Socialist Challenge No. 258, 28 August 1982

Socialist Challenge · 28 August 1982 · 12 pages, 14,959 words read by machine

The scan: sc-no258.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.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Page 1 scan of this page

Challenge THE WAR IS

ISRAEL OUT OF LEBANON!

No. 258 28 August 1982 25p Unemployed and strikers 10p

Socialist

NOT OVER

The war is not over in Lebanon...

Its cities bombed, its children maimea and killea, Is nospitals destroyed, Lebanon is still an oc. cupied country. will remorselessly pursue its aim of destroying the PLO in Lebanon and creating a pliant Phalangist neighbour to its north.

Pushing north to Jebayel, the Israeli army threatens to attack the Palestinian refugee outside Tripoli, a town of half a million people. There are still five thousand PLO fedayeen active in the Bek'aa valley. There are 30,000 Syrian troops Lebanon, the Israeli's show sign of leaving they get out.

Also the new Phalangist President, Beshir Gemayal, commands 30,000 right wing militia, thirsting to avenge their defeat by the left in the civil war in the mid1970s.

The presence troops in Beirut 'overseeing the evacuation' is a sign of the unease with which even allies view Sharon's intentions.

...The war is not over for Palestine

The setback in West cannot be blamed on a lack heroism on the part of the PLO fighters. zionist military machine has been truly remarkable. It is a result of the treachery bourgeoisies themselves once again to be the mortal enemies of the Palestinian people.

Gemayal's election as Presi

Irl

We are the people of tomorrow, The children, the power of the future. We are the roots of the olive trees, The fruit of the land.

We are the destroyer and strong wind. We are mothers...

The furious thunder, The calm sea...

We are the landless.

The fighters.

The lonely dove...

We are the hand that holds the gun, The colours of our flag.

We are what we were meant to be... We are Palestinians.

The Israeli army

camps

Two

entrenched in still living

no borders.

Lebanon before

the zionist

disbanded their many and daughters. ingly

of imperialist

eliminate.

Israel's best is

solidarity people,

Beirut of

the Arab June who have shown

failing

racist in its essence.

dent is proof of how by their refusal to defend the Palestinians, the Arab ruling classes has paved the way for reaction in Lebanon -the country where the class struggle was the most advanced, and the socialist movement the most developed, in the Middle East.

But make no mistake, despite the dispersal of the PLO militias, the Palestinian revolution is unvanquished. Its centre of gravity will now of course shift to the Occupied Territories and to within the Israeli state itself.

million Palestinians are within Israel's present Two million who will continue to refuse the authority of

state which has dispossessed them of their land,

councils murdered their and They provide increas. labour for the Israeli economy - this is the contradiction which zionism cannot

The task of the hour, however

campaign for medical aid to Lebanon, and for

with the Palestinian defence of the Lebanese left, for Israel out of the Occupied Territories, and for all Israeli and imperialist troops out of Lebanon

This will mean continuing to challenge the shameful silence of many on the left of the labour movement in this country. Since 6

when Israel invaded there has no longer been any excuse for

to understand the murderous character of the Israeli state which is expansionist and

Page 2 scan of this page

Steel closures challenge Triple Alliance and TUC

Editorial

PO Box 50, London N1 2XP

Phone 359 8180 (Newsdesk), 359 8371 (distritution) All out 16

September

Government members are discussing a

zero limit wage increase for the public

sector next year. Details have been 'of-

ficially' leaked by government sources

who say the new pay policy will be laun-

ched at this year's Brighton Conference

- so much for have a re-look at health

workers' wages in 1983!

cess at driving unemployment up to a

record near 3.3 million - which is almost

one in seven of the working population.

They have got away with swinging cuts

in the public sector. And they are en-

couraged by their defeat of the train

drivers. The Tories now feel this is the

time to drive home their advantage.

bashing combined with the reduction of

inflation to single figures, as well as the

three percent cut in the mortage rate has

done them the world of good with their

supporters.

ed to weaken the unions and intent on

winning electoral support from big sec-

tions of the middle class as well as sec-

tions inside the working class.

percent support they clocked up in one

opinion poll shows that they could have

had some important successes in their

aims.

returning once again

dispute.

working class and the Tories that can be

won. Behind the health workers stand

unions representing

members, who have shown by their ac-

tions that they are prepared to down

tools and come out in

decisive call from the TUC could bring

the great battalions of labour into ac-

tion.

The outcome of such a victory would

be enormous. This

would tear the Tebbit Bill to shreds and

open up a great breach in Tory wages

policy. It would even have the potential

to force the Tories out of office.

This action would reverse the pro-

cess of capitulations in cars, steel and

other sectors where

ficialdom has rolled over before the Tory

steamroller.

If the labour movement loses this one

it will be much harder to fight the zero

pay limit next year. Alternatively

defeat the government now would en-

courage the workers

against wage freeze, unemployment and

attacks on the welfare state.

important

workers' pay claim. Socialist Challenge

says:

Back the ASTMS call for a

General Strike on 15 September.

All support to the conference

called by the Scottish shop

stewards on 11 September.

Victory to the health workers.

JOIN THE FIGHT FOR

SOCIALISM If you would like to be put in touch with Socialist Challenge supporters in your area or would like more information fill in the form below Name..

Address.

Age....

Union/CLP (if any)..

Send to: Socialist Challenge, PO Box 50. London N1 2XP.

Socialist Challenge 28 August 1982 page 2

They are emboldened by their sucThey are confident that their union

The Tories came to power determin-

The 51

This is why we make no apologies for

health This is a battle between the

millions of

support. One

solidarity action TEn: union of-

to fight back

On the domestic front nothing is as

winning the health

ENTERPRISE

s C

MARKSHIRE WORKS

By Des Tierney ALMOST 200 steel jobs are to go in Sheffield and Scotland if the closures go ahead. This new onslaught on the British Steel industry cannot go unchallenged Despite the feeble response from Sirs, general secretary of the steel workers' union, the ISTC, the signs are there for a fightback from angry workers. In Sheffield, River Don convenor, said that 'with the jobs lost in the area there is nowhere for us to go. If we have to sit in, we will sit in.'

Steelworkers preparing to fight for are throughout Scotland survival of their industry.

The last week by the British Steel

f Parkhea forge in the cast nose wee

closure the Clydebridge works on the outskirts of the city involved the loss of 1000 jobs.

This is bad enough, in an area where many of the

ment rate of over 20 per COLLE but it is the threat which these closures pose to the giant Ravenscraig steel works in Motherwell

one of the three bulk steelworking complexes in Britain and still employing over S000 workers makes the present redundancy notices so impor-

One of the plants to be closed, the Clydebridge platemill, maJor customer the Ravenscraig works, and it is feared that as the BSC management continue to out rading one mand the

falling demand Ravenscraig works will be

That's why the fight at

Scottish steel workers in 1980 - will Sirs let them down again? recently announced

Cliff Wright, the ISTC's

Clydebridge and Parkhead are so important and the

for kers are ready to tight

Workers at Clydebridge met representtatives of BSC

Hallass ment with a very picket when the closures were being announced They were particularly angered that one of the reasons given for the closure was their one day strike the previous week in support of the health service workers. TUC

Jimmy Burtney, the chairperson of the joint shop stewards committee

'we are determined to fight this closure. We workforce at Clydebridge who are not interested in redundancy money. They're interested in their jobs.'

Joe Cairney, shops steward convenor Parkhead was equally determined, 'the workforce here are shocked and disgusted. This closure has nothing to do with our CuLCul. rather it is indicative of

-Trade Unions

LANARKSHIRE,

-STEELWOR

Steel boss lan this Tory government's policy and their treatment of Scottish industry.'

Unfortunately the anger of the workiorce is not reflected by the Scotdeputy chair of the STUC LOOK the of the closure to call Io import controls and support for the Alternative

MODERNISE

JARKSHIRE

MacGregor Economic Strategy, "The only long term solution involves import controls and the expansion of the market.

Clive Lewis, the Scottish organiser of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation arranging

with the STUC meeting the miners and the railworkers to discuss joint

10DERNISE HS11103S

SOM

Photo: ANDREW WIARD (Report)

action through the Triple Alliance

Barr, Scottish organiser of the NUR has

slalcu lal ne is confident that NUR membels support Joint action with the stee workers

So far Labour MPs in the steelmaking constituencies have been conspicuously lacking in ideas.

Fight

Underlying some of the reluctance to propose in dustrial action is the fear thai such action could hasten the end of BSC's

Scotland operations Those workers still employed fear threatening their then fither if the ope or own prospects

BSC in what they consider could be a futile battle.

The failure OI the STUC and the Labour Party to stop the closure of Talbot Linwood, the Singer plant at Clydebank and the Invergordon

smelter viously doesn't fill the workers with confidence.

But steelworkers will also remember the tremendous fight put up by the women al Lee Jeans tory at Greenock and the Plessey Tactor Bathgate. Their militant action and the mass cam paigns which they were able to inspire in their sup port shows what would be possible if the full weight of the steelworkers was us. ed to stimulate such a campaign throughout Scotland.

