Socialist Challenge No. 107, 2 August 1979
The scan: sc-n107-aug-02-1979.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
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Page 1 scan of this page
Socialist Challenge TORY POISONS
This is our reply to Sir Keith Joseph's BBC radio interview last Monday night in which he detailed his public expenditure, high taxation, 'egalitarianism',
SIX
Photo: JOHN STURROCK [Renort]
1. THE CUTS
Tory policies will lead to increasing misery deaths. In London the GLC has decided not to build any more homes.
The Lambeth, Health Authorities have refused to implement the cuts. That's the best antidote.
P. 5
CORRIE'S
LAW
Forced
childbirth
4. ABORTION
Most of the Tories who want a return to hanging are also in favour of restricting abortion rights. The TUC has called a demo on 28 October. We'll make it the biggest yet!
See P. 8
and
Southwark and Lewisham Area
on P. 6& P. 4
'six poisons'
and an 'anti-enterprise culture'
THEIR CRISIS
OUR JOBS WE DEMAND EMPLOYMEN 2. MASS UNEMPLOYMENT
Tory policies will lead to 2m unemployed in 1980.
The antidote for this particular poison is revealed
by Dave Bailey 5. RACISM AND IMMIGRATION
The poison of racism has spread throughout British society. Nowhere more effectively than in the police and the Home Office. Deportations multiply, attacks continue.
Southall asks that it not be forgotten. • Top of his list? Trade-unions, strikes,
3. IRELAND
some. Our answer on 12 August See P. 3 & 12 6. ZIMBABWE
to send British troops to defend it. P. 2 and P. 9
No. 107 2 August 1979 15p Tories back their fellow Unionists in the North, even though the Monster is proving a bit troubleThatcher's poisonous policies have antagonised most of Black Africa. Kaunda and Nyerere have referred to her as 'racially biased'. If she recognises the puppet Muzorewa regime, she could be forced
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Socialist Challenge, 328/9 Upper Street. London N1 2XQ. Editorial: 01-359 8180/9. Distribution/Advertising: 01-3598371.
OUR POLICIES
Capitalism is in crisis. The leaders of the Labour Party and the trade unions offer solutions that are in the interests not of the workers but of the capitalist class.
Socialist Challenge believes thai the two vital lasks confronting
• To build broad-based class struggle lendencies in opposition
class-colleborationism in the labour movement. These should
non-exclusive grouping together militants holding a wide range of political views. cation begin to unitied and creation democralic revolutionary socialist organisation which can, through
application of united front
racers begin bossan an
alternative thousands workers engaged in struggles.
Such an organisation should be based on the understanding that:
The struggle for seeks lo unile the tieht ol
workers with that of other oppressed layers of society — women, black people. gays struggling liberation. This socialism can only he achieved by creating new organs of power and defeating with necessary means the power of the capilalist sale
2 will
infinitely mure democratic than 400E axis in brain Lucas d political parties and currents that
arms against the 0 car socialist state. The stalinist models
the LiSk and Eastern Europe have discredited socialism in the eses of millions of workers throughout we are popus to hel offer tell support to all thost ligirting for socialist democrasy.
The intertits of workers and
on a world scale. Capitalism has not market. created politics. Thus we light for working class unity international scale. This unity will in the long run be decisive in defeating both the imperialist regimes in the West and the brutal dictatorships sustain in Latin America, and Asia.
In Britain it implies demanding the immediale Willema British troops from Ireland and fetting the Irish people determine their own future
the lommans parties n -Europe are in crisis.
1he oro-Moston wings have das meaninglul STALET serbron of the capitaise stale.
recessitry
laspurable than preceding three derades. But such Pitiles
de not do organise rachans and
I son agree with these principles
involved borialis Challenge
supporters in your area, fill in the
infereded milorination aboat activates in 10s
• Immed like additional literature
(Delete is not applicable)
Name..
Address
send to boxiativ (hallenge. 328"
page 2 Socialist Challenge 2 August 1979
EDITORIAL troops.
Kaunda, socialism
bosses
their
all involvement
be
all
world. and wil
Party
world
by Dave Bailey Should the Labour Party be
they Africa Should the leaders
Rally decided? the NEC last week.
Neither operates, broadly
the power of veto over the first. For, years,
over the
draws up an
enl For years,
unrepresentative individual.
party bodies that
able bureaucrats, flunkies. decisions together with suggested
good enough.
the NEC's democratic át all,
unionists and electors.
Zimbabwe
ON THE face of it the possibility that Britain (already heavily committed in Northern Ireland) might send troops to aid Smith in Zimbabwe appears somewhat incredible. But is it?
Callaghan said in the House of Commons that it would be utterly foolish and counter-productive for the Tories to recognise Muzorewa. The logic of this, he insisted, would be to despatch British
Last Sunday the Zambian President, Kenneth repeated the wholesale on Canadian radio and an official Zambian paper warned: 'We do not want another Vietnam in Africa. A recognition of Muzorewa would suck British troops into that maelstrom.'
The following Monday the Financial Times went over the same ground Callaghan-Kaunda warning:
"The case against Britain going it alone is that all other problems would remain: the fighting
involvement and increase in Brains
would increase relations with some of the key African states would detiorate, perhaps to breaking point.'
The fact that three influential voices are
The row in
the Labour
the
run according to democratic principles?
Not the Labour Party be accountable to the party rank and file? Should the programme of the Labour Party be democratic- silenced
These are the questions raised by
In reality, the Labour Party is two parties, not one. One of these parties
speaking, democratic principles. But the other party operates in the wings. This party, Labour a clique accountable to no-one, has
the elected party conference has voted for one thing, only to find that the unelected PLP
electen manifesto containing something entirely differ-
the elected party power conference has expressed discontent with Labour Prime Ministers, only to find that the PLP re-selects the same
When Labour gets in power, the elected party is heartily trampled on the the PLP. Supported by the PLP, MPs evade re-selection by the elected
first nominated Supported by the PLP the Prime Minister, uses wide powers of trade patronage to fill the government and che state apparatus with non-account-
bourgeois and lefts
of the NEC the гетота.
Tony Benn, could represent an important challenge to this state of attairs thourh many oi their proposals, such as those on how to elect une rame ivinister, die no
Callaghan and Basnett reply that
proposals • are saying that they exclude the views of millions of trade
But did the electors of 1974 vote
statement virtually
and repeated the for unemployment; cors in social service at C controls
not. The electors voted in 1974 for a programme that resembles the one drawn up by Benn and the NEC, not
one cobbled together Callaghan, the PLP
Did the trade unions vote for these policies? Of course not. Most union conferences have explicitly rejected the policies of Callaghan and the right -wing. The trade union leaders have
the true voice of their members by a process of bureaucratic usurpation the unions marching that of the PLP in the Labour Party!
Callaghan and Basnett. party democracy because they know it is they who stand to lose by it. As everyone can see, the fight in the
Party 11U| just democracy. It is a fight between the left and the right of the labour movement. And it could easily turned into a bid for power by the left — if the left decides to fight.
If the left really wants to take power, in the Labour Party, it will have to find a way of breaking the
of the union bureaucrats. Callaghan will use the union bloc vote
defeat them the Conference in October. The left can do this only by appealing for support to the union rank and file over the heads of the union chiefs.
As well as denouncing the Tories in Parliament and taking their stand on party democracy, the lefts will have to promote mass struggles by
unionists against government. This will take Basnett and his cronies in the rear. And the
will have to defend democratic rights of these trade unionists when the union bureaucrats carve up their members for taking action against the Tories.
What Benn and the NEC are doing could take on tremendous importance for the class struggle.
Many workers will say:
we used our industrial strength to get rid of Heath, but we let the right stay in charge of the Labour Party. We shouldn't make the same mistake twice.'
We don't believe that the political programme of Benn and the NEC is
warning
exists.
sections in the City). troops are week.
COLISC
by oppose
about
For!
Party
Tory
the
'In
anywhere near hundreds believe that Benn and the NEC stand thousands
for a fight against the Tories and for a socialist government.
against British military inyolvement would suggest that something is up. We can be sure that A Foreign Office/Defence Ministry brieting which seriously discusses this possibility already
For Margaret Thatcher has made no secret of her desire to recognise the Muzorewa regime. It is exactly the sort of government which could deliver the goods (hence the opposition of influential
If recognition took place and sanctions were lifted, the first demand of Smith-Muzorewa would be for arms and the second for military 'advisors'. And whether the Tories like it or not they would be drawn into a military intervention.
This may not happen. The British ruling class might pull the Tories back from the brink. But the labour movement should regard the present machinations as an early warning. For if British
sent into oppositon(on the scale of Suez) will be vital.
Herbert Marcuse AS WE were going to press we heard of the death of Herbert Marcuse at the age of eighty-four. It was not possible to publish an obituary in this issue, but a detailed appreciation will appear nex
ducquate But
That is why Tories.
Zimbabwe .. a mass
IT'S LOOKING GOOD
such a heavy responsibility rests on their shoulders. A victory for the left in the Labour Party should be part and parcel of the fight against the
Page 3 scan of this page
Defend the 10 Chartists AFTER a discussion on its political committee last week, the Communist Party of Great Britain authorised Reuben Falber, the assistant general secretary, to sign the international appeal for the release of the arrested
Charter leaders.
by Peter Gowan
TEN Fighters for civil liberties are facing trial As we go to press members of Charter 77 go on trial in the Prague District Court.
Even before the trial is held it is condemned to failure. It was a brutal enough act of violence to virtually all currents international labour movement. But not anywhere near sweeping enough to break of the civil rights movement.
Following the arrest of the ten prayers espersons immediately came forward to replace
Open letter
The work of editing the Charter Information Bulletin, done by Petr Uhl, continued. Twelve new activists came forward to join the Committee Defend Prosecuted Persons continue the work of the ten.
