Oil firms still backing Smith

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The sanctions busting of the Rhodesian oil embargo by Shell and BP aided and abetted by various Labour ministers is the reality behind the Anglo-American proposals on Zimbabwe.

Just as David Owen and thepitatome capitalism alive, whatever Andrew Young are trying to find some way of keeping colour of the government, so the oil companies kept both their profits and the Rhodesian government alive.

It is now no longer possible to believe one single word that any Labour politician has to say on the subject.

From 1968, when the oil embargo was introduced, BP and Shell continued to supply Smith with the vital oil to keep his police state on its feet.

Cabinet informed

The French owned company-Total-physically sent the oil, but was supplied with the oil in the first place by Shell and BP.

Commonwealth Secretary Geoge Thomson (now made a Lord for his services to capitalism) was told about the arrangement.

He says that he kept the Cabinet informed-in particular Harold Wilson.

Wilson says that the whole Cabinet heard the reports, including George Brown, Marsh, (now openly a Tory) and Callaghan himself.

Marsh, who now has no need of socialist posturing, has issued an enigmatic statement more or less admitting that the entire Cabinet knew what was going on.

'Did not know'

Callaghan had his political advisers "brief' friendly newspapers to say that he did not know what was happening. national capitalists and social democracy is clearly shown by this charade.

• It is certain that not only were French capitalists involved but that some of the black African governments, notably. Zambia, must also aid and abett the supply lines to Smith.

No official inquiry would dare to reveal the truth of who knew what.

Already the paper shredders are pulping the evidence and a clean-up of company and government records is in full swing.

Workers inquiry

But a workers' inquiry launched by the workers inside the oil companies in solidarity with the black African masses would undoubtedly discover the full truth.

Such an inquiry should be launched and pursued internationally.

called il not order scion union leaders who remain in the pocket of the very Labour leaders who have already shown themselves to be against the African workers and on the side of the The sanctions-busting demonstrates the need for nationalisation of the oil companies, under the control of the workers, and without compensation.

The fight must be taken up in the Labour Party to expel all those implicated in the sanctions busting and to replace them with leaders who will nationalise the oil companies in this way.

Above all it demonstrates to the African workers of Zimbabwe and South Africa that when their leaders negotiate with Owen, negotiate with Owen, they representative of a government which aids and abetts the oil companies supplying Smith-in other words an agent of international capitalism. PHOTO: Andrew Wiard, Report. Wilson