Page 3 scan of this page

SAM GALBRAITH

for 12 percent.

claim. medical protession to

struggling for a just settlement.

Union, which is a section of ASTMS.

ASTMS.

Why do you support the dispute?

Medicine needs a team approach. I can't do my job without help from lots of people and many of these people are getting below subsistence wages. I am concerned with the whole of the health service not Just my work. I nave lo support the health workers wno nave subsidisea une health service for years.

What is the general attitude of the medical profession?

The majority believe the claim is just. But the ma¡ority are opposed to industrial action. They want to have their cake and eat

However, if you really do believe the claim is just then you have to put the action on the Tory green- Dane for present

Consultants talk about 'responsibility' and that health workers struggling for a living wage are irresponsible. It's cas talk about responsibility when you earn f30,000 a

We can win!'

Socialist Challenge about their pay claim.

DANNY CAROL is a 24-year-old theatre orderly at the Southern General, Glasgow. His take-home pay is £53.18 and f65 if he works a weekend.

I want to stick out for the full 14 per cent. Unle coula get it. Even ir tne Ker settle it won't make any difference, they have never been involved in the industrial ac non anyway.

This is the first time I have been involved in a strike. We

always been exempt before. But when this sLarica wC went lo our unlol reD ame sale we wanted to co something

At this hospital the laundry workers have been out for

weeKS bay be surina pay of t40. Ihe ODA'S wild are Ine overanse cevarumen assistants, have been on strike for six weeks. We keep

people working

Why consultant

backsthe claim

La consultant neurosurgeon at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow. The Southern General is one of the largest hospitals in the area and its workforce has been right at the forefront of the demand

Mr Galbraith has spoken at meetings and rallies throughout Scotland in support of the

He is one of the few members of the have done so and his contribution has been valued by those who are

Mr Galbraith is a Labour Party member, and is also a member of the Medical Practioners

He gave the following interview to Marie Louise Irvine, also a doctor and a member of

year.

People should know that the British Medical Association voted this year to retain the right to strike.

Do you see the government pay offer part of a general attack on the NHS?

Yes, I do. There are many issues involved. There is an 27 August, the

Council are coordinating broaden the dispute. attack on the health service and the trade union movement. In recognising

Message from Scottish health workers BELOW two Scottish health workers speak to

cover emergencies. we civice the wages between us which gives us £40 and then money to the strike fund. know tients wil sumer. because the dispute. Bul inal is ine fault of Thatcher's government he action workers supporte onsoute nas Dooster morale. time lifted. picket falling smipyara workers came down to picket and gave a donation this really couraged us again.

Sean veraghty's was great, there are not enough guys ple refused support should be in Mrs Thatcher's cabinet. just hope we more solidarity. Stuff Tebbitt Bill. organist The working class has a lot of

of the muin is tues. he

of the main issues. healthworkers are fighting for a decent living wage -the 12 percent. At present we are fighting the Tories on a specific issue. And it is around this issue that the whole trade union movement must unite.

What do you think of the

stoppage by all amonses in support of lne claim?

I support it. service belongs evervone and a toppag in vould be an effective wa to show the government that there is overwhelming support for the claim.

Tory as Do you think the present more aware of the threat to the NHS?

One of the great spin-offs

The Grampian Association of Heaith Service Unions have called for a half day stoppage in Aberdeen city factories and offices for Friday

day after the RCN ballot results. There will be a demonstration and rally on the same day and Aberdeen Trades

campaign Workplace meetings and mass leafletings are being organised.

In Aberdeen at the moment emergency and accident cover is being operated, and 19 out of 27 medical record staff are on indefinite strike. The strike committee see that the only way forward for the dispute locally and nationally is solidarity from other workers.

is that it has brought the NHS into the once again. The Labour potential power that is not being used Anne Campbell is a NUPE steward works in the laundry at Southern General. we also Anne also member of the NUPE Youth Advisory Committee. "There are other womer working OUl hospital laundry who LUE WOEKCIS things strike. They very come dome are very acuve m unt

wher have visiting LOTICS lU gel SUDOULl large I hone that because of this experience they will come to meetings after action dispute Other women are coming

The 12-weea strike it the -week strike laundry has been backbone of the strike here -and

ioint shoo stewards committee recommended that ve come out and put it to a vote of all the workers and

Solidarity

Party had lost interest in the NHS, socialists are there are big problems that have to be sorted out.

What sort of problems?

Lack management, lack of acr money,

countability national medical protession and the encroachment trade medicine. Services

Wing reduced by the Tories.

Greater Glasgow Board has announced cuts The health of £6 million,

to seriously affect health care national in this city. Four solidarity may be

Southern General. It is not the case that bed places are being redistributed. They are being reduced.

What is the fight the cuts?

The solution political one. through and the Labour Party. have to campaign improving the vice and reversing the cuts is high on the Labour Party agenda, and to sure they do about it.

How do you tackle problems to described?

We need a campaign in the Labour Party to raise con-

the NHS Health Act of 1980 did a lot of damage to the NHS.

There was from the Labour This very most urgent to defend the health service. Remember it's easier to prevent things being done, limelight them once they have hap

Opened.

and young used to all slaye

the

women this has also been voted again

at four or five other meetings. to stay always been unanimous, even £40 a week.

but now

realising the

of private

Health

that will

wards the

best way to

It has to be

unions We so that

health ser-

make

something

the have

The

little response

party

baa. It is

than to fight

LARTNAVEL

JOINT SHOP STEWARDS

COMMITTEE

TOR out the Greater ai ca lu scul are only getting DCOLLISE

out indennile strike acton.

NUPE

12%

NHS

12%

We now need all the ioini shop stewards committees in

: Glasgow , health the TUC unionists

lUC caling for all health workers to

WANTS M H

LION LAON OR

ZDAW

2D0W

cover only solidari want luch we should cano te dispute We settled • We believe this

who support the that if the TUC carrie come ou these demands we can win the for a 24-hour stoppage of 12 percent

Socialist Challenge 28 August 198,

Page 4 scan of this page

THE BENN HERESY

By Phil Hearse and Bob Pennington UNDERSTANDING the politics of Tony Benn and the 'Bennite current is crucial to grasping the prospects for socialist advance in Britain. The ideas of Benn and his supporters represent the main left-wing opposition to Toryism and right-wing Labourism in Britain today.

Whilst Benn and Bennism are not revolutionary

and Alan Freeman resolutely detends against such an accusation

ll sulll remains a tact that genuine revolody socialist movement will not be built without both confronting Bennism and also fighting alongside of paraphrase Trotsky, we have to take the reformist workers seriously, because they take their own ideas seriously.

At every stage of the political Crisis relorinist appears in new and often more left-wing TONIES. Bennism is the latest of inese ana we can be contident it will not be the last. Bennism nevertheless nas a certain distinctiveness hat it does have a more or

comprehensive political solution the British economic and olitical crisis. This

herefore assures it of a

ertain durability. 'oin

When such a move went with such widespread

sport appears, it is in-

unbent on Marxists to ‹ alvse its oronosals. We ¿ ' not do this just so that и: can expose it but, we i ' it in order to find those ¡ ints in its programme i nere we can join with it in a united front against the i pitalist class and its i rect agents in the labour r. uvement.

unravelling Benn's

Aan freeman is able to

Alan Freeman is able i e the development of

post-war British crisis a the failure of right-

i"s labourism what

social locracy — to deal with

Jenn's personal evolu-

is the reverse of the old Bevanite leaders like I rot, Castle, and Wilson,

¡e experience in office .. as experience in office red them to the right.

By Brian Heron

decided

, "ister of groups. t.- vi: scored an own goal.

Commenting on the

asons for their decision, ! ir Ruchan MP for Reniren East and chair of the

said, 'We are op pired to expulsions ana witch-hunts, but we know

the right wing has pr 'er required a register

wten it wanted a witchhunt

at. •ad.'

But surely the real fu ition of the register is

hard even Mr

Euchan to grasp. Perhaps it is why after LEC

marting he suggested that

ite

Socialist Challenge 28 August 1982

by Alan Freeman

had the effect of actually radicalising him. He was pushed to the left when he sawnow use cabilast slalc sabotaged radical change.

prompted Benn take the theme democracy in a way which the Bevanites were never prepared or even wanted to do.

Policy

The Bevanites always saw the battle with the right as being simply about policy. For them parliament was the focal point of change and the supreme representative democracy. For Benn, parliament appears as the end-point of the aemocraue process -process that begins with use mass movcucul.

