THE Linder peace tour reaches thousands o o o o o 4 Coup in Burkina widely condemned o 5

Cuban missile crisis: 25 years later o 0 8

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 51/NO. 41 NOVEMBER 6, 1987 $1.00

Bosses London rally demands fail to crack sanctions on S. Africa paperworker BY MARGARET JAYKO unity LONDON- "Sanctions now!" was the demand of the 70,000 people who turned BY JON HILLSON out here October 24 for a march and rally JAY, Maine - International Paper against the British government's support to Co.'s stepped-up efforts to crack the unity 'he apartheid system in South Africa. of 1 ,250 striking paperworkers here are The protest was a repudiation of Prime meeting stiff resistance. Minister Margaret Thatcher's refusal to On October 14 the company released a allow the adoption of sanctions against rosy profits statement, announced its take­ South Africa at an October conference of back proposals had been successfully im­ the British Commonwealth countries. posed at the struck Androscoggin Mill, and At the head of the youthful march was a told the union that only 50 jobs remained large contingent of members of the African for striking union members. According to 1\lational Congress (ANC) of South Africa IP management, the 800 to 900 scabs now and the South West Africa People's Or­ working in the mill are permanent employ­ ganisation (SWAPO). They are the two ees. main liberation organizations in southern Africa. The Maine press presented this as a uni­ As we lined up along the Thames River, lateral announcement by IP that the strike waiting for the march to begin, the ANC was over. But the response from union and SWAPO contingent sang freedom members - who have been on strike since <:ongs and chanted in their native lan­ June 16 - was not what the company guages. Many participants carried pro­ hoped for. ANC and pro-SWAPO placards, in re­ Instead of the back-to-work movement sponse to Thatcher's recent slander of the the company was trying to create, only five ANC as "terrorist." union members crossed the picket line. The march stepped off with a brightly This brings the number of local members colored banner that read, "Free South Af­ who have gone back in to 50. The strikers a_, are members of United Paperworkers Inter­ rica, Sanctions Now, Free Namibia." MilitantJOve Aspoy Hanging off the bridge overhead was a national Union (UPIU) Local 14 and Fire­ Rail Against Apartheid contingent in last year's London anti-apartheid action. This men and Oilers Local 246 . .Janner with the slogan, "Stop apartheid, year rail workers were largest of the labor groups. Inset, Namibian freedom fighter boycott Shell." One participant carried a Sam Nujoma, who addressed rally. The weekly union/family meetings - placard reading: "Shell fuels South African held every Wednesday night in the Jay Army." community building - are at the heart of The most popular chant was "What do ference in September with the Anti-Apart­ drew large participation by students, who the locals' ability to keep the strike solid. we want? Sanctions! When do we want heid Movement - the group which or­ made up the majority of the crowd. Strikers, spouses and family members, re­ them? Now!" ganized the march. That·conference called There were several contingents from tirees, friends, and other supporters gather There were several contingents. from for an end to British importing of South Af­ Britain's large Asian and Black com­ to hear weekly reports of strike activity and Britain's trade union movement. rican coal. munities- from Turkey, Pakistan, Pales­ an update of new developments. There's an The largest came from the National There were contingents from several tine, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Iran, and various open atmosphere where those present can Union of Railwaymen. About 200 strong, other unions, including the National Union Caribbean countries. The Indian Workers speak their minds. they had been mobilized largely through of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers; Amal­ Association and the Labour Party Black The October 21 meeting showed that the work of Rail Against Apartheid, an or­ gamated Union of Engineering Workers, Sections both had banners, as did the strikers had bounced back from IP's blow ganization of rail unionists. Members of National Union of Teachers, Transport and Labour Party Irish Section. One sign read, the previous week. Many had been braced the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association, General Workers' Union, National Com­ "No to Britain's pass laws- stop all de­ for the possibility of more defections, and which organizes white-collar workers in munications Union, General Municipal portations." morale was high after the reports of the the rail industry, also marched. Boilermakers, Tobacco Workers, and the The Campaign for Nuclear Disarma­ company's failure. The Durham branch of the National Rolls-Royce Shop Stewards Committee. ment, which has organized massive pro­ Union of Mineworkers participated in the The National Union of Students' cam­ tests against Britain's nuclear arsenal, 'We strike for dignity' march. The NUM had cosponsored a con- paign to mobilize for the demonstration Continued on Page 13 "We strike for jobs," Local 14 President Bill Meserve told the 1, 200 people present. "We strike for premium pay. We strike for Christmas. We strike for justice, and we Sandinistas win over Indian contras strike for dignity." "Has any of that changed?" Meserve asked. The strikers roared back, "No!" "Are we going to go back?" he asked. to peace and Coast autonomy "Fifty say 'yes.'" The meeting responded with a deafening "No!" BY LARRY SEIGLE they were fighting for Indian rights. They tions and the Nicaraguan government is The company is demanding the locals MANAGUA, Nicaragua-The Nicara­ viewed the Sandinista government as their being waged to encourage repatriation of accept a concessions contract that includes guan government is continuing to register enemy. Now, however, most have been these refugees and to urge members of the an end to double-time pay for Sunday gains with its political initiatives aimed at convinced that the government of the contra units to lay down their arms and re­ work, elimination of Christmas as a shut­ -!ividing and disarming counterrevolution­ workers and peasants is their firm ally. turn to their homes. down holiday, and implementation of a ary military forces and encouraging the re­ In a news conference here October 23, According to official estimates, some productivity plan that would drastically re­ turn of thousands of rural working people Minister of the Interior Tomas Borge said 18,000 people, Miskitos and others, have duce jobs in the mill and increase speed­ who fled or were forced to leave their that the contra war on the Atlantic Coast returned to the Atlantic Coast since this po­ up. homeland as a result of the contra war. has been almost halted. The most recent litical effort began late in 1984. Meserve reported that the union will par­ The peace process is most advanced on development in this direction was the deci­ Some have come through official points ticipate in a negotiating session called by the Atlantic Coast, where most Nicaraguan sion by a group of 125 armed Miskitos of entry; others have made their way across . federal mediators for November 9. Indians and Blacks live. This is a product operating in the area of Prinzapolka to end the Rio Coco, the river that forms the bor­ Present at the October 21 meeting were of the decision by the Sandinista National their fighting. Prinzapolka is about 40 der between Honduras and Nicaragua. Ac­ representatives from eight UPIU locals - Liberation Front (FSLN) to champion the miles south of the Atlantic Coast city of cording to reports, 52 of the 84 settlements one from as far away as Alabama - who struggle of these groups for autonomy. A Puerto Cabezas. that existed on the banks of the Rio Coco came to participate in the October 22 work­ law guaranteeing the political, economic, A few weeks earlier, a band of 400 Mis­ before the revolution have now been rees­ shop sponsored by the Jay locals. The pur­ cultural, and religious rights of the peoples kito troops reached an agreement with the tablished. pose of the gathering was to discuss more of the Atlantic Coast was adopted by the government and stopped fighting. Under There are still some 17,000 Miskitos in effective action against the deepening con­ National Assembly September 2. The law the terms of that accord, one-third of the Honduras, however, according to Hugo cessions drive in the paper industry. established autonomous regional govern­ former contra fighters will be integrated Calderon, a local representative of the Pulled together on a few weeks' notice, ments on the Atlantic Coast. into government military units. Another FSLN on the Atlantic Coast. The Hondu­ the meeting represented an important be­ ran government has refused to allow the The result of the autonomy policy has third will be placed in productive jobs, and ginning in efforts to unify the UPIU locals unrestricted return of those Nicaraguan been the transformation of the Atlantic the final third will get scholarships to ena­ facing IP's offensive. Coast from the potential Achilles' heel of ble them to study. citizens who want to come home. the Nicaraguan workers and peasants to a There is a growing demand, especially Reaching other UPIU locals - those in bastion of their revolution, strengthening Return of refugees among residents of the areas of Nicaragua the IP chain and those at other paper com­ the political power and self-confidence of The decline in the fighting on the Atlan­ near Honduras, that the Honduran govern­ panies - is part of the Jay strikers' out­ the working people of the entire country. tic Coast has opened the door wider to the ment end its restrictions and allow free pas­ reach plan. They also aim to get out the Many Miskitos had earlier joined the return of war refugees from Honduras. A sage back to Nicaragua for those who want truth about the strike by speaking to mem- :ontra forces, mistakenly believing that political campaign by Miskito organiza- Continued on Page 10 Continued on Page 2 Fellow unionists help locked out Alabama paperworkers

BY STEPHEN BLOODWORTH the lockout, however, many workers' ben­ AND CHERI TREMBLE efits are already starting to run out. MOBILE, Ala. -- It was late in the af­ IP is appealing the ruling. ternoon October 12 when we pulled into The lockout began on March 21 , a the parking lot of United Paperworkers In­ month after the old contract expired. ternational Union (UPIU) Local 1421's Workers arrived for work as usual and hall. The unionists, who work for Scott were turned away. IP says they can't come Paper Co., were just getting out of their back until they ratify a new three-year con­ union meeting. cessions contract. The union's offer to "It's gone beyond a union versus com­ work while negotiations continue has been pany thing," explained one member. "This rejected by the company. is all-out war. They're trying to destroy Since March, International Paper has those people, and they'll come after us used the notorious scab-herding outfit B.E. next." & K. Construction to try to keep the mill UPIU Local 265 food pantry is also lockout headquarters He was referring to the 1,250 workers running, along with management person­ who have been locked out of International nel and other "temporary" workers. Paper Co.'s Mobile mill for more than six Mobile IP workers are running up months. against the same stonewall that IP w?rkers Maine bosses fail to crack unity Local 1421 members have been among on strike in Jay, Maine; DePere, Wtscon­ the strongest supporters of the four UPIU sin; and Lock Haven, Pennsylvania have Continued from front page locals and one International Brotherhood faced when it comes to negotiations. The was shown by a letter Local 14 received of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local that bers of other unions. from John Anthony, president of a UPIU giant paper corporation has simply refused There have been 30 such speaking en­ represent the locked-out IP workers. to negotiate seriously. local at International Paper's Texarkana, They've had weekly "bucket brigades" at gagements in the last three weeks alon~, Texas mill. The Texarkana workers have The workers at the Mobile mill have al­ said Local 14 member Brent Gay. He ts the Scott mill gates to collect donations, ready given up a lot in concessions, start­ been solid supporters of the Mobile, helping coordinate this part of the outreach and local members have voted to contribute ing back in 1980. Now IP wants more: a.n Alabama, UPIU members who have been efforts. an extra $10 a month in union dues to help end to premium pay for Sundays and hob­ locked out by IP since March. Reports on three engagements were the IP workers. days; the right to unrestricted subcontract­ given at the October 21 meeting. . The letter said, in part, "I find it difficult The IP workers won an important vic­ ing; and more work rule changes . . tory on October 2, when the Alabama De­ Local 14 executive board member Mtke to put into words the gratitude and admira­ Union members have organized to "go tion I have for you and the good people of partment of Industrial Relations Appeals Burke spoke at two membership meetin~s on for as long as it takes," explained Local 14 for the brave stand you have taken Board ruled that they were eligible for ret­ of the International Union of Electromc Jimmy Roberson, who helps organize the Workers (IUE) Local 201 at the big Gen­ against IP. We last negotiated back in De­ roactive unemployment benefits. This re­ food pantry. One of the UPIU local's union versed an earlier negative decision. The eral Electric plant in Lynn, Massachusetts. cember of 1985, ... and I must confess we hall serves as the strike center, including Nearly 40 IUE members signed up t~ do a fell victim to the company propaganda and workers are getting an average of $3, 100 in the job bank and food pantry. The hall was back payments. Because of the length of plant-gate collection for the Jay stnkers. lies and accepted the concessions you are bustling with activity the day we were Burke also got a warm reception at a recent now fighting. We realize that you are en­ there. Visitors and volunteers are warmly meeting of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. gaged in a fight that has a direct bearing on welcomed. We learned the Mobile workers Strike activists Kathleen Davis and Harry all of our futures, and I want you all to were planning to send a delegation to an IP Dwyer spoke about their experience at the know that we support you 100 percent in mill in Texarkana, Texas. The UPIU's Southern New England District Council what you are doing. contract there expired in mid-October. meeting of the International Ladies' Gar­ Textile workers, miners, and chemical "The company started this fight," the let­ ment Workers' Union (ILGWU) in Fall ter continued, "and the good people in Jay, workers, and other area unionists have lent River, Massachusetts, on October 1. After support to the locked-out workers. Maine; DePere Wisconsin; Lock Haven, hearing the strikers' story and appeal for sol­ Pennsylvania; and · Mobile, Alabama, There's also an active Ladies' Auxiliary. idarity, the Local 14 members got sever~! Candy Anderson, chairperson of the chose to carry the fight and now it is up to more requests to speak and nearly $1 ,000 m the rest of us that are working to do our group, told us, "They didn't just lock out donations and pledges. those working in the plant -- they locked part. Each of us owes you a debt and al­ Several Local 14 members also got a though we will never be able to fully repay out the wives and children too." The warm reception at the mid-October Na­ group's weekly meetings involve members it, we intend to try and give like our jobs tional Organization for Women (NOW) depend on it, because they do .... You are of other unions, family members, and other Maine state conference. supporters. not alone because we are with you in mind "We don't realize how many friends we and in spirit. March 21, 1987: remember it. The "locked-out ladies" fill speaking re­ have out there," Dwyer told the union/fam­ quests, make sure families needing extra From that day on, our cry must be, cut one ily meeting. "They all want to help." He of us and we all bleed." help get it, and collect and distribute paper asked for more volunteers to help fill products and school supplies for the chil­ speaking engagements. . . Maine AFL-CIO President Charles dren. They maintain a list of area doctors, Mike Burke added that the stnkmg loc­ O'Leary told the meeting that the annual merchants, and others willing to donate or als have to work at winning solidarity be­ state convention of the labor body would discount merchandise or services. In addi­ cause "the further you get away from Jay, move to Jay for the November 4 regular tion, they organize events almost every the less people know about the strike." union/family meeting. weekend, from fish fries to walk-a-thons . Jay strikers cheered when President For more information, contact: UPIU Letter from Texarkana Meserve announced over 1,200 UPIU Local 265, 1105 N. Wilson Ave., members in Chester, Pennsylvania, went Militant/Dennis Koncewicz Prichard, Alabama 36610. (205) 457- The degree to which paperworkers around on strike October 14 against Scott Paper Labor Day march supported UPIU strikers 0265. the country are looking to the struggle in Jay Co. The Militant tells the truth - Subscribe today! The Militant liThe Militant reports the facts and truth about the many wars Closing news date: October 28, 1987 Coeditors: MARGARET JA YKO and DOUG JENNESS being waged by the U.S. against various peoples of the world. Circulation Director: NORTON SANDLER Nicaragua Bureau Director: LARRY SEIGLE lilf we had to rely on the mainstream media for.the truth, we wo.uld Business Manager: JIM WHITE Editorial Staff: Susan Apstein, Fred Feldman, Arthur Hughes, be left completely in the dark about the U.S.-engzneered wars agaznst Cindy Jaquith, Susan LaMont, Sam Manuel, Harvey McArthur (Nicaragua), Roberto Kopec (Nicaragua), Harry Ring. the peoples of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Published weekly except one week in August and the last week of December by the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 If Continue your important work." West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Telephone: Editorial Of­ fice, (212) 243-6392; Telex, 497-4278; Business Office, (212) -Wabun-Inini 929-3486. (Vernon Bellecourt) leader of American Indian Movement Correspondence concerning subscriptions or changes of address should be addressed to The Militant Business Of­ Enclosed is fice, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Second-class postage paid at ~':Jew York, N.Y. POSTMAS­ 0 $4.00 for 12 weeks, new readers TER: Send address changes to :rhe Militant, 410 West St., 0 $9.00 for 12 weeks, renewals New York, N.Y. 10014. Subscriptions: U.S., Canada, Latin 0 $17.00 for six months America: for one-year subscription send $30, drawn on aU .S. 0 $30.00 for one year 0 $55.00 for two years bank to above address. By first-class (airmail). send $65. Name ______Brit~in Ireland Continental Europe, Africa: send £25 check ~r international money order made out to Pathfinder Address ------·------·------Press and send to Pathfinder, 47 The Cut, London SEI 8LL. City ------·----- State ______Zip ______England. 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2 The Militant November 6, 1987 Tomas Borge: 'Who benefits from war?' Sandinista leader answers slanders by opponents of Guatemala peace accords

BY CINDY JAQUITH metic," Borge noted. That's to cover up the MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Who is to fact that they don't really want peace to blame for the continuation of the contra come to Nicaragua; they want the war to war against Nicaragua, two and a half continue. months since the signing of the Guatemala peace accords? Jeane Kirkpatrick's party The capitalist daily La Prensa, the Cath­ To illustrate his point he described an olic church hierarchy, and the political par­ October l 1 party sponsored by the U.S. ties of Nicaragua's employers and land­ embassy here. The guest of honor was lords say the Nicaraguan government is at Jeane Kirkpatrick, former U.S. ambas­ fault. Echoing Washington, they charge sador to the United Nations. that the Sandinistas are failing to live up to To laughter from the crowd, Borge de­ the accords, that they don't really want scribed the Nicaraguan guests who turned peace. up at the party: capitalist politicians, In a major address October 17 , speaking businessmen, and landowners most iden­ for the Sandinista National Liberation tified with the contras. Front (FSLN) leadership, Interior Minister "Twelve hundred people, drunk on li­ Tomas Borge answered these charges. The quor and hysteria, were crying out that the occasion was a rally here celebrating the only free territory that exists in Nicaragua eighth anniversary of the establishment of is the U.S. embassy," Borge said. "When the Ministry of the Interior. one of those present kissed the feet of Borge was joined on the platform by Madame Kirkpatrick, it wasn't a gesture of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, San­ gallantry but rather the most abject servil­ dinista army head Humberto Ortega, First ity. Vice-minister of the Interior Luis Carrion, "When another desperately demanded Militant/Roberto Kopec and Foreign Minister Miguel D'Escoto. that the Yankee marines invade Nicaragua, From left: Ray Hooker, Tomas Borge, Lumberto Campbell, and Dorotea Wilson at This larger than usual presence of top gov­ when many of them waved as many as Atlantic Coast Autonomy Law discussion that took place in Nicaragua's National As­ ernment officials at such a rally demon­ three little U.S. flags in each hand, they sembly. Sandinistas' support for Indian, Black rights in that region has undercut strated the FSLN's united determination to were expressing their euphoric surrender to contras and strengthened revolution. a foreign power. It didn't even occur to them - out of good taste or even to keep "But resources, energies, and men will de­ turned into an economic wasteland, not by up appearances - to raise a single Nicara­ dicate themselves to creative and produc­ the will of God, but by the cruel and selfish guan flag ." tive work. And in a specific historical time policy of the current U.S. administration." period, the answers to these needs will Who are 'the people'? The Nicaraguan government will not come. It's for that, in the final analysis, bow to pressures or" relinquish any of the Kirkpatrick and those joining her at the and precisely for that, that we made the party claimed to be speaking in the name of conquests of the Sandinista revolution revolution." Borge stressed. "We are free, with . ou; "the people," Borge noted. "When we talk heads held high, sovereign, dignified, about the people," he continued, "we are Who benefits from war? referring in the first place to the working proud of our nationality, intransigent pat­ "If Nicaraguans in general benefit from riots who rebel against all foreign pres­ people of the countryside and the cities, the peace, who benefits from war?" Borge poor people of our land, those who were sures," he said. "We will not raise foreign asked. "In the first place, the U.S. govern­ flags or kneel before them." the main actors in the victory [of the San­ ment - which wants to eliminate the San­ dinista revolution] and who are the major dinista government and wipe it off the face He explained that "the perspective of shareholders in the revolutionary process." of the earth." peace has opened up, but as long as the war continues we will be in full combat readi­ But the war also benefits those Nicara­ Also part of "the people" are those Nic­ ness for anything, not giving or receiving guans "who dream of a return to the past, araguans from other class backgrounds quarter in combat, fighting like lions, with who are using their education and skills to the Somozaist Guard, the Somozaists, the neo-Somozaists, those who lost their greater audacity, courage, valor, and advance the revolution, he added, working heroism than ever." as technicians, administrators, artists, sol­ privileges, the magnates of yesterday, the diers, police, and government employees. landowners whose land is today in the Who fears State Security? Jeane Kirkpatrick, former U.S. ambas­ hands of the peasants, those who speculate Borge singled out for special praise the sador to United Nations. Idol of the con­ Peace is in the interests· of the great on the hunger of the people, the traitors of State Security division of the Ministry of tras was guest of honor at party for op­ majority of Nicaraguans, those who have the day before yesterday, yesterday, to­ the Interior, which has succeeded in pre­ ponents of the revolution held at U.S. sacrificed their lives and living standards to morrow, the day after, and forever." embassy in Managua. defeat the U.S.-imposed contra war, Borge venting the formation of a counterrevolu­ explained. Peace also benefits "those who Who's intransigent? tionary internal front and Nicaragua-based terrorist cells. will receive amnesty or pardons," he Borge described the latest moves by carry out the Guatemala peace accords. "Some say State Security produces added, noting that "confused peasants" these forces to obstruct implementation of In recent weeks the Nicaraguan govern­ fear," Borge noted. "But who is afraid of ment has taken important steps to comply who joined the contras have died "the sad­ the accords. dest of deaths, defending slavery and seek­ State Security? The counterrevolution­ with the accords: allowing La Prensa to re­ ing to restore the past." "To the political opening they have re­ aries, the conspirators, those who kiss the sume publication, lifting all censorship, es­ sponded with intransigence," he said, re­ feet. of imperialism, and those who cry out tablishing cease-fire zones in four areas of With peace, Nicaragua will be able to ferring to the boycott of national dialogue for Yankee intervention. They fear State the country, and initiating a series of "na­ begin alleviating the poverty its working meetings by the capitalist Social Demo­ Security and I really think they have reason tional dialogue" meetings with opposition people suffer. cratic and Liberal Constitutionalist parties. to!" he said to cheers from the crowd. parties. "Of course, once peace is obtained, the Likewise, Borge continued, enemies of Nicaragua's enemies inside and outside solutions to our material and social needs "To the proposal for a cease-fire, they the revolution demand the dissolution of the country dismiss these moves as "cos- won't fall from the sky," he continued. have responded with violence," Borge con­ tinued. He pointed to an October 15 attack Sandinista Defense Committees, the neigh­ borhood block associations responsible, by 900 contra troops on the only highway among other things, for community vigi­ in south-central Nicaragua that links the 'Miami Herald's 'error' exposed Atlantic and Pacific coasts. lance against counterrevolutionary crimes. "The enemy projected a very ambitious "Don't the people have the right to or­ offensive," Borge noted, "but it ended in ganize after they have conquered power?;' MANAGUA, Nicaragua - On Oc­ dailies, duly reported that among the "im­ the most resounding of defeats." Borge asked. "Or do only the enemies of tober 12, the Miami Herald ran a story by prisoned former national guardsmen who the revolution have that right?" its man in Managua about imprisoned are refusing to work" are - you guessed Response to Oscar Arias "Those who believe the Sandinista De­ former members of the National Guard. it - "Oscar Turcios, Ricardo Morales Borge also took up the statement by fense Committees are going to disappear," The National Guard were the paid tortur­ Aviles, Juan Jose Quezada and Jonathan Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, himself he said, are the same ones who vainly be­ ers, rapists, and assassins of the dictator­ Gonzalez." a key drafter of the accords, that the Nica­ lieve "the people are going to surrender, ship headed by the Somoza family, which The following Saturday, October 17, in raguan government should sit down and get down on their knees, and give up. ruled Nicaragua until 1979. Some, it a speech to a large public rally here, San­ negotiate with the contra commanders. seems, are now refusing to cooperate with dinista leader Tomas Borge read aloud "We have the right to dream beautiful Arias proposed Miguel Obando y Bravo, prison authorities. from the Herald story- provoking hoots dreams. We will keep on dreaming of what the pro-contra cardinal here, as mediator. Most of the information in the Herald and laughter from the crowd. The point, some day will be seen by the eyes of future "We're pleased with the Nobel Prize story was taken from an interview with Borge said, is that "some people ignore generations," he said. "Of course we don't awarded to President Arias," Borge said. Alvaro Guzman, Nicaragua's director of facts, as if they simply did not exist." deny our enemies the right to have night­ "He's the one who established the basis for prisons, printed two days earlier in the mares, or to dream of the return to a past Several days after Borge's speech, a the peace accord signed by the five Central Sandinista daily, Barricada. Guzman had that will never come back." small item appeared in the Miami Herald American presidents, which explicitly reminded readers that one of the leaders of under the heading "Setting the Record mandates that there be a national dialogue the ex-Guardsmen's protest, Guadalupe - but with those the presidents call the un­ Pineda Galo, had been responsible for the Straight." The four names, the Herald Next week's 'Militant' said, "were inadvertently included in a list armed opposition and with those who have assassination of Sandinista militants dur­ of prisoners who are refusing to work. In accepted amnesty. ing the struggle against the Somoza dic­ on Che Guevara tatorship. Among those murdered, Guz­ fact, the four were Sandinista leaders who "We have the right to hope and the obli­ gation to demand that the international man pointed out, were Oscar Turcios, the government has cited as victims of Na­ The Militant will feature Cuban Presi­ tional Guardsmen." community be as firm in its support for Ricardo Morales Aviles, Juan Jose dent Fidel Castro's October 8 speech on the peace as Ronald Reagan is in his support Quezada, and Jonathan Gonzalez - The Herald editors declined to offer any 20th anniversary of Che Guevara's death. for war," Borge continued. names known to almost everyone here. explanation of how the error was made, nor The issue will also contain an interview "That contribution to peace must in­ The Herald, displaying the respect for did they make any reference to Borge's with David Deutschmann, editor of the clude, in our judgment, political solidarity facts that it shares with other capitalist speech. - LARRY SEIGLE new book Che Guevara and the Cuban and material aid - without discrimination Revolution, published by Pathfinder/ - to an impoverished region that has been Pacific & Asia in Sydney, Australia.

November 6, 1987 The Militant 3 ' Peace ~· tour reaches:thousands · in · N~ America Ben Linder's example inspires others to join Nicaragua work brigades

BY FRED FELDMAN Workers union President James Kane- in WASHINGTON, D.C.- The band of Pittsburgh. contras- organized, armed, and financed The New Jersey Labor Committee in by the U.S. government- that murdered Support of Democracy and Human Rights Benjamin Linder and two Nicaraguan co­ in El Salvador played an important role as a workers in Nicaragua last April 28 proba­ sponsor and organizer of the tour in Tren­ bly· thought they had scored an important ton, Newark, and New Brunswick. success. Not only had they disrupted con­ Theresa Delgadillo said she was begin­ struction of a network of electric power ning to compile a list of the campuses plants for the peasant villages of northern where the peace tour held meetings. "So Nicaragua, but they expected to strike fear far I've listed at least 40," she said. into the thousands of volunteers from the Wessel said that some of the most suc­ United States and other countries who were cessful speaking engagements, in her opin­ helping Nicaragua. ion, had been at high school assemblies. The terrorist attack has backfired on the perpetrators - both the contras and their In Champaign, Illinois, a predominantly directors in Washington. student audience gave David and Elisabeth The murder of Benjamin Linder, and the Linder a five-minute standing ovation at example he set in devoting his life to help­ the end of their presentation". "Ben Linder ing the Nicaraguan people build a better fu­ inspires many students," said Delgadillo. ture, stirred hundreds of thousands of "They feel under tremendous pressure to people in this country. think about nothing but landing a job and making money. After hearing about Ben Months-long tour s Linder, many of them make comments John Linder- brother of Ben Linder, aU .S. volunteer killed by Nicaraguan contras One reason for this is the Benjamin Lin­ about how Ben's example makes them -with Ben's coworker Lois Wessel speaking at Rutgers University in New Jersey. think about how to live a useful life." der Peace Tour. Initiated by Linder's fam­ Along with other members of peace tour they spoke to thousands of students, union­ ily-David and Elisabeth, his parents; and ists, farmers, and peace groups. Right wing responds John and Miriam, his brother and sister­ it has been joined by four people who knew Right-wing organizations, particularly and worked with Ben in Nicaragua. Nicaraguan agency that oversees building the tour had sought to reach both individu­ the Young Americans for Freedom, have For months they have traveled from one and maintaining power plants; and Tom als and groups that had not been involved made occasional attempts to picket or end of the country to another, getting out Kruse, an architect who .has participated in in antiwar activity before. "I think it was otherwise protest at meetings. Heisel de­ the truth about Ben Linder, why he went to housing construction projects in Nicara­ successful just about everywhere in doing scribed seeing a few ultraright pickets Nicaragua, what he did there, and why and gua. that. Almost every report we gotfrom local wearing T-shirts boasting, "I killed Ben how he was killed. The tour has been co­ "There have been well over I ,000 tour areas talked about people attending meet­ Linder." sponsored nationally by the Nicaragua Net­ meetings - probably many more, we ings who had never come to any previous Wessel said she had been struck by the work, Quixote Center/Quest for Peace, and haven't made a final count yet," said antiwar activity. Almost all the tours wide coverage the tour has won from much National Witness for Peace. Freiwirth. Wessel, who estimated that the reached some group of people- a union, a of the U.S. news media. And the sympathy The national tour is scheduled to end in tour has gone to 44 states, calculated that farming community, a church or that interviewers and reporters voice in mid-November, although family members tour speakers do an average of three en­ synagogue - who were getting the truth their coverage for Ben Linder. The staff will continue to be available for some gagements a day. about Nicaragua for the first time." members showed me a sheaf of scores of clippings from local newspapers . speaking engagements. One measure of the tour's success is the Peace tour in Canada, Sweden "The news coverage has stepped up, In order to get an overall, national pic­ Benjamin Linder Memorial Fund, which "The peace tour is also extending to ture of what the tour has been accomplish­ set the goal of raising $200,000 to com­ especially in the smaller cities and towns, other countries," Freiwirth said. "John because contragate and the Central Ameri­ ing, I talked to the team of antiwar activists plete the projects Ben was working on in Linder toured Montreal and Toronto in late who have been organizing the tour out of a Nicaragua. Joanne Heisel said well over ca peace accords have placed events in October at the invitation of Canadian Ac­ Nicaragua in a new light. Much of it is very tiny office here, near the George Washing­ $170,000 has been collected, and she was tion for Peace and Tools for Nicaragua. ton University campus. sure that the target would be surpassed by sympathetic and some journalists even Miriam Linder is going to western Canada make contributions to the fund after talking They are Theresa Delgadillo, Jerry the end of the tour. "Lots of $5 and $10 in November at the invitation of Farmers Freiwirth, and Joanne Heisel. When I ar­ contributions come into the office with to me." for Peace." "This tour has made great headway in rived at the office on October 23, Lois notes saying things like, 'I'd like to give For one week beginning November 7, Wessel, one of Ben Linder's friends and more, but I'm on Social Security.'" spreading the idea that you should go to John Linder will also be speaking in Swe­ Nicaragua and see for yourself," Freiwirth coworkers who has been on the tour, was "This tour is unique," Heisel continued. den, along with a Nicaraguan high school there too. She had arrived in Washington at "There was simply very broad support and said. "Hundreds of people who attended student, as part of an annual tour in solidar­ meetings have indicated interest in work 6 a.m. that morning, after speaking in a very deep response to hearing the family ity with Nicaragua set up by the Swedish Charlottesville, Virginia. and friends of a U.S. citizen killed while brigades or tours." He showed me a letter Social Democratic Party's youth and from Apache Junction, Arizona, that dem­ As a volunteer in Nicaragua, Wessel has helping people in Nicaragua. What has sur­ women's organizations, and other groups. been a translator for the Nicaraguan Na­ prised me is how long the response has onstrated the impact of the tour. tional Assembly and a frequent participant lasted. In quite a few cities, activists say "The murder of Ben Linder has struck a "Yes, I would like to go to Nicaragua in harvest brigades. After having spent two that the Linder tour meetings have been the chord among farmers, and that was re­ and volunteer to work with the people of months on tour~ with an average of three biggest they have ever held on Central flected in the tour," said Freiwirth. Local Nicaragua . .. . I have no fear of the con­ speaking engagements a day- in the east­ America, or the biggest in a long time." farmers' protest groups helped sponsor the tras. They may kill my body but not my em United States, she plans to return to tour, particularly in the Midwest. soul." Nicaragua in November to resume . her Winning new support While the Benjamin Linder Peace Tour work there. The report sent in by an antiwar activist "John told me that farmers sometimes does not organize brigades and other trips who helped organize a tour for Rebecca came from many miles away to attend to Nicaragua, the success of the tour has in­ Volunteer workers Leaf in Oklahoma was typical. "Judging meetings that he spoke at," Freiwirth con­ spired others to step up their efforts. Other volunteer workers in Nicaragua from the radio talk shows and the questions tinued. "The one held in Paullina, .Iowa, "Casa Nicaragiiense Espaiiol is now car­ who participated in the tour are Anne after Rebecca's presentation, it seems that impressed him the most. And workers and rying out its first tour of the Midwest to re­ Wihbey, a health worker who belongs to people were reached at a gut level, with farmers frequently made up the audiences cruit people to study at their language the order of the Sisters of Notre Dame de something that they could identify with and at local meetings held at churches, espe­ school in Nicaragua," Delgadillo said. cially in the smaller cities and towns that Namur and who has worked in Nicaragua with evidence that the big lies could not de­ "Before they had had many students from since 1984; Rebecca Leaf, an engineer who feat." the tour visited." the East and West coasts, but just about no­ met Ben while both were working for the From its inception, Delgadillo told me, Heisel noted that John Linder had been a featured speaker at a banquet held by the body from the Midwest. Then when they started getting names from Sioux Falls, Federation of Southern Cooperatives in Alabama, attended by more than 200 Black South Dakota, and places like that in the wake of the tour. they were encouraged to Louison speaks in Britain on farmers. reach out there." Farm workers turn out overturn of Grenada revolution Miriam Linder, staff members reported, had just spoken to well over 100 farm BY RICH PALSER leftism, coupled with personal ambition, workers at a meeting in the Yakima Valley, SHEFFIELD, England George take hold within a revolutionary party," he where the United Farm Workers of Wash­ Louison, a former minister in the People's said. ington State has been organizing a fight Revolutionary Government of Grenada be­ "It led to the execution of Maurice against union-busting by the growers. fore its overthrow in October 1983 and Bishop, the man who personified the revo­ "This was reg~ded as a big event in the now a leading member of the Maurice lution, and the other martyrs of October Bishop Patriotic Movement, was a guest 1983, to the Coard supporters turning their towh," Delgadillo said. "Even the marquee at the motel where she stayed carried the speaker here October 3. guns on the masses, and degenerated into message: 'Welcome Miriam Linder.'" The gathering was organized by South savagery with the mutilation of the bodies Yorkshire supporters of the British and the subsequent reign of terror." And Anne Wihbey spoke to a meeting of biweekly newspaper Socialist Action so Louison was asked how Coard' s group more than I 00 farm workers in the Rio that Louison could get out the truth about could have won support within the New Grande Valley in Texas. the Grenada revolution and its overthrow. Jewel Movement. The Benjamin Linder Peace Tour has Louison detailed events leading up to the He explained: "Our own policy on re­ also gained a hearing in the unions. NICARAGUA placing of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop cruitment helped them do this - we were Freiwirth cited two examples - a meeting The Sandinista People's Revolution under house arrest by Bernard Coard and all at fault in this. We said we would not of an International Association of his supporters. He explained how Coard have artisans or those that owned land as Machinists local in Minneapolis, attended Speeches by and interviews with and his supporters organized within the members, and this excluded many who had by more than 200 Northwest Airlines leaders of the Nicaraguan revolution. governing New Jewel Movement to re­ helped make the revolution. And rather workers, where John Linder spoke; and a To order send $10.95, plus$. 75 postage move Bishop from the leadersh.ip. than resulting in a party of workers, it was "labor breakfast" for Elisabeth Linder and and handling, to Pathfinder, 410 West "The process in Grenada should teach us the intelligentsia that came to dominate the Tom Kruse attended by more than 30 St., New York, N.Y. 10014. what can happen when extremism, ultra- party." unionists - including United Electrical

4 The Militant November 6, 1987 Burkina Faso coup African leaders issue condemnations

BY SAM MANUEL Leaders of the Popular Front have at­ Prime Minister Robert Mugabe of Zim­ tempted to justify their coup by claiming babwe and President Kenneth Kaunda of that Sankara was planning to arrest and ex­ Zambia have added their voices to those of ecute his political opponents in the govern­ other African heads of state in condemn­ ing body, the National Council of the Rev­ ing the military coup and execution of olution. President Thomas Sankara in the West Af­ The Compaore regime did not officially rican country of Burkina Faso. announce Sankara's death for four days. In press conferences in Harare and Compaore has claimed that Sankara was Lusaka, Mugabe and Kaunda condemned killed while resisting an attempt to arrest the murder of Sankara, calling him "a true him. revolutionary." Mugabe is also chairman This story is contradicted, howeVer, by of the Movement of Nonaligned Countries, most other accounts. The October 26 New and Kaunda is chairman of the Organiza­ York Times, for example, reported the ac­ tion of African Unity. count of a Western diplomat who said he had interviewed one of Sankara's surviving October 15 coup bodyguards. On October 15 soldiers loyal to Capt. According to the· report, Sankara was Blaise Compaore, minister of state and jus­ unarmed at the time of the attack. "He tice, attacked the presidential palace and raised his hands and said: 'Take me. I'm residence. Sankara and 12 of his aides were the one you want,'" the diplomat reported. killed in the assault. The soldiers then opened fire on him with The Sankara-led government came to automatic rifles and a. grenade. power in 1983 as the result of a popular, Compaore now claims that his men acted Slain Burkina Faso President Thomas Sankara speaking in New York's Black com­ democratic revolution. It won widespread without orders from him when they disco­ munity of Harlem 1984. support within the population for carrying vered the plot by Sankara. He told New York Times reporter James Brooke, "With­ out a series of social programs in the inter­ new leaders to settle their differences with­ out waiting to inform me about this plot, a "campaign of disinformation" against ests of peasants and workers. It was widely out resorting to violence. my men went to arrest him." Compaore. repected among revolutionary fighters Following the news of Sankara's death, Four other left-wing and trade union throughout Africa, as well as in other coun­ Congo, Ghana ~enounce coup Ghana declared a week of mourning. leaders are in hiding. They are Valere tries, for its consistent opposition to im­ In the People's Republic of the Congo Ghana's president, Jerry Rawlings, an­ Some and Basile Guissou, leaders of the perialism. nounced on October 25 that the country's the national radio and television paid hom­ Union of Communist Struggle Recon­ highest medal, the Star of Ghana, bad been The military regime, imposed upon the age to Sankara as "the first revolutionary structed (ULCR); Fidele Toe, a former awarded to Sankara posthumously and that people of Burkina Faso by the counterrevo­ head and popular leader of Burkina Faso." minister of Social Security; and Adama a public square in the capital would be lutionary coup, calls itself the Popular In reference to Compaore the radio de­ Toure, a leader of the Burkinabe Trade named in his honor. Front of October 15. Along with Com­ clared, "This personal friend of Sankara Union Federation and a member of the Pat­ Burkina's new Popular Front regime has paore, its top leaders are Jean Baptiste Lin­ . . . thought he could solve a problem by riotic League for Development (LIPAD). gani, army chief of staff, and Henri Zongo, killing a worthy son of Africa, forgetting dispatched a delegation, headed by Lin­ The October 23 Le Monde reported a gani, to several West African countries to former minister of economic development. that, as the deceased himself stated, 'to­ Popular Front statement broadcast on Bur­ Compaore, Lingani, and Zongo are the morrow there will be 20 more Sankaras.' " explain its actions. kina Faso's national radio aimed at dispel­ central leaders of the Union of Burkinabe In an October 21 statement, the Union of Officials and spokespeople of the Popu­ ling rumors of dissent within the army. The lar Front, sent throughout Burkina Faso to Communists (UCB). The UCB, which has Congolese Socialist Youth appealed to the statement denied that Capt. Boukari Ka­ some civilian members as well as military youth of Burkina Faso to "refuse all collab­ explain the coup and win support, have met bore an airborne commander of the third with widespread condemnation. personnel, was formed by Compaore in oration" with the new regime, which it military region had refused to obey orders of the regime. 1985. By the time of the coup it had ob­ labeled "a government of national trea­ Burkinabe youth oppose regime tained many prominent positions within the son." The youth announced plans for a But the October 25- 26 weekend edition government, the army , the Committees for mass rally on October 29, at which a According to the Paris daily Le Monde, of Le Monde confirmed that Kabore had re­ the Defense of the Revolution, and other school in the capital city, Brazzaville, will students at the Zendar High School in fused to recognize the regime. "I cannot sit mass organizations. be named for Sankara." Ouagadougou threw stones and chased still before the murder of Comrade Thomas away Lt. Oumar Traore, an official of the Sankara and support the person who killed The regime immediately declared a 7:00 The government of Ghana was the first Popular Front, who came to explain the him," Kabore declared according to Le p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew and took control to officially respond to the coup. An Oc­ coup. of all communications systems including tober 17 communique of the Council of Monde. Kabore commands 400 paratroop­ Le Monde also reported that the univer­ ers in the garrison town of Koudougou, the national radio. They also sealed the Ministers expressed its concern at the sity in Ouagadougou was shut down after about 50 miles west of the capital. borders and closed the airports. events in Ouagadougou and called upon the incidents between the large majority of stu­ dents and a handful of Compaore support­ International condemnation ers. In an effort to curb student protests, all The October 19 Barricada, daily news­ Socialist denounces 'Radio Marti,' schools were closed for one week. paper of the Sandinista National Liberation In the days immediately following the Front (FSLN) of Nicaragua, reported on a coup the Popular Front declared a national statement by Julio Lopez, head of the De­ contra aid in Miami mayoral debate holiday and called upon the people of Bur­ partment of International Relations of the kina Faso to march in the streets in support FSLN. Lopez said, "The Sandinista Front BY PETE SEIDMAN of the regime. The march was canceled for regrets the death of the Burkinabe leader MIAMI - The bankers, realtors, and lack of participation. Officials of the Popu­ and repudiates the coup d, etat that took his lawyers who attended the tiger Bay Club lar Front have been unable to point to a life and the lives of other respected politi­ political forum greeted Socialist Workers single rally in its support. cal leaders of that African country." Party mayoral candidate Ernest Mailhot By contrast thousands still flock to the The October 20 Le Monde reported the with polite applause. Mailhot addressed gravesite of Sankara and his aides despite Cuban Communist Party daily, Granma , the first full debate between the five candi-· the heavy presence of soldiers; The mound called the death of Sankara and the coup dates officially certified for the November of earth covering Sankara's body has been "tragic and regrettable events ." It stated 3 primary election for mayor here. adorned with flowers and the flag of Bur­ further that Sankara "was held in great af­ Mailhot, a baggage handler at Eastern kina Faso. "Thomas Sankara, the Bur­ fection by our people. Whatever the future Airlines and member of the International kinabe people will never forget," read a development of events in Burkina Faso, all Association of Machinists Local702, is the hand-written note left at the grave. "Sank­ of its friends in the world are today . con­ only worker and trade unionist in the field. ara, cowardly murdered by traitors," read cerned about the tragic unfolding of the di­ At the debate, held a few weeks ago, another. "We are all Sankara," read a third. vision of the left forces." Mailhot said that working people in Miami ·Many at the gravesite expressed outrage Black American columnist for the New need a mayor who fights to end U.S. fund­ also at the treatment of the president's and York Daily News Earl Caldwell wrote of ing for the Nicaraguan contras. He de­ other victims' bodies. According to the the coup, "Once again, the death of hope in nounced recent programs on Radio Martf, New York Times correspondent, the bodies Africa." Recalling Sankaia's visit to the the U.S. government station that broad­ were initially shoved into a common grave. Black community of Harlem in 1984, casts counterrevolutionary propaganda to Under the cover of darkness and the cur­ Caldwell wrote, "He was young but the Cuba. The station has been witch-hunting few;· soldiers later reburied the-bodies in ideas he had and his enthusiasm soon those in the · Cuban ·community here who . separate plots: The regime has forbidden stamped him as a leader of promise." are said to have had contacts with Cuban any funeral for Sankara. · Hai'ti Progres, a French-language Hai­ diplomats. He called for shutting down Militant The Popular Front has taken several tian weekly published in New York, ran a Radio Marti. . Ernest Mailhot steps to consolidate its power. Immediate'ly five-page spread on Sankara and the Mailhot called for ending all restrictions following the overturn, the Sankara-led accomplishments of the democratic revolu­ on Haitians and other immigrants coming Maurice Ferre declined to answer. Repub­ National Council of the Revolution was tion in Burkina Faso under his leadership. into the -United States and for recognizing lican Arthur Teele promised "real leader­ dissolved along with all other government From a different stance, the Libyan news "their right to receive all government ser­ ship" to bring union and company together. bodies. Pierre Ouedraogo, general secre­ agency JANA reported that Sankara had vices in Creole and Spanish as well as Eng- A number of Mailhot's coworkers have tary of the Committees for the Defense of been "removed" from power and em­ lish." · offered to help out his campaign. One par­ the Revolution, was placed under house ar­ phasized Compaore' s "attachment to the A grim-faced group of police officials ticipated in a major renovation of the cam­ rest and later dismissed. goals and principles of the revolution." heard him demand that Miami police guilty paign headquarters. Another volunteered Gnassingbe Eyadema, president of Togo of murdering Black youths be "locked to help write campaign literature, and Sankara supporters arrested was the first African head of state to pub­ away." others expressed interest in attending cam­ More recently two former ministers in licly support the Popular Front counterrev­ Mailhot asked the opposing candidates paign debates. Sankara's revolutionary government were olution in Burkina Faso. In an official what they would do to help workers at A number of Cuban coworkers told arrested - Nongma Ernest Ouedraogo, statement broadcast on the national radio, Eastern Airlines, who face company de­ Mailhot that they agree with his opposition minister of territorial administration, and Eyadema said his government would strive mands for wage cuts of up to 50 percent. to Washington's funding of the contras and Eugene nata Dondasse, minister of fi­ to strengthen · cooperation with Ouaga­ Mayor Xavier Suarez and former Mayor think that Radio Martf should be closed. nances. They were charged with having led dougou.

November 6, 1987 The Militant 5 Publications fund needs your help $150,000 to aid socialist press

BY NORTON SANDLER Every week the Militant explains how Militant readers including new subscrib­ the fights of working people in this country ers will soon receive a letter encouraging are interrelated with the struggles of work­ them to make a contribution to the ers and farmers around the world. $150,000 Socialist Publications Fund. Since Nicaragua's workers and farmers The support many readers have already toppled the Somoza dictatorship in 1979, Militant/Sam Manuel the Militant's Managua, Nicaragua, Bu­ Militant reporters attended recent anti-apartheid conference in Burkina Faso. given to .the fund is greatly appreciated. Socialist Publications Fund makes such important coverage possible. But to make the drive in full and on time by reau has provided weekly coverage of the the November 24 deadline we are going to unfolding revolution. need additional help from you and from In the last year, the Militant has pro­ ing people in this country and around the target week. Seattle added 75 regular Mili­ those who have not yet made a contribu­ vided on-the-spot reporting from Angola, world as possible. tant readers and five PM readers. Phoenix tion. Burkina Faso, Cuba, the Philippines, Brit­ On October 24 supporters in New York signed up 58 new Militant subscribers and This is the largest fund organized by the ain, Haiti, and Trinidad and other coun­ helped put out a special 700-piece mailing 23 PM subscribers. socialist publications in several years. tries. including last week's issue, with extensive Talking about the events in Burkina Faso Every penny is budgeted and, as the letter Last month Sam Manuel and Margaret coverage of Burkina Faso. It went out to helped a three-person New York team sell explains, the $150,000 fund is crucial to Manwaring traveled to Burkina Faso to newspapers and political activists in this 11 Militant subscriptions and 6 PM sub­ expanding the distribution of the Militant, cover the October 8-13 Pan-African anti­ country, Canada, the Caribbean, and Af­ scriptions on a busy Bronx street comer. the Spanish-language monthly Perspectiva apartheid conference in Ouagadougou. The rica. The mailing cost over $1,000. "A few people had heard of Burkina Mundial, the Marxist journal New Interna­ revolutionary government there was over­ We thought readers would also be inter­ Faso and knew about the coup," team tional, the French-language Nouvelle ln­ thrown a few days after the conference, ested in hearing about a few other expenses member Meryl Farber explained. "We con­ ternationale, and Pathfinder books and and its central leader, Thomas Sankara, the fund is helping to meet. vinced them that by reading the Militant pamphlets. was murdered. One is the cost of producing the weekly over the next few weeks they could learn Our financing comes from working The Militant is making a special effort to paper. The price of newsprint is rising, and the truth about what happened." people - our readers and distributors - get the truth about the accomplishments of we recently had to pay $4,000 more than Mike Shur, who coordinates the New who understand how vital it is for the truth the Burkina revolution under the Sankara normal for a truckload of paper. York drive, explained that supporters there to be told. leadership into the hands of as many work- We try to get each new issue of the Mil­ held several discussions to try to tum itant in the hands of distributors within 36 around their slow start in the drive. They hours after it is printed. This is crucial to took time to discuss the political contents having the paper circulated nationally at of the paper before sending teams out. Fall Sales Scoreboard . plant gates, in working-class communities, Ilona Gersh, who is working on the sub­ and on campuses in a timely manner. scription campaign in Seattle, said their ef­ New Perspectiva The fund is far behind schedule both in fort was aided by several swings to cam­ terms of the amount pledged and the total puses around Washington State. Some of Militant International Mundial collected. The challenge before all sup­ the teams coincided with campus speaking subscripllons silljjleropies su!Jocriplions porters is to immediately get the amount engagements for Marea Himelgrin, a lead­ Area Goal Sold %Sold Goal Sold %So Goal Sold %Sold pledged up from the $123,500 where it is er of the Young Socialist Alliance. Portland, o.e. 80 65 81 40 25 63 30 4 13 now, to over $150,000. In each local area, Gersh pointed out that since the begin­ many more supporters can be organized to ning of the drive Seattle supporters have 81 25 12 48 40 28 70 SanDiego 85 69 make a contribution to the fund. Others sold 20 subscriptions in factories where Greensboro, N.c. 140 112 IJJ 20 14 70 15 6 40 who have made pledges already can be en­ they work. Louisville, .,. 5 4 IJJ couraged to increase their contributions. Phoenix supporters raised their goal Boston 200 154 77 50 25 50 100 33 33 There is also less than a month to go on from 110 Militant subscriptions to 140, Oeveland 105 77 73 20 0 0 15 4 27 the campaign to win 6,000 new Militant based on their target-week success. Danny readers. Booher reported that 21 people participated Des Moines, lowo 125 89 71 35 11 31 15 2 13 As a result of the October 17-24 Mili­ in the target-week distribution effort in that Cincinnati 10 7 70 tant subscription target week, several areas city. Houston 200 135 68 50 0 0 40 12 30 have begun to build the kind of momentum Booher said they tried to clear the decks Los Angeles 300 197 66 100 58 58 175 89 51 that will be needed in the remaining weeks of other activities so each supporter could Seattle 300 193 64 50 22 44 50 26 52 to meet the goal. circulate the paper at least three times dur­ In New York, supporters signed up 103 ing the week. He said this was in addition Morgantom~, w.v. 130 83 64 25 0 0 5 20 new Militant subscribers and 25 new read­ to the regular weekly plant-gate sale that 10 1 10 Baltimore 140 85 61 40 0 0 ers of Perspectiva Mundial during the many supporters there participate in. Detroit 200 121 61 35 9 26 25 5 20 Phoenix 140 83 59 25 10 40 100 60 60 Miami 120 71 59 40 0 0 40 17 43 Managua Bureau staff change Washington, o.c. 130 76 58 60 25 42 30 19 63

Omaha, Nob. 70 40 57 20 5 25 10 7 70

Birmingham, AI• 150 84 56 35 0 0 5 4 80

Albany, NY 20 11 55 Kansas City 105 57 54 25 2 8 20 8 40 Salt Lake City 150 81 54 25 3 12 25 7 28 San Francisco 180 96 53 50 0 0 70 44 63

Twin Cities, M;"'· 180 95 53 75 38 51 20 s 25 NewYork 600 316 53 350 234 67 200 151 76 Atlanta 120 63 53 35 15 43 20 12 60 Annandale," v 20 10 50 2

Oakland, cahf. 150 74 49 100 14 14 50 12 24 St. Louis 175 86 49 50 18 36 10 5 50 Newark,"'· 350 171 49 75 26 35 125 41 33 Austin, M;.,. 85 41 48 10 0 0 15 2 13 Militant photos by Holbrook Mahn Milwaukee 115 54 47 35 18 51 15 4 27 Cindy Jaquith and Larry Seigle Philadelphia 150 70 47 50 0 0 50 8 16 San Jose, c.M 75 34 45 50 19 38 The Managua Bureau of the Militant and He also helped edit several Pathfinder Charleston, w.v.. 125 48 38 20 3 15 1 Perspectiva Mundial has a new director ef­ books on Cuba. fective this week. Larry Siegle is replacing Price, uub 48 14 29 10 0 0 2 0 0 Jaquith, a longtime staff writer and Cindy Jaquith in the assignment of heading former editor of the Militant, has headed 13 17 Chicago 225 61 27 50 0 0 75 up the three-person bureau in Nicaragua, the Managua Bureau since August 1985. Amherst, Mos.. 5 1 20 which also includes reporters Roberto She will be returning to the Militant's staff Pittsburgh 175 27 15 10 2 20 Kopec and Harvey McArthur. in New York.

Davenport, Iowa 5 0 0 Seigle, a former Militant editor, has The Managua Bureau of the Militant and Coal Teams 12 played a leading role in the Socialist Work­ Perspectiva Mundial was established in ers Party's campaign to win wide support August 1979, just a month after the victory 3 Other U.S. areas 20 for the lawsuit brought by the party and of the Sandinista revolution. No other Britain 75 69 92 140 116 83 5 2 40 Young Socialist Alliance against political weekly publication in the United States has Canada 28 12 spying by the U.S. government. maintained such a consistent presence in Seigle has been a contributor to the revolutionary Nicaragua. 14 New Zealand Marxist magazine New International. This continuity provides Militant and Puerto Rico J2 His article in the current issue, entitied PM readers with the most accurate and Other Internat'l 10 5 "Washington's 50-Year Domestic Contra timely direct reports on the progress of the Operation," examines the history of gov­ Nicaraguan revolution available in North Totals 5,763 3,308 55% 1,770 703 35% 1,467 688 46% ernment spying and disruption against the America. It has also facilitated the broad Drive Goals 6,000 2,000 1,500 labor, Black rights, and antiwar move­ dissemination of the statements of the Nic­ ments. He looks at this history of FBI law­ araguan government and Sandinista leaders Should Be 4,248 71% 1,416 71% 1,062 71% lessness in light of the SWP and YSA suit. on many important subjects.

6 Auto union gets new contracts at GM, Ford Claim that pacts offer job security masks speed-up drive, plant closings

BY SUSAN LaMONT Much more serious, however, is the fact AND JEFF POWERS that this "job security" program is being This fall the United Auto Workers union used by the UA W leadership to mask its (UA W) reached agreements on new three­ agreement to quietly go along with General year contracts with Ford Motor Co. and Motors' decision to close 14 plants and General Motors Corp. They cover 104,000 curtail production at 5 more, resulting in workers at Ford and 335,000 at GM. the layoff of some 37,000 union members. The negotiations and resulting contracts In addition, the union agrees that the have generated a lot of coverage in the big­ number of jobs that remain "secure" will be business media, and many workers in other reduced through the life of the contract by industries followed them with interest. an additional 30,000 to 40,000. This The truth about what the contracts will means that the work force at GM could go mean for auto workers is buried under an from 335,000 in 1987 to 280,000 by 1990 avalanche of praise from both corporations - that's assuming a "decline in sales" and the UA W tops. Roger Smith, chairman doesn't occur. of the board of General Motors, described the new contract as "a big turning point in 'Efficiency' teams our relationship with our employees" Also damaging to auto workers is the Auto workers face spread of "teams" and other labor-intensification schemes as auto which will help get GM "cost competitive agreement of the UA W itself to take re­ corporations push for higher profits. and quality competitive worldwide." This sponsibility for coming up with proposals echoes Ford President Harold Polling's de­ for "plans . . . or changes needed to im­ scription of the new Ford contract as a "his­ prove quality and efficiency" at each GM already has in helping the company discip­ sification campaign. And what isn't accom­ toric document." plant within six months after the contract is line workers on the job, including helping plished in the national contract will be dri­ ven through in the local contracts, where ratified. According to Bieber, "GM must the company come up with plans to get 'Job security' regain market share through better prod­ union members to work harder and faster. more details about work rules and line speed At the center of the hoopla is the claim ucts and processes." The implementation of the "team con­ are dealt with. that the new contracts will provide unpre­ cept" is central to GM's reorganization Included in both the GM and Ford settle­ cedented job security for UA W members. Included in the proposals are "the estab­ drive. The company model is the New ments are a 3 percent wage increase the first UA W President Owen Bieber says the new lishment of the team concept and/or pay­ United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) year of the contract and lump-sum payments GM contract will "achieve job security for for-knowledge wage structure" and "exam­ plant in Fremont, California. At that plant, equaling 3 percent for each of the two fol­ our GM membership and make stable em­ ination of new forms of work organization, which is a joint GM-Toyota venture, the lowing years. ployment a part of the way the corporation such as job assignments relating to just-in­ same number of cars are being made with This means that between 1984 and 1990 does business." Similar claims are made time or other quality-enhancement sys­ half the number of workers as were in the - the span of two contracts-auto workers for the Ford agreement. tems" and "initiatives to reduce chronic ab­ plant before it reopened with "teams." will have received yearly pay increases Called "Secure Employment Levels" senteeism." equal to half of one percent per year. During (SEL) at GM and "Guaranteed Employ­ Translated into plain English, this means The new GM contract gives the blessing this time, both Ford and GM have made bil­ ment Numbers" (GEN) at Ford, the idea is the union is going to go even further than it of the union leadership to this labor-inten- lions in profits. that auto workers who have been on the job for a year or more cannot be laid off except if there is a decline in sales. A worker whose job is lost for some other reason - Kentucky frame-up trial targets UMWA automation, for example-can be asked to take another job in the company, including BY DUNCAN WILLIAMS people have been convicted. Somebody's would participate in and raise funds at the a nonunion one, or be transferred to CANADA, Kentucky - "My husband got to stand by them. They are union Jobs and Justice rally in Nashville on another plant. is innocent, but the defense is going to brothers." November I . "Most of our support so far The SEL at GM will be funded by $1.3 have to prove him innocent, not the gov­ All six men have attorneys now, Dixon has come from unions and union mem­ billion for the three years of the contract. ernment prove him guilty. The media has told the Militant. While a great deal more bers," he said. The GEN at Ford has a $500 million cap. already tabbed him guilty." money needs to be raised, the committee is A bank account for defense of the miners "satisfied with the progress we 've made." Workers who are laid off will supposedly This statement comes from Barbara has been established at the First National receive their full pay from these funds. A Thornsbury, the wife of David Thorns­ Dixon, who is also a member of the Bank of Pikeville. Donations should be little arithmetic shows that as few as 3,000 bury, one of six men facing serious federal UMW A International executive board mailed to: Citizens for Justice, P.O. Box 8, workers at Ford and less than 10,000 work­ charges in relation to the 1984-85 United from District 30, indicated the committee Canada, Ky . 415 19. ers at GM could be covered by these pro­ Mine Workers of America (UMWA) strike grams for the three years of the agree­ against A.T. Massey Co. and its affiliates ments. in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. Events mark Grenada revolution In early August of this year, five of the men were indicted on various federal BY MIKE TABER ago. The pet1t1on also demands that the Support the Fall charges involving use of a weapon to inter­ NEW YORK - Events were held here U.S.-installed government stop its victimi­ fere with interstate commerce. The charges and in Grenada, Cuba, and elsewhere in zation of Marry show, a certified doctor Socialist stem from the May 29, 1985, shooting October to mark the accomplishments of trained in Cuba. On political grounds, the death of Hayes West, a scab coal hauler for the Grenada revolution from its triumph in government has refused to grant him a Publications Samoyed Energy, which was being struck 1979 to its overthrow in 1983. On October license to practice medicine in Grenada. by the UMW A at the time, 19 of that year, Prime Minister Maurice Fund Indicted were Donnie Thornsbury, pres­ In Cuba several activities were held to Bishop was murdered following a coup led commemorate the October 1983 events. At a rally August 13 ident of UMW A Local 2496; his cousin by Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard, David; Ervin Smith, vice-president of the On October 23, the Cuban Institute for we announced the opening the island to a U.S. invasion later Friendship with the Peoples (I CAP) held a same local; his brother James Darrell; and that month. launching of this Arnold Heightland. In October Paul Smith news conference in Marie! featuring fund, which has a was indicted and arrested on the same In Grenada, the Maurice Bishop Patrio­ MBPM leader Don Rojas, followed by a goal of raising charges. All except Heightland are mem­ tic Movement (MBPM) and Maurice Bish­ meeting that afternoon. $150,000 by bers of the UMWA. op Youth Organisation (MBYO) sponsored On October 25, the MBPM in Cuba an activity October 19 in the town of Vic­ November 24. The men were rousted out of bed at sponsored a meeting in Havana to discuss toria in St. Mark's Parish. According to the state of the Caribbean region four years Its purpose is to fi­ dawn by gun-toting FBI and Kentucky state police agents. In at least one case, the MBYO leader Terry Marryshow, some after the Grenada events. Participants in­ nance publication of 3,000 participated. family was held at gunpoint while the cluded Grenadian students in Cuba and the Militant, the The day-long event included sports activ­ miner was handcuffed and taken away. representatives from other English-speak­ monthly Perspectiva ities, Calypso performances, poetry read­ All the men are still in jail, having been ing Caribbean islands . Mundial, the Marxist ings, and speeches by MBPM leaders Eins­ denied bail under the provisions of the Several events were also held in New magazine New Inter­ 1984 Bail Reform Act. tein Louison, Terry Marryshow, and Ken­ national, the French­ drick Radix. York City. On October 17, a meeting of 50 The arrests are part of the antiunion cam­ people at St. Gregory's Church in Brook­ language Nouvelle paign waged by A.T. Massey and its af­ According to Marryshow, the event was Internationale, and lyn discussed Bishop's political legacy and filiates since October 1984, when the part of the MBPM's reorganization drive to the situation in Grenada today. Speakers Pathfinder books UMWA strike against them began. Tear recruit new members, especially among included a representative from the MBPM; and pamphlets. gas, dogs, company thugs, state police, the youth of Grenada. MBPM and MBYO Dessima Williams, former Grenadian rep­ As of October 28, and court injunctions were used on the meetings are being held in villages resentative to the Organization of Ameri­ $123,500 has been strikers. throughout the island, he said. The activity can States; Rev . Herbert Daughtry; and pledged and The government's case has all the mark­ closed with the video "Maurice," produced Rev. Lucius Walker, executive director of $47,700 collected. ings of a frame-up. Without presenting any by Cuban filmmaker Estela Bravo. the Inter-religious Foundation for Commu­ evidence, the prosecutors have put out re­ nity Organization. I wish to help the fund, enclosed is: ports and rumors that the weapons have On October 25, a I 0-kilometer race was been found, that they have witnesses being held from Grenada's international airport On October 19, 500 people attended a - $1,000 - $500 - $100 - begun by the revolutionary government held under the witness security program, meeting at Hunter College to commemo­ _ $25 $ other and that one of the defendants will testify - to the cemetery, to honor the martyrs of rate Bishop, Mozambique leader Samora October 19, as well as the Grenadian sol­ against the others. Machel, who was killed in October 1986, diers and Cuban construction workers who Name ------­ The Citizens for Justice has been or­ and murdered Burkina Faso leader Thomas fell in combat resisting the U.S. attack in Address ------­ ganized here "to solicit donations from Sankara. City------1983. State Zip _____ people who feel the guys are entitled to fair On October 25 an event was held in and decent representation," according to its Out of these two activities, the MBPM Brooklyn sponsored by the MBPM Sup­ Mail to Fall Socialist Publications chairman Charles Dixon. "An indictment has launched a petition campaign to de­ port Group and the Grenada Foundation. Fund, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. is not proof of guilt," he added. mand that the Grenadian government re­ Queens College Professor Rod Thurton 10014. Another committee supporter, Tunis turn MBPM leader Einstein Louison's and Grenada Foundation leaders Joachim Smith, told a television reporter, "A lot of passport, which was revoked two years Mark and Wilton DeCoteau spoke.

November 6, ·1987 The Militant 7 fhe 'Cuban missile crisis' 25 ye Why U.S. policy of invasions, blockades, and threats against Cuba and its re'

BY MARGARET JAYKO sovereign nation of Cuba off the map for ing Cuban livestock with contagious dis­ accepting the demands of the Umted October marks the 25th anniversary of procuring weapons to defend itself against eases, and numerous attempts on Castro's States, which in our view curtailed the what the Cuban people call the "October actual and threatened U.S. military aggres­ life. rights of our country." crisis" or "Caribbean crisis." The U.S. sion. Or suggests that the Soviet govern­ In the face of this belligerence the Cuban In a February 1985 interview that ap­ media refers to it as the "Cuban missile ment has the right to provide weapons to government asked for, and got, help from peared on the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, crisis." any country that asks for them - without the Soviet Union. This included antiair­ Castro explained, "Look, we would not In the wake of the Bay of Pigs invasion having to face off with the Pentagon. craft weapons as well as medium and inter­ have opposed seeking a solution, no. We in April 1961, Cuba had received missiles • Most contend that lessons learned by mediate-range missiles. The U.S. govern­ would have agreed to sit down and discuss from the Soviet Union capable of carrying the White House from the October 1962 ment learned about the nuclear-capable it. We would not have preferred war fc,. the nuclear warheads for defense against future events have prevented Washington from missiles on October 15. · sake of war under any circumstances. We U.S. attacks. In October 1962 President repeating its unsuccessful 1961 invasion But even before that, in response to the disagreed because the decision was made John Kennedy demanded that the missiles attempt at the Bay of Pigs - not the mili­ antiaircraft weapons, and other military without consulting us. This is the crux of be removed. Washington ordered a block­ tary strength and preparedness of the aid, the U.S. big-business media went the problem . . .. Cuban people for 25 years. wild. In the weeks preceding the October ade of Cuba, threatened an immediate in­ "Now then," he continued, "after 15 cns1s, headlines screamed, "Russian vasion of the island, and placed U.S. years elapsed it was proven that they were forces throughout the world on nuclear Revolution on Washington's doorstep Troops Mass in Cuba," and "Castro Gets right, that a war, a nuclear war, was avoid­ The origin of the tensions between the Missiles." And senators from both alert. Red ed and that Cuba was not invaded. At •.;:;ast Within Cuba, a massive mobilization of U.S. and Cuban governments lies in Wash­ sides of the aisle clamored for immediate during these years we had to accept that the population took place as the country ington's hostility to the victorious Cuban invasion of the island. This emboldened they were right. It's not the way we would prepared for the possibility of U.S. attack. revolution. right-wing Cubans to step up terrorist at­ have done it. But actually the objective The crisis abated following an agree­ tacks against Cuba. On Jan. 1, 1959, the triumphant Rebel thing, the argument was right, the funda­ A key piece in Washington's hate-Cuba ment by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev Army led by Fidel Castro ousted the U.S.­ mental argument." to remove the missiles in exchange for a backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. campaign was pressuring its imperialist al­ commitment by Kennedy that Washington lies in Europe, and Latin American govern­ New revelation would not invade Cuba. What irked Washington about this up­ ments, to join the embargo against Cuba At the March reunion of missile L ,sis Two and a half decades later, reminis­ heaval was that the revolutionary govern­ and support Washington's military moves. participants referred to earlier, a new fact cences by U.S. and Soviet government of­ ment was determined to remove the boot of Fearful that the example of the Cuban rev­ came out about the negotiations. Former ficials involved in the events, and rumina­ U.S. economic and political oppression olution would lead to uprisings in their own tions by media commentators, abound. and exploitation from the neck of the im­ countries-and reluctant to disobey orders In March of this year, eight veterans of poverished Cuban people. from Washington - the regimes in the the Kennedy administration, along with a The more uncompromising the revolu­ hemisphere fell in line behind Washington, dozen or so professors, gathered at a luxury tionary regime was in putting the needs of though Kennedy was unable to get their resort in the Florida Keys for a four-day Cuban working people over the profits of open support for an invasion of Cuba. conference to "relive" the events. U.S. business interests in Cuba, the more And at Harvard University in October, a belligerent Washington became. Kennedy threatens nuclear war meeting brought together some of the same In March 1960 President Dwight On October 22 Kennedy made a nation­ senior members of the Kennedy adminis­ Eisenhower secretly ordered the creation of wide broadcast in which he revealed that tration with Soviet officials. a counterrevolutionary mercenary force Moscow was sending the medium and in­ made up of Cuban exiles in preparation for termediate range missiles that Cuba could Main things not discussed an invasion. use to defend itself. No matter what point in the capitalist po­ On July 5, 1960, his administration The U.S. president announced a naval litical spectrum they come from, however, stopped purchase of Cuban sugar. On Oc­ blockade of Cuba and indicated that it the analyses in the major media of the Oc­ tober 19 he declared a trade embargo. would be followed up with "whatever ac­ tober 1962 events all share certain common On Jan. 3, 1961 , Eisenhower broke off tion was necessary to securing the removal features: diplomatic relations with Cuba. of the missiles." • The events are presented as a tense Kennedy, who was sworn in on January As he spoke, the navy deployed 180 and deadly duel between the governments 20, took over command of the secret war. ships in the Caribbean, and troops were of the United States and the USSR. Cuba The military invasion began on April 15. moved to Florida and other southeastern - its revolution and its government - are Two days later, the expeditionary forces states. The Defense Department an­ seen as peripheral. But that's precisely equipped by the CIA and Pentagon landed nounced it would begin stocking its bomb what the events were about. The cause of at Playa Giron in the Bay of Pigs. The inva­ shelters with food and water. A B-52 the crisis was not a Soviet nuclear threat to sion was defeated in 64 hours. bomber force, fully loaded with atomic the United States. It was a U.S. threat to in­ On Feb. 3, 1962, Kennedy made the weapons, was ordered into the air. U.S. vade Cuba. trade embargo complete. And he adopted armed forces around the world were put on • No one questions whether Washing­ "Operation Mongoose," which included alert. Both the United States and Soviet ton had any right to threaten to wipe the burning crops, blowing up planes, infect- Union were on nuclear alert. Kennedy issued a secret ultimatum to Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro re• Khrushchev on October 27. It reportedly fused to allow UN inspection of missile demanded immediate recall of the missiles sites, citing the role of UN forces i. thp in return for U.S. agreement to withdraw assassination of Patrice Lumumba in the its obsolete Jupiter missiles from Turkey, Congo. and a pledge not to invade Cuba. Secretary of State Dean Rusk revealed that Cubans not consulted Kennedy had decided, in case Moscow re­ On October 28 Khrushchev submitted to jected his ultimatum, that he would ask U the ultimatum and also agreed to Ken­ Thant, then secretary general of the United nedy's demand for United Nations' inspec­ Nations, to publicly propose remov; r tion of the missile sites in Cuba. This was both the Jupiters and the missiles in Cuba, done without any consultation with the to avoid war and allow the Soviet govern­ Cuban government, a fact that the Cubans ment to save face. protested at the time and that Castro has This shows that there were hesitations in spoken about many times since. U.S. ruling circles about paying the huge In Castro's Cuba, Cuba's Fidel, a book political price launching an attack that written by Lee Lockwood and published in could lead to nuclear war would have en­ 1967, Lockwood asked Castro if there was tailed. However, it is being touted tod;.w as some way Cuba could have kept the mis­ an example of how Kennedy was willing to siles once Moscow and Washington "go the extra mile to avoid a conflict," a reached the agreement. " It would have notion that the Cuban victims of Kennedy's been at the cost of a complete break with undeclared war would have trouble under­ the Soviet Union, and that would have standing. An invasion of Cuba was an been really absurd on our part," replied operative military option - one that had Castro. already been attempted 18 months earlier. As far as sentiment in Cuba went, Castro explained, "We ~re all of us advocates of Assumed imminent U.S. invasion keeping the missiles in Cuba . . .. The Oct. 14, 1987, Miami Herald had a "That does not mean that we would have front-page article reporting another new been opposed to the death to any solution "revelation." whatsoever, but we would have preferred a "The Soviet Union secretly installed nu­ more satisfactory solution, with the partici­ clear missiles in Cuba 25 years ago this pation of Cuba in the discussion," Castro week largely because they believed an added. American invasion of the island was immi­ What might have been an alternative, nent, a Soviet official said Tuesday,'' :c­ Lockwood asked the Cuban leader. cording to the report. This "news" was re­ "At that moment we were advocates of vealed at the previously mentioned Har­ ·a confronting the events. We felt that we had vard meeting on the October crisis. During missile crisis, Cuba mobilized its population to defend the country against possible a clear right as a sovereign country to adopt Former defense secretary Robert U.S. invasion. This act, the arming of Cuba, and the more recent creation of the Territorial measures that were pertinent to our de­ McNamara responded to the announce­ Troop Militia have prevented U.S. invasions since its attempt in 1961. fense, and we were absolutely opposed to ment, "Can you imagine that!" as he

8 The Militant November 6, 1987 :ars later rolution have failed

pounded the table. "We had no intention of invading Cuba." Castro has explained many times that the missiles were installed, after discussions between the Soviet and Cuban govern­ ments, as a step toward putting defense of Cuba on a new level; that is, making it clear to Washington that an attack on Cuba would risk a war with the Soviet Union. Twenty-five years ago President John Kennedy gave ultimatum that Soviet-provided missiles be removed from Cuba. U.S. warships In an article in the April 1, 1984, issue of stopped shipping bound for Cuba, creating international crisis. Above, U.S. destroyer interdicts Soviet merchant ship. Parade Magazine, Tad Szulc quotes Cas­ tro saying ·that in the wake of the Bay of travel and move around. our people to defend themselves and strug­ plying all the force that the White House, Pigs invasion, the Cuban government told In the early 1960s a ban on travel to gle to the end .. .. Pentagon, and Wall Street could muster, the Soviet government, "though we didn't Cuba was imposed, which lasted until "Should the commitment be broken, are U.S. policy toward Cuba has been a miser­ speak of missiles - that it was necessary 1978. It was reimposed in 1982. we going to wait until then to prepare the able failure. to make it clear that an invasion of Cuba In May 1985 Washington started up an country? Are we going to wait for military The Cuban revolution is politically, would mean war with the Soviet anti-Cuba propaganda station in Miami, action to prepare the country? We have to economically, and militarily stronger. It is Union .... It could be a military pact." named Radio Marti after Cuba's national look ahead and spend years preparing." more popular among the people of Cuba Then Castro said, the Soviet government hero, Jose Marti. and of the world; less isolated in the hemi­ proposed the missiles. Territorial Troop Militia sphere; more of a beacon of hope and inspi­ During the October invasion threat, the Nicaragua, Grenada: a turning point An important step the Cubans took to de­ ration; and more of a factor in world and Cuban people mobilized in their millions. With the 1979 victories of the popular fend themselves was to establish the Terri­ U.S. politics than it has ever been in its his­ This was designed to let Washington know revolutions in Nicaragua and Grenada, and torial Troop Militia. tory. that were U.S. troops to land on the island, the rapid growth of the left-wing rebel In his 1980 May Day speech, Castro When the people of Angola, in 1975, the war would be protracted, bloody, and forces in El Salvador, U.S. military inter­ called for the formation of a militia, for the asked Cuba to send troops to help fend off the outcome not at all predetermined in the vention in the Caribbean and Central first time since the early years of the revo­ a South African invasion and allow Angola Pentagon's favor. America increased accordingly. lution. It is organized into small units in to declare its independence, the Cubans re­ When it became clear to Washington each workplace and neighborhood. Partici­ sponded. The Cuban people have sent tens 'Cuba is not the Congo!' that both the Nicaraguan and Grenada rev­ pation is voluntary. More than 1 million of thousands of teachers, doctors, and tech­ The Cuban government refused to go olutions could not be bought or sold by im­ Cuban men and women have enrolled to nicians to dozens of countries - with no along with Kennedy's demand for UN in­ perialism, and that their example was in­ date. strings attached. spection of the sites. spiring the peoples of the hemisphere and At the same time, Cuba carried out some When revolutionary Nicaragua recently Posters displaying a photograph of Pat­ the rest of the world, Washington began its of the largest demonstrations in the history sounded the alarm on its shortage of fuel, rice Lumumba and the slogan "Cuba is not moves to undermine them. of the island, to show the imperialists that Cuba was the first country to make a dona­ the Congo!" went up all over Cuba as a The threats against Grenada and Nicara­ if they invaded, they would face the wrath tion, despite its own difficult financial situ­ pointed reminder of how the leader of the gua also included a new round of military of the entire Cuban people. ation. Congolese revolution was assassinated in threats against Cuba. On April 19, 1980, more than a million Cuba has been the leading voice in the 1961 and his government destroyed during A critical point occurred in the fall of Cubans marched in Havana to show their world exposing and condemning Washing­ the intervention of UN forces there. 1981. On November 4 that year, uniden­ support for the revolution. ton's aggression against Nicaragua and its In an October 23 television address, tified U.S. administration officials chose to Less than a month later, on May 1, more intervention in El Salvador. Castro explained, "We refuse to give per­ make public that Secretary of State Alexan­ than one and a half million Cubans rallied. Cuban construction workers were help­ mission to anyone to examine, to investi~ der Haig had asked the Pentagon "to study Then on May 17, over a million people ing to build the sorely needed international gate our country- no matter who it is. a show of airpower, large naval exercises, marched in front of the U.S. Interests Sec­ airport in revolutionary Grenada at the re­ "Cuba is not the Congo. Under the UN a quarantine on the shipment of arms to the tion chanting, "Jimmy Ca,rter, you rat, re­ quest of the country's prime minister, flag they went to the Congo and killed its island, a general blockade as part of an act member the Bay of Pigs!" Maurice Bishop. leader and the spirit of independence of of war, and an invasion by American and On May Day the next year, a million Cu­ And when Bishop's government was that people. possibly Latin American forces," accord­ bans participated in the Fighting March for overthrown by a coup led by Bernard "Anyone who comes to inspect anything ing to the November 5 New York. Times. Production and Defense. Coarct in October 1983, and Washington in Cuba had better come prepared for bat­ Haig had said that Cuba was the "source" responded by invading, Cuba got out the tle. We don't ask to investigate in others' of Washington's problems in the hemi­ U.S. policy a fiasco facts about the bloody coup and tried to territory." sphere. Unable to mount a direct invasion of head off the invasion. The armed forces of Cuba, Nicaragua, Cuba since the Bay of Pigs debacle, Wash­ Cuba led the Latin American protests in Protests hit U.S. war moves and Grenada were on full alert. ington has nevertheless kept up a steady 1982 against British imperialism's war to Protests in the United States and around In 1982 Congress passed the Symms drumbeat of military and economic pres­ retake the Malvinas Islands from Argen­ the world condemned the U.S. threats Amendment, a virtual word-for-word repe­ sure on Cuba. tina. against Cuba. tition of a congressional resolution adopted The goal is two-fold: to attempt to pres­ And Fidel Castro has become the voice On October 27, some 2,000 people pick­ in 1962. sure the leadership of the Cuban Com­ of hundreds of millions of people in Latin eted at the United Nations. In Washington, It stated that Washington is determined munist Party to modify its unparalleled in­ America, Asia, and Africa who are saying D.C., 1,000 people picketed. In San Fran­ to "prevent by whatever means may be ternationalist support for the oppressed and that the foreign debt their countries "owe" cisco, 3,000 protested. necessary, including the use of arms, the exploited throughout the world and its to the imperialist bankers is morally and fi­ The following day, 10,000 people again Marxist-Leninist regime in Cuba from ex­ communist political course at home; and to nancially unpayable and that a new, equit­ demonstrated at the United Nations - the tending by force or the threat of force its erode support for the revolution among the able, international economic order is ur­ biggest demonstration ever held at the aggressive or subversive activities to any Cuban people by imposing a maximum of gently needed. United Nations up to that time. part of this hemisphere"; and to "prevent in economic hardships and a constant war of Within Cuba, the leadership of the A wave of protests also swept Latin Cuba the creation or use of an externally nerves on the military level. Cuban Communist Party has embarked on America. And thousands marched in supported military capability endangering After 28 years of trying, however, ap- Continued on Page 13 Trafalgar Square in London. In China, a the security of the United States." vast rally in Beijing sent a pledge of sup­ port to Castro and the Cuban people. Noninvasion pledge 25 more years of aggression These renewed threats raised the ques­ New! tion of whether Washington was openly The removal of the Soviet missiles saying that the 1962 pledge not to invade didn't mark the end of U.S. aggression Cuba was still in effect. against Cuba. That has continued up until In an interview with the U.S. magazine Che Guevara and the present. Newsweek in 1983, Castro explained that a the Cuban Revolution In 1975 a Senate committee headed by U.S. invasion of Cuba "would flagrantly Frank Church reported that from 1960 to violate the 1962 accords, and, while we Writings and Speeches of 1965, U.S. officials organized a series of count fundamentally on our own forces for plots to assassinate Castro. Revelations defense and therefqre consider ourselves Ernesto Che Guevara also appeared on Washington's use of an absolutely independent country, no one chemical and biological warfare to destroy can predict the consequences for world Published 20 years after Guevara's death, crops and spread deadly diseases in Cuba. peace an invasion of Cuba would entail." For years, Cuban counterrevolutionaries In a 1985 interview with the Washington this selection includes articles and have openly undergone military training in Post, Castro said, "We maintain that the speeches on the Cuban revolutionary Florida, with the full knowledge and back­ country's defense is our people's number war, Cuba's efforts to overcome econom­ ing of the U.S. government. one task. And to those who doubt Cuba's ic backwardness in the face of U.S.· at­ The Pentagon carries out enormous and independence, we can say that a country is tacks, the task of developing a new social provocative military maneuvers in the independent when it is capable of defend­ Caribbean. ing itself and we have taken on this task de­ consciousness in a society on the road to In fact, the U.S. government maintains a cisively . .. . We disregard the 1962 Crisis, socialism, and Cuba's commitment to military base right on Cuban territory at the 1962 agreements." freedom struggles throughout the world. Guantanamo. Castro continued: "It is true, the agree­ The criminal trade embargo continues ment and commitments exist, but Cuba's 416 pp., $11.95. Published by Pathfinder/Pacific and Washington still carries out spy flights defense can't be based on commitments or and Asia in Sydney, Australia. in Cuban air space. agreements between other countries; the Pathfinder, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014 • Cuban diplomats in the United States defense of our country is a task for our 47 The Cut, London, SE18LL, England • P.O. Box face illegal restrictions on their ability to people above all else and the capacity of 37, Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW 2040, Australia.

November 6, 1987 The Militant 9 Nicaraguan .artist speaks in New York

BY STEVE CRAINE Thiago de Mello for Ventana; painter Eva NEW YORK - In the next several Cockroft for Artmakers, Inc .; and Mike months, the Pathfinder Mural Project will Alewitz, director of the Pathfinder Mural be bringing a number of international art­ Project. ists to the United States. Guillen thanked Ventana, a cultural In addition to painting a huge political group in solidarity with the Nicaraguan mural on the wall of the Pathfinder Build­ revolution, for its role in "getting the cul­ ing in Manhattan, they will be speaking tures of our countries closer together, widely about art and the revolutionary which made my visit here possible." He struggles in their countries. praised Pathfinder for publishing the works The first of these international partici­ of leading revolutionary figures from pants is Nicaraguan painter Arnoldo Guil­ around the world and for the "ambitious len. On October 26 he began painting his and important" mural project that cele­ portrait of Augusto Cesar Sandino on the brates those publications. wall. Sandino, the symbol of the San­ dinista revolution in Nicaragua, led a peas­ Guillen also spoke to about 200 high ant army against the U.S. Marines, who school art students at a Saturday class at occupied Nicaragua in the 1930s. He is one Cooper Union art school. He opened his of more than 20 revolutionary fighters talk with a brief history of Nicaragua under whose portraits are central to the design of the U.S.-backed Somoza dictatorship, the struggle against that oppression, and the the mural. Pathfinder has published the writings of most of these fighters. achievements of eight years of revolution. Even before he began painting, Guillen After showing slides of several of his had already spoken to a variety of audi­ works, Guillen fielded questions from the ences in New York - from college and students. Most wanted him to explain more high school art classes to participants in an­ fully how each painting and the themes, tiwar actions, to artists and activists attend­ colors, and techniques used in them ex­ ing a reception in hishonor. And the mural pressed the reality of his country's experi­ project has lined up a full month of addi­ ences. A lively discussion of Nicaragua's tional engagements for him in six or more fight to defend itself from the U.S.-backed Nebbia other cities. contras continued after the formal presen­ Nicaraguan artist Arnoldo Guillen working on part of 60-foot mural being painted on Guillen's message to his New York au­ tation. the Pathfinder Building in New York. Guillen will paint portrait of Augusto Cesar diences has centered on the interrelation of Sandino. politics and art, explaining the liberating A newly printed brochure on the Path­ impact of the Nicaraguan revolution on ar­ finder Mural Project was distributed to all 0 Please add my name as a sponsor of the 0 Please send me a list of Pathfinder tistic expression there. the students, and about 15 volunteered to Pathfinder Mural Project. books and pamphlets. help on the mural in one way or another. Name ______Beginning in 1972, Guillen worked to 0 Enclosed is a tax-deductible contribu- The brochure, which reproduces the pre­ Phone ------­ organize artists in support of the struggle liminary sketch of the mural and explains tion of $ . Make checks against the Somoza dictatorship. Im­ payable to the Anchor Foundation. Address ------­ the purpose of the project, is now available City ------mediately after the triumph of the revoluc in bulk from the Pathfinder Mural Project. State ____ Zip ______tion in July 1979, he was approached by 0 I would like copies of the Please fill out the coupon below to order mural project brochure. Country ------­ leaders of the Sandinista National Libera­ copies, to join the growing list of sponsors, tion Front (FSLN) to initiate the Sandinista Signature ------or to contribute badly needed funds to the 0 I would like to work on, painf, or docu­ Organization/union/schoo~______Association of Cultural Workers (ASTC). project. ment the project. Guillen points out that the only condition the new revolutionary government sought to place on artists was that they produce : quality works. Commander Bayardo Arce told him that they would "rather have a Sandinistas win Indian contras to peace· well-painted rose than a bad rifle." He also stresses the importance of inter­ Continued from front page The political developments on the Atlan­ raguan union leaders have advised workers national solidarity to the survival of the it. This is coupled with calls on the Hondu­ tic Coast have resulted in the further isola­ to be ready to go to the airpof! to "help the revolution. "It is your solidarity that has ran government to take action to expel the tion of those figures who have, until now, government arrest" any contras who try made our courage possible," he told are­ contra army from its bases in Honduras, in refused to break from the U.S. -organized such a stunt. ception at the Musicians' Union local hall accordance with the agreement reached by and -financed counterrevolutionary war. Meanwhile, Costa Rican officials forced here. the five Central American governments in The best-known of these personalities are Nicaragua to suspend the recently estab­ The reception also heard greetings from Guatemala in August. The Honduran re­ Brooklyn Rivera and Steadman Fagoth, lished weekly family gatherings at the bor­ representatives of the three sponsoring or­ gime has not yet taken any steps in this di­ who are today leaders of a Miskito group der crossing point of Pefias Blancas. Nica­ ganizations: Brazilian jazz musician rection. known as Yatama. As armed units af­ ragua has encouraged families with mem­ filiated with Yatama have been reaching bers who have fled to Costa Rica because agreements with the government, the pres­ of the war to come to Pefias Blancas to visit sure on Rivera and Fagoth to return to Nic­ with their relatives and urge them to come Subscribe to 'Perspectiva Mundial' aragua has been growing. home. Nicaraguan officials suspended bor­ Interior Minister Borge announced Oc­ der crossing regulations at Pefias Blancas, Land reform in Nicaragua tober 23 that negotiations with Rivera on making it easier for Nicaraguan residents to cross into Costa Rica and facilitating the As a reader of the Militant you the conditions for the repatriation of the Yatama leaders had been close to success, return of those living in Costa Rica. are familiar with our weekly Piispie,Hva Costa Rican authorities initially cooper­ coverage . of the struggles of but they were torpedoed by the main contra MUncllal organization, the Nicaraguan Democratic ated. But on October 18 they refused to working people around the allow Nicaraguan residents in Costa Rica world. Force (FDN). Nicaragua comienza a The Sandinista government had been to approach the meeting area at the border. If you can read or are study­ aplicar acuerdo de paz prepared to agree that the Yatama leaders Instead, according to a statement by the ing Spanish, there is a com­ Nicaraguan government, an organized ef­ EU sigue financiando a los contras terroristas would be allowed to return to the country plementary monthly magazine without formally submitting to the terms of fort was undertaken to encourage those for you: Perspectiva Mundial. PM FIUPINAS the national amnesty law covering those who crossed from the Nicaraguan side into Huelgas y Costa Rica to remain there as "refugees." is a Spanish-language socialist atentldo who voluntarily lay down their arms. The magazine that carries many of estremecen government made this offer, Borge Apparently fearing that the situation the same articles you read in the aJ gobierno explained, "to consolidate the work of might lead to provocations that could wor­ Militant. CANADA bringing peace to the Atlantic Coast." sen relations between the. two countries, MHrr.l hostiga a the Nicaraguan governmentdecided to sus­ The October issue of PM in­ sodaiista de EU However, this offer became impossible to maintain when the government learned, pend the b.order gatherings . until further cludes an article by Harvey notice. Similar gatherings atthe Honduran McArthur· on the fight for land ~~-~ d~ _ s~ mue rt!__ from various sources, that the top FDN Che: 'Que cese Ia leadership was plotting to use the proposed border are continuing, however, attracting in Nicaragua. This struggle was thousands of Nicaraguans each. Saturday. one of the forces that gave birth filosofia del despojo' agreement with Yatama to insist that FDN B officials be allowed to enter the country on In a related development, one former to the revolution. Under the the same terms. public mouthpiece for the contras, Edgar leadership of the Sandinista Na­ Subscriptions: $9 for one year; The contras' goal was to press their de­ Chamorro, who now lives in Miami, re­ tional Liberation Front, urban $5 for six months; Introductory mand that the Nicaraguan government rec­ turned for a visit to Nicaragua. He applied and rural workers started to take offer, $3.00 for six months. ognize them as a legitimate force and for amnesty and said he had come to "nor­ the reins of society. Because of negotiate with them. Some contra figures malize my status" with the Nicaraguan that, 100,000 peasant families D Begin my sub with current government. Chamorro was a leader of the issue. have even publicly stated that they intend have received land titles. But to fly into Managua to insist that the gov­ propaganda operation run by the contras 60,000 more still need land. Name ______ernment open negotiations with them. and the U.S. government from 1981 to 1984, when he quit, citing· disagreements This article reviews the strug­ Address ______gle of peasants and farm workers "We have only one thing to say to these with the contras' goals and methods. City/State/Zip -----­ gentlemen," Borge declared. "If they come At a Managua news conference October for land since 1979 and the cur­ to Nicaragua without accepting the terms 22 Chamorro said the contras have "failed rent proposals to meet their de­ Clip and mail to PM, 410 West of the Amnesty Law, they will be jailed as a military force" and that they have no mands. St., New York, NY 10014. and they will be put on trial for their par­ political support in the country. He called ticipation, as leaders, in the systematic on Washington to open negotiations with massacre of the Nicaraguan people." Nica- the Nicaraguan government.

10 The Militant November 6, 1987 Pa. state cops harass paper strikers

BY VALERIE JOHNSON unbelievable. It's unconstitutional and MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Paper­ against our First Amendment rights." workers at International Paper Co.'s Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, mill are under seri­ Outreach efforts ous attack from both IP and Pennsylvania The Lock Haven strikers have received state troopers, reported Ron Shearer, sec­ support from other unionists in the area. retary of United Paperworkers Interna­ Members of the United Auto Workers tional Union (UPIU) Local 1787. Union (UA W) do picket duty while strikers On October 6 the company informed the attend union meetings. Steelworkers union local that only 60 jobs remained for union members have produced T-shirts to help members. More than 400 scabs- consid­ raise money for the strike. ered permanent employees by IP - are On October 17 Shearer spoke to the working in the mill. United Steel Workers of America (USWA) At the same time, state troopers have District 15 Legislative Conference at the been on a harassment campaign against the request of Bill Morris, president of USWA 688 strikers and their supporters in the Local 13836. community. Shearer told the Militant that After hearing the story of the paperwork­ more than 40 strikers have been arrested ers' fight against IP's concession drive and since the strike started June 20. union busting, the conference cheered en­ Militant/Valerie Johnson One striker was arrested for allegedly thusiastically for a motion to send a mes­ kicking a scab's car- with no witnesses sage to Pennsylvania Governor Robert Striking paperworkers picket at International Paper's Lock Haven mill except the scab. Another striker was ar­ Casey protesting the use of state troopers rested and charged with disorderly conduct against the strikers. (Casey, a Democrat, for saying "bullshit," and another for fail­ had promised his labor backers that he ing to use his car's tum signal. would not use state troopers against strik­ -WORI.D NEWS BRIEFS-- ers. His reversal has angered many union A community resident who is not a members.) ter Eugenia Charles of the Caribbean is­ striker, was standing in his yard near the Over $400 was raised at the conference. U.S. soldiers arrested land country of Dominica recei~ed plant. The cops ordered him to go inside Shearer thanked the steelworkers and in Panama protest $100,000 from the CIA for her support his house. When he pointed out that he was explained that 71 USWA locals had al­ Nine U.S. soldiers along with leaders of the U.S.-led invasion of Grenada, on his own property, the cops responded ready made financial contributions to the which took place in October 1983. The that it didn't matter. In yet another inci­ strikers. of the National Civic Crusade were ar­ rested in Panama City for participation payment was revealed by Washington dent, out-of-town relatives of a striker were At the recent 35th Mid-Atlantic District Post editor Robert Woodward in a new ordered to move their car from a legal park­ Convention of the United Electrical, in acts of vandalism during a nighttime antigovernment protest Qctober 7. The book on the CIA. Charles has denied the ing space in a neighborhood near the plant. Radio, and Machine Workers Union (UE), allegation. One hundred twenty state troopers were Crusade is an antigovernment coalition more than $200 was raised. On October 19 Deputy Prime Minister present when UPIU International President dominated by the Chamber of Com­ For more information, contact UPIU Bernard Coard overthrew the People's Wayne Glenn addressed a mass meeting of Local 1787, P.O. Box 773, Lock Haven, merce, Catholic Church hierarchy, and Revolutionary Government of Grenada strikers, their families, and supporters on PA. 17745. associations of doctors, dentists, life in­ headed by Prime Miniter Maurice October 8. surance brokers, real estate dealers, and Bishop. Coard ordered the execution of On any given day, between eight and 30 other professionals and businessmen. Valerie Johnson is a member of USWA Bishop and several other leaders of the troopers may be present at a shift change. Five of the U.S. soldiers carried U.S. Local 13836 at Rockwell lnternational in government. Coard's action paved the Shearer said, "What is happening here is Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Air Force identification cards, three were sailors, and one was on special ser­ way for the U.S. military invasion on vices at Howard Air Force base, a U.S. October 25. installation in Panama. