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only because he was the best known leader to have been killed but because the capitalist governments of Burope and the United States have seized upon his death as a pretext to exude ritualistic moralism about their 'abhorence' of Many opponents of apartheid point out quite rightly the barefaced hypocrisy of such 'abhorence' when it is coupled with economic complicity in maintaining MASK But that hypocrisy is not just a moral shortcoming which could be corrected • by moral pressure, argument and persuasion.

It is a necessary part ot the ideological mask by which international capital deliberately mystifies its relationship with racialism in general and with apartheid in particular.

The international task of revolutionaries in relation to the South African struggle is not to follow the diversion of exerting 'pressure' on capital to 'reform itself" inside South Africa, but to provide all solidarity, material support and assistance for the struggle to build a South African revolutionary The presence of western diplomats at Biko's funeral was itself part of the way that imperialism tries to mask its true nature. its role in the development and maintenance of racism and exploitation throughout the world.

The tepesene at imparai- The S0.0 The Premier of the State of Victoria has taken sweeping emergency powers to attempt to defeat the six week old wage strike of electricity supply workers, which is bringing industry in the state to a halt. His threat to call in the troops has prompted widespread calls for a national general strike.

ETHIOPIA

There are growing reports of discontent within the army of dictator Mengistu. Mutinies are reported from both the Ogaden and Eritrean fronts. The West Somalian Liberation Front, backed by the Somalian army is now in full control of the long-disputed town of Jijiga.

The Workers Defence Committee set up to combat the repression which followed the strikes of June 1976 has changed its name to the Committee for Social Self-defence. The 23 founding members declare their objective as fighting against repression, violation of legality and the rights of man and "abuse of power by those who govern us.

SRI LANKA

Lsing its two thirds majority in parliament (which was boycotted by former Prime Minister Bandararate's Freedom Parti and by the Tamil Liberation Frost Jayaar dena's represse "= TIT"" covernment has chaneed the conti power in who will himself.

the hands of the president of course be Jayawardene HOLLAND Yet another attempt to reconstruct the Tory-Labour coalition government has failed due to disagreement over the number of seats fors each party in the Cabinet. Dutch capitalism has now been without an authorative government for six months since the elections.

ITALY

The Communist Party, which supports the anti-working class programme of the nominally Christian Democratic government has jumped at the government's proposal not to hold the important municipal elections which are due next month. They will be postponed until sometime in 1978.

Violent confrontations have taken place between left-wing demonstrators and both fascists and police after the murder of a militant of the centrist group Lotta Continua by members of the fascist MSI.

BANGLA DESH

• group of soldiers, reportedly upporters of the revolutionary' National Socialist Party tried unsuccessfully to make use of the confusion created by the presence at Dacca airport of the hi-jacked Japanese airliner to depose Zia ur Rahman's dictatorship, which thes helped 10 brine 10 power in 19-% cuts.

workers in struggle can a way forward be found. the Labour Party.

But our practicai struggle for the cor: -struct the Trotskyist Fourth International.

in tiative iowards its reconstruction.