Socialist Press no. 144

Stop the retreat on pay strikes !

VOTE LABOUR: SACK

No class conscious streets Ine against firemen and worker will feel attracted by strikers. the policies in the Manifesto Tine now being completed by Callaghan and the right wing glaringly to the Labour leadership. It will SOCialISI revealed offer nothing to anyone. But there must be no room in government. for doubt: workers who wish to fight of Labour's so-called socialisT •olicies defend jobs, living standards and mount social services vote Labour vaguest ( Tine and take tight to drive ligh ted out the Callagnan-Healey teader ship and build a socialist alterna- tive. those policies The retum of a Torv aovern.

socialist opposition. Thatcher would ment. under Leadership intensify of anti-working class posteles During the La our letters government, over the last five years-slashing Socialist League has health, education saidi Ol cl unions; SerVes duCCIn fought axing thousands more jobs; and revolutionary stepping up the "law anu vreel Lamour Canuorn WItn •olIee ment. expanded armed powers and TUC leaders, the life Spurious nealey hold back But would also give Callahan mne sourious creden. aga lisl tials of seeming to oppose Tory wage onases policies-many of which he him- General Electión selt has attempted to carry out while in office. ano koite day strudoles. Whether Thatcher is elected on May 3. virtually Callaghan prospect worker

TACO

Tine wwers claim further attacks on their rights and living standards. 8% through oUL It Is onV The lave exerco Pordersh ip ra prin abour maliet leadership hospital manual mcmi tual tnose attacks can steps Taken Raised offer towards ending the capitalist system whose crisis means mass neuDoyen due costinulno down by Civil Servants' leaders, the working ex•lonation the Callaghan leadership late last Massive week raisea. Its pay orter to 9% struceles -only to see it rejected by the forward moving working class two ggest challenging Callaghan's reaction- and SCPS. al y vay llo ave slowe lac there is a yawning gulf between members the aspirations and the indepen- more of Callaghan, these officials have dent class interests of the work.

gone so far as to threaten with- ino class and the onlicies or ite from drawal supposed "leaders" at the head Whitley Council pay set-up, and the Labour Party alte continue

TUC.

action during the election cam- paign Willing to fight The developed within the Workers have time and again movement alsc snown tew wutaneness to Tont che strike decision by stewards in defence of jobs, wages and representing basic rights craftsmen-which Callaghan-Healey But Ine Lea couid Dring car production leadership has at each point grinding shown its determination to press beginning of next week. the anedo with detending TOISi interests of big business at home fighting strength anu •ulsn immoenasm—ooin in working class the occupied North of reland hope of and on a world scale. attacks ataned by botn living With condoo cuon TUC leaders their policies have Thatcher snobie thrown 1½ million workers returned to office. dole, wreaked havoc in the

NHS

Extend struggles ano te scnoois. cut the pay packets, varue or workers' slashed house These programmes and set up picket- unofficial acton rusting police detachments.

rce-musE extended and strengthened.

Tave Used

SUS

laws Is aras working class youth on

SOCIALIST

PRESS ›

Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist League * No. 144 * April 4, 1979.* 15p and army scabs ambulance Tea • TacA oT The Labour leadership, which points icteooty tol fully aternative working class only when the Labour Party And the complete inability 'left' MPs anv e orneT Inar verbal challenge to Callaghan's policies is also high.

only when the govern. ment is seen to de implementinc any life InIS the Workers consistently and uese MASOnS construct a leadership in the •and trade union move- who through- ot the Callaghan- covernment nave Touant the their It and uphold successive controls, have used the pretext of LU HOve j UPW leaders have abandoned the whole of the postal steamroller through a wretched deal: and NUPE leaders too ever muscie raspita ma yal eelers od workers Hopina for a simitar climb.

unions, the CPSA Fearing the wrath of their thar the wrath reactonay with industrial militancy workers' British Leyland if implemen. halt at the independent within the wrich otters the resisting Heath standards "truce" or to suspend meetings Callaghan and they be campaign OUTiie erection must be resisted. working® powerful, combative the decisive answer to a rient wino natcher struggles-and government, which, under such conditions, with mounting infla. In Ene rosi stepped up, tion fuelling workers wage demands, anu witn Ils bianneo Any attempt at an industrial programme or cuts, could soor

CALLAGHAN!

Why not cut your losses, Jim? Instead of printing your own manifesto you could just use ours!

,share the same fate as Heath's ,election. hated 1970-74 government.

Wherever There arę already signs that opportunities the declaration of the Election oerenoers date and growing publicity for Healey must Tories' anti-union Labour candidates, programme has begun to swing class conscious workers back ward to replace them cowdras a Labour vote Such workers vote All Labour sabort Callaghans policies because they be pressed bv and Labour Parties permanent untenoiovmer wage controis, repression in circuion-wn tever Treland and support for big campaigning determined toertoe fecalt determined to keep the conference to -the open class enemy-out of Callaghan cliaue office socialist policies. • We say clearly that such workers must de ottered a per spective of à struggle to out the Callaghan-Healey leader- ship, developments prostate action to defend their indepen- months mi dent interests Already in Hayes and principea Harlington London, ship in tre LOrOU GMC delegates have voted 31-24 adopt sitting right wing

NOT CO

League, fignting :0 Du ie sil Neville Sanderson, and leadership, Will instead insten das thein candidate fop tee endorse Peter canalo working class to takè Fight Tory backlash!

BACK PAGE

WRP and Iraq... Pages 6-7 EEC plan for import controls •. Page 4 Calderdale Cuts Fight . Page 9 struggle for the following policies: • S nilan *End arise, the controls!

WET

Defend living standards thraugh and Canadhan removed as wage claims with cost of living clauses to protect and candi- drains Inta •ales piedceo to tont tor a ter LiON native socialist policies put for- *End unemployment! Defend existing jobs

LITOUS

Labour candidates must work. cocu aton demandino union branches sharing on full pay. Demand declare crash of programme useful (TO themselves committed after the public works to create new jobs!

the result- *Open books for that an emer- employers refuse wage Laboul Party demands or threaten sackings! drive the Prove the case for the nationalis.

out and adopt ation of major industry without compensation under workers waue twent Crucial months *Strike to stop cuts in Indeed, whatever the precise sx: Car eo Soca s. Contin organised up the

S. African scapegoats Page 2

EUROPEAN

RULERS

IN CRISIS

the him to stay on and have another Senor Mota Pinto, try at getting a slightly modified Salazar ex-official of the budget through. now dictatorship who Portugal's non-elected Prime the Socialists have ninted hey might support a budget which echoing the Minister, was tax of growing recuceo int sentiments wage bonus recerved by rol European of the sections workers уися capitalist class when he said proposed figure of 65% weekend that the last Losing patience of existence continued political parties The calls obstacle to what Armed Forces have also begun "democracy" - meaning to make it clear that iney beginning to lose patience with capitalism. smarting the Mota PIntO Was system to produce a stable form the deteat in parliament of rule. government's one major

OT S

democratic piece of legislation-a super aus- a ne 1074 are now terity budget desianed to satisty ever and than the IMF, which through loans is leaky the becaust refuse to mobilise the masses in economy just afloat. their defence. If Mota Pressure then the also Talls witt be faced witn tne The defeat came about as a tive result mounting oressure an attempt from the masses of workers and arav peasants against une reactionary ment policies of the regime-real wage cuts and unemployment for the

1AST

vedi removal from elections. workers, Torciole redistributed land

TOI

peasants and rural workers.

against these workers angel measures forced the Portuguese vote Socialists budget and UnC abstain. right wing Social Demo- The abstained, while only crats also the other pouraeois party Democrats voted Christian tavour of cowardly abstention The Socialists was designed. justify their sulfequent position vote did not oblige -that the the Mota Pinto government to resign. Resignation voted Had the Socialists pressure against, Inen them and government in the Interests the workers would have become enormous. Pinto handed in his resignation to the military Presi- Andreotti dent who prevailed on canes, rebel The the Ministers COlLUC innocence in the face the

WES

TUlY mission of the government pressure from ranks, is due t Seema course, That olatue These Mulder tu ano restiess last week. would resolve nothing for the bourgeoisie and perhaps make it difficult to. hold ever more down the working class through might still do this, since the methods of democracy West 'European other Portugal on the annual countries well general elections are clearly not periodic strengtheners the below • democracy stable parliamentary which the bourgeoisie held them to be in its days of contidence.

They are desperate last alter- every other when native. Chief of Staff of the tactic has failed, and they carry.

contirmine enlarging the government crises which already exist. failure of the parliamentary In Italy the totally table defeat of Andreotti's coal ition with the Social Democrats gains Republicans more in jeopardy the combined com munist and Socialist Parties) will that larcely and SP leaders certainiv TOrCE bourgeoisie to Italian nolO on deneral elections, probably Pinto's next budget June 10. bourgeoisie alterna- Belgium intervention Une set up a In Belgium, too, attematition new parliamentary party govern- coalition reconstruct they Christians and Social hold general betweet Socialists broke down last week on the intractable issue of the The last course looks as if it of their the Details aneraton. inability of have been circulating for the last National Party government few weeks. in South Africa to contain it seems surprisingly, sums of money Information Depart- that large bourgeois media maid by the ment scandal continues. get some of toretapes in hick And past and present Prime one-time Secretary Botha of Vorstel Department to protest makes Ther Rhoodie Eschel of charges allegations. Information chemissed Department leaders that Vorster Bribery the secret award dealings of his own government.

of include acçounts These The Erasmus Judicial and failures Enquiry set up by The

SUCCUSSE

Information Department d an evarious bica- attempts enormous inter of the ruling class and dissension national network of bribery of s-in its political and labour o le "findings"' as we go to press.

the secret deals and aspects of most not only whereby his diplomacy and African wheels of cabinet will be exonerated and

-OUT

but of imperialism capitalism, apportioned are greased. among the chosen scapegoats.

major allega- Amongst the how- scapegoats are. tions are claims that: ever, getting increasingly resent- *In Britain, two Labour MPs as we reported received payments. Under combined pol- itical and the pressure, of tion Exporting

(OPEC),

voted Tuesday to increase the basic price of oil by 9% 'to $14.5 dollars a barrel.

