Workers Socialist League

Socialist Press, Trotskyism Today and the Trotskyist International Liaison Committee, 1975–1984

What next after Shah's puppet?

Socialist Press no. 134, 24 January 1979 · scan p. 12 · about 520 words

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Once again, a good week for the monthly fund with £165.70 arriving in the office during the last seven days.

This included £15 from supporters in Denmark and £3.15 from a collection at a WL public meeting in Aylesbury.

With one week to go to the end of the month a huge effort will have to be made during the next few days if we are to raise the outstanding £198.67 and reach our target of.

Published by Folrose Ltd. for the Workers Socialist League, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

Printed by Anvil Printers Ltd.. London. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office created by his departure has yet to be filled. Dr. Shapour Bakhtiar, the heir appointed by imperialism, has still to establish any authority beyond the hopeful trust of the Shah's own officials and agents.

Neither the army generals, nor the religious leaders, nor the masses have shown any willingness to accept his government as an answer to their demands.

In the largest demonstration seen so far in Tehran, 1½ million people marched through the streets on Friday to denounce the new government as illegitimate and called on soldiers to join with them in the mass movement.

This mobilisation had been achieved by the religious leaders, whose demand for an Islamic Republic' apparently met with little opposition.

Announcing his imminent return from Paris to Iran, the Ayatollah Khomeini also revealed the existence of an Islamic Revolutionary Council' prepared to take control of the state, and promised the creation of a 'popularlybased constituent assembly' But Khomeini has risen to his present position of strength only by basing himself on the strength of the oppressed masses in their forward movement, and above all on the strike action waged by the organised strength of the working class.

The dangers of that contradiction haunt both. Bakhtiar and leaders.

The generals have been given strict instructions by the Carter administration not to move against the new bourgeois government at this stage.

But if Khorneini makes a bid for power, relying on the strength and militancy of the workers and peasants, there. can be no doubt that the army would move swiftly in a bid to crush the insurgency.

They gave a foretaste of the methods and barbarity they would use, when troops rioted in Ahwaz and Dezful (cities in the oilfields) and killed dozens of demonstrators who were demanding the abdication of the Shah. pro-imperialist government then they must break from the dominance of the religious leaders in a fight for the socialist programme that alone can meet their needs and aspirations.

*Build armed workers' militias!

"Create workers', peasants' and soldiers' committees!

* For a constituent assembly!

*For a workory' and peasants' government!

*In the factories and oilfields: expropriate the capital. ists and occupy!

*In the countryside: expro. priate the landowners and occupy!

*In the army: refuse to obey the officars! Join the workers in setting up militias!

*Sack Callaghan, Owen Mulley, the Shah's friends!

FUND £600 by the end of January.

All donations should be sent to:

Socialist Press Monthly Fund 31, Dartmouth Park Hill London NW5 1HR

← Contents of Socialist Press no. 134, 24 January 1979