Socialist Press no. 112

NATIONALISE THE WHOLE MOTOR INDUSTRY!

PREPARE TO DEFEND

CHRYSLER JOBS

Every worker who depends for his or her livelihood on the British industry stands motor if the Labour to lose leaders allow the take- of Chrysler's over British operation by the Peugeot-Citroen giant combine. Chrysler workers-who face the certainty of a ruth- less drive to rationalisation and speed up at the hands of one of the most vicious anti-union employers lose jobs rance-stand to and hard-won working con- ditions.

BLOCK

Workers in British Ley-

PICKET LINE

outdated and land-whose almost unsaleable model would immediately strengthened competit- lace lon hom ımproveu market- ing of Peugeot-Citroen cars -face an intensified offensive speed-up, and the imminent prospects of sackings and even further closures. And Ford and Vauxhall which have malacencills • cashing In on - the Deen weakness of British Leyland sales, would be confronted with an increased struggle to maintain their share of the market-which will jead to renewed on working conditions there too experience recent period has demon- strated beyond all doubt that in the cut-throat com- today's petition of econ- capitalism, omic crisis OI anv firm can onlv improve its position if it expands at the expense of its workforce and its rivals. Peugeot's rise to domin- the European Cal What has happened to the market is based on precisely this concept. £81 million Peugeot workers have the government loans and grants longest (42½ hour) working lavishly handed (£254) wcek jo wesl Beatens monthly wages and one of designed to avoid nationalis- the lowest (10%) ation in mid-1975? propor- tions of unionised employ- deal was struck-at, the cost ees. Conditions are oppressive that its absentee- of thousands ism rate (over 11%) is the jobs-Chrysler's highest of top value was so low that chief car ally manuactuer

JOIN

Such employers will not actually offered the shrink from axeing workers government £35 million to by the thousand if necessary British the LaNC order the off his hands. trim unwieldly Chrysler Instead tion to the size they require.

spend five times as much

SOCIALIST

PRESS *

Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist League * No. 112 * 16 August 1978 * 15p End business secrets. Nationalise without compensation. what of Chrysler? million deal to 177| a tioz bribe the employer to stay British The this

OBV

way out by question could be answered deal Shryster workers for elected through the fight trade union committees to At the time this appalling be given access to Chrysler's account books. the of Chrysler This would reveal £51½ watch lie million in grants and £30 Ricardo million loans were Wilson siphoned out of the country into the coffers of the crisis- ridden Chrysler corporation.

And it would reveal how it is that three years later wuson chose to for a mere £118 million in Chrysler pickets outside the Linwood plant Class The Chrysler even sharper turn in British Leyland's for the and cash shares issue, Peugeot has now been able the whole to purchase the whole able components operation Europe, lock, stock and currently Leyland's "losses" barrel. establishment of a workers would • demonstrate beyond doubt the necessity plan OI protect all jobs. for the nationalisation of Chrysler, This compen- naturally to the fight for the sation, under workers man- agement nationalsation But the problem does not rest there. The anarchy banks and industries as the basis of a the car maustry- with capitalist firms planned socialist economy attempting to force each out of Chrysler other business by each producing virtually identical occupation to withstand the venueles-continues Olly allacks on Joos tnal musi

CZECHOSLOVAKIA-THE NAKED

FACE OF STALINISM

Centre Pages

CAP IN HAND

THE CHRYSLER

POLICY

Chrysler workers fight closure of subsidiary in 1976 now arise, the perspective of nationalisation is one which offers a clear basis for an appeal for support and com- mon from action every of section car oIne workers. obstacle major to such a fight is the complete absence of leadership from and union officials in Chrysler. convenor at John Carty, the Linwood plant which is the expense of the working most likely for the Peugeot axll for nationalisation.

• explicitly rejected any fiasco - soon to be followed by an "I think our best hopes lie negotiations with financial crisis - Peugeot-Citroen". points to the need to fight nationalisation of Buckling down motor industry, including the highly profit- Other convenors and firms officials are also following Carty's benefitting from line of buckling and the down to collaboration with prospective new ine production to employers rather than fight- ing to defend the interests policy leads of their 23,000 members. The fight for jobs in the • under industry is workers management of the inseparable from the fight other major to construct a revolutionary leadership in the unions capable of challenging both adopting a policy in right and 'left' wings of the plant for bureaucracy and fighting for socialist a principled gramme

Fascist threat grows Portugal-Eanes drops the Page 2

-INTERNATIONAL•

and Nearly 300 workers killed by stucents nave o8en fascist attacks in Turkey since government took Ecevit over earlier this year The fascists contInu- ing an all-out offensive aimed at terrorising Tne svsrematically masses. some places these attacks the scale of open reached 'Nave uprising-particularly the Eastern part of Turkey. EnAre occasions the • V8

OI SA

back- fascists have provokod religious peasants into ward, bomb through VOoNe douor outrages blamed "communists". Rampage As the peasants ovel fascists go on the town, out mili- the rampage, seeking tant workers, StUGenTS progressive elements. Even offices Ecevit's the RPP have bourgeois oa Ly been burned down THese ri thi ch vertietsl vo uprisings, CAle0

TOT

TU8 OvErOW Ecevit's "communist" govern- ment and the establishment of a renaious tascist slald, Under Thest Contons clearly no credence can be given the fascist to the recent call by "peace" Lenter that "*the govern- will be overthrown

MOUL

bv pAramen comoc alic The faithful servant has been dismissed. Mario Soares, the leader of Portugal's Socialist Party who for over two years has dutifully tried make to Portugal safe again for capit- alism, has not been asked to form another government. Eanes of the President Portuguese armed forces has now told Soares that in the eyes of Portuguese capital- ists he has failed. decision not Eanes' ask Soares to iorm a new government marks a major by the change mn

TACUCS

Portuguese ruling class and also a sharp increase in the dangers by political Laccl the Portuguese masses. Caetano in Turkey right demagogy contract" with the This type of Hittar carbon copy from wind trade union contederation designed to confuse Turk-is, covering millon the workers, and disregarded by workers. centres on This "contract" the big. bourgeolsie wnost being channelled permanent wade contro s ana introduction of "workers' behind the fascists. participation" to Ailing economy further class collaboration. With inflation currently at 50%, this Ecevit's liberal bourgeois amounts to a major attack.

government is plainly unable to initial YeT desoitb cope this political crisis criticisms, wItn Tne ContraN the left-wing top of the acute union confedera- coming dislocation inside is now also having tion bo Turkey. talks he h thers of a mil a military/ At the recent Istanbul con- dangers underdeveloped Turkey are ferenci fascist

COUO

countries, emphasised by RuR GAWIRM 34602— the enoias zo

IMF

stipulations loans which Ecovit now has to go to go to underdeveloped countries could portray arwuy "authoritarian regimes" cratic" 1880 70 Ecevit should know. himself been implemen- Lost control ting IMF policies in an effort to prop the alling economy he ended a desperate tour His speech And , recent

•TOA

capitalist countries and Security Council National

OT'18U

important cities to do the job of of the soviet Union almost empry cameo n awiul ecu the police! handed, despite the urgent need the doomed Allende, that: There is no way that Turkish $15 billion external "The armed forces' covel workers can fight the

TOSCISTS

to be pro• debts, 01lon

SHO

UBUW

determinction

HOT

Ecevit's bourgeois debts and a trade deficit so far voked and their attachment through through this year of $4 billion. to the principles of democracy government defending it. Turkey But proot that coonel Titan

CONTTONT

ConstiTuTe the independent the Turkish working class head will emerge trom ine presan is to utilise struggles of the clas on, Ecevit's strategy with national integ- workin! CrISIS and formation of armed the ot the union rity unscathed. coraoo atiol militias But the government has lost workers the devaluation the control of much of the poliçe

TUBV

TIONT

DacK a als and price increases ascists-to growth of fascist violence.

the Turkish lira naclTe Workers parties, trade unions 20,000 have been an that To LoWed u• oy llie

SUCT

eXТ8NT organisations must and signing of a British-style "social soldiers are now stationed in the "democratic" mask The Stalinist leaders have Thẻ been squared with the all- appointment af diplomatically opposed the the Prime military Council Nobre da of Nobre da nomination Minister indicates that the Revolution. "democratic», much-vaunted Costa on the grounds that has decided to bourgeoisie correspond to to rule constitution doesn't *11 abandon the characteristics needed to which was the offspring of through Soares' class collab- Constituent solve the crisis" so-called the orationist coalition. 'characteristics', Assembly, by which Soares These "Independent" according to the CP leaders, much store, now fulfilled gives Eanes the green light would .be More than that-the alliance of all the "demo- to re-establish military rule.

bourgeoisie has abandoned, the of the and patriotic forces cenue Cralic at least for now, its effort especially the Socialists and latest government crisis has political rule through been the question of capit-.

Communists" parties. But the CP doesn't call in alist property Nobre "independent" Costa of the for

CP-SP

The coalition any sense politically Socialist Party and the government. capitalist. Christian Democrats broke He was chief executive of up because of disagreements Person pique the state oil company under over the speed of handing the fascist governm ent Soares and the back nationalised As for

DLUVOLLY

Caetano. Socialist Party, reac- to its former owners. More recently he was the For the Christian Demo- the new events LOlS "technocratic industry of seem to be based more on this restoration crats both the sixth minister in personal pique than political property was not happening provisional government and principle. quickly enough. the first Soares government Soares clearly remains as the 1976 parliamen- his dutiful ever to More slowly tary elections. bourgeois masters But the appointment of a It is typical that Soares The Socialists were Nobre Costa concerned at the lke equally devoted to undoing not 11lcll doesn't mean that the bour- the but threat posed nationalisations

CO V

anest geoisie has decided to rule government to the workers wanted to do it more siowly directly without the aid of and peasants. so as not to upset their own political agents. has made only rank and file and to throw But he What it does mean is a the mildest complaints that an easy catch to the waiting big stride in the direction of the governm ent clearly opportunistic hands of the military rule. d. his beloved Communist Party. volale UW11 Nobre da Costa's power Socialist and bourgeois constitution. But both based will not be on leaders Party T1 TPI DA ElG-e Communist political parties or on parlia- Party "will Socialist have as usual shown them- but the armed systematically place

MOCHE

totally unwilling sleves forces. obstacles in the way of" the defend the gains made by "disguised military and new Portuguese WOlKCIS peasants in the 18 months government. Nobre da Costa 1s tne The bourgeoisie can direct nominee Eanes, which followed over- T.Oe faithful throw of the fascist govern- expect no more who did

MOT

moaKe servants than this. until had ment. SOCIALIST PRESS. Wednesday 16 August 1978 H ce VIT from Ecevit break politically be forced

RPP

the anc and to fight for the establishment of a workers' and peasants' govern- ment. A working class united front be built in which the must fascists can be defeated. and the existing leadership of the labour moven ente to the est. such Coulsi struggles

TOTSKVIS

OaTL must be built as part of a recon.

structed Fourth International.