But many oil states have Portuguese SP leader Soares already will they of power between the level, Dasiu dIvisIon national of country's (French-speaking $1.20 per barrel to it. communities and Dutch-speaking). Ancella immediate day that its crude oil will also, nere likely- general in price elections only a few months after the last increase a level likely to be matched by Libya and Nigeria. ones Unscheduled At the same time nearly every oil state that increased possible output on a temporary basis The wave certain unscheduled elections in during the period while Irar Europe (Britain as well as Italy, became a net importer of oil Portugal and Belgium), far from is now preparing to cut back reflecting the strength of demo.

more their former values, cratic failure of of the production-both manifestation the traditional forms of control to conserve working class-through keep market prices high. the and the paramentars labour the collaboration Inflation of bureaucrats-in Cone ton. These price increases will crisis and the threat economin or actuality of mass upsurge of selve as the working class triggering a new intensified It is not only the Portuguese round of inflation and reces- ruling class which is : now look- sion in the advanced capital- non-parliamentary ing towards countries, forms of rule. further economic crisis faced by the many nations that rely heavily on oil imports instance every one dollar rise in the rates in the EEC by and raises inflation by 0.3% But this of murderer peasants, Portuguese President Banes of losing power in Uganda.

disarray of to be the airtorce Islamic forces made *Attempts wert These forces Daily Express, Guardian, Observer and Evening bourgeois Standard. Tanzanian Norway rent will Nverere and a which won four seats at party block of Joandal set up the calling itself and funded by South Africa.

*In America an attempt was Washington made TO POSt Major bureaucrats bribed to the programmes oppose

I TO

trace union action in solidarity with *Both Muzorewa and Sithole have received large 'donations".

Inevitable and Such fraud, corruption inevitable ThE capitalist profit system-as inev table as the exploitation of the black masses by those *he nonables them on financer coction. now newspapers government misappro- priation! SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 4 April, 1979 Middle East Oil War reopened leaves out the new factor in the recession-a world short- economic fall in oil supplies of around Organisa- barrels a day, million two Petroleum cutbacks caused Iranian production. Countries • Iranian Indeed the last revolution has been a major forcing through factor increase. this latest price along with Shah had, The , been in the fore-, the Saudis, to big of resistance made it clear that front price increases that disrupt exceed this new economic struc- the shaky adding tures of imperialism. not less than Despots announced next nationalist The new, by, 25% - regime has adopted a more militant posture And, more to the point, the ignominious fate of the made every oil Sheikh and despotic his own dictator look and to securing the bolster financial means of levels. his rule against any simila in order movement-by a combina stocks and to reforms tion Cosmetil and military spending forced !These pressure even the "moderate" Saud agree to the 9% leaders to the factor increase, and to hedge major of whether question the too will soon impose $1.20 surcharge The OPEC decision has and about acute already brought • tne 16% increase in North Sea underdéveloped oil prices--and will ensure in Britain that wittle. Callaghan is elected on May 3, 1979 will The EEC Commission for of massive estimates prove vedl price inflation and oil crisi traumatic cuts growth parallelling 0.4% first "Oil of the War" of 19734. caculatiol Amin on edge of defeat - National Liberation Front.

Islamic dictator and mass This Front consists of no less and workers than eighteen political organisa Marshall Idi Amin all of them headed by tions small group of exiles, without Dada, appears on the point any mass base within Uganda the The main ones ате With his own army in a state ex-"socialist" of to lower the premier Milton Obote his only remaining and of support seems Kabaka former of his fellow Buganda whom Obote deposed dictator Gaddafi which intervened at the last moment Support against the invading anti-Amin which The ease with are an alliance (before Front's small army has of the regular army of the petty reached Libyan intervention) distance of the

TITIN

premier Kampala is the result of material rotten political and Tanzania support TrON exiles probably from US and the imperialist sources as well.

because the But soldiers and working masses of Uganda did not raise a finger to assist their beleagured eight-year dictator. masses now face But those the prospect of a new dictator- ship from one or more sections opportunists who com Liberatior National orise The essential for them independent own • their set us the fight for organisations end of the Amin tinal from Uganda removal Int forces Libyan Tanzanian and the the reconstruction economic life under workers and management and control authentic the formation от al workers' and peasants' govern- ment in Uganda.

Stalinism in hock Oil crisis hits US pay limits

SOCIALIST FRESS.

- INTERNATIONAL•

Last week it The same eat up a growing proportion pressures building up elsewhere: East officially announced of hard currency export Germany $3.7 earnings, the ECH now owes the of that cost says that this proportion has billion to West German servicing Poland's debt banks-plus another $10 not yet (except in the case imperialists had to the of Poland) reached what it billion to other imperialist calls the "permissible limit" financiers. reached more than of 25%. half of its convertible Stifled In itself a trade deficit foreign exchange with the imperialist count- earnings. ries not necessarily The problem In arises Since then further socialised threatening the first place Decause reports have shown that, if property forms. bureaucratic control of the Poland is an extreme case.

indebtedness to socialised economies of the which it leads creates the workers' East states stifles their european other workers' states are conditions under which potential productive power.

increas- begin They would possess such ingly facing the same prob- Impenausts Cas leverage only under condi- lems. apply economic power A report from the United and begin the end tions of genuine workers" In political Nations Economic extract price and of management Commission for Europe from the bureaucracies. authentic union of socialist estimates the the stales place total debt of the "centrally Creditors narrow bilateral trade agree- economies of ments which are the limits Diallicu the end Already there is wide- of the bureaucratic concep- Lastern curope at of last year was $47 billion spread speculation that tion of socialist inter- national division of labour with $37-40 Poland's compared billion in 1977. about to demand a say in held by Comecon (the deficit persistent running economic i ne Lne organsanion debt based

USSR

and increases the by economic policy on the similar amount each year.

Already they are receiv- "friendly" workers' states).

ing information on Poland's One of the responses of And repayment and (so-called "debt Polish East European bureau- interest economy which no tne service") rises each year to worker has access to: cracies to their growing The massive orice creases announced last week by the OREC countries are a further blow to President Carter's attempts to cut back workers' living stand- ards and control price inflat- ion in the USA, while at the time cutting the oil same deficit. At the last moment Carter forced his was snelve Sheculed television broadcasi spelling out phase two of his policy", since even his own avisors were divideo as to how best to foist the latest crisis onto the backs working class Carter had originally been planning cutback price controls orcer alon domestic oil prices to by rise around 15% Spring of this by year. The object of such increases was to hold down oil consump- ane inus simurtaneousiv ease economic problems Carter's capitalist the Democratic Three years ago a token created by the oil deficit and rarty. stopparen Truckers oroueui the shortage caused by the cut But if now faces its most gun battles with police, a climb- backs in Iranian oil production.

300,000 decisive test truck down by the employers, and a arivers oreanise• in Ine leam. pace serumo bay settement Electoral damage sters Union come up for renewal But it also showed militants 3-year within the union their potential their surenoun in al-out struccie-ano To minimise electoral Ine The Teamsters' claim for thus reinforced oppositon damage that might result from and fringe within the Fitz- wages benefits union amounts to 35% over 3 vears.- simmons canester leddersnie Carter had with 13.5% in the first year.

which the bodes deep collaboration idea ot taxinc This is clearly well in excess with lovea will Ene capita away much ine increase. Garter s outdelines-inouon Ddi triers. Goes while of course leaving the oil well below the going rate of hold back that strength. sufficient extra loot to inflation. kees them cuiet When bosses leaders' offered Paralysing strike Now the

OPEC

increases Teamste nail une claim, inevitable rises Carters Fitzsimmons attempted leader and above to disguise the issue by arguing As for Carter, the memories moves that payment 58 miners Cells lasT vear soilter Having steeled himself to strike are all too vivid: he knows nour un cer The boosting price inflation by a Teamster's existing cost of living that a stoppage by truck drivers calcutate• amount. ne now tace.

Agreement should be added to increase st a time when prices prospect dramatic the 64 cent offer country. Already he has made it -ano calmind that this did not breach Carter's clear that he would immediately are arredoy rockelme uowaros pay policy. analy Tor an In unction unde January's figure of fact is that truck drivers the union-busting Taft-Hartley I ne inflation was followed by 1:2% already entitled to that laws enforce 80-day in February-a 15% annual rate 58 cents an hour under last "cooling off period" if a strike increases come on was called. years acreement-t Is not

CUD

this, striking a sévere blow at for negotiation. And Teamster leaders, rather Carter's hopes of enforcing a Fitzsimmons appears to be than preparing to Kevi Union lining which settlemenl giant t million-strong union to negotiations in the next few such wit: trade awav nat the claim In months. exchange for this cost-of-living attempted only producing supplement- -thus Manoeuvres te Test out Carter. Shaky start legal powers impose such He utiousiy men increase. in int hopes of fobbing off militants measures. The pay within the Teamsters' ranks.

policy had made a confrontation shaky start, assisted only by the Indeed the place however under conditions rospell

COT

determination union cold of sharpening mass struggle in strike one that sends their shudders spines the US working class alliance Carter and Fitzsimmons alike California thousands of reaculondry WILl debts to the imperialists is to try to restrict tnel owl.

imports from the capitalist countries (as, for instance, Hungary is now doing). This not move towards any true inter- economic national socialist planning, but simply which the actensive

HOVE

bureaucracies see alternative second-besi which is forced upon them And this trade too has its *The Soviet own difficulties. Union has large

TO W

annual surplus of $5 billion in its trade with the other workers' states Deeper in debt while Comecon So including the USSR whole gees demper also debt tith imperialists, within Comecon itself the smaller deeper countries get Into debt to the Soviet Union.

This has been accentua- ted by the fact that the Soviet Union has followed

OPEC

the increasing of its oil exports to 7, farmworkers organised in Cesai Chavez's United Farm Workers union are on strike demanding vast micreases lettuce pickers in excess of the 7% limit. On March 1, 6,000 marched through the streets of Salinas protest at the shotgun murder of UFW member Rufino.

Contreras, gunned down en the picket line by a farm owner Police in Salinas have already peared and other strike ..other 'strike oreakine to assist scabs when full scale harvesting begins. Employers have clearly decided not only to resist wage demands but attempt break the UFW. Chavez-up to nis neck in collaooration wit Democratic Party politicians- has been unable to outline any strategy to night such attacks surprised i essed himself at the employers' at utude. Texas fight But this is not a reflection of mood of the membership On the contrarv. in Texas too are attacks and falling living slandaras o towards the UFW. Ar TurninGs 800-strong. Organising Conven- tion in San Juan, Texas showed ane mulancy ano redoiness ot these workers to fight against Comecon countries. This situation of "socialist" indebtedness Is Soviet exploited by the bureaucracy to bring into line anv other bureaucraci tempted criticise Moscow Blame workers Nonetheless, simultane- ous indebtedness to the imperialists and Moscow is a by the situation -used bureaucracies of the smaller Comecon countries to justi- "answer" they fy the only possess to explain away the disastrous consequences which their own existence of tor the economies llas their countries. They turn to blame the 'and working class, repeat their parrot-cry to the calling on them to

WOLKCIS.

solve the problems by producing working narael, more and eating less. But as -the bureaucracy weighs heavier and heavier on the backs of the working class, major events such as

BITE A BULLET

foV/NFLATION

BULLETS 257

formidable odds for the right to trade union organisation.

Shipbuilders And another mass section of also fighting workers simul taneousiv for trade union riahts and for improved living standards are the 13,000 Steel workers mem ders Shipbuilding Newport News who have been on strike since Januarv si Newport News is in Virginia And Virginia is a 'right to work state in wnice me closeo snoo is outlawed and employers stand confident of the even more support of the courts and the police in their efforts to keep the unions. out. But the rapid growth of the The : varo Cano tenacity of the year-old strike there 1,200 designers both that indicate oniv ruptcy of political perspective within the USWA bureaucracy WIll prevent being the idot Polish leader Gierek the 1976 Polish uprising and evidence less dramatic but important in- stances of resistance show that the working class see clearly the contradiction "socialism the betweel practised by their unchosen "leaders" and the real needs of the workers There evidence of a readiness to fight the parasites whose policies are leaaing lo une destruc tion of the of the gains October revolution Only the revolutionary overthrow of the Stalinist and the estab- bureaucracy of lishment governments based on " independent workers councils call save develop and extend these gains 27434 -5559 employers' anti-union set up all-out viTa ina Sold to bay blacking action fought the whole about movement dears Nev port shipbuilding's owners, the giant Tenneco oil to break isola monopoly, the tion of the strikers in Virainia and force the employers recognise the nation-wide strenath of the trade unions At the same time the struggle must continue to break Ine unions trom, une paralysıng bloc with the Democrats about their brought reactionary bureaucratic leaders.

Labour Party The demand must be for the building of a Labour • Party on a programme that will start out from the independent interests of the US working class and point to the necessity the overinrow ridden US capitalism and the establishment of a planned socialist economy.

Common Market: racism, trade war & anarchy NAC march misses point Pu:: The policy so beloved so-called of Labour's Tribune 'left wing Group-import controls -has been egerly taken the European by up Commission in a confi- report on trade dential with Japan. report is garnished The and strident with the attacks racist "national Japanese character", describing Japan worka- country what holics, living Westerners would regard as rabbit than little

WHOIC

hutches". and pinting out only has that the COnILI y emerged from recently feudal society. Cars punitive proposes back action trade Japanese surplus with Europe, and is believed import. controls to envisage electronics in cars and U1l particular.

EEC

Commission, The headed by one-țime British Jenkins, Labourite. Roy is possible that But since the dollar last suggests diverted to the USA -where imports slash Japanese fell dramatically have long year unleashing an all- US emo ovels the .witnout believed in using protection- against yell, an out trade war. have preserve employers n ovet of macasules by over European anticipaies, profits adantage markets and their capitalists in competing for that imports driven out against competition. Europe will increasingly emptiness of the slogan. stration from their trade union "Women decide" was the speakers Only two mact conference in November, a con- towards a gesture sole theme of Saturday's correctly more IhanE ference • WAlCh pointing a way forward, march in London called by aimed at the organised labour the NUSS, Laredo alil the International Campaign

NUT

movemnenl Wiseman, the small number van essa However, Rights for Abortion of union banners on Starday's member. these falteringly, (ICAR), the National Abor- However testified the mar ci Campaign (NAC) and feminism blinkered

TWO

tion continued women that make the the Labour Abortion Rights of the NAC/LARC leadership.

are a part of the workinu clas. Campaign (LARC). TO1 Back of march ane abortion rights must be raised in demonstrators every union branch and Labour 3,000 marched from of the march HvGe raTk At the start Square as part unionists were arrogantly Trafalgar rall, their absence action" traoe Notable by ordered to march far down the 'day Labour and internationdl were which saw similar mobilisations behind the banners of mally column trade union lefts who have spon- Europe, Australia U.S., and organisa- groups women's sored NAC and LARC, the same Against and Latin America. "Rock tions and bureaucrats who tke nun tes Sexism". Conference . refused to take ur all) The WSL contingent and our against the cuts .WiICH banners with union

TONT

LARC

had supporters already meagre

NAC

and to fight threaten focussed on the need supposediy built for the demon- abortion service. the cuts to safeguard and extend amortion tanle Cuts issue free abortion on We see as demand an essential cratic right and a vital step in as at last Novemoer : oppression trade union

NAC/LARC

Hanting to eno une con- The of women. inter- only the WSL's ference, such a fight can in no raised the question DUt vention Poiso through carried out way the health service. the cuts in single-issue blindly-led virtu- leaflet was Well account of theich take campaigns ally indentical to ICAN S UVIl massive cuts in the same repeating cemana. the health service and pay only and avoiding the same political token attention to the organised questions. strength of the working class.

oversight By some strange The hard-line temınısm anc membership form the ICAR's overall barrenness appear ICAR's leaflet did not became perspective

TOO

on the IMG sheet: that was the rally the apparent major ditterence berween Trafalgar Square. two. Non-political

IMG

Pabloites The Havt tail ending given cledl bourgeois feminism and are now A selection of speakers from Inidia and Iran happily grovelling betore it.

the USA, Spain, Only a policy of occupation seemed to be holding some sort linked to supporting strikes can NOW OUTI The WSL diecussion amongst them- competitior defend the health' service against submie. could tacumant adopted selves "abortion see the cuts and make free abortion on to the USFI Xith Wortd about Int TOndes on demand a reality. plus 10p without bringing in politics Prioe congress. rights can outh simply Such &ep from WSL. 31, Da direction democ alic Politca only be safeguarded by bulding consisted of each speaker (inclu- Hil, London Nw5 IHR. independent workers' NĄC representative) the ding control of the health service.

repeating 'Women decide" with sufficient fervour to match the EEC headquarters at Brussels sales in Japan. Of course the whole con- cept of import controls on scale envisaged the

EEC

atouLLs little more than a game of Feminist contingents dominated the march The head of the March 31 demonstration £2.3 bn Limilk lake- day now seems to produce further evidence of the colossal waste involved functioning of the the the Russian roulette-with

EEC

prospect of an all-out trade brought the week Last revelation that £2.3 billion war at any moment. Such measures reflect the EEC's total -40% ot ine tensions farm budget-was spent in growing Detwecl national sections of capital 1978 on buying up surplus in this period of acute world r products. dairy The bulk of this surplus and mounting crisis has been wilfully destroyed.

recession. This wholesale vandalism, at The HAC as an allance capitalists workers face of European when conflict with driven into rising e vol d, takes place ir rising food Japan-while US and i, takes place ir the within the EEC itself rival order to prop up the EEC'S capitalist: interests produce ludicrous Common Agricul- continuing conflicts. tural Policy. is now so high that a new milk tax-to fall could show Nothing dairy largely on more clearly the impossib- emicinl of including farms,

TROSU

ility of arriving. be "rational" Britain, those common, SOlU- levied to cut back produc- tion to the crisis within the tion. context of world capitalism.

Unless capitalism is over- The Big in the buropean thrown countries and elsewhere, the prospect facing the working Sleep uncontrollable class an lurch towards trade war and even physical war as desper- Callaghan ate national capitalists seek One reason would be far from sorry to their own defend General May the lose the encroach would mediK ets that he Election markets of others, and elim- be spared what promises to inate their competitors. be a fiasco of an election to Group's The DUll Parlament, European the controls policy import scheduled for June 7. would put workers onto this Hostility to the EEC and slope just as surely of affect- samoety the impossibility as the EEC Commission. the anything ing

LOTOULS

rejecied out must likeły Assem bly of hand by the labour move- a record low poll produce among Labour supporters. Menl this, To counteract been Weekly has Labour of serles running subsidised supplements of the work praising European Assembly preserved They have on the tactful silence million mammoth £75 and to run last yeal. cost proved very reticent about its recent record of organis- ational cock-ups. In one recent incident in Assem bly the Strasbourg mistakenly voted to freeze a range of farm chronically in produce. and surplus, in stede increasing other farm prices by 3% managed to wind up effectively cutting them by 17%! The reason is clear: half Assem bly, having of the collected her ovdo had expenses, money and Strasbourg already left and the the vote: before half, loaded down other with EEC high-living, were almost asicer Workers are left to guess the category in which British Labour "representa- tives" were to be found.

STERILISATION

Socialist Unity: no answers

SOCIALSI FRES.

of With thousands floating protest votes against the Labour around leadership's wretched record on jobs, wages, housing and social services, it might have seemed that Socialist Unity would have been on to good thing in the Edge Hill by-election. But while political confusion abounds within the workina class-as reflected in the bizarre turn-round from a 6,000 Labour majority-the task oi e rectinc into revolutionary workers is much harder strudcies simply raisinc oantet aliu out sufficient election leaflets. Practical work It is necessary patiently to build support basic revolutionarv programme withın the working class through inter- ventions into workers' struggles aesigneo to exoose We ordciice the inadequacy ano treacherv of existing and offer •tainas Duredul als a clear alternative at each point.

Socialist Unity-the opportu- nist electoral front promoted by the international Marxist Group -not only dodges the necessary against principled struggle ou reaucracv

OUT

aIso Talls spell out a satisfactory pro. 4014 attempting to short-cut the process ihrouor mass ballot-box campaigns. therefore fails either to win sig- numbers of niTicanl Voles-l Edge Hill a weedy 127-0r the political workers OlICI they need in the strua alle Hill is a clear case in tew The contains

DOHL

ditc immigrant workers ano situated next the heavy population in hamtcrant lne Toxteth area. Unemployment And while unemployment in the City of Liverpool is now a staaderina 24%. lns crclage +equal to the worst periods of 1932-is ex- depression ceeded by pockets in Edge Hill where the figure rises to 34%.

The is peppered with area rotting slums and tenements. Of the remaining local industry two key factories-Dunlops more Members of the Socialist Youth League in London, Oxford and Aylesbury have been campaigning for youth the anti-SUS to join demonstration called by Area the London Party Young Labour Socialists and

PNP

Youth for Saturday 7 April. The SUS law has been increasingly used by the police and in particular the Group Special black youth harrass London. The demonstration, which begins in Camberwell in South London, march to Brixton where L Division of the Metropolitan and no response takes nobody. an inch and Plesseys with a total work- this insteao. the manitesto coes latest piously to call for firms on forward force of 3,200-are the or The to be confronted redundancies which propost Tacing closure. Hill fight As might be expected in this is the ciosures natondiisco coct under workers.' control"-but mobilise the wnite working cidss wasterana LaDouT covelt- spelling out concrete through the trade unions and ment policies Ine area na. can become a breeding ground for through which workers other working class • oroanis‹ independently as a class to force tions, in joint workers' defence and recruiting racisl InUg such such alongside workers and pitch for the National Front.

seudas occupation of threatened plants youth from Tne immigrant Threadbare or the opening of the books of community. the employers to reveal the full Yet it is precisely on the key Class response extent of their plans and protit• issues of the struggle against eering. and .the fight unemployment is particularly important O responise to tascist and offers a election acainst racism and tascism that class response That revorutionaty the hotch-potch manifesto genuinely orocramme „ Snould stress racist attacks and presented by Socialist Unity was aspect the demand for breal racia TIOnTS cOWI it is not to nationalisation dvisions in the labour move- al its most tmedubart appear Te main demane on unem- sim oly vagut Vifcil ployment Moss Evans' and demand for parliamentary Socialist Unity the wnite Murray's favourite: the Len action. election campaign tneretore simple .reformist call tor a 35.

offered little to the workers of Nothing to offer hour week. Edge Hill, it appeared to make a the manifesto makes no smals ceve ooment WEl 'LItt the miserable betrayal On the struggle against racist attack on Liverpool IMG, which suddenly Unity violence Socialist ot inis cemano Dy every seclor discovered the struggle agains of the TUC bureaucracy over Manitesto nas nomine wwdtever closure WUnOOS recent years. offer. a predominantly duced their firest leaflet into the community white populated And it avoids any call for the Speke plant. "the Trotskyist demand ot . a TUll cals moy tor suboort lo too, failed to hit •ut inis. sliding of hours-the right of black and Asian people the key questions. to defend themsel ves". Though calling correctly •cIvisIonot Ine work avalldort for without the whole workforce am ong since will oCUoon oldlil. pay-which Socialist Unity's "support' without leaflet failed make these communities are could weil mean a working week slightest criticism of the plant themselves of less than 35 hours. aclenu efforts convenors whose main since the cosure announcemen have been directed towards preventing an occupation.

Blaming workforce As a result the leaflet winds blaming the U• oic tiy Dünlop workforce for the lack of action! With the declaration of the merin ot Genera .cou• large Socialist num ders

PRESS

GUNC

Key figure in Dunlops closure fight, Stan Pemberton, chair ing TGWU Conference: Socialist Unity failed to criticise Dunlop leaders.

SYL BUILDS FOR

of The assassination Airey Neave by Irish repub- licans has brought forth from the Tory press an predictable entirely

'SUS' MARCH

wounded cry for vengeance.

Nor is it a matter of any surprise that in searching for the their •nreses GeS i exores. anger sano diseess treet the letde! of have writers ana Sor cial repel ot all nakedly Police has a particularly bad acnieved expression and for the repeal of im berlatism record on the use of SUS clothed in the language of the and where 150 members of other legislation that attacks Victorian empire builders.

the democratic rights of the the SPG recently carried out so much noeeo IT S not of working class. harrassment anat ter toe hamend, as what •VSLCaLI This includes the Preven- the black community: a matter comment, as what tion of Terrorism Act, used has been ieft unsaid Abolition by the Labour government ror nownere amonest all tnt demands for increased to harrass thousands of Irish threats and vitriolic The SYL will be calling workers, few of whom have ooression for the abolition of the SUS nationalism is there to De Tound ever been charged and fewer much as a whisper of criti- so of still convicted of any crime; law-a the DovLul Labour Govern- the Vagrancy Act 1824-which Cism the conspiracy laws, which ment. police to have been used against black permits arrest Given all someone suspected of being youth in London; and the Criminal Trespass Law Despite capitalists' de- abour lo comınll anl artesi- the offence and which enables the police to cision to dispense with a govern- able WalC possible 3-month carries a break up occupations ment ot socia cemocracy time being, they acknow.- factories, hospitals, schools, prison sentence. Labour Govern- that the An accused person need and nurseries etc. and arrest Icugc not have committed a crime mert nos oven mem every ld

WOIACIS UN

they ever wanted on the ques- and will not be able to opt criminal charges. of Ireland. tion for trial by jury. demonstration the Guardian said on The

SYL

will also be assem bles at p.m. the day following the successful calling for the disbanding of Camberwell Grove, London bomb attack: SES on Saturday April 7. "Any temptation to take Mr.

the vIiOuSIV dIELi WULNIE Unity candidates wili be distri buting large quantities election bankrupt coudily material in various areas principled fight tor tit tulf prograini without cemanes necessory working class at this point the struggle and ruthless exposure of every section of the trade union oureaucracy activity. for all its good inten- will do little to advance tions; of the working une suru coles class and nothing ecucate the to con. forces necessary struct a revorutionary party Neave's murder as the pretext what fundamentally bipartisan policy will not nee much resisting because it wil not seriously arise. Bomb to power Indeed the only paper to put the bombing in a party context was Tne WatTor. WnICH Labour leadership *pob he tioy mal oler" ssue ano wncn dointe to lne bombing attempt The Daily called for centity caro anvone travelling into or out of Ireland.

The Telegraph called for capital punishment and the rein.

troduction of internment.

But the dominant theme was policie UniTy oerweet Ine the Tories and those the Labour leadership, Express said: Daily "Policy is not artected by murder. The tough brave yielding line taken av nrko any Mesonwll rken other possible of either party. "We are in Northern Ireland that Sicily of the North West, it reguires a tirm dacaust

, SLOFTI

hand if it is to stay within the civilised world. We are Northern Ireland's guardians." The Daily Mail: "Nor is it Fagt : PHOTO: conn sturrock, sepore Edge Hill-pockets of 34% unemployment Socialist Unit) candidate Alan Walker alone who will Mrs. Thatcher as a result of this atrocious act be more than ever determiner to deal firmly with what looks like the beainning ot a new wavi of terrorism paries are shapingu tora bard "At time, when political fight forth- •the çoming General Election, they in theil nOT a viaea teose on o drh responsive har who are responsible for TitIS Snaeru Woll f brought to justice and Thai their goal which is to establish in blood a sort of Marxist Cuba in John Bull's otner island wil be resisted." And the Daily Telegraph, in a trank admission that Neave .

policies were already implemen- , said: Party. tne Lauoul "The policy espoused working. With the passage of the Ulster's tecisiduol wc das representation in the Commons,

IRA

, further than ever from objective severing Tne • constitutional unks oerween Britain and Northern Ireland."

is a mark of the deepness of Labou covernment ieabuor mat in callino tor venoaance to death one of their sons, the Tory press Tavourite Teerst necessary to такс n criticism of Labour ministers or Labour policy. entire Labour Cabinet l fit trom Mason „TO benn. Stand. condemned by this silence.

IRAQ: WRP BACKS BA

Page 6 The Trotskyist move- ment has seen many a undergo grouping political degeneration- stepping away from the fight for principle at the point of the sharpest struggle. ( All too many a current has found itself sucked on one hand into oppor- the to alien tunist adaptation political forces, or blown on the other hand into sectar-.

ian abstention, declaiming distant hilltops. repeatedly Trotsky the twin stressed that diseases of opportunism and not polar sectarailisin but can and do opposites, exist within the same rotten body. Desertion there be no But organisation political currently describing itselt as "Trotskyist' which they coexist so brazenly as in the British Workers Revolution- ary Party, headed by Gerry Healy. This article will examine particular the in

WKI S

of Leninist desertion principles in its relationship petty bourgeois nationalist leadership in the Middle East-and particular- ly the Iraqi regime. Spelled out at the Congress of the Second Comintern, these, principles a guide constitute •EO unte through which melnoa must revolutionaries fight for approach the leadership: of "9. In : the sphere the relations within states national policy of the Com- munist International cannot itself to the bare confine of the formal recognition of equality nations, expressed only in words and obli- practical entailing no to which the bour- gations, confine geois democracies themselves, even those that call themsleves "socialist".

It is not sufficient for the Parties to Communist unflinchingly expose their propaganda and agita- tion born on tne parlamen tary tribune and elsewhere repeated the continually capitalist offences in every of in spite all the state, 'democratic' constitutions, of equality against the nations and the guaranteed rights of national minorities.

It is also necessary first the to clarify constant v point that only the soviet order is capable of assuring by equality, nanons • uniting first the proletariat and then the whole mass of the toilers the fight against the bourgeoisie, and give direct secondly to support to the revolution- ary movennents dependent nations and their those deprived Com- through the munist parties the countries in question. Without the last partic- ularly important the struggle against TO e oppression of the dependent nations and the colonies and the recognition of their right to a separate political existence remains the kind mendacious that we see in the parties of the Second International."