Some 231 people sent an open letter to the: regime to demand the release of the ten, and public letters were sent towns Bohemia, like Liberec and Turnov.
The journal Quadrangle formerly edited by Jiri Dienstbier — continues to function.
As is kind or work was ine very reason the 10 comrades were arrested, strict application of the law would require the immediate arrest of at least another two dozen people: But so far the regime has been content to sharpen the Charges accused.
All the accused now face betweer three and ten years in jail if convicted. Many of the younger Charter activists have been threatened with imprisonment for carrying on the work.
But threats like this don't bite very deep when used against people who have long since dedicated their lives to the struggle end bureaucratic violence.
Take, for instance, Jan Bednar. He is a son of Otka Bednarova, one of student at the Economics High School Until last year, in. Prague. Like his brother, Jan signed the Charter. He was then thrown out of the official YOELI organisation, and college.
Next, Jan found a job as a photographic worker famous Jewish cemetery. police caught up with him, and he was thrown out of work.
Today he is a night watchman. The job could bring in less than £20 a week, an income poverty line.
LABOUR
FOCUS
EASTERN
EUROPE
British Labour moves into action
has been officially backed by the Labour Party's NEC.
Jan's mother
Slovakia's journalist.
Czechoslovakia.
pension political reasons.
What makes
in the prospect of joining prison?
spokespersons
previously
Unjustly
(VONS),
North
Vaclav Havel arbitrary
mother and
out of
Prague's But the
level below the
EASTERN
The appeal has already been signed by more than 100 Labour MPs and
was once Czecholeading TV She is now a chronically sick cleaning woman who faces many years in jail. She has already had her
withdrawn for Peace
the Stalinist bureaucracy think that it can make Jan Bednar abandon his civil rights activities by threatening him with the
STOLE in
The crackdown in Czechoslovakia has brought unprecedented protests
Ladislav Lis LABOUR FOCUS SON
Fastern Europe and the USSR
ROMANIAN POLICE
HOLDING
- TRADE IT THOU GypS OF
from the British labour movement.
The international appeal launched in this country by the journal Labour Focus on Eastern Europe is supported by such bodies as the Bertrand Russell
Foundation, the Europe Solidarity Campaign and the Committee to Defend Czechoslovak Socialists.
Over 100 Labour MPs and more than 100 delegates to the Transport Workers Union conference signed the appeal. The Labour Party national executive committee (NEC) has just recently officially backed it. Otka Ber
liri Dier
LABOUR FOCUS ON
EASTERN EUROPE
A Socialist Defence Bulletin
Eastern Europe and the USSR
Charta
locuments ** List of Name
Kitson, Frank Allaun and Rene Short well known for attitude towards many of the policies of the soviet leadership — have added their names.
A delegation from Party NEC will present the appeal to the Czech embassy this week.
The executive backing the Charter 77 Defence Fund to help financially assist the families victims of Czechoslovakia.
the Labour Party Eastern backed the provision of legal aid to
the arrested Chartists, the Society of Labour Lawyers to help with their defence.
resolution proposed by Eric Heffer, a have leader of the Tribune grouping. They
were passed unanimously.
Local Labour Parties, Councils, and trade union branches Petr Uhi
All correspondence to:
on
Europe,
Members of Parliament like Alex
Czechoslovak their friendly Colchester
the Labour
union, NUPE. officially The stepped
sentences. funds
In another unprecedented move,
executive has
encouraging (over £2).
All these proposals are part of a
Honorary Trades Vaclay Benda
LABOUR FOCUS ON EASTERN EUROPE Bottom Flat, 116 Cazenove Rd., London N.16.
Residents of Canada and the USA interested in more information about Eastern Europe, USSR and solidarity campaigns are urged to write to our North American representatives: Committee in Defense of Soviet Political Prisoners, P.O. Box 6574, Station 'C', Edmonton, Alberta TSB 4M4, Canada.
SUB RATES: Annual rates: UK, £3:50; All institutions, £5.50;
surface 40 French francs or French francs. Outside Europe, surface $10, airmail $15.
have sent resolutions of protest to the
Embassy. The latest
resolutions have CONT from the
and District Trades
Council, the Prestwich Labour Party,
the York and District Trades Council,
and the Manchester local government
district committee of the public sector
campaign will be up after • the trial
preparation for an appeal against the
Today, the collection of has become very urgent.
Defendants in Czechoslovakia have
no right to legal aid. For each action a
defence lawyer takes, however small,
the defendant must pay 36 crowns
The accused also have to pay for
board and lodging in prison. This wil
come to many thousands of pounds.
Donations to: Reg Race, MP Treasurer, Charter 77
Defence Fund, House of Commons / Westminster, London SW1.
Jiri Nemek Vaclay Maly equivalent, airmail 46
‚ Socialist Challenge 2'Augusı 1979
Page 4 scan of this page
Victory in Oldham-
By Pete Clifford, Secretary Abdul Azad Defence Committee
LAST Thursday the seventeen year old Abdul Azad came to an end. Returning routine day at the textile factory he was not to know that victory was so close.
When be got home he was visited by his tormentors from the Oldham police. must have whether they'd come deportation order. But their mission was a different one.
They informed him that the Home Office had allowed him to stay in the country on compassionate grounds.
Abdul Azad was overjoyed. hugged his old father Marifatullan. Word of the good news spread rapidly through the Bengali quarter. youths gathered at the home to join in ine celebratons.
Older Bengalis were overjoyed. They kissed Abdul hugged each other. They all knew that it was a victory for the community as a whole.
Readers will recall the details of the Abdul Azad scandat. arrested from his factory after his mother was found murdered in her
AN
He was charged
Sillegal immigrant',
incommunicado for nine days."
was subjected to ill-treatment and
racist abuse. The fact that he was heartbroken because of his mother's
death was exploited by police.
The Bangladesh Association, the
Oldham Anti Nazi League and others,
mounted a
An Abdul Azad Defence Committee
Committee was set up and the struggle
commenced.
Michael Meacher, a local Labour
MP, took an active interest
case. The JCWI (Joint Council for the
Welfare of Immigrants) in London
began bombarding the Home Office
with missives.
Two big public meetings were held
in Oldham These drew in scores and
scores of Bengalis. For the Bengali
community the case of Abdul Azad
became one of crucial importance.
For if he could be framed, brutalised
and deported, then so could hundreds
of others.
The behaviour of
police (outrageous even by the normal
racist standards) aroused
through embol or
became a symbol the
against the hated immigration laws.
The left press publicised the story in
all its gory details. Under the pressure
of the campaign the local press was
forced to report what had taken place.
Most important of all was the fact
that Abdul Azad and his aged father
decided to fight back. After massive
pressure Abdul was released from the
notorious Risley Remand Centre. He
had been in prison for thirteen weeks.
page 4 Socialist Challenge 2 August 1979
Abdul Azad
stays, OK!
agony of outside Risley
Campaign home after a Laws.
The effects obviously shook
sign deportation
wondered
serve brutality and racist abuse
TV put out
He complete whitewash.
Sue Deardon,
Bengali
equally leaders that they and what Abdul is complaining about.
dent liu ully.
Meacher, MP,
agreed to participate.'
He was ARDHE AZAD
with bein had
and
participate ordinating committee immigration laws.
Bengaldeshi immediately. supporters.
Mr Khan, Bangladesh
in the compensated. And
that. now"
tired, but very pleased that thankful for
see a change in the law
Get them out!'
Anderton's
hostility
Abdul Azad
struggle Co-ordinating
West Indian Centre,
He was shaken, but not defeated. He threw himself into the campaign with a rare fervor. He spoke at public meetings. On 7 July he joined a picket
organized the Against Immigration of the campaign the tameless bureaucrats in the Home Office who Abdid went onestep furs er. He filed orders every a complaint against the police alleging
Because of the publicity (Granada
La special programme detailing Abdul's plight) the Cheshire police started an investigation. But all the indications are that it will be a
Secretary of Oldham ANL, said: What the police do to blacks in prison has become widely accepted. That is why pouce chiefs have been telling community
can't understand
'We are organizing an indepen-
The NCCL Michael and Colin Barrett, Secretary of North West TUC, have
The Defence Committee met to celebrate last Friday night. The mood was euphoric. It is not often that we | get victories. It has been agreed that
we in the Defence Committee will
the regional coagainst the The main lesson of the campaign
is simple. It is not British justice which
saved Azad but the struggle of the
and
president the Association, told
•We've won a tremendous battle. But
he was imprisoned for 13 weeks.
lost wages in that period. He must be
what about the
police harassment? We won't forget
We must fight the racist laws AS The last word to Abdul Azad: I'm people
fought and came on pickets.
that. They took ten
months to reach a decision. I want to
and stop WELC
people being held in places like Risley.
Meeting to Oppose Immigration Laws
Sunday, 19 August, 2pm.
Carmoor Road, Rushulme, Manchester.
WE ARE beginning to feel isolated. 342 of us are charged. some have been sent to prison. others have been fined and hound over. The overwhelming majority of us will be tried in September and October.
The question arises: what is the British lahou? going 1o do about il.
Не кпон full well that if wen half of the 342 had been *hite workers. there hase been some action. know that if a quarter had been members of the SWP or IMG there would have been more interest.
But the bulk of the Southall 342 who work in local factories, Heathrow Airport ог shops and cafes in Southall, are black.
We do not expect from the trades unions os the Labour Party. They interested in collecting our dues and marshalling our during elections. expect much more organisations like the SHP and the IMG and from Chailenge and
Pollyanna justice
By Steve Ferguson
REPORTED Challenge in June, the Birmingham Campaign Against Racism in Club
been holding weekly outside Pollyanna's, a night which operates a colour bar. At our first picket, last March, seven people
arrested 2110 they themselves in court last week
The picket that night was noisy, but nevertheless quite cheerful. That is, ceil the arital chise inspector officer. explained in court, when he neared the club he formed the opinion that a disorderly crowd had gathered. examined, that he felt that he could later when have arrested the 120 person picket
they were acting animals'. Because he felt it was bes for 'race relations' he allowed picket to remain, but told them to stop chanting and giving out leaflets. He then proceeded to instruct some comrades to remove their banner.
