Iraq: Put on Your Tin Hats

WORKERS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!

No 1437 Week commencing 11 May 2007 Weekly paper of the New Communist Party of Britain 50p HISTORIC DAY IN IRELAND IN ONE of the most historic days of the Peace killed 20 years ago today at Process, power-sharing in the North has begun be- Loughgall. Days like today tween the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and must be about ensuring that • October 1994, start of the peace process – Gerry McLochlainn delivers the letter Sinn Féin. DUP leader, Ian Paisley, and Sinn Féin’s events like Loughgall are from Sinn Féin to John Major. Martin McGuinness took their pledge of office as never visited on another generation. HISTORY was made in the first ceasefire between the allegations that Sinn Féin First Minister and Deputy First Minister in a north of Ireland last Tues- IRA and the imperialist forces was engaged in spying “I genuinely believe against other parties in the power-sharing administration on Tuesday. Ten that we are all shaping a day when Democratic but this broke down within a ministers of the power-sharing executive were then Unionist Party leader Ian year or so because the British first, short-lived, Northern real process of national Paisley joined forces with government refused to meet Ireland Assembly, when in appointed. reconciliation and building Sinn Féin’s Martin Sinn Féin at the negotiating fact they were the victims Irish Prime Minister Adams said: “Today is a new relationship between McGuinness as First Min- table. of spying. There have also Bertie Ahern, and British another significant land- the people on this island and ister and Deputy First The peace process was been unfounded smears premier Tony Blair, were mark in the process of between Ireland and Brit- Minister of the Northern revived in 1997 when Tony that Sinn Féin was involved among the guests in the transforming life on this is- ain. There are clearly Ireland Assembly. Blair was elected Prime Min- in a major bank robbery. visitors’ gallery. Formal pro- land. It’s a good day for many challenges ahead but This was the culmina- ister. There was a second These smears were the ceedings at the event were Ireland, it’s a good day for have no doubt that all these tion of the peace process ceasefire – which still holds – reason given by Ian Pais- all of the people of this is- challenges can be over- that began in October 1994, and a long negotiating proce- ley for his former intransi- delayed by 30 minutes as a when Sinn Féin representa- dure that produced the Good gence in refusing to engage mark of respect to the late land. come. tive Gerry McLochlainn de- Friday Agreement. That agree- with Sinn Féin in a function- DUP legislator, George “We, as Republicans livered a letter from his ment contained major conces- ing elected Northern Ire- Dawson, who died on “I think that Sinn Fein can develop and build and party’s executive to Prime sions by all parties but it was land Assembly. Monday after a short ill- has delivered and I want to work and seek support for Minister John Major, pro- emphatically endorsed in a But now that Assembly ness. commend the DUP also. our vision of a united Ire- posing measures that referendum throughout the is functioning, Paisley’s in- Sinn Féin President The talks between Sinn land, of an Ireland of equals would lead to “a lasting whole of Ireland. transigence is gone and the Gerry Adams speaking at Fein and the DUP, and the where everyone has rights. peace”. Nevertheless much of the prospects for continuing Stormont said “Today is agreements between us, “We have the right to a The Tory government GFA has yet to be imple- peace are high. Sinn Féin have opened up the poten- society where citizens are of John Major took the pro- mented and it has had heel has in no way abandoned another significant land- posal seriously because the dragging and attempted sabo- its ultimate aim of a united mark in the process of tial for new beginnings. treated on the basis of armed struggle of the IRA tage since it was signed. This Ireland, free from British transforming life on this is- “I want also to remem- equality. We want to was taking too great a toll includes opposition from occupation. But, for the first land. Today is a good day ber everyone who was hurt change the political land- on the British state and its what Sinn Féin describes as time in history, it is able to for Ireland. I want to thank or killed in the conflict. scape from here on out. We occupation forces in the the “secureaucracy”, who pursue that policy peace- and commend everyone Over the weekend I spent are going to succeed.” north of Ireland. have repeatedly tried to un- fully within the elected As- who worked to achieve time in County Tyrone with That letter led to the dermine the peace with false sembly. this.” families of IRA volunteers Sinn Féin news FUND

Our fund this week Iraq: put on your tin hats has brought us £467.70 by our Arab Affairs and raised our May total Correspondent mets while outdoors or in while he is in the region is to rally behind a platform of Unions on Tuesday. If it goes so far to £507.70 and unprotected buildings, fol- believed to once again be try- “reform and reconciliation”. ahead the strike is likely to leaves us with £2,492.30 US VICE-PRESIDENT Dick lowing a deadly barrage last ing to drum up support for an Some talks have been halt most production and all to go to make our monthly Cheney arrived in Baghdad week that killed four Filipino anti-Iranian alliance in ad- held with Sunni clerics and its exports. target of £3,000. on Wednesday for talks contractors working in the 3.5 vance of possible US air- Al Sadr is keen to position Needless to say little Nearly all of this with US commanders and square mile area along the strikes to try to take out Iran’s himself as a resistance publicly came out of the in- week’s fund has come puppet leaders as thou- west bank of the Tigris river nuclear facilities. But he will leader rather than the chief ternational conference on from bankers’ orders and sands more American in the heart of the Iraqi capi- also be trying to ensure the of a sectarian militia, which Iraq held in Egypt last week, we thank everyone who troops pour into Baghdad to tal. loyalty of his Iraqi puppets, is how many Sunnis and though the Americans did has contributed to this Baathists view him these have private discussions with beef up the “surge” offen- The Americans have knowing full well that many and we thank the donor sive. But as the imperialist failed to crush the resistance of them have close ties with days. But his bitter hatred of the Iranian and Syrian del- campaign enters its fourth in Baghdad despite all their the Islamic Republic. Saddam Hussein and the egations. And Abbas of a one-off £5.50 dona- month it’s clear that the only checkpoints and bunkers The puppet government Baath Party, whom he Araghchi, the Iranian deputy tion. “surge” has been the rise now dotted across the nation- is clearly on its last legs. The blames for the death of his foreign minister who at- It seems we are at in American casualties at alist areas of the capital. Am- Sunni Muslim parties are on father, and the sectarian attended the conference, enig- last coming to the end of the hands of the resistance. bushes, sniper attacks and the verge of pulling out while tacks on the Sunni commu- matically offered Tehran’s co- Blair’s blight over Brit- Earlier in the week the bombings continue relent- some of the Shia leaders are nity by some elements within operation to the US in devel- ain and over the Labour Pentagon announced that it lessly and the international also losing patience with the the Mahdi Army are huge ob- oping an “exit strategy” from Party and the prospect of has earmarked 10 more airport has again come un- sectarian Maliki regime stacles towards winning over Iraq on his return. a Brown regime seems combat brigades with 35,000 der rocket fire. Last week a which is completely power- significant sections of the The United States and no better. But outside troops for deployment in Iraq senior US commander was less and just a rubber-stamp Sunni nationalist community. Iran had the “same interests” this year, while White House seriously wounded while for the US army of occupa- Meanwhile thousands of in a stable Iraq and that di- Britain, in Asia, Latin spokesman Tony Snow told surveying one of the concrete tion. oil workers are preparing to rect talks leading to a “face- America and Africa, the the American public to brace walls the Americans are Militant Shia cleric down tools in protest at Ameri- saving withdrawal” were class struggle is making themselves for even more erecting to seal off the nation- Muqtada al Sadr and his can plans to privatise Iraq’s possible with Washington’s significant advances. losses in the weeks to come. alist neighbourhoods. Colo- Mahdi Army supporters have petroleum industry that have goodwill he declared. The Help us to oppose im- Cheney’s talks were held nel BD Farris, the com- already withdrawn their sup- been rubber-stamped by the American invasion “was a perialism in its heart- in the heavily fortified “Green mander of the 2nd “Falcon” port for Maliki and the maver- puppet regime. “The central disaster – let there not be a land and to work towards Zone” military compound of Brigade Combat Team, was ick cleric is working to posi- government must be in total disastrous withdrawal,” he the dawn of genuine so- Baghdad, which is coming felled by a single bullet. tion himself as a national and ownership and complete said, adding: “Yes, immedi- cialism here. Send what- control of production and the ate withdrawal could lead to under daily partisan rocket Cheney, who will also patriotic leader. His “Sadrist ever you can to the New and mortar fire. For the first hold talks with the pro-impe- Current” has long called for export of oil,” said Imad chaos, civil war. No one is time the American embassy rialist Arab rulers of the the withdrawal of all imperi- Abdul-Hussain, federation asking for immediate with- Worker Fund, PO Box 73, has ordered all its staff to United Arab Emirates, Saudi alist troops from Iraq. Now deputy chair of the 26,000- drawal of foreign forces. But London SW11 2PQ. wear flak jackets and hel- Arabia, Jordan and Egypt they are calling for all parties strong Iraq Federation of Oil there should be a plan.” Page 2 THE NEW WORKER 11 May 2007 email: [email protected] News Desk 020 7223 4050

