Socialist Action No. 47, 2 March 1984

Socialist Action (IMG / Socialist League) · 2 March 1984 · 12 pages, 13,975 words read by machine

The scan: 047-mar-02-1984-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.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Page 1 scan of this page

RECALL TUCY BREAK LINKS WITH TORIES! STRIKE ACTION!

No. 17 2 March 1981 beyond any

in the working class for mass

attacks on the unions.

The weak quate call from the TUC met with a wide response workers at GCHQ.

fidence in disgust at the betrayal of the NGA, time to prepare, thousands of workers took action to rights.

cibility is starting to crumble. Now we must build on this success. The labour cannot rely slipping on the skins. under them.

be relied upon to build on this

the victorious which is possible.

TUC, to end the rightwards drift of the past period, and to commit the unions to all-out opposition to the Tory attacks.

obeyed has to be reversed. On-

tacks on the unions, as even Len Murray has been forced to admit. And that means defying

action was ill-organised and illprepared. Now the date must be named for a real day of national strike action. law should be defied.

utterly useless for dealing with

NGA to the union Cheltenham direct.

TUC policy must change.

We should now that the TUC breaks off all talks withdraws ment sponsored bodies. Attention must be

mass action unions.

Socia ist

THE DAY of action in support of GCHQ has shown

shadow of doubt there is real support

action to defeat the Tories'

and inade-

from the unions across Britain. In docks, transport, engineering, as well as the public sector, workers demonstrated their support for

Despite the lack of con-

the TUC, and

and with hardly any tens of

defend trade union

The myth of Tory invin-

movement on the Tories odd banana GCHQ -We must put the skids

The past record of Len Murray proves that he cannot

success, and push the issue to

conclusion We must press now for a recall of the

In particular, the idea that anti-trade union laws must be

ly mass action will stop the at-

the law. The call for Tuesday's

Tebbit's

The 'new realism' course of the TUC has been shown to be

Thatcher. The road from obeying the law in the case of the

ban at EXTEND

was short and The whole course of

demand

with the Tories, and from all govern-

directed to mobilising the rank and file for

to defend our

Page 2 scan of this page

Chesterfield: Benn heads for victory

2 Socialist Action 2 March 1984

ACTioN SociAlist

Defend

Liverpool: no

retreat

LIVERPOOL, LIKE MANY of Britain's industrial heartlands is a stronghold of antiToryism. There is no way in cities like Liverpool that the Tories are ever going to get control by democratic means.

But democracy and the votes of ordinary people are not a big concern to this government What it can't get by popular support it intends to get by use of its special powers. That Is why it Is threatening to send in the commissioners and to bankrupt and debar the city councillors.

On this issue socialists should not hesitate about where they stand and whose side they are on.

Here is a city that has the worst housing in Europe. five of its insured population haven't got a job. The city is decaying and falling apart. If the council accepts the government target, 5000 more jobs will go, more services will disappear and more people will be homeless If Liverpool goes it will be much harder to defend the Metropolitan councils and to resist rate cappin people will think that there is no point in trying to resist the Tory juggernaut — and millions will be consigned to poverty and a life without future. Those unions like NUPE and the NUT who have voted against striking on Friday 29 March are wrong. By splitting ranks they have thrown in the towel before the fight starts and meekly accepted that their members can join the growing dole queues.

There is no compromise way out of this mess. Patrick Jenkin has made it obvious the government is not going to put any money into Liver-

ool and that means thousands of jobs filled b

IUT and NUPE members are doomed

At a time when all the labour movement should be uniting behind the Liverpool council and the people of that city, Tribune strikes a rather nasty and discordant note.

Instead of calling for support for the Liver-

council it says: 'There are two basic choices'. It suggests one of these could be that: 'Labour councils can stay in office and try to cut humanely while attempting to place the blame for the cuts on the government'. This is an echo

It is rather like the hangman saying: 'I am not too keen on hanging but it is my job, the accused as gently as possible. With friends like that you don't need enemies. No wonder about the fact Tribune was not behind Liverpool. Tribune then covers itself by saying: 'If after taking all these points into consideration, Liverpool decides that it has no alternative but to defy the government it is entitled to expect the support

wants to build the biggest campaign it can to support the Liverpool council and the people of equivocating or it prefers humane cuts whict means the Liverpool council climbs down.

This approach divides the movement at a time when unity is more important than ever. The Tribune editorial board should get together and decide that fence sitting helps no one but the enemy. It must come out 100 per cent for the Liverpool council against the Tory government. should be demanding that the NEC comes out unequivocally behind the council and that the

TUC give Liverpool pride of place on Democracy

Editor: ALAN FREEMAN

Published weekly except two weeks in August and the

Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily repre-

sent Socialist Action's views.

Send all correspondence regarding subscriptions, sales

and receipts to Socialist Action Distribution, 328 Upper

Street London N1 2XP. (Tel: 01-359 8180)

Send all material for publication (including advertising)

to Socialist Action Editorial at the same address.

We regret that due to the high cost of postage we cannot.

return or acknowledge unsolicited copy or photographs

unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.

AS WE go to press, substantial victory for Chesterfield by-election. Both Conservative candidates are struggling hard not to come last of the "big three'. Over 100 Labour MPs have been to Chesterfield,

Labour's cereal that the Alliance could at

scare lactics

MODERN

TIM TA

TUC seem set on a course

points to Tony in the

the Liberal and

including all the main

the basic realities of British whole Falklands affair was

poluca.

the opinion polls which

Tories did that gave the not decline for nearly 20 moulas

Secondly, the Labour 1983

elecuol Callas

and chaotic sabotage. various times in the cam-

nour s aerence boncy. Foot was incapable of giv

Slaleill chances however llas

ly beaten at Chesterfield it

they have now established

because of a reversal in the level of support between

not because of a sudden arop in tne national leve of support for the Alliance.

Having said that, it is of course true that the Liberal candidate in Chesterfield, Max Payne has given a dismal perfor mance, and thus we could even see the Alliance pushed into third posițion. Victory

The General Election defeat was generally inter DECLCU Labour's as a left defeat WIn! for

and by implication for the left wing of the party. A substantial Benn victory at Chesterfield will show wha victories in ties •cam wIl victories the heartland of the working class. Socialist policies can be made popular provided they are clearly explained

for consistent way.

question which now arises is what to do with a Benn victory? What does it mean for Labour and the left in terms of future strategy? The wors possible approach would be for Labour to collec tively pat itself on the back

wall the next General Election. Labour's victory must be turned into an against the Tories; to transform the present defensive struggles being waged ove unemployment, union rights and

local government into a

News

powerful offensive to bring down Thatcher.

Mobilise

This means two things. First. even from the nar row viewpoint of electoral success there is no reason whatever to jettison radical and socialist policies. Second. abou has to do everything in its power to mobilise against the Tories, by for example backing Liverpool Council and by backing strike action over the GCHQ.

The Cheltenham affair has its own lessons which

those from Chesterfield The union leaderships have don everything possible to le Thatcher the hool with snoday COlL promise Thatcher has declined the otter. but me with an intransigent union workforce. As a result th

are in trouble. you back down and hanc the Tories easy victories they credible and hea will more

popular. If you fight them intransigently in a united fashion then they can be shaken and even forced to back down.

Every time Len Murray and other labour movement resists

DOLI

only 'realists those who want to fight the Tories to the end. victory for Tony Benn will aid that cause.

Page 3 scan of this page

Nicaragua elections

US aid to Guatemala soars

International

THE SANDINISTA government in Nicaragua has • set the date for the country's first elections since the 1979 revolution for 4 November this year. The date is significant, presidential election in the United States. If the FSLN wins the elections, which seems overwhelmingly the most probable result, able to utilise the argument that the Nicaraguan government is a 'dictatorship' to justify an invasion.

The Sandinistas also announced the lowering of the voting age to 16 for the election. This is both an exemplary move and will extend the franchise to the FSLN's most solid base of support in the youth.

Opposition movement leaders are now rapidly moving towards a position of boycotting the elec-

BOLA Ine Democratic Conservative Party and the Constitu tionalist Liberal Party seem likely to adopt such a position.

Obviously a boycott of e elecho ovinese torce would stem from the fear

Dollical defeat. British observers in Nicaragua, including representatives of the

iberal Party and the

have declared that they are satisfied that the elections will fair and free.

The same will not be true of the forthcoming

Salvador, scheduled for 25 March. In order to get on the ballot, any candidate has to present the names and addresses of hundreds of supporters the government. Anyone signng the nomination list of

Canadate cạn expect a night-time VISIl irom the death squads.

tact. the election. which are being boycotted by the FDR/FMLN and Gover

scoop Reagan

coming just two days before the

Reagan will not be

which will not take place in large parts of the country under their control, are a

race Derween Christian Democratic forHIcl president Napolean

Duarte and Roberto D'Aubuisson, leader of the extreme right ARENA party and death squad supremo.