Southall Show Trials-
An appeal from some
defendents
Worker.
When one white anti-racist Wolverhampton framed. your paper waged a regular campaign broad support.
Southall 342 (who include the Editor of Socialist Challenge) equally important? movement
Socialist effective campaign to get John
Work marchers released. They
would
We Southall 342 as important as John Deason?
We know your answer in advance. We can almost hear
the indignantly: 'of course are. They are more important. going to do about it, borthers
much
Is not the Anti Nazi League London hranches to defend the votes But we do
the ANI. and the SWP/IMG 10 from launch a rational campaign. with meetings in the towns and
Socialist
Socialist
When they questioned his decision he Socialist became annoyed
around the assault led to a scuffle. pickets waded in and four arrests were made.
club Not content with this,
inspector decided 20 minutes later to order his officers to clear the streets.
found More arrests resulted
action. It became clear in court that all the senior officers at that picket viewed women demonstrators with utter sexist contempt. inspector
who use 'unlady-like' deserve to be arrested. Because of the rough treatment received
cross- picket, one woman, Bridget Parsons,
La SWP teacher, comrade was being beaten up in the
like police station, became distressed. A
policewoman the against her will which only matters worst. The outcome of all this is that 'using "threatening behavious' and
for us in Southall!
importans and built Are not the
President Wort me Workei rai
campaign
this situation.
We credibility
not. and grabbed throat. This The SPG
the chiet
trom this policewoman.
One officer implied that women
language
West Brom! on lat This
convinced that work 'being
tried to restrain her With
call yo Bridget was charged with
words 'assaulting the
September to mobilise support
This becomes even mort
because of the problems inside Southall itself.
We were very interested to read in last week's Socialist Chailenge that Vishnu Sharma.
of the Indian Association, wants the trials stopped. One of our problems has been getting hold of Vishnu to use the strength of the IWA in Southall and get a
the ground.
There is growing discontent at the failure of the IWA to act in
On 10 September the trials will start again. We would like a mass picket of the court in Barnet to show solidarity with the political prisoners. One of those coming up for trial on that day will be Clarence Baker of Mists, who was nearly killed by the police at Southall.
want your help. The of socialists in Southall will depend to a large extent on whether we get it or
TEN DEFENDANTS
Evening Mall
• duty to der The
leading a witchunt against Bridget
They have already printed an editorial
calling for her to be sacked
Despite a good defence case all
seven were convicted and fined a total
of £2,000. Some of the fines were
higher than for similar offences at
huge amount of money
seriously endangers the important
carried out by the
• anti-racist movement in Birmingham
West Brom and now
Pollyanna's we need all the help we
If you can help us in anyway
please contact: BCARC, c/o 8 Park
Ave., Balsall Heath, Birmingham 13.
Page 5 scan of this page
Are you
dropping
demand?
We are sure readers of Socialist Challenge support the campaign to defend abortion rights. However, we in the Wandsworth Socialist Workers Party are disturbed to find that local members of the IMG abortion have argued that the slogan "Abortion Demand' should be dropped in the fight against the Corrie Bill.
They suggest the central slogan should be 'Defend the 1967 Abortion Act'.
The shortcomings of the Abortion Act and the way the Act is being eroded by cutbacks in the health service are there for all to see. Yet to preserve the existing provision, must raise demands Corrie and the 1967 Abortion Act.
Merely defend the provision suggests that it is adequate and that pro-abortionists are satisfied with it. Do the Challenge wish to create impression?
Faced with savage Tory attacks, it is essentiat that the left go on the offensive. It has to demand NHS abortion day care units and better facilities for all women abortion.
The alternative to Corrie's Bill is 'Abortion on Demand'.
•It is wrong te argue that the slogan may offend people otherwise get involved against the Corrie Bill. Was 'abortion on demand' not a major demand in the struggle against Benyon White? Huge numbers of people were mobilised then.
The IMG and Socialist Challenge should clarify their Otherwise it will lead to
the strugg e for "hree abortion on demand -right to choose'.
MARION J UPDWICH, (Wandsworth SWP)
Fill in the form below:
Name.
Address.
Wandsworth SWP ask
abortion on
Penny Duggan replies:
attack on their
passed In 1967. active on shows the
SWP comrades 1967 positions of NAC, supports. NAC
provision we all that go beyond restrictions on abortions.
existing
massive campaign amendment's this much broader
NAC.
decided to who want
following NICICLY examne of the stated might in the fight demos or joining a local ANL.
and
Demand building a broader campaign position. serious
A woman's
21-23 September 1979
MARXIST
SYMPOSIUM
Make Cheques and Postal Orders out to 'Socialist Challenge'.
Women are facing the most serious
limited rights to abortion since the Abortion Act was
The majority for Corrie's Bill at the Second Reading
increasing strength anti-abortionists in Parliament.
Clearly we have to defeat Corrie's amendment to the '67 Act with all the strength we have. Marion and other
aware of the which the IMG campaigns for free abortion on demand, for mandatory
of daycare facilities, and legal and medical
Unfortunately these demands do not have mass support. To build a
against Corrie's we have to. mobilise forces than presentiy defending the positions of
It was for this reason that NAC
initiate a broad-based campaign with 'Defend the *67 Act' as the central demand. In so doing it was
the excellent before Anti Nazi League, its opposition to Immigration Laws, but did riot make that a condition for participating in its
We agree with the SWP comrades that for us the slogan of Abortion on
willbeas important as
We think that the campaign for the demands mentioned by Marion would receive a tremendous boost if the SWP joined us in building NAC
¡ OVER 1100 people bopped for abortion rights at Rock Sexism's gig at the Electric Ballroom last Saturday. Spoil Sports, The Gang of Four and Delta Five drew & widely varying audience. But a good time was had by all and NAC RAS and each of the bands were £100 better off at the end.
Forty trades union supporters of NAC and LARC gathered to speak to members of the TUC General Council
they met last Wednesday.
Although not many of the TUC leaders stopped to speak to lobbiers the message seems to have got through, as the General Council confirmed the call for a demonstration against the Corrie Bili in late October. So far the exact date has not been fixed.
YET another man seems determined to prove that we still have a long way to go before women have the absolute right to decide what happens to their bodies. Brian Sturley is attempting to get an injunction to stop the woman to whom he was engaged getting an
DAYONE 10.30-1.30pm CURRENT ISSUES OF MARXISM Perry Anderson 2.30-5.00pm workshop: The Debate on English History, Alternative e Economic Strategy, Bahro's Marxism Speakers include: Perry Anderson, John Ross, Alan Freeman, Gunther Minnerup
7.30-10.00pm RALLY 100th ANNIVERSARY OF TROTSKY'S BIRTH Speakers include: Pierre Frank, Tariq Ali, the Voice of Leon Trotsky
DAYTWO
10.00-1.00pm IS LENINISM OBSOLETE?
Dodie Weppler and others
Workshops Class Analysis & Political Strategy, Kautsky & Eurocommunism Speakers include: Robin Blackburn
VENUE: Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London
CAMPAIGN NEWS)
COERE'S
Forced childbirth
A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSER
abortion. SPUC have admitted that Against they are putting up f1,000 towards the
legal costs.
Reports from the NAC office show that the campaign is really beginning to lift off nationally. reports of local abortion campaign groups being formed speakers, pour in. vanish from the office as soon as they can be produced The NAC meeting last weekend heard reports of new or revived NAC groups and local activity from as far apart as Brighton the Bristol and Sheffield.
The Standing Committee set up consider the Bill has meeting. This was discussions on pro-abortion MPs particularly concerned because Parliamentary printing vented the members having access 1o necessary background These included the report fron Royal Commission which recommended more abortion facilities NHS reports of previous Commons debates
recess.
involve
producing
Chiter-Wyes
Speakers:
Beaumont Thursday
Southall
The
strations
Thatcher, the meetings.
Every day organised
requests for August and general information Corrie The leaflets and petitions implications'.
national planning group
to
had its first the TUC demo! dominated by procedure. with
Meeting will be disputes
firms pre-
documents.
the on the NHS, Satord
hospitals, and Knowsley,
2.00-5.00pm
CULTURE AND POLITICS
Francis Mulhern
Workshops
The trade unions today; workers control, youth
and revolution.
Speakers include: Dave Bailey, Celia Pugh,
Judith Arkwright Steve Jefferys (SWP)
DAYTHREE
10.00-1.00pm
TWO TRADITIONS OF MARXISMIN
BRITAIN
John Ross
Workshops
Workers Plans, Women in Eastern Europe
Speakers include: Hilary Wainwright
2.00-5.00pm
THE REVOLUTIONARY LEFT IN
EUROPE
Chris Harman (SWP], Tariq Ali (IMG]
Creche facilities
Refreshments available
£1 a session.
€5.50 six sessions excluding the rally
£l for rally.
f5 for all the sessions except the rally (£6
including the rally] if paid before 1 September.
on abortion. The Standing Commit tee has 7 members. only five of whom voted against the Corrie Bill. Of course none of these five voted for hanging (as did most of the so-called "pro-lifers) its a moot point really respects the 'sanctity of life. The Committee will meet again on 24 October, after the Parliamentary
The campaign has discussed how to
black and immigrant women. Leicester will be
leaflets Urdu and Gujurati which will be passed on to the NAC office for other groups to
London IMG Public
Meeting on Abortion
Sarah Roeloffs (NAC Committee) •Dr Berry
August. 7.30 pm,
Southall Town Hall, High Street,
International Contraception, Abertion and Sterilisation Campaign (ICASC) is also rallying to support the British struggle. Requests have gone out for simultaneous demon-
in other countries, for of protest Margaret Standing Committe and the local British Ambassador and for messages of support to NAC. Prominent pro-at dam nee
Weak. including Faccio from Italy have offered to come to Britain at their own expensi to speak at press conferences or public
International Women's Forum
by ICASC Friday 3rd 7.30 Conway Hall: 'The Anti-abortion Bill and its
Newcastle Local Authority NUPE have voted to give the local NAC
_E50 as material support for NUPE's national policy of support for a woman's right to choose. The are calling on all NUPE sponsored MPs to vote in line with union policy and for the North East Region TUC to put on a train to take supporters to
The next NAC National Planning
on September 1 in Leicester. All affiliated groups may attend and pooled fare will operate. Ring NAC office for details:
DEFEAT the Corrie Bill. N. Manchester &
Socialist Challenge Group meeting. Wednesday 15th Aug. 8pm. The
Cheetham Hill Rd., neat Cheetham Town Hall.
