Socialist Action No. 151, 24 October 1986
The scan: 151-oct-24-1986-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
Page 1 scan of this page
APARTHEID'S WAR ON MOZAMBIQUE
No. 151 24 Oct 1986 Just days before the plane crash which killed Samora president of Mozambique, South African defence Magnus Malan, made apartheid's intentions clear. Mozambique is on the brink of collapse' he said.
Malan's comment was no simple premiuon. He wreatened to take action' against Mozambique over alleged bases for the African Congress (ANC) inside Mozambique territory.
Malan's warning came alongside a build up of South African troops along apartheid's borders
SOCAlist
ACTION
BUILDING AN ALLIANCE FOR SOCIALISM
Machel, the minister, on when
tion movement
National Mozambique,
with
Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It came in the wake of an 11 year campaign by South Africa against the Mozambique government. South Africa's war
Mozambique started on 25 June
Portugal finallly surrendered its then colony to the libera-
Frelimo. Samora Machel had led Frelimo to victory. When
Portugal's African colonies had the been staunch protectors of the apartheid regime. Victory of Frelimo
and the MPLA Angola, was a huge blow to Pretoria.
In 1975, South African military forces invaded Angola. The defeat of the invasion by the combined forces
of the MPLA and the Cuban troops, was followed by South African backing to the UNITA forces of Savimbi.
In Mozambique, Pretoria finances and arms the so-called Mozambique National Resistance (MNR) sometimes referred to as Renamo.
Mozambique forces
MNR headquarters earlier this year they found strong evidence of the South African regime's committment to overthrowing Machel.
On 11 October a Mozambique government communique warned of the likelihood of South raids. Security minister, Sergio Vieira
said that an MR commando group had infiltrated Maputo, the Mozambique capital. The mediately pointed the finger at South
responsibility for death. Either the have directly committed this heinous crime or their henchmen the MR' overran charged ANC Alfred Nzo. 'We are saying it is deliberately committed crime until it is proved otherwise? Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda said I accuse them (the South openly of involvement in the death of President Machel until they are pro-
Thatcher's
racist
filth
P.3
Mozambique.
ANC
nas im-
Machel's South Africans
Mondlane Dy a Domo general
secretar
death
African regime)
region.
30p
Mache's death is a serious blow to
Killed alongside Machel were the country's transport minister, Alcantara Santos and deputy foreign minister, Jose Carlos Lopo. Frelimo's previous leader, Eduardo
was himself assassinated 1974. The struggle against apartheid was always going to spill over South Africa's borders. The
of Samora Machel, and the massing of South African troops on Mozambique's border, shows it is going to be a struggle which will engulf the whole of the Southern African
• Mozambique under attack p.10
Page 2 scan of this page
Decisive step for Sinn Fein
2 Socialist Action
SociAlist
AcTioN
BUILDING AN ALLIANCE FOR SOCIALISM
Ireland's
challenge to Labour
The last week has seen the most successful tour ever by Sinn Fein councillors to Britain. Sinn Fein councillors were officially received by Haringey, and Manchester councils and by London Education Authority. literally dozens of police women's committees, and spoke at tens of public meetings.
This is a big step forward for what must now be one of the top priorities for Labour's left - to place British withdrawal from Ireland firmly on the agenda of discussion politics.
This year's Labour Party several issues move to centre stage. Opposition to US bases and British membership of the right of women's conference to elect the women's section of the NEC, the of constitutionally recognised Black Sections are now firmly at the centre of debate within the party. But the while attracting major publicity, only just over 400,000 votes at party conference and only one major union, the NUM, voted for it This calls for a determined push to build the Labour Committee on Ireland and to fight to ensure that Ireland gets the central attention it deserves from the labour movement.
Two developments urgent and possible. The first is the historic proposal, to be put to the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis, that Sinn Fein candidates should take their seats in the establish Sinn Fein as a truly 32 county Irish southern Irish parliament.
political force against both British rule in the
North and those who support that rule in
South. It will still further undermine the British
government's claim
disgraceful decision by the Dutch courts to extradite Gerard Kelly and Brendan McFarlane to Britain. This is the first decision ever by a Euro pean court to extradite Republicans into Bri-
tain's hands. It follows the
new extradition treaty with Britain by the United
followed the signing of the Anglo-Irish Accord.
Sean MacBride from Amnesty International,
Bernadette McAliskey, and Ken Livingstone all
visited Holland to protest against the threat of
jected that Kelly and McFarlane should complete
the life sentences imposed by British justice. It
also acknowledged that both would face harsh
name — by the British. Yet due to British govern-
southern Irish government, the Dutch Supreme
Protests against the extradition of Kelly and
McFarlane have to be stepped up,
labour's links cuilding the Labour Committee on recall is
now a priority for the entire left.
'campaign left' in the Labour Party is a top priori-
ty.
Editor: ALAN FREEMAN
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24 Oct 1986 Hackney, Camden the Inner They, met committees,
Labour
conference saw NATO, establishment
policy of withdrawal from Ireland,
has achieved make this still more
This will help
that Sinn Fein is a 'tiny
development is this Even the Dutch Supreme court re
or torture to call it by its proper centrally British withdrawal from
of the emerging
not necessarily These are
regarding sincerintions.
Socialist Action Distribution,
unsolicited copy unless accompanied by a stamped ad-
THE MOST basic of all alliances the British working class has to make is with the struggle of the Irish people for self determination. This struggle for Irish freedom has, in the past fifteen years in the North of Ireland, passed through the most varied and rich experience of struggle experienced anywhere in Europe - legal and illegal struggle; electoral activity and guerilla demonstrations; no-go areas and hunger strikes to the death; local government activity and international underground military organisation and the creation of a mass based political restricted to the nationalist ghettos of the six counties and community-based activity and work in trade unions; struggle around the national question and its extension to activity around the social, economic and
penence
the mass Western today.
Sinn Ard-Fheis
gle British imperialism,
La 32
Ene more.
allow
Sinn
their in the
taKe
The
Irish
page
successful
will greatly increase the
conduct 10132
It will make
more
ficult.
opposing Southern
ConDole repres-
The OI on
offensive against
Movement.
The re-writing of the
sexist language is also in
the WILL way
Republican Movement
the vanguard
fighter not only for the na-
tional liberation of
Ireland. but also for sup
port to the demands of
and against
clericalism in the whole of
Sinn Fein's national
council will be calling for
the Sinn Fein Ard-Fheis to
support Sinn Fein can-
didates laking their
seats where successful in
elections Southern
Irish parliament. This will
require the two-thirds ma-
jority necessary to change
Sinn Fein's constitution.
The debate at the Ard-
Fheis follows public
discussion Sinn
Fein activists which has
been conducted in a model
manner in the pages of An
party, Sinn Fein; activity paper associated
by Joe
an interviev
tion By
"There a debare
We stand i council North
seats. • westminster.
oath of
take. don't take seats in Westminster.
of
- and WE don't there either.
They see it They might not They
with its but who see
generally Leinster
So
is
ing the
enter
Have lu use
there's some For ex-
government 1s so
balance against une governickl
One TD would
Across
the republican prisoners
SDLP and potenwhich
defend im-
the
Lausan
It followed _per governthe fact
that LWO republican
seats in Southern
parliament during the 1981 Hunger Strike alongside Bobby Sands'
election Westminster
Fein
seats in einster House correspondent in Republican News under the pen
"To see the ef fects of Sinn Fein's electoral involvement, we have
government,
Have Sinn Fein councillors been
legitimised, stabilised? Surely the contrary is true:
more and more shutting down. Meanwhile Sinn Fein are exposing the justices of the system, and are the only party relevant to the needs of ordinary
are possible in the Free State. Sinn Fein, by enter ing Leinster House, could:
Show up the hypocrisy and incompetence of Free State politicians; '2. Show how rotten the system is and how it exploits and represses peoP3. Eradicate the isolation
republicanism and make relevant through involvement
which daily affect ordinary people;
'4. Give Sinn Fein a useful platform explain republicanism and the necessity of armed struggle
It could throw the Free State, especially Fine
Gael, into the same confusion and panic loyalists are in at present; it would present a real a tionalist alternative
Fail; would destroy the myth that
Labour and the Sticks (the
Workers Party) are
socialists?
Anolne
dent, Paul Norney, writing
Hull says.
'As republicans our aim is
establish a thirty-two
county socialist republic.
As revolutionary
tionalist lorce WC
recognise the need to wage
armed struggle to remove
British imperialism.
However, as socialists, we
must recognise that to
remove a neo-colonial elite
of native Irish who are ac-
cepted by the majority of
Irish people needs more
than armed struggle
Hughie Doherty
writing from As socialist Wakefield
Says.
republicans we must fight
on all fronts if i progress is
to be made both militarily
and politically. Any
member of the Republican
Movement elected
Leinster House would
enter it with the intention
of using it as a platform to
expose the corrupt manner
which the system
operates, exposing it not
only to our own people but
people over
world They would
highlight how the career
politicians reveal the
truth about what is hap-
pening in the occupied Six
counties, and publicise the
damage partition is
doing to our- country
economically, socially and
culturally.'
PHOBLACHT
Republican News
Historic IRA
Convention
ON TUESDAY, 14th OCTOBER, the following statement was issued by the Irish Republican Ar-
•Recently, and after much careful planning, IRA
delegates from all over Ireland secretly met in a
General Army Convention for the first time in 16
years. At this meeting were members of the outgo-
ing Army Council and representatives of the Army
Executive, GHQ Staff and
thern and Southern Command Staffs, Brigades
and Battalions and Units, all of whom were elected
by their own conventions to attend.
pledge of rededication to the armed struggle and
confidence in the armed
inging about Irish independence.
required two-thirds majority, the delegates passed
two particular resolutions.
ban on Volunteers discussing
taking of parliamentary seats.
ministration in
forces.
reads in non-sexist language.
firmed.
with every issue.
P. O'Neill
Irish Republican Publicity Bureau,
Dublin.
Absentionism has historically symbolised the Republican Movement's rejection of the Free State parliament's ratification of the partition of Ireland
January 1922 Those who argue for maintaining
point to those like De Valera and the
the Workers' Party, whose rejection of abstentionism their abandonment or the coincided national struggle for Iris! unity and independenc
However, as the entire activity of today's Sinn Fein makes clear, taking up seats in Leinster House now will mean deepening
Analysis
Departments, Nor
The convention opened with a unanimous
struggle as being the means of breaking the British connection and br-
Several sections of the Constitution of Oglaigh na hEireann were amended and, by more than the
The first removed the or advocating the , The second removed the ban on supporting successful republican candidates who take their seats in Leinster House.