By Paul Lawson

In the Salvadorcan middle classes, petrified by the advances of the

D AuDuISSOr overwhelmingly more

Duarte and

ikely to win a runaway VICtUl y United States, although embarassed by such an outcome, seems reconciled to going along with it. George Schultz. US Secretary of State, indicated atter a visit to San Salvador that the US would accept the election verdict.

US cooperation with D' Aubuisson would another indication of Reagan's decision to seek

military victory EI

Congress Febuary, former US ambassador to El Salvador Robert White claimed that the United States knew that D'Aubisson was the effective leader of the death squads, and had personalrent troops occupy a peasant village in Guatemala

given the instructions

Lne assassmaton of Archbishop Romero, radical bishop San Sal Washingtont February 1980. did nothing with this information, he United States also claimed White.

suffered all embarrasing diplomatic last week with the resignation

Reagan's 'special voy' to central America, Richard Stone. , stone nas been involved in trying to make diplomatic contact with the Salvadorean DURING the late 'seventies, was waging his 'human

the tune of not less than 24 million dollars.

The money will come through door' routes yalluls and not be back

listed in US government spending figures as aid to Guatemala.

Although the regime of General Oscar Humberto Mejia who overthrow evangelical eccentric Rios Montt in a US-sponsored coup last year - is much more secure than neighbouring regime in El Salvador, it is still fighting Wal guerrilla armies of which the Guerrilla Army of the Poor (EGP) and the Guatemala Workers Party (PGT) are the strongest.

According to Western dinlomats the number 01

olitica murders and

ulsa vocalalice. has • creased the number of political murders and •disappearances has increased from 150 a week

revolutionary forces. His although resignalon allegedly for 'personal' reasons, was widely interpreted signalling disagreement with Reagan's 'military victory or bust' approach Meanwhile the United when Jimmy Carter rights' crusade, United States aid to Guatemala was banned by Congress because of the appalling human rights record. The Congressional ban still applies. But the US embassy in Guatemala City has revealed that next year the United States intends to fund the military regime to

under Rios Montt to 190 a week under Mejia.

There is no doubt that the government has scored some successes against the ¡evolutival y allllics. It 15 moving thousands of In. dians into Vietnam-style Tore villager In this process it is first launching armed anacks on av a dian settlements suspected or naving inks or contact: with the guerrillas. _nousatus of illulall. have been tortured and murdered.

Mejias has so far failed to explain the deaths of a number employees of the US AID programme. murdered une forces solely because they were involved in education programies In Guatemala 10 be 3: - and thus a target ior the death squads.

Socialist Action States continues to claim

the Hulla rights situation in El Salvador is

better'. But the actual United Nations Human Rights Commission claim.

week number of political killings over the past 1z months was more tahn 5,000.

They attributed the overwhelming majority of these killings to the right wing death squads, which everybody sponsored by the officers

The World

Economic Crisis

with Ernest Mandel

Saturday/Sunday March 3/4 1984

10am till 5pm

The Conference takes place at Caxton House

129 St Johns Way, London N19, which is a

couple of minutes walk from Archway Tube

(Northern Line).

Snack lunches will be available on both days,

and there will also be a bar open at lunchtime.

by Monday, February 27

There is good access and facilities for the

disabled

I wish to book

conference on the World Economic Crisis.

I enclose £ ... .... to cover:

Name:

Address:

Please make cheques pavable 1o 'SEC

this form Mandel

Street. London

2 March 1984 3 Roberto D'Aubisson, death squad supremo

of the National Guard and

army. The figures given

for polnical murder.

the government itself was

968

While saying that the

human rights situation was

improving the State

Department recently ad.

mitted that govern

ment used electric shock

against captured

members of the FMLN

queuillas States also admits that the The United

guerrillas now control tul-

ly one third of the country. A creche will be provided but it must be booked

places for the weekend

places for the weekend at f3 each

places for one day only at f2 each Conference. 328 lippe

Page 4 scan of this page

For a Reagan-free

Anti-Trident convention supports Reagan demo

Socialist Action June for an economic summit of world leaders in

missiles and United States foreign policy at the cent-

a head the deepening anti-US government sentiments among the people of Europe.

In January, CND Nanonar counci volca downl proposals to organise action during Reagan's visit.

Fortunately the grass roots

forced a reversal on the CND leadership. The varen issue or campaign (CND's monthly newletter to its 1500-plus local CND groups) will include the following statement:-

'After discussion on CND demonstration

against Reagan

Saturday 9 June, London National CND in conjunction with London Region CND Contact London Region CND, 01-387-9295 voted to support the call for a national demonstration in protest at Reagan's visit to Britain in June.

anti-missiles movements. attracted an audience of some 800, 400 of whom were delegates from local CND and peace groups, trade union branches, and constituency Labour Parties.

The convention was largely an educational exent, with workshops on everything from international affairs to building local anti-Trident networks. The purpose of the

campaign from its present gase in Glasgow. ana cap ture the attention of people throughout Britain.

Martin Metyard, secretary of the campaign, said the response to the convention was better than the organisers could have hoped for.

underlined the possibilities of building a broad-based opposition to Trident, which if linked to waer pollical Issues such

2 March 1984

Europe!

RONALD REAGAN is to visit Britain between 7-9

Lancaster House, London. This will put the Euro-

tre of the European elections in June. It will bring to

By Dick Withecombe (CND executive, personal capacity)

the Executive and Proiects Committees, it is proposed to carisc a demonstration in London on Saturday 9 June. This will be in conjunction with London Region CND. Discussions are continuing will 1 CLEAR MAJORITY of delegates at the AntiTrident Convention in Manchester on 25 February

This vote adds to the growing recognition that the visit must become a focus for the activities of the

The one-day convention

as government spending priorities and Britain's oreign policy, promised to make Trident a major issue in British politics in 1984.

By Gordon Smith (Aberdeen CND)

Cancellation of the Trident programme is real possibility. Trident is clearly TITS-SAKE weapon. Its deployment shows that NATO strategy now centres around the possibility of fighting and winning a limited nuclear

wa Uncompromising

can be built to position

TITANIC!

terested parties including Action '84, about organising well considered nonviolent direct action (NVDA).

now CND activists turn this demonstration into a truly such an escalation of the

nuclear arms race. And the huge cost, around £10 billion, is causing major divisions in the establish. ment on the advisability of

SUCH These divisions can and must be exploited by the

anti-me fight against tri-

The fight against dent offers the possibility of the first major victori in Britain against NATO's war drive. The value of

GRRR

REAGANS

CRUISE~

it's safer on the

national event. CND areas and regions should immediately start to discuss the corner and trains. aiso sercreso uuous io lat CND National Council on 7 April c/o James Hinton,

NOCRUISE@

this in terms of increasing the CONCICe strength and influence of the anti-missiles movement should not be underestimated.

Goodwin St., London N4, calling on CND build as mass demonsualot all mobilisation of DIOLES Cruise, Triden azallls and bases, for a nuclear-free Europe!

TRIDENT

• Anti-Trident Campaign can be contacted at 420 Sauchiehall Glasgow (phone 041-332 3141)

National CND Day School "CND and the European elections'

County Hall, London 17 March, 10.30-4.30 Contact Margerie Thompson 01-263 0977

you told me

IRELAND

UNFREE

Show trial

relatives

visit Britain

END THE USE OF

PERJURERS IN

NORTHERN IRELAND Diplock courts.

terest than Labour politicians.

the streets'.

way of locking myself away.

born that way. evidence against him saying that blackmailed and

with a new informer

total of 1000 years'

•supergrass system. for the Cobden

for jailing innocent people.

The iwo priests,

demand Labour

International

Relatives of remand prisoners held on informer evidence were disappointed by the response to a seven person delegation from Belfast, here to outline their opposition to the system of paid perjury in the no-jury

Despite sympathetic response from London's black community who instinctively understood the conditions faced in the North, the delegation complain. • ed that even the Liberals showed more in-

Time after time, the show trials were justified by the argument that terrorism had to be 'kept off

'They were asking', said Bernadette McAliskey in her Conway Hall speech, 'that I should tell them what would be a more acceptable

When terrorism is defined as any opposition to the policies of the British government, we are all guilty. We were

Barrister Phil Magee risks losing his job as a result of his out-spoken rejection of the 'supergrass' system. He described some of the most blatant frame-ups that he had confronted in court. In a jury court, the judge has to warn the jury that it is dangerous to convict on the basis of uncorroborated accomplice evidence. In the Diplock courts, where the judge sits alone on the bench, the same procedure is repeated in the most farcical fashion. The judge actually says out loud 'I hereby warn myself that it is dangerous to convict ...' and

Philip's view was that either you had to have internment without trial, or that there should be a just legal system. At present the whole profession is implicated in providing a legalistic gloss for locking people up, with only a pretence of a fair trial

The most moving appeal was made from Kathy Tohill, whose husband Robert has been driven to consider a hunger strike if it will get action against the informer system. Released after eight months on remand, Tohill's original accuser retracted all

The had been bullied making false statements. Robert was then rearrested; this time

and completely different charges which Robert says are again complete lies.