The theme that parliaMeDI must democratic, more accountable and really sovereign,

opposed the of the civil bureaucracy service, the multinational

and the COrDUl aliulis capitalist class in general,

ervades Benn's speeches. The theme of democracy and from

Class below is a crucial part of the distinctiveness of Ben-

Alan Freeman considers that the raising of the issue of democracy and making ll a COlcern in British politics is Benn's THOS crucial achievement. Alan nowever aves nol accepi Benn's argument that parliament can be made truly sovereign As revolutionary Marxist he obviously does not reject an elected assembly on a point of principle, , but he recognises that wat matters is on what type of state does such an assembly rest. wner

capitalist state then it is

impossible

movement to impose its

will through parliament.

our opinion

the trials of Tribune

T IE DEATH agony of the Tribune group of MP's is going to be a drawn out affair. By 39 votes to 27 they Labour Party NEC's new The official parliamentary left

concern within the group

about the need to defend Labour's consitution.

offensive against Labour's

constitution can be put at

Militant's door who have

threatened the

Party more than Harold

wisons referendum the EEC, Barbara Castle's

In Place of Strife, Callag han's secret missile programme or Healey's pay

norms. thể

The beauty of Guardian

of August 19 reports, that members of Militant

can put themselves outside

• page 4

Freeman's discussion 'marxism and democracy, his the cumstances in which civil war might be needed to defend parliament against the capitalist class, and his explanation of the inevitable limitation of real parliamentary sovereignty in the Cablaust sale arc probably the strongest part of the book.

other distinctive feature of Bennism is the

strategy or AES, which includes limited nationalisation, workers' participation and planning agreements with the major capitalist companies on investment and output reconstruct the ailing economy. The left-wing critique of this we assume well known to our readers. But Freeman here does bring to light an ele

of wide-eyed olanisin in Benn's thoughts.

Benn thinks agreement with the capitalists might be possible. He attributes almost magical powers to

talisman the 'popular will ' to get fundamental change. This is Benn's blind spot. He rejects the idea that the ruling class might engineer a

La left-wing government. He complete-

underestimates the possibility that the British

alliance ruling class. with international capital will do everything in their power to de-stablise a Icil

abour Government as a prelude to its tall. Assault

Benn does not seem to

have an economic and political crisis of the pro portion we have today, any future Labour government will come under a

assault from domestic and foreign capital The only time when this will not happen is if the Labour left and the working class as a wnoic have been utterly defeated. Even a govern ment of the Foot-Healy

would be given the

its requirements without сле песа I01 aisciplinary action against them. Thus we can skin the trial and get on with the execution.

The Tribune group's decision strengthens Foot. Lasl the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staff's executive voted by az to l maority in tavour ASTMS register. The

Collecte Tony SUDOULLE

Benn, but the ASTMS , ex-

ecutive general and

Clive Jenkins in particular opposed to contest the deputy

leader's position last yea after having voted for the democratic election of the leader. The deputy leader-

Labour Party

treatment.

The IMF-engineered runs on the pound in 1965 and 1975 would be childs' play compared • to wnal they will do next. Although Foot might be at the helm the strength of the Labour left still makes a Labour government 'unsafe ' in the eyes of the ruling class.

To have any chance of surviving in office the next Labour government will have to immediately move against the sabotage of domestic and foreign capital. Nationalisation of

control of the imDanks.

phe and ex or of capitale

taking over the finance houses and steps towards nationalising the big monopolies will have

be top-rated items on Labour's agenda. Control

This will require the mobilisation union movement. Such measures can only be done if the workers in these in dustries and financial institutions supervise and

the bosses Workers control will be une necessary micasuc l stop capitalist sabotage.

Benn refuses to face up to the idea of such Craman confrontation. When asked about this in nerviews with Socialist Challenge, Socialist Organiser, and Capital and Class he tries to fob it off with; "That's what I call the Allende : question' or make jokes about 'my old tin hat and rifle' Benn, as Freeman points out, sees revolutionary change, not as the mass mobilisation of the working class which acts as essential motor force of the transition, but either as a putsch or an 'industrial coup the actions of a minority. Benn's political thinking is therefore essen

flawed because underestimates the lengths to which the British ruling class will go to suppress socialist change.

Does that therefore mean revolutionary Marx-

Tribune

EdE

Tribune newspaper, under new editorship, now dissociates itself from the Tribune group

ship contest turned then

into an organised

challenge to the

bureaucrats who lord it

over most of the unions.

Overcome by this whiff

of democracy Jenkins has

been busily putting

rogerner a new coalition.

which aims to take over

ists should shun the Bennite forces? Of course not. does address himself to the Freeman says Benn crucia questions This means that the first task is to be with this mass movement inside the Labour Party and the trade unions where we can fight with it against the right wing Bennism represents the furthest stage of left development of all but a

LABOUR'S INDEPENDENT

Can the unions knock

sense into the PLP? the job OI guarding the bureaucratic birthright in the Labour Party, but without the discredit associated with Gran tham, Boyd, Duffy and Chapple. Bf htt. And the first test

the new bloc is the regiser Party Conferences, register year's

ALAN FREEMAN

THE BENN

HERESY

minuscule minority of the working class. There is no ques ton of influencing

movement from the sidelines or imagining that it can be by-passed by a new layer of workers coming into struggle. The cond task is to arm the Bennite supporters with an understanding that only a Labour government that breaks with the capitalist class and is committed to

Socialist Challenge urges

North Constituency September at County

Road, London N16

Homerton Road, London E9 5PW.

North meeting printed last week, 30 September.

and the subsequent removal of Militant

The faded bunch of radicals in the group, who only want a lit-

the witch-hunt feel they

have some friends in the

socialist policies and has the means to implement them can avoid a terrible debacle.

Anyone who wants to understand the crisis of STILISH capitalism the character of the Labour right, ot Thatcherism and what makes better than read Alan Freeman's book

Conference against the witch-hunt

its supporters to attend the meeting organised by Hackney

Labour Party on 4 Hall, Westminster.

Details from Hackney North CLP, 28 Beatty

We also urge all supporters to get delegated to the Labour movement conference against the witch hunt on 11 September at Central Hall,

Sorry!

Gremlins got at last week's announcement of the Hackney

. The correct date is 4 September and not, as we

unions. And so 39 of them added yet another stain to the tatty pink banner of Labour's official left.

No wonder Tribune itself pronounced them dead

Page 5 scan of this page

The Japanese anti-nuclear movemeni

30,000

YOUTH MARCH

painful death'

says Paul Atkinson,

YOU HAVE probably never hearo ot Genera Bernard Rogers. Well he is not all that important, except in one respect. He is a man who can decide whether or not you become a nuclear cinder! General Rodgers the NATO supreme commander in Europe.

Wed win on yi and

viewed him on

most insistent that NATO is only 'defensive' and what it is doing is defending 'freedom' agains the 'threat of the USSR.

vow it you are one c the 0.00 olitici

risoners being torture in Turkey or one of 12 million unemployed in the EEC, General Roger's platitudes on freedom must have hollow some would say cynical - ring

What's more he is a man prepared to do his job, come what may

and is be me the in

dead is • than being red' and he will 'press the button' if his conscience dictates.

General Rogers Terracel US

nilitar academies like

Nest Point who teach a simple ethic which was well put by the military

who burned down a village in Vietnam and slaughtered most of its inhabitants and remarked after-

the chairperson of the National Japanese Congress against Atomic and Hydrogen bombs (Gensuikin). The park was again packed the next morning on the anniversary of the bombing. At exactly 6.15, the time of the explosion, everyone stood to observe a minute's silence for the victims. At 8.21 a flock of doves was released to symbolise the wish of the people of Hiroshima for peace.

jobs

not bombs

Manchester

sept 23

›Blackpool

sept 26.

No to an early and

East Manchester CND

wards was necessary destroy the village in order to save it.

He told his TV interviewer he would use 'nukes first', saying this is our 'deterrent today'. This somehow contradicts the idea of Mr Healey and Mr Shore that having 'nukes' SLO•S them, because if anyone using one

side used them no one would survive.

This stuff probably sends shivers do n your spine doesn't then it ought to.

Perhaps you dismiss

e-assurin yourself

'nutter'. Well I have bad news for you. a 'nutter'. He is a class conscious serving member for capitalism, who will burn you and millions like you to frazzle if he thinks it will be the 'interests freedom'. That freedom for imperialism to exploit the majority of the world's population.

Our youth march on General Bernard stop own will not stop but it can help to build a

so. Make sure you an VUL ports it - organisation after all, you

can hardly fancy an eardeath. and very painful

people assembled on the evening of 5 August in Hiroshima's Peace Park to hear an appeal by from the greater Man. chester area tola rAUL ATKINSON why they

marching Blackpool.

LEE of Stockport YCND says: 'I will be marching to show this Tory government that don't want their missiles. After a year on the dole the chance of me getting a decent jo 's nil. Yet they spend 12 billion pounds on missiles. think this money should go on creating jobs.

Stop the missiles

Why we are

marching

DAVE from Oldham YCND should tell the Tories we have had enough. Thatcher should not be allowed get with what she has at the ordinary people's jobs. It shows where her priorities lie.

The Tories' slogan people". "profits not But it's time for us put things right by forcing future Labour government to stop spending money on nukes and pay youth a lecent wage instead o the poxy f25 we get ol YOP schemes.

ON TO

report from Tokyo.