Also reaffirmed was General Army Order No 8 which prohibits offensive action against the ad-
the twenty-six counties or its
The Constitution was modernised so that it
The objective of restoring the Irish language as the everyday language of the Irish people was reat-
The present strategy of the Irish Republican Army was discussed and endorsed, although the volume of resolutions made it impossible to deal
By secret ballot, the delegates then elected a 12-person Army Executive, which in turn elected a new Army Council. The Army Council, the Chief of Staff it has appointed, and the Army Executive will study the outstanding resolutions which relate to how best to prosecute the struggle for freedom.
dependence and a united struggle Ireland by moving politically challenge the capitalist parties the South to whom Britain is again turning for help in partition Fein maintaining It will mean Sinr challenging both claims of the Labour and Workers' Parties to repre the Irish working class and Fianna claims to "republicanism'.
It puts the political. strug gle firmly on a thirty two county basis which is the only basis on which it can be successful. The proposal is an enormous step forward for Sinn Fein
Page 3 scan of this page
Thatcher's racist filth
News
THE LAST 10 days have seen the greatest campaign of racist filth that even this Tory government has ever managed. Thatcher decided to launch from Tory party conference a stream of backward attacks on every subject you can imagine — against sex education in schools, against gays and lesbians, and even against single parent families. But, as always, it was racism that was chosen as the key campaign.
Asians flood Britain' was the headline in the Sun on 15 October. 'Asian flood swamps Britain' was the headline in the Express. Every racist button was pushed to bring out fear and intimidation throughout Britain.
THE GUTTER PRESS descended into the sewer last week. Taking advantage of the plight of hundreds of black visitors at Heathrow they launched the most disgusting racist campaign in Britain for a decade.
Headlines about 'Asians' at Britain's premier airport were a loud reminder of Thatcher's own racist jibe made in 1979 when she spoke of Britain being 'swamped by an alien culture.
Can anyone imagine such a description of white holiday makers stranded for whatever reason Barcelona or Nice?
The official title is 'visitors' people coming famies yey had beer tamiles. had been forced to opt for an earlier flight than planned by the government's DIctibilale announcement that its new
Visa would come into affect October.
The visitors found themselves exploited by airlines who charged them as much as three times the normal cost of the flight.
Then when they arrivea tney and inclas and relatives waiting to meet
campaign
on visitors from, Ghana and Nigeria, issued a statement condemning 'the most blatent act of racism yet seen from Black Section reaffirmed its opposition to racist im-
tion national committee and himself an immigration worker for a London
for campaigning.
THE new visa controls show how blatantly racist this government is. The
that inis government has preplanned the whole issue. It was hoping for the response it got at the ports of entry in order to show that the immigration services can't cope and justify the ecw visas.
I work in immigration.
The cases I've handled show just how unjustified these visa regulations are.
They also support the idea that the issue Orchestrated by the Tory government.
For example, one case
The press responded at the call. '3,000
Racist visas prompt sewer campaign
floods' and 'swamps' of
them were herded around like animals. One man, Mr Acker Israel was quoted by Quentin Cowdry the Daily Telegraph, 15 October, on his two day wait for his son-in-law arriving
By Jon Silberman I arrived here on Sunday afternoon with my invalid and LWU sons thinking it would be just a few hours before the passengers would be allowed through' he said, idding I've been sieeping with the kids in the airpor car park at £14 a day'
Before the latest restrictions all Commonwealth countries were exempt visa All, that is, with the excep-
Black Section gears up for immigration
WHEN THATCHER announced new visa controls
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Labour Party Black Section
this Tory government'.
migration laws and demanded the racist visas be stopped. SANJIV VEDI, a member of Black Sec-
law centre, explained the operation of the visas and Black Section's proposal
is a person who requested entry to the UK for two to attend a lunction this weekend. Despite the fact that his documents were in order, that he had a return ticket ana an income, he was refused enhaye
He was held incommunicado from Tuesday until Saturday before he was interviewed. He arrived at Heathrow detained in Gloucester without his family knowing his whereabouts until the Friday evening
I believe that this situation arises from the fact
PRINCESS IN T
Sun
3,000 ASIANS
FLOOD BRITAIN
E STANDARD
tion of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was put on the controls list last year allegedly because of an increase of political refugees there. "This was the start of
down'
LUC Cialu Bobby Chan the Camden Black Workers Group told us. There were no visa restrictions placed
white visitors when there was an political refugees from lan
nor should there have been.
Hew COUSCIOU were announced on
They apply to Bangla Desh, India Pakistan, Nigeria and Ghana. They were roundly denounced as racist.
The Indian delegation
the non-aligned conterence Harare, including prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, accused Britain of racism and said the measure would cause 'hardship and harassment' to black visitors.
'The delegation's state. ment pointed the hypocrisy that 'while restrictions are placed on that immigration appeals have met with high degree of success. The on-
way that the government can make sure more
app asiaching the wisa
switching visa system to country ol origin. Now someone refused their country of origin, but has a right of appeal this country.
Of course, that means their representative in Britain can't get the full story.
representative meets the client and doesn't know how the client has been treated during in the country of origin. In other
the government is deliberately creating
which meets the racist demands of the immigration authorities to make it more difticult tc win appeals.
This move is dictated by Tory ideology. strengthens the hand of the right wing of the Conservative party who argue that it is black people in this country who
Airport musker
YARD FEAR
* RACE RIOT
Indians citizens ot four other Asian and
South countes Africans are freely allowed to enter. It is difficult avoid the conclusion that this discriminating meas-
BOLIVALCU by con siderations of race and colour'
The TUC Congress in Brighton passed an emergency resolution condemning the new measure. And the Labour ship announced that wone revoke me educ
coming into government
Unfortunately, there WaDd deafening silence from the same quarters when the press machine was spewing scare-mongering about 'floods and 'swamps' last week. No statement was forthcoming, defending Labour Party policy of a pledge repeal the 1968 and 1972 immigration acts.
Insofar as statements were made they were simp-
contest the figures produced by the Tories on Mrs and her
country are now aware that immigration rules tally racist unt of
work immigration campaigns done,
Lic black
sense of that Thatcher so much.
When the Labour Par tv Black Section nationa committee meets this com-
will be 3182
on simmigration Panis
immigration. targets immigration trols as a major campaignIng alca lot us. le proposes that we deepen our links with the immigration campaigns and take up the issue of racist immigration legislation within the par-, ty.
the number of visitors. But
plays into the racists' hands. On-
opposing all immigration controls can the 'alien culture' argument be countered effectively.
Labour's home affairs spokesperson Kaufman, did rightly pro test at government plans to limit the right of MPs to SHite vent SCCUIC the temporary admission Britair of passengers refused entry at air and sea ports.
Kaufman described the proposal to abolish the right of MPs Hitake representations to ministers in immigration case.
'simply the latest in a
bad faith and bundling imcompetence by this Home Secretary'
HACKNEY NORTH and South, in East London, became the latest CLPs to gain Black Sections with launch meeting on 24 October entitled The Way Forward for the Black Community in Hackney and Solidarity with Southern Africa'.
The impetus to set up Black Section in Hackney came from black activists campaigning TOI greater
of Hackney's large black population on the Council. Now they are seeking to widen the scope of their activity, increase grass roots involvement, and recruit black people to the Labour Party.
Steffanie Edward-Yarde of the Hackney Black Sections Steering Committee told Socialist Action 'A lot of black people think the Labour Party is nothing to do with them. We are planning a series of meetings on issues of particular concern to black people in Hackney. At present when black peo-
Socialist Action Black Section chair, Mare Wadsworth: It gives Black Section no pleasure to note that our prediction of the inhuman misery that these racist visa controls would cause has come true. The government must respond by immediately abandoning this divisive policy, uniting black families and compensating them for the severe hardship they've suffered at the hands of ruthless immigration officers.'
Douglas Hurd A recent case brought to our attention by Hafiz Urrahman of the Islington Muslim Association shows how denial of this right is yet a further strengthening of the racist controls. october Awtad Hussein Chowdhury arrived at Heathrow His Spon SOT, Ismail Ali, was told over the airport loud speaker system not to wait at the airport but to await a phone call al home. Iw days later the call arrived sayllig that Chowdhury's entry had been refused.
Labour MPS Peter Shore and Chris Smith were enlisted assist.
Shore's secretary confirmed to the Muslim Associa-
Hackney Black Section launched
the Steering comm
ple see Labour Party on leaflet they say "Oh, forget that!" If people see the Black Section achieving
24 Oct 1986 3 tion that Chowdhury could not be sent back to Bangla pending Shore's intervention Monday October.
Finally ine Association discovered noon on Tuesday from immigration otticials that Chowdhur had in fact been put on a Britain the previous Friday!
• Plans are underway for a national conference in Birmingham on 30 November lo orgamise acton agaus. the racist controls. The conference is sponsorea D) the Indian Workers and the Kashmiri and Bangladeshi Workers Associations and the Campaign Against Racist Laws.
HACKNEY LABOUR PARTY BLACK SECTIONS PUBLIC MEETING
to Discuss The Way Forward for the Black Community in Hackney
Solidarity with Southern Africa
SPEAKERS:
Lester Lewis
North Hackney & Stoke Newington C.L. P.
Ngila Muendane Pan African Congress of Azania (South Africal
Linda Bellos Leader — London borovon or Lambet Counci
Cllr. Lloyd King
London Borough of Hackney Counci
Abdud Mohamed Babu
on African Solidarity Chair: Steftanie Edward-Yarde
FRIDAY 24th OCTOBER 1986 - 7.30 pm
HACKNEY TOWN HALL Mare Street, London, E8 PUBLISHED BY
things we can change that.'
The meeting is at 7.30 at Hackney Town Hall, Mare St, E8.
Page 4 scan of this page
Broadwater Farm one year on
4 Socialist Action 24 Oct 1986
Youth
in action
No alternative from SSIN
THE SOCIALIST Students in NOLS (SSIN) annual meeting last weekend attracted 60 people. All reports were made and all sessions chaired by supporters Organiser. The only policy issue which was debated was that on the Middle East.
For a supposedly left alternative to the Kinnockite Democratic Left leadership
By Polly Vittorini, SOAS Labour Club SSIN adopted a remarkably backward position on the question of Palestine. pian' state in the Middle East and capitulated to the racism of the Zionist state, which does not even recognise citizenship for its Arab inhabitants. Instead SSIN called for a separate homeland to be created for the Palestinians: for two states, Arab, one Israeli. The resolution put forward by Socialist Organiser supporters and adopted almost unanimously, reserved its condemnations not for the murderous policies of the state of Israel, but primarily for the bombings at Rome and Vienna
That a grouping so insignificant in the wider labour movement can dominate SSIN so entirely is proof of the lack of democracy Labour Movement Campaign nor Palestine, was dearly invited to the semblance of a debate. His speech was slotted into
debate the
rganised to push Socialist Organiser's politics or the Middle East, with supporter Clive Bradley in trodacing and summarising.
South Africa which addressed the question of how SSIN could beild direct unionists, rather than what could be done by the NUS, given its position in favour of sanctions. The key policy issues being fought for by the left in the labour movement at present organisation, women's self-organisation, action to get Britain out of Ireland, and so on -ly missing from the agenda of this self-styled left alternative in NOLS.
There is an urgent need for a current in NUS which fights for campaigning activity on all these issues in cooperation with Labour left. The possibility organising in NOLS aroused much interest at the SSIN event itself. SSIN's position on Palestine, its lack of a campaigning and unifying strategy for British withdrawal from Ireland and against apartheid. and its exc usionary structure. all prevent it from leading and building this current.
Students who want NUS to be part of the fight for Campaign Forum's politics are increasingly organising in colleges through promoting the campaigns of Campaign Forum, organising campaign groups, and linking up nationally to produce a bulletin. They will be organising at December NUS conference.
Youth
AND
IRELAND
DAY
SCHOOL-
BIRMINGHAM November
UNIVERSITY 8th llam
*SINN FEIN..
BRON OF STUDENTS IN
IRELAND,NUS, NOLS, NUR,
CHRISTINE CRAWLEY MEP,
LP BLACK SECTION, WOMEN
AMNST PIT CLOSURES,
ICIN INI....
of Socialist
of NOLS, inside SSIN.
Greenstein.
AGM only lo give
whole framework of which was
was dealt with in a workshop
South African trade
IOr DIacK self-
- were simp-
the campaigning of such a current
ON 6 OCTOBER 1985, police invaded the home of Cynthia Jarrett on the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham, London. She collapsed and died as a result. Within hours the entire estate had erupted. The black community was not prepared to take any more police harrassment down. Only two weeks before, police had invaded the Brixton home of Cherry Groce. They shot her, leaving her paralysed.
A year on, nothing has changed. Just last month 600 police saturated the predominantly black community in St Paul's, Bristol. Over 100 people have now been arrested for protesting at the police action. Meanwhile the Broadwater Farm trials at the Old Bailey continue. Over 60 people will pass through London's central criminal court charged with affray, riotous assembly and murder. On Monday 13 October Hassan Muller walked free from the court after a unanimous verdict cleared him of charges of throwing a petrol bomb, burglary. Aged 18, Hassan had spent 11 months in custody awaiting trial!
LARRY HERMAN SCOTT of the Broadwater Farm Youth Association and the Defence Campaign.
THE Broadwater Farm riot is something that just nauto marocute coull try. What made things so bad here was the hurt and the anger towards the British police.
Governments and all police forces in the country
understand and heed what happened Broadwater L'alll Not dismiss it as a freak, or as criminal activity; not dismiss us as hooligans, muggers, or drug pushers.
Learn
They must learn that if you alienate a section of your community, then you're in for a fight.
On October, on Broadwater we couldn't loose. We were so right. It's sickening to see the strain we are under
The police are using their "justice' on
They have to show they are in full control and they are the law. It Is
i don't like it when I hear a policeman saying lock's death?'. Blakelock
weren't fighting because they were told to
because they had to fight. Choice
The police surrounded the estate and left us no
whatsoever. Mrs Jarrett alan t nave any choice in the manner the ponce enterca let house This "civilised'
La civilised
country a woman gets kill
a ov police and the com munity gets 60 people up on charges, going to jai for_70 years.
A lot of people think Broadwater Farm is just a run-of-the-mill thing. But when u comes cowa lo le the whole idea is to smash Us. Defeat
There was a covertthe conspirately
only economically, by taking away their funds and makme sure me colan sur vive the strike, but also by using une ponce in a 100 per cent aggressive manner to beat down the pickets.
and intimidation lying causing a n affray and
MILLARD
How many millions did it cost the government keep the police patrolling shanned, the g those
how Broadwater Farm feeling now.
The Broadwater Farm defence Campaign (BWFDC) was set up on 8 October, two days after the fighting, to combat the problems we knew we would have to face. It gives support to families on legal and police matters, and we have funding to keep our staff going.
When the Campaign goes out and talks, people isten to what it has to sar It took a riot to give us sc much credibility
Strength
The real strength lies in the Youth Association. We decided that black people's voice must be heard and understood
This estate is like a little country with its own population. It reflects society
self. To say our crime ra
abnormal is ridiculou
been dropping for the las three years, since the Youth Association was established. Our record is better than the police's. The only time we come into conflict is with the police.
have problems with drugs anymore. Everybody is getting down to protecting We supply services that we know are essential tor peo ple to feel like human be-
and that they live somewhere decent.
That means we supply 010-20 ROCI sioners every single day of the year. We don't worr about holidays. We are
all tne time. Once somebody needs our help. we're there to help them. Influence
The BWFDC has a
great opportunity becaus
of the black influence tha drives there is another campaign
frighten government as much as we right. We are a small voice Lal. because
force it's unbelievable.
And it is a campaign that, be intimidated by the police.
people were worried about picketing the Old Bailey
They have
KiLLed Xy Son
Nerves"
police station, charting 'police an
ting Hill police station are planned.
Ther ployed. Industry is up the creek. What's halfway decent they want to give back to the private sector. They wake wage packets to build up VUl our
industries only to sell them off just at a time when they can make a contribution to the country.
The defence campaign has contact NUM branches, NALGO countryin SOĞAT and the Dans Ol the NGA the Wapping strike. But we don't talk to union bosses.
I'd rather talk to people on the ground floor. But eventually we will sit dowr and talk them. The country would be in better shape if the trade unions were more positive in their attitude.
And the Labour Party,
ADE RUI
And Stalleral My
Earlier this month Anthony Lemard of Notting Hill died in police custody Last Sun day, hundreds of people joined a demonstration which marched on Notting Fli
Lemard's death be investigated. He died in police custody after eleventh floor of a block of flats. He is said to have choked on his own vomit. An in quest was adjourned when a post mortem found no signs of violence as being a cause of Lemard's death. But the black community is not satisfied. Further pickets of Not
more the status in this country.
We have broughi
Africa. Until South Africa
black and white people are equal in that country black people will always.be seCOme class citizens ally. where in the world. Scheme We've held discussions on exchange scheme to get some South African kids to come over here.
South Africa would be member of the ANC. be ready to fight and die for liberty and I'd choose the ANC Me I'm stuck in Broadwater Farm. But I'm wonsed for the whole
News
DEA
NO
murderers' and demanding. the circumstances of
being arrested on the
Countries
They want to create their own countries as they see fit. Nobody should be
rule their own countries.
Americans, and the British too, keep pumphile people are suffering money
while places like Broadwater Farm are being built, while kids sioners are not geting pen- and old
per meals.
How many men and women cracking because of stress like this, which is unnecessary in the first place? That's where money should go: into making sure that people have a chance of making a
living with self-respect.
Page 5 scan of this page
A Women's Conference of
News
portion of Labour
socialism.
women's organisation in the Labour pally LO Lai disgrace. The National Conference oI Labour Women, supposedly the highest organisation of women in the party, actually has less power than an individual Labour party branch which twenty people
"The national women's conference cannot
party conference. It's exIstence is not even formalv recognised in the constitution of the party. The supwomen on the National Ex-
of the party are chosen by party conterence as a whole that Is Dy an electorate whose majority are men.
ulven unis lt is no surprise that the Labour Party historically has failed to attract the support of women to anything like the degree it has attracted men. also
most stereotyped and sexist images of women.
Investing
The latest example is the 'Investing in People' campaign launched by the party leadership which might be retitled investing men'. This pamphlet conphotographs of women init tains three
photograph on every other page. ine two prolos of
nected with carldren. The
nected with children. sole photo of a black woman of hospital orderly!
With this type of sexist and racist stereotyping is it
wonder that Labour ally continues to be deeDiv unattractive most women?
This year's Labour Party conference, by voting for a review of the entire structure of women's organisation within Ine party, recognised for the first time
facing women in the party is unacceptable. But there are now three policies coming forward in the party for
a00l Lne situation.
The first proposal, of the right wing, is simply that the party should try to batter women into submission.
Policy
The mechanism of this is simole for vears now the women's conference has voted a allisi LIC leadership on policy and on the demand that women
their representatives on the NEC The proposal 01 a union such as APEX, which has a
of members but a totally male
power, not protest
PROBABLY THE biggest issue the Labour Party is going to face in the next year is the position of women within the party. There are more than 28 million women in British society - the majority of the population. Women form the majority of the working class community. Women are well over forty per cent of the workforce. They are a third of all trade union members — and probably a higher pro-
Party members. Without representing women the labour movement in this country is incapable of taking a serious step towards
dominated executive, is that a trade union block vote Connored men noki be introduced into women's conterence. 'Ihis wil then be used to vote down all the proposals of women.
This policy is a total catastrophe not only for women but for the party as whole. Women are no longer prepared to be kick ed around by anybody. The net effect of this approach will be to drive women in large numbers away from the party - • with disastrous for everyone concerned.
The second proposal coming forward, closely identified with the practical proposals of the Labour oordinating Committee (LCC), is to make purely cosmetic or tokenistic changes. This means that a fairer representation Woe al Woes col ference might be decided LUll The right to submit resolutions from the women's conference to party conference would recognised. In some
tional women's committee by the women's conference would be granted. But real power, the election of the women's places on lne NEC, would not be granted to women's conterence. would remain under the control of men.
Cosmetic
the OI the LCC
right of
But the LCC
VOLe adequate
supposedly
not want
Women - because
that women must control
needs That
that conference
the other Living ultra-left, have ally conspirea to block a real fight for women to control
ever taken by women in the party
tion is women
should.
•demanes The view, associated Labour
to gain the power to the five
the
colicience represenls
within the
Democracy the early 1980s. be the Power
Moreover the present women's conference : is set
'talking shop', uv as a 'protest' organisation, not one that can wield real power in the party.
›ecause men decided it
would power. But 110 one is seriously that five places on the NEC are elected by a conference where unions such GMBATU, WiTn almost
women members, NUPE with over or the IGWU with 250.000. are going to be outvoted by women's sections of a small number of constituencies with only a few thousand women every
Certainly there is a tremendous tight to ensure that votes at women's conterence are under ine control of women in the unions
ana not ol But precisely establishing authoritative women's con-
A shift to electing the NEC women's places by women's conference would represent a tremendous shift in power within the party, comparable in impact only to the reforms achieved by CLPD - it would also be, in today's conditions, the largest step forward
ference, the
their
of course, has
The the Action Structure
can be discussed After all
magical about the pro-
ference. It the best
reasonable hillits.
conference.
But nonnegotiable that the
And it does nol have without the right elect the women's on NEC. principle that elect tatives negotiable. No other system is to
anvone else
faces tremendous Its implications would place it right
that is totally in the interests 01 women, and totally in the interests of the party. This is that the party, and its leadership, must accept ine principle that the women's conTerence elects the women's representatives the NEC. Once that principle is accepted then women in the party can Sil down together, and also with the party leadership, to work out the best way to ensure that this right of women to elect their own representatives is exercised.
Principle
What should be decided is a simple principle. It has already • been decidec this year that women's conterence Will
based on the of Julius. resented by delegates which rules out any block vote based on counting the number of men in a union.
