DECEMBER 18, 1981 75 CENTS VOLUME 45/NUMBER 47

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY /PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE Haig seeks allies for Central·America attack By Larry Seigle in Honduras and Guatemala as well as El Sal­ Charging that Nicaragua is becoming a mil­ vador." itary "superpower" and is threatening to over­ The Times even quoted "military and intelli­ run all of Central America, Washington is con­ gence analysts" as fearing that "the military tinuing its drive to seek justification for a mil­ buildup might constitute a long-term threat to itary move against the Sandinista revolution. Mexican oilfields to the north and to the Pana­ Secretary of State Alexander Haig took his ma Canal to the south." traveling Big Lie machine to the Caribbean is­ But what has Washington concerned is not land of St. Lucia last week, for the meeting of the absurd charge that Nicaragua (population the general assembly of the Organization of about 2.5 million) will simultaneously seize con­ American States (OAS). Haig warned the OAS trol of the Panama Canal and conquer Mexico that "the militarization of Nicaraguans is but a (population about 65 million). prelude to a widening war in Central America." Rather, it is the fact that the people of Central Haig pressed for collective military interven­ America, inspired by the revolutions in Grena­ tion against Nicaragua. "The United States," he da and in Nicaragua, and the continued advan­ solemnly proclaimed, "is prepared to join others ces of revolutionary Cuba, are setting their in doing whatever is prudent and necessary to sights on bringing to power workers and farm­ prevent any country in Central America from ers governments in their own countries. becoming the platform of terror and war in the In El Salvador, the U.S.-backedjunta is losing region." what little social base it has left, and is likewise losing the civil war in the countryside. The day before Haig's speech, newspapers In Guatemala, the guerrilla war is reaching around the country ran articles from Washing­ similar proportions, with the regime being ton citing U.S. concerns about a military "build­ forced to begin drafting peasants to staff the up" in Nicaragua. The New York Times story army, in what can only be a futile effort to turn was headlined ''Nicaragua Arms Called Peril to the tide militarily. Area." It quoted "a senior official" as stating that the Managua government is "on the verge The roots of these revolutionary upsurges are of becoming a superpower in Central American the grinding poverty and brutal exploitation the terms" and is "fostering left-wing insurgencies Continued on page 5 ALEXANDER HAIG 'Hit squad' frame-up masks new threat to Libya

Under the cover of combating mythical "Lib­ nounced it is pulling out of Libya and Mobil is yan hit squads," Washington is escalating its considering doing the same. economic, diplomatic, and military aggression According to Newsweek magazine, the admin­ against Libya and the regime of Muammar el­ istration is considering new "aggressive maneu­ Qaddafi. vers" by the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Gulf of Sid­ ra, where U.S. forces shot down two Libyan air­ planes last August, and promotion of a coup AN EDITORIAL and/or assassination plot against Qaddafi. What Washington can't tolerate is the Libyan Among the immediate actions being consi­ government's support to anti-imperialist strug­ dered by the Reagan administration are an em­ gles- from sending aid to Nicaragua, to back­ bargo on the import of Libyan oil, a ban on trav­ ing the Palestine Liberation Organization el by Americans to the North African country, (PLO), to using troops to defend the Chad gov­ and an attempt to organize a cutoff of all trade ernment against a military threat from forces with Libya, what the Wall Street Journal called organized by France, Chad's former colonial "the Iranian treatment." master. The U.S. oil monopolies are deeply involved in The efforts to overthrow the Libyan govern­ the sabotage plans. Exxon has already an- Continued on page 2 In Our Opinion VOLUME 45/NUMBER 47 DECEMBER 18, 1981 CLOSING NEWS DATE-DECEMBER 9

The Democrats in the Senate, in fact, have terrorists trained in Libya entered the United Solidarity Day II - just made it possible to pass the largest arms States last weekend." budget in U.S. history with a near-unanimous Their mission was "to kill Mr. Reagan by wrong road vote- 84 to 5. The $208 billion sum is $8 billion shooting down Air Force One, the Presidential On September 19 half a million workers more than what Reagan asked for. jet, with a surface-to-air missile, blowing up the poured into Washington, D.C., for the historic The Democrats' much publicized "concern" President's limousine with a rocket or attacking AFL-CIO Solidarity Day march. In their demon­ about jobs and cutbacks in social services was the President at close range with small arms." stration of working-class solidarity against nowhere to be found as the vote on the arms No evidence was offered for a single "fact" in the budget cuts, the danger of new U.S. wars, and budget was taken. Democratic whip Alan Cran­ report. Just the word of "an informant." attacks on Black and women's rights, the ston explained, "There is a consensus in the By December 5 the story had grown to "at marchers were seeking a new direction for the country and in Congress that we need more re­ least two informants," reported Associated U.S. labor movement. sources for national defense. We have to consid­ Press. And on December 6 the assassination That new direction is all the more urgent er these needs on their merits and can't link team had become a "ten-man squad." "Authorit­ three months later. them to social or economic needs." ative sources" confided to the Washington Post Today, Washington is preparing military ag­ These are the "anti-Reagan" candidates the that the U.S. government had "the name of each gression against the revolutions in Central AFL-CIO wants workers to "march to the polls" squad member and known aliases." America and the Caribbean. Meanwhile the for. But why support the very politicians whose However, despite repeated challenges to pro­ capitalists are plunging the U.S. economy policies we marched against on September 19? duce the "evidence" to back up the accusations, deeper into recession. Unemployment has now Why don't the unions take the lead and run the Reagan administration has produced no­ hit 8.4 percent and will go higher. Big business their own candidates in 1982? thing. is demanding major concessions on wages and That would be a step toward reversing Rea­ That is because no evidence exists. working conditions in the 1982 contract negoti­ ganism. It would point in the direction of fight­ Washington's story is so transparent that ations. ing to replace the capitalist U.S. government even some of its own cops aren't going along The response of AFL-CIO officials to this of­ with a workers government, labor's real answer with it. As the New York Times reported De­ fensive is not solidarity with the workers and to permanent war, unemployment, inflation, ra­ cember 8, "Some officials, including senior offi­ oppressed here and abroad, but solidarity with cism, and sex discrimination. cials of the Federal Bureau oflnvestigation, are the employers and their goals. - To fight for a government that represents said to be skeptical about the information." The recent AFL-CIO convention gave a politi­ working people and defends our interests the In Detroit, one of the supposed planned entry cal boost to Washington's war preparations in unions must break from the Democratic and Re­ points for the "hit squads," the Detroit Free Central America by adopting a shameful resolu­ publican parties and form a labor party that can Press reported that government officials "be­ tion on Nicaragua. The resolution charged the mobilize the power of the unions, Blacks, Lati­ lieve it's much ado about nothing." Nicaraguan government with "totalitarianism" nos, women, and working farmers. "The way things are going," one said, "we're and urged "appropriate action at the interna­ The perspective of a labor party struggling to going to start getting calls from people seeing tional level to reverse this disturbing trend." establish a workers government is the real road camels coming across the Detroit river in rafts." The same officials are on a campaign to con­ forward from Solidarity Day on September 19. After a secret briefing for members of Con­ vince U.S. workers to "face reality" and submit gress on the supposed plot, Sen. Patrick Leahy to bigger attacks on their standard of living. told reporters, "There is no hard evidence at This deepening class collaboration is what ... threat to Libya all." lies behind the AFL-CIO's call for Solidarity Continued from front page In an interview December 6, Qaddafi chal­ Day II, a drive.to get Democrats elected on No­ ment go back several years. They involve U.S. lenged Reagan to make public any proof at all of vember 2, 1982. Presented as the way to fight collaboration with France, Britain, and Libyan the assassination plot. "If they have evidence we against "Reaganism," Solidarity Day II's real exiles. They remain very much alive today. are ready to see this evidence," the Libyan lead­ purpose is to tie the unions even more closely to Newsweek reported that U.S. officials "openly er said. He called for an investigation to "let the the two-party system. admit that they would be delighted if someone American people and the Libyan people and the " .. . the labor movement and its allies must else killed Kaddafi - and at least one Adminis­ Congress of America . . . know the truth, who is march to the polls in unprecedented numbers to tration insider has been in direct contact with a liar: Reagan or Libya." elect a Congress that will reverse the disastrous Libyan exiles in Western Europe who are deter­ "America is attacking us," he explained, not policies of the Reagan Administration and re­ mined to oust Kaddafi." the other way around. The U.S. government has store humane government to the American peo­ Newsweek's detailed report, written in No­ tried "to assassinate me, to poison my food, and ple," states the Solidarity Day II resolution vember, establishes that the anti-Libya drive they tried many things to do this." passed at the AFL-CIO convention. began well before Washington "discovered" that Refuting the "hit squad" charge, Qaddafi said Putting more Democrats in office won't re­ · a Libyan assassination team was out to kill "our support goes only to movements that strug­ verse anything. Reaganism is not the creation of President Reagan and other U.S. officials. The gle for a just cause, like the PLO." some right-wing Republicans who "captured" "hit squad" story, aimed at portraying Qaddafi "America must get rid of this Administration the White House in 1980. It is the program of as an "international terrorist," is a transparent and fell it down as they did with Nixon." the capitalist class, which has no choice today attempt to justify the real terrorist activities of but to grind down the conditions of working peo­ the U.S. government against the Libyan leader. U.S. working people should oppose Reagan's ple and weaken their organizations in order to Washington's initial version of the ''hit new moves against the Libyan people. We must improve profits. This program is being carried squad" threat was reported in the December 4 demand U.S. hands off Libya. No to economic out by both the Democrats and Republicans. New York Times. According to the report, "five sanctions and travel bans.

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2 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18, 1981 Rallies back suit against gov't for their political views. Detroit: "This type of action is clearly illegal if carried out by the government. But the UAWrep government is hiding behind a private company... . We intend to challenge that." blasts,spying Reosti said that the Lockheed workers By Bill Arth intend to challenge their firing as a vio­ DETROIT- "When one person is de­ lation of the International Association nied freedom of speech or harassed be­ of Machinists (lAM) contract with Lock­ cause he exercises it, we must all come heed. The contract explicitly prohibits to their defense," said Bob King, finan­ the firing of workers for their political cial secretary of United Auto Workers beliefs. Local 600, the largest union local in the The fired Lockheed workers are country. King was speaking at a No­ members of the Socialist Workers Party, vember 30 rally in defense of political the Young Socialist Alliance, and the lP rights. lAM. "That task would be easier," King Andree Kahlmorgan, one of the fif­ continued, "if we lived up to labor's true teen fired by Lockheed, was the keynote responsibility, as enunciated by Eugene speaker at the rally. She is currently Militant/Bob Debs: 'We have got to unite in the same touring the country building support for Bob King (at podium), financial secretary of United Auto Workers Local 600, was labor union and the same political party her case and for other victims of political among speakers at Detroit rally. and strike and vote together."' repression. The theme of the rally was support for She explained the company/FBI col­ fifteen workers fired by Lockheed in laboration that led to the firings at Atlanta, Georgia, because of their so­ Lockheed, including company spying on cialist and pro-union ideas and activi­ union meetings and on the private lives Funds needed to press case ties. of the socialists. By Matthew Herreshoff will make up most of the difference. The firing of the Lockheed workers "There is a general attack on demo­ Workers at General Dynamics, The big job now is to make sure "outrages but does not surprise me," cratic rights," she said, "and this goes Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, and those pledges come in before the Jan­ said Robert Tyner, vice-president of the with the harassment of workers in the Tenneco are fighting back against uary 31 deadline. Brotherhood of Railway and Airline war industry. They want a disciplined company/government witch-hunting. PRDF's goal is to make the Clerks Allied Services Division. workforce, and the way they aim to get It takes tens of thousands of dollars $125,000 fund- in full and on time. "We have been fighting against this it is through intimidation. If they can to go up against these giant corpora­ Every contribution will play a big over the years. Black Americans are es­ trample on the Bill of Rights one time, tions and their government. part in winning these important bat­ pecially aware of this, both in the union that makes it easier the next time." You can help win victories in these tles for political rights. If you would movement and the civil rights move­ Kahlmorgan linked the attacks on and other important battles in de­ like to help, please send in the coupon ment." workers rights with the increased fense of political rights. below with your donation. Tyner pointed to the FBI harassment threat of war, especially in Central The Political Rights Defense Fund Name ______of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He also America and the Caribbean. (PRDF) has launched a $125,000 fund drew on the experiences of the railroad "There have always been attacks on drive to support these cases and other Address ______unions with company spies. Tyner noted democratic rights in prewar periods," battles against the government's pol­ City State __Zip __ the use · of Pinkerton private police to she said. "When the government is car­ itical police. break the Pullman strike in 1894, and rying out unpopular policies, it would So far, over $50,000 has been Return to: PRDF, Box 649 Cooper the use of a company disruption cam­ like to stifle dissent, and the most un­ raised. Pledges at PRDF's fall rallies Station, New York, N.Y. 10003. paign in the 1920s during the drive to popular policy of all is war." organize the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. "The attack on the fifteen Lockheed Labor Council-, denounced the govern­ attempts to silence dissenters. workers," said Tyner, "is a challenge to Air controller ment's campaign of harassment and Betsy Soares, a member of the Inter­ the right of all of us to speak out and or­ union busting against PATCO as an at­ national Association of Machinists and ganize in our unions free from govern­ leads off tack on the Bill of Rights. a leader of the Socialist Workers Party ment surveillance." Labor support for political rights was and Young Socialist Alliance, was a fea­ Detroit attorney Ron Reosti, who is the theme of the rally. Speakers in­ tured speaker. ~oares also pointed to the representing the Lockheed workers in Indy rally cluded Roger Walford, president of government's preparations for war in their fight to regain their jobs, also By Jenny Austin United Auto Workers Local 1983; Central America and the Caribbean as a spoke. He called the Lockheed case "a INDIANAPOLIS - Terry Bobell, Homer Smith, president of the Indiana­ key factor behind Reagan's heightened clear example of a private industry act­ president of Professional Air Traffic polis NAACP; Garnett Day, represent­ attacks on civil liberties. ing as an arm of the government to car­ Controllers Organization (PATCO) Lo­ ing the Indiana Civil Liberties Union; Soares, who is touring the country ry out an old-style red scare." cal1983, was a keynote speaker at a No­ and Robert Rose, president of American for the Political Rights Defense Fund, "Not only did Lockheed work hand-in­ vember 29 rally in defense of political Federation of Teachers Local3153. outlined PRDF's response to the most glove with federal and local police agen­ rights. Rose hit U.S. war preparations, stat­ recent government attacks. She called cies, but they took it on themselves to Bobell, who spoke representing both ing that because of increased U.S. milit­ for a continued broad response to the act as a police agency to purge workers PATCO and the Marion County Central arism, the government was stepping up government's antidemocratic offensive. Socialist councilman beats gag order By Janice Lynn newspaper, the Seaside Post, called a These very same council members SEASIDE, Calif. -An important vic­ "blistering counterattack." For several had voted for a similar motion earlier tory was won here December 3, when a days, Mason appeared on local televi­ this year after Mason had denounced ra­ right-wing, racist attempt to silence so­ sion, gave several radio interviews, and, cist treatment of Black soldiers at near­ cialist City Councilman Mel Mason in addition to a front-page feature in by Fort Ord. went down to defeat. Seaside's Black community newspaper, Members of the National Black Inde­ Mayor Pro Tern Berdine "Bud" Hous­ a lengthy article appeared in the Monte­ pendent Political Party (NBIPP), of er had publicly threatened to introduce rey area's daily, the Monterey Peninsula which Mason is a leading member, and a "gag" ordinance making it a misde­ Herald. other opponents of the right-wing "gag meanor for city council members to use In the days prior to the council meet­ ordinance" attended the December 3 their title in making press statements ing, additional publicity was generated council meeting. Supporters of the right or to use city stationery for press re­ by a visit to the peninsula by Political wing were conspicuously absent. Houser leases on issues "outside the scope of city Rights Defense Fund spokeswoman Di­ sat stone-faced throughout the meeting. business." ane Wang. "I cannot see anyone trying to restrict Houser was irked by a November 19 PRDF has been organizing public sup­ or curtail what any council member or press conference and statement by Ma­ port and fundraising for the historic the mayor has to say, be it in the city or son protesting Secretary of State Alex­ lawsuit filed by the Socialist Workers out of the city," declared Ewalker ander Haig's accusations of Cuban mil­ Party and Young Socialist Alliance James, president of the Citizens League itary intervention in El Salvador and against FBI and CIA illegal activities. for Progress. The Citizens League was threats of U.S. military action against Wang issued a press statement com­ active in the campaign to elect Mason to Nicaragua. paring the government's recent at­ the council. Mason, a leader of the Socialist tempts to witch-hunt SWP members out In an attempt to head off the expres­ Workers Party, pointed out that "these of jobs, solely because of their opposition sion of outrage, the mayor interrupted lies are part of a conscious attempt to to the war drive, to Houser's attempt to James, announcing that no such action plunge this country into a war against prevent Mason from speaking out would be taken. the peoples of Central America and the against the war drive as a member of After the council meeting, Mason told Caribbean. Such a war would directly the Seaside City Council. reporters that the mayor and council affect the city of Seaside, whose youth Aware of the unpopularity of support­ members had received numerous pro­ would be drafted to fight and die in El ing the attempt to silence someone who tests against the proposed ordinance. Salvador." was expressing the widespread public "This is a victory for those of us speak­ Not being cowed by the right-wing at­ sentiment against war, other members ing out against another Vietnam in tempt to silence him, Mason and his sup­ of the council began to take their dis­ Central America," Mason told the Mil­ MEL MASON Militant/Fred Murphy porters launched what the city's Black tance from Houser's actions. itant.

DECEMBER 18, 1981 THE MILITANT 3 Nicaragua rebuilds Report from a tour by U.S. socialists "We want peace, but not at the cost of tions, and physical destruction inherit­ our freedom. We don't want war. But if ed from the Somoza dictatorship and the war is thrust upon us, we will resist with war to overthrow it that ended July 19, a war of the entire people." 1979. -Daniel Ortega, Coordinator of Ni­ Progress by the Nicaraguan people in caragua's Junta of National Reconstruc­ rebuilding and developing their home­ tion, to United Nations General Assem­ land is seen everywhere, despite contin­ bly on October 7. uing poverty and severe economic prob­ lems. By Caroline Fowlkes A beautiful children's park is being and Joel Britton constructed in the central area of Mana­ On November 15 a dozen socialist gua, which was devastated by the 1972 workers from eight U.S. cities complet­ earthquake and never rebuilt under ed a tour of revolutionary Nicaragua Somoza. that left no doubt in our minds about the During our visit a new children's li­ truth of Daniel Ortega's remarks at the brary was being dedicated near the U.N. park. We were able to join many chil­ Our discussions with working people dren there as Tomas Borge, a top FSLN and youth in six cities deepened our (Sandinista National Liberation Front) commitment to oppose U.S. imperial­ leader, told them: "Every Nicaraguan Intercontinental Press/Matilde Zimmermann ism's moves to crush the Nicaraguan should have a book in his or her hand. A In early November, Nicaraguans concluded massive campaign to eradicate malaria, revolution; and to encourage others to book and a rifle. This is going to be a reaching more than 90 percent of population in three days. Here, young volunteer dis­ experience this still-unfolding revolu­ revolution of books, rifles, and guitars." tributes medication door to door. tion on future Militant-Perspectiua Mundial tours. In Esteli, heavily damaged by Somo­ From the moment of our arrival at za's bombing, unsalvageable ruins are places we visited, people proudly re­ know how much we support the process Managua's Augusto C. Sandino Interna­ now grass-covered. · The city's energies counted their success in reaching over of development that is going on in our tional Airport, we were greeted with have turned to building schools and 90 percent of the population with prev­ country. In two years we have seen more banners and posters denouncing Wash­ sewage systems, helping with the coffee entive medication in three days. advances in our plant and in our lives ington's threats of military intervention harvest, and conducting campaigns to We also visited the medical school in than in forty-five years under the Somo­ against Nicaragua. Members of the San­ improve health care. Leon. Under Somoza its enrollment was za dictatorship. Workers worldwide dinista People's Army were on hand, Workers in Esteli played a big role in limited to fifty students. Now the school have the right to live in peace, and we having just been placed on alert in re­ making the revolution, Ernesto Lagos, a has over 500 students who pay very low should be supported in our right to do sponse to these threats and to stepped­ leader of the Sandinista Workers Feder­ tuition. A modern dental school is func­ this." up attacks across the Honduran border ation (CST), explained to us. "We are tioning there for the first time. by the forces of the old Somoza dictator­ not afraid of the U.S. government. All We were told of the medical help pro­ Women's role ship. members of the CST here are in the mil­ vided by volunteer doctors from Cuba, Women were heavily involved in the The soldiers and armed militia itia. We are ready for the defense of our mostly in remote areas under harsh con­ fighting against Somoza, making up 30 members we encountered often mixeq production." ditions. A popular slogan in Nicaragua percent of the FSLN freedom fighters. casually with other Nicaraguans, un­ ·Celebrating the sixty-fourth anniver­ is "Che knows no borders." And they play a very big role in the derlining the sense of calm combined sary of the Russian revolution, this CST This slogan also expresses the deep sol­ deepening revolution today. Angela Ro­ with combat readiness that you feel hall featured a large portrait of Lenin sa Acevedo, a leader of the women's or­ everywhere. · flanked by placards with quotations idarity with other revolutionary strug­ gles in Central America, and revolu­ ganization AMNLAE and a member of An extensive recruitment campaign, from the central leader of the first suc­ the Council of State (the national legis­ with slogans on walls, billboards, and cessful workers and peasants revolu­ tionary Nicaragua's stand that an ex­ panded U.S. or U.S.-backed interven­ lature), told us of the many gains won by posters, aims to bolster the Sandinista tion. women. She explained how all laws People's Militia. Everyone from four­ tion to defeat the advancing rebel forces in El Salvador will be considered an at­ were being reviewed with the aim of teen to sixty-five is urged to join. The Health and education guaranteeing equal rights for women. key requirement, a city council member In Matagalpa, we saw the education tack on Nicaragua, and will be treated accordingly. She stressed the need for economic iri Esteli told us, is "being disposed to de­ campaign being carried out as a follow­ development to provide the material fend the revolution, being ready to de­ up to the earlier literacy crusade. At a We visited housing projects construct­ conditions needed for the full liberation fend our country." Catholic orphanage and a local school, ed to alleviate a 250,000-unit shortage. of women. A poster on a nearby wall, one we saw people gathered to continue their educa­ Some buildings stand half-completed We told her of the debate in the Na­ everywhere we went, said: "The sover­ tion. Teenagers were hard at work with and empty due to the cutoff of U.S. loans tional Organization for Women over eignty of a people is not to be discussed; their students, mostly women, of all earlier this year. whether the feminist movement here it is to be defended, arms in hand!" ages. should, as the NOW leadership asserts, The Sandinista Defense Committees, 'Fight for production' support the drafting of women into mil­ Progress worth defending organized on a neighborhood basis, mo­ We talked with agrarian reform offi­ itary service. She responded by pointing The major enemies ofthe people of Ni­ bilize for health campaigns. Just before cials who described its second stage; . to the need for Nicaraguan women "to caragua have been the illiteracy, pover­ we arrived, a massive campaign to erad­ many poor peasants have benefited by defend our revolution." ty, unemployment, bad health condi- icate malaria was completed. At many getting land and credit and joining in co­ operatives. "We trust the North American women At the Los Arcos dairy farm, a state­ will accompany us in this struggle. owned enterprise near Leon, the veteri­ Women in the U.S. have nothing to win New from Pathfinder narian told us of their efforts to raise by being in the capitalist army. It is not milk production and improve the herd. enough to carry arms. You must ask, Nicaragua: He also spoke of the impact on their whose arms are they? The imperialist An introduction work of U.S. threats against Nicaragua: army is the army of women's enemy." to the Sandinista "The training of militia impedes our production. It takes the workers' time. 'Critical point' Revolution Expensive energy resources, as well as Father Ernesto Cardenal, the minister By Arnold Weissberg, Managua correspondent for vehicles, must go for transporting the of culture, told us how "the democratiza­ 'Intercontinental Press,' army. Our people want to fight for prod­ tion of culture" is being carried out, with 48 pp., $.95. uction, not in wars." the goal of mass participation in artistic Half the country's industrial plants expression and sports. "Our cause," he The Struggle were destroyed during the war, a CST said as we ended our meeting, "is the leader in Managua told us. Many were same cause you have. We have the same for Freedom bombed by Somoza in his final days in enemies, especially the administration in Guatemala power, even as he was planning his es­ in Washington. We want to have peace, cape to Miami. Most remaining factories you want peace." By Anibal Yanez, 32 pp., $.75. have been kept going, despite sabotage "We are at the most critical point in by some owners and shortages of raw our revolution," explained Edgard Ma­ materials or spare parts caused by U.S. cias, vice~minister of labor, referring to Also Available: trade policies. the threats from "abroad" that come at El Salvador: The Grenada Though 60 percent of the economy re­ the same time as economic and political mains in private hands, industrial and problems that led to emergency meas­ Why the U.S. Revolution agricultural workers are playing an in­ ures earlier this fall. ·government at Work creasing role in decisions that affect But coupled with concern over U.S. hides the truth By W. Richard Jacobs: Grenada's conditions on the job and in efforts to in­ interference in their lives is a mood of Ambassador to Cuba crease production. determination not to go back to the con­ By Fred Murphy, 32 pp., $.95. Workers at Rolter shoe factory in Ma­ ditions suffered under years of U.S. nagua were determined to keep produc­ domination. This was best summed up Grenada: Revolution Order from Pathfinder Press. 410 tion going even in the absence of the by a grandmother we met on a street West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. plant owner, who had left the country a corner in Managua. "We were so poor in the Caribbean Add $. 75 for postage. Send for a free couple months earlier. We asked what that we didn't even have a piece of By Sam Manuel and Andrew Pulley catalog of socialist books and we should tell U.S. workers. "We are a bread," she said. "But when a people rise 36 pp., $.95. pamphlets. peaceful people," one worker said. up, they're not going to go back. It is bet­ "Please be our voices. Let your people ter to die than to surrender."