To date, over 400 people have been arrested and charged. More than 60 have been sentenced to a

imprisonment under the , Lord Gifford's recent report Trust confirms the prisoners' arguments that fabricated evidence is responsible

Fathers Faul and Murray, stated their opinion that 'informers are the victims of intimidation, blackmail, bribery, trickery and inducements.' Informers who later retracted their evidence have alleged that sums as high as £80,000 have been offered as bribes. Brigadier Frank Kitson's prescription that 'the law should be used as just another weapon in the government's arsenal unti it becomes little more than a propaganda cover for the disposal of unwanted members of the public' is being applied in Northern Ireland.

Socialists have campaigned in the labour movement to expose the use of the so-called Prevention of Terrorism Act and the supposedly 'harmless' plastic bullets. We must now turn in the same way

dissociate itself from the charade they call the legal system in the North.

Page 5 scan of this page

News

The Labour Coordinating Committe has launched a campaign to win the coming ballots on trade union affiliation to the Labour Party. JOHN ROSS asked PETER HAIN, vice-chairperson of the LCC, to explain the aims of the campaign.

think the critical political issue for the Labour party over the next few years is to winner ballots trade political attilation under the Tebbit/King laws. And it can only be done by really building at a rank anc file level. Simply to rely or the union bureaucracies, or on the national party bureaucracy, will be totally ineffective.

nere i diso all chulmous opportunity to inject sollalist al culcal and debate back into the workplace. Because here is a vehicle to ballot issue will be live in

workbide LIC autumn and we have to prepare for it now

The ballots can't be won just at a declaratory eve — - simply by parading around senior figures in Ine party to spread the message. It requires organisation and intervention by local activists.

We've launched charter as an initial rallying call with launching sponsors. raise the ISSUe of the Dalots a us slage well before the Bill becomes

We want to prepare the ground, more support, to get the discus-

sevel oing also at trade

level also trade union branch level as to what action should be taken.

Then when it comes to 'WE ARE unilateralists because we mean business'. This statement summed up the mood of last weekend's Trade Union CND annual conference. resolution was adopted to run major rallies at this year's union conferences in support of unilateralism.

By Chris Jones (Stockport NUR delegate)

Speakers from the Tobacco Worker's Union, Yorkshire NUM OLfC S emphasised diluting policies by multilateralism freeze proposals would only weaken our position. This would enable the right to make major attacks on hace won uvo venemu the disarmament moveIncill

The conference mark•ed what progress had been achieved and what still had to be done. Over

twice as many as last year. *There are now over 500 affiliated organisation, In-

Labour Party

Defend union

affiliation

the autumn and after we'll be in a position to move Associated with that, we need leaflets and material which will with arguments and with ways

organising. And we hope to use the period of the next six months or so o one or a maor na tional conference which will focus campaign and plan for the next stage. Crucial

I think the crucial area is for every Labour Party general committee, and everv ware to oscuss now it will actually reach out to

local workplaces including those to which they've never reached out before and which way may not eyen be affiliated to the party Discuss how the local parties should campaign at that level. the crucial area for debate and dIscussion.

The arguments have to

WOR arguing positively for Labour's Doncies and for socialsi argument rather than hoping to win them by default.

Since the actual question on the ballot paper may be something like 'Do you want your union to retain a political fund' rather than 'Do you want your union the Labour Party', there may

TUCND Grows

LU

USAI cluding 29 national unions, and national CND has allocated funds and a full time worker.

In-coming chairperson Jonn Chalcott said TUCND had spent much time over the last year fighting to be taken seriously serported by CND. Now and

Now It was in a position to go out and build.

Peter Hain be a desire among some sections of the unions to try and play it safe and

the advantages political representation rather than specifically BOUT rentendon COI workers. I think that argu-

while Sull some sections of the trade unions will actually lose in the end because the Sun and the Daily Mail will make it an issue of Labour Party affiliation.

I think from the left's point of view that will be all opportunity lost. Battered by recession, battered by the loss of confidence and demoralisation in the labour ment, we have lacked opportunities and mechanisms through which to actually argue a

soclalsi case allu the ballots presents us with

As for campaigning lets take the miners. It's significant Arthur Scargill is one of the launching sponsors. would see the job really being cone on a union ov unloa

Each constituency DESS

CRUISE

reports One TUS seven regions aims creating more regional groups to lead and coordinate trade union support. • if vour union branch wishes to affiliate and/or find

more TUCND's activities, write

Andrew Hewett, 11 Goodwin Street, London N4 (01-263 0977).

should think about different tactics. It's going to be a different form of intervention in the pits compared intervention in hospitals. I think all these sorts of differences will have to be argued out

But these are early days and what's important at the moment is that there is the beginnings of a debate around this issue • DUl

clear perspective that it has got to be a rank and file Because otherwise just don't think it'll deliver the goods.

We will also be sending people to the Broad Left Organising Committee Conterence. leafletting and hopefully getting decencil with the organisers to actually sup port the initiative. I think that ing to be in an extremely weak position politically if the Labour connection cut out of their unions.

We're on the eve of a

important by-

election for Labour in

Chesterfield. After a

disastrous general

election result, the

press want to write off

the Labour Party as

alternative for

government. phenomenal amount of Nowadays there's

ecla manloulalivl

witness the last yoar, ly

lasl ycal.

would suit all sorts of

people to be able to say

that left policies aren't

VULC Tony Benn back in will willlicis Getting

disprove this.

Treaty. if people

know what the issues are

tackling unemploy-

ment, defending and im-

proving the health ser-

vice, building more

homes for people to live

in - they do win votes.

These policies are direct-

ly relevant to people's

needs.

There isn't the head

of steam for the left in-

side Ine party now Illa

there was during the

leadership elec-

tion. Benn's return

would galvanise the par-

ty around policies again

Over the next few

years,

prove on them and bring

them up to date. Not on.

ly is Tony Benn excellent

ing personas across, but

ting policies across,

he would also act as a

stimulus inside the party

to improve policy.

The right have always

been prepared to use the

•vote-winner argument

against radical policies.

Since the general electior

they have argued the

need 'draw

horns' because we can't

afford to propose

anything adven-

turous. This pressure

pushes Kinnock to the

right, he could well

View from

Defending

unilateralism

By Harry Cohen (MP for Leyton)

become a prisoner of the right wing.

Benn at Westminster would also sharpen the divide between us and the Tories, and perhaps increase the split that's

pear in their _ranks. believe that split reflects general pressure on their oal LY because their policies are unpopular.

Westminster

Benn's return would increase working class con tidence and so increase that pressure on the Tories

Perhaps most importantly, Benn's return will defend Labour S unilateralist policy Under the weight of Tory propagan the re

an attack unilateral nuclear disar-

Socialist Action 2 March 1984 5 nual conference.

Look at the pressure being put on the Greenham women Twelve months' ago the media were relatively sympathetic Now there's a concerted effort by the Tories, backed ur by the press, to discredit and slander the women at the camp

Nuclear defence is an important aspect of the Tories' policies they are running a military economy for the wealthy, and making the working class pay. Heavy spending defence and law and order is being paid for by unemployment and cuts in public services its case for unilateraigm. Labour must First, a nuclear policy is

defence The new generation of nukes are first-strike weapons. It's no good saying they're intended as a defence when their capability is offensive. non-nulcear " policy tenable. purely economic grounds we just can't afford the massive costs or ins weaponry.

This argument must be made central Labour's campaigning policies. Tony Benn parliament

Page 6 scan of this page

LAST MAY Labour won control of Liverpool city with a slender majority of three, ending a decade of Liberal-Tory rule. In five weeks' time, when the council sets its budget for

INOS.

the coming year, likely to be the first council confronting the Tories over their Photos: courtesy LIVERPOOL CITY ceiling on local spending.

Liverpool's dilemna is stark. It can stay within the law by axing jobs and services to the tune of f30 million This means 5000 one sixth of the workforce would go within 12 months, with a resultant crisis in local services. manifesto commitments would require a rate increase of anywhere between 120-200 per cent. Even implementing the promises of the Liberal manifesto, which include privatising some council services, would require a rate increase in the region of 50 per cent.

By Carol Turner

Liverpool's only option is an illegal budget. This raises the threat of government appointed commissioners - who would take the administration out of the hands of the democratically elected tatives and of bankruptcy, or even imprisonment for individual councillors who support such a budget.

The view has been put forward even by some on the left, that Liverpool Labour Group chooses to confront the because of 'cranky' ideological dogmatism, rather than seeking a legal way out. A cursory glance at the circumstances behind Liverpool's plight is sufficient demolish this argument. Is it the case that the Labour manifesto sets utopian targets outside the range of reforms which can reasonably be expected from a council? No. Poverty

Last year Labour inherited an administration which has systematically long number of years.

Liverpool has one of the highest rates of unemployment whole country. In some areas real unemployment is as high as 55-60 per cent. It has the most expensive housing outside London. suffers from some of the worst urban and environmental decay in the country.