Thus the obligation oppressed the support Iraqi strongman Hussein against the oppressor nation in practice wel words is spelled out unmis- takeably. And stress is laid on the independent necessity revolutionary parties implement such policies and spell out the necessity for "the soviet order" In relation to the struggle in semi-feudal, economically backward states, the Comin- Theses urge special tern of attention a number points, including: "b) An uncompromising struggle must be carried out and against the reactionary influence of the medieval Christian clergy, the and similar elements. Iraqi armed forces c) A struggle is necessary against Panislamism, the Panasiatic movement, and similar currents which try to tie the liberontread against European American imperialism to the of the strengthening power of Turkish Japanese and imperialism the nobility the big landlords, the clergy, etc. (...) e) A determined fight is against the necessary attempt to put a communist around revolutionary

GOAK

movements that liberation are not really communist in the backward countries. The Communist International has the duty to support the revolutionary movement the colonies only for SOCIALIST PRESS. Wednesda; : ::-i :÷ Arafat-wheeling and dealing with bourgeois Arab rulers former Algerian leader Boumedienne of gathering the purpose of the future components prolețarian partes-com fact and not just in all the back- ward countries and training them to be conscious •of special tasks, the their special tasks that is to say, of fighting against the bour- geois-democratic tendencies within their own nation. Inter- Communist The national should accompany the revolutionary movement the colonies and the backward countries for part of the should even way, make alliance with it may not, however, fuse with it, but must unconditionally independent maintain the character of the proletarian movement, be only em or yo. [emphasis added] Yet despite the fact that these quotes come from the WRP's New Park edition of the proceedings of Comintern's Second the Healy leader- Congress, of that party departs ship PLO supporters march in occupied Palestine as far from these Leninist principles as any Stalinist or tinian revolution". far Leninism 1S MOle centrist. It has led Yet see again now we al senols in Newsline the unprincipled bloc with Fawning and again Arafat being given viciously anti-communist sallie is the So naked hypo- eno described as se and the regime. crisy involved in publishing Cross class lines positions on the orthodox legitimate representative of one hand while fawning on By supporting the blood the Palestinian people. bourgeois nationalist petty So far so bad. Perhaps it stained Ba'athist rulers, the leaders on the other that it this WRP actually crosses class could argued is hard, if not impossible to instance that the WRP was the line to support that there is any imagine against the being simply indiscriminate oppressor political confusion involved for this oppressed! support Ill

HILS

in the WRP's position. 'A, recent, public expres national libera important Rather the Healy leader- was Newsline tion struggle and confusing sion this ship has consciously turned with political support editor Alex Mitchell' this on the back not only its letter the for the Arafat leadership.

scandalous Communist history of the defending Guardian th Blind alley movement, but also on lls Ba'athist butchers. much recent own, But one scathing attack Such lack of criticism Baghdad regime on the While new recruits to the might lead up a political Mitchell did still

WRP

but in blind alley in any way refer to howeve recent vedIs Illay well have believed that the the right side remained on is the following: divide between the road to revolution of the "A witl regime, Yassir Arafat and through oppressed the Hassan al and General Ahmed Baghdad, anyone with five oppressors. and imm of the membership Workers Socialist year's The immediately installed WRP and any political mem- of stands League course began a bloody purge of th fight at all must realise that with the PLO its " 1n Communists. At least 8,00( against Zionism and imper- its current positions are the Communists were massacre complete opposite of those ialism. witl by the Ba'athists argued as late as 1974. whom they had previous! Yet stress that the we bourgeois limitations been in common front. petty Grave-diggers Bakr issued a declaration of the Arafat that all Communist sympa For instance: on October hold back the necessary thisers and atheists were tr 1974, Newsline's fore- mobilisation of the • Arab be shot on the spot." peasants inde- runner Workers Press, exam- workers and this attac ining a series of diplomatic pendent of their bourgeois Where does come from? Is it a scurrilou leaders which alone can lay manoeuvres by PLO leaders, basis for permanent piece from the pages of th put forward the view that: the Guardian or the Telegraph?

Middle "Arafat and his revolutión co- No comes fron East. thinkers are clearly Workers Press of June themselves in the role of the In the case of Iraq, how- ever, the WRP's desertion of 1974! grave-diggers of the Pales-

"ATHIST OPPRESSORS

and Syrian leader Assad The same article goes on • argue: "The of the a'athists equalled the the talinists. the the blicies of the mpletely ational the atchers their mrades." Sales irrying the ocialist fact emmunist members tough

WRP

printed an denial of

COULLS

blished in Kuwait which scribed them as: "completely baseless and distorting Iraqi itudes and undermining qi policy." Forced to admit The statement argued since Iraq's vice-presi- had just compicieu d to the USSR and Cuba, the CP published several ers in Iraq the reports ild not be true. But only a month later February 2 the WRP on was forced to admit that: "It is true 21 CP members were executed year, for illegally forming cells in the armed forces. The purpose of these cells was to fight against the government. There are no prizes for the answer what would happen to Ba'athists who sel up cells the Soviet army. They ruthlessly purged." This bizarre line of argu- "As for the executions in the army, we could give roll-call of nonour Communists dedicated and revolutionaries were witu massacred by Stalin. So WRP's eyes the it is alright for Iraq's. anti- communist rulers Stalinists because slaughter Stalin was a murderer! What this do alas Io with Marxism? 'Hue and cry' Nothing daunted, the WRP leaders plough on with their tortuous. argument. They claim that Stalinists are raising a hue and cry over the executions only because they wish to sabotage the Pan-arab unity between Iraq and Syria and summer the Stalinists had a hand in the attempts to get the PLO and the Iraqis exterminate each other series of in a fratricidal killings." Exactly how this alleged plot operated, we are not told. Nor we toid its relevance to the indefensible butchering CP members by the Iraqi Ba'athists Rather hide the WRP leaders try benna ye another "conspiracy" theory. But they go further. The Ba'athists, they claim: have played a hundred fold more pro- gressive a role in the Middle East than Stalinism. This is straight case of Moscow lyllis lo sel up cels in the Iraqi armed forces for the purposes Barzani the regime. It must accept the consequences. It ill behoves the British Stalinists to ingenuously try to turn this into a case of 'human rights' of principle. The principle of defend- ing from the attacks of capitalist states nothing do with Iraq" If Iraq is not a capitalist state, then perhaps the "theorists" the

WRP

leadership would explain to us what kind of state it is, and through what process overthrown was without any form of revol- utionary leadership.

WRP

to admit state, uctormed their do they analyse has discovered a workers' state newly emerged the Middle East during the last five shouldn't years they be enthusiastically explain- ing to the world's working class how this occurred, what lessons can be drawn from it, and where else (Libya?) such events can be expected? Indeed it is only state which any workers Marxist would concede has the right its repress political opponents. Carte blanche But the WRP give the Ba'athists, with their history murdering communists, atheists other alle opponents, carte blanche to presumably not only Stalinists but organising in Iraq "to fight against the government" Of course the struggles of Trotskyist party-a genuinely proletarian inter- manolaust opposition to the Ba'athists-would - exactly the 1c Pressed same way. Presumably Newsline would support such repres- Page 7 sion. Certainly it attacks the because Stalinists they the is the raised: But, more "some questions and pur pertinent what demands which could not "In supposed 1975 the be met under the prevailing historic Kurdish against circumstances, with the of They object of embarassing the present oppressed Revolution". minority part of age Iraq, Barzani extreme (March 22) Turkey Setting aside what But, this demands these were, surely glimpse the it is the task of Marxists to

WRP

sprang into point an independent road action next day opposi- forward for the Iraqi masses tion "regional against their reactionary nationalist leaders? "This was Would Trotskyists inadvertently direct Kurds, seek at one point to organise in the the WRP armed forces as well as the the the working class and WRP: Today movement? that stands Une obituary out very in the Not the

WRP!

They current the condemn allack al all the Ba'athist dictator- Cancer and ship: "All this finally was crowned by violating the They all the con- that concluded between the two parties in themselves of part Stalinist Ice to me Dronoton or way

SUDCHO

political work among the armed forces and by organ- the Kurds under their ising cells within the army.

control." The CP was fully aware In stark contrast to the that the penalty for organ- 1974). ising party cells in the army previou day's detailed report, it claimed Barzani's carried a death sentence.'

tuneral was shunned by the Kurds. The WRP went on to declare, the very eve of armed by the Kurdish minority in Iran, that they were entirely support of the Ayatollah Khomeini! .The the other hand to defend Kurdish • ine ment Inmaton-up and including 1 should they national We struggle against SuCh Barzani who in a sense parallelling Arafat, wheeling heads of state for Kurdistan part of Socialist Gaddafi Such the means many repres- the WRP's courtship of the mobilisation Arab the world Ba'athists. 1n where to process Kurdish reactionary union Barzani to leader and the including and Kurdish Pesh Merga guerrilla the the death: the

WRP

fighters have been variously dictatorship prolet- oppose CP members branded in cynical Newsline ariat based workers, articles as tools of the CIA, soldiers such the Shah, the Zionists, and the regimes and even Joseph Hansen! We publicly murder accuse the WRP, leadership Ghost of flagrant abandonment of 'the founding principles of apparently In 1974 Workers Press Communist movement in The Iraq. March 22 journalist John Spencer had their slavish fawning correctly assessed the Includes TOle Gaddafi, Arafat and the assistance given to the Ba'athist butchers. Kurds by the Shah-and separated "It [the is the of issue Never replied the Barzani leadership from the tirst Arab party Kurdish struggle itself. the And at first it seemed as The WRP leadership do nation and if the ghost of John Spencer not hesitate to put pen to haunted the, Newsline Arab nation paper defend disregarding the regional to report Ba'athists in the capitalist Barzani's recent death: tendencies , press. But they have never "Barzani who through- once replied to the points out his life was involved in we have made, based as they What the struggle for Kurdish are traditional to ine independence died of lung political positions of cancer. The body Marxism. and / was flown It was here We challenge

WRP

usunromen. the that Barzani led leadership reply to our battles for Kurdish indepen- movements accusations. dence. Hundreds of Kurdish that are And we invite

WRP

women broke into cries of munist"? members and ex-mem ber the Kurdish people are not discuss with ter of dead. historical origins of such a this which, political degeneration style, •..Pesh Merga guerrillas

Strange bedfellows defend Vietnamese In 1963, the American Workers Party Socialist by which barred US legislation reactionary from international affilia- its tions) broke from the Interna- support for Committee and tional joined hands with . Ine Pabloites which tional Secretariat, 'United" formed the then Secretariat of the. Fourth International.

USFI

recognised the ine social transtormations had taken place in Cuba, and this artificially from deauceo that Cuba empirical evidence had undetormed workers state under the 'uncon- scious Trotskyist leadership of Fidel Castro. Against this crude piece of the International Torma

1OCIC.

Committee, now headed by the British Socialist Labour League argued forerunner of the WRP. in equally formal fashion that since Castro had clearly not led socialist proietaridi revolution, then Cuba coula not any kind of workers state at Abstract While Gerry Healy and the

WHY

"pacersai defend this abstract position,

USFI

extended and the political own real ceeoenec 1 accommodation wiEn Ine Stalinised leadership the they raise This TielO hymns of praise of the supposed internationalism' revolutionial y the Havane shown by their policies in Africa -where. the Cuban troops have massacred ano destroyed the proletariat they even Angola-where with • the collaborating now Ethiopian Derg's oTTensIve against the Eritrean revolution.