4 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18, 1981 ... Haig seeks OAS allies Salvador Continued from front page toilers suffer, conditions that are being freedom made still worse by the worldwide capi­ talist economic crisis. These problems are not caused by Cuba or Nicaragua, fighters but by imperialism itself. Take, for example, Costa Rica, which Washington has pointed to as the show­ case of capitalist democracy and healthy advance economic development in Central Amer­ By Nelson Gonzalez ica. Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig Costa Rica's foreign debt has tripled has stated that without substantial mil­ in four years, and the government is al­ itary assistance from the United States·, ready technically bankrupt, unable to El Salvador's military government is pay the interest on a foreign debt total­ likely to topple and fall. He has charac­ ing $2.6 billion. terized t.he situation as a "stalemate." As the December 9 New York Times This is an implicit admission that de­ reported, "Costa Rica has been sternly spite the enormous amounts_ofmilitary warned by the International Monetary and economic assistance, including mil­ Fund, the World Bank and its angry for­ itary advisers provided by U.S. impe­ eign creditors that no one will bail out United States Marines in Nicaragua, 1928. Nicaraguans have to strengthen de- rialism to the murderous Salvadoran this country until its government adopts fenses against new U.S. military threats 'without accounting to anybody.' junta, the liberation movement in El unpopular austerity measures." Salvador is rapidly advancing. What Costa Rica faces is typical of Despite Washington's aid and its nearly all of Latin America. In 1965 the unity pacts among them, trains their istration. The delegates had to listen to plans to give $250 million more, the jun­ foreign debt of all Latin American coun­ men, provides their arms and sends a speech by Nicaragua's foreign minis­ ta is increasingly becoming caretakers tries amounted to $10 billion. By the be­ them back to mount a violent challenge ter, Miguel D'Escoto, in which he de­ of a disintegrating economy and a dem­ ginning of 1980, the total had multi­ to legitimate governments." nounced "the use of force and the threat oralized army. The regime maintains its plied fu $150 billion. Among the "legitimate governments" of the use of force against countries such power by savage repression, the last six Haig had in mind was the Salvadoran as Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador, and months alone more than 9,000 people Reality ignored junta, responsible for the slaughter of Grenada." have been murdered by government for­ Yet it is precisely this reality that 11,000 civilians this year alone. Also on · D'Escoto pointed to the record of the ces. Haig ignored at the OAS conference. Haig's list of legitimate regimes is the OAS itself, which has been an "active Nevertheless, on November 10, Wash­ For the American secretary of state, the one in Guatemala, installed in a CIA­ accomplice of the United States in its in­ ington Post reporter Alma Guillermo­ only possible explanation for the advance backed invasion in 1954. According to terventionist policy," including the ex­ prieto reported that guerrillas control of revolutionary s.truggles in Central church officials there, the number ofvic­ pulsion of Cuba in 1962 and the imposi­ one fourth of all Salvadoran territory. America is what he called "subversion, tims of the military this year has tion of a "mandatory termination of all There is at least one liberated zone in propaganda, and interventionism" by matched the deaths in El Salvador. trade" with Cuba in 1964. each of the fourteen provinces in El Sal­ Cuba and Nicaragua. Haig's charges against Nicaragua vador. were answered well by Commander Da­ Bygone days Since the bombing in October of the Cuba, he said, "calls the leaders ofvio­ niel Ortega, one of the leaders of the Puente de Oro bridge, the most impor-. lent opposition groups together, forges But, as D'Escoto pointed out to the Sandinista government, in a speech to OAS delegates, the relationship of for­ tant military development has been the the closing session of Nicaragua's Coun­ ces in the world and in Latir( America failure of government forces in a recent cil of State in Managua December 5. has changed since the "bygone days" offensive to dislodge the fighters of the "We are calmly asked why are we when the U.S. succeeded in ramming Frente Farabundo Marti de la Libera­ arming ourselves, why are we expend­ through the blockade of Cuba. Today, ci6n Nacional (FMLN) from their posi­ ing such efforts to acquire guns, ammu­ the voices of revolutionary govern­ tions in Usulutan in the southeast. Al­ nition, and equipment. . . . If a power ments, such as Grenada and Nicaragua, though the terrain in Usulutan is flat such as the United States, which has al­ are heard at the OAS meetings, to the and provides almost no suitable cover ready invaded us [in 1912 and 1926], great displeasure of the U.S. delegates. for guerrilla fighters, the support from threatens to invade or set up a naval (Haig, in fact, absented himself from the the loc~ population and the highly coor­ blockade, wouldn't it be irresponsible to session where D'Escoto spoke.) , dinated operations of the different guer­ act in any other way?" Many regimes, under mounting pres­ rilla organizations enabled the FMLN "It is our sovereign right to streng­ sure from their own populations, have fighters to beat back government forces then our defenses without having to ac­ great difficulty in voting with the and consolidate their hold on the area. count to anyone," he declared. United States for action against those With this consolidation the FMLN Responding to Haig's offer of im­ countries that stand up to Washington. has effectively divided the country into proved relations if Nicaragua would two parts, clearly dominating the east­ abandon its revolutionary policies, Or­ The strongest resolution that Wash­ ern half of El Salvador. ington thought it wise to introduce at tega added: Nicaragua has "the doors With respect to the economy, due to open for an understanding with the the meeting was one supporting the jun­ ta's plan for general elections in El Sal­ the effective attacks by the FMLN . United States, but it does not accept the against economic targets, the Salvado­ door that they offer Nicaragua because vador. Grenada, Nicaragua, and Mexico voted against it and four other nations­ ran National Association of Private En­ it is such a tiny door that in order to pass terprise on December 5 declared, ". . . through it you have to walk on your Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Suri­ name, abd St. Lucia - abstained. our economy will end up in a complete knees and we are not going to walk on total breakdown." our knees." Peter Josie, St. Lucia's Foreign Minis­ The lack of confidence of the country's The OAS mee~ing itself was less than ter, reminded Haig of the problems fac­ capitalists is reflected in the massive DANIEL ORTEGA Militant/Fred Murphy a blazing victory for the Reagan admin- ing Washington when he told the OAS capital flight. There are no foreign re­ assembly: "Let us not have traded our serves left in El Salvador. Unemploy­ independence for any aspect ofneocolon- . ment exceeds 30 percent and inflation is ialism. We do not wish te be reminded of 50 percent. Real wages have declined 35 any input into our area in terms of what percent while the prices of essential we are expected to pay for it." foods have doubled, in some cases Cuban teacher murdered However, Haig's inability to muster a tripled. By Matilde Zimmermann "Here lie the remains of an 'invad­ public display of support for a military MANAGUA - On December 4, a er,"' he said with a sweep of his arm. All this occurs in the context of the move against Central America does not deepening international isolation of this young Cuban primary school teacher "The words were hardly out of Mr. in the least make such a move less like­ named Aquedo Morales Reina was Haig's mouth," Borge continued, "in murderous regime as well as the inter­ ly. It merely makes it more difficult for national repudiation of the upcoming ambushed and killed by a band of _which Haig spoke of invaders, when Washington to carry it through. counterrevolutionaries in Nicara­ his agents were killing yet another "elections" being organized by the junta. But it is precisely because Washing­ On December 6, the conservative gua's Chontales Province, east of teacher. ton cannot tolerate the people of Latin here. The killing took place only six "So here lies an invader. Archbishop of San Salvador Arturo Riv­ America taking the economic and politi­ era y Damas accused the junta headed weeks after two Cuban teachers and "We remember the invaders of the cal affairs of their countries into their two Nicaraguan peasants were mur­ past. The invaders who desecrated by Napoleon Duarte of imposing, "anal­ own hands that U.S. confrontation with most massive level of repression in rural dered near the town of Siuna. cemeteries. The invaders who raped the advancing revolution is inevitable. As word of the killing got a'round Nicaraguan women. The murdering areas," and "selective" violence against And that is what is being cooked up. civilians in the urban centers. Managua December 5, people began and torturing invaders of the past. New York Times correspondent Ber­ to crowd into the Sandinista Workers "But this invader didn't come to kill nard Gwertzman reported that he was France, Greece, Denmark, and· the Federation headquarters where the children and rape women. This boy, told on December 5 by "a senior State Netherlands are currently preparing to coffin lay in state. YOUI).g men and this young man of only twenty-eight, Department official, who asked not to be present a resolution in the United Na­ women in uniform, students, Cuban left his wife and two small children to named," that "the next several weeks tions calling for negotiations before any teachers and doctors, stood in line in come to Nicaragua to teach people would be crucial." elections. the hot sun waiting their turn to take who didn't know how to read and Gwertzman reported that the "Ad­ In the United States, on :November part in the honor guard. They write. ministration hopes to formulate some 19, the House Foreign Affairs Commit­ switched from a guard offour to one of "Invader! This teacher. Is there any kind of collective approach to deal with tee passed a resolution calling on Rea­ eight persons and changed them crime more cowardly? There cannot the situation. . . . gan to support, "unconditional discus­ every couple of minutes, and still be any greater crime in the world "One possibility would be military co­ sions among the 1\lajor political factions there were always more in line. than killing a child or a teacher. In operation between El Salvador, Hondu­ in El Salvador in order to guarantee Commander of the Revolution To­ this case, by killing a teacher, they ras, Costa Rica and Guatemala, the . .. free and open democratic elections." mas Borge spoke to the crowd that killed the opportunity to learn to read countries perceived to be most threat­ It's clear that Washington's cynical had gathered to protest the assassina­ and write of who knows how many ened by Nicaragua, with aid and advice maneuvers to refurbish the junta tion. children." provided by the United States, Argenti­ through farcical elections is also being na and other major powers." "stalemated."

DECEMBER 18, 1981 THE MILITANT 5 to be sure, eager to cooperate. Now that their . "amendments" are incorporated FBI, CIA granted new powers into the order, they have no big cOm­ plaints. One deleted provision would have pro­ Bipartisan ~upport for Reagan move claimed that the President has the "in­ herent authority" to authorize wiretaps elude the United States. and hidden microphones·without a court Asked by the New York Times for an warrant. Although this assertion is not example of a "special activity," a gov­ in the order, it nonetheless remains the ernment official responded with a "hy­ position that Justice Department law­ pothetical" example: "the intelligence yers are arguing in court in the Socialist agencies could use such authority to Workers Party lawsuit against the FBI. help secretly persuade an internation­ The major victory claimed by the De­ al organization here to raise and act up­ mocrats is the deletion of a provision on an issue of American concern, such as that would have granted the CIA more the presence of Soviet troops in Afghan­ istan." authority to penetrate and "influence" American organizations. This function In another area, the Carter order had is now primarily restricted to the FBI. authorized secret infiltration of stool pi­ geons and provocateurs into organiza­ The fake public debate over the pro­ posed order centered on this provision. tions in the United States when done by The "civil liberties" side of the aisle in the FBI "in the course of a lawful inves­ Congress insisted that the FBI, not the tigation." (The FBI ha:s never admitted · CIA, should be granted this authority. to involvement in anything but a "law- (The CIA, reportedly, agreed.) ful investigation.") · Representative Donald Edwards, the The Carter version added that such California Democrat who heads the infiltration could not "be undertaken for House Judiciary Subcommittee on con­ the purpose of influencing the activity of stitutional rights, said, "We are not in­ By Jim Mack Even officials of the American Civil the organization or its members." terested in having the CIA unleashed President Reagan, who campaigned Liberties Union (ACLU) added their Reagan has simply added here the within the United States." on a promise to "get the government off seal of approval to the overhauled FBI. words, "except in case~ where: Earlier this year, Jerry Berman, ACLU Why not? Because, said the liberal the backs of the people," has granted the "(a) The participation [infiltration, in congressman, "the FBI is doing a good political police expanded powers to spy legislative counsel, publicly hailed the normal English] is undertaken on. be­ job done by FBI chief William Webster: job." on us and disrupt our lives. On De­ half of the F.BJ. in the course of a lawful Likewise, ex-Senator Frank Church, cember 4, Reagan signed an executive "I think Webster has moved the FBI [what else?] investigation; or away from politics and toward a focus on who chaired the congressional hearings order replacing an earlier version issued "(b) The organization concerned is in 1975 on the crimes of the FBI and by President Carter in January, 1978. real criminal interests," Berman said. composed primarily of individuals who "It's a healthy focus." . CIA, has a similar view. Testifying in To the accompaniment of well-timed are not United States persons and is Congress last month, Church said, ac­ newspaper headlines screaming about a Such endorsements have made Rea­ reasonably believe to be acting on be­ cording to the Washington Post, that supposed Libyan assassination squad gan's efforts to beef up the political po­ half of a foreign power." "the FBI was much better equipped stalking government officials, Reagan lice easier. As part of its sharp escala­ This authorizes the very sort of activi­ [than the CIA] to carry out whatever op­ declared that "an approach that em­ tion of the capitalist offensive against ties at the heart of the notorious FBI erations are needed in this country since phasizes suspicion and mistrust of our the working class, the Reagan adminis­ Cointelpro operations. its agents are attuned to law enforce­ own intelligence efforts can undermine tration has systematically moved to re­ The Carter order had authorized ment." this nation's ability to confront the in­ strict democratic rights, to reduce our "counterintelligence" activities to be Even the American Civil Liberties creasing challenge of espionage and ter­ right to know what the government is conducted against a variety of targets, Union, which is critical of the Reagan rorism." up to, and to strip us of protections especially those engaged in what it order, emphasized in its statement that The new executive order drops some against criminal acts by the cops. called "international terrorist activities "public outrage over previous drafts of of the very mild limits that the Carter The Carter policy of strengthening . . . conducted for or on behalf offoreign the order leaked to the public, and pres­ order had publicly imposed on the activ­ the FBI and CIA by stressing their re­ powers, organizations, or persons." It sure by a number of senators on the Se­ ities of the secret police. However, the form has been replaced by the Reagan contained a lengthy and broad defini­ nate Intelligence Committee, have real guidelines and procedures govern­ policy of openly granting expanded pow­ tion of what it meant by "terrorist activ­ caused the administration to retreat ing the FBI and CIA have been and re­ ers to the political police agencies. ities." from many of its most dangerous propos­ main classified information, " hidden The definition wasn't broad enough als, including a proposal to permit the from the American people. 'Special activities' for Reagan, however. The new executive CIA to infiltrate and influence the activ­ The executive orders are merely polit­ order omits any definition of "interna­ ities of U.S. organizations." ical statements of general policy. And One of the changes in the new execu­ tive order is the expansion of the power tional terrorist activities." The ACLU statement went so far as to that is the significance of the new presi­ The term "terrorist activities" has "commend" the Senate Intelligence dential order. of the secret police to carry out covert ac­ tivities within the United States. merely become the 1980s replacement Committee, whose temporary chairman End to 'negativism' The Carter version had authorized for "subversive activities," which was is Daniel Moynihan (D-N.Y.) for "per­ ' the secret police to engage in what it used by an earlier generation of suading the administration to abandon "As we move into the 1980s," Reagan delicately called "special activities." thought-control police. It is a term most of its more dangerous proposals." proclaimed, "we need to free ourselves These were defined as undercover "ac­ whose very value to the cops comes from Moynihan, for his part, hailed the from the negative attitudes [toward the tivities conducted abroad in support of the fact that it is never defined, and nev­ Reagan order because it "makes it clear FBI and CIA] of the past and to look to national foreign policy objectives" of the er can be defined. that the mission of the C.I.A. is abroad." meeting the needs of the country." government. (This is usually called ~ Even if this were true, what· good The "needs of the country" Reagan is "covert action.") Could be worse? would it do the American people, or peo­ worried about are the needs of the rul­ The Reagan order changes the word­ The Reagan order omits some of the ple abroad? What the Reagan adminis­ ing class for a stronger political police as ing to "activities conducted in support of provisions that had been included in tration is setting into motion is an ex­ it tightens its squeeze on working peo­ national foreign policy objectives earlier drafts, which had been systemat­ pansion of FBI and CIA spying, infiltra­ ple at home and prepares military ad­ abroad." By relocating the word icaly leaked to the press. With this ma­ tion, and "special activities" both in the ventures overseas. "abroad" the territory on which covert neuver, Reagan succeeded in sewing up United States and throughout the The Carter order was issued in re.: action is allowed is thus expanded to in- support from the Democrats, who were, world. sponse to the suspicion and hostility to­ ward the FBI and CIA that flooded the country after the dam burst on some of their secret operations. As the public learned part of the truth about secret po­ Company fires two for socialist ideas · lice disruption operations at home, and SAN DIEGO - Two members of In­ the age on her green card corrected im­ accusing her of "breaking company conspiracies to assassinate leaders and ternational Association of Machinists mediately. It is difficult, if not impossi­ rules" by "falsification of information" overthrow legitimate governments (lAM) Lodge 1125 are fighting back ble to make the government correct on a request for a leave of absence. abroad, the rulers' secret police became against victimization by General Dy­ such documents. Last August, Cohen appied for and discredited. namics' Convair Division. Both were On December 4, Convair used this as was granted a leave of absence for per­ Thus the rulers began a campaign to fired because of their socialist ideas. a pretext to fire Martinez. sonal reasons. convince the American people that the The two, Antigona Martinez and Mer­ Martinez has been the target of a com­ Nearly three months later, she was FBI and CIA had been reformed. New rill Cohen, are members of the Young pany red-baiting campaign in the plant. called into the plant office repeatedly guidelines were published, ostensibly Socialist Alliance (YSA) and the Social­ The bosses are particularly outraged by and grilled by company officials about restricting some FBI and CIA activities. ist Workers Party (SWP). Their union her support for the Nicaraguan revolu­ where she had gone and what she had Bipartisan committees were set up in has filed grievances against these politi­ tion. done. The company claims that an "ano­ Congress to "oversee" the FBI and CIA. .cal firings. Martinez, a Panamanian citizen of nymous caller" told them she lied about FBI agents were even taught to speak On November 20, Martinez was sus­ Nicaragu~n descent, has visited Nicara­ the reasons she had requested the leave. about "established concepts of privacy pended from work because of a "discre­ gua several times. In 1980, she spent six The union business agent filing Co­ and civil liberties." Those who couldn't pancy" on her job application. The com­ months there as a participant in the hen's grievance has correctly pointed mouth the words were forced into retire­ pany claimed that Martinez, 18, lied country's massive literacy campaign. out that it is none of the company's busi­ ment. about her age when applying for work. In mid-October, her supervisor began ness what an employee does on a person­ A key role in this process was played Martinez soon supplied a copy of her circulating copies of an interview with al leave of absence once it has been by the liberals, who lent their endorse­ birth certificate, proving that she is in­ Martinez, which had appeared in the granted, and that Cohen is being ment to the "new" FBI. A number of deed eighteen years old. San Diego Tribune. The interview fo­ singled out for harassment. lawsuits against FBI crimes were The company then demanded she cused on Martinez's. support for the Ni­ Martinez and Cohen will be featured settled out of court on the basis of assu­ bring in her high school diploma. She caraguan revolution. speakers at a December 12 rally spon­ rances from the government that the did that too. The supervisor began to call Martinez sored by the Political Rights Defense FBI would no longer violate constitu­ Finally, the company seized on an er­ "my little terrorist," and suggested to Fund. The rally will kick off a vigorous tional rights. The Congressional "over­ ror on her green card (a work visa) to workers that they should not associate campaign to win support for their case sight" committees, operating behind drive her from her job. Martinez's green with her because she was "violence in the labor movement, among civil'li­ closed doors, settled into a cozy biparti­ card gives her age as seventeen. prone." bertarians and activists in the San Die­ san relationship with the spymasters. The company demanded that she have Convair fired Cohen on November 11, go area.

6 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18,1981 lAM files grievance for fired unionist By Sheila Ostrow special political investigation by the De­ ST. LOUIS - International Associa­ fense lnvestigativeService (DIS), a Pen­ tion of Machinists Lodge 837B has filed tagon spy agency, and by their employ­ a grievance to win back the job of a so­ er. cialist worker fired last week by McDon­ Both the company and the govern­ nell Douglas. Harris Freeman, a ment refuse to provide reasons for this member of the Young Socialist Alliance special treatment. lAM lodge 837B has (YSA) and the Socialist Workers Party filed a grievance against this political (SWP), was fired on November 30. harassment. After nineteen months of employment Secret DIS files, just received by Free­ and a good work record, Freeman was man under the Freedom of Information told that his "conduct" on the job made Act, baldly state the reason for the vic­ the company suspicious. timizations. An anonymous letter "al­ The giant aircraft company carried leged that these three persons visited out a special investigation of his back­ Cuba [deleted] and that the three were ground that included sending an inves­ involved with the SWP." tigator to Atlanta to discover a "discre­ pancy" on his employment application. A second DIS document states that The company claims this is the reason the three were "observed at lAM union . Militant/Etta Ettlinger he was fired. meetings," and that Jody Curran ap­ Workers at McDonnell Douglas launched fight for political rights of employees at war Freeman, however, says that the real peared on a local TV station urging sup­ plants when government began investigations. October 12 press conference opening reason for his firing is his membership port for the SWP's and YSA's lawsuit this fight, shown above, included (from left) Barry David, Harris Freeman, both ha­ in the YSA and the SWP. The firing is against government spying, harass­ rassed employees; and John Studer of the Political Rights Defense Fund._ part of a campaign to drive socialist ment, and disruption of the two groups. workers out of McDonnell Douglas. . At a news conference, Freeman at­ ings of Freeman and Garrison, and the P.O. Box 516 Freeman is the second SWP member tacked "the audacity of McDonnell Dou­ ongoing "investigations," should be sent St. Louis, Missouri 63166 to be fired by McDonnell Douglas in as glas accusing anyone of lying and dis­ to: Copies should be sent to: many weeks. Jim Garrison, a trainee at loyalty. A company whose normal busi­ Sanford N. McDonnell, Political Rights Defense Fund, McDonnell's machine shop was the first. ness practices include bribery, mail Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, P.O. Box 24229 fraud, and perjury, has no right to ac­ McDonnell Douglas Corporation, St. Louis, Missouri 63130 One day before he was to complete his cuse anyone of doctoring their applica­ training and come under the union bar­ tion simply to get a job. gaining agreement, the company dis­ "McDonnell's witch-hunt tactics," he missed him. Prior to that, his supervi­ continued, "threaten the rights of all sor's reports had called him the best in workers to their jobs and political ideas. Gov't steps up harassment his training class. No reason was given These actions unveil the company's use for his dismissal. of finks to spy on union meetings, intim­ For the last three months, Freeman idate free association, and interfere at Newport News shipyard and two other socialist workers at with political activity guaranteed by the The following article appeared who was questioned by the DIS, Susan McDonnell Douglas, Jody Curran and Bill of Rights." in the November 18 edition of the Stevens of Newport News, appeared Barry David, have been the targets of a Messages of protest against the fir- 'Journal & Guide,' the leading with Green at a news conference on Black newspaper in Norfolk, Vir­ Washington Avenue across from the ginia. shipyard Thursday, November 12th. There, Stevens issued a statement By Bill Nachman claiming that she hung up on a federal Soc,ialist demands justice NEWPORT NEWS - A pipefitter at agent the first time he called wanting Newport News Shipbuilding claims he to discuss Green's security clearance to has been interrogated by federal certain areas of the shipyard. Upon 'or victims of killer cops agents during normal work hours Green's suggestion, she spoke to "DIS about his political leanings. agent Roberts" when he called later. In addition, Eli Green maintains Instead of getting information to that two co-workers, his foreman, and verify addresses where Green had at least one friend have been harassed lived, the agent reportedly asked ques­ by government agents trying to learn tions "centered on Green's political details about Green's involvement with ideas and activities. They asked what · groups such as the Socialist Workers organizations Green belonged to, and Party (SWP), the Young Socialist Al­ if I thought the Socialist Workers liance, and the National Black Inde­ Party is a 'legitimat~ party,' and if I pendent Political Party. thought it 'advocates the overthrow of .No one in the Newport News Defense the government by unconstitutional Investigative Service (DIS) office in­ means,' " Stevens said. side the Newport News Shipbuilding Green said he now lives at 140 Ash complex was available for comment to Ave. in the East End section of New­ explain the federal agency's alleged port News. actions. Frank Guthrie, special agent Since the DIS questioning, Green in charge of the Norfolk DIS office, said he has not received any superVi­ who was manning the Newport News sory threats. DIS desk, said he could not comment But Green is unsure why he was on the matter. singled out. He claims it may be be­ Telephone messages left at the DIS cause "this investigation occurs in the parent office in the Pentagon near context of. the Reagan administration's Washington, D.C. went unanswered. stepped up war preparations, which "Ostensibly this is simply an investi-. RASHAAD All projects spending over $1.5 trillion in gation for a security clearance," the 29- the next five years. Like many other year-old Green said, "but I contend By Ron Repps workers, I oppose this military build-up explained that in contrast to the politi­ that it is not being conducted in good at the expense of human needs .. ." NEW ORLEANS - It was just one cians in the Democratic and Republican faith, nor is it for informational pur­ year ago that police officers broke into parties, "Rashaad Ali offers hope for poses only. At the end of September, The investigation may· also be be­ the homes of four Black people here and poor working people such as you and I. · two of my work mates were called into cause "the Reagan administration is murdered them. He proposes a program for working peo­ the DIS office and questioned for two on a wholesale attack on civil liberties All of the officers involved were later ple that has long been neglected in this hours about my political views and here at home," said Green. "They completely exonerated. society." union activity. (federal government) wish to unleash At a November 14 campaign rally, Glen Munroe, of Gays and Lesbians "On October 12, I was called into the the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) Rashaad Ali, the Socialist Workers Par­ Against Discrimination, was supporting DIS office and subjected to a three­ for illegal surveillance and harass­ ty candidate for mayor of New Orleans, Ali's campaign because of his call for a hour interrogation. The majority of the ment, especially on those active in the and an activist in the fight to bring labo1 party. questions centered on my membership labor, black, and women's rights move­ these cops to justice, demanded that "You might wonder what a labor par­ in the SWP, my political views, and ments." "everyone who was in any way responsi­ ty has to do with gay rights, but it's real­ those of my party." So far, no legal action is planned by ble for those killings should spend the ly no mystery. The leaders we have now Green said he was not physically Green, according to Earl Kidd, a repre­ rest of their life in jail." in the gay community don't think in abused during the session with DIS sentative of the Political Rights De­ Kalaamu ya Salaam, editor of the terms of independent political action." personnel. fense Fund. That group is instrumen­ Black Collegian and aiso an activist in Also speaking were Derick Bracy A shipyard information specialist, tal in other such cases of alleged this struggle, spoke of Mayor Morial from the Young Socialist Alliance, and Jim Bright, said he had no comment harassment and employee screening and the other Black politicians, "When Cathy Watson, from the New Orleans on Green's contentions. He would not by federal agents. you have Black people in positions who Nicaraguan Solidarity Organization. comment if Green actually was paid by Kidd said his group will sponsor an don't.do anything for Black people, they The rally drew teachers, oil refinery the punch clock for the time he al­ awareness rally on Saturday, De­ have to go. For those who want a real al­ workers, machinists, high school stu­ legedly was interrogated. cember 5th at Newport News Holiday ternative, support Rashaad Ali's cam­ dents, city employees, members of the ''We have tight security because of Inn on Jefferson Avenue. Details are paign." National Black Independent Political our work with the (U.S.) Navy," Bright still being worked out, he said, but it is The other speakers echoed Salaam's Party, as well as a number ofleaders of said. expected that national SWP represen­ enthusiasm for the socialist campaign. a successful union organizing drive at Green would not identify his fore­ tative, Andree Kahlmorgan, will ap­ Sam Green, a building representative Schots Meat Packing. · man nor the two workers he said were pear. for tqe United Teachers of New Orleans, The election is in April, 1982. called in for questioning. But a friend For more information call 380-0133.