Nobre da Costa voures There now great urgency for a fight through- out the labour movellcllt based on the demands: Down with the Nobre da Costa/Eanes government! Party- For Socialist Communist Party govern- uCull Expel the Soares leader- ship from the labour move- ment! Occupy to defend all nationalised property! Dissolution of the bour- geois army! Build workers commit- tees and militias to defend of and exteno gallls April 1974! Further setback in Eritrea of the The forces Ethiopian military dictatorship and its allies are now preparing an assault on the town of Keren in western Eritrea. Having raised the siege of Asmara, and with the fall of Agordat, recapturing lasttown held by

LN E

Liberation Front, Eritrean the Derg's armies have been freed to throw their Iorce.

against the resistance of the Eritrean Popular Liberation Front. Keren-which was liberated by the EPLF in last year's advances-is strat- egically crucial of of the west contro! Eritrea, and the battle will of the critical Les EPLF's ability to withstand the onslaught Ethiopian troops with their Russian equipment and Soviet supoort But with every day of Eritrea, the Derg's domestic crisis inten- sifies. The chaos of Ethiop been society has now lall increased by the invasion of a huge swarm of locusts. Mengistu's regime is now fighting a aesperale Dallit •against time on every front.

While the continuing liberation struggles Eritrea give an impetus to revolutionary forces Ethiopia, this 11еTa crisis restrains the dictator all its ship from turning strength to crush the EPLF and the Eritrean people. China- Japan pact To the accompani- ment of denunciations the thundering from Kremlin. the ruling Chinese bureaucracy has of signed a treaty friendship with the gov- ernment of Japan. The wrath of the Russian has bureaucracy been provoked above all by the 'anti-hegemony' clause This declares that neither China nor

SUCK.

(i.e. political hegemony domination) eastern ove other region, ally that both oppose allu attempts by any other state achieve such hegemony. to from standing rar of imperial- condemnation this is under- ism, Cause stood by parties attack on the foreign policy of the Soviet Union. The fury of the Kremlin clique has been equalled and surpassed by the jubilation oi tne Peking leaacis -ant of every section of imperial- ism Like the major Japanese which paid for companies advertisements to national the welcome the signing imperialists are enraptured economic signific- by

TUNC

ance of this 'friendship'.

and Individual deals negotiations are general compound increasing reveals which more Lalc starkly every day the threat the nationalised posed to property relations in China the by bureaucracy.

AFTER THE ELECTIONS

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesda: 16 August 1978

INTERNATIONAL-

IN PERU

By Enrique Alvares We print here an interview with Enrique Part two of an Fernandez a reruvian worker the Peruvian metal a ne ot workers' union, who elected June as a member of Peru's Constituent interview with a Assembly. He has had a long experience in the trade union and political struggle in Peru workers Party member of the Socialist metal workers' a no l

(PST),

"Unified" Secretariat og sympatusk section of the une rourn international leader "Bolshevik supports within the USFI. What is your position of What are the main union federations? governmental demands? We think that the Consti- There are four: the CNT, tuent Assembly which is with the Christian was a gain by the masses to the extent Democracy; the CTRP (the that they had forced the Federation Workers of government to retreat some- the Peruvian Revolution) what from a hard policy. up by the was ser And presented the government; the CP which possibility ot a democratic is dominated by the APRA; opening. and the CGTP which is con- We decided to participate trolled by the Communist elections to the Party. Ene constituent assembly But each of them independent putting divided. In the CNT there is UD class candidates. a large faction falso Chris- All this was not in the Democrat) called the tian government's plans. Christian Trade Union And even less was it part Movement of the The CTRP is split from go crnment s plans that the left should take ad- the CTRP ( Lima): the latter Perurian President Morales vantage of this to beome the Bermudez. cine peopic or lne re second force the elec- 1n tions. Also the elections to but it doesn't represent any- the right the Assembly didn't serve out as has Contes Ulc.

JOSL

cvel their purpose in disorienting of traditional strength in the camoullaced the government. the struggles of the workers textue maustry We say

APRA:

we since the teachers have been have overthrow the on strike for O days: there And the CGTP has split 35.000 government. we have are public health in two as well as a result of demand "down the workers on strike and also the split in the Communist dictatorship", there is a sizeable section of Party. Also there are now But they then say: No. miners on strike. independent trade fially because now there is no dic- The government's plans unior. federations in particu- tatorship; because from the couldn't lar countries struggles. On the contrary, moment nal lacy. callea the unitary coordinating elections to the Assembly, ine workers see the consti- body ot the union there was no longer a dic- tuent Assembly not only as federations has been set up.

tatorship. a gain, but they are begin- called the

CUL

ning to see the possibility of (Unitary Struggle confronting the government Command). And they also say: yes, itself. It was set up specifically we for removing the ale So our position consists to fight the division. It was government from Diesen of this: how are we going to organise office, but first of all let us set up to the take advantage this general strikes of the draw up a new constitution last this situation, workers' and hold year. elections genera. upsurge, the Constituent rid of the govern- the

CGTP

Assembly itself elected by CTRP (Lima) the CNT ment in that way. tne popular vote, to call for the The and the independent feder- first thing for them the govern- which don't belong overTErOw OI now •is the constitution ment which has. been of the any four which would take at least a pletely repudiated The then will federations

CUL

led year; there There is unity among the strike the general of July general elections and so on.

The masses. voling. was a military There

VOLE

acainsi Our pressure on them is problem Was Even the ultra-right with this

CUL.

to say: large I ou were elecred on centres its campaign against of vanguard a programme of opposition

SECTOR

the military junta. to the military government,

LOOK

an ultra-lett In this situation we put and tried to the CP but you haven't offered any expel forward the demand for a from the solution. So we say to them, command, provisional let us confront the dictator- organising another national the Consituent Assembly, on September 20 to SUNKe silip, ana we criterion that this demand the re-employment our solutions to the prob- demand is the best to accel- lems. erate the fall of the dictator- That is going to help ship. the million which went the Class independence VoTes right are channelled into with Does this imply there can be the • military junta and bourgeois ministers in such out of the towarus a way a government? crisis. are opposed to

INO.

we That is our tactic and any bourgeois ministers. We that's how we are tackling will put forward the the political concree demand for a government of situation class independence. Of course, at no point do But we have a contradic- we say that the problems Constituent tion the can be resolved through the Assembly. The right has a Constituent Assembly, But has that malory. be solved rather they must position by virtue of a cam- by the mobilisation of the paign waged against the working class its military 'demands But the Assembly ment. When we counterpose Is a concrete tactical ques- Constituent the Assembly tion which weave to dea to the military government, with. of all those victimised after July 19. But no-one went on strike; it was a failure.

Disciplined Does that mean that the is still the key to the success of a general strike call? It's not determining but it is kev. Because the CP can do nothing without the rest. The working class is very disciplined. So. still, if the CGTP says Don't join the national strike then a large section of the working class will not But there are now ao so. large which sectors have broken with it. What is the basis of the split in the CP? Basically there are no political differences. Witat happened was this: after July 19 the government issued a decree sacking all the organisers of the general strike-6,000 workers' leaders. instance, all the leaders were union, sacked. Among the 6,000 were members of the CP. And pressure on the CP leadership organise demand another strike to their re-employment. But since the leaders of the CP still had the line of negotiating with the govern- ment-and particular the banning of all allel publications they political wanted tc negotiate the legal •appearance of their weekly paper-they made an agreement with the govern- ment not to organise strikes.

But there was strong sacked pressure Hom CP militants and the split was between those who and those who were against the strikes The so-called Crowds welcome returned, exiled Trotskyist' Hugo Blanco (Majority) supported more strikes and the CP (Unidad) -named after the title of their paper —was against.

But in spite of that there are really no political differ- ences between For unem instance I see a good deal of the main leader of the CP (Majority) Jose Chavez because he is also in the metalworkers' union. He, for instance, is very concerned about the question of Soviet aid he savs that when the Soviet Union realises that they have the majority and most of the workers' leaders then will assistance come to them. That's why they took the name 'Majority'. since the Soviet but Union still supports the idea of the newspaper appearing and negotiations with the government they sending the aid to the OP carry (Unidad). The actual struggle has not been about the political differences but about this question of money and the party apparatus and so on.

Both the CPs, for instance, say that Hugo Blanco is a traitor and a CIA The CP (Majority) is agent. in the

UDP

which only week announced the elections DeTore thai Blanco was a CIA agent who had provoked the repression in the countryside. What other committees are being formed within the workers' movement? Whenever there is a strike the first thing that is done is to form a coordinating com- mittee. ror example there recently a strike in was textile (nylon) factory the Central Highway. Since the workers lived nearby and all were known by the local people, all the Striking Peruvian teachers demonstrate Page 3 other sectors of the popula- supported them and together omned In _a vert strong march . with three or four days of confrontations with the police and so on. The whole population got up to support this strike.

Assemblies These kinds of commit- tees which are formed in the struggle are called coordina.

ting committees, times committees struggle committees (that's commonest name), or in some places they are even called people's assemblies.. The problem of the name doesn't matter very much The important thing is that they perform more or less the same function whatever they called -the are function of supporting the struggle. They integrating committees because they integrate not only the de.

mands of the workers on strike in dispute, also the other demands of the people in the zone. And such committees become recognised because the authorities are forced to negotiate with them. In Arequipa that lasted 8 days and they won. There there was a committee to of cost living- cut ine against the increase in prices of basic commodities. In what did that sense struggle win? They because the wun brought down the prices. For example, in Arequipa things cost one price and in Lima another, higher, price And it's still carrying on like that. Hasn't that provoked similar committees in other cities?

