Reagan Tries to Cover up Plan for El Salvador Intervention

Reagan's campaign on Afghanistan 6 TH£ Where Iran revolution stands 10 Immigration cops step up raids 15

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY/PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 46/NO. 8 MARCH 5, 1982 75CENTS Reagan tries to cover up plan for El Salvador intervention Offers phony aid scheme for Caribbean BY HARRY RING President Reagan's February 24 speech to the Organization of American States promised a program of U.S. eco nomic development for the impover ished nations of the Caribbean and Cen tral America. But even the promise was weaker than dishwater. Reagan also made a threatening at tack on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Grenada. They were falsely accused of precisely the kind of imperialist intervention in Central America and the Caribbean that Washington is guilty of. The speech also reflected the strong public pressure Reagan is under not to intervene militarily in El Salvador. The March 1 issue of Newsweek re ported on a Gallup poll that found 54 percent of Americans think Washington A broad range of organizations and individuals united in February 20 New York demonstration against U.S. inter should "stay completely out" of the si vention in El Salvador. tuation in El Salvador; 89 percent op pose sending U.S. troops there; and 44 _percent think it "very likely" El Salva dor could turn into another Vietnam. 5,000 in N.Y. say U.S. out of El Salvador, In a crooked plan to placate this deep sentiment, Reagan asserted in his speech that Washington "will not . _ . open drive for March 27 action in D. C. follow Cuba's lead in attempting to solve human problems by brute force." BY NELSON GONZALEZ "U.S. out ofEl Salvador." to make no comment. Many people who But brute force, of course, is exactly NEW YORK - "The phantom of Organizations with participants in might have been among those hostile to what Washington and its military hirel Vietnam is haunting the White House. the march included the War Resisters earlier demonstrations were now in the ings in the Salvadoran government are The spiri~ of Vietnam is breathing once League, People's Anti-War Mobilization, process of thinking things over. using on the insurgent people of that again in the streets of the American cit a contingent from the Vietnamese com country. ies. The spring offensive has begun. munity, Friends of Haiti, the National 'The U.S. should keep out' The countries of the Caribbean and There were thousands of people march Network in Solidarity with the Nicara Central America, Reagan confirmed, When one Puerto Rican waiter who guan People, Socialist Workers Party, are .suffering "economic disaster." But, ing when Salvadoran troops were being rushed out to the street to see what was trained in the United States. Today Young Socialist Alliance, Workers he assured, this will now be remedied. happening was asked if he knew what ~here World Party, and others. A large The big fix will come from the "magic of are thousands of people marching the march was about, he replied, "yes, in New York City. And on March 27 number of the marchers belonged to no the marketplace." this is about El Salvador." When he was there will be thousands of people march organization and were participating in asked ifhe thought the U.S. should help ing in Washington D.C." this kind of demonstration for their first 'Good Neighbor' the Salvadoran junta, he replied un With these opening words Arnaldo time. equivocally, "No, all the Salvadoran Reagan is not the first U.S. president Ramos, representative of the Revolu The composition of the march was no people want is to be free. The United to announce a plan for bettering the tionary Democratic Front of El Salva ticeably younger than earlier demon States should keep out, mind its own lives of the people south of the border. dor, greeted a crowd of 5,000 enthusias strations around El Salvador. business." During the 1930s, Franklin D. Roose tic antiwar demonstrators in New York Continued on Page 4 Continued on Page 2 City on February 20. Support from bystanders March organizers reported a marked March 27 protest in Washington ly different attitude of bystanders The march was organized by the New watching the demonstration. A cloud of gov't and company lies York Committee in Solidarity with the As the marchers made their way to People of El Salvador (CISPES) as part the Salvadoran Embassy, where a brief surrounds Harrisburg nuke alert of local activities to help publicize the rally was heard, and then to the 34th March 27 national demonstration in Street office of right-wing Senator Al BY DOUG· COOPER hydrogen was present and even if it Washington D.C. The March 27 action fonse D'Amato for another rally, many HARRISBURG, Pa. - Central Penn exploded, there was no danger of sig has been called by a broad coalition in bystanders left the sidewalk and joined sylvania residents were given another nificant releases of radiation. itiated by national CISPES. It consists the march. grim reminder of the ongoing dangers Three years ago, in March 1979, the of solidarity, Black, women's rights, and At both rally points hundreds of by at Three Mile Island when GeneraL presence of a hydrogen bubble in the peace groups; demands "U.S. out of El standers stopped and listened to the Public Utilities (GPU) Nuclear Corpo Unit 2- reactor precipitated the worst Salvador;" and opposes U.S. war threats speeches by Arnaldo Ramos and Mary ration President Robert Arnold de- commercial nuclear power accident in in Central America and the Caribbean. knoll Sister Darlene Cuccinelo. clared a low-level alert on Friday, American history and the evacuation The size, composition, and enthusi As the march wound its way through February 19, at 5:26 p.m. of thousands of Harrisburg area resi asm of the New York demonstration is the streets of mid-Manhattan, onlookers The low-level alert, known as an dents. an indication of the effects of the widen could be seen joining in such chants as "unusual event," was declared more By Friday night, Arnold was contra ing debate on the U.S. war threat "Money for jobs not for war, U.S. out of than eight hours after technicians first dicting the earlier reports on the mea against the people of Central America El Salvador." Many could be seen smil took measurements in preparation for sured levels of combustible gas inside and the Caribbean. This debate is help ing when the marchers shouted, "Rea an entry into the crippled Unit 2 reac the reactor building. At a news confer ing to deepen antiwar sentiment, which gan, Reagan he's no good, send him back tor building. These measurements ence, he said it was believed the build is already spilling out into the streets in to Hollywood." showed lower-than-normal oxygen ing "does not contain detectable levels protest actions across the country. Along the march route, as onlookers readings. of combustible gases" based on tests of In New York from 11:30 a.m., when figured out what the march was about, Later measurements, taken betwe~n air being purged from the reactor the crowd began gathering at Dag Ham different pockets of excited discussions 1:45 and 2:02 p.m. Friday, showed even building throughout the day. marskjold Plaza near the United Na broke out about El Salvador and the lower oxygen levels. They also showed "At this point," Arnold said, "hav tions building, to nearly 4 p.m., when Reagan budget cuts. In interviews with the presence of hydrogen, which is ing got a negative result in terms of the march ended, demonstrators spon onlookers, most people were supportive highly combustible. At that time, GPU hydrogen or any deficiencies in oxygen taneously shouted over and over again of the demonstration. Others preferred President Arnold claimed that, even if Continued on Page 2 Reagan covers up plans for Central America

Continued from Page 1 "Let our friends and our adversaries lar governments in areas they control. home, and you get an idea of the depth of velt offered Latin America a "Good understand," Reagan warned, "that we Correspondent Warren Hoge reported Reagan's troubles. Neighbor" policy. The net result: more will do whatever is prudent and neces in the February 22 New York Times on State Department mail is running poverty, more dictators, more U.S. mil sary to ensure the peace and security of his visit to the town of Palo Grande, part twenty-to-one against El Salvador poli itary bases. the Caribbean area." of the Guazapa zone, controlled by the cy. Responding to this, Secretary of In 1962, as part of the drive to contain In 1965, when President Lyndon rebel forces. State Haig arrogantly declares that the the Cuban revolution, John F. Kennedy Johnson dispatched 23,000 Marines to There is already a rudimentary net administration does not intend to con "' proclaimed an "Alliance for Progress," thwart a popular rebellion in the Do work of schools and clinics. Some 600 duct its affairs on the basis of "the low which w0uld eliminate poverty in Latin minican Republic, he invoked the cover children attend eighteen schools in two est common denominator of national America- also via the "free enterprise" of the Rio Treaty. sessions. mood." system.· Reagan would love to use a similar There is a clinic in each of six sub That's pretty much what Nixon said Like the Good Neighbor policy, the manufactured pretext for direct mil zones, and a four-bed hospital in Palo when he was trying to hang on in Viet Alliance is now forgotten. Only the pov itary intervention in Central America. Grande. nam. But the power of the liberation erty and oppression remain. But the obstacles are far greater. Local assemblies elect three-member movement there, coupled with the mas Now we have Reagan's program for His speech comes at a moment when courts. sive outpouring of antiwar sentiment at "aid, trade and investment." opposition to his El Salvador policy is es Combine such developments in El home, drove him out anyway. He said he will ask Congress to ap calating in this country and interna Salvador with the opposition here at The same can be done in El Salvador. prove a twelve-year program permitting tionally. Meanwhile, the regime in El duty-free imports from Caribbean and Salvador is hanging on by its finger Central American countries. This will nails. Lies surround Harrisburg alert supposedly give them a competitive Rulers tom edge in the U.S. market. Textile and ap The situation there and at home has Continued from Page 1 few miles upriver from TMI the night parel imports would be excluded from reached the point where significant dis from the purged exhaust, we are fairly of the alert. She commented: "We have the plan. sension on how to proceed is developing certain that we do -not have combusti no reason to believe GPU on any of its The March 1 Newsweek advises that within U.S. ruling circles. ble gases in the compartment." claims. They waited eight hours to de "there may be less to the package than The extent of popular opposition is re The alert was called off at 2:04 a.m. clare a low-level alert, said that they meets the eye." flected in the sharply critical stand Saturday. had no explanation for what was hap "About 87 percent of all goods import taken by the National Conference of A GPU spokesman later claimed pening, and then told us if there was ed from the Caribbean basin already en Catholic Bishops, which has demanded that the abnormal readings were due an explosion of combustible gas the ter America duty-free," the magazine a halt to military aid to the junta. to walkie-talkie radios interfering with reactor building would contain_. it. explains. Textiles make up an addition Meanwhile, no one seriously expects measuring instruments. Everyone knows that's a lie. al 4 or 5 percent. that the slated March 28 rigged elec One thing is certain, however: GPU "I believe this is a clear case of That means only 8 percent of imports tions for a constituent assembly, which spokespeople admit that low-level ra would benefit from the Reagan plan. coverup. It fits into a consistent pat Reagan saluted, will contribute any dioactive gas was released. into the Little wonder he judiciously cau tern of lies from GPU, the Nuclear thing to improving the junta's image at atmosphere periodically for at least Regulatory Commission, and others tioned his OAS audience that "the im home or abroad. twenty-five hours after the first abnor since the accident almost three years pact will develop slowly." Of the eight right-wing parties con mal readings were recorded. ago. Reagan's claim about the root source testing for seats in the assembly, which In normal operation, nuclear power "In 1979, GPU told the world there of the strife in El Salvador and Guatem will also select a new junta, the leading plants continually release radioactiv was no problem - and just days later ala was as false as could be. contender is reportedly the Nationalist ity into the atmosphere. GPU has tens of thousands were evacuated. Without offering a shred of evidence, Republican Alliance. This is led by Ro routinely vented radioactive gas from he repeated the claim that Cuba, backed "The fact is, GPU has stalled on the berto d'Aubuisson, a cashiered army of the Unit 2 reactor building. by the Soviet Union, was funneling cleanup for three years by crying 'pov ficer and a mad dog by anyone's stan In a statement released Friday arms into El Salvador and Guatemala erty,' while they've devoted immense dards. night, Harrisburg Democratic Mayor through a complicit Nicaragua. amounts of time, energy, and money to Robert White, former U.S. ambassa Stephen Reed said, "There have been attempting to restart the undamaged dor to El Salvador, describes d'Aubuis no radiation releases." Zero proof Unit 1 reactor. son as a "pathological killer." White A spokesman for Reed told the Mili Nobody has produced any Soviet arms says there is "compelling evidence" that tant that the mayor's statement was "I learned of the alert from my co in these countries. And no one has spot d'Aubuisson ordered the March 1980 as based "on what the mayor was told by workers. Many of them expressed con ted any Cuban military advisers. sassination of Archbishop Oscar Arnul GPU." The spokesman was "not aware cern that we were about to be subjected But Washington ships a steady flow of fo Romero, who was gunned down in his of any new statements from the to another nightmare, just like three arms to El Salvador. And the presence of pulpit. mayor" in light of the admission by years ago. Some punched out to be its military advisers is known to the In his campaign, d'Aubuisson prom GPU that low-level radioactive gases with their families, while others partici world. ises to "exterminate" the guerrillas by were vented during and after the alert. pated in big discussions on nuclear No one has proven the rebels guilty of massive use of napalm. - Officials from York and Cumberland power. terrorism against the Salvadoran peo Indeed, the stench of this "election" is counties,. two of the three counties that "This latest incident will definitely ple. But in the past year alone, reports so bad that most nations are resisting border Three Mile Island, found out strengthen antinuclear feeling here Amnesty International, more than Washington's pressure to help legiti about the alert only through news and around the world." 12,000 noncombatants were murdered matize them by sending observers. broadcasts or through phone calls Forty-five people attended a Militant by the Washington-backed government. Of sixty countries invited so far, all from residents who had heard the Labor Forum on Three Mile Island A particularly ominous note in Rea but a handful have said, "No thanks." news. Saturday, February 20. Speakers in gan's speech was his reference to the The only European government to ac Residents of Middletown, where the cluded Sojourner; Jane Lee, an Etters, 1947 Rio Treaty, signed by Washington cept so far is the right-wing Margaret crippled plant is located, reported that Pennsylvania, farmer and longtime and twenty Latin American nations. Thatcher administration in London. some families evacuated immediately activist against nuclear power; John Under that treaty, "an armed attack by Public declinations have }>een made by after the first reports. Kovalic of People Against Nuclear any state against an American state Canada and Brazil. Katherine Sojourner, a· steelworker Energy in Middletown; and Steve Pat shall be considered an attack against all Meanwhile, Salvadoran rebel forces and Socialist Workers Party candidate ton of Three Mile Island Alert in Har the American states." are creating embryos of genuinely popu- for lieutenant governor, was at work a risburg.

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2 The Militant March 5, 1982 Speakers exchange views on events in Poland at New England forums Represent broad range of left groups Police checkpoint in Poland. Workers' struggle and imposition of martial law are focus of debate within U.S. workers move ment.

their [the Polish workers'] backs." "But the leaders of Solidarity con Solidarity was fighting for workers Boston The Democratic Socialist Organizing tinued with destructive types of control," Gurewitz explained, and BOSTON - More than ioo people Committee does not consider the na strikes. . . .'' These strikes were "not a quoted a statement of Lech Walesa: attended the Militant Forum here Feb tionalized property relations and weapon to settle workers' grievances, "We don't want to change the socialist ruary 7 to hear an exchange of views planned economy in Poland and the but really a deliberate effort to cripple ownership of the means of production, on the meaning of the events in Po Soviet Union to be a major advance the economy of the country and to but we want to be the real masters of land. toward socialism that must be de finally attempt to overthrow it.'' the factory," Walesa said. The speakers were Don Gurewitz, the fended. As Schwartz stated in his "Solidarity has always been a move Referring to Hovan's charges of se- · Socialist Workers Party candidate for presentation, the economic and politi ment fighting for the specific demands cret documents, Gurewitz asked if this governor in Massachusetts; Joseph cal crisis "in the communist bloc ... of the working class," Gurewitz coun meant that the 10 million members of Schwartz, former national youth and not only poses the question of the tered. Solidarity "were going to be fooled by field organizer of the Democratic So democratic nature of the Soviet-style "He read from the list of Solidarity's twenty extremists who have a secret cialist Organizing Committee; and regimes, but also their very legitimacy twenty-one demands put together in agenda?" Marta Petrusewicz, professor of eco and economic viability.'' Gdansk in 1980 which include: opposi Gurewitz, on the other hand, made a tion to price increases; free union&; the Gurewitz pointed out that one mil nomics at Harvard, and an activist in lion members of the Polish United Poland during the 1968 student ac clear distinction between the reaction right to strike; for free speech and a ary bureaucratic caste that governs in free press; for the release of all political Workers Party's (Communist Party) tions. three million members, including 60 The three speakers expressed their Poland and the Soviet Union and the prisoners; for the elimination of all progressive character of the economic privileges for cops and party bureau percent of the working class members, strong support for Solidar\,iy and had joined Solidarity. pointed out that the Polish union was system. crats; a forty-hour work week; pay clearly opposed to restoring capitalism After World War II, Gurewitz ex increases, including higher ones for Gurewitz added that the crackdown there. plained, "property was socialized and the lowest paid workers; three years in Poland has "tremendously discred A central point of the discussion tremendous advances in the standard maternity leave; and daycare for every ited the fight for socialism" and is revolved around the question of impos of living of the Polish people in the working mother in Poland. being used by Washington to justify ing economic sanctions against the countryside and the city took place on "Not one is related to capitalism ... military intervention in El Salvador Soviet Union and Poland because of the basis of that socialized production. nor do any of these exist under capital and placing more nuclear weapons in the crackdown, and how supporters of "At the same time a privileged bu ism," Gurewitz stated. Western Europe. SoliClarity in the United States should reaucracy fastened itself onto these respond to the sanctions. progressive property relations, sort of Joseph Schwartz stated, "We must like the way a privileged bureaucracy support whatever economic and diplo has fastened itself onto our unions Arizonans light gov't attempt matic sanctions that we as democratic here, and it stifled all democracy for socialists and progressives believe the same reasons the leaders of our would be effective. These sanctions unions here do it: to protect their to deport Iranian student should be limited at first and aimed at privileged position. testing the waters to see if the Polish "The struggle of the Polish people is BY JOSEFINA OTERO sympathize with Hamid Sodeifi when military and party and their Soviet on a much higher plane from anything TEMPE, Ariz. - At a news confer the government turns on him. It is a sad advisers will free all political prisoners we've seen so far in Western Europe," ence here February 23, a nationwide commentary on our times when the gov and negotiate a new and viable accord Gurewitz said, referring to a statement campaign was launched on behalf of ernment,finds a seventeen-year-old stu with Solidarity. by Lech Walesa that in Poland "things Hamid Reza Sodeifi by the Political dent a danger to its way of life. are much simpler for us than in the "Grain should be sent' through pri Rights Defense Fund. "I hope that Hamid finds more justice vate charity and not at this moment West because we all form the state and Sodeifi is a seventeen-year-old Iran we are much closer to the responsibil in this system than the members of through government sources. We ian student at Arizona State University PATCOdid." should refuse to extend new loans to ity. There is no one between us and the who faces deportation. state, no factory owner." Lupe Sanchez, director of the Arizona the East while avoiding the economic Why does the Immigration and Natu Farm Workers Union, also sent ames chaos, East and West, that a default ralization Service (INS) want to deport sage to the news conference. In it, he would incur. We must temporarily halt Providence Sodeifi? Because of his political ideas. said: the massive influx of Western high Sodeifi came to the United States in "As a longtime activist in the fight for technology, which permitted the dis PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - 1978. While in high school, he joined the the rights of undocumented workers in torted economic development of the John Hovan, a member of the Commu Young Socialist Alliance. this country, I want to express my sup East in the 1970s. nist Party in Rhode Island; Don Gure He entered ASU in January 1981. port to the effort to have the student vi Marta Petrusewicz said she opposed witz, the Socialist Workers Party can When he dropped a physics class from sa of Hamid Sodeifi reinstated, and to privileged status for the Soviet Union didate for governor of Massachusetts; his course load, the INS grabbed this have all deportation proceedings in buying grain from the U.S. because and Michael Murphy of the Socialist technicality to try and deport him. against him stopped." it helps "the Soviet party and govern Labor Party, participated in a debate Sodeifi explained his story at the ment face their internal problems, so news conference: Others defending Sodeifi at the news on Poland here February 6 sponsored conference were Tyrone Walters, presi they can be free to build arms and do by the Young Socialist Alliance. "On January 20, 1982, I was ordered whatever they want." to appear before an INS judge to show dent of the ASU Black Student Union; "I don't think the United States has The Polish authorities took the ne cause why I should not be deported. The Victor Aronow, representing the Cen the right to impose sanctions on the cessary steps to prevent "civil war" INS claimed that the move to deport me tral Arizona chapter of the National Soviet Union or Poland. Nor do I think and "counter-revolution" in Poland, was because I failed to carry out a full Lawyers Guild; and Jackie Hayes, rep it will help the Polish or Russian Hovan said, defending the imposition course study at ASU. resenting the executive board of the people," Don Gurewitz said. of martial law. "Under the Freedom of Information American Federation of Teachers at "The road forward for the Polish "It was in the interests of the Polish Act, Nancy-So Merritt, my attorney, ob ASU. people is not in our urging the impe workers to prevent what those who tained documents that prove that the rialist government of the United States finally took over Solidarity were trying INS is trying to deport me because of my to promote starvation or lowering the to ·do . . . to destroy socialism in Po political activity.'' standard of living in general of East land and reestablish a private owner Included in Sodeifi's INS file is a YSA ern Europe.... ship type of system.'' flyer headlined "Stop racist violence," "Sanctions will not stop the bureau Documents have been found in Solid which he had distributed at a 1981 cratic privileges [of the rulers in Po arity's offices that will prove this, march of Black high school students in land]," he said, "but the people will be Hovan claimed; and added that CIA sympathy with the children slain in hungry in these countries, and the and other capitalist intelligence agen Atlanta. foundation of these states will be weak cies were in Poland "taking advantage Also in the file was a copy of the ened. of the situation.'' Young Socialist, a publication of the "Instead of weakening these prop "Almost from the beginning [Soli YSA. erty forms," Gurewitz said, "we should darity] was not a trade union but an Among the messages of support sent demand things that will be in Solidari opposition political movement," he to Sodeifi's news conference was one ty's benefit. One is that we should continued. "There were errors made by from Jon Paisley, president of Profes demand that the nuclear weapons not the Polish party and Polish govern sional Air Traffic Controllers Organiza be stationed in Europe, that the U.S. ment, and they both had admitted tion Local 419. He wrote: get its troops and weapons out of them, and steps were being made to "Having been a victim of the govern Europe. Let us take the imperialists off correct these things. ment's false dealings, I can certainly Hamid Reza Sodei:fi