DECEMBER 18, 1981 THE MILITANT 7 By Larry Seigle tion made by the government of the United States One of the many articles by Lenin that are available HAVANA- What is the relationship between the against Cuba, Nicaragua, Grenada, El Salvador, and in pamphlet form in Cuban bookstores is "Statistics class struggle and the fight for self-determination for other parts of Central America as a' threat to world and Sociology," a short article he wrote in January oppressed nationalities within the United States to­ peace and as a shameful expression of arrogance and 1917 on oppressed nations within industrialized capi­ day? Does the emergence of Black organizations such racist aggression, with the intent of maintaining eco­ talist countries. This article was referred to by sever­ as the National Black Independent Political Party nomic exploitation. al Cuban participants in the seminar. (The article•is (NBIPP) present an obstacle to uniting all working "For this seminar has dramatically demonstrated included in Lenin on the United States, International people? What are the current conditions facing the to us how deep are the ties, how similar the experien­ Publishers.) Indian, Latino, and Black communities in the United ces we share as Blacks, Hispanics, and Indians, not In it, Lenin expresses the opinion that Blacks in States? only as communities within the United States, but the United States "should be classed as an oppressed Discussion and debate on these and related ques­ within the entire Western Hemisphere. nation, for the equality won in the Civil War of 1861- tions were central features of a conference held here "It is, indeed, one struggle." 65 and guaranteed by the Constitution of the republic November 17-19. The "Seminar on the Situation of was in many respects increasingly curtailed in the the Black, Chicano, Cuban, Indian, and Puerto Rican Broad participation chief Negro areas (the South) in connection with the Communities in the United States" brought toget4er Participants from the United States were present transition from the progressive, pre-monopoly capi­ activists and academic figures from all over the not as representatives of organizations, but as indi­ talism of 1860-1870 to the reactionary, monopoly cap­ United States and from Cuba. viduals. Nonetheless, every effort was made to in­ italism (imperialism) of the new era, which in Ameri­ The event was sponsored by two Cuban institu­ clude people from a broad variety of groups. Among ca was especially sharply etched out by the Spanish" tions: Casa de las Americas and the Center for Amer­ the Black delegates present were Charlene Mitchell American imperialist war of1898 (i.e., a war between ican Studies. The formal proceedings consisted prim­ of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political two robbers over the division of the booty)." arily of presentation and discussion of papers by par­ Repression; Rev. Herbert Daughtry of the Black ticipants. These covered a wide range of cultural, his- United Front; Ron Daniels, cochair of the National Concrete approach The approach of the seminar was to look concretely at the history and evolution of each of the communi­ ties represented, including the differences among Havana conference on them. In his welcoming speech opening the seminar, Ma­ riano Rodriguez, the president of Casa de las Ameri­ cas, traced the distinct origins of the communities U.S. antiraciSt fight represented: "First is the Indian native of those lands; then the Blacks, brought from Africa in order to use their 'Seminar on Black, Chicano, _Cuban, slave labor, which was essential for the primitive ac­ cumulation of capital; then came the theft of vast ter­ ritory from Mexico, territory where Mexicans, whose Indian, & Puerto Rican communi ties' descendants would be known as Chicanos, remained; later still came the colonial absorption of Puerto Rico, occupied as war booty, many of whose inhabitants would have to go to the new metropolis to find work, like so many Latinos. "All of these communities live under the constant exploitation and cruel discrimir{ation of the oppressor classes of that country. "Of course, all of this is done under the mantle of so-called participation, in order to create the appear­ ance of democracy they need. But their so-called par­ ticipation amounts to nothing but being oppressed and being kept on the fringes of society, and often the obligation to serve as soldiers in the aggressive forces that the policeman of international imperialism has spread out all over the world." Cuban-American community One of the most important components of the semi­ nar was the involvement of individuals from the Cu­ ban community in the United States. They concen­ trated their efforts on analyzing the evolution - eco­ nomically, socially, and politically - of the Cuban· American .popul ation. Cubans on the staffs of the sponsoring organizations also made several very in­ May 25, 1981, demonstration against murders of Black youth in Atlanta. Blacks confront 'systematic and pervasive formative presentations on this topic. racism which is an integral part of life in the U.S.' The presence at the seminar of Cuban-Americans, and the facts and figures they presented, go a long way toward breaking through the myth, which is un­ torical, sociological, and political themes. The discus-. Black Independent Political Party; Robert Chrisman, fortunately still strong in the United States, that the sion was lively and spilled over into informal discus­ publisher of the Black Scholar; and Gus Newport, the Cuban community is a monolithic camp of reaction sions late into the night. Democratic Party mayor of Berkeley, California. and counterrevolutionary sentiment. The seminar was conceived as an opportunity to A number ofleaders of the Antonio Maceo Brigade, One poll, taken in the Miami area as far back as bring together, for discussion, people from a spectrum made up of young Cubans in the United States, par­ 1976, found that a majority of Cuban"Americans un­ of political viewpoints, as well as from the five dis­ ticipated, 'as did several Cuban-American professors. der the age of forty favored the establishment of dip­ tinct communities represented. The success of this Also participating were members of the Puerto Rican lomatic relations between the United States and Cu­ undertaking was an inspiration to all who attended. Socialist Party. A sma1ler number of delegates came ba. from the Indian and Chicano communities in the The papers presented to the seminar focused on the Solidarity with Cuba United States. fact that Cubans who emigrate to the United States For Cuba, the conference was an act of solidarity Cubans from the two sponsoring organizations took find themselves up against the same racial oppres­ with the struggle against racial oppression in the a very active part in the seminar, presenting papers sion that all Latinos face, Moreover, like other Lati­ United States, and a contribution to advancing that and participating in the discussions. They were in­ nos, they suffer from the current economic crisis, struggle. Moreover, as with every solidarity action tensely interested in all the points of view expressed. which is driving down the standard of living of all the Cuba ns take the lead on, the example they set Among the presentations at the conference were working people in the United States, and which hits helps to mobilize support for all those who are fight­ "The American Indian Nation in the United States," minority communities hardest. This is the brick wall ing against Washington's threats and intimidation­ by Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz; "Puerto Rico: Emigration, of reality that is shattering the illusions of the "ma­ including Cuba itself. Colonialism, and Anticolonialism," by Felix Ojeda rielitos" - the 125,000 refugees who went to the As the Cubans well understand, solidarity is a two­ Reyes; "Toward a Framework for Thinking about Ra­ United States when the Cuban port of Mariel was way street. cial Domination in the U.S.A. in the 1980s," by How­ opened for emigration in 1980. Although the seminar had been planned some time ard Dodson; "The Afro-American Community in the At the same time, the specific origins of Cuban emi­ in advance, it attracted added attention in the days U.S." by Johnetta Cole; "The Composition of the Chi­ gration to the United States in the twenty years since immediately preceding it because of the Reagan ad­ cano Population and the Question of National Identi­ the Cuban revolution give the Cuban-American ministration's intensified preparations for military ty," by Fred Cervantes; "The Role of Expressive Cul­ community features quite distinct from other Latino action against the revolutions in the Caribbean and ture in Maintaining National Identity Among Afro­ populations. After 1959, the entire Cuban ruling Central America. Americans," by Robert Chrisman; and "The KKK in class, along with its hangers-on, fled the island, car­ The presence in Havana at this moment of a the United States," by Fannia Davis. rying with them much of the loot they stole - legally number of prominent leaders in the fight against ra­ The Cubans' decision to host the seminar is an ex­ or illegally - from the Cuban people. In addition, the cial oppression in the United States was itself seen as ample of the continued growth of interest in Cuba United States government did everything it could to a powerful protest against U .S. moves toward war. It about U.S. political developments. As the economic encourage the emigration of technicians and profes­ was also a blow to the continuing efforts by Washing­ crisis in the United States deepens, and as Washing­ sionals from Cuba, as part of its campaign to sabotage ton to quarantine the Cuban revolution. A number of ton moves closer to military action against the ad­ the Cuban economy. the U.S. professors who participated in the seminar vancing revolutions in Central America and the Car­ · For these reasons, the Cuban community today en­ expressed their determination to fight against the ibbean, the Cubans are following closely the response joys a higher per capita income than Chicanos or U.S. blockade of Cuba, which restricts historical and within the American working class, the movements Puerto Ricans. Nonetheless, the average is still well scientific exchanges between U.S. and Cuban schol­ of oppressed nationalities, and the left. below that of whites. ars. There is particular interest among the Cuban revo­ In the 1960s and 1970s, there was also a huge emi­ In a unanimously approved final declaration, the lutionaries in the struggles of oppressed nationalities gration of Cubans with no capital and no special participants denounced "the threats of military ac- and national minorities within the United States. skills. These were people lured to the United States

8 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18, 1981 cipation meant, of course, being subjugated in cultu­ ral terms to what can only be termed a racist, white, Euro-American culture." · · He added that "there is also no question but that capitalism was and continues to be the material basis for racism." He pointed out that some who are not familiar with the concrete reality of the conditions Blacks face in the United States have criticized the Black move­ ment for "pre-occupation with 'nationalism' and an ob­ session with 'racism' and the 'race question.'" But, he said, "It is not possible to understand the African-American 'obsession' with race and racism without grasping this peculiarity of the specific con­ ditions under which African-Americans suffer and struggle in the U.S." Daniels, Rev. Daughtry of the Black United Front, and other speakers defended this perspective. They pointed out that Blacks organizing as Blacks to de­ fend their interests and fight against racism can lay the basis for uniting all working people. Militant/Lou Howort Several participants emphasized the fact that Growing participation of Latinos in labor movement was major topic of discussion at Havana conference. 'Jobs developments such as the formation of the Coalition not bombs!' says Spanish-language placard carried on September 19 Solidarity Day march on Washington, D.C. of Black Trade Unionists within the labor movement have strengthened the workers movement as a whole, by helping to force union officialleaderships to by the hope of an immediate improvement in their a distinct Puerto Rican nationality in the United take progressive stands on such questions as affirma­ standard of living, and an escape from the constant States. There is continued migration from the island, tive action and school desegregation. pressures of the ongoing revolution. and some movement back the.other way. As a result, As a result of the different origins of those who many immigrants retain close political, social, fami­ United action by the working class is possible only moved here, concluded Juan Valdes Paz and Rafael ly, and cultural ties to the island. on the basis of a consistent fight to defend the inter­ Hernandez of the Center for American Studies, there At the same time, the tendency over time is for the ests of the most oppressed sections of the class. is a "marked economic stratification" of the Cuban new generation, born and raised in the United States, community in the United States. to see themselves less as part of one nation with those New Black organization who remain on the island. The National Black Independent Political Party is Myth of 'golden exile' The fact that Puerto Ricans in the United States oc­ a new organization in the United States, just a year But for the great majority, as one Cuban-American cupy the bottom rung of the economic ladder and are old. Its charter was adopted only in August of this put it, "the 'golden exile,' as we well know, is a myth." the "last hired and first fired,'' the authors argued, year. As a result, especially for the Cuban partici­ Cuban immigrants, she pointed out, "have played the does not mean that those who live in the United pants in the seminar, the NBIPP was a new idea, one same historical role as every immigrant group in the States are not increasingly part of the American they are interested in learning more about. United States. That is, they have constituted a source working class. They placed special emphasis on the The emergence of the NBIPP represents an impor­ of cheap labor for certain sectors of American indus­ growing participation of Puerto Ricans in U.S. polit­ tant step forward for the Black community, and for try. Despite the petty-bourgeois position, values, and ics-though not in capitalist electoral politics-and the working class as a whole, in the United States. aspirations that the Cubans brought with them, to­ in the labor movement. In its charter, the NBIPP declares that it "aims to day, in their great majority, they constitute one more Nonetheless, they believe that so long as such a attain power to radically transform the present socio­ minority in the United States, facing the consequen­ big part of the Puerto Rican community in the United economic order, that is, to achieve self-determination ces of an economy in crisis." States remains linked in so many ways to the colonial and social and political freedom for the masses of One survey of a group of Cubans in the United nation of Puerto Rico, it would be premature to act on Black people. Therefore, our party will actively op­ States found that while less than 13 percent had been the basis of a conclusion that the community "as a pose racism, imperialism, sexual oppression and capi­ "blue collar" workers in Cuba, 7 4 percent were now whole" has been forged into a distinct nationality. talist exploitation." working "blue collar" jobs. The decision of this new formation to organize in A study of a group of Cuban women found that al­ Black nationalism opposition to the Democrats and Republicans shows though three-quarters of them had not worked out­ Some of the liveliest discussion came in the ses­ the way forward for the entire U.S. working class: to side the home in Cuba, more than half were now sions on the situation facing the Black community. break from capitalist politics, and end support to the working factory jobs. This was a reflection ofthe success the organizers had political parties of big business. The example of the These kinds of statistics led participants to speak of in involving in the seminar individuals from differ- NBIPP points in the direction of independent politi­ the "sudden proletarianization" of a big part of the . ent experiences and different points of view within cal action by the U.S. labor movement as a whole . Cuban-American population, and to stress that "the the Black liberation movement. Cuban population participates in U.S. society mainly Among the discussions that took place was whether Unique conference as members of the exploited classes and strata." Black nationalist consciousness is progressive, or Everyone who participated in the three-day semi­ whether it is a barrier to working-class unity in the nar was impressed by the seriousness of the discus­ Puerto Ricans fight against capitalism. sions and the value of the presentations. The seminar Another important discussion at the seminar con­ Although the seminar itself did not take up the po­ was made all the more useful by the free flow of the cerned the Puerto Rican community in the United sitions of particular organizations, there was interest discussion. States. Haroldo Dilla of the Center for American Stu­ among the participants in the perspectives of nation­ Plans are already under way in Cuba to publish the dies, and Armando Fernandez of Casa de las Ameri­ alist groups such as the National Black Independent complete proceedings of the seminar, including all cas presented a paper analyzing the fight for self-de­ Political Party (NBIPP). A lot of informal discussion the papers presented. The conference participants al­ termination of Puerto Ricans in the United States. took place. so have decided to try to make as much of the mate­ The two authors looked at the connections between Jn a paper presented to the conference, NBIPP rial as possible available in the United States. Hope­ the Puerto Rican struggle in the United States and leader Ron Daniels presented a defense of Black na­ fully, the resources will be found to carry through the fight for independence for Puerto Rico. This paper tionalism as a progressive response to the "all em­ this project in the near future. took up the issues in the continuing discussion with­ bracing, all encompassing, systematic and pervasive The seminar also served the function of winning in the Puerto Rican movement over the extent to racism which has become and is an integral part of new support for the Cuban revolution inside the which Puerto Ricans in the United States have devel­ the very fabric of the socio-cultural, political and eco­ United States. It was· the first trip to Cuba for many oped their own distinct national identity, as opposed nomic life in the U.S." of the participants. to remaining part of one nation with those Puerto Ri­ He traced the history of Blacks in America from the The fact that it was socialist Cuba that took the cans who remain on the island. days of chattel slavery to the present. He forcefully initiative and made the facilities available for this In past years, Puerto Rican groups in the United explained that "the reality of the continued domina­ conference, the first of its kind anywhere, was a point States have debated this subject. The Puerto Rican tion of the African-American in the U.S. after eman- lost on no one. Socialist Party has in the past held the view that there is only one Puerto Rican people, and that the primary orientation of the movement ought to be to For Further Reading struggle for Puerto Rican independence. This posi­ tion tended to minimize the economic and political Lenin on the United States role of Puerto Ricans in the United States as part of 674 pp. $3.65 the U.S. working class. Politics of Chicano Liberation Some other groups, including some Maoist organi­ By Olga Rodriguez, 160 pp. $3.95 zations, have argued that a new and distinct national grouping has already emerged on U.S. soil. This posi­ Puerto Ricans in the U.S. tion basically excluded the possibility that masses of By Catarina Garza 62 pp. $2.25 people will choose to return to Puerto Rico, even ifin­ depenence is won. Puerto Rico: U.S. Colony in the Caribbean In their presentation, Dilla and Fernandez pointed By Jose Perez 24 pp. $.35 out that this discussion has, in the past, tended to be­ The National Black Independent Political Party gin with political conclusions, and then proceeds to justify those conclusions by developing an analysis to (Education for Socialists Bulletin) fit. They emphasized the importance of beginning 32 pp. $1.25 with the concrete conditions facing the Puerto Rican Trotsky on Black Nationalism people. 96 pp. $2.95 They stressed that the bulk of Puerto Rican migra­ tion to the United States began just over a generation Order from Pathfinder Press, 410 West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. Please ago. The continued status of Puerto Rico as a U.S. col­ include $. 75 for postage and handling. ony has the effect of slowing down the development of

DECEMBER 18, _1981 THE MILITANT 9 tried to sabotage financing for their new ·Forty nations represented international airport. They proved that in two years the revolution had done more to improve the economy and infra­ structure of the island than had been done in 400 years of colonialism. It took the revolution to put a halt to the impor­ Conference declares tation from Canada of the bulk of fish eaten here- in an island surrounded by fish. The conference was a festival of inter­ solidarity with Grenada nationalism. The affairs of the confer­ ence were followed by the mass of the By Pat Kane people. At a huge rally on November 22 ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada - "This to commemorate Grenada's Bloody Sun­ conference has injected our people with day, when six members of the present a new confidence, a new sense of cour­ government were badly beaten in 1973, age, a much deeper understanding of the delegates were introduced to the is-· what our own revolution is all about. It land's militant and fighting people. has shown us why we are united in this The loudest cheers were for revolu­ anti-imperialist struggle, why we are tionary Cuba, Nicaragua, and Vietnam, united to end poverty, oppression, and and for the freedom fighters of Africa. exploitation." Any attacks on those countries would be This is how Maurice Bishop, revolu­ viewed by the people of Grenada as at­ tionary Grenada's prime minister, de­ tacks on themselves. In a country strug­ scribed the impact here of the first Inter­ gling against poverty, they have man­ national Conference in Solidarity With aged to donate £30,000 ($56,400) to the Grenada, held November 23-25. The South West African People's Organiza­ conference was a huge success, with tion of Namibia. eighty-five delegations in attendance representing forty countries. Solidarity needed The conference was called to answer Aid for Grenada is vital. From Bri­ the massive U.S. propaganda campaign tain, the Labor Party, the engineering aimed at isolating the Grenada revolu­ union, sheetmetal workers unions, and tion. It was an opportunity to show dele­ the journalists union all sent telegrams gates the achievements of this revolu­ of support. tion. Members of the San Francisco U.S.­ ed in his opening speech: "We have al­ well as create new organs through Grenada Friendship Society brought to U.S. lies ways scrupulously avoided viewing our which our new, effervescent, democratic Grenada a complete office system, in­ The U.S. slander machine has regu­ struggle, our revolutionary process, blood can freely flow." cluding a duplicator, an electrostencil larly attacked Grenada. The latest lie from a narrow nationalist perspective. machine, and a month's supply of paper comes from the Council for Inter-Amer­ We have long understood that the world Mass organizations and ink, as well as fifty nurses' uni­ ican Security, a right-wing think tank re\lOlutionary process, the struggle of These new organizations include Par­ forms. They managed to get it all on the with close ties to the Reagan adminis­ oppressed mankind everywhere, is one ish Councils, where local people attend plane as part of their luggage. The San tration. The November issue of its jour­ and indivisible. Thus, this International to hear about and decide on all aspects of Francisco society has donated thou­ nal, West Watch, claimed that "the Solidarity Conference holds grave im­ the revolution. They include. new trade sands of dollars to Grenada, as well as Grenadian government is holding 7,000 portance as it bears testimony to our unions, like the agricultural union that two minicomputer systems. political prisoners in work farms, sim­ commitment to the noble concept of in­ has recruited more than 2,000 members Such practical solidarity is what the ilar to the ones in Cuba." ternationalism." since the revolution. people of Grenada need. Everything Grenada's population is only 110,000; Delegates heard reports from the Youth and women have been organ­ from school supplies to photographic one would think someone here would various ministries of the revolutionary ized. Both the National Women's Or­ equipment is needed. Just about every­ miss 7,000 people and complain! Dele­ government. Selwyn Strachan, minister ganization (NWO) and the National thing one could imagine is in short supp­ gates to the solidarity conference were of national mobilization, whose staff Youth Organization (NYO) have had a ly. shown all over Grenada. But they could had organized the conference, outlined spectacular growth over the last year. Maurice Bishop closed the conference not tour the "work farms," because they the revolutionary democracy in Grena­ The NWO aimed for 5,000 members by by saying that "the people of North do not exist. da. Strachan pointed out that Grenada December. They have recruited 6,467. America and of Europe are not our ene­ Last month, newspapers throughout is the only government in the eastern The NYO's target was 7,000 by their mies, the majority of those people are the region carried identical editorials Caribbean with a ministry such as the first congress in December, and they our friends. Our enemies are the fas­ attacking the revolutionary govern­ one he heads. have already reached 7 ,288. cists, our enemy is imperialism. . . . ment. The White House has sponsored Everywhere, young and old alike are "You have reminded us that our counterrevolutionary conferences for War on exploitation joining the militia to defend the revolu­ struggle is by no means unique in the the region's politicians, editors, and Strachan said that Grenada is en­ tion against possible imperialist inva­ history of mankind. Our path is one that generals. gaged in "a war against corruption, sion. many have walked before." The large solidarity conference was a against arrogance, against the exploita­ All these organizations are mass or­ The Grenada revolution is indeed fitting reply to the imperialist cam­ tion of our people, against the old colon­ ganizations. They are vehicles through striding forward. Only a direct military paign. ial and neocolonial bureaucratic ugli­ which the people exercise control over intervention by imperialism can stop it. The delegates' list read like a roll of ness, a war against patronage and mis­ their leaders and the institutions of the On the militia marches and popular honor of the world's most determined management, against fraud and author­ state. They represent a militant, con­ demonstrations the Grenadians sing: fighters against imperialism. Cuba, Ni­ itarianism, a war to blast all these old scious, and organized people. . "Oh when they come, oh when they caragua, Angola, Namibia, and Viet­ deformities that our people have inher­ Selwyn Strachan challenged critics of come, nam were all represented. Political par­ ited into the debris of history, in order to the revolution who demand that "elec­ "Oh when those Yankee soldiers ties and trade unions from throughout win the victory of completing a demo­ tions" be held in Grenada. He said they come, the East Caribbean, Europe, and Latin cratic transformation of all the pro­ should come to Grenada, where they "We're going to bury them in the sea!" America attended. A wide range of cesses of our country in their totality. would quickly see that there are more From Intercontinental Press Black organizations were here from the And for this, comrades, we are mobiliz­ elections here in a week than in any five United States. Two delegates even ~ra­ ing our people for revolutionary demo­ years in the United States or Britain. veled all the way from Mongolia. cracy. This is our war, and this is why as Every ministry pointed out the Grenada: 'more Commenting on the international a people, as a nation, we must mobilize achievements of this revolution. They character of the conference, Bishop stat- and democratize all our institutions, as explained how the U.S. government has democratic' Welcoming delegates to the De­ cember 2 opening of the Organiza­ tion of American States General As­ sembly, held in St. Lucia, the chair­ Miami: Haitians protest as rulers confer man of that body had some sharp MIAMI- On November 29 a spirited and willing workforce" and the low based Haitian group, called for the pro­ words for U.S. policy in the Caribbe­ and determined protest of 350 people, wages. test on November 29. an. mostly Haitians, greeted participants at U.S. trade representative William After a car caravan from the city of "Let us not have traded our inde­ the fifth annual Miami Conference on Brock was on hand to deliver a major Miami, protesters lined the plush side­ pendence for any aspect of neocolon­ the Caribbean. This conference, held at policy speech for the Reagan adminis­ walks of Crandon Boulevard with pla­ ialism," warned Peter Josie, who is the luxurious Semester Hotel in Key tration. He promised to encourage fur­ cards and banners and greeted the ar­ also St. Lucia's foreign minister. Biscayne, is sponsored by the Caribbean ther U.S. corporate investment in the riving dignitaries with chants in En­ "We will not be deterred by re­ Central America Action Group with the countries represented at the conference glish, Spanish, and Creole. These in­ criminations from any quarter nor cooperation of the United States State to make changes in trade restrictions to cluded, "Duvalier Asesino, Duarte Ase­ shall we accept unsolicited advice on Department. It has become a major permit these corporations to export sino"; "Haiti Yes, Duvalier No"; "El how we ought to conduct our foreign meeting ground for the wealthy and the their products more cheaply. Salvador Yes, Duarte No"; "Money for policy." rightist rulers from Central America jobs, not for war, U.S. Out of El Salva­ Meeting with reporters on the eve and the Caribbean. Eight heads of government attended, dor"; "Political asylum for Haitian refu­ of the session, Josie said he would The Caribbean Central America Ac­ including Jose Napoleon Duarte, presi­ gees"; "No U.S. intervention in the Car­ block any U.S. attempt to introduce tion Group is chaired by Florida Gover­ dent of the bloody military regime of El ibbean"; and "Remove the U.S.S. Hamil­ the charge of Nicaraguan or Cuban nor Bob Graham. Graham has recently Salvador and Prime Minister Edward ton from Haitian waters." "interventionism" into the assem­ traveled to Haiti to meet with officials of Seaga, the new prime minister of Ja­ On December 2 leaders of New York's bly. the Duvalier regime, supposedly to maica. Representatives of the Duvalier refugees and officials of the NAACP an­ Josie also indicated he did not see develop plans to ease the flow of refu­ dictatorship of Haiti were also present. nounced a march on Washington, D.C., eye to eye with Washington on the gees from that country. In response to this gathering, the Lat­ December 12 to protest the Reagan ad­ matter of Grenada, which he called Graham's major proposal is to encour­ in American and Caribbean Solidarity ministration's treatment of the 2,700 "more democratic than many other age more U.S. companies to move to Association, Friends of Haitian Refu­ Haitian refugees being held in nine det­ nations in the Caribbean." Haiti to take advantage of the "docile gees, and KOMBIT LIBETE, a Miami- ention centers around the country.

