Intercontinental Press Africa Europe Oceania the Americas

Vol. 24, No. 5 March 10, 1986 USA $1.25 UK E0.80

Cuba Philippines Party Congress: Marcos Regime 'Economic Battle SweptFrom Power Is People's War'

Haiti Pressure Mounts for Real Change After Duvalier

Supporters of Bayan coalition demonstrate in Manila.

Britain: WRP Leaders Repudiate Healyite Agent-Baiting NEWSANALYSn Throughout the past year the PLO leader ship has faced mounting pressures on other fronts as well. The Israeli bombing of PLO headquarters in Tunisia in October was fol Arafat- talks collapse lowed by an all-out campaign of slander against the organization as the source, rather than the victim, of terrorism. By Steve Craine conference in which Palestinian and Jordanian Just a year after Palestine Liberation Organi representatives would work together in a joint Diplomatic openings like a scheduled meet ing of PLO representatives with officials of the zation Chairman Yassir Arafat and Jordan's delegation. King JJussein agreed to a common approach to From the time the Amman document was British government were slammed shut. Divi negotiations with the Israeli government, talks signed, Hussein has interpreted it differently sions within the Palestinian movement were widened by opponents of cooperation witb between the two leaders to concretize their than has the PLO. Particularly, Hussein claims joint position broke down. the accord constituted PLO acceptance of Hussein, further undermining the authority of Two weeks of discussions in Amman, the United Nations Security Council Resolution the PLO. Jordanian capital, ended February 7 when 242 as the basis for negotiations witb the Is The Israeli government has tried to exacer Arafat and the high-level FLO delegation raeli government. The U.S. government en bate Palestinian fears of a Jordanian double- accompanying him left the country. The same dorses Hussein's view on this. cross. While the recent discussions in Jordan day a special envoy from the Reagan adminis Resolution 242, adopted in November 1967, were under way. Prime Minister Shimon Peres tration also returned home. State Department calls for Israel to withdraw from most of the implied that Hussein was about to dump Arafat adviser Wat Cluverius had been meeting sepa territory it had occupied in June of that year. and link up with West Bank Palestinians out rately with Jordanian officials to monitor the But it also supports the "sovereignty" of the Is side the framework of the PLO. talks and to communicate Washington's views raeli state over other Palestinian land. Further Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has also indirectly to the PLO. more, the resolution refers to the Palestinians' sought to pressure Arafat. "Time is running," On February 19 Hussein announced in a rights only as a refugee problem. The PLO has he said in late December, "and if Arafat doesn't recognize [UN Resolution 242] he will televised speech,"We do not want to deal with therefore consistently rejected the resolution as the PLO leadership anymore, it's over." a starting point for negotiations. By referring be the big fat loser." He also implied that Hus The Hussein-Arafat meetings proved incon to all United Nations and Security Council res sein is likely to make a deal with Tel Aviv be clusive because the PLO leadership has re olutions, the February 11 agreement based it hind the back of the PLO. fused to give up the basic demands of the Pal self on the many UN resolutions that do recog estinian people for self-determination, despite nize Palestinian sovereignty. Washington blackmails Jordan enormous pressures to do so. Washington and The PLO Executive Committee clarified its At the same time, the U.S. government was Tel Aviv remain adamant that the Palestinians interpretation of the Feb. 11, 1985, agreement blackmailing Hussein to do its bidding. In Oc must relinquish that right. one week after it was signed. The Executive tober the U.S. Congress held up a proposed Committee approved the plan, but stipulated $1.9 billion arms sale to Jordan, which would Since Feb. 11, 1985, when Arafat signed that joint Jordanian-Palestinian action must be have included 40 modem jet fighters, anti-air the agreement with King Hussein, Tel Aviv based on "ending the Zionist occupation of the craft missiles, and other top-of-the-line mili and Washington have been pressing the PLO occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem tary hardware. It made closing this deal contin to abandon its fight for Palestinian rights. .. . rejecting capitulatory plans and unilateral gent on Hussein beginning direct negotiations These imperialist governments have used the deals such as . . . UN Security Council Resolu with Tel Aviv before March 1, 1986. Hussein regime as the fulcrum in their effort to tion 242 . . . [and] rejecting authorization of Under this deadline, Hussein was anxious to pry substantial concessions from the Palestin any party to represent the Palestinians, or hav bring Arafat and the PLO under his control with ians. Their strategy has meant stepping up the ing any share in the right." in a joint delegation. The series of meetings in pressure on both the Palestinian movement and In a recent interview, Yassir Arafat de Amman began January 25 for this purpose. the Jordanian regime. scribed his agreement with King Hussein as a Tel Aviv and Washington hoped these meet Last February's Amman agreement raised "political tool that can be effective to force the ings would accomplish what last February's ac hopes in the imperialist camp and fears among execution of the Fez summit resolutions." The cord did not — to get the PLO to recognize Is some supporters of Palestinian rights that the Arab League summit meeting at Fez, raeli sovereignty over at least part of Palestine PLO was moving toward an accommodation Morocco, in 1982 called for the establishment even before formal negotiations were to begin. with imperialism. PLO opponents of Arafat's of an independent Palestinian state with But the PLO leaders were asked to concede leadership called the agreement a sell-out. Jerusalem as its capital and recognized the even more than this in Amman. Hussein But the agreement actually signed by Arafat PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the reportedly conveyed Washington's demands and Hussein a year ago was unambiguous. It Palestinian people. that the PLO suspend all armed operations, clearly called for self-determination for Pales condemn terrorism, and exclude from any tine and reiterated that the PLO is the "sole Attempts to exclude PLO peace talks all members of the PLO Executive legitimate representative" of the Palestinian The imperialist governments sought to use Committee and any Palestinians who have had people. It also dememded Israeli withdrawal Arafat's closer relations with Hussein to begin anything to do with armed actions. from all the territories taken in 1967 and pro to shove aside the PLO leaders as the only rep The PLO leaders refused to go along with posed a "comprehensive peace as established resentatives of their jjeople. The Jordanian these conditions as the price for maintaining in United Nations and Security Council resolu government, which administered the West their cooperative negotiating position with the tions." Bank from 1948 to 1967, has often tried to as Jordanian government. What was new in the February 11 accord sert its right to speak for the Palestinians. The outcome of a year of diplomatic ma was the suggestion that "Palestinians will exer Washington and Tel Aviv attempted to dic neuvering around the concept of a joint Pales cise their inalienable right of self-determina tate which Palestinians could participate in tinian-Jordanian approach to Israel has been tion when Jordanians and Palestinians will be negotiations along with Hussein's delegation the clear refusal of the PLO to compromise the able to do so within the context of the forma and which would be excluded. In mid-1985 the Palestinian struggle. As the Palestinian news tion of the proposed confederated Arab states U.S. government expressed a desire to meet paper noted on Eebmary 4,"The Pal of Jordan and Palestine." with Palestinians, but it vetoed several indi estinian 'no,' which has contradicted the cal In keeping with this goal of eventual Jorda viduals proposed by the PLO,including people culations of some circles, is an effective re nian-Palestinian confederation, Hussein and who were not formal members of tbe liberation sponse to those who excessively accused the Arafat also called for an international peace organization. PLO of selling out." □

Intercontinental Press been accompanied by an incessant propaganda tary provocations against Libya. French troops campaign in the French and U.S. mass media On February 13 — as Paris was escalating designed to portray the GUNT's recent actions its intervention in Libya's southern neighbor sent to Chad as "Libyan aggression." This is part of the — U.S. naval and air forces resumed their broader imperialist campaign of slanders, threatening maneuvers in the Mediterranean, By Ernest Harsch threats, economic embargoes, and direct mili- dangerously close to Libyan waters. □ For the fourth time since Chad gained its in dependence from France in 1960, French troops have been rushed to that impoverished Central African country. As on the previous -INTHISISSUE- Closing news date: February 25, 1986 occasions, the aim has been to rescue a subser vient, French-backed regime confronted by FEATURES 147 Giant blow to agent-baiting campaign domestic rebellion. — by Doug Jenness This most recent French imperialist inter PHILIPPINES 124 Marcos regime swept from power vention came in response to a series of military — by Will Reissner actions initiated on February 10 in central 129 Masses press junta for real changes Chad by rebel forces of the Transitional Gov — by Will Reissner ernment of National Union (GUNT), headed LATIN AMERICA by former president Goukouni Gueddei. The AND THE CARIBBEAN 131 Managua meeting calls anti-intervention actions GUNT, based primarily in the north, is seek — by Mac Warren ing to overthrow the proimperialist regime of 132 Sandinistas host broad conference — by Harvey McArthur President Hissene Habre. 133 Managua conference hails Haitian victory At first the French government of Frangois — by Han/ey McArthur Mitterrand reacted by stepping up its arms 134 CP congress discusses economic battle shipments to Habre. Then several hundred — by Mary-Alice Waters French commandos were dispatched to 139 Congress renews leadership — by Mary-Alice Waters Ndjamena, the capital. Finally, on February BURKINA 141 Women organize fortheir liberation 16, French warplanes, flying from bases in the —by Ernest Harsch neighboring Central African Republic, CANADA 143 Abortion rightsfight grows bombed a GUNT-held airstrip in Ouadi Doum, —by Bill Burgess and Lynda Little in the far north. NEWCALEDONIA 144 Interview with Kanak leader—by Deb Shnookal Goukouni accused the French government FIJI 145 Labour Party registers growth—by Russell Johnson of seeking to "internationalize Chad's internal GRENADA 160 Rally protests Reagan visit—by Ernest Harsch conflict." He condemned the bombing of DOCUMENTS 126 Philippine left debates election policy Ouadi Doum as a "flagrant violation of the people's desire to settle matters themselves." 140 South African "Women's Charier" While reaffirming the GUNT's readiness to 151 WRP leaders hit Healyite agent-baiting negotiate a settlement to the civil war, he 151 "Workers Press" callsfordiscussions likewise proclaimed its "firm determination to 154 WRP condemns agent-baiting have done with the moribund group that 154 "Most reactionary manifestation of Healyism" France has imposed on our people." 155 Nicaragua's new agrarian reform law When an unidentified plane dropped a few 158 Inaugural editorial of "Againstthe Current" bombs on Ndjamena's airport the next day, ap parently in retaliation for the Ouadi Doum at tack, Paris seized on it as a pretext for yet fur ther intervention. 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March 10, 1986 Philippines Marcos regime swept from power Two decades of rule toppled by mass protests, military rebellion

By Will Reissner you. Sir," Bush told Marcos. "We love your Only hours after he had himself sworn in for adherence to democratic principles and to the a new term as president of the Philippines on democratic process." February 25, Ferdinand Marcos fled the presi Novol Commwnktttlon* Station PHilipplim | Regime's erosion dential palace en route to exile. .PHILIPPINES While Marcos and his entourage were still at Wofloca I Even before the protests following the the U.S. Clark Air Base near Manila, U.S. : Air Slollont Aquino assassination, the Marcos regime was Secretary of State George Shultz announced being severely challenged. A guerrilla in that Washington had recognized a new provi South John Hoy' surgency waged by the New People's Army China'.J'. (NPA), which is led by the Communist Party sional government headed by Corazon Sea ^^Qarlt Air 6a$« of the Philippines (CPP), was spreading across Aquino, Marcos' opponent in the February 7 i^oyyA^rtllo PhiUpptne Sea Philippine elections. the 7,000 islands that make up that Pacific Svbk"^ Ocean country. Shultz added that over the years "Marcos Novot Bon* showed himself to be a staunch friend of the While the NPA guerrillas were expanding United States" and would be welcome to spend their base among the impoverished peasants, his exile there. CPP-led organizations were also extending As the news of Marcos' flight from the pres their influence among workers and other urban idential palace spread, huge crowds turned dwellers. Manila's streets into a carnival of joy. 'W There was growing revulsion with the re Marcos' final crisis began on February 22, Sola Sea gime's rampant corruption and deepening de when two top military officers — Defense iMindanao^ spair caused by a staggering economic crisis, Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Deputy Chief the worst since World War II, which has dri of Staff of the armed forces Lt. Gen. Fidel ven down the already precarious living stan Ramos — quit their posts and demanded that dards of Filipino workers and peasants. As Marcos' regime began to erode, officials Marcos resign. Borneo efi Mindanao Sea The military men stated that they had con ,300^ in Washington feared that with the U.S. gov crete evidence that Marcos had stolen the Feb ernment so closely associated with the ruary 7 election and had abused his powers as tyranny, the dictator's overthrow could imperil president for years. U.S. military Installations In Philippines. U.S. influence in the strategic islands. When Marcos attempted to send loyal troops Laxalt's delivery of Reagan's strong warn to retake the Defense Ministry, where Enrile ing to institute reforms was followed a few and Ramos had set up their headquarters, tens reading Marcos the riot act. days later by an open suggestion by the editors of thousands of Filipinos surrounded the head Washington stressed that in order to save his of the influential New York Times that "an en quarters forming a human buffer to prevent the regime, Marcos had to undercut the growing lightened military may finally have to super Marcos forces from assaulting the ministry. opposition by carrying out reforms and curbing vise the transition to democracy that Mr. Mar After several days of military stalemate, the rampant corruption that marked his rule. cos refuses to arrange." marked by the growing involvement of hun The Marcos regime had been facing mount These public pressures convinced the Philip dreds of thousands of Filipinos in opposition to ing protests since Aug. 21, 1983, when oppos pine dictator to announce on November 3 that Marcos' attempts to hold on to power, Enrile ition leader Benigno Aquino (Corazon elections would be held. and Ramos announced on February 24 that Aquino's husband) was murdered at Manila's Washington breathed a sign of relief. The they were backing Corazon Aquino as the international airport as he returned from exile Reagan administration hoped the February 7 legitimate president of the Philippines, and in the United States. election would solve the growing crisis. The were forming a provisional government with Evidence indicated that Aquino's assassina vote, Washington felt, would either provide her. tion had been organized by armed forces chief Marcos with a new mandate to continue his That same day the Reagan administration of staff Gen. Fabian Ver(a Marcos cousin) and rule over the 53 million Filipinos, or would publicly deserted Marcos. A White House other military officers. But Ver and 25 other bring the opposition ticket of Corazon Aquino statement called for "a peaceful transition to a defendants were acquitted of complicity in the and Salvador Laurel into office. new government" in the Philippines. murder on Dec. 2, 1985, after a Philippine The Aquino-Laurel ticket, Reagan adminis For months Ferdinand Marcos had been court ruled that the evidence against them was tration figures were sure, could provide an or under growing pressure from Washington to not admissible. derly transition of power and a continuity of clean up his act before a revolutionary upsurge Aquino's murder and the acquittal of Ver Washington's strong influence in the Philip swept away his regime. sparked a wave of protests against the "U.S. pines. After a stream of private emissaries from Marcos dictatorship." Filipinos recalled the Corazon Aquino, as the widow of the most President Reagan to his Philippine counterpart close ties Marcos had maintained with Wash prominent opposition leader, had become a failed to secure Marcos' agreement to institute ington since he came to power in 1965 and symbol of the mass revulsion against Marcos' reforms, the Reagan administration, on Oct. U.S. support for his regime during nine years rule. A member of one of the wealthiest and 16, 1985, began a highly publicized drive to of brutal martial law. most politically influential Filipino families, pressure Marcos. On a visit to the Philippines in 1981, U.S. Aquino was viewed by Washington as an ac On that day, U.S. Senator Paul Laxalt deliv Vice-president George Bush had lavishly ceptable altemative to Marcos. ered a three-page letter from Reagan to Marcos praised the Philippine dictator."We stand with Her running mate, Salvador Laurel, is also a

Intercontinental Press member of a wealthy landowning family that February 19. has held important government posts through According to Leslie Gelb, writing in the four generations. Laurel was a founder and February 19 New York Times, Habib's mission member of Marcos' New Society Movement had a two-fold purpose. He was to inform Mar (KBL) until he broke with Marcos in 1980. cos of the growing sentiment in the U.S. Con Washington's stakes in the Philippines are gress for a cut-off of U.S. aid to his regime, very high. U.S. corporations have massive in and he was to get "the point across to Corazon vestments in the former U.S. colony. C. Aquino, the opposition leader, that Wash In addition, the Philippines is the site of the ington would not like the issue of who rules to two largest U.S. military bases outside the be settled in the streets." United States. But it was becoming increasingly clear that Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Station the "issue of who rules" would indeed be de are key installations for Washington's military cided in the streets as Marcos' scheduled inau presence throughout Asia and the Pacific and guration approached and Aquino reiterated her Indian oceans. "determination to vindicate the people's ver But the Reagan administration's hope that dict and assume the presidency" herself. the February elections would calm the situa Once again the New York Times editors tion in the Philippines proved to be misplaced. stated openly what the Reagan administration While Marcos was willing to bend to U.S. was only hinting at. In a February 21 editorial pressure and call an election, he was not will Manila slum. Economic crisis adds to woes. entitled "Marcos Must Go," the Times editors ing to risk defeat in the poll. described Marcos as "a usurper who needs to Throughout the election campaign, Aquino minimize the importance of those bases, not be quickly driven from Manila's presidential drew gigantic crowds of Filipinos seeking a only to us, but to the Western world and to the palace." way to end the Marcos reign. Her final rally on Philippines themselves. I don't know of any The editorial encouraged Philippine military February 4 in Manila's Luneta Park drew a thing more important than the Philippines officials to move quickly. "Military aid should crowd estimated to be as large as 1.5 million bases," he stated. be suspended, with assurance to army leaders people. On the very day Reagan was speaking, six that it will be quickly restored if they reject re One of Marcos' closest associates confided gunmen connected with a local pro-Marcos pression and facilitate a swift transition to to the New York Times that Aquino could win politician chased Aquino-supporter Evelio democratic mle," the Times proposed. 60 percent of the vote. Javier through the crowded town squtu-e of San The editors added that a cut-off of military Despite all the advantages of incumbency, Jose de Buenavista and shot him dead. aid "will prove to Philippine generals that Mr. including unrestricted use of the government On February 15 the Marcos-controlled Na Marcos can no longer deliver American funds treasury and the state apparatus, despite prefer tional Assembly pronounced him the winner and arms." ential access to the mass media and violence with 53.8 percent of the vote. against Aquino supporters, it became clear that Contrary to the hopes of the Reagan admin Washington's friends in military Marcos would go down to defeat in a fair elec istration, Aquino refused to accept the fraud Washington has long been cultivating seg tion on February 7. and announced that she would lead a cam ments of the military to act as a backstop for Marcos, however, had no intention of step paign of demonstrations and strikes to protest U.S. military and economic interests in the ping aside. Instead he resorted to such wide the election. Philippines. As we wrote in these pages on spread and flagrant fraud in counting the votes On February 16 Aquino opened this cam Nov. 18, 1985:"Among those Washington has that the election deepened the regime's crisis paign by addressing a giant rally of up to 1 mil been preening for a possible post-Marcos role rather than solving it. lion people in Manila. is Defense Minister Juan Ponce Entile, who On election day itself, 30 people were mur In addition to calling for a nationwide work helped Marcos plan the 1972 martial-law dered. Marcos' thugs openly stole ballot boxes stoppage and school boycott on the day after takeover. Emile and acting armed forces chief from polling places at gunpoint. Marcos' scheduled February 25 inauguration, of staff Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos have been The process of counting votes was so Aquino called for a boycott of corporations pointed to as figures who could move to pro fraudulent that 30 govemment election work controlled by Marcos associates and of pro- tect U.S. interests in the Philippines if opposi ers left their computers and took refuge in a Marcos newspapers. She also urged supporters tion to Marcos threatens to topple the regime." Manila church, where they publicly assailed to withdraw funds from banks linked to the It was precisely Enrile and Ramos who the wholesale fraud. Marcos political machine. seized the headquarters of the Defense Minis In the days after the February 7 election, The boycott call received an immediate re try in Manila on February 22 and issued a call however, the Reagan administration hoped sponse. Heavy withdrawals from the banks to Marcos to resign. that the voting, however fraudulent, would and sharp drops in the circulation of pro-Mar But Enrile and Ramos were unable to calm the situation and that Aquino could be cos newspapers were reported. The price of rapidly topple the Marcos regime, leading to convinced to accept the results. San Miguel Corporation stock, a key target of what Washington feared most: the entry of the the boycott, dropped 20 percent in one day. Filipino masses into the resolution of the suc Reagan:'fraud on both sides' Left-wing groups that had boycotted the cession question. At a February 11 press conference. Presi election itself announced that they would join Many of the soldiers sent by Marcos to dis dent Reagan dismissed the charges of vote with Aquino supporters in protesting the Mar lodge the rebels mobilized around the Defense fraud. "I think that we're concerned about the cos regime's theft of the presidency. Ministry headquarters were not enthusiastic violence there and the possibility of fraud, al about their assignment to protect the faltering though it could have been that all of that was Habib mission dictator. As John Burgess reported in the Feb occurring on both sides," Reagan told the re Concerned that the developing confronta ruary 24 Washington Post, when 1,000 porters. tion could escape its control, Washington sent marines arrived with orders to retake the De He added, "we're encouraged by the fact Philip Habib to Manila to try to arrange a set fense Ministry headquarters, "many flashed that it is evident that there is a two-party sys tlement between Marcos and Aquino. the laban ("fight!") hand signal of the opposi tem in the Philippines." Two days after Marcos was declared the tion." Unable to disperse the crowd surround Reagan stressed to reporters that the critical election winner, Habib pressed Marcos and ing the ministry headquarters, the marines issue for Washington is the survival of U.S. Aquino to agree to some sort of power-sharing were withdrawn without fulfilling their mis bases in the Philippines. "One cannot arrangement, the Washington Post reported on sion. □

March 10, 1986 DOCUMENTi Philippine left on eieotion policy Discussion of boycott or support to Aquino-Laurel ticket

[Groups on the left in the Philippines took a variety of positions regarding the February 7 presidential election. Some urged a boycott of the election, while other groups and individu als called for support to the Corazon Aquino- Salvador Laurel ticket. [In the following selections, several of these groups and individuals explain their positions. All the statements were made before the elec tion took place. In all selections, emphasis is from the original.] m?

Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom,and Democracy

In a January 1986 statement entitled "Cast away illusions; boycott the sham snap elec tion!" the Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom, and Democracy (NAJFD) argued that the Philippines is under "the joint rule of U.S. imperialism and the Marcos clique," a partnership in which "the U.S. occupies the decisive role." The Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Free Manila rally protesting February 7 presidential election. dom, and Democracy is a coalition that claims 500,000 supporters. The statement noted that while Washington No candidate in the elections, the statement The NAJFD statement argued that the Feb "keeps on issuing statements supposedly pres said, "campaigns on the platform of the ruary 7 election would deal with only "the role sing for 'reforms' to uplift its democratic pre people's fundamental demands." of Marcos as chief puppet. ... U.S. domina tensions, it has unabatedly propped up the re The Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Free tion of the country is not even being raised by gime with various forms of economic, mili dom, and Democracy argued that "since the the electoral opposition as an issue." tary, and political assistance." snap election shall not bring about the end of The opposition ticket in the election, the If Marcos' ouster through the election is im the U.S.-Marcos dictatorship, shall not bring statement maintained, has "reduced the anti- probable, the NAJFD statement maintained, about meaningful changes in Philippine soci dictatorship struggle into a purely anti-Marcos even more improbable "is the attainment of ety, and shall not bring about concrete gains in fight." It added that getting rid of Marcos basic social changes." arousing, organizing, and mobilizing the would be "a victory for the antifascist move The ouster of Marcos as an individual "is no masses on the basis of their fundamental de ment," but "retaining U.S. domination will not guarantee for the eventual resolution of the na mands, there is no other principled option but alter the substance of state rule in the country." tion's basic problems," the NAJFD argued. It to boycott this sham election." The statement maintained that "even the asserted that no genuine change could take The statement concluded that "the broad hofie of merely ousting Marcos" would not be place "as long as U.S. imperialism holds sway masses of the Filipino people, highly possible because Marcos "has designed the over our national life, feudal relations persist politicized and organized, conscious of correct election to give him 'fresh mandate' and pro in the countrysides, and bureaucrat capitalists political leadership, fighting shoulder to shoul long his fascist rule." dominate public office." der in their millions . . . can truly and fully as According to the NAJFD, "hopes are now The NAJFD statement maintained that it sert its might not in sham elections which ren being fostered that if the people will not allow was wrong to simply focus on the human rights der it impotent, but in direct, actual combat themselves to be cheated, Marcos will be issue "while ignoring the basic ills of Philip with the fascist state, in the various arenas of forced to allow himself to be defeated." pine society." struggle in the cities and countrysides." But the NAJFD argued that "nothing is "We recognize and support the opposition farther from the truth," and "regardless of re candidates' antifascist blows against the dic National Ecumenical Forum percussions, Marcos shall again ride tatorship in so far as they contribute in further roughshod over the people's will to maintain isolating the regime and awakening the un- for Church Response himself in power." politicized masses," the NAJFD stated. The National Ecumenical Forum for Church The only force that could prevent Marcos "But," the organization added, "to deliber Response (NEFCR) described the February 7 from stealing the election, the NAJFD stated, ately detach antifascism from the struggle election as "a U.S.-Marcos plot to delay the is the U.S. government. But it argued that such against imperialism and feudalism, much people's real victory." a move by Washington "is still not in the U.S. worse, reduce it to an anti-Marcos fight, is to imperialist agenda. Marcos is still viewed by distract the people from the correct path of the In a statement, the NEFCR argued that "the the dominant faction in the U.S. government anti-dictatorship movement and dilute the sub Marcos regime is on the brink of collapse, and as the best lapdog in town." stance of this struggle." the snap elections are concocted to prolong his