March 5, 1982 The Militant 3 -U.S. OUT OF.CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN!---- payers' dollars into support for not be avoided if U.S. troops are month in El Salvador, Rubio Throngs of tourists shopping N.Y. labor backs the Salvadoran dictatorship, sent to El Salvador. said that the junta's policies are and sightseeing in this small March 27; rail and now wants to increase that Rubio was the keynote speak purely that of terrorism, "not of border town fumbled for their aid to $800 million; er at a gathering of seventy-five trying to change minds. The cameras and jostled at each oth local hits junta "Whereas $800 million, if al people sponsored by the Gary El junta's hope was that there er, pointing in amazement to located to the bankrupt Consoli Salvador Committee. would be pacification by the the banner of the Tucson Com Both the Political Action dated Rail Corporation, could He enlisted the support of the time of the elections." Nothing mittee for Human Rights in Lat Committee of District Council keep all Conrail employees, in audience, one quarter of which could be further from the truth, in America and the American 37 of the American Federation cluding the 10,000 jobs lost were steelworkers, to prevent Rubio explained. participants in the obviously of State, County and Municipal since January 1981, working for the tragedy he spoke of by par Rubio's presentation was pre antiyankee procession. Employees and the New York four years. ticipating in the protests ceeded by a powerful film, de A contingent of approximate Public Library Guild Local1930 against U.S. intervention in El tailing the history of the strug ly forty American solidarity ac "Be it resolved that Lodge 590 have endorsed the March 27 Salvador in Chicago on Febru gle of the Salvadorans -El Sal tivists, including members of of BRAC, Philadelphia, Penn demonstration in Washington ary 20, and in Washington, D.C. vador: Another Vietnam. This the Tucson Human Rights Com sylvania, representing over D.C. opposing U.S. intervention on March 27. film has recently been nominat mittee, the U.S. Socialist 1,200 clerks on Conrail, state in El Salvador and the rest of The rebel forces in El Salva ed for an Academy Award. Workers Party, the Young So Central America and the Carib our opposition to the U.S. gov cialist Alliance, and the Ouiato- · ernment's military and econom dor have such overwhelming bean. support that if aid to the junta li musical group from Tucson ic intervention in El Salvador, a formed an American contingent In a related development, country that very well may be were to stop, "there wouldn't Mexico march Mark Finley, a rail worker in even be a final battle," accord in the march. come another Vietnam." hits war threat Leading the march was Rosa Philadelphia, reports that the Lodge 590 is the largest ing to Rubio. following resolution was passed to Salvador rio Ibarra de Piedra, the inter BRAC lodge in the country. "We want to create a society nationally known Mexican on February 16 by Lodge 590 of where human beings will be the the Brotherhood of Railway and Eduardo Quintana writes fighter for human rights, and starting point . . . where we from Sonora, Mexico, "In a leader of the Mexican National Airline Clerks (BRAC), Phila Steelworkers in have self-determination . . . delphia, Pennsylvania. march organized by the Nogales Front Against Repression. She Indiana hear where no oppressors will exist. section of the Mexican Commit is also the candidate of the Rev "Whereas the Reagan admin We will be successful." tee in Solidarity with El Salva olutionary Workers Party for istration has increased this rebel spokesman In response to U.S. propagan dor, several hundred people president of Mexico. country's involvement in the in da that the struggle in El Salva filled the streets of Nogales, In a campaign rally organized ternal affairs ofEl Salvador, us Brenda Brdar reports that at dor is caused by the Cubans, Ru Sonora, Mexico, on Saturday prior to the march, Ibarra de ing military and economic a solidarity meeting in East bio stated, "We have been fight February 13." Piedra hit the racist treatment means to support a government Chicago, Indiana, Victor Rubio, ing for many years, since before "Los pueblos unidos jamas se of undocumented workers in the that has slaughtered, since the midwest representative of Fidel Castro was born. Since be ran vencidos" (The people United States and called for a 1979, over 30,000 of its own citi the Revolutionary Democratic fore the Soviet Union was the united will never be defeated) world without borders. The ral zens; Front of El Salvador, explained Soviet Union. The stFuggle is in shouted the marchers. "No draft ly also received greetings from "Whereas the Reagan admin that the tragedy ·of a regional digenous." no war, U.S. out ofEl Salvador" Rebecca Cartes, representing istration has already poured conflict and the deaths of thou Explaining the fake nature of and "Cuba Si, Yanqui no" shout the Tucson Committee for Hu tens of millions of American tax sands of American youths will the elections to be held later this ed others. man Rights in Latin America. 5,000 protest U.S. intervention in El Salvador

Continued from Page 1 way. Over the broken and bloodied bo An older, white worker ventured his dies' of our brothers and sisters we found opinion that he "hated to see what was out different. We found out we were going on down there." He told the Mil fighting for Mobil Oil and the Rockefell itant that he would rather see the money er interests. We will not sacrifice our that Reagan is sending the junta spent children or our lives. We will stop it on people here in the United States. here, we will stop it now." A young Black construction worker, Judging by the response of the crowd surrounded by his white co-workers, to the speeches and by the success that kept on insisting that he wasn't inter march organizers had in selling March ested in foreign policy. "I don't have any 27 demonstration buttons, as well as opinion on foreign policy, I just try to collecting funds, the people participat work and take care of my family." ing in this march are serious about When he was asked about going to fighting to stop U.S. intervention. One fight in El Salvador he answered, "No, thousand buttons were sold and over they didn't do anything to me. I don't $1,200 was collected. have any problems with them. Why When Arnaldo Ramos was asked should I fight somebody else's war. about the importance of the March 27 That's not right." national mobilization in Washington, U.5. OUl Daniel Freedman, a member of Viet D.C., he told the Militant, "It is crucial, nam Veterans Against the War, drove it is extremely crucial at this moment to this point home when, at the 34th Street mobilize every sector of American soci rally, he told the crowd, "Many Amer OF ety so that they can demonstrate that icans were lied to when they went off to the people of this country do not approve Vietnam. We thought we were fighting of the genocide against the Salvadoran for justice, truth, and the American people, that they support our right to E L ' self determination. "At the same time it is crucial for the SALVAIU progressive movement in this country to GRENADA show unity. To show that together the American people have the muscle to Revolution in counter the policies of this administra the Caribbean tion abroad and at home." Fill the streets June 12

Ramos urged the crowd gathered out Many participants in the N.Y. protest were marching for the first time. in front of D'Amato's office to help cul minate the spring offensive by building the March 27 protests in Washington and by filling the streets of-New York Spartacist League tries disruption City on June 12, during the disarma ment rally scheduled for the United Na NEW YORK - About 100 members pate at the end of the march. tions on that date. He proposed that all of the Spartacist League, an ultra-left The Spartacists refused to negotiate, progressive forces join together to sect, organized an "anti-imperialist" and when the march stepped off they "make this spring offensive, the last contingent and marched into Dag Ham surged through the marshals, punching spring offensive in Central America; marskjold Plaza pushing and shoving several people and knocking others and to make this summer a summer of activists assembling for the February 20 down. by Sam Manuel victory for the Salvdoran people and the protest against U.S. intervention in El The police used this as a pretext to American people." Salvador. rush in, and one officer was heard yell & Andrew Pulley In addition to the February 20 New ing, "get them, they're all the same." York protest, on this same day, 125 peo In an attempt to prevent the march Fortunately, because of the size of the from being disrupted march organizers $.95 ple in Chicago picketed the armed forces demonstration and the discipline of the Order from: Pathfinder Press recruitment center; several hundred and marshals tried to negotiate with the marshals, the situation was quickly de Spartacist League. 410 West Street demonstrators in Hartford, Connecti fused and the Spartacists were separat New York. N.Y. cut, picketed the Civic Center calling for Because of provocative actions by the ed from the main body of the march. 10014 the U.S. to get out of El Salvador; and Spartacist League at previous solidarity Such provocative behavior which op (Include $. 75 for postage and 750 people in Munich, West Germany, activities, march organizers had decided ens antiwar forces to victimization by handling.) protested U.S. involvement in El Salva to try to minimize the possibility of a the police must be vigorously con dor. confrontation by urging them to partici- demned.

4 The Militant March 5, 1982 Why Alabama's oil windfall referenda are a fraud BY ANDY ROSE profits the energy giants expect from BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Upcoming these lands," Boyers said. state referenda on the use of a $500 "All the benefits from public lands million oil-lease "windfall" is a fraud, should go to the needs of the public. We aimed at concealing more cutbacks for need to nationalize the energy industry Alabama workers and more giveaways so it produces for society's needs- not to the rich, charges Martin Boyers, hand private profiteers the keys to Socialist Workers Party candidate for public property." governor. The Socialist Workers Party also Boyers, a twenty-six-year-old steel opposes the plan because of its provi worker and leader of the Birmingham sion for building more prisons. Young Socialist Alliance, announced his candidacy at a news conference "The Democrats and Republicans here February 24. are trying to whip up hysteria about a 'Windfall' funds from oil-rig leasing - which are just a drop in the bucket of In the March 2 special election, the supposed increase in crime to justify huge oil industry profits- will not go to meet needs of workers and farmers Socialist Workers Party is calling for a more police violence against the Black in Alabama. vote against Amendments 1, 2, and 3, community," said Boyers. "The rulers which are required to implement Gov are also preparing to step up jailings of means borrowing money from the "The unanimous agreement of Dem ernor Forrest ("Fob") James's plan for strikers who resist the employers' give banks, to be repaid at today's exorbi ocratic and Republican politicians on the so-called windfall funds. back demands, of Black activists like tant interest rates. this fraudulent plan shows that work Julia Wilder and Maggie Bozeman (see The state received the $500 million ers and farmers cannot rely on these story, page 20), and of any other work "In this case the bonds will be repaid last year by leasing public lands for oil parties to meet our needs. Working ing people who stand up for our rights. using the income from the U.S. Treas and gas exploration. Under the plan people need our own political party - proposed by James and approved by "This is the hidden purpose behind ury notes the state is going to buy. But a labor party based on the power of the who pays the interest on U.S. Treasury the state legislature, this money will be building more prisons, and it is a unions - to fight against cutback notes? We do, through our federal tax invested in U.S. Treasury notes. threat to all Alabama workers." schemes. to fight for spending money dollars." Income from that investment will, in on jobs instead of war, and to fight for Finally, Boyers explained, the So Instead of this swindle, the Socialist shifting the tax burden onto those who tum, back up the issue of state bonds cialist Workers Party opposes the to pay for "capital improvements." Workers Party is campaigning for both can afford to pay. "windfall" plan because its bond issue state and federal funds to be used to "A labor party is also the tool we These are to include building more is aimed at enriching the banks and prisons, highways, bridges, and school create jobs for the nearly 200,000 Ala need to win real majority rule in this other wealthy bondholders at public bamians out of work, and to provide country - that means a workers gov classrooms; deepening the Mobile ship expense. channel; and renovating the Capitol social services for the needy. The mo ernment - so we can exercise real and state office buildings. "Working-class taxpayers are the ney should come, Boyers explained, democratic control over vital decisions Governor James claims that through guaranteed losers in this financial fast from the billions now squandered on instead of phony referenda like the one the special election "the people of shuffle," Boyers said. "Issuing bonds war and from taxing the rich. March 2." Alabama will have the final word" on use of the funds. "This is the biggest hoax of all," said Boyers. "Regardless of how the people Rightists bomb Nicaragua airport vote, the Democrats and Republicans will continue to make sure state funds BY JANE HARRIS terrevolutionary Nicaraguan exiles are the Nicaraguan revolution have already go to the needs of big business, not MANAGPA- A bomb, tucked away disarmed in Honduras and forbidden been approved. They have even been de workers and farmers. in a suitcas'e, claimed the lives of three from training in the United States, he nounced in the United States, where the "Projected school closings in Bir airport workers here February 20 and added, Nicaragua should reduce its mil administration has allocated $19 mil mingham and other cities .. will still seriously wounded three others. itary strength. lion to encourage a series of actions to take place. So will cuts in food stamps, An estimated seventy persons in the The Mexican president also urged destabilize the Nicaraguan revolu welfare, and other vital programs. customs area were narrowly spared be continuation of U.S.-Cuban talks. Last tion .... "The state will still drive ahead with cause the bomb exploded outside the November, on Lopez Portillo's initia "We know that they have plans to as prosecutions of welfare recipients for building. The suitcase was on a convey tive, Secretary of State Haig and Cuban sassinate members of the directorate [of alleged 'fraud' - prosecutions aimed or belt used to carry the luggage inside. Vice-President Carlos Rafael Rodriguez the Sandinista National Liberation at terrorizing the poor and unemployed It was a scene of tremendous panic as met in Mexico City. Front]. They think that by assassinat from seeking government aid." parents and children searched for each Lopez Portillo warned that failure to ing several of us, the National Directo The Southern Christian Leadership other and then for the doors. There were negotiate could lead to a "conflagration" rate will be divided and decentralized. Conference is also urging the public to cries of "Death to Somozaism." in the region. They do not realize that the national vote no on the oil-lease funds plan. At Had the Honduran airlines flight car Commander Daniel Ortega, coordina leadership of the Sandinistas holds the its state convention last November, rying the explosives been delayed by ten tor of Nicaragua's Junta of National Re power conferred on it by the working SCLC condemned the governor's "cal minutes, the bomb could have killed all construction, also addressed the rally. people, and by the farmers of Nicara lous and indifferent attitude toward forty passengers. He contrasted the solidarity of the Mexi gua. . . . They do not realize that they the poor and Blacks in the use of these The explosives were designed for mil can people with the secret plans of the can assassinate one of us, that they can funds." itary use, and the damage to the airport White House. Ortega made it clear that assassinate the whole national leader The civil rights group noted that "no was quite extensive. One expert com he did not view the airport explosion as ship, but they cannot assassinate the consideration was given toward social mented that the powerful device showed an isolated incident. longing for freedom and justice of this programs and community action agen a high level of technical sophistication. He said: "The most recent revelations people. For that they would have to kill cies to help those who are in grave Commander Tomas Borge, minister of show that undercover actions against us all." need." the interior, was addressing 1,500 peo The real windfall, socialist candidate ple at the final session of the Permanent Boyers said, is not the money the state Conference of Latin American Political Baltimore SWP office attacked got, but the profits the oil companies Parties (COPPPAL) when the news ar will reap from exploiting public lands rived. After reporting the attack to the BY STEVEN FUCHS Hayes also explained the source of the for their private profit. "This is just crowd, Borge, visibly shaken, declared BALTIMORE- At around midnight attacks. "Although we don't know who one example of how the biggest deci that "we will never be frightened off by Friday, February 19, a gunshot was pulled the trigger, we hold the govern sions are already made without any bombs and assassins." fired from a car through the window of ment ultimately responsible. They have pretext of giving the public a say," he COPPPAL President Pedro Ojeda the Socialist Workers campaign office created an atmosphere of political ha explained. Paullada read a message on behalf of here. Two campaign supporters were rassment and intimidation. To carry out thirty political parties belonging to the working there at the time. its drive toward war in Central America "Five hundred million dollars is a organization, repudi~ting the terrorist Two nights later, a second shot ripped and on our standard of living, the gov drop in an oil barrel compared to the crimes, expressing solidarity with Nica through the window, just two inches ernment is chopping away at our right ragua, and declaring that such "coward from the first. to fight back." ly acts will never outweigh" the heroism A police officer who took the report of Subscribe to Television news reported the shoot of the Nicaraguan people. the first shooting told campaign ings that evening. Campaign supporters Perspectiva Mundial The following day, thousands of Nica workers they should expect such vio at Bethlehem Steel's giant Sparrows raguans poured into the Plaza of the lence because of their activities. Perspectiva Mundial is the Spanish Point plant, where Hayes works, have Revolution to greet Mexican President Yvonne Hayes, Socialist Workers can language sister publication of the collected signatures from co-workers on Jose Lopez Portillo. didate for U.S. Senate, released a state protest messages. Militant. Like the Militant, it carries In a major policy speech, Lopez Portil ment on Monday, February 22. She said, regular coverage of the labor move lo. called on Washington to negotiate "This statement by a police officer is a Labor leaders and others are contact ment and the struggles for social with the Nicaraguan and Cuban gov scandal. Does he mean there is nothing ing the mayor and police commissioner justice in the United States and ernments to ease present deep tensions. he can do about it? That this is the price demanding immediate action. abroad. He also urged negotiations in El Salva we must pay for exercising our constitu Hayes noted in her statement, "No $2.50/three months; $8/six months; dor's civil war. tional freedoms? one has been hurt yet. But the longer $16/one year. Offering Mexico's good offices in nego "We demand that the mayor's office such actions continue without response, 408 West Street, New York, N.Y. tiations, Lopez Portillo prop9sed that and the police department act imme the safer such attackers feel, and the Washington renounce any threat or use diately to ensure that our rights are pro more encouraged they are to continue 10014. of force against Nicaragua. Once coun- tected." and escalate their attacks."

March 5, 1982 The Militant 5 Reagan revives anticommunist campaign around Afghanistan

BY MARGARET JAYKO Afghanistan, the CIA was aiding right States will support the cause of a free ecutive Council issued a statement en The U.S. government is once again ist guerrilla groups that were fighting Afghanistan." titled "The Soviet Challenge." It begins, stepping up its propaganda campaign against the regime in Kabul, the capital This echoes Reagan's statement in an "The Soviet invasion and subjugation of around Afghanistan, this time ~s part of of Afghanistan. Then when Soviet interview with ABC News on March 8, Afghanistan poses the greatest threat to its anticommunist crusade around Po troops entered the country, Washington 1981, that he "would consider supplying the free world since the end of World land. increased this aid. According to the July American weapons to the Afghan reb War II." Washington is using the events in 18, 1981, issue of The New Republic els." The statement slavishly repeated all these two countries to justify its own ac magazine, "In the hours after the So The fact is, however, that Washington the imperialists' lies about "Soviet ex celerating militarization drive. At the viets crossed the Afghan border, the has been supplying them all along. pansionism." It endorsed Carter's moment the heart of this drive is the president told a meeting of the National Last September, the late Egyptian threats of using military force in the stepped-up moves to crush the strug Security Council that the United States dictator, Anwar el-Sadat, confirmed in a Persian Gulf region to protect the "vital gling people of El Salvador. had 'a moral obligation' to help arm the television interview that the U.S. gov interests" of U.S. corporations. In his state ofthe union address, Pres resistance." The CIA proposed a plan to ernment had been buying Soviet-made The labor tops used Afghanistan to ident Ronald Reagan announced, "pri the Senate for getting more effective weapons in Egypt and sending them to oppose the call for unilateral disarma vate American groups have taken the weapons into their hands, which was the rightist insurgents in Afghanistan. ment of the imperialist powers, calling lead in making January 30 a day of soli passed without a murmur. The Reagan administration has since it a "Soviet inspired campaign." And the darity with the people of Poland - so, The main goal of this campaign was to reviewed the level of military aid com AFL-CIO Executive Council endorsed too, the European Parliament has called gain support for Washington's militari mitted under Carter and has ordered the reimposition of draft registration. for March 21 to be an international day zation drive, partly by grinding out a this clandestine operation expanded. According to someone the Militant of support for Afghanistan. Well, I urge massive amount of anti-Soviet propa spoke with at the AFL-CIO national all peace-loving peoples to join together ganda .. Carter may also have thought it 'Effective example' headquarters in Washington, D.C., at on those days, to raise their voices, to would serve as a diversionary ploy to this point they are not supporting any According to a December 4 article by speak and pray for freedom." draw our attention away from the at actions on the March 21 Afghanistan William Beecher in the Boston Globe, In December, the European Parlia tacks on our rights and living standards Day. He explained that if Reagan in the U.S. National Security Council has ment passed a resolution calling for that his administration was carrying itiated them, that would insure the kept Afghanistan in mind while think March 21, Afghanistan's New Year's out. AFL-CIO's nonparticipation. He said ing about what to do to push back the Day, to be observed internationally as the union federation didn't want to be Though the rulers gave it their best revolutionary struggles in the Carib Afghanistan Day. involved with any administration effort shot, the results were less than they bean and Central America. In this country, a joint Congressional on this. hoped for. Beecher was a Pentagon official dur resolution was submitted on February 2 But this hasn't stopped AFL-CIO offi The Olympic boycott was largely a ing the Carter administration. He to the House of Representatives that cials on Poland, where they actively failure. wrote, "while no one will talk about the asks "the President to issue a proclama Under pressure from outraged farm details of covert activities" in the Carib participated in the administration's tion designating March 21, 1982, as ers in this country, Reagan was forced to bean and Central America, some offi reactionary "Let Poland be Poland" TV 'Afghanistan Day,'" and calls "upon the extravaganza on January 31. call off the grain embargo last April. cials did give an "effective example of people of the United States to observe The government was successful in low-profile activity" of the kind the Na such day with appropriate ceremonies reimposing draft registration. However, tional Security Council decided to carry CIA front groups and activities." hundreds of thousands of young men out. The example cited was "the covert 8-Days magazine, published in Bri have not registered. supply of antiaircraft and antitank mis tain, reported in its October 1981 issue Bipartisan policy And while the imperialist campaign siles to Moslem insurgents in Afghanis the widely accepted fact that "Solidarity The resolution was sponsored by sev to tar the image of socialism by equating tan." [with Afghanistan] groups in the West enty-seven representatives, and State it with the reactionary policies of the So The Defense Department plans to are largely CIA or European intelli Department spokesperson Phillip Co viet bureaucracy chalked up some double the amount to be spent in the gence agency fronts." vington told this reporter that he ex points, the antiwar sentiment in this next year on chemical and biological country is still strong. In the latter half of last year, two pects there will be no opposition to the weapons- including a new lethal nerve demonstrations which occurred in this bill. Like the cutbacks in social services, gas. It justifies this by using the discre Double standard country showed the political dynamic of it's a bipartisan cause. dited and unproven charge that the So the "Afghanistan solidarity movement,'' A similar resolution in the Senate Secretary of State Alexander Haig viet government has used chemical wea such as it is. The New York Times complains that, "the valiant Afghan re complained last August about the fail pons in Mghanistan, Laos, and Kampu covered both. sistance against Soviet aggression has ure of the administration's Afghanistan chea. This is how it described a September not received the level of moral support campaign to elicit much enthusiasm. In November of 1981, the "yellow 22 action: "About 125 Afghan national and material assistance from the free "Many leading citizens and groups rain" issue was examined by a United ists tried to storm the front gate of the world which such resistance deserves seem to have fallen victim to an insi Nations panel of experts who reported United Nations today to protest the and requires." dious double standard,'' he said. that "there was no conclusive evidence speech by Andrei A. Gromyko, the So to support United States charges that It ends with a thinly-veiled call for "During the Vietnam War, tens of viet Foreign Minister. even more U.S. aid to the right-wing thousands of persons filled the streets Soviet-made chemical and biological "The demonstrators, some of them guerrillas in Afghanistan. and squares of the world to defend the weapons had been used in Laos, Cambo wielding knives and clubs with_ nails, The House resolution is expected to be North Vietnamese and Vietcong," he· dia [Kampuchea], and Afghanistan." tried to climb over the cement wall and adopted on or before February 24, at continued, but "no such growing moral Nevertheless, the U.N. General Assem iron fence surrounding the complex to which time organizing for activities in outrage seems to be present" against the bly voted on December 9 that the panel cut down the Soviet flag." this country is slated to get under way. actions of the Soviet Union in Afghanis should continue its investigation. None were arrested. tan. Responding to a request for further The Times also reported on a De So the rulers dropped Afghanistan for Labor bureaucrats fall in line information on these activities, Coving cember 27 demonstration at the Soviet a while. ton referred this reporter to Rosanne The U.S. trade union officialdom is Embassy in Washington, D.C. That's But today, the big-business-run gov Klass, director of the New York-based among the most vocal supporters of the same day that Reagan made his ernment and media are having a field Afghanistan Information Center. Washington's reactionary campaign Afghanistan statement mentioned pre day of anticommunist and prowar pro Klass's columns on Afghanistan in the around both Poland and Afghanistan. viously. Twenty demonstrators tried to paganda in response to the Polish Stali New York Times have been some of the In February of1980, the AFL-CIO Ex- rush the cops. Yet only one was arrest- nist bureaucracy's criminal suppression most anticommunist and prowar. Her of Solidarity's struggle for democracy central theme is to urge Washington to and economic justice. do more to aid right-wing guerrillas fighting in Afghanistan. Washington figures that this is a good Covington said that the State Depart time to try and get more mileage out of ment is very much behind Afghanistan Afghanistan by linking it with Poland. Day, as they are "anything that draws On December 26, 1981, the State De attention to this issue," because it is partment made public its balance sheet good for "America's national and hu of the two years since the Soviet troops manitarian interests." intervened in Afghanistan.