THIS YEAR a new wave

of anti-nuclear sentiment

has developed Japan

which has mobilised hun-

dreds of thousands of peo-

ple. Many lett-wing ac-

tivists were taken by sur-

Photo:

wien

200,000 people responded

to a call by the SOHYO* 9 national union federation

demonstratior in Hiroshima against nuclear I weapons Two 400 attended a second later on 23 May in Tokyo,

rally again called by

SOHYO

In where a governea policy

'neither manufacture nor

Challenge possess, nor allow the in-

troduction of nuclear

weapons', the for

such a movement would

seem to be missing. In fact

the reason lies in Japan's

specia relationship with

the United OLLe

Amenca.

MARK CUTTS, who from Hazel Grove,

wants to 'go on this

march because when

Thatcher and her Tory

government attacks the

working class. they at-

the youth

harder. All the money

that they spend on

defending their in-

like in the

Malvinas war, police

pay and so on, could be

better spent on things

like real jobs and the

health service. At the

last Labour Party con-

ference two-thirds

majority voted for

unilateral disarmament.

I want to make sure that

if a Labour government

gets in at the next elec-

tion they act on this.

BLACKPOOL!

CHRIS PITTS, a Sheffield bus driver, has been spending his holiday in Japan. Chris is a CND activist and has been concerned to find out about the Japanese movement. He sent us this

The crux of this specia relationship is AMPO, the Japan-US Security Treaty Signed shortly after the end of the US occupation

the US armed torces virtually unrestricted access to Japanese land and naval bases and air space. It has always been unpopular

class. Hundreds thousands demonstrated when the US was using Japan as a staging post for the war in Vietnam.

Against LNTS background, the roots of the new ment can be traced back to the candid remarks of exUS ambassador Edwin O Reischauer in April 1981, that if the US wished to

weapons at SLUIC autical their facilities in Japanese ports, they would feel free to do so without prior consultation with Japanese government. short, the US military car do what it likes in Japan, and to hell with the wishes of the Japanese people The Japanese governmen could only plead ignorance, since the terms of AMPO they have no right to know anything

US military abou tivities in Japan.

Militant

The immediate result of this War a small but militant demonstration against the USS • Midway entering Yokosuka Naval

south-west Dase Tokyo, the following Fonte TO foist us-Japan The was

and lava lilalivucycls was widely believed to be equipped with nuclear missiles.

Between these two events, in early May, the Japanese and US governments had issued a joint communique describing their relationship 'alliance' — interpreted by many commentators meaning a military alliance. The reason that this caused such dismay here is that gressive forces defend to- most

famous Article y ot the constitution, which renounces Japan's right to wage war Accordingly, for several years, there have been many indicators that the nawks 1N the government and ruling • class are actively softening public opinion for a revision of the constitution. Test

Hardly a year has gone by without some government or public figure making a public statement to test public opinion on the question of Japan possess ing nuclear weapons, OI changing the constitution (Article 9). Every year, it is traditional for the Prime Minister to attend Yasukuni shrine, where Japan's WW2 officers and unknown soldiels are buried, but this has usually been In a personal capac. ty. In the last few years, subtle changes have taker place in this ritual which give it the character or ar official function, leading some Japanese to believe that the government is on the verge of exonerating its role in the second world

Socialist Challenge

war. If this seems a little oblique, the most recen actions of the Educatio Ministry censorin school history quite clear. The Ministr nas insistea mal lne wo. ding of textbooks

changed Japan's invasion of China

etc 'advance' rather than

and tha Invasion, passages describin JaDallesc atrocities those countries should b toned down before it wi approve them. This actio has caused a storm of pro test from the countries 1 question and Japa itself. The

remains mant, simply insisting tha it will make more effort : explain its reasons to thos countries

Gallop

Although reactiona policies and belligere: remarks have long bee ncaru and SCCI government ministers an

SDF officers the fact tha the ruling LDP won an it creased majority in the la election has increased contidence to tne that the rightward shift ha become a gallon. Its mo recent action was to revis the Upp

01 House elections to assu itself a bigger majority the future. Against th background, and the ta that most of bureaucracies als moving to the right, findin

more comfortable accent the ruling class's e cuses that recession mear austeritv and lav-otts tha to fight against them, th new nOv: of ment the largest ar wider radicalisation

Another factor fuellin this anti-nuclear mov ment here has been the a nouncement by the that intends to equi hunter-killer submarine cruisers and destroyers the Seventh Fleet servin in the West Pacific (ar hence using Japane: ports), with Tomahaw missiles, during 1983/8

not clear at preser whether they intend to : stall long-range types wit nuclear warheads, or co: ventional warhead sho! range missiles, but sini the US is also discussin

Pershing Il Cruise missil on Japanese soll, most d tivists are drawing the

Joint

The Self-Defen Forces, , it is pointed ou have a lot of equipment cope with the effects nuclear war such as radi tion suits, and also posse many conventior. weapons which could ea ly be converted to nucle

The SDF had on ones conducted joint exercis with the US using sea aair forces, but recer.: they have also bei holding joint excercises

ground LIC.

Adding all . this togetprovides the basis for emergence of a mass c position movement desp the government's forr position.

main national union fede:

encompassins 3.9m, Hilally WUIKCIS closely unlea witn the Japan socid rarty, ana to a lesser e.e. the Japanese Communist Pa

28 August 1982 page

Page 6 scan of this page

Castle Square in 22 August

Polish

By O. MacDonald TWO YEARS after the great strike wave that Poland's independent movement, Poland's resistance mobilising and protests aimed that working class support for their independent tions remains as ever. The campaign will reach its climax on 31 August the second anniversary of the Gdansk Agreements which marked the Stalinist capitulation to the of the workers in 1980.

The coup d'etat Jaruzelski in December last year was a bad defeat for the Polish

but it failed to Solidarity.

Jaruzelski regime have been pressing for second wave of violence to try to finish underground resistance once and for all.

Others, the so-called liberals' like deputy Premier Rakowski, favour a mixture of repression of key working class activists with a prolonged period of political manouevring to Solidarity and wear it down, using the exhausting economic crisis and the conciliationist stance of the Church hierarchy as weapons in this

In every major city, activists have regrouped around networks of factory clandestine bulletins which the police have been incapable of penetrating and suppressing numbers. Since April a national co ordinating committee together Solidarity's leaderships in four important areas Gdansk, Warsaw, Huta Cracow-Nowa demonstrations at the start of May and very widespread token strikes on

13 May marked strength the present mobilisation will mark the second key test for Solidarity.

So far the movement has remain-

ed tirmv united in any significant breaking of ranks. But

debate

Solidarity on the aims that the move-

Socialist Challenge 28 August 1962 pago 6

Protestors gather around floral cross in Warsaw's

Key test on

anniversary

launched Solidarity's labour Walesa Solidarity,

underground movement is in the demonstrations

other organisastrong as bring change,

system.

government's

demands different union' by General will

workers' crush Some elements within the

the and off the moverue lu within

call

Solidarity's

committees and

circles movement significant

linked declining. nas regional

Wroclaw and Huge union

first show of

under OlHO The

without

within

ment should persue. A big part

intellectual together with some leaders like Lech

are prepared to acknowledge that Solidarity went too far in the past and are ready to make basic changes

organisation's structure transform it into a non-political trade union and accept a lengthy strike ban because of the economic crisis. On the

side the underground activists see Solidarity's basic aim to be a mass movement to

fundamental breaking up LIC bureaucratic structure of the political

Linked to these disagreements on aims, the two groupings seek to adopt

tactics. The "pure trend argues for tactics that

re-assure elements within regime that they can achieve lasting co-operation and good-will Solidarity if they are ready to restore its legal rights.

On the other hand, the activists of

underground movement tactics which will eventually force the regime to grant major concessions or face the prospect of a second revolutionary upsurge on the Gdansk commune of 1980.

At present the Jaruselski regime has no intention of entering into any serious negotiations with any section

Solidarity and the

the nave therefore become a political factor of the first importance. The government has been hoping that the more conciliationist trend within the leadership of Solidarity, aided by the pressure of the Church hierarchy and prominent

intellectuals around the would gain the hand, as the movement saw the level

working class If such a trend were to develop then the need to have serious negotiations with Solidarity would

and an entirely new structure, entirely control Biencau established

The mobilisations up to 31 August will therefore be crucial strength for both Solidarity and the

Indications SO cluding Jaruzelski's hurried the Crimea to see Brezhnev last week, suggest that the regime fears it may nave underesumated tne scope or support for the Solidarity undergound.

trade government

called which

no taneous near Gdansk.

of advisers

up meat prices.

to demands. conceded, workers'

per cent

trade

because there the

from strike.

Wing' shook

favour

nation-wide

scale of the ford it.

tee, differences mation

bureaucratic

upper

AS support

the

trade specifically

under shipyard. could be

August,

LOSI

tar, in -

visit to were

tivists,

NEXT MONDAY, 31 August, the underground leaders of Solidarnosc are calling for a massive display of defiance against the Polish regime. cannon and truncheons of the police.

union. On this

the agreement.

Food price rises have a way of sparking off rebellions in Poland. In December 1970 the giant price rises decreed by the party leadership led to riots in which dozens of Polish workers were killed. Again in June 1976 a 69 per cent increase in the price of meat led to nation-wide rioting.

On 1 July 1980 the Polish

introduced a price system for meat, which effectively transferred some of the better, cheaper meat, to the so-

'commercial' shops reserved for bureaucracy. This time there were

immediate i rio. But, no spon-

explosion. as workers began to see and feel the effects of the move, work began to stop in some of the major factories, including the Ursus tractor factory, the Mielec aircraft factory and a vehicle parts factory

The workers were demanding wage rises to compensate for the government's measures pushing

This was just the start of a vast wave of strikes. Under orders not to put up too much resistance, and to get the matter over with as soon as possi ble, the factory managers began

concede the workers But, as the managers the scale of demands increased, so much so that some of the workers who had already settled for five

well on strike demanding more. In some places the wage increase demands were as much as 20 per cent.

There was no national strike leadership to co-ordinate such was workers'

However a series of 'rollstrikes took place the regime. Party leader Gierek went on television on 10 July to say that there would be no

wage increase claiming the country couldn't af-

At this stage a new force came onto the scene. The KOR, the Workers' Self-Defence Commit-

began to co-ordinate intorabout the strikes eventually became an active force linking up the factories in struggle. During July some 150 plants took strike action. After years of

mismanagement, the Communist Party leadership was seeing the emergence of a generalised challenge to its rule.

the whole world knows, the major challenge to the bureaucray started to emerge at

shipyards in the huge At 4.30 am on members of the semiclandestine 'Free Trade Union of the Coast' gathered outside the

gates of the shipyard to meet the

7,000 workers going In.

demanding the instatement of one of their ac-

Anna Walentynowicz, long-time supporter of free trade unions. All the guiding nucleus of

Already there have been riots in the major Polish towns, but especially in the port of Gdansk, the birthplace of Solidarnosc. Last week ten thousand workers demonstrated in Gdansk against martial law and for the release of Lech Walesa, only to be met with the water

On 31 August the workers of Poland will be commemorating the Gdansk agreement signed on that day two years ago - the agreement which recognised Solidarnosc and the right of the Polish workers to their own independent

anniversary LAWSON describes the events which led to

the Free Trade Union, newpaper

and management

wide strike movement.

new

were taken up

recounted many times. the from the top of

the the manager employee Lech

in the morning.

negotiate

tions on the

'commercial' demanded

eventually the shipyard management.

Commune

again Gdansk began to

day 16 August committee

which zloty

sion by the ment.

area, where and of the strike

strikers. The

now

over Gdansk, that the Lenin greeted with Walesa changed

to the Lenin shipyard.

They re- mittee, the Solidarnosc, radical minority

had effectively

PAUL

and its 31 A

Robotnik Wybrzeza, were subject to constant police

harassment.

The group saw the new attempt by the management to sack Anna as the opportunity to bring the Lenin shipyard behind the nation-

From 4.30 am onwards the workers started to give out their leaflets. Eventually their demands

inside the yard The scene that followed has been

Workers addressed the shipyard employee

La crane. They were successively addressed by

unfortunate shipyard Gniech and by exWalesa who had been helped over the wall earlier

The meeting went indoors to

Walesa and others from the Free Trade Union were at the forefront of the negotia-

first day. The workers demanded a one-third in crease in pay, re-instatement ot sacked workers, earlier retirement and the abolition of the special

shops. They a monument to the workers who had been killed by the police in 1970 - a demand

conceded the

The strike spread. The Paris shipyard in Gdynia came out. Workers throughout

go on strike The demands of the workers hac gone far beyond the narrow concerns of the shipyard. By Satur-

at the negotiating the Gdansk Monument to strikers killed in 19: shipyard was on the verge of reaching agreement — on a 1,500

month wage increase reinstatement of sacked workers and no victimisations. This agreement represented a major conces-

shipyard manage-

But the negotiating committee of the workers at the shipyard was getting out of contact with what was happening in the rest of the

numbers workers were striking. The ending

by the Gdansk shipyard would have led to the government picking off the other

strike committee split but a majority voted to settle. A delegation from the Gdansk public transport garage arrived to demand that the strike be con-

Lech Walesa's announcement the public address system strike was heckling Then his mind and went round the shipyard demanding the strike continue. Delegations from other plants swarmed

That evenMasses jubilant at shipyard gate. ing the Inter-Factory Strike Com-

initial nucleus of was formed. The majority by broadening thei of the strike base. They drew up their list of 1 committee at the Lenin shipyard demands, later increased to 2

outflanked the which became the negotiatin

Page 7 scan of this page

IG '80-31 AUG '82

general

The ther. 25,000

Pyka, deputy Gdansk

party leader television

La reform unions, the posals right to union had stumbling block.

Deputy

tion

bureaucrats took

post. of the party.

this point. orkers couldn't get enough information

paratus.

dorse the

duction,

Iways there: the military threat forced

through. agreement became:

of freedom

strike.

The

too many

agreement withstanding

authorities

cessions

Gdansk Loch Walesa signing historic agreement in Gdansk 31 August 1980

basis leading to the Gdansk agree- sion, pay increases, more rest The formation of the Inter- dependently organised strikes, in legitimising ment. These demands included days, freeing of political Factory Strike Committee entire- had been transformed, thanks to the right to strike, independent prisoners and a series of demands What had started as a series of on- transformed situation. the role of the Workers' Selftrade unions, freedom of expres- for better conditions and services. Defence Committee and the Free

Trade Union of the Coast, into a

confrontation government over basic workers' rights. From now on the negotiations at Gdansk became a focal point for the whole movement.

strike spread even furworkers strike in Szczecin, including in the Adolf Warski shipyard. Tadeusz

one of the government's prime ministers, to negotiate government. As the tension rose,

Gierek and pay and food allowances, bette welfare provisions, an investigation into workers' conditions and

of the CRZZ. were unacceptable - the an become a

attempted to split the workers by insisting on separate agreements with the different enterprises, but the Inter-Factory Strike Committee held solid. Pyka was recallec

Warsaw and senior deputy premier Jagielski. Day after day of intense negotia

followed. The Poland was watching the negotiations. The government went into crisis, and a re-shuffle among the

place. the time being Gierek kept hi

The intellectuals and Church rushed to support

The government put forwarc a demand which was to shape the whole outcome of the agreement

that the Inter-Factory Strike Committee accept the leading role

built up among the negotiators on

Many unhappy about the acceptance of such a clause in the agreement. "The leading role of the party' in Eastern Europe is a synonym for the continuing domination of the bureaucratised Stalinist completely tied to the state ap-

Eventually the formula hammered out. Point one of the agreement began: 'The unions en-

principle ownership of the means of pro.

constituting the foundation of Poland's socialist system Recognising the leading role of the Polish United Workers' Party in the state..?. Eventually Walesa

acceptance of this point The main points of the

tion of the leading role of the party, 2) Recognition of the right of free trade unions, 3) Recognition

of the 4) Recognition of the right to

accords among scenes of jubilation. many of the workers outside and inside the shipyard gates seemed disappointed that the strike was over. Had the negotiators made

concessions state? Did they have to capitulate on the leading role of the party?

Time has shown the Gdansk

was, in

the opening paragraph, a massive victory for the Polish workers. In recognising free trade unions, the

had floodgate to the development of Solidarnosc. Their insistence on the 'leading role of the party' was tantamount to giving notiçe that they intended to take all their con-

back. But the workers were not betrayed by the

agreement similar one agreed at Szczecin. It constituted a crucial turning point

organise the Polish workers in the fight against the bureaucracy fight which is far from ended.

Socialist Challango 28 August 1862 pago 7

with the

went on

went to for the

went on promised bette

official trade

These pro-

independent trade

crucial

prime minister Pyka

replaced with

whole of

But for

the the

Massive tension:

workers were

parties.

was

social 1) Recogni-

press and

were signed

But

to the

fact, notthe acceptance of

opened the

Polish

and the

the struggle to

- a

Page 8 scan of this page

Where you can

buy Socialist

Challenge

Scotland ABERDEEN: Se available al boom

For Beer Books.

Page 9 scan of this page

phony peace plan

NICARAGUA

Nicaraguan troops patrol near Honduran border

Air India:

strikes made

illegal

By lan MacDonald

ONCE again flexible

rostering has raised its

Heathrow airport. Air India manage-

imposed

working rosters on

June which were out of line with the agreed proceedures.

At the end of June as part

of their drive to get the new

steward rusteis accoolcu.

was sackeu and une works Das

Cwu bramen voteo to

ASLEF

dispute, management iș deter

nined to smash the union and

so on 4 Aurust il sackcu 1vv workers.

mainly Asian workforce

200 members are now working the rosters, whilst

Washington's

100 of their brothers and sisters are outside on the picket line.

Seizing on the division the

insisted laye that the workers inside sign a cocument waich teros sukes 'illegal and unauthorised' as

perine Ha.

HoLnslow Labour Party has oledged tull support for the strike and is building a public meeting which will be

to mobilis PPYS has consistently visited the dispute. une Dickel me m a snow ol solidarity with the strikers.