But the PlOC armour "orthodoxy" did not prevent the IC from succumbing to the same very pressures brought Pablo to abandon the struggle of the Trotskyist move- ment for. ingerencent evolu fight tionary parties •tanisan. Still under the leadership o1 the WRP began, partic- Healy, ularly from 1975, a systematic adaptation towards "left

OUT"

geois nationalism in the Middle Liberation East-the Gaddafi's military Croanisaton. dictatorship in _lova and Ba'athist regime in Iraq has now adaptation That the populist extended even fanaticism Ine Ayatollah Khomeini. Com

COMMUNISTS

AGAINST

REVOLUTION

The key Marxist analysis ine role •ost-wal Stalinism. £1.75. plus 25р packing, and from Dartmouth Park

WOL,

Hill, London But from 1975 onwards the ally to the Stalinist leadership of

NLF

Vietnam the became Heary scudd The degenerating WRP has retrospectively attempted to conceal or whitewash the crimes of Vietnamese Stalinism ouring the long wars against { imperialism Healy leadership has projected an image of the Viet- bureaucracy namese revolutionary orooressive. ever force-certainly not an agent of Stalinist counter-revolution.

ever-widening Movine turn away from the central fight to build Trotskyist parties and a International with roIsKyIs! the method of the Transitional Programme, the IC can now-as we saw last week-be seen along.

side such veteran Paoloites Tariq Ali in defence of the of invasion vietnamiese Kampuchea: "Critical" In fact, in its February state- ment on the new wars in south- east Asia. Ine ever further than Ali. they Although claimed to 'critical support to otter only the Vietnamese invasion, it was impossible to discover where the from differed in its policy the Hanoi stalinists word of vice offrede ton they offered a token national asocions Khmer people; a friendly sugges tion the Vietnamese troops phased begin crawa -out oevono Inat nothing. The action. of the Stalinist Vietnam was oureaucracy Stalinists Khmer Rouge troops welcomed as liberators in Phnom Penh after defeat of Lon Nol puppet regime even equated with the decision of revolutionary Bolshevik leadership of the Soviet republic send heo Army InTe Georgia in 1921 Clearly Pol Pot's regime was a thorn in the side or ine runine Vietnamese Stalinists. But the IC made no attempt to explair how ThE detormea of Kampuchea genuinely, threatened the gains vietnamese revorution Unanswered That difficult question was unanswered almost all left Trotskyists who une seit-styled defended the Hanoi Stalinists But Socialist Workers Party of the USA did not hesi- tate solutidin They simple- a compre in hensive solution. cut the Gordian knot. the lengthy article Militant reprinted in February the Intercontinen. tal Press of February 26) argued that Kampuchea was not, and never had been a workers state in anv shape or form! the The starting point Tor SWP's argument is not a class analysis, but the surface appear- ance of the vicious, ana totally organ- ised by Pol Pot's Stalinist regime political maintal owE power. declared in Socialist haile Ale this, which mace Ene state a blot on the internationa movement -and workers' Toned claracel deformed workers' state. But in every state from Cuba its North where • been imposed dictatorshio nas the Stalinist bureaucracy exists

PART TWO BY JOHN PARKER

state cabitarist Ineory Feldman and Clark ao not single shred produce convincing evidence ti , sentous support their case. Irrelevant The whole argument is basec vital, but supposediy actualv irre evant tact inat une 'nationalisations. in Kampuchea about not Calt moolisations class'. But Militant cannot show any way in which these massive those nationalisations tuniike cited in Egypt, Burma, Mozam. bique and Angola) were of any inter- benefit im perialism nationally, or to any remaining within elements Kampuchea Indeed try as they undoubt- edly have done to' find it, they have been unaoe te any bourgeois elements at all Feldman and. Clark also fail to point out trat tne econom of Kampuchea for all its chronic of backwardness—a legacy imperiais oooression-vas more subordinate to imperialism than that of many other bureau- cratised workers They forget to mention that the major economic policies o the Poi Por nearly (if less extreme have parallel predecessor mest ome bureaucratised workers' states And the one policy that does a parallel-the aboli not nave tion money-was SCaTteV conducive to capitalist accumu Privileges The only refuge left to the sWP is to point Dovious privileges of the Pol Pot bureau- then assert that its and Caly central godi was "minimising consumotion maximising the exploita while force-thus work maximising the accumulation of wealth in their own hands."

working class had been demob- 01 the on the basis of total repression of all forms independent liseu working class movement-as just The SWP has to mangle the Europe even of this earlier process Union does not fit this descrip- history such a 'blot'. to fit its distorted argument, but tion? Trotskyist At the very best, this case is Artificial analvsis de book com un ses Against not proven. Trotskyists not create book Communists Against the Confronted with differences any Revolution. published last year complex developments artiticiat quality between by the WSL political reality, the SWP turned rivatons bureaucracy though Having within tur neo men backs ult once again the Pol Pot regime clearly the real means of understandin used analysis adopted 30 years ago by Michel Pablo repression to a very nign degree the events in In whatever guise it presents Fred Feldman and Rut faced with a contradic counter-revolutionary Clark prolong their Steve tory, situation that could only "liberal rigmarole be understood through a dialec Teatures-wnemel openly reactionary-Stalinism 'analysis' of the Pol Pot regime.

tica materialist analysis, sulc defeated and be thing had to give aust thrown bv political revolution State capitalist The SWP preferred to deny But this is not the onty way the SWP falsely distin- in which workers' state Stripped of its pretensions ratnel toar the workers' state admit the bankruptcy of its own guisnes this stands out in al ls nakel Kampuchea Trom oinel ugliness as a crude version of the polftical tneory deformed workers' states.

attempt hili tarit Mant. Tables turned to deny the massive • economie and social transformations years' the last five which were events in South East Asia have Khmer after the kamoucned turned the tables on the

SWP

Rouge VCtorOUs Efit war against imperialism and its and the IC the c to this day local allies wnere brands Cuba as 'capitalist' Tenols Vietnam to uncritical them as false coin: swung in defence of the Hanoi Stalinist "The in nationalisations about not regime. Kamouched e the SWP readily And where through mobilisations Ine Cuba working class-even limited and ассеотее undeformed workers' state, ones-but following controled seeks preserve its non the Khmer Rouge's crushing of Stalinism the urban workers. DOS TOn. denying Kampuchea workers' state From above the swings and

DUCT

roundabouts of im oressionis That is to say, they followed analysis. the pattern established decades Europe and before eastern Concluded next week China when the first deformed workers states were created and Castro were carried nationalisations the through from above atter

INDUSTRIAL

Once agairy workers at Chrysler (now part Peugeot/ Citroen) are faced the threat of redun- with dancies. Three years ago thousands of jobs were lost when the enryse Corporation announced inev not keep the plants could britain open •Ine dovernment refused Chrysler's offer of their for free and instead poured coz manonito the shareholders pockets.

government refused to take over the cants to brotect ioos Sell up Michael clear that if Chrysler was incor- Chrysler used up the hand- borated into britisn _eviano ne out and then announced they would close Peugeot/ selling plants. were deal Citroen. Once Citroen went through despite again tne Labour After four weeks of produced the biggest climb- 24-hour mass picketing, down bv an emplover in the 15-year workers striking at Winsford's Winsford's biggest estate. factory 'International Full 15% Ltd.? Computers have

I.C.L.

bosses voted overwhelmingly what to return to work with 15% increase demanded. strike leaders claiming a The major victory. thinly disguised The 900 strike within the awards, was 9% members of the Engineering pay and Electrical unions has dated

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PRESS

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NEWS

NEW THREAT TO

CHRYSLER JOBS

the lack of serious guarantees on jobs. Edwardes made it Experience since the take- that over indicates occur-unless losses the ex-Chrysler something is done to fight them.

The immediate threat to jobs in Chrysler has come from with Peugeot/ cessation от oroduction al unit Pay victory at ICL immediate payment of £200 (being the each striker to history of they would total amount industrial received over 12 giant nave months had the employers paid the extra 6%). After the dealt been accepted, Joint .conceded Stewards: Committee state- the full ment said:; 'This is a victory for us, employers' offer, for those who especially as being factory of recent stood oulside gates on the picket line and back- produced this new deal. to january, plus al. "This the best pay IS have ever increase we achieved and amounts original enough our lica claim of 15%." strike--unofficial throughout-was led by who clearly strike Headers felt and reflected the deter- mination and combativity of their members, picketed under the most

CAPTAL

weather • alocous conditions possible This offensive spirit con- with the trasted sharply snivelling personally support you but the union doesn't" attitude of the full- time officials. This strike was a victory not only over the employers but also over union bureau- cracy is considerable 1 here the merriment amongst workers wno are sull specu- lating as to which way the government representatives voted board of the For a directors in view of the 20% government share in I.C.L.

clear lead in the Trotskyism Today 4

GARNERS

FINES

FUNDR

future of the Iran contract.

Layoffs on were reported Chrysler's winding-down production (to end next with the model) estate already Startin reduction from 37 to 33 On press, Chryster's over factory in Iran where kits built Inev reTusec in Britain are assembled contract, using 1,200 workers some Coventry's Stoke train plant have been laid off indefi- want". nitely with the threat of redun- dancy hanging over them. Chrysler management have refused to give a clear so far have such plans? of the future Workers at Chrysle these jobs Last week the negotiating the Stoke plant committee a1 words, strolly drew up Inree-borni oldr оттет which consisted of no compul- redundancies sory snaring/, immediate a positive side about the future of the selling laid off)-and 1,200 workers redundancy imoroved reoundancy bayments for voluntary ment Protection Act. The threat all out an strike if no statement was made was enouen TOrCE company to promise such statement on April 11th. Further meeting At a mass meeting held last