Yes. yes. But there nas so far been no victory. In Lima instance the trade unions are putting forward isolated strikes rather than a united strike. That's why at present in a factory, I don't "Go on strike", merely say but "Let's push forward the National Strike" National Strike. National Strike. The demands have to be made as a whole. That is the new dynamic of the class struggle in Peru Although the workers are amongst various trade unions federation, the demands are being made in a more cohesive way

Internment lives on-drive out Sun strike reveals plans for union-busting lockout Page 4

IRELAND

TROOPS OUT

NOW!

further As hundreds of social- internment, evidence was being spot- ist and republican workers marched -through London lighted to show the brutal- ity of British military rule.

Sunday to mark the last In particular, Republican seventh of aunveisary Smith's frame-up uncovered many was Sun journalists 'nego- people were saying that tiated' a 5% productiv- the massacre could have ity deal last week to put been the work of the stamp of fail- the final Selous Rhodesian ure on their earlier pay Scouts", declared a BBC strike. TV news reporter last The strike led with blind of the week, in ignorance and totally ignor- biggest frame-ups yet has attempted Ing pollial the Zim- in nevertheless struck another babwe guerrilla war' Fleet blow against dead Street employers. Pointing. to two The national newspaper African guerrillas stretched industry is heading for the out for photographers in the possibility of a total shut- sun, the reporter-lan Smith (sic)-announced that aown inoug a lochout as the employers become more Smith's armed forces had discovered. and more anxious about the 'conclusive of disputes evidence' that these men ' massive wave out early this of which were part Roberi rOKe Mugabe's ZANU forces-and year and which shows every sign of increasing. that these same forces had In the waké of the strike carried out the sensational- by Sun journalists, two of murders at the Elim ised Pentecostal a tew mission weeks ago. The "evidence"? notebook allegedly found in the pocket of one of the Atricans. contailule references to not only detailed Mugabe, but account of the massacre! A mutilated, toned down of a documentary version film on racialism in Britain was screened o. American TV last week to the sound of wind and fury on both sides of the Atlantic. The film-'Blacks Britannica' - included with iter view. nacks beaten un ov police and at target practice-using police Robert Mugabe black targets cut the tarcet oractite scene has been removed, the for Smith Fortunately sequences have been drastically and his namesake rearrantee ane the enour outc Salisbury, dead men can tell film has been completely no tales, nor relute even this changed. most ridiculous slander. Only the city of Boston has But as the guerrilla war put out the original film uncut.

has begun to reach into the Producer David Koff went to film the being outskirts of Salisbury

COUL

shown in its mutilated form- itself, as a growing queue of and lost. white settlers forms up to flee the and. & Stopped struggles preserve his position as the British cinema goeers had opportunity regime's leading stooge London himself while finding to cap it tor a tew weeks at tne Scala, Tottenham. Court Road, starved of reforms to offer but the sponsoring TV company ons dem oraused suoborters na• sobbed latest indicates stunt of censorship try ming TOlS nothing but the •desperate censorship triumphing weakness imperialist over

ASIC DOUGL

control in Zimbabwe. which attempt to present a class News last week publicised the John scandalous has been held chanister whe for 22% in Nor here bang 22½ months, after being i Prevention of Terror. detained Britain so-called ism" Act. After six days of the seven dav period of interrogation per.

mitted under the

ACT

McCallister charged with was causina an explosion in Beltast The only. evidence against him was his statement extracted And, two detention years later he still has not beer brought to trial. The practice of using pro- longed remands as a substitute for open internment-which was formally "'ended" in December increased since 1976. But while these means are used mete out savage and actor. marinews planks of the the central employers' strategy revealed-a complete Fleet lockout and treet-wiut pound joint multi-milion individual fund which 1n capitalists combine to fight Fleet Street workers together. The by fund works system of pledges which any

PRESS GANG

BLACKED OUT

perspective. This butchery is not, how- ever, enough for that champion Daily press Treeaom, LIlt Mail. Enraged of the that any been sequences have screened in America the papet attack on the film launches an "the most biased propaganda film". 'Its viewers will be told that Britain is the home of racialism and that we exported it to tne along with the Pilgrim Fathers. led to believe Thev will be our polițicians exploit that people, that the police black that we requiariv batter tem refuse to employ their young, and that have totally tailed to allow them to integrate. "More important, they will shown a Britain where blacks are so desperate that they are on the brink of revolution. only • solution they will hear." The full feature page fairly tame red Contains some baiting and then an instructive description of the censorship by • David Fanning. {the began trim talk of a state conspiracy against and ended with film the blacks of a riot. He was unhappy but butcher Mason! instant jail without trial to those against accused there IS ot im pertalism. on the arma daily plete silenci the army's daily intimidation the against Catnone oooulation The police report on the 16-year-old army murder Jonn boyle nas only now gone to the Northern Ireland director under of public prosecutions, conditions mounting the army version of the killing reported that despite claims that was army Bovle Armalite rifle at pointing them, the boys fingerprints have not been found on the gun.

according the Times post-mortem Sunday that shows Boyle report •Was shot in the back ot the nead by the imperialist troops Behind the whole affair is call on if shut papers call down bv a dispute It is similar to one put together by provincial news- (and Iladscalle used during the Darlington but closed shop last yealy on a very much larger scale.

reporter Sally Hard- castle in a series of skilfull with the Fleet interviews The Street moguls Editors' last week, drew out the strike breaking plans by embarrassing silences and evasions owner Victor Matthews of the Daily Express and the Evening Standard, and openly who OrODHCLUl declares his editorial control, reborted have been refusing to put up his share of the money during the dispute - because he didn't want to censor it too kent consorrac statement but moved it further film. He took out sequence policemer are shown practicing hand-gün shooting against black targets all. (!] His that version propaganda 01 could be proud.' Effrontery The Mail's effrontery is not yet exhausted. It goes on to say *terrible potential in the ande would have ot the Nationalon The answer for the Mall would presumably be rush through some of David McNee's plans for an extension of police WelS ¡hat way those who mae o appeared in the film could be held on suspicion for a few day and interrogated-using ippropriate force bit of luck they would en no state to make any further films embarrassing to the British ruling class.

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 16 August 1978 vention of Terrorism" Act, end to media censorship of the torture" minister Roy. Mason's British troops and self- consciou

ONCELIV

determination the Irish occupying forces

S TO SMOOT TITSI

and questions afterwards people as a whole which has led to a sharp increase the march But curiously include army organisers murder.

HOL

months. most oemane the demand that Labour Party The decision of the United Out Movement to focus branches, GMC's and Troop: on Mason's role in reiano oy oranches TOnt Tor ine exouision calling a demonstration through Labbut butcher Mason from the for his Party role nis barnsley therefore a correct move which • chief torture master in ireland can potentially take forward the This demand offers for British workers Ireland within the tangible way strucole Labour Party. trish 'TaKt struggl Called for within the movement anour Daturady demon. and out the the test October at 1pm. of their 'left' talking stration commemorate credentials of the major leaders, anniversary Arthu Derry, and President of the Yorkshire Area Civil Rights march in NUM which has its headquarters for Prisoner o takes up the cal War status for Irish prisoners of in Barnsley war, (though it fails to demand political amnest prisoners), repeal of the rre Hardcastle neatly set for him by intro- hundreds ol anousanui extra copies every day that ducing the question of the ' the Sun was shut down. fund a well- it it was He agreed that a meeting known fact. had taken place between all Asked how much aid the Publishers the Newspaper had been given, , he paper bosses Association and, replied: asked about the joint shut- "We have received a great do We sall deal of it and some more of that was the right it was promised" course it is possible that it neither me Mitor whichs clear made could have been there considered. I think the NPA) or the not yes... It was early days".

Express had paid up Looking thoroughly un- The only conditions for happy about the turn the managements agreeing taken, interview pay up was that they agreed Matthews said that the dispute was one on "It is easy enough to say which the mandec cul all going to that we are firm should stay ana of close, but is Lamb correctly remarked: money. they ‚are all Pressed further on the run into the same about to fund, this latter-day Beaver- problem" brook revealed nis love oi free intormation Technology think that financial that arrangements It is also clear that putting papers make between lnell.

employers like those between selves, increasing pressure on print husband and wife, would be union orticials to break lik embarrassing to reveal." strongest chapels for them However Sally with the intention of wner suggested that Hardcastle reintroducing plans for new the Express 'committment technology, already rejected fund might be by the Fleet Street workers.

was no hint million there Richard .Marsh, former from Matthews that this was MP, and now head Labour on the high side of the Newspaper Publishers All he would say said thi Association gnomically was: same programme: "This is not a situation "Where file rank talk it it members will we WOld union not exists at all. follow the procedure signed obviously "It has its by their General Secretaries attractions when then the General Secretaries vOl enormous losses but it's a have an obligation take difficult question whether a away their union cards". newspaper should stand on problem The for the its own feet." print workers is to develop a But where Matthews had political understanding of Sun been the editor, faces them coy, the task that Larry Lamb, blundered in and a léadership which Still enthusing about the prepared turn their of his news- strength and militancy onto paper, he fell into the trap the offensive. NUJ pickets during the Darlington strike

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 16 August 1978

A 'SOCIALIST'

CAMPAIGN THAT

ACCEPTS

CALLAGHAN!

self-defence and 'many Socialist Press re- nas ceived a letter dated 31-7-78 other progressive policies'.

