'New Jewels' plan 'mixed economy

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Bowing to the inevitable, are one by one recognising the new government in Grenada headed by Maurice Bishop, leader of the New Jewel Movement.

The coup which overthrew Sir Eric. Gairy has the undoubted support of Grenadans both at home and abroad. Khaki clad youthsincluding 80% of the island's Rastas-are patrolling the island -guns in hand-or riding around in jeeps giving the clenched-fist salute.

Grenadans in Britain demonstrated in London in support of the new regime and demanded the establishment of a workers' and peasants' government.

•Gairy was a pro-imperialist dictator who used his "Mongoose Gang" to crush opposition to his regime. He forged close links with the Chilean junta which supplied him with arms.

The obvious concern of the Caribbean Prime Ministers in Caricom centres on the threat that such an upheaval poses to their own unstable governments. • The indications are, however, that they have little to fear from the new government.

Not only is Jamaica's 'left' talking Prime Minister Malcolm Manley in favour of the new regime but the first statements of Maurice Bishop clearly show the direction his government is heading.

Despite the fact that the New Jewel Movement (Joint Endeavour for Welfare, Education and Liberation) states in its 1973 manifesto that it supports nationalisation of the banks and insurance companies and a system of government based on the Tanzanian model, Bishop is now arguing against the nationalisation of foreign-owned banks providing part of their capital is used for local development needs. He is also reported as saying: "We will plan for a mixed economy, but it will be development-oriented."

Although the overthrow of Gairy is to be welcomed, the workers and peasants of this impoverished island will only face a secure future as part of a socialist federation of the Caribbean in which they themselves control the wealth of the ared.

Bishop