Labour's promises tremely modest. It pledged a housebuilding programme of 6000 new homes over five years, in a city where 15,000 homes are seriously decayed and 22,000 people are on the council waiting list. It promised to create 1000 new jobs

10: 111i redundancies or privatisation

council services, 60.000 people are out of work. More than 34,000 jobs have been lost in Liverpool in years. of which 4500 have been council jobs. Fifty per under-25 year olds are without permanent employment.

6 Socialist Action 2 March 1984

The labour

And it council

their lives.

Liverpool is

vironment.

government

• jobs council's total

To meet Labour's

precisely represensurcharge, government

to

this is an

our city.

'progressive'

been run down over a

The city of

the

And it

exwith no of in a city where

the last five

cent of

D

in the words of Councillor John Hamilton, mount a coordinated attack upon the decay and dereliction in which so many people are forced to live

The city council has established 17 priority areas as part of a five-year plan to improve the social, physical and economic enFighting back

In short, the Labour manifesto promised to defend and improve jobs and services. These pledges are not the wide-eyed ravings of Marxist fanatics - as the opponents of Militant would have us believe. They represent a minimum programme of social reform which any halt-way progressive council woulc be forced to support in similar circumstances. Labour won control

because these proposals hold popular appeal for local people whose standard of living has been seriously and systematically eroded by local and central government policies for several decades.

Pete Cresswell, secretary Live

Stewards Committee, and Liverp

The fight to save jobs and service

targets are met, one in six council

the 4000 that have already gone o

cuts has never been contemplates

ed, it would only save our jobs f

goes bankrupt we won't be paid.

An illegal budget is the only

Stewards Committee is fuly sur

meeting voted 117 to three for 1

NUPE's who only have 2000 m

welfare services where any action

they'll be so ready to pull out onc

of the council's position.

The JSSC is calling for a on

workforce on Democracy Day, 29

up-hill struggle agai

massive action by the workforce s

Page 7 scan of this page

fend Liverpool!

the TUC as a day of national action against the Tory attack on local democracy Liverpool council will decided its budget. The council is calling for a one-day general strike on Merseyside in support of their action. This demand is backed by the Joint Shop Stewards Committee of Liverpool's local government unions. At the same time, there will be a national demonstration in London.

Through no fault of its own, Liverpool is first in line to take on the Tories. The best support the British labour movement can offer is to show the Tories where to get off by building the biggest possible demonstration against onslaught on Democracy Day, 29 March.

OUR CITY-

OUR FIGHT

LIVERPOOL

NALGO

• City Council Joint Shop

NALGO the same fight. If government as will be lost - that's on top of the last few years. This level of fore. Even if rates were doublew months. And if the council ere's no other way but to fight. on. That's why the Joint Shop rting the council. Our annual

The three votes against were ers, most of whom are in the s clients hard. We don't believe ey understand the impossibility

ay strike of the whole council arch. Our members understand the government. This means the people of Liverpool to save

novement must...

their includes Toxteth, Liverpool's 1981.

pool's Labour stands first in

new rate on 29 March.

Campaigning to win

BOB QUICK is a Liverpool city councillor for Dingle ward, which faces.

scene of black rebellions in He is chairperson of the council's Libraries committee and Social Services Development subcommittee. Like the rest of Liver-

councillors, he line against the Tories, when Liverpool makes its

He told Socialist Action how Labour won the council last May, and what

For million

ITED

future the Labour administration

Big dissatisfaction with the. Liberalforv rule at City Hall meant more Labour voters turned out last year to elect the new Liverpool city council, which is now under Labour control for the first time in 10 years. In my ward the turn-out was 45 per cent compared to the usual 30. We won Liverpool by campaigning hard amongst groups and the labour movement.

We fought the election on

the need for council building — • the Liberals hadn't built a single one in five years; no cuts in jobs

services; and opposition to the privatisation plans of the Liberals -refuse collection was threatened if the Liberals got back. The reponse to the new council, especially from the local government unions — who turned out their members to canvass for us during

election has been very thusiastic. But now Liverpool is facing the crunch.

We make the 1984-5 budget on 29 March. And we have two - • ипассерtable — legal options: a rate increase of between 120-200 per cent, or slashing swo Jobs. The budget will be in line with Labour's manifesto promises. It will contain a minimal rate increase probably in line with inflation commitment to maintaining jobs and services. This means a shortfall of £30

- an illegal' budget, leaving the Labour Group open to surcharge disqualification, bankruptcy and im prisonment.

We don't know how Thatcher's government will respond yet. could send in the commissioners right payer complains which would compel the auditor to inspect the books and declare the council bankrupt. I don't think the first is an attractive prospect for the Tories. . It could cause chaos in Liverpool while the Queen is opening the International Garden Festival here, at the beginning of May.

With a Labour majority of three,

we're in a sticky situtation, but I'm sure the Liberals don't relish proposing a legal budget which they could be forced to implement. They'll have to put one forward to surcharge. Rumours that if this happens they'll do a deal with hatcher penalties because of the crisis in Liverpool. local pool mustn't be left to take a stand

alone. Everyone three special case. But it doesn't help us when house other Labour councils,

and Newcastle, are making cuts in their services.

Labour's national leadership

this hasn't been forthcoming. Neil Kinnock has said within the law. suclaris! we're faced with. All Labour councils

en- and constituency parties should pledge

their support to Liverpool, contingents to our demonstration on 29 March.

The council is calling for a general strike on Merseyside on this day, and the local government unions are suporting us.

Liverpool has no choice, no option but to take the Tories on now. We need the - and a

support of the whole labour movement to make this a success.

They

late

barrier

ment

Working Men's

that HAlL

until the 1950s.

By John Nolan

grew

protect themselves from wing, circulating and It was wheneve the

The important thing is that Liver-

recognises we re a In the early , like Wakefield

Liverpool needs the full support of Changes

councils should stay But how can we? No could vote for the options

gressively and send

Liverpool divided. wing inside

Everyone must be clear that

on local

Keva Coombes, Leader of Merseyside County Council

government's

on 29 March.

Labour's

start

YOU CAN STILL find Dock Road pubs that stay open all afternoon - a nangover (in boln senses) Irom tne days when a docker got a day's work by talking to the foreman-ganger in the bar. Casual work, and the poverty which went with it, was the norm on the Liverpool docks right up to the 1960s.

The city never developed as a major manufacturing centre. A labour movement rooted in the early experiences of factory, mine and mill did not exist. keligious sectarianismn was a rurtne working class solidarity.

Catholics looked for work on the North Docks, Protestants on the South. The Scotland-Exchange constituency turned an Irish Nationalist to : parliaright up 1928. But the Conservative Association no Catholics were admitted - ensured working class districts returned Tory or Orange councillors

Casual labour and religious sec tarianism retarded the development of the Liverpool Labour. Party, which as a Catholic-dominated. minority current inside the Liverpool working class. After the Second World War, this was replaced by the right cold-war, boss polities of Bessie Bradock, who ruthlessly witch-hunted socialists from the party. electoral shell when Labour first won the city council 1955. This complacency did little to change the conditions in which the peo. ple of Liverpool lived. And Labour lost the council several times in the 1960s. '70s, the Liberals gained control, supported by the Tories.

But things have been changing it the party over the last ten years. Lef MPs have been elected. And a younger, more enthusiastic membership has proreplaced right wing coun cillors. Militant supporters have been most prominent in this development. workers are no longer They have rejected the right and outside the Labour Party. But they are threatened by one of the worst levels of unemployment in this country, and by the Tories' attacks government. Nowadays, Liverpool is at the centre of the fight for socialism and democracy in Britain. When the crunch comes, you have to bat with your own side. The city council has no alter. native but to refuse to comply with the

requirements. The county council will do everything in its power to sup 'port Liverpool city. There is no way in which we would sabotage their fight. We support our own workforce taking sympathy action

Socialist Action 2 March 1984

Page 8 scan of this page

8 Socialist Action

Scarface

FOR MOVIE buffs, the 1932 Paul Muni version of Scarface is a must when makes its regular appearance in the Saturday night late film spot.

A mini classic of its time it was a comment

the rise, of what after the armaments industry, was to become America's biggest growth point organised crime.

The Brian De Palma 1984 update uses Miami, now the US drugs capital, for Chicago the booze capital. Yesterday's Italian mobsters ‹uDan crue rooners ar centess.

Reviewed by Bob Pennington

This could have made an interesting film showing how the drug bosses need the police, the courts, the politicians and the bankers to fix their protection, keep them out of jall, and launder their huge take. Besides lifting the lid

the links between organised crime and the state it could have been an exciting and compelling piece of cinema.

But surprise, surprise, Come easi Wils oul. Ok it does appear to say and show most of the right things. Tony Montano, played by Al Pacino, despite his claims that he is

political refugee from communism, is shown to be a iwo-bit gangster who Castro is only too happy to dump into the 'American war of lite'

In Miami he can join up with Batista's former pimps and extortionists who founded the city's

DIARY

¡ These listings are free for all mator labour movement and campaign activities • ир го maximum of 50 words. Semidisplay advertisements cost "a ser wore una must ve dura

advance. Send to: Diary, Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street. London NI 2XP to arrive not fate than Thursday, one week prior to

Labour Movement • Broad Left Organising Conference Octagon Centre,

Sheffield, Sat * March 11-5.30.