NEC should
nounce that on this basis it
HELOCUCC the principle that women's conference will elect the women's places the NEC and invite proposals O It for the precise mechanism for this.
Opportunities
On that basis business like and the pasty and unions could discussion women commence. If that is not decided however the big. gest opportunity party in itse sinthis ry
women will have been wasted.
There is no issue which it is more important for the party to contront In lne next months than this one.
hunt
By Carol Turner
this month. to find out what was going on. Despite approaches, constituency itself. under attack is the elementary decide on their MP.
Protests LUSI Huckfield's selection is blocked. Les Huckfield
Socialist Action 24 Oct 1986
Knowsley North:
NEC's latest witch
ON WEDNESDAY 22 October the Labour national executive will take a report on the enquiry into Knowsley North CLP heard earlier
This enquiry, including the 'allegations' which occasioned it, are shrouded in deepest secrecy. Not even Euro-MP Les Huckfield, likely to be its main vicitm has been able to find out the facts. What is known is that Les would almost certainly be the winner at the constituency's parliamentary selec-
Delegates supporting Huckfield and his Euro-constituency of Merseyside East, against which accusations of 'irregularities' have also been made,
IrOM Walworth Road on 13 October. The officers of Merseyside East had iwice written, without success, to general secretary Larry Whitty in attempt
What has occasioned this latest kangaroo court is a claim that Huckfield gave an undertaking al his Euro-selection meeting in January 1984 not to stand for parliamentary selection. As the Merserside East officers point out, in response to specific question about whether or not he would put himself forward for a by-election in St Helens Huckfield indicated that he would not do
MP Kilroy Silk in Knowsley North, officers of the Euro-constituency encouraged Huckfield to allow
Wigan CLP, and others, who are part of th Euro-constituency, have 'complained' directly to Whitty and by writing to the local paper. allegations have ever been raised with the Euro-
The three officers of Merserside East, response to the secret enquiry, had this to say: 'We Makersfield, Leigh and Knowsley South, since they contain accusations which are without foundation and which have never been brought to the Euro-CLP, are a carefully-orchestrated attempt to undermine the chances of Les Huckfield in the
allegations are sufficient, either for an NEC in.
- when we have never been contacted to ask if they are true — or for intervening in Knowsley's selection procedure' Put bluntly the Labour leadership have cooked up a take paign so they can prevent Huckfield being adopted
This latest attack on the left is an extension of the witch hunt started by the vote to expell the Liverpool council members. It bears no relation. ship whatsoever to 'uniting' the party ready for the next general election, nor to defending democracy in the party. Far from it. In fact, as in other cases, this is yet another attack on the democracy within the party. It is a follow up to Neil Kinnock's decision to abolish the post of party chairman' so that
As a Euro-MP, Les Huckfield is a member of the Campaign Group of Labour MPs. His selec tion for the safe seat of Knowlsey North would swell the Campaign Group's ranks in Westminister. In the face of a leadership which is leading a determined assault on the left wing of the party the attack on Knowisey North's selection represents a further extension of the witch hunt. What is now
right of party members, who have nothing to do with Militant, to
flood Walworth Road if
Page 6 scan of this page
AFTER THE AFTER T
Socialist Action How do you see the outcome of party conference?
What happened at party conference is that the party is so keen to get rid of Mrs Thatcher that it demonstrated its unity in the presence of the media for that purpose. The reception accorded to the leadership of the party reflected that desire.
However, judging from the fringe meetings and some of the votes, it is clear that the party at the grass roots level is radicalised. The Labour party itself is wholly unchanged in character but feels that in ine immedlale pic election period it is most important to give an impression of unity - a unity which is genuine in that it desperately wishes to remove this government.
But underneath all that there is a desire for a government to bring about certain crucial social changes disquiet about whether the policies put forward would be adequate to meet the challenge facing an incoming Labour
The way it was presented in the press was of the complete mastery of leadership over the party - which the party was prepared to go along with for electoral purposes. But anyone who misread the conference in any other way than I have outlined would, I think, be misunderstanding what had happened.
As far as its impact on the public is concerned, for a variety of reasons it has not been as great as had been pected by many people. First the SDP-Liberal argument about defence has weakened the capacity of the SDP and Liberal Alliance to attract Tory voters. Therefore they are returning to Mrs
The fact that we have not unattic. presented our defence arguments in a way that goes to the heart of the matter means that Mrs Thatcher may be planning a visit to Moscow which she will present been because Mr Gorbachev only talked to her because she had Trident, Cruise and Polaris. The Labour Party's defence policy may not make the impact that it would need on the validity of the alleged 'Soviet threat' — which is the central
question and which is not addressed by
Labour's defence policy at present.
For these reasons I think conterence has to be read quite differently from the
way that Fleet Street chose to read it.
We have to rebuild the strength of the
party, and address ourselves to the central issues that face the British people
during and after the next eleciton.
What do you think will be the effect of the break down of the summit at
Reykjavik?
I think it will have a profound effect.
Since Gorbachev came to power pro-
posals from Moscow have acquired
greater and greater credibility for the
simple reason that people realise that
disarmament would be in the interests
of the Soviet union and the Soviet peo-
ple - and therefore that Gorbachev is
genuinely reflecting the aspirations and
desires of the Russians.
In parallel with that it is becoming
clear that the mythology of NATO as a
world wide defender of human rights
and democracy against dictatorship is
false. The United States supports some
of the most right wing dictatorships
ever because those dictatorships defend
American interests worldwide.
recognition that there is an American
empire of a part
gradually coming home.
Without stimulating anti-American
feeling in a nationalist way,
would be a great mistake, people now
see Reagan as a greater threat to peace
than Gorbachev.
don't think Reagan wants a
war. But they think Reagan's strategy of
Stepping up me allis lace manes
more likely. They also know that the
arms are to be used for the protection of
US economie and political interests,
and they think that the Americans have
in the back of their mind bankrupting
the Soviet union. That is not only not
possible, but it is not what people want.
So there is a big opening now for the
next stage of the non-alignment cam-
24 Oct 1986 paign which was launched in the House of Commons in July.
Think anae peace movement in away from simply the nuclear weapons question to the whole issue of foreign and defence policy is greatly increased. I would see that as one of the major campaigns from now on — particularly as if the Labour government tries to get rid of the nuclear bases Weinberger has made it clear that this acceptable.
The question of whether we could
within NATO ¡culalll that conference obligation to get rid of
the nuclear bases does involve and will involve a fundamental choice. Not for the first time the left are just ahead of their time in anticipating a choice that will have to be made quite clear what choice should be reachand ed when the moment comes.
I think that the event at Reykjavik have given a very big boost to the left's foreign policy.
Reagan staked his entire political reputation on an anti-communist, cold the war, Star Wars position. When he got to Reykjavik he had to make a choice. Was he serious about disarmament in face of absolutely sincere and verifiable Droosas urat lc ward or not?
With the mid-term elections coming Reagan could not face a right wing domestic opposition that hed helped to create. So he stuck his toes in and was manifestly responsible for the failure of the summit. The effect of that will be to stimulate the peace Western Europe States.
It is a big crisis for the American administration. 'he tact that the euro. pean governments supported Reagan separates them more Irom nell owl people and opens up a great opportunisuccess ty to explain the real situation.
One of the important developments that was announced just prior to party conference
An Alliance for Socialism. This involved a number of campaigns in the party and the Campaign Group Could you explain the significance of this.
What Campaign Forum has done is to bring together in an effective form a
going on in parallel with
another. What is important about it is
that it was not a case of people meeting
in a smoke filled room. It is that the parallelism the
become apparent. There is a national
recognition by each campaign that they need the others.
I think it's very important, for ex-
ample that the Women's Action Com-
mittee have been explicit in saying they
need the left to win their demands and
the left has said the Women's Action
Committee's campaign is right and ask-
ed what can we do to support it? It's the
same with the Black Sections.
1S the principle
solidarity which has
hasn't been done by little private ar-
rangements
tions. Not at all. The reason that the
Campaign Group of Labour MPs has
acquired any credibility is not because it
represents a little group of people with
particular of
parliamentary
has interpreted its function as being one
of giving support inside and outside
parliament whole which movements. This was the case with the
and the
women's movement and
movement, and the lesbian and gay
movement, the
withdrawal from Ireland. It's given supwar port on these issues
become a body that has earned the con-
fidence of those engaged in these cam-
paigns. That process of solidarity has
gol enormous potential.
I also think that Campaign Group
News as a bulletin board of the left is
enormously important.
press don't report what is going on at
all. But even the left press has tended to
capacity of the Britain to move
and discharge
and making the
Kussians but Ior-
movement
United MPs. 01 has present things trom one ideological veiwpoint. didn't fit neatly into their
Ejected or attacked.
paign. They can discussed and argued for.
of political developed.
manipulative coali- people can see.
Group News view faction. It is because it
range
printworkers, Militant this week,
black
movement for portant. This
and therefore has that
you can't afford not to read.
the but
socialist traditions,
particular And if things categories fact the then they tended to be ignored or re
People can open Campaign Group _think it is News and see within it their own cam-
see it developed, Then on other pages they can see what other people are saying. And they're attracted bv that. This is a new left function ot hard news and analysis, and reflecting aspirations, and set out in a way that
transformation.
They can see that there is a parallel and common interest in success in all these different areas. I think Campaign
represents not only significant new agency of the left in Britain, but a model for an awful lot of other press. I would also like it to in- review? clude perhaps quotations from other press that shows Socialist Action this week, in Socialist Organiser this week,
Socialist Worker this week, the Morning Star this week, there was a story which we think is im- strong.
advertises the other papers, but also provides information
would make Campaign Group News the one paper, of all papers, that
There are all sort of possibilities Take on here. I regard it as an absolutely fundamental instrument for what we call themselves to it.
which is really the rebuilding of the labour movement with CODICIC
trade union demands, roots, and its new and more organic
connection with other movements that have been pushed to the margin by the
Labour Party is no longer organisationally representative of the constituency it seeks to serve.
important that we should, so to speak, turn on an electromagnet that attracts people. I don't think we should attack people. The problems that the labour movement has had in Britain are not due to individual villans and ine alm is not lo replace them with individual heroes. The aim is to draw people into the work of socia
One of the most important decisions of party conference was to open up the biggest review of the position of women within it in the party's history. What do you think must be the outcome of this
I think the reason people are prepared to enter negotiation with the Women's Action Committee, is that the Women's Aciton Committee's campalen was so Strough a whole range of activities, ng It was only mobilising which I think the shadow elections were the most dramatic in character, people who are the powerbrokers in the old system realised they either had to
the women's movement, and fight it to the death, or accomodate
I don't think that anything less than
victory the women's particular that the five places on the NEC are elected by the ago
THIS YEAR'S L
for the party. It s
Kinnock and his by the Tories rapi
the same time the
reorganise the left
Gorbachev summ
British memberst conference. Socia
assessment of pa.
the likely impact
women's conference, would be right.
