sneabet oritabm don which car. through a application at waited front tacles, berter 30 he son. thousmide of warkers engiend in struggles,
Sach an anguniorita nuit be based on tic andersinding toni
The strugele tur socialita Fight of the saget alms he buse we
Inst of other opprent lason of series.
men, Mack people, gay trupeline or 1rtr aberalion. This sucialism con poly he ischlated by creating new organs of poser wed delatint with
Editorial 01-359 8189
Distribution 01-359 8371
in Belgrade
PREPARATIONS ARE in full swing for the second conference of heads of governments from the major
It Is obvious that the main item on the agenda will be the question of human rights". Already given an airing at Helsinki, the issue has become the comerstone of Carter's attempte to provide American foreign
Thre response of socialists to these gatherings has to be thought out with some care. if is no longer sufficient simply to point out the character of the regimes sustained by American capital in Asia, Africa and Latin America and to list the goverments which torture and maim their opponents with the aid of US
Nor is it enough to list the growing encroachments on civil liberties taking place in Britain, West Germany and France., These are Important and have to be denounced, but the cantral question cannot be evaded
Socialists have to say where they stand on a number a fundamental issues concernino democracy. We nave to argue that the socialism we are fighting for will be
and our veryday political practice has to reflect this assertion.
of demonstrating our contempt for the hypocriales of the imperialist leaders and our solidarity with all those fighting for democratic
Even the Communist Parties who have moved the farthest andy from the USSR have still not come out for the right of other political parties to axiat in the Eastern countries. They accept the monopoly of one party. We challenge this assertion as being totally opposed to
a) The right of all political parties to exist under the dictatorship of the proletariat provided they do not take
This Includes the right nel pampunets, weir The right of access to radio and television. majority party and its apparatus from that of the state. This means that there
BONES where all parties have the right to be represented and where opposition parties can exist and fight to win
c) The right of workers to strike, This means the existence of independent trade unions not tied to the
which operated on these principles ias even the limited and embryonic example of Dubcek's Czechoslovakia demonstrates) would have an extremely powenur tarport onne worns massooo capitaliet Europe and America and would bring the possibilities of socialist revolutions in the West much
Thus socialists attempting to intervene in the run-up to the Belgrade conference must not be tempted into merely denouncing imperialist hypocrisies, but must
Scrap shermitive ty he ces
abele to unite ine
The Bill votes to 132 on second reading nes into Standing committee o expected. This 16 person com-
Large sections of the women's BUCH CHE BEATIC BETTON C paign have argued corsectly that abortion is a class issue for equnl pay scrimination is to be
IThalf the working class is denin the democratic right to control their own bodies, then this is ar issue which affects the whole ol the working class and one which both men and women should The Labour Governsent has nu positive policy on abortion. Whille stating its support for the '67 Act, il bends do the pressure of the antiMPs a free vote. As socinlists we should be against all free votes.
The Inhour Government and MPs should be responsihle to the decisions of the working eless and not to their CORNELIES When almost every signiticant conference of the working class support of abortion rights for women, it is even more important LOTS SHE EULOSES he replaced by those who will. in
essence, the free vote means the freedora" for MPs to vote against the working class.
Many members of the Labour that abortion is a class issue. But they refuse to struggle against the JIE INC. This sabotge the fight for watten's rights and at the same time redubes the abortion issue to a persona
Those MPs who argue in favour of the free vote on this issue are
as scale the boner of the capital!
Our socialium mill be latiniels more desos
ric thaa what apists lo Britie today, anil
lull rohis fur all polisical parties and currents i do cut tako up arms agains he socialle? «late. The Saliant models of socialism in the Osse INDONE ADAME OSSESHINE SURE HIM
world, We are opposed to die eid wit offer fell supping vo til inse Getting for serialist drugs. The interest of workes and • Has sue one created world matter, 0s are tennellahle on a world sealt. Copiesign reated world pollis, Thus we tight yor mockin das unity no as luternatival scale, This unity wi The he, Mo rait he declaite in defeating Toah che
votes for
BENYON's restrictive abortion bill is still alive and well and winding its way through Parliamentary procedure. Anti-abortionists like the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child have until November to press for Government time to approve the bill.
which received 170 mitter
enriler maam TE CHIME TEHIN
and against sex
Fi have the nant to and allows Labour
individual allows MPs to MP:
these MPs are
OUR POLICIES
walbdrawal of Brilish
Labour MPs'
not, they
ahead.
tie backed dominated by antiahendiments before de Bl will debate out
submitted to the Commons for hypocrites, and i'm not aware ofa
single MP who opposes it. They
refuse to recognise its class nature
and daim that their moral or rell-
pious views prevent them from
voting in favour. Buthow many of
who supported
Benson's Bill, and Harold Sison
was one of them, voted against
Vietnam? The only issue on which
serialist regimes in he West, and ine hi
monshipe they sustgie in Loith Ameries, An
In Britain It amplies demanding the immedisse
soups them Ireland and:
Jetzing the Jeb people determine Unir ovo futume.
strator Tor the wrecthrow of the spin sente Nes tolutionary seglast parties are more beer; calis than ener before, Conditleus indug are mante Jamunable than over she preceding carve decade thur sueb parlies unar mal he ball by rejecang
Use and seeing derel demarucy sut us Person but at a vial necess. This meses th rebr in onganise factions and sondencies.
week. If they are successful, the Bill could be ready for its final reading as carly as mid-July. It
still have up to three months following the August Parlismentury rocess to press
The Parliamentary progren of
anti-abortionists la being campaien from SPUC and Life. shy sepped-up union copterences and sancal unions have beee the target for
women to a lle of unwanted ASTRID LEVER, in the chairet the sucoesafur founding conference of the Labaur Abortion Rights Campaign
ohjectorsis women sliberation
Tulstheast-abortion forces wit forcedthe debate on the Free Vete and we should mol allow ourselves
their termin. Our aim in LARC should
be to unite all those in the Labour Purs prepare so reason tee abortion on request and — as with every campaign in the labour
demand that our leaders vote accordingly or be re-
vities in my ures
Do cover costs. (Delete if not applicable]
ADDRESS
Send to Sociulist Challenge, 328:329 Up Londos N1.
2 SOCIALISTCHALLENGE18 June1977 SPUC has annoanced a student demonstration on 24 June which will assemble st the offices of the British Medical
The Natiomal Abortion Cam paign has not let these Istes developments go by menoticed. debate pro mises to be a high note of the Laboor Party Women's Conference underway in Hurrogate.
Chalenge asked NOTTIE LEVER, gate to the Conferrace Bad an executive member of the Labour Abortion Rights Carapaige, for her views on the responsibilities of Labour MPs and the free vote. mored as cowards and reactinearies.
Vites over become a ye te A or part of LARC'S to campaign for the Government to bring out legislation guarantee Weare organising a pro-abortion lobby at the Labour Ристу Conference. For Lurther delais bicast contact: Astrid Lever, 57 Trinity Road, LoodooNZ.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? If you agree with theee priaciples and wast to be involved in activities by Socialist Challenge sup porters la yourures, fill in the form below and send it
1 am interested In more information ahout acti I would like additional literature and enclose 50g
Page 3 scan of this page
CHLORIDE
REFUSES
TO
forotherareas.
Union shop "picketing within the factory".
*The adventages of thie form of aoud urc churauus, we vr ual premises from which to organise the struwele, telcobones. dubli calon, offices and shelter for the pickets We also have a cish room, which means that people don't get bored. The main reason for the success of the occupation is that all
t members areinvolv
Cause of the amount of le about, we are carrying aut the cormal safety check ourselves, as well as citat ne the nisce once a day. Even the security staff are arrying on their job. We are abb LO USC ZE TC CAECHCALC AIO SATEL of the membership, wether it is in the field of safety, or typing out strike bulletins. "Webave bees very keen to make
HOME NEWS
Strikers picker Chieride's London HO now forced fo recognise the Jaint Convenars Group.
Workers occupy to save jobs and say:
"We won't be taken
'We won't be taken for a ChloRIDE', say the placards outside the Chioride Batteries occupled plant in Dagenham, Essex. The workers realise that the ride in question could end at the dole queue for Chloride workers.
According to the atest company 'strategy", some 200 of the 1,000 jobs at Dagenham have to go and similar cuts, hitting at the 4,500 workers employed nationally In Chloride's automotive and Industrial section are planned
But after four weeks of n national strike, led by occupations at Dagenham and Manchester, the Chloride management has been forced into opening 'exploratory talks with the Chloride workers Joint Convenors" Group.
John Hartnall, a momberof Dagenham Trades Concil's strike Halson committee talked lo two of the occupation leaders at Dagenham, BRIAN HARDIE, convenor of the technical and Supervisory Section of the Engineering Union, and FRED HIGGS, Transport and General Workers"
steward, about thair facties and their
sure that evergone is Informed S DOLA TEHE S KOINKON "In order to get all the different 185ks done — incudine dealing with social security problems, movement of materials, city — we've bruken down the strike communec InTO committees which involve ordinary members as well as the strike committee.
When the strike began we dec d that as the Social Securit peuple aren't too helpful to strikers we soul male aure au members knew what their rights were. So me gor all the forms and lealiets and sot up an advisory service "Even knowing what you re entitled to doen't always help though- -oneofourmembers was
CHLØRIDE
TWO FACEN
анитасо гор а мсск гос пипает. his wile and daughter. 'The first day me elecred a police liaison office. As soom as they realised that we were well orand pub- ganised the police didn' bother
us. We baven' soen them For two sub- anda half weeks. the 'One thimg
laws, probably in thi strigyles like ther difflealt. We think that the trude union movement has moved ver
Slowly on this issue. Alle
mart one reporte ie toil b
plant welve been too inward
for a ChloRIDE'
BRIAN HARDIE, Convenar: The advan ages afoccupying ara obwioun -looking and parochial.
coumcils."
will be more BOLLEB
NCOCI NLaCU
Strike Committee, c/a F.
Strike Fund.)
philosopher devotees
tical positions. la be taking Photo: JOHN STURROCK (Report)
TETSITDLLDE
Defence
country?
attended Congress.
*Whatever happens we will be moore involved with the trade union movement generally, and in particular we wili make sure tha all branchesare affiliated to trade
The strike co mrittee usks fort Resolotions afsupport PEN Novelists),
* Information from factories, CIPRIA HUSSONS T ETUIO particularty the car indestry about Mandel, IC EECE OMOK RODENTRN Chloride are still getting through, ald the extent to which substitutes
CONCIER
Contact: Chloride Dagenham
Grant, 25 Firbank Rd, Ramford, Eoex (Cheques to Chloride Dagenhum kielbofer
LIPTEISE Nigel
News
nowhtre
Shifting royaltles
the LOUIS ALTHUSSER is the
distinguished in the European communist moveent. He nas
in every Communist perni ed eit eteri een party. He has the Earopean CPs and bas been identified with semi-Maoist poli.
However, an evolution appears Hoceiy skied placa pean Althusser
Polish workers being victimised by the regime.
He went furtber and agreed
French Marxiat weiters bat all the royalties froe Polish translawons ot ais pooks snooia pc
lonated to the Polish Worke
- SAHARECC Can one порс Thar tas exampie will be emulated by his supporters in this
Kerbside chat
ONE OF OUR readers who
the Mertom meeting ergunised by CP dissidents (see pund 7 lesd Tharday coulie l
way to the hall. friendly CP member offered i take him there. Ou the way the CP nember, in response to ou reader's casanl quention: "Well hum are things", respanded thar "hings' weren't good at all.
Eridenty that morning Ibere
IN IOLA CICO TOOSH ata" (known as such because of Isetr support for the Seriet task In Czechoelovakis) and moat of thema were for a spilt after the
Fergus Nicholson was reported unhappy about the decisios, ss
our informant, but be IDO BEHE IE WHS COO IMEC LO OO HOY thing as the die had been cast.
Lost honour MATHOFER Ir West Germany's Meriya Rees, As Minister of the Interior be speurheuded the at LOCA BRUSL KM an onne. retie rights. Maibofer is also, foe
inexplicahle TCHAI West German (Poets, Esayists and RM aseoclation of prominent weiler
PEN decided to elect Emes
R Jending Trotskyis WTIET meeber. Mandel Is bamsed from
West
resigned ln protest frons PER
What is less well-kaown is tha
was faciag expulsion from PEN becaose of his witch
ONUI SELOR M EORAL
hade sed elat Mimede 'a nestien
served convenient trau. What b doahl hodle ! thet since Mandel Is haaned from catering the country he cannot attend a meeting of PEN In amy
For some people THE OFFICIAL publicity matcrial for the Conunist I Party's 'People's Jubilee' on 19 une promises "political debate" and sall indede treland, and Pemi- VETUSON 5450T nism and Socialisen.