Intercontinental Press term and to arrest the momentum gained by the tions on the freedom of the political prisoners progressive demands." progressive movement to decisively dismantle would be tantamount to repudiating their sig "The left section of the legal Opposition," this regime that has caused so much suffer nificant role in advancing the people's move said the NDF, has "repudiated the election as ing." ment to end the much-hated rule of the U.S.- another U.S.-Marcos maneuver to prolong the It added that "the U.S. government, backed Marcos dictatorship." dictatorship in power" and views the election shamelessly pursuing its interventionist pol as a "sham, that is mainly designed to blunt a icy, is not really ready to junk Marcos." National Democratic Front rapidly developing popular protest move Rather, the church group stated, Washing ment." ton had two aims: "one, to stage 'clean elec The National Democratic Front (NDF) out The NDF itself called for a boycott of the tions' to get a new mandate for Marcos; and lined its views on the elections in a January 13 elections. two, provide an arena for the opposition elite statement issued in an interview format. The The interview stated that "while calling for from whom will emerge the replacement of NDF is a clandestine coalition of mass organi boycott, the NDF calls on the patriotic ele Marcos, but still playing Marcos' role: U.S. zations. It claims that 1 million people belong ments within the traditional Opposition to puppet." to its constituent groups. sharpen their attack versus the fascist dictator The real issues are not being addressed in The NDF argued that the election "comes at ship, raising the people's basic demands, and the election campaigns, the group argued."No a time when the Philippine economy is reeling arm themselves politically and organization one, for instance, is stating unequivocally from its most severe crisis in over 40 years." ally against the massive fraud and terrorism what to do about the U.S. bases, the nuclear This crisis "has been rapidly eroding the dic that will doubtless characterize the coming plant, billion dollar foreign loans, genuine tatorship's political base and has severely lim polls. In all of these, the legal Opposition can land reform, proworker laws, victims of ter ited its political elbow room." count on the NDF's full support." rorism, etc." Marcos wanted to win a "fresh mandate," in The NDF does not reject all electoral activ the NDF's view, not from Filipinos but "from The NEFCR called on "all believers and ity on principle. The organization stated that people of goodwill" to "opt not to vote as a the Reagan administration" and "foreign cred "the most effective means to overthrow U.S. itor governments and institutions." moral and theological option" and "to use the imperialism and the local reactionaries is The NDF argued that U.S. military and fi allotted time for the campaign of candidates to through a revolutionary people's war." But nancial aid to the Marcos regime belied any tell the people the critical issues, particularly "within the context of people's war, the par U.S. attempt to get rid of Marcos. Rather, "the the real schemes of the U.S.-Marcos unholy liamentary struggle, in particular electoral Reagan administration wishes to strengthen the alliance." struggle, may play a significant role." fascist dictatorship, as long as the latter proves The key goal in the "fight against the U.S. But electoral struggle, said the NDF inter itself the more capable puppet in terms of U.S. and the Marcos dictatorship," the group wrote, view,"must be undertaken with a clear view to strategic interests in the country." is "a real victory of a people and a nation, and advancing the armed as well as militant mass U.S. support of the election, the statement not just a victory of an oppressor class." struggles and should not detract nor be sepa said, "is a wily maneuver to ensure that the in rate from other revolutionary means of fighting creasingly bitter conflict between the Marcos Task Force Detainees a well-entrenched and well-armed enemy. camp and the anti-Marcos opposition does not Otherwise, electoral struggle becomes a mere of the Philippines spill over into open armed confrontation — diversion." which, the U.S. fears, will only favor the rev The Dec. 15, 1985-Jan. 14, 1986, issue of olutionary movement. What better way to Philippine Human Rights Update, published in achieve this than to channel these factional Communist Party Manila, reprinted a statement by Task Force conflicts into a relatively harmless electoral of the Philippines Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) as an contest." editorial. The campaign "affords the U.S.-Marcos In a statement on the February 7 elections, The statement began: "Mr. Marcos has once dictatorship some breathing space from a spate Ang Bayan, the paper of the Communist Party again pulled another rabbit out of his political of increasingly militant popular actions that of the Philippines (GPP), predicted that the hat. His newest trick called 'snap polls' has en have reached unprecedented proportions over election will be rigged. "After two decades in tranced both local and international circles the last year or so." power, Marcos has a firm grip on the state in alike." In the NDF's view, "U.S. pressure on the stitutions traditionally used for electoral ter The statement argued that the election's aim Marcos government to institute mainly cos rorism and fraud," it wrote. was "to divert the people's attention from the metic reforms [is] designed precisely to take The paper maintained that under "prodding fundamental, more urgent issues that confront the edge off the people's movement and to see of its imperialist masters, the Marcos clique the nation, for one, the Marcos regime's un to it that the legal Opposition is kept from tak has extended some concessions to the tradi mitigated violations of human rights." ing up more fundamental issues or, worse, par tional oppositionists. But these are meant only The human rights group argued that "mean ticipating actively in the vigorous drive to dis to lure them and the people into participating in ingful participation in any electoral exercise is mantle the joint rule of U.S. imperialism and its electoral sham." an impossibility against the backdrop of ram the Marcos clique." The Reagan administration "has made a big pant cases of arbitrary arrest, unlawful deten The NDF saw three tendencies in the legal show of demanding 'fair and clean elections.' tion, extrajudicial killing, abduction, the use opposition regarding the election. But it has been tolerating Marcos' political of the Preventive Detention Action(PDA), and The "conservative section" hoped to "re skulduggery," tbe paper stated. the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus." place the Marcos regime by openly courting "While posing as an impartial referee, im The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines U.S. favor," the NDF interview stated. "They perialism wants to gradually moderate the con stated that an end to political terrorism is "a hope to ride the crest of the developing antifas flicts among the local reactionary classes, rec prerequisite to participation in any political cist temper of the people as well as U.S. prom oncile them, and consolidate their ranks within exercise." ises of support, to catapult them to power." the framework of puppet fascist mle," Ang In a subsequent issue, the Philippine Human The "middle sector of the Opposition," the Bayan contended. Rights Update noted that the opposition candi NDF interview continued, is wary of the elec The purpose is "to broaden the political base dates had stepped back from their original call tions but has "generally been drawn to partici of such rule and lay the ground for the orderly for the release of all political prisoners and pate ... in the hope that the popular antifascist transfer of power when Marcos dies or when it now pledged only to grant "general amnesty" mood may be enough to sweep the dictatorship finally wants to get rid of him." to political detainees who disavow violence. from power." This sector also wants "to influ According to the CPP's organ, "Corazon But the editorial argued that "to set condi ence the main Opposition slate to adopt some Aquino has been carrying on a vigorous anti-

March 10, 1986 fascist campaign, thus making valuable con "The unity of the opposition political parties Marcos is a pushover. He is still in a position tributions to the people's overall antifascist and the enthusiasm of the people for the oppo to ram through his sham reelection." struggles." sition ticket are very encouraging," he stated. Although some criticism of election fraud But it argued that "her campaign against the Asked whether the boycott advocated by the could be expected from Washington, said fascist puppet Marcos is flawed on several CPP and other groups would not take votes Sison, "by and large, the U.S. will accept the counts." away from Aquino and deliver the election to fait accompli and push the regime to hunt Ang Bayan said that "Mrs. Aquino's more the regime, Sison drew a distinction between down and kill the revolutionaries and to extend recent pronouncements show that she has "a boycott campaign waged to the maximum," the life of the U.S. military bases beyond abandoned her previous progessive stand on a which he said would have that effect, and a 1991." number of vital issues. And baited by Marcos "minimum" boycott. — and applauded by U.S. imperialism — she "As revolutionary organizations determined Union of Democratic Filipinos has been making increasingly strident anticom- to overthrow the regime and carry out the munist and antirevolutionary utterances. All people's democratic revolution," said Sison, One group that took a strong position in these indicate that, well-meaning though she the CPP, the NPA [New People's Army], and favor of the Aquino-Laurel ticket was the may be, she is politically naive or that she has even the NDF must boycott the snap election. Union of Democratic Filipinos(UDF), a group not transcended her own comprador-landlord However, for the sake of flexibility but still of exiles in North America. class background." adhering to revolutionary principles, they can An editorial in the December 1985 issue of The CPP stated that "even with all her de limit boycott to the minimum extent of not Ang Katipunan, a monthly published by the fects and shortcomings, she could easily defeat openly and not directly participating in the UDF in California, called for "all Filipinos on Marcos under ideal circumstances. But . . . selection of presidential candidates and in the this continent to unite and render all possible Marcos is using every trick in the book to en electoral campaign or not endorsing and sup assistance to the Aquino-Laurel campaign and sure his 'victory,' with his imperialist masters porting legal opposition candidates." the people's effort to hand the Marcos dictator cheering him on." The organizations "can thus allow the op ship a resounding defeat." Ang Bayan reported that "the Communist position candidates to seek votes from their or The editorial argued that "this snap election Party of the Philippines is fully aware, as are ganized mass base, which is sizeable and can comes at a time when the Marcos dictatorship most of our people, that no election under the be decisive." is in the midst of an unprecedented and irrever present ruling system has brought about basic "The minimum boycott," Sison stated, sible governmental crisis." change in the exploitative and oppressive setup "would be just enough to draw attention to cer It maintained that "for the very first time, in our country." tain principles or certain wrongs." there is broad consensus in U.S. ruling circles For that reason "the Party has taken the po Sison argued, "I do not think that the choice and institutions that Marcos has become a bur sition that boycott is the correct response to is a simplistic one between maximum boycott den and must be replaced, gracefully, if possi frustrate the antinational and antipeople objec and uncritical participation." In his view, ble." tives of the U.S.-Marcos dictatorship." "maximum boycott is too rigid a position in The UDF monthly stated that "Marcos is In addition to calling for boycott, the CPP view of the fact that many organizations and now faced with a very rare combination of a urged people "to seize every opportunity to .. . political parties and the spontaneous deeply dissatisfied sponsor looking forward to project your just demands and intensify the just majority of the people are for critical participa his exit and a profoundly discontented people struggles for our national and democratic inter tion" in the election. looking forward to his political, even physical, ests." He stressed his view that supporters of min demise. It argued that "only through our revolution imum boycott and advocates of critical partici "In a rare historical moment, U.S. im ary stmggles — and never through a sham pation could "stay and work together in the perialism and the people's movement agree on election under fascist auspices — can we same democratic alliances and mass organiza one thing though obviously for different change the present semicolonial and tions." reasons — that Marcos must go." semifeudal system in our country." In Sison's view, "those who are for mini Ang Katipunan wrote that Corazon Aquino According to Ang Bayan, many people "are mum boycott objectively extend indirect sup "symbolizes the broadest expression of the participating in the belief that they can attain port to the opposition ticket," while "those for people's discontent. This campaign . . . has the genuine change or at least strike a blow at the critical participation extend direct support to potential of mobilizing millions to an open dictatorship. the opposition ticket but make clear that they confrontation with the hated tyrant." "For all its meaninglessness as a means of do not place their hopes mainly or entirely in The election "can lead to either Marcos' overthrowing the hated U.S.-Marcos dictator an electoral exercise arranged by the fascist ouster or further isolation," the editorial stated. ship, the snap election will teach many more dictatorship." But "it cannot accomplish . . . the fundamental among our people a most valuable political les Sison argued that supporters of minimum reordering of the exploitative and oppressive son: that revolution, not a rigged election, is boycott could stage their own rallies expres social structures that have produced the likes the correct path to change." sing their views, and could share the same plat of Ferdinand Marcos." The statement called on boycotters and par forms with those supporting the opposition The removal of Marcos would "weaken the ticipants to join together after the election "to ticket "without being obligated to express di fascist structures he has built, put his minions broaden and intensify the antifascist and anti- rect support for any candidate." in disarray and free Philippine politics from the dictatorship struggles, in urban and mral areas The key point, he said, "is to maintain anti stifling grip of autocracy." alike, in the armed sphere and in the open mass fascist unity." The editorial saw the campaign as present movement." Asked which of the two tickets he person ing "the opportunity for forging the broadest ally preferred, Sison responded, "To me per unity among the people to isolate or defeat Jose Maria SIson sonally, the opposition tandem of Aquino and their most immediate enemy, and to take a big Laurel is far, far better and more acceptable." step towards the long-range goal of national Since 1977, Jose Maria Sison has been a po Sison stated that "the Aquino-Laurel tandem and social liberation." litical prisoner. Sison, who acknowledges hav has pro-U.S. inclinations and big comprador- ing been the head of the Communist Party of landlord interests. I do not expect much from it the Philippines, was interviewed in jail on in terms of outright anti-imperialism and anti- Dec. 26, 1985. feudalism. . . . But we can expect much from Don't you know someone Sison expressed the view that the Aquino- the opposition tandem in terms of antifas- who should be reading Laurel ticket would be "a sure winner by a cism." Intercontinental Press? landslide" in an honest election. Sison warned that "it is wrong to think that Intercontinental Press Masses press junta for real changes Reject 'Duvalierism without Duvalier'

By Will Reissner old regime. Several cabinet members fill the Workers in private industry have also pre The six-man military-civilian junta ruling same posts they occupied under Jean-Claude vented managers with links to the old regime Haiti since dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier fled Duvalier when he was still president-for-life. from returning to their positions. Angry on February 7 is attempting to maintain crowds have ransacked stores owned by prom Duvalierism without Duvalier. Duvalierists dominate junta inent Duvalier supporters. The new regime, however, faces a popula Four of the six junta members were high- tion demanding deep-going changes. ranking military officers under Duvalier. The Petitions circuiating In the face of these pressures, the junta has head of the junta. General Henri Namphy, was Students in Gonaives, where the wave of tried to appease Haiti's impoverished masses appointed Haitian army chief of staff in 1984 protests against Duvalier began in November, by focusing on symbolic changes, while trying and had been a close collaborator of the found are circulating petitions demanding fundamen to stave off significant reforms. er of the Duvalier dynasty. tal changes in the govemment. These 25-point The junta, placed in power by Duvalier him Col. William Regala was named inspector- petitions have also been circulating in Port-au- self only hours before the dictator left for general of the armed forces in March 1984. Prince. France, has taken Duvalier's name off the cap Col. Max Valles commanded the presiden The petition, dated Febmary 10, called for ital's international airport. It also announced tial guard in the last year of Jean-Claude dissolving the Tontons Macoutes, prosecution that the Haitian flag will revert to the colors in Duvalier's rule. of all Tontons Macoutes who had committed use before the Duvalier dynasty came to power Col. Prosper Avril was an officer in the crimes against the people, and expulsion of in 1957. presidential guard, who had had a falling out Macoutes from the army. Duvalier-Ville, a new capital city that was with the Duvalier family in September 1983 The students' petition also called for lifting planned but never completed by dynasty-foun but returned to the family's good graces sev the state of siege and curfew; removal of der Fran§ois Duvalier, will again be called eral months before the end of the regime. Cineas, Avril, and Valles from the junta; for Cabaret. Alix Cineas, one of the two civilians on the mation of a representative cabinet; and adop junta, served as minister of public works, com tion of the pre-Duvalier constitution. Desire for big changes munications, and transport under Duvalier. The petition demanded prosecution of all These cosmetic changes, however, have not Of the six junta members, only Gerard those guilty of embezzlement of public funds, satisfied the Haitian population. The students, Gourgue, chairman of the Haitian League for extradition of the Duvaliers and their accom workers, and peasants who toppled the Human Rights, had a record as an opponent of plices, and recovery of the money stolen from Duvalier regime through a wave of mass pro Duvalier's rule. Gourgue and his wife were se the Haitian state. tests beginning in late November 1985 are de verely beaten in 1979 when the regime's forces It called for cancellation of the requirement manding more substantial changes. broke up a meeting of the human rights group. of entry visas for Haitians living abroad, re On Febmary IB, army troops used tear gas The preponderance of officers in the junta ductions in prices and taxes on basic neces outside the National Palace in Port-au-Prince reveals that the real ruling force in Haiti is now sities, and higher wages for workers, peasants, to disperse crowds demanding the ouster of of the 8,(K)0-man army. teachers, and soldiers. ficials who had served under Duvalier. The army and the Roman Catholic church Other points in the petition included de Thousands of people held similar demonstra are the only two institutions that emerged from mands for free functioning of trade unions and tions in the southern cities of Les Cayes and the nearly three decades of Duvalier-family political parties and direct elections on all Jacmel. rule with national scope and cohesion. levels of govemment. In an attempt to defuse the new protests, the Despite the seeming continuity of The petition concluded by demanding the junta announced that evening that all the prop Duvalierist rule, a profound change has taken expulsion from the cabinet of three prominent erty of the former dictator would be seized and place in Haiti's political life. When Jean- Duvalierists: Social Affairs Minister Tony Au- that all financial and economic transactions ar Claude Duvalier was driven from power by guste. Commerce Minister Odonel Fenestor, ranged by Duvalier in the six months before his months of protests and demonstrations, which and Information Minister Georges Valcin. departure would be annulled. his repressive forces were unable to contain, a Students in Gonaives began a school The junta has also been forced by mass pres new relationship of forces was established in boycott when the junta reopened the schools sures to abolish the Volunteers for National Haiti. on Febmary 17. Duvalier had ordered schools Security, popularly known as the Tontons Many Haitians now speak of a revolution in Haiti closed in December in an attempt to Macoutes ("bogeymen" in Haiti's French that was cut short by a military coup. The halt the spread of protests against his regime. Creole). The Tontons Macoutes were the thugs new regime confronts a population that is They reopened for one day on January 8 and and murderers organized by the Duvalier deeply suspicious of the junta for its strong then were ordered closed again. tyranny to suppress all opposition to the re links to Duvalier. But it has thus far been un gime among Haiti's 6 million people. able, and for the most part has not attempted, Student leaders in Gonaives stated that their boycott was aimed at forcing the junta to set a to reinstitute the repression that marked The junta also dissolved Duvalier's Legisla date for general elections. Although the junta Duvalier's rule. tive Assembly, suspended the government has repeatedly promised that elections will be newspaper pending reorganization, and freed Two cabinet members named by the junta held, one source close to the govemment told a dozens of fiolitical prisoners. were prevented from entering their offices on Caribbean news agency that "the question is The key demand of the Haitian masses, February 10 by furious govemment employ not one of having [elections] quickly, but of however, has not been met — removal of the ees. Odonel Fenestor, minister of commerce having them properly. I think it could be three old-line Duvalierists from the govemment. and industry, and Montaigu Cantave, head of years before the ground is prepared." Both the junta and the cabinet it appointed to the ministry of agriculture, had each filled Many opposition political figures, most still run Haiti are loaded with collaborators with the those same posts under Jean-Claude Duvalier. in exile, have called for a change of govem-

March 10, 1986 ment to take place much sooner. the country. This rule was used by Duvalier to population. Even many of those willing to Duly Brutus, Paris representative of the Hai control the activities of Haitian exiles. leave Duvalier in exile have raised the demand tian Union of Patriotic and Democratic Forces As Jacques Hasday reported from Port-au- that any country that gives Duvalier permanent (known by its Creole initials, IFOPADA),told Prince in the Montreal daily La Presse, "The asylum should first insist that his ill-gotten Agence France-Presse that the junta should new regime is retaining this visa, anxious to riches be returned to his impoverished home turn the government over to a broad civilian avoid the influx of certain oppositionists con land. coalition within one month. sidered to be potentially destabilizing forces." Estimates of Duvalier's personal fortune Sylvio Claude, a prominent Christian Dem One of the few prominent exiles who has range from $200 million to $500 million. Most ocratic opponent of the Duvalier regime, stated been able to return to his homeland is Jean- of it is invested outside of Haiti and is therefore on February 12 that unless the authorities form Claude Bajeux, who spent 22 years in San unaffected by the nationalization measures an a new government that excludes Duvalierists Juan, Puerto Rico, before showing up at Port- nounced by the junta on February 18. and includes representatives of all sectors of au-Prince's airport on February 14 without an According to Agence France-Presse, during the opposition within one month, "the people entry visa. Bajeux, a former priest, was de the last years of Jean-Claude Duvalier's rule, will take the measures they took with Jean- tained for five hours before being released. he diverted some $300 million per year from Claude Duvalier." state funds into his personal fortune. Haiti is Leslie Manigat, head of the Assembly of Junta won't seek Duvalier's extradition the most impoverished country in the Western Progressive National Democrats(RDNP), said Another likely bone of contention between Hemisphere. in Caracas, Venezuela, that a "provisional the junta and the population is the fate of Jean- Many Haitians are demanding, the French government of social consensus," made up of Claude Duvalier. The new regime's minister press agency noted, that Duvalier's stolen for representatives of the church, the armed of education, Rosny Descroches, said in Paris tune be returned to Haiti and applied toward forces, business, labor, and peasants, should February 17 that the new government does not payment of the country's foreign debt. be named. This provisional government, he ar want Jean-Claude Duvalier returned to Haiti to In recent years figures in the Roman Catho gued, must carry out a policy of de-Duvalieri- stand trial for his dictatorial rule. lic clergy have played an important role in zation and prepare for general elections within "It would be better that the ex-president re helping to organize opposition to the Duvalier 9 to 18 months. main outside Haiti," Descroches argued. He regime. [For the views of left-wing political leaders, added, "I do not believe the Haitian people While the church as a whole took no posi see the article on page 133.] want" Duvalier's extradition back to Haiti. tion on the regime, individual priests and For decades, most politically active forces But the demand for Duvalier's return, and bishops were active in the opposition, and the in Haiti have been driven into exile. Many are the return of the wealth he plundered from the church-run Radio Soleil played an important now attempting to return. And new forces in country, is widely supported in the general role in spreading news of the mounting pro side Haiti have emerged out of the months of tests until it was closed down by Duvalier. anti-Duvalier protests. Since Duvalier fled. Radio Soleil has be come a forum for anti-junta views and for calls New heroes Duvalier; for the ouster of Duvalier supporters and the A Barbados radio broadcast reported that on return of the funds stolen by the dictator. February 11 tens of thousands of people in 'I'm being Many of the students who were active in or Gona'ives who were attending a huge rally and ganizing the protests against Duvalier have mass to celebrate Duvalier's flight came to persecuted' been strongly influenced by the "liberation gether "to cheer and try to touch a secret hero theology" current in the church and by Willy of the rebellion that toppled three decades of In an interview in the February 15 Romelus, the bishop of Jeremie, who is the dictatorial rule by the Duvalier government." French daily Le Figaro, ousted Haitian dic church's officially designated pastor for youth. The object of the crowd's enthusiasm was tator Jean-Claude Duvalier argued that he Romelus was active in encouraging the for 24-year-old Jean Tatoun. Tatoun, who like should be allowed to remain in France as a mation of "Christian base communities," most Haitians is illiterate, had waged an under political refugee. which took up social issues. ground war with six companions against the Duvalier was originally given permis Since the ouster of Duvalier, however, Tontons Macoutes. In the process, Tatoun be sion to remain in France for eight days. He many figures in the church hierarchy are came one of the most hunted men in Haiti and is fighting to remain in France, which he preaching reconciliation with leaders of the one of its heroes after the fall of the Duvalier describes as "the only country in the world former regime. The archbishop of Port-au- regime. which I feel close to." Prince, Frangois Ligonde, said during a Feb Tatoun stated that he is not happy with the The former president-for-life argued that ruary 9 sermon that "we do not have the right new junta. "We want quick elections, we want he is the target of political persecution for to hate anyone, even those people we call our freedom," he said bluntly. his beliefs and is therefore entitled to pro enemies or the enemies of our nation." Since the fall of Duvalier, clandestine trade tection under Article 1 of the 1951 United Claudius Agenor, bishop of Les Cayes, union organizers have also begun to surface Nations convention on refugees. stated that with Duvalier's departure,"we now and function openly. On February 12 a strike "I have well-founded fear of being perse have a need for peace, for tranquility, for shut down the Haitian-American Sugar Com cuted solely for my political opinions," the unity." pany's mill in Port-au-Prince. Two days later, exiled despot told Le Figaro. As evidence In the huge demonstration and mass in police intervened against this strike, the first to for this, Duvalier pointed to "the desecra Gona'ives celebrating Duvalier's ouster, the take place since Duvalier's flight. tion and destruction of my father's tomb" bishop of Cap-Ha'itien, the country's second- The strike was supported by the Independent and "the massacre of members of the popu largest city, gave an openly political sermon Federation of Haitian Workers(CATH), a fed lar militia," the hated Tontons Macoutes. arguing against radical changes. Bishop Fran- eration formed by Social Christians in 1980 These acts, said Duvalier, were aimed gois Gayot told the crowd, "I am not for com that had functioned semiclandestinely until the against "the doctrine of Duvalierism," of munism. We must reject any atheist system." fall of Duvalier. which he is the symbol. Reporting in the February 13 Paris daily Le In the same interview, Duvalier boasted Monde, Denis Hautin-Guiraut wrote that many Exiles still kept out that he had acted responsibly when leaving people in the crowd were shocked by Gayot's In hopes of maintaining control over the po Haiti, having departed only "after having statement, and some began calling out the litical situation, the junta has retained organized the transition" and "personally name of Bishop Romelus of Jeremie, who is Duvalier's law that all Haitians residing abroad naming each member of the junta." considered the bishop most committed to real must secure an entry visa before returning to change. □

Intercontinental Press Latin America and the Caribbean Meeting calls for anti-intervention actions Anti-imperialist groups pledge solidarity with revolutionary struggles

By Mac Warren MANAGUA — The Anti-Imperialist Or ganizations of Central America and the Carib bean, meeting here February 8-9, called for international protests on April 28 against im perialist military intervention in their region. The gathering also called for a Febmary 27 U , ! international day of protest against the Interna tional Monetary Fund (IMF) and backed plans for protests against U.S. President Ronald Reagan's trip to Grenada February 20 to inau gurate the new airport there. Thirty organizations from 19 countries were represented at the meeting. They came from Barbados, Cuba, Curagao, Dominica, El Sal vador, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala,

Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Mary-Alice Waters/IP Rico, Dominican Republic, St. Vincent, St. Press briefing by leaders of anti-imperialist conference. From left: Clement Rohee, Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and People's Progressive Party of Guyana; Rafael Tavares, Socialist Bloc of Dominican Re Nicaragua. public; and Lumberto Campbell, Sandinista leader on Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast. Origins of group

This was the second consultative meeting of collaboration and solidarity among anti-im domination. the Anti-Imperialist Organizations. The group perialist organizations. Rafael "Fafa" Taveras, president of the was founded in June 1984 in the aftermath of Solidarity with Nicaragua in its fight against Anti-Imperialist Organizations and general the overthrow of the Grenada revolution and Washington's dirty war was a central focus of secretary of the Socialist Bloc (BS) of the the U.S. invasion and occupation of that is the meeting. The fighting people of El Sal Dominican Republic, explained to this reporter land. Caribbean and Central American organi vador, Guatemala, and South Africa were sa that the Caribbean islands historically were zations came together in Havana in response to luted. "isolated from each other, separated by lan that invasion and the imperialist militarization The group's declaration called for the Carib guage, and many only recently winning inde of the entire region. bean region to be declared a zone of peace, in- pendence. This meeting makes it possible for Delegates to the Havana meeting recognized dependenee, and development. The combina many militants to discover the historical di the challenge of uniting groups from these tion of IME-imposed austerity and the in mensions of the region and the possibilities for various nations, with many different languages creased deployment of imperialist military action." and cultural traditions, which have been histor forces throughout the region came in for heavy ically divided by the imperialist powers. condemnation. NIcaraguan autonomy Between the first meeting and the second The group's declaration pointed out that The advances being made by the Sandinista one here, the Anti-Imperialist Organizations "these policies are behind the Caribbean Basin revolution in uniting the six different racial has attempted to establish an effective, region- Initiative, which seeks to tie the Caribbean re groups that make up the NIcaraguan popula wide mode of communication and collabora gion to the political and military plans of the tion were clearly recognized by participants in tion on political campaigns and activities. The United States, without at all resolving the re the meeting. There was great interest in the second meeting registered some advances in gion's serious social and economic problems." project to establish regional government auto this process. The visit by Reagan to Grenada February 20 nomy on Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast, inhabited Invited to the gathering were delegates from was called "an attempt to formalize the neoco by Afro-Caribbeans, Indians, and mestizos. organizations in Central America and the lonialism of that sister country" and con Guerrilla Commander Lumberto Campbell, Caribbean who agree with the group's pur demned as "an act of imperial arrogance, an in head of the Sandinista National Liberation pose. The meeting was not open to the press, sult to all Grenadian patriots, and an affront to Front(FSLN) in the Atlantic Coast's Southern but a news conference was held to announce the peoples of the Caribbean." Zelaya Province, addressed the meeting. He the results of the meeting and present a decla explained that Nicaragua historically has been ration adopted unanimously by the partici Anticolonial struggles part of the Caribbean as well as Central Amer pants. The declaration also backed "all the people ica. The fight against imperialism and U.S. ag who are still waging fights against colonial Campbell told the delegates that "the auto gression in the region was the central concern ism, as in the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin nomy of the indigenous peoples and com of the meeting. Islands, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyane, munities will serve to create a true national and the Dutch Antilles." unity where all the social sectors that were pre Haitian victory ceiebrated Many participants commented on the sig viously exploited and oppressed will partici The delegates celebrated the victory of the nificance of the group's ongoing effort to pate in the construction of a new, multiethnic Haitian people in overthrowing the hated achieve political coordination and solidarity and multilingual NIcaraguan society." Duvalier dictatorship. This victory was seen as among the peoples of Central America and the The participation of Nicaraguans from the a powerful incentive to cement the growing Caribbean in the fight against imperialist Atlantic Coast in the meeting was greeted with