You've got talk to everyone because by talking to everyone you alse drive those who are against the princi ple more onto the defensive. But you must keep the campaign moving for ward. That is a perfectly clear strategy What has been launched into is the right strategy for increasing the suppor of the campaign and requiring those who oppose it to rethink their positior
which they will have to do as it i wholly insupportable
I hope also that WAC will be able to continue with tne snadow election which I think were a wonderful innova tion and should be extended into othe areas of the party as well.
How do you see the question of Ireland at the present time? This was an area where the left got much publicity but still only con ference. How do we change this!
No Labour government really wants tr have to think about Ireland. Therefor there has been a return to bipartisan ship via the Anglo-Irish Accord. This i a bipartisanship from which a few year
we thought we had completel
Page 7 scan of this page
CONFERENCE HE SUMMIT
of the Reykjavik summit.
broken.
There was a bipartisan policy on Ireland since Attlee sacked parliamentary private secretaries against the Government of Ireland Act In 1949 - Iney votea against because they would not support the consolidaton of partition.
The effect of that bipartisanship policy is to attempt to take the issue of Ireland off the Entish pontical agenda *But that is so manifestly unsatisfactory that, after 1979, the campaign for Irish unity and independence began to grow again in the Labour Party. In 1984 the party published a policy which was not perfect, but which was better than we'd had before — which said we would not accept a veto by the protestant leaders on Irish reunification. It wasn't an adeQuale stalellicill, move in the right direction.
Then von had the Anglo-rish Accord which has been seen in many ways. Paisley sees it as the beginning of the break up of Northern place within the United Kingdom. cooked at more accurately Ireland is so ungovernable from London that Mrs necessary to entrench support for the
bour Party conference was a watershed w a public display of unity around olicies — and was immediately followed
ily catching up in the opinion polls. At
conference saw important steps to
. It was followed rapidly by the Reagan-
it. The issues of US bases in Britain, and
ip of NATO, figured centrally at party
ist Action asked TONY BENN for his
ty conference, the state of the left, and
London
Labour opposition,
dication of
weakness.
then I think a
support
but it represented a is now taking place.
Ireland's
But Northern
LOS HI demands
Dublin, Washington, and in the Labour Party. The fact she sought the support of the
the Irish government, and the American administration for the Anglo-Irish Accord was an in-
the strength or ine tionalist position - not a sign of its
If the next Labour government were to say we're fulfilling the conditions of the Anglo-Irish Accord, which is an international treaty' it would be an absolute disaster. The campaign has to be built between now and the election and
Labour government would find it much harder to carry the
of the movement if it itself engaged in the degree of repression that
li a Labour government weic i continue the supergrass trials, or the strip searching, or with the policy that Mrs Thatcher has adopted, then I think it would not be acceptable to the party. Our job in the meanwhile, between now and the election, is to alert people to what is happening and to make clear
• which must include setting the date for withdrawal from Northern
Ireland.
Then, when a Labour government is elected, these demands will be sufficiently clearly articulated for them to be brought to bear on that government with speed and efficacy ference. I think that what happen.
Another issue which has aroused controversy is the Black and Asian Advisory Commitee. What is your view of that in the ioht of vour support lor Black Sections?
I wouldn't touch the Black and Asian Advisory Committee with a barge pole.
not a moronse. anything it purports to be. It is the manager who says 'my door is always
while he continues to run the Upen, show. That totally different recognising the right of people to run their own affairs.
What about the attack on reselection? Party conference passed a resolution instructing the party leadership not to reopen the matter. But it appears the NoC intends to hold the conterence decision in contempt.
I believe that the gains from 1979-81, of which reselection and the election of the leader were the most important, still remain the prime anxiety of the leadership. Because they fear that when there est beliver, ers will and doesnit deliver, MPs be counter pressure from their own consti-
tuencies which may override the strident demands of the chief whip to conform. So they would like to get those gains reversed. That has to be stopped. I think there is also a third question, the con- which is the election of the cabinet by will the electoral college. I know it's been
argued that this is ahead of its time, and we should have a moratorium on constitutional change, but I think it is a central question. I think we could win that. We have to demand that the entire government, and parliamentary leadership, is elected by the electoral college. We will ignore that at our peril.
the Campaign Group. not
Finally the Campaign meeting in Chestertield prior to party conference took a number of important decisions. Perhaps you could explain what those were?
The Chesterfield meeting this year was extremely significant.
First on policy it endorsed the pamphlet Peace Through Non-Alignment. The previous year it had endorsed A Million Jobs a Year. These are two major political interventions. Secondly it agreed to the establishment of Campaign rorum. It endorsed the demand: of the Women's Action Committee, and the Black Section. In agreeing to Cam paign Forum it established a new type of left, of a kind we haven't seen in the Jasl
facing the British Socialist Party
withdrew when the Labour Party was
dependent Labour
expelled. dent,
yOu
some of their should run things w.wen vol
issues
full everyone Is
extension democracy,
liberties,
broader which
expelled.
well. If other Left Liaison separate section
OUTCLUTCo
development
But that view is still a minority in
Finally,
Group at its
anyone who Is shares Signitall When I look over history there was
which intervene
Socialist Action 24 Oct 1986 7 formed and was then expelled when it became the Communist Party. The In-
Party lelt in ine 1930s. The Socialist Labour League was
Victory for Socialism was crusned inere were vamous Campaigns to take over the party, by the electoral machinery open within the party.
None of these developments got to the core of the problem the party in the country has for many years been suffering from attempts to turn it into a fan club of the parliamentary leadership. In fact it is, and must remain, even from the point of view of winning elections, a strong, indepen-
broadly based labour and socialist party. That is what the Campaign Forum is about trying to create.
presen 'moderates' versus 'extremists' you miss the point. The party has always been divided between top and bottom. The top, with its parliamentary base and the general council of the TUC with
ideas about how they - have a natural alliance at the top. But down the line what is called the right of the party
is actually more in touch with the left than might be realised. For example in the miners strike the left, right and centre in many constituencies worked completely together.
I think the recreation of the Labour Party is the task we have to achieve. But
recreate it vou've got to recreate it around certain clear political
peace, out of NATO, non-alignment, no US bases, the return to
employment the idea entitled to renumerated employment throughout their life, the restoration of the welfare services, the
and entrenchment of of the restorato welfare services, the entrenchment of liberties, reland. est these objectives restoration have to be restated in the goals of the Labour Party, and the party itself has got to expand its base in much
way than the 1918 base was white predominantly male, working class Labour Party with a few little socialist societies added on Today we have got to be much more broadly based, and end the expulsions and reinstate all those who have been
I think that the Campaign Forum is the beginning of a broader base. I'd like to see a lot of other groups come in as
groups join the Labour and work in the constituencies you could have a whole range of developments. For example I would like to see the pensioners brought in. Senior citizens have got special interests in our
They are beginning to get
organised and I believe this should be
brought into the party, perhaps as a
like the LPYS or
Women's Sections. The building of all
this is really the building of a new party
within the shell of an old party, whose
no longer conform to the
realities of our period
Then this has got to have a perspec-
tive. I've always thought that the future
of socialism lay in the deepening and
democracy. This
what frightens the establishment much
more than socialist rhetoric.
immediate questions,
the fact that the Campaign Group has
decided to stop narrow bargaining for
the NEC slate, possibly it will adopt the
principle of the shadow siate like the
women's conference, the fact that the
Campaign Group is not going to 'vet'
people who join it but it is open to
interested and who our objectives, are highly
We have one advantage at the mo-
ment. The media story is that the left
has been beaten and therefore
we're doing is not noticed -and if w
were being noticed we'd be denounced.
So we've got a space we can fill with
work. Our immediate job is to see that
the Labour Party, as a socialist party, is
refounded on a broader basis — and is
more democratic, fight for that
before, which I hope we will win, and to
politically on the central
questions that face people
Page 8 scan of this page
Socialist Action 24 Oct 1986
Crisis in the LCC
deepens
THE AGENDA for this year's AGM of the Labour Coordinating Committee (LCC), to be held in Sheffield on 15 November, shows a further development in the crisis facing that organisation.
out around relations with (LLL) the Labour left which brings together the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD), the Labour Women's Action Committee (WAC), the Labour Party Black Section, Labour CND and other campaigns in the party.
A resolution moved to the AGM by Mike Hobday Stales. "The LCC would we cone closer operation the "soft-left" and the "hard-left" and, neciore. resolves write the Labour Left Liaison ask-
what terms such possible. LCC resolves to report the results of such negotiations to its members within six months.
Hard
A directly counterposed resolution by Rachel Brooks and
'This AGM argues inal: believes that Labour Left Liaison sectarian political project whose aim is to reverse the decline of the so-called hard left by hijacking ine legitimate sectional demands of pressure groups and campaigns under an antileadership banner.
'Any participation by LCC would, therefore, give credibility to this project depart from our view that the demands of WAC, Black Sections and other groups should be independent all y particular political formation.
'AGM therefore Accepts that LCC should not be involved in Labour Left Liaison and its associated structures.'
In a related resolution Nigel Stanley, the Clause 4 grouping, states: "This AGM notes Tne resolution on NEC strategy passed at the 1984 AGM' this was the resolution adopted by the
which practice called for that organisation tø try to remove Tony Benn, Dennis Skinner and other left figures from the NEC.
These resolutions alre crystal clear - and reflect the sharp divisions in the LCC which emerged prior to, and at, Labour Party
Rachel
Brooks and Owen Tudor's
allelpts argue that campaigns the party should not be involved with the LLL. But both Labour Left Liaison and the different campaigns in the party — 1ncluding WAC, CLPD, and the Black Section - have always worked with all currents in the party that
fight for their objectives.
Labour Liaison's position is that it will work with the LCC for commonly agreed objectives.
But what is not acceptable is the purely token support which the LCC gives to campaiens in the party. The resolutions and amendments for last party
The most sharply counterposed resolutions come
Labour Left Liaison
umbrella organisation
conference showed almost no resolutions or amendments in support of the campaigns formally claims to support coming
constituencies. The LCC refused support the slate adopted by the shadow elections women's Collecte despite its verbal support for WAC. Only two constituencies decisively influenced by the LCC voted for Black Section Caldidate Russell Proffit despite the fact he was formally on the LCC slate -and that compared to 42 'hard left' connienCes Only 25 heavily LCC influenced constituencies voted for two women candidates for the NEC comparca lo 119 'hard left' constituencies. This, again, was despite the fact that Jo Richardson b and Audrey Wise were both nominally on the LCC's slate.