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123Say no more Bankrupt speaking of the British presence in North America, The rate of people be- ‘If I was an American, as I ing declared insolvent is Ministry of Defence recently seen at the open hatch, look- am an Englishman, as long Weekly paper of the New Communist Party running at record levels, paid for a makeover of his of- ing at his watch and waving. as one Englishman re- with more than 300 people ficial residence and last year The Duke of Edinburgh mained on American soil, I becoming bankrupt every paid a £13,284 maintenance emerged, wondering what would never, never, never day, according to figures bill for his grace-and-favour was taking so long – until lay down my arms’. from the Government’s In- residence in Wiltshire, includ- members of the guard of “The Iraqi insurgents The elections and solvency Service. ing £1,900 for an ornamental honour sorted out the prob- feel exactly the same way. I A record 30,075 went fence and £2,000 for a tractor lems. understand them.” bankrupt or took out an In- mower. Labours future dividual Voluntary Arrange- Invaders Batty ment (IVA) in the first three Short welcome THE ELECTIONS last week for the Scottish months of this year – a rise General Sir Michael Rose, The army bomb-dis- of 23.9 per cent on the same The Queen’s first visit to former commander of the SAS posal squad evacuated Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the En- time last year. the United States for 16 years last week, in a debate in BBC homes and closed a main glish local authorities produced the expected was delayed – because the 2’s Newsnight, called on the road to blow up a suspi- drubbing for Labour but on the whole that Pulling rank red carpet was 15ft too short. governments of Britain and cious package, which party was heaving a sight of relief, knowing it Five thousand cheering well- the United states to “admit turned out to be a bat-box. could have been worse. Lieutenant-General Sir wishers in Capital Square, defeat” in Iraq and to with- The A23 and the B2110 Freddie Viggers is the adju- Richmond, Virginia, were told draw troops to avoid further at Pease Pottage, West The Scottish National Party came in as the larg- tant-general responsible for via a PA system: “The Queen casualties. Sussex were closed for est party in Scotland with 47 seats – that is 33 per army welfare and personnel has landed”. When he was asked if he several hours after a bomb cent and a long way from a workable majority. earlier this year spoke out But she was stuck on the thought the insurgents were disposal team was called in. But the Liberal Democrats refused to join them in against the poor standard plane for 20 embarrassing “right” to remove American The Highways a coalition unless the SNP reneged on its promise of accommodation for army minutes as workers struggled forces from Iraq he replied, Agency said the package families, who are forced to to join up the red carpet to the “Yes I do”. And he went on to was a bat box being used of a referendum on Scottish independence in 2010 live in squalid conditions plane steps. The problem was compare the insurgency to as part of a wildlife survey. so the SNP is going to try to go it alone with a and wait years for basic re- made worse when it was the Americans in their War of It was placed on a bridge minority government, which will be very vulner- pairs. realised that the steps were Independence. over the road in advance able with a high probability of being unstable and But Viggers himself is too low to reach the aircraft He added: “As Lord of an A23 expansion short-lived. not so badly housed. The door. A royal equerry was Chatham said, when he was scheme. This immediately brings out one of the main disadvantages of the proportional representation system of voting. Another is the complex ballot papers. And in Scotland around 100,000 voters inadvertently spoiled their ballot papers by making errors on the redesigned documents. The documents had been changed to make them easier to Nowhere to run be read electronically by a machine, at a cost of making them more difficult for human beings to THE THOMAS Deacon Acad- use. emy in Peterborough, But ultimately, whether the voting system is pro- Cambridgeshire will be a new portional representation or first past the post, it is £46 million, privately spon- all part and parcel of the bourgeois state system sored state flagship school that is designed to protect the privileges of the that will have 2,200 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18. wealthy and powerful at the expense of the work- But it will have no playground ers. It is not real democracy because the real and and the pupils will have no important decisions are not made in Holyrood or free break-time in the morn- in Westminster – they are made in the World Bank, ings or at lunchtime. the International Monetary Fund, in Nato, among The school, which is European Union commissioners and other global sponsored by Perkins En- capitalist bodies that are not elected. It is a fool’s gines, does not even have a errand to imagine that campaigning for propor- full complement of playing tional representation will bring any benefits for the fields. The site will still be working class. under construction when it opens next September. Now we are waiting for Blair to make his Miles Delap, the project promised declaration of departure and wondering manager of the academy, said: if he’s got some new trick up his sleeve to prolong “For a school of this size. A the agony further. All eyes are turning to Gordon playground would have had Brown and some are hoping against hope that he to be huge. That would have been almost uncontrollable. could be just a little bit better than Blair but the We have taken away an un- chances are remote. controllable space to prevent All potential challengers from the right of New bullying and truancy.” Labour have fallen a way leaving John McDonnell But many parents are and Michael Meacher still standing on the left. Each deeply concerned. Anne Kerrison, whose son Mat- • A playground without kids. If some people have their way the opposite will become needs the signatures of at least 45 to trigger a lead- thew, 14, is due to attend the more common. ership contest that will throw the voting open to school, said that all children Middlesbrough is another Sarah Teather, the Liberal Children now face up to constituency parties and affiliated trade unions – require fresh air and the city academy – a state school Democrat education spokes- 40 tests and hundreds of prac- and make a real contest of it. Either would be bet- chance to exercise and that independent of the local au- person, said: “I am stunned. tice papers in their 11 years of ter than Blair of Brown but McDonnell has by far Matthew was devastated to thority that is sponsored and This does not sound like schooling. the better record of consistently campaigning for discover he will not be able to controlled by private firms – school; it sounds like some The union warned that kick a football around at that opened in 2002 without a nightmarish Government high pressure tests for 11- policies that will benefit the working class and trade lunchtime. playground. This sparked exam factory. Without a play- year-olds and GCSEs “humili- unions. It now seems they will have to pool their Mick Brookes, general criticism from Government in- ground this school will have ate” large numbers of children support to ensure that one of them gets the vital secretary of the National As- spectors and later the school behaviour problems and mis- and branded them as failures. 45 MP signatures. sociation of Headteachers, did build a playground. erable pupils.” A survey published last If one of them were to become the next Prime commented: “Children need The timetable at the Tho- The Department of Health week by the charity Save the the opportunity to interact mas Deacon academy will in- commented: “We do promote Children reported that many Minister, there would be limits on what they could and play. Not being able to get clude no break times and just health and exercise in children children now are struggling to do to turn the tide of privatisation and profiteering out and have a breath of fresh 30 minutes for lunch. Pupils but it doesn’t have to take develop social skills and to that global capitalism is unleashing throughout the air during the day doesn’t will be escorted to and from place in the playground.” make friends at school be- seem to me a healthy state of lunch to make sure none Meanwhile delegates at cause they spend too long world. Nevertheless every little is worth it and the affairs.” impact on working class morale and confidence sneak off and run about. Les- the annual conference of the playing computer games and And Dr Colin Waine of the sons will start at 8.45am and, National Association of listening to MP3 players, ac- would be significant – and in the end it is the National Obesity Forum said: for older pupils, will end after Headteachers warned that cording to teachers. mobilised working class – not Parliament – that “There are two main causes 4pm. “play has become a four-let- The report says that an will overthrow capitalism here and throughout the of obesity – children are less Headteacher Dr Alan ter word” in schools as chil- increase in “solitary pas- physically active and there’s McMurdo said: “Research dren are being forced to spend times” is damaging children’s world. an over-reliance on conve- But even if Brown does take over as every- has shown that if children hours being drilled for tests. social skills and increasing nience foods. concentrate on lessons The conference heard re- feelings of loneliness. one expects there is one important consolation – “We’ve been too ob- throughout the day, then their ports that increasing numbers The survey warned that war-monger Bush will have lost his favourite ac- sessed with organised physi- work improves. of children are playing truant the toxic mix of modern life, complice on the world stage and will be weaker cal activity but there is evi- “We are not intending to and sinking into depression including exposure to elec- for it. dence that after the age of 10 have any playtime. Pupils after being branded a “failure” tronic entertainment, junk or 11, girls are not interested won’t need to let off steam – as young as seven years old food and over-competitive in competitive sport.” because they won’t be in some cases – after doing schooling, is poisoning child- The University of bored.” badly in national tests. hood. 11 May 2007 THE NEW WORKER Page 3 Home News Newsdesk 020 7223 4050 No to lie detectors Rally for migrant rights THE TRADE UNION Con- gress last week slammed THOUSANDS of people last groups and developing more Government proposals to try Monday took part in a rally cohesive communities. out lie detector tests on ben- in Trafalgar Square, includ- Many faith leaders were efit claimants because the ac- ing trade union and religious also present to lend their sup- curacy of the technology has leaders, to call for an am- port. The Archbishop of not been scientifically nesty for illegal immigrants Westminster, Cardinal proven, and individuals with and the opportunity for them Murphy-O’Connor, who cel- genuine cases are likely to to become regularised citi- ebrated the special mass, said be discouraged from applying zens. he was in “no way” intending for the help they desperately to encourage future illegal need. The Strangers into Citi- immigration. Last month John Hutton, zens campaign called for the But he said many illegal the Secretary of State for regularisation of rejected asy- immigrants had already been Work and Pensions an- lum-seekers and those who in Britain for years and “their nounced that from this month, have over stayed on their vi- rights should be protected”. individuals calling Harrow sas and who have been resi- He continued: “Many of Council to apply for council dent in Britain for more than them are married, settled down tax or housing benefit will be four years. The campaign and so they live in a kind of told that their voices are to be wants them to be given per- shadow land. That’s not right subjected to new lie-detec- mits to stay and work and the and it’s not fair.” tion technology. opportunity to work towards Addressing the rally, he After the initial London full citizenship. said: “Our Government and tests, the system is to be rolled The campaign follows the governments all over the out to jobcentres across Brit- similar events in the European world must treat migrant work- ain later this year. This soft- Union and in the United ers with justice and with dig- ware, known as “voice risk States and highlights the se- nity.” analysis”, compares a rious exploitation of those Others at Trafalgar Square person’s “normal” voice at the who are in Britain illegally – included the Anglican Bishop start of a phone conversation undermining labour protec- of Southwark Dr Tom Butler, with any change in tone or tion legislation and the loss secretary of the public sector work without fear, pay taxes of more humane immigration Labour deputy leadership speed of speech that may in- of income tax revenue that union Unison, said: “These and make use of the skills and rules, encouraging respect for contender Jon Cruddas, Jack dicate a person is lying. these people would pay if workers already make an enor- training that they bring from asylum seekers and migrant Dromey from the Transport If council or jobcentre their situation was mous contribution to our around the world.” workers, tackling racism in the and General Workers’ Union, staff suspect a claimant isn’t regularised. country, which will grow fur- The major trade unions workplace, combating the and Baroness Shirley Will- telling the truth, the applicant Dave Prentis, general ther when they are allowed to are calling for the promotion threats posed by far right iams. will have to provide extra evidence to support their claim. But a TUC briefing Lies, damned lies and lie detectors GMB challenges 54 per cent says that the science just isn’t Depleted uranium peril there to back up the technol- staff cuts at Yarlswood A NEW STUDY has added to paper bag would stop them. ons by western combat ogy, and any use of the soft- the growing body of evidence But if taken into the body by troops in those areas. ware when dealing with ben- THE GMB general union last moval centre contra on 25th that depleted uranium (DU), breathing the dust or eating New research at the Uni- efit claimants means that the week challenged the Govern- April 2007 from GSL. GMB which is used in armour- root vegetables contaminated versity of Southern Maine has innocent are just as likely to ment over plans to cut staff at organiser Paul Campbell said: piercing ammunition, causes with it, these radioactive par- shown that DU damages DNA fall foul of the system as the the Yarlswood Immigration “Serco has stated that the rea- widespread damage to DNA ticles can wreak terrible dam- in human lung cells. The re- genuinely guilty. Removal centre in Bedford by son for the proposed redun- and could lead to lung cancer. age. search team exposed cultures The TUC says that the 54 per cent. dancies is ‘changes in work DU is produced during of the cells to uranium com- problem with the lie-detection The union warned that the methods or organisation’. the radioactive breakdown of The impact of DU coated pounds at different concen- technology that the DWP in- plans by the new contractor “GMB has written to uranium and it emits alpha ra- ammunition hitting its target trations. tends to use is that it cannot managing the centre, Serco, Serco advising that GMB diation. The particles that leads to DU being released as They found it caused detect lies. Voice risk analysis will risk safety at the centre. London Region will totally make up this type of radiation powder. Large areas of Iraq breaks in the chromosomes and lie detectors can only de- Responding to Serco’s oppose any reduction in man- are equivalent to the nucleus and the former Yugoslavia are within the cells and stopped tect, with varying accuracy, announcement on May Day ning levels and give them a of a helium atom and have now contaminated with it fol- them from growing and divid- changes in the body, such as plans to cut over 54 per cent deadline to rescind their pro- little penetrating power – a lowing the use of DU weap- ing healthily. heart or breathing rate, or any of the staff working at posals. We will make sure that changes in the tone, pitch or Yarlswood, GMB warned that the Minister knows this too. tremors in the voice. making more than half of the GMB members have for too But as the TUC briefing centre staff redundant will risk long been on the receiving points out, different people the safety of the site, resi- end of daft policies that make BNP in Manchester police? respond to tests in different dents and remaining staff. their jobs harder or nigh on ways. Some people simply THE GREATER Manchester found to be a BNP member Commission. Her Majesty’s GMB met the Prisons impossible. Police force (GMP) is cur- could be sacked. don’t get upset when they are Minister this week to register “It seems that the Govern- Inspectorate of Police should not telling the truth, others rently investigating allega- But the BNP claimed it now carry out an investiga- the union’s concerns and the ment and the private contrac- has members among GMP feel guilt or shame at the pros- possible consequence of the tors never learn the very ob- tions that some of its officers tion of all police forces to find pect. And the TUC is worried are members of the fascist ranks. The incident happened the extent of the problem proposed redundancies. vious lessons that history tell at 4.30pm on April 23. Around that the impact of telling claim- Serco took over the re- us.” British National Party after which, if not addressed, will ants their voice is going to be an incident at a BNP event to 120 BNP supporters were re- have significant impact on le- checked for potential lies mark St Georges’ Day. ported to be milling around gitimacy of policing in the could be enough to raise an Police were called to a pub Sinclair’s Oyster Bar, and were UK.” individual’s stress levels, in Manchester city centre reported to be chanting abuse The GMP is saying it does causing them to be nervous where BNP supporters had at passers by. not believe it has any mem- and arouse suspicion. FBU say no to gathered and triggered com- Some were wearing T- bers in the BNP but the BNP TUC general secretary plaints from the public when shirts saying “Love Britain or claims that it does have mem- Brendan Barber said: “Minis- control centre cuts they became rowdy. fuck off” and shouting BNP bers in the GMP. ters should think again and Some officers attending slogans. One officer present The BNP disturbance in abandon any plans to subject FRONTLINE fire crews say The cost of the Project, the incident later informed claims he saw a fellow officer Manchester city centre was benefit claimants to untested they have little confidence known as FireControl is put their inspector that they had wearing a BNP badge. Bar sparked by the party’s failure lie detector technology. Un- in the Government’s ability at £1 billion by Government, recognised some of their own managers feared trouble and to infiltrate the city’s St fortunately people for whom to create a new 999 call although the Fire Brigades colleagues among the BNP called police to help them George’s Day parade. Local deception is a way of life tend system which works well Union has always believed crowd – although no one has clear away the BNP support- anti-fascists tipped off the to pass lie detector tests with and say the plans should that is a serious under-es- said they were directly in- ers. organisers that the BNP were flying colours while the scru- be halted. timate. volved in the rowdiness. Senior GMP officers are attempting to enter the parade pulously honest often fail. If They say the £1 billion Emergency fire control The GMP a couple of sceptical of the claims of BNP under a different name with a people know that their voices the Government is spend- rooms are the command years ago was at the centre of members in their ranks. dragon float – which ended are to be analysed for every ing on the system would be and control centres at the a storm when an undercover Police officers are not al- up being impounded. blip and tremor, the danger is better spent on more front- heart of fire brigades. They reporter infiltrated their train- lowed to be members of the Around 5,000 gathered in that genuine claimants will be line personnel, training and handle all 999 calls from the ing programme and filmed BNP. Police chiefs say that Manchester city centre to intimidated into withdrawing equipment. public, send appliances to trainees making racist re- membership is incompatible observe the fourth annual their claims, or will have to Government plans to every type of emergency in- marks. The film was broadcast with officers’ duties under parade on Sunday afternoon. wait ages for their money close all 46 emergency fire cident, assist crews at inci- by the BBC in the documen- race equality laws. Peaceful floats from 49 differ- while they provide extra evi- control rooms in England dents and manage each tary programme Secret Po- Ali Dizaei of the National ent groups, community dence. and replace them with just fire brigade’s emergency liceman. The force’s initial Black Police Association, who groups and other community “The use of lie detector eight regional centres out- response resources. reaction to the undercover is a chief superintendent in the associations processed tests seems to suggest that side of London, which will In a nation-wide poll of footage obtained by the BBC Metropolitan police, called for through the city centre to the majority of benefit claim- retain its brigade control FBU members conducted of their trainee officers being an independent investigation: Piccadilly. ants are fraudsters, when the room. by YouGov, 95 per cent of racist was to arrest the under- “It beggars belief that in One float was entered on overwhelming majority are There are similar plans firefighters polled said the cover reporter who obtained today’s police service we ap- behalf of the BNP by local honest. The Government in Scotland with proposals proposed regional centre it. pear to have serving police candidate Derek Adams who, needs to remember that it is to shift from eight brigade would damage the Now the GMP says it has officers who are members of when questioned, denied the not dealing with gangsters or controls down to either service’s ability to respond seized CCTV footage and its the BNP. float was anything to do with mafia dons, but some of the three or one centre for the to incidents and also lower detectives will scour it frame “These allegations must the BNP and claimed it was poorest and weakest people whole country. the safety of firefighters. by frame for evidence. The be investigated by the Inde- produced by a group named in the UK.” force vowed that any officer pendent Police Complaints British Heritage. Page 4 THE NEW WORKER 11 May 2007 Features Posada Carriles: A wolf in sheeps clothing

by Angel Rodriguez Alvarez ist bombing attacks against Cu- ban tourism facilities, one that A DETAILED analysis of the resulted in the killing of an Italian majority of the international tourist Fabio Di Celmo. press shows that a whole bar- Posada Carriles can also be rage of nouns are used when called a sadist after his affirma- talking about Luis Posada tion that after his carrying out his Carriles; nevertheless the crimes that resulted in the deaths one that bests describes him of innocent people he would is almost always avoided: ter- “sleep like a baby.” Or when at- rorist! Some call him a dissi- tempting to justify the assassina- dent, others a veteran fighter, tion of Fabio Di Celmo he or an anti-Castro activist. Far boasted “The Italian tourist was less often used are the titles in the wrong place at the wrong of agent or CIA informant. time.” And how to characterize This “curious” detail is not as someone who coldly and peace- formal as it seems, as it hides the fully organized the bombing of a true nature of this dangerous commercial airliner with 73 character. The press in Florida, people on board in 1976 and at- completely shackled by the right- tempted to do the same at the wing Cuban American sector, University of Panama where hun- prefer to present him in the best dreds of students were participat- case scenario as an “old, sick and ing in a Solidarity with Cuba event inoffensive man” whose most with the presence of President serious crime is reduced in hav- Fidel Castro. ing lied to federal immigration The fact that Posada Carriles authorities about his illegal entry is not credited with another 800 into the United States. to 1,000 dead is thanks to the The deliberateness of this efficiency of the Cuban intelli- omission becomes obvious with gence service which discovered a quick look at Posada Carriles Basilio he tortured countless Nor would it be an exaggera- apply to the time when Posada the plot and offered timely, de- extensive and diverse criminal revolutionaries. tion to call him a frustrated mer- was unhappy with the Cuban tailed information to Panamanian record, which brings to mind a He can also be called a drug cenary, when he enlisted in the American National Foundation authorities to thwart the plan. number of nouns to characterize trafficker, as he helped organize invasion organized by the White after the terrorist organization Now free in Miami waiting a this self-confessed criminal. Washington’s dirty war against House against Cuba in April 1961. denied the criminal new sums of 11th May court appearance for Nouns such as torturer and Nicaragua’s Sandinista govern- However, the vessel he was on money. In retaliation, Posada simply violating US immigration executioner could be used be- ment. A job that combined with board decided to turn back after spilt the beans during an inter- laws, Posada Carriles is being cause these were his main occu- arms trafficking to supply the they were met with the over- view with New York Times jour- dressed up by the mass media in pation for years at the service of contras in a bloody conflict that whelming presence of Cubans nalist Louise Bardach, talking sheep’s clothing. the DISIP in Venezuela, when resulted in the deaths of thou- ready to protect their homeland. about his links to that Miami based under the name of Comisario sands. The title blackmailer could organization carrying out terror- ACN (Cuba) Reflections on Anzac Day IT IS WELL-KNOWN that written in 1907 Henry Lawson control and the establishment of the commemoration of Anzac wrote: “True mateship looks for US military bases around the Day on 25th April is promoted no limelight … I think that the life world. and arose out of the Gallipoli and liberty of a mate — man or In Australia, American