'Socialist Cam- The accusation that the from the SCLV is "soft' on paign for a Labour Victory' the (SCLV), signed on behalf of 'left' leaders Labour the Steering Committee by angrily denied and an SCLV Geoff Bender. leaflet is quoted to support The We do not have sufficient this, which says: has simply reprint the four- Labour Left space lo page long letter. We are sure failed to offer an alternative that the Workers Action and to the right-wing leadership Chartist of the Labour Party. newspapers Coll reprint it if they feel it Various conference necessary since they support the SCLV. speakers, including prospec- Parliamentary We can, however, give a tive Labour Ken Livingstone summary of the letter and Canneres and Ted Knight, are listed, some quotations from it. with the claim that these Socialist Press 109 carried a report of a SCLV people represent real conference which is stated struggles. (A reply to the Socialist 'factual misrep- to contai Press report's claim that the resentation'. The letter ob- jects to the claim that the

SCLV

conference passed without reference to 'actual excluded dis- conference struggles within the trade cussion on programme. union and labour move- It lists several demands ment'.) of the SCLV as evidence of The letter states that the a programme-including op- SCLV 'intends to be in the position to wage control, forefront in the coming the call for free abortion in months organising for struggles' and gay rights, support on of from and implies removal troops issues, Ireland, support for black that, continuously Dear Comrade Bender, The 'factual misrepre- sentation' of which you Socialist Press accuse comes from neither ig- norance, nor malice as but from you suggest, the difference between revolutionary, and our your petty bourgeois approach to the fight for socialist policies in the labour movement. The of questions pro- gramme, leadership and the actual class struggle which you raise separate Callaghan are not but inti- questions for us, Let us examine your They lie at mately related. 'programme' Its signifi- the basis of our opposition not what it says- to your campaign. but what it leaves out. We do not regard the course the omission 'credentials' of your spokes- of this that demand men (which anyway fail could be 'oversight'. But to impress us) as a substi- this cannot be the case with discussion of tute for the your campaign, which actual struggles. advances some very 'left' demands-indeed SUlLIC Silence from Trotsky's borrowed Transitional Programme- Nor do we regard a few the but says nothing on demands leaflet question of working class of a fight ior a leadership. socialist programme, or an Your this silence on ability bemoan the point reveals your chatter 'failures' *Labour of the about socialsm to be mere Left' as capacity to build a phrases. new leadership. Socialist We to believe continue Since 1975. Prata has faced the question that the silence speakers at your conference of leaders:.- on the question of Labour's the breakneck "left' leaders is of far greater Labour bureaucracy to the than all these right in order to attack the importance things. working class. focussing demands on 'left' leaders Labour act, Socialist Press and its sup- porters engage in "calls on others to act for us. Finally the Socialist Press is falsely criticised report •membérs for referring to of the I-CL (International Communist League) and the IMG (International Marxist Group) at the conference.

It is pointed out that all who attended were Labour Party members, and that of these organisa- neither involved in

TOSS

were organising it. Despite these criticisms, the letter nevertheless Press invites Socialist and

WSL

supporters to support the memers

SCLV.

The SCLV thus regards Socialist Press as distorting In its position. turn, Socialist Press regards the

SCLV

as small-time centrist circus that offers no for way forward Labour Party members. Below we print an open reply to the SCLV in order to make our position clear. PHOTO: Andrew Wiara, Report Facing collapse in the form 1977 tool- makers' strike against wage control, Callaghan and the

SILU

coalition arrangement with the Liberals (to which you attach no importance) order to find a new base of support for anti-working class policies. Guarded Thousands of striking firemen shouting 'Callaghan out! Rees out!' showed that workers in struggle under- stand that there no without advance removing Callaghan's clique of traitors. But Callaghan is guarded

LABOUR

PARTY

DUNNO. Andrew Wiard Paron Labour Party conference: the problem is leadership Your bluster and rhe- Socialist Press fights to expose this treachery. torical questions only cover calls for the political mobili- the fact that you would risk sation of the working class never upsetting your "left friends by raising drive out Callaghan/ Healey. unpleasant questions of It demands that the 'left' leadership. talkers replace words with Indeed you appear to have developed your politi- action in order to expose refusal to fight. cal cowardice into a theory their But "the job of the SCLV declines to com- You state that right is that ment fact mate Shartist the

TCHOVIC

fact, the . of conference and their own thinks the task is to 'debate' CLPs" with Callaghan! This excuses vou from the demanding anything This of course 1S

…LOO

from position of all wings of the Surenou "lefts' from people in trade and bureaucracy. untill Labour Party who are Debate happy to engage in endless debates about the 'best' You write as follows: methods of reselection' of "(Socialist Press) mocks MPs.

SCLV

the idea that som~ these In all debates supporters put of conduc- protocol forbids mention of ting a debate with Callaghan the main task-driving out policies and tells over us the traitors by all possible that the right wing leaders means. must be removed'. It is the SCLV's centrism "How this is to be done these programmatic OI. short of winning the move- the that questions ment to our policies is not of Socialist Press support stated. A campaign of selec- im possible tive assassinations perhaps?

'In fact the only way Capitulations forward.. . the article out. call lines on the 1S Nor is it possible for us Labour lefts to 'kick out to take SCLV at face value- Healey and Callaghan' and we look at the forces behind the truly heroic struggle of particularly • here the the comrade who lost by Workers Action and Chartist only one vote a resolution tendencies. calling on her MP to call on While Socialist Press the PLP to pass a resolution remains willing to support of confidence in the no cooperation on specific Labour leaders. practical actions that aid the "Healey and Callaghan class struggle, it cannot give doubtless are quaking any credibility to their boots at this terrible tendencies. and threat three. • their jobs Workers Action (which "left' some very Clearly the hope here is allelois criticisms of Socialist Press/ that vulgar humour can committed shameless lids smokescreen the most capitulations in the past and vulgar politics. will do so in the future.

Press not It did not balk at calling of the short of examples for support for Benn as new fight against Labour's coali- Labour leader when tionists. stood on a thoroughly anti- working-class plattorm Leadership the backroom parliamentary swindle of a leadership elec- The article you quote tion following Wilson's :.=

CATE T: E

Page 5 Lenin's characterisation of the Labour Party as a 'bour- geois workers' party' and maintains that the Labour thoroughly Parti capitalist anyway. Similarly with Chartist. What this organ expects from the SCLV can only be guessed at, since it believes that British the working class has been defeated since EEC refer- the time of the that the leadership endum, of the working class only reflects the general "back- wardness', 'chauvinism' etc of the «class, itself, and that all socialists can do is make 'propaganda' against the "bad ideas' of the right wing.

The pitifully poor pro- duction of the monthly itself adequate paper testimony to the complete despair of this grouping.

It is for these reasons that we believe your cam- paign poses no threat to the Labour bureaucracy. The support accorded by sundry 'left' leaders is the standing proof of this. That has Arthur Scargill-who consistently evaded a fight against the NUM right wing at every crucial moment- can send message of support is enough said. We would only be inter- ested know whether TO Scargill intends to translate his 'support' into a fight to Mason -the

ROT

TemO ve butcher of the Six Counties -from his NUM-sponsored seat in Barnsley. In short, our opinion is unchanged Your aim of "maintain and exten- ing, deepening ding the unity of the working class for the coming general election" is, as we noted in our original article, that of a grouping which 'nithe tert recrui "will act more ting sergeants of Callaghan" and indistinguishable cat' from the "tame fake 'Marxists' of the Militant group. Yours fraternally Socialist Press Estonial Board

CZECHOSLOVAKIA: THE N

Page 6 Soviet liberation forces capture Prague in 1945 1945 On May 9, Soviet troops liberated Prague from the fascists greeted and were popular acclaim by the Czechoslovak masses. "In Czechoslovakia the approach of the Red Army launched a general revolu- tionary upsurge: occupation of the factories, establish- ment of plant committees factories, the

TUI

creation of Councils (a kind gathered oI soviet) which into their hands all political authority, concentration of all arms in the hands of the workers' militia.. But by August 20, 1968, ten years ago this week, the Red Army re entered Czechoslovakia under very different conditions--with the objective of propping up Stalinist tottering the bureaucracy and forestalling any move to political inde- the working pendence by class. Acute crisis i nis move Doll symeo- mised and itself worsened the acute political crisis of Stalinism post-war in tne It must be under- perioa. stood in its proper context.

policy Stalinist Czechoslovakia, however, had always been fundamen- tally opposed to the revol- utionary mobilisation of the working class. Even at the height of the spontaneous upsurge that greeted the Red Army 1945, Czech Communist Party Gottwald, leader speaking in the Monts liberation to a confidential meeting of Stalinist bureau- crats, declared that: al revolution. formation of bour- "We continually The must geois coalition governments remind, ourselves that in the under the watchful eye of present phase, we ale the Red Army and including following of the the inne Stalinist bureaucrats national and democratic. top and the line of the not otterea stalin the chanice le social revolution." exert a measure of control over the "Buffer" states and same time stem the Bourgeois coalition al ine struggles of revolutionary Sooner than base them- the masses. selves on the revolutionary councils created not such working class, the Stalinists deliberately restored the of discredited power the bourgeois parties and estab- industry procuction lished a bourgeois coalition by the previousiy Czechoslo- provide a government In Germans vákia-as indeed they did workers' pretext to all the Eastern throughout "Buffer" states European that had been liberated by the Red Army or by CP-led partisans during the war.

plan to Stalin In • the carry through social trans- bourgeoisie these formations countries. wnien were to oc used as bargaining counters the from in the post-war division of the world into "peacefully coexisting" spheres of influ- the between the Soviet the imperialist Union and powers. Nor did he have any wish 1st Union a to see revolutionary the struggles overthrow capital- ism and assert the indepen- Stalin dence of the working class of the on the very borders of the deeply bourgeois the Soviet Union itself. Buffer Measure of control possible oi anti- Soviet and Such would Suedes inevitably have an impact the Russian working class and possibly spur them to destroy against the struggles parasitic

DECAUS

cracy in the fight for politic- lithic and Stalinist tank burns in the streets of Prague, August 1968 roots in the masses might Stalinist parties, and ensure in each country the make them responsive to pressure for action indepen- interpenetration of the state dent of the Kremlin, and apparatus and the Commun- equip them to lead a break ist Party. from Stalin's control. of guarantee the and In the of the reactionary Stalinist theit the advanced of many Buffer this process . Lone cratic thoroughly Indeed was In above. place li June 1948. At of February 1948, with controlled "Buffer" the by the the slightest independence of the slovakia new constitution Union. cracy. 96% the in of officials Stalinist power of "Buffer" in Garlic point became opponents

COLLIOL

CP were former colossa Slansky was Lal y framed, "Trotskyism" included "fascism",

COWEL VI

purged Amonly were any SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 16 August 1978 By JOHI with intelligence services. From then on, for a pro- longed period, under the bureaucratic seasoned leadership of Gottwald and Novotny, the Czecho- Lneu slovak bureaucracy appeared to have stabilised itself in the saddle, even wracked the while crises Stalinist apparatus through- Soviet Union and out the Eastern Europe. "Concessions" In 1950 and 1951 a wave Stalinist of strikes in tne prison camps of and Karaganda in the USSR had had to be put down by vicious military action, and had given a stark warning to the Kremlin bureaucrats.

As a result, when Stalin died in 1953 the bureau- cracy saw the necessity to make some cosmetic "con cessions" the growing hostility • of the working class Thousands of prisoners and Stalin's were released, secret police chief, Lavrenti Beria, was arrested and shot, create the illusion of a 'new' regime of the anxiety bureaucracy was increased the of the by upsurge workers of East Berlin ir June 1953, in a general strike movement that demonstrated the weakness of the regime and which was only suppressed direct and brutal interven- tion Red Army. ot the Increasingly the Stalinists felt adopt the obliged to tactic of superficial "liberal- isation" and token econom-

KED FACE OF STALINISM

STER

of. heading ff the struggles the class Eastern orking urope, sooner than press head with direct confron- ation. In 1956 Kruschev's now mous 'secret speech' 20th Congress of the PSU attempted to give the mpression of a clean break ith the crimes of Stalin, rehabilitation "* selective slagea of ll all y gures Stalin had executed.

But these moves reboun- ed on Kruschev. In partic- they weakened the ral, ontrol of veteran Stalinist ader Rakosi, while encour- zing the Hungarian masses seek a complete ena to ureaucracy. As began 1l to move orward, the Hungarian orking class felt its way pontaneously towards the onstruction of workers buncils-bodies outside the ontrol of, and standing as a rect challenge the LO. alinist state apparatus. Uprising By the time the Hungar- in Stalinists recognised the eed to change course, and stalled 'left' our caucral nre Nagy, an uprising was ready spreading from adapest throughout the untry, at the centre of hich indepen- Were ent workers councils. desperation In threat political volution, massive military Ice used by the was emlin to crush the rising massacre the anti- reaucratic fighters. Meanwhile, to head off SOCIALIST PRESS, W'ednesday 16 August 1978 the threat of similar events This at once found an left' bureaucrat! in Poland, echo from WOrKCIS anel Gomulka was given support students-but did alone the Kremlin-on by tead to 10 | ally that would changes. prevent any Polish working Dissent and criticism class support for the grew sharper-to the point Hungarian uprising. where the working class As European Stalinism itself began to move into found itself wracked with action. confusion best In Spring 1968 Novotny as lo the tactical means of controlling pushed and his •Was the working class, fellow bureaucrat Alexander the growing inter-bureaucratic Dubcek took over. between disputes the The Dubcek regime made Chinese and Russian bureau- a series of concessions to cracy led the increasingly militant lurtner division in the Stalinist "monolith post-war workers' particular through relaxing censorship police anc Undisturbed of repression free discussion. But throughout this This was what period the Czechoslovak CP alarmed the Kremlin remained Limited econ- retalive

HOOTS.

burcaucracy. under its hard-line Lu bed. omic concessions, Stalinist leaders. token on Few steps were taken to poncal prisoners was one follow the "liberalisation" thing: but slackening the

USSR,

measured OI political control at a point or Poland. Hungary The ot working class hard liners of Prague con- tion threatened tne very tinued to rely exclusively on stability of the bureaucracy Stalinist use of secret police Itsell. and rigid censorship. I his set-up first ran into Out of control crisis as a virtual economic breakaown emerged in the Dubcek soon reached the mia-yous as a result of the end of his possible bureaucratic deformation of con- the workers cessions. but the economy and slavisn ad- demanded more. Normally herence to Soviet models of "planning". dead Communist Party meetings were invaded by voicing their WOTKeIS Economic reforms & demands. Elsewhere in Europe, Fearful of the Dubcek the French im pact saw this could have in stimulat- working class engage in the ing workers' struggles, massive general SAKe tendency within the bureau- May-June 1968 and recog- cracy began to advocate a nised that the Czech situa- of tion was getting out of his

CONOMIC

reforms.

CONITO|

In June 1968 he invited Soviet troops for man- ouevres in Czechoslovakia, still hoping to find a com- promise solucion to stabillse the situation. But the political ferment continued. Trotsky's Revol- ution Betrayed was set up in type ready for publica- tion. Though workers' councils the of leve Hungary 1956 had not yet appeared. this danger was increasingly feared Moscow. Demonstrations On 20, August heavily . units of the Soviet, arinea East Polish German and armed forces into COve Czechoslovakia and took up positions. The hostility of Czech workers did not find expres- sion in armed resistance on the scale of Hungary. Prague radio called on Czechs not to resist. The political devel- opment had not reached the level of independence where such resistance could been successtul But demonstrations by and students worker. Czechoslovakia the against invasion continued through- 1968 and into 1969. Without however, leadership, such actions were confined to the level of protest. Dubcek was hauled off to Moscow wnere ne was persuaded to reverse the liberalisation measures of the "Prague Spring" He remained nominally in office dismantling the remnants of Page 7 his brief bureaucratic workers organise attempt to establish "social- themselves in such councils or Soviets independently of ism with a human face' These the bureaucracy. events were all those For such independence crusning blow to who argued that the Stalin- to be more than simoiv ist bureaucracy could form it is necessary to build reform itself and Trotskyist move revolutionary towards the establishment parties in these of workers' democracy. to give leadership in these The secret police swung councils, and to fight for a programme which starts into action with vicious with the defence of the repression against those who nationalised had played a leading role in property the 1968 events. relations but leads to the Many overthrow of the Stalinist intellectuals and bureaucracy. militant workers went sacked Student were Political leadership forced to give up courses.

counter-revolution- ary role of Stalinism, which This programme must since 1933 has consciously include the eradication of centred robbing bureaucratic privileges and working class of its political the establishment • 0] independence the vain genuine workers manage- effort stabilise the ment of production and bureaucracies parasitic distribution; the legalisation workers

TINA

soviet parties stales the demonstrated clearly by the freedom of trade Czech events of 1968. unions; the abolition of the Stalinist secret But find to way police and forward working formation of workers une class in its struggle to throw multia: and an end to the reactionary oppression of national min.

OII

Inis Caste which feeds off the nation- orities workers Tune alised economy it is neces- states. sary to look back further- above all the workers councils necessity build Tne thrown up in the Hungarian political leadership theoret- events. the Councils ically spon- equipped to expose taneously created by Czech defeat the 'left' workers as the Red Army elements of the bureaucracy approached in 1945 and the that have played such a key Soviets which formed the role in preserving Stalinism expression of in the post-war period. proletarian power after the Such a leadership must October 1917 revolution in be firmly grounded on the Russia. programme and principles In order to win political established by Leon Trotsky the post-war his struggle Dowel In against Stalinism and must be built workers' states, political power in the Tine as a part of a reconstructed degenerated Sovie state, Fourth International.

WORKERS LEADERS

BONANZA

By Pru Chamberlayne material forces The of leaders corrupting the workers' movement by drawing them into administration iS state nowhere clearer than in the furore over

'QUANGOS'

(Quasi- National Autonomous Government Organisa- tions). the Marx described incorpora- process tion of working class leaders into state functions them down by turning them officials, wins them into flattery, through engulfs them 'work' perverts them philistine life'. 900 Quangos The British ruling class learned early to rely Class workers. Within weeks of the great 1889 Tom docks strike in Mann and Tillett were invited and readily agreed to join the Royal Commission the purpose of on Labour, which, of was to workers' indepen- destroy especially dent action, strikes. There now about costing £35 900 Ouangos. million per annum. costs f10 ACAS alone million. Liaison between the schools! police and Parents of young offen- ders to do community service work! Parents to pay fines or compensa- tion for damage done their children! by Mothers to lose family allowances if they work! These are just some of the 'radical' solutions to the problem of 'vandalism' that working party Sheffield has come up with. This may appear to fit and order' mould the 'law one of the that will Tories' main electioneering points. But no! Such reactionary frothing not poly of the Tories alone- the working party which has produce uns report Is colli predominantly of posed • Labour councillors. Readers of Socialist Press will already have read about Callaghan's promo- carnel tion of a stable family unit as being one of the bases of a stable society. The report concretises

IN 'QUANGO'

The appointments made by Ministers and quarter of them are paid, varying from rates £1,000-£10,000. It is rumoured that Jack Jones sits on 13. At any rate 39 members of the

TUC

hold 180 state appoint- ments between them. Tory privilege Harold McMillan is said to have appointed than 15 of his relatives to such bodies. reply to The Labour Tory allegations of Labour patronage is ol course Illal the House of Lords is the biggest Quango of all. Even Callaghan does not mind the Labour manifesto abolish pledged being it. It is of course true that likely to Tories are more enjoy positions of privilege through birth and inherited wealth. Hypocritical also thoroughly hypocritical of the Tories to accuse Labour of spawn- ing bureaucracy. the worst Some bureaucratic examples excrescence, local government as reorgan- 1974 and 1972 ised estab- respectively, were lished under a Tory govern- ment. proposals tổ Current control over social planning, traffic services, and education to the non- rLabourites launch new attack on mothers by initiated trend Callaghan, whereby capital- ism Is to sta ollised D V reinforcing one of principal points of support, simultaneously the family, the redoubling oppression of women. The report says: "There is need to exam- unit and to ine the family ask whether in the later stages of the 20th century it is beginning to break down.

measures, if any, "What taken to restore be Cali family unity?" told that we mothers insist on their right to work outside the home, threatening stability', they must be made to suffer. .. the role of a mother is the most part important of family life is felt that the present family allowance should be ended and in its place the mother would be given a salary wished to she continue to her children. look after "On the other hand, of she could choose to Course. go out to work, but then child would be Tnere and allowance salary" metropolitan districts i.e. to off split Tne major LOWIIs from administration by the counties. will only leaa lo administrative bonanza. One third of the cost of

NHS

is absorbed the administration worse than the Quango system of patronage among trade unon Icaucis I of special the advisors introduced in the 1960's under the "white hot technology" era of Wilson.

Through this system of Labour large numbers Party members, mostly aca and Fabians, are demics drafted in as 'advisors' to Ministers. "Counterweight' Under the new proposals Parliamentary for made MPs committees, Soicel would also have the services of such advisers. They are supposed to act as a political counterweight to the wiles of civil servants The lies same thinking behind the demand of MP for a new structure of 12 department-related commit- tees which would also cover the activities of nationalised industries and Quangos. Membership of the com- would be decided mittees Whip but by a not by the committee, and selection the committees would have the power to order both the attendance of Ministers and the production of reports.