More grist for anticommunist mill Increased U.S. aid to rightists Why is Washington so interested in Reagan took the opportunity to re doing "anything" to draw attention to lease his own written statement the Afghanistan now? next day. When the Soviet Union's troops en "Just as in Poland [where] we see the tered Afghanistan in December 1979, use of intimidation and indirect use of President Carter seized the opportunity power to subjugate a neighboring peo to carry out an anticommunist propa ple,'' he stated, "in Afghanistan we see ganda campaign. He campaigned for direct aggression in violation of the greater military spending, more mil United Nations charter and other prin itary bases in the Indian Ocean, re ciples governing the conduct among na newed registration for the military tions." draft, a boycott of the 1980 Olympic Then he struck an ominous note, "As Games in Moscow, and a grain embargo long as the Soviet Union occupies and other economic sanctions against Afghanistan in defiance of the interna President Carter's national security adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski, on Pakis the Soviet Union. tional community, the heroic Afghan re tan-Afghanistan border in 1980. Reagan wants to use Afghanistan, as well as Long before Soviet troops entered sistance will continue and the United Poland, to whip up support for Washington's belligerent foreign policy.

6 The Militant March 5, 1982 Washington's anti-Soviet campaign around Poland and Afghanistan encourages reactionary dem- - onstrations like this one, which took place in Chicago in December. ed, on charges of disorderly conduct. tions because of "possible subversion" It purged most of the generals in the brought Noor Mohammad Taraki to This slap on the wrist contrasts sharp due to the presence of Soviet troops in army. It released more than 12,000 pol power. He was killed in September 1979 ly with what the cops would have done Afghanistan. itical prisoners and burned police files. in a shoot-out and his prime minister if, instead of anticommunist actions, And the Pakistani government was It promised many reforms, which in Hafizullah Amin - who then became these had been union pickets, demon the chief architect of the third and latest itially won it the cautious support of the president until he was killed in De strators for Black rights, or protesters proimperialist resolution, passed in the masses. cember of 1979, when the Soviet troops against U.S. intervention in El Salva U.N. General Assembly in November The cornerstone of the PDPA's pro helped install Babrak Karma} as presi dor. 1981, condemning Soviet troops in posed social program was a land reform. dent. According to the May-July 1981 issue Afghanistan. These U.S. resolutions on But they did not involve the masses, as Washington was bitterly hostile to of CounterSpy, "One of the U.S. organi ly serve to provide ammunition for is being done today by the Nicaraguan the PDPA regime right from the start. zations that is openly collecting money Washington's anticommunist campaign and Grenadian governments.• Mass or The U.S. government immediately cut for the Afghan rebels is the Boulder, Co around Afghanistan. ganizations of the oppressed didn't exist off all economic aid to Afghanistan. The lorado-based Afghan Freedom Fighters that could be drawn into discussing and CIA began probing counterrevolution Fund, which was started by Soldier of Mitterrand jumps on bandwagon implementing the proposed social re ary forces that could be used against the Fortune (SoF) magazine. . . . forms. Instead of the for Kabul regime. But Washington isn't the only impe encouragi~g "The Fund's advertisement . . . reads mation of such organizations and politi rialist power that's stepped up its propa 'Buy a Bullet, Zap a Russian Invader.'" cally winning the masses to their prop Moscow's role ganda around Afghanistan. It was the It's this kind of right-wing scum that osals, the PDPA government used bu imperialist governments in Western All along, Moscow's role.had been to feels most drawn to the government's Europe, through the European Parlia reaucratic methods to carry out their try and stabilize the situation. It sent reactionary Afghanistan campaign. ment, that declared March 21 Afghanis plans. millions of rubles and thousands of Rus tan Day. Dr. Abdul Ghafar Lakanwal, a sian advisers to Afghanistan. Rather Arming Pakistan to the teeth In the February 12 issue of the Paris member of the current revolutionary than aiding a popular government The imperialists are also using Afgh daily Le Monde, there's a report from council in Afghanistan and president of against counterrevolutionary forces, anistan to justify their massive military Peshawar, Pakistan, about a meeting the Agricultural Cooperatives' Union, they were propping up a government aid to the dictatorship of General Zia ul between Regis Debray, a foreign rela explained what went wrong with the whose support was rapidly eroding. Haq in Pakistan: tions adviser for French President Fran land reform in the November 22, 1981, Sending in tens of thousands of Soviet At the end of last year, Congress en ~,;ois Mitterrand, and leaders of the six issue of the British daily, The Guardian. troops in December 1979, only made the dorsed a military and economic package main Afghanistan resistance groups "It [the PDPA government] took away situation worse, and ignited national to Pakistan of $3.2 billion over a six based in Pakistan and Pakistani gov land," he admitted, "but left the water antagonisms. The Soviet troops have year period. The first part of the pack ernment officials. rights in landlords' hands. It gave peas been forced to take on greater and great age was approved by Congress in No Debray also visited one of the Afghan ants no tools or credit. Peasants must er responsibilities for the fighting as the vember with the sale of forty F16 attack refugee camps near Peshawar, where he feel that a land reform gives them more desertions from the Afghanistan Army aircraft to Pakistan. pledged "France's solidarity" and prom profit than the previous system. Unfor have multiplied. According to the December 11 issue of ised that France would not "forget the tunately no one started by explaining the Far Eastern Economic Review: "The fundamental violation of peoples' rights this to them. The counterrevolution Two years later U.S.-Pakistan relationship will now that the Soviet intervention consti gained more from the land reform than move into a second, and much more crit we did." In the two years since the Soviet tutes." troops entered Afghanistan, the process ical and delicate phase. The crucial, and The refugees asked Debray for mod The violent resistance to the govern so far publicly unspoken, element in the ment's measures, spearheaded by the of alienation of the masses from the gov ern arms. Debray responded by saying ernment has deepened. developing relations is the strategic he would refer their request to Mitter landlords, moneylenders, merchants, quid pro quo which the Reagan adminis opium smugglers, and other mainstays The intervention of Soviet troops has rand. served as a brake to advancing the re tration is expecting in return for its as-. This follows on the heels of a January of the old social order, was met by the sistance and its now unambiguous back PDPA with stepped-up repressive meas forms promised by the PDPA and in 20 demonstration in Paris to demand itially welcomed by large numbers of ing of the Zia regime." the withdrawal of Soviet troops. ures, some of which were directed against peasants as well. toilers. It has not inspired the oppressed What is this key element that's so In an ad for the demonstration which to wage a determined struggle against hush-hush? This forced march approach, com appeared in the January 9 issue of Le bined with increasing factional violence the landlords and other oppressors in Military base facilities. Monde, it says that the Soviet interven the country. Instead, the Kremlin's poli According to the February 24 issue of - including assassinations and jailings tion has been condemned "by· all those -within the ruling PDPA, eroded the cies have served to convince growing The New Republic, "The. Pentagon's who reject the idea that the destiny of numbers of Afghan workers and peas- goal is the use of Pakistani ports and popular sympathy the regime had when peoples can be imposed by one super it first took power. The April1978 coup Continued on next page airfields for the Rapid Deployment power, whichever it might be." Force." Up to now, the Pakistani government This reactionary ad is signed by three major trade union federations, the rul Subscribe to has resisted this proposal, due to the Intercontinental Press substantial anti-imperialist sentiment ing Socialist Party, several left groups, INTERCONTINENTAL and a number of left-wing intellectuals. in the country. Intercontinental Press carries more articles, PRESS iO/)rf'(Of documents, and special features on world po fi.S.-backed torturers Victim of imperialism litics - from Poland to Iran - than we have ··------8 IIIYidor Washington's fairy tale that it is What is the situation in Afghanistan? room to put in the Militant. l'We're Losing the Fight,' Says Junta, fighting for "democracy" and against The explanation for the upheaval in In our opinion, you can't afford to be with as Fear of Another Vietnam Grows in U.S. "totalitarianism" was exposed, once Afghanistan, like those in Iran, El Sal out Intercontinental Press. again, in January when Amnesty Inter vador, and other semicolonial countries, national issued a report on ~he marked lies in the grinding poverty, enforced rise in the arrest, torture, and murder of backwardness, and brutal inequality Enclosed is D $8.75 for a three-month intro political prisoners under the Zia regime that is the legacy of imperialist oppres ductory subscription; D $17.50 for six in Pakistan. sion. months; D $35 for one year. Afghanistan is one of the poorest According to the January 15 issue of Name------~--- the Far Eastern Economic Review, "The countries in the world. The great major picture of the Pakistani Government ity of the population lives in the coun Address ------that emerges from the document is that tryside, where most people own little or City------no land and a few rich landlords own a of an administration terrorising its owh State-----'-----Zip _____ lot. An Exchan~ of Voews people while protesting at. the same How to A1d PoliShWorkers Struggle time against brutalities in neighboring In 1978, the People's Democratic Par Clip and mail to Intercontinental Press, 410 Afghanistan." ty of Afghanistan (PDPA), a pro-Mos West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. Dictator Zia says he. can't hold elec- cow party, carried out a popular coup.

March 5, 1982 The Militant 7 Continued from previous page down on that draft call. ants that they would be ,better off not In the months before the conscription having Soviet troops occupying their plan was announced, there was an in country and to participate in the strug crease according to an August 20, 1981, gle against that occupation. article in the New York Times, offorced Instead of advancing policies in the inductions of Afghan youth into the interests of the oppressed class, the So army by dragooning them off the viet-backed regime of President Babrak streets. Karrnal is seeking to strengthen his po In January of this year, apparently to sition by reaching out to landlords, avoid a repeat of the opposition that clergy, and tribal leaders. To this end developed to the previous draft an the regime has retreated significantly nouncement, hundreds of Afghan youth on its stance toward land reform. were rounded up in an unannounced. According to a report from Jonathan move and sent to be processed for the Steele, datelined Kabul, that appeared military draft. in the November 13, 1981 issue of the The combined Afghan and Soviet ar Soviet-made armored personnel carriers in Kabul. Soviet bureaucracy seeks San Francisco Chronicle, "Government mies are only large enough to control stability and freezing of class struggle in Afghanistan. officials admit that land reform is oper the country's major cities and supply ating in only one-quarter of the coun routes. At present, operations outside try's districts and that half the schools the cities are mostly limited to ·air ed opposition to the ·land reform in the backed by the Soviet Union, is no closer are closed." strikes and an occasional large-scale of countryside. It now also includes sub to winning today than they were two In August of last year, Michael Kauf fensive, followed by a return to bases. stantial opposition in the cities, includ years ago. Millions of Afghanis are refu man reported in the New York Times President Karma! was forced to con ing among sectors of the population that gees in Pakistan, Iran and other coun that "a decision was made last week to cede that the insurgency is still strong once were a base of support for the tries. strike d,.own key provisions of the land and appealed to citizens to help crush it. PDPA. program.... " This is a departure from the usual gov The guerrilla groups that are based in No support to imperialist campaign These changes include: ernment attempts to downplay the scope Pakistan tend to be the most proirnpe But working people in this country • Allowing religious leaders and of the resistance. rialist, and are the biggest recipients of must firmly oppose any campaign by the army officers to hold more than the fif And journalists who have visited the massive amounts of money, arms, hypocrites in the White House to sup teen-acre limit of land. The same goes Kabul report on the fighting that takes and other aid that comes from the gov port the right-wing Afghan guerrillas for landowners who agr_«;!e to mechanize place in the villages surrounding the ernments of Western Europe, the and to whip up an anticommunist, pro and sell their crops to the state. city on a daily basis. United States, and others. Pakistan war atmosphere. • Tribal leaders who side with the serves as the conduit for the aid, and the Washington, Wall Street, and the government will be able to maintain un The resistance refugee camps often serve as the rebel Pentagon don't have the interests of the bases. Recent reports say that the guer limited acreage. Aernout van Lynden wrote an article Afghan workers and peasants at heart rillas that operate out of Pakistan are • Refuge~s that had their land confis in the August 15, 1981, Washington when they dish out millions of dollars in better armed than previously, which cated, who agree to return, will get their Post after spending two-and-a-half aid to the reactionary guerrillas. coincides with Washington's pledge to land back. months traveling in Afghanistan with Washington wants to use Afghanis increase military aid. • Landless peasants whose sons have the resistance. tan, as well as Poland, to convince work Some of these groups go back to 1973, volunteered for service on the govern He described meeting resistance sup ing people that capitalism is the best when they opposed the overthrow of the ment side are to be given priority in porters who retain their jobs in the gov system in the world, and that commu Afghan monarchy. These rebels are not land distribution. ernment and their facade as supporters nism is our biggest enemy. the courageous heroes that Reagan and The government is trying a face-lift of the Kai-rnal regime in order to be in the press make them out to be. They want working people to feel like ing operation by setting up a 940 the best position to carry out assassina they have interests in common with the member Fatherland Front as a consul tions and sabotage. This is a phenomen Journalist Olivier Roy testified after bosses, so they're more willing to accept tative body. The aim is to involve tribal on mentioned in many other accounts, a visit to Afghanistan, "I have seen the rulers' war plans and austerity leaders, religious leaders, and represen as well. these commandos work more against drive. They want to mask the fact that tatives from the "business community," Lynden writes, "These urban guerril the rest of the Afghan population than working people's interests are diametri unions, women, youth, and other organ las live a schizophrenic existence. All against the Russians." (Dissent, Sum cally opposed to those of the bosses and izations. the men I stayed with are employed by mer, 1981.) their government. Though supporters of the government one of the ministries during the day, but The Afghan-based resistance groups That's why the support given to call this front a "constituent assembly," during the late afternoons and evenings tend to have a different political charac Washington's phony Poland "solidarity" it's a far cry from the necessary, demo their energy is expended precisely ter than those based in Pakistan. The campaign by the AFL-CIO bureaucracy, cratically-elected deci~ion-rnaking body against the government that pays their most intense resistance within Afghan and their anticommunist line on Afgh that is needed. This is how it was de salaries." istan comes from the Nuristani and anistan, weakens the unions in this scribed to Jonathan Steele by Vasily Although he doesn't ever say so ex Hazara peoples. country. It makes it easier for the em Sovronchuk, the senior Soviet consul plicitly, it seems likely that many of the The rebel groups are fractured along ployers and their government to wage tant to the Afghan foreign ministry. officials involved in this network are tribal, family, geographical, and politi war in El Salvador and at horne. Every "The National Fatherland Front is former members of the Khalq (masses) cal lines. Fierce fighting takes place time the unions line up with the rulers there for people who support the revolu faction of the ruling PDPA, the faction among the different guerrilla groups. on political, social, and economic ques tion or are neutral. If people repent and that both Taraki and Arnin belonged to. All attempts by the resistance to tions, workers lose and the capitalists recognize the goals of the revolution, of Many Khalq members were purged unite -both Pakistan-based and Afgh win. course they can be brought in. But to ex from the government apparatus when anistan-based -have been unsuccess The unions, in alliance with the Black pect anything else is rather naive politi Karmal .- a member of the Parcham ful. and Latino communities, women, and cally." (flag) faction - carne to power. Clearly, tremendous amounts of So youth, must actively counter the impe On the diplomatic front, the Kabul re Many Khalq members have joined viet money and troops have not been rialists' campaign with one of their own. gime is trying to get talks going with rebel groups. The resistance is broader able to stabilize the situation. A war One that demands a halt to spending Pakistan and Iran about the resistance, than the original landlord-usurer-back- still rages, which the Kabul regime, our tax dollars to back landlords and the Afghan refugees, and the Soviet dope pushers in Afghanistan, and troops. bloody dictators in Pakistan and El Sal vador. Disintegration of Afghan army Working people should demand aid, The Afghan army has shrunk through not embargoes for Afghanistan, Poland, desertions from an estimated 80,000 the Soviet Union, Cuba, and Nicaragua. troops in 1978, to its curTent size some Working people in the United States where around 30,000. This is despite the need our own foreign policy. One that is relatively high rate of pay that soldiers guided by opposition to the U.S. rulers receive. and solidarity with our brothers and sis Last July, the U.S. press reported the ters in other countries. following story. This account is taken from the July 23 issue of the Washing ton Post. ''At least 30 cadets from a mil Bermuda union paper itary high school were killed last week when they participated in a major as reprints 'Militant' sault by Soviet and Afghan troops on on Poland rebels operating within 10 miles of the capital of Kabul." The February 12 Workers Voice in This use of partially trained high Bermuda reprinted the "By Any Means school cadets led to protests from the Necessary" column by Melvin Chappell parents. This incident is an indication of from the January 29 Militant. Chap the inability of the government to mus pell's column applauded the struggle of ter enough regular army forces to fight the Polish workers and solidarized with the resistance. The article also reported U.S. Blacks who have condemned the that "Kabul's boys' schools are practi anticommunist crusade around Poland cally deserted because parents are hid by Reagan. ing their sons to keep them from mil The Workers Voice is the paper of the itary service." Bermuda Industrial Union, the island's On September 7 of last year, the Af largest labor organization, representing ghan government announced that all thousands of Black workers. former servicemen under the age of Chappell's column was run under the thirty-five who left military service be heading "Editorial Comment." The fore December 1979 had to report for Workers Voice introduction noted, "this reinduction. article hits at the very heart of Amer This was met with a series of protest ican double standards and gives food for demonstrations in Kabul, as well as an thought to the working class of this exodus from the city of eligible men. Khyber Pass is border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan is con country and the world who genuinely This caused the government to back duit for aid to right-wing guerrillas. care about human rights."