10 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18, 1981 is not alone' Speech by Prime Minister Maurice Bishop The following speech was given by Grenadh's Prime Minister Maurice Bishop at the opening of the First International Conference of Solidarity with the Grenada Revolution on November 3.

Comrades, in the name of our party, the New Jewel Movement, in the name of the People's Revolutionary Government, and in the name of the people, the workers, the youth, the women, and the farmers of free and revolutionary Grenada, I join comrades in extending to you, our fraternal and esteemed guests from all continents of the globe, a most warm and cor­ dial welcome. We are extremely happy to host you here on our soil, and we pledge to ensure that your stay here is both productive and enjoyable. The importance of this historic Conference on In­ ternational Solidarity with Grenada cannot be over­ stated. In the first place this conference manifests our continuing strict adherence to international princi­ ples. We have always scrupulously avoided viewing our struggle, our revolutionary process, from a nar­ row nationalist perspective. We have long understood that the world revolutionary process, the struggles of oppressed mankind everywhere, is one and indivisi­ ble. Thus, this international solidarity conference holds grave importance as it bears testimony to our commitment to the noble concept of internationalism. This conference derives additional importance from the fact that your presence here will indicate to imperialism in a clear and forward way that Grenada 'We have always scrupulously avoided viewing our struggle, is not alone. It will tell the imperialists in the boldest our revolutionary process, from a narrow nationalist terms that their schemes, their machinations, their maneuvers to isolate the Grenada revolution have all perspective. We have long understood that the world failed miserably - as the Grenada revolution enjoys revolutionary process, the struggles of oppressed mankind broad popular support, not only at the national level, but also internationally. everywhere, is one and indivisible. This International Thirdly, for us this solidarity conference is a mo- -mentous occasion, as we understand very clearly that Solidarity Conference bears testimony to our commitment to the force and weight of international public opinion ­ the noble concept of internationalism/ cannot be dismissed and constitutes indeed a signifi­ cant factor in the struggles of the people. Comrades, March 13, 1979, was a bright new dawn for the people of Grenada and the working people of Our fundamental objective has always been, as de­ capitalist world. Demand for our principal commodi­ the Caribbean. That dawn marked the end of the tailed in the 1973 manifesto of our party, the con­ ty exports has dropped. World market prices for nut­ long, dark night of terror and the beginning of a new struction of a new life and new society. In June 1974 megs, cocoa, and bananas, which account for 97 per­ day. Our heroic people- the anti-Gairy masses­ we issued a ten-point Statement of Principles. This cent of visible exports earnings, fell by 22 percent in rose to the challenge of history and, in the words of document reads: 1980 over 1979. To compound a difficult economic sit­ the Caribbean poet, Edward Brathwaite - "shat­ "We stand for: uation, tourism (our second most important industry) tered the door and entered that morning, fully aware "1) People's participation, people's politics, peo­ declined by 8.8 percent in 1980. This problem which of the future to come, there's no turning back." As it ple's democracy is also experienced by our Caribbean neighbors led to has been said so often before, when a conscious, deter­ "2) People's cooperatives for the collective develop­ reduction in foreign exchange earnings, employment, mined people rises as a united body and cries ment of the people income generation, and some stagnation in economic "enough," injustice, tyranny, and exploitation are "3) Health care based on need activity. The decline in stay-over visits to Grenada doomed . . . and thus begins a new and glorious "4) Full development of the people's talents, abili­ fell not only because of the worldwide economic reces­ chapter in the history of man: the construction of a ties, and culture sion but also because of active propaganda destabili­ just and equal society by the poor, for the poor, and "5) Full control, as a people, of our national resour- zation by U.S. imperialism. This year, our tourist in­ with the poor. The people's struggle through time for ces dustry, poised for recovery with full house bookings the realization of that dream is the long march of his­ "6) Employment for all at all the main hotels, was dealt a major blow with tory. From the very inception of our party, the New "7) A decent standard of living for every family the sudden destruction by fire of undetermined origin Jewel Movement, we have been guided by the clear "8) Freedom of expression and religion . of a substantial part of our largest hotel - the Holi­ understanding that the struggle against the dictator­ "9) The liberation of Black and oppressed people day Inn. Revenue losses such as these serve to aggra­ ship was not an end in itselfbut a necessary preco~di­ throughout the world vate an already unfair, unjust and unequal balance of tion for the infinitely larger struggle of building that "10) A united people ... a new society . . . a just trade. Although the total volume of Grenada's im­ new and just society. society" ports remained constant, the total cost of these im­ Building the new society involves a long and diffi­ These principles and objectives were as valid at the ports between 1979 and 1980 rose from US$50 mil­ cult process of national reconstruction. Twenty-five dawn of our revolution as they were five years before lion due largely to steep increases in freight rates and years of Gairyism had devastated the social and eco­ when they were formulated, and as they are today - fuel as well as imported inflation from the western in­ nomic fabric of our society. It had destroyed our coun­ almost three years after that first morning of our rev­ dustrial countries. try's international standing- Grenada was reduced olution. Already we hiwe begun to implement these Another economic difficulty facing us at this mo­ to the laughingstock of the international community, aims, although in addition there were certain initial ment is the U.S. economic squeeze. U.S. imperialism land of a tin-pot dictator lost in extraterrestrial priorities that we set ourselves upon taking power, has embarked on a coordinated campaign of economic based on an assessment of the most pressing needs of dreams, [laughter] preoccupied with UFO's, 9bsessed strangulation of our country designed to deprive us of with his divinity, but brutal and ruthless in the exer­ the people - jobs for the thousands of unemployed, access to financial resources from the bilateral, re­ cise of power. Fifty percent of the labor force of our health care, the improvement of the agricultural in­ gional, and international sources. country was unemployed. Our infrastructure was to­ frastructure, mass education, and above all, the pro­ These unprincipled tactics include attempted sab­ tally dilapidated. Our tourist industry was one which cess which would facilitate all other developments, otage of an EEC-sponsored, co-financing conference brought little benefit to the country. Despite our fer­ the democratization of the society. Yet our progress to raise US$30 million desperately needed to ensure tile soil, and with Gairy's political interference in the has been hampered by certain objective difficulties completion of our international airport. The determi­ development of agriculture, the production of our which have prevented us from moving as rapidly as nation of U.S. imperialism to squash this process is main export crops had stagnated. Food crop produc­ we would wish towards the attainment of our goals. evident in its vulgar and direct interference on the tion had declined, and our food import bill was ap­ Like our sister Caribbean islands, we continue to executive board of the IMF [International Monetary proximately 40 percent of total imports. Due to the be plagued by natural disasters. Each year since the Fund] and the World Bank to block loans required for dependent status of our economy and with a combina­ revolution, hurricanes, high winds, or torrential vital capital investment and public investment. At tion of ineffective price controls and monopoly profit­ rains have caused co1.1siderable damage to our agri­ the insistence of the U.S., Grenada was recently ex­ eering by merchar.ts, inflation rates were very high. culture and infrastructure. In 1979 we suffered US$6 cluded from receiving financial assistance from the Financial mismanagement over many y~ars had million worth of damage- in 1980, the total destruc­ Windward Islands Banana Growers Association from reached staggering proportions, and left the national tion of 27 percent of our nutmeg crop, 40 percent of funds provided by USAID for banana rehabilitation. treasury in debt to local commercial banks and in the banana and 19 percent of the cocoa, amounting to Confronted with the belligerence of U.S. imperial­ considerable arrears to local, regional, and interna­ some US$20 million. In 1981, damage to crops, roads, ism, and having the vicious legacy of twenty-five tional agencies. and bridges totaled US$5 million. years of "Hurricane Gairy" to recover from, how has Our people's revolution was therefore faced with With an open, dependent, economy tied to the econ­ our revolution responded to the urgent tasks of na­ the difficult twin task of economic reconstruction and omies of the capitalist world, we have suffered and tional reconstruction? democratization of the society. are suffering from the ongoing economic crisis in the Continued on next page

DECEMBER 18, 1981 THE MILITANT 11 'The.revolution has also taken several steps to stimulate and make possible the participation of women in the development of our nation. There can be no talk of real democracy if half of a nation's population is either disqualified from participation or can only participate in a very limited sense. And there can be no talk of women's participation if the conditions for this participation do not exist.'

Continued from preceding page In agriculture - the pillar of our economy - our main poficy and tactic has been one of diversification. Diversification of agricultural export production to increase the range of agricultural commodities which can earn foreign exchange; diversification of agricul­ tural export markets with the objective of penetrat­ ing new markets and lessening our dependence on any one buyer; diversification and expansion of do­ mestic agricultural production for import substitu­ March 1980 celebration of first anniversary of Grenada revolution tion, as a basis for agro-industrual development, and the linking of the domestic agricultural sector with the tourist sector. Since the revolution, fifty times gains: the establishment of a national literacy and specified commodities from the cheapest sources and more money has been allocated in the national adult education program, the Center for Popular Ed­ ensure internal distribution at much cheaper prices budget for agricultural development. In the building ucation, the institution of free secondary education, a than obtained previously. Like the Grenada Farms of the new tourism, we have also been diversifying 300 percent increase in the number of university lev­ Corporation, the Grenada Resort Corporation was set our tourist markets through increased promotion in el scholarships, the creation of a national in-service up to manage government hotels and other tourism Western Europe, the Caribbean and Latin American teacher training program for the professionalization enterprises, and has been achieving modest suc­ markets, while nonetheless attempting to maintain of all our primary school teachers. The revolution has cesses! and indeed to achieve diversification in our tradition­ placed emphasis on the expansion of educational op­ At the same time, the organization of a national al North American market. · portunity because our party has always recognized fishing fleet, the establishment of a fishing school With a 50 percent increase in our energy costs, the fundamental link between education, the process and a fish processing plant are all together serving ~ energy conservation measures have been put into ef­ of national development, and the construction of a build an integrated and sound fishing industry. fect, resulting in a decrease in consumption by pri­ participatory democracy. [applause] Other critical measures and economic programs set vate motorists but a 20 percent increase in state con­ As in the vital·a'reas of housing, jobs, and educa­ up include: ·· " r \ sumption (mainly in the operation of equipment) on tion, the revolution has brought concrete benefits to • A coffee processing plant to process local coffee account of increased developmental activity. Several the masses in the field of health. A national milk dis­ for domestic consumption and export. major infrastructural improvements have been un­ tribution program has distributed 1,100 tons of milk • Construction of three bio-gas plants and the car­ dertaken: a new international airport, highway to the elderly, to our youth, and to expectant mothers rying out of detailed studies of our hydro-power, hy­ development of the east coast, the construction and since 1979. Free health care made possible by in­ dro-carbon, and geothermal potential as a possible opening up of sixty-seven miles of agricultural feeder creases in medical personnel and the expansion of means of alternative energy. roads, improvement of electricity services, vastly in­ services particularly in the rural areas has trans­ • The introduction of scientifically evaluated sys­ creased water supply, major expansion of telephone formed the pattern of health. tems of work planning in government departments service, forestry development, and conservation. The transformation of the national economy, begun and ministries to ensure productive use of govern­ These efforts at national reconstruction and towards since the people's revolution, has been guided by the ment finances and as a basis for budgetary alloca­ the solution of the main difficulties faced by our eco­ same basic conception of an economy at the service of tions. nomy are the consistent and creative application of the working people and freed from external domina­ • The setting up of a people's bank- theN ational the basic program of our party as we set out in our tion and control which we proposed since 1973. It is Commercial Bank- which after just two years is al­ 1973 Manifesto for People's Power and the achieve­ worthy of note that the vast majority of the new pro­ ready the second largest bank in Grenada. ment of genuine national independence. This docu­ grams and bold initiatives embarked upon by the rev­ All of these, comrades, represent some of the initia­ ment states - and I quote: olution are not bright ideas spontaneously conceived tives taken in our attempt to place our national eco­ "NJM has always stood for real independence, ge­ in some moment of inspiration, but the product of col­ nomy on a sound footing. We have always given nuine independence, meaningful independence. At lective discussion and analysis within our party and priority to this task because it is a strong national our People's Convention on Independence on May 6, among the broad section of our people, of needs, prob­ economy that will guarantee the social and material 1973, at Seamoon, where 10,000 of our supporters lems, and long term goals. well-being of our people. We have a slogan, comrades, were present, our two major speeches were called On the economic front, new institutions and new by which the masses understand quite simply this "Meaningful vs. Meaningless Independence" and programs all aimed at the strengthening of the na­ logic, "You can only take out what you put in." [ap­ "New Directions for Genuine Independence." This tional economy and the laying down of a sound mate­ plause] manifesto of ours sketches the things we must do as a rial basis for future development are being built. The But more important, comrades, more significant people under new leadership to achieve real inde­ Grenada Farms Corporation - a state enterprise - than all the other achievements of the Grenada revo­ pendence. For we believe independence must mean has been established to coordinate the operations of lution, because it is the means whereby we achieve better housing for our people, better clothing, better all government farms. These farms, scandalously all other benefits and will move to achieve even more food, better health, better education . . . more jobs mismanaged and their produce shamelessly misap­ social imd economic benefits as this process unfolds, . . . in short, a higher standard of living for workers propriated during the Gairy era, are now the centers is the outstanding success of the Grenada revolution and their children." of a new thrust forward for our agriculture. More im­ in the task of the democratization of our society. The seizure of state power on March 13, 1979, by portant, agricultural workers - the producers of the One of the earliest acts of the revolution was there­ the people, led by its vanguard party, the NJM, has green gold of our country - on these state farms are peal of all anti-worker laws and the enactment of de­ opened up revolutionary possibilities for the imple­ learning self-management, and more and more are mocratic, progressive labor laws such as the Trade mentation of that program. [applause] taking on the responsibility for increasing produc­ Union Recognition Act which guarantees the right of The revolution, with the active participation of our tion. On these farms the arithmetic of exploitation workers to form and participate in trade unions of people, has brought concrete benefits to our working has been replaced with a new language of workers' their choice. As a result, there are nearly 10,000 people. Unemployment has been reduced from 50 per­ participation in the establishment of production workers organized in trade unions today and most of cent of the working population to less than 30 percent targets, profit sharing, and the teaching of the real these unions are developing programs of democratic by the expansion of the cooperative and state sectors. history of struggle of our working people. [applause]. participation and education for their members. The people's budget has reraoved the burden of in­ The establishment of an agro-industrial plant now come tax from the backs of the 30 percent of the low­ makes it possible for us to make full use oflocal crops The revolution has also taken several steps to stim­ est paid workers. Financial assistance to the tune of which in the past were never fully utilized. Mangoes, ulate and make possible the participation of women $4 million has been provided to the poorest sectors of tamarinds, soursops, guavas, to name a few, are now in the development of our nation. There can be no the population for house repair, and a Ministry of valuable cash crops because of the demand produced talk of real democracy if half of a nation's population Housing with responsibility for a national housing by this agro-industrial plant. Spice Island Products is either disqualified from participation or can only program has been created. Conditions of life in the now embrace a proud range of juices, jams, and participate in a very limited sense. And there can be villages are being progressively improved by the con­ canned local fruit and vegetables. no talk of women's participation if the conditions for struction of community centers, bath and laundry fa­ Likewise, the Marketing and National Importing this participation do not exist. Our sisters cannot par­ cilities and post offices by the voluntary labor of our Board has reduced the high cost of living and broken ticipate fully unless the society encourages their par­ people in their community work brigades. the backs of the monopolists in sugar, rice, and ce­ ticipation. And in Grenada, in barely two-and-a-half In education the revolution has made important ment. This body now has the reponsibility to import years of revolution, we have a proud record of meas-

12 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18,1981 glimpse their so-called "representatives" now and struggled with dignity for bread, jobs, justice, and then in the press, they meet them regularly, they rub peace. Today in Grenada, today in free and revolu­ shoulders with them. In Grenada, structures have tionary Grenada, this struggle at last is beginning to grown up and are developing daily to ensure the real bear fruit. And this fruit is not for us alone. It is not participation of people, a continuous, day-by-day pro­ the property of ourselves alone. Just as our struggle cess, not a seasonal exercise which changes nothing. has been a part of the broader struggle of the working Our democratic process is our strongest weapon for people of the Caribbean and the world, so now, our change, for development, for the improvement of life revolution is an integral part of the forward move­ in our country. [applause] ment of working people regionally and international­ There are many reasons why your solidarity with ly. Grenada is important. There are many reasons why We need your solidarity, comrades, because we are you must not only feel solidarity with the Grenada conscious of these responsibilities not only to our­ revolution but you must also express this solidarity selves but to oppressed and exploited peoples every­ loud and clear. where. That is why in every forum, at every opportu­ First of all, our revolution is an attempt to build a nity, we have resolutely condemned apartheid, zion­ new socioeconomic development model. It is an at­ ism, and racism, we have unwaveringly accused and tempt to solve our problems by new methods. It is the unmasked imperialism, and we have added our voice boldest attempt, in the history of the English-speak­ to the condemnation of exploitation, injustice, and in­ ing Caribbean, to tackle the dire problems of under­ humanity in all its forms and manifestations. You development which so drastically affect the lives of shall find us marching in your ranks, our voice shall the mass of people in our region, the probiem of pov­ not be stilled. [prolonged applause] erty, illiteracy and poor education, sub-standard nu­ And this important role of the Grenada revolution trition, unemployment, and all the other evils. It is is clearly recognized by the working people of the re­ an approach which rejects some of the manifestly in­ gion. For whatever the volume and bitterness of the adequate strategies which the ruling class in most of attacks made upon us by the decrepit leadership of our sister islands are still clinging to, because these the region and its decadent press, however often the strategies are guaranteed to safeguard their own po­ voice of Washington is mindlessly echoed by its sition and to yield nothing but the barest minimum of agents in the region, the real people have again and political power and material benefits to the majority again demonstrated their confidence in, and support of the people. for, this process which they see as theirs, too. Behind Therefore, comrades, when you show your support the smokescreen of misinformation they somehow for our revolution, you are asserting with us the right perceive the real issues, that this revolution is a of a small and poor, but courageous and determined unique process in which new benefits are being people, to build their own process, to solve their prob­ brought to the people, and a popular process in which lems in their own way, without threatening the sov­ the people participate more and more each day. Militant/Jerry Hunnicutt ereignty of any other people, nor compromising with The Caribbean people refuse to be misinformed their own proud and unshakable principles. about our process. The Caribbean people understand Our people, led by our party the NJM, are demand­ the undemocratic and antiworker position of the re­ ing the right to build this new society in peace. We de­ gional press. This is borne out by the survey recently ures taken to bring the women of our country fully in­ sire peace. We know that peace is a precondition for conducted by the Jamaican Daily Gleaner, itself a to the development process. the realization of the people's wish for a better and tool of international reaction, a survey which re­ Consistent with our slogan, "Idle Lands and Idle more just existence. But this wish for peace, this in­ vealed that the majority of people are not affected by· Hands-An End To Unemployment," in the year two sistence on our right to self-determination is being the negative propaganda put out against our revolu­ of the revolution we moved to set up a National Land denied us. Daily we are threatened by the aggressive­ tion. Reform Commission, with terms of reference to iden­ ness and the hostility of a power thousands of times There is also the recent example of the strong pro­ tify existing idle lands, (unemployed youth willing to our size, thousands of times richer in resources than test made by workers of the Trinidad Express and work such lands co-operatively) and make recom­ us. Daily our process is the object of threats both other workers in the media in Trinidad (another re­ mendations for their productive use. In like manner veiled and undisguised, coming from the mightly gional rag in the service of U.S. imperialism). These the preparation of our national budget has since the United States and its string of yardboys and yardgirls workers came out in protest against what they cor­ revolution involved the participation of trade union in the region. Once again, comrades, we assert that rectly identified as a vulgar concerted anti-Grenada representatives; and this year the process of deciding we are the masters of our own house, we stand up­ press campaign, they came out and demanded the how our resources will be used for our national devel­ right, with dignity, ready to defend this land, this right of the Caribbean people to undistorted informa­ opment will involve an even wider participation. This sea, this region. tion about a sister island. year the budget discussion is being taken to the peo­ We need your solidarity, comrades, because this There is the evidence of the trade union conference ple-our national budget will be debated and shaped revolution is increasingly a light, a beacon of hope to that we have just hosted and which turned out to be not by a handful of men sitting in an exclusive "Parli­ the poor and exploited masses of the Caribbean. The the biggest in its three-year history. It was the larg­ ament," but by our organized people in their thou­ aims, objectives, and achievements of this revolution est gathering ever of representatives of the Caribbe­ sands, in their community groups, their wne coun­ are a crystallization of the most profound human as­ an working class. The hosting of this conference has cils, their parish councils. pirations of Caribbean people towards a better life. been for us both a duty and a pleasure. This confer- And the mention of these structures, comrades, For 400 years the exploited masses of the region have Continued on next page brings us to the fact of the spectacular growth of mass organizations in our country in the two-and-a-half years of the revolution. Our National Youth Organi­ 'One of the earliest acts of the revolution was the repeal of all zation, National Women's Organization, both antiworker laws and the enactment of democratic, progressive founded by the New Jewel Movement, and our NJM Young Pioneers are mobilizing increasing numbers labor laws such as the Trade Union Recognition Act, which of our youth, our women, and our children. The youth guarantees the right of workers to form and participate in organization (NYO) is close to a target for this year of organizing one third of the country's young people. trade unions of their choice. Most of these unions are Our sisters in the NWO have passed the 6,000 mark ~nd are fast approaching their target of 7,000 (or developing programs of democratic participation and nearly one third of the women ofthe country) organ­ education for their me:rnbers.' ized for action, participation and community develop­ ment. The revolution has fostered the formation of stu­ dent councils in every secondary school, linked into the National Students' Council. In the villages you will find community work bri­ gades, which, in fact, determine priority need~ and spearhead work on community building, cleaning and maintenance projects. Three weeks ago the Productive Farmers Union, one of the most unique organizations that the revolu­ tion has produced, held its first annual general meet­ ing with its full membership of just over 1,000 small and medium farmers in militant attendance. In addition to the many organizations and action groups operating at community, parish, and national level, our people meet regularly with the leadership of the country in parish and zonal councils and in workers' parish councils where the twin principles of the accountability and responsibility ofthe leadership to the people become a reality for the first time in the English-speaking Caribbean. The leadership is ac­ countable because in its face-to-face ·meetings with the people it must report on the achievements and the difficulties of particular ministries and state bodies, it must answer the questions of the people on those issues which affect their lives. The leadership is re­ sponsible to the people because it must take action where the people indicate that action in required. In Grenada the people do not only listen passively Participants in trade-union seminar sponsored last year by Grenada Bank and General Workers'"-"''-'•' Union ,.,,.o,i and Com- to their leaders, they talk back. They do not only mercial and Industrial Workers Union.