Following up this protise
Tanbum, the jubilee's wrote to Alastair Renwick of the Troops Out Move ment in April offering the TOM "space for exhibitions, publicity Staun or sacaleles to erspluy you activities and aims' The Invice added "we woukl be interested in YDE O-n Surs-Ons 25-10 00-
SOCIALISTCHALLENGE 16 June 1977 3
from
the Troops Out Movement but
willingness to allow TOM Tachities to ait over their vici was a welome development mn working class democracy. So the
ILJOL YTOLE DOLE DOOKHT S SH
and sending the required E
Alas, Jast month Nigel Tanburn wrote aguin to the TOM. 'I have sent o yot Tane sein sent to you". .Teabura said. one was sent it was in ertoe. Li afraid we will not be able to facilitate your stall and 1 bav
enclosed your postal arder fo Peila hisi Markere democracy, (c) censorship,
Sectarianiim should phone Mr Tanburn on 01-836 2151
Poor Patrick
T am sick and rred, almos berend bekel boar al the
Department succeeds in pertin itsel) described, in BBC лена Balletins, in press stories, in even
"an independent trade unio
paganida
was on the Labour Purty's fist oj proscribed organisarions, thoug
Jarno of bias, distaried satis-
tier and clac hatred"
Not surprisingly the author of these lines is mone other than
atrick Hutber, tbe City Edib
r the Daily Telegraph. His o
age reveils that some of th
LAD material Is beginning D irritate City persoos.
Re-instatement
Martin Shaw, a lading Socialis Workers Party (SWP) militant in Hull who was suspended several
re-Insinted. Shaw's suspension Followed his paraiciparion on the
Dy the local Socialises Agatasr te Curs (SAC) in the recent locan CICCIAN
ft would appear thar Sacws re-instotement hes come about in SUCT D CONE ДНЕ ДОДИТМАДОЧЕ in the pre-cortference discmanion of the SWP The conferenor is due to rake place witkí the nex fortrighs,
Walter Invader FROM The Tiones Jetters
Rhodesian raid into Mozambique Proul trecrai Sir Helle Frainer Silk Couter to adept ay of us is
ESHO-DE he dock piace oo ile
Opere s econtalment is tie ALTEN MALLR,
June 5
Page 4 scan of this page
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fight
ON 2 JULY need for such a mounting daily as Tory-controlled councils implement cuts under the cover provided by the attacks on coucation scandards already launched by the Labour Government. To taxe a few
treatened to second of 344 • Oxfordshire counci teaching jobs.
* Birminghum MaCa 138
empting to sue 15 teachers fo refining to teach
the LabourСОНОКА ПСЕ LABOO РАВ tion Authority in threatening 174 teachers with compulsory trams-
stays....
the run-down of work at our hospital.
We offer assurances to the Community Health Counci. the public, and in particular to our
no way be impaired, and indeed where possible will be improved.
Belleving that we cannot alone defend our bospital against do
support Wework inclose relationship with the Area and District Jaiot Shop
slow Trades Union Council and the Labour Movement in general.
such operations as picket lines and other related activities, when managersent tries to break our work-in.
•We look to the Labour move-
us ensure that hospital equipment is nor moved and structural
Jeadtowards closure. Solidarity of the London Ambulance Service WHILSCC paricars are no whisked away in the dark of night..
DETERMINATION
We bare showo our delermina ion by operating a work-in. Asth •losure date draws near, we anti
trick and threat to break us. Knowing that unity streneth, management's first at temprs have been almed at diviting us. This we have withstood. Next they beran puttine pressure on general practitioners and con ultants alike to starve us of
HOME NEWS
As education
cuts mount
Teachers
OPEN CONFERENCE OF NUT MEMBERS
ERMINGHAM UNIVERSITY
fer.
In the face of these attacks NUT members are showing an increasing willingness to back. When members in Oxiardshine were balloted over action. 78 per cm voted to strike. which the Birmingham confer ence alms to organise
Speakout
Hounslow Hospital
and this is what they say.... 'In occupying Hounslow Hospital by "working-in" we are not taking away from the Area Health Authority the resonsibility they have in law for the patients and staff at our hospital. We will, however, take no part in staff transfers, closure of beds, refusing admissions or any other activity that leads to
Patients, hoping thus to demoral
made the work-moncial.
Thus far have succeeded, with the help of our friends, in keeping the hospital well used.
Soon management will move coTOTE WELCLOOD TOAALIO LO LIML event we shall be forced onto the offensive. The Defence Committee will perform is cutes as an Occupation Committee, and only those actively supporting the We refuse to accept the AH. Soone pate are No get the plea that Government sovernment's entir 7 cut-backs in public expend ture, whether it be in bealth, education, transport or building We reject private medicine and believe that every NHS hospital that closes opens the door widerto paying hospitals. We want to se the NHS restructured, so that it is run by and in the interests of the workine people of this countr and is free toall at thetimeof nee We call for a massive injection of fundsintothesHs
DEMOCRATIC LINES
'We want the NHS rub on more democratic lines, so that the voice of the public, the health workers and the patients are all reckone with. We believe that hospit closures are a false economy and Public expenditure cuts have not brought about the revival of
back
BERNARD REGAN: Open Conference convenor.
national scale, It is open to all
schools and individanis, as well as OLIS SOOL SHIL BEE SOLELLS.
For more informarion contact: Bernard Regen, Gardens, London SE/8.
by BERNARD REGAN
OK!
industry. The working people of this country economic crisis wbich is not of
their making. Theright to a decent living, to decent shelter, to goo HERE BEL COON DECEMBER COEI modities available only to those who can afford the price. while drug companies make mil
workers are unemplo
countless numbers are bomeless;
demand for the right to work goes unheard, while factories remain
PROFITS ELSEWHERE
*What this country is facing is a
capitalists who seck their profits elsewbere - in the EEC, Spain, South Africa, ete.
•When nurses cake to the streets When hospotal through artificial barriers and unite to defend service, insisting on patient care to tbe needy, then it is
lear that they are
become isolated from our allies, from ouT general practitioners, from con-
ultants, from other workers, ou work-in will fail. never been to hold an empty building
*To succeed we need the help the active help — of all who want to defend the NHS."
Hounslow Phone 01-570 4448. Ask for Sit
(Secretary)
(JSCC): Chris Potber, Brecker.
conterence
SO HELIOTES
Contract. 23 Kenliworth
nise in cati in socia
union.
REDUNDANCIES in the next By Jullan Atkinson
NATFHE'S
. Mean- soclation of
ned bricke
higher speech from
moderation.
and unemployment.
Why the
WINCES BICHI gressively removed.
their health
vacillation
144 votes to 184 patients, from the narrower
Our goal bi
of Phase 3.
Committee Staine delegates
For Sate
If unavail in opposition to the cuts
good positions on
Union
conferences
debate
Phase Three
NALGO:
no comment
the annual conference of the National and Local Government Officers Association in Scarborough. WALTER MACLELLAN, NALGO conference delegate from Glas-
reports from
YOU WOULD have to be a visitor from another planet, not this annual in the British trade union move. Contract. ment is the future of the Social
NO DEAL contention of the calle the
"contrick", and with it the decline in wages, the
unemployment and the spending 8. whether you are againat it is the great dividing line in every single
No more so than in NALGO whose membership are the direct Social Contract. The union inself estimates thai the cuts will mican a massive Has A roundance
two years. Yet motion amazingly the National Executive [Julian Atkinson is a member of
Councit, writing in a personal capacity.] CENTREPIECE of the ConIsrence of the Nalional An-
Teachers in Further and Higher Educa tion was the debate on Phase 3 which was preceded by a
Lon Mumay calling for responsiblilly and
Last year the conference had passed a resolution in favour of the Social Contract If it stopped inflation, culs,
This year the NEC proposed that in light of actual experience Conference no longer support the present concept of a Socia Contract and it therefore base its salary policy upon the princi ples of restrictions on free col lective bargaining shall be pro-
An indication of the growin restiveness with the leadership'
was that a motion opposing the continuation of any Social Contract was lost by only
similar vote last year. The word "progressively" was deleted from the resolution, but it remained an expression of critical aod balthearted support for some form
This is in line with NATFHE'S training scaff and collaboration
passed a resolutio opposing boch compulsory an voluntary rodundancy and for forming a public sector allianc
The old ATTI had enab
women's rights, but the fused organisation
This week 2,000 delegates are attending solar theme on the pay
the first day of
conference witbout a
It failed to submit a motion to the conference reflecting its pol
hoping that by the time of thi conference the terms of the dea between the TUC and the govrament mould have emerge
hen it could slap dow An ENTENCY DODOM CONTENTY the leing did heal.
not work out The altempt of the executive to persist in its manoeuvres came to
TACT 'emergenes was raled not to be au emergency by the Conference
NATHE: maybe
had will to take a stand. The anti-abortion group, LIFE, had set up a campaign room near to the Conference Hall and leafletted conference. This led to the pro-abortion NATFHE members and the National Women's Panel bolding too pickets of Confer-
A resolution was passed overwhelmingly regretting that the SDA and the EPA were limited in their effect and went on to call Scottish Conference Wage Control and Labour Movement
Democracy
Saturday 25 June, 10.15am-5pm.
Cowlane Centre, Cowlane St, Stirling.
Organised by Campaign for Democracy In the
Labour Movement. Sponsored by Stirling and
Districi Trades Councils, Central Federation of
Trades Councis, and many other labour
movement organisations.
The Conference will
socialist activists to discuss the actions and
demands needed to lorge a socialist opposition
to unite all workers prepared to fight back now!
* Detalls and credentials from: S. McLennan,
18 Carrington St. Glasgow.
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 June 19775 policy, which takes plau
Soclulist Challenge goes to pre every single motion submitted or the eve of the conference was
"restraint".
NATIONALISATION
Although it hasn't gor a policy of its own, there is no doubt that tbe NALGO Icadership will op pose these motions. It will fo instance throw up its hands in borror at the composite oppos
This resolution opposes Phase Campaign around Brate to sector cluding inflation proof wages and social benera, the seen, the even of patie
THAT IRISH TOD banks and finance houses and the expansion of price controls.
Thee morons ments call for a ciaim of E15 p woek increase Bad a campaign of achod and i necessary indusin al action' for the across the board rise.
Tot coua onborlunity Jor wonti students and for comprebensive child care facilities in educational establishments for staff and students
The resolution also called for support for the Working Wo miea's Charter and support for a "woman's right to choose' on the abortion issue in concert with those organisations campaigning
maintain/extend existing abortion rights and facilities. provide a forum for
Page 6 scan of this page
IRELAND
Socialist
Challenge
EVENTS BRIGHTON Soclallat
SEES
57223
an ered, Packey, 1.30 T LONDON Soc
balleng
SE LONDON FOrUM. Teaks for th
June
NORTH-WEST upporters,
Sily Marchelor Centre: 14 Pisa-
Callot Challenge Bestiah Sociall
.. Gangow, Tel: 22 7aei
London): Tues
Delta Against Esch Powel
Santoming dayi, Boutral Town Hall,
COTTISH tour to launch Soclali
soclalist opposi
Langue and local labour are Hope Roo, The Now Cross
esday 21 June, Glasgow, 7.30pm
McLellan Galleries.
22 June Edinburgh.
Picardy
Irish elections
Government
promises to
blow up'
civil liberties
Voters in the South of Ireland go to the polls on 16 June in the first general election in four years - years that have seen a massive increase in repression by the Fine Gael and Labour Party coalition Government. The coalition has threatened more of the same if they are returned. GEOFF BELL reports
Prime Minister Lium Cosgrave al the start of the campaign attacked "do-gooders, outsiders" and commentators great vogue is civil rights. As far as Cosgrave was concerned They can how out or blow up'
That same approach to citi liberties has haracterised the coalition. The pecial non-jury courts to des epublicar the baaning of television inter member: of Provi Sinn Fein. of political prisoners cxamples both ent's insistence on to Britain A leading advocate of such er. Conor Cruise O'Brien, whe is known in Ireland as 'England's President of the
Williams:
They
THIS
politically mall the of atudent palltics
to covar this period Is good value
NAME.
College....
. Врт.
favourite Irishman because of his use of the British media to
whose recently hinted that there might have to be censorslip al Be letters page in the /rish Press, a daily paper which opposes the
HIND LEGS
sympathisers. Similar attitudes have boen disGeneral, who last year sald tha the barbaric those who protested about the erosion of civil liberties "were up of th on their hind legs *di hould be down on their knees Combined with Government has presided over rising unemployment, inflation, and a seady decline in real *Tet the foresats are that the
Calling
socialist
students
decribed it. 'A threat to democracy" was the reaction of Minishar for Mis-Education Shirley
were talking about the special 12-weal subscription offer Socialist Challenge Is making to cover the students" summer break.
Soclalist Challenge wiil continum SO LONG TO CA democratio manoeuvres of the executive majority of the NUS, as it does in thie issue when it reports the smear campaign launched by the NUS against Soweto militant Mushinini. it will
Govemment, and It will give unrivailed corerage
Socialist Challange Is essential THHOIN OF A SLUDOOL DISONE But wa know that many studonis nave left-wing papers during the summar break. That le why we are making our special subscription offer
12 issues for £1.50
Don't feel inhibited If you're not a student, this
for an introduction to Socia s:
Challenge. Just fill in the form beiow.
To: Distribution, Socialist Challenge, 328/329 Upper Street, London N1.
Plosse send me the next tweive issues of Socialist Challenge. I enclose E1.50p.
Address to which the paper should be sant
& P.O.'a should be made payable to
calition will stay in
of the two small parties expected to LADS EA
port is StrongeR while as many as 50
mises would cost too much.