domi- landing in Turkey in the First woman — is the first and stron- nance replaced British colonial World War. It is also well- gest. It is the instinct that irre- rule. This was the relationship known that it was a monumen- sistibly impels a thirsty, parched that led Australian governments tal military defeat and that it man, out on the burning sands, to to send troops to Korea (1950s) was ordered by the British pour the last drop of water down and later to Vietnam (1960s). High Command at the time. the throat of a dying mate…” These were both US-inspired They had the objective of The First World War was a wars by which they aimed to con- sealing off the entrance to the war waged between two colonial trol emerging Asia — particularly Black Sea at the point of the powers, Britain and France, China. Both Labour and Liberal Dardanelles. It is promoted as the against the German colonialists. Governments now worship the epic from which the Australian Germany was defeated and the so-called American Alliance nationhood arose, associated with victorious imperialists seized the which has led to Australia’s ser- mateship and courage. It involved colonial possessions of Germany vile participation in the wars in all of these things but it is stretch- in Africa and in the Pacific. Aus- Iraq and Afghanistan. Who ing a point to regard Gallipoli as tralian troops served the British knows where this colonialist type the origin of nationhood and rulers (who included Winston relationship will lead in the fu- mateship or courage. Churchill) at that time. That is ture? The Australian nation arose why they were despatched to Anzac Day certainly com- out of the struggles against Brit- Gallipoli. memorates courage and ish colonialism in the 1890s, for The Second World War was mateship but it also signifies the the uniting of the states which had a war that started off as a con- subservience of Australia to been separate colonies of Brit- tinuation of the conflict of 1914- firstly British, and now American ain for the preceding 100 years. 18 in that Germany sought re- domination. It has been used by They were united into the Com- venge for its defeat. It turned into • An Anzac soldier reascues a mate on the beaches of Galipoli successive governments to pro- monwealth of Australia in 1901. a progressive war aimed to de- mote militarism, to brainwash The concepts of mateship and feat German fascism. But the and then attempted to send the been bombed and the United young citizens into thinking that courage arose much earlier in the British Government continued its 7th Division to Burma to defend States was finally forced to take war is some kind of glory. struggles of the early pioneers colonialist aims. At first Austra- British colonial interests in Asia. sides in the war both against the Australia has yet to win her and the struggles of the trade lian troops were sent to North If the Australian Government had Japanese and the Germans in independence from subservience unionists who fought colonialism Africa and to the Middle East capitulated to British pressure Europe. The US rulers had their to other governments. This is not and the repression of the squat- where the countries were still and military orders they would own colonialist ambitions both in some kind of mindless isolation- ters many years before the First British and French colonies. almost certainly have been mas- the Pacific and in Europe. They ism. But why should Australia World War. Even when the Australian sacred by the Japanese. saw themselves as taking over bend the knee and serve the in- These concepts were Curtin Labour Government or- It was also at this point that the possessions of other colonial terests of others? popularised by the poets Henry dered the Australian troops home the Curtin Government turned to powers. Later the US changed Lawson, Banjo Patterson and to meet the threat of a Japanese the Americans to help defend tactics and replaced direct colo- The Guardian others. In his story on mateship invasion, Churchill at first refused Australia. Pearl Harbour had nial rule with indirect economic Australian communist weekly 11 May 2007 THE NEW WORKER Page 5 Features 020 7223 4052 The Political Cartoon Gallery

by Stella Moutafis considering a visit to see the vast array of cartoons on display and POLITICS – it is a part of life to check out for future events. that can be depressing - but The displays cover two floors and can also be amusing. Humour the gallery has it’s own café and is something humans are well as a shop that offers a range hard-wired for - and politi- of stock that is probably unique. cians are generally seen as There is a selection of books fair game! with compilations of the work of This is often expressed in the various leading cartoonists. Of form of cartoons - and these can particular interest is a book pub- also be a vehicle of political com- lished by the gallery itself: Do ment. The work of political car- Cowards Flinch, a cartoon his- toonists, past and present, offers tory of the Labour Party byAlan us insights into popular feeling Mumford with a foreword by about individuals and events in Neil Kinnock no less which will the news. set you back £19.99 for the hard- In London we are fortunate back edition. in having a gallery dedicated to On a lighter note, along with this artform/political commen- the predictable mugs and post- tary. The Political Cartoon Gal- cards there are bound copies of lery claims that it’s the world’s such highly-esteemed periodicals only centre dedicated to political as Viz and the Beano! cartoons and caricature and it Our heritage of political car- hosts exhibitions and offers origi- toons over the years is to be cher- nal cartoons and related mer- ished and hopefully, one day the chandise for sale. New Worker’s own “Boxer” will The work of Jimmy Friell be duly celebrated! (1912 -1997) has recently been • A Gabriel cartoon from 1953 – how did he feel about it after 1956? The Political Cartoon Gal- the subject of an impressive ex- lery is at 32 Store Street Lon- hibition here – an exhibition in- cartoonist for the Daily Worker end of capitalism”. It seems a bit 1956, he resigned from the pa- don WC1E 7BS and it’s open spired – we are told – by a re- for 20 years, joining the paper’s dubious for a socialist to charac- per due to his opposition to its line from 9.30 - 5.30 pm Monday cent description of Gordon staff in 1936. terize himself on the basis of a on the Soviet intervention in Hun- to Friday and 11.30 - 5.30pm Brown as being of Stalinist ruth- He worked under the pseud- Biblical reference. But to use gary that year! Saturday. Admission is £1 lessness. onym “Gabriel”, which he chose another Biblical reference Friell Unfortunately, that exhibition which you get back if you buy And Friell was the in-house because he wished to ‘herald the “fell by the wayside” when in is over. But it is well worth while something. Chinese Mongols pass on culture in modern life

YARU CAN SING popular Borzhijin while Siqin means songs in Chinese to great ef- “clever” in Mongolian. fect but her real preference is More Mongolians have begun for traditional Mongolian folk to send their children to schools songs that she sings to guests with classes taught in Mongolian in a big restaurant in central to ensure they do not forget their Hohhot. language. “I’m proud to sing Mongolian “The number of classes songs,” says Yaru. “And it’s much taught in Mongolian in our school better singing them in the origi- has risen to 12 from seven in nal than in a version translated 2001,” said Dalai Duren, head- into Mandarin Chinese.” master of Xing’anlu Ethnic Pri- The 27-year-old ethnic Mon- mary School in Hohhot. “The golian who grew up on the grass- school has seen an annual in- lands in the Inner Mongolia Au- crease of nearly 100 students tonomous Region, and she has studying Mongolian.” been working for three years at The school has now 1,200 stu- the Caoyuancheng restaurant dents, and 98 per cent of them where servers dress in traditional are ethnic Mongolians. Each of Mongolian costume and custom- them enjoys a monthly living sub- ers eat in compartments shaped sidy of 30 yuan ($3.80) from lo- like Mongolian yurts. cal governments. China encour- As rapid economic develop- • The Genghis Khan Mausoleum. ages schools in autonomous re- ment transforms the vast, re- and Liaoning, and north-western Hohhot, the regional capital. standard among Han Chinese. gions to have classes taught both source-rich autonomous region, Gansu and Xinjiang provinces or The mausoleum, rebuilt in Some Mongolians have even in the language of the ethnic mi- hundreds of thousands of people region. 