March 10, 1986 enthusiasm by other conference participants, Participants in the meeting also attended the olution Plaza with Daniel Ortega and Maurice who recognized the important contribution the February 10-12 conference of Latin American Bishop at his side. Comrade Fidel Castro said Nicaraguan revolution can make. and Caribbean political parties, sponsored by that Cuba, Nicaragua, and Grenada were three The meeting reelected those who had been the FSLN. They played a significant role in the giants rising up at the very threshold of im serving as its officers and coordinating com discussion. perialism, proclaiming the dignity and integ mittee. Taveras is the group's president, and rity of the peoples of our Americas." Clement Rohee, international affairs secretary Role of Grenada revolution Rojas stated that "it was our revolution, of the People's Progressive Party of Guyana, is Among the delegates from the Anti-Im more than any other recent historical phenome the coordinating secretary. perialist Organizations to address the FSLN- non, which linked our fraternal peoples across The coordinating committee consists of rep sponsored gathering was Don Rojas of the the Caribbean Sea." resentatives of the Farabundo Martf National Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement of Gre Summing up the importance of the Anti-Im Liberation Front (FMLN) of El Salvador, nada. He pointed to the role of the Grenada perialist Organizations meeting here, "Fafa" Communist Party of Cuba, Workers Party of revolution in laying the foundation for the de Taveras said, "I think that perhaps the best Jamaica, Dominica Labor Party, Puerto Rican velopment of a new region-wide conscious thing that will come out of this is a strengthen Socialist Party (PSP), Guatemalan National ness. ing of the determination of the political organi Revolutionary Union (URNG), and the Work Rojas recalled that "on May 1, 1980, speak zations in each country to increase solidarity ers Revolutionary Movement of St. Lucia. ing to over 1 million Cubans in Havana's Rev actions." □

Sandinistas host broad conference Delegates of 115 political parties discuss peace in Central America

By Harvey McArthur The number of participants in the confer more of an identification with the Nicaraguan MANAGUA — "You have expressed your ence exceeded the Sandinistas' expectations, revolution and a sharper rejection of U.S. pol conviction that much of the fate of Latin Amer Arce said when the meeting closed. Delegates icies than they were willing to make. ica is at stake in the fight now being waged by came from communist, social democratic, lib At the time of the Managua conference, rep the Nicaraguan people," Commander of the eral, social Christian, Christian democratic, resentatives of the Contadora and Lima groups Revolution Bayardo Arce told 170 delegates and conservative parties as well as left-wing, were in Washington meeting with U.S. Secre who came from 115 political parties in Latin anti-imperialist, and populist groups and na tary of State George Shultz. America and the Caribbean. "You have af tional liberation forces such as the Salvadoran Ortega noted in his opening speech that firmed that this small country of Nicaragua can Earabundo MartI National Liberation Front these governments are subject to the "pressure, count on the support of the peoples of the (FMLN). blackmail, and threats of the U.S. govern world and in particular of all Latin Ameri Seven delegations came from parties that ment," which seeks to make the Contadora and cans." Lima groups complicit with the U.S. aggres head governments: the American People's Arce was addressing the Conference of Po Revolutionary Alliance (APRA) in Peru, the sion against Nicaragua. He called for Latin litical Parties of Latin America and the Carib Americans to fight so that Contadora will stand Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) in the bean on Peace and Nonintervention in Central up to these pressures and "resolutely defend Dominican Republic, the People's National America. It was held here February 10-12. Latin American interests." Congress in Guyana, the Communist Party of The Sandinista government sponsored the Cuba, the Sandinista National Liberation Front meeting to promote broader discussion and Discussion on action (FSLN) in Nicaragua, the Colorado Party in stimulate greater solidarity in the struggle Ortega explained that the purpose of the Uruguay, and the Conservative Party in Col against U.S. intervention in Central America. conference was "strengthening the unity of ombia. At the opening session, Nicaraguan Presi Latin America around and in defense of the Of the governments that make up the Conta- dent Daniel Ortega told the delegates that "the Nicaraguan revolution" and "militant and ac dora Group, only Colombia's governing party will and the fighting determination of the tive solidarity" against U.S. intervention in participated in the Managua conference. The people" had changed Latin America in the last Central America. Contadora Group is made up of the Colom decade. It is no longer the same as the 1960s, Some delegates raised proposals for actions bian, Mexican, Panamanian, and Venezuelan Ortega said, when the United States could iso to implement this solidarity. Pascal Allende, governments. Its stated goal is to negotiate a late revolutionary Cuba, back Anastasio representing the Chilean Movement of the settlement to the military conflict in Central Somoza, Francois Duvalier, and similar dic Revolutionary Left, was applauded when he America. tators, and count on servile support from other proposed that the conference draft a "Declara Latin American governments. The governments of Argentina, Brazil, tion of Managua" in favor of peace and against Peru, and Uruguay have formed a support intervention. Allende suggested the formation group for Contadora known as the Lima of an international peace brigade to carry out Who was there Group. Of the Lima Group, representatives ongoing solidarity projects in Nicaragua. This The conference selected Ruben Berrios, from Uruguay and Peru participated in the con brigade would fight to defend Nicaragua in president of the Puerto Rican Independence ference here. case of a U.S. invasion, Allende said. Party (PIP) to speak on behalf of all the dele Some Social Democratic figures were pres Allende also proposed that parties with rep gates at the opening session. Berrios de ent at the conference, including delegates from resentation in government introduce measures nounced the U.S. colonial occupation of the Dominican Revolutionary Party, the Peru for economic aid to Nicaragua. Puerto Rico and called for support to the vian APRA, and Guillermo Ungo, president of Members of the Anti-Imperialist Organiza Puerto Rican independence struggle. the Revolutionary Democratic Front (FDR) of tions of the Caribbean and Central America "The Sandinista revolution is the struggle of El Salvador. However, Latin American Social met here immediately before the Eebmary 10- all the Americas," said Berrios. Democratic leaders from countries such as 12 conference. Delegates from 19 countries at Exiled Haitian leader Gerard Pierre-Charles Chile and Venezuela did not attend. tending the first meeting adopted a schedule of was the third speaker at the opening session, Those parties that did not accept the invita dates for common protest and solidarity ac along with Ortega and Berrios. tion of the ESLN clearly felt that to do so was tions this year. They then participated in the

Intercontinental Press broader conference, where they urged support for the activities on the planned dates. Other conference delegates demonstratively Conference hails Haitian victory avoided discussion of any specific action pro Left groups prepare for post-Duvalier struggles posals. Luis Negreiros, personal representative of Many leaders have been forced to live in exile Peruvian President Alan Garcia, was a fea By Harvey McArthur for years, some since the early days of the tured speaker at the final session. He stressed MANAGUA — "We opened this meeting of his support for "political pluralism" and Latin American political parties by listening to Duvalier regime in the late 1950s. "mixed economy" in Nicaragua. Negreiros the message of a people who just expelled the The junta has said it will allow the return of exiles, but only according to current legal re said Peru would continue to support the Conta- Duvalier dictatorship," declared Nicaraguan dora and Lima groups, hut made no public President Daniel Ortega in his opening speech strictions set up by Duvalier, according to PUCH General-Secretary Rene Theodore. commitment to further aid to Nicaragua. to the Conference of Political Parties of Latin This means exiles will have to apply for visas Armando Hart, of the Cuban Communist America and the Caribbean here. from the Haitian government. A Duvalierist Party Political Bureau, also addressed the clos Gerard Pierre-Charles, a well-known Hai law outlawing the Communist Party is still in ing session. He reported that Cuba has pledged tian historian and leader of the United Haitian effect, and this would be used against any op to increase its aid to the Nicaraguan people in Communist Party, was a keynote speaker at ponent the junta does not approve of, said response to any increase in U.S. aid to the mer the opening ceremony. He shared the platform cenaries trying to overthrow the Sandinista with Ortega and Puerto Rican Independence Theodore. revolution. He called for broader and stronger Party (PIP) leader Ruben Berrios. Antonio Polo, a leader of the Union of Patri otic and Democratic Forces of Haiti (of which denunciations of U.S. intervention and for ap "I bring you a message of joy and dignity," the PTH is a component), explained to this re propriate initiatives for action to he taken in said Pierre-Charles. "The people of Haiti have porter that the U.S. government had decided each country. liberated themselves from one of the most hor rendous dictatorships in the world. Duvalier was no longer able to control the Hai Throughout the conference many delegates "Tomorrow, it will be Chile and the day tian people and defend U.S. business interests. spoke of the continentwide impact of a possi after, Paraguay," he added. With the outbreak of massive protests last ble U.S. invasion of Central America. Several Pierre-Charles paid tribute to the "extraordi year, the United States decided it was time to said that the experiences of the U.S. support nary, quiet, difficult, and heroic struggle of the change the Haitian government, he said. for Britain's war against Argentina in 1982 and Haitian people." He also pointed to the exam the U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1983 showed ple set by the Nicaraguan revolution. "I tell Tontons Macoutes the need for greater unity against future inter you that Sandino is ours," he explained. "The The junta and its U.S. backers are attempt ventions. Sandinista revolution has inspired the Haitian ing to shift all the blame for the bloody repres Due to the range of political views among youth who defied and finally defeated the sion suffered under Duvalier onto the hated those at the gathering, however, delegates did [Duvalier] dictatorship." Tontons Macoutes, said Polo. This political not come to any agreement on common activ The United Haitian Communist Party police force backed up Duvalier's rule through ity coming out of the conference. (PUCH), the Haitian Workers Party (PTH), violence and terror. Members of the Tontons and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Macoutes stole land from peasants and robbed Foreign debt Haiti (FPLH) had delegations at the Managua workers and merchants. They have been the Many of the participants in the meeting had conference. targets of popular anger since Duvalier's over been at the continental conference on the for The overthrow of Duvalier, the character of throw, and some have been executed by angry eign debt held in Havana, Cuba, in August the current military junta, the future course of crowds. On February 10, the junta announced 1985. The problem posed by the growing for the Haitian struggle, and the role of U.S. inter that the Tontons Macoutes had been dissolved. eign debt of Latin American and Caribbean vention in Haiti were the topics of many dis However, Polo emphasized, the army and countries was frequently raised in the Managua cussions at the conference. regular police were also used to repress the discussions. Haitian people. The Leopards, an elite army Armando Hart explained that the problem of New junta condemned unit trained by the U.S. Army at bases in the debt had become interwoven with the U.S. All the Haitian delegates condemned the Panama, was especially brutal in attacking intervention in Central America and that this newly installed military junta and character demonstrations. Many government and mili had led the different parties to seek a way to ized it as an attempt to continue the old regime tary officials were responsible for the massive unite. without Duvalier. They pointed out that four of corruption in Haiti. In May 1984, for example, "We must banish forever all sectarianism," the six members are officers of the Duvalierist demonstrations broke out in Cap-Haitien and Hart told the delegates,"and try to unite in our army. Gonaives against officials who had taken food cause all patriots who are willing to fight." "The Haitian people have not struggled, donated by relief organizations. They sold it In closing the meeting, Bayardo Arce de have not invested so many human lives, so that instead of distributing it to hungry people. scribed the conference as a "successful and a military junta would be installed in power," Thus, by putting all the blame on the Ton- productive experience." The discussions and said Pierre-Charles. "The struggle has been for tons Macoutes, the new regime hopes to keep exchanges of opinions were useful, he said. an advanced democracy, and while the accom the army, police, and old government structure The delegates from different countries came to plishments so far represent a big advance, we intact, said Polo. They would serve to stabilize know and understand the Nicaraguan revolu know that the Haitian revolution has many de the new regime, repressing any popular chal tion better. mands and has barely begun. It is a question of lenge to it. Many parties held bilateral and multilateral resolving the problems of a country with 85 "The people are demanding land, work, and meetings during the course of the conference. percent illiteracy, resolving problems of mis freedom," said Polo. "Freedom means free These laid the basis for future collaboration, ery and malnutrition, problems of the most op dom to organize unions and peasant, student, said Arce. All the specific proposals raised in pressed, the poorest country in Latin Ameri and women's organizations. Without these or the discussion would be circulated to all the ca." ganizations, there can be no guarantee of free participants so that each party could decide The Haitian delegates also agreed that a key dom." which actions it would undertake. test of the new government would be whether The success of the Managua conference it allowed the unconditional return of all polit For united action of ieft served to send another warning to Washington ical exiles. This will be important for the de The Haitian delegates at the conference that any invasion of Nicaragua will meet with velopment of the revolutionary movement in strongly supported the perspective of united massive opposition in Latin America. □ Haiti, according to a delegate of the FPLH. action by Haitian left organizations. These March 10, 1986 133 groups are small, and most exist mainly in Delegates at the conference reported that the Taveras is also president of the Anti-Im exile, although some, including the PUCH, struggle in Haiti has had a big impact in the perialist Organizations of Central America and PTH, and FPLH, also have underground or Dominican Republic. Haiti and the Dominican the Caribbean. Parties and movements from 19 ganizations inside Haiti. Republic are the two countries that share the countries met at a plenary of the Anti-Im "The Haitian struggle lacks a fundamental large Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Hun perialist Organizations immediately before the element, as we have learned from the San- dreds of thousands of Haitians live in the Conference of Latin American Political Par dinista revolution," said Pierre-Charles. "[It Dominican Republic, including tens of ties. They issued a declaration to the confer lacks] a political-military vanguard that can thousands of seasonal workers who cut sugar ence that saluted "the courage of the Haitian take power." cane. people" as an inspiration for other Caribbean peoples. Antonio Polo said that the return of the The impact on the Dominican Republic has exiles would be crucial to building a united The Anti-Imperialist Organizations also been extraordinary, Rafael "Fafa" Taveras, "solidarized with the struggle for a true democ revolutionary movement. "We need concrete general secretary of the Socialist Bloc (BS) projects of unification," he said, "but it is not racy in Haiti" and opposed any U.S. military and a leader of the Dominican Left Front clear what these could be now." The parties intervention there. (FID), said. that exist clandestinely in Haiti are small and Taveras reported that a large solidarity rally have little experience working with each other, "The situation in Haiti has brought forth the with Haiti had been held in Santo Domingo, he noted. immense sympathy and solidarity the Domini the capital of the Dominican Republic, on Feb "A common demand we can unite around cans have for the Haitian people," he said. ruary 8. Any U.S. invasion to crush the popu now is for the unconditional retum of all the This has undercut the traditional racist, anti- lar rebellion in Haiti, he said, would be seen as exiles," explained Polo. "Then we will see Haitian prejudices fostered in the Dominican an attack on the Dominican people. There what other common actions we can take. That Republic and will have "tremendous repercus would be mass support for Haiti, and contin will give us a chance to sit down together and sions" for the struggles in both countries, he gents of Dominicans would go to Haiti to fight discuss political perspectives." added. the invasion, he concluded. □

Cuba Economic battle a 'people's war' Communist Party congress makes advances in defense, economy, leadership

By Mary-Alice Waters found issues of proletarian democracy. They against bureaucratism and vested interests, HAVANA — There have been "two genu were seeking to develop the forms and institu routinism, incompetence, and corruption. ine revolutions" in Cuba in recent years, Fidel tions that will enable the revolution to continue It is a battle that can only be won as the Castro told the delegates to the Third Congress deepening the participation of the masses of working class itself develops the organiza of the Cuban Communist Party, held here Feb working people in actively defending their rev tional forms through which it can continually ruary 4-7. "One in the field of defense and the olution, administering their state, deciding on increase its educational level, technical train other in the economic field." and controlling their economic progress, and ing, and political capacity to democratically In both spheres, Castro emphasized, there renewing their political leadership so it will assert control over the planning process and its have been fundamental gains. Both defense of continue to be a vanguard that is organically implementation and moves toward manage the revolution against imperialist aggression part of today's working class in age, composi ment of the economy. and developing the country's productive ca tion, experience, and conditions of life. That is why the advances Cuba is making in pacity have come to be understood as genuine On the economic front, the issue that re defense, in production and planning, and on "people's wars," he said. ceived the greatest attention was the need to re broad political leadership questions are in The character of these two revolutions was vitalize the planning mechanism, the driving separable, and why the forward steps regis registered as well in a third development at the force of the Cuban economy. tered at the Cuban Communist Party congress party congress, one with equally revolutionary In a capitalist economy, maximizing the are so important. implications: the renewal of the party leader profits of a handful of gluttonous private own Revolution in defense concepts ship bodies. ers of the factories, mines, and fields deter Following an extensive party discussion, 40 mines everything. The brutal, anarchic system In the Main Report to the congress, deliv percent of those elected to the Central Com "corrects" its dislocations through periodic ered by Castro in his capacity as first secretary mittee were new members, selected in line crises, of which the principal victims are the of the party's Central Committee, he referred with the explicit criteria of the need to advance working people themselves — the producers of to several speeches he had made at the end of youth, women, and Blacks into leadership po all wealth. 1984, in which the meaning of the two revolu sitions. Setting an example for all Cuban soci A planned economy places the welfare of tions in defense and economic management ety by adopting and implementing such a pol human beings first, and such a qualitative had been explained to the entire Cuban people. icy, Castro said, was decisive for the future of transformation of Cuban society was made In an address to the National Assembly of the revolution. (See article on page 139.) possible by the revolutionary expropriation of People's Power on Dec. 28, 1984, Fidel re The interconnected advances on these three capitalist property there in 1960. The working minded the congress, he had discussed the cir battlefronts — defense, economy, and political class is no longer subject to the ravages of cumstances that led to the decision, in the leadership — came through strongly at the capitalist crises. spring of 1980, to launch the Territorial Troop congress in resolutions, reports, and discus But the creation of a self-correcting plan Militia.' sions with the delegates. On each front the fun ning mechanism as the driving force of eco In response to a series of U.S. provocations damental challenge being met is the same. nomic development is not automatic. Like all The delegates to the Cuban Communist other tasks of the revolution, it has to be con 1. This speech was reprinted in the Pathfinder Press Party congress were dealing with the most pro sciously led. It demands a continual battle book War and Crisis in the Americas: Fidel Castro

Intercontinental Press in April and May 1980 that led to the Mariel people were not fully organized to fight." plant, another a textile and garment factory. exodus, the Cuban people expressed their re Likewise, "in the economic field there was "What is the effect of the reorganization of newed revolutionary vitality, boosted by 1979 also talk of certain ideas and concepts but . . . the work along these lines?" I asked them. victories in Nicaragua and Grenada. They no collective awareness, no collective will, no "We're more efficient and more produc poured into the streets three times in million- total determination to implement the idea." tive," Sanchez replied, without a moment's strong Marches of the Fighting People. Just as the revolution in defense concepts has hesitation. "The quality of our work has im Out of that mass upsurge — "one of the gained ground, Fidel then noted, so will the proved. And that means Cuba will develop fas most important political, ideological, and revolution in economic concepts. "This must ter." moral victories the revolution has won in its be the economic battle of the entire people, the The plenary session of the congress was entire history," as Fidel said in December 1980 economic war of the whole people." about to reconvene, but Sanchez and Hernan — came the decision to launch the Territorial Production brigades dez insisted on one final thing. Troop Militia. "You must take a message to the women of This popular militia system has since or This economic war of the whole people was at the center of much of the discussion at the the United States," Sanchez said with a smile. ganized, trained, and equipped 1.5 million ci "Women in the United States need a revolution vilians, the majority of them women, and inte Third Congress of the Cuban Communist Party. It was the main thing delegates wanted like ours. You must liberate yourselves as we grated this force into the defense plans of the have. And then you must send a delegation to country. to talk about following the presentation of the Main Report, which dealt extensively with our next congress." The tense international situation and the I promised the message would be passed on. threat of imperialist aggression in 1980, Castro economic perspectives. recalled in 1984, was what "led to a revolution "Has dealing with the challenges of Cuba's Economic gains economic development as a 'people's war' in defense concepts." The comprehensive Main Report to the con It is not that popular participation in defense meant anything different for you?" I asked Carmen Sanchez Reyes, a delegate from one gress, as Castro indicated in his opening re was lacking before, Fidel noted. It was there marks, was an "encouraging review of what "right from the start." But over the years, he of the giant agro-industrial sugar producing complexes in the province of Holgui'n. has been done, a vehement criticism of what explained, as the capabilities of the armed has been left undone, and an optimistic and forces grew, so did the view that "defense was "I'm a machetera" she proudly told me. A cane cutter. She was standing chatting with resolute projection into the future, confident of strictly a problem for the armed forces." our revolutionary strength, our fighting In 1979, as the U.S. government began to another machetera, Celia Hernandez Lopez. Before the revolution, they assured me, there morale, and the immense possibilities of search for ways to crush the advancing popular socialism." struggles throughout Central America and the were no women in the cane fields. But the rev Caribbean, the danger of new U.S. aggression olution changed everything for women, Her The economic and social achievements of against Cuba intensified. nandez said. "Today, we have equal rights." the last five years have been impressive. This Under this pressure, Fidel pointed out, "we Before, women who worked for employers is even more evident when the progress in reached new and revolutionary ideas in the were mostly maids, Sanchez added. "Now Cuba is compared with the devastating eco concept of defense. We went from the old idea we're proving there is nothing women can't nomic and social panorama of other Latin to the idea that the military defense of the do." American and Caribbean countries in the same country, on the battlefield and in all the backup The big change in the last year, Sanchez period. work in any form of attack — blockade, war of went on, has been the formation of com The last five-year period, Fidel noted, has attrition, invasion, total or partial occupation prehensive work brigades on the state farm been one of the most disastrous ever for the of the country — was a task for both the armed where she works. At first these brigades were domestic economies of Latin America: "all forces and the people as a whole, so the people tried on an experimental basis in a few places. economic indicators dropped, many of them Now, in line with the resolutions adopted by had to be organized and prepared for that strug registered negative growth, and some fell back gle." the congress, she said, they will be generalized to the rates of 20 years ago." This is the strategic conception that has been throughout industry. In the same period in Cuba, the Main Report implemented in the last six years, Castro told "What is a comprehensive work brigade?" I noted, the gross social product grew at an aver the Third Congress. As a result, nearly 80 per asked. Sanchez explained, with obvious en age annual rate of 7.3 percent — considerably cent of all "men and women of all ages who are thusiasm, that she and other members of her higher than the 5 percent rate that had been capable of fighting" are now organized, and brigade are now responsible not only for cut projected at the Second Congress of the Cuban ting cane in their subdivision, but they follow "the means exist" for them to actively partici Communist Party in 1980. the process through from start to finish. Their pate in Cuba's defense. Industrial production increased by 8.8 per brigade, as a collective, plays a bigger role cent over the five-year period. Application to economic battles than previously in determining concrete pro Labor productivity increased at an annual duction goals. It is their responsibility, not These same concepts, Fidel explained, are rate of 5.2 percent, and personal consumption someone else's, to ensure that adequate now being implemented in the economic at an annual rate of 2.8 percent. The corres sphere. supplies are ordered and delivered on time so ponding rate for social consumption — which they won't lose production days. "The international crisis, the world econom includes items like transportation, health ser They harvest the cane, clean the fields, fer ic disaster, the intensified imperialist blockade vices, and availability of education — grew by tilize and prepare the ground, plant the next of our country, maneuvers to drive down the 7.1 percent. crop, and make sure the proper pesticides are price of sugar, have all led us to another pro Indicators of the relative standard of living used. As a result they know at each step how found revolution of ideas and concepts," Fidel showed impressive gains. The number of doc the final yield is being affected. had explained to the National Assembly of tors and dentists rose faster than population in They feel and are responsible for meeting People's Power at the end of 1984. creases, and a new comprehensive family doc the production goals they have set themselves. In theory, he went on, the Cuban leadership tor program was inaugurated. And this in a so Emulation contests between the brigades and always thought in terms of people's war, but ciety in which medical care is free. bonuses for meeting and surpassing production this idea had not been put into practice. "Our Statistics also showed important increases in targets are added incentives. the possession of durable goods (such as re frigerators, washing machines, and televis Speeches, 1984-85. Available from Pathfinder Several other workers who had gathered F^ss, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014; 47 around us explained that similar production ions), daily per capita calorie and protein in The Cut, London SEl 8LL, England; or P.O. Box brigades were being introduced in their work take, enrollment in child-care centers (and the 37 Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW 4020, Australia. places — one an oil refinery, another a cement number of mothers benefiting), and school en-

March 10, 1986 rollment and average educational level. The number of non-food items that are rationed decreased from 150 to 68. Construc tion of housing units rose threefold compared with the 1976-80 period. These impressive gains were the result of planned economic and social investments which are only possible because in Cuba the basic means of production have been taken out of the hands of private profiteers. Furthermore, as the Cubans always point out, their gains are possible only because Cuba's production and trade are coordinated with the economic planning of the Soviet Union and East European countries, along with Vietnam and Mongolia. Through the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA), Cuba receives favorable terms of trade that are helping the country develop its industrial infrastructure and overcome the 450- year legacy of colonialism and imperialist plunder. Having eliminated the uncontrolled anarchy of capitalist production, Cuba is able to decide on and implement an economic development strategy.

Discussion of economic strategy Mary-Alice Waters/IP The fundamental guidelines of Cuba's eco Fidel Castro addresses congress session. nomic strategy from now to the year 2000 were discussed and voted on at this congress. These guidelines have been under intense Committee departments, and presidents of pro lowing terms: discussion on all levels of the party, govern vincial People's Power bodies. In a matter of "In the next few years, the country's pur ment, and trade unions for more than a year. weeks the Central Group completely recast the chasing power must be ensured through export At the end of November 1984, Castro noted, 1985 plan — as well as could be done on the growth and import substitution; sustained there was a special joint meeting of leaders of eve of the new year itself — and began revis growth of social production profitability; in the party, the government, and the mass or ing both the 1986 projections and the long- creased savings of material resources, espe ganizations — such as the trade unions, farm term plans for 1986-2000. cially energy; better use of installed production ers' association, women's organization, and The fundamental guideline, Fidel reiterated capacities and greater efficiency in the invest neighborhood committees. The purpose of this in the report to the party congress, was the de ment process; greater labor productivity exceptional gathering was to make an in-depth termination not to "sacrifice our future to con through wider use of new forms of labor and study of the persistent problems in the coun sumerism" — not to become willing victims of wage organization [such as the production try's economic and social development. "Deci the commodity fetish, which rules and warps brigades and wage structures that encourage sions were adopted," Castro noted, "that have the capitalist world. workers to raise their levels of technical profi had far-reaching repercussions in revolution Given the fundamental material and social ciency]; consistent application of austerity pol ary activity to date and will have even greater problems already solved, Castro emphasized, icies in budgetary expenditures; higher quality repercussions in the future." "our problem is development, our problem is in production and services; and the promotion The main decisions adopted were publicly the future." of a much more effective and dynamic applica outlined by Castro in several speeches given in tion of science and technology." 'Speed up industrialization process' December 1984, to a National Forum on Taken as a whole, Fidel emphasized, the de Energy, to a congress of the Federation of Stu The main economic objective of the de cisions made at the end of 1984 and the meas dents in Intermediate Education,^ and to the velopment strategy is "to speed up the coun ures adopted to implement them meant Cuba National Assembly of People's Power. try's industrialization process." Given what "embarked upon a new, qualitatively superior Castro referred to all three of these speeches has already been accomplished, in health and stage of the Revolution." in his Main Report. education especially, it assumes that spending The results, he added, are already notable. On the basis of that review of Cuba's eco on social projects will decline slightly as a per "Undoubtedly, 1985 was the year that afforded nomic situation, emergency measures were centage of overall investments. the greatest savings and efficiency, the year in taken last year to restructure economic Absolute priority will be given to "those in which the Revolution obtained the best eco priorities. The purpose was to ensure the future vestments which result in savings on imports nomic results." long-term economic development of Cuba's from the hard currency area," that is, imports However, he added, "this is just a begin industrial base and a rising standard of living that have to be paid for in currencies that are ning," and "the Central Group will continue its based on real growth of labor productivity. readily convertible in the world market. This work." A working committee, known simply as the development strategy also assumes that there One of the organizational measures taken in Central Group, was established. It was com will be a greater degree of economic integra the past year as part of this new stage has been posed of top-level government and party lead tion within the framework of the Council for the demonstrative removal from their posts of ers, including members of the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance. a number of prominent government and party Ministers, secretaries and heads of Central The resolution "Improving the Economic figures charged with incompetence and failure Planning and Management System," also to carry out policies decided upon. Antonio 2. The first half of this speech appeared in the adopted by the congress, summarized the eco Perez Herrero, for example, was removed March 18, 1985, issue of Intercontinental Press. nomic objectives of the next period in the fol- from his post as an alternate member of the Po-

Intercontinental Press litical Bureau and member of the secretariat of in high crop losses. Delays in the development The harshest criticism of all, however, was the Central Committee in January 1985 due to and introduction of new, more productive, and directed to the failures of the economic plan "shortcomings and repeated errors committed disease-resistant varieties; low-quality seeds; ning system. in the fulfillment of his duties." ill-timed planting; weeding and cultivation de "One of our most serious problems has been Castro pledged that this process would con lays" all contributed to inadequate agricultural the absence of comprehensive national plan tinue where necessary. "Improvements in the yields. ning for economic development," Fidel said, structure of state agencies and replacement of "particularly where individual sectors have Specific problems detailed unsatisfactory officials will continue," Fidel planned and executed investments on their announced to prolonged applause. "There will The purpose and usefulness of the com own initiative without adequate centralized be no tolerance whatsoever for laziness, negli prehensive production brigades that the control. Examples abound: new industries and gence, incompetence, or irresponsibility." macheteras explained becomes clearer when agricultural projects in sparsely populated placed side-by-side with the concrete problems areas lacking housing facilities for the labor Deficiencies and shortcomings detailed by the report. force; extremely important agricultural plans, What are the problems and deficiencies that A similar critical evaluation of other branch such as the citrus fruit plan, where we still required extraordinary measures to eradicate es of industry and agricultural production fol have areas planted without irrigation; irrigation them? Why is it so important to call to order lowed in Castro's Main Report: systems where there are no pumping stations and if necessary remove officials whose func "We have not made the best use of industrial or electric power to run them; workshops and tioning is an obstacle to deepening workers' capacities. Lack of skills and labor force insta facilities without the corresponding power sup involvement and control over economic deci bility are basic factors in the slow assimilation ply; housing developments completed without sions? Why must the Central Committee and of new facilities." the necessary urban infrastructure, etc." party itself be constantly renewed as part of "Shortages of all kinds of packaging consis Following the initial thrust in implementing this process? These questions, too, were tently affected several production lines." the Economic Planning and Management Sys explicitly dealt with at the congress. "The machine industry is still not making tem in the mid-1970s, Castro stated,"there has In a section of the Main Report, Fidel enu full use of its facilities and is facing difficulties been no consistent follow-through to improve merated some of the problems that are all too with technological requirements and quality." it. The initiative was lost, and the creativity familiar to the Cuban people. As important as "Low efficiency in construction freezes re needed to adapt this system to our own condi sources and disrupts the construction process." the advances of the last five years may have tions — a system largely taken from the ex "Cost effectiveness is still hampered by idle been, he said, "nevertheless, we could have perience of other countries — never raw materials, spare parts, and other goods and made better use of our resources and our ef materialized." forts. Our work has been far from its best. De [by] resources frozen because of problems in How to increase the creative input of the ficiencies and shortcomings still persist, and planning and administering supplies." Cuban workers, in other words, remained the we must call them by their names and fight "Our scientific and technological work has central challenge. against them with all our might. Only thus will not been sufficiently linked to research topics During the greater part of the five-year we be worthy of the name communist!" that will provide concrete solutions to our main period, Castro went on, "the budget continued The country's main economic problem dur economic problems." to be ineffective. Rather than regulating spend ing 1981-85, Castro said, "was that although "We are behind in developing our elec ing, it, in effect, promoted it along with impro overall growth rates were satisfactory, they tronics industry" and introducing computer per social consumption." proved sluggish where we most needed them: technology. The Economic Planning and Management "Although there has been growing aware exports of goods and services and import sub System could become "a complete farce," Cas stitution." ness of the need to protect the environment, lit tro underlined, "if we attempt to achieve enter In a similar vein the resolution on improving tle progress has been made in the struggle prise profitability by raising the prices of prod against pollution, and industrial waste recy economic planning noted that the last five-year ucts, construction, and productive services," period "witnessed a deficit in the balance of cling is being done at only a small number of rather than by improving efficiency and labor payments, particularly in the area of hard cur plants." productivity. rency. This situation became acute in 1982 as a "There has been an inadequate and unstable "Prices in maintenance, construction, and result of mass credit freezes by capitalist supply of consumer goods ... as well as lack transportation, to mention just a few sectors, banks, high interest rates, drops in sugar of variety, inappropriate sizes, poor finishing, are scandalously high, covering up for ineffi prices, and the reduced availability of financ and outdated and repetitive designs, aggra ciency, over-staffing, and over-spending." ing sources for the National Bank of Cuba." vated by irrational distribution." Fidel concluded his remarks on the deficien Emergency measures were taken, with im In the service sector, "there are instances of cies and shortcomings of the Cuban economy insensitivity to the population's problems, mediate results. But the fact remained that with the remark that if these kinds of defects growth rates were being achieved through "im treatment that is incompatible with the Revolu are not overcome, "the Economic Planning ports that exceeded the country's possibilities, tion's principles, administrative attitudes that and Management System will cease to be the excessive energy and raw materials expendi allow for irregularities which discredit the driving force of our development." tures," and failure to increase and diversify ex state's role." The accuracy of the report's summary of the ports. "Procedures for solving simple legal prob challenges faced on the economic front was In his report Castro detailed the kinds of lems remain excessive and bureaucratic." registered by the delegates' applause and by waste and inefficiency that have to be elimi "Despite undeniable progress in public their contributions to the discussion of how to nated. health, insistence on quality services is still in move forward. In relationship to sugar production — adequate." Cuba's major industry — Castro noted that "The quality of our education still leaves Leadership challenge "growth rates have not matched the pos much to be desired." Delegates spoke to many different aspects of sibilities created by invested resources. By "Checks on administrative positions and the economic and social tasks facing Cuba, but product development has not been adequately work to reduce administrative overstaffing has more than anything else they stressed that the planned. Sugar-cane production targets were been weak throughout the state apparatus." greatest challenge is one of leadership. not met because of insufficient planting and "As regards employment, one of the funda Members of the party themselves, they in unsatisfactory agricultural yields. Inadequate mental rights of the people [in Cuba, every sisted, must set the example in terms of work soil preparation, short supplies of agricultural worker is guaranteed a job], many parts of the discipline, commitment to constantly upgrad machinery drawn by high-power tractors, and country have a labor shortage while others ing educational levels and skills, and eradicat improper field leveling and drainage resulted have a surplus." ing favoritism, buck-passing, red tape, and bu-

March 10, 1986 reaucratic insensitivity to people's needs. people of Cuba in the people's war on the eco — in the elaboration of plans and the adoption Arqui'medes Morales Lopez, a delegate nomic front were contained in the resolution of measures that guarantee the greatest possi from the province of Ciego de Avila, for exam adopted by the congress on Improving the Eco ble efficiency in the use of material and finan ple, discussed the importance of the produc nomic Planning and Management System. cial resources. tion brigades, which, he said, were initiated in "The higher echelons should give their ut his province in 1981. They now involve more Improving economic planning most attention to the opinions and proposals of than 3,000 workers in six industrial centers in The resolution stressed the progress made workers' collectives. These proposals should that province. over the decade since the system was intro be examined jointly. All instances of dog He stressed their important role in develop duced in increasing labor productivity, making matism will be vigorously eradicated; this in ing and implementing production plans and more efficient use of raw materials and re cludes the lack of explanations by superior stimulating interest in and a sense of responsi sources, and in raising the educational level levels regarding proposals submitted by the bility for the efficient fulfillment of production and technical training of the work force. workers." As virtually any worker in Cuba will tell goals. Brigade members are not only involved It also emphasized that the mechanisms in in strictly productive tasks, he stressed, but are place had failed to correct shortcomings and you, few things are more resented than the fact also assuming what are considered manage problems and that the system "lacked the that suggestions and proposals for accomplish ment responsibilities. dynamism needed to tackle economic prob ing such agreed-on aims often disappear into a bureaucratic maw, never to be heard of again, One positive result, he noted, is an acceler lems with speed and flexibility." Management responded to, or implemented. ation in the process of developing leadership methods, the resolution continued, "have hin cadres in the workplace. dered broad participation in the elaboration Another delegate, from Santiago de Cuba, and implementation of plans." Deeds first Neilia Ramirez Estevez, who works as a Resolutions, reports, and congresses of the To overcome these problems, the resolution tourist guide, discussed the justified criticisms Cuban Communist Party occupy an important outlined steps to make the system both more the Cuban people make of the very real de place in the political life of Cuban working comprehensive and centralized in long-term al ficiencies in the quality, efficiency, and cour people. Reports and resolutions are printed in location of resources and more democratic in tesy of services in the hotels, restaurants, and the daily papers. Many congress sessions are increasing mass input into, and control over, other tourist facilities. broadcast live on television and radio and often the planning process and its implementation. She discussed the importance of the forma rebroadcast at a different time the next day for tion of Model Units in the service sector, an Forms of work organization and wage struc those whose work schedules prevented them experiment that began in 1982 in the Sierra tures that encourage this as well as promoting from hearing them. Maestra mountains. increasing technical proficiency and efficiency The congress is an occasion to draw a bal Like the production brigades, they strive to are to be utilized. ance sheet and record the progress, problems, set the example and raise standards of effi The resolution called for a decentralization goals, and objectives of the revolution. That ciency and discipline, thus making life more of everyday decision-making at the operational process is itself an education and orientation pleasant for the Cuban working people, who stage of production and a closer relationship for the broadest layers of Cuban working are the main users of the facilities. between various enterprises and unions of en people. The fundamental lesson, she stressed, is that terprises. What is decisive, however, is not the words when work is shoddy or absenteeism high the — printed or spoken. What is happening in the For this to be workable, "the concept of problem does not lie with the workers but with factories and fields, in the militia and army democratic management based on collective the leadership. And that is where solutions lie units, in the trade unions, women's organiza discussion, and the process of decision-making and progress must be made. "When adminis tions, and neighborhood committees, in the inherent to it, should be further developed. . . . trative cadres are capable of clearly explaining units of the party and Union of Young Com "Greater individual responsibility in the de the very real problems that we have, workers munists, in the govemment ministries and de cision-making process will be linked to en not only understand them, but identify and join partments — that is what counts. hanced executive decision-making at all levels in the search for solutions," she said. That is why the three "revolutions," affect of the economic process in order to eliminate Yet another aspect of the leadership chal ing defense, the economy, and the leadership, bureaucratic procedures" in management. lenge was dealt with by a delegate from the that were registered at this congress are so im province of Havana, Maria Luisa Suarez."We To ensure the active participation of workers portant. have to break with old habits," she told dele at every level in the process of drawing up and Progress on any one of the three battlefronts gates. We have to get rid of the deep-rooted implementing plans, the resolution stated that would be important, but not necessarily deci tendency to give preferential consideration to "special importance will be attached to the sive. Taken together they confirm a direction those companeros we know the best, she said, broadest participation of workers' collectives of motion, a new step forward in the revolution to those who for one reason or another have — and their production and service meetings that has continued to deepen and broaden the ties with us. In party units, she went on, there are thousands of companeros who meet all the pre- requisities, who have talent, merit, and leader ship abilities. "Our responsibility is to bring Intercontinental Press It's Unique them forward, educate them, and advance them." Subscribe Today. This is especially important, Suarez in sisted, in relationship to moving young com YES! I want to subscribe. Enclosed is □ $30 for a one-year subscription; rades into leadership positions. As for bringing □ $15 for six months; □ $7.50 for a three-month introductory subscription. more women into the leadership, she said, "this is an old problem, but one we are now ad dressing with new determination." In addition to developing greater consciousness on this, she noted, practical measures should now be City/State/Postal Zone implemented as well. Outside the United States and Canada see inside front cover for subscription information. The most comprehensive treatment of the Intercontinental Press 410 West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014 measures to be taken to mobilize the working

Intercontinental Press revolutionary mobilization of the Cuban tors, teachers, engineers, and, when neces he said. "We must have confidence in our people for 27 years. sary, soldiers in dozens of countries around the young leaders and recall that the average age of Moreover, these advances are combined — world, from Angola to Nicaragua to Vietnam. those who began the armed struggle was 22. as they would have to be — with the deep- The Third Congress of the Cuban Com We must promote young people without fear." going internationalism of the Cuban revolu munist Party, more than any other single thing, If a broad policy of renewal and promotion tion. The commitment of the Cuban people to registered the continuing impact on Cuba of of young cadres had not been carried out at this "pay their debt to humanity," as they proudly the 1979 revolutionary victories in Nicaragua congress, Fidel noted, by the time of the next say, is registered by the fact that more than and Grenada and the ensuing years of strug congress the average age of the Central Com 100,000 Cubans completed internationalist gles. Revitalized and renewed, the "people's mittee could reach 57. missions in the last five years, working as doc war" goes on. □ In the past, Fidel observed, efforts to renew the leadership bodies had been more symbolic in character. Attempts to promote younger leaders tended to be interpreted as a criticism CP congress renews leadership of the work of older leaders. This was often a More youth, women, Blacks elected to top committees "traumatic" process, he noted. Result of broad discussion By Mary-Alice Waters tion forces and communist parties. The changes in the new Central Committee HAVANA — The Third Congress of the On the final day of the congress, while the were the result of a broad discussion about Cuban Communist Party concluded here Feb delegates were meeting in closed session to communist attitudes toward leadership posi ruary 7 with the election of a new Central elect a new leadership committee, some 60 tions. "Vanity is not a communist attribute," Committee and presentation of a new Political solidarity meetings were organized in fac Fidel stated. "If we aspire to honors and pro Bureau. In addition, Fidel Castro Ruz was tories, workplaces, and schools throughout the motions, we would not be communists." unanimously reelected first secretary of the Havana region. These enabled the foreign de party and Raiil Castro Ruz second secretary. legations to bring their salutations directly to The Central Committee itself must set the The four-day congress culminated a year of the Cuban people, who greeted their guests example in this renewal process, he said. preparatory discussions on all levels of the with warmth and pride. In addition to the promotion of younger party. The document on the guidelines for eco leaders, the criteria that guided the selection of nomic and social development for the next New Central Committee elected the new committee also included the preferen five-year period was also discussed outside the One of the most important points on the con tial promotion of women and Blacks. party ranks by broad layers of the population. gress agenda was the election of the new Cen "We must change what history has created," Through factory and workplace assemblies and tral Committee. The changes made in the com Fidel told the Cuban people. "This cannot be meetings of farmers, armed forces personnel, position of the newly elected body were the re left to spontaneity." Women and Blacks have leaders of the communist youth, and students sult of a thoroughgoing discussion on all levels been discriminated against throughout our his in the last year of their studies, more than 3 of the party, extending over many months. tory, he said. Only "hypocrites" can refuse to million Cubans participated in shaping the Forty percent of those elected to the Central recognize the legacy of this reality or fear to final document presented to the delegates. Committee at this congress were individuals say it openly and work to change it. After the commissions elected by the con who had not served on the outgoing commit The same general guidelines were applied in gress incorporated proposals for final changes tee. Fifty percent of the regular and alternate the election of the new Political Bureau. Four and adjustments, the 1,784 delegates who had members of the new Political Bureau are new. long-time regular members, including Bias been elected by the nearly 500,000 members At the concluding session of the congress, Roca and Ramiro Valdes, stepped down. The of the party adopted a number of important which was broadcast live on radio and televis new Political Bureau includes prominent lead documents. In addition to the economic and ion, Fidel Castro presented the new Central ers of the Cuban revolution such as Vilma social guidelines, they approved resolutions on Committee and Political Bureau. In summing Espin, head of the Cuban Women's Federa foreign policy, the political-administrative or up the work of the congress, he explained the tion, Roberto Veiga, general secretary of the ganization of the country, guidelines for im decisive challenge facing the revolutionary or Cuban Workers Confederation, and Esteban proving the system for economic planning, a ganizations of Cuba on all levels — party, gov Lazo, the first secretary of the party in the number of modifications in the party statutes, ernment ministries, mass organizations, and province of Matanzas. Eight of the 10 alternate and the Main Report, presented by Fidel Cas armed forces. members of the Political Bureau are also tro on the opening day of the congress. The renewal of leadership is indispensable,

Draft program adopted In addition, the congress adopted a draft Moroccan activists jaiied program that will now be submitted to all the mass organizations for discussion — to trade Twenty-six left-wing activists in Morocco the Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony unions, women, farmers, neighborhood com were sentenced February 13 to prison terms forcibly annexed by Moroccan troops in 1975. mittees, students, and others. At the end of that ranging from 3 years to 20 years. Another de During the January 1984 protests, for exam discussion, final changes in the draft program fendant was acquitted. ple, Ilal-Amaam distributed leaflets condemn will be made and the document submitted to a During the course of the trial, which was ing "the war that the criminal Hassan II is wag special congress at the end of 1986. Once held in Casablanca and lasted for more than a ing against our brothers in the Western Sa adopted, it will replace the shorter Program week, the 27 defendants were accused of be hara." matic Platform adopted by the First Congress longing to the outlawed Ilal-Amaam (Forward) The 27 defendants were accused of main of the Cuban Communist Party in 1975. group and of having taken part in the January taining "close ties" with the Polisario Front, The congress also listened to greetings from 1984 price protests. Those actions, which which is leading the Saharan struggle. some 30 fraternal delegations, including those erupted following a sharp price hike, were According to two French lawyers who ob brought by Daniel Ortega for the Sandinista crushed after security forces killed scores of served the trial on behalf of the International National Liberation Front (FSLN) of Nicara demonstrators. Movement of Catholic Jurists, the defendants gua, Schafik Jorge Randal for the Farabundo Prosecutors in the trial focused in particular were subjected to physical mistreatment while Martf National Liberation Front (FMLN) of El on Ilal-Amaam's opposition to King Hassan in police custody with the aim of forcing con Salvador, and numerous other national libera II's war against the independence struggle in fessions out of them. □

March 10, 1986 DOCUMENTi South African 'Women's Charter' 'We march forward with our men in the struggie for liberation'

[Women have played a key and prominent are still oppressed and exploited by the racist vided into poor and rich, into non-European role in the massive upheaval that has been apartheid system. Today, as in 1954, there is and European. They exist because there are shaking South Africa's apartheid system for no possibility of their achieving freedom as privileges for the few, discrimination and the past year and a half. As trade union or women, while they are shackled in im harsh treatment for the many. We women have ganizers, community activists, and student poverished servitude under white minority stood and will stand shoulder to shoulder with leaders, they have taken part in numerous pro rule." our menfolk in a common struggle against test demonstrations and meetings, have been [The following is the full text of the poverty, race and class discrimination, and the detained, and have been shot down by apart Women's Charter and Aims. We have taken it evils of the colour-bar. heid police and assassins. from a 1984 pamphlet issued by the ANC.] [The United Democratic Front (UDF), National liberation As members of the national liberatory which has been in the leadership of many of movements and trade unions, in and through these protest actions, has a number of promi Preamble our various organisations, we march forward nent women leaders and spokespersons. These We, the women of South Africa, wives and with our men in the struggle for liberation and include Winnie Mandela, Albertina Sisulu, mothers, working women and housewives, Af the defence of the working jteople. We pledge and others. Victoria Mxenge, a UDF leader in rican, Indian, European, and Coloured, hereby ourselves to keep high the banner of equality, Durban, was murdered by assassins in August declare our aim of striving for the removal of fratemity, and liberty. As women there rests 1985. all laws, regulations, conventions, and cus upon us also the hurden of removing from our [Since the early 1980s, a number of anti- toms that discriminate against us as women society all the social differences developed in apartheid women's groups have been formed, and that deprive us in any way of our inherent past times between men and women, which many of which are now affiliated to the UDF. right to the advantages, responsibilities, and have the effect of keeping our sex in a position Among them are the United Women's Organi opportunities that society offers to any one sec of inferiority and subordination. sation (based in the Cape Town area), the tion of the population. Natal Organisation of Women, and the Feder Equality for women A single society ation of South African Women (Fedsaw). We resolve to struggle for the removal of We women do not form a society separate [The latter organization, which functions laws and customs that deny African women the from the men. There is only one society, and it primarily in the Transvaal region, is a revival right to own, inherit, or alienate property. We is made up of both women and men. As of the old Federation of South African Women resolve to work for a change in the laws of women we share the problems and anxieties of (FSAW). First established in 1954, the FSAW marriage such as are found amongst our Afri our men and join hands with them to remove was a national women's organization that was can, Malay, and Indian people, which have the social evils and obstacles to progress. allied to the Congress Alliance, an anti-apart effect of placing wives in the position of legal heid front led by the African National Con Test of civilisation subjection to husbands and giving husbands gress. The ANC is leading today's revolution The level of civilisation which any society the power to dispose of wives' property and ary struggle to overthrow the apartheid system has reached can be measured by the degree of earnings and dictate to them in all matters af and establish a democratic, nonracial South freedom that its members enjoy. The status of fecting them and their children. Africa in which everyone. Black or white, will women is a test of civilisation. Measured by We recognise that the women are treated as have equal rights. By the early 1960s, the that standard. South Africa must be considered minors by these marriage and property laws FSAW fell into decline after the ANC had been low in the scale of civilised nations. because of ancient and revered traditions and outlawed and fierce repression unleashed customs, which had their origin in the anti against all anti-apartheid organizations. Women's lot quity of the people and no doubt served pur [In addition to those women's organizations We women share with our menfolk the cares poses of great value in bygone times. There that are today functioning legally, there is the and anxieties imposed by poverty and its evils. was a time in the African society when every ANC's Women's League, which is forced to As wives and mothers, it falls upon us to make woman reaching marriageable age was assured operate clandestinely. small wages stretch a long way. It is we who of a husband, home, land, and security. Then [Many of the women's groups now active in feel the cries of our children when they are husbands and wives with their children be South Africa support the Freedom Charter, the hungry and sick. It is our lot to keep and care longed to families and clans that supplied most program of South Africa's national, democrat for the homes that are too small, broken, and of their own material needs and were largely ic revolution. (For the text of the Freedom dirty to be kept clean. We know the burden of self-sufficient. Men and women were partners Charter, see the Nov. 18, 1985,Intercontinen looking after children and land when our hus in a compact and closely integrated family tal Press.) Many also support the Women's bands are away in the mines, on the farms, and unit. Charter and Aims, which was adopted at the in the towns earning our daily bread. Women who labour FSAW's founding conference in Johannesburg We know what it is to keep family life going Those conditions have gone. The tribal and in April 1954. in pondokkies [huts] and shanties, or in over kinship society to which they belonged has crowded one-room apartments. We know the [The ANC, which declared 1984 the Year of been destroyed as a result of the loss of tribal bitterness of children taken to lawless ways, of the Women, commented on the continued im land, migration of men away from the tribal daughters becoming unmarried mothers whilst portance of the Women's Charter and Aims in home, the growth of towns and industries, and still at school, of boys and girls growing up a statement it issued that year. "This Charter," the rise of a great body of wage-eamers on the without education, training, or jobs at a living the ANC said, "remains as relevant today as it farms and in the urban areas, who depend wage. was when it was adopted. Women are still sub wholly or mainly on wages for a livelihood. ordinate in society and this hinders their Poor and rich Thousands of African women, like Indian, maximum involvement in the freedom strug These are evils that need not exist. They Coloured, and European women, are em gle. The majority of women in South Africa exist because the society in which we live is di ployed today in factories, homes, offices.

Intercontinental Press shops, on farms, in professions as nurses, selves from the evils of discrimination and pre of uniting women in common action for the re teachers, and the like. As unmarried women, judice as long as they fail to extend to women moval of all political, legal, economic, and so widows, or divorcees they have to fend for complete and unqualified equality in law and cial disabilities. We shall strive for women to themselves, often without the assistance of a in practice. obtain: male relative. Many of them are responsible 1. The right to vote and to be elected to all Needfor education not only for their own livelihood but also that state bodies, without restriction or discrimina We also recognise that large numbers of our of their children. Large numbers of women womenfolk continue to be bound by traditional tion. today are in fact the sole breadwinners and 2. The right to full opportunities for em practices and conventions and fail to realise heads of their families. ployment with equal pay and possibilities of that these have become obsolete and a brake on promotion in all spheres of work. Forever minors progress. It is our duty and privilege to enlist Nevertheless, the laws and practices derived all women in our struggle for emancipation 3. Equal rights with men in relation to prop erty, marriage, and children and for the re from an earlier and different state of society are and to bring to them all realisation of the inti moval of all laws and customs that deny still applied to them. They are responsible for mate relationship that exists between their women such equal rights. their own person and their children. Yet the status of inferiority as women and the inferior 4. For the development of every child law seeks to enforce upon them the status of a status to which their people are subjected by through free, compulsory education for all; for minor. Not only are African, Coloured, and discriminatory laws and colour prejudices. the protection of mother and child through Indian women denied political rights, but they It is our intention to carry out a nationwide maternity homes, welfare clinics, creches, and are also, in many parts of the Union [of South programme of education that will hring home nursery schools, in countryside and towns, Africa], denied the same status as men in such to the men and women of all national groups through proper homes for all, and through the matters as the right to enter into cdntracts, to the realisation that freedom cannot be won for provision of water, light, transport, sanitation, own and dispose of property, and to exercise any one section or for the people as a whole as guardianship over their children. long as we women are kept in bondage. and other amenities of modem civilisation. 5. For the removal of all laws that restrict Obstacle to progress An appeal free movement, that prevent or hinder the right The law has lagged behind the development We women appeal to all progressive organi of free association and activity in democratic of society; it no longer corresponds to the actu sations, to members of the great national organisations, and the right to participate in the al social and economic position of women. liberatory movements, to the trade unions and work of these organisations. The law has become an obstacle to progress of working class organisations, to the churches, 6. To build and strengthen women's sec the women, and therefore a brake on the whole educational and welfare organisations, to all tions in the national liberatory movements, the of society. progressive men and women who have the in organisation of women in trade unions, and This intolerable condition would not be al terests of the people at heart, to join with us in through the peoples' varied organisations. lowed to continue were it not for the refusal of this great and noble endeavour. 7. To cooperate with all other organisations a large section of our menfolk to concede to us that have similar aims in South Africa as well women the rights and privileges which they Our aims as throughout the world. demand for themselves. We shall teach the We declare the following aims: 8. To strive for permanent peace through men that they cannot hope to liberate them This organisation is formed for the purpose out the world. □

Burkina Women organize for their liberation New national women's organization launched

By Ernest Harsch lution." olution (CDRs). Before August 1983, when a revolutionary In recent months, women have taken part in A few days later, on October 5, women upsurge began in Burkina, women in that West numerous marches, rallies, and meetings, not from throughout Kadiogo rallied in the capital African country were virtually ostracized from only in Ouagadougou, the capital, but also in to hear the results of the elections. Speaking to political life and suffered from the worst social rural provinces such as Bulkiemde, Bam, the gathering, Alima Traore, a national CDR and economic conditions. Kossi, and Sanmatenga. They have done so to leader and the central figure in the Directorate But the status of women in Burkina today is advance their own interests as women and to for Women's Mobilization and Organization, changing noticeably. deepen their involvement in Burkina's broader stressed the key importance of establishing a "Daycare centers, women's associations, revolutionary struggle. national women's organization. She said that and Committees for the Defense of the Revolu to unite women to take part in the revolution tion are among the new realities in this Sahe- Women's union and to "eliminate all the fetters on their genu lian country," correspondent Carole Beaulieu ine emancipation," it was necessary to "strug As part of these activities, women have reported in a dispatch from Burkina in the Jan gle in close ranks, not in a diffuse manner." taken the first concrete steps toward setting up uary 14 and 15 issues of the Montreal daily Le Since then, local leadership committees of a national organization, known as the Devoir. "Segregated until now from any polit the UFB have been elected in other provinces Women's Union of Burkina (UFB). ical power, Burkinahe women have been as well. In late September 1985, women in speaking up more and more since Capt. Ouagadougou and in villages in the surround The groundwork for the launching of these Thomas Sankara came to power." ing Kadiogo Province gathered in mass as women's committees had been laid shortly "The Burkina Faso of 1986," Beaulieu ob semblies to elect members of local UFB exec after the August 1983 revolution. Each CDR served, "now benefits from women in the gov utive committees. These assemblies were or elected at least two women to leadership posi ernment, women in the police, and women in ganized by leaders and activists of the mass- tions, one as vice-chairperson and the other to every Committee for the Defense of the Revo based Committees for the Defense of the Rev head up women's mobilization. They in turn

March 10, 1986 '0 A" if '■ helped draw other women activists in the CDRs into local "women's cells," which sought to increase women's participation in the CDRs' various activities, such as community development projects, literacy classes, and mi litia training. Then in March 1985 some 3,000 women came to Ouagadougou from every province in the country for a major conference on women's emancipation. There they discussed the difficult social and economic conditions confronting women in Burkina and how to combat those conditions. The conference also resolved to work toward the creation of a na tional women's organization. In response, the National Secretariat of the CDRs issued a directive outlining the goals and general organizational structure of the Women's Union in Burkina, which is to be open to all women in the country. Pal Wright/IP According to the CDR directive, the UFB Women marching In Ouagadougou, Aug. 4,1985, at celebrations of second anniversary of will aim: "• to unite women by organizing and pre revolution. paring them to participate concretely in the realization of the revolution's objectives. Women themselves are drawing attention to woman told Beaulieu, "In case of divorce, the "• to encourage them to work to eradicate these many problems. At an October 1985 children are handed over to the father because all the fetters on the genuine emancipation of women's conference in Kongoussi, the capital the woman has no financial means. Changing women. of Bam Province, in the north, women dis the law without changing women's economic "• to make women into a decisive force in cussed the social ills that most concerned situation means changing nothing." the struggle for a new society free of all forms them. In addition to problems of inequality Getting rid of prostitution poses similar of exploitation." within the household, the Ouagadougou daily problems. In a Jan. 3, 1985, speech. President Sidwaya reported, the women raised themes Sankara said that prostitution would eventually 'Like beasts of burden' "such as circumcision, forced marriage, di be outlawed, but first "we must give every The oppression women face in Burkina is vorce, sex education. The theme that had re woman a job, we must give every woman the severe. Like Burkinabe men, women suffer ceived the most cautious public attention was means to earn her living honestly and with dig from the country's legacy of imperialist domi that of the banishment of young girls who be nity." nation. They live in one of the poorest coun come pregnant outside of marriage." tries in the world. With 7 million inhabitants, One measure the government planned to im Burkina's per capita income is just a little more Gains and hurdles plement in January, the "essential wage" for than US$100 a year. The illiteracy rate is more Since the beginning of the revolution, women, has now been put off. Originally an than 90 percent, and infant mortality is high. women have made modest, but important, nounced by Sankara during the celebrations of But women are particular victims of this gains. the revolution's second anniversary on Aug. 4, poverty and imperialist oppression, as well as Together with men, they have benefited 1985, it was intended to guarantee that women of the country's social backwardness. Illiter from efforts to expand health care throughout received part of their husbands' wages to buy acy among women reaches 98 percent. In the the country. By the end of January 1986, more food and pay for other essential household countryside — where the vast majority of all than 7,000 new health clinics had been built, needs. But it quickly became one of the most Burkinabe live and work — women perform one for every village in Burkina. Preparations controversial issues in the country, meeting niost of the labor in the fields and in the home, are now under way to launch a national literacy considerable resistance from men. Discussions commonly working 18 hours a day. It is the drive, with local UFB leaders playing a role in on the "essential wage" proposal raised other woman who is expected to go to the market or helping to organize it. Daycare centers have questions as well: How would it be im to fetch water, in some parts of the countryside been built in some cities and towns. plemented? Why should urban women be fa having to walk 10 or more kilometers each day Agrarian reform and increased government vored while the vast majority of women belong to do so. assistance to agriculture have benefited peas to rural families engaged in subsistence culti "The women are there to make babies and to ant women, providing them with new tools, vation, with very little cash income? work like beasts of burden, nothing more," wells, and mills (traditionally, most women Josephine Ouedraogo, the minister of family Environment Minister Beatrice Damiba has have had to mill grain by hand). Special aid is affairs and national solidarity, explained in an said, summing up women's customary status. also being provided to agricultural coopera interview in the January 14 Sidwaya that the Although forced marriage was legally tives, some of which are organized specifically government is no longer raising the "essential abolished in 1940, it still persists, particularly by and for women. wage" proposal publicly. She observed that in the countryside where tribal traditions run A new family code is now being studied. "certain decisions had been made hastily," deep. Female circumcision continues to be According to Le Devoir's Beaulieu, among the without taking into account all the repercus practiced, despite public campaigns to explain issues it will tackle are "the setting of a mini sions. The problem of assuring women an ade its dangers and oppressive nature. Among mum age for marriage, the establishment of di quate income would be studied further, Oue some peoples in Burkina there are prohibitions vorce by mutual consent, recognition of a draogo said, and may be tackled through other, against women eating certain kinds of foods, widow's right to inheritance, and suppression more effective measures. such as eggs, meat, or dried fish. "These pro of the bride-price and levirate, the practice that Another question that has been approached hibitions are only designed to allow men to forces a widow to remarry a member of the de with considerable caution is that of abortion, monopolize the best foods," Delphine Oue- ceased's family." which is not now legal. At the March 1985 draogo, a CDR activist in Ouagadougou, ex But adoption of the family code will not by women's conference in Ouagadougou, abor plained to a reporter. itself make these changes a reality. One tion was the one issue that provoked consider-

Intercontinental Press able disagreement among the participants. Canada While some favored its legalization, others did not, citing considerations of religion and cus tom or the lack of adequate medical facilities. No resolutions on abortion were adopted, and the issue was referred for further public discus Abortion rights fight grows sion. Such discussions have been taking place. Movement organizes tribunals across country Most recently, for example, a "revolutionary women's week" in late December in British Columbia Federation of Labor; Grace Ouagadougou's Sector 1 included a conference By Bill Burgess and Lynda Little [The following article is taken from the Feb Maclnnis, former NDP [New Democratic on family planning and abortion. Party] MP and long-time champion of abortion Drawing women into active political life has ruary 17 issue of Socialist Voice, a fortnightly published in Montreal that reflects the views of rights; Lauris Talmey, president of the Na also not been easy. An article surveying tional Women's Liberal Commission; a women's participation in the CDRs in Kadiogo the Revolutionary Workers League, Canadian section of the Fourth International.] woman psychiatrist; a Vancouver United Province, published in the Nov. 7, 1985, Sid- Church minister; and Loma Zaback of the waya, noted "the lack of understanding of Vancouver Women's Health Collective. some husbands or parents, who are opposed to In his summary to the jury. Art Kube female militants participating in the CDRs' ac "We find the government of Canada in con tempt of women. We find the Canadian abor explained that for the trade union movement tivities." The article also observed an "indif there could be no social equality without free ference and lack of interest" among some tion law guilty of denying women the right to choose if, when, and where to have children. dom of choice on abortion. "Rich women," he women themselves, who continue to believe We find the Canadian abortion law guilty of said, "could always go and get an abortion, but that "politics is not a woman's concern." poor women had to go get butchered. . . . It is But such attitudes are changing — among discrimination against women because access to abortion procedures is dependent upon the responsibility of society to provide every both women and men. Women are increas one the services and resources necessary to en ingly taking part in CDR activities, including wealth, language, and proximity to urban centres. We demand that all antiabortion laws sure freedom of choice." in leadership positions. In a few rural CDRs, The expanding struggle for women's right to women hold a majority of the positions on be repealed. We demand the legalization of free-standing clinics providing medically in abortion was evident in Montreal February 8 local executive bureaus. The prominent in when the Quebec Coalition for the Right to volvement of women in the government — sured abortion services." Free Abortion on Demand was founded. both as cabinet ministers and as provincial This was the verdict of a jury numbering At its founding meeting the coalition de governors — has provided an example to all more than 400, who participated in a tribunal cided to organize a tribunal in Ste-Therese in women and increased their confidence. on Canada's abortion laws held in Vancouver April or May in response to attacks by the anti- So has the growing participation of women January 25. Organized by the Concerned Citi abortion forces in that town on the CLSC's in the CDR militias and in the regular armed zens for Choice on Abortion (CCCA), the tri (community clinic) abortion services. These forces. Hundreds of women have already bunal was the first in a series planned by the forces took over the administrative council of joined the army. Women helped actively de abortion rights movement for cities across the Ste-Therese CLSC last fall and decided to fend the country when troops from neighbor English Canada and Quebec. The series will end its abortion services. ing Mali briefly invaded in December. culminate with an action in Ottawa against the More than 150 people representing 92 or "The handling of arms is no longer the pre antiabortion laws in the late spring. ganizations from across Quebec were part of serve of men alone," the Ouagadougou weekly The tribunal judges and jury heard several the meeting. Participants were from Quebec's Carrefour Africain commented."The military hours of moving and powerful public tes three largest trade union federations, women's training of different CDR activists includes timony by over a dozen women on the effects groups, the CLSCs, and student organizations women as well. Parallel to this, one can note of laws and institutions that restrict women's and included several women from the Ontario the presence of women in the Burkinabe army. right to control their bodies. Coalition for Abortion Clinics. This is a first in the history of our revolutionary Following the testimony, a broad panel of The new coalition demands the repeal of defense. In a word, women — whom some judges presented their conclusions to the jury. Canada's antiabortion laws and will be part of prefer to call the weaker sex — pursue military Judges included: Art Kube, president of the the Ottawa action against the laws. □ training with the same conviction and dili gence as men. The woman in uniform is no longer a curiosity as before, but an incontesta ble reality." Montreal rally on abortion rights The formation of the Women's Union of Burkina is a further step in this process of hears U.S., Quebec socialists women standing up for their rights. It gives them an organization of their own, through MONTREAL — Nearly 40 people gathered the Socialist Workers Party in the United which they can deepen their participation in here Eebruary 15 to hear socialist activists States, described the stepped-up bombings Burkina's anti-imperialist, democratic revolu from the United States and Canada speak on against abortion clinics in the United States in tion. □ the fight for the right of women to choose abor the past several years. The mounting opposi tion. The four women who spoke are support tion against this and President Ronald ers of the Eourth International. Reagan's drive to overturn the 1973 Supreme The public meeting was chaired by Court decision declaring abortion a constitu Copies Missing? Genevieve Baril-Gingras, a leader of Gauche tional right, she said, led the National Organi Socialiste (Socialist Left), which sponsored zation for Women (NOW), the largest Keep your files of Intercontinental Press the event. She opened the meeting by describ women's liberation organization in the coun complete and up-to-date. Missing Issues ing a series of recent attacks by opponents of try, to call for a march on Washington, D.C., may be ordered by sending $1.25 per copy. abortion rights in Quebec. These include a suc on March 9. A West Coast action on the same cessful effort in the town of Ste-Therese to take theme of abortion rights has been called for Intercontinental Press over the administrative council of the commu Los Angeles on March 16. 410 West Street nity clinic and end its abortion services. "This is the first national women's rights ac New York, N.Y. 10014 Pat Grogan, women's liberation director of tion in nearly a decade," Grogan noted. "And

March 10, 1986 it's the first time NOW has ever called an ac a "feminist syndrome" that makes it difficult tion like this on abortion rights." She described for the ruling class to oppress women the way intemational conference for national liberation the growing support for the action from the Co it used to or would like to. movements there. Ninety liberation move alition of Labor Union Women. ments, including the East Timorese and the The final speaker was Susan Caldwell, a West Papuans, will be there. Grogan also pointed to the significance of leader of Gauche Socialiste. She described a "Until now, we have never received an invi the public discussion on abortion that has been meeting held in Montreal one week earlier that tation from the Australian, American, French, opened up in Nicaragua by the Sandinista established the Quebec Coalition for the Right or other 'democratic' countries' govemments leadership. to Free Abortion on Demand. to hold a liberation movement conference. The Joanna Misnik, representing Socialist More than 150 people from a wide range of only one who asked us to come and share our Unity, a U.S. group, stated that the effects of organizations participated in the meeting, problems and to leam from others was Libya. the women's liberation movement have led to Caldwell noted. She emphasized the impor So we are going to go." "enormous social changes in the United tance of the growing connections between the I asked Peu what he saw as the relationship States." She said that just as there is a "Viet abortion rights struggles in Quebec and Eng between the antinuclear and independence nam syndrome that prevents Washington from lish Canada and the opportunities to involve stmggles in the Pacific region. "To ask that," using U.S. troops" in Central America, there is union women in the fight. □ he said, "we have to ask: Why is there nuclear testing in Mumroa and not in Vanuatu? Be cause Mumroa is a French colony and Vanuatu is an independent country [since 1980]. The New Caledonia first step to a nuclear-free zone is therefore in dependence."

South Africa and Kanaky Interview with Kanak leader Peu discussed the significance of the events in South Africa for the Kanak people: "We see Refutes Australian foreign minister's terrorist-baiting our stmggles as very similar," he said. "It has not been called apartheid in Kanaky. But, for By Deb Shnookal "On the other hand," he continued, "the cal example, in the 1950s the Kanaks could only SYDNEY, Australia — While Washington doche don't even control Noumea anymore. leave their reserves with permission. We had was beating the war drums especially hard And they do have the means and the contacts. the same status as the Aborigines in Queens against the Libyan government of Col. Muam- They have already had the experience of land [Australia]," explained Peu. mar el-Qaddafi, Australian Foreign Minister Algeria, so they know what will happen in "We did not have the right to work. We Bill Flayden expressed his concern about pos New Caledonia. They are getting ready. And were considered like cattle or dogs — not citi sible links between Libya and the Kanak inde Australia should be aware of this." zens. We didn't have the right to go to school pendence movement in the French colony of How responsible is the Australian govem or the right to vote. The situation has evolved New Caledonia. since then, but the problems are still basically ment for this situation? I asked. "This arms .Hayden stressed that the Australian Labor trafficking has been going on for five years," the same." government favors a peaceful transition to in replied Peu. "Three ships have been caught Peu then described how the strategy of the dependence in New Caledonia. "Australia re through random searches. How many more Kanak stmggle for independence has been ad mains particularly concerned about any action have got through?" Two questions, he said, justed over the past year. "In the confrontation which could lead to the use or threat of vio should be asked: "Firstly, what if the Austra with the French govemment over the election lence and terrorism in New Caledonia or else lian govemment knew about the arms traffick boycott in 1984, we lost more than 25 Kanak where in our region," Hayden said. ing? It means they are collaborating with the lives. We realized we didn't have the means to win in a physical confrontation against the His remarks were designed to pressure the French," Peu concluded. Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front "Secondly," he continued, "what if the Aus white. So we had to change our strategy and (FLNKS) into not attending an international tralian govemment simply fails to catch the find another way to gain our independence," conference of national liberation movements in arms traffickers? Does it mean they don't care said Peu. "Now we see that the economic stmggle is Tripoli in February. about how these weapons are used against the In response to Jean Peu, the FLNKS repre Kanak pieople? If they are going to talk about the only way. That's why we made the com sentative in Australia, who had commented terrorism around the world, they should look at promise to participate in the [1985] regional that Hayden's statement amounted to diplo council elections — so as to control New home first. There are already terrorists here in matic "blackmail," Hayden said that the Labor Caledonia without the town of Noumea and to the South Pacific. The arms trafficking is to govemment may reconsider its agreement to terrorize the Kanak people, who have no have an economic blockade against Noumea. the establishment of the Kanak information of The FLNKS policy now is economic block arms." fice in Melbourne. ade," Peu explained. When I interviewed Peu, he drew attention Nuclear testing Is 'terrorism' This blockade takes many forms, according to what he saw as the real source of terrorism to Peu. "There are the cooperatives, the popu "We also consider it teirorism for the French in the South Pacific — the repression and open govemment to continue nuclear testing in lar schools, and other projects mn by the attacks by right-wing French settlers (known Mumroa," Peu added. "The Kanak people are Kanak people. We have our own trade be as the caldoche) in New Caledonia against the tween the regions, excluding Noumea. But called 'terrorists' because we claim our right to Kanak people. Only shortly before Hayden's self-determination. But the French don't see there are problems. Firstly, we need money from the French govemment for our projects. statement in January, a yacht had been dis themselves as terrorists when they blow up the covered trafficking arms to New Caledonia Then, there are the [French parliamentary] Rainbow Warrior in New Zealand. through Australia and New Zealand. elections in March, when we expect the right "Who has reason to bring in arms to New "We also call the Australian govemment ter wing and Jaques Chirac to win. Caledonia?" asked Peu. "The FLNKS now rorist when it gives aid to the Philippines or In "So our strategy has two sides. We com controls everything except Noumea [the capi donesia to kill thousands of people," com promised and participated in the elections. We tal]. We have economic power. The French mented Peu. won in the parliamentary way." However, he govemment has its own military forces. To What about the FLNKS's links with Libya? said the election of Chirac might overtum traffic arms you need contacts, money, and "We don't have links as such with Libya," said every gain the Kanaks have made. Chirac, Peu ships. The Kanaks don't have these things. Peu. "We were invited by Libya to attend the noted, has already proposed abolishing the re-

Intercontinental Press gional council system established under to destabilize their business." explained that the Kanak people "are already French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius' plan They particularly don't want "the contagion socialist, without knowing it. If you talk about for New Caledonia. of socialism to spread from Kanaky to other Marx to a Kanak, he will ask you what village "The FLNKS," explained Feu, "therefore Melanesian countries like Papua New Guinea he comes from. But in traditional Kanak com works both within the French constitution and and other Pacific countries," Feu concluded. munal society there is no private property — also with our own provisional government." In what way would the FLNKS describe nothing belongs to just one person. Kanak so Members of the provisional government can their struggle as "socialist"? I asked Feu. He ciety is based on a clan structure." □ not also serve as elected representatives in the regional councils. "This is to make sure," Feu said, "that two or three people don't control every post in Kanaky. The Kanak liberation movement is a people's liberation movement. We want the Kanak to take responsibility for his own fu ture." Labour Party registers growth "We realize," Feu continued," that although we might have economic power, the political Aim is 'creation of true democracy' and military power remains with France. But we don't have the means to fight against that By Russell Johnson Since independence in 1970, a complex sys power. That's why we concentrate on the eco [The following article is taken from the Jan tem of elections to central government on a ra nomic area. But if we have to defend our uary 31 issue of Socialist Action, a fortnightly cial basis has been institutionalised. This sys selves, we will." newspaper published in Auckland, New Zea tem has been aimed at perpetuating the racial Anticolonial struggle land, that reflects the views of the Socialist Ac divisions between Indo- and native Fijians, tion League, New Zealand section of the which obstruct the development of effective Feu emphasized that the Kanaks see their Fourth International.] trade unionism and other democratic forms of struggle as an anticolonial struggle, not a class organisation. struggle. "In New Caledonia, there is a col onized people — the Kanaks — and the col Fiji's newly formed Labour Party scored an Racial politics onizers — the French," he said. But he also important victory in its first electoral contest. Racial politics helps to maintain the author stressed that "anyone can be a Kanak after in In municipal elections in the capital, Suva, ity and privileges of the traditional chiefs over dependence — if they support the indepen held last November 16, the party won eight out the native Fijians and ensure their continued dence struggle now. That includes French of the 20 seats. This enabled it to appoint a rule over Fiji in alliance with the local business people, as well as Polynesian and Asian new mayor, bank workers' union secretary community and the imperialists, underneath a peoples." Bob Kumar. democratic veneer. "How can it be a working-class struggle The party followed up this achievement a Alliance is the party of the'traditional chiefs when more than 85 percent of Kanaks don't and the richest businessmen. The opposition work?" he asked. month later by almost defeating the ruling Al liance Party in a by-election for the central par National Federation Party (NFP), led by lawyers and businesspeople of Indian descent, Information center liament in the sugar-growing area of the main bas sought to present itself as the party of all Finally, Feu explained why the FLNKS had island of Viti Levu. The Labour candidate. Public Service Association secretary Indo-Fijians. established the information center in Australia. The NFP is presently paralysed by factional "Australia," he said, "is one of the powerful Mahendra Chaudhery, received 36.4 percent countries of the South Pacific, and all the small of the vote compared to the Alliance candi countries with economic ties to Australia, like date's 37.5 percent. Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, and Somoa, A further contest was prevented when offi do as it says. cials barred Nurses' Association leader Ms. "Besides this, we realize that there is a very Jokapeci Koroi from contesting a by-election large antinuclear movement in Australia," Feu on Fttme Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara's said. "We want to make the link between the home islands of Lau. antinuclear movement and the struggle of the Union-sponsored Octant. . Oilbtrtis,: Kanak people." ; X .Equator_ The Kanak information center is sponsored The Labour Party was founded at a confer by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, ence in July 1985. It is sponsored by the Fiji through the Amalgamated Metal Workers and Trades Union Congress, which has 40,000 Shipwrights Union. But Feu is conscious that members and includes most of the major in the Labor government is very wary of the dustrial and white-collar unions. >QB1I Kanak independence movement. "Despite the The party is the first to emerge in Fiji that terrorism in the South Pacific with the Rain consciously seeks to base its appeal on all Fi- bow Warrior and the nuclear testing, Australia jians, regardless of race. Newly elected presi [AUSTRALIA^ SOUTH considers its economic ties with the EEC dent Timoci Bavadra told the founding confer [European Economic Community], including ence that Labour "must be a party for all Fi- PACIFIC France, as more important than the lives of jians no matter where they live, what their OCEAN Kanaks or other native peoples of the South race, or how they earn a living." Pacific," Feu commented. This is no small question in Fijian politics. He explained this was because the Austra Of a population of 700,000, more than 50 per NEW lian government "has its own problems with cent are descended from Indian indentured ZEALAND the Aborigines. But also," he added, "Austra sugar plantation labourers, and about 45 per Scale at Equator lian business has a free run in the Pacific, for cent are of native Fijian descent, the balance example in Fiji or Vanuatu. And so Australia being descended from European, Gujarati, and \1,500 Mi. doesn't want Kanaky to become a small Cuba, Chinese immigrant business families.

March 10, 1986 in-fighting. It was the biggest loser to Labour Washington. needs, aspirations, and will of the people of in the recent elections, which picked up large More than 1,500 Fijian soldiers serve with Fiji. Our aim is the creation of tme democracy numbers of votes among Indo-Fijian wage imperialist "peace-keeping forces" in the Mid in this country and to put an end to the many workers and sugar cane farmers. dle East. The govemment has imposed a ban undemocratic features that dominate the polit But the reasons for Labour's gains go deeper on Soviet vessels entering Fiji ports, while in ical life of Fiji. ... than the crisis of the NFP. They reflect the in 1984 it reversed an earlier ban on nuclear ships "Our party is for the ordinary people ... for creasing polarisation of Fijian politics in recent to allow U.S. warships to dock. all the workers of this country, for the farmers, years, as the Mara government has moved to The Labour Party has addressed itself to a the shopkeepers — for everyone who has the the right in response to a growing economic number of these issues. Timoci Bavadra interest of Fiji at heart, everyone who cares crisis and deepening class struggle in the explained in his address to the founding con about maintaining a sincere and open relation Pacific. ference: ship between the govemment and the workers "As the economic crisis worsened through and the people of this country, everyone who Economic crisis the late 1970s and early 1980s the unions tried cares simply for goodwill, honesty, and peace Capitalist austerity has been imposed on Fiji their best to work with the govemment in seek among all." working people. Workers have had their al ing equitable solutions. The unilateral imposi Bavadra called for "legislation that ready low wages forced even lower through tion of the wage freeze late last year indicated strengthens the rights of working people," and the imposition of a wage freeze since clearly that the govemment was no longer will for a minimum wage for the manufacturing November 1984. Combined with massive un ing to discuss matters with the representatives sector. employment, especially among the youth, this of the working people of Fiji. On foreign policy, he advocated "an active situation is leading to widespread urban pov "As responsible trade unionists we felt com policy of nonalignment" which must "manifest erty. pelled to react strongly to govemment policies itself in trade and diplomatic relations and in For example, a recent survey in the Suva that threaten the well being of our members our support for the stmggles of common suburb of Raiwai-Raiwaqa revealed an un and, in fact, of all Fijians. We recognised that people around the world against oppres employment rate of 75 percent and a weekly it was time for the working people of Fiji to sion. . . . Two areas that we must come out household income of between $15 and $50 form their own political party rather than to strongly on are the nuclear-free Pacific move [NZ$1 = US$0.53] to support an average of six continue to rely on the goodwill of existing po ment and support for our neighbours who re adults. litical parties that increasingly had demonstrat main under French colonial domination." Conditions in the countryside are no better. ed that they represent only the narrowest of in Last October 28, Fiji police harassed a dem Fiji's sugar industry has been hard hit by a terests. . . . onstration against the arrival of two U.S. war series of droughts and hurricanes. However, it ships, the USS Reid and the USS Brooke. The 'True democracy' has not felt the effect of plunging world sugar police justified their actions on the grounds prices as badly as other sugar-producing coun "Our aim is ... to create a political force that the marchers were members of the Labour tries because of favourable long-term sales ar that tmly represents and is responsive to the Party, and "not genuine protestors." □ rangements with Britain, New Zealand, China, and the United States. In fact, because of drought, the government has had to import sugar from Malaysia for domestic consump New book on exploitation of women tion in order to meet its export commitments. pubiished by Pathfinder Press Sugar farmers Nevertheless, many of the 22,000 mostly An important new book on the oppression of relationship to women's oppression. One of Indo-Fijian cane farmers face depression con women has just been published by Pathfinder the articles by Reed deals with this question. ditions under the impact of the drought and Press in New York. Cosmetics, Fashions, and This was an early presentation of the views she government austerity measures. According to the Exploitation of Women, by Joseph Hansen later developed in her 1975 study. Woman's the New Zealand Herald: and Evelyn Reed, is a collection of articles and Evolution: From Matriarchal Clan to Patri "When the Fiji Sugar Corporation this letters from a lively debate that developed in archal Family, which has been translated and month paid farmers the second of three instal 1954 in the Socialist Workers Party in the published in five languages. ments for the 1985 harvest, about 6,000 farm United States. Cosmetics, Fashions, and the Exploitation ers received nothing because of deductions The controversy, sparked by an article by of Women includes an introduction by SWP made for the repayment of loans and fertiliser Militant editor Joseph Hansen exposing the leader Mary-Alice Waters, which places the advances." profiteering of the cosmetics industry, took up debate in its historical framework. She relates The newspaper wrote that the head of the a broad range of questions related to the op the "cosmetics controversy" to the capitalist Fiji Sugarcane Growers' Council reported that pression and exploitation of women. Among ideological offensive against women's rights another 6,000 "received very little" and that them are: how wealthy owners of the cosmetics today. Waters also assesses the significant "net earnings for many large farm families will and fashion industries play on women's inse changes in women's social conditions since be under $2,000 a year." The paper continued: curities to sell products and make profits; how World War 11, especially their increasing in "The worsening depression in cane-growing standards of beauty are determined in capitalist corporation into industrial union jobs. Waters' areas is causing some umest, with farmers de society; why the powers-that-be promote the introduction appeared in the Dec. 2, 1985, manding government support and calling for "feminine mystique" and glorify the family; issue of Intercontinental Press. the cancellation of the repayment of $24 mil and how increased participation of women in The 138-page book is available in paperback lion advanced to them last year to assist them the labor force changed their view of them for $4.95 plus $.75 postage from Pathfinder out of difficulties then." selves and their potential. Press, 410 West Street, New York, N.Y. Conditions are also worsening in the vil The articles by Hansen and Reed, both lead 10014. lages where most native Fijians continue to ers of the SWP at the time, provide a Marxist scratch out an existence as semi-subsistence analysis of the pressures bearing down on It can also be purchased from Pathfinder's farmers. women — and men — in capitalist society, distributor for Africa, Europe, and the Middle In recent years the Mara govemment has esf)ecially during periods of political reaction East: 47 The Cut, London, SEl 8LL; and its adopted an increasingly strident pro-im or working-class retreat. distributor for Asia, Australia, and the Pacific: perialist foreign policy, including the During the party debate, differences also P.O. Box 37, Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW strengthening of military and political ties with emerged over the origins of the family and its 2040, Australia. □

Intercontinental Press FEATUREi. Giant blow to agent-baiting campaign 'Workers Press' repudiates Healy's big lie