All this is a vain attempt from the to wrest powel The fact that Callaghan is not just an old windbag and means what he says confirmed in a recent DHSS Health circular demanding that Authorities all creches be closed down- exist! they actually The Labourites who pro- this latest report ignore the fact that totally 'vandalism' is a product of crisis-a Callallill society which offers youth only street corners, the dole queue and no future. Rather than propose which would programme destroy the material basis of this so-called problem, these Labourites continue bolster- ing that very system WalC produces it. completely, in line It is the national with of subsidising gramme private capital by spending, cuts and wage control. social level, democracy confirms that its interests lie with the con- tinued existence of capital- ism and will do all within its power to ensure that course of events-at the expense of increased oppression of the working class, case in inis particulally or.womcu. MacMillan-rumoured to have appointed 15 relatives to Quango posts-with Heath cabinet and from the civil servants. It is the opposite of the proposals made recently by and also of Lord Hailsham within the trend recent governments of centralising and weakening the role of Parliament. None of these attempted 'reforms' are likely to be implemented in this period of drastic curtailment of democracy. no attempts to Besides, rationalise and democratise government can COVe of patronage. probicill: corruption, bureaucracy and inefficiency itable in attempts to manage economic and social relations under capitalism.

A glimpse of the system of administration the inaugurated by Bolsheviks serves as a useful forms model of the of Jones possible administration under socialism. of Instead. trying rectify the relationship between the legislature and the executive they abolished the •distinction altogether, responsible those making for immed- administration iately recallable and paying them average wages. Right to inspect worried by the Silli dangers of bureaucratisation that the proposed Workers and Peasants should Inspection

COUNSE

had of people who only served in state never these and that capacity bodies should have the right and duty inspect of minutest aspects the DUOTO. Mark Rusher of both the soviets WOlK and the commissions. Only in such a way and not through the medium of Fabian sycophants party and trade union bureaucrats can the working class wield power-and that presup- poses the overthrow of the capitalist system. Certainly the wheeling in of highly salaried bourgeois- minded Fabian sycophants and reformist trade union contributes Dureducals the aictatorsmip Tory leader Thatcher proletariat.

Afganistan has been the news since the in left-wing 'revolu- army tion' in April. Demonstrations in Kabul culminated army I.ne of 27 April that Loud toppled President Muhammad Daud. it installed a government under Muhamm'ad Nour Taraki, run in effect by his small C'ommunist Party. British then oleCe press has emitted periodic noises alarm thai the OT country is being taken over by the Soviet Union and/or succumbing to Communist revolution. What is the background to this situation? Atghanistan is.one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world. Virtual chattels It is larger than France but with population of only about 16 millions. Almost 90% of Afghans are peasants (i.e. nomads), though much of the land is owned by a feudal aristo-.

elauy. of .Less. than a utl land is used, since much of eastern Afganistan formed of the Himalayas. Average annual income is $100 not per over person. Almost half those born die in childhood. Women virtual TenHal chattels. Fewer than 10% of people can read or write.

In the villages the hold of Moslem has been piltsts virtually unchallenged; weighs far more heavily than the of the powel central governm ent. Localised 'Afganistan's structure remains as it. been for what COLunCS Imperialist alarm as Afghan coup consolidates

LIBYA

Background article by Adam Westoby.

NIGER

Soviet example, for remained effectively illegal while the Soviet Union cuvalee ultra-friendly relations both control with King Mohammad Zahir and, after he was over- in 1973 thrown with his cousin, President Daud. The Soviet Union's involvement with Afghan- istan-and reactionary the and when ner terntones impact of Stalinism on peoples became tennis balls Soviet policy-go back to in the 'great game' between the earliest days. The first Soviet leader to- i sarist and the KusSa British empire in India. organise military aid to help In the period after World Afganistan resist British War Il the Soviet Union has imperialism (Leon Trotsky devoted great effort allu 1919) did so as/ part of in (since ICsOuILes aDou! the Bolsheviks' general drive 1954) influencing to help the Moslem masses Afganistan. of Asia and the Near East 'Neutrality' emancipate themselves. But by 1928, with the advance of Stalinism in the She serves as a ConICT to the attempts by US and Afghan Soviet Union, British im perialism mill- King Amanullah was the the USSR's tarily encurcle first monarch to be received south-west flank -originally on a state visit to Moscow.

through Baghdad Pact treaties of 1954-55, follow- 'Progressive monarch' ing the CIA 's overthrow of Fifty years almost to the Mossadegh's natonalist day before the in ou regime in Iran. April this The ycdl Union Dovel wd. (already transformed into then threatened by a ring of Troops in Kabul Salin's obedient mouth- US bases Turkey. Iran piece) welcomed him as one Iraq ( until the 1958 revol- economic adrance there isıs .of 'progressive most extremely localised. ution ) and Pakistan. monarchs in the East' 'as he pro-Soviet Kahul sufters traffic jams arrived from his grand tour sealed by and but 'neutrality, of holll cvclls European

WCSECI!

outside the capital there are Kruschev and Bulganin's ceremonial visit proper

OHV

nano tol December 1955 was the roads. remains greatly break in this chain divided : 30 "There there are doubt",

OVELI

incomprehensible "that if mutudily Kruschev recalled, living languages. une acnans naan pecone friends, the Americans •Ur have managed WOUla with ingratiate themselves aid' as their 'humanitarian they call it The of money 'ano ull spent gratuitous assistance to Afganistan is drop in the vucall compared to the price would have had to pay to counter the threat of an American military base on Afghan territory Kruschev Remembers p.466 Since then, the

USSR

has been the main provider Taraki of aid-especially with road- This very backward bulding country is set • ana nt explla at a strategic tion of natural gas in the crossroads, with over 1,000 northern border area miles frontier ot northern And, before the with the USSR, a similar even coup this year, the USSR length with Pakistan, 90% provided of equip- major border with Iran and and a tongue of mountainous ficil laling thousands of 'advisers, for territory reaching out touch China: the armed forces. (Up 1956, Afganistan's 'air force' consisted of a dozen Poverty stricken World biplanes •War I Vintage!) Under these conditions, Throughout more than politics Afganistan- twenty vears of close and including the relations of capitals. 'peaceful ( generous coexis- class forces within it-are Amanullah did have policy of modernisation and however, the Soviet necessarily shaped by the tence. leadership never tried to do mild reforms greater ot much DISSul Co other than use Afganistan powers-military, political But in 1929 he was over- as a "buffer state' and economic. thrown by a British-backed This is inevitable for a tribal-religious revolt country in such a position, (though not before rescind- Effectively illegal so poverty-stricken ¿hat its ing his reforms the national income ($2 billion attempt to stay in power).

approximately Thereafter relations with . Ved l what the US spends on dry They never gave any real the Soviet Union were cool food. support to until the 1950s. ovelACLs Afganistan has been a against the religious despot- the last few years, 'buffer state' at least since ism that ruled the country.

however, quite new the 19th early century, The Communist Party, pressures have come to bear.

U.S.S.R

TURKEY

IRAN

aGYPI

SAUDI

ARABLA

SUDAN

mid-1960s Since •the there have been sporadic strikes and demonstrations students and small groups of workers, mainly in Kabul. New importance And the Indian Ocean has taken a new importance in the international military

USSR

balance, with the getting military facilities in South Arabia and north Africa, and the US cdsi bulding new bases in the Indian Ocean and attempt- ing to reconstruct a Pakistan -Iranian milițary axis. The Soviet Union has for years supported the Afghan Pushtunistan: claim state to unite the Pushtus in Afganistan (the biggest nationality in the country) with those in eastern Pakis- tan and landlocked glve Afganistan (and thereby the USSR) a corridor to the Indian Ocean. , Pakistan and the US, of course, oppose the scheme Before he ousted President Daud conducted „close (both tinian government President Bhutto and, after he fell, military dictator Pushtunistan Zia) on the claim. This well may have caused Moscou to think they needed in Afganistan more energetic counter- weight to American power.

In any event, the army- Communist Party coup in April got the full support of the USSR, and caused the factions to sink their divisions papers such Thus when as the Daily Telegraph inform their Tory readers that 'going Algilanistan 1S Communist' because

CHINA

INDIA

ARABIAN

BAY OF

SEA

BC/GAI

infested with thousands of Soviet advisers, they are not pointing to anything new.

Soviet influence has been strong for years. From the British press such alarm is ironic: for .well over hundred years British imper- ialism unsuccessfully tried to 'pacify' Afganistan for use against Russia. The ignominious 'retreat from Kabul' (1842) stands a monumenl lo briusn military incom petence, dressed up as public-school heroism What the alarmist reports in the very western press probably do signal is the desire of the US and Britain Taraki to torpedo the government and recover influence (if not client state) in Afganistan Parallel They will be prepared to mobilise the most backward and feudal elements of society to do this. Not only do they wish to retrieve their. strategic they positions; are • also worried at the possibility of a revolutionarv impac the working masses of the neighbouring states. The Taraki government has promised land reform at the exact same moment a Shah's dictatorship next-door Iran being 15 shaken by mass opposition.

Neither the Soviet Union nor the Afganistan govern- have a policy to menl sovleuse mue conntry But they cannot leave it as it is. There is a parallel with earlier events in Tibet, the even more backward coun- try at the other end of the Himalayas, during the 1950s. The Chinese workers' state reclaimed Tibet in 1950 (as 'autonomous' but for over eight Peking years. Stalinism peacefully coexisted with the serf-owning tyranny of the Dalai his

BLATZ

and Buddhist aristocracy. Strong pressure Only when the

CIA

sponsored 'indepen- an revolt against their Gence authority, in 1959, did the 'Stalinists Chinese destroy the old order and impose- for example-any significant land reforms. .Tibet has been now 'structurally assimilated' to the Chinese Stalinist state Although Afganistan; of course, is not legally part of the Soviet the Union for Moscow pressure firmer and oring TumdeT more direct control is real and strong. doing the 'bu Stalinists and their allies in the state machine are fearful of the masses. aro usus The unleashing of real struggles-on the land and for national rights--would release forces they could easily bring under 300| control or use as a barzain ing counter with imperial- ISIl

Page 10

WSL

The Workers Socialist League is a Trotskyist organ- isation which fights to build a revolutionary leadership that can politically prepare and mobilise the working class for the taking of state power and the construction of a sociaiist society. The fight of the Workers Socialist League in Britain is a part of the struggle for the reconstruction of the Fourth World Party International, of Socialist Revolution, ThP founded in 1938 under the leadership of Leon Trotsky.

The basis of this fight is the theory and practice of the Transitional Programme of the Fourth International.

The Workers Socialist League programme to defend the interests of the working class today against the attacks of capitalism in crisis. The aim of the programme is the independent political mobilisa- tion of the working class towards the overthrow of capitalism and its state machine in the capitalist countries.

In the workers states which must be defended against imperialism the task is the political revolution to over- throw the parasitic bureaucracies which repress the work- ing class and endanger the gains that have been made.