But in a number of
the Irish Attorney
when they all this the
massive scale. anD imperisas WEnt in
could unite on We agreed on
torture and
political six organisanons
Movement
iabst Parly
Fund.
Fi all
Treasur mands. They tally with all four. On WOUL
While Fanna Fail, Yed by Former Premier Jack Lynch, is expected to win mote seats than Fine Gael and Lahour, the combined seats
the Fourth total more than standing
One reason is that the Government has re-arranged the parlia
give it a positive advantage in areas where it traditioont sup-
A furtber reason is the pammon belief that Fianna Fail would do
Government. Opinion polis have suggested that as many as 20 per
difference in the main parties think Fianna Fail's election pro
consti tuencies a real alternative is beins
PRO-SONAL REFURUCAN HOVERINT HER REPURICAN SOCALAT PARTY BIN HATE L PA477
HADILIGAY PREONERE WELLARS COPPITTIE
POLIT CA PRISONERS SETION COMMITTER
PUKINEE DEFENCANTE FUND
The policy of Socialist Challenge is to provide a platform for Individuals and groups in the workers movement who do not have regular access to the media. This Is particularly important in relalion lo eventa in Ireland, on which censorship of news and opinion exists on a
We are particularly pleased therefore to publish the views of the Derry-based Irish Front, recorded in an interview with three members, Fionnaira O'Dochartaigh, Mick Montgomery and Davie O'Carroll.
THE BACKGROUND to the
100H3155 there began a series of discussion meetings between the various
groups.
Derry for WIEN months. We assessed the overall
four basic de Iss who demands latimidation; Full suppurt for political status leudine lo an unconditional peneral annesty: Repatriation of ull Iris
prisonen; Wahdrawal of Hritish troops and an end to British interference in the politi cal, cultural und economic life of
We see these demands as the besis on which to unite the aut-
Derry hut all over the North and in Ireland as a whole, In Derry.
struccle on these demands. These are the Pravisional Republicar
the Irish Renublican Soc the Magilbigan PriCOMESIC TATE LAMELLOI
Action Committee, and the Prisoners" Dependents
NO COMPROMISES
We are now discussing on a
organisation to join the
Irish Froal if it mean
principle the
Long to Reign Over Us'? Gamet FitzGeraid |elt], Irish Coafition Minister for Foreign Affairs, Robin Haydon, British Ambassador in Dublin and the Dean of St Patricks. The occasion for the celebration was a service held in Dubiin to mark the silver Jubilee. Happy and glorious.
where Victimised trade
of the Movement for Socialist RepublicIrish section of
висланось.
Borrom Dog, a local rank and candidate file trade unionist's newspaper, CAMPAIGNS
According to Socialie Rel.
DOOL or the Horrom Dog and its supporter: are using the cleation to huil unemployment and repression; in support of women's rights, and In solidarity with the struggle of the anti-onionist minority in the Harriogron's campaign has attracted wide support from revo lutionaries in Ireland. Eamonn McCann, the Irish correspondent the
Speakout
Democratic and Labour Party
-they pur forward che
Catholle he ortictats, the larice Party, the Peace Movemest all in one greap #onside nawak as waron
have recently for in security. For a the demands for an increase in security means an increase in repression.
The unity we have achieved is a principled unity, on the hasis of
While he was in Britain,
Fionnbaira O'Dochart-
aigh, External Secretary
of the Irish Front, wel-
comed the appearance of
Socialist Challenge and agreed to sponsor the new paper.
6 SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 16 June 1977 fic Supered Haringtan, we licly supported Harrington,
weekend Bernadette McAliskey And sod members of the Irish Socialise Party went to lamenck to work for the campaign This approach to using the elecbarp contrast to that of Sin Fein — the Workers Party', the
Official Republicans, They see their clee tion campaign in strictly parlia •DILIET OT 'Our main intention in contesting this election is to win seats, the Officials" president, Tomas MacGiolla, bas said. According I, as the North of Ireland is not considered a good vote winner. the "Workers Party! THEISSI barely mentions the Six Countics and the party itself appears to have made no public statement on
#abi-imperialist struggle.
irish front
the four demands. If any orgap!
ation supports those demands, i Is quite welcome to join
The type of unity
Si Pa achieved WAs SOWn DE rick's Day in Derry. We had 13,000 people on the • streets. For the first time since 1966, all the democratic and anti-imperialist movements came together
We want the Britisa lett 1o br conscious of the repression we are going to lace, and to try ant
people in Britain ahow wisal is realy coms bo The Loyalist strike, for example aar not the fallure the British press made it put to be It was
Sorory for Paisley since then theze has been a massive increas made many gains our of the srike. but we aim to counter this by forging anti-imperialist unity.
HIGH ROAD
We take the high road to the involve all the various aspects of the struggle in Ireland and all the
tarine and small farmers. We sec LANCES THE THIS DUE OUL the mobiliation of all sections of toc poppinon- mac nomeiss, tie unchployed, small farmers, women fighting for their rigbla
all the people affected hy cupicalism
INE OR CODE SHE MILIE questions, as well as the nationa question. The national questio
question is the national question
We wim to involve the masses i struggle.
As we say in our leaflet, we must stand together, for the alien government that rules us frost 50 many miles away has abandoned the rights of the individual, and scoped the mule of the balon ano tbe gun. We must link together
chain drawing courage strength and resalve from each other
Page 7 scan of this page
The meeting in Merton Town Hall was a perilous affair. It reveals The CP nearing a split
SWP approaches CP
WEPPLER reports. French told the meeting that the taccune Commatee was Recng cold feet about its decision to have • punoc debale on toe urant in the months leading ap to the CP's
why. Feelings ran high on Thun-
debate. At times the chairperson
When Jack Dash appealed for Tands a loud and cynicar ey calk from the audience: "Why don't
ou just write to Moscow? An when he lashed out at the Young
Communist League
He charged the YCL with doinp all it could to incite the Czecho-
sociate Republic. rehey have se overthrow the much success as they've had with heir appeals to the British youth there isn t much to woery about
It's not that French was under attack throughout the evening rom leasantoner were out in force and they gave as good
BESCUEE SUE BEE PUSHED
An Hamen
Town attended by
Surrey
the new draft of Road
Committeemember who supports the leadership indicates that the
CPleadership.
CONGRESS DECISION
Higgs pointed to these concerns in his contribution rebognised by the chairperson, Hauld French be bound by the decision of the Congress in the even ther it accepted the draft druwn up by the leadership? In his refusal to indicate the outcome of such a situation
the CP could well be put on the
the SWP's concrete proposals.
1 saint reelings of the indier
trial departments of our twe
parties to discuss bow to en-
courage the struggles for
chinis oulsue the baits of Die
snelal contract the moment Phase
Twoends on 31 Angest. Wewold
suggest
calms of £15 across the board -
but we would of course be pre
concastesituations.
OPEN FORUM
The depths of the crisis which Is shaking the COMMUNIST PARTY from its rank and file right to its Executive Committee was let loose in Merton Town Hail last Thursday.
Eight hundred militants packed into the Hall to hear Sid French of the CP's Surrey District Committee put the view that the draft British Road to Socialism' is an utterly reformist document that should be rejected. DODIE
Agenda of the Congres
parin apect tish held to the itions held by the afrey Dutrict Commitice F placed his comments in the context of the deep crisis facine the CF
NO SELF CRITICISM
One thousand Morning Sta aily readers have been lost sinc per month. The election performance of the CP has been Just as dimal Sell critoso for these failures has yet to come from the cadership. nothing but place the blame on the Sovier Union - and the USSR is he strongest card that CPOI He warned against the
militants could turn the tide, even If they were able to democratically organise to win supporters to the
How the Morning Star reported the occasion:
Against new draft
meeting in Merton South London 800 people Thursday night Mr. Sid French. district secretary of the Communist Party, spoke against *The British to Socialism." A collec-
tion of over E400 was made.
positionsadvanced by French French hammered away at the fundamental policies be feels the EC has trampled on in the current draft. Heputthe need to retain the struggle for the dictatorsbip of the groletariat at the forefront of his
This concep was evident when hallenged by a member of th the need of the working class to impose its will on society dictatorship of the proletariat with nothing other than bureaucracy in the Sovier Union
for joint work
The Central Committee of the SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY has sent a long letter to the Political Committee of the COMMUNIST PARTY making an appeal for united action and joint work. The extract below contains a list of
2 Juint meetings of ver active tries wad factories now so that we WAgE Auguit sad later. provide aid for the muny long
> Solat meetings also of ou TWO TESSERAL OCUBEE around particular,
One aspect of his argument was his minicoot on the need
use of violence. away from this task, and charged COCONUT LES DETEC ICA CLIMAR DI the Brirish Road with being too short on coercion and too free with
the draft beginning with line 1261 asevidence. 'Democracy', besaid, appears 15 times on this pare alone lines often and there are only 65
tis question in his view. It fail to recognise that: 'Parliament is
hardly Skely to go unchallenger by a ruling class which can us powerful buill-in has done Дан кость wisng Te seen of it, meaty one. introduce socialiam.' cerning therole of the army.
ALLIANCES policie that CP happily accepts the concept
ances contuined in the druf
on import controls, he said that alliances on this issae not out of the guilain as as not out of the question only splits the ruting cises"!
Secondiy, Freech explicitly re Jected independent and densc
such us soviets, us a vitul com on ponent of the dictatorship of the arpets Let an empty dog proletariat.
mecessity for building soviets with an off-hand joke about the far-of! dass whea the Wimhledna sovie
*But et halter des
the
le, it was the EC's criticisms:
therent response Tackling vehement response. questions on the de-stalinisation Pr00033. French 'mythical lack of freedom in Eastern Europe — as if the talk of
He choose to hold up Solzhenitzen as a case in point, mocking the has accrued in Swiczerland. French's mind, the Merelyame te spaceshop denied. Unemploymcat does not exist, food prices are stable, and
announced, this has been the first in 40 years, and "even The Guard
that wamen fare much better in the industrial disputes. Joint meetings of our members involved in those
4% loint campaign inside the
unions for the defence of
respecting picket lines opposition to blacklegs' charters of all sorts, Joint meetiegs of our members in the unions tent have imit Leir names osuch documemis to promote the campaigo.
- Joint meetings of the com
responsible for anti-racialist actiny with a view to launching a Important Joint campaign within the Labour
AND He didn't sh
safeguards : even with
organs of workers power
was ready
and Eastern
added.
TENDENCIES
In
Soviet Union
bureaucracy in its implement
facist mobiliestious,
and in
needed. We beliere. above, they
eurilest possible moment.
DEVER EXPENS
BE ACHIEVED WITHO
THE DICTATORSHI
IS NOT A SOCILIST
from the far left also attended Soviet Union than in the West", he
French's policies are marked by a combination of a firm insisteno on retaining the carcept of th dictatorabip of the proletariat and
because he equates the two -
nise the crimes of the Soviet
atempes pany at the expense of the working class. he streets. Joint meetings of ou nembers nailoanity and locally to
campalan in relation to particular
Such measures woukt represent the first, modest steps towurds the united action that is so desperately
we said would attruct the support of many thousands of militunts mho are not members of either of our parties, but who see the need for a fighiback to begin now. We trust you will consider them, and give us your reply at the
Above: Frangh Is joined on the platform by If to r] Coll Jones, chairperson Marsey, Alon Bush and Jeck Dash Below: The audience who came to heer the case put by French was mainly CP members. But many milanta
WORLD Hissupportersare by no means a monolithic block. But they were HERO SO ENCE OPPOSIOOTO CHIE Groganof the [MO when lie ralsed the need for the democratic right of tendencies abd factions. The hallerupted with heckling from all cornera. Raok and file milicants factions*; "Go and read Lenin".
They sre or course but without a doubt this is one of the most sensitive questions in the Despice the hostility from the ranks of Sid French's supporters, Next Week's Issue:
SURPLUS VALUE: Terry Eapteton/Mandiam ang
OPEN FORUM: SWP's position on ter-left unity
UNDER REVIEW: Calby Porter/Larses Reissner's Hamburg At The Batricades
PLUS Newe and Analyals of election cesults In
Spair and ireland
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE June June 19777 DESH WILE REVOLUTION
THE PROLETARIAT
UNITE the first issue of Socialist Char mary of Charlie Doyle's alterna- lenge which carried the sum fire to the British Road - sold aver 120copies at the meeting And in the long run, even the mistaken policies French tele not be b
madely his supporters will suffer the same fase so all those CP miliwuss wow ure oozining to gac don the line of the KC under the impact of the rise of world revolu
Page 8 scan of this page
REMEMBER SOWETO
SOWETO
the restof the black population.
permanently settied in the cities and
places where they can be allowed to hold political or social rights.
16 June 1976 is a day no South African, black orwhite, will forget in a hurry. It started with a peaceful protest by Soweto students against the compulsory introduction of Afrikaans In schools. It ended, thanka to police repression, with many injured and dead.