Socialist Challenge 2 August 1979
Page 6 scan of this page
FIGHTING FOR THE
Everybody knows that Britain faces ever increasing Nobody troubles to conceal this fact any longer. Millions face the sack. don't work as hard as anybody else. It isn't because of the oil crisis. It isn't because the pound is rising against the dollar.
And although the Tories have a deliberate of unemployment it isn't because the employers have got their own people back into power.
The reason Britain is the sick man of Europe is because for two centuries it ruled the globe.
WaN the world's industrial power. It has fallen victim to all the disadvantages of being first, so that today it has been overtaken by all its major imitators.
The results are illustrated by the situation in two of the industries now in the news, shipbuilding and steel.
A century ago, when Britain ruled the seas, ships of less than tons were big enough to world's cargoes. Today, important commoalues, such as the life-blood of the countries, are carried about the globe by ships three times that size and weight.
The yards on the Clyde or on the Tees were not built to accommodate these. Ships of this class are built in Japan or the USA.
British shipbuilding is unable to keep pace even when it comes to ships of smaller size. Over two-thirds of British tonnage is built abroad, record tor an industrial power. renewed attempt to close Govan only the latest episode in a saga which still has many years to run.
Take steel. A century ago, was made with local ores and lots of coal. Hundreds of steel masters set up business in every nook and cranny of our coal rich country. Here were the roots of the industrial revolution. Today steel 1s made on where ships can dock with thousands of tons of iron ore from abroad. And steel is made with an oxygen lance, using only the minimum of coal.
This is why BSC steel making to half a dozen oxygen using coastal sites. There is no place here for the old inland coal based mills like Bilston and Corby. But even
would like to join the march/have more information about the march
Name
JOIN THE
(phone 01-802 Sisters Campaign Send to Right to Work
(phone 01-802
265a
London
09307 Sor
page 6 Socialist Challenge 2 August 1979
Cabinet have announced are applied
of sit-ins and factory occupations.
BAILEY discusses the great battles with Heath over jobs.
this plan will unemployment.
mill large
Steel Corporation.
Like country, Britain technological change.
using will revolutionise the handling side wide. 4OSOIO such
need of renoyation.
first development of
never be arranged
revo vtion as never betore
Occupation 100,000 carry the the most oil,
industrialised
defeat and re-enter the fray.
tackled movement hast time — under Heath. sometimen
The is past. Over one
and 1974. steel
factory at Alexandria in Plessey,
Navy. wanted o the coast
South Africa. wants to restrict
7,000 workers enterprise had
Stop the chat
and fight
Liverpool
MARCH
to
5
With Thatcher in power, more and more workers will face the sack. The numbers on the dule are likely to grow dramatically if the policies her
The working class met Heath's redundancy offensive with a huge wave
Much was learnt in those years which needs to be applied today. DAVE
leave miles behind. Japan and the USA have both already built a fully integrated steel
produce the equivalent output of the entire British
DUNGEO other capitalist is facing rapid The introduction of the micro-chip for example,
informationof businesses worldBut Britain is least able to the chaliles when its traditional industries are in such great
The only way to avoid the harsh
of the uneven capitalism is reconvert British industry under a single economic plan. But this can
under private Britain needs a socialist
With the advent of the Thatcher government, the working class has to rally its forces afresh to the struggle for sociaism. "ne labour movement has to pick itself up after four years of
Let's take a look at how the labour tar
unemployment
Under the last Tory government workers faced with redundancy did
they had seldom done redundancies were announced they occupied the plant. forces. This was an important break with the
hundred factory occupations took place between 1971
us.
A good example is the struggle that took place in 1971 in the Plessey
Scotland. a keen rationaliser, had thing bought the factory from the Royal
sell off the valuable torpedo making machinery, UCS and take the rest of the machinery to plants in southern England and to the low wage economies of Portugal and
The workers occupied the plant. assault Anticipating police atack, they ringed it with barbed wire, and alerted the Or lUSC.
whom private already made
Will I get paid my dole money? berore you go on the march just tell the dole once you are going on ine march and ask for a nonday torm. you wilt get your money paid to you as i
What about food and accommodation?
The marchers will be sleeping in big tents we have hired. All food will be provider TreP TO ЯI marchers. We will be collectino the monev from
back trade unionists up and
down the country
What sort of entertainment is laid on?
Big dances and discos are being organised or every town we will be in. Several Blackpool, punk rock, rock and reggae bands have already offered their services. September wane we are tenn taem that we've got the right to work we It make sure we have a good time. It will all be free for the marchers.
redundant in the area. It took five patient months to bring Plessey to its knees, but the 700 jobs were saved.
The factory occupations of those years met with varying degrees
Some were completely defeated. Some had good leaders, some bad. In some cases the workers gritted their teeth and held out for months. In others, they drifted off to jobs somewhere else.
Nevertheless, for several reasons,
the factory workers an invaluable weapon in the fight for jobs. The reasons are worth codifying.
The buildings of towns and cities are owned by private enterprise or controlled by supporters. Municipal buildings and blocks, with their meeting halls and communication facilities, there for the benefit of workers. The factory in which the workers spend their lives is often the best available place in which workers can organise the fight to save their livelihoods.
Bv setor their acts workers fighting for their jobs themselves • together instead scattering to their homes.
The : oceupation also helps
the dismantling of factory. Physical occupation is often
more effective in stopping the movement of supplies, machinery and other property, than a picket on the
Above all, by seizing employer's fixed assets, the workers can radically alter the relationship of
.By laying hold OI employers' assets, the workers can say: 'we will return your possessions to you, when you restore our future to
This is often decisive, especially when the machinery for the land is the object of speculative sale.
Occupation of the plant is the best
to do when faced redundancy.
Without socialism even
greatest successes in the fight to save jobs are likely to be temporary.
on jobs relentlessly. But these struggles,
are indispensable. Some of them leave behind lifelong opponents of the capitalist class. Yet others may
open the way to socialism.
The classic case of this is Upper Clyde Shipbuilders. consortium of 5 Glasgow which Heath tried to break up. wanted to close down two of them and hive off the others to private firms. The workers replied by taking over the shipyards. Overnight, workers were at the head of a national movement against the Tory government.
The occupation conventional one. charge of the plant, gates, excluded the Liquidator, and prevented machinery. But they discharged workers from a fighting fund, and finished the ships under the supervision of the shop stewards. This was the work-in'.
The work-in had its pros and cons. Finishing the ships under their own have control was a symbolic affirmation of
the right to work. It excited support. But there was the risk that the work would run out achieved, holding completed ships hostage office (The present decision at Govan to
give up holidays to finish the Polish not order has little in common with this
Some of the men call it a 'work-out' rather than a 'work-in'...)
The temendous impact of UCS stemmed basically from two things. First, the workers were in a strategic position. The shipyards were at the акер • very heart of the Scottish economy,
and tens of thousands depended on them. The seizure of the yards was therefore a dramatic event. the Second, the shop stewards seized
the chance to raise movement to throw out the Tories. This was the most important. point. Hundreds of meetings on this theme were held all over the country. the workers marched through
Scottish miners
There can be no doubt that the UCS workers played a big role in building the movement that led to the defeat of the Tory government in 1974 at the hands of the miners.
Heath could have been brought down much earlier if the TUC seized on his predicament. The TUC with and launched a determined attack on the Labour leaders
Tories at the time of the work-in. Opposition to Industrial Relations Act as well as the the "lame-duck' policy ran deep.
Instead, the The after his first defeat by the miners in • on 1972, and one result of this was that win the UCS workers were forced to make
concessions over their jobs that they might otherwise have avoided.
What we need today is another
UCS was shipyards
the
The workers took was not
controlled the
also paid before victory was though there was talk of
of jobs
Personna
political
80,000 Glasgow,
talked strike
another had
could have Heath.
wage restraint, the
under
TUC saved Heath
thrown away.
experience
WOKKER$ THE IN
UCS. Thatcher's government is ever; bit as bad as Hello' •We need
UCS raise mass moyement to sweep her out of power similar to the one that overthrew
But there are other lessons to be learned from the Heath period The tremendous head of steam built up
Heath was wasted by Wilson-Callaghan government. The chance to introduce socialism was
The working class should try to avoid a repeat of this
The labour movement should not only occupy the factories it should draw up an economic plan for solving
Page 7 scan of this page
RIGHT TO WORK
employment. The Lucas workers ze a plan for alternative production Ethe of social need. astruction unions are demanding inkers be taken off the dole to do eful public work, such as house ilding. All these schemes should be t together to make a national rkers plan, for оту.
This would be a real asset to the minal class ons ould expose te tinal Irresponsibilly terprise in Britain. It would show lions of people that unemploynt is not natural or inevitable. It uld show that it can be cured. And would lay the basis for a real
Persona
WE
DEMAND
THE
RIGHT TO
WORK
socialist government.
Second.