Credentials from Georg williamson Sutton Place London E9 6EH.

Anti-cuts campaigns • London Health Service

mapaign. 34 Dalston Lane,

AcTioN SociAlist

Join the

fight for

socialism

2 March 1984 Cuban crime colony. In tracing Pacino's way to the top he is revealed as a dirty little psycopath interested only in violence and money and the power they bring

The only cop in the film is a crook. The politiCals trom Washington, the Bolivian Minister for the Interior and a top Bolivian general are shown to be a bunch of swindlers and assassins.

Scarface's view of the family is shown to be one that men are top dogs and women should know their place. His "protectiveness' towards his sister masks an incestuous sexual desire.

His nemesis comes final surrealistic shoot out with another gang owes more than a little to

Russell. As he gets his lot it's obvious that he has become a victim of cocaine which has weakened his former animal-like

London 328 Upper St. London N1

telephone 01-226 0571

Open - Mon.

Thur, Fri, 11-7.

Birmingham 137 Digbeth Birmingham BS

telephone (021) 643-5904

Open - Mon-Sat 10-6 Closed Wed.

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Address

Age Union/CLP (if any) If you want more information about Socialist Actionfor to be put in touch with local supporters send this form to Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London N1.

awai clicos So why am I beefing?

The film shows him to be a nasty piece of work, the cops COOKS politicians are bastards and it atev KROCKS al the family. Well, the trouble is that De Palma has not used the violence, racism, sexism and corruption inherent in the drug dealing world, and which any senous film would have to show, to expose its FULLCHICOS Instead has used them as a spectacle in and of themselves Therefore Scarface becomes a figure for the audience to identify with. That's why we were leaving the cinema this voung bloke said to his friend: 'Brilliant film eh?' 'Superb' replied his mate: 'But a really sad ending'. That says it all. They knew what Mr De Palma is selling and enjoyed it.

For Marxist

books, posters,

postcards, badges

Feminist literature

Tues, Sat, 10-6 Wed 12-7

Disarmament • Labour and NATO Labour Briefing discussion conterence sat 44 March, 10.30-5pm County Hall, Tel

Lianna

Reviewed by Sue MacDonald suburbia deals with it.

'sympathetic'

The difficulties

each other are genuinely celebrated.

she replies 'we have enough'. But • Greenham Common cabaret and benefit. Chats Palace, Brooksby Walk, London cy. rn marci With The Exocettes, Sensible Footwear, The Wild Girls. £2.50/₺1.50 unwaged • London Labour CND fringe meeting at London LP conuerence. lunchtime. The Dolphin pub, Tonbridge St, opposite Camden lown Hall

Ireland • Labour and Ireland day schoo tor bucolno writers workshops with trained journalists. London, Feb or March. fl. Write to Labour and Ireland, BM Box 5355, London WCIN 3XX.

me one veer Day delegation' to Belfast March 9-12, women only acezation and mixea Dickel of Armagh Jail. Information from London Armagh Group, 374 Gray's Inn Rd

International • Sri Lankan Research & Information Group will provide speakers on the current situation there toi meetings. Write to 9 Grays Inn Buildings, London ECl. • Victor Jara festival Royal Festival Hall, Fri 2 March 7.30, featuring Inti Illimiani, Isabe carra. Santiago Del Nuevo Extremo Angel Parra,

from Chile. Tickets from Chile Solidarity, 129 eve

Sisters Rd, London N7, te 272 4298. • Women in Nicaragua meeting with Magda Cutluucs. Nicaraguar Councis of State Followed Council of State.

film premiere of •Women In real Chambers, County Hall, Mon 5 March 8pm, Women only.

I I

Lianna is a married woman with two kids who falls in love with her night class lecturer who happens to be another woman. The film documents their relationship with all its problems and shows how white, middle class

There are good things about the film. It is a pleasant change to watch a film in which the film subtly exposes the ridiculous attitudes of most heterosexual people, no matter how supposedly

Her closest friend's husband says to Lianna " do understand what's wrong with vou'

and frustration of the two women at being unable to openly express their feelings in public is sometimes poingnant, and there is the odd moment when women's relationships with

When a lover says to Lianna 'we don't have much in common',

this is the exception in a film that is generally so careful that it is at times painful! Although the film is about a lesbian relationship, there is nothing in it that challenges the status quo. The main theme of the film seems to be that les-

Civil Rights

• Action Group on Immigration and Nanonalty Celore of then the Sate 20 reform of the law.

March. 10-4.30. AUEW House, 43 The Crescent, Salford. • Immigration Widows Kit information and advice on organising against the immeralon allacks or women. From Women Immigration and Nationality Group, c/o 44 Theobalds Rd, London WC1. 85p (inc p&p).

Lesbian & Gay Liberation • Labour Movement Lesm ans is a new organisation of lesbians in the labour movement to support can orner and organise initiatives on issues that affect lesbians. Further intormation from Sarah c/o reminist Library Hungerford House, , Victoria k, London WC2

New pamphlet: Politics in the 1980's - The British Crisis.

Articles reprinted from Socialist Action and International - John Ross, British politics in the 1980's; Alan Freeman, How Labour Can Win; Steve Marks, the 1983 Election; John Ross, Facing 1984; Alan Freeman, Rebuilding the Labour Party.

Available from PO Box 50 London N1, price 35p, (plus 16p, p/p).

as 'straight' ones..

Ruth's nights together!

oppression of women is absent.

women ana men they do in our society.

not expenence i relalonsmips will men

radical film.

But inspiring and challenging it is not.

INTERNATIONAL

November-December issue

Price 75p

In this issue:

between Britain and the States

left

Chris Palmer on Grenada

plus reviews

London NI or 137 Digbeth, Birmingham.

Diary

bian lovers will get into the same emotional tangles

• so why bother?

Although it is not quite as crude as that, the final scenes are explicit in their message, Lianna watches a dance routine on stage with a man and woman expressing love, anger and depression. The scene is intercut with memories of Lianna and

There is one glaring omission in this film, the

There is a total lack of understanding that a relationship between women will always be different to that between

so long as women suffer as i here can be a sense o solidarity in a lesbian relationship that women can-

The "love scenes' are soft focus stuff. Two con-

make love to background of whispering in French. Really corny stuff and more reminiscent of soft porn than a

It is very obvious that Lianna is edited, directed and written by a man — how somebody who can never have a lesbian relationship expects to write a film about how it feels I'll never know! Compas sionate and caring' said the Daily Mail which made me scepucal to start witn and some may think it is. International r-December 1983 Volume& Nos 75

THE ATLANTIC

SOUNDER ALLIANCE

STRAIN

Andrew Gamble on the 'special relationship'

Ken Livingstone, on a strategy for the Labour

John Ross, on why the left must reject unity

with European imperialism against America

Jude Woodward on sectarianism towards women

Order from The Other Bookshops, 329 Upper St

Page 9 scan of this page

Surplus Value

ALMOST EXACTLY five years ago the Shah of Iran was deposed in one of the most gigantic revolutionary upheavals since the Second World War. The Iranian revolution was greeted tremendous enthusiasm left everywhere, which celebrated the downfall of the reactionary despot without qualification.

While the mass leadership of the anti-Shah movement Islamic in inspiration, looked to the massive participation of the working class in the movement, and hoped that the Islamic leaderhip would be rapidly outflanked.

Five years later these hopes have been dashed. The Khomeini regime has ruthlessly carried through its ob- jective of creating Republic' crushing all opposition in its wake. But the course of the Iranian revolution was not merely an 'unfor-

deveoonncil. ting' turn of events. have disappointed the hopes of large noti obetrayed operessels which nae

betrayed goals himself put forward. For the leadership of the movement which was at the heart of the anti-Shah forces was

worning class ehed poior peasae the

working class poor often mobilised for ucualus. nonetheless movement mobilised millions for explicitly reactionary objectives. left's failure to lie Saiu movement which fights some aspects

reactionary movement was the source of its hopelessly optimistic illusions.

T'he protest movement against the Shah, initiated mainly by the class and intellectuals in 1977. joined by the working poor in tne summer of 1978. met with ferocious repression, leading to a series of massacres and new outbursts of protest, based on the 40-day cycle of mourning for the victims.

Between October and December 1978 huge sections of the working class, led by the oil workers, strike action against the repression.

But by December the character of the movement was vious. The marches on December, which involved millions of people, confirmed beyond any doubt LICI nuuuc sc popularity hegemony of Islam. The tional backbone of the were the thousands mullahs, tightly organised and controlling the movement. In fact, at the time of the December marches meini commanded an army of 90,000 mullahs and thousands of students and other clerics

Behind the Khomeini leadership was a coalition of forces including not only the plebian masses and the mos-

but also section

The Scoisie wgiche dios tue pedey

together with bourgeoisie based on the bazaar.

Order

The far left organisations,

Fedayeen and the Mujahadin, played

a role in the final insurrection against

the Shah, but were never mass forces.