8 The Militant March 5, 1982 CP budget 'fightback' geared to Democrats BY HARRY RING this to the Communist Party Central An editorial in the February 11 Da,ily Committee. It was published in the Dai World offered some ideas on fighting the ly World last December 17. new Reagan budget. The Daily World Hall declared that for the CP, all prob reflects the views of the Communist lems of political tactics "must now be Party (CP). synchronized with the overall objective The CP's proposal comes down to sup of defeating Reagan and all the Reagan porting any Democrat who asserts oppo ite politicians." sition to Reagan's economic program. He added, "We will be working with Right now that would include quite a all kinds of people ...." few. That's true. The editorial lays out the CP's yard With working-class anger against un stick for measuring which Democrats to employment and the threat of war support. It proposes a platform of res mounting swiftly, even the most right cinding recent tax giveaways to big bus wing Democrats will try to exploit anti iness and gaining unspecified reduc Reagan sentiment. tions in workers' taxes, plus a bill to ex In hi~ central committee report, Hall tend jobless compensation for workers whose benefits are exhausted. even cautions against the party running The paper also calls for "drastic slash its own candidates where they might take a few votes from Democrats. ing of the military budget." Communist Party proposed to cut $216 million war budget by 100 million. What's "drastic"? "In the 1982 elections," he warns, "we What part of the imperialist military apparatus do they project maintaining? In a January 21 statement, Gus Hall, must keep in mind the overall challenge CP general secretary, said there should of the moment, and therefore we must plicit in Reagan's offensive. They have Such a program is not simply a "good" be "a $100 billion slash in the military consider the question of whether Com to be. Like the Republicans, they are or "preferred" thing. Increasingly, it be budget." munists should run even more carefully controlled by a capitalist class whose comes a matter of survival. Nothing less Hall also insisted on "a timetable [!] to than we have. done in the past. We must very survival demands continuing, ac will resolve the capitalist crisis. restore all cuts in social programs and be careful not to appear in any way to be celerating prosecution of the antilabor add needed new ones." He didn't offer a dividing the unity against the Reagan Does anyone really believe that the drive. schedule for his "timetable." forces." Democratic Party can bring us a cen Of course, any government reduction It's a lie to suggest, as the Communist If that drive is to be turned back, a timeter closer to that kind of govern in military expenses would be welcome. Party does, that the present ferocious new government is needed - a govern ment, that kind of program? But the issue is, what should Marxists attacks on working people are simply ment that represents the interests of No, what is urgently needed is for advocate? the result of one evil man in the White workers and farmers as militantly as working people to break the two-party The CP's line flies in the face of the House, or one probusiness party in pow the present capitalist government rep stranglehold. We must begin building a traditional Marxist attitude toward im er. resents the interests of the banks and big corporations. labor party based on the unions that will perialist military programs and We surely have that. But the policies champion the struggles of all the op It will take a workers government to budgets, summarized by Lenin in the of "Reaganism" stem from a capitalist pressed and lead the fight for a workers classic phrase, "not a penny, not a man" initiate a massive public works program system that is affiicted by deep crisis, a government. for the imperialist war machine. crisis that the ruling class can only hope to provide jobs; guarantee a decent level As in all major capitalist countries, to ameliorate by taking the cost out of of food, clothing, and shelter for every The Communist Party decision to step the U.S. "defense" budget is an impe the hides of working people. one; and end race and sex discrimina up its vote-hustling for the Democrats is rialist military budget. To the extent That is the function of the capitalist tion. Only such a government can end particularly reprehensible today, when that it has anything to do with "de government under which we live. And imperialist wars and extend the hand of the need and prospects for independent fense," it is defense of capitalist profits. that government includes not one party, friendship to workers and farmers working class political action are great The arms and aircraft now being but two. The Democrats are totally com- around the world. er than ever. poured into El Salvador are intended to make Central America "safe" for imp_e rialist exploitation. Similarly, the billions of "defense" Cuts in student aid shrink 'American dream' dollars - and untold blood-poured in BY WILLIAM GOTILIEB proposing to reduce the amount spent on president of the University of Pennsyl to Vietnam had nothing to do with the The possibility of students from work student aid by no less than 53 percent vania. defense of the American people. ing class backgrounds achieving social over the next two years. In cold cash this John Pittenger, dean ofthe law school The same goes for the earlier U.S. ag advancement through higher education comes to some $1.83 billion. at Rutgers University-Camden, pointed gression in Korea, as well as the impe has long been part of the "American Thirteen college and university presi out the class bias of the Reagan cut rialist World Wars I and II. dream." President Reagan and Con dents and a law-school dean - a group backs. "Henceforth, our lawyers and We wonder how Gus Hall would re gress, however, are now taking actions not generally known for their radical ac medical students," Pittenger remarked, spond if a reporter asked him, "OK, you that would make it more difficult for tivism - held a meeting in Philadel "would come from the upper middle favor doing away with $100 billion of working people to get a higher educa phia February 15 to protest the cuts. class." the projected $216 billion arms budget. tion. "The cuts constitute a dramatic rever The racist aspects of the Reagan pro What would you cut and what would you This fall the full effect of the $2.2 bil sal of a twenty-five-year bipartisan com gram was emphasized by Herman B. keep?" lion budget cut in federal aid to students mitment to equal opportunity in higher Branson, president of predominantly Would he reply, "Well, we shouldn't will begin to be felt. The federal govern education" declared Sheldon Hackney, Black Lincoln University. be sending all those helicopters to El ment will make only $6.3 billion worth Salvador, and we don't need all those of guaranteed student loans in the com troops in West Germany. We could do ing academic year, compared to $7.8 bil with less nuclear warheads in Europe lion which are being made this year. Ac SWP in Mass. calls for labor party and stop building the MX missile." cording to the American Council on Ed That would leave intact tens of thou ucation about 700,000 students will lose BY MIKE ALEWITZ backs, and public service union-bust sands of U.S. troops stationed around their loans as a result of these cuts. BOSTON - The issue of independ ing here in Massachusetts began under the world; massive nuclear and chemi ent labor action will be brought to Michael Dukakis, not Edward King," cal weapons stockpiles; and the biggest In addition to the sharp cutback in thousands of New England residents he continued. fleet of destroyers, nuclear submarines, student loans, the Pell grants for disad this year. It is the central thrust of the The SWP also announced Arthur and bomber jets in the world. vantaged students will be reduced. The 1982 Socialist Workers Party cam LeClair as its candidate for lieutenant In reality, the Communist Party's maximum amount available under the paign for governor of Massachusetts, governor. LeClair is a railroad worker program on the arms budget is barely grants will be cut from $1,750 to $1,670. which was announced at a February and vice-president of his union, Inter distinguishable from that of many liber On top of this,. the benefits available for 10 news conference at the Boston head national Brotherhood of Electrical al capitalist politicians. With good rea higher education under the Social Se quarters of the party. Workers Local 791. curity program are being progressively son. The SWP is fielding Don Gurewitz, a "People have been asking me," Le The CP's agenda - extending jobless eliminated. Clair said, "why an electrician and As a result of the Reagan-Congress machinist at General Electric in Lynn, pay, making taxes more equitable, and Massachusetts, and member of Inter trade union activist who works for the reducing arms spending - is tailored to budget cuts, both private and state-fi railroad would want to seek public nanced colleges and universities areal national Union of Electrical Workers the capitalist candidates it wants to Local 201. Gurewitz will oppose incum office. I am a candidate today for the back in the 1982 elections. As the Daily ready beginning to close their doors to same reason I joined the Young Social students from working class families. bent Democratic Governor Edward World editorial declares, "Those politi King and Michael Dukakis, another ist Alliance and Socialist Workers cians such as the members of the Black Wesleyan, for example, has already an Party: because the two big-business Democrat. Caucus who support such an agenda nounced that it is abandoning its "need parties have absolutely nothing to should be supported." blind" admissions policies. Other pri "Between the Reagan administra offer me or any working person. The terse call for backing "anti-Rea vate schools such as Holyoke and Cor tion and the Democratic King adminis "The crushing of the air controllers gan" Democrats is what's behind the nell are considering doing likewise. tration," Gurewitz told reporters, union is one of the clearest examples in modesty of the CP demands. If you're go "Need-blind" policies admit students "working people in Massachusetts are history of the contempt that the Repub without regard to their ability to pay. ing to support Democrats, you can't de experiencing the most difficult times in licans and Democrats have for work mand very much. They never have, and The nation's major state universities, decades. And despite the promises of ing people. Where were Edward King never will, support demands that meet faced with budget cuts, are also becom the liberal Democrats in Washington, and Ted Kennedy and the other so the fundamental needs of working peo ing increasingly selective about the stu and the Dukakises and Tip O'Neills called friends of labor in the Demo ple. dents they admit. They are requiring here in Massachusetts, everyone cratic Party when Reagan's ax fell on Yet the Communist Party is deter applicants to meet high standards on knows that the Reagan program has the air traffic controllers? I walked the mined to be even more active in support test scores and are cutting remedial only been able to pass because of picket line with PATCO and did not ing liberal capitalist politicians. courses. Democratic congressional support. see one elected official from the Demo Recently Gus Hall made a report on These cuts aren't the end. Reagan is "Tax increases, social service cut- cratic party there."

March 5, 1982 The Militant 9 The Iranian revolution • where December 5 that forty-five peasant fam ilies in the Oromiyeh area in northwest Iran had decided to donate for the relief of war refugees 4.5 tons from their first wheat crop on land obtained under the agrarian reform. The January 16 Hemmat reported on financial donations to the war effort of up to 2 million rials (81 rials = US$1) by workers at the Kashan spinning mill, the Plast-lran plastics factory, Minoo Industries, and the Alborz electrical ap pliances plant.

Hussein in trouble In contrast to the growing optimism and support for the war among Iranians, morale on the Iraqi side of the front is reported to be in steep decline. Thou sands of Iraqi soldiers have been cap tured in the recent battles, and many of these have subsequently appeared on Iranian television and radio chanting slogans in support of the Iranian revolu tion. Some have made statements against the war and the Saddam Hus sein regime. According to the January 16 Wash ington Post, "some analysts say they be lieve the Iraqi army is so demoralized that it can no longer strike back and take the initiative away from Iranian Kargar forces." Since the Iranian people overthrew the shah, they have engaged in a number of mobilizations. On left, a demonstration Hussein also faces growing resistance against U.S. imperialism. Sign reads, 'Death to America.' On right, May 1980 Tehran action in support of Black struggle in at home. A new opposition grouping u.s. called the Iraqi Front of Revolutionary, Islamic, and National Forces has report BY FRED MURPHY · the downfall of the Khomeini regime. The Baseej is a military organization of edly been set up. According to the Janu Three years have passed since the The imperialists and the reactionary workers and youth who have volun ary 7 Washington Post, the chief compo Iranian people rose up by the millions Arab regimes in the region welcomed teered to fight at the front. Through it, nent of this front is a force of several and overthrew the shah and his dicta Hussein's invasion. They hoped it would some 2 million Iranians have received thousand Kurdish guerrillas led by torship. During this time, the workers remove the threat to capitalist stability military training ·since the corps was Massoud Barzani, son of the late Iraqi and peasants and their allies have been throughout the Middle East posed by founded in late 1980. Kurdish leader Mustafa Barzani. through a series of experiences in the the anti-imperialist upsurge of the Iran The Pasdaran, or Revolutionary These guerrillas, known as peshmer class struggle: mobilizations against the ian people. The pro-U.S. rulers of Saudi Guards, have also been taking a more ga, have been mounting attacks on threats, pressures, and direct attacks of Arabia and Kuwait have bankrolled prominent part in the war. This section army garrisons in northern Iraq. Ac U.S. imperialism; war against a coun Hussein's war, and the French imperial of the armed forces was established af cording to the Post, Iraqi army control in terrevolutionary invasion by the Iraqi ists have provided arms and advisers. ter the downfall of the shah and also has the area is "limited to the region's major regime; efforts to rebuild the economy in The massive armed attack on the rev thousands of revolutionary-minded towns and roads at night." face of imperialist boycott, capitalist olution had grave consequences. Thou youth from working-class and poor . Commenting on the recent changes in sabotage, and bureaucratic mismanage sands of square miles of Iranian territo neighborhoods among its ranks. · the war situation, the London Econo ment; and battles to defend and extend ry were occupied in the early weeks of In the past, leaders of the Pasdaran mist warned December 19 that "if the the democratic rights won through de the war. Parts oflran's vital oil industry challenged the officers of the regular tide of battle continues to swing, how feating the monarchy. were destroyed. More than 60,000 Iran army - most of whom served under the ever slowly, in Iran's favour, President Amid difficulties and obstacles, the ians have been killed or wounded, and shah - for their failure to take initia Saddam Hussein will be in grave Iranian working class and its allies con well over 1 million have become refu tives to drive out the Iraqi invaders. trouble." tinue to seek ways to move their revolu gees. Economic losses to Iran have been Hundreds of army officers have been re tion forward. But the rich political life in excess of $100 billion. moved from their posts in recent War and the Iranian economy that characterizes Iran today has gone But despite such devastation, Hussein months, and the Pasdaran· commanders unremarked in the imperialist news me has not achieved his objectives. The in have come to the fore as military lead The war against the Iraqi invaders dia. Instead, newspapers like the New vasion bogged down in the early weeks ers. has caused considerable damage to the York Times and Le Monde have focused of the war. Iranian troops and the popu Iranian socialists also report that Iranian economy. Foreign currency re almost exclusively on executions and lation of the border area rallied to blunt army officers have largely ceased wear serves - already reduced through terrorist bombings. the Iraqi drive. ing their insignia of rank at the front, Washington's continued freeze of $6.1 Writing in the January 30 issue ofthe and that soldiers in the regular army billion of Iranian assets in Western liberal U.S. weekly Nation, Richard Tide of battle turning are no longer kept separated from their banks - have had to be devoted largely Falk lamented the alleged fate of Iran, young counterparts in the Pasdaran and to replenishing military supplies. This where "Khomeini has established a rule For almost a year, the military situa the Baseej. This has boosted morale and in turn has made it difficult to import that is as brutal and repressive as the tion remained stalemated. But in recent increased the pressurt! on the leaders of adequate quantities of raw materials Shah's," where "the fundamentalist ele months, Iranian forces have turned the all three sections of the armed forces for and spare parts for industry, which ments have temporarily prevailed over tide oCbattle and have been regaining decisive and coordinated action against often must be paid for in cash, owing to the democratic elements." Elsewhere in substantial sections of territory. the Iraqis. credit restrictions imposed by imperial the same issue, Mansour Farhang as The siege of Abadan- a key city un ist financiers after the fall of the shah serted that in Iran, a "peaceful and pop der constant Iraqi attack from three Morale in Iran high and the nationalization of most foreign ular revolution has been transformed sides since the early days of the war - holdings in Iran. During early and mid-1981, enthusi into religious fascism" and that what was broken in late September. By No According to the Ministry of the Eco asm for the war effort among the Iran prevails there is "not only political and vember, Iranian forces had recaptured nomy in Tehran, the country must im ian masses had declined somewhat, ow economic oppression but also cultural seventy villages and the border town of port 95 percent of the spare parts and 75 ing to the lack of progress on the front, and religious totalitarianism." Bostan in an area sixty miles north of percent of the raw materials used in in internal conflicts in the government and Such a picture, with minor variations, Abadan, thus cutting Iraqi lines in two. dustry. Shortages of these supplies have the military command, and the counter has become the standard presentation of And in December, the Iranians made resulted in factory closings, layoffs, and the "situation in Iran by virtually all the further advances around the towns of revolutionary terrorist attacks and sub reduced work shifts in many Iranian sequent executions and repression. But . communications media in the United Qasr-e-Shirin and Nowsud, at the plants. the recent victories have restored confi States and Western Europe. But it is northern end of the war front. It is in this framework of war mobili dence that the Iraqis can be defeated. false. The specter of an Iranian victory has zation and economic crisis that working begun to haunt Washington and its Huge demonstrations in Isfahan, Ah class struggles in Iran today are taking waz, and other cities hailed the war Iraqi invasion Arab client regimes. The defeat of the place. These most often center on efforts Iraqis would inspire the Iranian masses gains in late November. More workers by the workers to gain control over prod To grasp the truth about the current with fresh confidence in pressing for and youth have been volunteering to uction and distribution, counter mis state of the Iranian revolution, it is nec their still-unmet social and economic join the Baseej, and peasant villages management by state-appointed bu essary to begin with the military attack demands. It would spell the end o( the have been making donations offood and reaucrats, and expose and halt decapi launched against the revolution in Sep Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq and op other goods and sending volunteers to talization attempts at those workplaces tember 1980 by the Saddam Hussein re en a new stage in the confrontation be the front as well. that are still under private ownership. gime in neighboring Iraq. tween imperialism and the masses of Hemmat, the newspaper of the (Virtually all foreign holdings in Iran Hussein sent his troops and armor the Middle East. Workers Unity Party (HVK),l reported were nationalized after the fall of the across Iran's western border in hope of A key role in Iran's military gains has shah, as were those owned by the Pahla gaining a quick victory, demoralizing been played by the Baseej-e-Mustazafin 1. The HVK is one of three organizations in vi dynasty and its cohorts. These enter the Iranian masses, and bringing about (Mobilization Corps of the Oppressed). Iran affiliated to the Fourth International. prises are now managed by the Organi-

10 The Militant March 5, 1982 it stands alter three years zation of National Industries of Iran Another worker declared that no one one who makes 3,500 tumans and has to pay ists and the liberal managers, who never [ONII] or by the Foundation for the Dis should accuse him and his fellow rent and support a family afford these heard of God. We also ask that the arbitrary inherited.) workers of organizing a "strike." clothes? So we consider that once again, even firings of workers in production units and in "We have simply gathered together though we have an Islamic republic, we are dustry be prevented. Role of factory shoras still serving the haughty classes of society. Victory to the world·revolution of the Is here to air our grievances," he said. "To We have destroyed a hell, but we must still lamic community under the leadership oflm Although Iranian workers have yet to compensate for today, we will work on build a paradise. am Khomeini! construct strong organizations at the Friday." The assembled workers shout ed their agreement and chanted "God is • Resistance is mounting against the The demand for abolition of article 33 national level - such as a trade-union has been among those raised in several confederation or a labor party-they do great!" dismissal of militant workers and shora Other speakers protested the recent leaders. At the Doopar pharmaceuticals recent assemblies of worker representa possess instruments of struggle at the tives held in Tehran and elsewhere. factory level. These committees, or sho firing of four Iran National workers who plant in Tehran, for example, all 300 had been leaders of the Islamic anjoman workers have signed petitions demand These gatherings, usually called semi ras, arose during and after the insurrec nars, reflect growing awareness among tion against the shah. Since then they and the Baseej. Whereas earlier firings ing reinstatement of Mustafa Seifabadi of militant workers had been mainly and Handollah Khodakaremi, who were workers of the need for centralizing have fought for the workers' interests on their struggles and organizations. issues of wages, safety, housing, and aimed at those who were known as so · fired in late 1981. Seifabadi is a member cialists or leftists - such as fourteen of the HKE who fought at the front and production priorities. Shora delegates meet During the anti-imperialist mobiliza HKE members at Iran National who was dismissed upon his retum. Khoda tions that followed the November 1979 lost their jobs in early 1981 - Islamic karemi was a leader of the Islamic anjo A seminar held in Tehran October 28- occupation of the U.S. embassy in Teh workers who stand up for their rights man at Doopar. 30 attracted some 700 members of Is ran, more shoras were organized. Fur are now being fired as well by the capi lamic anjomans- including 390 elected ther struggles were waged to take over talist managers of the state enterprises. 'We despise the manager' delegates - from factories in Tehran, greater management functions and to The Iran National workers concluded Interviews with workers at Doopar Isfahan, Arak, Kermanshah, Qazvin, institute workers control. Since the Ira their assemblies by electing six repre were published in the December 14 Tabriz, Mashhad, Amol, Dezful, Shiraz, qi invasion began, the shoras have sentatives to try to negotiate their grie issue of Kargar. One worker reported on and other cities. Resolutions passed by played an important role in organizing vances with the management and the his questioning by a committee estab the seminar called for factory workers to worker-volunteers for the front and sup ONII. lished by the Labor Ministry to review be provided full information about the porting the war effort in other ways. Production at Iran National remains the case of the two fired militants: production and financial situations of The Iranian regime - though often quite low. According to management, their enterprises, for the abolition of Ar encouraging mass mobilizations to this is the re&ult of difficulty in obtain They asked what else I knew about Seifa ticle 33, and for increased participation ing parts from abroad. Before the De badi. I said I did not know anything else - by workers in the management of enter- . counter the attacks of imperialism-re only that we despise the manager because of mains committed to maintaining the cember assemblies, the management prises. had announced plans to cut the work these firings. We only ask the authorities, if capitalist system. Hence it has continu .this is a revolution of the oppressed, why do Representatives of eighty factory sho ally sought to weaken or block the inde week in half and reduce wages. This they give the workers so much grief and not ras met in Tehran on December 2. Arti pei:tdent organization of the workers. move was never implemented, however the haughty ones? What we want the author cle 33 was denounced at that gathering. Socialists and other militant workers - a fresh stock of parts was suddenly ities to tell us is why they make the workers On December 17, anjoman and shora have been fired for their role in leading discovered after the workers' protests. miserable, why they call "counterrevolution representatives from some 100 factories the shoras. In many factories, suppor ary" a worker who works in a factory and of East Tehran met at Workers House, ters of the regime have set up Islamic Fight for workers control does his job 100 percent. an institution with ties to the ruling Let them tell me to my face that Seifabadi anjomans (societies) in counterposition • A struggle similar to that at Iran IRP. The purpose of the gathering was a and Khodakaremi are counterrevolutionar religious commemoration, but the to the shoras. These anjomans usually National took place in late 1981 at the ies and that the manager is a revolutionary. involve a minority of the workers and Mazda van factory in Tehran. Pressure workers also took the opportunity to air have often collaborated with manage from the workers Jed to joint meetings - At present, the firings of militants their grievances. ment against the workforce as a whole. between the shora and the Islamic anjo such as those at Iran National and Doo Representatives from Iran Tool, Uni But such measures have not been ef man, with the result that management par are legal under Article 33 of Iran's versal, and two other factories com fective in taming a working class that was forced to partially restore the grant labor law. This law has not been modi plained about firings and other abuses became conscious of its power in the pro ing of bonuses, despite rulings to the fied since the shah's time. Demands are by management. Hossein Kamali, a longed general strike that brought down contrary by the ONII. continually raised by the shoras for its leader of Workers House and an IRP the shah. The shoras continue to exist, • At many factories, workers have or abolition, and in recent months they member of parliament, responded that and in some plants have gained a large ganized to put a halt to hoarding and have been joined not only by many anjo "anyone who tries to expel a good measure of control over production and speculation by distributing their prod mans but even by the newspaper that member of the Islamic anjomans wants iistribution. ucts directly to the public. the ruling Islamic Republican (IRP) to cut off the arm of Islam in industry. Moreover, the progovemment anjo Workers at the Nozahur paper-goods publishes for workers, Salehan-e Sazan Article 33 of the labor law facilitates mans have not heel} immune to pressure factory in Tabriz managed to cut the deh. this, so it is in the interests of capital" from the workers they cJaim to repre price of disposable baby diapers by more One example of the workers' senti (Kargar, December 21). sent. They have joined with the shoras than half in this way. A workers cooper ment against this law is a letter ad During the second week of January, a in certain struggles, and as a result an ative at the Ming textile mill now dis dressed to Ayatollah Khomeini by the seminar of factory shoras from the Jad joman leaders have also faced firings tributes the blankets produced there Islamic anjoman at Iran National: eh region - which includes Karaj and and harassment by management. other westem industrial suburbs of Teh through cooperatives of factory workers We ask the responsible officials to imple and peasants in other parts of the coun ran - was held in the capital. This ment an Islamic and revolutionary labor law, gathering, attended by some 300 Work stoppage at Iran. National try. At the Arj refrigerator factory, Iran and particularly to annul Article 33 of the la workers, was also sponsored by Workers A number of recent examples of the ian socialists say, "nothing leaves the bor law. This is a holdover from the age of struggles of Iranian workers to defend plant without the shora's approval." idolatry and a tool in the hands of the capital- Continued on next page and extend their gains can be cited: • After the removal of Abolhassan • At the big Iran National plant in Bani-Sadr as president of the Islamic Tehran, more than 10,000 auto workers Republic in June 1981, many of his lib from the moming and afternoon shifts eral bourgeois supporters were also halted work on December 6 and 7, ac ousted from their positions in the man cording to a report in the December 14 agement of nationalized enterprises. issue of Kargar, weekly newspaper of Workers generally welcomed this and the Revolutionary Workers Party saw it as a means of replacing defenders (HKE).2 of capitalism with "Islamic" managers, The Iran National workers held as who they hoped would act in the semblies to discuss and protest a deci workers' interests. sion by the ONII and the Ministry of La Subsequent experience is demonstrat bor to eliminate a bonus system whose ing, however, that these were false benefits had been extended to all hopes. Like their predecessors, the new workers after the fall of the shah. managers are also carrying out firings, Workers had been allowed to purchase conniving with unscrupulous middle one Peykan car at reduced cost every men, and attacking the shoras and anjo other year. Most would resell the bonus mans. cars to supplement their income. Management representatives accused Clothing factory the Iran National workers of putting At the Jamco clothing factory, the their own interests ahead of the war ef January 16 Hemmat reported, the shora fort. "No one believes we are not for the has taken over management of the plant victory of tl;le Islamic forces over the in itself. But the ONII has not responded to fidels," a worker replied at the day-shift the workers' efforts to lower production assembly on December 6. "Government costs through cooperation with the na officials know better than anyone that tionalized textile industry. Hemmat the Iran National workers have given quotes one worker as saying: big amounts of financial contributions every month for victory in the war Now that this factory and the ones that make against Saddam. We want to win this fabrics have been nationalized, the govern ment could easily give us fabric at a reasona war, and we will spare nothing." ble price, and we could thus provide low priced goods to the oppressed of society. 2. The HKE is one of three organizations in But a jacket and pants now cost 2, 700 tu Iran affiliated to the Fourth International. mans (1 tuman = US$0.13). How elm some-