The Labour Party should adopt fighting
policies and make a serious bid for the eadership of the Labour Party. heavy responsibility shoulders of Tony Benn Labour . Left, whom people see as representing socialism. Finally, revolutionary socialist party that can lead the British revolution to success. Plivalk
will be a vital part of building a mass movement to drive this government out of office and begin the socialist revolution.
the ett wing of the
rests on the and the millions of
need to build a
The fight against unemployment
WE DEFEND THE RIGHT WORK
In the International.
by the
co-operative good example. Villiers
The
trade
foundered company assets.
to but COHO government. aside
Labour
the
lose
become
Are co-ops
the answer?
battles under the Heath administration, some workers tried to set up co-operatives. Is this a gooc examnle to follow in the future
It is easy to see how the idea of co-operatives caught on. It always seems a great pity to have to hand a factory back to the employer at the end of the day, even if jobs • are restored. The return of the employer threatens the treedom that Is wor during the course of the occupation.
Marx was very enthusiastic about
the time of the First The great merit of a co-op he said, is 'to practically show that the present pauperising, and despotic system of the subordination of labour to capital can be superceded
republican and beneficent system of the association of free and equal producers.
He recognised, of course, that the
system could never transform capitalist society. To do this, the workers would have to take power and reorganise industry as a whole But the co-oos could set an example and inspire other workers with socialist ideas.
It isn't always the case that the capitalist market rules out a workers' co-operative. The Meriden co-op is a
In 1973, NortonTriumoh tried to close its Meriden works in Coventry. All 1,750 workers faced the sack.
The workers did not accept that there was no market for the BSA bike. Since then, the co-op has been selling its bikes in the USA. The workers thought that part of the reason why NVT wanted to close Meriden was land speculation
that produced the Scottish Daily News in Scotland in 1975 might have survived if it had been able to produce a different kind of product to the one produced by
Beaverbrook. However, none of the
union bureaucrats were interested in a workers newspaper and the paper folded
However, other co-ops have
on the TOCkS of the capitalist market. The Kirkby co-op is a case in point. This demonstrates yet again that there are very few opportunities of profitable production that private capitalists overlook.
The biggest problem the co-ops face is finance. A co-op means the workers have to buy the enterprise from its owners. No retailer
accept products made with 'stolen
stock'. No bank will supply credit to
operating with "stolen
The workers at Meriden and the Scottish Daily News contributed their life savings. But the millions needed
out the employer's debts, only come from the
When Meriden applied to Heath for capital, the Tories played for time.
NVT was hoping to seize the factory
with the aid of the police when the
workers' backs were turned.
The 1974 Labour Government set up to £10 million
co-operative experiments. Yet while
handed out millions pounds to private enterprise, the
co-ops received loans.
Labour never considered expro.
priating the private owners. Instead,
workers were with
crushing financial burdens.
It is by refusing to waive the
interest payments on the Meriden
loan that the Thatcher government is
seeking to close down Meriden now.
A real socialist government would assist co-ops. But more than that. It would nationalise • private enteroris as a whole. The co-ops would then
their private character and part of an economy
democratically run by the working
Socialist Challenge 2 august 1979 pagel
Page 8 scan of this page
by Dave Bailey The Greater London Council is to build no more houses. That was the
taken at a meeting of the GLC last week.
This latest cuts move means that the GLC will commission the building of no more houses, either from its direct labour department(which is to close), or from private contractors. All house bullding is simply to end. It has also been reported that houses falling vacant are no rented but sold on the private market.
Never mind the thousands homeless people living in the capital. Never mind the thousands waiting to get out of the slums in
For Lambeth. Never mind the thousands of working class people who've been on the waiting list for a council house for twenty or thirty years.
As far as the GLC are concerned, all these people can just go to hell.
The workers and their families can rot in their rack-rented bed-sits. They
photo: G.M. COOKSON [Soclalist Challenge
By George Kerevan in Thurso
SUMMEN VISITORS near John o' Groats in the northeast tip of Scotland, have a new attraction this year. The orecoer nuclear reactor al vounreas has opened its doors to the public in a 010 by the UK Authority to cornbat the rise of the anti-nuclear power movement.
Each week-day, three groups of well iriskeo lourists throughs Star Wars operated PFR, the Prototype Fast Reactor, to he lectured on how sate atomic power leüily 1s Such a thing could not take place
Socialist Challenge 2 August 1979
London to build no
more homes
council estates.
dying anyway.
Of course,
bath and a shower everv dav
longer being wives have servants.
Hackney,
trend in a democracy.
GLC's
development
known
No cuts in John 'o' Groats
Icavliy 10 Thurse, against
experimental TaSI reaction to Windscale demonstrations
Atomic Energy relations.
The visit disarming. are taken like inside computer- Apprentices ЛЕНО the 'irradiated Daily Record unconcern. absence of women).
can make do with their rat-infested
The overworked town. mothers should get some valium and stop moanine, Ine old-age pensioners housing can stay in the tower blocks. They're
the members of the GLC who took the decision live in Hampstead, St Johns Wood, or estates in Surrey. They can get a hot
swim in the back garden. Their old folks don't die of hypothermia. Their
Their children don't play on balconies; They have nannies and go to the local pony club. belong.
The GLC's decision is yet another step towards the disappearance of classes. This of course is a well known one
will also encourage those people who show a bit of initiative. The 250 sites once earmarked by the GLC for housing private property developers. stell will now sold
that this is one of the most
in France or Germany where reactors
protestors. and ever there
Dounreay was still dithering about the
risks at the end of last year. But the
and the mas:
London and
Torness have convinced the UKAEA
of the need for some concerted pubiic
intentionally . Inside the Reactor Hall is апу factory. dirty blue overalls
stand around chaiting, and the man in
fuel cave Teaus ns with apparent (There was a noticable
enterprising and hard-working sections of our community.
1 ICNC people will build
houses • than the penthouse flats, and houses people who've already got one in the country and want a weekend pad in
According to Labour's London
spokesperson, • Dimson, there are already offshore consortiums looking for the sites in Kensington, and Chelsea, Westminster, Islington and Camden.
This means that sites set aside to house teachers, bus drivers, hospital porters and refuse collectors will now be used for luxury homes. Still hospital porters and dustbin men accustomed to rubbish. Let them stay amongst the garbage where
The GLC's decision will save a lot of taxpayers' money. It will cut out
thousand jobs save million. George Tremlett was justly proud of his decision.. 'We're ahead
the Government in its programme' he said.
He's setting a good example, and he predicts that councils in other parts of the country will soon be following
The weight of public opinion in
Thurso itself is overwhelmingly
Dounred)
brought local prosperity for the past
fifteen
town'sten thousand population work
But the UKAEA don't tell it like it
is. I's what they leave out 0i
presentation that disturbing
Attached Dounreay
Vulcan, a British navy shore station
which trains naval personer in
rechniques of handling reactors in
Vuican also carries out long range
submarines of ten years hence.
research work is handled by a civilian
contractor, Rolls Royce Associates
The reason for the proximity of HMS
Dounreay, however,
consists not just interchange
by Alan Turner THE PRELIMINARY agenda for the annual congress published last Monday, reflects the much
growing anger in the GLC: for movement against the ever-increasing
Tory cuts further one worth of additional cuts are due to be announced this week.
Gladys not be the end of the attack on social
expenditure. include:
A slashing of the council houses from 90,000 a year to 30,000 * £35 million to be sliced urgently need programmes for schools The abolition of all subsidies for are
overseas students A cut of £10 million in medical they
research This new round of cuts comes on top of the plans to slash expenditure £30 on education
jobs stake, abandorment of schemes to tackle unemployment cuts
mounting 'death list' resulting
Health Service.
In reply to these attacks the TUC agenda has ten resolutions scheduled for debate at its September congress in Blackpool. Among from the Inland Federation which calls on the TUC, 'to resist the damaging economic and
CONSTITUENCY LABOUR parties in the London borough of Lambeth have called for all-out opposition to any cuts local expenditure.
At the 100-strong Lambeth local Boyarmical conference Sunday the delegates from the Labour Parties agreed a carried out, council into direct confrontation with the Tory Government.
Among the policies adopted was one which called on the Labour group in Lambeth to, not agree to cut its programme and...fight a sustained workers and facilities, though this
in happens. has They snare coal sence
HMS Vulcan uses the Dounrea! water discharge system carrying th water used in cooling reactors back into the Pentland Firth. good grounds for Vulcan is flushing LIit
products out HMS system as a side-effect of the research
work being carried on there. Further, and mavbe short term, Vulcan with CONCH flush chemical including chromate.
This Visitors
without a word about HMS Vulcan The military aspects of the Dounreay operation are never mentioned. ine british visitors seemed a trifle muted by
Will the TUC act?
the TUC, democracy'.
trade union
its billion pounds
Even this will The latest Tory plans
opposition'. building of
off capital building
isation
tions'.
- with 50,000 teachers
the threatened
and the from defeated. attacks on the National
refuse coordinating campaigns • them 15 Revenue Staff
Lambeth says no to cuts
held last Labour policy which, would bring Lambeth
their They are together because
capitalism.
There are believing that atomnic waste when you sea through this too little to
more dangerous in the
using its Dounreay residues away
Dounreay
French elections.
HOV ZLOUL the whole for long!
social consequences by every means open to it which are consistent with
A resolution from the National Union of Public Employees sounds no less militant: 'Congress expresses
determined opposition restriction of socially desirable public expenditure. It instructs the General Council to develop a campaign which Till Cardiates the activiress of att
allilale. express
On the same subject a motion from the Civil and Public Services Association suggests a programme on which the fight against the cuts should be based. This includes the demand for an immediate and, 're-national-
without compensation of de-nationalised industries or func
The only thing that is missing from all these resolutions is a concrete plan of action on how the cuts are to be resisted. But this is clearly what i
and needed quickly if the Tory Government's attacks on the welfare state are to be successfully
Such a plan would include linking up with local Labour councils who
implement the cuts, the local into one organised national fight-back and recognising that national, all-out action is the only way the modern welfare state can be saved from the Tory axe.
rear-guard action up and including, if from the Council or its committees'.