Politically they were ambiguous and

Come vod ocvs cococccdcn

ship of the revolution, and in no posi-

non to proviae an allelllalive beginuring ot 1979 rre rong class During insurrection

repressive apparatus

almost completely collapsed.

iv force of stabilitv and 'order' which

emerged was the Khomeini movement

In January 1979 Khomeini set up

the 'Council ot the Kevolution'.

coalition of religious dignitaries and

capitalist politicians,

Sadr, Bazargan and

Bakhtiar W Os nominated

minister. National

main bourgeois political force,

the Stalinist Tudeh

the government. The

capitalist figures in the first Khomeini

govelllell was a suie sigil

direction in which Khomeini was go-

ing.

First he was going to

conitalist state. and tacticallv needed

to court and neutralise that section of

the bourgoisie which had supported

the revolution. On the other hand, he

intended to secure the establishment

with

by the

was

the left

• slamic

'disappoinKhomeini may

which

peasantry anti-capitalist Khomeini's

The that a

middle Wan , class and the

It was

t00k

Islamic ob-

10 and 11

and the

organisa-

movement

IS OISTC

Kho-

thelogical

of the

petty

ultimate power LIUS behind

take over of the state. the But before

clergy.

There was at the

the army

The : on- existence. Armed political party kept Trade unions dustries. sunkes

LOIN. including Bani The Ghotzbadeh. thrust forward their

prime autonomy.

Front, Deasallls occupied

and demands party supporleu inclusion of

the Shah in Febuary of the began which

establish a

against the capitalist class.

Khomeini now

of an Islamic capitalist state, with the

of the Shi'ite clergy, the SUCLICA was preparing for their eventual complete

the dealing with his capitalist allies Khomeini had to deal with the elements in the revolution which had escaped the control of the

The collapse of the old dictatorship had given rise to a multitude or ponncal Dartes ana assoclanons.

flood of meini organisations being formed and mass meetings. Workers strike committees, and then the factory shoras came into

every their weapons. lau V During 1979 and into 1980 develoned around demands for better wages and working condi-

various national minorities demands In hundreds of villages land. women began to organise for their

In other words, from the fall of

1979 through inoe OM A NOOS OE

to make demands well beyond the gramme of Khomeini. The anti-Shah ULU struggle was beginning to show signs of growing over into a social struggle

moved to utilise the mass Islamic movement to crush

Five years of the

Iranian revolution

By Phil Hearse

this aspect of the struggle and to outmanoeuvre his capitalist : 'allies'. March 1979 the government organised an undemocratic reterendum' on

establishment of an Republic. The referendum was wor overwhelmingly oueraneing the call for a Consittent Khomeini, Assembly, and establishing instead an 'assembly of experts' dominated by the clergy

As early as February 1979 Kho-

utilised Islamic thugs, Hesbollahis, against the left against une womens movemerl systematic attack on womens rights Ias uccul features of the Islamic regime. UliC of the most important

demonstration International Womens Day in 1979 was viciously attacked. Thousands women who defied the new regulations on wearing the veil were thrown out of their jobs or into prison.

One of the failures of the far left in urao was to co done wilu lnc curtal ment of womens rights, often on the

that Islamic dress represented an element imperialist' consciousness than a central element of the deeply reactionary Islamic social code.

wy nue CUS me oppositional social and political movements Khomeini sought mechanisms to mobilise the masses around the objective of an Islamic Republic. The opportunity to curation or thet us embassy boy students at theend of 1979, and the cupation embassy

taking of the US hostages. By supporting this side-show to identify imperialișt feelings Khomeini whipped up support for the Islamic regime.

the 'Great Satan' -attention was diverted from the social struggles at home and in ticular the rising struggle of the Kurds and other oppressed nationalities.

further consolidated by the launching the of the Islamic Republic Party (IRP) and which gave

tramework for building of the pasdarans, the revolutionary The state repression helped to consolidate

the clergy's grip. established represented form of capitalist dictatorship, mediated through Islamic theocracy.

Conflict

entirely with the faghih (Khomeini) -etc God's representative on earth. All in'anti- stitutions are rather 'Upholding Islam' is the justification

of any repression, any act of barbari. ty, in particular the and WUlLICH Islamic social code To secure its domination the IRP was thrown into conflict with the bourgeoisie which has supported thi anti-Shah movement. the IRP moved against Bani Sadr, by

Socialist Action 2 March 1984

now president,

forces

CO OY Marxist' thousands Iraq in septembel one

there was mobilisanlon

WCTC

tions

utilising Hussein's

tion regime.

Huge

nicul. first workers

ting the regime

had been

which

state apparatus.

Sombre

wibed out

national

lille UllC

which deaths.

sombre one.

antiwith himself imperialism.

By turning attention agains

the United State

stage during par-

The domination of the clergy was gressive

existence powerful political movement,

the clergy. The

guards, as a parallel force of revoluLOn

The regime thus

specific one

promote Nominal sovereignty in Iran rests

mosque

shows suborainate lo him

Dronlse talism, ppressır of le upholding of t dictatorships

bourgeois own political caracler merely

sections of the

Thus in 1981 tury

9

removing him as commander-in-chief oI Ine arsed

Bani Sadr responded by deing tor mase resistance. He was back- and calling for mass resistance.

the Mujahdin, the 'Islamic organisation, which had and now SuDDOrLCIS began a campaign of terror against the regime. The IRP responded with an even most random violent terror against all opposition.

The war launched against Iran by the Saddam Hussein dictatorship in

• 1980 was a war 01 capitalist dictatorship against another. While the imperialist powers tended to welcome the attack, it wa not organised by the United States o its allies. At the beginning of the war

in Iran an independent of WOlKd clas against the Iraqi attack. In some of the ranian border border towns elec tions to the shoras, in which the left

of the Cucucuell.

Islamic movement, took place on the

day of the Iragi attack. Even Arab workers took up arms to defend themselves against the Iraqi attack.

ATTTS OSLOILEC Cll adllsd supported the line of an independent mobilisation against lraa with armed detachments fighting independently of the Khomeini regime,

this projecl ool attempts to liquidate the gains of the revolution and to tight

for the overthrow of Khomeini. But very soon the independent mobilisa

was crushed by the Khomeini

pressure came on the lett organisations to support the govern-

ror example. the Mujahadin supported an independent self-defence mobilisation, but then changed its line to suppor-

• Once the independent mobiisation of the Iranian WULACH.

crushed the war became simply that of a struggle between two reactionary capitalist dictatorships, in

neither side could be supported. Moreover, the IRP and Kho mein used the war effort to strengthen the army, militarise society and reimpose the domination of a reactionar!

Today there are no 'gains' of the revonno en to cereno. ne ractor

shoras have either been crushed or co opted by the regime. The economic gains of the workers have largely been

'The position of wollcI has drastically deteriorated and the

minorities are under vicious attack. Khomeini has turned the war

Not shi'ite cxals ullsil There is no reason whatever to support either side in this reactionary war

has caused over 250,000

Five years after the overthrow of

the Shah the balance sheet is a ver

While the overthrow of the Shah was an immensely tressive and positive step, he has beon

replaced by a regime just as hostile to

the working class, if less reliable for

The course of the Iranian revolution was determined at a very early

the struggle to bring

down the Shah in 1978-9

many sections of the working class

and the oppressed mobilised for pro-

and democratic objectives,

given the weakness and virtual non-

OI an organised labour these democratic and

radical objectives never became the

dominant or unifying themes of the

On the contrary, the only nationally organised mass movement

which numbered millions and had explicitly reactionary objectives was

the Islamic Shi'ite movement of Kho-

meini. The left and the labour movement were never strong enough to

really mass mobilisations

against the Shah independent of the

The fate of the Iranian revolutior that there can be no comwith Islamic fundameneven if fundamentalist

movements struggle against capitalist orf traditional petty-bourgeois . For tundamentalist Isian prepares its own form of

capitalist dictatorship - one decked

out with an extreme reactionary social code derived from the seventh cen-

Page 10 scan of this page

NAC goes on the offensive

10

Victory

for

Labour

women

JOSIE EDWARDS is the Women's Action Committee press officer, and a delegate to London Region Labour Party conference from Chipping Barnet women's section. Last year London Region conference agreed that women should be directly represented on the regional executive. This has not been implemented. A spate of resolutions to this sear's meeting demand that it is. On the eve of the London Conference, the National Executive Committee has agreed that regional conferences can elect women directly their Socialist Action what this good news meant for Labour Party women.

The London and Scottish regional meetings of the Labour Party resolved last year to improve women's representation on their executives. bul unis nas nol been carried out. The constitutional changes were not put before the NEC

Just when we thought ine NEC was tudging the issue, the prosal has DOCU regions can these changes into effect im-

For this means eight women elected to the directly accountable to the

women's terence.

major breakthrough. WAC has battled long and hard for WOMEN ATTENDING the National Abortion Campaign's conference last weekend took away bandreds of new leaflets organisation — build the struggles the for abortion rights for all women. Speakers at the opening session took up the question of NHS cuts, time limits, problems faced by young black women, and fighting for facilities in the labour movement.