Offers of financial help

ransport

Middlesex, Noal. soulliall, cheques made payable to Al

International. Nicaraguan security chief Lenin Cerna with dynamite utilised

By Brian Grogan PRESIDENT Reagan's hopes of 'destabilising

weekend under the plan'. According to State for Inter-American Enders,

Nicaragua'.

Cuba has no troops ir Nicaragua. It has 2.100 teachers 200 doctors, some health workers. building workers and agricultural experts. The

Jnited States has sent no such aid to the Nicaraguan people, despite being ask-

This operation of the 'Big Lie' has as much con. nection with peace as did

who perfected such propoganda techniques Hitler. This cynical peace offer is merev to provide more open US involvement in the actual military invasion OI Nicaragua presently under way aimed at overthrowing the revolutionary Nicaraguan government. Cash

Some 5000 counterrevolutionary troops, organised large units and possessing sophisticated weapons now operating out of Honduran camps close to the Nicaraguan border nera are continuous and covert CIA

TULU Nicaragua. Most of the 50 US advisors in . fonduras are thought to be near the border. In July, there was a two week joint US Honduran military

voclatiul. along the border. This involved US pilots, mechanics and air traffic controliers and IWo US C-130 aircraft helping to transport a Honduran battallion to the new base just

by counter-revolution

revolutionary Nicaragua were persued over the guise of a phony 'peace Assistant Secretary of

Affairs, Thomas Washington will supposedly end its military involvement in both Nicaragua and E Salvador if 'Cuban forces are pulled out of

north of Nicaragua

US military aid

Honduras doubled

to inorease to stin in

increase $16m This aid is to include

six A-37 light attack planes

to add to the dozen or sc

French Super-Mystere

fighters already giving

the most advanced air-

force in Central America

It is reportedly seeking US

F-5 jets as well.

Coinciding with the military exercises,

two air attacks were laun-

ched Honduras

against largess inside Nicaragma. economic

On the anniversary of the

Sandinista revolution, 19

July,

craft from •Honduras at-

tanks containing

800,000 gallons of highl

flamable fuels at Corinto

La town which handles

three quarters of

only oil

refinery / in Managua. Both

failed, DUL VOLCHI

tially could have wreaked

havoc.

Victims

response this

vulnerability from air at-

tacks, the Nicaraguan

government has been seek-

ing obtain interceptor

aircraft from France the

Soviet Union and other

countries The Soviet

Union has been reported

providing come MiG-

17's. According to

Washington's topsy turvey

logic, the possession of

such defensive planes 'would be seen as a major escalation'. So, according

internatonai Herald Tribune: 'Options

study by the United States and its allies include: * US military action to destroy the MiG's

A blockade or quarantine of Cuba or • Nicaragua

Tightened US economic

on these two countries

Temporarily stationing US airmen and military planes 1N Honduras and Colombia

Stepped up supply of US combat aircraft

Politica assualt on the MiG's in the Organisation

American States and other international organisations'

Action

In a diplomatic note

monta Nicaragua protested tha

US-Honduran manouevres 'represent clear tion which appears to be aimed al causillg an un necessary war between Honduras and Nicaragua with unforseen consevucces. The mounting attacks leave the Nicaraguan

governinel no choice but strengthen its detences anc prepare for a full scale

On 14 August, the Sandinista governmen: ordered militia units report within ten days for intensive combat training The Peoples Army remains fully mobilised. defence preperations are under way factories anc

and neighbourhoods.

This is the only serious way to meet Washington's proposals of 'peace'. Socjąlist Challenge 28 August 1982 page 9

Page 10 scan of this page

Pennies from heaven

By Alan Freeman LAST WEEK it seemed for a moment as if the Confederation of British wishes were coming true. Interest rates fell for the fourth time this year; another cut in mortgage rates was said to be on the way.

mysterious financial totem, the Dow Jones Index, saw its biggest American interest rates, the cause of anguished squeals from every treasury in Europe, were going to fall.

Was this the light at the end of tunnel? Was John Wayne finally going to rescue the world from recession?

Not quite. On Friday, the Financial Times reported that the government 'received three pieces

bad news the economy from figures published yesterday'. These were:

Capital investment (already al an all-limne Iow) fell again this quarter.

Manulacturing myestnichl fell most sharply at 4.5 per cent, concentrated in new plant, which registered a 7 per cent drop.

Manufacturers stopped restocking, which generally signals downturn.

• Cyclical indicators, which predict future economic activity, turned down in July, having risen since last autumn.

Nor is America doing so wonderfully. The shares boom relates, not to its

Mexico or bust

By Alan Freeman WHY is Mexico going visiting the sumptuous Hotel Nacional in Mexico' City could tell you. funded by a nationalist businessman who swore not to use a single Yanqui dollar, was to be a monument to Mexican endeavour - but ran out of money halfway through.

With only the top was sold at a knock-down price to Mexico's vice president, who rents it out for discos and conferences to raise the cash to finish the rest.

The Mexican economy was built like the Hotel Nacional. Under the banner of 'national pride' in-

president Miguel de la Madrid has inherited

tottering, half-built economy with a splendid frontage and no cash.

The world press once backed the 'spendthrift' policies former president Lopez Portillo, whose organisation the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), monopolised the government for fifty years.

Now denounces these pollcies. But thev are coming adrift, not because of the PRI's stupidity but because of the bankruptcy of the big western powers, to whom Mexico is in debt up to its neck.

The PRI followed a more astute policy than almost any other third world bourgeoisie. Unlike in the Arab sheikdoms, oil

not used to finance the exotic pleasures of a tiny clique but lo try and create a broad new middle class.

Ant incredibsed per per

incredible gallon, a car became the dream of every downtrodden street seller — all cutly ticket to an imitation gr-

Socialist Challenge 28 August 1982

Why the recession isn't ending

Industry's dearest

Share prices boomed on Wall Street; that

one-day leap ever.

strength, but its weakness. The boom followed pronouncements by Dr Henry Kaufman, the so-called 'guru of the bears who, having predicted high interest rates for most of this year, has now changed his mind.

Why? Because things are worse lan ne nougal they were. In a Seatoman

Saloman Brothers, his company, he explained that the pected business recovery of 1982 is now less likely to materialise'.

Credit

Industry is now so badly off, and so conditioned to recession, that it has given up hunting for easy credit from the banks.

In short, as the Financial Times commented, we are witnessing new postwar event: long postwar recession. After two years of 'waiting for the upturn' there is now a

bankrupt? Anyone

The 36

two floors complete it

ingo consumer paradise.

State money brought off political and fed this growing middle class by pulling it into a vast network corrupt officialdom, beholden to the PRi and used by it alternately to repress and corrupt.

Right

The new middle class should, theory, have spent its money to furnish the demand on which indigenous Mexican industry would spring up. But where would Lne capital come from to finance the new industry? And where would the

access to markets come trom?

The PRI used the time-honoured Western bankers' prescription:

and use it no atric oile

use attract

grants and cheaper labour.

•ocasallls

tere driven to hass-crop

'agribusiness': LOWLIN cash-crop there swollen slums furnished endless cheap labour for gigantic Volkswagen and Renault plants.

Dow Jones

industrial

average

August

growing suspicion that the wait will be a long one.

Economist Intelligence Unit, in its latest

savs Enal here was slight rise beginning of this vear but that 'the impetus has now ended, however, and we do not further

OCC stimulus to overall output occuring until early 1983'.

The Unit expects this recovery to be deepened by

Conservative-LiberalSDP coalition 1984. This will really set us on the road to riches with an

ligure 'only' 2.7 million by 1986. This is its 'optimistic' forecast. We won't go into the pessimistic one.

Behind these developments

Call discern the outlines of something very important: the ugly shape of the postmonetarist world economy.

In reality, interest rates have not fallen. They have adjusted to a lower infla-

In hock to the banks

$bn Earnings from oil exports

Current-account baldle of which

10 trade

" invisibles 1977 80

Why didn't it work? Because the entire country

now hock. bankers now claim 56 cents in every dollar of oil

Sixty per of salco foreign trade goes to ser-

these leeches.

VICE Paradoxically, the very thing which attracted the new industries to Mexico

cheap labour - meant that the demand for goods within Mexico could not sustain the new expansion.

Slump

While the middle classes darted around the city's eight lane highways

their second-hand Volkswagons, the workers, shantydwellers and agricultural workers were lucky to find their next meal. The economy was based on foreign de mand for consumer products made with cheap labour by foreign multinationals. Mexico failed to escape the iron grip of

International.

831.2 825

800

775

12 13 16 18

tion rate. The 'real' interest rate (interest minus inflation) is no lower than

Does this signal last ycal. recovery? Neither has inflation been conquered, nor has the basis for recovery been laid.