1956, contains sacrificial tablets. started to reconstruct their fam- nority groups and in Mandarin over the past decade have done In traditional yurts — now It has become a gathering place ily trees. Chinese. what Yaru did and move to towns very rare — and in Mongolian for Mongolians to offer sacrifice “Offering sacrifice to ances- Preferential policies in school- or cities from pasturing and farm- family houses, portraits of to the spirit of Genghis Khan. tors, giving children Mongolian ing for students of ethnic minori- ing areas in pursuit of a better life. Genghis Khan — the man who “I have not attended such names and building family trees, ties are also an attraction, accord- But they are also increasingly united Mongolian tribes eight cen- rituals yet, but I will some day,” all these phenomena indicate that ing to Dalai Duren. The school aware of the efforts needed to turies ago and ruled an empire said Yaru, for whom Genghis ethnic Mongolians are keen to has seen more mixed-blood chil- ensure the survival of their lan- that stretched from south east Khan is a brave, wise man. protect and pass on their cultural dren — one parent a Han and guage and culture in a modern Asia to central Europe — are The sacrificial rituals, with a legacy to the generations to one a Mongolian — enroll and world where the lifestyle is vastly commonplace. history dating back 780 years, are come,” said Bao Siqin, director study in Mongolian. different from centuries-old no- Ethnic Mongolians in the re- now presided over by the de- of the Literature Studies Institute Namula, the school’s door- madism. gion regard him as a hero. Every scendants of the Mongolian tribe of the Inner Mongolia Autono- man, said his eight-year-old China has about 5.8 million year, thousands of Mongolians of Dalhut, who were once mous Regional Academy of So- grandson studies in Second Grade ethnic Mongolians, 4.2 million of from all over China and from Genghis Khan’s garrison army. cial Sciences. classes taught in Mongolian. “I whom live in Inner Mongolia Mongolia attend grand sacrificial Nowadays, more Mongolians According to Bao, also an want him to master both Mongo- which has a total population of rituals at the Genghis Khan Mau- in the region prefer to give their ethnic Mongolian, his current sur- lian and Chinese,” he said. 24 million. The rest mainly live in soleum, located in Erdos city, children Mongolian names, rather name Bao is a simplified form of north-eastern Heilongjiang, Jilin some 200 km south west of than use three-character names his original Mongolian surname Xinhua news agency Page 6 THE NEW WORKER 11 May 2007 Home News

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country are BAe’s laws and 1234567890123456789012345678 if necessary they can be set Breaking the chains 1234567890123456789012345678 1234567890123456789012345678 Dear Comrades aside “in the national 123456789012345678901234567Diary 8 interest”. 1234567890123456789012345678 Andrew Harvey’s of capitalism They own this country FRIDAY 11 May – 30 argument (NW 1436) is and they decide, along with SATURDAY 26 May hardly strengthened by June. Play – The Big African liberation day. Film, the other monopoly capital- White Fog by Theodore quoting the Trotskyist ists, what its interests are. poetry, speakers, stalls. 12 historian Isaac Deutscher Ward. 7.30, Almeida noon to 4.30pm. Room This blatant display of Theatre, Almeida St, and the anti-Soviet and part- arms industry influence and V111, Aernon Square time police informer George London N1. £6-£29.50. Campus, SOAS, Vernon corruption should be MONDAY 14 May Orwell in his defence of instructive to all comrades. Suare, London WC1, FoA Martov who both had Do cowards flinch? & ALISC. We need our laws and History of Labour Party particular political axes to our state and our “national SUNDAY May 27 grind. Nor does he deal with cartoons. 7pm, Marx Party4peace. Benefit gig. interest”. Memorial Library, 37a the undeniable fact that Yours sincerely, 7pm, The Bedford, social-democracy has utterly Clerkenwell Green, Balham, London SW12. Roger Newby, London EC1. £1.00/50p. failed to emancipate the Sheffield. SUNDAY 27 May working class in Britain, SUNDAY 15 May Nottingham Green Europe or anywhere else in PCS Stop the War Festival. Coalition frige meeting. the world. Dear Comrades 10am-5pm, Arboretum “Democracy” does not Hewison Mall Brighton Park, Waverly St/Addison exist in a vacuum. There’s Centre, KIngs Road, St, Nottingham. NCP stall Sixteen years after the Brighton BN1 2GR. bourgeois democracy, which demise of the Soviet Union all day. is democracy for themselves WEDNESDAY 16 May THURSDAY 31 May and socialism the transition Foreign policy after Blair: and dictatorship for those to free market capitalism has John Pilger book launch. they exploit and people’s troops out of Iraq. Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 proved to be a comprehen- 7.30pm, the Round democracy, which puts sive disaster for the Russian Gordon St, London WC1. working people first and is Chapel, Powerscroft Rd, £4 from 020 7636 1577. workers and people. Lower Clapton, London genuinely democratic. However Russian SATURDAY 2 June Of course there were E5. Friends of Lebanon: gangsters and speculators, THURSDAY 17 May some outstanding social- as well as many multina- liberation day event. democratic leaders in the Lewisham Peace 6.30pm, Friends Meeting tional corporations such as Council action meeting. past who opposed imperial- Coca Cola and McDonalds House, Euston Rd, ist war and struggled to 7pm, St Andrew’s London. have done extremely well. Church, Brockley Road, build socialism. If Andrew is This, inevitably, is at the SATURDAY 9 June looking for heroes he could London SE4. National Demo for expense of the Russian SATURDAY 19 May look no further than Jean people; their living stan- Palestine. March from Jaurès, the French social- Nkrumah’s legacy. Room Lincoln’s Inn Fields at dards have plummeted and L67, SOAS, Thornhaugh democratic leader who tried their life chances have 1.30pm & rally in Trafalgar to stop the First World War • Taimur Rahman. St, London WC1. Square, London. Enough! deteriorated. MONDAY 21 May by calling for general strikes Sharp comparisons can THE LONDON District of the stan (CMKP) spoke of the Coalition. in France and Germany and Lewisham & Greenwich THURSDAY 14 June be made between the New Communist Party last parallel development of the CND AGM. 7.30pm, at the paid for it with his life when relatively high standard of week marked May Day with a communist movement in Pa- After Blair, breaking with he was shot dead by a Bakehouse, Blackheath Bush’s endless war. living enjoyed by citizens of meeting in Marx House on the kistan and Bangladesh, work- THURSDAY 24 May nationalist fanatic on the the former Soviet Union and topic of “Smashing the ing for much of the time in 7.30pm, Yaa Asantewaa eve of French mobilisation Afghanistan – the Arts & Community Centre, the poor quality of life the Chains of Capitalism”. conditions of illegality where forgotton front of the ‘war for war in July 1914. majority of Russians endure The meeting was chaired suspected communists could 1 Chippenham Mews, Yours in comradeship, on terror’. 7.30 Carr’s London W9. STWC. now. by Neil Harris, who gave a be arrested, tortured and mur- Lane Church Centre, Dave Danton Capitalism in Russia brief history of the celebration dered by the state. SUNDAY 17 June Dagenham opp. Moor St station, Brent STWC garden party. simply does not work for of May Day as International He spoke of the damag- Birmingham. Essex most Russian people. Workers’ Day. ing divisions that arose from Willesden Green. £12/£7. Never before has the Comrade Tushar from the the split between the Soviet Dear Comrades complete failure of the South Asia Forum spoke on and Chinese parties in the western imposed model in the development of the work- 1960s and how in the end they The bourgeois pacifists Russia renewed the argu- ing class struggle in India and too concluded that revolu- have hailed the Serious ment for socialism and how it has taken 87 years for tionary strategy must be built Fraud Office’s ending of its On the Web... workers’ democratic control the Indian Communist move- on the conditions prevailing New Worker National – own corruption investiga- of the economy in Russia ment to realise that it needs in Pakistan rather than trying tion into BAe Systems’ arms and worldwide. its own strategy for revolu- to copy too closely the ex- www.newworker.org deals with Saudi Arabia as Yours fraternally, tion. ample of other parties. NCP Central – evidence that BAe is above Mervyn Drage, He said that society in Michael Chant of the www.geocities.com/ncpcentral the law. Manchester. India is divided along four Revolutionary Communist London District NCP– We Marxists know fundamental lines: caste, Party of Britain (Marxist- class, ethnicity and gender Leninist) spoke on fight wage http://londoncommunists.blogspot.com/ and that the communist move- slavery and on the illusions Brighton NCP – ment must address these is- of bourgeois “representative http://brightoncommunists.blogspot.com/ sues. democracy”. NCP-PCS – Comrade Taimur Rahman NCP general secretary FROM THE NEW COMMUNIST PARTY from the Communist Workers’ www.geocities.ncppcs/pcs1.html New technology and the need for socialism Andy Brooks wound up the and Peasants’ Party of Paki- speeches with a detailed his- £2 plus 50p P&P. tory of May Day. He recalled The case for communism £2 plus 50p P&P. the struggles in 1856 for the eight-hour day; the struggles All in the family by Daphne Liddle, for trade union legality in £1 plus 50p P&P (New Worker reprint). Toronto in 1872 and the fight Arab nationalism and the communist movement in Chicago in 1886 for the by Andy Brooks, £1 plus 50p P&P (New Worker reprint). eight-hour day, which led to NCP Lit. PO Box 73, London SW11 2PQ. violence, the framing, impris- onment and legal murder of six (cheques to New Worker) trade union leaders. This was followed by in- formal socialising and discus- sion and a collection which raised £45 towards the cost of the meeting.