By Doug Jenness The majority of the leadership of the Work ters held their own conference on February 8- A staggering blow has been dealt to the ers League, the WRP's followers in the United 9, where they affirmed "that the struggle car agent-baiting campaign conducted for more States, had originally aligned themselves with ried out for over 10 years on Security and the than a decade by the British Workers Revolu the wing of the WRP that broke with Healy. Fourth Intemational and continued by the tionary Party (WRP) and the U.S. Workers Banda, a long-time central leader of the Workers League with the Gelfand case repre League(WL) against the Fourth International, WRP, replaced Healy as the party's general sents an historic gain in the fight against the U.S. Socialist Workers Party, and other in secretary in 1976. "No one who honours Stalinism, revisionism, and for the training of dividuals and organizations in the workers' Trotsky's impeccable and scrupulous regard a cadre against state attack." movement. for absolutely verifiable facts and irrefutable This meeting also voted to send "its warmest The WRP/WL big-lie campaign was evidence," Banda now writes, "will have any fraternal greetings and support to Alan Gelfand launched in the 1970s. Those organizations thing more to do with this monstrous frame-up for his stmggle to expose the state agents with charged that leaders of the Fourth International based entirely on circumstantial evidence and in the SWP in America." and the SWP are agents of the FBI and CIA, as political innuendo." According to Workers Press, North's sup well as of the CPU, the Soviet Union's secret Another article in the same issue of Workers porters in Britain have begun distributing police. Press also takes up the Healyite disruption Workers League pamphlets defending the The smear job initially singled out Joseph campaign. Editor David Good notes, "Most agent-baiting campaign. Workers Press pre Hansen, a long-time leader of the SWP who leaders of the WRP are of the opinion that the dicts that "before long. North and his minority died in 1979; it was then extended to include whole thing is a frame-up of Hansen and faction will link up with Healy's supporters." George Novack, another veteran SWP leader, Novack, whose only 'crime' was to revise (This is possible, but it should be recalled that and subsequently broadened to encompass Marxism, not spy for the FBI/CIA or GPU." relations between the WL and the Healy group younger leaders and members recruited to the A January 26 resolution adopted by the Cen had reached a low point by the time of the Oc SWP in the 1960s. tral Committee of the Workers Press wing of tober split. One of the things that came out at Now an entire wing of the WRP, one of the the WRP stated, "We recognise that Security that time was that Healy had accused North, largest organizations in Britain claiming adher and the Fourth International [the Healyite term agent-baiter par excellence, of being a CIA ence to Trotskyism, has publicly turned its for its agent-baiting campaign] was a substitute agent himself.) back on this campaign of lies and slanders for a real struggle against revisionism and for Nothing has appeared in News Line since the branding political opponents as police agents Trotskyist principle." split about the agent-baiting campaign nor of the U.S. and Soviet governments. This wholesale repudiation of the Healyite about the repudiation of it by the Workers slander campaign includes condemnation of a Press supporters. In an article in the February 7 issue of Work court suit against the SWP in the United States ers Press, published in London, WRP leader that has been vigorously promoted by the Connected to political degeneration Michael Banda declared that this campaign is Workers League and the WRP for nearly seven The origins and evolution of the Healyite "the most sinister and reactionary manifesta years. This lawsuit was filed in July 1979 by slander operation are totally connected to the tion of Healyism."(An excerpt from Banda's Alan Gelfand, a lawyer for Los Angeles WRP's political degeneration, which can be article is reprinted in this issue, along with sev County in California. It is a central part of the traced back nearly 30 years to its repudiation of eral other documents and articles from Work international disruption effort against the SWP the Cuban revolution in 1959. ers Press.) For more than a quarter century the WRP For many years the political course of the and the Fourth International. and its predecessor, the SLL, have contended WRP and its predecessor, the Socialist Labour that the leadership around Fidel Castro is not League (SLL), had revolved around a cult fig 'Sent North wild' revolutionary. This leadership, the Healyites ure, Gerry Healy. Healy's expulsion from the This rejection of the Healyite agent-baiting claim, did not lead the workers and peasants in WRP on Oct. 19, 1985, precipitated a split in campaign has met with considerable wailing overtuming capitalist property relations and this ultraleft sect, resulting in two organiza and gnashing of teeth in the U.S. Workers establishing a workers' state in Cuba. Rather, tions, both calling themselves the WRP.' League. Good reports that WL National Secre they say, Cuba's government is a capitalist re Healy, Alex Mitchell, Sheila Torrance, and tary David North is "very touchy" on this sub gime with radical nationalist and socialist Corin and Vanessa Redgrave are central lead ject. The repudiation of the slander campaign rhetoric like many others in the semicolonial ers of the group that is publishing News Line "has caused panic in the leadership of the world. (the name of the WRP's daily newspaper at the Workers League," he writes. Good adds that time of the split). Having appeared only twice the WRP {Workers Press) Central Commit The Healyites maintain that socialist revolu a week since the split. News Line became a tee's proposal that the WL settle the Gelfand tions are only possible if they are led by daily once again on February 1. case out of court "sent North wild." Trotskyist parties. When the living class stmg The majority of the WRP leadership, includ In the months since the split with Healy, gle has tumed out different from Healyite ing Banda, Cliff Slaughter, Bill Hunter, Dave North has won a majority in the leadership schemas, they have solved the contradiction by Good, and other WRP leaders, are now pro bodies of the International Committee of the denying reality. ducing Workers Press, which started publish Fourth International, the intemational outfit to TTie big majority of the Fourth Intemational ing twice a week, but is now coming out once which the Workers Press supporters and the and the SWP, in contrast, hailed the Cuban a week. WL adhere. When the British leaders refused revolution and its leadership. They recognized to subordinate their policies to the tin-pot dic it as a stunning blow against U.S. imperialist tator from the United States, he engineered 1. For an account of this split see "Shattering of a oppression in the Americas. They understood British Sect: the Politics behind the Workers Revolu their expulsion. that the revolutionary expropriation of both tionary Party's Degeneration," by Doug Jenness, in North then proceeded to organize a split in foreign and Cuban capitalists by the workers' the Dec. 2, 1985, issue of IP. the Workers Press wing of the WRP. The split and peasants' govemment by the end of 1960

March 10, 1986 meant that a workers' state had been estab Healy's abusive approach, designed to Accompanying this thuggery was a vitriolic lished for the first time in the Western Hemi squash disagreements inside the party, began slander campaign against the Fourth Intema sphere. long before the 1970s. Many party members tional and the U.S. Socialist Workers Party. In 1963 the SLL refused to participate in the were victimized by these methods as far back The Healyites used violently factional rhetoric reunification of the Fourth International, as 25 years ago. and concocted falsifications to cover up their which had been split into two wings for 10 One example is Connie Harris, a veteran of rapid retreat from Marxism. As this campaign years. The SLL broke from the International the Fourth Intemational in Britain, who was reached a fever pitch, another element began and set up its own mmp outfit, the Interna expelled from the SLL in 1960. Harris had to be introduced — agent-baiting, a deadly tional Committee of the Fourth International. worked part-time in the SLL's headquarters, poison to the workers' movement. The SLL had been thrown off the rails by and one day was physically prevented by opposing a genuine workers' and peasants' Healy from carrying out her assignment. A Agent-balting revolution, led by leaders whose unflinching group of Healy's cohorts forced her to leave In October 1972 the Workers Press, the offi support to the revolutionary working people the party offices. Subsequently, she was cial organ of the British SLL at that time, had brought them to Marxism. The Healyites' per purged from the party. attempted to smear Bala Tampoe, a prominent sistent defense of their erroneous position on Sri Lankan Fourth Intemationalist and trade the Cuban revolution for nearly three decades In addition to waging a permanent witch union leader. The SLL alleged that Tampoe led them to wander further and further from hunt inside the SLL, gangster attacks like had "associated with the CIA." Marxism. those of the Stalinist movement have been em A week later the United Secretariat of the Disastrous organizational consequences ployed against political opponents. Two cases Fourth Intemational issued a statement con accompanied the SLL's abandonment of its are particularly noteworthy. demning this smear attack. It pointed out that Marxist bearings. The organization created a One occurred in 1966 when six SLL goons, the only source offered was a former factional bloated apparatus that became a substitute for under the personal supervision of Healy, bm- opponent of Tampoe's in Sri Lanka. "An in pursuing a political course of active involve tally beat British Fourth Intemationalist Emest vestigation undertaken by us in 1969," the ment in the existing mass organizations of the Tate. They smashed Tate's glasses and kicked United Secretariat stated, "showed that the working class. This was reflected above all in him until passersby pulled them off. Tate had slander was cooked up and put into circulation the WRP's sectarian and abstentionist ap to be hospitalized. originally by the former Trotskyists in Ceylon proach to the reformist-led Labour Party in This shameful and cowardly act was widely who betrayed the movement and accepted Britain. This elevation of the apparatus over condemned in left circles and unions in Brit posts offered them by [Sri Lankan Prime politics helped generate bureaucratism and the ain. Minister Sirimavo] Bandaranaike, and who gutting of party democracy. A similar incident took place in 1976 in Syd were under heavy fire from Bala Tampoe." One result of this was the emergence of Then in 1974 Healy whipped up a campaign ney, Australia. David Deutschmann, a Fourth hooliganism. The Healyite apparatus began re against Nancy Fields, a leader of the U.S. Intemationalist who was then a member of the sorting to heavy-handed methods for dealing Australian Socialist Workers Party, was badly Workers League and companion of WL Na with dissidents inside the organization.^ beaten by Healyite thugs from the Australian tional Secretary Tim Wohlforth, charging her with being a CIA agent. They were both Violent purges Socialist Labour League. A leader of the Spar- tacist League was also injured by the Healyites purged when Wohlforth refused to submit to Banda comments on this in his February 7 this baseless charge against Fields. in the attack. Workers Press article. He points out that vio Banda, in his article in the Febmary 7 Work Deutschmann required hospital attention as lence was used against the leaders of a group of ers Press, states that "the crisis with Wohlforth a result of a kick to the side of his head as he 200 party members who were expelled in lay on the ground from a previous blow. was artificially exacerbated by Healy with his 1974. Those purged included Central Commit The hooligan attacks in London and Sydney paranoid ravings about security and his total tee members Alan Thomett, John Lister, were aimed at preventing members of other foilure to deal with the Workers League's Tony Richardson, and Kate Blakeney. Banda political organizations from distributing litera problems of perspective and policy. states that Thomett was "bureaucratically ex ture outside public meetings organized by the "The issue of Nancy Fields," he continues, pelled" and "physical violence was used Healyites. "was exaggerated and distorted beyond all against Richardson." proportion. In my opinion Wohlforth's weak The Febmary 22 issue of Workers Press car nesses were maliciously exploited by Healy to ries an open letter from Thomett and Lister, drive him out. . . . The case of Nancy Fields currently leaders of a group called the Workers More support needed! must be reexamined in the same way as Thor- Socialist League, which takes up Healy's nett, Blick, and other victims of Healy's gangster methods. "Central Committee mem The Political Rights Defense Fund is or malice and bureaucratic sadism." ber Tony Richardson was beaten personally by ganizing the effort to halt the U.S. federal Soon after he was unceremoniously forced Healy," Lister and Thomett write. The letter court's unconstitutional interference in the out of the Workers League, Wohlforth wrote a adds that "when Kate Blakeney complained functioning of the Socialist Workers Party long account of the treatment Healy and his against this on the Central Committee she was and to get the Gelfand slander suit thrown cohorts dished out to him and Fields. Joseph charged, suspended from membership, and out of court. Hansen, editor of Intercontinental Press at the ejected from the party meeting within four It has organized dozens of meetings and time, published this account in early 1975.^ minutes!" Blakeney today is a supporter of the hundreds of messages protesting the viola Slanders against Hansen, Novack Fourth Intemational in Australia. tion of democratic rights posed by this Good writes that a reexamination of these case, not only for the SWP but for all work Following the publication of these articles, expulsions is currently under way and that the ing-class organizations. the Healyite agent-baiting campaign took an findings will be reported to a future party con PRDF has raised tens of thousands of insidious new tum. Hansen was charged with ference. dollars for court costs and attomeys fees, complicity in the 1940 assassination of Rus and as long as this case continues many sian revolutionary leader Leon Trotsky. Han more dollars will be needed. sen was the author of many of the SWP's prin 2. See Marxism vs. Ultraleftism: The Record of Messages of support and contributions cipal resolutions and articles on the Cuban rev- Healy's Break with Trotskyism. This 254-page Edu can be sent to: Political Rights Defense cation for Socialists Publication is available from Fund, P.O. Box 649, Cooper Station, New Pathfinder Press, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 3. This document was published by Intercontinental 10014; 47 The Cut, London SEl SLL; and P.O. Box York, N.Y. 10003. Press in four installments in the issues of Feb. 24 to 37, Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW 2040, Australia. March 17, 1975.

Intercontinental Press olution and played a central role in exposing the Healyite magazine Labour Review asserted, sideling itself Trotskyist, or sympathetic Healy's sectarian political degeneration and "The leadership of the SWP has been taken over to the Trotskyist movement, condemned the bureaucratic organizational methods. directly by the CIA and it is being used as an in Healyite agent-baiting campaign. Hansen was serving as a secretary for strument to destroy revolutionary movements in A meeting of nearly 1,2(K) was organized in Trotsky in Mexico at the time of the assassina Central America and internationally." London in January 1977, where Fourth Inter tion, which was incontestably proven to be the Regarding the revelation that some SWP national leaders and sympathizers attacked work of Joseph Stalin's secret police. leaders went to Carleton College, Banda aptly Healy's big lie. Among the speakers were: When George Novack, another long-time says, "I can only retort: So what?" He asks, George Novack; Ernest Mandel, a long-time SWP leader, wrote an article defending Han "Where is the concrete evidence of their work leader of the Fourth International from Bel sen, the Healyites also labeled Novack an for the FBI? Put up or shut up. North!" gium; Pierre Lambert, a leader of the Interna "accomplice" of the Soviet police. Banda points to a feature of the Healyite tional Communist Organization (OCI) of The Healyites later added to their campaign agent-baiting operation that Hansen often France; Michel Pablo, a leader of the Interna of lies that Hansen was an FBI agent. noted — its paranoic character. tional Revolutionary Marxist Tendency; vet The Healyite presses rolled out article after "History records," Banda states, "that the eran British Trotskyists Betty Hamilton and article and pamphlet after pamphlet presenting antirevisionist struggle was transformed for Harry Wicks; and Tamara Deutscher, the com "documents" and "evidence" to bolster their over a decade into a manic witch-hunt, a des panion of the late Isaac Deutscher, the author frame-up. But there was not one bit of truth to perate forensic diversion to be precise, to ratify of the well-known biography of Leon Trotsky. any of it. It was a concoction of lies. Healy's paranoid schizophrenia as well as his One of the pieces of"evidence" produced by anti-theory empiricism. In this respect Han- Gelfand case the Healyites to show that Hansen collaborated sen's charge against Healy was right." Since 1979 the centerpiece of the Healyite with the FBI was a report from an aide in the Hansen in an article in the March 31, 1975, agent-baiting campaign against the SWP and U.S. Consulate in Mexico City about a conver issue of IP explained that the "preferable and the Fourth International has been the Gelfand sation with Hansen in 1940. Hansen responded perhaps more precise" term to describe case, which makes the Workers Presi denunci by explaining the circumstances around the in Healy's performance was "paranoia." ation of it particularly significant. quiries he made at the consulate following the "If the term fits," he observed,"then the true Moreover, a ruling by federal judge Mariana assassination of Trotsky. He thoroughly re explanation for Healy's obsessions about CIA Pfaelzer in this case is still pending — a ruling futed the contention that this report showed agents, fwlice agents, and plots against his that could have far-reaching implications for that he was an accomplice of the FBI. life, as well as his rages, 'extreme reactions,' democratic rights in the United States. Another piece of "evidence" churned out by and strange version of dialectics is to be sought Gelfand, who entered the SWP in 1976 to the Healyite lie machine was that Hansen had not in his politics, philosophical methodology, disrupt it from within, was expelled from the held discussions in 1939 with a CPU agent in or models like Pablo or Cannon, but in the party in January 1979 after he filed a legal brief the United States. workings of a mind best understood by psychi in federal court charging that the SWP is a Hansen documented that the meetings were atrists." front for the FBI. This slander coincided with conducted under the direction of Trotsky and It's a fact that an organization plagued by the WRP/WL disruption operation against the the SWP leadership for purposes of gaining bureaucratism and substitution of abusive SWP. knowledge about the GPU in the United methods for democratic discussion and deci After Gelfand's expulsion, the WRP/WL in States. It proved nothing, he pointed out, in re sion-making offers a good spawning ground itiated the lawsuit against the SWP, asking a gard to the assertion that he was a GPU agent. for paranoia. federal judge to remove the party leadership Banda now admits that "it is entirely possi Despite the intensity of the WRP/WL slan and reinstate Gelfand into membership. The ble, nay probable, that Trotsky did advise der campaign and the huge sums poured into spurious ground for this demand is the claim Hansen to 'play ball' with the GPU agent as financing it, the Healyites have been strikingly that Gelfand was expelled by U.S. government part of a plan to elicit information and that he unsuccessful in winning support outside their agents who had taken over the SWP. He claims also advised him to contact the FBI. Even if he own ranks. that his constitutional rights were violated, and didn't, it doesn't prove that Hansen was Banda,commenting on this, states,"There is the Healyites have presented the suit as a sig guilty," Banda argues, making the key point. an even more damning question I would like to nificant civil liberties case. "North, I fear, is hoist on his own petard," address to Healy'spolitical bloodhounds. North The WRP leaders who have now denounced Banda continues, "and faces the charge of and Mitchell. Why is it that not a single radical this suit accurately point to its threat to civil being an accomplice with Healy and the exe intellectual, not one conscientious professor, liberties, noting that it sets "an extremely crable Mitchell in the murder of Trotsky's trade union leader, or dissident Stalinist re damaging precedent in calling on the state to finest tradition" of scrupulous regard for facts. sponded to the call for an inquiry into the murder determine the membership of a working-class of Trotsky by [Stalinist assassin Ramon] Mer- political organization." 'The Carleton 12' cader and presumably, Hansen andNovack?To If the court were to rule in favor of Gelfand, When Hansen died in early 1979, the ask the question is to answer it." it would mark a big blow against the constitu Healyites proceeded to charge that Hansen had From the beginning, the SWP and the tional freedom of association and the funda recruited and trained a younger group of agents Fourth International waged a counteroffensive mental right of a political party to determine and had "elevated" them into positions of against the Healyite slander crusade. Hansen who its members are and to choose its own leadership responsibility in the SWP. wrote several major articles refuting each lie leadership. They asserted that it was highly suspicious and exposing the entire frame-up nature of the It would mean that the government can dic that a number of younger SWP leaders had campaign. These articles, as well as many tate to a political party whether its activities are been students at Carleton College, a small lib statements and articles by other leaders and in conformity with its stated program and his eral arts school in Minnesota. Extensive biog sympathizers of the Fourth International and toric goals. It would open the door to the gov raphies of 12 of them were pieced together out by leaders of other groups considering them ernment intervening in the decision-making of half-truths, outright lies, and innuendoes selves Trotskyist were published in Healy's process of unions, civil rights groups, and all and circulated in a pamphlet entitled, "The Big Lie: The Slander Campaign Against similar organizations. Carleton Twelve." Joseph Hansen, George Novack, and the For four years U.S. District Court Judge This frame-up was hatched to keep the slan Fourth Interruitional and widely circulated."* Pfaelzer rejected every effort by the SWP to der campaign against the SWP and the Fourth Virtually every organization and current con- have the case thrown out of court. International going. And CIA-baiting became a While Pfaelzer delayed setting a trial date, more prominent part of the campaign. For ex 4. This 88-page Education for Socialists Publication the SWP was forced to divert big financial and ample, an article in the September 1982 issue of is available from Pathfinder Press. personnel resources to defend itself. For exam-

March 10, 1986 pie, Gelfand's attorneys, the Los Angeles law produced to substantiate the charges against vestigative bodies are not a reliable source for firm of Fisher & Moest, subpoenaed many them. The Healyite approach assumes that a determining whether members of a revolution SWP members in order to take more than 350 person is guilty until proven innocent. ary organization are agents. hours of depositions. In addition to draining The method of the Fourth International Banda makes an important point related to SWP resources, this harassment was designed leadership, the SWP, and all serious revolu this when he argues that the testimony of Louis to produce an "official court record" that could tionary leaders, on the other hand, is that party Budenz, a former Stalinist who became a be selectively published at a future date. members are innocent until verifiable proof is notorious perjurer, should not be relied on for The case finally came to trial in March 1983 produced to establish their guilt. In the revolu ascertaining whether members of the SWP (or in Los Angeles. During the days leading up to tionary workers' movement unsubstantiated anyone else) are GPU or FBI agents. and during the trial, a nationwide campaign rumors, gossip, suspicions, or anonymous tips One of the WRP/WL's charges was based supported by unionists, civil rights activists, are insufficient to prove that someone is an on taking for good coin Budenz's slander that and civil libertarians demanded that Pfaelzer agent. Such behavior is very destructive, pit Sylvia Caldwell (whom the Healyites refer to halt the intervention by the courts into the ting members against each other. One of the as Sylvia Franklin) was a secret Soviet police SWP's functioning and throw Gelfand's case stock methods of the cops, in fact, is to attempt agent. Caldwell was a secretary to Cannon in out of court. This public pressure contributed to plant suspicions that certain members of an the 1940s. to Pfaelzer's admission at the conclusion of the organization are agents. Some WRP leaders supporting Workers trial that Gelfand had never produced "one In an article that appeared in the Aug. 28, Press have announced that they plan to con shred of evidence" to support his slanderous 1950, issue of the Militant, a socialist weekly duct a public discussion on the political and or charge that the SWP's elected leaders are FBI published in New York, SWP National Secre ganizational degeneration of the WRP and the agents. tary James P. Cannon pointed out, "A 'spy entire history of the Fourth International and Pfaelzer declared to Gelfand and his attor scare' caused by planted 'disinformation' can its place in the international workers' move neys: "You have not proved anything that you do a hundred times more damage than any ment today. It is already apparent from the ar said you were going to prove. Nothing. ... I spies by undermining the confidence of com ticle by Good that a probe is under way to en can only assume that there was a motive some rades in each other and disrupting the com gage former WRP members such as Lister and where in here to paralyze the Socialist Workers radely collaboration which is necessary for Thomett in such a discussion. Party. I don't know how much the rival politi fruitful work." By renouncing the Healyite agent-baiting cal party [the WRP/WL] paid for your attor Moreover, reports and documents produced campaign, these WRP leaders have taken the neys fees. I suppose in another forum that will by cops, police informers, and professional first, necessary step toward having their views come up as an issue. ..." red-baiters or "verified" by so-called handwrit taken seriously as a legitimate part of the polit Despite this statement, Pfaelzer issued no ing experts or emanating from closed-door ical debates that are occurring among revolu decision on the case at the time. proceedings of grand juries and other such in tionists today. □ At a federal court hearing a couple of weeks after the trial, the judge stated that she would give favorable consideration to a motion by the SWP that she require Gelfand and his attorneys 'IP' back issues useful for education to pay the SWP's legal fees and expenses. The SWP subsequently filed such a motion. Regular readers of Intercontinental to $20 per year bound and $12 per year un The Workers Press supporters urge that a Press know that last May we began a col bound. means be found "to resolve this outside the umn, "10 and 20 Years Ago," that excerpts When we advertised this special offer a courts including an approach by the Workers brief items from earlier issues of IP. This few issues ago, a reader in Reykjavik, Ice League to the SWP." feature has been well received and we plan land, immediately sent a check for the un Actually, shortly after the trial an approach to continue it. bound volumes from 1968 to 1979. "I've was made by the lawyers representing Gelfand These short excerpts, however, give only been a subscriber for several years," he and Fisher & Moest to settle out of court the a taste of the considerable volume of mater wrote, "and I find IP indispensable for my question of legal fees and expenses. The SWP ial that has been published in IP and its pre understanding of world politics. I rely very agreed to this and began negotiations. But Gel decessor, World Outlook, for more than 22 much on IP for facts and arguments in my fand and Fisher & Moest refused to carry dis years. Since September 1963, when the political work here. Keep up the good cussions further, and the SWP is still waiting first issue appeared, the magazine has work." With an endorsement like that, for a proposal. printed hundreds of documents, speeches, what more do we need to say? interviews, and articles that are not avail Meanwhile, Pfaelzer still has made no rul On another topic, a reader from able or readily accessible anywhere else. ing on the Gelfand suit or on the SWP's motion Richmond, Vermont, wrote that he "really Materials related to the revolutions in for legal fees and expenses. appreciated IP's, reprinting of Yev- Cuba, Algeria, Nicaragua, and Grenada As part of its agent-baiting campaign, the tushenko's speech" to the Soviet writers' and the anti-apartheid struggle in South Af Healyites have demanded several times that congress in Moscow last November. He rica are an especially important part of the Fourth International participate in a com said that he liked the article we ran with it what's in these issues. mission of inquiry into the security questions about Yevtushenko and the significance of Moreover, the hack volumes of IP and surrounding Trotsky's assassination. This pro the speech. posal has been consistently rejected by the World Outlook are the best source in Eng leading bodies of the Fourth International. The lish of articles about and documents from He also brought to our attention an error recent repudiation of the Healyite campaign by the Fourth International, following its in the article. "You made a factual error in an entire wing of the WRP helps confirm the reunification in 1963 after a decade-long stating that Solzhenitsyn spent World War split. II in a Soviet camp. Solzhenitsyn was one correctness of that course. Fortunately, readers who weren't sub of the few Red Army soldiers to survive the Accepting involvement in such a commis sion would give credence to the notion that scribing for all those years are still able to Nazi POW camps, having been captured in one of the great encirclements at the begin there might be something to Healy's calum obtain copies of back issues for research and education. The 1968 to 1985 volumes ning of the war. Because of his personal nies. The entire WRP/WL frame-up assumes that are available in bound form for $25 per vol knowledge of Stalin's fallibility, he was Hansen, Novack, Fields, Tampoe, and other ume or for $15 per year unbound. If you sent to the gulag in 1945 when he was re victims of Healyite slanders are guilty or at order five or more years the cost is reduced patriated, not being released until 1953." least suspect, even though no facts have been

Intercontinental Press DOCUMENTt WRP leaders hit Healyite agent-baiting U.S. Workers League goes wild, organizes split