Thirties

The cost of singlefigure inflation in the West has been the deepest and most sustained recession ever: probably deeper than the Thirties. This happened, because the money supply has been brought under control' but because Western

have validicule vinced manufacturing industry that they will no longer serve as guarantors of growth. rirms cannot expect to be bailed out by banks who will be bailed by governments, and so they Lave finally kicked the postwar habit of running for credit to finance

Mexican nest against US $ quarterly averag

Total foreign debt'

Debt

81 82* 1977

Mexico's debt burden becomes intolerable: the peso crashes

dependence on foreign capital.

Once the slump begar to bite into world demand for these products, the Mexican left, as the Economist succinctly put 'without bean'.

Mexico's bankruptcy is sending shockwaves through the world's big cues out not out Or concern for the people who must now suffer a 70 per cent devaluation and AN ARTITIO IMF conditions for renewed credit. Nor, indeed, do the bankers really fear that Mexico will not pay up. Rhetoric

What terrifies them the prospect imposing

auster measures, at the behest of the USA's

rhetoric about 'national independence'.

pansion. As Kaufman recognised, the new relative adjustment

prices and bank 70771211 00 COL a permanent phenomenon.

une snares not a surge of confidence in indust cas a tremo! of suspicion about the banks. There is no better proof that monetarism cannot 'control the money supply' than what has been happening in international banking markets. International lending has

fantasy proportions: the fantasy ended last week in Mexico City

The problem facing Friedman's aisciples that we live in a private economy. Decisions lend money are ultimately

The privale

goy not control, credit,

credit, Control. bank lending and hence so-called 'money creation' by private concerns.

Profits

By raising interest rates through the roof, HONCLASSI produced a flood of 'hot'

into the banks.

Banking profits soared: the already grossly inflated British banking sector recorded profit increases of seventy, , eighty, a hundred percent a year.

But where these profits come from? Banks

82 latest

worried the people will see the PRI bending its knee before the while on their doorsteps the peoples of Central America are struggling arms in hand against the same oppressor. Action

If the Mexican working class - now over half the population decide to break with their capitalisi mentors this could lead to a mighty revolutionary ex. plosion whose effects would be telt from fornia to New York City.

In July's election million votes were cast for

slate headed the Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT), Mexican section of the Fourth International. If this growing demand for class independence expresses itself in action, the

bankers will have cause to tremble.

make money not by borrowing but by lending

In the fairy story world of capitalist CCOHONSE does money create wealth on its own.

Ultimately, banks grub in the same trougn as all other capitalists: the exploitation of your labour and that of your sisters and brothers

Debt

Banks have to lend money to profit-making

• build up a house of cards which cvculuall collapses The dramatic decline of industrial production could not but have an eventual impact the banking system

Kaufman puts it "banks were constrained by a thin capital base and substantial non-earning assets while the massive overhang of debt in the international market also restricted the capacity of the financial institutions to stimulate the economy.

The banks have been dealing in hope expecta tion, oil gambles and fun-

instead of rea income In two years alulic. short-term toreigi lending by British banks rose from f5bn to f30bn!

Mexico

The banks beat a path To une doors called 'advanced developing countries . But precise ly because the develop-

these countries was ultimately subordinate to that of the imperialist nations, there was a top limit to their ability Mexico

to absorb 'hot'

Phoney Mexico reached that top

The terrifying prospect of a banking collapse now hangs over the imperialist economies. They cannot afford this: the Financial Times now speaks of international banking 'suspending reality and of the "delicate task of bringing it gently down to earth

But what are the prospects for recovery? Bring ing banks down LO earth does not bring industry up off it knees. A major imperialist world boom would reauir

as ingle in or cisntries to

countrie take on its shoulders the task of re-expanding world demand. At the end of the last war America took or this task as the completely dominant world power.

Rivals

But the almighty dollar no longer rules The American learned this lesson painful-

after the 1974 slump

Wherecession and found

recession found that, because its European and Japanese rivals were now strong enough compete with it on a world scale they reaped the benefits of American led expansion. Only the forc ed devaluation of the

allowed the Americans to compensate TOT UNUS CHICCU

This time round, Reagan isn't playing: perialism has fallen victim

a crisis of leadership and we face a new era of war, inter-imperialist rivalry, and allas. unemployment.

Welcome back to the thirties.

Trotskyist at recent revolutionary election rally in

Page 11 scan of this page

17 August represented a new level of aggression and audacity on the part of South Africa.

letter-bomb or other means with anything'.

The assassination of First and the attempted assassination of her colleague, Braganca COUR bomb failed go off)

Tollow la lac wake of the bombing of the ANC office in London, a renewed full-scale invasion of

and mounting Arcold. subversion and destabilisation in Mozambique. The key area Western response to South African aggression is the negotiations on a settlement in Namibia. From the line taken by the five Western powers in inese negotiations, the South African regime judges the protection extended by the West African cominent and to the asub- dominance the subtheid system itself. First's assassination as one more act of defiance to international opinion, and it must not go unanswered.

But who was Ruth First? She lived in Britain since being forced into exile from South Africa in 1964. At the time of her

government

'Devil On The Cross' by Ngugi Thiongo. Series. Heinemann Educational Books. £2.50

Cross', written secretely on pieces

devastatingly accurate tinued imperialist Dedicated 'to all the neo-colonial stage book's wide readership and popular acclaim will have caused considerable within the ruling circles Moi's KANU regime.

the Kikuyu anguage as part of Ngugi's and other progressive Kenyan and build on their native writers'

on their native culture, novels imagery draws heavily on traditional poems, and songs These emphasise the long history, and deep roots, the strug gle for self determination and equality in the lives of the workers and peasants.

The book opens with the central character Wariinga sacked from her job as a secretary for rejecting the sexual demands of her boss, and unable to find any other work in Nairobi,

her home town.

The story follows her fight

OWl life and her refusal to passively sion and exploitation. In this Wariinga mirrors the Kenyan people's own traditions, from the fierce resistance the initial British invasion, through

Ruth First

'Renew our support for her struggle'

THE assassination of Ruth First in Maputo on

Although many militants have been killed - by

this is the first time that someone of Ruth First's stature on the international scene has been made the target. 'If the South Africans are allowed to get away with this,' said Mike Terry, secretary of the Anti-Apartheid Movement, at the picket to protest the murder, 'then they can get away

assassination in Mozambique, where she had helped establish the Centre of Alcan the University of Maputo, she Was still secondment from the University Durham. She used to live in London, in a house in Camden Town still cupied by members of her family.

Her husband Joe Slovo is a leader of the military wing of the ANC and lives Africa, but her mother and three resident in Britain.

She was well known in this country, as a scholar, an author, atepagandist in the solidarity novement. She travelled frequently as an invited SOCaNCI participant. and Her conference interests

and reputation as a critical thinker extended beyond southern Africa - among many other activities she was recently a member of the International Tribunal on Eritrea, and co-author study wive Schriener, an early socialist feminist.

Novel exposes Kenyan

African Writers

NGUGI Wa Thiongo's latest novel 'Devil on the

of scrap paper while the author was detained without trial in 1978, is a brilliantly composed and

attack on the condomination of Kenya.

Kenyans struggling against imperialism', the

loss of sleep of President Arap

the 'Land and Freedom' rebellion of the Mau-Mau, to the present fight against neo-colonialism.

The centerpiece of the tightly knit plot is a competition called by the International Organisation hieves Robbers (headquarters New York) to select seven outstanding local experts in modern theft and robbery the consisting of bank loans and directorships.

The competitors' speeches boasting of their prowess and experience in the art of exploitation and their suggestions on how to squeeze even more from the Kenyan people are cleveriy written and nignly amusing lampoon of the ruling elite.

The novel's politics uphold one tenets of the theory of Per of the

Hialicill Revolution, that only the workers and peasants are capable of going the whole way in the battle against imperialism.

She made her reputation writer and in politics as a political journalist exposing the brutalily or ine apartnera system. in a series of publications which were banned by the authorities. She joined the ANC and the Communist Party, and was jailed. She wrote an account of hel experiences in solitary continement, 117 Days, which was published by Penguin and made into a film Ull British television.

In exile, she continued as a political activist in the liberation movement but also researched and published further books on Africa. She became an important scholar in

studies, and helped found the

of African Keview Political Economy, an independent Marxist jour-

In their statement on her assassination, ner coeditors on the Review said: 'this premeditated murder killed a woman who by her intellect and ability to analyse and publicise was seen by the South African regime as dangerous enemy. It is snocking ou instructive remember

to claritv issues and speak out fearlessly are regarded as serious crimes by those who killed this remarkable woman.

Memorial activities for Ruth First and further protests are being organised. For further details and

By S McBirney

This is illustrated symbolically by Wariinga's recurrent nightmare oi a white devil, vanquished and put on a cross by ine masses, being brought down and revived by black men dressed in suits and ties. The fight of the mass of Kenyan people to get rid of this imperialist ana nis local aiscipies Is the nevil omahe Crosse.

Cross 15 published in Britain at a

the Arap Moi Luse wicu regime, a key element imperialist for

sulalce East Africa, is looking increasingly shaky. Facing severe economic difficulty VIOl anno bliccu crackdown on 'subver-

and 'foreign SOkL ideologies' formally abolished the right to form opposition parties, closed

colleges after anti-government demonstra tions, and detained eight lecturers without trial.