AUEW

Convenor Friday, reported that Duncan Dimneson while the shop stewards COm mittee had decided that the promise statement on April 11th had led them withdraw the strike another threat. there would be meeting in two weeks time resolution would all-out : strike adopt an a renov coming lute sory redundancies. by It was clear from Simpson's revolution the Convenors fear report tidi further iob loss regardless of the for all. And the fight to Transitional Programme and acall whether I coUld and in theory leadership and starting Tron the socialist revolution Simpson against redundancies movement. the Irish those reconstruction ordinals but.its Contents include *Mandel's Dance with Stalinism *The Significance of the Transitional Programme *The US SWP Forty Years On Name. Price 45p plus 15 p p&p from WSL, 31 Address • Dartmouth Park Hill, London N5 1HR Send to Workers IT HAS BEEN A WEEK of good news and bad news on our Garners Fines Appeal - the aim of which is to cover the massive f500 in fines incurred by WSL members in supporting the Garners Picket lines. On the one hand we received in a very welcome £48, taking the total so far to £197: but on the other, a further comrade was fined ! We call on all our readers to support this appeal: send donations to •Garners Fines Fund, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR. tina points is over redundancy" other projects payments for those laid off who at indeed want them and other points of policy Linwood plant the "WO Avenger which by themselves mear nothing whatsoever are plans for xot the the local MPs exceotion meetine wIll seems to and Coventry-wide snot stewards' meeting the "to publicise with our situation' Ine track soced No redundancies top of this the future of The real solution to Chrysler the Iran contract is not certair workers lies in no redundancies Les been route are ser been reported as we go to -whether voluntary . or compul and the chain rela When Peugeot/Citroen took open the election o British plants books committees when would to guarantee the look into the plans of Peugeot/ The Croll citroel formulation that "the people of The of centrediece the fight fo must be Iran will decide which car they policy occupation of the plants The French company have The existing leadership have persistent shown over long alwavs wanted to get their owr • themselve model into Iran. Do they still putting Torward such a policy need a the negotiating com Wher clear programme to detend thel recommend . The convenors, despite mittee decidea lo have nothing to strike action, they reported this management Their insistence on strike action in the event or compul goes along stewards-let alone the rank and file! enthusiasm leadership must be A new jobs trougn voruntary of the oroces. struggle to defend jobs One of their major negotia- WSL: we offer a lead Whichever way you look at the struggles and prob: lems now facing the working class throughout the world, one thing stands out above all: the necessity for a prin.

cipled leadership capable of leading the struggle for state power and the establishment of a socialist society.

The massive revolutionary upheaval that has now toppled the seemingly impregnable might of the Shah of Iran and which is now conflict with the restrictions placed upon i!

as a vivid reminder • its Islamic "leaders serves is not only possible, but essential if the apparatus o capitalist repression and exploitation is to be destroyed once and But such a revolution requires a conscious Marxist leadership construct such a leadership is inseparable from the fight in the day-to-day struggles of the working class internat ionally for the principles. method and demands of the Trotskyist , The Workers socialist League nas to be the only movement in Britain that fights •roved patiently and relentlessly on such a perspective.

not shrink from are the movement ..ca even headzon battles with the existing leaders of the working class "left' talking wingers, Labourite or Stalinists of the Communist Party.

1 880 BIS

policy has made us no union and Labour bureaucracy, or amongst the opportunists and centrists of the British left'. But it has meant that the WSL ha consistently offered the most powerful lead to workers in struggle.

to workers both in out to prove In each struggle revolutionary practice the necessity c a new for a programme of transitional demands which today's problems and today's consciousness within working class, lead workers in struggle to grasp the need for the WS has featured at che for fronto pay in the struggles in British Leyland and the public sector, and closures, in struggles against thi

CUL

unionisation fights, and the fight for democracy in the labour This method of approach - rejecting any descent to simple trade union militancy or concession to the labour bureaucracy - is of course essential not only in Britain but internationally In taking up international issues in the labour movement thi WSL stresses not only the obligation of British workers to suppor and revolutionary struggles such as BArATION for the in Iran and Southern Africa, but also the Trotskyist centre of the world party of socialist revolution.

The WSL is not the biggest movement on the left in Britain; approach to both theory and practice make it the only really serious revolutionary movement.

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below for more details, or approach your Fill in the form local branch, who will gladly supply more information about our programme, policies, and perspectives.

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GARNERS: NEW

MOVES NEEDED

Sharp and immediate catalogue sabotage over initiatives now are and Dickene the to win necessary the TGWU Region 1 bureau- recognition Garners cracy. strike. in allowing a viciously anti- the message That was union employer to carry on coming out of a WS public for 14 months. meeting held. in London last the Wednesda Victory night the ences in the strike hand Garners Strike!' through Manuel Blanco-a. mem- perspective offered to him ber of the Garners Strike

WSL

the Committee-detailed became convinced need to struggle for a new, revolutionary Tane working ment. London WSL, the the basic aims of the WSL, understanding its importance strike, and pointed out the connections and dispute political crisis capitalism. Discussion lively followed from the floor. Particular altention the drawn national

TGWU

Garners supporter to conicicule

CAMPAIGN WINS

CONCESSION

Longworth Hospital, would continue to 50-bed geriatric hospital in stoo The It was of the Oxfordshire Vale should take White Horse, under threat trial action it the of closure since last summer Authority moveo to ciose l ane also has been at the centre of a geriatric services. health stop campaign to Alonesice service cuts and to improve accounts of the AHA shortfall of the desperate facilities for old

OOTIES

Sonnee health private firms. people. initiated Because of PUOt meetines from the local COHSE branch the when set up a support committee September. they were unable to take the secret decision invorve T06 hospital workers and League had intended. of Friends and all trade union.

Ists in stopoing tre cosure.

scrap their secret paper, and to This committee took up in all demands in all these bodies that the newly built Witney Hospital must open fully without sacri- ficing other hospitals. showing practical AHA's phoney 'options' of cuts called TOr for the Longworth support declared they to be divided into workers

WIIU

Chall

AT THE TOP...

UNION DUES

strike-which poses oi bureaucratic questions before enormous finance, class the whole working blacking by about union rights and the role of the union leaders. Such extraordinary This was the prime factor step is vital if the strike is to be won and a repetition of a Grunwick-style betrayal averted. If the union tops refuse He explained his exper- to organise such an event- and there is no doubt thal Ron Todd and other well- heeled fakers live in deathly members initiatives of the fear of such following. the beating they leadership took Previous CUll ferences-it should be built class move- for and called strikers themselves through Mark Hyde, speaking for outlined their rank and file organisa- tions. of vital is a further Also Ene of the Garners mass mobilisation in May in of the strike, support between the following the successful Day of Action on March 24, in the sharp of British to keep building up order necessary support picket lines and the regular flow of finance. The fact that a response is there was clearly shown discussion £30 week T010 from was donation came need for

TGWU

members Ireland, Coleraine, delegate support of the strike. discuss the one hospital at the expense of another. came • last when Ene time week for the AHA to try to they decision again, Wakt were forced to openly admit the public's hostility to their. working there 'options'. Faced with a lobby of Trade nosoltal agreed that support Unionists from Longworth the form Oxford Hospitals they could not Area Health method of their customary use making serisitive in exposing the shortfall of issues behind closed doors held a serious Instead they this, the commit- tee tried to begin to expose the they never considered the health -including needs beyond their tight from by Result: they drew back from their original intention to close Longworth. Both in-patient and this campaign,

AHA

met day-patient facilities would stay; they promised until the they Megional Autnority could Tund 1) the complete opening Witney as a community hospital They were forced instead to of a day-care hold a series of public meetings centre somewhere in the Vale of the local towns concerned White After this, Longworth would close. A partial reprieve then-but with the suobort committee alternative to the with a further delay in opening a needed community hospital.

the public in every town refused ane mont does on now. witn supporting new determination.

- NO YOU CANT HAVE ANY MOR

KI! "SUPPOSE THAT WILL

GIVE THAT WRETCHED SHOP

Nurses' fight knifed country must take up the fight Another group of public sector workers are in danger of being sold out by the ence which leadership of the "Low Pay Campaign". strike action Nurses with emergency ane mie wives. oer- haps the most exploited group and organisec Health Service, the National erecteo strike commitices the have been NUPE leadership that they have

DESPITE

accepted derisory offer their falls below which claim tor a tbu/so nour weer They have been offered a 9% and an extra £2.50 waync tast which is to be Includeo in award from the comparability study in August. itself the offer As well being downright Insult N and vital role they nurses play in the Health Service, there is no reduction in nours ne and the incréase comparability• study is whole likely to be a complete sham.

The NUPE bureaucracy have claim in handled the nurses pay the most bureaucratic and high handed way from the very start.

encouraged nurses cronies on First the Executive of the UPW. to support ine ancillary workers pay claim with industrial action and several sections in London at least answered unis car with acceotanict strike action. leadership did a claim (due to complete about tarT anG January). instructed nurses not to strike i ne main for their own pay claim without Hows caim were consulting single nursing section or shop steward. shorter

LION

National Nurses Finally the concer annual escalator clause and owne ally accepted the on behalf of the membership with- the Post Office, through the going 6VCs1 -ment •ea motions of balloting the sectior as happened with every other The demands group in the pay claim. nouts longer limited protection Strength against inflation sunk witnour trace I'n Potentially nurses nave their place the to workers it hit rup and in diehencer f fight decent wact workers nothing of cash the Nho against the cuts It is for this reason alone exchange for speed-up been offered that they have £1.50 other at this rotten sell out. more groups in the claim. The union bureaucracy and the that a government realise strike by nurses could possibly restart the whole action on pay in the public sector It is obvious that the only defend their way nurses living stancare. and working conditions a trade members of union that is completely inde- pendent of management. But the increasing number of nurses that are joining unions must be fully aware of the fight they.must take up against the betrayals of Ine eden Nursing stewards and militants throughout

(YES, I KNOW LOVE, WE'RE ALL LOW PAID-SO DON'

KEEP WASTING MY TIME BLEATING FOR UNION SUPPORT

260.

35 HOURS

PLEASE

WAIT

and. wait. $150,000

IN OFFICE, IT WILL BE EVEN

WowLYou

" HARDER TO KEEP THEM QUIET

SURE YOU CAN

THIS CALLS FOR ACTION

AFFORD IT?

.4... ambulance drivers throughout against this sell out by demand- the country are determined to fighting for the full ing a national stewards' confer- carry claim and in some areas are still wisl reverse Une decision of the National Council taking industrial action Resolutions must be passed and plan a determined course of that the demanding Tor Ene Tun ciall out strike cover leadership call for all maintained by action support Inest rebuilding out and link

THE

desperate for the full claim strike aCTION efforts of the leadership to kill throughout the whole of the public sector. off action by ambulance drivers on pay prior to the election, Post Office- betrayal A massive pay sellout has been lined up in the Post mandeemen Have obtained for the agreement Office by Jackson and his introduction part-time National the workers industry, and the union execu- them a special has giver At its meeting last week, the LIVe bonus WItn Tine Executive voted to recommend 'work study' schemes managemént's Both these attacks on work •ing conditions. be paid from conference policy. before the execu points the tive's meeting. workers in some o uncrease of the London sorting oTTiCe. on the basic rate; full consolida- started to impose overtime bans working week; and working-to-rule, with man and leave. datory branch meetings in work ing hours. 8% has been agreed by Their action was but the manage at the long delay over the pay sult leaves unconson" negotiations. dated the 7% wage rise of 1977.