In every case, therefore, the LCC gives cosmetic. tokenistic Suu port but in reality does nothing to promote the campaign. The orientation proposed by Nigel Stanley and the Clause 4 grouping, which involved in practice a deepening alliance with the racist and sexist right wing, would strengthen that tokenistic course still further.
within the
1534C of WAC, and the for
came out clearly clearly in the completely contradictory
with the
The most explosive
policy debate, which will
affect the position of the
LCC in the party, is or
Ireland. Here there are
policy resolutions for
adoption with every posi-
tion ranging from British
withdrawa from ireland
— moved by Conor Foley,
to a series of positions
which explicitly supports
the Unionist veto on
British withdrawal.
Faced with completely
contradictory positions on
relations with left currents
in the party, and complete-
ly counterposed lines on
Ireland, this LCC AGM
represents further
deepening in the crisis of
that organisation.
Why
= Britain
is in
NATO
DESPITE A Labour Party conference dominated by the leadership's concentration on unity for the next election the ference for withdrawal from NATO was 68,000 up on the previous year.
increase, about Labour's 'firm commitment' membership which has
Ben Lowe's new pam phlet, Peace Through Non-Alignment, sponsored by Campaign
MPs, provides a short history of NATO
1956 through to the US raid on Libya earlier this year - which substantially confirms those concerns. Lowe traces thoreal pupilantic
North Atlantic alliance, as an Instrumell of US foreign policy and a means ot keeping
uropean allies in lin
walllelu came close to using weapons on a number of
in Guatemala and Viet-
China, Lebanon and Jordan
1959, 1900, in Berlin and in Laos in 1960.' The change of NATO concept in 1967, from 'massive retaliation' *flexible response', hasn't altered the fundamentals.
'NATO's walplanning,
weapons in
being that much NATO's
Lacoca
borders. the
fear that the might
one's the has
which
saw Pact.'
Labour
policy the
dangers of East-West con-
frontation and sets as its
long-term goal the dissolu-
tion of the blocs', Lowe
argues that the party will
only be able to pursue that
goal effectively if it tackles
task thology of
the official mythology
that
Ene usel
has sustained the cold wal
for 40 years and offers
more persuasive and
realistic assessment of the
dangers world
today'. This is undoubted-
ly the heart of the matter.
Labour's unilatera
nuclear disarmament
policies are JI -
1986 vote atLabour Party con-
In Blackpool this month 1,033,000 votes were cast to get out of NATO compared to 965,000 in 1985. Hardly an earth-shattering but a further indication of the disquiet
to NATO been working its way through the constituency parties since the Defence and Security for Britain policy was adopted in 1984. By Carol Turner content be Remitment' NATO Recent statements by Labour Party leaders, Lowe points out, lead to the view that
have 'only rhetorical commitment to "breaking up the military blocs"
There are four main arguments in favour of re taining NATO membership, NATO deters Lowe: 'that
the threat from the East; that it is an a1ace a1ace of friends the world; that it costs less than a self-reliant national defence system; and that it assures American protection in a major war.' But none of these arguments,
correcuy out. manormand tae labour majority labour movement.
From this Lowe concludes that the main concern of the Labour leader ship is that 'withdrawal would have adverse elecLabour is cons toral for
(his emphasis). he goes on to pon our, noon pills gate cause po
nion polls give cause disputing the widely-held assumption that there is solid support for NATO among the electorate.
But it is in this part of Lowe's argumentation
builds begins to break down. It would be totally false and dangerously mislead-
- to conclude that the
abour leadership's com
nitment to NATO stems irom crude electora. opportunism. Indeed, this is himself, retuted ov Lowe himselt earler in his pamphlet.
Part One of the pamphlet begins: 'Britain played a key role in the creation of NATO Ernest Bevin, foreigni secretary in the post-war Labour government, consciously followed the basic policy of his wartime col-
league and Tory counterpart, Anthony Eden: namely, to solicit Ameri can aid in propping up its world position as an imperial power JIRCLINI would the United States would bases in the UK and share the military the benefits of many of Britain's overseas bases and colonies.'
And later: 'In 1951,
two years after Britain
helped to form NATO, a Labour government which had enjoyed widespread popular was
years.
MISK
still National
campaigners
ship on of
the North alli-
terests.
that _lo the
ing ine
But it is very
undermine
withdrawal that it becoming increasingly
the British labour movement to withdrawal from NATO, and thereby win such a policy at Labour rarty concicuice 1s not simply one of changing the leadership's perception of
he popularity or
such a policy although it is undoubtedly the case that any such campaign begin
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change 'public opinion' on the question. Rather it is a matter of understanding that cold war ideology 1s : device whereby the United States and allies, the big gest imperialist powers in the world today, maintain and attempt to expand their economic and political influence in the world. All British governments - - including all past Labour governments, and including the Labour Party leadership
Willingly with this.
They know that allegiance to the United States and to the NATO alliance is far less of threat to Britain's imperialist interests than anv socialis foreign policy would be Labour and lorv govern ment alike choose to support the United States and NATO, they do not have this foisted on them against their will.
Understanding this
Peace Through Non-Alignment, by Ben Lowe, and sponsored by the Campaign Group of Labour MPs is available price £1.50, from Verso, 6
Street, London WI.
SUBSCRIBE
Send: Socialist Action Subs, PO Box 50, London NI 2XP
News
means understanding that any struggle to withdraw from NATO is a lun damental capitalism. successful and st understood posed within the labour move ment, not as a matter of ti dying up the lose ends of an anti-nuclear policy, but as a threat to the very corof British imperialism.
Bipartisanship on NATO is undoubtedly suffering a few cracks in the 1980s. . But it will be a long hard fight before the majority of the labour movement socialist foreign policy and willbe won to
withdraw from NATO that such a policy must entail. Lowe's pamphlet is a contribution building that support for withdrawal from NATO.
But the arguments it puts for NATO withdrawal flawed.
BEN LOWE
DEACE
THROUGH
ALIGNMENT NON
The case for British withdrawa
from NATO
Free Book Offer!
Take out a years inland subscription and we will send you free one of these books: Justice: The Miners Strike 1984-85 by the Campaign Group of Labour MPs
On Afro American Histor by Malcolm ¿
OR The Struggle in My Life by Nelson Mandela
Page 9 scan of this page
Nicaraguans capture US 'advisor'
International
A US C-123 supply plane was shot down in Nicaragua by Sandinista troops 5 October. US 'advisor' Eugene Hasenfus who was captured by the Sandinistas the following day admitted being on the flight.
Calderón of the Sandinista People's Army showed reporters a Salvadoran air force ID card with Hasenfus's name and photo, identifying him as from the 'USA' with the capacity of 'advisor'. The card admitted Hasenfus to restricted areas of El Salvador's lopango Airport.
Writing trom Managua 101 US socialist newsweekly, The Militant, Cindy Jaquith reports that Hasenfus admitted to par-
four flights from El Salvador to Nica-
drop weapons and other supplies to the CIA-paid terrorists.
from Calderón's press. brietn®Hasenius's Jaquith reports that job was throwing the sup-
plies ousthe plane door as
passed mercenary camps. He said there are five planes at Ilopango conducting these supply missions.
'Hasenfus also offered information on two three men killed when the plane crashed,
Calderón The pilot was Capt. William Cooper. also US citizen.
Calderón held up an ID card identifying Cooper as working for Southern Air Transport, based outfit with connections to the CIA.
"The co-pilot, accor-
ding Hasenfus,
Wallace Blaine Sawyer,
who also carried an ID card like Hasenfus's, listing him as a US advisor
with special rights at the Ipango airport.
plane's more in, soldiers found
100,000 rifle cartridges; RPG-7 grenade ty conference and Durham, South London.
attempts to erode wages and conditions.
The South Yorks leg of
the tour was organised by
Women Against Pit
Clasures activists, Ann
Scargill and Betty Cook.
They first came in contact
with the Hormel strikers
when they had attended,
and Betty Heathfield, with Gwen White
and
conference of thẹ Coal
Prolect (The assists women get
jobs in the American
mines and organises
around issuc
women miners). One of
LOUr of the Barbara
Collette strikers'
United Support Group in
Austin Minnesota, told
Socialist Action how close
she felt to the Women
Against Pit Closures
movement. 'Their story is
my story' she said.
There are indeed many
parallels between the year-
long miners' strike and the
SILLIC
Hormel. They have been
faced by a vicious manage-
ment, determined to break
the power of the union.
They have confronted the
power of the state in the
form of both the local
police and the infamous
At a press briefing, 8 October, Lt. Col. Roberto
launchers; dozens of AK
assault rifles; and military
boots. All were destined
for CIA-organised
organised NICECIdEs
By Jon Silberman operating in the. Rió San Juan region of Nicaragua. 'In the US, denials by une we mouse ne stale Department and the CIA of any connection with or knowledge of the operation are appealing increasingly hollow.
Hasenfus reported that the man in charge of the supply-flight operations are Max Gomez and Ramón Medina whom he described as CIA employees. Only days after George denying ally CIA connection, vice President George Bush admitted knowing Gomez. 'He's a patriot Bush explained. Bush was director of the CIA.
In a new and condemning revelation, Medina has been identified Luis Posada Carriles, jailed for his part in the bombing of a Cuban airliner in 1976 in which 73 people died. Posada Carriles/ Medina escaped from his Venezuelan lal in dubious circumstances.
Both Gomez and Medina are CubanAmericans. The US Cuban emigre community
'Spam'strike tour success
STRIKING MEATPACKERS from the Spamproducing Hormel company in America's mid-west have just concluded a very successiul tour of Britain. They spent one week in Blackpool at the Labour Parsecond week travelling 10 Yorks, Derbyshire, Notts and
The strikers have been out for 14 months, defending their union organisation and resisting company
National Guard, who have tried to break the pickets. Twenty-seven pickets were arrested near the facBy Nick Adams tory gate in Austin on 6 February alone. A further 18 on 11 April. Ray Rogers, an advisor to the strikers was charged with 'criminal syndicalism'!
Another parallel with the miners has been the enormous wave of solidarity which has surrounded the strikers. nation-wide campaign has emerged with strikers touring the four corners of the United States. Financial solidarity has poured Hormel products are being boycotted.
national leadership rs,
the national leadership the and Com- the United Food and merica Workers has only failed to give backing to the strikers, It nas actively attempted to sabotage the strike.
In January UFCW boss Bill Wynn publicly demanded SUNKENS return to work and accept an orler lney a lwice jected. In March the strike
Sandinista troops capture Hasenfus is a well-known recruiting gound for terrorist mercenaries and CIA operatives. deputy Minister of the Inerior Luis Carrion has told reporters that 'Hasenfus
that Medina, well as Gomez, boasted of being. friends with vice-President Bush'.
Nicaragua has formal-
protested direct intervention by CIA
the financed contra war. Deputy foreign minister,
was declared unofficial, strike pay was stopped and the union leaders ordered an end to the boycott of Hormel products.
Finally • 11 May the UFCW strikers actually branch, P-9, into
suspends the branch officers and
eplacing them with an ap pointed trustee Joseph 1
lansen. According to the terms of the trusteeship, Hansen need not call membership meetings and had full power to rule the branch as a dictator tor 18 months.