March 5, 1982 The Militant. 11 Continued from previous page sade for Reconstruction), a government House and by Sal-ehan-e Sazandeh. institution. Besides protesting the firings of mil Youth from the Crusade have helped itants, the seminar also protested a rul to organize peasant shoras, as well ~s ing made by Labor Minister Ahmad Ta marches and demonstrations in which vakkoli in late December that no more the peasants have demanded implemen shoras should be organized until parlia tation of Section C, access to credit, im ment passes a law regulating their ac provements in irrigation, technical aid, tivity. and so on. At the end of September, the Crusade 'Defiance toward managers' for Reconstruction helped to organize a seminar of peasant-shora representa Meetings such as those just described, tives in Tehran. About 500 peasants delegations to government ministries, from various parts of the country at petitions, letters, and statements are tended. The seminar closed with the typical of the forms of struggle being adoption of an eleven-point resolution used by Iranian workers today. Work calling for implementation of Section C stoppages like the one at Iran National and other peasant demands, the setting in December are rare. up of peasant cooperatives, and the ex There are two reasons for this. The at propriation of idle capital. The resolu mosphere of intimidation created by the tion also expressed support for the war widespread counterrevolutionary ter against Iraq and opposition to the ter-· rorism of mid-1981 and by the subse rorist attacks against clergymen and quent large-scale executions of those government officials. suspected of involvement - and others whom the authorities simply wanted to The sentiments of the peasants areal get out of the way - has not wholly dis so stated in no uncertain terms in letters sipated. sent from the villages to the goyern On the other hand, most workers feel ment. These are printed from time to that production should be maintained at time in the daily newspapers in Tehran. In recent months, Iranian forces have turned the tide in war with Iraq, which a high level to meet the needs of the war "The halting of implementation of had remained stalemated for almost a year. effort. Hence they are reluctant to take Section C and D of the land-distribution actions that might be viewed as cutting law was the biggest opportunity yet for across unity in face of the Iraqi attack, the big landlords and counterrevolu The villagers took the judge at his ing the revolution against Saddam Hus or that the government might seek to tionary feudal elements," complained a word and carried out demonstrations de sein's attack. portray in that way. letter from the villages of the Saqqez re manding confiscation of the wealth But these appeals were ignored by gion published in the IRP's Jomhuri-e usurped by the local khans (Hemmat, then-President Bani-Sadr and other Nonetheless, as an HVK leader puts Eslami on December 6. The letter con January 16). leaders of the Islamic Republic. The oc it, "the regimentation of workers that tinued: cupation of Kurdistan continued, and at existed in the shah's time has broken Peasant discontent is also rising the beginning of October 1981, Tehran down entirely. Workers talk back to Since then, new conspiracies against the against exploitation by capitalist mer announced that its troops had taken the managers and are not expelled. This is revolution and the oppressed people have chants and middlemen. This was re city of Bukan, described as "the very something the workers have won. In broken out every day from Baluchistan to flected in a recent article that appeared Kurdistan to Turkman Sahra. We, the last stronghold" of the Kurdish Demo this sense their morale is high and the in Jihad, the monthly magazine of the cratic Party. situation is open." members of our Islamic peasant shora, stand Crusade for Reconstruction. Jihad de for increasing farm production and for strug One month later, KDP leader Abdul The HVK leader characterized the at gling against America -the Great Satan - nounced "economic terrorism through Rahman Qassemlou announced that his titude of most workers as "ambivalence and the invader regime of Saddam. . . . out our society," which, it explained, "is group was joining Bani-Sadr's National toward the government but defiance to At the same time, we demand from the re based on a bazaar system of trade, a sys Resistance Council. This alliance be tem of distribution in which all sorts of ward the managers." spected delegates of the Majles [parliament] tw~en counter-revolutionary forces and that they approve and implement a revolu finagling and manipulation is officially a key sector of the Kurdish nationalist Many continue to view the government as tionary program - including a thoroughgo recognized and over which there is no movement is a blow to the Kurdish one that has taken measures in the workers' ing Islamic revolutionary land reform andes control by the government elected by interests - nationalizing the wealth of the pecially Section C and D - and destroy the struggle and to the revolution as a the nation." whole. shah, the imperialists, and native capitalists big landlords and feudal elements down to Jihad went on to call for the national link~ to them; standing up to the threats of Qassemlou's link-up with Bani-Sadr their roots. [Letter reprinted in December 19 ization of foreign trade, "vigorous appli Washington; removing from power the most Hemmat.] - himself an architect of the regime's openly procapitalist officials, such as ex cation of Article 49 of the constitution, anti-Kurdish policy - has been criti Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan and ex which calls for the revolutionary seiz cized by other sectors of the nationalist President Bani-Sadr and his followers; and Land reform law ure of illegitimate wealth, expanding movement in Kurdistan. But resent the establishment of a rationing system cooperatives on the basis of the princi In a letter published in the January 3 ment against the central government's whereby prices for basic foodstuffs are sub ple of human labor and not of capital," Ettelaat, the villagers of Naser Kiyadeh · policies is bitter and deep in the occu sidized and scarcities are offset through the and implementation of Section C of the distribution of goods by cooperatives -in the wrote: pied areas, and the KDP continues to land-reform law (Kargar, December 14). enjoy considerable support. factories and poor neighborhoods. During the dark years of the rp.onarchist At the same time, workers oppose the re regime, we toiling villagers were doubled Repression in Kurdistan gime's attacks on democratic rights, its at over by oppression and exploitation. The Role of Kurds in war Resolving the land question is a task tempts to curtail the shoras and the anjo taste of suffering caused by the feudalists While Kurdish peasants have also se mans, its tOleration of capitalist profiteering still clings to our flesh and blood. We consider that is closely tied to that of granting ized and distributed land in parts of the and sabotage, and its failure to follow these feudalists and landlords . . . to be self-determinatio.n to the oppressed na occupied province, they have seen little through on repeated promises of decisive ac agents of America, the Great Satan. tionalities in Iran - the Kurds, Arabs, of the benefits the revolution has ti~n against the wealthy exploiters. These devils have sucked the blood of the Azerbaijanis, Turkmenis, and Baluchis brought to other rural areas; The re toiling peasants for years. . . . Ratification - most of whom are peasants. Class struggle in the countryside gime itself has acknowledged that no of a comprehensive land-reform law, and the It is the Kurds who have waged the public works -such as roads, irrigation Similar attitudes can be found among distribution of the land, can bring the suffer biggest struggles for national rights ing caused by these feudalists and landlords systems, or housing - were initiated in the rural toilers. In many parts of Iran, during the past three years. Immediate to an end. Kurdi13tan during the past two years. ly after the fall of the shah, the people of peasants and farm laborers rose up in Some units of the Jihad for Reconstruc And a letter published in the De Kurdistan in western Iran were able to the months following the shah's over tion exist in Kurdistan, but these in cember 2 Ettelaat from villagers near throw and seized land for themselves. arm themselves and establish a degree volve youth sent in from other parts of the town of Gilan-e-Gharb (on the war of local autonomy under the leadership As the revolution in the countryside the country rather than indigenous front) provided an example of what the deepened, most big landholders were of political organizations such as the Kurdish youth. regime's land reform has actually Kurdish Democatic Party (KDP) and forced to relinquish direct control over Attitudes toward the Islamic Republic amounted to: figures such as Sheik Ezzedin Hosseini. their estates. The landlords fled to the are more varied among Kurds in other "After the victory of the Islamic revo But the central government refused cities or left the country altogether. parts of Iran. Around Ilam, near the lution, committees were sent to our vil to recognize the national rights of the Despite these widespread land seiz northern end of the war front, socialists lage to divide the land. But so far they Kurds. Kurdish cities came under ures, the agrarian revolution has by no report that the Kurdish population is have not listened to our grievances. heavy military attack on several occa means been completed. In early 1980 participating actively in the struggle They have only parcelled out land to the government adopted a land-reform sions - in March 1979, September against Iraq. Kurds make up part of the eleven people, four of whom are not even 1979, and April 1980. After the second law, but suspended its implementation Western Tribes Militia and take part in residents. And this happens while we of these offensives by the Tehran re a year later. Section C of the law, never the fighting against Saddam Hussein's toil in the fields under the bombard implemented at all, would legalize the gime, insurrections in some of the major troops. ment of the infidel Saddam's mercenar towns of Kurdistan and resistance by action of the peasants in dividing up the Such developments, along with the ies!" Kurdish guerrilla fighters forced the big private holdings. growing Kurdish revolt inside Iraq The landlords who remain in Iran still government troops to retreat. But from against Hussein's regime, show how the Promises by regime April 1980 to the present, the Kurds hope to reverse the situation in the defense of the Iranian revolution could have been on the defensive. countryside. They continually pressure The printing of such letters by the be greatly strengthened if the occupa Instead of directing all its armed pow the regime and the Islamic hierarchy to government-controlled press is an indi tion of Kurdistan were ended and the er against the Iraqi invaders, the re block enforcement of the land reform. cation of the pressure felt by the regime national rights of Iranian Kurds recog And some take things into their own on the land question. Officials continu gime maintained its military occupa nized. tion ofKurdistan. This caused some dis hands, returning to their estates at ally promise that the agrarian reform After the occupation ofBukan last Oc content among the ranks of the army harvest· time with gangs of thugs, in will indeed be implemented, even while tober, Kargar commented on a govern and the Pasdaran, who were not enthu hope of wresting away the fruits of the they continue to stall. ment official's statement that a special peasants' labor. Armed clashes have re During a visit to two villages near the siastic about serving as tools of repres fund would be set up for public works in sulted, and in some cases the Pasdaran port city of Bushehr in late December, sion against their Kurdish brothers and Kurdistan: sisters. have intervened on the side of the peas the Islamic revolutionary judge of the "Compared to military solutions, ear ants. area, Hojatolislam Moghisi, told the marking funds for reconstruction of Kurdish appeal The peasants are finding allies among peasants: "In the Islamic Republic, the Kurdistan is a step in the right direc the urban youth who have gone into the problem called 'khan' [landholding not At the outset of the Iraqi invasion, tion. But an economic program of ameli countryside to teach literacy classes and able] will no longer exist. There will be Kurdish leaders appealed for a peaceful oration can be constructive· only if it aid in development projects under the equality and implementation of Islamic settlement of their conflict with Tehran starts from the needs and points of view auspices of the Jihad-e Sazandegi (Cru- justice." and reaffirmed their support for defend- of the people of Kurdistan themselves,

12 The Militant March 5, 1982 and if it actually involves the masses of Beginning with the mass struggle people." against the monarchy, and in the anti Among the priorities of such a pro imperialist and popular mobilizations gram, Kargar said, should be "the im that have continued in the past three plementation of a large-scale lit~racy years, millions of working-class and program in Kurdish" and "a radical peasant women have been drawn into land reform in the interests of the poor political life for the first time. Women Kurdish villagers.... " have played a key role in a variety of Kargar urged that factory shoras and tasks connected with the war effort, al anjomans send delegations to Kurdistan though they are not allowed to partici "to become acquainted at first hand pate in the fighting. with the difficulties faced by the Kur · The regime has balked at extending dish people ...." full rights to women, and has sought to The article in Kargar concluded: encroach on some rights already won. Working women have little job security. As the experiences of nearly three years In some government offices where child since the February insurrection has shown, care facilities had been organized, these the problem of national rights for the op have now been closed. pressed is one of the burning questions of the Women in government jobs have been Iranian revolution. It is posed also with re gard to the Turkish, Baluchi, Arab, Turko pressured to wear the Islamic veil, and man, and other peoples in various parts ofthe some have been fired for failing to do so. country. Wiping out the effects of more than a Attempts have also been made to segre half century of imperialist rule is impossible gate men and women employees in the without clearly responding to the demands of ministries, but this has met resistance Peasants in Iran are fighting to make government impl~ment widespread the oppressed nationalities of Iran. [Kargar, and has not been carried through wide land reform. October 12, 1981]. ly. Despite the regime's failure to grant The struggle of the oppressed nation alities for self-determination and of and majority factions of the Fedayan, The HKE reports that it has resumed full rights to the nationalities, some im the Maoist group Peykar, and others. a weekly public forum series at its head portant gains have been registered. In women for their liberation is part of the broader battle to defend and extend de The terrorism and the executions quarters in Tehran in December. Topics contrast to the shah's open fostering of diminished greatly during the final discussed included the workers' struggle Persian chauvinism and attempts to mocratic rights in Iran. In order to move their revolution for months of1981. As many as 500 of those in Poland, U.S. imperialist threats to stamp out any expression of other na arrested were reported to"have been am the Middle East, the fight for democrat tional cultures, radio and television in ward, Iranian workers and peasants must be able to gather freely; to read, nestied, although in late January the ic rights in Iran, and the role of Stali Iran today carry regular broadcasts in Tehran revolutionary prosecutor, Asa nism in the workers movement. Kurdish and Turkish. Books and maga listen to, and debate all political ideas; and to organize and demonstrate in sup dollah Lajevardi, told Iranian and for The latter ·topic has provoked sharp zines are also published in Turkish, eign journalists that between 3,000 and debate in recent months, owing to dis something that was never tolerated un port of their social, economic, and politi cal demands. 4,000 persons were still being held (Iran agreements that broke out inside the der the monarchy. Times, January 29). majority faction of the Fedayan. The Terrorism and executions All this has created an atmosphere in central leadership of the group sought to Armenians protest which workers are wary about speaking ram through a fusion with the Tudeh Other, smaller nationalities are con The fall of the shah brought huge out or taking action in support of their Party, but other leaders and a sizeable tinuing to fight for their rights as well. gains in this area. But the capitalist re demands. Even so, the situation is in no portion of the membership balked at In November, Armenians in Tehran gime has continually sought to en way comparable to that of the shah's re this and demanded the organization of a held a series of protest meetings- in <;:roach on the democratic rights of the gime, when there was a unit of the SAV congress. cluding one gathering of 10,000 - toilers since then. Newspapers not con AK secret police in every major factory, Kargar opened its pages to the Fe against a ruling by the minister of edu trolled by the government have repeat when it was illegal for Kurds and Turks dayan dissidents and other militants for cation that "religious minorities" could edly been banned or pressured into to use their own languages, and when a discussion on the history and role of no longer have their own schools. The ceasing publication. Socialists, worker possession of Marxist literature meant the Tudeh Party and the perspectives ruling also sought to limit Armenians' militants, and revolutionary intellectu torture and death. for building a revolutionary working right to education and cultural activi als have been jailed for months at a class vanguard in Iran today. ties in their own language. time. State of democratic rights today In conjunction with this debate, the Victims of forced shutdowns during HKE has also organized· a series of pub Under the constitution of the Islamic Bookstalls in Tehran and other major 1981 included the daily newspaper of lic classes on Stalinism and Trotskyism. Republic, Armenians - most of whom the pro-Moscow Tudeh Party, Mardom; cities today carry a wide variety of polit are Christians - are categorized as a ical literature. The pro-Moscow Tudeh Ummat, a daily published by a leftist Is Revolution remains alive "religious minority," something Ar lamic current; the bourgeois-liberal dai (Communist) Party operates its own menians have also objected to. ly Mizan; Shora, a weekly based at Poly chain of bookstores, in which - besides It is quite clear from the actual state After the November protests, the edu technic University in Tehran that re the Tudeh's own propaganda in favor of of the class struggle in Iran that the toil cation minister backed off and asserted flected the views of shora activists; and class collaboration - the works of ing masses have not been crushed. his support for Article 15 of the consti Arash, a literary magazine. Marx, Engels, and Lenin are available Quite the contrary- revolution is very tution, which recognizes "the right to After the People's Mujahedeen Or in Persian. much alive. Extensive discussion is tak teach local and communal cultures and ganization launched its counterrevolu The HKE has translated and pub ing place about how to defend the revo languages besides Persian." Armenian tionary campaign of terrorist attacks on lished a number of key works of Leon lution and advance it, there are ongoing leaders called for a halt to the protests, government officials and clergymen in Trotsky, such as The Revolution Be struggles around the social demands of but reiterated that they considered mid-1981, thousands of persons were ar trayed and The History of the Russian the workers and peasants, and commu themselves a nationality and not just a rested and hundreds executed, often Revolution. These are also sold publicly nists are able to openly participate in "local and communal culture" (Kargar, without trial. By no means all of these in Tehran and other cities. this political process. November 30, 1981). had taken up arms against the regime, A wide variety of literary works has A correct understanding of the situa Like the oppressed nationalities, or were even supporters of the Mujahe also appeared in the past three years, tion in Iran is especially important ~ women have also come forward as a re deen. The victims included members of and the poetry, novels, and essays of day. Any breakthrough in the military sult of the revolution. leftist groups such as both the minority writers banned under the shah have stalemate between Iraq and Iran could been republished. lead to dramatic upheavals and a much In addition to the progovernment dai sharper level of confrontation between lies, several leftist periodicals circulate imperialism and the Iranian revolution. freely. The Tudeh weekly lttihad-e Mar Obituaries for this revolution - one New &om Pathfinder dam (People's Unity) and the HKE's that is unmatched in all of Middle East Kargar (Worker) "both have legal au ern history - are exceedingly prema Imperialism vs. the Iranian Revolution: thorization and are widely sold on news ture. Which side for working people? stands in the capital and other cities. From Intercontinental Press The HVK's Hemmat (Determination) By Janice Lynn & David Frankel has not been legally author"ized, but its circulation is tolerated by the authori 'PM' sells well in w··· ties. Kar (Labor), the newspaper of the lll••:l:••:l·::p- .. majority faction of the Fedayan, has a B'klyn garment area similar status and a considerably larger circulation. 3 BY ELLEN HAYWOOD No street demonstrations outside the BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Perspectiva auspices of the government or the ruling Mundial sales people have received a IRP have been allowed since May 1981. good reception during the bustling rush On earlier occasions, leftist demonstra hour traffic in the Bush Termina,l gar tors oft_en faced attacks by club-wielding ment district here. The February 22 gangs known as hezbollahi ("partisans issue of the biweekly Spanish-language of God"). Such thugs also harassed those magazine carried an article on the Im distributing political literature and migration and Naturalization Service sometimes attacked indoor meetings of (INS) raid at Mademoiselle Knitwear in leftist groups. No attacks of this kind Bush Terminal and a front-page head have taken place in recent months, so line on El Salvador. cialists report, adding that there is also These attracted immediate attention. far less political leafleting and fewer Over fifty copies were sold at the sub meetings. way in the area and on the job by social ist garment workers. One young Colombian garment 3. Besides the HKE and the HVK, a third Iranian organization, the Socialist Workers worker stopped to buy Perspectiva Mun Party (HKS) is also affiliated to the Fourth dial and offer more information about 40 pp., $.95. Order from Pathfinder Press, 410 West Street, New International. Intercontinental Press has re the INS raid. He said the same day the ceived no publications from the HKS or infor immigration cops raided Bush Termi York, N.Y. 10014. Please include$. 75 for postage and handling. mation about its activities in more than a nal, they went "like a dragnet all over year. the area."