When Ngugi wa Thiongo himset was detained international protests and publicity including pickets of the Kenyan High Commission in London, played a part in

This excellent book should help

acquaint socialists Britain better with the struggles the Kenyan people and also act as a stimulus for solidarity with those facing repres sion.

Also Detained - À.W.S. writer's

prison diary

Ngugi wa Thiongo.

International

to contribute your own suggestions, contact the ANC, Anti-Apartheid Movement, or the Review.

the meantime the issues should .be widely publicised. Trade unions,

TROUBLESOME GEOFF BELL, writer for

the Irish national question. Geoff policies of

book The

'well

the goods.

of TROUBLESOME Pluto Press,

London N.1. 23/24 Princeton College,

London WCI.

politics; Ken

Labour left; Bea

'Exterminism Harrison

unions; Perry nadette McAliskey also invited.

now. October 23/24

HALT

SAIITH

IN Demonstration against South African murder of Ruth First

Labour parties and other organisations of labour and student movements should send telegrams of protest and demand action by their MPs identify South

BUSINESS by former staff Socialist Challenge deals with the history of the Labour Party's attitude towards

reviews the Irish all its prominent leaders from Ramsay MacDonald to Michael Foot and Tony Benn.

The author who also wrote the

Protestants of Ulster which the Irish press described as

researched, throughly documented, packed with fact, a compact history, a sharp and cool analysis' has again come up with

Make sure you get your copy

BUSINESS, £4.50. Order from Other Bookshop, 328 Upper St.,

Come to the ... INTERNATIONAL

'Debating Socialism' Weekend

A weekend discusssing a socialist programme for the British crisis

October, Kingsway Sidmouth St., off Grays Inn Rd., Kings Cross,

Programme includes Ernest Mandel on the crisis of world imperialism; -John Ross on the break up of British

Livingstone, Francis Morrall and Alan Freeman on the new

Campbell and Val Coultas debating Sweet Freedom and Womens Liberation; Mike Davis on

and Cold War'; John on the British Economic disaster; Chris Harman debates John Ross on the Labour Party; Pat Hickey debates John Deason on the trade

Anderson and Ber-

Book this date in your diary

MURS

Africa as the assassin and the force the British govern-

Hicil lu ccasc laboration. honouring memory of Ruth First and sharing the grief of her

im the seat theresyou so

BUSINESC

Speaking

Her cos i

These d cilizens Bonus

to So. RE How * Them

NAM

family and friends we must renew our support for the col- struggle in whose cause she was murdered. the Erica Flegg Now on the precise point:

I wouldnt want an inflexibl wouLdn't want, in often sat

to prevent people

coming

it'l, pre of State

LROUBLESOME

at the conference. Clockwise Ernest Man. del, Pat Hickey, John Deason, Bernadette McAliskay

Socialist Challenge 28 August 1982 page 11

Page 12 scan of this page

By Nick Robin ISRAEL, with a population around 3.5 million people, has for a long time got more US military equipment than any other country. Reagan's budget request for 1983 included $7bn in 'assistance pro. •times one wisecre East (compared with $500m for this, Intral Central America). is to receive $2.485bn of which $1.7bn is military.

This means that this tiny (but expanding!) country will get a stag. gering 23 per cent of all SUCH 'aid' allies worldwide. Further-

of this $1.7bn military 'assistance', *500m is in the form of credits, which means it will not have to be repaid, not as money or goods anyway.

course Israel by invading the Lebanon has repaid its US sponsors in a different way

with the blood of the Palestinian and Lebanese people. It has also given the US military the chance to test out on human beings the MOST and horrific weapons from

The Palestinians and Lebanese have been used as guinea-pigs.

The following tables from the New Statesman tell their own horrific story.

As you can see in the first three months of

gatorto a a nowspaper with the roat Untice vaand by cardinal entererica, ro boXelLondon Ni

Socialist

Challenge

15,000 dead:

made in USA!

1980 Aircraft 2 F-16A and

Vehicles 1, 704,001 & weapons car cartiers, artiery guns)

Ammunition 278.000 (Heavy artillery cartridges,

Missiles

Misc support 11,000

Training, maps, other assistance 412,000

Total 24,727,000 rigures in dollars. Source: Us Delense Security Assistance. wasningtor

this year while Israel planned the invasion of Lebanon, they received $217,695,000 worth military equipment from the US, 10 times as much as in the same period in 1980 and 50 per cent higher than in the first quarter last year.

These deliveries included ten F-15 aircraft, 14 tank recovery vehicles, 19 self-propelled 155 mm Howitzers, and over $6 million worth of bombs and ammunition. This was either a remarkable coincidence the US willingly financed and backed up

NUROARISO

ALAN FREEMAN

FREEMAN

US arms deliveries to Israel Three-month period, January-March, 1980, 1981, 1982

1981 1982

(14 F-16A and

17,000 (Truck parts)

Howitzers) 1.068.000 6.752.000 (Heavy artillery (Guided bombs cartriages) and oiner ammo,

spare parts)

198,000

1.300.300 2.631.000

148,018,000 217,695,000

the Israeli properations for the invasion.

Perhaps this is what US Defence Secretary Casper Weinberger meant in Congress earfer inis year wnen ne explained the budgetary quirements for the Defence Department in the coming year: "To the challenge 01 this dynamic environment (the Middle East), we must develop robust and flexible to support US policy obRobust, flexible.. and genocidal.

THE BENN

"HERESY

Israeli guns and American money did this What Socialist Challenge Supporters can do: • Campaign in your Labour parties for public meetings in support of the Palestinians and Lebanese people • Push for emergency motions to the Labour National Conference demanding unconditional withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon and support for the Palestinians. • Organise factory tours/meetings in solidarity with Palesti nians and Lebanese with Palestinian, Lebanese and anti-Zionist Israeli speakers. (Phone Socialist Challenge if you need help with this. • Organise Socialist Challenge public forums and let the paper know about ac tivities in your area.

SPECIAL OFFER

For readers who take out a year's inland subscription we are offering a free copy of Alan Freeman's new book THE BENN HERESY. The book normally costs £3.50

Alteratively we are offering Henri Weber's book NICARAGUA - THE SANDINIST REVOLUTION (Usual price £2.95).

Subscription Rates:

Inland: 12 months £14.00/6 months £7.00/ 10 issues £2.00 Overseas: 12 months only Surface & Europe £17.00/Air mail £24.00 (Please delete as appropriate)

Name....

Address..

Special Offer Please sena Me..........................

For multi-reader institutions double the above rates Send to Socialist Challenge, P.O. Box 50, London N1 2XQ

Solidarity Events Birmingham Solidarity Campaign with Palestinian People

1000 • or (021) 692 1765 fol details of activities Demo against Israeli inva-

11 september (details later).

London Labour Committee on Palestine (LCP), open meeting 3 September, County Hall at 7pm Labour Party Conference

LCP meeting a Queens Hotel, South Pro menade. 28 September, 6.30pm Brent East CLP public meeting, 15 September 7pm, Anson Hall, Anson Rd., NW2. Speakers, Ken Livingstone, Chris Khamis, Nira YuvalDavis and Alf Filer. Palestine Solidarity Liaison Committee meets every Tuesday 6.30pm at Oxford House, Derbyshire St. E2.

Medical Aid to the Lebanon fundraising event; 29 August at 7.30pm, Bloomsbury Theatre, Gordon Street, London WC1.

Featuring: Ekome, Britain's top African Dance and Rhythm group; Al Gabal, Palestinian Folk Group; Palestine Film on

Entrance f3.50 waged, £3.00 unwaged.

Steve Faulkner,

Bookshop, 137 Digbeth, Birmingham.

company, and all those

home just to pester us.

your share of the wages campaign.

W.london £ 1009.00

a Loneor 891.

N.London 675.00 Soondon

Birmingham 10176 1045.00

S.Wales 780

Oxford 180.00

Who to get in touch with for national information:

Palestine Solidarity Liaison Committee, c/o THIS, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London E2.

Labour Committee on Palestine, c/o 28 Carlton Mansions, Holmleigh Rd., London N16.

Socialist Challenge

FUND DRIVE '82

Every mile

a winner!

, our marathon runner,

still limbering up for the September People's

remember he intends running the full 26 miles of the course. Now he is doing the hard work

do is encourage him and nothing will do that more than sponsorship

Every time he passes the mile post that could boost Socialist Challenge finances and Steve's morale. Come on, put your money on

get sponsorship forms and details from SCD PO Box 50 London N.1, or Other

wages campaign. We got to £11, 235.40, which is not bad, but the holidays slowed up our in-

other people who want money appeared to have stayed at

So if you still have not paid to this fund please do so now. We have got our backs to the wall and are in urgent need - make sure you do not let the struggle down: send us

Weeks Wages Campaign

Scotland 1047.30 N. East 305.00 Yorkshire 50.01 North West 190.01 Individuals 780.00 Total £11,235.40

Something wrong on this page?