When the branch officers nion leadership took
ne union leadershi]
hem to court. On 2 June US District Judge Edward Devitt ruled the trusteeship valid and issued a court order requiring the branch oficers to relinquish refrain from any strikess. their
tivitv and turn over to the trustee the branch's property, including offices records and finances. They would be held to be in contempt if they failed to
com he strikers were deter-
mined to carry on despite the court ruling. Hundreds of with the National Labour them filed a
Relations Board to recertify themselves as union. They called
'Original P-9' No soone were the strikers ejected from their premises by
order than the
Labour relations board re jected the 'Original P-9
Victor Tinoco, said in making OTOLOSE that 'the fact that now the CIA
more directly
the attacks against Nicaragua's territory reveals a decision to involve the American Army in operations against Nicaragua
The Nicaraguans have drawn a parallel between the use of 'advisors' in the contra-war to the first
of direct US intervention Vietnam. when the same description
petition on the grounds that the name was to close to that the trusteed branch.
The name was changed to North American Meat
NAMPU
strikers are also determinThe 1985-86
HORMEL
STRIKE
by Fred Halsteac
from Other • BOOKS,
was used for US personnel. The Sandinista daily, Barricada, carried a backheadline 'Just like was Vietnam'
• Building Vietnamtype will be the theme of a Labour movement con ference fereerica to be held in nora- Central don at Congress House on 28 February next year.
Leaflets are available from ELSSOC, 13-16 Borough London SEI (tel 01-928 3412).
Led to wir and that means extending the strugThal WaN why they came to Britain.
Their story won them tremendous wherever they spoke, and SEL sla they crammed many meetings.
MEAT-PACKERS
in Austin, Minnesota
The full story of the Hormel strike is told in this pamphlet by US socialist Fred Halstead. It can be ordered
PO Box 50, London NI 2XP, price 70p plus 13p postage (bulk orders on enquiry).
World
in action
Salvador:
FMLN/FDR
communique
and the
tragic earthquake in El Salvador.
"state terrorism originated -6000 disappeared displaced.
quake, are the same austerity package, repression
une eases mo drought,
by the earthquake
ble homes.
ranking military
roundings of the higher ranks. unilateral ceasefire
agreement on a ceasefire.
However, Mr.
against the so-called national security, interpret
ple of the economic austerity package.
repeal of the economic recruitment
ternational community and solidarty
request CLOT
American intervention.
Koad, London SEl.
Socialist Action 24 Oct 1986
Earthquake in El
The following communique was issued on 10 October by the general command of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front
general command of the Revolutionary Democratic Front in response to the
THE SALVADOREAN people are facing a new ordeal, adding to fifty years of exploitation and misery, with an earthquake which has mainly affected the poor sectors of our country. It has added to the problems which
60,000 killed, and half a million
In this present situation, we witness once more the sub-human conditions in which millions of Salvadorean people live and see that the poor people who are suffering the most from this earth-
the target of the economic forced recruitment
This situation reaffirms the conviction of the FMLN combatants of the just struggle for the defence of the national interests, the interests of
are affected by bombing, army operations; and the interests of urban workers who face repression and are now affected by the earthquake. The Duarte officials and military have not been the ones affected
Our message of solidarity goes, at this time, to the workers of our country who are experiencing pain at the loss of their loved ones and their hum
We are aware that at this time national attention is centred on helping victims to solve the problems of food and supplies and in the search
officers and ordinary soldiers who don't live in the security and comfortable sur-
The FMLN General Command and FDR Executive Committee considering the national situation agreed to a temporary ceasefire in all the national territory and this will be enforced as soon as our military units learn about this communique.
The FMLN General Commmand calls on all its military units to comply with this decision, halting all activities; to engage in combat only in case of enemy attacks and where FMLN units and government forces come across each other by chance.
The ceasefire will remain as long as our Fronts consider it necessary, according to the situation. This
will be effected long the government and the armed forces show some will in respecting the suffering of the Salvadorean people. If there was a government willingness to join in to the ceasefire, the government should communicate to the intermediary Archbishop Arturo Rivera y Damas in order to reach a bi-lateral
Duarte has announced some punitive measures for those who attempt anything
. which we as more mummidanol and repression against our people. Faced with the serious situa tion which the majority of the country is experiencing it is the government's duty to relieve our peo.
we call on al our people t organise to mobilise, to fight for our rights, for th
package and forced
Above all the people must keep watch on all international aid to avoid what happens with the food for displaced persons and that all aid for the earthquake victims is not stolen by Salvadorean officials and military chiefs. 50 years of hurt and exploitation is enough. No more! We call on the in-
tions to be aware of the possibility of Mr Duarte's
Nort Amencan Hoops using catastrophe as an excuse to legitimise North
• An appeal for the victims of the earthquake has heen launced hv the El Salvador Soldarity Cam paign. All monies received will go direct to the vic. tims via the major trade union federation, UNTS. Cheques should be made out to El Salvador Earthquake Appeal and sent to ELSSOC, 13-16 Borough
Page 10 scan of this page
Mozambique-under apartheid's
Namibia: a contract to kill
Socialist Action Recent reports in the western press have openly peculated on the possibility of the fall of the relimo government in the former Portuguese colny of Mozambique. PETE EVANS reports on a country that's been under attack for 11 years.
vas purely an internal, civil war. In fact, behind the problems faced by the people of Mozambique lies he apartheid regime in South Africa.
In 1975 the Mozamican liberation 11UVC nent, Frelimo, took power fter a fifteen year strugde They took power in a 00г, underdeveloped
heavy lent on their powerful and
neighbour: South Africa. Immediately after he seizure of power the partheid regime set notion a plan to destabise the country. The plan involved a combination of economic and military pressures.
At the economic level it nigrant labour (Mozambique has 45,000 workers in South Africa, who provide the biggest source of breign currency); closures or restrictions; regulating the exports goods, especially food and bil; and cutting electricity supplies (South Africa provides 28% of Mozampique's electric power). he apartheid strategist, Deon Geldenhuys, blained that The objective is) to cause serious hardhip the population, their frustration and fury Al te oile
To take advantage of the openings created by the Economic pressure, military intervention was required. There have been a number of direct military incursions South African commandos, for •antic inc bombing of ANC offices in the capital city, Maputo. in uctober
Reviews
Not to have some semblance of an idea about
the situation in South Africa, a person would
have to be wilfully stupid. About neighbour-
ing Namibia, the last colony in
norance could be excused. Press silence about
Namibia is deafening. Even the timid sanc-
tions in relation to South Africa agreed by the
EEC pointedly do not apply to Namibia.
This news boycott is not accidental. If the
full, horrific truth of
brought home to people the campaign for
sanctions against apartheid would be enor-
mously boosted.
By Phil Waterhouse
Namibia is occupied by 100,000 troops of the
South African Defence Force, one soldier for every
15 Namibians. It is backed up by the locally
drafted SWATF (South West African Territorial
Force),
Koevoet death squad. The occupation forces have
established a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the north
(Ovamboland), created 'protected villages' (as was
done in Vietnam) and a security zone to practice
their atrocities out of sight-and-sound of worid
opinion.
common. Crops are destroyed and water poisoned.
The country is used as a convenient stepping-
stone to attack neighbouring black-ruled states.
Angola especially has been the target of repeated
incursions over ten years, in alliance with South
Africa's puppet mercenary army UNITA. Refugees
from the war in Namibia have been attacked and
numerous massacres killed many hundreds of
24 Oct 1986
attack for 11 years
The war in that country has been presented as if it
1983. But the main tool used by the South African
has been the Mozambique National Resistance (MNR).
The MNR was initially set up by the Rhodesian
go eras based ann Por-
was based Porcommandos and Mozambicans who had worked for the colonialists and were afraid to go home
they were known as members orancons brutal units. They also recruited torme Frelimo officials who had been cashiered
corruption Photo: LARRY HERMAN
After the defeat of the Smith government, MNR collapsed, and the remnants South Africa. In 1980 the MNR restarted Its attacks, this time under the control of UnC South African authorities. was the apartheid regime which chose the areas of attack, and provided the training and logistical support.
Ihey also provide 'advisors to lead une allacks on the ground. captured diary of an MNR officer explained: 'In the event of our friends (the South African
being seen by the people, it will be the fighters' duty to
inform the people that they are captured
Russians'.
omic and military
Frelimo agreed In
1984 South Africa's
main demand: the signing
ol ine Ikomal accolas.
Africa, ig-
Namibia today is various police units and the notorious
Torture, rape and disappearances are
expulsion refugees from the country; in return South Atrica Dromised to withdraw all support from the MINR.
Whilst Mozambique stuck rigidly to the terms of the agreement, South Africa refused to do the same Instead of peace the war escalated. The MR Decallic active near Maputo for the first time, with attacks on the road, railway and electricity line between the capital and South Africa.
In August 1985 a joint force of the Mozambican civilians, women and children. The overall aim of South Africa, wholeheartedly supported by USA and by Britain, is the overthrow of the Angolan government
The pamphlet Namibia: A contract to kill produced by the Campaign against the Namibian Uranium contract will help to get out the truth about Namibia. It covers a tremendous amount of ground, starting with how the country was conquered and its economy turned into an appendage of imperialism, exporting beef to South Africa, karakul luxury furs, depleted, and a plethora of minerals, including most importantly, uranium. British interest in this plunder is around 80 per economy, and the fact that the country can be used to bypass sanctions applied against South Africa.
The heart of the pamphlet describes in detail how uranium extraction came under the domination of the British mining giant Rio Tinto Zinc (RTZ), with its interests in 44 countries, from Cornwall to Canada. RTZ has over the years stolen several hundreds of millions of pounds worth of Namibian uranium. Stolen in the legal sense as the United Nations has passed decrees since 1966 terminating South Africa's mandate to control the country and ruling continued occupation illegal.
decrees recognise SWAPO Africa Peoples Organisation) as the sole authentic representative of the Namibian people, and ban further commercial mining, tarming and fishing operations, allowing for the seizure of any natural resources thus taken from the country. British governments have either been duped about the source of the uranium in contracts made, or
and Zimbabwean armies captured the main internal Dast the MNR. Amongst the details nos seized details meetings which proved the continuing support of the for the MNR, and which showed that it was the apartheid regime itself which was ordering the attackes on the capital.
The South Africans agreed to send 'material for urban guerilla warfare including time bombs and timing devices' to the rebels. It is clear from the captured documents that fish before the seas were
cent control of the
CPSA, dulu plemented
these areas.
London. (South West SWAPO Secretary
Different
the target of apartheid is the Frelimo government itself. quite blatantly ignored the UN decrees.