March 5, 1982 The Militant 13 Garment workers block bosses' attacks BY ROGER RUDENSTEIN final straw - a blow at the dignity of work usually of those who had ager of the union changed the tone: s'everal weeks ago in the clothes every worker in the shop. spoken out against the policy. "Well," he said, "you're here. And I warehouse where I work the bosses We turned to our union steward since Finally we decided to go down to the want you to understand that this is caught a guy trying to steal a pair of almost everyone is a member of the union local. The trouble was that the home. You're always welcome here. pants. They called everybody up front Amalgamated Clothing and Textile local is only open during business What's the problem?" for a meeting and announced a new Workers Union. But he said the union hours, while we're at work. But the We told him the problem. We told policy: every worker would be searched agent was too busy to come by. shop steward agreed to set up an him all the problems: the searches, the· for stolen goods when leaving the Two weeks later he still hadn't put in appointment. He warned that at least abuse, no heat, no breaks. And we told shop. an appearance. And the situation had twenty-five people had to go or the him the problems with the · union: Coming on top of the low wages and gotten worse. The bosses started con meeting would be cancelled. Some, who workers not receiving their union all-around bad treatment, this was the ducting spot searches of people during had seen past "appointments" fizzle, health benefits, not seeing the con were worried. Seven people who had tract, not receiving the union news tried about a year ago had been ha paper. rassed by the company afterward. "You have to be patient with us," the union assistant manager urged. "We However, when Monday (the busiest didn't know about any of this." day of the week at our shop) rolled "That's because our union rep never around, a high-spirited group of about talks to us," one of the workers an thirty took the subway down to the swered. "He ,hardly ever comes to the local. Composed mainly of Black work shop, and when he does he goes right ers, the group included Hispanics, in and talks to the boss instead of to Asians, whites, men, women, native us." horn, and immigrants. We were im pressed ourselves that we had been "Maybe there was a lack of commun able to get together. Guys who've ication," the manager admitted. "But worked at the shop for fifteen years frnm now on things are going to be said this was something new. different." And to make his point he called in the union's lawyer, who as The union agent led us into an sured us we had a right to refuse the auditorium and climbed to the podium search and that the union would back to scold us for our "wildcat strike." us in that. There were angry shouts, insisting on We elected a committee of five work Garment shop located in Brooklyn. our appointment. An assistant man- ers to meet, along with union officials, with management to inform them the searches would stop. When we returned to work our time Farmers demand parity, loan reprieve cards were gone. The bosses told the union we were all fired. But an hour of BY FRANK FORRESTAL supported by the farmers, which calls latch in northern Minnesota. discussions later we were all un-fired, ST. PAUL, Minn. - Some 500 for 80 percent parity, would raise the David Riehle, a socialist rail worker the searches were ended, and everyone farmers, loggers and unionists packed price value of a bushel of com to $4. If running for mayor of St. Paul, received who took off work to go to the union into the state capitol on February 15 to passed, this bill would lessen the a good hearing at the rally. He pointed was given full pay for the day. protest the increasing plight of Minne squeeze somewhat. out in a campaign statement that there They agreed the committee we had sota farmers. The rally was preceded Farmers at the rally said their farm will be no solutions to the plight of chosen would continue to meet and by a parade of farm tractors, logging income had fallen to Depression-era farmers and workers as long as the that we could have a monthly union trucks and buses from the state fair levels. According to the Department of Democrats and Republicans run the meeting in the shop. grounds. Agriculture, farmers' income in Minne government. Nobody thinks it's going to be easy The protest- called Minnesota Soli sota dropped $1 billion dollars last Riehle said, "A workers and farmers to tum the shop around, but things darity Day - was cosponsored by the year from 1980 earnings. Farmers also government in the U.S. can make sure will be different. American Agricultural Movement voiced their opposition to the trade working farmers have a fair and guar We all have a new confidence. Part (AAM), Minnesota Citizens Organiza embargo of the Soviet Union and Po anteed price for their products and low of it is because of the younger workers. tions Acting Together (COACT), and land. Before the embargo, for example, interest credit for buying machinery "Nothing happened here until this new the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Associa overseas sales of com in 1979 totaled and supplies. That kind of government generation came along," one co-worker tion. more than 40 million bushels. By 1981 would urge farmers to become warriors explained. "They don't take the same Carrying placards such as "Family they had dropped to about 3.3 million in the battle against hunger through old shit." Farmer: Endangered Species," "Tax bushels - a 92 percent decrease. out the world, and to join the fight to That new spirit, and a glimpse of .Profits not People," and "Parity Price Farmers were also opposed to the end famine once and for all. It would what a union could be if we were all will Save Rural America," Minnesota dumping of hazardous wastes, in not use food as a weapon against the united in it, infects everyone. As one farmers converged on the capitol to creases in utility rates, tax giveaways starving millions of the world, as both friend summed it up, "When I went press for passage of two bills: a two to monopolies, and land-grabbing by Democratic and Republican adminis home that day I felt good for the first year moratorium on mortgage fore logging companies like Boise and Pot- trations do. time since I worked here. I felt proud." closures and a minimum price bill that would guarantee 80 percent parity. The two-year moratorium bill on Racist frat party sparks Black rights demands farm foreclosures comes at a time when a quarter of Minnesota's 14,000 BY LORRAINE SOCKACI society. Chris Mack, president of the Marion Spencer, president of the Cin farmers who have loans with the CINCINNATI- In one of the larg United Black Association (UBA), out cinnati chapter of the NAACP; the Farmers Home Administration est demonstrations at the University of lined six demands addressed to this Rev. Melvin Jones, education chair (FmHA) are now delinquent in making Cincinnati since the late 1960s, more issue: Black organizations and stu man of the Baptist Ministers' Confer payments. Pat O'Reilly, state president than 2,000 persons attended a rally on dents should monitor SAE's suspen ence; and Dr. Angeline Jamison, presi of AAM and an organizer of the rally, February 15 to protest a "Martin sion; no budget cuts for Black pro dent of the United Black Association had to sell three quarters of his cattle Luther King Trash Party" sponsored grams and services; a recommitment of Faculty, Administration and Staff, to meet his loan payments to FmHA. by Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), the by the university to affirmative action; and acting head of the Afro-American Last year O'Reilly had an income of largest fraternity on campus. divestment of university holdings of Studies Department. $47,000; $36,000 of that went to pay After an investigation of the party stock in companies that do business in The Cincinnati Chapter of the interest on his loans. Today he is by the Interfraternity Council on a South Africa; sensitivity training pro Young Socialist Alliance issued a $224,000 in debt. complaint by Black student and fa grams for faculty, staff, and adminis statement in support of the broader Opposition to FmHA is so wide culty organizations on campus, univer trators; and a requirement of nine demands of the protest gathering. The spread that about a dozen chapters of sity President Henry Winkler sus credit-hours in Afro-American studies statement declared, in part, "We need a grassroots farm group called Minne pended the fraternity for two years. for all students. to mount a massive civil rights move sota Citizens Organizations Acting The suspension may be reduced to one Mack also blasted the student body ment in support of Black rights, not Together have sprung up around the year if SAE develops a plan of educa president and the student senate for banning this racist fraternity .... In state. To make their payments many tion and public service that will "con not speaking out against the racist short, we should use the university to farmers are forced to seek supplemen tribute to their awareness of the wrong fraternity party. He pointed out that further Black rights, to defend desegre tal forms of employment. they have done." there are two Black members on the gation and affirmative action, to op Most of the Black campus organiza university's Board of Trustees and pose the racist cuts in social programs. The second bill centers on the de tions, the Black students, and the neither of them has said anything Defend Black Rights!" mand for parity. This demand was Cincinnati chapter of the NAACP ex about the issue of campus racism. highlighted by a large billboard att pressed outrage at what they consi Mack told the rally that if the univer One of seven fears ached to one of the tractors. The bill dered to be a mild punishment for the sity doesn't grant the demands, "We board displayed the price of a 135 racist party and the defamatory invita are prepared to tell anyone with a job is in jeopardy horsepower tractor, the interest rate, tions which were issued for it. They social conscience not to come to the and the value of a bushel of com in demanded that the university perman University of Cincinnati." According to the latest Gallup poll 1973. On the right hand side were the ently suspend SAE. A founder of the United Black Asso one person in seven among the employ 1982 figures. The cost of a 1973 tractor The invitations to the party asked ciation in the 1960s, Dwight Tillery, ed believes his or her job is in jeopardy. was $13,899; in 1982 it costs $52,977. guests to bring such items as "food who is now regional director of the With the official rate of unemployment Interest rates have risen from 8 per stamps, your father if you know who National Bar Association, asked the at 8.5 percent, an additional 15 percent cent to 18.5 percent. And the value of a he is, a KKK hood, a pimp, etc." rally, "Can you imagine what would of persons holding either full-time or bushel of com has dropped from $2.34 The speakers · at the rally went happen if the UBA had a party called part-time jobs think it is at least fairly in 1973 to $2.25 in 1982. beyond the narrow issue of whether the Holocaust? The UBA would be likely that they will lose their jobs with The billboard reflects the growing SAE should be permanently sus forever banned. We have been sleeping in the next year. disparity· between the price of com per pended. Although they endorsed that on the job. We are suffering from the Fear of unemployment is highest bushel and the skyrocketing costs of demand, they focused on the larger illusion of inclusion." among Blacks, youth, and union production. The minimum price bill issue of racism on the campus and in Other speakers at the rally were workers.

14 The Militant March 5, 1982 Repression against undocumented workers Immigration cops raid factories in many cities

BY JOSE G. PEREZ employers," he said."Because of what's fensive against immigrants has also The judge ruled that the INS should NEW YORK - With virtually no happening, the employees aren't going been confirmed by Dr. Jorge Busta issue 145,000 additional permanent re publicity, the Reagan administration to work. People are scared." mante, internationally renowned immi sidency permits over and above those has launched a massive escalation of Orner G. Sewell, deputy director of the gration scholar and the Mexican gov provided for in the annual quota to raids by immigration cops to terrorize INS in Los Angeles, tacitly confirmed ernment's chief adviser on the subject. make up for this discrimination. While Latino communities throughout the the raids were unprecedented, claiming According to the January 31 Dallas it was being determined which persons United States. that previously Japanese immigrants Morning News, Bustamante reported in would receive the green cards, each ap Reports from California, Texas, and had followed the law but that now this a newspaper column in the middle of plicant would be given a letter (the Silva New York -three of the states with the had changed. He admitted the raids had January that the INS cops had in letter) giving him or her permission to largest Latino populations - indicate led to the arrest of the largest number of creased their persecution of Mexican live and work in the United States. The that since the beginning of the year undocumented Japanese immigrants. workers. immigrants who fell under the provi there has been a dramatic increase in "During the past fifteen days, I've sions of this decision were those who had roundups carried out by the hated Im National crackdown been in touch with lawyers connected sought, and been denied, permanent re with the undocumented workers' legal sidency before 1977. migration and Naturalization Service, INS spokespeople in Dallas and New above all in garment shops and other defense programs in Los Angeles, San York told this reporter there has been At the end of last year, the 145,000 workplaces. Antonio, El Paso, Houston, and Chica no increase in raids or roundups. green cards provided for under the Silva The February 5 issue of the Militant go," wrote Bustamente. However, at the beginning of Janu decision ran out, even though there carried a report detailing what one "Without exception, they have con ary, INS official Sewell told reporters were still 70,000 to 100,000 people who worker described as "a military opera firmed that in recent weeks police ac that the INS national office had ordered had received Silva letters but not green tion" by INS cops at the Mademoiselle tion against the undocumented workers its local offices to drastically increase cards. The INS then wrote to all these Knitwear Co., a garment factory in the has increased. It has produced a situa the number of agents assigned to raids, people, revoking their right to remain in Bush Terminal section of Brooklyn. Of tion of terror and persecution in the concentrating especially on factory and the country and instructing them to the 300 workers at that shop, 138 were Mexican communities in those cities." workplace raids. come to INS offices for questioning. arrested and several immediately de According to the January 6 Los An ported. 'Silva letters' revoked Immigrant defense groups say that if geles Times, Sewell said the goal is to at least triple the number of factory raids At the same time, the Reagan admin a holder of a Silva letter goes to the INS Construction workers deported offices, that person could be arrested on in that area. The number ofiNS cops as istration has revoked the so-called Silva Lee Oleson, Socialist Workers Party signed to factory raids, he said, would go letters, a kind of temporary residence the spot and then deported. candidate for U.S. Congress from Dal from eighteen to forty or fifty by the end and work permit established by a Chica The revocation of the Silva letters las's 24th District reports that "more of January. go federal court decision in 1977. caused a furor in Mexico. The Mexican than 12,000 undocumented workers Factories with more than 200 employ The ruling came in a suit filed by Re government recalled its ambassador to were deported from El Paso during Jan ees would be singled out for attacks in fugio Silva, an undocumented Mexican Washington for consultations. Never uary." In recent months there had been the new crackdown. "In the past, we immigrant, who challenged the govern theless, the ambassador, Hugo B. Mar an average of 18,000 to 19,000 deporta haven't had enough personnel to take on ment's right to deport him. Silva argued gain, later denied this was related to the tions, according to local press reports, in the largest factories," Sewell said. that by admitting a practically unlimit Silva letters, and publicly chastised im the INS's entire southern region, an "Even if you put all 18 of our inve.stiga ed number of Cubans in the 1960s with migration expert Bustamante as "a tech eleven-state area stretching from Arizo tors on one factory survey [roundup], out inceasing the total Western hemis nician who has provoked a lot of prob na and New Mexico to the Atlantic you wouldn't have enough. Now we will phere quota, the government had dis lems for us with the United States. . . . coast. be able to take on some of those." criminated against asp1nng immi I have to say his opinion is not the gov "La migra - as Chicanos and mexica The launching of the stepped-up of- grants from other countries. ernment's." nos call the INS - has been intercept ing workers on their way to construction jobs," Oleson adds. "Groups of undocu mented construction workers have been Texas socialists launch state ca111paign, whisked to Ia migra detention centers and deported to Mexico before the day is out." hit Reagan aid to El Salvador junta Oleson also says that local cops have been using a new state law requiring Political Party. drivers to have automobile insurance In a Spanish-language statement "as an excuse to set up roadblocks and broadcast throughout south Texas by check the papers of Mexicans and Lati KWEX-TV, Warshell pledged his nos. Those without papers are quickly gubernatorial campaign will "shine a deported." spotlight on the criminals of la migra In addition to Mexicans, Ia migra in [Immigration and Naturalization Ser Texas is deporting Salvadoran and Gua vice] and the Border Patrol," two of the temalan refugees, even though this many police agencies who have been could mean their deaths at the hands of on a rampage in Texas in the past the bloody U .S.-backed dictatorships months. · that govern those countries. Against the immigration plans of Clements and Reagan, Warshell of Los Angeles - 'state of siege' fered a different answer: an end to In Los Angeles, a coalition of immi deportations and full rights for all grant defense groups declared in mid immigrant workers. January that the city is "under a state of Another focus of the socialist cam siege" due to recent raids and deporta paign is the Texas prison system, the tions. nation's largest, with 32,000 inmates. Leaders of the National Immigration Prisoners are used to train police Coalition said at a news conference that dogs and perform slave labor in fields "massive" raids were carried out at fac Steve Warshell, Socialist Workers Party candidate for governor of Texas. infested with fire ants. During the tories and bus stops during the first recent cold wave many were housed in week of January. poorly heated tents. BY STEVE MARSHALL "They [the undocumented immi Ohio from 1970 to 1978. When a group of prisoners filed suit grants] are practically terrorized," said SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The So Warshell opened his campaign two against such barbaric conditions, four cialist Workers Party in Texas Elisa Chavez of the International La days later at a news conference at Los were murdered. launched campaigns for federal and dies Garment Workers Union. Arcos Cafe in San Antonio. "The .socialist campaign," said War "They are afraid to return to work." state offices by sounding the alarm He said that the "central issue in shell, "stands in solidarity with the against the Reagan administration's Texas and national politics is the prisoners of Texas." 'Little Tokyo' hit drive toward a war in Central Amer revolution in El Salvador and Presi Texas is a right-to-work state; only Ica. dent Reagan's intervention on the side 13 percent of Texas workers have On January 28 and February 2, INS Leading the SWP ticket are Norma of the military junta. The SWP will be union protection. That's why, said agents swept through Los Angeles's Saldana and Steve Warshell. Saldana, in the front ranks of those organizing Warshell, Texas leads the nation in "Little Tokyo" Japanese community. a Houston oil worker, is running opposition to U.S. intervention in that industrial accidents and deaths. The series of raids led to the closing of against "the Senator from Shell," country." The socialist candidates advocate a dozens of shops and restaruants," re Lloyd Bentsen. Filling out the SWP's slate are attor fight by the unions to repeal the right ported the Los Angeles Times on Febru Warshell is challenging Republican ney general candidate Diane Sarge, a to-work laws and to organize the mil-· ary 6. oil millionaire William Clements for Houston steelworker; Texas railroad lions of unorganized workers in Texas. "People are very upset and businesses governor. commission candidate Debbie Lazar, a "But to do that," said Warshell, "the are closing down," said Evelyn Yoshim Saldana announced her campaign laid-off auto worker; and two congres unions will have to take on the govern ura of the Little Tokyo Service Center. on February 8 at a news conference in sional candidates, Lee Oleson from ment. This means taking on the par "For the last couple of days, the area Houston. She attacked Bentsen's call Dallas and Gary Trabue from Hous ties that run it, the Democrats and Re around here has been barren." for reinstituting the military draft and ton. publicans. As far as I can tell, to be Robert Iwasaki, a lawyer who repre announced that she is going to Cuba Trabue, a Black Vietnam veteran, governor of Texas, or even to run as a sents a number of area restaurant own this month "to learn more about the worked as an over-the-road truck Democrat or Republican, you have to ers, said it was the biggest attack advancing revolutions" in Central driver until he was hired at Shell Park be a millionaire. against Japanese immigrants since he America. oil refinery five years ago. He is a "What we need is a .party to run started working in the area twenty-five Saldana is the daughter of migrant member of the Oil, Chemical, and against the millionaires. I think the years ago. farm workers and was active in the Atomic Workers International Union unions should launch a new party of "It's creating quite a problem for the Farm Labor Organizing Committee in and the National Black Independent the working class."

March 5, 1982 The Militant 15 -THEGREATSOC~TY------Situation normal - With group of people to another when $109,000 set of dishes when shion firms and assurred she enger service on the rail lines." some officials suggesting that that transfer is not justified by they arrived from the maker. has plenty of dresses of her own. - Southern Pacific Vice-presi welfare slashes could incite vio- accepted social norms." The so dent Robert Krebs on the de How could they possibly? cial norm of starving the poor to Ah, don't be paranoid - mand for more passenger ser stuff the rich? - '(There are people seeking to vice. Passengers, he explains, promote the misperception that Noting that twenty big banks and investment firms dominate are not as "cost effective" as "Spare us this day . ." - the civil rights activities of this hundreds of top U.S. industries, freight. The Catholic archbishop of Du administration are less forceful the United Auto Workers paper buque, Iowa has asked his flock than they should be."- Asst. Solidarity, suggested: "The high Harry to pray before watching the Atty. Gen. William Reynold. The cutting edge - Buck degree of concentration by this evening TV news. He said he knives have a reputation for be tiny group raises the possibility Ring would not discourage praying Fashion dep't - Goodwill ing better than average. A mes before reading the daily paper, Industries in Little Rock was go of collusion among corporate sage from AI Buck explains: but warned, "If you ask too ing to send Nancy Reagan a $3 giants.... " "From the beginning manage lence, presidential aide Robert much, you don't get anything." used dress, but some thought it ment determined to make God Carleson reponded: "No threat might seem disrespectful. Positively inconsiderate - the Senior Partner. In a crisis, of unrest ... should be permit Statistics dep't-The White Meanwhile, an aide announced "With the nation's energy situa the problem was turned over to ted to cow a government into House head butler said it took the first lady would no longer tion the way it is, this is just not Him, and He hasn't failed to transferring income from one his staff four hours to wash that accept dress "loans" from fa- the right time to impose pass- help us with the answer." --CALENDAR------