Joanna Chambers, the coordinator of the Cocrainating Committee Defence of the '67 Act, :old the Conference that che possibility reduction in the legal time amit for present 28 weeks) could

Whilst only very ‹mal number of women mad abortions after

they included zomen with the most

problems. Most prevented improved facilities, better sex concaten LOVE 50 per cent of late abortions are women under 20) and easier access.

the workshops

curn this attack into an

for attensive call valell

petter facilities. The

reeling was overwhelm-

ingly positive - the recent report on late abortions

Socialist Action 2 March 1984 executives. Josie told

these changes. We hope that regions aren't already pursuing this will now do so.

WAC's aim is to have the national women's section of the NEC directly ference. We believe such women's conconstitutional changes iust a means to an end will assist women party. Our aim is not to get

lau elected to parliament, but we recognise that history has shown the current system doesn't represent the interests wollnei especially working class women. In tne short leil WAC will continue to have constitutional aims at the forefront of its campaign.

to distribute their a sign of their determination to

makes it crystal clear that there is plenty of room for improvement!

By Leonora Lloyd and Ann Potter

Ester Golding spoke of the problems facing young black women. She said she wanted to dispel the myth that black women do have abortions, but they do need support and she had never yet met a black counsellor.

The reporter from the workshop, that discussed the problems black women pointed out that NAC like most other white-dominated organisations produced notning In languages olner & than English and offered to help produce material accessible ethnic

Women protesting at the exclusion of women's at 1983 Labour Party annual conference.

One of the reasons WAC has been successful is that women are angry we re treated in the Labour Par-

Compare the Diacuice inside the party to the 1976 legislation by the thenLabour government.

The Equal Oppor-

Commission • LUDLICS guidelines for • employers are full of pious recom-

for monitoring the number of women

levels the valious organisation and remedial action to correct the imbalance. It the party were an employer. would be a lousy one

Not nearly enough is done to encourage women to be party activists. Now, it's not much that women expected make the tea, but they are expected to do all the slog: knocking doors and stutting envelopes.

Ann Holmes, from the Labour Party, showed the way In which the government is cutting the health service and attacking

wullickl particular. The discussions around facilities took the question OI linking with other cuts campaigns, health service unions, etc.

Trade UNCI speakers, Judy Mallaber

NUPE Pat Waterman from the London National Association of Probation Officers, explained the way the unions

fight for better abortion rights and facilities.

The anti-abortionists are stepping-up their activities, so it is not enough

filiated, a constant campaign has to be carried on to ensure 'your union acts on its policies'. The way sponsored MPs VOLC should also be taken up.

Over 100 wUllici altended the conference and over 45 organisations were represented. enthusiasm and determina-

National Abortion Campaign can now start a campaign that will take us forward to our aims of ensur-

delegates

Once upon a time we said that softly, softly catches the monkey. Now

fed up nice. That's why the WA( campaign has been so suc cessful. Women are turn. ing. their trade unions and to the Labour Party to make their demands felt.

work done by campaigns like WAC is not very glamorous, but it is necessary. We organised in the face of women being wiped out year after yea at annual conference. It's not too good to walk down the isle to say your bit at

there's a solid block people ritually voting against you. And, finally that's changing.

We're getting into the conference season again. WAC has no motel resolutions yet for annual conference, but they'll be based on the ones we pro-

JANTED

ing that all women have

the right to choose, and hence that all women will have more control over their own lives.

duced previously. We're taking three models to women's conference: improvements for women's representation mentary shortlists; a call

a special rules conference to draw up and ap-

constitution for all levels women's organisations in the party; our standing demand that five from women's conterence to annual conference.

We're going to London Regional conference on a cheery note this year. We'll be fighting just as hard for a fair deal for women in the Labour Par-

Representatives from WAC will be speaking at lunch-time fringe meetings at London Regional conference. Sat 3 March: Jane

Stockton meeting t

Briefing meets. Sun March: Frances Morrell, at the Tribune meeting. A full conference report will be available in the next NAC newsletter available from 47 Waldram Park Road London SE23.

Labour women and feminism LABOUR National Briefing is planning hold a day school on

Womer and Feminism on September around the suggested themes 'How should the Labour Party fight for • wonel s liberation?' and 'Making LILt Part accessible to women'.

BELIEVE ME, KATE AREAS WHERE LACK OF

THIS Cathy's Clown produced by Trojan Posters (01-249 5771), 65p, Other Bookshop, 328 Upper Street, London NI. Sack needed IN A RADIO 4 discussion programme which went out live, a lonely hearts dating agency for

disabled tioned.

Kenneth Robinson, the presenter of the show and well-known broadcaster, responded with Women ahead THE latest Marplan poll showed Labour one point ahead of the Tories for the first time in years.

Even more interesting was the news that it was women who were leading

swing to Labour, with 37 per cent com-

News

MALE

ORDER

There will also be a debate between women from Briefing and from the Labour Coordinating Committee 'What strategy for Labour women?'

For further information contact Jane Stockton, 110 Agar Grove, London NW1.

FAMOUS BOZOS Nº.3

CATHY'S CLOWN

AS A FEMINIST MYSELF, I'N

ONLY TRYING TO POINT OUT

THEORY

PERHAPS PREVENTS YOU FROM

PERCEIVING THE TRUE NATURE

OF YOUR OPPRESSION. and available from The

the incredible remark: 'you can hear the banging together all night in some parts of the country.

Robinson has been told off by his BBC bosses. He should be sacked.

Spared to 35 per cent of Labour supporters COMPILED Hilary Driver. Send contributions to Male Order to reach us

T0: M21€ Order, Socialist Ser Sleet London N12XP. Action. 328

Oxford Labour Committee on Ireland

Public Meeting WHICH WAY FORWARD FOR THE

LABOUR MOVEMENT?

Tuesday 6 March 7.45pm at Buxton Hall Ruskin College, Walton Street speakers:

Jeremy Corbyn MP • Andrew Smith,

Oxford East Labour Party • Alan Thornett, President Oxford Trades Council

• Anita Richards, Treasurer LCI

and Sinn Fein speaker(s)

Page 11 scan of this page

Build the BLOC conference

In the Unions

SUPPORT FOR THE Broad Left Organising Committee Conference in Sheffield 29 March is growing rapidly. Up to 1000 delegates are now expected to attend, making it the biggest meeting of the rank and file of the trade union movement since the decline of the LCDTU.

The conference comes at a time when the right wing in the trade unions is tightening its grip, and the Tories

up their descolle tacks. The softly softly line of Murray and company aimed at peaceful coexistence with the Tories has only encouraged Thatcher

step up the pressure. ine sell-out of the NGA led directly to the ban on unions at GCHQ.

It is obvious that only mass action will stop the Tories. Murray's call for a half-day strike will help to SECUELICI lett in the unions, and will increase its determination to fight

Broad Left

Organising

Committee

National Delegate

Conference

Saturday 24 March

Octagon Centre,

Western Bank Sheffield

10

Any bona-fide trade union organisation is

welcome to send up to five delegates. For

credentials and further information contact

George Williamson, Organising Secretary,

11 Sutton Place, London, E9 6EH.

MOLES

EYE

VIEW

Batting for

Britain

MARGARET THAT-

CHER is a proud mum

so she obviously doesn't

want people lo gel

idea tal ner boy needec

any help landing that

LICe contract

Oman. So when nosey

MPs raised the matter

she told them: "I bat for

Britain'

relaole

evidence that Mark holds

British passport there

does not seem a conflict

of interest Mind

you she forgot tell

parliament that not only

Cementation her

Mark's outfit • wanted

to play ball in Oman. Sat

waiting in the pavilion

Were Robert Matthew-

Johson Marshall

Partners, James Cubitt

and Partners along with

Taylor Woodrow just

dying to get in the game.

But Mark's firm

grabbed the contract and

for an adequate leadership.

By Pat Hickey

Phil Holt, Broad left member told Socialist Action 'n. doubtedly the call from Len Murray for a half-day general strike will give an added impetus to the conference, precisely because it shows that the right is at sixes ana sevens on now lo respond to the Tory attacks on the trade union movement

'It has been the left no tenders ever went out. Now don't you go and think that his mum's visit to Oman had anything to do with that.

As she says Cementation was 'the only British company' interested the contract. So clearly LICI LuCE British firms who did make bids were not interested

just did the work to give

estimating muel

departments something to do 'He did it all on his own Geoftrey '

Moles Eye View is compiled by BOB PENNINGTON. Contributions should be sent to arrive by Thursday am.

which has continually pointed out that it is only possible to resist by being preparcu lo orcak ulle law. if necessary to defend the trade movement.

The BLOC conference will therefore be a great

oraw Ine lessons and to organise the lett in the unos lo lake up the challenge ot the ¡viy aliarno ilic bcculle must be a real working conference, not a rally or a sounding board for anti-Tory rhetoric.