[The following articles are taken from the They claimed minority rights within three mission, the IC suspended the WRP, by far its February 7 issue of Workers Press, published weeks of the desertion of G. Healy and his largest section. in London by the Workers Revolutionary Redgrave-Mitchell-Torrance clique from the The WRP central committee voted over Party.] WRP in October last year. whelmingly to reject the suspension. Only the North politically dominates what is left of Hyland family group were prepared to accept the International Committee of the Fourth In- it. A minority faction, led from the United temational — the organisation founded by Disquiet about the IC's bureaucratic move is States by David North, secretary of the U.S. Healy and his associates in 1953. growing in a number of IC affiliates, and this Workers League, has split from the Workers The Greek and Spanish sections of the ICFI may have prompted North to move quickly to a Revolutionary Party. defected with Healy last October, leaving full-blown split. They were discovered on Monday this week groups in West Germany, Australia, Peru, and North was only prepared to maintain rela to be secretly preparing an edition of the Young Sri Lanka. tions with the WRP provided the party and its Socialist devoted entirely to attacking the Since the split with Healy, the IC has been members agreed in advance to subordinate Party. politically dominated by North, although his themselves to the IC. The main article in this pirate newspaper organisation is not formally affiliated to the This would have had the effect of preventing was to have been a 35-point letter from the IC. a real straggle against the Healyite renegades Workers League, denouncing the WRP leader Last month, on the basis of a trumped-up re and a thoroughgoing examination of the his ship as "renegades from Marxism who have port by a so-called International Control Com tory of the party and the IC. □ capitulated to the pressures of British im perialism and are placing themselves in the service of the class enemy." They have also withdrawn from a bank ac 'Workers Press' urges discussion count the entire funds of the national commit tee of the Young Socialists, totalling £1,644.80. with opponents of Healy's methods The splitters are known to be seeking prem ises in Yorkshire to establish their own sepa By Dave Good the 1974 expulsions and will present a report rate headquarters. They intend to seize control In November last year the Workers Revolu on its findings to the party's 8th Congress in of the Manchester YS Youth Training centre in tionary Party held a meeting at Friends Meet February-March 1986. Broughton. ing House on the question of "Revolutionary In the article. Lister makes the following The antiparty group have been preparing for Morality and the Split in the WRP." Speaking point in relation to the WRP Central Commit weeks to desert the ^^^P. The whole operation on behalf of the Central Committee, Cliff tee's decision to engage in public discussion has been directed from the Workers League Slaughter pledged that "We are at the begin on the degeneration of the party: headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. ning of an objective analysis, and all those who "The very notion of discussion with other One of North's main aims in splitting the wish to really leam the lessons can certainly left-wing currents was sufficient to send the WRP is to uphold the investigation, "Security participate. We will examine all questions as Healy group into near apoplexy, denouncing and the Fourth International," which he carried Trotskyists."* Slaughter and others as 'centrists and out on instructions from [Gerry] Healy, to That was more than two months ago. Many liquidationists' for contemplating such a gether with Alex Mitchell. other groups have produced material on the crisis in the ranks of our movement, and a pub This investigation purported to prove that lic discussion on the degeneration of the WRP "Under this withering fire (from such with the entire leadership of the American Socialist is under way. ered sectarians) sections of the WRP majority Workers Party were agents either of the FBI or In the February issue of Socialist Viewpoint appear to have quailed and retreated somewhat the GPU, or both! there is an article by John Lister on the internal from the bold stance in favour of open discus The Workers League is embroiled in an ex discussion now taking place within the WRP. sion outlined by Slaughter in the first public pensive law suit brought by former SWP mem He was one of those expelled from the WRP in meetings on the split." ber Alan Gelfand, who claims the alleged 1974, along with Alan Thomett and support agents infringed his civil rights. Formerly ers. The 1974 expulsions have been viewed North's supporters have already begun dis with some criticism by a lot of members of the Lister does have a point. Since November tributing pamphlets printed by the Workers WRP since the expulsion of Healy in October 1985 there has been a certain reluctance within League, but marked with prices in sterling, de 1985. Indeed Cyril Smith, the chairman of the the leadership of the WRP to engage in the fending "Security and the Fourth Intema- Control Commission in 1974 which called for public discussion which was decided upon. tional" against the widespread suspicion that it the expulsion of Thomett, described it as a That is not to say that there has been no change is a Healyite frame-up. "controlled commission" in the pages of the in the public stance of the party, but there have We predict that before long. North and his been some questions which have been consid minority faction will link up with Healy's sup Workers Press. The present Control Commission of the ered almost taboo in the pages of our press. porters, now led by Sheila Torrance, the one Workers Revolutionary Party is reexamining The silence of the Workers Press on a time assistant general secretary of the WRP. number of questions, especially matters which Three members of the WRP Central Com would formerly have been considered "inter mittee, Dave Hyland, his close friend Colleen *For report on this meeting see "Meetings on Healy nal" party matters, has hindered the party's Smith, and his daughter Julie, are the leaders Split" by Alan Harris in Dec. 30, 1985, issue of In straggle against Healyism and even led to cov of this minority faction in Britain. tercontinental Press. — IP ering up for some of its defenders intemation-

March 10, 1986 ally. I believe that this is an unprincipled way The suspension was opposed by the WRP Lister goes on to take up the question of the for our party to proceed and one which must be Central Committee, but supported by a minor relation of the WRP to the IC. He raises the changed forthwith. ity, led by Central Committee members Dave fact that "North and his cothinkers ... refer re In particular we have remained silent on the Hyland, YS National Secretary Julie Hyland, peatedly and apolitically to the need for the political frame-up being hatched by the Inter and Colleen Smith. This minority follow the WRP leadership to 'recognise the authority of national Committee of the Fourth International political line of Dave North, secretary of the the International Committee,' and stress their against the present leadership of the WRP. Workers League in the United States. At its defence of what they regard as a 'continuity' of Alas, this silence can be continued no longer, meeting on 29th December 1985, the Central the IC tradition." unless our party is prepared to ignore tbe dis Committee of the WRP passed a resolution re This is the heart of the differences between cussion taking place publicly, or even worse to jecting "the suspension of the British section of the WRP and the IC. North says that the de attempt to deny the truth. the ICFI. It is an abrogation of international generation of the WRP was a nationalist devia In the Socialist Viewpoint article Lister leadership that the IC takes this action at a time tion from Marxism. He goes on to assert that states, in relation to the present leadership of that the discussion is under way for the WRP the IC is the embodiment of internationalism the WRP, that "they have been challenged by congress. and the continuation of the struggle of Marx, an opposition promoted and encouraged by Engels, Lenin, and Trotsky. Dave North, leader of the WRP's American Arbitrary If the WRP subordinates itself to the IC the sister party, the Workers League. North, don "The arbitrary, administrative action of the national chauvinism of the WRP can be over ning the barely convincing guise of a long IC can only aid the Healyite clique and is come with the assistance of the IC which North standing opponent of Healy, has used the rem meant to prevent a full discussion on the de claims is the world party of socialist revolu nants of the WRP's 'International,' the Inter generation of the IC in the last 10 years as ex tion. national Committee, as a lever against the pressed in its repudiation, in practice, of the But comrades from the WRP have re Slaughter wing of the movement. The WRP is Permanent Revolution and building of a world peatedly asked what is this IC tradition which currently suspended by the International Com revolutionary leadership." we are supposed to subordinate ourselves to? mittee, at North's urging." The resolution went on to say that "we ac Furthermore, where does the IC get its author It is indeed true that on Monday 16th De cuse the IC of splitting the WRP at a time when ity from? After all it was led by G. Healy for cember 1985 the International Committee de the Party is under vicious attack from the many years and followed his political line cided to suspend the WRP from the IC. The Healy clique and we believe that this shows tbe which is now recognised within the IC to have WRP is the British section of the Fourth Inter irresponsible, unprincipled nature of the IC been thoroughly revisionist. national, affiliated to the International Com and shows its adherence to the methods of the The international work of the IC has con mittee. This decision was taken on the basis Healy clique." sisted, over the last decade, of three main as that the WRP had "carried out an historic be An intense discussion is now taking place pects. Firstly the establishment of relations trayal of the ICFI and the international work within the WRP, and in the other sections of with the national liberation movements and na ing class. the IC, on the issues involved in the degenera tional bourgeoisie in the Middle East. Sec "This betrayal consisted of the complete tion of the WRP and the ICFI, together with ondly Healy's so-called cadre training. Thirdly abandonment of the theory of the permanent the consequences of the expulsion of Healy Security and the Fourth Intem'ational and the revolution, resulting in the pursuit of unprinci and the rump who defended his corrupt prac Gelfand case. pled relations with sections of the colonial tices within the WRP. Over the past 15 years the WRP,and the IC, bourgeoisie in return for money"(ICFI resolu have established relations with the Palestine tion on the suspension of the WRP, 16th De Liberation Organisation and the national cember 1985). bourgeoisie in the Middle East. It has been At the IC meeting the WRP was suspended pointed out, quite correctly, both within the IC without written charges and no opportunity to and the WRP (not to mention by many other prepare a defence. The comrades who expelled groups over a period of many years) that these Healy and his rotten clique were suspended relationships were opportunist. They led to from the IC on the basis of a frame-up. support for the murder of 21 Iraqi communists by the regime of Saddam Hussein, the charac terisation of the Libyan Jamahiriyah [state of In October the IC set up an International the masses] as socialist, and the assertion that Committee Commission "to investigate, but the Iranian revolution was the greatest blow to not limited to, the corruption of G. Healy, the imperialism since the Russian revolution. cover-up by the Political Committee, and the These relations meant the repudiation of the financial crisis of the WRP." This interim re theory of Permanent Revolution in practice de port was supposedly the basis of the suspen spite many declarations in favour of it. It sion, but it was not made available to the IC meant the abandonment of any perspective of delegates until after the meeting had finished. building sections of the FI in the Middle East. Lister and Thomett will find the IC's method familiar: call a control commission Opportunist into the corruption of G. Healy — and use it to The IC complains that these opportunist re find his opponents guilty! lations were established behind their backs. The ICC interim report does not take up the There is no doubt that Healy and his clique did corruption of G. Healy, but attempts to frame many things without informing the IC, the the present leadership of the WRP for the ac WRP central committee, or the WRP member tions of Healy. In fact any of the practices of ship. But abandonment of the theory of Perma Healy which implicate the leaders of the IC are nent Revolution and opportunism in the Mid deliberately left out of the report. The BMW dle East was done publicly. Strange leaders car (£16,000) and the £20,000 slush fund are these that didn't notice these publicly wrong not mentioned, because the money was pro positions and complain that it was all done be vided by the Socialist Labour League of Aus hind their backs. tralia. So much for the fight against Healy's But North and the IC go further, accusing corruption! MICHAEL BANDA the WRP of establishing mercenary relation-

Intercontinental Press ships with reactionary and nonproletarian whole thing is a frame-up of Hansen and forces. This is the cover for North's abandon Novack, whose only "crime" was to revise ment of the side of this work which was cor Marxism, not spy for the FBI/CIA or CPU. rect. This has caused panic in the leadership of the The defence against imperialism and the Workers League. PLO and those bourgeois national regimes The "forensic science" of Healy, Mitchell, fighting against imperialism is not something and North will have to be reevaluated. It is un that the WRP is going to abandon or apologise tenable to contend that "Security and the FI" is for. We will continue to take our responsibili the high point of the international struggle of ties as revolutionaries in a metropolitan the working class against the capitalist state, as capitalist country seriously, and tirelessly de North does and indeed the WRP used to. fend all those in the fight against imperialism, The fwsition of the WRP Central Committee no matter how much we disagree with them. is that we will not subordinate ourselves to We do recognise the need for criticism of these traditions. Anyone who will defend the those fighting imperialism, but we oppose work of the IC as the "continuity of Trot those who see this as an excuse for denouncing skyism" is no Trotskyist. the enemies of imperialism as reactionary and In October last year the IC proposed a re- nonproletarian at every turn. registration of the membership of the WRP "on We understand that the pressure of im the basis of an explicit recognition of the sub perialism on this question leads to a desire by David North, leader of Workers League in ordination of the WRP to the IC." This was en North to ditch this principled position, but we United States. dorsed unanimously by the WRP central com will oppose this national-chauvinism in the mittee on the basis that it was aimed at the ex same way that we fought Healy. clusion from membership of the Healyite To characterise the PLO, the Libyan were not Just anticommunist but also antihu- rump. In practice they split with the WRP be Jamahiriyah and other bourgeois national re man. This is the degenerate ideology of the fore the reregistration began, and those exclud gimes as "reactionary and nonproletarian bourgeoisie, and no matter how much North ed from membership were constitutionally ex forces," as the IC does, has nothing in com protests it is a near-fascist ideology. pelled with full rights of appeal to the party's mon with Marxism. Read Lenin's report on the In the IC meeting of December 16 North as 8th Congress. National and Colonial Question to the Second serted that in the fight to regenerate the WRP, The form of the reregistration was the sign Congress of the Communist International! "numbers do not matter." I have a message to ing of a form recognising the authority of the These national revolutionary movements must him, and all those in the IC who think like him, IC, and the subordination of the WRP to its de- be supported in the struggle against im from the membership of the WRP: perialism by anyone who wishes to call them Numbers do matter, after all "numbers" are Unjustifiabie selves a Trotskyist. only our members, our cadres. In the WRP things have changed; with the expulsion of Hundreds of party members who had taken Inability Healy came the fight for the rights of mem part in the fight against Healy refused to sign In actual fact, support for the national revo bers. We will not stand idly by and see our such a Healyite loyalty oath. Under pressure lutionary movements, together with criticism cadres destroyed by "leaders" with no respect from the membership, the central committee of the inability of the national bourgeoisie to for the rights of members. We will fight for withdrew the form which was politically and carry through the tasks of the national revolu communist relations within our movement and constitutionally unjustifiable. tionary struggle, is the only basis for the build break with all those who reject the communist At the same meeting of the WRP central ing of Trotskyist parties in these countries. need for respect and dignity as well as determi committee a resolution was passed on the crisis The question of "cadre training" has been nation and sacrifice. We dealt with Healy and in the IC. This resolution calls quite mildly for: discussed at some length in WRP meetings and we are quite capable of dealing with the rem 1) All evidence presented and conclusions articles in our press. From the theoretical nants of his supporters in the WRP and the IC. drawn be reexamined. standpoint Healy's "philosophical work" was North and the IC are presently supporting a 2) That such an investigation, including a an attack on the ideologic^ foundations of minority within the WRP who have dismpted full financial account, be carried out internally Marxism. There can be no revolutionary our meetings and trampled on our party's con at this stage. movement without rigorous defence of the stitution. They have made communist relations 3) That we recognise that the Gelfand case theoretical basis of Marxism — principally in our meetings, at all levels, impossible. This has set an extremely damaging precedent in dialectical materialism, historical materialism, is the continuation of Healy's destruction of calling on the state to determine the member and Marx's political economy. cadres, and we will fight it every inch of the ship of a working-class political organisation. But Healy's "cadre training" goes much fur way. North may have disagreed with what 4) That the IC strive to find a means to re ther than attacking the ideological foundations Healy had to say on the question of cadre train solve this outside the courts, including an ap of our movement, it also created the conditions ing, but he took part in Healy's destruction of proach by the Workers League to the Socialist for it to be carried out. It was, in reality, the cadres and is continuing to do so. North wants Workers Party. systematic moral, political, theoretical, per Healyite "cadre training" without Healy's This has sent North wild. The Workers sonal, and physical destruction of the cadres of "dialectics" — let the destruction of cadres League Central Committee is calling for the our movement. It was not just what Healy said, continue: we say no more, our cadres are the expulsion of the majority Central Committee but also what he did. Those like North who heart of our movement. members in the WRP. The 8th Congress of the raised criticisms of Healy's "Studies in Dialec WRP, taking place this weekend, is described tical Materialism" only tackled one side of the as a "bogus conference packed out with anti- problem. It was not merely a question of being The third aspect of the IC's work is Security Trotskyists." right as opposed to those who are wrong. and the Fourth International, with the Workers So be it. If North, Beams, and the IC want The question of cadre training must be League's involvement in the Gelfand case in to defend the stinking corpse of Healy's IC, viewed from the standpoint of revolutionary the U.S. This is a very touchy subject for they are welcome to do so. But I would point practice. In order to overcome the legacy of North. The WRP Central Committee has out to them that the truth is a powerful enemy. Healyism it is necessary to change the social called for a reevaluation of the whole of Secu To John Lister and other interested parties, relations within the party which enabled Healy rity and the Fourth International, and most the public discussion will proceed in ear to carry out his vile barbaric practices which leaders of the WRP are of the opinion that the nest. □

March 10. 1986 thority and is not a genuine intemational WRP condemns agent-baiting leadership, that it must acknowledge that the suspension of the British section was an or Says Gelfand case has set 'damaging precedent' ganisational manoeuvre which it had no right to carry out, designed only to obscure the real [The following resolution was adopted Janu 9. That the IC sections, having carried out a issues arising out of the split with Healy and the class betrayal which the WRP and IC car ary 26 by the Central Committee of the Work thorough internal discussion, must as soon as ried out under his leadership. ers Revolutionary Party that supports Workers possible initiate jointly a public discussion on 12. That we recognise that Security and the Press. Footnotes are by Intercontinental the history and the tasks of the Fourth Interna Press.] tional, appealing to all those all over the world Fourth Intemational was a substitute for a real who are for the Transitional Programme to straggle against revisionism and for Trotskyist take part. principle. That all evidence presented and con 1. That the IC, under the leadership of clusions drawn be reexamined, together with [Gerry] Healy and the WRP, has undergone a 10. That in line with the points made in (5), material published by the American SWP or political, theoretical, moral, and organisa the IC sections recognise that the IC cannot anybody else on this question. That such an in tional degeneration. claim political authority as an intemational vestigation, including a full financial account, 2. During that time the policies and per leadership. Neither can sections be subordi be carried out intemally at this stage. spectives of the IC have turned further and fur nated to an intemational discipline determined 13. That we recognise that the Gelfand ther away from Trotskyism. The theory of Per by the IC. The task ahead is for intemational case, while having revealed important facts manent Revolution and revolutionary strategy perspectives to be elaborated in joint discus about Sylvia Franklin etc., has set an ex and tactics were never developed in relation to sion, for the IC to lead the fight to elaborate tremely damaging precedent in calling on the Vietnam, the Middle East, and other national such perspectives, in the course of a fight to es state to determine the membership of a work liberation struggles, the degenerated workers' tablish a genuine centre for building the Fourth ing-class political organisation; that the IC states, or the metropolitan capitalist countries. Intemational. strive to find a means to resolve this outside the 3. The theoretical work of the IC, increas courts including an approach by the Workers ingly dominated by Healy's subjective idealist 11. That since the IC has no political au League to the SWP. □ and mystical version of philosophy, degener ated. 4. Increasingly, Healy's decadent and anti- 'The most sinister and reactionary communist morality and anti-Bolshevik methods of organisation affected both the manifestation of Healyism' WRP and IC. This gave rise to a bureaucratic conception of a centralised world organisation [The following is an excerpt from an article revisionist straggle was transformed for over a under his control. by Workers Revolutionary Party General Sec decade into a manic witch-hunt, a desperate 5. That the IC is neither "the world party," retary Michael Banda. The article, entitled forensic diversion to be precise, to satisfy nor even the "nucleus" of the world party. "Twenty-seven reasons why the Intemational Healy's paranoid schizophrenia as well as his 6. That the perspectives, theory, and or Committee should be buried forthwith and the anti-theory empiricism. In this respect Han- ganisation of Trotskyism can only be elabo Fourth Intemational built," appeared in the sen's charge against Healy was right. Never in rated in a fierce struggle against all aspects of February 7 issue of Workers Press.] the history of intelligence work of state bodies Healyism. has any agent devoted the whole of his life — 7. That the degeneration of the IC under as Hansen did — to building a reformist psirty. Healy cannot be separated from the problem 27. No examination of the IC would be That is not the style of the GPU or FBI. Han suffered by the PI over the entire period of its complete or honestly objective if it didn't in sen lived and died a revisionist. A GPU agent existence. After the founding of the PI, the clude the most sinister and reactionary man — never! first devastating blow was the assassination of ifestation of Healyism in the IC — Security There is an even more damning question 1 Trotsky; then came the liquidation of the lEC and the Fourth Intemational. No one who hon would like to address to Healy's political during the war and its reconstruction under the ours Trotsky's impeccable and scrupulous re bloodhounds. North and Mitchell. Why is it leadership of the SWP. Under the impact of gard for absolutely verifiable facts and irrefut that not a single radical intellectual, not one contradictory developments of the class strug able evidence will have anything more to do conscientious professor, trade union leader, or gle, particularly in the metropolitan capitalist with this monstrous frame-up based entirely on dissident Stalinist responded to the call for an countries, after the war, one leadership after circumstantial evidence and political in inquiry into the murder of Trotsky by [Ramon] another capitulated — Haston and company in nuendo. The IC proved nothing which we Mercader and presumably, Hansen and the RCP leadership, Pablo,' the SWP leader didn't already know about Sylvia Callen Novack? To ask the question is to answer it. ship, Healy and the IC leadership. [Caldwell] or [Mark] Zborowski. The letters No one except the paranoid North and his 8. This whole history of the El must be on Hansen prove nothing either. cronies in the IC will believe this damnable gone over and reexamined; a discussion must It is entirely possible, nay probable, that fantasy which paradoxically ended with a simi take place in every section on all these ques Trotsky did advise Hansen to "play ball" with lar charge against North adduced by none other tions. Documents excluded from the six vol the GPU agent as part of a plan to elicit infor than Healy! It is incredible that North should umes^ must be circulated. mation and that he also advised him to contact now point to [Louis] Budenz's testimony that the FBI. Even if he didn't it doesn't prove that Hansen was a GPU agent. Applying North's Hansen was guilty. North, 1 fear, is hoist on own rotten yardstick how are we not to pre 1. Jock Haston was a leader of the Revolutionary his own petard and faces the charge of being an sume that Budenz was doing this as part of his Communist Party, British section of the Fourth In accomplice with Healy and the execrable own filthy deal with FBI and State Depart ternational, from 1944 to 1949. Michel Pablo was a Mitchell in the murder of Trotsky's finest tra ment? leader of the Fourth International following World As for North's amazing revelation that the War II. He left the Intemational shortly after it was dition. entire leadership of the present SWP was re reunified in 1963. Two further questions arise: cruited from the same Midwestern college, 1 2. Trotskyism Versus Revisionism, a Documentary When North contends that the straggle can only retort: So what? Where is the concrete History, edited by Cliff Slaughter and published by against revisionism was abandoned he is only evidence of their work for the FBI? Put up or New Park Publications, London, in 1974 and 1975. half right. History records that the anti- shut up North! □

Intercontinental Press DOCUMENTi Nicaragua's new agrarian reform iaw Big steps taken to distribute more iand to peasants

[The following is the text of the decree owner on compensation. amending Nicaragua's Agrarian Reform Law, [Previously, only idle or underutilized lands The Sandinista People's Revolution seeks to which went into effect on January 11. or lands on which peasants were exploited promote production and productivity, to [This measure represents a major expansion through sharecropping or similar forms of ten guarantee the best and most rational use of the of the country's agrarian reform in order to ancy could be expropriated. land, as well as to protect the soil and improve meet the demands of hundreds of thousands of [Since the enactment of the 1981 Agrarian the use of water and other natural resources. peasants with little or no land. Reform Law, 83,167 families have received 2.5 million manzanas (4.4 million acres) of [At a rally of 3,000 peasants on the day the land, according to Ortega. Yet hundreds of It is of utmost importance that the Sandinista law was signed, Nicaraguan President Daniel thousands of peasants in this country of 3.5 People's Revolution bring the benefits of Ortega explained that the Sandinista National million people still have no land or not enough health, housing, education, and other services Liberation Front (FSLN) had decided in May to support their families. Ortega stressed that to the rural sector and steadily eliminate the 1985 to accelerate the agrarian reform pro the new law would guarantee land titles to differences that now prevail between the coun gram. As the government began distributing small and medium peasants who continue to tryside and the cities. more land, he said, it found that the old Agra work the land. rian Reform Law, adopted in 1981, was "no [In an interview in the FSLN daily, Bar- longer functional." It did not allow expropria ricada. Minister of Agricultural Development Recommendations from the United Nations tion of estates smaller than 500 manzanas (875 and Agrarian Reform Jaime Wheelock esti and the most prestigious international institu acres) in the Pacific Coast region or smaller mated that 20 percent of the peasant population tions that fight hunger and misery indicate that than 1,000 manzanas (1,750 acres) in the east- is without adequate land. huge landed estates, lands left idle, and mar- em area of Nicaragua. The new law removes [Pressure for land has sharply increased as ginalization of the peasantry are principal fac these lower limits on expropriation. the U.S.-backed war has driven peasants off tors holding back the economic and social de [The immediate targets of the new decree their land in the far northern parts of the coun velopment of peoples. are the large tracts of abandoned and unused try. A quarter of a million Nicaraguans have land, as well as the property of landlords been displaced by the war, most of them peas openly collaborating with the U.S.-backed ants. The confiscation of the lands usurped by mercenaries. However, the big capitalists who [The decree printed below includes the full Somozaism and other agrarian measures are using their land productively can also be af text of the Agrarian Reform Law as amended adopted by the revolutionary government con fected under the law. A clause stipulates that by the January 11 measures. The text is taken stitute an initial step in the agrarian reform, "public necessity or the interests of society" from the January 13 issue of Barricada. The which must be broadened and deepened. can be grounds for taking over land, in which translation and footnotes are by Intercontinen case the government will negotiate with the tal Press.] The participation of the peasants and rural workers is necessary in applying this Agrarian THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF Reform Law, in the administration of the state NICARAGUA, by virtue of the powers vested Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to pro farms and cooperatives, and in the organiza in him by Article 24, Paragraph 13, of Law mote a thoroughgoing transformation of the tions and bodies that determine agricultural No. 3, General Statues of the National Assem rural social structures inherited from the previ policies. bly, ous regime, in such a way as to establish con ditions to advance to higher forms of produc THEREFORE, by the powers vested in him, tive organization and to guarantee constant the president of the republic DECREES the following changes in Decree material and cultural improvements for the No. 782, "Agrarian Reform Law," published DECREES: REFORM OF THE peasants and rural workers. in the Official Gazette, No. 188, Aug. 21, AGRARIAN REFORM LAW I98I. With the incorporation of these changes into said law, it will read completely and The Sandinista People's Revolution has his exactly as follows: Pertaining to the guarantees of property torically championed the right of the peasantry ownership and groundsfor application of the WHEREAS to live with dignity through working the land law: and to guarantee their complete integration Article I. This law guarantees land owner- into the national plans of agricultural develop It is imperative to reaffirm the principles of ment through appropriate forms of organiza society's redemption for which Sandino fought tion, credit, supply, marketing, technical as 1. Medierla: A form of sharecropping in which the and for which thousands of the homeland's sistance, and other factors. peasant gives half his crop to the landowner in ex change for use of a plot of land. In some cases, the best children died. peasant also has to perform unpaid labor on the land owner's estate. It is necessary to overcome the rental forms Aparceria and colonato: Similar forms of peasant Under the Somoza regime, agricultural de and the forms of extensive and inefficient exploitation in which the peasant receives living velopment exclusively favored a few property and land use, which are an obstacle to quarters and a small plot of land for subsistence privileged groupings, submerging the peasants progress and development, as well as to elimi farming in exchange for working for wages on the and agricultural workers in poverty, backward nate the unjust exploitation of peasant labor landowner's estate. Such a peasant also has unpaid ness, and ignorance, and preventing the full through medierla, aparceria, colonato,^ and duties, including standing guard and caring for use of the natural resources of the country. similar forms. fences, streams, and so forth, near his plot.