A little CANUC detection work has shown that the reason for government complicity in this theft is the need for large amounts of enriched uranium and plutonium for the nuclear warheads of the new Trident programme. This is an opinion shared by ex-Minister of Technology Tony Benn in a letter reproduced in the pamphlet. Also some evidence is dug up about a secret military contract made in 1983 for 1,100 tonnes of uranium
The final aim of CANUC is to help build a campaign to impose sanctions against the importation of this uranium, uniting the peace movement, the Anti-Apartheid movement, Party (despite the position of Nuclear-Jack Cunningham) and the NUM and Women Against Pit Closures: It is pointed out that many unions have contact somewhere along the line in this illicit tratfic, the TGWU, NUS, NÜR, ASLEF, SCPS, TSSA,
so the scope for sanctions imthe labour movement is Together with an earlier CANUC pamphlet The Rossing File this is a useful tool for activists in all
The Anti-Apartheid Movement is sponsoring a conference on 25/26 October at City
The conference General Andimba Toivo, followed by a week of action. In the next couple of weeks UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi is touring Europe, including Britain. ference, and a warm welcome for South Africa's bandit-in-chief, will help throw a little light on exactly what is happening in Southern Africa, and lift the blanket of silence on Namibia.
Build on ballot result
for victory
tion not compensation.
pear, writes JOHN LANG, clerical SOGAT.
We must build for action within Fleet Street. In one way or another were all attected bv Murdochstyle attacks on jobs, con-
By fighting back together we can all win that all Murdochs pro- The call
products are boycotted. The scab titles mut not pass the threshold OI any Fleet Street house. Advertising with News International should be stopped. The
CASSOMALO should not take any copy from or to News International: An instruction to the sale distribution i nationally to boycott News International products must be given along with the bov. cotting of colour preprints from the Bemrose plant in Liverpool.
And we've got to immediately the DICKCUIS Convoy's
Wharf where paper reels are transported from and the picketing of the
TNT depots.
Part of escalating the dispute involves forging comedia on cc ico. the labour movement. Countless resolutions have been passed, congress an
Congress LIC
Brighton the impor
tance of this dispute for all workers. They must turned into action. The TUC leaders must now
Nuclear Programme
the Labour
gical.
University, accessed Toivo Ja
Both the con-
News
WA
THE increased majority returned by sacked News International Sogat '82 members, rejecting another of Murdoch's 'final offers' is a clear indication of the strength of feeling amonst the rank and file membership. The message is clear: jobs and union recogni-
The union's leadership must now get down to the job of winning the dispute instead of allowing the hard-won conditions of organised labour to disap-
deputy FOC, Times
understand that this dispute wil not go away and be forced to act. The issue or ine EETPU has been fudged far too long.
Those scabs must be instructed to stop doing the printers' jobs.
Confidence must be built not only amongst those on strike but also for those who are in work but running scared by the attacks of management.
This dispute has exposed some of the weakest types of leadership. Judging by the meeting held o SOGAT '82 FOCs/MOC: at Hadleigh directly after ballot result, new resolve by SOGAT leadership still long way off. There was realisation the dispute must be taken forward but the fear of sequestration seemed to cloud any rea positive steps The FOCs/MOCs have the contidence to take up the struggle ahead but need get themselves organised into a proper strike committee to build on the strength of feeling and chart course for victory.
The basis for victory is there if the right tactics are implemented. All trade heed the ballot result and help gain not only tol the printers but the labour NAMIBIA:
A CONTRACTTO KILL
The Story of Stolen Uranium and the British CAMUC THE CAMPÄIN AGAINST THE NAMIBIAN URANIUM CONTRACY
• Namibia: A contract to kill by CANUC can be obtained from the Namibia Support Committee, PO Box 16, London NW5 ZLW.
Page 11 scan of this page
In the Unions
increase support
The magnificent stand of the News International printers is a beacon to all workers facing attacks. Their struggle, now in its tenth month, gives the lie to all those who argue it's impossible to fight back, writes BRIAN GROGAN.
'final' final offer is a decisive reply to the likes of Neil Kinnock who argue that such struggles should be put into cold storage until after the election.
deserve the support of the entire labour
- in their fight.
iney nave pul new appeal for financial
than 4200 members of SOGAT '82,
have had nothing but subChristmas. They are losing their houses, their cars and facing dire financial hard-
One strikers have been arrested. Now they' re facing
WORKERS AT Jaguar cars in Coventry have scored a lightning victory over the company. Just three days of strike action by the workforce at the Browns Lane plant forced management to back down on their planned speed-up.
productivity offered by the new car?
A large investment in engineering, design, and new technologies has greatly increasea productivity already. This was not resisted by the workers.
was bitterly resisted is management's alet to cese work. rates by launching unrestrained Luc study exercise on the new car.
clearly aiming to une dice their favour, management reJukeu lo dow worker o have the shop stewards
time studies.
PPING
LONDON
MACHA
GAT VON BUY
Labour movement must
Their overwhelming vote to reject Murdoch's
the courts.
Payne, member of the machine branch and Southwark Labour
down a six months prison
causing actual bodily to a IN scab.
1 US01101 his sacking the printers, to
from railworkers.
Printers are putting up with this type OTI assault rather than 1 face life on the dole. They are fighting for
Jaguar workers score victory
The management had declared that they were
reap the full benefits of improved
However, this is in recent weeks it had become clear that wanted impose new times which could give them thousands extra cars each year.
This would much
sent workforce. Moreover such speed-up would have wiped out job opportunities for thousands for years come.
Since the summer, shop stewards represenung assembly line workers had tried repeatedly to get
all us. They have strengthened the resolve of everyone under attack from the government and
they deserve our unstinting support
A call from SOGAT to ine 1uc veneral Counci which meets on Wednesdav 22 October is propos ing they organise national solidarity Brighton Congress in
September, the TUC voted
support the sacked printers and mandated the General Council to instruct the electricians
Wapping for-
Norman Willis, TUC general secretary has steadfastly rejected
which have flooded in from every corner ol lne labour movement — - that the congress resolution plemented. He is reported
have argued al the TUC's Finance and
agreements with manage-
Lul-
WOrK
taken off the line On Thursday ber on tine 2 similar number stopped work in support. Assembly shop stewards called a mass meeting of all 700 workers on lines 1 and
stewatos recommended a return to work
allow meeting with management
take place. This was overwnelmingly rejected and workers decided recall the mass meeting on Friday morning.
The recalled meeting heard that work-
General Purposes Committee on Monday 20 Oc-
that next step should be talks with each of the unions involved in the dispute on new ways to seek a settlement.
So strong is the feeling
within SOGAT that Brenda Dean has been forced to
SOGA is demanding that the general coun-
organise a marci and lobby of parliament. They are also demanding that
instructed to cease and desist
which would also mean that they would not be able to do printers' work on the projected new Murdoch even-
London
deciding to first place was the
was only that the
their jobs.
ballot the
ing on and Saturday have been DOOSter There now serious
1ng the of the
deepen the are also discussing the
Bemrose,
thampton
weeks, of the
cially the sacked
Sup-
come.
for the release of Dave Payne, imprisoned in Pentonville for
months. Tuesday 28 October.
ers on line 3 had also stop-
WOK. remained audilialll
meeting voted with seven against to
reconvene next Thursday. Within hours of the deci-
workers assembly lines, as well as
sections, join the disputé and walk-
But by the weekend the
ed to weaken. On Monday they caved in. The lightening strike had taken them completely by Sul Disc They undertook to give a written undertaking ceeding to the workers' demands.
Hucknall colliery.
to 3000 in the current financial year alone.
Then on Friday 10 October they
Ollerton colliery. JO BUCHANAN report escalating attacks and the fightback.
The attacks follow venou a WICO LOC tional union been steadily rebuilding strength Recruitment to the NUM ha been continuing across the area.
now
ranks. growing
five thousand Notts Gar Sentembel
camvaleu was sacked
for using threatening behaviour toward. a NACODS official. The charge is completely trumped The incident itself took place a full six weeks before the sacking!
McGinty was reported to the pit management for
the dangerous working practices. face had already brought up the issue with the local Inspectorate. For Mick it was a sacking issue.
"The miners responded
350-strong volving 50 members) voted for 24-hour stoppage the cent orthe day shift and 9s following day. per cent of the afternoon and night shifts respected picket lines despite the fact that the NUM can claim just 350 members out of
Left victory in Notts
MANSFIELD, Sunday
Notts coalfield. By
retiring from politics at the next election.
Concannon , has long been ine political lynchpin of the right wing within the Notts labour movenient opposed the 1984-85 miners strike, and has supported the formation of the breakaway UDM
He also earned notoriety for his slavish support of the British oc-
ties in Ireland. In particular, he gave tul sun port to Thatcher at the time of the hunger strike in the H-block.
His decision to bail out of politics, and the selection of Meale, represents a profound change in the politics the Notts coalfield. It marks the first fruits of the movement of
Socialist Action 24 Oct 1986
Notts NUM
under attack
Last month British Coal announced the closure of
At stake are 1500 jobs which would bring the total job losses in the Notts coalfield
sacked Notts NUM vice-president Mick McGinty from his job at
O'BRIEN and ANDY from Nottingham on the
1 WU tional' officials
to cross the
• HIS timisation, and the Hucknall confirm NUM
as April 'the honeymoon over'
the featherbedding Notts miners and im-
Board's
headed Albert
eliminate the 'un-
Hucknall which
will follow.
closure has Whilst publicly dis-
The has been arallisı lic closure. the union is Notts. 19 October. Today the general committee of Mansfield Labour Party took a decision that will change the face of politics in the
45 votes to 39 it chose Alan Meale, secretary of the Campaign group of Labour MPs, to be its prospective parliamentary candidate. He will take over from Don Concannon, who is
NUM and WAPC allu their . supporters into activity in the party as a result of their ex. periences during the strike.
By Andy Buchanan Local activists explain that when Concannon first announced his resignation, they thought that a strong left wing candidate would give the right 'a
the campaign
Especial ineps pora
especially
The Notts NUM gave Meale their support and his campaign was championed by leading NUM SuCI Peter Heathfield. By the time of conterence,
11 the
This not the
fighting closure they
NOLLS
and
counter. Through the
Communities Campaign they have
organised help the res sance
the community
10 OSC Darfield
ly involved.
the Communities Campaign
fact thal
that
policy strength to
so the
with the
tional
• A
The theme
TROTAS.
sufficient support had
been musterea to win comfortably on the second ballol.
Alan Meale told Socialist Action that his victory represented: triumph for democracy in Manstield CLP. It snows the value of campaigning for socialism and the value
bold policies More than anything it represents
sociais in e turis
socialism British labour movement.'
This victory is the first step in transforming Mansfield CLP
HULL campaigning party. As Alan Meale put it: 'The real hard work still lies ahead of us.
• Stop press: The UDM has responded to Alan Meale's selection. According to its Nottinghamshire secretary David Prendergast, it will be putting up an alternative candidate at the next election Labour's majority in 1983 was 2216.
Page 12 scan of this page
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* Which way for the left? *Which way for women
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← Socialist Action No. 150, 10 October 1986Socialist Action No. 152, 7 November 1986 →