As the weeks advanced the students' struggle begas to involve black workers, a dously successful stay athomse strikes. Above all the strikes demonstrated the emorisous
The victory of the MPLA and the defeat of the South African forces in Angola contri Pacou to tais Lantauc growin in sais coolr Sence. This should be viewed against a back-
ound of rising strike rates amongst black
wich. the 1973 Naa snkes bene ca ecially noteworthy, the increasing forma Son of black trade unions, and the growth in The assault on the apartheid system, which wen far beyond the initial issue of education wi ven real fire ty this combination o
BLACK WORKERS
But i became clear that by contimaily calling wayaways, withour tangible results, the students ran the risk of demoralising the the support offered by the workers dwindled; the brutalising conditions of apartheid had strugale thrown up werea great step forward.
However, these struggles in no way seriously BEERE BICSECILE DUC MASSERESAS capacity for repression was in no way
A letter from
This is an extract from a poem addressed to the South BREYTENBACH. Breytenbach, a white South African of
Eder te Terroriem et end the mine prestien af
Act and the Suppression Communism Act in 1975. He has been held in solfary death santence.
1 stand on bricks before my fellow mon
with electrodes on my balls
trying to acream light into the dusk
on my skin and over the floor chako on the rope of the intestines slip on soap and break my bones
to deliverance on a street among people
and you butcher
vou who are taxed with the securily of the state what do you think of when night reveats hor skaistan and the first chattering shriek is squenzed out
wit an the tuids or pertuntion? are you humble before this bloodied thin with the torn breath of its dying
LORS SOUF THAT USA DES TOrO when you touch the limp limbs with tha same hands trat will fondle your wife's secreta?
THIS WEEK marks the first anniversary of the outbreak of a struggle which shook South African racism to its very foundations. Beginning among the students of the black township of Soweto, the movement of revolt rapidly enveloped the whole country, drawing in hundreds of thousands of black workers, and spreading to the 'coloured' people of Cape Town, whom the regime has always tried to insulate from movements of resistance among
This upsurge capped off five yoars of sleady growth of organised resistance by the black working class and deepending resentment by urban youth at the erosion of their few remaining rights. It reflocied, at one level, the very development of South African capitalism, whose profits are sucked out of the labour of an ever-growing black working class,
with no atlachment to the impoverished rural homelands', which the regime insists are the only
On another level, this discontent was fired into action by the deleats imposed on white racism and its imperialist backers in neighbouring
Whereas prior to Soweto there was some opportunity to conduct a limited politica died away the racist regime began systematically to clear the ground of political oppo vanced militants from the potical scene this Increased repression bas had far deeper CHICLIS The black working class in South Africa is a class in formation. It is not as yet a class fo Iseif. The most pressing and immedate tas is surely to develop this awareness, and one of the most important ways of daing it is through the development of black trade unions. If this is no longer a possibility in the present period, one in which black unem ployment 13 aDoroschine IWO maDoos ang mate repression is increasing, then what This inability on the part of the blaci ockentoora une and the ability to set o derable effect on the form the tational structares has con shipe the black workers are seen as irrelevant to the struggle, and the inevitable ultra leftist practice fows from this error. In the place of the working class another sociological catestadents.
For many militants the only conclusion to bedrawn from all chisis that political struggle.
Is impossible sn soum Atra, aod trac tas struggle must he shified on to a military plane. Whereas the African National Con-
exile to
the
butcher
Mozambique and Angola.
the Soweto movement - but notto defeat it. adjoining lownships.
begunat Soweto. gress was Jound scriously wanting during the events in Soweto its analysis of South Alnica now has a real resonance amongst such people.
MILITARY TRAINING
Bur their policy of sending militants back into South Africa after military training has resulted in various
maritzhurg continues, and yer another on hasstarted in Pretoria with 12 ANC militanurs on trial. Their ability to influence the course of events in South Africa remans nu; the strategy they adopt represents a retreat from the teat nroblem bi engaging the binck working class successfully in the liberation SIrUSSIE.
The overall strength of the urban blacks remaine, with a significant retreat being inflicted on the white regine over the attempt to incitase renes in the townshins. Increascs of around 50 per cent were proposed, increass which were delested
continues to soar, with increnses in bus and other prices. Sorne strikes still occur, such a the erikeof miners at Vereeniing wilh 3601 workers refusing.towork.
Londer pressure the economic crisis besetting Souch Atrica these contradictions must grow: The organisational form best able to advance such astrugale is for underground 1olcVS013 103325030BSICAHIROARAE any apportunity to further the workers
The racists threw up a ring of repressive fire around thair privileges killing hundreds of youth, imprisoning dozens of others, and driving hundreds more from their communities into exile. They managed to check
Its sources and inspirations continue to live, and the movement has already lound new expressions: the vigorous movement against the altempled rent rises in Soweto, and, marking the anniversary of the struggle in their own way, the movement against the collaborationist puppet Urban Bantu Councils now spreading through Soweto and
White racist rule is today under seige as never belore in the 'front-lines" of Zimbabwe and Namibia. Butitis also lacing & full-scale revolt in its very heartiand - South Alrica. Only when the workers of South Africa have finally dealt the blow that will eradicale the oppression of white racism and the exploitation of racial capitalism will they consider concluded the task
South Africa should not be seen in a vacuum The sinuacion in Zimbabwe. toc development of international solidarity and the struggle in Namibin all weaken the ability levelot repression. Ar present the situation in Zimbabwe is key. A successfal ourcome to the sherdbonstrued ein Aimbabwe wil haye chatenous effects on the strugale in South South Africa will then bave failed tc stabilise the situation in southern Africa and ber policical option Will be increasingly realised that there is no chance of building socialism in Zimbabwe without first coming to terab with Woth Airica, and seue Lik strigale for Zimbabwe as ultimately the struggle for South Africa.
GREATER SUPPORT
Over the past year i South Africa the strugc has carerco a nou and difticult phase . It requires greater support from the world working class, and especially from be STE LISER HOU investment linh between Britain and South Africa is colossal The successful implementation of an invest Alrican economy and itsabilityto increase ils In South Africa the strugele continues. Sowero was the first step.
CLIVEBALDWIN
SOCIALIST CH
'A fac
power
reasor
ANC
COL
The recent attempted coup in matic in many respects, wi doing very litile to clarily thing
The most recent, by Preside coup's perpetrators were ultr up a 'Chinese-style regime'. 1 relation lo reality that It must purely forconsumption in Mos
athor. former Enterior Minist Nito Alves, was widely knowa to
to promisence MPLA's humer of the ultro
Oo balnnce, it would seem tha there were lew real politicu Missions snoived in the boul artemps. le was tbe work of a
carefully assembled JOSIATE
ATIL Inside the MPLA, and its mass
Sow
portant work a gans en
bulld international solidar
struggle
Thee sestle marked
important begiening in
light of the bluek people
Sout Africa acales 0b
торресеном:
-We are sad io see it such
Page 9 scan of this page
NUS slanders Mashinini 'AN INSULT TO THE MILITANTS OF SOWETO'
ENGE 18 June 1977
DEMONSTRATE!
Saturday 18 June Assemble Speakers Comer London 1.00pm
SUPPORT THE SSA/NOISS Altemative Platform at the end of the demo
OLA
P BID
ola remains enigHicial statements
to, stated that the Ists' alming to set ais has such little swed as designed
socking power one aniden ogical ones selesa a sumiber of s no evidence of Soviet ent in the coup itself Alves was L posts last October. bident Neto's visit to
the ad boca persuaded to ir protege. But to have Ived at all in such a
areeting
Important time the decision of the Natiena Caon of Sin deats to keep Twieci Mashinini - leader of this struide aff the plalform of the 18 Jame demonstration.
We hope that Socialist Challenge and everyone here wil oppose this decisien and campaige to ger it reversed. The South African straggle needs unity and International sobdarity, We hope that Soc
demonstration.
ion seeking
for personal
ANGOLA
Congo Soviets must have felt that they deed with theNeto Goverment On the other hand, Alves" relations to the Cubansseems to lave been uniformily hostile.
José Van Dunen, political com missar of the armed forces, was growing Cuban influence. And the insurgents" chief larpers for emisation amone the MPLA leadership was the Minister of Finance, able Cuban influence and had radical rency from the escudo zone, thus simtiltancousty breaking an imworld economy and striking a powerful bow at currency Roy Alexander
to Students'
Ha euerxies
Baroey Mokuade Secretar
Salby Soweto SRCE
trancbed Socialit Challense)
It is not usual, even In the context of the traditional sectarlanism of the British left, to have two alterative platforms at the and of a united
NUS-called Soweto aniversary demonstration face in London this Saturday, COLIN TALBOT, a member of the National Union of Students Executive, explains how this situation has arisen.
Farlier the year Toletsé Mashinini and • group of other Soweto esiles in Londos actions with those struggles against the rucist South African regime. The focus For
Cotaily on the Cuban ade there was no doubt about their atitude: they immediately ralBed to the side of the Neto regime. Put together this suggests a substantial Cuban Soviet davergence over the best coura of eventsil Angola.
It is a sad comment on a seitgime that the paucity of internal democracy, the absence of a free васине оуст ровиса ороопя, and the ahsence of effective organs of mase political power, 183 20 1 2 Ce Wie crucial political issues remained buried bebind the curtain to be resolved by the mechan. isms of insurgency and counterialist Challenge will fight in Britain for these things with all
Setele E Ciremires
Message tu the rally elich
But that ls what militants who tum out for the
of the Soweto aprising which started on 16
Jane 1976.
This appeal has received substantial
becking, including more than a dozen
national trade union leaders, a
ZAIRE TROMPE OUTE RUE Interview with ZIMBABWE Saulh African NEM MAMDEUNRES Revolutienary
in struggle AFRICA IN STRUGGLE a joumal of Marx sE analyois when 0/50.4ms 4ms 10 001 25 problems of the African revolution.
All enquiries fa:Alrice in Struggie olo Reigoarest, 32819 Upper Sr.
ment, many artists and intellectuak, and .. the National Union of Studenes Executive Ar the time the Appeal was endorsed by the NUS Executive there LUCALIDE tial of Tricts Mashinim. Aller the MoE had announced its decision national demonstration Executive working party drew up plans for the demonstration On that working party it was the Hroad Left themselves who proposed that Tsiets be one of the central spenkers at the demon-
dazen stration. They readily accepted my sugges
tion that NUS should organise a national Soweto aludent leadera (left to right] Taleter Mashinini, Saiby Semela, Baroay Makhalle
Southern
Africa
in Crisis
30р
SOUTHERN AFRICA IN CRISIS Is a 49
and development of the white regist states . Single expilaine the role of imperialiss sub, [9 fering them up, charts the rise of the black
value et oniy 30p [ofus 10p pSp]
speaking tour
was not a singi or query raisco about the creden
to 00 18 Junc an
Britain. his comrades.
nead anose.
TDACOSTOCHS
LtD go unchamengoo
SOWETO
with Soweto snudens. Why operare so fully with people who they now
sny do "nar represent a force of liberation"
Why are they orcoareo to wo so Tar as t
rovoke a split in the solidarity movemen
by their sectarian atitude to Tsiesi and hi
The NUS Executive is dominated by the Broad Left coalition, which la in dominated, especially on international is sues, by the Communist Party of Great
the international solidarit movement has been nereunded that th
African Nacional Congresa was Lhe on
liberation movement in South Africa. Fo
with the Durban strikes and culminating in the massive Soweto uprising last year a new mass resistance movement is deve opine
Although the ANC has played a part in this, and many individual ANC membens a very heroic part, no-one could serioust 0S21 SE SUA AO ISE TEI movement. But the ANC and its Commu
supporters doa't want to admi
the Soweta sudents who are critical of the ANC and have no intencion of joining it That is the orien ol the camosion aaains! Tsietsi and the other Someto leaders.
The atitude that the far left members of the NOS Exculive have adopted to thi campaign is simple. Firstly, we will de everything in our power to drag out into the which are being circulated about Tsietsi and
They are heroic freedom fighiers who have laid their lives on the line on the struggle against apartheid. We do this irrespective of the views of Tsiessi and the orber Sowero sudents, with whom we may have many diferenoes. We would do exactly the same for ANC militants if the
NON-SECTARIAN
Secondly, we demand that NUS take
and support all those who are fighting the apartheid regime. Any other policy would ESTA SEDESLULIL
Thirdly, we have supported and worked hard for the maximum mobilisntion for the 16 Jube demonstratioo, Il 1s mais the ta left dominated studenis unions and NES Areas which have had serious campaigos te build for this demonstration. We want this
One thing, and one thing only, Has mac
is decide lo bold an alternative rally. Tha
Iration the NUS is deaying a plattor
ne of the most prominent leaders of th
Not only is that a sick joke: it is an insul do the militamts of Sovoto, and fo the memory of those who died on 16 Jume 1976.
We cannet allow such an insult, suc
responsible and degrading sectarianisc
We are holding D alternative rally in order to give a placior to the Soweto studeuts" laders. The ANC welcome on this platform. So is the Broed Left. We are net the sectarians
an express our solanty wus te brin struggle, ur did me come here to insalt thei memory and their leaders?
Page 10 scan of this page
has been conducting an American-style campaign, touring tion of breaking down the sur Suarez picked up as a leading
FREE ELECTIONS NOW!
meetings a day.
Suarez.
In la so surprise that Gonzalez in cultivated a public hostility to
while Santiago Carrillo out of their way to up to the former general
matazz of the campaign trail."
secretary of the fascist Movement. Hurricane Felipe & designed to
to a Spanish 'public carved of open polinics for four
and supposedly wiched by the razzamatazz of the compaign trail.