The challenges facing the lett in the unions neec DrODCT OSCUSSON needs to set itself clear

coming months against the main attacks on the labour movement. Links

Only by linking itself firmly to a major issue and working all out on that can it put itself on the map and act as focus for organising the lett across the unions

campaign, linking up with Labour Party activists to defend political level and political funds would be opportunity.

The campaign launch-

ed by the LCC, backea by Benn, Scargill and others, around the Labour Party and Trade Unions Charter should be given the back-

the conference.

BLOC should approach the LCC for a joint cam-

on this issue and

build the conference pro posed for July.

Socialists in the unions should not miss this op-

to discuss the way forward for the lett.

Everybody who can should build COl ference and get delegations

possible union bodies.

OVER 300 workers at the Silent Night Mattress factory in Baroldswick, Lancs are striking to stop a wage cut and to defend the right to Join a union.

Last year there were than union members. An organising anve Dy Furniture, imber and Allied Trades led to a

union membership. The comDanv hit back bi cutting piece rates by 20 per cent and refused negotiation or abitration with ACAS.

On 16 February when the cut implemented union members walked oul and were loined bv a majority non-union members who then signed

Phillips Rubber

picket

One hundred TGWU strikers at Phillips Rubber,

Manchester, out since 3 January for a rise in the

basic rate from its present £48 per week are digging

in tor a siece.

final dozen workers not on strike are to be laid off

this week, solidarity from the docks and other rub-

ber workers has choked the company's supplies.

Extra pickets and help always welcome.

Contact Tom

secretary, 16 Barker Street, Heywood, OL10 3DU.

Silent Night strike

up in the union, despite pleas by managementro return to work. Since then there has been a 24-hour.

sevene ya on made li

union made the strike official within hours of the walk out. There is unlikely to be quick solution. The

have put up with too much Management Is equally determined - they admitted to a local papel that the issue was about the right to loin a union As far as they are concerned the piece work rate is only secondary.

Messages of support and donations to: FTAT 37 Anson Road, Victoria Park, Manchester M14 SDB.

They know that the firm's stocks are low. The

Watkin, TGWU branch

ON MONDAY 19 February Birmingham Magistrates Court acquitted the Singh brothers, Davidner and Bikar, appearing charges of threatening behaviour and possessing offensive weapons.

The two brothers were attacked by 20 racist thugs outside their home in April last year, and Davidner hit in the tace with a broken bottle. With their usual impartiality, the police, arrested the two brothers

Socialist Action 2 March 1984

Singh brothers acquitted

and only one of the thugs, who

Wa. alcacun …LOU drunk to run away. The brothers were beaten bi the police, kept in the cells overnight and refused access lo a solicitor. lOSe quently, the police offered

binding over and forget the case.

By Bob Smith

The Singhs refused to be intimidated and defended themselves in the

During the trial a Court.

11 police officer admitted :

evidence ars telling lies.

prosecution: : 'star witness' claimed she

'a black manias in a saw turban attack some peaie. abiding joggers' • neithet Davidel nor Bikar eve wear a turban.

The victory is a serious blow for the H es. Midlands police and the racist gangs terronsing Birmingham's black com munity. Inquiries are currently underway into othe? cases ponce brai and false evidence.

Page 12 scan of this page

depart

THE SIGHT

setback. protege, tescredited and his state is in a shambles.

The main local instrument of the imperialists,

Israeli army, is more able and more reluctant

intervene ever before. The only possible

reverse the smashing defeat which Gemayal and the Christian Phalangists have suffered

to intervene HaSs vet with US troops: - and now this is politically impossi-

Rather than go for •ider intervention in the Lebanese conflict, large •oCuUlS of the US establishment are openly advocating abandoning Lebanon completely

US inaricı all no • Vlt4l serests are directly involvThe significance of the US. m the Collill itself. defeat in Lebanon is not just the failure to establish

strong central government loyal to the West, but the lessening of the United

weight in politica. the whole Middle East.

parucular ine de facto abbrogation of the Lebanon-Israel 'troop withdrawal' peace treaty is

Inland 6 months f8; 12 months f15..

Overseas (12 months only).

Europe €17; Air Mail € 24 anunie inese raies for multi-reader institutions)

Name

Address

Please send me as special offer

SociAlist

ACTION

US policy in

shambles as

marines

of American marines withdrawing from Beirut with their tails between their legs shows one thing beyond all doubt: the United States, and morld imperialism in general, has suffered a severe

Gemayel, completely

La bitter blow. The main thrust OI Us Dondy Ilas been towards trying to isolate Syria, DOLl. by means of the troop withdrawal' agreement

and by romdanian (and

Jordanian (and Palestinian) pcace tical with Israel.

By Paul Lawson

This latter project encapsulated in the SO• called 'Reagan Plan' for the Middle East which could give the Paletinians 'mini-state' Collfederation with Jordan (a bantustan') restsual in exchange for the PLO

recognising the state Israel.

Reagan's plan has been facilitated by the direction of the policy pursued by Yasser Aralal. conducting talks with King Hussein Jordan and with Egyptian, President Mubarak has signalled his desire to go along with the mini-state solution.

SUBSCRIBE

I enclose cheque/PO payable to Socialist Action for £ Serid io: Socialist Action Suhs. 328 Upper St. London NI 2XP.

•inn PO Bex 50. London N1

The whole US project

for the region now faces

two crucial obstacles.

alsu How inat uculayerl

defeated derces hold ne prip-hand pro-Syrian

in Lebanon, there can be

the tastilig Ucale

region without involving

Syria the ocale

cess' But Syria will de-

mand major concessions,

of

the Israeli-occupied Golan

Heights, in exchange tor a

peace with Israel. This the

Israelis will never agree to.

Moreover, Arafat

faces growing resistance to

nis alplomatic plans. His

former supporters among

the Palestinians the

West Bank of the Jordan

are deserting him and he

will face a fuli-scale revolt

at the upcoming PLO Na-

tional Council. with

organisations like the

Democratic Front and the

Popular Front opposing

Tultu

For these reasons a US-

sponsored 'peace' in the

Middle East, the ex-

pense of the Paletinian

peopie, is nol al nana.

the long term the United

lales Call HunDOSe

such a peace by reversing

the military relationship o1

forces on the ground. And

that would mean a major

new intervention.

Special free book offer!

Take out a years inland subscription and we will send you free one of these books: Thatcher and Friends by John Ross Hard Times by Bob Sutcliffe or Over our Dead Bodies -Women Against the Bomb

Introductory offer TOT new readers: Eight issues for just f2!

face eviction

an instruction to the County

any county highway

found'.

Unlike previous evictions at Greenham this one ADe C ocalcı i of Transport land, not just

owned It vill Newbury Council.

that the women's Hicail tents wil essacr up and they will only be able

conne melbrolcsl under even worse condiGOIS UHANaL DICSCHL.

By Valerie Coultas

The already have to undergo the hardship of the cold and the rain soaking their clothes through. But they remain commiltca lo KeCS TUNeH

protest alive. 'We shall not it they must They can take our tents

but we shall They sieep out in the open. cannot get rid of us.' They are appealing for survival

bags made out of Gortex

which allows condensation

bil ooes

damp in to protect them

trom the cold and damp 11 the evictions should be successful.

One hundred women are still at the camp but becausc the COUELS are toughening up on sentenc-

ing ana many Greenham women are facing long

sentences more support neded at this time.

The women's peace

movement is a very broad

Greenham women

BERKSHIRE County Council has voted to throw the Greenham women off Ministry of Transport land. This decision will mean that bailiffs could arrive at any time and evict the women from all four camps. This decision, taken on Saturday, involves

Council officers to 'remove nuisances and unlawful obstruction from

in the vicinity of RAF Greenham Common on which encampments may be

based and militant part of the peace movement and the women must not be left to fight alone this crucial time. Labour Party women and trade women, in particular, the women's right to protest.

Missile Circus Protest

TECHNICAL Marketing Society of America are hölding a conference in London on March 8/9th under the name of 'New trends inmissiles systems and technologies'.

Delegates have to pay £380 for hearing about profits to be made out of the nuclear drive.

When travelling missiles circus arrived in Boston feminists monted a protest.

Women in CND plan to mount a similar protest on 8 March, International Women's Day, at the BAFTA Lecture Theatre, 195, Picadilly, W1. there in Black if you want and you're female.

For further ring CND on 01-263-0977.

Why 140 Local Authorities beleve in being Nuclear Free

Pat gets her

job back

PAT COXON,

Common, has been

despite the fact

of a council

councillors, found that the

favour of her appeal anyway!

sent to jail for five days by Newbury magistrates after her arrest at Greenham

reinstated in her job Gateshead counci. Atter her imprisonment sh‹ was dismissed for being in 'breach of contract',

Gateshead Is a Labouk controlled council and a 'nuclear free zone"!

Following her dismissal there was a large lobby

meting on 10 February, backed by NALGO, NUPE and CND. On 17 February the Council Appeals Committee, composed of Labour

council management had acted correctly in dismissing her, but found in

Council deputy leader James Foster said: 'We are full of admiration for the ladies demonstrating at Greenham Common'. Better late than never.