[The continual claims in the capitalist press that…]

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The continual claims in the capitalist press that the war in Dhofar against the reactionary Sultan Quabous of Oman has come to an end were given the lie in a number of ways in recent weeks.

A large article was published for example in The Times about the defection of a leading member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman, Salim Mussalem Awar.

Much less publicity has been given in the capitalist press to a defection in the opposite direction by Captain Rabi Awad Marzo of the Sultan's own armed forces, who said that he had been horrified to discover the increasing extent to which the regime is being run by foreigners, especially the British.

In his press conference, Mussalem Awar tried to say how few were left fighting the guerrilla war and The Times carefully recounted the SOMALIA The 'socialist' dictatorship in Somalia has broken off diplomatic relations with the USSR and Cuba and expelled all Soviet and Cuban technicians. This is the final reprisal for Soviet and Cuban military and political support for the 'socialist' dictatorship in Ethiopia. So ended the USSR's first friendship treaty with an African country. The USSR loses a Red Sea naval base which the imperialists are now jostling to get hold of.

ETHIOPIA

Colonel Atnafu Abate, the number two of the ruling military junta or Derg, has been removed from power and apparently murdered by Derg chief Mengistu. More than half its members have been eliminated in this way in the internal power struggle since the Derg was formed in 1974. Latest reports indicate that, though the Ethiopian army has temporarily stabilised the situation in Ogaden where it is fighting the West Somali Liberation Organisation, it has lost further ground to the Eritrean liberation movements in the north.

low numbers said to be involved. But the same paper claimed that the fighting finished altogether two years ago!

Another interesting indication of what has been happening can be gathered from a careful reading of the situations vacant columns of some papers in recent weeks.

A company called Airwork Services Ltd is preparing to appoint staff captain, quartermaster; an infantry company officer and an infantry company commander to go to Oman.

Fluent

The applicant for the post, which pays £10,800 a year tax free plus £5000 gratuity and numerous other perks, is to run newly reorganised regiments and must, said the advert, be fully fit for field duty, have at least two years experience with Arab soldiers be fluent in spoken Arabic and have held a command appointment at company or equivalent level in a combatant British Army Unit.