FINANCES The PSCIE has spent more than • Smontbe camnaign - a lieutE natched only by Suarez and con iderably more than Fraga, who tour for months. And it is an open ecret where the money pomes from.
West German Socialist Party set up offices in Madrid of a financial campaign by the Socialist International. Last the party's union arm, the UGT. received more than $350,000 from
Last week's Socialist Worker,
paper of the Socialist Workers
Party, comments on the FUT:
'The main problem they have is
that the TACR does not want the
front to continue
election elerisation for the considor- there is
come
their meetings and read their
propaganda to join.
This, comrades, Is a Hide hit
cheeky. Firstly, becuuse
LCR has consistently fought
Tor me unsticanop or repor
tionaries into one organisation
Representatives from the OIC
Press and talks on maity hav een hel Important
ence remain. but the LCR sees
the inint olatform-
INTERNATIONAL
FELIPE GONZALEZ: the let-serting Sociellet Party leader, firmly defending Spanish capitalism
Felipe on the
campaign trail
There Is no doubt who Is the star of the show. Felipe Gonzalez, glamorous leader of the Socialist Party [PSOE], the country In his private jet, speaking at up to a dozen
'Hurricane Felipe' a leading Spanish news magazine the monarchy with open arna. called him - the only opposition politician with the charisma and 'sex appeal' to match Prime Minister Adollo
European trade unions, including the Bnish TOC - cn tunes as Much as It was ableto THEe dUC fromitsownmembership.
And the Socialist party T-ahirts which are selling like hot cakes
'Hurricane Felipe is designed to
appeal to a Spanish "public" starved
of open politics for four decades and
supposedly bewitched by the razza-
carry a German-language label? regard the PSOE's campaign as an apolitical junket. Certainly be- many of the massive crowds in squares and stadiums up and down the country are chantur 'FelipoFelipe". But Just as many of them are unimpressed by their 'Asturias socialista", they chanted in the heart of the mining belt HACE WEYS OLEL US THIS S working cinse stronghold. And in Galicia: el pueblo unido gobierna rules without a party'). But even this does not embarrass Felipe.
OPPOSITION Certainly he was the first to propose that the opposition sit
SWP and Spain
deniably a revolutionary one a step towards resolving hese differences But socondly il is as astonishing argument in ries of che the SWP's one position on revolutiomary anity. Not only does the SWP not favour unity: mot only will it not resolutionare clectino stales: 15 won't even discuss the possiti: the In terms of size the LER stands in the sume relation to the Spunish let as ibe SWP - in fact it is considerably inger,
dragging the Communat Party ICE in has wake, Just as much at Carrillo, Gonzalez has no intenviving
But while Carrillo has embraced Felipehns heen more circumspect. You will see hundreds of repubbetter than to drive his working class support into the hands of the farleft.
RADICAL IMAGE
Workers Commissions, the UGT has notled a sing e struggle again! the Governbent's austerily plan. but it was careful not to alienate general strike by calling for a return to work. the PCE did. While the PCE will make any concession as a token of Its respectability, tbe PSOE can affond to present a more radient Whatever Felipe nuay say on the electiontral. the socit democrats
of Europe are a guarantee that he
will not fail in his responsibilities to Spanish capitalism. it is not.
Unlike Britain, where the far left b overwbelmingly revolutiomury. three out of four platformas ar esplicilly in favour of • "tactical" alliance with raling clessperties.
The French paper Le Monde it quite touchingly: suarez nas relegated to illegality a number of formations to the given as many demonstrations of their wisdom as the friends of Mr Sautingo Carilk Their wisdom" consists of their participation in the Democratic with capitalist they were jited by the decision of tbe major working class parties Jolnt to dispense with the strategy of 'mass pressure
The programmes of two of the Front (led by the PTE) and the Workers' Electoral Grouping (led by the ORT) — are a heari-Seil cry for areturntorbe good old days of the Popular Front. And in the case ofthe P'FE their wish has begunto come trues in
with bourgeois nationalist parties.
Manuel Guedanof the OR T says
tion campaign. statement of fact.
Democratie
their only asset
of couched Those when the
CYNICISM
Fascist was now
lican flags at his rallies; he knows is far Suartz and his backers the
crucinl
Like the PCE current in the
which was what
Revolutionary slate demands
At first sight it may seem Irrational that there are four separate far left slates. But
ture, set slightly Consciously DE the which have
Chile are not -a joint frost parnes
and long term', Catalonia it has the question of of the LYU
RICHARD CARVER reviews the final days of the Spanish elec-
friends
Adolfo Suarez is the most successful Prime Minister in Europe. No, I haven't fallen under the man's spell.
While other European leaders see their policies undermined by a lottering economy and working class upsurge, Suarez - with the help of the peculiarly obliging reformists parties of the working class - has seen his reform project carried out to perfection. No, It is a
It is no accident that the
Centre relying almost entirely on Suarez" preslige to carry them to electoral letory. The Centre Is a loose federation ol moderale capitals parties, formed by a group of Technocrsts and cureer politiciane with little popular base. Sunrez is
When be came to office les
ment. And i
government was almost unt
were the days "bunker" looked on
raga as a sort of reincarnatio
The political cynicism which ist Party
thorough reform of the system A secies of manoeuvres isolated first the Francoist diehards and then Fraga and the 'neo-Franco-
problem was how
eutralise the workers movemen hoard. an exercise which it carried out by a combination of severe
London IMG Battle of Ideas public meeting SPAIN AFTER THE ELECTION Speaker: Richard Carver [International Editor, Socialist Challenge] Tues. 5 July 7.30pm Phone 01-236 3081 for venue. free clections"
lections Jor the same rearon a
The Popular Unity Candidn-
in motion by the Com-
munisi Movement (MC), has a
ditterent modelled on the
Portuguese GDUPs, set up during
the election campaign of Chelo de
Carvalho, they operate in a decen
tralised way as part of a long-lerm
campaign for Popular Unity expinins
Theplatform on which is stand
shows that the echoes of Allende'
economic programme stands for
against the
national and foreign capirabes
The socialist transformation of
society" will come in the medium
OPPRESSED NATIONS
The oppressed nationalities wil
also have to waita while, since they
of the old natonorny statutes. And
who governs is 400 MILE
neatly resolved by saying that a
democratic Government' wil pre
sideover an authentic constituent
fully
Adolfo Suarez and
repression - the murder of fift
gover witsental reform. And the lynchpin of the project was the working class
The Socialist and Communis Parties needed no estatery to
dictatorshin and enter into direc negotiations with the Coser compromise it shed Sulay was char his repuration as astatesman.
The reformists could he relied upou to keep their distaste fo repression on a purely far left mulicants after the fascist killings in January the Connun
then proceeded to the Prime Minister' handling of the crisis. damp down the stmigele in th could be relied upon to oppressed nationalities — a tacti
vlach will rebound on them
hourgeois nationulis parties of Galicia, Catalonia anc the Hasque country sweep the
Most of all, they i could be relied upon to confine working
unity ou thar basis. jargon manages to obecure the
pentral need for free elections now
to an assembly wbich will have the
powertoredraw the constitution
PROGRAMME
In other words, what is needed 1s
a programme of struggle for the
overthrow of the dictatorsbip. "If
Jaime
Pastor, 'that is all the mane reason
to intensity the mobilisation of th
masses which is the best way or
ruggling agninse in
either can the question of 1
Government be left to the bland
Farries. ° de mass worrie 'the democratic
class part want mus soon
without Suarez or the Christian
Democrats or any of their other
The LCR was able to get agree anne wil the Organisa no ment on a joint electoral
the Communist Left (CIC) aDd
Communist Action (AC).
Front to
Workers Unity (FUT) spells ou
the need far introdiate
democratic conditions
10 SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 June 1977 ADOLFO SUAREZ class action to one off proteil marches, like tbe November Day of Struggle against the austent plan. If is worth remembering the struggle against the dictator shin has gone on unchecked, l be area where the Communis Party is weakest
Thete is no doubt that Suarez
vill gain a large part of the vo with certainty of a Centre major ity — simply becaase he is seen a the man who made the elections possible
It will be a sincere voce for democracy; and the responsibil ity for that massive illusion lie with the working class partie who have codorsed his demo
The basis for Surer" sucoess is •fragile one. It presupposes tha
serious condition of
anish economy ce overlight and that workers wil
Suarez may win the elections though it is a brave poodií who i prepared to bet on the result. It would be an even braver orie wbo hazarded a guess as to how long be would remain in power, which means a final break with the
advances attacks on workers' living stan dards by pinning wages to infla tion and sbaring existing work with no loss of pay. It stands for tull tithis for women and the oppressed nationalities and for 8 radical agrarian reform Unlikethe other far left states the struggle for socialism is not rele galed to 'the medium and long ferm". In indostry and finance al institutions must be nationaisec under workers control. The platform explains bow the struggle for isdependent 0E11358L5 and workers democracy has to b carried on in conjunction with the fight for democratic rights under the capitalist state
Lake the other far left slates the FUT is Deral, But unlike them it hasnot shawatbe wisdom' which might endear it to Le Monde It
decroral calpaign has been ban pered by this Jor example th name of the platform does sor appear on the ballor paper.
problem in view of the senous bundreds of candidates scanding.
The FUT action platform is printed. TO HIR latest Tasue of
INPRECOR. 30p plas from: 328/9 Lipper St London NI. Subsinotions: L7 pe 125 issueal, £3.75 for sir
Page 11 scan of this page
Open Letter from an Old
TO THE LEADERSHIPS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMU. NIST PARTIES, TO ALL EUROPEAN COMMUNISTS!
MYKOLA Rudenko, a promi Ukranian poet, Imaginative writer, philosopher and communist has beenarrested. For more than 7 years they persecuted him: e pelled him from the Party, from the Writers" Union, prevented him from publishing his works and thereby caming a living, condacted a long criminal investiga. tion, intimidated him, sent thug to attack his flat, carried out
scripts of his literary works. And
Ido not know what charges they will bring against him. As is usual in such cases, it will be some kind of faisification. With an eyeto the future, they planted 39 dollars during a search last December.
It is also not accidental that the method otrepression used against
Second World War invalid who was seriously injured in the spine and remained on his feet only thanks to a carfully worked out systemorphysicaltrainingand the carcof his wife.
What right have these people for whom the war was something they saw only in the cinema, for whom loyalty to their country worker had been shot dead by right-wing thugs.
did not detonale properly and only
comrades-in solidarity engineering factory in Reima.
Members of the CFT, a scab "union', 310 SAL, the paramilitary Gaullist organisation, OLOVE UD WOULDIBE HIDD wis and grew a number
wounding three workers, One of them, Pierre Maitre, got a bullet in the skull and later died in hospital.
denied that the killing was officially sanctioned by his organisa-
CaRDIng JE sible the dalmer cuts little ice when you
INTERNATIONAL
Bolshevik
*By imprisoning Rudenko they prevent him preparing his defence while they remain free to prepare new forgeries. PYOTR GRIGORENKO appeals for the defence of human rights activist Mykola Rudenko.
means only
human bie is nothing in com
only one noon - 1c, Prona cations and trickery — to slander
Evenifthere had been a basis for suspecting Rudenka of some crime, then he as a sick war invalid should remain free until his trial. would be inadminsable, chance to refute their fabricavent him preparing his defence while they remain free to prepare - that is the sole
What, in reality, has Rudenko done? Why have they been so ruthless with him and why do they wanthim sentenced?
First, because of his thooretical work, Economic Monologue. The soviet coccastop nas ло доровас to the author 's conclusions except imprisonment.
Second. because be Ukranian Helsinki monitoring group and a member of the Soviet branchol Aminesty International.
To have a sharp mind, to cham pion the freedom to receive and distribute information and to defend prisoners of conscience — these are the worst crimes in the USSK. For this they imprison,
FrenchFascists on the
March
BOMB AT
ROUGE,
WORKER
MURDERED
A bomb was sent to the offices of Rouge, the paper of the French section of the Fourth International, after a striking
The 20-kilo bomb, which was clearly designed to kill,
caused minimal damage to a machine after the comrade opening the package saw smoke coming out and threw it away. The attack was a grisly recognition of the part played by our
with the strike al the
It was formod in 1959 our of the hision 0r SCHO outser it insolved a number of ex azEs corators as well as tolupul linked to the far right in the W HE Despite protestation, this Jatest kiling is туріса) their strong arm TOCALIS A number of incidents in recent are directly attriburable to the CFT: dis • 21 May 1971: shots fired at far left militunts in a Citruem pinnt. •Sondember 19Th a CET com.
for
mation and to
In the USSR.'
they take lives, hypocritically covering up their reprisals by manulacturine "Criminal acts or the part of the accused.
Communists!
Tagerher with pragressive fores the throughout the world, you have
detended democing: m spain leadingsoa wide political amnesty for political prisoners including communists.
For a long time a struggle was waged for the liheration of Paraguayan Communist Party leaders, and the fascist Stroessner regime WAS COrLEO COTCICASCLICII rarodo of thirty men satacked
VMC tinglesfless.