The fight for socialism is impossible without the fight to expose at every step the misleaders of the working class: the Labour and trade union leaders (both 'right' and 'left'), the Communist Party Stalinists (both 'Eurocom- munist and pro-Moscow'), the petty nationalists who derail anti-imperialist struggles in the underdeveloped countries and those groupings which pay lip service to Trotskyism whilst rejecting its basic methods and programme. Only through such a struggle can the working class find road out of the capitalist crisis-falling living standards, unemployment, denial of basic rights, colonial repression as in Ireland, and the threats of fascism and For more details of the policies, programme and work of the Workers Socialist League, fill in the form below.

Please send me more information about the Workers Socialist League. Name Address Send to: WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR Trotskyism Today

THEORETICAL JOURNAL OF THE

WORKERS SOCIALIST LEAGUE

Number 3 includes: * WSL British Perspectives * The Poisoned Well (document for submission to *Ith World Congress of USFI).

The Spartacist School of Invention.

Price 60p plus 20p p&p from WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

WORKERS SOCIALIST LEAGUE

PUBLIC MEETING

"British Leyland and the Crisis in the .

Motor Industry" Friday 8 September at 8.00 p.m.

East Oxford Community Centre Princes Street, Oxford

SOCIALIST

*

PRESS

5 issues 10 issues 25 issues . 50 issues I would like to receive. • issues. I enclose the sum off. Name Address. Send to: Socialist Press, Dartmouth 31, Park Hill, London NW5 1HR Subscribe!

INDUSTRIAL

forward a of action week called by the strikers at Sandersons of Croft near Skegness has been full given support by TGWU Region the 10 Committee. The action will consist of a one week organised picket of the factory from 11-15 September, startllig 6.30 a.m. daily. bourgeois There factors are two behind this change of tactics. One the pressure brought to bear on the local

TGWU

bureaucrats by the solidarity strength of dilu the strikers who remain determined as ever and have received substantial moral, financial and industrial sup- port. Fight to end Also Sanderson, the of the plant has owner informed

ACAS

that he wants discussions no more either them with TGWU, and that he regards the dispute as a fight to the end The current position of Support for Hull docks strike .£1.10 . £2.20 .£5.50 2,000 Hull dockers voted £10.00 unanimously. mass meeting last week support a pay parity strike by maintenance engineers at the port. engineers supported by NUR lockgate who operators are them- selves also seeking pay parity with dockers. The result of the com- bined action has been the breakdown cranes and cargo-handling equipment and the trapping of five ships inside and four outside Hull docks.

SANDERSONS WEEK

OF ACTION CALLED

the strike for union recog- nition which put on them. began May 1977 that This the TGWU meetings, company is now unable to maintain production of forklift trucks and the scabs TGWU branch still calling working within the on factory are employed mainly appropriate work. off. Scabs sacked Committee of Recently the benevolent Mr Sanderson sacked six of must be forced to institute the scabs who had remained members sọ loyal to him. 1n support the strike And there is no doubt Only by that more of the scabs wil these find themselves outside the gates as the blacking bites.

sunke De wol. Though Meanwhile the week of action should be supported ruinous connues to cirer.

late suggesting that by all trade unionists, much more is steward necessary for the prepared to accept a €2,500 strike to be won. The out-of-court settlement for call must be taken up by the strikers and their unt air dismissal Such supporters for the blacking dise the fight for supporting of all essential services to action in the unions. the plant. the strike successful Gillatt should at But i anv lessons are to put once be learnt from previous rumours and publicly reject strikes for union recognition any such payment, focusing Garners and current une entire attention or the London, the labour movement on defeat- TGWU bureaucracy Is not ing this vicious going to take any of these Pickets on duty outside Hickson and Welch at Castleford NALGO token strike NALGO members in are being used more the Notting Hill Hous- more bv ing Trust called a one- alternative day unofficial strike on ment in August 2 in support of housing. their for demand salaries and conditions be brought to up to ment are substantial--higher Local Government stan- rents, lower standards, troublesome dards. cillors The determination they an extra showed then did more than bureaucracy just worry the management to hide cuts. (who are ready to

NO W

For all these reasons the substantial таке housing associations sions). mushroomed since the 1974 More significantly Housing Act (written by the the

NALGO

and Tories presents bureaucracy with the pros- changed by pect of having to fight -a Freeson). whole series of disputes for As a result, a whole new and area for Dalily l literally hundreds of hous- opened with TGWU, ASTMS and others ing associations. SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 16 August 1978 Yorks pay

NEWS

battle Over 1,000 shop floor workers at the Hickson and Welch chemical plant in Castleford walked out last week in pursuit of a pay claim. Four picket hines were established on the factory gates and drivers at both of the firm's steps without pressure being main transoort contractors nave pledged support for the strike.

means lobbying

TGWU

convenor Dav told and resol- Newton Socialist rres utions should be fought for inat une issues at stake invove "an effective productivity meetings guaranteed scovision for people off sick and scheme, the full time to approach the structure. But a realistic wagi unions all, we are on strike for above ensure that supplies are cut union rights including the basic right to negotiate on behalf of our members". In addition, the Regional - the

TGWU

employees lette previous week, manage The ment value assessed the a voluntary levy on all the 17.5% west demands the area to pay and claimed increase that this could result in closure implementing Newton discounted Ine can manage- pleading ment that their profits have fallen in the last six months by damaging 5070 'The profits of this com. sacked pany have continued to increase Gillatt during the past ten years. Vhat the company means is that predicted materialised profits have allegations jeopar- The management letter, an extraordinary document, trie argument for everv conceivanie rejecting the TGWU demands- is be to from attempting to that prove employees are betTer

OTT

end the warning that govern Enrovan sanctions could ruin the firm if it paid up, to a pottec company, INt precarious position the chemical market and its anti-union generosity to its workers even picas for the pensioners and a Len Murray style warning that the strikers might unleash spiralling inflatiot are unrowi along with the for a call secret ballot nave • decisive t rejected these management arguments. But the claim lacks protect ciear Workers al is againstein are independent Caster s di t expecting rISe sharply during the coming year.

Such a for a cost-of-living clause in th agreement to compensate for the cost of living as monitored erectec committee of trade unionists and housewives-is essential as creasific numbers or workers follow the Hickson and Welch strikers into struggles against the Phase 4 pay limit. fought for to It must defend living standards regard less of the orontabilty orlosse. the employers- incurred by which in any case can be only assessed if the struggle is taker tne books ot the employer to elected trade union committees. The housing associations scrambling for the new and least in the •members, at early stages. government as an to local govern- provision of The bureaucracy how ever has not been blind to the lessons of the unionisa- The benefits to govern- tion struggles in and Grunwicks, Desoutters etc.,

JIU

ano elected coun- increasingly reluctant to get involved in manage involved with fighting a new of layer wave of employers behind which At this

NALGO

conference resolution calling for more organisa- have tion in the housing associa- tions wa: too far Diaced down the for dis- agenda taken over

CUSSIO

Shore and However they will find it impossible the

LOSINI

demands of their members unionisation 'has in the housing associations

NALGO,

long Hard times lie ahead for the bureaucrats.

Garners strikers still waiting

SOCIALIST

for TGWU to act

- WORKERS SOCIALIST LEAGUE

Lobby the TUC! Brighton September 6 Newsline's conference "alert In a move to workers' the collaborationist policies the labour movement to of the Labour cabinet. dangers of increas- the The ing military intervention announced affairs" industrial form of a seminar', in which in the Workers Revolution- "contributions will be made experts in the field by ary Party's paper News- military activities line, has called a one trial affairs, in conference day speakers from the floor" September London on Unpleasant 17. Though the A letter reportedly sent out to organisations of the deservedly acquired an labour and trade picasaill calling movement points to the use which all but known WRP of troops against the fire- supporters are excluded, the men's strike and the dock- Of shall

UNION DUES

Shorter speaking at the Garners conference two months ago *Action now to defeat Phase 4!

*For catching claims up pay with cost of living clauses based on figures from trade union price com- mittees! *Strike action to stop the social service cuts! *Occupy to defend all jobs! Force Work sharing on full pay! Labour to nationalise without com- pensation! *Kick out the Callaghan-Healey Fight Labour leadership! socialist policies! and importance of an initiative pay. struggle, on the question of military , breaking should NIKe Socialist Press conference encourage readers to support this con- 'taking the ference, to be neid Wembley Conference of Centre. Delegates, says Newsline, in indus- from trade "are invited wel as os branches and trades

UNHORI

councils"; and the conference fee is £l from Mitchell, Newsline Alex

WRP

has Editorial Board 21b. Old un- Town, London SW4 OJT. reputation for conferences from

HA! SERVES

MAIS D'ACCORD...

ZEY ALL WILL "AVE TO WORK

THE BUGGERS

CHRYSLER NOW

ARDER AT

RIGHT, I SAY!

AT THE TOP...

MORE CLOSURES

CHRIST THAT IL

> BRING PROBLEMS

after the lines where a fight is put up Ten days mobilise Garners strike commit- ship. tee lobbied the TGWU An important delegation Regional Com- London from Murphy's mittee meeting deman- site lowr Wednesday and ding action to win their come regulariy. six months recognition One there has still struggle, in Berkeley Street has been been no official news as closed down by the health to the outcome of the inspector for a week. lengthy discussions Secret talks which took place. Regional officer Les There are rumours about Shorter has taken his usual talks between diversionary stance over the officials and question of Day These laks Action. secret from the strike com- The strike committee mittee. proposed that one be held The strike August and were should continue its fight to on assured of support providing mobilise the rank and file of delayed that the TGWU to win this strike enable the Regional Com- and demand: mittee to fix a date. But days later ten employer. been nothing more has out full reinstatement and union recognition Liaison *Full blacking financial lev Last Tuesday a meeting the Regional Committee. with representatives nine Trades Councils took

POEU

place. The main topic was the formation of a liaison com- mittee. action After a further meeting of the Greater London Trades Association of bites Councils, it was agreed that.

representatives of Westmin- ster, Richmond, Kensington and Chelsea and should be ban and now a crippling Councils Trades appointed the members work-to-rule of the liaison committee.