DECEMBER 18, 1981 THE MILITANT 13 'Daily our process is the object of threats both veiled and undisguised, coming from the mighty United States and its string of yardboys and yardgirls in the region. Once again, AUNITED . comrades, we assert that we are the masters of our own · CONSCIOUS house, we stand upright, with dignity, ready to defend this ORGANISED AND land, this sea, this region.' VIGILANT PEOPLE c:an NEVER be I•J #I; tAli§ •l Continued from preceding page people of the United States, conscious of the grave ence has been held at a time when the working people danger to mankind posed by these adventurist ac­ of the Caribbean are beginning to feel the full weight tions and policies, are standing up for peace. of the capitalist world economic crisis, and when the Comrades, world public opinion is increasingly a regional ruling classes have agreed on common solu­ force of international affairs. The voice of the work­ tions, which can only mean harsher conditions, aus­ ing masses can no longer be ignored. We saw the part terity, more and more hardship, and increased exploi­ it played in the Vietnam War. International public tation of the poor. opinion has become more and more powerful in recent One of the highest expressions of international sol­ times when the balance of forces has been shifting to­ idarity with the Grenada revolution is precisely to­ wards anti-imperialism and national self- determina­ and junior secondary teachers, instead of continuing day's conference. For the first time since our revolu­ tion. Again and again we have seen world public the traditional teachers college model of training tion, people like yourselves who have been consistent opinion respond indignantly to acts of military ag­ fifty select teachers per year? friends and allies of our struggle are meeting all to­ gression against small,- weak nations, again and • Why are we instituting primary health care? gether. You come as friends, as comrades-in-arms, as again we have seen world opinion condemn and curb • Why do we hold so many mass meetings? firm, consistent defenders of the truth of this revolu­ the attempts of imperialism to intervene and turn • Why do we hold so many solidarity rallies and Lion. The presence of comrades from all continents is back popular processes. events with so many national liberation movements not only an indication of the support of the interna­ And this, comrades, is another reason why your sol­ and friendly governments around the world? tional community for our revolution, but is also a tes­ idarity is so important to the continued forward move­ • Why are we working so hard to expand the NYO, timony to the oneness of our struggle against a com­ ment of the Grenada revolution. But it is important and NWO and other mass organizations? mon enemy and to the unity of our aspirations. that international publi<; opinion be mobilized not on­ • Why are we the only country in the English­ Another living example of the regional support ly against the military subversion of popular pro­ speaking Caribbean that has decided to arm our peo­ that our revolution has attracted is the presence cesses. It is important that we recognize the equally ple and create a People's Revolutionary Militia? among us of internationalist workers from the Carib­ devastating effects of the other forms of aggression. What has inspired this confidence? bean region as well as from other parts of the world. International public opinion must treat with equal • Why are ordinary, grassroots men, women, and In all the key sections of our development, these in­ gravity attempts to block aid to countries like Grena­ youth being exposed to leadership training and politi­ ternationalists are ~'J-workers, facing with us the his­ da, the financing of counterrevolutionary journalism cal science courses? toric challenge of creating the new and just society. and other propaganda destabilization, and the land­ • Why are we developing so many new organiza­ Comrades, one of our most important reasons for ing of marines on the soil of other countries. For all of tions, and popular democratic organizations such as calling upon your support is the threat we face from these have the same aim of overthrowing our revolu­ workers' parish councils, youth and women's parish U.S. imperialism. From the earliest days of the revo­ tion, all of these are acts of aggression against our councils and community zonal councils within every lution we have been subject to threats and attempts people. parish? by U.S. imperialism to undermine and destroy our So how can you, the friends of the Grenada revolu­ • Why is the distribution of milk in every commu­ process. The strategy of imperialism has been to fight tion, continue to help us build and consolidate this nity carried out voluntarily by the organized us on all fronts: political pressure, propaganda desta­ process? How can your solidarity safeguard and pro­ members of that community? bilization, economic warfare, and now, imminently, mote our revolution? • Why have we established work brigades to in­ the military solution. Comrades, solidarity meetings such as this are a vi­ volve our people in the task of rebuilding our country From the very morning of our revolution, pressure tal forum for galvanizing world public opinion. Edu­ on a voluntary patriotic and unpaid basis? was brought to bear upon us by the U.S. in an attempt cating and informing the people of the world about • Why are our community organizations able to to dictate the character and direction of our political the reality of this revolution is a necessity. This task set up and run day care centers and kindergartens process. We were warned, for example, that relations by itself is part of the general struggle of the poor for with only minimal input from the government? with Cuba would not be countenanced. the right to information. It is part of the broad strug­ • Why, in the face of serious transportation prob­ The propaganda campaign also began very early, gle against the imperialist, monopoly control of the lems, in the face of ongoing attempts to undermine with an impudent plan to use the local media to wage media and for a new world information order. the confidence of the people in their revolution, in the war upon the revolution from the inside, like a worm As a poor, underdeveloped country, our efforts to face of serious ongoing objective problems, why, in surreptitiously eating away at the heart of a healthy break the vicious cycle of poverty and exploitation, the face of all this, were we able to bring to Seamoon fruit. The lesson that imperialism learned from that the programs of the revolution designed to improve yesterday a crowd far, far bigger, and far more mil­ early impudence was that this revolution must be re­ the social and economic well-being of our people, de­ itant, united, and conscious than the 10,000 who spected; and every subsequent attempt, including the pend to a large extent on the material assistance that came out to the N.J.M.'s first People's Congress held recent action of a group of counterrevolutionary plan­ we receive. And we are therefore always very appre­ on that same spot around eight years ago? ters, merchants, and professionals, has been firmly ciative of the internationalist assistance which were­ • Why is the anti-Grenada lobby becoming so stri­ dealt with. The revolution, having silenced the local ceive from so many different peoples. dent and hysterical? mouthpieces of imperialism, faces increased propa­ Friends of our revolution, you can help us by organ­ • Why does the newspaper of our revolution, The ganda aggression from outside. This campaign was izing Grenada friendship associations in your coun­ Free West Indian encounter so many obstacles to its taken to a new level with the prime time broadcasts try. Providing a framework for organized and ongo­ distribution in the other Caribbean islands, while on the U.S. national television network, feeding to ing solidarity work, providing a framework within their newspapers sell freely on our streets, notwith­ the people of the United States of America the most which peace forces, friends, and other well-wishers standing the lies and the distortions which they print vulgar distortions of Grenadian reality. can be drawn into concrete political, educational, and about Grenada? On the economic front we have been faced with re­ fundraising activity. Alongside the formation of • Why is there no propaganda campaign, no accu­ current acts of sabotage; the vulgar abuse by the U.S. friendship associations is the organization of tours to sations of human rights violations, no calls for elec­ of its dominant position in international institutions Grenada. The most often reiterated position of the tions, no policy of isolation\ no economic blockades, like the IMF and the World Bank to stifle the legiti­ revolution in response to the absurd lies and distor­ nor any threat of military intervention against a mate rights to assistance of small, developing states tions has been to "come and see for yourself." country like Haiti, where people are literally jump­ in the region like Grenada and Nicaragua. Our revolutionary process is one guided by princi­ ing into the sea every day to escape the unbearable Today the assumption of power by a fascist clique ples of honesty and integrity, our revolutionary pro­ conditions under which they live? in the U.S. and the failure of imperialism's attempts cess is one defended and made by the Grenadian • Why? to destroy our process have brought our revolution masses. We say to our friends, "come, share our expe­ We invite you to explore our country, examine our face to face with the ugliest side of imperialism - riences," we say to the doubting Thomases, "come see process, experience our revolution, and assess for naked military aggression. In the last two months for yourself." [applause] yourselves the new directions that we have taken. alone there have been two major maneuvers carried By coming and seeing for yourself, and by encou­ Comrades, beloved friends, once again we reiterate out upan Caribbean land and sea by the warlords of raging others to do likewise, you not only dispel the our pleasure in having [you] here with us. One the north; "Ocean Venture '81," "Operation Amber falsehoods of imperialism, but you also help our eco­ hundred and twenty delegates from so many coun­ and the Amberines," and "Red X 183," have been nomy, by contributing to the new tourism. tries from all continents is a definite statement of shameless rehearsals for eventual invasions of Cuba, So here you are among us, brothers and sisters, to militant solidarity that "Grenada is not alone." Nicaragua, and Grenada and/or preparation for an witness for yourselves the evolution of what we as­ Comrades, we urge you to enjoy your stay in our armed entry into El Salvador on the side of the fascist pire to build into a new civilization in the Caribbean. country and hope that whatever our modest hospital­ junta! What is new about our model, what is different about ity lacks will be more than made up for by the But it is not only here in our Caribbean that the our process? The answer to this can be assisted by a warmth and friendliness of our people. enemies of peace have been rattling their sabers. whole series of questions which might be posed by We assure you of our total support in your strug­ These ll#Utron warmongers have been seeking mil­ any visitor to our shores who is struck by the evi­ gles against injustice, exploitation,.and warmonger­ itary confrontation on several continents. The shoot­ dence that something is afoot here which does not ing; and for peace, social progress and national liber­ ing down of two Libyan planes, the military maneu­ quite fall into the pattern of life in most of the rest of ation. vers code named "Bright Star"; the South African in­ the Caribbean. Some of the questions that are most Long live solidarity, friendship, and cooperation vasion of Angola; the open attack by zionist Israel on usually asked are the following: among peoples! Iraq, Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Palestinian • Why did we, as one ofthe priorities of the revolu­ Long live the anti-imperialist and antifascist unity people; and the tons oflies being spread today against tion, send volunteers into the field to find out how of peace-loving and progressive forces worldwide! the revolutionary peoples and governments of Cuba many of our people were illiterate, and then move Long live the force and weight of international pub- and Nicaragua in preparation for an armed invasion; decisively into developing a national program of lic opinion! and the role of the U.S. in El Salvador are all exam­ adult education? Long live internationalism! ples of this trend. • Why have we stretched our human and financial Long live the Grenada revolution! The peoples of the world, however, including the resources to set up a training program for all primary Forward ever, backward never!

14 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18, 1981 What capitalism has in store for entire working class Socialist Workers Party national committee assesses U.S. war moves in Central America and the Caribbean

By Steve Clark A key aspect of the racist ideological NEW YORK- The Socialist Workers offensive of the Democratic and Repub­ Party (SWP) National Committee (NC) lican parties is the attempt to whip up held a four-day meeting here November an hysteria for "law and order." 21-24, as thousands of people across the · "Behind the banner of the fight United States protested Washington's against crime," Barnes said, "the rulers escalating threats to intervene militari­ continue to chip away democratic rights ly against Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salva­ and to feed racist sentiments." dor, and Grenada. The meeting ad­ The SWP NC also unanimously journed for four hours Saturday after­ adopted a separate report on this reac- . noon, so that those attending the meet­ tionary "law and order" campaign. The ing could participate in the emergency report was presented by SWP National protest of 1,000 people outside the Chairperson Barry Sheppard. United Nations building. Sheppard pointed to the growing de­ Among the some 170 people attending mands by capitalist politicians and the the SWP meeting were not only NC big business press for "swifter justice," members, but also elected directors of higher bails, longer sentences, and the, the party's national industrial fractions gutting of trial rights and other demo­ and organizers of party branches, locals, cratic protections. Vigilantes and and districts. "crime fighters" such as the Guardian The intensification of U.S. war prepa­ Angels are played up as heroes by the rations in the Caribbean and Central media and encouraged by government America over the fall was a major topic authorities. of the NC discussions along with other A central aim of the crime scare is to international and domestic political divert attention from the mounting developments since the SWP's national crimes by the cops, corporations, and the convention in early August. capitalist government, Sheppard said. In just that short period of time, "it The rulers seek to pin the blame for vio­ has become clearer than ever what capi­ lence and other products of the capital­ talism has in store for the entire work­ ist system on the poor and to pit working ing class, here and abroad," said SWP people against one another. The capital­ National Secretary Jack Barnes in the ists try to heighten racist and antiwork­ report on the political situation adopted ing class prejudices and fears among by the National Committee. small businessmen and other layers of the middle class. "We all can see it," he said. "We can Militant/Fred Murphy feel it; And we have to analyze it, includ­ New York demonstration against U.S. military threat in Central America and the Carib­ The job of a revolutionary workers ing how this situation affects the SWP bean. SWP meeting stressed need to get out truth about Washington's war plans. party, Sheppard said, is to expose this and how it determines our tasks." campaign of lies and panic-mongering Focusing primarily on what is new in and to unite the working class in strug­ Barnes drew attention to the frank air travellers, for whom service grows U.S. and world politics since the party's gle against the real criminals-the em­ and calculated admissions in a recent August convention, Barnes's report took steadily more unsafe and less conve­ ploying class and their government. Atlantic Monthly article by Reagan's a look at the international relationship nient. of two factors: budget director, David Stockman. Despite the defeats that have been Women's gains under fire All the talk from the White House dealt to working people over the past 1) The blows being dealt to the Amer­ The capitalist rulers have also made ican working class, the inevitable char­ about so-called supply side theories to decade, Barnes said, the employers are headway in rolling back gains won by revive the economy are "pure malarky," acter of the capitalists' drive against still a long way from accomplishing women. Capitalist politicians have vir­ Barnes said. workers here and abroad, and the effects what they must to make possible a new tually stopped even pretending that "Reagan's policies have no theoretical period of profitable economic expansion. of this onslaught on the misleaders of they will ratify the Equal Rights significance to them. Their sole purpose the trade unions and organizations of This is shown by the capitalists' contin­ Amendment before time runs out in is to try to aid big business in getting uing reluctance to draw on the banks or the oppressed; and June 1982, Barnes said. The govern­ profits up, as the only way of reindus­ use their own funds to invest in any 2) The forces within the working ment is going after affirmative action trializing, restructuring, and 'reprofitiz­ sweeping modernization of their opera­ class and oppressed in this country that programs, slashing funds for child care, are seeking to resist this ruling-class of­ ing' the U.S. capitalist economy. tions. and attacking abortion rights. That profit drive requires massive Barnes pointed to the example of U.S. fensive and chart a road forward. "The right of a woman to control her "What capitalism promises is growing cuts in government spending on social Steel, the nation's largest steel corpora­ own body is the touchstone of women's programs. It also involves shifting the tion, which is suffering losses in the disasters, crises, reaction, and war," rights under the capitalist system," Barnes said. "Like the rest of the work­ tax burden even more heavily onto the world steel market due to the antiquat­ Barnes said. "It strikes directly at the shoulders of working people, as Stock­ ed character of most of its major plants. ing class, we feel these blows. At the special position of women as an op­ man stated outright in the Atlantic same time, we draw strength from the Rather than sinking all available in­ pressed sex." Monthly article. According to Stockman, vestment funds into modernization of young ranks in the labor movement and Barnes·pointed to the serious inroads other fighters against oppression, who Reagan's tax plan - billed as an effort steelmaking, however, U.S. Steel has against the availability of abortion as a to relieve hard-pressed working people recently had a $6.5 billion bid to buy are far from being defeated. result of reactionary legislation over the "If you just look at one side of the cur­ -"was always a Trojan horse to bring Marathon Oil. past half-decade. "Attacks on the right down the top rate," in other words, to de­ rent political situation- if you just feel to abortion," the report stressed, "will crease taxes on the ruling rich. the blows and look at the defeats, the in­ Attacks against Black rights always be found at the center of the The report also pointed to the growing evitable escalation of the employers' of­ The report adopted by the SWP N a­ campaign to drive women back into the extortion demands by the employers fensive, and the rout ofthe labor official­ tional Committee took special note of isolation of their homes." that go by the name of "givebacks." In­ dom - then you can develop a negative the sharp step-up in attacks against It is the capitalist politicians who and inaccurate view," Barnes explained. ternational Harvester is demanding Blacks and women. have sabotaged ratification of the ERA, that workers take a 5 percent wage cut Barnes pointed to the recent state­ Barnes said, despite overwhelming ma­ "We also have to look at the forces and give up other gains won in past con­ ment by the assistant U .S. attorney jority sentiment in favor of it. Suppor­ that are beginning to come forward to tracts. General Motors and Ford are in­ general for civil rights that the Reagan ters of women's rights must now prevent resist these attacks - forces that are sisting that the "exceptional" takeback administration is not "going to compel them from de facto overturning the 1973 the raw material of a revolutionary measures imposed on Chrysler workers children who don't choose to have an in­ Supreme Court decision legalizing abor­ wing of the working-class movement out over the past several years now become tegrated education to have one." In oth­ tion and making it a woman's right to of which a mass revolutionary proletar­ the rule throughout the auto industry. er words, Reagan intends to outdo his choose. ian party will be built in this country." The cutting edge of the antilabor predecessors in undermining the en­ A report on the SWP's countermoves drive this fall has been the union-bust­ forcement of school desegregation and Capitalist austerity drive against government attacks on its de­ ing assault by the government and air­ busing. mocratic rights was also adopted by the line industry against air traffic controll­ Barnes noted that for the first time Along with this attack on equal edu­ National Committee. The report, pres­ since Reagan took office last January, ers and their union, P A TCO. The rulers' cation for Black and other oppressed na­ ented by NC member John Studer, cen­ the administration is now being forced aim has been to send a chilling message tionalities, Barnes cited Washington's tered on the party's efforts to defend so­ to acknowledge that the U.S. economy is to the entire labor movement. PATCO efforts to weaken voting rights protec­ cialists working in war plants from arbi­ has been decertified, more than seventy heading into a deep recession. Spokes­ tion for Blacks; the further undermin­ trary firings and political harassment people for the White House admit that of its members brought up on federal ing of enforcement of affirmative action and to stop the deportation of foreign­ unemployment will become worse than charges, and striking workers fired and programs; the systematic brutalization born socialists targeted by the govern­ at the low point of the 1974-75 depres­ barred from future federal employment. of immigrant Haitian workers, result­ ment because of their political views. sion, while some financial-page colum­ Meanwhile, the airlines themselves ing in many deaths; and continuing nists predict that it may rival the jobless have used .the strike to justify further probes by racist and ultrarightist outfits The scope of the ruling-class offensive levels at the end of the Great Depression profit-grabbing moves, at the expense of inspired by the rightward march of capi­ is so massive that capitalist propagan- in 1939. workers throughout the industry and of talist politics. Contlnued 011 next page

DECEMBER 18, 1N1 THE MILITANT 15 'Installing a workers government is the only way to disarm U.S. rulers and ensure world .peace' Continued from preceding page That is the international political con­ "There is nothing at all abstract about caragua and Grenada, and the difficul­ dists are being compelled to justify this text of the nuclear saber-rattling over the threat of war today," Barnes said. ties these have caused for economic re­ antilabor course in ever more frank and the past few months by President Rea­ "Everything must center on the colli­ construction. Imperialist pressure has brutal terms. gan, Secretary of State Haig, and other sion being planned by Washington in hastened defections from these revolu­ top administration officials. That is be­ the Caribbean and Central America." tions, both by bourgeois and petty bour­ How capitalism works hind the talk of a possible "demonstra­ geois forces, inside these countries and "In the world's richest country, capi­ tion" nuclear explosion and limited nu­ War danger in the Caribbean in the solidarity movement around the talist politicians insist that food , cloth­ clear exchanges in Western Europe. Mobilizing the SWP and the Young world. ing, decent housing, education, and That is behind the drive by Washingtqn Socialist Alliance (YSA) to help get out Despite enormous problems, Barnes medicine are privileges," Barnes said, and its imperialist allied governments the truth about the war danger in the said, "the Nicaraguan and Grenadian "while in some of the poorest countries to deploy cruise missiles, the neutron · Caribbean and Central America was a revolutions continue to move forward. in Central America and the Caribbean bomb, and new medium-range missiles central aspect of the political report The workers and farmers governments -Cuba, Nicaragua, Grenada- these in Western Europe. adopted by the SWP National Commit­ in those countries are growing stronger things are becoming rights as the result "These are serious warnings and dan­ tee. The SWP and YSA had actively par­ and moving toward the consolidation of of socialist revolutions." gerous moves," Barnes said. ticipated in publicizing and organizing two new workers states in this hemis­ The attacks on the rights and living Washington's aim, however, is not to the emergency demonstrations around phere." standards of the American people result drive toward a nuclear war with the So­ the country November 21 protesting the He pointed to the deteriorating situa­ from "the inevitable workings of capi­ viet Union on European soil for the for­ escalation of U.S. war moves. tion for the U.S.-backed regime in El talism," Barnes said. "This is capital­ seeable future, Barnes explained. The "We are heading toward a military Salvador. The liberation forces have re­ ism. This is how it works, as Marx, En­ U.S. rulers know that they could not win showdown in Central America and the gained the initiative there over the past gels, Lenin, and Trotsky explained. such a war. Caribbean," Barnes said. several months, while the political crisis "These are not the policies of isolated "The aim of the U.S. ruling class is to "The exact character of that show­ of the government and divisions in the madmen or rightist ideologues on the boost its profits and extend its world down, its timetable, what armies will be ruling circles have deepened. fringe of capitalist politics," the report domination," the report explained, "not involved, the plans for blockades, har­ The report also emphasized the need explained. "Reagan is administering the to initiate its own nuclear annihila­ bor minings, or air attacks -we are not to pay closer attention to developments bipartisan program necessitated by the tion." privy to that kind of information. But in Guatemala, where antigovernment drive for higher profits by the U.S. capi­ The immediate aim of the nuclear enough has been intentionally 'leaked' forces are making significant advances. talist class. He is following a course set build-up in Europe is also not to take over the past several weeks, and there The U.S. rulers know that more than by the Republican and Democratic par­ decisive new steps toward a U.S. nucle­ have been enough public threats by U.S. two decades of progress by the Cuban ties." ar first-strike capacity vis-a-vis the So­ officials, to give us a pretty good idea of revolution, and the revolutionary course The foreign policy of U.S. imperialism viet nuclear arsenal. the various options that are being consi­ of its leadership, have inspired and is determined by these same overall con­ That remains a long-term goal of the dered." taught invaluable lessons to those siderations, Barnes said. The operation U.S. ruling class, Barnes said, a goal Since August, Barnes explained, "the throughout Central America and the of the profit system on a world scale con­ that already diverts massive resources U.S. ruling class has opened up a con­ Caribbean who are struggling against tinues to widen the gap between a hand­ from socially useful production and certed campaign to prepare military ac­ imperialist domination. Thus, under the ful of oppressor nations and the majority leads .to the gigantic and ceaseless tion - to prepare it on every level, mil­ lying pretext that revolution is being of oppressed nations in Asia, Africa, and build-up of an arsenal of mass destruc­ itary, logistical, diplomatic, and propa­ "exported," Washington is preparing to Latin America. tion. But a first-strike capacity is only gandistic. justify military action against Cuba as While the imperialist profit hogs in­ achievable as the product of a long peri­ "American imperialism has no other part of its counterrevolutionary meas­ tensify competition for markets and od in which the economic growth of U.S. solution than force," Barnes said. "It has ures- to "go to the source," as Haig put sources of raw materials, hundreds of imperialism vastly outstrips that of the no other way to try to stem the tide of so­ it. millions of people in the colonial and Soviet Union -conditions that certain­ cialist revolution in Central America The Castro leadership has been in the semicolonial countries are condemned ly don't exist in the midst of the current and the Caribbean. It has no other way forefront of preparing the Cuban to growing poverty, malnutrition, dis­ period of international capitalist stag­ to try to drive back the development of workers and peasants, and people ease, and death. They are the most dev­ nation. revolutionary internationalist leader­ throughout the region and the world, for astated victims of the world capitalist These factors do not explain the most ships in the region, under the political the confrontation with U.S. imperial­ crisis. ominous and immediate significance of inspiration and example of the Cuban ism. This assault on the living standards of the current moves to bolster U.S. nucle­ Communist Party." "For two-and-a-half years, since the the oppressed of the world, the inevita­ ar forces in Europe and the threatening He pointed to the economic, political, victories in Grenada and Nicaragua," ble product of the capitalist system, just language coming from the war crimi­ and military measures that imperialism Barnes said, "the Cubans have known as inevitably spurs resistance and revo­ nals in the White House and Pentagon. has already brought to bear against Ni- what's coming. And they have used that lutions. As a result, the imperialists are Not what's happening in Europe, but "what's happening in the rest of the growing more determined to use mil­ 11.· t ,· ' •' .. , I • itary power to crush these struggles­ world," provides that explanation, ~~CARTERE T whether they erupt in Iran, Angola, Na­ Barnes said. ~SAVINGS mibia, or elsewhere. Washington's aim is to send a clear The imperialists are particularly de­ message that it intends to go to war termined to prevent and roll back social­ where its interests are threatened- in ist revolutions, such as those in Indochi­ Latin America, the Mideast, Africa, In­ na or those developing in Central Amer­ dochina - and that the Soviet Union ica and the Caribbean today. should stay out of the way. "The threat of force, and the use of "The fact that the Soviet workers force, is more and more becoming a nec­ state and the mightiest imperialist pow­ essary part of answering the refusal of er face each other off in a nuclear stale­ hundreds of millions of people around mate is the cover behind which U.S. the world to say 'yes' to imperialism's imperialism goes to war," Barnes said. program targeting their lives and fu­ "This is nothing new," he said, point­ tures," Barnes said. ing to the Vietnam war as an example. Of course, the report explained, mil­ With that nuclear stalemate, Washing­ itary intervention abroad by the U.S. ton even mined and bombed Haiphong government would be unpopular among Harbor in North Vietnam, damaging the American people, who don't want some Soviet ships and endangering another Vietnam. It would also be un­ many others. popular with working people in Western The report explained where Moscow Europe and Latin America, causing and the U.S. Communist Party go problems for Washington's capitalist al­ wrong in responding to these moves by lies there. focusing on an alleged rush toward war In light of these factors, Barnes said, with the Soviet Union. He pointed to a "Some people can't resist asking, 'Would recent speech by U.S. Peace Council they dare? Can Washington risk that in leader Michael Meyerson that was this day and age? In 1981? What a price printed approvingly in the CP's Daily they would pay!'" World. Meyerson explained that the way to prevent war is to take the truth But the report pointed out that the about the horrors of the nuclear age into capitalists "have to dare every time the every American household - including socialist revolution advances. That's one the "White Household." price they cannot afford to pay. Such an approach is wrong on at least two counts. It diverts attention from the Nuclear saber-rattling real and immediate war danger, focus­ "Since 1917, each time the socialist ing instead on the search for peace in revolution has pressed forward, the cap­ the abstract. And it starts from a wrong italists have tried to reverse it by use of and deadly assumption that the capital­ 'A central aim of crime scare is to divert attention from the mounting crimes by the force," he said, "and each time they have ists can be convinced to stop their war cops, corporations, and the capitalist government.' Rulers are using 'law and order' failed." moves. hysteria to chip away democratic rights and to feed racist sentiments.