11 December 1971: Commanist
Citren Coen plant. • 13 July 1972: astuck on dance METRICO D raatworker and colla- 8 March 1973: attempt to brea
Blanc's * 1 April 1976: two union mili-
tants
* 2 April 1976: attack on strikers and union delegates at the Leval
So there can he little doubt that the allack
history, i is quite likely that manurement was also molien-
'To have a sharp mind, to champion the freedom to receive and distribute infor-
defend conscience - these are the worst crimes
the Pinachel regime. wiser Pierre marre, mo wardered women
CGT MHERE COME Socialist EUROSET
which must
heaten
CAKENHALE DERAT Only the principally
was directly planned
with
fascisttype.
munism i prisoners of TERES
Rudenko,
Many people and organisations have defended democralle free- the LSSR. doms in Chile. As a result, a large numberof Chileans, including the Communist Party leader Luis
How is it possible, against such n background, thai Communists deserve to suller How Is u possible that there is a country, which calls itself socialist, governed by a Party which calls itself Communist, which chroughout its entire history has never carried out a single political amnesty? How is VIC workers heed the march in Reims demanding the dissolution of the soat CFT.
*All the major working
class
CFDT unions, affi- And it
Parties respectively have done little more than call a
According to then it is the state
implement its own LACEDTICS. concern was that the elections LOWT (io a year's time!) are allowed to
revolutionary left, the LCR (Preach to work Section of the Four LicE national) and Luite Quvrière, the workers. understood that groups like the CEl and SAC can only be desl
workers taking the
it possible that this Goverument conducts a constant strucele agiost thinking people, against citizens who openly suppon democraticrights?
At this moment, the Soviet TOME ENS SNEER THU NICE democratic attack. The arrests of
ander Ginsburg, who organised
ers, areevidence of this it is the duis at European Communists to stop this attack. IF they do not take up this task, me will bave nothing to reply to the anti-Communists who claim that the Communist Parties are only an apparatin for establishing and defending totalitarian regimes of a
1 do not want to believe this. 1, a Communist throughout my entire
inseparable from democracy. For this reason E call upon you to demand that the Soviet Government stop its poli lical terror, carried out in order to strengthen their own power, and harmful to the cause of com
Dear Comrades! Demand from the Sovietleadership:
THErEOSSHI against the movement for human
2. That it immedintely Alexander Ginsburg and Mykola
3. Tan i carry out 8 ceneral aminesty for political prisoners in
These are minimal democratic demands, which even the Francoiss regime in Spain has been able to meer in less than a year, If the Brezhnev leadership refuses to
he irrefutable proof that in relation lo denocracy it is no hetter than the Pinochet regime.
8 Febreary 1977 Pyotr Grigorenko delence of strikes and occupations into their owo hands; by democratic defence squads rather than relianoe on the police.
was only the far lett which called a national demon TRAME ID SUNCL WIEG VMC strike and ugainst the CFT.
But in Reims Hacit more than 20,000 workers, including repre
from all the major marched through the
The only answer from the CCT which is the singe amon a MU was to-tell the strikers to go back
an instruction which was overwacimingly relected by
RICHARD CARVER
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 June 1877 11
IN BRIEF
TALY: A moderate atortion bal act wilt 2 mut prising defeat in the senate last week. It was orty the opposi
the absence of many other which led to that result. The HELL-YE OSTLIES principally the Communist Party, are en gaged in talks to arrive at WITCHICAL ACCIEn WIT the ruling Christian Democ
Christian Democrats
GHANA: Students Trom three
lave taken to the sincels in demonstrations over living standards. They one calling for Lhe displacemen of the Acheampong regime and tbe rejection of the Union Governient' proposal which is aimed at maintaining the rule of the neo-colonial ruling class
failed economic policies. The demon SENIOTS WET ONLOTATE NEE the srudents were cheered and Joined by the general publis
малу тобетя лянс весл оеасen up and many seriously injured, while others are lac
cale that medical treaiment has been ohscructed by the military
sities and secondary schools have been closed down. SAHARA: The Front, the Saharan liberatio TOLSTER organisation. the af the Bou-Craa phosphate mines. The Spanish technicians in the mines have heen forced to flee POLAND: Jan Josef Lipski, member of the Workers De fence Commiccee, has been re-
The
person of the official Writer
Union bad made representatio
prosecutor-general on Lipski's behalf
SPAIN: Mariano Sanchez Covisa, the leader of the Guer
illas of Christ the the Suaret
the Government. He had been ar-
ested afler the discovery o
THESE ECH TO DIC DEMadrid apartients
LEBANON: Isrnel has been responsible for heavy shelling of Palestinian camps in the SOLELT! -Lebanon widespread damnage and casual ties. part of a general side of the border. Palestinian sources reckon that this is in orcoatarion for a major Dilen sive
ZAIRE: A lavour returned President Mobutu Sese Seko
men lo reclaims their Make in
industries nationalised durin
'Zaiceanisation' phase o his economic policy.
ZIMBABWE: Liberation fight ers last week blew up the main railway Linc between
Rhodesian Covernment repre sentatives tried to make light of
no casualties were inflicied. In fact its importance lies in the
previcusly penetrated that tar into the country's central min
QUEREC: Ir's nice to know who your friends are. A groor o: 300 French speaking buse nessenen have attacked the Quebe: Government's Imodci ale) French language bill on the grounds that it would give free and they think it might have bad effect on the coun
Page 12 scan of this page
ENTEBBE PART2
prisoners
loomed on the skyline. #wasinelargest demonstranon
appearance of the
ulian apposition since 1968. The Geisel dictatorship has no
Ing this show of
Erre s arauan paper descub
estrations on 19. May ice 1968', The Edecation mounced that he would orderly of the al institutions of this school dosed it down on lon that foreign eleнолюв впо трес Wa Edilo Shirland Roe
1-588 1 161. irk Road, London Ne. Tel:
ASIAN Sociallat Lengue. Public Moet
La include Teria All and loca Suecay, cro
OLISH WORKERS Defence Cam London N22.
INTERNATIONAL
strate against military dietatorship.
Free Brazilian
Belo-Horizonte - beautiful horizon. But not so beautiful for the thousands of students who demonstrated in BeloHorizonte, Brazil on 4 June, as the armed rot police
On 28 April police swoeped and arrested eight worker and student mintames for weal leaucas ? no minor offence in a country like Bradl. rambilla, Marcia Bassete Pa Jose Maria de Almeida, Ademir
Julio Gravion.
In a country where "disappear
lives of comrades are in danger- They mast be freed.
TOURO ECORACH Send tel
What'sLeft
E a e era ron Rio canone
Distribution Cooparalive.
SOCIALIST
This is part of a follow-up series after HANDALE DEFENCE Commi
LIST STACHE LOTO AO Special for the Oper
Discuss cuts by the Inner Londo
dure 30pm, Westers Fiade Schoel,
and the Mustard Gang disco. This Is
conserts planned sor Jungand July.
The Isame at stake is the right to strike, not just for studenis but for the workers' movensont as a
Senghor has liberalise and democracy view which was not shared by Dervire students when be toops in battle-dress to occupy the campus.
116 sudents from the social studies Tacully bave been locked
642 from the science faculty, of whom eight have been imprisonSCORES of Bengali socialists demonstrared Bangladesh military 22 Prime Minister's allend the Tacy were workeis coonging 1 the British branch of the JSD (atiyo Samajtancrik Socialier Narianal Partsi which has been brurally suppressed.
Oue of ins lendestrugete ran ol.
The picture that tella it all, Smail wonder that the South Moluscan
Senegal:
fighting for the
right to strike
For three months students at the University of Dakar, the capital of Senegal, have been on strike. What began as a dispute over a 15 year 'state contract" Imposed on science students has grown into astruggle involving the rest of the university and all the high schools in the city.
students"
La reputation for widest possible sent armed
schools of Dakar.
Era e correponden
Bangladesh
Premier jeered
Taher, was against dictator, Commonwcalth Conference upported by
inte be regime.
Street, London Ni)
Dutch siege 'rescue'
Nune". scap relations.
with leaders refused
support offered them by bun
Revolotionaries in the univer
sity arqued for the need to build
support for tbe struggie, since it Involved the night to strike for more than just
university students. It was agreed
to allow the school sodents to
Support has grown rapidly in the
hms been
executed
prison and there date in prisomers. Rebinan's regime 1
Uaf democratic Macist currents and the JSD is the major socialist force appos- withdrawal
Baluchistan
Fartber detalls from JSD t/o
oclulist Challence, 323 Eppe
No doubt some bright spark Is already hall way through a best-selling book on the subject. Charles Bronson has probably been signed up for the film version, which you can expectat your local cineme within the next month. The Dutch train selge rescue ranks with another victory for Wester chilisation.
Asal Entebbe the troops went in with their usuad respect for human We son aul the subieis of a siedne hummer. Of course the hostages wese perfectly safe, we are told, They were protected by a wall of
The press has shed no tears for the six South Moluccans killed though they are very concerned
even thouch obe bostage made it clear that she never thought they would kill her and the four teachers in the nearhy school turned down a chance to
ellese whichere story you -choose, but bearin mind thul Siarfighters, mortars, machise-guns and walle of fire' are mot very dis
The "rescues" have confirmed two things about the defenders of
been apparent. Firstly that the much-vnunted concern for the
subordinate to carrying out a smooth military operation -Doson is their alest weacon -and maintaining good public
Secondly that the aurborities and press will use every such incident to strengthen their power to deal
"subversives" Even the
managed a not too subtle com
bination of the South Molucca story and a "special" report on how terrorista are able to make atom
Leaving aside the fact that Guardian 'apeciais" are generally
Leaflet for the lart slate in recent Pakistant elections. Usman Balach,
now imprisoned, is plefured right.
Repression
in Pakistan
As Prime Minister Bhulto moves lowards a negotiated settlement with the opposition, the mass disconient appears to be subsiding. However a number of militant trade-unionists, who oppose both Bhutio and the rightwing opposition parties, are uniikely to be released.
Uuman Balech, & lender of the
Imprisoned several times under Emergency regulations over the inst eight yeurs is in
Baloch campaigned as a candi-
1977. provincial assembly elections on a platterm
and transitional
of troops from testeration of all
of wages and the right of recall of all elected representativos.
The impact of the campaigo
12 SOCIALISTCHALLENGE 16 June 1971
Entebbe as
as special as the common cold, the political intention is obvious the strong arin lactes are rustico because next time they might blow uphalfof Holland.
It really isquite astounding when you think that most of the world's real terrorists have their fingers on thall aa A-bomb. When The Guardian names Harry Tru
and Nagasaki, for what be was, we may be inclined to take their
But even more ominous is the way the Common Market
the opportunity to strengthen their co-operation against "terrorism".
the use of the Specinl Air Service in the Netherlands
A conference of EEC Interior Ministers a fortnight ago, chaired by "anti-terrorist" expert Merlyn
initiatives on security, including the compiling ofinternational lists ol subversive groups'.
That is not just designed for the South Meluccans and the IRA: in Hritain the Special Hranch has political files on tens of thousands
Ligue Communiste was benned in 1973 ir was ana 'subversive organisation; the Spanish far left remains in
Cernamy, the bulwark of the *free world', "subversives' are banned from one fifth of all jobs available
No wonder that Mertyn Rees told the oress he thoweh the Inclusion of the word was rather LACTELOS
TUNGOJ2S
was felt in Baloch's stronghold:
of JES ESLER SUCULES Karachi. On May Day, Baloch and his comrades organised a working cis com a do of the military authorities. Immediately after the raily Baloch and several other lenders of the United Workers Federation were Martial Las Court to six months arrested and senleniced hard labour.
It is obvious thar Bhutto's deal with the opposition will nor help them,
MOHD AKHTAR
Page 13 scan of this page
SURPLUS VALUE
IT WAS IMPERIAL domination that provided the Crown with its brightest jewel in both the figurative and literal senses of the word. India provided the material basis for enveloping the working class in bourgeois mythology. It also provided the Koh-i-noor, the largest uncut jewel in the world, which to this day is mounted in the ceremonial crown.
Such remarkahle external success had deep internal repercussions. It served to fixtheold, transitional polity of England into an unbreskable shel. What could mossibly ne wrong with a society which bad won these triumphs? The newer bourgecisie of an industrial century was won over, first to tolerancethen to love of the bastard-state. All the marks of crypto-feudalism were rhapsodized into supremse virtues. That generally backward-looking, shambolic character in flicted upon it by historical isolation turmed Into a manifestation of racial wisdom: the Bntwn galt tor poacca nic non-moscar change
Basking in its "golden age" of colonial depredation, the new Anglo-Scottish bourgeoivie felt no barticular need to reform and modernize its state system. The ramshackle machiony was simpes paunea pand expanded where necessary. Dynasty and all. Political sloth was justified as '"laissez-faire": ideological somnolence was under-written hy the new, romantic myth of origins — a sickly travesty from which the Revolution drained away altogether, and where Charles I became atragichero. Atthecore of thirsystem, all the vital Teamares Dr Ene tomocaluny Conpe remained intact (asthey dotoday): hierarch deference, a civil-based elitism, gentlemanly secrecy in government, 'amateur" adminz tration, and so on.