Because of huge staff shorter shortages throughout the Post holidays and Utrice-causea by low pay dri wages bad conditions-these limited have all been actions had a crippling effect on the postal service. bureau crats have negotiated a produc Militancy postal offers

DUT

useles Thev, soor spread to othe payouts areas, and the Executive is now members trying But Jackson has not stopped , to vote on their DacK lo Work recommendation militancy in the larger offices will mean a heavy vote against the offer ballot later this month. But rejection , of the sell out must go alongside an afternativi forward for postal workers way Branches must begin to take 'up immediately a serious fight replace the existing bureau.

officers, by pasing votes censure on Executive special delegate confer ence must de caneo to accioe or what action is necessary to win the union's full claim. the meanwhile, unofficial action should be extended continue ano Jackson new areds

AND YOU CAN CLEAR OFF AS WELL... OH

WELL PUT IT THIS WAY: TO SAVE PARTICIPATION

AND ALL MY OTHER QUANGO COMMITTEES

NO SACRIFICE IS TOO GREAT POR MY MEMBERS!

PRESS

The vast upsurge struggle for national rights against Khomeini in iran and Bazargan has joined the continued mobil- isation of workers in the factories as a major threat by the the

LEMOLS

cried Yes. we can. Shah's successors to impose want the army nere. It must Dt their authority. destroyed!" The respected" The continued occupation control factories by was orevented the chie targets of is argot committees one • any more and the microphone workers' was seized by government which is desperately opposition to applauded trying-often The cocainate mentalism of Khomeini and the committees-to ation. Khomeini establish TinE Conestions have Kurdistan capitalist profitability in Iran.

re-establish discipline in then they nave Gorgan in the The l workine clas •azaredl Soviet border needs to reconstruct the bour- geois army. national week's resignation LaST Khomeini forces, despair ot the army Chaet killed and reflects the fact that this has not yet been done. Knomeinis baldican s army Deserted Turkoman been Soldiers have continued to desert in their hundreds and the civil servants. units of the army which remain have been sent to in, existence began in the the upsurge anti-Khomeini and ant. Bazargan nationalism against Gorgan and by pro-Khomeini nurotstan Turkomar finhabited by. the savacery allackeu people) and the Islamic multias In. Kurdistan the army was 99% claim not enouah and Bazargan sent in his overworked secret and allegedly highly-respected Ayatollah from officially was Khomeini Tenran, lalegnani extraordinary mass Kurdish city of meeting in the sananda, l aregnant addressed a referendum. huge to crowd. trying calm week's them atter the previous violent fighting

TOT

senT eter reactionary mination. He said he supported the election "results" are a lie.

right of It will the kuros to ceciot their own future. fraudulent boils Ayatollahs, Ot Shouted down victory of He was strongly applauded- but he failed to get the Kurdish applaud the name of workers' and Crowa lo ment-that demands the *homelnt. And he was himself shouted ing ot a revolutionary. said: 'If down when party fight for democratic rights, chief of statt to oreered Tne withdraw the army could you The demanes govern your country alone?"

class, and for and socialism. unanimously • I ne AUrOS of An ambitious programme new election publications-starting with an manifesto spelling out the programme and polices Workers Socialist League, ot the books-was and including two major new WSL National mapped out by the first meeting last Committee at its Saturday. books is to be a new edition Ine tarst otthe of The Battle for Trotskyism-the documentary the Workers Socialist history of the origins the Leaque strucare degenerating Workers Revolutionary Party is now original edition this book a collector's item circulating from hand to hand though demand tor it remains strong.

o the true for the roost de are Trotskyist study struggle British Leyland's gramme Carried

LOUCH!

cowiey Assembly Plant over the last tive years This will include an account of the successful 'Cowley 9' against witch.

struggle to defend the huntina moves by TGWU leaders to remove them from elected positions and even expel them from Printed by Anvil Printers (TU), London. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office.

SOCIALIST

IRAN: minorities fight for rights We don't Ayatollah TrOM soaking a Kurdish nation- alist who made a long and much soeecn tne demand for all democratic rights including national self-determin- While the military clashes in declined since oroken oul North The where hundreds tighting

OTO

have been either by injured and have peasants seizing land given by. the Shah to army officers and senior The violent clashes, however, mann Tow or une region, Gonbad-e-Kabus, when a protesting the murder or a youtn militia, was the Army by

TO STRIKE

On Monday, before the vote counted claimed that over 99% of Iran's people have voted for his Islamic republic in the A Conference see. conference the mobilisation of the gate masses against the new drive to British Leyland Craft Com- Islamic dictatorship there was a 3-1 mittee is aivina proof that Khomeinis , majority recommendation for strike vote take take than mass to the dema- action back assure. meetings in the factories.

of Turner meetine Craft Committee is due to take But equally it will take more this Thursday 15 place than mass action to establish a peasants' govern- and if there is a majority fol build- strike then the whole skiller workforce will be called out on Friday 8 April. capable of leading the for down most of cind immode This etter very WOrKING workers power iately, includes electricians and since

FUND APPEAL

the union. Other publications will include a new edition of the Trotskvist ransitiona Procramme. and t pamphlet on the Irish war of liberation.

publications, coupled Such a programme with an extension o ional work of the WSL involves a considerable financial commitment. the National Committee

THIS

reason decided to launch an immediate Appeal Fund for €2,500, to be raised by Sunday July 29.

to con- We ask all readers of Socialist Press but sider donation-as large possible small-towards this ambitious fund however fund-raising Groan se ColeCtions raffles, jumble sales. Socialist Press will chart tue of the Fund week by week. Help us in progres resources do of e forward he fighe for Trots the sharpening struggle this period 01 programme and method the international workers' movement. oena conduons co WSL Develooment Fund 31, Dartmouth Park Hill London NW5 1HR Published by Foirose Ltd for the Workers Socialist League, 31, Dartmouth/Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

and Irish republican forces- handed out to Airey Neave the car Palace Friday has almost certainly thrown thousands of voters into the Tory camp. assina rolliantly assassination it harder made The movement tol British military and violated counties. that socialists have inescapable duty to unrow them selves against Irish Treet om out this assassination. represented He Ayatollah Taleghani donning a 'left' face with PLO leader Arafat

BL CRAFTSMEN VOTE

company's plans. power take stewards hands of full the 200 stewards at the confer.

ence represented all bar two of Central issue BL's major plants. What the craft committee is If the strike the will become a saying Ulter meet them the discuss thais their WebI demand friday. strike wilt go ahead This does not fit in with the threats for increased wages.

Civil Servants step up action The one day token strike Civil call by the Service unions for April 2 brought a devastating with response, at least 400,000 on strike throughout the country. Having gained some idea of Inerr colossal inoustria strengtu members of the CPSA and SCPS particular seem certain their leadership That already forced them into the front rank of present struggies on pay with no. concessions on omel from government over and and talk of the 9% offer only pnasing in the remande! 02 to 22h, claimmayor the ext • Inreal tation seems certain to grow ir aging scale and intensity during and Council set-up even after election public shackled campaign calms and ti Whitley Councils full, justified 1979 claim

CPSA

and SCPS members basis not particular ensure that only must defence their leaders are forced to carry also for future pay battles.

through with their Drustering

FIGHT TORY

BACKLASH!

The death that history- oppression of Ireland in its most complete form He was the first defender o brutality by the British army. ramp of the advocate of censor. the loudest of Westminster last the strongest ot orang sectarian interests in Ireland his advice that

SAS

Masor introouced open operations into Ireland and or carried out that BBC TV put Tory Ene their final muzzle on republican spokesman on Northern Ireland not easier, statement. His death was not murder. It British labour the legitimate execution of was opposition one of the most ruthless civilian rule the occupied six generals in the army, or Britist imperialism Neave's apologists present Yet it is now more than ever a clear and him as a nero of coldiz; a ma escaped from the most Hitler's fortress the tide secure reaction and defend the right of Germany There is a bitter irony here •TioNters to carr In 'H' Block at Long Kesh cor ireland Neave is no innocent victim.

centratior came victims British war 01 the DrILIST machine locked are prisoner-of-war camp better guarded Canc Tar more cruelly run than Colditz are denied political Yet they status-let alone the luxury being described as prisoners of war They live in filth and squalor that no tine war nero like weave endured. No rights They Geneva have protect them, convention t no status, no rignts They are branded "criminals" denied. even and most elementary trappings tne ot an impartial trial Gerry Fitt's cringing state. "Those responsible ment that for his death might have killer a friend rather than an enemy. is a speech with which to bury the SDLP, not Neave. have once again lashed to join the Tory back: In the wake of the Birming- ham pub bombings the Preven- of Act was •Terrorism the House passed Commons by a Labour govern ment without opposition, in one mood created by the They wanted Neave bombing could usher in corporate bargaining in order to ive measures further repress away TrON Snes reaction tact

BUT

put it into. the first unchecked reigns Cane I time officials and the foremost product a tew selected senior stewards betrayal of Irish republicans by Labour and union leader: Britain It is epitomised by the fact goes ahead i that Arthur Scargill, darling of central issue in the NUM the 'lefts' allows The Parliament Masor soonso! pose to all Labour candidate and Mason sponsors the policies will be where they stand on this of Neave in Ireland. of closure compan aimed si returname IRA believe that makes conditions more Tavouraoli break the bureaucrac) from capitulation to imperialism thev are completely and danger ously wrong That sharp fight can only be taken up with Labour in power.

Politically влететоге

ETTE

bombing utterly futile of Tories are dozens I Tell waiting to step into his shoes And individual acts of terror along these lines fail to confront real tasks-the mobilisation the Irish working class out Britist mass action to arive imperialism Cane ine strudele Britain to build the basis for a their movement support. The IRA is quite wrong to British workers fo blame the and confusion their silence that. a inevitable censored with discussion poisoned from all sides it is only the most advanced elements o the working class who can as yet • closely spun wel CPSA leader Thomas (left) oenetrate tue of lies over Ireland It is the first task of revolu- from the witnaray penetrate that web and reactionary which has shackl and destroy it. *Troops armin to or a sector pay all out *Self determination ward fight to force payment of the Irish people as a whole! * Labour movement blacking Such a struggle will lay the of all army supplies! republic …TO immeerate with full rights for of living standards but Ireland minorities!