Weekly paper of the New Communist Party New Worker SUBSCRIBE NOW! Supporters’ Groups… 6 weeks: £5; 3 months: £10; New Worker supporters groups exist to support the 6 months: £15; annual: £30 weekly newspaper of the New Communist Party. Individual membership is £5.00 ( 8 Euros or $10) for all Name...... or part of the calendar year and every member will re- ceive a New Worker Supporters Group (NWSG) card Address...... and a copies of the Internal Bulletin for the year...... Post code...... Name...... Phone...... Address...... Cheque/P.O.’s, made out to New Worker, to: ...... NW Subs, PO Box 73, London SW11 2PQ postcode...... 11 May 2007 THE NEW WORKER Page 7 020 7223 4052 Revolution in the Himalayas

Nepalese communist other democratic theorectical articles movement that rejected parties of Nepal. Now by Prachanda and REVIEW the parliamentary road there is a ceasefire and other Maoist leaders that had briefly led to the Maoists are part of on the state and two minority commu- the provisional govern- democracy together nist governments in the ment and the King is with two commen- by Andy Brooks 1990s, which proved desperately trying to taries by Stalin. powerless in the face fend off demands for Both pamphlets Hoist the Revolution- of the intrigues of the his abdication and the are detailed special- ary Flag on Mount bourgeois parties and establishment of a ist works but they Everest in the 21st Cen- the determination of the democratic republic. are essential reading tury: Second Wave royal family to retain But who are the to anyone studying Publications, London autocratic power. CPN(Maoists) and the Nepalese revolu- 2007, pbk, 43pp The Maoists’ what do they want? tion. Some Second £3.50. Democracy, People’s Liberation Second Wave Publica- Wave publications multi-party system and Army rapidly estab- tions has gone some including Hoist the the withering away of lished popular control way to answering this Revolutionary Flag the state under prole- over much of the by publishing a series on Mount Everest tarian leadership: Sec- Himalayan kingdom but of pamphlets on the are available from ond Wave Publica- their fight was largely Nepalese revolution Housman’s tions, London 2006, ignored by the British over the past two Bookshop in London. pbk, 88pp £4.00. communist movement years. All can be obtained partly because the The latest, Hoist the directly from: IN FEBRUARY 1996 CPN (Maoist) only Revolutionary Flag on the Nepalese maintained international Mount Everest in the Second Wave masses took up the links with communists 21st Century, is an Publications & gun to end the who had a dogmatic interview with Maoist Distribution, BM feudal monarchy and often sectarian leader Chairman Box 2978 London that had enslaved attitude to the rest of Prachanda given in WC1N 3XX them for centuries. the movement and 2006 that covers their The revolt was led largely because so little tactics, theory and Please add 50p by the Communist information about the year with the abandon autocracy, at practice during the for postage and Party of Nepal struggle was available momentuous events in least for the moment, armed struggle. packing if ordering (Maoist), one of the in English. Kathmandu which and agree to talks with The second is a by post. wings of the That all changed last forced the King to the Maoists and the collection of Render unto Darwin

geois, perspective rather than stsements, not about right or does John continues to be- a Marxist one. This would be wrong (which Fetzer acknowl- lieve that he exists in some less important perhaps if it edges elsewhere). We can form or other and the gardener REVIEW was a general political po- criticise a statement for not becomes ever more unworldly. lemic but the sub-title is to be being logical but how can we Surely in the end we are by Ray Jones taken seriously. It is a work of move from that to say it is im- entitled to think that John is philosophy, which makes it moral? He surely has to give being unreasonable in his be- difficult going in many places a good reason why logic lief in the gardener and unrea- Render unto Darwin, but more importantly it rests should be key to morality, sonable in his expectation of philosophical aspects of to a large extent on philosophi- which, in this book at least, Jane sharing his belief. the Christian Right’s cal theories which, to say the he fails to do. In the past when much crusade against science. least, are doubtful. If by logical he just means less was known about the The results are that Fetzer By James H Fetzer, “reasonable” the we are still world and the causes of ends up rejecting both belief no farther forward because events and religious belief Open Court, Chicago, in God and atheism as “im- everyone can claim to be rea- was more wide pervasive, it 201 pages, pbk. moral” (!) and concluding that sonable. might have thought by many only the sitting on the fence It is the use of logic that that the opposite response THERE ARE SOME good of agnosticism is acceptable. allows Fetzer to put belief in was more reasonable. Most things to be said for this book. Fetzer has two main planks God and the belief that there might feel that God’s existence It speaks out against the on which his case is built but isn’t a God on a level footing. was obvious and it was non- Christian fundamentalists’ neither is spelt out rigorously You cannot prove by logical belief that needed explana- desperate rearguard action enough to be convincing. The argument that God exists, al- tion. against science and in the book tries to cover an im- though many have tried, or But with science explain- US that is important — as well mense area and is disjointed that he/she/it doesn’t, Fetzer ing more and more about the as being potentially danger- and bitty. He relies on the would claim — therefore we world and less in life being ous. It speaks out against the reader having done a lot of should all be agnostics. unpredictable the need, or attempt of the unscrupulous reading — including Fetzer’s Atheists could well re- room, for God or gods being rich to use the reactionary earlier works. spond that that the onus is directly involved has been ideas held by many ordinary The basic planks of his on the believer to prove some- reduced. There is a tendency, Americans for their own dispute with the Christian thing that is far from obvious so far most noticeable in west- aims. Right are over the nature of and that why should we take ern societies, for religion to be It rejects so called Cre- morality. Fetzer holds that we on the more difficult task of shunted into it’s own little ation Science, quite correctly, should respect people and proving a negative? compartment where it has a as not living up to any rea- never treat them as merely And there is an argument language and a meaning of it’s sonable definition of science means to an end and “we...are sometimes called “the invis- own and it doesn’t need to because it makes claims that not morally entitled to hold ible gardener argument” compete with science. are not testable or falsifiable beliefs about morality unless which seems persuasive. Two Religion fights back and and in the end rely on faith. we are logically entitled to people discover an over- tries to keep its place in the It’s a common ploy to try and hold them”. • A bit like the curate’s egg – but nice cover though. grown garden. John insists main stream of thought and undermine a position by ap- These theses have a de- that it is being attended to life and is often used by reac- pearing to adopt it; in this gree of attraction; they ex- to evade. The obvious ploy The second reduces mo- even though they never see tionaries for their own aims. case science but of course clude religious explanations is to label your targets as non- rality to logic. What kind of the gardener. The problem with Fetzer’s Marxism has suffered in this and they seem to fit in well people (as the Nazis did) and “logic” is he talking about? If Jane thinks not and sets book is that although it com- way. with today’s liberal consen- then you can treat them how he means formal logic then up hidden cameras, trip wires, mendably struggles against But sadly it is a deeply sus but neither of them carry you want and still claim to this a strange use of it because laser beam detectors and so this it does not do so effi- flawed book because it is writ- much weight. The first plank keep to the principle of treat- formal logic is about the va- on. The gardener is not re- ciently and leaves dangerous ten from a liberal, petty bour- is just far too vague and easy ing people with respect. lidity of arguments and vealed but whatever Jane loop holes. Page 8 11 May 2007

International News Web: www.newworker.org Fax 020 7223 4057 Spanish car workers Sarkozy sets out his agenda strike by Martha Grevatt by Elsa Claro reverses at the hands of those egocentric allies during the SINCE THE February an- NICOLAS Sarkozy has reit- time of the resistance to Nazi nouncement that Delphi, the erated his promise to in- fascism. former parts division of Gen- crease the purchasing power Despite the fact that this eral Motors, would close a of the French population, cre- representative of French con- plant in Puerta Real, Spain, ate jobs and get serious in the servatism has had question- the workers have been fight- fight against climate change. able positions with respect to ing back. They have held Other promises made right emigration (they call him xe- massive demonstrations, after learning of his victory nophobic), and his attitude on have sat down inside the plant, in the French presidential immigrants is challenged by and have blocked the plant elections, with 53 per cent of diverse social sectors, he entrance with burning barri- the vote, were in both the do- said: “We must end hatred, cades. mestic and foreign arenas, we must have a dream of On 18th April the struggle and went far beyond what was peace…the time has come to to save 1,600 Delphi jobs and expected for that initial mo- fight together in a Mediterra- thousands more directly af- ment. nean union between Europe fected took a huge step for- The representative of the and Africa,” the continent to ward with a one-day general Union for a Popular Move- which he directed a “fraternal strike. Spanish unions claimed ment, for example, sent a mes- appeal,” promising “help to the strike was 90 per cent suc- sage to France’s neighbours end disease and poverty, to cessful and it brought out in the European Union stress- decide together on a policy of hundreds of thousands of ing that he “sincerely be- regulated emigration and sus- workers, shutting down 14 lieves in European recon- tainable development.” municipalities in the province struction”. The reference was These elements may or of Cádiz. “Silent” is how the aimed at the integrationalist may not form part of an unions described the cities, supporters of the European agenda that is prompting with public transportation Constitution that was put on some hope among the unem- barely running and garbage hold, above all, by the “no” ployed, the working home- pick-up non-existent. votes of the French people in less, the people crowded into Hundreds of militant work- a referendum. the marginal neighbourhoods • Riots across France follow Sarkozy’s election. ers protested outside the In- of the big cities without much terior Ministry office in Cádiz, friends hope of change and, in a gen- shouting: “If Delphi closes, eral way, the unfortunate, who above all those of a quite ap- ers to participate actively in mendable to give Sarkozy war, war, war.” Similar actions Another message from the are the majority. prehensive population are fo- the forthcoming parliamen- “absolute power”. took place in other towns, man who will become the He is also arousing the cusing on what will happen tary elections. Exit polls showed that 66 while in Barcelona some 300 newly-elected sixth president interest of those who feel little in just a month. “Let’s keep intact that en- per cent want Bayrou to be Delphi workers marched in of the Fifth French Republic or no enthusiasm for the situ- Whichever party obtains ergy of people’s events that part of the new government, solidarity. from 16th May, when Jacques ation and are asking them- the most seats in Parliament have accompanied me whatever the rest of its com- Spanish Prime Minister Chirac’s mandate ends, was selves whether or not, like so will determine the comfort with throughout this campaign,” to position may be. According José Zapatero has stated un- for his “American friends,” many other times, the prom- which Sarkozy and his plan attain “future victories,” she to the same polls, many also der pressure that “the govern- the ones he urged to “take the ises of the newly-elected have can go ahead without difficul- said. want Royal to be in the new ment is not going to fail the lead in the fight against cli- no real substance. ties, something that would administration. workers of Delphi nor the Bay mate change”, informing them face obstacles if the move- new party Granma of Cádiz.” that “they can count on our crucial moments ments of the left manage to All over the world, auto friendship in the tragedy of regroup, maintain unity and For his part, Francois • Waves of anti- workers are beginning to history that we will face to- Two immediate and crucial temper whatever excesses Bayrou, the centrist who lost Sarkozy demonstrations realise that only dramatic, mili- gether”. moments lie ahead. The for- may be expected from the new in the first presidential elec- across France have ended tant action can stave off the However, he added, “I mation of a new government French administration. tion round, is coordinating the in violence. Nearly 1,100 global corporate assault. On also say to them that in friend- when Sarkozy is officially in- That is why in conceding formation of a new political vehicles were torched and 12th April workers at the ship, it is accepted that friends augurated, and the parliamen- victory to Sarkozy, the Social- party with which it is possible over 750 people arrested Coghlan-Russell plant in th th ist candidate Ségolène Royal can have different ideas,” per- tary elections of 10 and 17 he will participate in the elec- in clashes with the police Geelong, Australia, staged a June. Several individuals (17 million voted for her) haps recalling that his politi- tions next month, in search of this week. Socialist Party sit down strike, after being cal background inherits some have been mentioned for the smiled at her rival and with- “a balance of power,” as he Secretary General laid off without pay and be- of the ideas of Charles de post of prime minister, but the out losing time – there isn’t affirmed, given that he being denied entitlement ben- Gaulle, who suffered several eyes of the politicians and much – called on her support- lieves that it is not recom- Francois Hollande has efits. Ten days later, Ford, one appealed for of Coghlan-Russell’s two ma- “responsibility and calm” jor customers, came up with and urged the $1 million to keep the plant demonstrators to express open for at least a year. The their anger through voting 49 victorious strikers are re- EU keeps Uncle Sam satisfied in the June parliamentary turning to work. elections. Workers World (US) THE UNITED STATES they consider the only ac- Europe had pledged to This agreement, and the European ceptable social system. reduce its CO2 emissions which took four years of Union recently held a And if Cuba does not follow by 20 per cent for 2020, but negotiations, is good summit that was not as the imposed rules, they even it has been unsuccessful in news for airline execu- publicised as on previ- foresee punitive measures. making the United States tives. And it paves the way ous occasions. The Judging by what Presi- support the effort. for mergers and acquisi- meeting established dent Bush said, discus- So, to avoid confronta- tions. that the two parties sions about Cuba went tion, they decided to focus But the agenda of this agree on almost every more smoothly than on on less controversial is- American-European issue, including diffi- many other issues. sues than climate change, Summit included less cult ones. such as air transportation. pleasant issues such as Although we have very regretted the US occupation of Iraq, little information as to open skies the humanitarian crisis in what was said about For instance German Sudan and Darfur, the Cuba, US President Chancellor Angela Merkel Both parties were situation in Afghanistan George W Bush, never regretted that despite pleased to announce that and the proposed Euro- concerned about being progress made in previous they had reached an agree- pean anti-missile shield accused of interfering in negotiations between the ment for open skies over the strongly opposed by Rus- the internal affairs of an- US and Europe regarding Atlantic. sia because the Kremlin other country, said that climate change, this sum- So now European airlin- considers it to be a mili- they had discussed the mit did not yield the ex- ers departing from any of the tary siege. present situation on the pected results. 27 countries that make up This latest summit be- island. Though the Bush admin- the EU will be allowed to tween Europe and the The European repre- istration has agreed on the land at any US airport, and United States reveals that sentatives apparently need to reduce green- vice versa. Traffic over the despite differences, Eu- sided with the United house gas emissions, they Atlantic represents 60 per rope wishes to keep the States in its attempts to have failed to set a limit, as cent of all air traffic in the White House satisfied. impose on Cuba what demanded by Europe. world. Radio Havana Cuba

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