BICYCLING KINGS
This is the context that explains the new role of the monarchy in modern Great Britain -ог, в и more ancuy ватас so ss, ea Britain which has refused ta become "modern" for so long that it is now incapable of the jump without a revolution. From mid-Victorian times onward, as the West minser polity slumped into ever inore convinced inertia and self-satisfaction, OVONSTC GNUTS UCR MOOTNCT IOT significant, Under the Empire, socio-political conservatisns was registering a success without precedent. Kingship became the mighty expression of this tendency tendency which, of course, could not help being really popular in nature, and basically affecting the development of Britain's WTKUE CIZSS MOYEICTES
ITE ATM ORa OO DO aE WBAC IE the social sky (as fairy-tale accounts pretend). They are surrounded by 1 necrophiliac state-order groaning with beautified relics, TEST YO TE HS TEN and mystic precedents Reconstruction of this tomb was a first priority of the post-1945 Labour Government. The Crown rests, as it has done since the Revolution, upon a narrow but determin. CLS CLEBEVOIU O LOC SHELL BECHHE ment of that mass passivity linked to empire. It is the whole pre-modern begembony which supplies the climate of British Royalty. Without the former, the latter would at once lose the peculiar ideal power and populanty if still споут.
Thisis whyit is quite misleading to compare the Windsors to other surviving forms of monarchy. Ir istrue that some modern states (like Denmark or Sweden) have retained a
ceremonial dynasty in preferenoe to an clec-
ted president, But this is the obverse of what
happened in the United Kingdom. Here an archaic state-order has employed - Onc might say over-employed — the symbolism ol monarchy to avoid modernisation. The Windsors are not really bicycling kings and queens, egalitarian monarchs. They are the tools of an inaccurate social conservatism which has successfully emasculated both cpalitarianison and political democracy.
PYRAMID OF LACKEYS
As British imperialism shrank and the regime wobbled on the long downward caurse, the Crown sweled in importance
Each new retreat was accompanied by louder Royal salvoes, more obsequions slaverings from the high bourgeais Establishment and tore hysterical flag-waving down helow. In general, a Crowned Head is supposed to fancrion ar a palpable image of continuity
and reassurance; bere, it acts as a powertel guarantee of sifling over-continuity and
Empire-style complacency.
It would he a much happier situation if
Queen Elizabcih were functioning as an
opiate co forestall the comuna socialis: rerolbon. toe teuto is mans ocgree 300
dismal. She and ler pyramnid of lackeys
constiture a dead-weight repressing — so 10
government.....)
speak — the revolution before last in Britain. Their ideological force is built upon a nou ancient loss of radical nerve by the bourgooisic itself capitulation of last century, most strikingly expressed for us by the virtual disappearance of middle class republicanism in Victoria's reign. The 'magic" of our monarchs is the sweet odour of docay arising frem this mountainous dunghill of unfinished bourgeois business.
The particular, exaggerated popularity Royalty enjoys is the voie of a siall-active social conservatison. It is one manifestation praceuon winen turncu ts pock do toe pain
"The British monarchs do not stand alone in the social sky [as fairy-tale accounts pretend]. They are surrounded by a necrophiliac state-order groaning with beatified relics, rusty talismans and mystic precedents. Reconstruction of this tomb was a
priority of
TOM NAIRN concludes his article on
The House of Windsor
- upon tbe itner
the post-1945 Labour of progress generations ago, then grew unable to do anything eise. Now, tach new hatf-heared and knock-kneed failure to "put Britain on its feet again" is followed hy a relapec loto Tolkein like reveries of compensation. The Dynasty is esential for this. Thus, the Labour Party launched its last white-hot painless revolution in 1964-67; a decade afterwards il i presiding over che Silver Jubilee and quice openly praying far North Sea oil to make the Golden event of 2002 possible. Oil will keep the invalid carcinec going as the empire ance did. Al the end Sir David Omen's Govermment will stage a aist cemirspecacmar maclak toe
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 18 June 1877 13
present circus look like a village fite It ir odious, but not surprining. that so much of the working class in four countries remaits enthralled by this geriatrie symbolium. The social conservatism in question is not a confidence-trick practised on them by th guvernors (allhouch of course there an dements of this in the stage-management of the Royals). It is a deeply-embedded can of mind, and one not yet shattered by man experience. Imperialistn bas left behind a detritus far bigger than superficial judgs ments on the left admit, and several generations have squerzed this substanceinto compacted, resistant form. It is transmitted in a thousand ways chrough the capillary vessels of popular culture, as well as whipped up by Ministers and press barons.
For this reason counter hysteria against the Queen has small effecs. Denuociations of what she coses, or how many actes she owns. are a futile side-track. This is not in any way a counsci of despair. Igoes wirboucsayingthai an uncompromising republicanism WEl remain central to allthe non-Labouris forms of socialism in Brilain. However, there is little value in abusing the Monarch hersell, in IOSUNI HUIN HIC ACHIEOEL SACITASU where sheisenthroned. Whentbiseditice/sat last shaken down it will bury her dynasty in TIES TUIES
NEW STATESMAN GIBBERISH
Prospects for such a consummaticn loc
etter than for many years, At last, ti bourgeoisie itself has came lo despair of the anachronistic stare which once served it se well. There is a steadiy mounting ride of criticisin of the formerly sacrosanct Constr tution and party-politicalsysrem (even from arch-Tory figures like Lord Hailsbam). Nes asaults are being prepared on the central hasrion of Whitehall's Old Corruption, the "Administrative Class" of cbe bureaucracy Nol even the atmosphere of general reaction me are now enduring has prevenled this disimtegration. The capitalist class longer really believes that it is simply "economic policy which is wrong, or tha this or the nest caucus in Downing Street will finally 'get it right". It has begun to grasp tha economic fiasco is inseparable from nature of this pre-modern hegemonic ander. Slowly, still fitfully — because of the clast with its acumulared instincts of rule — anl acuter section of the elite is manceuvring towardsa sharper break wili tradition. It still bavls "God Save the Queen' one moment, quavering at the thought of the nest Honours List: but the very next it reads in ils house-magazine, The Economist, that "Britnin's constitutional system, consecrated by its monarch, is both its chief blessing and its greatest impediment to change By preserving, as well as she does, the ides of continuity in the Life of her country, the Queen has unwittingly heiped to protec those who have used what constitutionally exists to obstruct change..." (Jube 4 1977, 'A Meaning to Jubilee').
Of course, The Economisr does not follow its own logic and advise removal of tlb impediment to change. Like the New Stales man (in whose "Anti-Jubilee" issue the main article is a resounding defence of the monarcby) it bolds fast to the founding hypocrisy of our state. Alter Che usual stageering cable of hopeless infirmities and structural failures wbich obstruct change" in Her Majesty's realm, the editorialist blandi concludes that fucore Prime Ministers must, simply must, do hetter. The Monarch berself should employ the Queenly offices in that direction. Premiers should be encouraged, by her in private and by orhers in public, to use the cloak of dignity thar royalty can put upon change to stop Britain's constitutional democracy being so inefficiently undemo cratic.. Aller all, since she is an obatacle to any effective change whatever, it does follow that she provides 'one large assurance. apainst change gecting our of hand',
LOSS OF MARBLES
Even by the standards of Jubilee Week, this is awe-inspiring drivel. Unable to raise much public protest against the orgy, socialists can take some comfor from the fact that the ruling class is losing its marbles. As one stone after another falls on its head off the crumbling old pagoda, the ancient Windsor Weldawschaung gives way too. The Observer and the BBC will go on stufting royalist polyfitla into the cracks as Jong as they can. But the Coundations themselves are collapsing under the added stresses of world recessios and the nationalist withdrawals in Scotland and Wales, Rather than squirming oer the Jubilec, socialists ought to plan - l hoge with at least a mensure of optimiam -for the day when the rulers admit that the old huilding is abinhab table, and conse out of ir fighting
Page 14 scan of this page
COMMENT
abbreviated for reasons of space.
SWP:
AS AN INDEPENDENT sociailat, critical of the SWP and, to a
margence In the recent perioc of a
com something to
alcomed. Given your careful ERAS ormulaton 0i your disagree-
harah treatment
in Uister too, Strauther l
helpful. The 1S capiti
Among
As for the tigh
which soon this Semand an a threat to the mill-
What, on all these counts. le THE NEW INTERNATIONAL Marxist Group's pamphlet Revolutionary Socialiam why and
says that the COLICI
Do problem even i the revo BUTON CO MOE SHIRD UNALY C
advanced countries (p 15-16).
Is an economically
leveloped country with a well
CARS: WE STAM TOUR ONE in Russia, China and Cuba led 1o
and
rights, education, health, public 121500180001
does not mention the violence of
dislocation of production and SOT0B3 0Y
tho death of rawolutiona ries in clashes with the capitalist panga: the export of capital and renous omeo economic 8800-
lately or ine Russian and other bureaucracies for ald and
hen of a brat tortionary
DOCESS Inted aloy by some kind of working class wompare this with the Social-
Workers Party: Why You Should be a Sociallel by Paul
There will be plenty of
LETTERS
Letters to Socialist Challenge [maximum 400 words] should be sent to 'Comment', Socialist Challenge, 328/9 Upper Street, London N1. Letter marked • at the beginning have been
get the factsright
the underpinning of Struther's
periallem for different reasons.
are the Fourt
as the mainstream of the revolu IS/SWP. Bocause of in syndi calism sloppiness
regroupment.
the struggle for revolutionary S. MAX (Birmingham]
HILE I do not want to p MOTOCO IN BA RICIANCH ON HI marita of the Socialist Workers let Strauther's opening remarka in
Not depart from Trotsiyism most of the people Involved wore expelled organisation in 1950, 80 their pureaucranically trom ine naaly
The organision real no
poiltical
Violence in the
revolution
democracy' (p. 46), but nothin about all the other probiems tha it would face And ...on great decisive class ainst violance is for the workere torangin than they hang mong than class and be prepared to use l
1926 or to the rise of fasciam in Spain or Germany, and as if a
stronp enoughi Revolutionary socialists, unlike the Communist Party, soo
OUT NOW! A pamphlet which pinpoints the nature of the crisis, the bankrupicy of the capitalist system which produced it. and puts forward a revo lutionary socialist programme for action.
This pamphlet will be the basis for an open debate on the way forward in the first eight issues ot Challence. Price 250 olus 10g p&p. Five or more copies post free Icash with order orders to Relgocrest.
Upper Street, London N1.
asking to be recognised sympathelic group of the Fourth
Moreover, It passed a resolu-
not infer in any way that such
Intemationa Trotskyism.
Secondly, I feel it is scanda
we undoic so wronge old are До нУСесь Ки вий запАнг
Amin:
CHRIS O'BRIEN 1a as tar as ne
(Socialist Challenge 9 June). He nowaver, being a little simp stie when he saya that the organ|sational
Mac win one that revolutions Involve violence ain and hardship
Future aditions of the IMG an
about the likelihood of civil war
employing
some of the problems that will course of the emembering that the latter doe of and on the day the working
ATLAUN THEAST borough].
REVOLUTIONARY
exposes ING Secialist
328•9
85 a
port for imperialiam specitically One should realise
wang departing from
Elect
of supTRIATR
Informed
KEN TARBUCK (Hove].
anexcuse
for racism
comect li 00382
the Amin artal
Against Amin.
in the pages of the press serves a number oi campaign armed the role of the
TOOD CUrRO #beration struggle!
revolution
Chris O'Brien correct to point
[Middles-
hering of Soweto
SOCIALISM
Dictators from India
able. Of
of these regimes,
OTHES
Joke!
Most of the founding mambors
and would mot have been associated in any manner with sup-
the
had left it. One should not pro-
backwarde the political new organisation, mass ly one or two people, the original
On 1 CONTICA debate, at least int it be correctiy
carried out
opposition which has dastabilSORO AROMA IR TIH RO eason that British Imperiallar has launched its offensive a
in tact, ine campsign conque led in the most bistant fashion press. The desire of imperinar
ster they created is an Important consideration. - But thare are
Firatly, the anti-Amin cam salon fis nesty into the car han been sting up. Seopaly. been sign also eviden a
provides useful ideological weapon in the
struggle in southern Africa. The
neral message in thie respect
clear: Look at what happens when these blacks run thair own
cisms of his regime to attackn on the liberation tighters by his
comagogy
4 programme PM Raporta hes
report on the
There is a further point which
missed. He wat out that the bourgeols press concems Itselt
What ls worse la their *pocrnical double standard remained silent about the but-
Remain silen about the SEE PNEH HIDE barbarous regime of the Shah of Iran and do not demand ho be
are we her she support the
Pakis
an, Sri Lanka, Brazi, Thailand
the FAHRAn anan't told about the barbarities
whereas they are told about Uganda. The
ratic in attacking Amin. What a mously
JAMES O'BRIEN 'Manchasiar'
GREETINGS
Marxist
Worker
Group
welcomes the regroupment ini tiative begun by the IMG and the attempt to bring about an open нані шотна сопоа аБоати
tlonaries in the present period. The publishing of Sociallet Chaipages to other groups on the tar lett is a postiive and usatuf stap
forces of revolulionary
good to see that the sectarian that have dogged the left for so
• If only partially. We must not assume. because this is happening the
the corner, or unar inere win coa
breakthrough for the
ces of Trotskylsn
There Is no magic formula to easy succese. Marxiam is Itsell TISHHOE HAH CHINIS revolutionary movement is lack
in experianon
development, has been incapable so lar 0l
munial cares, revalutioriary
your whis
party is simply abeuro
These problems are still very
themse was. Thorough education
theory and of practice, is essen.
sation lo undertake. the practice of collective discl
particula course of acbon ons to tied that. Apacity toug education is the required level orate road to a mass reali tina ted out. The Monit five could be a beginning bul
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE
Socialists do Just that. Joln
and challenge the
capitallet society which ex-
DICH HOL SONNY, DI
and destroys in order to main.
motive for continuation
regardless of the suffering Il
Sectarian attitudas can only change,
Individual acting in this way.