The conference went on to agree to 'work as never before to build a movement of solidarity with Labour councillors who resist the cuts'.
has majority on Lambeth council so if these policies are implemented then local government in Lambeth could grind to a halt. But the conference itself was
advisory and a. number of councillors present made no secret of
opposition the militant policies agreed by the delegates. experience. No so a pair of French ecologists who made a gallant effor in broken English to convince guide of the dangers of a hasty switch
plutonium economy under
Look, they said pointing out to sea, how much hotter is the wa!
pump back? Seven degrees centigrade, came the answer.
worry about. Besides, Dounreay has a fishing boat which keeps an eye on thing
I left the Frenchmen doing thei best to explain that Captain Cousteau had been diving off where the French had been pumping hot water into the sea and had come up calling for a vote for the Ecology candidates in she
The guide replied that things are different in Britain. May'be, but rot
Page 9 scan of this page
The 'African' Queen.... Despite the spectre of a ring of guerillas hiding in the bush with heat-seeking missiles at the ready, the Queen's lightning trip to Zambia and neighbouring states has gone ahead. Undoubtedly this was an attempt to revive the flagging spirit of Commonwealth loyalty' among black African leaders before the bitter rows of the Commonwealth Conference. RICHARD CARVER takes a closer look at the site of the Conference and at the big issue that will dominate the Conference proceedings —
Zimbabwe.
MOST Zambians are amused by the frenzy about the personal security of the Queen of England. Her Majesty invariably hospitality.
By contrast 2,500 people conservative estimate -killed in recent Rhodesian raids on Zambia. The latest express warning to Zambia against Prime Ministers Conference Lusaka.
The anxiety about the Queen's safety has been whipped up in Fleet Street TO heap discredit Zimbabwean liberation The Rhodesian regime is hardly likely to threaten the British monarch at a time when the Tory
be creeping diplomatic recognition. And, Joshua Nkomo of ZAPU will concerned with lobbying conference than with blowing it up.
Queen will sheltered from the real Zambia. She will be shown no sign of an economy devastated by the Well Rhodesians. In the south country, whole areas have depopulated, leaving crops unharvested or rotting in storerooms. Kazangula ferry, the trade link with Botswana, has been cutting off 14,000 tons of goods a month:
The target of the onslaught is not the ZAPU guerillas but the Zambian Kenneth Kaunda's regime has always been the weak link among the "front line states.
Kaunda heads bureaucracy which has monopoly political transform itself into a capitalist class. To keep hold of its, economic power it WHEN Britain's last Tory ment tried to reach a deal with the white Rhodesian government, bulk of black leaders threatened to split the Commonwealth. they will be even quicker to use this threat. Margaret Thatcher and Lord Carrington have probably toned down their speeches so as to head off trouble.
The Prime Minister tactless start with her declaration that sanctions would be lifted, regardless of what Commonweaith anyone else said. Thatcher has yet to learn what more practitioners like James know already one. has through the motions.
The vast bulk Commonwealth FELO colonial ruled and exploited by a partnership of the local elite and the multinational companies. precisely the sort of state that British governments past and present want to set up in Zimbabwe. On the face of it,:
in Zambia
best might be expected.
Kaunda is - a spectacular
have been
Sweeping. It attack was an independent
in from South Kaunda who organised meeting between Nkomo last August. on the movement.
government break 'ranks.
towards reportedly
•be more
meeting between the
carefully
an interim Prime Minister.
with the
of the by firm with been
The contho.
destroyed,
Rhodesian
Government.
the same in price.'
one-party in independent
used its
power
black clients as well.
in Zimbabwe
govern- then, When Labour. the
This time were harmonious.
American plan
already the various interest groups.
made
black lives. proclaim their loudest are experienced radical. Nigeria,
Callaghan
to go constitution immigration controls!
of the However,
are neo- been consistently trampled
make its voice heard.
example
therefore needs to maintain itself in government. Self-interest predominates over principles even more than
much given turnarounds, generally accompanied by public displays of
was this doyen of black leaders who reopened the rail link with Rhodesia and responded to overtures of detente
Africa. ANd 11 the secret lan Smith and
Both the Tories and the new Muzorewa government will put the
pressure on Kaunda • Already Rhodesian Foreign Minister, David Mukome, is
organise and Muzorewa. The same reports indicate that Kaunda may be prepared to come to terms it Muzorewa declares himself
Accounts of these negotiations mention the background role played
Zambian and Rhodesian interests. This can only be
multinational. When Kaunda organised the Smith-Nkomo meeting last August it was Lorrho which put him up to it.
According to an executive of a Rhodesian-based Lonrho subsidiary 'the removal of sanctions would mean a lot to us in plain material terms, at least 20 per cènt in volume and about
Yet Lonrho has a far larger stake
black Africa. common with most multinationals it would prefer sanctions to be lifted on terms which were acceptable to its
there should be little conflict. was power, Britain and the Commonwealth over southern Africa
Anglofor an all-party transition in Zimbabwe appeased all
The Thatcher approach of dealing direct with the white puppet regime may have a similar end result, but it tramples on black sensibilities and
The regimes •which pan-Africanism not generally the most for example, enshrines pan-Africanism in its new
alongside
countries which have on and abused by imperialism are not now going to be bypassed over Zimbabwe Nigeria in particular has the power to put
It provides a large proportion of America's oil, for
particularly potent
"To recognise or
is the question."
The
Economist
My Zimbabwe al0l... weapon at the moment. And in June it
ban On British companies tendering for contracts warning of what it is capable of.
Thatcher is therefore likely to take
not to recognise? That the Commonwealth quietly. She. will pressurise some of the weaker black African countries. The host country Zambia, will be first in line (see article on this page).
to lift sanctions in November will be decided by backbench pressure and manoeuvres in Africa. The Rhodesian considerable. The 15-20 per cent of trade revenue spent busting could now be pocketed, and arms would be easier to get hold of.
Yet this problems of the Muzorewa regime. It is wracked by internal dissent and the rivalry with Reverend Sithole has now broken out into open fighting. nublication of the budget last week 37 per cent on defence — shows who is really winning the war.
The struggle just a remains the decisive.
which Lusaka conference is likely to forget.
develop ment Noveinber
SOTA
Zimbabwe
the three B sore citie:
with es). * Close * The
(clothes,
for co-operate
pro-imperialist
people two diction.
political issues.
Third, resolutions
of paper including through
conference if she importance
to implement
can be done.
Whether Thatcher finally decides
Chile combination of
boost for the
would be Finally,
on
International
solve the
ZANU The slanderously
on the ground
JOHN factor Zimbabwe nobody the
What sort of
solidarity?
THE article by Steve Potter on th
of Zimbabwe solidarity movement (28 June) invited others to contribute their ideas on the way forward for such a movement. l'd like to contribute on the basis of
Zimbabwe Solidarity Group in Notting ol which I'm a member and which has been active for six months now.
The planned demonstration on 11
will presumably provide the national focus for the solidarity
- bit fle onor no
ust he to organise locally to lay the groundwork for a movement with
What this requires is:
* Local gromps affiliated to th
iergency Campaig Committee which are open to any individual or group willing to suppor
demands of ZECC. I
may be able to fall the new many be • WAS the • case in Nottingham (though the university Anti-Apartheid branch works closcly
liaison with local members of ZANU and ZAPU.
following are possible activities for sach & group: fund. raising for the Patriotic Front or for campaign work; raising material aid
blankets, medical kits); putting out counter information; and
support from trade nists in workplaces with actual or trade links with Zitababwe, iation of Tories lift them. article with and h ge is to ti coverage but. I'd like to take op
talks about drawing blsick youth into the campaign.
In Nottinghain we've been able to
black , revolation.
ies, partly because we've recognised
are whites giving support to s struggle, and that our role as
hites is to challenge the racist and
whites, not to organise black
Second, Steve argues that raisin
material aid for the Patriotic Eront an irrelevance, compared to the task of building a movement that will tie the hands of our government.
In one sense that's true, but the
aren't necessarily in contra We've found that asking people for materials for the refugee and the liberation struggle is a way of starting to talk to them about the
The talks about gettin through trade bodies calling on the whole labow movement to implement sanctions. Fine words, but how many thonsands
• resolutions has the left, Anti-Apartheid, got trade bodies to absolutely no effect?
portance to de cognise bomens
immense difficulty of getting trades unionists
direct sanctions, and start a realistic discussion of how il
This will involve drawing on the kind of experience built up during the
Solidarity Campaign boycotting trade, and also looking at the way Manchester Anti-Apartheid has built links with trade unionists through a speaking lour of factories.
Steve that the Marxist Group conditionally supports the Patriotic Front in its attempts to overthrom colonial domination Agreed! Yet in an article from the Africa in Strugzh Collective on the opposite page : both
ZAPU are almost Sourgeois led isit the IMG) and written interested only in national liberation and not socialism.
WALLER (Nottingham Solidarity Group, and member of Big Flame) socialist Challenge 2 Argust 1979 page9
Page 10 scan of this page
Why Paisley is a reason for getting out the troops
By Geoff Bell
THERE is a song by Cormac, cartoonist and singer. It has following verse:
•For liberals and moderates I do not give a straw,
They kept us down for 50 years and say now keep the law,
They say, now hundred years,
And help allay the right wing fear rawl back in your gutter Paddy Reilly.'
These words are Paisley is once more demonstrating the unsavoury nature politics. And this promises to produceall sorts of fresh warnings about what the Protestants would do if the British pulled out.
For the British ruling Paisley is a two-edged sword. Loyalists' leader's outbursts at the European Par tament determined opposition to the Pope visiting Ireland is rather embarassing for the British. After all, Paisley is the strongest advocate for them staying in the North of Ireland.