16 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18, 1981 of statements by Reagan officials over the past few months. This growing movement has a direct stake in the fight against imperialist war threats in the Caribbe~n, Africa, the Mideast, and Indochina. Prepara­ tion to carry out wars in these areas is at the heart of the imperialist drive to build up the European nuclear arsenal. Bringing these questions to the fore in this movement is also the most effective counter to those currents that attempt to place equal blame for the war danger on imperialism and the Soviet workers state, claiming to represent a "third camp" between the two. Supporters of such "third camp" positions undermine the fight for peace by refusing to focus their efforts on opposing the real war threats, such as those in the Caribbean today. The development of the antimissile movement in Europe can plan an impor­ tant role in advancing the fight by van­ guard industrial workers for the revolu­ tionary transformation of the labor movement throughout Western Europe. It poses a challenge to the current mis­ leaderships of the trade unions and mass workers parties, which refuse to mobilize the labor movement against the imperialist policies of their own gov­ ernments. Trident ••· \ ·•.. ;: ~: ~·~· :~~d message The political report adopted by the SWP National Committee also took note semicolonial countries where its interests are threatened, and the Soviet Union should stay out of the way. of other aspects of imperialism's world­ wide drive to halt and reverse struggles time to educate, prepare, mobilize, and antidraft and antinuclear movements, the campaign initiated by the Cubans to of the oppressed and exploited. lead the Cuban toilers to meet that chal­ into the organizations in solidarity with expose the U.S. war moves in the Carib­ "Imperialist provocations throughout lenge. That has also been the Cubans' the Central American and Caribbean bean and Central America? the world have increased just in the approach to their friends and allies revolutions, to their co-workers in steel three months since our August conven­ around the world, to the degree that mills and garment shops, and onto the Breaking through blackout tion," Barnes said. He cited threats and military aggression by Washington and they would listen and team up to defend streets. "What has been accomplished in the its allies against North Korea, Libya, these revolutions." Preventing a successful U.S. military last couple of weeks is very important," Iran, and Angola. This fall; the Cubans have again blow to these revolutions requires that Barnes said. U.S. and Western European imperial­ taken the lead, sounding a worldwide socialists explain the real character of The campaign "has broken through ism continue their brutal economic boy­ alert against imminent U.S. military capitalism and imperialism, how the the press blackout. It has challenged the cott of Vietnam, Kampuchea, and Laos. moves. Barnes pointed out that Cuba, rulers must and will use war to defend edifice of lies that has been built up over With the help of the Peking bureau­ Nicaragua, and Grenada had been in a their rotting system. several months by the imperialist pro­ cracy and capitalist regimes in South­ state of mobilization against these "Such a scientific understanding of paganda machine. east Asia, this campaign to starve out dangers for several weeks. capitalism is the only adequate prepara­ "By appealing to the ranks of the la­ the Indochinese peoples is accompanied Midway through the NC meeting, tion to combat the rulers' war policies," bor, popular, and anti-imperialist move­ by unrelenting military pressure, espe­ party leader Larry Seigle returned from Barnes said. ments in Latin America, this campaign cially along the China-Vietnam and Cuba, where he had been covering the "Wars cannot be.prevented," he said. has forced statements opposing U.S. in­ Thai-Kampuchean borders. response of the Cuban government and "The Vietnam war was not prevented. It tervention from bourgeois political fig­ people to the escalating U.S. threats. was fought. And it was won by the Viet­ ures such as Mexico's President Lopez The NC report also pointed to the im­ Seigle reported to the NC on his visit namese, backed up by a mass antiwar Portillo, and the president of Venezuela. portance of continuing to explain the and described two conferences he had movement in this country and around "And the Cubans succeeded in getting significance of the Polish workers strug­ attended there - one on the fight the world. the Soviet governme~t to make at least gle through the party's press, public fo­ against racism in the United States, the "But a nuclear war can be prevented," one public statement warning Washing­ rums, pamphlets, and socialist election other in solidarity with Indochina. Barnes said. ton that Cuba 'is a member of the com­ campaigns. NC member Matilde Zimmermann The danger of world war has been re­ munity of socialist states.'" arrived from Nicaragua to attend the peatedly pushed back by victories in the This is especially true since the Polish Barnes pointed to Washington's con­ workers have so many false friends in SWP leadership meeting. Zimmer­ colonial revolution, he said. The toilers tinuing stream of lies, "leaks," and the U.S. working-class movement. On mann, who is a correspondent for the of the colonial world have bought time threats as evidence that defenders of the one side are the union bureaucrats and Militant and Perspectiva Mundial in for the world revolution. revolutions in Central America and the Managua, reported on the situation in "But this time must be used by the social democrats who wage an anticom­ Caribbean must not let up in getting out munist campaign in support of the for­ Nicaragua to the NC meeting, as well as workers in the imperialist countries, the facts about U.S. war plans in there­ at a public forum held on the evening above all in the United States, to make eign policy aims of U.S. imperialism­ gion. the worst enemy of workers in Poland before the meeting began. successful socialist revolutions to take Barnes also explained the importance the government out of the hands of the and throughout the world. On the other of the growing movements in Britain side.are the American CP and others on We don't vote on war capitalist war-makers," Barnes said. and Western Europe against NATO and The collision in the Caribbean is inev­ "The establishment of a workers gov­ the U.S. left who slander the Polish for unilateral disarmament. It is for workers movement, falsely portraying it itable, Barnes said in his report. The ernment in this country is the only way good reason that "Euroshima" has been as a movement for capitalist restora­ U.S. capitalists will not be stopped from to disarm the U.S. rulers and ensure added to people's vocabulary throughout tion. pursuing their most fundamental class world peace." Europe, he said. interests by the antiwar and antidraft The rapid growth of this movement As a central part of the advance ofthe sentiment that remains very deep in the What the Cubans explain reflects the mass sentiment among Eu­ world socialist revolution today, Barnes U.S. population. The report pointed to the example set ropean workers against the moves by said, the fight for socialism and demo­ "The American ruling class doesn't by the Cuban leadership in telling the Washington and by their own imperial­ cracy by the Polish workers is of great operate by getting a consensus from the truth about imperialism. ist governments to place additiona\ nu­ significance to the working class in the American people before going to war," "The Cubans' mightiest weapon is the clear missiles throughout the continent. United States and internationally. he pointed out. "They ·don't hold a demo­ truth," Barnes said, "not their arms nor This opposition is increasing as a result Continued on next page cratic vote. even their fighting spirit. They tell the "In fact," he explained, "the rulers be­ truth to the toilers of the world - the lieve that the only hope of reversing the real truth about capitalism and imperi­ 'Vietnam Syndrome' is to carry out an alism - like no government has told it act of war, launch a massive propagan­ since the Bolshevik regime. The Cubans da campaign to try to justify it to the explain that the decline of the rapacious The Changing Face From Pathfinder Press American people, and then demand sup­ world capitalist system is creating the port for this use of force." most dangerous period that humanity of US. Politics This book deals with two central · But to say that the collision is inevita­ has ever gone through." Building' a Party of Socialist Workers themes: the deepgoing economic and ble is not to say that Washington will in­ The Cuba,ns are not reckless adventu­ political changes of the past decade evitably be successful. rists - far from it. But they ·do not and their impact on the thinking of working people in the United States; "That is the question of this decade," flinch from this reality. They know that · the struggle against capitalist injustice and the resulting necessity for the Barnes said. "It will be decided in strug­ SWP to lead its members into the gle, and there has never been a better is just as inevitable as the capitalists' determination to crush that struggle. industrial working class and the relationship of forces here and abroad to industrial unions. prevent the victory of a U.S. military in­ And they know that the fight for world teniention." peace and the fight against capitalist op­ Order from : Pathfinder Press, 410 pression are the same fight. West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. Campaign to get out truth As Fidel Castro put it in a recent 364 pp., $7.95. Please include $.75 That is why the campaign in the speech, "We will save peace if its ene­ for postage and handling. United States to get out the truth about mies know that we are ready to die for it Washington's war plans is so important. before submitting to blackmail and Barnes stressed that the SWP and YSA fear." must help take this campaign into the What successes have been made by

DECEMBER 18, 1981 THE MILITANT 17 You~g socialists to meet Discuss war threats, economic attacks By Margaret Jayko elected delegates from every YSA chap­ sands of young people that are fed up If this sounds like the place to spend What are your plans for the December ter. with this system and want to discuss your New Year's weekend, fill out and 31-January 3 weekend? These will focus on: how socialists think things can be send in the coupon on this page. If they don't yet include coming to the • the deepening conflict between the changed. And bring some friends. Young Socialist Alliance (YSA) 21st na­ U.S. ruling .class and the working class tional convention in Philadelphia, you around the world; should consider changing them. • how to fight back against the capi­ Hundreds of young people from across talist militarization and austerity the United States, and from other coun­ drives; Schedule: tries, will be spending those four days • the significance of the formation of Thursday, December 31 discussing and debating what is the National Black Independent Politi­ 12:30 pm International Report · Reaganism and how to fight it. cal Party; 1:30pm U.S. Political Situation Report Participants will include coal miners, • what kind of women's movement is 6:30pm Introduction to Socialism Classes rail workers, garment workers, steel­ needed to respond to the attacks on 8:30pm Workshops/Classes workers, machinists, and other young women's rights; lO:OOpm New Year's Eve Party workers who are the main targets ofthf • how the YSA can organize to get Friday, January 1 ruling class drive against our rights ana out its socialist ideas to young people to­ 9:00am Black Struggle Report living standards. day; 1:45pm Fight for Women's Rights Report There will be trade union workshops, • the YSA's participation in the 5:00pm Trade Union Workshops where workers from each industry will ·struggles that young people are in­ 6:30pm Introduction to Socialism Classes discuss how to involve' their unions and volved in; 8:30pm Movies/Slide Shows/Discos co-wo:r;kers in defending the democratic There will also be classes explaining rights of all working people which are basic M;arxist ideas, such as "Why Saturday, January 2 under attack by the bosses and their Marxists defend science against religion 9:00am Organization and Finances Report government. and right-wing attacks" by Stu Singer; 2:45pm Tasks and Perspectives Report Members of the National Black Inde­ "Reaganomics" by Jon Britton; "Lenin's 5:00pm Workshops/Classes pendent Political Party; supporters of views on militarism and women's 8:30pm Rally: THE FIGHT AGAINST the revolutions in Cuba, Nicaragua, rights" by Suzanne Haig; and "Why we REAGANISM AT HOME AND ABROAD Grenada, El Salvador, Guatemala, and study Marxism" by Hector Marroquin. Iran; fighters for abortion rights and the There will be introductory classes on Sunday, January 3 Equal Rights Amendment; antidraft ac­ socialism conducted in both Spanish and 12 noon: Class/Slide Show tivists; immigrant workers under threat English. of deportation; students who are organ­ In addition, there will be slide shows, izing against the nuclear menace and films, and discos. Name ______Address------the war threats in the Caribbean and The highlight of the convention will Central America - all will be partici­ be an anti-Reaganism rally on the City------State ____ Zip ______evening of January 2. The keynote pating. Union/School ______Phone ______Workshops to exchange experiences speaker will be Mel Mason, a Black city and ideas will be organized on these and councilman in Seaside, California. Ma­ 0 I want to join the Young Socialist Alliance other topics. son is a leader of the Socialist Workers 0 I want to attend the YSA convention The heart of the convention will be six Party. 0 I want a year's subscription to the Young Socialist newspaper. Enclosed is $2.00. Clip major reports, which will be discussed Above all, the convention will be fig­ and mail to: YSA, 14 Charles Lane, New York, NY 10014. and voted on by the democratically- uring out how to reach out to the thou-

Young workers educate on democracy and revolution By Maureen McDougall national Union, described how Cubans Denver. He recently researched housing joyed the conference and left with an DENVER- "Democracy and Revolu- participate in the decision-making of conditions in Denver for a Colorado sen- armful of socialist books and pamphlets tion" was the theme of a regional educa- the country through elections to the a tor and uncovered information about ($120 of socialist literature was sold tion conference held November 27-28 in "Peoples Power" assemblies, as well as substandard housing and older people during the weekend). Denver, sponsored by the Denver chap- through trade unions, women's, youth being forced out of their low-income A Ugandan student attending the ter of the Young Socialist Alliance and other organizations. He illustrated housing to make way for high-rise office conference was very impressed. "lfthese (YSA). Over fifty people attended each his talk with slides from his trip to Cuba blocks and condominiums. "But the Sen- people from different parts of the coon- session, including many from as far as part of a youth tour organized by the ator wouldn't use it," he said, "It was too try are an accurate sample of the YSA," away as Salt Lake City and Price, Utah, YSA. hot!" he said, "then it's going in the right di- anct, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Devon Parry, a member of the Denver Not ail of the conference participants rection." YSA and the Communications Workers were young. Glenn Smith, a recently-re- An important part of the educational Agnes Chapa, one of six coal miners of America, talked about the history of tired railroad engineer and member of weekend's events was a "Rally to De- who drove eight hours through the Poland and the rise of the militant Soli- the United Transportation Union, drove fend Civil Liberties," sponsored by the Rockies from Price to attend the confer­ darity union, which has become a pow- 150 miles from his home in Rye, Colora- Political Rights Defense Fund. Speakers ence, opened it with a talk on Nicara­ erful force for democracy in Poland. do, to attend the conference. He likes to included representatives from the Kiko gua. Chapa, who was the YSA represen­ The final talk, given by Pat Silver- "tell people in Rye things from the Mil- Martinez Defense Committee, the El tative to an international solidarity con­ thorn, a rail worker and member of the itant," which he has been reading for Salvador Legal Defense Committee, the ference held in Managua, Nicaragua, Denver YSA, dealt with the United five or six years. NASSCO 3 Defense Committee, and the last winter, explained how the Nicara­ States. She explained the history of the Joanne Heisel is an active supporter American Friends Service Committee. guan people, since the overthrow of the fight for democracy here and why gov- of Amnesty International, which cam- Featured speaker was Andree Kahlmor- U.S.-backed Somoza dictatorship, have ernment and big business are trying to paigns for the release of political prison- gan, one· of the employees of the Lock- been able to directly participate in the roll back gains in democratic rights. ers. She traveled to the conference from heed Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia, running of their country. One of those attending the conference Albuquerque because she is "also look- fired last year for being socialists and Stormy Mullendore, a member of the was Fred Watson, a young Black school ing for an organization which addresses union activists. Salt Lake City YSA and the. United Ce­ teacher who has been active in voter the overall problems," and she is "be- The rally was attended by over sixty ment, Lime and Gypsum Workers Inter- registration drives in his community in coming interested in socialism." She en- people and raised over $1,000.

• • . what capitalism has in store for working class Continued from preceding page The launching of the International dustrial unions as they seek ways to re­ for a strategy to fight back against the The NC meeting heard greetings from Committee in 1980 marked the coming sist the worldwide antilabor offensive. drive toward war and the attacks on a representative of the Revolutionary together of forces being impelled in an Despite the recent split, Waters said, their living standards and democratic increasingly sectarian direction by their Workers League of Canada, who report­ neither wing of the now-divided forces rights. They are looking for political al· ed on the November 21 march in Ottawa refusal . to recognize the revolutionary show any sign of retreating from their ternatives to the wars, rising prices, un­ role that the Cuban leadership is play­ of 100,000 Quebecois and English Cana- · dead-end course away from building employment, cutbacks, destruction of dian trade unionists against the policies ing today in ·the battle against world revolutionary proletarian parties and the environment, and other calamities capitalism. This led these organizations of the Trudeau government. It also advancing the construction of a mass produced by capitalism. heard greetings from a representative of in 1979 to carry out criminal adventu­ communist international. How has the current leadership of the the United Secretariat of the Fourth In­ rist actions in Nicaragua that endan­ trade unions and organizations of the ternational. gered the workers and peasants revolu­ How to fight back? oppressed responded to these political tion there, and then to mount a strident The intensifying capitalist drive changes? What forces are emerging to SWP chairperson Mary-Alice Waters campaign of denunciation of the Sandi­ against working people internationally challenge this misleadership? What is reported to the SWP NC on the recent nista-led government and Cuban revo­ is bringing profound changes in world the transitional program and strategy split in the so-called International Com­ lution that has not abated to this day. politics. Resistance is mounting- from that revolutionary socialists -put -for- mittee for the Fourth International. The The forces in the so-called Interna­ the revolutions in the Caribbean to the ward? . International Committee was made up tional Committee also failed to recog­ developing fightback ·mood among These que~tions were also discussed of organizations that had split from the nize the pressing need for revolutionists young workers in the plants, mines, and at the SWP National Committee meet­ Fourth International at various times to become part of the discussions among workshops in the United States. ing, and they will form the topic of over the past two decades. young fighters in industry and the in- In this country, workers are looking another article.

18 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18, 1981 Gains made for 'Militant' in sub drive By Nancy Rosenstock Striking air traffic controllers, strik­ ing s};lipyard workers at the Brooklyn Final scoreboard navy yard, anti-MX missile fighters in Utah, Haitian refugees in Miami. These MILITANT SUBS PM SUBS TOTAL TOTAL are some of the people who were intro­ AREA GOAL REC'D GOAL REC'D GOAL· REC'D % duced to the Militant and Perspectiva Mundial during our fall circulation *Lincoln 40 61 0 2 40 63 158 drive. **Cleveland 55 70 5 6 60 76 127 For ten weeks, from September 19 Denver 95 107 5 7 100 114 114 0 through November 21, socialists were *Portland 75 79 0 1 75 80 107 191 2 180 193 107 on a drive to win 8,000 new readers to Twin Cities 180 0 Kansas City 125 145 25 14 150 159 106 the Militant and Perspectiva Mundial. Salt lake City 140 154 20 15 160 169 106 Slightly over i,OOO of these were to be Atlanta 165 184 10 0 175 184 105 new readers to Perspectiva Mundial. Detroit 200 211 15 15 215 226 105 The results are: 6,087 new readers to San Diego 90 103 30 19 120 122 102 the Militant and 505 to Perspectiva Louisville 125 126 0 0 125 126 101 Mundial, bringing the total of new sub­ New Orleans 110 109 0 2 110 111 101 scribers over the ten week drive to *Boston 200 217 25 9 225 226 100 6,592, 82 percent of our goal. •1ron Range 110 110 0 0 110 110 100 Thousands more were introduced to *Piedmont 180 179 0 1 180 180 100 the Militant or Perspectiva Mundial *Washington, D.C. 235 234 40 34 275 268 97 through buying a single copy. Capital District 90 86 5 1 95 87 92 The high point of the drive was the *San Antonio 130 118 35 30 165 148 90 2,412 subscriptions sold at the huge Sol­ *Harrisburg 130 116 0 0 130 116 89 idarity Day protests held across the *Philadelphia 130 127 40 22 170 149 88

country September 19. These protesters St. Louis 0 115 100 5 1 120 101 84 took advantage of the Militanfs special Los Angeles 325 291 75 36 400 327 82 offer of four issues for $1. *Pittsburgh 290 242 10 3 300 245 82 When their special four-week sub­ salespeople learned more about what Phoenix 75 65 25 15 100 80 80 Tucson 20 24 15 4 35 28 80 scriptions expired, more than 100 of working people are thinking; and that it Newark 275 253 75 24 350 277 79 these new readers renewed their sub­ often takes long political discussion to Chicago 215 179 35 15 250 194 78 scriptions. Some have sold Militant sub­ sell a subscriptipn. *Birmingham ' 200 145 0 3 200 148 74 scriptions to at least one of their friends. Answers to the big political questions *Brooklyn 475 366 75 35 550 401 73 The Baltimore branch of the Socialist on the minds of working people, wheth­ Oakland 170 137 30 3 200 140 70 Workers Party (SWP) sent in the follow­ er it be the situation in Central America Milwaukee 150 114 25 6 175 120 69 ing report on their visits to Solidarity and the Caribbean, Iran, Poland, or the Seattle 140 94 10 8 150 102 68 Day subscribers: "We have had lengthy depth of the employer's attacks in this Baltimore 130 90 5 1 135 91 67 political discussions and so far have four country had to be more sharply tuned. Morgantown 120 80 0 0 120 80 67 renewals including one six-month sub­ San Antonio socialists found that Gary 115 81 10 1 125 82 66 scription and one one-year subscription. many times someone would not have the Indianapolis 125 72 0 0 125 72 58 The six-month subscription was to a money for a sub. A follow-up visit would San Francisco 150 104 50 10 200 114 57 young railroad worker who was particu­ often net a new reader. **Toledo 50 26 0 0 50 26 52 **Cincinnati 70 34 0 1 70 35 50 larly interested in Cuba and the Fidel Socialist industrial workers found Albuquerque 60 35 25 7 85 42 49 Castro speeches. The year subscription that subs could be sold on the job at a Dallas 110 55 50 23 160 78 49 is to an older worker who came to a Mil­ quick pace. Miami 90 44 10 3 100 47 47 itant Forum we held the following night New York City transit workers sold *Manhattan 705 360 245 69 950 429 45 on Poland." forty-six subscriptions; machinists in Tidewater 120 49 0 0 120 49 41 The Piedmont branch located in Win­ Los Angeles sold forty; steelworkers at San Jose 90 35 40 12 130 47 36 ston-Salem, North Carolina, followed up Bethlehem Steel's Sparrows Point plant Charleston 125 27 0 0 125 27 22 on the Solidarity Day subscribers by outside of Baltimore sold eighteen, and Houston 135 20 40 3 175 23 13 sending out a mailing including infor­ seventeen were sold by miners in the Miscellaneous 238 42 0 280 mation on the Young Socialist Alliance Pittsburgh area. TOTAL 7250 6087 1110 505 8360 6592 82 (YSA) convention scheduled for De­ Nationally, 22 percent of the subscrip­ SHOULD BE 6938 1062 8000 100 cember 31-January 3 in Philadelphia. tions sold over the fall were to people *indicates area that raised goal One young person from Wilmington in­ who indicated themselves members of **indicates area that petitioned to put SWP on ballot during part of the drive dicated he now wants to attend the con­ an industrial union. This figure is an in­ vention and find out more about the crease of 6 percent from a similar drive YSA. last fall. by the Kansas City branch were sold at and surpassed this goal by selling sixty­ As a result of the tremendous success Kansas University in Lawrence, Kan­ three subscriptions. Of these, they re­ at Solidarity Day, thirteen branches Regional subbing sas, where a new YS~ chapter has just port that twenty-seven are to rail raised their subscription goals. Teams that traveled to cities where been formed. workers. · there are few or no subscribers proved The Salt Lake City branch traveled to Sales of Perspectiva Mundial suffered Ringing doorbells this to be a valuable way for socialists to Price, Utah, and won twelve new read­ even more. Only three areas made or The bulk of the 6,592 subscriptions reach· out to a larger layer of workers. ers in one weekend, six of whom are surpassed their Perspectiva Mundial were gathered in door-to-door canvass­ The most successful team was one miners. goal. These areas were conscious of or­ ing in working class neighborhoods. In that traveled throughout Pennsylvania Socialists in the San Francisco Bay ganizing door-to-door teams to Spanish areas where there were local election for six weeks. The team visited the in­ area helped to gather new subs in Sea­ communities. For example, the Phila­ campaigns, socialists combined cam­ dustrial centers of Erie and Altoona and side where SWP leader Mel Mason holds delphia branch sent a team to nearby paigning with the selling of subscrip­ such college campuses as Lincoln and a seat on the city council. Some thirty Camden, N.J. tions. Cheyney State. Overall they found a big people are now following Mason's activi­ Most areas, slow . in organizing the Discussions, often lengthy, were held interest in socialist ideas, selling over ties regularly in the Militant. drive after the success on September 19, in home after home. The anticapitalist, 1,100 copies of the Militant, Perspectiva were not able to catcl) up. antiwar stance of the Militant was Mundiah, and the Young Socialist, the Central America We learned from this drive that we warmly received by many. The Mil­ monthly newspapoc of the Young Social­ As the war danger in Central Ameri­ can use the Militant and Perspectiva itanfs vision of the better world that so­ ist Alliance. Fifty-eight subscriptions ca and the Caribbean escalated, social­ Mundial to get out our ideas about big cialism will bring about and what can be were sold. Many young people the team ists moved quickly into action. Thou­ political events. But also as the key way done now to help bring this about was met are now interested in attending the sands of single copies of the Militant socialists participate in the discussions also a topjc of discussion. YSA's convention in Philadelphia. and Perspectiva Mundial were sold dur­ of these development_s that are taking Militant and Perspectiva Mundial Close to half of the subscriptions sold ing the course of one week. For many place in the factories, mines, mills, and areas, these were the highest sales they in workers' homes all over the country. have experienced in some time. Bir­ mingham reports selling 159 Militanfs Future plans Help needed lor special features in one week; Newark 270; Twin Cities During this month, socialists will be This week four ·pages have been and mailing costs involved in publish­ 162. continuing to get out the truth about the added to the Militant in order to pub­ ing the Bishop speech were well For some areas, like San Antonio, war danger in Central America and the lish the speech given by Grenada worth it. If you agree, you can help subscription gathering slowed up as the Caribbean by selling single copies of the Prime Minister Maurice Bishop at the make more such features possible by branch focused its efforts on selling Militant and Perspectiva Mundial. Sub­ recent solidarity conference held in sending in a contribution to the Mil­ large numbers of single copies. But for scriptions will also be so1.d, particularly Grenada. This special feature is part itant today. Just fill in the coupon be­ most areas, the number of subs gathered to activists in the solidarity movement. · of the Militanfs increased coverage of low and mail it with whatever you during this emergency effort was either The Militant and Perspectiva M undial the revolutionary developments in can afford. close to what they had been doing dur­ can be used to help build the YSA con­ Central America and the Caribbean ing the drive or better. vention and the upcoming rallies for de­ and the threat ofU.S. military moves. I WANT TO HELP. Enclosed is my -While important lessons were learned mocratic rights organized by the Politi­ In the past month we have sent re­ contribution of $10 __ $50 __ from all these experiences, the fact is cal Rights Defense Fund that are taking porters to Cuba and Nicaragua and $100 -- $500 -- 0 that after the big successes experienced place in many cities during the month have attempted to provide as much Name ______at Solidarity Day, the drive lagged. On of December. on-the-spot coverage as we can. So far the average only 400 subscriptions were ln addition, we will want to get in Address ______seven of our readers have contributed sold each week, 200 short of what was touch with the subscribers we met this a total of$912 to help make this possi­ City ___ State __ Zip __ necessary to make the goal. Only fifteen fall, arranging visits to discuss the ble. These contributions are greatly areas made or surpassed their goal. issues in the Militant and Perspectiva appreciated. Send to the Militant, 14 Charles Special recognition needs to go to the Mundial, inviting them to public fo­ We think the additional printing Lane, New York, N.Y., 10014 . • new YSA chapter in Lincoln, Nebraska, rums, rallies, and socialist bookstores that set its sights on selling forty subs and to the YSA convention.