floor. Donation: $2. Ausp: Militant Forum. and dinner. Ausp: Militant Labor Forum. For W. Josephine St. Donation: $1.50. For more CALIFORNIA For more information call (617) 262-4621. more information call (212) 874-7922. information call (512) 736-9218. Oakland MICHIGAN Giveback Contracts: Attacks on Amer UTAH Campaign Rally: Mel Mason for Detroit ican Workers Increase. Speakers: Gregory Governor of California. Meet Mel Music, literature, and the Crisis in Pardlo, Professional Air Traffic Controllers Price The Fight Against Nuclear Power. Speak Mason at this statewide gathering. American Society. Speaker: Kofi Natambu, Organization; Susan Anmuth, member, Other speakers will include Rosa Ma United Auto Workers and Socialist Workers ers: Paul Gooris, New Mexico chapter of Phy editor of Solid Ground. Sun., Feb. 28, 7 p.m. sicians for Social Responsibility (org. for ria Riv,!lra, cofounder of ANDES (Na 6404 Woodward. Donation: $2. Ausp: Mil Party. 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For more infor Women's Rights in the U.S., and What We Salt Lake City mation call (313) 875-5322. Can Learn from the Struggles of Cuban The Crisis in El Salvador. Speakers: Joe Women. Speaker: Elizabeth Stone, editor of Navarro, professor of political science, Uni Women and the Cuban Revolution. Fri., versity ofUtah, and member of Committee in ARIZONA MINNESOTA Solidarity with Central American People; Twin Cities March 12, 7 p.m. reception, 8 p.m. program. Tucson Marc Ballroom, 27 Union Square West. Do Herb Clemens, president of Salt Lake City Ten Days That Shook the World. Film by The Destruction of Public Education: chapter of Amnesty International (organiza Can It Be Prevented? Speakers to be an nation: $3. Ausp: New York-New Jersey So Sergei Eisenstein based on book by John cialist Workers Party and Young Socialist tion for identification purposes only); Mike Reed. Sun., Feb. 28, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Arizona nounced. Sun., Feb. 28, 4 p.m. 508 N. Snell Moody, member of Utah State University ing Ave., St. Paul. Donation: $2. Ausp: Twin Alliance. For more information call (212) Ballroom, Student Union, University of Ariz 260-6400. Committee in Solidarity with the People ofEl ona. Donation: $1.50. Ausp: Young Socialist Cities Militant Forum. For more information Salvador; Kay Sedam, Socialist Workers Par Alliance. For more information call (602) call (612) 644-6325. ty. Sat., Feb. 27, 7 p.m. 677 South, 700 East. 622-3880. Schnectady Donation: $1.50. Ausp: Militant Forum. For MISSOURI First Public Meeting for Mayberry for more information call (801) 355-1124. Congress Campaign Committee. Speaker: ILLINOIS Kansas City Pat Mayberry, rail worker and Socialist Chicago Will Abortion Rights Be Lost? Speakers: Workers Party candidate in 28th Congres VIRGINIA Fundraising Benefit Rally for Jearl representative of Reproductive Freedom sional District. Wed., March 3, 7:30p.m. 323 Committee of Kansas City Urban chapter, Newport News Wood Defense Committee. Sun., Feb. 28, State St. For more information call (518) 374- Educational Conference on the Russian 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Hitching Post Lounge, National Organization for Women; Marcia 1494. Gallo, Socialist Workers Party. Sun., Feb. 28, Revolution. Sat. and Sun., March 6-7. Three 2975 W. 159th St., Markham. Donation: $5. classes: ''The History of the Bolshevik Party," Ausp: Jearl Wood Defense Committee. 8 p.m. 4715-A Troost. Donation: $2. Ausp: Militant Labor Forum. For more information NORTH CAROLINA Sat., 1 p.m.; "Imperialist War and the Second call (816) 753-0404. International," Sat., 4:30 p.m.; "The Alliance INDIANA Greensboro of the Workers and Peasants in Russia," Malcolm X and Dr. King: the Fight for Sun., 12:30 p.m. Film: Ten Days that Shook Indianapolis St. Louis Freedom Now. 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For more information Tues., March 2, 7 p.m. St. Mary's House, 930 Speakers: John Studer, national secretary of call (317) 283-6149. call (314) 725-1570. Walker Ave. For more information call (919) Political Rights Defense Fund; Mojgan Hari 723-3419. ri-Vijeh, Iranian student fighting deporta MASSACHUSE'ITS NEW YORK tion; David Keil, fired shipyard worker, Boston Brooklyn Winston-Salem member of Socialist Workers Party and Women and the Fight Against War. Malcolm X: The Meaning of His Idas for Socialist Workers Party Campaign Rally: United Steelworkers Local 8888; Miesa Pat Speakers: Judy Freiworth, Mobilization for Today. Film and panel discussion. Speakers: Why the Democrats Won't Stop Reagan terson, 1980 SWP candidate for Virginia gov Survival; Valerie Johnson, member, Socialist Minister Michael Amon-Ra, National Black ism. Speaker: Meryl Lynn Farber, SWP can ernor; Elton Manzione, branch delegate, In Workers Party and International Association United Front; representative of National didate for 5th Congressional District in N.C. dustrial Workers of the World, Columbia, of Machinists Local 264; representative, Na Black Independent Political Party; others. Sat., March 20, 6 p.m. banquet, 7:30p.m. ral South Carolina; Eli Green, 1982 SWP candi tional Organization for Women. Sun., March Fri., Feb. 26, 7:30p.m.; dinner 6:30p.m. 335 ly. 216 E. 6th St. Donation: $5 banquet and date for Newport News City Council, member 7, 7:30 p.m. 510 Commonwealth Ave., 4th Atlantic Ave. Donation: $2 forum, $4 forum rally, $1 rally only. Ausp: SWP Campaign of Steelworkers Local 8888. Sat., March 6, 8 Committee. For more information call (919) p.m. 111 28th St. Donation: $1. Ausp: Politi 723-3419. cal Rights Defense Fund. For more informa Militant/Perspectiva Mundiai/Young Socialist Tours tion call (804) 380-0133. invites you to visit OREGON Portland WASHINGTON CUBA Creationism vs. Evolution: In Defense of Seattle Scientific Thinking. Speaker: Sara Baird, Our Jobs and Our lives: Reagan's Arms NICARAGUA Socialist Workers Party. Sun., Feb. 28, 7:30 Buildup and the War Industries in Puget p.m. 711 NW Everett. Donation: $1. Ausp: Sound. Speaker: Chris Remple, Socialist GRENADA Militant Bookstore Forum. For more infor Workers Party candidate for U.S. Senate. Cuba mation call (503) 222-7225. Sun., Feb. 28, 7:30p.m. 4868 Rainier Ave. S. Donation: $2. Ausp: Militant Forum. For Workers Democracy/May Day Tour - April 18-May 2, 1982 - fifteen days, $960 more information call (206) 723-5530. 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Speakers: Betty Koster, Na Barricada lnternacional Prices include round-trip airfare from Miami, hotels Mllltant!Perspectiva Mundlal Tours tional Organization for Women; Jane (double occupancy), three meals (except for August 410 West Street, New York, NY 10014 McComsey, member of Socialist Workers Apartado Postal 576 8-15 tour), transfers, and guide service. (212) 242-5530 Party and Amalgamated Clothing and Tex Managua, Nicaragua tile Workers Union. Fri., March 5, 8 p.m. 337

16 The Militant March 5, 1982 'The China-Kampuchea-Vietnam triangle'

class politics went Pol Pot's rejection of international ism. In 1975 he told 3,000 army delegates: "We dared to wage a struggle on a stand completely different from that of world revolution. The world revolution carried out the struggle with all kinds of massive support, material, economic, and financial, from outside world forces. As for us, we have waged our revolutionary struggle basically on the principles of independence, sovereignty and self-reliance." Factually, this was wrong: the Vietnamese had given tremendous aid to help oust the U.S.-backed Lon Nol regime. And international antiwar protests played an important role in the struggle against U.S. intervention in Indochina.

Triangle in imperialist circles In her preface Arlee Frantz explains, "This is not a Remains of Kampucheans butchered by Pol Pot regime. book specifically about the role of the United States in Southeast Asia." The China-Cambodia-Vietnam Triangle, by china, Burchett quotes a senior Vietnamese aide: It is legitimate to focus on the Indochinese events Wilfred Burchett. Vanguard Books. 235 pages, "We did everything possible to have [our] principles and actors, and leave aside the full record of direct $6.95 paperback. accepted and we never abandoned that stand. U.S. involwment. , "The enemy position was: 'Let's be realistic. . . . But in his overall analysis and conclusions Bur BY DIANE WANG Let's deal only with the present.' Unfortunately we chett also seems to assign Washington a sideline role. Mass graves unearthed in Kampuchea (Cambodia) had allies who in the name of 'realism' and 'pragma-. True, he notes that the U.S. government gave China record a staggering brutality and terrorism. Between tism' also advised us not to 'poison the atmosphere' a clear go-ahead to move against Vietnam. Yet Bur 1975 and 1979 the Pol Pot regime exterminated an but to yield." chett stands matters upside down when he writes: estimated 40 percent of the population. Burchett comments, "Covering the Geneva Confer "If the United States could consider itself as play This was carried out by leaders who originally ence from the first to the last day, I - and other jour ing - in a historical context - a short-term role as claimed to be socialists, and were welcomed in 1975 nalists with close relations to the socialiat delega an international gendarme to 'contain communism,' as liberators from U.S. destruction. Today, following tions -had no suspicion that the Chinese and Soviet China was content to let the United States play that their reign of terror, these leaders enjoy the support delegations were not solidly backing the Vietnam role while it schemed for the larger stakes of long of both the U.S. and Chinese governments. ese." term, permanent control of the area, the resources of Wilfred Burchett, a radical journalist for many It was more than a quarter-century after the 1954 which would then be used against both the United years, has visited Kampuchea and Vietnam five conference that a Vietnamese leader commented to States and Japan. If the United States thinks in Burchett: "Because of the betrayals at Geneva, our terms of years and the duration of a presidency, Chi struggle lasted another twenty years, but our mil na thinks in ~rms of centuries and the duration of a itary, political and diplomatic experiences proved one dynasty! The U.S. love match with China will be dis BOOK REVIEW thing: One must be absolutely independent. This is a carded when it is no longer useful!" living reality touching our own flesh and blood." But Washington is not just a co-conspirator - times since the overthrow of Pol Pot three years ago. much less a dupe - in Chinese plans. It is the niain The interviews and descriptions collected in this book Pseudosocialism of Pol Pot- actor, the chief instigator of the crimes against Viet are a wealth of evidence on many topics. These in What were the ideas that drove Pol Pot's Khmer nam and Kampuchea. clude: Consider the Chinese invasion. Burchett himself • Kampuchean resistance to Pol Pot, including Rouge? Two themes documented by Burchett seem striking. records how the Chinese provocations stepped up as whole villages that rebelled and were massacred. Vietnam took control of some 3,000 large merchants' • How the imperialist propaganda campaign From the early 1950s, the Paris group of Cambodi an intellectuals that included Pol Pot rejected a class enterprises and extended the workers state in the about Vietnam's "boat people" was used to discredit north to the south in early 1978. the deepening Vietnamese revolution. analysis of their country's problems. "What we habitually call 'cities' or 'market towns' • How Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge and the Peking re This deepening of the Vietnamese revolution and are pumps which drain away the vitality of the rural its impact on the rest of Southeast Asia alarmed U.S. gime prepared and escalated their attacks on Viet areas," wrote Hou Youn, one of the group, in 1955. nam's borders, leading to the 1979 battles. imperialism. Consequently, Washington stepped up This confusion of city dweller for capitalist was at its provocations against the revolution, getting Pek Burchett's own political background provides an the heart of Pol Pot's pseudosocialism. interesting perspective for exami,ning these ques ing to launch an invasion of Vietnam. tions. As one of what he calls the "pro-Chinese 'Viet When the Khmer Rouge evacuated a large part of Marxists have always traced the drive for expan the population from Phnom Penh in April 1975, it nam watchers"' during the Vietnam War, Burchett sion and war in this epoch to the workings of capital came to his conclusions about the Chinese regime and claimed this was a drastic measure to cope with fam ist economies. In China, the bureaucratic caste Pol Pot "with great sorrow and disillusion." ine or possible U.S. bombing. Later it cited fear of the doesn't depend on the accumulation and expansion of This profound disillusion has led Burchett - and Vietnamese. But, as Burchett shows, this was part of capital for its wealth and privileges. a "complete set of very severe measures" that some many others - to reexamine the past, to sift through The expansionism operating in this area is that of Cambodian students in Paris were writing into doc facts and opinions with new eyes and greater care. imperialism. The U.S. rulers don't just think in terms toral theses back in 1959. Burchett tries to critically review the origins of the of years, but aspire to a milennium of world domina Pol Pot clique, what led to Vietnam's intervention to For the Khmer Rouge, the "poorest of the poor," not tion. help overthrow the terror regime in Kampuchea, and the workers, would lead. In reality, Burchett reports, The parasitic caste that governs the Chinese China's invasion of Vietnam. "it was often the village 'drop out' - even by poor workers state, seeking trade agreements, diplomatic Writing about the 1954 Geneva Conference, held to peasant standards." relations, and an empty promise of class peace, have settle the war the French had been waging in Indo- Alongside this contempt for the working class and lent their aid to imperialist objectives. --DmECTORY------Where to find the Socialist Workers Desk, Indiana Memorial Union. Zip: 47405. NEW JERSEY: Newark: SWP, YSA, 11- lege: YSA, P.O. Box 464, Bellefonte. Zip: Party, Young Socialist Alliance, and so Gary: SWP, YSA, 3883 Broadway. Zip: 46409. A Central Ave. Zip: 07102. Tel: (201) 643- 16823. Tel: (814) 238-3296. cialist books and pamphlets Tel: (219) 884-9509. Indianapolis: SWP, YSA, 3341. RHODE ISLAND: Providence: YSA, 4850 N. College. Zip: 46205. Tel: (317l 283- NEW MEXICO: Albuquerque: SWP, P.O. Box 261, Annex Station. Zip: 02901. ALABAMA: Birmingham: SWP, YSA, 6149. YSA, 1417 Central Ave. NE. Zip: 87106. Tel: TEXAS: Austin: YSA, c/o Mike Rose, 7409 205 18th St. S. Zip: :35233. Tel: (205) 323- IOWA: Cedar Falls: YSA, c/o Jim Sprall, (505)) 842-0954. Berkman Dr. Zip: 78752. Tel. (512) 452-3923. 3079. 803 W. 11th St. Zip: 50613. NEW YORK: Capital District (Schenec Dallas: SWP, YSA, 2817 Live Oak. Zip: ARIZONA: Phoenix: SWP, YSA, 611 E. tady): SWP, YSA, 323 State St. Zip: 12305. 75204. Tel: (21,.4) 826-4711. Houston: SWP, Indian School. Zip: 85012. Tel: 1602) 274- KENTUCKY: Louisville: SWP, YSA, 131 W. Main #102. Zip: 40202. Tel: (502) 587-8418. Tel: (518) 374-1494. New York, Brooklyn: YSA, 6333 Gulf Freeway, Room 222. Zip: 7399. Tucson: SWP, P.O. Box 2585. Zip: SWP, YSA, 335 Atlantic Ave. Zip: 11201. Tel: 77023. Tel: (713) 924--4056. San Antonio: 85702. Tel: (602) 622-3880 or 882-4304. LOUISIANA: New Orleans: SWP, YSA, 3207 Dublin St. Zip: 70118. Tel: <504) 486- (212) 852-7922. New York, Manhattan: SWP, YSA, 337 W. Josephine. Zip: 78212. CALIFORNIA: Oakland: SWP, YSA, SWP, YSA, 108 E. 16th St. 2nd Floor. Zip: Tel: (512) 736-9218. 2864 Telegraph Ave. Zip: 94609. Tel: (415) 8048. MARYLAND: Baltimore: SWP, YSA, 2913 10003. Tel: (212) 260-6400. New York: City UTAH: Salt Lake City: SWP, YSA, 677 S. 763-3792. Los Angeles: SWP, YSA, 2546 W. wide SWP, YSA, 108 E. 16th St. 2nd Floor. 7th East, 2nd Floor. Zip: 84102. Tel: (801) Pica Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380-9460. Greenmount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) 235- 0013. Zip: 10003. Tel: (212) 533-2902. 355-1124. San Diego: SWP, YSA, 1053 15th St. Zip: NORTH CAROLINA: Piedmont: SWP, VIRGINIA: Tidewater Area (Newport 92101. Tel: <714) 234-4630.San Francisco: MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: SWP, YSA, 510 Commonwealth Ave., 4th Floor. Zip: YSA, 216 E. 6th St., Winston-Salem. Zip: News): SWP, YSA, 111 28th St. Zip: 23607. SWP, YSA, 3284 23rd St. Zip: 94110. Tel: Tel: (804) 380-0133. 02215. Tel: (617) 262-4621. 27101. Tel: (919) 723-3419. (415) 824-1992. San Jose: SWP, YSA, 46V2 OHIO: Cincinnati: SWP, YSA, 2531 Gil WASHINGTON, D.C.: SWP, YSA, 3106 Race St. Zip: 95126. Tel: (408) 998-4007. MICHIGAN: Detroit: SWP, YSA, 6404 bert Ave. Zip: 45206. Tel: (513) 751-2636. Mt. Pleasant St. NW. Zip: 20010. Tel: (202) COLORADO: Denver: SWP, YSA, 126 W. Woodward Ave. Zip: 48202. Tel: (313) 875- Cleveland: SWP, YSA, 2230 Superior. Zip: 797-7699. Baltimore-Washington District: 12th Ave. Zip: 80204. Tel: (303) 534-8954. 5322. 44114. Tel: (216) 579-9369. Toledo: SWP, 3106 Mt. Pleasant St., NW., Washington, FLORIDA: Gainesville: YSA, c/o Bill Pe MINNESOTA: Mesabi Iron Range: SWP, YSA, 2120 DorrSt. Zip: 43607. Tel: (419) 536- D.C. Zip: 20010. Tel: (202) 797-7021. tersen, 612 SW 2nd St. Zip: 32601. Tel: (904) YSA, 1012 2nd Ave. South, Virginia, Minn. 0383. WASHINGTON: Seattle: SWP, YSA, 376-0210. Miami: SWP, YSA, 1237 NW 119th Send mail to P.O. Box 1287. Zip: 55792. Tel: OREGON: Portland: SWP, YSA, 711 NW 4868 Rainier Ave. South. Zip: 98118. Tel: St., North Miami. Zip: 33167. Tel: (305) 769- (218) 749-6327. Twin Cities: SWP, YSA, 508 Everett. Zip: 97209. Tel: (503) 222-7225. (206) 723-5330. 3478. N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: PENNSYLVANIA: Edinboro: YSA, WEST VIRGINIA: Charleston: SWP, GEORGIA: Atlanta: SWP, YSA, 509 (612) 644-6325. Edinboro State College. Zip: 16444. Tel: (814) YSA, 1584 A Washington St. East. Zip: Peachtree St. NE Zip: 30308. Tel: (404) 872- MISSOURI: Kansas City: SWP, YSA, 734-4415. Harrisburg: SWP, YSA, 803 N. 25311. Tel: (304) 345-3040. Morgantown: 7229. 4715A Troost. Zip: 64110. Tel: (816) 753-0404. 2nd St. Zip: 17105. Tel. (717) 234-5052. Phi· SWP, YSA, 957 S. University Ave. Zip: ILLINOIS: Chicago: SWP, YSA, 434 S. Wa St. Louis: SWP, YSA, 6223 Delmar Blvd. Zip: ladelphia: SWP, YSA, 5811 N. Broad St. Zip: 26505. Tel: (304) 296-0055. bash, Room 700. Zip: 60605. Tel: (312) 939- 63130. Tel: (314) 725-1570. 19141. Tel: (215) 927-4747 or 927-4748. WISCONSIN: Milwaukee: SWP, YSA, 0737. NEBRASKA: Lincoln: YSA, P.O. Box Pittsburgh: SWP, YSA, 1102 E. Carson St. 4707 W. Lisbon Ave. Zip: 53208. Tel: (414) INDIANA: Bloomington: YSA, Activities 30209. Zip: 68503. Tel: (402) 475-2255. Zip: 15203. Tel: (412) 488-7000. State Col- 445-2076.

March 5, 1982 The Militant 17 --EDITORMLS------The 'Militant' twenty years What road for· women's rights struggle ago this week BY CONNIE ALLEN Who is killing the Equal Rights Amendment, why, An item in the February 12 issue of the New York Twenty years ago the Militant was a four-page and what should be done about it? Times described the NOW leadership's latest propos weekly. However, when special events warranted it, The March 8, International Women's Day, activi al for ERA supporters. It reports that the NOW lead a larger issue was published. Cuba's explanation ties that are being organized around the country pro ership recently notified NOW chapters of a "change and denunciation of the historical role of imperial vide a good opportunity to discuss these questions in tactics." NOW intends "to regularly picket Repub-. ism was such an event. The March 5, 1962, issue of and think out how to defend women's rights in the lican leaders and bluntly charge that the G.O.P. is the Militant was eight pages and carried the full face of the current attacks. the biggest obstacle to the measure's [ERA] appro text of the Second Declaration of Havana. Since the beginning of the year, five state legisla val." This document was aoopted February 4, 1962, at a tures have voted against ERA ratification. This is less an anti-Republican campaign than it is mass rally of a million Cubans in response to the In Oklahoma, the legislators voted the ERA down a pro-Democratic Party one. All-out against theRe- . January 1962 meeting of the Organization of Amer twice in January. In Georgia, it was rejected in the publican enemy is the classic cover for waging a big ican States (OAS) in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The House of Representatives by a two-to-one margin. effort behind the Democrats, especially in an election OAS meeting came the year after Washington's In Virginia and Illinois, changes in legislative year. attempted invasion of Cuba.. Then Secretary of rules that could have given the ERA a better shot at But as every rule has its exception, so too does the State Dean Rusk tried to get the agreement of Latin passing were defeated. And in Missouri, the ERA was Republican-only campaign. A recent mailing from American governments to adopt mandatory diplo killed in committee. In fact, no state has approved the Smeal urges a huge effort to get Susan Catania nomi matic and economic sanctions against Cuba. ERA since Indiana passed it in 1977. nated for lieutenant governor in the Illinois Republi Washington failed to impose this reactionary This leaves the June 30 deadline for ERA passage can primary. Smeal terms this an "election which policy on the semi-colonial governments, which · just four months away with still only thirty-five of may well determine the fate of the Equal Rights were fearful of the reaction from their own people if the thirty-eight states necessary having approved it. Amendment." These defeats come on top of the Idaho Supreme That's absurd. Court's ruling last December that: Congress's three Electing one more female Republican will not stop year extension of the original ratification deadline the relentless ruling-class offensive against women OUR was unconstitutional; and that state governments and all working people, an offensive that includes the could rescind previous ratification votes. decision to let the ERA die, but is much broader. REVOLUTIONARY At the end of January, the U.S. Supreme Court To the contrary, convincing women's rights suppor issued a stay of this decision, but declined to comment ters to support and elect politicians beholden to the HERITAGE on the "merits" of the case, i.e. whether equal rights employers will make it easier for the rulers to deal us for half the population should be written into the con further blows. they completely caved in to imperialism. Pro-Cu- . stitution. Yes, we do need a new government. That's for sure. ban demonstrations took place during the OAS Most people know that the majority in this country meeting in Venezuela, Uruguay, and Bolivia. support the ERA, as well as abortion rights and other We need a wo~kers government that will represent the interests of all the exploited and the oppressed. A However, the U.S. government did succeed in measures to improve women's status in society. pushing through a resolution condemning Cuba as There's an urgent need for women's rights suppor government that champions the struggles of women fighting for equality; Blacks and Latinos fighting ra a threat to "the freedom of man"; stating that the ters to discuss why, in the face of this majority senti revolution in Cuba was a threat to "peace" and ment, the Democrats and Republicans are accelerat cism; working people fighting. for jobs, a decent in come, and democratic rights. "democracy" in this hemisphere; and calling on the ing their attacks on women's rights. council of the OAS to effect the "exclusion" of Cuba A recent mailing from National Organization for We need a government that will use its power in from the OAS. Women President Eleanor Smeal ventured this ex the interests of the majority, not a tiny minority of Cuba responded by mobilizing a million people in planation: rich people - a government that will pursue a for Havana to denounce the real threat to peace and "I am convinced that the legislators are running eign policy of peace and friendship toward the op democracy. The Second Declaration of Havana is scared of the far Right Wing. They fear that a vote for pressed and exploited in other countries, not war and addressed "from the people of Cuba to the peoples of ERA means that they will be targeted by a very pow plunder. America and of the world." It's central theme is the erful and monied political force." But supporting Democrats and Republicans is the Latin American revolution against domination by But this reasoning raises more questions than it biggest obstacle to ever having a say over how this U.S. big business. However, it places this process in answers. country is run. It's support to the two-party shell the international and historic context of the rise For one thing, the "far Right Wing" represents a lot game for decades that has gotten the labor movement and development of imperialism. fewer people than the pro-ERA forces. So why aren't into the impasse it faces today. And an increase in the "What is the history of Cuba if not the history of the legislators - who are supposed to carry out the number of elected Black Democrats and Republicans Latin America?" asks the declaration. "And what is majority will - "running scared" of us? has not prevented the plight of Black people in this the history of Latin America if not that of Asia, In addition, many of the Democrats and Republi country from worsening. Africa, Oceania? And what is the history of all cans that have blocked ERA passage claim to support The most important question women's rights figh these peoples if not a history of the most despicable ERA, and thus are already opposed by various right ters must discuss is the breaking from this con game. and cr.uel exploitation by imperialism of the entire wing political groups. We must chart a course that links the struggle for world?" In the recent vote in Georgia, for example, ERA women's rights with the fight of the entire working The Second Declaration of Havana is a histori supporters thought they were within ten votes of the class for political power. This means seeing the road cal-materialist explanation of modern class society. ninety-one necessary to win ERA passage. But only forward for women as connected to the fight for a par It is available for $.75 from Pathfinder Press at 410 fifty-seven legislators ended up voting in favor of ty that can lead this struggle. West Street, New York, New York, 10014. ERA. And fully 90 percent of the 'nay' votes were cast The unions are the biggest organizations that The March 5, 1962, issue of the Militant also by Democrats. working people have in this country. If they would included an article on Washington's less-than-suc Today's realities make clearer than ever that both run their own candidates, form their own party, it cessful efforts to force European governments to the Democratic and Republican parties are controlled would be a qualitative step forWard in the fight to end cease trading with Cuba; a report on a speaking by "powerful monied interests." The bipartisan eco capitalist rule and the war, inequality, and exploita tour by Joe Hansen, a Socialist Workers Party nomic, political, and social offensive against the tion that it breeds. It would represent a giant step for leader, following his trip to Latin America; and a ward in the struggle to end the oppression of women. rights and living standards of all working people is story on the frame-up of civil rights activists in what emboldens right-wing scum like "Stop ERA," The slogan that the first International Women's Baton Rouge, Louisiana. the misnamed "Right-to-Life," the "Moral Majority" Day activities were organized around in 1911 was The expanded issue also carried a lead article by and the Ku Klux Klan. It's elected Democratic and "the vote for women will unite our strength in the Harry Ring, "Vietnam Build-Up Invites Major struggle for socialism." Republican officials, not Jerry Falwell and Phyllis War." This was before the war had become an issue That's a good goal to keep in mind as we discuss Schlafly, who are using their governmental power to for most Americans, and before the massive com how to fight for the ERA, abortion rights, and how to drag us into a new Vietnam in Central America, cut mitment of U.S. troops. However, it was clear that back social services and democratic rights, and do no build a masSive, militant women's liberation move the U.S. was moving toward a major escalation and ment. thing about the growing unemployment. the use of American Gls as cannon fodder to maintain U.S. domination of Southeast Asia. Ring wrote: "The Kennedy administration has cause for refusing to discuss the Chinese charge that its intervention in the Vietnamese civil war is Rightists threaten TV's 'Lou Grant' a flagrant violation of the 1954 Geneva agreement which limited foreign military personnel in the area Last week, we reported that a group of actors and wing positions, has demagogically attacked Asner for to 685 men. film makers led by Ed Asner, TV's "Lou Grant," misusing his position as president of the union. "It is unofficially admitted tM.at some 4,000 GI's launched a campaign for medical aid to El Salvador." In attacking Asner, the red-baiting forces who are now at war in South Vietnam. The real figure On February 15, a check for $25,000 was given to the want to drive him from his union post are challenging may be even higher and more forces are being Revolutionary Democratic Front ofEl Salvador to de the right of all unionists to speak out in opposition to poured in. And the original pretext for the violation liver to citizens who need care. This was the begin war. of the Geneva accord - that the Viet Cong guerril ning of a drive to raise $1 million for medical aid. Asner, in a public response published on the op-ed las were actually North Vietnamese 'aggressors' Since then, Asner has received a death threat over page of the February 20 New York Times, wrote: has fallen apart. . . . the phone. The Los Angeles police have stated that "Hey, Asner. What gives you and your actor friends "Despite the U.S. censorship- designed to keep they believe it to be a right-wing threat, and have the right to speak out about United States foreign the American people from knowing what's really placed Asner under twenty-four-hour guard. policy? Who do you think you are? ... going on there - it has become painfully apparent This attack is clearly an attempt to intimidate "The truth is that once again a Government, not that the GI's have been sent to South Vietnam to Asner and the newly formed Medical Aid for El Sal worthy of one United States penny, is being kept save the corrupt Diem dictatorship from the wrath vador committee. It should be condemned by every alive by millions of our tax dollars. of the South Vietnamese peasantry who are the person who defends free speech and the right to or "Without United States military and economic aid, backbone and sustaining force of the Viet Cong ganize around one's views. the junta in El Salvador could not survive, and the freedom fighters. Asner's opposition to Washington's intervention in suffering of the Salvadoran people could end. "The U.S. is so deeply committed to staving off a El Salvador, and his aid to the rebels, has also "It is the responsibility of every concerned citizen basic social transformation in that blighted country aroused the ire of some ofhis colleagues in the Screen to stay informed and speak out in the name of decen that it must even defend Diem from his own officer Actors Guild. Charlton Heston, known for his right- cy when our Government's foreign'policy is wrong." caste."