On the other hand, Paisley's mass support, as shown in the European elections, can provide a justification for British troops staying in Ireland: they are need to 'restrain the forces of Protestant extremism'.
coaches
to the
Demo
• • Socialist Challenge 2 August 1979
spectre the supporters the
wait another
stay?
prospect Britain leaves, Catholics 1101topical. lan drawal?
of the Catholics in the
go. class, withdrawal are The revolutionary
and
poses contradiction for
the minute Britain leaves Memory
Newcastle: Departs 6.30am,
Britain can once again raise the
Paisleyism and applying the 'final solution' to Northern Irish Catholics.
But if the Loyalists have the desire and ability to inflict astronomical casualties on the Catholic population in the event of a British withdrawal, why does Paisley shout louder than anyone else that British troops have to
Again, if the Catholics face the
of mass liquidation after and demanding with-
The main political parties in the South, major political representatives
North. and even the head of the Irish Catholic Church - all agree that Britain has to ability
But the advocates of immediate
found the and anti-imperialist
Yet these would be the first targets of such a final solution. So unless they share a collective death wish, why are they so insistent on "troops out now"?
another that Paisley's final solutoin is at hand
demand troops out leave. now don't believe they would be in mortal danger if Britain were to go. On the contrary they believe there is
Birmingham: Departs 10am, Hall of
Central Poly Station. Phone 735979 for details
mortal danger while Britain stays.
What reason would the Loyalists have for pagrom stas is where the rise of anti-Catholic
Paisley becomes significant. That rise has witnessed the greatest splintering in the Loyalists politics ever seen. Paisley has emerged as the top dog. but there are plenty of other dogs in the pack and they are all barking at each other.
The reason for this is that the Loyalists can no longer agree on any single solution. They are divided over direct rule, over a return to Stormont. over independence. Some Protestant bourgeois even recognise that in a peaceful, capitalist, united they could well have much to gain. It i is such splits that seriously weaken the
For Loyallsls lO agree onl common way forward; the agreement there is at the moment is that Britain has to stay.
Remove Britain and even unifying factor goes The splits in the Loyalist camp would multiply. common way forward would found and the physical danger to the Catholic population would diminish.
Ot course. ne given that not one ounce of Catholic blood will flow should British troops
What is certain is that longer Britain stays, the longer blood will flow.
If, as many suggest, Britain were Middlesborough: Departs
7.30am; Stockton 7.40am. Phone 87699 for details
to 'name a date' for withdrawal, say for three years hence, what would the Protestants do declaration? It is fairly safe to predict that they would deadly assault on population to try and force Britain to stay.
It is wrong to think that Loyalist violence is "motiveless". period of sectarian of Catholics suspension of Where thert about British violence was launched to try and force the security forces repression of blackmail Britain into staying.
In the event of withdrawal violence would no longer apply. The only
bulk of the security forces would have gone. Little pressure could be put or Britain to stay because Britain would that
have left. Un the
No campaign of violence directed against
the Catholics with the aim of bringing Britain back would be pointless. For if Britain were forced to withdraw, it would hardly have the will or capacity can be
the
Troops out now politically correct, well
Edinburgh: Departs Waverly Bridge 10pm, I1 Aug.
Teeside Odeon
Full list of buses next week.
Ireland.
not be beaten. "document 37',
Atkins.
Never he beaten?
Yes.
Why?
if one
little time...
What assessment
wage
the case.
can't beat them.
sent him there
the issue?
He's,
job.
got no understand it.
mindless?
No.
Why not? because you mean
withdrawal majority of the matter
faced with such
launch the most
will, that they -the
UK The worst followed the Stormont 1972,
real speculation withdrawal. The
to step up The Catholics, and to showings
immediate these two reasons for
otte
7.30pm.
Organised
Rio Cinema is not just
it is sensible as
Entrance
UTOM
ICA The Mall Phone 2291861 for August, 9pm
An Irish joke
Humphrey Atkins, the Tories' Direct
the North of Ireland is proving to be one of the rare amusing by-products of British presence in
He was recently interviewed by World In Action on the assessment by General Glover that the IRA could
Glover was author of the Army's pessimistic review of the North of Ireland situation leaked to the Provisionals.
The following, believe it or not, is an extract from the interview with Do you think the Provisionals can
Because, em, I think that one, eh,
can effective one's operation eh em I think one can beat them. Em I'm afraid it's gonna take a
about General Glover's ..that they have the dedication and the sinews of war, to
war for the forsecable future?
That, that, that, that, may be the,
mean it's his, his, opinion. It doesn't mean to say you Would you say that General Glover has a good grasp of the mature of the conflict in Northern Ireland?
I'm sure he has. Otherwise the Ministry of Defence wouldn't have Would you regard him as an expert on
he's a, he's a MajorGeneral, he's a very able soldier, and ah absolutely certainly he wouldn't have gone to that position if he hadn't been really efficient and able at his Would you say that the Provisionals are politically motivated!
No. I wouldn't. Because they've
political motivation as we Would you say therefore that they are
Well, to my way of thinking, yes. Do you think it's time the British thought about withdrawing?
eh, it depends on what by withdrawing. If you mean withdrawing troops , ther the troops will be withdrawn when the security situation allows; that is the whole intention. If you mean political
which is another the answer is no. If the population wish to remain a part of the United Kingdom as they do, then we will remain there. Of course we will politically. If a day ever comes, I don't know whether it
- the majority of the population in the province say
'No', we want not to be part of the
we want to go somewhere else, well that's quite a different matter. But that day hasn't come.
Patriot Game: London
The excellent full length doch-
mentary film, The Patriot Game f
will be shown at the following
London venues in the run-up to 12
West London
Ealing Town Hall
Tues 7 August
by West London
UTOM. Entrance 70p
East North London
Kingsland Rd, E2
Sunday 5 August 3pm
fl: Organised by
Camden/Islington/East London
Cinema, Nash House,
Friday 3 August — Wed 8
Page 11 scan of this page
Beyond the fragments Don't forget
1
Valerie Coultas' review of Beyond
Fragments illustrates one of the points made Robowtham: whenever called into question the usually responds by accusing questioner of 'gross caricature'.
Leninism is not obsolete.
tradition 1S because historical conditions changed, and because some OI Is original positions were wrong.
Leninism holds consciousness that carries the danger of leadership fetishism programmatic purism. It has a theory
cadres. professional aries and of politics that refuses to see personal life as the legitimate concern of collective political activity. It also has a static idea of the working class, which it sees as divided between an industrial sector, the 'centre', thé community sectors and auton
movements, which relegated to a devalued 'periphery'.
Many of these weaknesses have been uncovered • struggle against orthodox and Leninism. If the best elements of Leninism, centred around the idea of the vanguard organisation, are to be
Sexual
I agree with your article on 'Sexual Harassment' in SC 105. 1 recently left the Health Department in Manchester
Town Hall because a similar thing happened there.
For obvious reasons, I shall not
name the person concerned. Let's call
him "Tony'. Last year,
woman clerical worker walked out of
the Department because of Tony's
sexual innuendos and lewd advances.
What did the union do? Nothing!
The reason was that Tony
member of the ANL.
afraid of being accused of 'victimising
socialist militants'. In reality,
doesn't do much except prop up the
bar with other male socialists.
The received no
complaint and did nothing. The rank
and file activists did nothing because
he was one of the lads'.
sexism!
SOCIALIST FEMINIST seeks own room in friendly household. N/NE/E London, lowish rent. Involved in journalism. Tel: Susan: 359-0614.
HANDS OFF IRELAND! Rally: Against British Imperialism in Ireland! Film: The Patriot Game. Speakers:
Ireland. Speakers invited from liberation movements. Sun 12 ASSETEDY Half.
Road, London NW1. Tube: Euston. Adm: 50p (40p in advance).
HEALTH AND SAFETY Day school Sat 8 Sept at Haringay Trades Council Centre, Wood Green, London.
Gee G&MWU, Alan "Asbestos - Killer Dust".
Aim: to set up area committee. Details from 15 West Green Road, London N15 -01-802-0912.
SHEFFIELD Sales of Socialist Challenge and Revolution every Saturday 1-2pm at
be rejected.
Valeria says
precisely by Sheila Lynne is in Big Flame Leninism is
Leninist
the cruncally. illas
Dul luc inadequate autonomous movements
PAUL THOMPSON have (Liverpool)
theory of 2
and
revolution-
In her review 01 Fragments (12 July), argues that the
More correct and
are
feminists in a
Marxism
Valerie
The real
harrassment
target.
being published.
Name and Address Supplied
young
was a The union was
official
Blatant members photography,
2pm Sun). arranged.
Hands off
Aug 6pm NUR
Euston
House. Sun 9 Sept,
Speakers: Dave
In Britain
Dalton,
Plus tim.
20p.
and its
preserved, then other aspects ofit must
that It's a crying shame that revolutionary women are not willing to do that' (build a party). This ignores the fact that Sheila has been in the IS and Hilary the IMG.
The real 'shame' is that the far left is totally unwilling to examine itself be
driven away from revolutionary organisations a great many militants, especially those in the
in Beyond The those Valerie Coultas • DOOK IS
is opening statement of her review: "Beyond the Fragments represents (an) attempt... to develop a...critique of Leninisin. By covertly assuming that Leninism and Marxism are identical in their views on consciousness, the role to theory, and methods or organisation,
critique of Leninism for an attack on Marxism.
target of Beyond
Davy Sue
with
The sexism of some of our male socialist colleagues should be our first
indicate
I would appreciate my name not
NALGO — National meeting for all IMG and Socialist Challenge
Manchester Sar 15 and Sun 16 Sept (till Pooled Tare. Venue to Further details In National Briefing, or ring Centre.
NUPE NATIONAL AGGREGATE for all IMG members. including Scotland noon at National Centre.
Pooled fare. Further details in National Briefing or ring Centre.