Change can only come through
combined struggle I har
Gay Left
Collective
DEAR SOCIALIST CHALLENGE We enclose a cheque for E5 for your fund drive, as en Indication D OUT KUDDOIL FOR TOUR LOW TOR ture in socialist journalism
are In broad agreemen the capitalist crisis demenda a uni
DOCILHIST IN YOU CHIOG IN 10. regroupment of the revolutionary
left and to the formation of •
party trimly rooted l the working class
Coventry WACC
DEAR COMRADES
At our last meeting we unani-
agreed o lailat Challange in Its attempt te
DOCTOrS OF CORE SID
14 SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 16 June 1871
there will be many more steps
na any more sonara follow it.
We must guard against the
sense of over-optimism which is -Hkaty to coma wiin any new be
TENDINE
not Win us •realty especially the really which is
closest to us the state of our
09138101016)
limilations and weaknessas.
There is no point in kidding ourselves hère: we must look at things in a cold and critical light. Учнет s09 8900 nientons
are not enough to deleat the
bourgeoisie. For this we need
party based araund women and men who are educaled and disci
before them. We are still a long
way Trom even laying the foun
dations of such a parly
Sociallat Challenge could be a
set too high, producing a sense of avarcontidence and ending up by demoralising Its own
breakthrough which in view of a ANDIA unlikely to take place
The Marxist Worker Group wil
Interes tegun by r
toslows the tom
Diner path rather than the latter. In this sense we
develt pment tionary organisation which take:
and elficient which self-critical and democralic and which can begin to command ing class people of this country some respect wark
Jail Outfiel
or Mandel Worker Grout
I was bom In 1919 and have
capitalism. But I know these
those searching for a classless soclely tug at all our chains together.
Doubters need only real Karl
to see how lo move to and then through socialism into a mal communist society fren I tram
aocording ability and taking only our ALF FLEMING [Manchester)
We ees as an important sieTHAN BIES IS STELOCH HOH sexiam, and the opening up of include feminiem and pay to re
nalude feminise
tion. We therefore welcome you
врос-
trum of opinion refloclad In th
paper and look forwand to part desting." ongoing
In solidarity, Gay Left Collective hope to write In the paper al a SEBT 0810, 4000 148
WOMEN'S ABORTION AND CONTRACEPTION CAMPAIGN
Page 15 scan of this page
When private vices become a public
of Katherina rotten underbelly
virtue
episodes in Hungarian revolutionary struggle.
Even though more recendy Jancso hes been making films ia the West on other subjects, you migAL: WORECWNEM OE
at the Prince Charles
pened a few years ago, quickly passed from showing prestige art productions (like Peter Breok's King Lear) to a blockbusler run of that prestige pornographic The answer can apparently be
und on the advertising placan
side the cinema: " voyeur's eyeful" (aily Telegraph); "Eroti-
trecht called piece sone af the poes criticism*: "A tilm modern which is to
imography what caviare is t0 a ake-away hamhurger' (Austro
Jon't be put off. The film is 1
eply political one. lt appear
rotle (hut definitely not porn graphic) because it uses liberarian means to make a critique af bttam pole. Bar incea that Jancec has made own, the critics are either too stupid to see, or else casily able to discuise, its political impact.
Nis mih es ch cosil thr ha le
this film which could not
cen dode any other way.
Over the opening pre-titie se euePoe a voice PiNanis that no one really knows whor happened or Maverling, when the Austrian rowg, pringe apparentty com Whar was the buckground? Ser wal scandal? Oppotition to the Emberor? Such ewwit the wwe contimues, are the siuff from
COMMENT
IT IS EXCELLENT that the Tirst
Asue oi Socialis! Chesionno Co
voted a whole page to aultural
coverage. I hope thai the paper
will continue in that vain.
But 1 hope that the
The Lost Honour of Kalherina
blum by ban uaroner brg dene
Clarke is an experience that will
not be rapeated in a hurry. I don'l lices.
wish to comment on tha
morils of the wim
think if was considorabiy better
e allowed to pas:
-lma like this discrecit 1h
Icm Invaly nay Clarke lelf us, 'it is the worat film Gardner
with radical prolersnrls
rather sweeping
statement for
nathared to look af, tor axample
the Stalinist school of filmo-
And then we are toid that the
directors should never be aliow-
really mean that or is if just a state means тогаріс порапові wo moy
If it is the former perhaps the
comrades would be better
eriting for Prawda. They will tind
8 101 Dr пко-minde Malaise
critics tharn.
Contrary to what your review-
ars seem to think i1 is no joke
TaIK BoGU CErsSHD ecos
GUrMHNM. TARS SHTE IAE 0E
toia of the film, bilaslully un veae tathn opte le o the
West German
spiracy. I don't know how much
UNDER REVIEW
Private Vices, Public Virtues Is directed by the
Hungarian Miklos Jansco - a major figure In world
cinema, the director of a series of coolly allegorical anti-Stalinist epics mostly concemed with historical
which legends are made, legends which furn private vicer into public virtues
loaded spectacular,
Hoe u e om tie pit.
title sequence 1o expect something quite differens bere.
NAKED PRINCE
see the prancing naked through the gar drace e woman, not his wile. dens, as a band plays, as he the and as his old childhood nurse ks him off, what emerges 1 image df lht il00 a0d carourage as a group of sexua: libertarians united in hatred of the Emperor's autocratic rule.
Ae tne ponce taler capeun secause of the Emperor's dog mas and the stale proverbs he has for everything CTA ET1 religion every das they de physical and spiritual exerciics to
midst of its deliberately idealined and cinematically utterly beaatlful display of erotic foilase, concerns tne planaing and exccucon of a major scandal by the prince and his entourage invalving orher members of the
conspiracy an a comviction ihe autocracy you can asly ase the imosr erorssive megr And, moreoner, thar tercens is
In defence
- precioue Iittle if the reviow is anyth ina to po by. comrades have never heard of the Berutavarbot:
TH BOB D5 aO0I0H2 1E0HE review of SATR AMDO ment CEnuOk HIey don Y know aboul the collaboraLion of the trade union bureaucracies in repressive state pracDid thay hoar Chancellor HA SCAmOLE TaHANSUH srylns he tegin he fae certain of their remarks cannot Mainhof defendants and thair DUE
lewyars?
They certainly seem 1o ba ig Cor ine xenL Oro armed activily by the State and the perlidious role of the Springe HIHI The and of the ardad Teate rurnHau,
funeral Stata a massive polifical display by the right wing.
No, It is not the grestest [ilm ever made but ihe tact that it ed near a camers again'. What begins to pinpaint these very
real aapecta of the West German more sericus attention.
When protestors occupied the off West GErINAA WITTINSEY Swedan in solidarity with victims of state repression, ann af demands жав Katherine Blum be networked on ta Swedien television, one shares your reviowers' opinion that the film represente "no status que'.
Swedish authoritles refused to SADT IE
they know about West Germany SARAH HART [South London]
good for the healih" (es one of the characters deciares J.
The circus of truth is among us', says another, troop arrives to entertain gathering nobility. And in spice of elemsents in the film wirich some viewers will find distasteful LR uCh HOHLEuuUu ble, the question which it is bri
Hantly designed to evoke in us invoking the invous spitit of May 1968, is simpls: What realt counts as the cireus of truth?'
PRESTIGE PIECE
emotely raised by another p showing Tules, by the Polish directo Socinlist writers bare often tarmed their hand to describing the herrifie conditions of the masses usder capitalism — Eugels "CondiBons of the English Working Class' is a formative work in his genre. Journegman have DOW republished The Beader such 'clussic' of socialist literature, Jack The People of the Abyss, und ir would appear that little had changed for the mass of liritain's poor, in the 60 years which separate Engel's work from London's day-TOSECULET Adrifi in London in 1902, the
author immersed himself in the cesspit which was tbe East End TwBHC malntalning a sale, coa fortable "base' from which to aragely tragic indictment of life TRE ILST- From there be produced under capitalismo ar the turn of the century - a world of thausands of wandering poor, doss houses, death. inon empioymcn
It is brilliant, unrestrained wrilNOL EVERY ing, which the left has produced only accasionally, But despite its brilliane descriptions and sympathelic standpoint, seaknesses lend to obtrude.
Firsdy, unlike Engels, London has not even the beginnings of a hawaiest ndarsandinu of th
The desth scene from Private Vices, Publie Virtuas
as'a cireus
voveuristic and sexist way.
to. link imagery of
gabserviense
whatsoever. sreuman
wide of the mark.
For example,
squalor he describes. another
London's
of the empire!
Hast Fod like a toda ngulf and
Edwardian cra.
Moss
YICA of the poor, tionary TICHCE LELAL disease and
tial impotence
London's their impoverishment.
working, France. Here you should not be fooled bu terorts that the him ertertaining. texplores the nadure of feminine talooe. It does so in a totalty
TPATTPILA Ironically it could have been a good nim suce u does mansee
LanSiISI SSIld NOLNGI devotionul subser vienpe to the sexual and social
OL WOITEIU ALINEIH trouble is char it delights in par traving this subservience insiend Or Crncing 1e 30 any (wa)
The diffiraity in that films like
dureenus 1o th
mare movier which ao one any
Dwelling in the
grocesses ar work (see Gareth
Jones' excelleot book CU LOSLORO TOE E DOSE ment of these). What theorerica) atabe London does have at thia qUeson Icoe toue порсену
The maimtained TANE CUE CO UL HASC CHHER tion of the "filtest" away from the
nationa dock was bound to be wenkened, with the resull thar
productivity would decline. A novel if rather bizarre interpretation of the eod
prescribed to the contemporary fear that one day the poar would swoep our of the
devour TICEE areas of Londoo. This did much to fiel the inadequate and pater nalistie retorti programmes of the ruling-class in the later years
19th century and in the
disturbing is London's mass of Enst Enc WIH aL C00S I5C in its implications. He with disgust; more of a tear of the masses
socialise anger ar their plight. For London their conditions seem to stetn more from theit own essea
than the system which created
A grea book then. deservins
our attention for its evocation o
despair Le ratling uDwcrocs or Bous
But a book marted by
longer helieves in, atshough nhey can still often de esormonstr
REEEUNCE BSTHEUYAUprapfy is tactile. Uf you're it man it cun give you e hend-on even
COnSCIONS HTM ond i know thar it aiso atars some somen on as well whie true Proreum m the Diner MOng makes yow think feelingly alwavs a posilive process. raphy Borosczyk-atyle iS Eve more dangerous still, because it is given a vençer of respectability by its artisitic surface. Whar kind of conscious revolutionary strategy li needed against this, Dow or Tater on, in, we must admit, still a completely unanswered question,
MICHAFECHANAN
The abyss of East London:
world
houses, death, disease....
London's oun. confused policies, which eventually Led mim swas trom socialism ioto a Jingoistic and alcohol-sodden CARI GARDNEK
Thirty
of the
best
brass
bands
The hill lewding sp to Dobcross is steep and long. Bul, when you stand at the top on a Whit Friday you cnn see u remurkable sight.
of Britsin's best bres hadas are surging up the hil moving slowly towarda you la a massef colour and power. The colburs are indistinet at first roerged by the summer's base instruments glinting in the sun. The bands strain STK TUHE apainst chehill, playing as they go. Like some oo sceamo cogin adjusting thespeed of themnanch to the steepoess of the hill.
It'scalled the Saddleworth Band Festival — you won't see any of al in the media but le's atrended by tens of thousands of people. Each band plays in cach of the sever villages around Saddleworth. The names of the bands themselves are lyrical — Brigbouse and Kastrick Fairey Engineering, Enst Lanc Paper Mills, and the marvellousty MELICE MAmmORO S NEC Dam
At Delpb, anocher village, eact band comes marching in down the hill. the ibusic burssine nhead ol them, It's an awe-inspiriog sight. "Why don't we have them at So what's this got lo do with Sanal mar lis up teil, realy socialism? straining to make il lo the top sives you a grand feeling of th power of the working class, and ol working class cullure, proud and
and brass neglecied part of iL, Ir's probabl the only music in Britain thar s ot the people, by the people, and for the peopie.
Soif you waut te give brass band music n try, there's the miner'
In September TEHOULI there's the British championships at Belle Vie Manchester, and Dex! Whit Friday che Saddleworth Band Festival a great working class festival, a great day out and the bars are opemrall day long See you there.
PETER BURTON
of wandering, poor, doss-
"The People of the Abysr", bi
Jack London, is published by
Jourmeyman ar EI.20
Page 16 scan of this page
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