18 The Militant March 5, 1982 Safety must be a top priority for oil workers

BY MARY WISMER dor." In that article, the reporter ran down ten separ ery .in Houston, Texas, over the summer. One of the Working in perhaps one of the more dangerous in ate incidents that occurred in the summer. refinery's two Alkylation plants had been a year dustries in the United States, Oil, Chemical and During the same period farther down the river, overdue for a turnaround. In its rush for profits, the Atomic.Workers Union members see safety as a top there was another tank explosion at the Celotex plant management at Crown kept the plant running. A ma priority. Although the big oil companies protest to in Marrero, Louisiana, that injured nine workers and jor leak developed in one of the unit's main feed lines. the contrary, safety is one of the first things to go dur killed one. Also, since September there have been Rather than shutting the unit down for much needed ing an economic squeeze. several minor fires at the Shell-Norco refinery. repairs, Crown shut the unit down long enough to There have been a rash of explosions, fires, chemi It is no accident that these fires and explosions are bandaid the leak and then instructed the Alky plant cal leaks, and other accidents of that nature in the occurring now. Oil companies across the United operators to bring the unit back on line. The opera States are using the economic crisis as an excuse to tors protested and insisted that the plant was unsafe ignore traditional safety rules. Units that desparate to run, but management persisted. When the unit ly need to be shut down and turned around are being was brought back on stream, it exploded, burning to UNION TALK left in operation, far beyond their capacity to run the ground. Three workers were critically burned. safely. Under tremendous pressures and tempera Oil companies make a big show about their safety past year. Along the Mississippi River, where there is tures and the corrosive ch!;micals that the pipes and records, but the operators and maintenace workers a large concentration of petrochemical plants, such machinery are subjected to, the inevitable finally oc who run the plants know that it is only that - a accidents have been occurring almost monthly. curs - a fire, an explosion, ·and permanent injury or show. Safety is never first when profits are in the In New Orleans the Times-Picayune recently ran loss of life of the workers who maintain the units. way, and oil workers lives aren't important when it an article entitled, "Accidents creating fiery corri- Just such an incident occurred at the Crown Refin- comes to squeezing that extra buck out of a unit. -LETTERS------War & economics ment in these circumstances heard the last of it. A short item A topic of conversation in the solely by the character of those from the Associated Press wire, plant I work in is the question: who are hitching a ride on its dated February 11, makes this will the war solve the economic coattails falls far short of the clear: crisis? kind of analysis it deserves. The ''William Shockley, the Nobel I think it would be good if the bourgeoisie have, whenever pos Prize-winning physicist whose Militant ran an article on this sible, covered their class rule racial view of genetics has made subject from an historical point with the cloak of universal con him the center of international of view. Did World War II solve cepts like human rights, demo controversy, has filed to run for the depression of 1929? What cracy, and freedom. That they the [U.S.] Senate as a Republi does a war budget do to the eco must do so is a tribute to• their can. nomy? We already have the need for, and fear of, the work "The Stanford University pro most bloated war budget ever, is ing class. fessor emeritus said Tuesday it solving the crisis of capital The best way to deal with that he would use his campaign ism? What did the Vietnam War bourgeois opportunism is to ex to explain his view that blacks do to help the economy? What is pose it. We can't worry about be and some other races are not this war budget spent for? What ing contaminated by it to the ex evolving as quickly as others." could jt be spent for- a massive tent that we allow the bourgeoi Stephen Jay Gould's new public works program, restore sie to monopolize discussions book - Mismeasure of Man - the budget cuts. about freedom in Eastern Eu and Claire Moriarty's excellent rope or anywhere else. In my review of it (Militant, February J.C. 'Y'all colored folks don't take this personal-it's jes' that we Piedmont, North Carolina view socialists' best weapon for 12)- are very timely. Unfortu this is simply the truth. To tell nately. don't like buses!' it requires an acquaintance Cliff Conner with the positive nature of Soli New York, New York this affrontery to working peo state capitalism? What about Timely report darity's reform program - its ple everywhere. the argument that private in The report adopted by the na class base, the self-management A reader dustry is always more efficient tional convention of the Young proposals, its democratization United States than the public sector? I've Socialist Alliance written by plans - in short, its attempt to heard that one regarding na Margaret Jayko is excellent and realize the juridical position of Social Security cuts tional health care, too. I'd also very timely. I think it is just the working cl,ass in the society. I am a claims representative PATCO like to know more about Bri what the majority of working working for the Social Security tain's nationalized industries. Glenn Fieldman Enclosed is a check for $3 for a women are looking for and that administration. I read Morris Paul Dougan Denver, Colorado three month renewal. I'd like to the impact of socialist ideas in Starsky's article on disability Iowa City, Iowa the women's movement will be benefits (1129/82 issue of the order a six month renewal but tremendous. For the first time Militant) with great interest be can't afford it right now. I'm one Susan Sontag of the fired air controllers being working women will realize cause what he states is true - A dare that here are women speaking Your editorial of February 19 unfortunately. persecuted by "our" gov~rn It behooves one how a news out, not for lobbying with politi attacking Susan Sontag's re I see people who are so sick ment. I've been driving a taxi paper which professes such an cians and for giving up rights, marks at the recent New York and disabled that they can nev cab and working as a part-time anti-imperialist, pro-human but for pressing forward' and de "Evening for Solidarity" misre er work again turned down in salesman seven days a week try rights, pro-minority, pro-work manding those rights by what presents the role played by mod their quest to obtain disability ing to make enough money to ing-class stance can support an ever means necessary. erator Ralph Schoenman. Mr. pay all the bills. Anyway, next benefits - a benefit that should obviously proimperialist organi It is significant to note that Schoenman did not quote Rosa be rightfully theirs. As Mr. time around I'll order the Mil most of the strikes in the recent Luxemburg to defend Ms. Son itant for six months. zation such as the Palestinian Starsky correctly pointed out, Liberation Organization. Your period were by women workers, tag's anticommunist speech, or since 1979 when the guidelines Why has nothing been writ teachers and nurses. They even her right to speak. Actu ten about the resignations of six so-called anti-Zionist, imperial for disability were changed, the ist (actually truffied-over anti struck for more while some of ally, Schoenman was denying percentage of those receiving PATCO national officers. · semitism) rhetoric shows the labor bureaucrats, for the Sontag's implication that the · unfavorable decisions has risen George Legrand first time in labor history, are only political voices available Lafayette, Louisiana through on you a lot·better than to an alarming proportion. A any of your pseudo-rebellious considering how much workers over the past sixty years have few years ago it seemed that articles and editorials. should sacrifice to guarantee been Reader's Digest-style anti about one out of every two per Marty-Noel-Nivoli the profits of the bosses. communism or Nation-like Sta sons applying for disability be 'Militant' hits hard The fact that the National linophilia, and that instead Santa Monica, California . nefits was disapproved, now it I have read a few of your P.S. I dare you to print this Black Independent Political there is a rich tradition (which, would be closer to eight out of newspapers and I find them tru letter in full. Party champions women's of course, the Militant typifies) every ten persons applying is ly fascinating. Your writers equality and that the YSA gives of revolutionary struggle for so turned down. sure hit.hard where it hurts. women's rights top priority is cialist democracy. These re And yes, as Mr. Starsky men I am interested in a subscrip Right on really significant and directly marks were quite to the point, tioned, many people currently tion to the full time. Militant Saw a copy of your paper - points to the socialist direction even if ·Mr. Schoenman did receiving disability benefits run I have also read Workers right on, right on, right on! that the working class as a somewhat overstep his role as the risk of losing their monthly Viewpoint once or twice and am· whole will take. moderator. payments under similar guide Please send twelve week sub interested in knowing what is scriptions to the following peo Fannie Curran I hope to see the Militant lines set under the Accelerated the difference basically between ple. I like it so much I'm gonna Minneapolis, Minnesota readers and supporters taking Continuing Disability Investi your views and theirs. part in organizing and building gations program. I can personal turn my friends on to it. Joe Martin Thomas Moseley similar meetings, which could ly tell of many horror stories Cary, North Carolina Telling the truth very well help overcome some of which have resulted from this Medford, Maine This letter is written in re the political difficulties inher cavalier treatment of disabled sponse to some of the doubts ex ent in such events. persons by the Social Security pressed in the Militant recently Michael Pearlman administration. Questions Correction Bensalem, Pennsylvania by other readers as to the pro One solution would be for· the I have some questions regard Last week in the 'U.S. Out of gressive nature of the Polish public to demand that the re ing nationalization of industry Central America and Carib Solidarity movement. The most quirements for disability be which perhaps you could write bean' column on page 4 we damning accusation against William Shockley changed to meet the needs of the or reprint an article on. It's com printed two phone numbers to Solidarity seems to be that it In a 1948 article, the British people. Only the Congress can mon for conservatives to argue: contact Gary Prevost concern now enjoys the dubious privi Marxist J.D. Bernal mentioned, change such requirements. So "If government couldn't deliver ing meetings for Vernon Belle lege of receiving rhetorical "the foulest bestialities of the please, even though the Con the mail, how will they ever run court, Clyde Bellecourt, or Dick "support" from the Reagan ad Nazi race theory, of which un gress is controlled by the two something as huge as the oil in Bancroft. The Second number ministration and other reaction fortunately we have not heard major capitalist parties, write to dustry?" What was the deal listed gave the wrong area code. aries. the last." And now, thirty-four your congress persons and let . with the Post Office? Why didn't The correct number is (612) 27 4- I think that judging a move- years later, we still have not your feelings be known. Stop it work? Was it an example of 5826.

March 5, 1982 The Militant 19 THE MILITANT Alabama marchers: 'End attacks on Black voting rights'

BY BOB BRUCE across Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge, MONTGOMERY, Ala. -Some 5,000 bloody landmark of the 1965 march. fired-up demonstrators marched on the Among those joining up at this point Capitol Building here February 18 in were veteran civil rights activist John the conclusion of a voting rights march Lewis, one of those badly beaten at this · that blended the tradition of the civil site in 1965; and Tony Liuzzo, the son of rights movement with the strong anti white civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo Reagan sentiment that exists today. who was murdered along the Selma-to Along with singing "We Shall Over Montgomery route in 1965. come," demonstrators chanted, "Fired Prior to placing a wreath at the site in up, ain't gonna take it no more," "Ro Lowndes County where his mother was nald Reagan, he's no good. Send him murdered, the twenty-six-year-old Liuz back to Hollywood," and "Reagan says zo, who· is a bus driver from Detroit, cut back, we say fight back." said, "I know the KKK came by here The march on the Capitol was the fi and spit on the spot. Probably after I nal leg of a 160-mile march organized by place the wreath, someone will spit the National Coalition to Free Maggie again or burn it. But the Klan cannot Bozeman and Julia Wilder and Extend kill her spirit, which lives on." the Voting Rights Act. The marchers arrived on the other Bozeman and Wilder are two Black side of Montgomery, three miles from voting-rights activists who were con the Capitol Building, on Feb:r:uary 17. victed of vote fraud in a racist frame-up That evening, a rally was held at the in Pickens County, Alabama. They are Lilly Baptist Church to mobilize support now on work release, but they are not in Montgomery. The more than 1,000 Militant/Willa Madden free. Their case provided the inspiration people who packed the church were in Ranks of protesters swelled as they reached capital city of Montgomery. to demonstrate against Reagan's plans troduced to twenty-four-year-old Martin to weaken the Voting Rights Act of Luther King III, and heard speeches idea just being dismissed as communis along this "sacred route." When it be 1965. from John Lewis; Mayor Johnny Ford of tic or socialistic. Anyway, I've come to came apparent that the mdrch would be· Demonstrators began the march on Tuskeegee; Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, a the point where I don't care what they massive, the city government decided at February 6 in Carrollton, Alabama, central civil rights leader in Birming call me. the last minute to allow marchers on all where the two activists were convicted. ham in the 1960s, now active in Cincin "We are marching to say something is but one block of Dexter A venue. As the marchers passed through cities nati; Dr. Joseph Lowery, president of wrong with America. We want to be The Klan was also frightened by the along the route, they held public rallies, the Southern Christian Leadership Con moral catalysts to make things right in proportions and militancy of the march, organized hearings on voting rights vio ference; and others. America. Also, we need to send a mes and they gave up their plan for a coun lations, and registered voters. Dr. Lowery explained that Wilder and sage to Washington- 'We are not going terdemonstration. After 110 miles, the demonstrators Bozeman had provided inspiration for back, Mr. Reagan."' The march swelled dramatically in reached Selma, and from there began to renewal of the struggle. He also spoke to In Montgomery, Mayor Ernest Fol size as it passed through Montgomery's retrace the steps of the 1965 Selma-to the need to deepen the struggle today. mar and the majority-white city council impoverished Black community. The Montgomery march led by Dr. Martin "It seems that the slogan that best de refused to allow marchers to retrace the angry message to Reagan was delivered Luther King, Jr. This march was instru scribes the program of Reagan is 'Let Dexter Avenue route along which Dr. by demonstrators who were predomi mental in winning the Voting Rights them eat missiles,'" Lowery said. "But King led the 1965 march. Also, the Ku nantly young, Black, and new to the Act of 1965. we can thank Reagan for one thing, and Klux Klan threatened a provocative struggle. They are the ones who will A core of fifty activists marched the that is he has gotten us to the point counterdemonstration. make sure Reagan's racist attacks will entire route, but the ranks of the protest where we can talk about redistributing Lowery and the marchers let the city not go by without many more struggles swelled to 4,000 as the march proceeded the wealth in this country without the know they were determined to march to come. Employer threats spark 3-day Utah mine strike

PRICE, Utah - Fourteen hundred action should be taken. Members of those present was that they wouldn't accident plan) has been copied by members of the United Mine Workers locals 1769 and 1859 from the Deer · go to work until EMC met with union. other mines. It i~ the largest employer shut down three mines operated by Creek and Des-Bee-Dove mines were officials while they were still out on of coal miners in Utah, employing Emery Mining Corporation for three also present. strike. approximately 40 percent of all coal days on February 8, 9, and 10. These Plans were made at that meeting to The strike was big news, not just miners in the state. mines, Wilberg, Des-Bee-Dove, and set up pickets at all the mines for the locally, but also statewide. Several Salt In this particular round EMC got Deer Creek, are located about forty midnight shift. Lake City newspapers and television more than it had bargained for. This miles south of here. Utah is a right-to-work state. Not stations covered the unfolding develop was the first time that locals 2176, Price is headquarters for District 22 only can workers get fired from their ments. Most of the coverage was favor 1859 and 1769 went out together. · of the United Mine Workers (UMW), jobs for participating in a "wildcat" able to the striking miners. While EMC came out of this fight which includes Arizona, Wyoming, strike, they can also be fined or get Thousands of Utahans statewide got licking its wounds, the UMW came out and Utah. thrown in jail. to hear the coal miners themselves stronger. A whole layer of inexperi The shutdown occurred when Emery The pickets set up for the midnight explain just what they were fighting enced miners participated in the v·ar Mining Corporation (EMC) refused to shifts were large (about fifty at each for: the right to work with respect and ious picket lines and meetings. For meet with union representatives to mine) and very disciplined. Special dignity, free from the threat of vio many this was their first experience in discuss an incident of harassment by a attention was paid to informing people lence. any union activity. They saw first boss at the Wilberg mine. The boss getting off the afternoon shift and After three days EMC backed down. hand the power of union solidarity and verbally abused and threatened a those arriving for the midnight shift A combination of factors were in the power they hold simply by working miner in the men's bathhouse. EMC what was going on. These miners were volved. One was the strength and in a vital basic industry. stated that the union had no right to also encouraged to come to an emer unity of the union. Another was that tell it how to discipline its supervisors. The UMW is fighting a life-and gency union meeting of the three locals EMC was losing lots of money. death battle for its survival in the For two days following the incident set for the next day. the union tried to set up a meeting with EMC management and union repre West. Traditions of union solidarity the company. On the third day the Pickets, both experienced and new, sentatives worked out guidelines to and militancy that are pretty com mine management again refused to were impressed by the solidarity of deal with incidents of intimidation and monplace in the East cannot be as meet with the UMW. That day the union truck drivers, who haul the coal harassment on the job. They outlined sumed in the West. The opening of miners that had shown up for day shift from the mines, when they turned their steps that will be taken to investigate large non-union mines and the general decided if the company wouldn't talk huge coal trucks around to honor the the circumstances involved in such offensive being waged by mine com they wouldn't work. They walked off picket lines. incidents. A forty-eight hour deadline panies against the existing organized the job and set up a picket line to From 500 to 600 miners jammed into was established to determine approp mines pose a mortal threat to the inform the afternoon shift of the situa the Hunnington, Utah, American Le riate discipline. At that time the disci union. tion. gion Hall for the meeting of the three plinary measures will be communi Examples of victories won by the Miners arriving for the afternoon locals. Across the street is the head cated between management and the union, such as the one won by the shift were met by a picket line that at quarters of Emery Mining. unwn. Wilberg Local 2176, are important to its peak reached about 150 people. Up to this point, EMC's position had EMC is seen as a union-busting working people fighting to save their Later that day a special Local 2176 been that it wouldn't meet with the leader by other mine managements in unions. They show that you can wage meeting was held at Wilberg to discuss UMW until the miners returned to the region. Its so-called production and a fight against a union-busting com what issues were at stake and what work. The overwhelming sentiment of safety plan, (actually a speedup and pany and come out victorious.

20 The Militant March 5, 1982