REVOLUTIONARY COMMUNIST Tendency public meeting: "The Irish War - Fight the Prevention oi Terrorism Act'. Friday 3 August 7.30pm Speaker: Alan Harding. Dalston Labour Club, Dalston Lane, London E7. Adm.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S Forums: Fri 3 Aug: 'The Corrie Anti-Abortion Bill Sept:
Fragments is not Marxism, nor even pure Leninism. It is Leninism practised in the last 25 years by the majority of the British left (Stalinist, Trotskyist, Maoist, I.S., communist). Since she misses point, Valerie fails to reply effectively to Beyond The Fragments.
Valerie concludes: '...you need to
organised nationally internationally), you need to have a a movemen, art can challenge
movement, challenge reformism... . But I can find nothing
Beyond The Fragments contradicts these ideas. Valerie simply assumes that any 'popular socialist party that can challenge reformism must be Leninist.
I believe in the possibility of mass revolutionary politics. But we must learn from history, avoiding in future
organisational features British Leninism which have helped to keep the revolutionary left locked in a ghetto or in dead-end entryist poltics.
Revolutionary socialists need to embark on the most extensive self-criticism if the mass party valerie wants is to be built. Beyond The Fragments is not perfect. But if it contributes the experience feminists to this process, it will have done the cause of socialism a service. GEORGE HARDY (N.E. Leeds ANL)
Ommission
There was an important omission in
Jones' report on the ANL conference. He mentioned decision of the ANL to campaign against the racism of the state, but the concient also supported campaign on immigration controls.
A number of delegates, including
Dearden Oldham stressed the need for the ANL to work
Campaign Against Immigration Laws.
This unity is vital. All reports
that the number deportations has multiplied Thatcher's victory.
ANWAR HUSSEIN (West London)
"International attacks on Rights'. Fri S Oct: "Who Are the AntiAbortionists?' 7.30pm, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1. Organised by International Contraception, and Sterilisation Campaign.
*PATRIOT GAME' Thurs 9 Aug, Clapham Common North Side) 7.30pm. Adm. 75p organised by South London UTOM
ROOM AVAILABLE in London from 13 to Reply to Box 1866, Soc Chall.
BOOKS for Southern Africa comrades -money desperately needed for this vital field of international activity. Or send any books you can spare. Books for Southern Africa. BOX NO 102, Challenge, PO Box 50, London NI.
ENTRIES 5p per word. Display £2 per col inch.Deadline: Friday before publication. Payment in advance.
as
Eurothis
(and
that
OI
of the IN THE aftermath of thè police riot in
Southall: and the Peach, what happened in Leicester has been forgotten. remind ourselves that the police rioted Leicester on 21 ANL, militants were arrested and some have
received prison sentences, including a miner from Doncaster.
Our total
of £20,000. We have
£2,300. On 1 May and 21 July we organised solidarity demonstrations with the defendants and the prisoners. Some NF and British thugs turned up to jeer and were well-protected by the police.
the judiciary fascists has never been so blatant. Many prisoners were charged two weeks after the events. Five are in prison and two-thirds have yet to be tried. One of the worst magistrates is a Labour Party trade-union official.
Leicester ANL's
solidarity has met Abortion HOW
Abortion
Common Library (Clapham
North-west 28 Aug (inclusive).
THE socialIs
Leicester
The leg of a demonstrator after being attacked by a police dog.
murder of Blair
Workers should Marshall, Leicester South.
April. Many
court costs will be
so far raised
support
Movement
The use of the lower echelons of Civil
intimidate antiApril
enquiries
member and Committee,
appeal for PAUL CURTIS with a good (Leicester)
bookmarr
The Bookm so Club is now escablished method to see lists to get a
socialist books at a big discount-and delivered to you IT WORKS. You send us £4.0 for which you will receive the books oblained. for 12.50 each sacket on the t
DOESKILLER DUST by Alari
ANGER ON THE ROAD by Jimmy
CAMERAWORK ON NORTHERI
RELAND 160p
Edgery d29 ANGER By Davi
REPURI wright le 40) Beynon & Hilary contine in song orde ON THE
in (E2 951 WELFARE b real see nature rehe
Send to BOOKMARX CLUB, 265 Seven Sisters" Road. London, N4
response trom Doncaster Nationál Union of Miners; the local Indian
Association and Jim the Labour MP for
We also face increasing harassment from racists. A local bookshop, Blackthorn Books, has had windows smashed four times in : fortnight by racists. Needless to say, they have not been caught.
In the shadow of Southall it has not been easy to mobilise national
for Leicester. But this support is extremely vital. The Anti Nazi League has agreed to distribute nationally a pamphiet which we are producing. The National Council of
Liberties are producing amphlet on the police's role on 2
We are still desperately short of funds and would appeal to readers to send us donations. All monies
21 April Defence c/o Blackthorne Books, Highcross Street, Leicester.
1979
one other list of your choice Extra lists can b I will save pounds on the retail value of the books shown, with
set toush as net any socialist. Eucl the shelves of — LIST D'
Fowes INCH LEUTENANT'S WOMAN ty I RED HARVEST By bashiel Harme: (60pl - LIST D2:
(E1.50 GIRL by Buchi Emecheta
And enclose 64.50 1-2250 ta
NAME ADDRESS
Please send list A • Listisil.
Socialist Challenge 2 August 1979 page lI
Page 12 scan of this page
RUC boss to train British police
Reporting on Northern Ireland. Half Moon Photography Workshop
Britain's police are to be trained by the retiring chief of the Royal Ulster
Kenneth Chief Constable of the RUC, returning to Britain to take over the police Staff College at Bramshill, near London. officers are going 10 be taught tie This means that British "lessons' Newman learned North of Ireland. Kramshal is where 'officer potential' from all over the Un are sent for turner trang.
Newman's appointment means. that he becomes one of six senior police chiefs who advise the Home Secreary on police matters.
Newman's contribution OUR financial situation has taken a ! very slight turn for the better in the past weeks. There's two reasons for this.
First, some of our supporters have. raised substantial amounts of money through fundraising events
for supporters raised £53.65 through a sponsored walk. This is only the first
there's collected!
We understand that over £100 will soon arrive in our offices thanks to the efforts South comrades who organised a sponsored swim.
Camden supporters have sent in 230 - part of their campaign for a day's income from each and every comrade.
The second reason
Registered with the Post Office
Socialist Challenge
Make 12August the biggest ever
summed
of the *interrogation introduced intamous outskirts of Belfast.
in the
also
the
OUR FUND DRIVE
serious approach
seven weeks
Last Brighton done - why not try?
Nationally, more to in September. discussing our annual calendar.
London
have any ideas for other
the same time.
for the
as a newspaper.
"policing' of the North of Ireland can person
up by one word: "Castlereagh'. It was while Newman
RUC that the techniques were RiC barraces on the Castlereagh,
Since then the RUC has been branded by Amnesty International as a bunch of torturers. The RUC's own police surgeons have made the same for allegation. Even the British Government's sponsored Bennett Report was severely critical of Newman's cops.
In some countries such a record years. would lead to the sacking of the healthier state of our coffers is the
by some of our sellers in tackling back debts to the paper. Bristol IMG has just paid off
alIcals blow; Nottingham sent us fou. It some our really big debtors followed suit, we'd Anon
C. Lane be a lot closer to our targets. It can be
we are planning an all-London benefit bop for the paper
And we are already Anon
But we need all our supporters to exercise their ingenuity and energy in raising money for lie papel. do you groups? K: Bell
Sponsored diets and non-smoking are profitable and they improve health at
remics and summer parties alşe I have a dual function: as fund-raisers
EL
responsible. But in Tory Britain Newman has been rewarded with promotion!
Northern Ireland Secretary Humphrey Atkins said that Newman's new job meant that 'his talents would be deployed in wider fields'.
This is not the first time the experience gained by British security forces in the North of Ireland has been applied in Britain. Riot shields
'crowd control', electronic surveillance of demonstrators, police 'snatch squads' have all been used in Britain in the last couple of
All were first seen in Belfast and Derry.
and as social events
We're taking a few steps forwards financially. Let's keep it up and make certain our targets are met.
Our thanks this week to:
Sue & Clive S. Griffiths D. Stevens Bury supporters
T. Healey J. Rivers P. Garrard
Tower Hamlets supporter R. Moody N. Shannon L.J. Folwell
Week's Total
Cumulative total £11,055.95
Published by Felgocrest Ltd. for Socialist Challenge, 328/9 Upper St, London N1.
Newman's appointment is made on the eve of the tenth anniversary of Britain sending troops onto the streets of the North of Ireland. His posting is a powerful reminder of the relevance of the Irish war to everyone in this country who may have 'dealings' with the British police in the future.
And into that category fall tens of thousands of hundreds and country's black people.
and The Irish war is coming home with
La vengence. That is one reason why militants this commemorate the tenth anniversary of British troops entry into Ireland's Domestic: 6 months, £5; 12 months, 15.00 3.00 6.00 100.00 25.00 1.00 Name.. 5.00 2.60 Address. 100.00 30.00 50.00 5.00 5.00 10.00
£363.60 'Socialist Challenge'.
streets.
heroes". trade unionists, intention of thousands of demon- Troops the majority of this organising a now
that contingent. country should
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Cheques, POs and Money Orders should be made payable to Complete and return to: Socialist Challenge, 328 Upper Street, London N1
Not by welcoming home 'war
but. by insisting the immediate, unconditional withdrawal of British troops from Ireland.
The London demonstration on 12 August is a chance to io that. The protest is being backed by 15 MPs on the demand that Britain declares its
to withdraw. The United Out Movement will be *trOODS out contingent, and Provisional Sinn Fein has said it will be part of
All out 12 August!
Assemble: 2.30pm, Speakers Corner, London.
Printed by Feb Ege Litho Ltd (TU),
3-4 The Oval, London E2.
← Socialist Challenge No. 106, 26 July 1979Socialist Challenge No. 108, 9 August 1979 →