DECEMBER 18, 1981 THE MILITANT 19 1920 Baku conference John Reed explains how U.S. 'helps' colonies italists have: the latter also administer the country. cheap labor which can be exploited by American capi­ And the moment that the workers of Cuba try to elect talists. a government which is not in the interests of the The American capitalists want to win the confi­ American capitalists, the United States of America dence of the Armenians with a view to getting their sends soldiers into Cuba to compel the people to vote claws into Armenia and enslaving the Armenian na­ for their oppressors. . tion. It is with this aim that American missionaries have established schools in the Near East. Haiti But there is also another very important reason: Or let us take the example of the republics of Haiti the American capitalists, together with the other and San Domingo, where the peoples won freedom a capitalist nations, united in the League of Nations, century ago. Since this island was fertile and the peo­ are afraid that the workers and peasants of Armenia ple liv,ing on it could be put to use by the American will follow the example of Soviet Russia and Soviet capitalists, the government of the U.S. sent soldiers Azerbaijan, will take power and their country's re­ and sailors there on the pretext of maintaining order sources into their own hands, and will work for them­ and smashed these two republics, setting up in their selves, making a united front with the workers and place a military dictatorship worse than the British peasants of the whole world against world imperial­ tyrants. ism. The American capitalists are afraid of a revolu­ Mexico is another rich country which is close to the tion in the East. U.S.A. In Mexico live a backward people who were Promising food to starving peoples and at the same A new movie, 'Reds,' about the lives of John enslaved for centuries, first by the Spaniards and time organizing a blockade of the Soviet Republics­ Reed and Louise Bryant, opened in theaters last then by foreign capitalists. There, after many years of that is the policy of the United States. The blockade week, with reviews in many newspapers and na­ civil war, the people formed their own government, of Soviet Russia has starved to death thousands of tional magazines. not a proletarian government but a democratic one, Russian women and children. This same method of Reed, an American journalist, wrote an eye­ which wanted to keep the wealth of Mexico for the blockade was applied in order to turn the Hungarian witQess account of the Russian revolution, 'Ten Mexicans and tax the foreign capitalists. The Amer­ people against their soviet government. The same Days That Shook the World.' He was a founding ican capitalists did not concern themselves with tactic is now being used in order to draw the people of member of the American Communist Party and sending bread to the hungry Mexicans. No, they in­ White Hungary into war against Soviet Russia. This a vigorous proponent of an end to capitalism. itiated a counterrevolution in Mexico, in which method is also being used in the small countries bor­ Reed attended the Congress of the Peoples of Madero, the first revolutionary president, was killed. dering on Russia - Finland, Estonia, Latvia. But the East, held in the Azerbaijani city of Baku, on Then, after a three-year struggle, the revolutionary now all these small countries have been obliged to the Caspian Sea, in September 1920. Called by regime was restored, with Carranza as president. The make peace with Soviet Russia: they are bankrupt the Second Congress of the Communist Interna­ American capitalists made another counterrevolu­ and starving. Now the American government no tional, the Baku conference was an effort by the tion and killed Carranza, establishing once more a longer offers them food; they are no longer of any use Russian Revolution to reach out to its natural al­ government friendly to themselves. to America, and so their peoples can starve. ly, the oppressed masses of the colonial and In North America itself there are 10 million Ne­ semicolonial world. groes who possess neither political or civil rights, de­ American promises The 1,900 delegates were representatives of spite the fact that by law they are equal citizens. The American capitalists promise bread to Arme­ communist parties and national liberation With the purpose of distracting the attention of the nia. This is an old trick. They promise bread but they movements from at least seventeen countries, in­ American workers from the capitalists, their exploit­ never give it. Did Hungary get bread after the fall of cluding China, India, the Crimea, Iran, Turkey, ers, the latter stir up hatred against the Negroes, the soviet government? No. The Hungarian people and Afghanistan. provoking war between the white and Black races. are still starving today. Did the Baltic countries get In 'Reds' Reed is shown at Baku. We thought The Negroes, whom they lawlessly burn alive, are be­ bread? No. At a time when the starving Estonians our readers would be interested in reading what ginning to see that their only hope lies in armed resis­ had nothing but potatoes, the American capitalists he wrote for the conference. As a representative tance to the white bandits. sent them ships laden with rotten potatoes which from one of the strongest imperialist powers, At the present time the American capitalists are could not be sold at a profit in America. No, comrades, Reed prepared the speech below. Due to time, addressing friendly words to the peoples of the East, Uncle Sam is not one ever to give anybody something many representatives, including Reed, were un­ with a promise of aid and food. This applies especially for nothing. He comes along with a sack stuffed with able to deliver their greetings, and it was agreed to Armenia. Millions of dollars have been collected by straw in one hand and a whip in the other. Whoever that they would be published in the proceedings the American millionaires in order to send bread to takes Uncle Sam's promises at their face value will of the congress. the starving Armenians. And many Armenians are find himself obliged to pay for them with blood and The full transcript of the Baku congress is now looking for help to Uncle Sam. sweat. The American workers are demanding an ever available for $4.95 from Pathfinder Press, 410 These same American capitalists incite the Amer­ larger share of the product of their labor; with a view West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. Please in­ ican workers and farmers against each other: they to preventing revolution at home, the American capi­ clude $. 75 postage. starve and exploit the peoples of Cuba and the Philip­ talists are forced to seek out colonial peoples to ex­ pines, they savagely kill and burn alive American ploit, peoples who will furnish sufficient profit to I represent here the revolutionary workers of one of Negroes, and in America itself American workers are keep the American workers in obedience and so make the greatest imperialist powers, the United States of obliged to work under frightful conditions, receiving them participants in the exploitation of the Armen­ America, which exploits and oppresses the peoples of low wages for a long workday. When they are ex­ ians. I represent thousands of revolutionary Amer­ the colonies. hausted they are thrown out onto the street, where ican workers who know this, and who understand You, the peoples of the East, the peoples of Asia, they die of hunger. that, acting together with the Armenian workers and have not yet experienced' for yourselves the rule of The same gentleman who is now in charge of bring­ peasants, with the toiling masses of the whole world, America. You know and hate the British, French, and ing aid to the starving Armenians, Mr. Cleveland they will overthrow capitalism. World capitalism will Italian imperialists, and probably you think that Dodge, who writes emotional articles about how the be destroyed, and all the peoples will be free. We ap­ "free America!' will govern better, will liberate the Turks have driven the Armenians into the desert, is preciate the need for solidarity between all the op­ peoples of the colonies, will feed and defend them. the owner of big copper mines where thousands of pressed and toiling peoples, for unity of the revolu­ No. The workers and peasants of the Philippines, American workers are exploited, and when these tionary workers of all the countries of Europe and the peoples of Central America and the islands of the workers dared to go on strike the guards protecting America under the leadership of the Russian Bol­ Caribbean, they know what it means to live under Mr. Dodge's mines drove them at the point of the bay· sheviks, in the Communist International. And we say the rule of "free America." onet out into the desert-just as was done to the Ar­ to you, peoples of the East: Do not believe the prom­ Take, 'for example, the peoples of the Philippines. menians. ises of the American capitalists! In 1898 the Filipinos rebelled against the cruel colon­ There is only one road to freedom. Unite with the ial government of Spain, and the Americans helped Food from U.S. Russian workers and peasants who have overthrown them. But after the Spaniards had been driven out Many Armenians are grateful to America for its at­ their capitalists and whose Red Army has beaten the the Americans did not want to go away. titude to the Armenians who suffered from the bru­ foreign imperialists! Follow the red star of the Com­ Then the Filipinos rose against the Americans, and tality of the Turks during the war. But what has munist International! this time the "liberators" started to kill them, their America done for the Armenians apart from issuing . wives, · and children: they tortured them and wordy declarations? Nothing. I was in Constantino­ eventually conquered them. They seized their land ple at that time, in 1915, and I know that the mission­ Further reading and forced them to work and make profits for Amer­ aries refused to make any serious protest against the ican capitalists. atrocities, saying that they had a lot of property in By V.I. Lenin The Americans have promised the Filipinos inde­ Turkey and so did not want to bring .pressure to bear National Liberation Movement In the East pendence. Soon an independent Filipino republic will on the Turks. The American ambassador, Mr. 363 pp., $2.45 be proclaimed. But this does not mean thatthe Amer­ Strauss, himself a millionaire who exploited thou­ Speeches at Congresses of the ican capitalists will leave or that the Filipinos will sands of workers in his enterprises in America, pro­ Communist International not continue to work to make profits for them. The posed that the entire Armenian people be shipped to 176 pp., $3.45 American capitalists have given the. Filipino leaders America, and himself donated quite a large sum for By Leon Trotsky a share of their profits- they have given them gov­ this project to be carried out; but his plan was to make First Five Years of the Communist ernment jobs, land, and money- they have created a the Armenians work in American factories ahd pro­ International (Vol. 1) Filipino capitalist class which also lives on the profits vide cheap labor so as to increase the profits of Mr. 374 pp.. $5.95 created by the workers - and in whose interest it is Strauss and his friends. First Five Years of the Communist to keep the Filipinos in slavery. But why do the American capitalists promise aid International (Vol. 2) This has also happened in Cuba, which was freed and food to Armenia? Is it out of pure philanthropy? If 384 pp.' $5.95 from Spanish rule with the help of Americans. It is so, let them feed the peoples of Central America and Order from Pathfinder Press, 410 West St. , New now an independent republic. But American million­ help the Negroes of America itself. York, N.Y. 10014. Please include$. 75 postage and aire trusts own all the sugar plantations, apart from No. The main reason is that tlhere is mineral handling. some small tracts which they have let the Cuban cap- wealth in Armenia, and that it is a big reservoir of

20 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18, 1981 Reparations demanded by Japanese Americans By Margaret Jayko more were later hospitalized in mental On November 23, a hearing was held institutions and tuberculosis hospitals." in New York City on the herding of The main demand being raised by -~~~;-··-· 120,000 Japanese Americans into con­ Japanese Americans is monetary com­ centration camps during World War II. pensation for the shattered lives of these The Commission on Wartime Reloca­ victims of U.S. militarism and racism. tion and Internment of Civilians, set up William Kochiyama described his ex­ by Congress, has held hearings this year perience, ". . . four days before my in cities across the country. twenty-first birthday, I entered Tanfo­ The Commission is supposed to issue ran Assembly Center . . . where most of a report next year "to determine wheth­ the Japanese in the San Francisco/bay er any wrong was committed" by this area were incarcerated. mass incarceration and "to recommend " ... At the entrance of the converted appropriate remedies." race track stood two long lines of troops On February 19, 1942, President with rifles and fixed bayonets pointed at Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Exec­ the evacuees as they walked between utive Order 9066 which uprooted all the soldiers to the prison compound." persons of Japanese ancestry from the His father, who lived in New York, West Coast and put them in inland con­ later told him, ". . . soon after the out­ centration camps in Arizona, Arkansas, break of the war every Issei [first gener­ California, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and ation Japanese] in the metropolitan Wyoming. area had been visited and investigated In addition, 1,000 Aleut residents of by the FBI . . . some permanent resi­ both the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands dent Japanese were taken into custody (off Alaska) were also forced out oftheir by federal agents and police and homes and into camps. whisked off to Ellis Island." The forced relocations were part of Speaker after speaker told about par­ Roosevelt's efforts to whip up p~tri­ ents who had come to this country, otism and a racist war hysteria. They worked hard, and d.espite the rampant were also aimed at intimidating poten­ racism, established themselves in a tial opponents of Washington's entry in­ small farm or business - only to lose it to the inter-imperialist conflict. all when they were forced to leave. ably damaged by delayed or denied med­ (third generation Japanese). Some were According to a press release from East They described the dirty, cramped ical treatment. in camps, though most were born later. Coast Japanese Americans for Redress, quarters in which they were forced to Motoko Spiegel's testimony described They pointed to the effects of Reagan's "The confinement lasted for the dura­ live, with no privacy, lacking adequate what happened to his father's family af­ cutbacks on Asian studies programs, tion of the war, at the end of which time food, medical care, education, and recre­ ter they got out of the camp: "Father's and stressed that along with monetary property losses were estimated at $400 ation. family had disintegrated and now he compensation, Asian studies should be million. Six internees were shot and Mrs. Yuriko Tsukada, a professional and mother were working as a domestic­ taught in all the schools. In addition, killed by U.S. soldiers from guard tow­ social worker, submitted a written help couple . . . My brother was now they felt the truth must be gotten out ers. 1,862 inmates died during the in­ statement that went through many case working as a live-in houseboy." about the criminal imprisonment of carceration from illnesses or due to in­ histories of physically and mentally The long day of bitter, angry, and sad Japanese Americans during World adequate medical care. More than 1,000 handicapped children who were irrepar- testimony ended with a panel of Sansei War II. Women in Revolt Washington goes after Planned Parenthood I want to use my column this week to take note of On November 30, a federal appeals court in St. that school districts cannot be forced to field coed some news about the fight for women's rights. Louis overturned a Missouri law that required all se­ teams in contact sports - as long as boys and girls The Feds are going after Planned Parenthood Fed­ cond trimester (fourth to sixth month) abortions to be have "separate but equal" opportunities. eration, the largest private family planning agency performed in hospitals. The suit was filed by Planned The court rejected an appeal by twelve-year-old in the country. Thirty-five of the federation's 188 af­ Parenthood. Karen O'Connor who sought a tryout with the boys' filiates are being audited by the government. They The ruling said that requiring hospitalization for basketball team at her junior high school. O'Conne1' claim they want to ascertain whether Planned Par­ such abortions placed an unnecessary financial charged that the separation by sex violated her con­ enthood is illegally using federal funds to promote burden on women and that the state failed to prove a stitutional rights and federal laws against sex dis­ abortion as a means of birth control. medical necessity that the abortions be performed in crimination in publicly funded school sports. a hospital. This investigation was undertaken at the urging of * * * Republican Senators Orrin Hatch and Jeremiah Den­ The court found that procedures outside the hospi­ ton, both fanatic opponents of abortion. A judge in Richmond, Virginia approved an tal "are not more dangerous to the maternal health agreement by Eastern Airlines to pay $240,000 in As Planned Parenthood's president Faye Wattleton than hospitalized procedures." pointed out, these audits have been "undertaken as a back wages to female flight attendants who won a harassment technique." federal court ruling that they were illegally grounded * * * for becoming pregnant. * * * Also on November 30, the Supreme Court ruled -By Margaret J ayko What Polish workers and farmers are fighting for Poland: Workers in Revolt, by Dave Frankel, DeAnn He points out that it is not the nationalized and They were particularly interested in the fact that she Rathbun, and Ernest Harsch, Pathfinder Press, planned economy that is responsible for the economic is an underground coal miner, because women in Po­ $1 .25 crisis in Poland, as the U.S. big-business media con­ land don't work underground. tend, but the mismanagement and corruption of a The last article, "Communist Party ranks demand What are the Polish workers fighting for? privileged, ruling elite. A bureaucracy has usurped sweeping reform," by Ernest Harsch, who traveled to This is a question on the minds of millions in this the power from the working class on every level of so­ Poland this summer, deals with the movement for de­ country who are following the courageous actions of ciety. mocracy that flared up within the ruling Communist the independent trade union, Solidarity. Frankel describes this bureaucracy by contrasting Party this year prior to the special ninth party con- Poland: Workers in R evolt, recently published by it to the revolutionary government of Cuba. The Pol­ gress in July. · Pathfinder Press, explains the major issues behind ish bureaucracy is not concerned with advancing the Harsch quotes one of the leaders of this movement, this historic revolution. struggle of workers and farmers around the world, Zbigniew I wanow , the first secretary of the party but with safeguarding its own privileged position. branch in the Towimor machine tool plant in Torun. In Cuba, the spirit of internationalism prevails. All attempts are made by the government- despite eco­ "Today," Iwanow states, "they say that the facto­ nomic hardships and the dangers posed by U.S. impe­ ries belong to us, but that is not true. They are in the In Review- rialism - to advance·revolutionary struggles around hands of the government [which is] led by a very li­ the world. mited group . . . and they are the ones who make the The pamphlet consists of three articles. The first, decisions. Society as a whole has no influence, but it The second article is an interview with DeAnn "The Polish revolution - how it developed, where it feels all the consequences of all their decisions." Rathbun, a coal miner from Pittsburgh, who traveled is going," by Dave Frankel, analyzes the revolution­ to Poland this spring. . The direction of the revolution in Poland today ary process, led by the working class, going on in Po­ Rathbun, who was the Socialist Workers Party poses taking the reins of power from this small group land today. candidate for mayor of Pittsburgh in the November and putting them into the hands of the working class. Frankel describes the tasks of this revolution, oc­ elections, provides readers with a perspective of the This fight to advance socialism in Poland is care­ curring in a country where the factories, mines, and Polish revolution through the eyes of an American fully described from many angles in this Pathfinder railroad& are not privately owned by billionaires, as worker. This also enabled her to have particularly in­ pamphlet. in the United States and other capitalist countries. teresting discussions with the Polish people she met. - Suzanne Haig

DECEMBER 18, 1981 THE MILITANT 21 The Great Society Harry Ring

Chins up -Nancy Reagan's social role after a year. The judge said that Only in America - A recent CBS of $377,000 a year. The alderman said secretary was called to order by the first what Cabin did "lends credence to the "Morning" show segment on cuts in he had not used influence to get them lady's press secretary. The social secre­ unfortunate belief by the general public health care opened with shots of elderly the jobs, but he had "recommended" tary had declared a "terrible crisis," that people . . . in government can't be people singing "God Bless America," some of them. what with the White House being down trusted." none too enthusiastically. The reporter to its last six sets of tablecloths with no came in: "Here at the Annabird Manor cash to buy more. But the press secre­ Defending our way - In Brazil they nUrsing home [in Virginia], the resi­ Cheaper than bombing them - tary assured the White House didn't con­ had to take him from the campus in a dents had something to sing about- on­ Texas state Senator Walter Mengden, sider the situation "frightening." police van after he was barricaded and ly seven of them are going to lose their an aspirant to the U .S. senate, says the then pelted with eggs. In Peru, students Medicaid payments and have to leave." United States should store its nuclear Where would they get that idea?­ bluntly told him to get out. He apparent­ waste in El Salvador. He said, "We've William Cabin, a ranking New York ly made it through scheduled lectures in marched all over the world for demo­ state official was sentenced to a maxi­ Chile and Argentina. What made Henry Must be a good reference - Fred cracy .. .. If we secure El Salvador for mum of seven years for swindling tax­ Kissinger hang in there through all Roti, a Chicago Democratic alderman that dictator then we should store our payers out of $178,000 in a payroll pad­ this? Simple. An estimated $155,000 in who's tight with Mayor Byrne, has ten nuclear waste there in east El Salvador ding scheme. He will be eligible for pa- lecture fees for the two-week trip. relatives on the city payroll to the tune where no one lives." What•s Going On

cialist Alliance. For more information call (304) 345- NEW YORK 3040. MANHATTAN Rallies to defend democratic rights REAGANISM: WHAT IT IS, HOW TO FIGHT IT. MORGANTOWN Socialist Educational Conference. Classes and work­ NICARAGUA TODAY: HAIG'S LIES UNDONE. Johnson, national communications director, shops (jn English and Spanish) on Black nationalism, ALABAMA Speaker: Kathy Michaels, Socialist Workers Party. Association of Arab-American University Graduates; labor history, workers democracy and socialism, wom­ Sat., Dec. 19, 8 p.m. 957 University Ave. Donation: BIRMINGHAM Richard landoli, immigration lawyer. Sat., Dec. 12, en 's struggles. Sat., Dec. 12, 10 a.m. Columbia Uni­ $1 .50. Ausp: Militant Labor Forum. For more informa­ RALLY TO DEFEND THE BILL OF RIGHTS. 7:30 p.m. Church of the Covenant, 67 Newbury St. versity, Barnard Hall, 3rd floor, 117th St. and Broad­ tion call (304) 296-0055. Speakers: John Hawkins, Socialist Workers Party; Donation $2. Ausp: Political Rights Defense Fund. way. For more information call (212) 533-2902. Windell Stephenson, vice president, Bessemer For more information call (617) 262-4621. NAACP, activist in "cattle-prod" case against police brutality; Curtis Stanton, vice president, American Federation of Government Employees Local 2022; 'The Grenada revolution is the representatives, Southern Christian Leadership OHIO most significant event to take Conference and American Civil Liberties Union. Sat., PENNSYLVANIA Dec. 12, 7:30p.m. St. Joseph's Baptist Church, 504 HARRISBURG CLEVELAND place in the English-speaking THE NEW THREAT OF WAR IN THE CARIBBEAN 9th Ave. North. Donation: $2. Ausp: Political Rights RALLY TO DEFEND YOUR POLITICAL RIGHTS. Caribbean.' AND CENTRAL AMERICA. Speakers: Gumersindo Defense Fund. For more information call (205) 323- Speakers: Rich Barbetta, president, Professional Air 3079. Traffic Controllers Organization Local 227; Jane Ruiz, Puerto Rican activist; Glenn Campbell, member, Young Socialist Alliance and Central America Solidar­ So said Tim Hector, chairman of Perkins, member-elect, Harrisburg City Council; ity Committee; others. Sat., Dec. 12, 7 p.m. 2230 Su­ Andrew Stern, president, Pennsylvania Social the Antigua Caribbean Liberation perior. Donation: $1 .50. Ausp: Militant Labor Forum. Services Union (SEIU); Herbert Hunter, professor of For more information call (216) 579-9369. Movement, in a recent interview CALIFORNIA sociology, PSU Capitol Campus; John Studer, executive director, Political Rights Defense Fund. with Intercontinental Press. SAN DIEGO Tues., Dec. 15, 7:30p.m. Harrisburg Friends Meeting The interview, in which this RALLY TO DEFEND BILL OF RIGHTS. House, 6th and Herr St. Donation requested. Ausp : Black revolutionary also dis­ Speakers: Betsy .Soares, Socialist Workers Party; Political Rights Defense Fund. For more information OREGON Simon Casady, political activist, retired newspaper call (717) 234-5052. cussed Antigua's recent inde­ publisher; representative, Irish Rights Committee; PORTLAND local antidraft activist; representative, Revolutionary WATT, REAGAN, AND BIG BUSINESS: THE DE­ pendence from British colonialism, Workers Party, Mexico: Entertainment from STRUCTION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. Speakers: is one example of the regular Womansong. Sat., Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. Grassroots Ron Richards, Young Socialist Alliance: representa­ Cultural Center, 30th and Grape. Donation: $2. Ausp: WEST VIRGINIA tive, Sierra Club. Sun ., Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. 711 NW coverage of developments in Cen­ Political Rights Defense Fund. For more information CHARLESTON Everett. Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Bookstore Fo­ tral America and the Caribbean call (714) 234-4630. A RALLY FOR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS. rum . For more information call (503) 222-7225. that you'll get from Intercontinental Speakers: Chuck Hollowell, striking air traffic controller; Nelson Blackstock, Militant staff writer, Press. author of COINTELPRO: FBI's Secret War on This, in addition to news and so­ Political Freedom; Marion Bustin, United Mine MASSACHUSETTS Workers Local 2095, and Young Socialist Alliance; WASHINGTON cialist analysis of events in every BOSTON Dr. Betty James, professor of education, civil rights SEATTLE other part of the world. DEFEND THE BILL OF RIGHTS! STOP ALL FBI, activist; Steve Legeay, People Against War THE PENTAGON'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS CIA, AND INS CRIMES! Speakers: Mohammed Preparations; Rev. John Price. Sat., Dec. 12, BUILDUP: MILLIONS SAY 'NO.' Speakers: Doug Subscribe today to Intercontin­ Oliver, plaintiff in suit against government spying; reception 6:30 p.m., rally 7:30. St. John's Episcopal Rabin, marine biologist, Physicians for Social Respon­ ental Press. Franz Minuty, host of radio talk show "Caribbean Church, 1105 Quarrier St. Donation: $2. Ausp : sibility; Mike Shur, Socialist Workers Party. Film : War Safari;" Eoin O'Murcu, H-Biock/Armagh Committee; Political Rights Defense Fund. For more information Without Winners. Sun:, Dec. 13, 7 p.rn . 4868 Rainier D INTRODUCTORY OFFER: Jean-Claude Martineau, Haitian activist; Penny call (304) 345-3040. Ave. S. Donation $2. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information call (206) 723-5330. three months of IP for $8.75. D Six months for $17.50. D One CALIFORNIA MISSOURI year for $35. SEASIDE KANSAS CITY WEST VIRGINIA Name BEHIND U.S. WAR THREATS IN THE CARIBBE­ 'TEN DAYS THAT SHOOK THE WORLD.' Film by CHARLESTON AN. Speaker: Mel Mason, Socialist Workers Party, city Sergei Eisenstein. Sun. , Dec. 20, 7 p.m. 4715 A Address council member. Slide show from recent tour of Cuba. Troost. Donation: $2. Ausp: Militant Labor Forum. For GRAND OPENING OF MILITANT BOOKSTORE. Wed., Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Seaside Library. 550 Har­ more information call (816) 753-0404. Refreshments, come in and browse. Sat. , Dec. 12, 10 City court Ave. Ausp: Militant Labor Forum. For more infor­ a.m. -2 p.m. 1584-A E. Washington St. For more infor­ mation call (408) 373-8347. mation call (304) 345-3040. State/Zip

ROOTS OF AMERICAN SOCIALISM: Three class­ Mail to Intercontinental Press, 41 0 NEBRASKA es by Ilona Gersh, national committee, Socialist West Street, New York, N.Y. GEORGIA Workers Party. Sat., Dec. 12, 2 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 13, 10014. LINCOLN 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. 1584-A E. Washington St. ATLANTA AN INTRODUCTION TO THE IDEAS OF MARX­ Donation: $2/class or $4 for all three. Ausp: Young So- NICARAGUA: ANOTHER VIETNAM? Speakers: ISM. A class series. Sat., Nov. 14-Dec. 12, 1 p.m. UNL Dion Lerman, Atlanta Committee for Latin America; East Campus Union. Ausp: Young Socialist Alliance. Anna Schell, Young Socialist Alliance. Slide show: "Ni­ For more information call (402) 483-6236. caragua: the Challenge of Revolution." Sun., Dec. 13, 7:30p.m. 509 Peachtree St. Donation: $2. Ausp: Mil­ Reaganism versus democratic itant Labor Forum. For more information call (404) 872-7229. rights - at home and abroad Protest government spying and disruption NEW JERSEY Speakers: ILLINOIS NEWARK Bogdan Denitch: representative, Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee WHY WON'T REAGAN WELCOME THE CARIB; Mario Dones: president, UTIER, electrical workers union in Puerto Rico CHICAGO BEAN REFUGEES? HAITIAN, SALVADORAN REVOLUTIONARY CONTINUITY: MARXIST BLOOD ON INS'S HANDS. Speakers: John McCalla, Peter Fisher: Trade Unionists for Democratic Action LEADERSHIP IN THE U.S., PAST AND PRESENT. Haitian Workers Association; representative, Friends James Haughton: Metropolitan Committee Against Government Terrorism Three classes by Susan Lamont, member, Socialist of Haiti. Slide show: "Haiti: the Weak Link." Sat., Dec. Andree Kahlmorgan: fired Lockheed-Georgia worker Workers Party. Sat., Dec. 12, 12 noon and 3 p.m .; 19, 8 p.m. 11-A Central Ave. Donation: $2. Ausp : Mil­ Sun., Dec. 13, 11 a.m. 434 S. Wabash, 7th floor. Do­ itant Labor Forum. For more information call (201) William Kunstler: attorney nation: $2 per class, $5 all three. For more information 643-3441 . Kevin Lynch: public affairs editor, United Auto Workers District 65 call (312) 939-0737. Vernon Mason: general counsel, National Conference of Black Lawyers NEW YORK Gregory Pardlo: Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization official, New Jersey BROOKLYN Annette Rubenstein: chairperson MICHIGAN POLAND'S SOLIDARITY: WHAT IT MEANS FOR Larry Seigle: National Committee of Socialist Workers Party AMERICAN WORKERS. Slide show and discussion. Father William Smarth: Haitian Fathers DETROIT Speakers: Tom Pontolillo, member, Brotherhood of AUTO WORKERS IN THE '80s: HOW TO FIGHT Loc;:omotive Engineers Local 501 , and member of Saturday, December 12, 7:30p.m. $3 donation BACK. Speaker: Jon Britton, United Auto Workers Lo­ Young Socialist Alliance; George Saunders, who visit­ Martin Luther King Labor Center, 310 W'est 43rd St., New York, N.Y. cal980, Socialist Workers Party. Sun., Dec. 13, 7 p.m. ed Poland last spring. Fri., Dec. 18, 8 p.m. 335 Atlantic 6404 Woodward Ave. Donation: $2. Ausp: Militant La­ Ave . Donation: $2. Ausp: Militant Labor Forum. For Ausp: Political Rights Defense Fund. For more information call (212) 533-2902 bor Forum. For more information call (313) 875-5322. more information call (212) 852-7922.

22 THE MILITANT DECEMBER 18, 1981 Letters

Claude McKay imperialists. Instead, we get political freedoms which allow and un-Marxist." When it will not be solved without Your introduction to the pictures of smiling Vietnamese for peaceful social changes and became evident that the revolution. Communist International's children, American flags, and reforms. In 1980 alone, over Socialist Party could not stem Martinson was instrumental Fourth World Congress (1922) "bombs for Charlie." The 32,000 leaders among moderate the tide of its farmer and in the making of Prairie Fire resolution on the Black racism of the exhibit is political parties, farmworkers, worker members leaving the and Northern Lights, struggle (Militant, December heightened by the fact that clergy, trade unions, and party to join ranks with the documentary films about the 11) refers to a letter by Leon there is only one Black GI journalists were killed by Nonpartisan League, Nonpartisan League Trotsky to Claude McKay soon portrayed in the whole show. government order. Martinson joined hundreds of movement. after the Fourth Congress. Perhaps I should have Given allofthis, I am others as organizers for the Erling Sannes Some readers may be expected as much from a show opposed to the Peace Corps Nonpartisan League. Bismark, North Dakota interested to know that this sponsored by the SCM because it works with precisely He always emphasized that letter is in print under the corporation; but the boldness of those agencies which are most his going over to the NPL did title, "A Letter to Comrade the prowar propaganda caught interested in preserving the not mean that he had changed Corrections me by surprise, as it must have status quo, namely the State his ideas or that he was no McKay," in Trotsky's The First In the last issue Eqbal Ahmad Department of the U.S. It 1onger a socialist. Five Years of the Communist the scores of Vietnam vets who was mistakenly referred to as hasn't improved the quality of He was appointed North International, vol. 2 (Monad were filing thru the exhibit. I an Arab activist along with Ab­ Press, distributed by can imagine the rage they life in host countries. In fact, Dakota labor commissioner in deen Jabara. Ahmad is Pakista­ Pathfinder Press). must have felt. conditions have gotten steadily 1935, and held that position for ni. The introduction says, "The Although not a proponent of worse during its twenty-year over twenty-eight years. In the article on the Labor world conference on the Black Joe Stalin's proletarian art, for existence; and it was formed In the May 24, 1912, issue of Conference for Safe Energy and struggle projected in the sure, art cannot be separated out of fear of the Cuban The Iconoclast, Martinson said Full Employment in the same Comintern resolution was from politics. The selection of revolution, rather than to truly the Socialist Party wants no issue, it was reported that the never held." This is not other works by other artists help the world's needy. reform. "We want and demand three resolutions on disarma­ precisely correct. The "First could have left the viewer with Stuart Williams change, and we are going to ment were not adopted. This International Conference of a powerful anger to be have it, and we will get it not was not accurate. The general Negro Workers," which was channeled into protests against through the parties-that are resolution introduced by the held at Hamburg, Germany, in current U.S. war threats in Antiwar resolution owned and controlled by the conference sponsors, which in­ Central America and the ruling class, but through the cluded a section on disarma­ July 1930 was not held in the At a recent meeting of the Caribbean. party owned and controlled by ment, was adopted. Also one of name of the Comintern, but it state executive board of the Mark Friedman the workers - the Socialist the sponsoring organizations, was organized and run by well Social Services Union, Local Brooklyn, New York Party." Only months before he the United Food and Commer­ known auxiliary and front 535, a resolution was adopted died, he reaffirmed those cial Workers Union, did not vote organizations of the opposing U.S. military principles and said the for the sponsors' resolution as Comintern. Of course by that intervention against the time the Comintern no longer problems facing workers today the article implied. Peace Corps unfolding revolutions in was following a Leninist Central America. course. Militant readers may be interested in the following Local 535 represents 10,000 It was helpful of the health, welfare, and human introduction to summarize excerpts from a statement distributed by a Peace Corps services workers in California. Lenin's views of American Further evidence of concern Blacks as an oppressed nation "graduate" at a fair organized by the Peace Corps. among the fifty delegates (1917 and 1920). It would also present at this meeting was the have been helpful to explain Sue Adley, Denver, Colorado fact that I was able to sell why these views of Lenin were thirty-five single issues of the not expressed or reflected in I spent 1977 and 1978 as a Militant and fourteen the Comintern's 1922 subscriptions. I could have sold resolution that you reprinted. Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala working in soil more singles, but simply ran · George Breitman out of'papers. New York, N.Y. conservation, reforestation, and general agriculture. Walter Lippman In the evenings I read. I read Los Angeles, California that in 1954 the CIA overthrew Art exhibit a popularly-elected, liberal, A highly touted art exhibit, reformist government in North Dakota socialist entitled the Vietnam Guatemala. They installed in Henry Martinson, North Experience, is on display in its place a brutal military Dakota's oldest and most well New York. As far as I am dictatorship which has ruled by known socialist, died Education for Socialists on: concerned, the censors did such force ever since. I read about November 20 at the age of a hatchet job that it isn't worth the counterinsurgency program ninety-eight. · going to see. of the 1960s, planned by the In 1908 he joined the Revolutionaries in Power Virtually the entire show, U.S., which killed thousands of Socialist Party (SP) at Minot, Grenada Workers· and Farmers' Government with the exception of six small Guatemalans in order to North Dakota. As a leader of By Steve Clark $1.75 photographs of antiwar eliminate thirty or forty the North Dakota SP, he edited Vietnam veterans, is dedicated guerrillas. The Iconoclast ("image Nicaraguan Workers' and Farmers' Government to the glory of war and I saw that while the Peace breaker"), official weekly By Jack Barnes $ 1. 75 convincing all of us that Corps and other aid agencies newspaper of the North Dakota Proletarian L eadership in Power Vietnam wasn't so bad after dealt with the symptoms of SP. He ran for various state By Mary-Alice Waters $ 175 all. Neither the paintings, poverty, the real root causes offices several times on the SP Selected Speeches of Fidel Castro $4 ()() photographs, nor sculptures went unaddressed. Some of ticket. tell the true story of the these root causes are: 1) the In the early days of the Add$. 75 for postage. Order from Pathfinder Press. 410 West Street. New York. despair, U.S. torture, concentration of wealth and Nonpartisan League, NY 10014 bombings, and destruction of power in the hands of a few; 2) Martinson objected to the Write for a free catalog of socialist books and pamphlets. Vietnamese society by the U.S. the lack of democracy and organization as "opportunistic,

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ALABAMA: Birmingham: SWP, YSA, 205 18th St. S. YSA, 4850 N. College. Zip: 46205. Tel: (31 7) 283- NEW MEXICO: Albuquerque: SWP, YSA, 1417 Cen­ RHODE ISLAND: Providence: YSA, P.O. Box 261, An­ Zip: 35233. Tel: (205) 323-3079. 6149. tral Ave. NE. Zip: 87106. Tel: (505)) 842-0954. nex Station. Zip: 02901 . ARIZONA: Phoenix: SWP, YSA, 1243 E. McDowell. IOWA: Cedar Falls: YSA, Box 352. Zip: 50613. NEW YORK: Capital District (Schenectady): SWP, TEXAS: Austin: YSA, c/o Mike Rose, 7409 Berkman Zip: 85006. Tel: (602) 255-0450. Tucson: SWP, P.O. KENTUCKY: Louisville: SWP, YSA, 131 W. Main YSA, 323 State St. Zip: 12305. Tel: (518) 374-1494. Dr. Zip: 78752. Tel. (512) 452-3923. Dallas: SWP, Box 2585. Zip: 85702. Tel: (602) 622-3880 or 882- # 102. Zip: 40202. Tel: (502) 587-8418. New York, Brooklyn: SWP, YSA, 335 Atlantic Ave. YSA, 5442 E. Grand. Zip: 75223. Tel: (214) 826-4711 . 4304. LOUISIANA: New Orleans: SWP, YSA, 3207 Dublin St. Zip: 11201. Tel: (212) 852-7922. New York, Manhat­ Houston: SWP, YSA, 6333 Gulf Freeway, Room 222. CALIFORNIA: Oakland: SWP, YSA, 2864 Telegraph Zip: 70118. Tel: (504) 486-8048. tan: SWP, YSA, 108 E. 16th St. 2nd Floor. Zip: 10003. Zip: 77023. Tel: (713) 924-4056. San Antonio: SWP, Ave. Zip: 94{i09. Tel: (41 5) 763-3792. Los Angeles: MARYLAND: Baltimore: SWP, YSA, 2913 Green­ Tel: (212) 260-6400. N-York: City-wide SWP, YSA, YSA, 337 W. Josephine. Zip: 78212. Tel: (512) 736- SWP, YSA, 2211 N. Broadway. Zip: 90031 . Tel: (213) mount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) 235-0013. 108 E. 16th St. 2nd Floor. Zip: 10003. Tel: (21 2) 533- 9218. 225•3126. San Diego: SWP, YSA, 1053 15th St. Zip: MASSACHUSETTS: Amherst: YSA, P.O. Box 837. Zip: 2902. UTAH: Salt Lake City: SWP, YSA, 677 S. 7th East, 2nd 92101 . Tel: (714) 234-4630.San Francisco: SWP, 01004. Boston: SWP, YSA, 510 Commonwealth NORTH CAROLINA: Piedmont: SWP, YSA, 216 E. 6th Floor. Zip: 84102. Tel: (801) 355-11 24. YSA, 3284 23rd St. Zip: 94110. Tel: (41 5) 824-1992. Ave., 4th Floor. Zip: 02215. Tel: (617) 262-4621. St., Winston-Salem. Zip: 27101 . Tel: (919) 723-3419. VIRGINIA: Tidewater Area (Newport News): SWP, MICHIGAN: Ann Arbor: YSA. Tel: (31 3) 663-7068. De­ San Jose: SWP, YSA, 46V• Race St. Zip: 95126. Tel: OHIO: Cincinnati: SWP, YSA, 2531 Gilbert Ave. Zip: YSA, 111 28th St. Zip: 23607. Tel: (804) ~.0 1 33 . (408) 998-4007. troit: SWP, YSA, 6404 Woodward Ave. Zip: 48202. Tel:. (313) 875-5322. 45206. Tel: (513) 751 -2636. Cleveland: SWP, YSA, WASHINGTON, D.C.: SWP, YSA, 3106 Mt. Pleasant St. COLORADO: Denver: SWP, YSA, 126 W. 12th Ave. MINNESOTA: Mesabi Iron Range: SWP, YSA, 101 2 2230 Superior. Zip: 44114. Tel: (216) 579-9369. Tole­ NW. Zip: 20010. Tel: (202) 797-7699. BaHimore­ Zip: 80204. Tel: (303) 534-8954. 2nd Ave. South, Virginia, Minn. Send mail to P.O. Box do: SWP, YSA, 2120 Dorr St. Zip: 43607. Tel: (41 9) Waishington District: 3106 Mt. Pleasant St., NW., FLORIDA: Gainesville: YSA, c/o Bill Petersen, 1118 1287. Zip: 55792. Tel: (218) 749-6327. Twin Cities: 536-0383. Washington, D.C. Zip: 20010. Tel: (202) 797-7021. NW3rd Ave. Zip:32601. Miami: SWP, YSA, 1237 NW SWP, YSA, 508 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. OREGON: Portland: SWP, YSA, 711 NW Everett. Zip: WASHINGTON: Olympia: YSA, Room 3208, The 119th St., North Miami. Zip: 33167. Tel: (305) 769- Tel: (612) 644-6325. 97209. Tel: (503) 222-7225. Evergreen State College. Zip: 98501. Tel: (206) 866- 3478. MISSOURI: Kansas City: SWP, YSA, 4715A Troost. PENNSYLVANIA: Edinboro: YSA, Edinboro State Col­ 7332. Seattle: SWP, YSA, 4868 Rainier Ave. South. GEORGIA: Atlanta: SWP, YSA, 509 Peachtree St. NE Zip: 64110. Tel: (81 6) 753-0404. St. Louis: SWP, lege. Zip: 16444. Tel: (814) 734-4415. Harrisburg: Zip: 98118. Tel: (206) 723-5330. Zip: 30308. Tel: (404) 872-7229. YSA, 6223 Delmar Blvd. Zip: 63130. Tel: (314) 725- SWP, YSA, 803 N. 2nd St. Zip: 17105. Philadelphia: WEST VIRGINIA: Charleston: SWP, YSA, Box 3761. ILLINOIS: Champaign-Urbana: YSA, 1301 W. Green, 1570. SWP, YSA, 5811 N. Broad St. Zip: 19141 . Tel: (215) Zip: 25337. Tel: (304) 345-3040. Morgantown: SWP, Room 284. Zip: 61801 . Chicago: SWP, YSA, 434 S. NEBRASKA: Lincoln: YSA, P.O. Box 30221. Zip: 927-4747 or 927-4748. Pittsburgh: SWP, YSA, 1102 YSA, 957 S. University Ave. Zip: 26505. Tel: (304) Wabash, Room 700. Zip: 60605. Tel: (31 2) 939-0737. 68503. Tel: (402) 483-6236. E. Carson St. Zip: 15203. Tel: (412) 488-7000. State 296-0055. INDIANA: Gary: SWP, YSA, 3883 Broadway. Zip: NEW JERSEY: Newark: SWP, YSA, 11 -A Central Ave. College: YSA, P.O. Box 464, Bellefonte. Zip: 16823. WISCONSIN: Milwaukee: SWP, YSA, 4707 W. Lisbon 46409. Tel: (219) 884-9509. Indianapolis: SWP, Zip: 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. Tel: (814) 238-3296 .. Ave. Zip: 53208. Tel: (414) 445-2076.

DECEMBER 18, 1981 THE MILITANT 23 THE MILITANT Week of death in mines By Linda May Flint son, 24; Keith Crager, 25; Tommy Cen­ WEBSTER SPRINGS, W. Va. - ters, 31; and David Slone, 25. Three miners were killed and one other These young miners were members of seriously injured in a roof fall in a coal the UMW. mine near here December 3. In Tennessee, the worst mine disaster Only four days later, eight miners in that state in seventy years killed thir­ were killed in an explosion in eastern teen of the 117 miners at the Grundy Kentucky. Mining Company Number 21 mine De­ And the day after that, thirteen min­ cember 8. The nonunion mine is near ers were killed in a methane gas explo­ Palmer. sion in eastern Tennessee, thirty miles Important gains in mine safety were northwest of Chattanooga. won a decade ago by powerful struggles Twenty-four miners killed in six days! of coal miners. These gains are being These deaths add to the rising toll of lost under the present antilabor offen­ victims of the mine owners' greed and sive. Cutbacks in the federal mine safe­ federal budget cuts in mine safety en­ ty program have sharply reduced the forcement. number of inspectors and the number of Here in Webster County in east-cen­ inspections that are carried out. These tral West Virginia the roof collapsed on cuts, begun under the Carter adminis­ the eight miners working the night tration, are accelerating under Reagan. shift. The Stillhouse Run mine is owned Carter imposed a hiring freeze on by Elk River Sewell Coal company in mine inspectors for the Mine Safety and Bergoo, east of Webster Springs. Health Administration (MSHA). The mine is nonunion but United United Mine Workers District 17 Mine Workers (UMW) District 31 offi­ President Jack Perry reported last sum­ cials and union miners immediately mer that it resulted in a 50 percent cut threw themselves into the rescue effort. in the number of mine inspectors in the Two miners were rescued by the union­ MSHA office in Logan in southern West staffed mine rescue teams. Virginia. But they also removed the bodies of Nationally, MSHA admits that there the three victims: Donald Arbogast, 31; are seventy-three fewer mine inspectors by the strength of union miners through killed in 1981. In 1980, the death toll Robert Bennett, 34; and Doyle Gillis, 36. for 1981 than in 1980. Overall, about 10 their mine safety committees and the was 133. Considering the amount of Donzil Cutlip, 27, who was rescued percent ofMSHAjobs have been cut this greater democratic control they won in time lost because of the long strike this alive, was very badly injured and is in year. their union. An unprecedented reduc­ year, the fatality rate has gone up sig­ critical condition in the West Virginia tion in the number of mine fatalities nificantly. University Medical Center in Morgan­ The full extent of government cuts was the result. have still not been decided. The propos­ The figures again prove that union town. In 1970, one miner was killed for mines are safer. But coal mining re­ Arbogast's brother told reporters that als from some of the most powerful con­ every million hours worked. With about gressmen would be devastating. Utah mains the most dangerous occupation in he had worried aloud on the morning of 200,000 miners, this meant one death the country. And it is getting worse. the accident that the roof was bad and Senator Orrin Hatch and New Mexico every five working hours. By 1976, the he didn't want to go to work. But he . Senator Harrison Schmitt are callins death rate was cut by two thirds. The safety issue is at the center of the for slashing the MSHA budget in half. anti-union drive. Union enforced safety went anyway. About 70 percent of underground coal The Kentul!ky disaster on December 7 They want to also cut in half the number rules cost the companies money. The of inspections required in each mine. miners are members of the UMW. But issue is so important that many nonun­ was in the Number 18 mine of Adkins the fatality rate in union mines is about Coal Company near Topmost in Knott In 1968 seventy-eight miners were ion mines pay somewhat higher wages half that in nonunion mines. just to keep out the union. They also use County. killed in an explosion at the Consolida­ According to the latest issue of the incentive pay boimses to force miners to The blast killed all but one worker on tion Coal Number 9 mine in Farming­ United Mine Workers Journal, 111 min­ cut corners on safety. the night shift. The victims were Bob ton, West Virginia. Outrage by miners ers were killed from the beginning of Slone, 39; Roy Perry, 22; Clarence Per­ The rise in mine deaths prove the ne­ over this, which included a strike by this year until November 15. ry, 28; Dillard Ashley, 40; James Gib- miners in West Virginia, forced the fed­ cessity to organize nonunion mines. It's eral government to adopt the Coal Mine Of these deaths, fifty-one were union going to take an all-out effort because Linda May Flint is a member of UMW Health and Safety Law of 1969. members and sixty were nonunion. the companies and the government are Local 1702 in Wana, West Virginia. Enforcement of that law was spurred So far, there have been 142 miners in an all-out drive against miners. Black activist jailed, denied attorney By Nelson Gonzalez was slapped with a subpoena. It or­ she was being subpoenaed by the York on Black self-determination, The FBI-police terror campaign di­ dered her to testify before the grand grand jury, Judge Irving Cooper ruled Chokwe Lumumba was one of the rected against the Black community in jury and to provide handwriting and in favor of a government motion bar­ featured speakers before 200 people, the aftermath of the Brink's robbery in hair samples. ring Lumumba from representing her. During Sunni Ali's two court appear­ Nyack, New York, is continuing with a On November 30, appearing before Lumumba, who has not been charged ances, at least 100 supporters turned vengeance. the grand jury, Sunni Ali read a state­ for anything, was labeled by Judge out each time. On January 15, the Following frame-ups, beatings, and ment declaring: "The U.S. Attorney Cooper as "an official of a Black­ Metropolitan Committee Against Gov­ murder, the government has organized has obtained an order prohibiting my nationalist group," the Republic of New ernment Terrorism is sponsoring a a "special" grand jury to "investigate" lawyer Chokwe Lumumba from repres­ Africa [RNA], which the Federal Bu­ march in Harlem to protest govern­ the events leading up to the Brink's enting me or anybody else in this reau of Investigation called a 'terrorist ment political terrorism against Sunni robbery. district because he [the judge] does not organization.'" Ali and other activists. One of its principal victims is Fulani like his [Chokwe's] political views. As The RNA, of which Lumumba is a Sunni Ali (Cynthia Boston). She was a subpoenaed Grand Jury witness, I vice president, was founded in 1968 by jailed for refusing to testify before the have the right to be represented by 500 young Black militants. It has, Socialist released grand jury when the government ac­ counsel of my choice. Since I believe according to its program, the aim of in Santo Domingo cused her lawyer of being a "terrorist" that my subpoena is illegal for a struggling to "solve the problems number of reasons, I need Mr. Lumum­ which affect Black people daily: poor Claudio Tavarez, a leader of the and barred him from representing her. Revolutionary Workers League Sunni Ali was originally arrested on ba's assistance in order to challenge housing, poor education . . . police it. . . . The order barring him is now brutality, racist attacks, unemploy­ (LRT) of the Dominican Republic October 27, when more than 150 cops who was arrested on November 30, broke into her home in Mississippi and on appeal and I will not answer any ment, and all other injustices." questions before that appeal is de­ Using such criteria to label organiza­ was released by the Department of arrested her and handcuffed twelve Secret Services of the Dominican po­ cided." tions "terrorist" makes it crystal clear small children. lice. He served three days of solitary Sunni Ali was then ordered to ap­ that not only is the RNA on the gov­ The media tried and convicted her of confinement. complicity in the Brink's robbery long pear before Federal Judge Lee Gagli­ ernment's hit list, but so is anyone who He was closely questioned about before she even stepped into the court­ ardi. At a December 7 hearing, from fights for social change. the LRT's work in connection with house. which the press and public were ex­ The Black community has responded the super-exploited Haitian sugar Ten days later, the government's cluded, she again refused to testify. vigorously in defense of Sunni Ali. At cane workers, as well as solidarity case fell flat on its face. Hard evidence Gagliardi found her in contempt of a rally held in early December in work with Central America and the was produced proving that Sunni Ali court and ordered her jailed. Brooklyn, more than 1,000 people Caribbean. He was accused of being was in New Orleans at the time she Sunni Ali faces up to eighteen turned out. Minister Louis Farrakan of a communist and attempting to or­ was supposed to have been seen remov­ months in jail for the crime of believ­ the Nation of Islam urged defense of ganize a third column of Haitian ing stolen goods in Nyack. ing she has the right to be represented the RNA and donated half the even­ workers inside the Dominican Re­ by a lawyer of her own choosing. However, when she was released on ing's collection to the RNA Defense public in preparation to support an November 5, Sunni Ali had not gotten On the same day that Sunni Ali was Fund. invasion by Haiti. . beyond the courthouse steps before she cleared of the Brink's charges, and as At a December 4-6 conference in New