Office of Meanwhile squads begun to still protecting are O1C of the Garners' owner Margoli toll Last Saturday system, But picket arrested. ular problems was police have continued to in the ness refuse to take action when London, been picketers nave dialled attacked by scabs-most with extin- recently tire calls impossible in many guishers. Post But Invented Charges against pickets to the union's demand for are being invented ad lib by the hour week • ропсє Farv last week the case of M. Mahboob, a member been a cynical of the strike committee was two stage cur. mom 37½ hours a week, recom The charge one was transformed McCarthy report. Into IwO charges resulting in Strikes fined £25 Mahboob being ation and for and bound over y cal. …areas-all of short duration Even witnesses Were interrogated as to their legal status and how they were confront the being financed. Significant has support been gained on 'full claim.

BUT WAIT A MINUTE —SPEED-UP MEANS

MORE STRIKES: MORE STRIKES MEANS

MORE MASS-MEETINGS!

IT'S ALL SO EASY FOR ERIC & JIM TO AGREE-

BUT THEY DON'T

_SPARE A THOUGHT

FOR US OFFICIALS!

Sell-out bid in Yorks lock-out member- fight Kentish last PIcKeLeu agreed Management and local TGWU officials have engin- of the restaurants work at eered a return to Company Hepworth Iron under conditions where the Barry Almond convenor sacked and the remains union very much weakened.

The shop stewards com

• V0IO O

the mittee had met on but Margolis, Thursday discuss are being kept proposals to put to a mass meeting on Friday morning.

had made committee Management sure that all those who had scabbed on the strike prior made official to it being were informed by letter of *No secret talks with the the meeting, whereas those directly involved were not *No return to work with- informed Between the two meet ings Pearson, the personnel and officer contacted the TGWU organised by and Regional officer informed him that Brother would be Almond prosecuted for trespass if he attempted to attend and was under no be rein. circumstances to stated. This was never discussed condition at the as stewards' meeting but Weeks of overtime the Friday morning TGWU the officials including by Post Regional

TGWU

Group have Secretary . confirmed that Engineers the meeting would go ahead take a heavy and that they would recom telephone mend of the Greenance creating partic terms demanded by manage- for busi-

HE CEL

City of the At this point making and majority of the sacked men international decided not to attend the meeting, in defence of their but eventually convenor. went along on the basis of Office bosses possibly swinging the vote show no signs of conceding in their favour, the establishment of a 35 The decision was then taken to return to work. The nearest approach has However there still offer of a remains a very strong feeling 40 to sections of the among workers and the possibility mended by the 'impartial' of continuing the picket is against victimis- being discussed The treacherous role manage- oiner have provocation piayed by the local TGWU taken place in a number of officials provides yet of another example the But engineers must soon need to build an alternative issue OI leadership within the TGWU out strike action if they are if even the most basic of serious about pursuing their rights is to be defended.

-.MORE CONFRONTATIONS WITH THAT LINWOOD

RABBLE...

AH WELL... THE THINGS I DO TO SAVE

THE NATION FROM

THE JAPANESE!

Mass struggles rock the Shah's

SOCIALIST

PRESS

BRICK LANE

Build workers The national mobilis- • the ation against defence called. National Front for August 20 in Brick Lane, East London, squads must be fully supported whole labour by the movement. not led, but lagged behind In going on to the offen- militancy Lner gro willg sive against a chosen fascist Asian and youth workers stronghold the local immi- determined to defend them- grant communities and anti- selves. The lead in each of the fascist forces are adopting a correct tactic in the struggle Andrew anti-fascist mobilis- end átions has put an come not trom attacks, bombings and the unions but a multitude propaganda. of 'ad hoc' committees and If the National Front are groupings emerging amongst their allowed regain and The Asian community Brick from the confused pacifists former positions Lane will signify of. the Anti Nazi •League. setback for the

ANL

The peddles the santanad working movement illusion that fascism can be which has repeatedly in the defeated through an open past shown its ability workers' alliance oI

COOI

and drive out fascist thugs organisations with "pro- paper sellers-from the time gressive" capitalist of Moseley onwards. through ings, and propaganda activity and But) •for sustained

STOLESLS

maintained struggle But the fact is that the NF, streets of East London can against the ine whole of the local labour move- be cleansed of fascist only mobilised, ment must filth through the establish- not simply on the basis of of workers defence ment the trade weekend demonstrations squads, in which but into established workers the unions must play defence. • squads capable of decisive role. Asian protecting the local fascist The laggardly response of community against the violence. unions in bast london to the attacks suffered by The trade union move- East London has Asian workers has held back crushing of violent oppos- By the calendar of ition to his regime. the Shah's 'white revol- strict curlewi ution', it is only ten with total force, along years before Iran enters ban on assemblies of more of the than. three people, including 'the era great civilisation' the religious services for Ramadan. But last week the Shah people were was driven impose killed and scores inured martial law on Isfahan and 3 forces of the the security neighbouring towns for the dictatorship moved in to and

STRASOL

- FUND

rioting. In southern Shiraz, three people were killed, over 200 were injured and again mass With half the month arrests took nlace in similar confrontations. and the total gone date standing at £219.55, But these clashes were fall only the most violent in the are monthly behind on our fund. those It is vital that have not yet areas that sent any money in do so PHOTO: Andrew Wiard. Report at once. We afford cannot fall short on our monthly fund, though we realise that August difficult month. until Don't wait you from come back your send holiday, donation before you eo. should be Donations Socialist Press Monthly Fund 31, Dartmouth Park HIl Callaghan London NW5 IHR Police drive back anti-fascists at Lewisham the essential task of union- This policy will of course ising the thousands of un- be obstructed by those same bureaucrats organised immigrant labour workers. have each point fight This situation be obstructed the to

I USE

changed. Asian workers and defend living standards and the fight against unemploy-

MUSI

the and fight join unions mell. within them for the policy Political fight of building workers defence drawing on. forces The struggle against squads, therefore fascism from every workplace, every factory, from working class political fight in which the trade unions and workers MOve CHI estales, be shown the whole must every political and necessity of constructing a organisation, mobilising united action of revolutionary leadership on black socialist programme in white workers allu side by side to defeat the its problems. fascists. dictatorship latest wave from the flood salvation be would wrong to tide opposition OI mas, which which is sweeping round the dismiss the loyalty still Shah's Peacock Islam command feet of the vall especially from the Throne and urban petty Rising three weeks ago at peasantry bourgeoisie: the north-east Mashad In in Pakistan, this movement has But, this great factor has merely coincided raced across the Wole the temporarily with far deeper surfacing capital, Tehran, capital, and and stronger forces. every The transformation of the major urban centre in feudal society into a capital- of demonstrations shape ist society is inevitably and riots Muslim of social Reactionary leaders appear to be riding revolution. As traditional commun- triumph on the crest of disrupted and dis- this turbulence. ities are banded, the proletariat Conflict with Islam born in conditions of agony.

Small traders, Shah's The project of all cry out in and artisans Iran transforming into anguisn at tne new miscnic.

major capitalist power, has which have been heaped conflict thrown him into upon them, while the wage.

with the power of Islam- labourers strike out in blind sharply over the

MOSI

anger to shatter the intoler- divide proposal up able chains which fetter religious property. them. With their authority and influence constantly being Gigantic army undermined by the spread indus- To assert his tyranny urbanisation and trialisation, the religious such anarchy, the upon leaders have turned to the Shah forged monstrous apparatus of rep mobilisation of the masses ression-a standing army of the only road to as Leyland guilty: Barton jailed! workers' inquiry into bribery and corrup- tion inside British Ley- land must be demanded following the conclu- sion the trial of of Graham Barton. jailed Barton has been for years for forging letters about bribery inside Leyland. But the question of the of whether some Barton sold to the letters Daily Mail were forged or not is irrelevant The trial lifted a tiny corner of the truth on what went on in Leyland while Barton was a £7,000 a yeal executive with the firm. For all anyone knows it goes on still. Doubts about Ryder Even the judge in the King- Judge Alan case. Hamilton, told the jury that would probably have doubts about the evidence former head of the National Lord Rvder Enterprise Board Ryder had changed his dramatically in the story At first he had witness. box. flatly denied that any corruption had gone on Then Leyland. under later cross examination and when of the facts had some he said begun to there had been some cases of "trivial" corruption. But he accepted that the •law the brother 1n national guard commander Arabia had been Saudi paid £700,000 to ensure that nothing stopped a deal going through. Normal five are between ovelseas 7.5% of a contract and showed Barton's mo allie. that those paid by Leyland 35% were in the up Middle East There are other scandals that wolkers ne ully would uncover. In particular what role did the govern- gigantic proportions force police (SAVAK) that is one of the largest and most efficient in the world structure corporatist unions. Torture Thousands of political prisoners, widespread ture. police • stations installed inside factories, are all features of this regime dictatorship This brutal • has been nurtured and sus- tained. by US imperialism, its most fawning yet have been found sponsors of the amongst British Labour Party From left and right alike MPs have made the pilgrim- age to lick the bloodstained boots of the Shah. The Shah's officials claim that the current upsurge has been provoked by 'Islamic Far from seeking establish socialism the religious leaders have called for an 'Islamic government?

initiated They the nor organised but rather sanc- tioned its development and ment's Defence Sales Organ- isation pla company? Evidence was the trial that at for sold trucks and parts Leyland in the Middle East.

The Barton also papers showed an undisclosed sum being paid to an account of Sir Shapoor Reporter, des Who's Who cribed in "consultant for major British interests in Iran' Two Leyland executives took out High Court protec- tion against having to give in the trial-cer- evidence tainly not the action of executives who know that there been no corrup. has tion at Leyland after And the case was over Leyland itself statement seemed to admit the corruption even in the act of denying it Ryder "No evidence has been found of any contravention English law (our emphasis) nor of a web WOTo bribery To wide equate commission pay- is to bribery nonsense. doubt that the lid will now be siammed firmly back on the Leyland While scandal. workers are denigrated and exploited off, the casual and confefti like handing out of by Leyland will capitalists not challenged. Only a workers?

inquiry can reveal the truth The Shah seek to exploit and now direct this i detend their own narrow self-inter- est. But if the Shah does not head off the attempt growing pressure by making the clerical to colosues faction, will only of time before the Malloi mass oppos of the weight conflict ition comes

ILLU

with its would-be leaders Solidarity British workers

HOUS

active solidarity fight for with the Iranian masses in their struggle against dictat orship: Black all arms supplies to the Shah's dictatorship! For the exposure and Savak expulsion agents from Britain. Force the British govern- cut all economic links with the Shah! the Shah's Down dictatorship!