March 10, 1986 ship to all those who work it productively and Regions 11, III, IV, and VI, or less than one erty or by fixing the writ to the door or other efficiently. head of cattle for each three manzanas in the visible location if no one is found to receive it Article 2. The following may be declared remaining regions and zones of the country; or if they refuse to accept it. affected by the agrarian reform: (3) those lands where the soil, water, and Article 14. In the cases that fall under a. Abandoned properties; other natural resources are inadequately uti clauses c, d, and e of Article 2 of this law, b. Idle properties; lized. the owner shall be given a period of 30 days c. Underutilized properties; Article 5. The application of the law in from the date of notification of the application d. Land that is rented out or assigned in any cludes all assets associated with the property, of the law to appear before the Regional Dele other form; whether moveable, stationary, or of any other gation of the Ministry of Agricultural Develop e. Land that is not being worked directly by type. ment and Agrarian Reform to give sworn tes its owner but by peasants under forms of The law may be applied to parts of a prop timony concerning the area and the assets con sharecropping and tenancy such as mediena, erty when, in the opinion of the Ministry of nected with the property. If the owner makes aparceria, colonato, and precarismo^ or other Agricultural Development and Agrarian Re false statements or does not appeal within the forms of peasant exploitation; as well as by form, there are sufficient reasons to do so. period established, he shall lose the right to the cooperatives or peasants organized in any However, the dismemberment of productive compensation to which he would be entitled. other forms of association. The only excep units shall be avoided. Article 15. Once the proprietor has been tions shall be those cases where the landowner notified, the Regional Delegation of the Minis holds less than 50 manzanas in Regions 11, HI, try of Agricultural Development and Agrarian and IV [on the Pacific Coast] or less than ICQ Pertaining to the Zones of Agricultural De Reform shall proceed to carry out an inventory manzanas in the rest of the country. velopment and Agrarian Reform and other ex of the affected assets. The Inventory Certifi Article 3. Any rural properties that have ceptions: cate shall be signed by the proprietor or admin been transferred under any title between Article 6. A Zone of Agricultural Develop istrator of the farm and by the regional director spouses, or between spouses and their pre ment and .Agrarian Reform is defined as a spe of the ministry. The owner shall be guilty of sently dependent children or siblings, shall be cific geographic area of the country for which a fraud if he removes assets from the affected considered as belonging to a single person. plan or special project for resettlement, pro farm without proper authorization. Article 4. For the purposes of Article 2, the duction, or territorial reorganization is de Article 16. Once the required resolution has following considerations shall apply: veloped. been signed, the Minister of Agricultural De a. Abandoned properties: Article 7. The minister in charge of agricul velopment and Agrarian Reform shall issue an (1) Properties planted with perennial crops, tural development and agrarian reform shall order which will be certified upon its inscrip on which the work necessary to cultivate and establish Zones of Agricultural Development tion in the appropriate Public Register. maintain those crops is not being carried out; and Agrarian Reform in those areas of the (2) agricultural properties planted with an country considered necessary to carry out the nual crops on which for two successive crop plans and projects referred to in the previous Pertaining to the Agrarian Court: cycles the soil has not been prepared for plant article. Article 17. The Agrarian Court is estab ing at the appropriate date, or where the culti Article 8. Within a Zone of Agricultural lished as the Administrative Jurisdictional vation and care of the crops has been inter Development and Agrarian Reform, the re Body empowered to hear and make final deter rupted; sponsible minister may issue special regula mination of appeals filed by those falling under (3) grazing lands that have been deteriorat tions regarding the transformation of land the provisions of this law against orders issued ing due to lack of maintenance of fences and ownership and the use and exploitation of the by the Ministry of Agricultural Development pastures, or to the blatant reduction in herds; soil and other natural resources connected with and Agrarian Reform under the present act. (4) properties in which equipment and agricultural production. Article 18. The Agrarian Court shall be machinery are unable to carry out their agricul Article 9. The Minister of Agricultural De composed of three members named by the tural functions due to lack of replacement and velopment and Agrarian Reform is empowered president of the republic. The organization, maintenance. to order the expropriation of rural property for functioning, and jurisdiction of the court shall Exceptions shall be made in those cases reasons of public necessity or the interests of be provided for in regulations that the presi where the conditions described in the clauses society. dent of the republic shall issue for this purpose. above occur for reasons beyond the owners' Article 10. The procedures relating to ex Article 19. The owner of affected property control. propriation in Zones of Agricultural Develop may, within three days, present a writ of ap b. Idle properties: Those lands which, al ment and Agrarian Reform or expropriations peal in person to the Rural Court against reso though capable of agricultural or grazing use, for public necessity or the interests of society lutions issued by the Ministry of Agricultural have remained uncultivated for the previous to further the aims of agrarian reform shall be Development and Agrarian Reform. The deci two consecutive years. established in the regulations attendant to this sions issued by said court shall not be subject c. Underutilized properties: law. to any appeal, not even a writ of relief. (1) Those in which the area used for culti vation of perennial crops, natural or artificial Title III pastures, or seasonal crops totals less than 75 Pertaining to the method of application: Pertaining to compensation and manner of percent of the land surface suitable for agricul Article 11. The Minister of Agricultural payment: ture or grazing. Areas reserved expressly for Development and Agrarian Reform shall issue Article 20. Compensation for lands and timber production or forest reserves shall not orders of application of this law based on the other assets expropriated shall be made be included in the determination of total land technical determinations of that ministry. through Agrarian Reform Bonds, whose de surface; Article 12. The property owner shall be nomination, form, interest rates, and condi (2) grazing lands that have less than one notified in writing when an order of applica tions shall be set by the regulations attendant to head of cattle for each two manzanas of land in tion is issued. The notification shall include: the current law. a. The reasons that led to applying the law; No compensation is contemplated in cases b. The date on which possession will be of abandoned or idle lands. 2. Precarismo: The situation of peasants who work taken of the affected farm. Article 21. The provisions of the previous communal or state lands without legal title. Before the revolution they were often expelled by big land Article 13. When the owner is not present, article notwithstanding, the Ministry of Ag owners allied with the Somoza dictatorship. Today, the notification referred to in the previous arti ricultural Development and Agrarian Reform the Nicaraguan government is formalizing their titles cle may be made by writ delivered to any re may agree to other forms of compensation for to the land. sponsible person found on the affected prop persons whose assets have been totally or par-

Intercontinental Press tially expropriated through the application of as well as in the cases referred to in the above action null and void. this law. clause, priority will be given to the families of Article 33. There shall be no divisions of In the cases of affected individuals who heroes and martyrs as well as to the fighters in rural property that result in the establishment have no other source of income, they shall be our war of liberation and in the defense of the of parcels with a surface area less than the granted a monthly pension that shall be not less homeland. lower limit that will be established in the regu than the established minimum wage. d. To agrarian reform enterprises that are lations attendant to the present law, taking into Article 22. The amount of compensation already constituted or are in the process of account the area necessary to provide a peasant shall be determined by an appraisal done by the being organized. family with a level of income at least equiva Ministry of Agricultural Development and Ag Article 27. The lands allocated under lent to the then-current agricultural minimum rarian Reform, based on the average value de clauses a, b, and c of the previous article shall wage. clared for tax purposes during the previous be of sufficient area and quality to provide the Article 34. The Minister of Agricultural three years. recipients with a level of income equal to at Development and Agrarian Reform is em Article 23. If the assets affected by the ag least the then-current agricultural minimum powered to appear before state notaries, who rarian reform have been put up as security to wage. shall be named for such purpose by the Minis ensure payment of a debt, and this has been The amount of land shall vary according to try of Justice, to formalize deeds or contracts duly certified, the state shall assume the repay the quality of the soil, the geographic location, through which the state shall acquire rural es ments, provided that said assets constitute the the type of cultivation, and other factors and tates for land reorganization in the rural sector. only security for the debts. shall be established by provisions that shall be The foregoing in no way impairs the juris The Ministry of Agricultural Development issued to implement this law. diction of the Office of the Attorney General of and Agrarian Reform shall determine what Article 28. In the cases included in clauses Justice, established in Article 8, clause b of its portion of the debt it will assume in cases a, b, and c of Article 26 of this law, the Minis Charter. where only part of the assets have been af try of Agricultural Development and Agrarian fected. Reform shall issue, in due form and without Article 35. Public Registrars of Real Estate In both cases, the debt assumed by the state charge. Agrarian Reform Deeds, which may shall record the Agrarian Reform Deeds and shall be deducted from the amount of compen be transferred or mortgaged only for the fol other certificates issued by the Ministry of Ag sation. lowing reasons: ricultural Development and Agrarian Reform Article 24. For purposes of the previous ar a. Through inheritance, without dividing on the basis of this law, requiring only the ticle, the mortgage and other liens shall be con the property; presentation of said documents. sidered divisible, and certification of the b. As a share in a rural cooperative; Article 36. The Ministry of Agricultural Ministry of Agricultural Development and Ag c. As security for obtaining agricultural Development and Agrarian Reform is the body rarian Reform's resolution, when entered in financing from financial institutions. competent to hear and resolve conflicts that the Public Register, shall suffice as documen In the cases of peasants included in special arise in agriculture, with respect to land own tation to record the dismemberment or division agrarian reform projects, prior authorization ership, when they affect the plans for agrarian of the financial encumbrances. by the Ministry of Agricultural Development reform. The procedure shall be established in and Agrarian Reform shall be granted to the re the regulations attendant to this law. Resolu Title VI cipient to transfer ownership. tions thus issued shall allow for appeals before Pertaining to the administration and assign the Agrarian Court. ment of the lands and other assets earmarked Title VII Article 37. In all suits brought before the for the agrarian reform: Pertaining to the National Agrarian Reform Common Courts in which the proceedings and Article 25. The lands and other assets ear Council: outcome affect rural properties, a certificate marked for the agrarian reform shall be ad Article 29. The National Agrarian Reform must be obtained from the Ministry of Agricul ministered by the Ministry of Agricultural De Council is established as an advisory body to tural Development and Agrarian Reform to the velopment and Agrarian Reform while their the Minister of Agricultural Development and effect that the subject of litigation does not fall eventual assignment is being determined. Agrarian Reform in developing agrarian pol within the sphere of application of the Agra In addition to the lands affected by the appli icy. rian Reform Law. cation of this law, lands that have become or Article 30. The organization and function Article 38. To achieve the best use of rural may become state property by any other ing of the National Agrarian Reform Council resources, the Ministry of Agricultural De means, as well as national lands and common shall be determined in the regulations attendant velopment and Agrarian Reform shall have a lands, may be assigned. to this law. preferential option to administer and allocate Article 26. In accord with the plans and rural assets acquired by the state and its institu priorities established for the zone where the Title VIII tions, providing it assumes the outstanding ob lands and other assets referred to in the previ Special provision: ligations of those respective properties. ous article are located, lands shall be assigned: Article 31. The state shall provide the nec Article 39. The Ministry of Agricultural a. To sharecropping and tenant peasants essary land for the Miskitos, Sumos, Ramas, Development and Agrarian Reform shall es (medieros, aparceros, colonos, and precaris- and other ethnic communities of the Atlantic tablish special regulations for national and tas) or to cooperatives and peasants organized Coast of Nicaragua, in order to raise their stan communal lands. in other production associations who are work dard of living and to contribute to the nation's Article 40. Tenants now renting lands that ing those lands at the time when the lands are social and economic development. are not affected by the current law shall have taken over. In those cases, the assignments the right to extend their contracts for the next may involve those same lands or lands of better Title IX growing season. If the lessor fails to fulfill the quality. Final provisions: contract, the Ministry of Agricultural Develop b. To other landless peasants, or peasants Article 32. Deeds or contracts transferring ment and Agrarian Reform shall resolve the with insufficient land or land of poor quality, ownership of rural estates shall be issued only matter, as well as cases of lands that are rented who live primarily from agricultural labor or with the express authorization of the Ministry at the time they are taken over. who organize themselves into rural coopera of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Re Article 41. Lands that remain uncultivated tives in order to receive allocations of land, as form. Notaries shall be required to physically during a particular growing season may be well as to already established cooperatives that inspect such authorization. Public Registrars taken over by the Ministry of Agricultural De have insufficient land or land of poor quality. of Real Estate shall not register contracts that velopment and Agrarian Reform. c. To individual producers or family units fail to meet this requirement. Violation of the If the owner demonstrates, through positive that guarantee its efficient use. In such cases. provisions of this article shall make the trans actions, his intention to cultivate the lands.

March 10, 1986 they shall be given to him at the end of the stamp taxes and document-registration Delivered in the city of Managua, on the growing season in question. In the contrary charges. eleventh day of January of nineteen hundred case, and after the subsequent growing season Article 44. The Ministry of Agricultural and eighty-six. has concluded, the lands may be taken over for Development and Agrarian Reform is em 1986: "On the 25th anniversary, all arms the agrarian reform. powered to issue the regulations attendant to against the aggression." ^ Article 42. Writs of relief shall not apply this law. Daniel Ortega Saavedra against resolutions issued on agricultural mat Article 45. This law is a Law of Public President ters. Order and invalidates all provisions that con Article 43. The issuance of documents re tradict it. It shall take effect upon its publica lating to this law shall enjoy exemption from tion in the Official Gazette. 3. A reference to the founding of the FSLN in 1961.

DOCUMENT! Inaugural editorial of'Against the Current' Three U.S. socialist groups publish new journal

[The following editorial appeared in the first Profit rates worldwide declined sharply during traditional core of offieial reformism in the issue of the new series of Against the Current, the later 1960s and the 1970s. By 1982 un United States. By the end of the 1970s, large dated January-February 1986. The magazine employment had reached the highest levels sections of the left had embraced the electoral is published in Detroit, Michigan.] since the 1930s. And today at the height of the road; by 1984, most of the left had moved suf reeovery, unemployment at 7 percent is higher ficiently rightward to be actively working for than at the depth of any previous downturn, ex one or another Democratic candidate in the With this issue Against the Current inaugu cept the last one. presidential elections. rates a new magazine of socialist theory and The system exacts ever-greater human The consequences of this move into the strategy. Three American socialist journals costs. An intensified employers' offensive re Democratic Party have created a reaction have fused to contribute their resources to cre duces living and working standards. Poverty in against the reliance on a deelining politics of ating a publication which is broader and the U.S. has increased dramatically for the liberalism. Unable to exert any influenee of livelier than any of them alone could have first time since the 1950s, and hunger and their own in the absence of mass movements, hoped to be. The new Against the Current homelessness, thought to be things of the past, leftists who entered the Democratic Party have editorial board includes Johanna Brenner and are onee again common in American cities. found they have no choice but to follow their Robert Brenner from Against the Current, Les Programs for environmental protection and trade-union. Black leadership, and left-Demo lie Evans and Dianne Feeley from Socialist safety at work have been explicitly sacrificed cratic Party allies in chasing the party even fur Unity, and David Finkel and Linda Manning to the needs of profitability. ther to the right. Repelled by this, many left Myatt from Changes. With future issues, new The U.S. government has launched a cam aetivists — without rejecting electoral cam editors will be joining the editorial board, from paign of armed eounterrevolution, from An paigns altogether — have begun returning to a variety of movement and political perspec gola to Central America, unseen sinee the the view that only mass struggle can make pos tives. height of the war in Vietnam. Central to this sible a new period of political gains. They also The new magazine is also establishing an campaign is the dirty war against the Nicara- see that, given the coordinated and politically activist editorial advisory board. Editorial ad guan revolution. Finally, a new arms race de conscious character of the attacks by capital visors will meet to develop the magazine's per signed to secure U.S. power throughout the and the state, the left needs to build a more un spectives, be asked to contribute at least one world threatens the future of humanity. ified and political counteroffensive. article annually to the journal, and be re Nevertheless, the left's predietions have While the left certainly faces crisis and diffi quested to help identify potential contributors. proven only half right. There has not been a culty, we also have real opportunities. A gen The initial members of the advisory board are rising workers' movement to accompany the eration of aetivists, influenced in part by the listed on the masthead.* deepening crisis. The once-promising Black renascence of Marxism and in part by their liberation and women's liberation movements own experience in monolithic political sects, have seriously deelined. True, the capitalists' has broken with dogmatism and is seeking new The left today faces a paradoxical situation. increasingly vicious attacks generate sporadic directions. Oppositional movements, albeit Over the past 15 years or so, our predictions of protests — the long succession of strikes local and fragmented, continue to radicalize economic crisis and the decay of capitalist so against concessions, the struggle for rent con new people and activate the '60s generation. ciety have come to pass. And yet, the left in trol, the farmers' assaults on the banks, and Voices of radical dissent and alternative media the 1980s may be no more deeply rooted in similar defensive battles. Still, there is a huge challenge the status quo. American life than it was in the 1960s. chasm between the well-planned and systemat The new Against the Current aims to be part Since 1970, as many on the left expected, ic offensive by the employers and the ill-pre of this opposition. We will respond to activ each succeeding business cycle has brought pared, episodic, and largely nonpolitical re ists' concerns about how to build a struggle lower growth rates and higher unemployment. sponse by workers and the oppressed. Any that is both militant and political. We seek to serious attempt to understand the recent evolu provide a forum for discussion and debate tion of the American left and to rebuild it must around the strategies and tactics for best *The advisory editors listed in the first issue are: recognize this disparity and face it head on. strengthening existing movements — against Perry Anderson, Josh Cohen, Stephanie Coontz, Failing to do so, and disoriented by the ab concessions, cuts in social spending, attacks Mike Davis, Adolfo Gilly, James Kavanagh, Cathy sence of the expected mass upsurge, many left on women's rights and minorities, and U.S. McAfee, Ralph Miliband, James Petras, Hector ists have sought substitutes for the mass move intervention abroad — and to stimulate ex Ramos, Joanne Rappaport, Anwar Shaikh, Jane ment. They have looked especially to trade change of ideas for bringing movements to Slaughter, Tony Smith, and Susan Weissman. Alan union officials, middle-class Black leaders, gether in unified action. This goal requires a Wald is listed as the cultural editor. — IP and left Demoeratic Party politicians — the commitment to original analysis of the present

intercontinental Press situation, especially in the United States, with Polish Solidarity and the militant resistance to 10 AND 20— both a respectful and a critical attitude toward injustice of the Sandinista revolutionaries of our predecessors on the left in the U.S. and Nicaragua. YEARS AGO around the world. We are for greater attention The new Against the Current is made possi to the cultural aspects of the movement for ble by a small step forward in creating a socialism; however, we oppose the evaluation socialist pole in this country. Three small of literary and artistic achievements by politi socialist organizations have also succeeded in cal criteria. breaking down the walls that separate them. At The resources we need to develop new the end of March in Chicago a conference will March 8, 1976 theory and fresh interpretations already exist be held to unite the three: the International among the movement activists, the organizers, Socialists; the Workers Power group, which Is something new happening in the West and the serious scholars of the left. Against the played an important role in initiating Against European Communist parties? Current hopes to realize this potential by creat the Current in 1980; and Socialist Unity, a This is the impression of many, especially ing the conditions for increased collaboration group of former members of the Socialist after the Twenty-Second Congress of the and exchange. Workers Party. In addition, several local radi French CP, held in a Paris suburb early in Feb We believe, however, that more is needed. cal and socialist groups are considering joining ruary. Declaring a policy of "Communism This journal is dedicated to critical analysis the new organization. under the French colors," the congress voted to and the development of revolutionary-demo Far from seeing themselves as the nucleus of recommend dropping any mention of the dic cratic socialist politics. We bring to the move The Party, all three groups are committed to tatorship of the proletariat from the party pro ments for social and political change a vision the view that viable socialist organization will gram. of a new society, controlled from below by emerge only as a result of a long-term regroup- It is certainly true that the aim of the con mass collective institutions of working people. ment process of protracted discussion and de gress was to give the impression of a new Briefly stated, the basic principles of our edito bate, the experience of common work in the course. French CP chief Georges Marchais rial policy are these: mass movements, and many realignments and told the delegates that there were "noticeable • We are for a socialist transformation mergers. All three groups are well aware that divergences" between the French and Soviet based on working-class democracy and for the many of the left's most cherished theories, parties and that "we do not intend to give les self-emancipation of all the oppressed. strategies, and political organizations have sons to anyone, nor will we accept any from • We are in uncompromising solidarity with proved, in recent years, inadequate to the test anyone." all democratic and working-class movements of practice. But for nearly five decades the only re against bureaucratic regimes in the USSR, But the rethinking, the theorizing, research, sponse of the French CP has been to follow un Eastern Europe, and China. Within this and discussion we need cannot be carried out flinchingly the twists of the Kremlin's line. Is framework we will openly debate alternative successfully within the bounds set by sectarian it realistic to think that a party of 500,000 theoretical and strategic perspectives on these divisions. Therefore, as one of their common could repudiate its distinguishing political character almost overnight, and without any societies. projects, these three groups will sponsor • We are for rebuilding a militant and dem Against the Current, not in any sense as a party major internal division? ocratic U.S. labor movement, a crucial task to organ, but to provide a forum for the broadest which the trade union bureaucracy is a great "possible debate and discussion within the left. obstacle. One reader of the old Against the Current WORLD OUTLOOK • We are for Black liberation and for all called it "the thinking person's alternative to PERSPECTIVE MONDIAIE struggles against racial and national oppres social democracy." That captures the aspira (Predecessor of Intercontinental Press) sion. tion of the new Against the Current. We aim to • We are feminist, for women's liberation promote discussion within the left while serv February 25,1966 and for all struggles for the right of sexual pref ing as a vehicle for the regroupment of leftists The show trial being staged by Indonesia's erence, reproductive rights, and equality. seeking to build a revolutionary and democrat generals in an attempt to pin the blame for the • We are anti-imperialist, against all forms ic socialism, whatever their organizational at attempted September 30 coup d'etat on the In of U.S. colonialism (as in Puerto Rico) and in tachments. All three of the publications merg donesian Communist party got off to a spec tervention. We are internationalists, in solidar ing into this new one did their best to create a tacular but bad-smelling start February 14 ity with the revolutionary movements of Cen wide-ranging dialogue. But it was Against the when Njono, the first defendant, repudiated a tral America, with the struggle of the Palestin Current which had the most success. To an im "confession" forced from him by the au ian people for self-determination, with the portant extent this achievement is owed to the thorities during the preparation of the case. anti-apartheid revolution in South Africa, and dedication of the late Steve Zeluck, whose The confession, said Njono, was "false." with the Polish workers' movement, Solidar- contributions will be greatly missed by us all. If D.N. Aidit, the head of the Indonesian nosc. In taking the name. Against the Current, we Communist party, was murdered by the army • We are for independent politics. Trapped express our continuity with this project and our in November, as is widely rumored, Njono inside the Democratic Party, social movements determination to carry it forward. □ may be the most important defendant now in die, as we have seen in the case of the once the hands of the generals. He is a member of massive women's movement and the more re the central committee of the Indonesian Com cent Rainbow Coalition; the weak and poorly- Lowest wage gain since 1968 munist party and president of the SOBSI (All- organized left will die there even more quick Indonesian Central Organization of Trade ly- Pay increases in the United States were very Unions) which has some 20,000,000 mem low in 1985. The average first-yetu" wage gain bers. negotiated in union contracts last year was 2.3 It was not clear from a report appearing in We give special attention to the growth of percent, the lowest for any year since the the Paris press whether the "confession" was consciously socialist forces — not because statistics were first compiled in 1968. Non- forced from Njono by torture. He was quoted they are presently large in this country, but be wage compensation for union workers rose by as saying only that "The atmosphere during the cause they try to imagine and bring about fun only 2.6 percent. preparation of the case was poisoned hy hate damental reorganization of society to break Wages and benefits for all private industry against the Communists. The Communist capital's stranglehold on American life. employees and state and local government party was considered to be the organizer of the Perhaps what is needed resembles a cross be workers rose by only 4.3 percent, down from September 30, 1965, coup d'etat, and now an tween the broad working-class democracy of 5.2 percent in 1984 and 6.6 percent in 1982. anti-Communist campaign is developing."

March 10, 1986 Grenada protest against Reagan's attemjtt to destabilize Nicaragua. And we say that if he invades Nic aragua he will get a lesson that the American people will never forget."

Rally protests Reagan visit Fruits of U.S. occupation 'Bishop liberated us, Reagan oppresses us!' In his speech Reagan also claimed that the U.S. intervention in Grenada brought the is land "liberty and justice." By Ernest Harsch No such monuments have been erected in Responding, Louison stated, "The opposite As U.S. President Ronald Reagan touched Grenada to the scores of Grenadians and is the truth. The invasion has brought un down in Grenada for a few hours on February Cuban construction workers who were killed employment. It has brought a destruction of 20, some 200 Grenadians rallied to protest his by the U.S. invasion forces. "What about the the productive forces in this country. It has visit. They came out to Market Square, in the Grenadian people who died during the inva brought crime, prostitution, and drug traffick heart of St. George's, the capital, to express sion?" asked Angela Bishop, the late prime ing — cocaine is now a major problem in the their opptosition to the person who ordered the minister's widow, who now lives in Canada. country, and that came as a direct result of the massive October 1983 U.S. invasion of that "Are they not fit to be honored on their own Yankee invasion. It has destroyed the social Eastern Caribbean island of only 110,000 soil? Don't forget: They were fighting for their sector, education, health. All of these are on people. own country." the decline." "No to U.S. colony!" and "Resist Reagan, Targeting Nicaragua In 1983, unemployment in Grenada was 12 resist slavery!" were among the slogans of the percent and falling. Soon after the invasion it demonstration. A major theme of Reagan's speech in Gre jumped to around 40 percent, as the U.S. occu "Maurice Bishop liberated us, Reagan op nada was Washington's opposition to the pation authorities and their Grenadian col presses us!" the protesters also declared, popular revolution in Nicaragua. He also laborators shut down many of the state-run en recalling the late Prime Minister Maurice blasted revolutionary Cuba. terprises set up under the Bishop government. Bishop, who headed the workers' and peas Reagan explicitly compared the situation in ants' government that was in power from Nicaragua today to the one that led to the U.S. Social services have heen allowed to de March 1979 to October 1983. Bishop was invasion of Grenada, employing some of the teriorate. For example, there is now only one murdered by opponents within his own party same anticommunist slanders his administra practicing dentist in the entire country, while on Oct. 19, 1983, just a week before the U.S. tion had earlier leveled against the Bishop gov the new government refuses to employ young Grenadians who returned from Cuba after invasion, and remains a popular hero to the ernment. finishing their dental studies there. masses of Grenadians. "Today, in Nicaragua," Reagan maintained, This demonstration culminated a week of "we see a chain of events similar to what hap Workers' rights have been seriously eroded, actions in different villages and towns through pened here. We hear the same excuses made and efforts are under way to weaken the out the island, drawing from 300 to 600 partic for the Communists, while the people of Nica unions. Assistance to farmers has been ipants each. They were all organized by the ragua see their freedom, slowly but surely, slashed. Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement eaten away." At the same time, repression has mounted. (MBPM), which is led by several of Bishop's Reagan's comments were part of the ongo With U.S. and British funds and training, a surviving comrades and bases itself on the leg ing White House campaign to drum up support 600-man police force has been built up, as well acy of the Grenada revolution. for greater U.S. military aid for the Nicara- as a heavily armed paramilitary force. Since guan counterrevolutionary terrorists operating April 1984 they have shot and killed at least A 'national hero'? five young Grenadians. out of Honduras. Louison himself was recently arrested and Most of the U.S. news media that accom Reagan's threats against Nicaragua are "a panied Reagan to Grenada made no mention of very dangerous development," Louison told interrogated for several hours on trumped-up these protests. Instead, they sought to portray IP. "We in our party continue to give the firm charges of involvement in military training for Reagan's visit as that of a "conquering hero," est solidarity to Nicaragua. We continue to opposition forces on the island. On the night as a New York Times editorial put it. before Reagan's arrival, 15 Grenadians were arrested for being "rowdy" during a rehearsal A large crowd did turn out to see Reagan. of the presidential motorcade. Schools and workplaces were officially closed Yet despite the repression, resistance to the for the occasion. In addition, illusions among Toronto protest hits policies of the U.S.-backed regime is continu the Grenadian people about Washington's role U.S. policies in Grenada ing. Some of the trade unions are putting up a remain widespread, since the government in stiff fight against the attacks on working power at the time of the U.S. invasion was the To coincide with Reagan's visit to Gre people. In November construction workers at brutal regime headed by Bernard Coard that nada, some 60 protesters rallied outside the the Grenada Beach Hotel won a pay increase had destroyed the Grenada revolution and mur U.S. consulate in Toronto, Canada, Feb after a brief strike. dered Bishop. ruary 20. The action was sponsored by a Support for the MBPM continues to be pub Seeking to perpetuate the myth that the U.S. number of organizations, including the licly expressed, including in some sizable invasion "liberated" Grenada, Prime Minister Grenada Nationals, Canadian Action for demonstrations. On Oct. 19, 1985, some Herbert Blaize introduced Reagan in the most Nicaragua, the Toronto Anti-intervention 1,500 people turned out for an MBPM-or- subservient terms, calling him "our own na Coalition, and the Center for Caribbean ganized commemoration on the second an tional hero, our own rescuer." Dialogue. niversary of Bishop's murder. In an interview with Intercontinental Press, The demonstration demanded an end to Just a month before Reagan's visit, labor ac George Louison, a leader of the MBPM, said the U.S.-backed occupation of Grenada tivists and supporters of democratic rights in that Blaize's comments were "an affront to the and the withdrawal of all foreign troops Grenada won an important victory when a history and the dignity of the Grenadian from that country, the restoration of the court freed imprisoned unionist Chester Hum people." Grenada's real national hero is self-determination and sovereignty of the phrey and denied a U.S. request that he be ex Maurice Bishop, he said. Grenadian people, and an end to U.S. inter tradited to the United States to face gun-run During his visit, Reagan laid a wreath at a vention in the Caribbean and Central Amer- ning charges. Humphrey's release followed a monument to the 19 U.S. soldiers who died hunger strike he launched in prison and a pub during the Grenada invasion. lic defense campaign led by the MBPM. □

Intercontinental Press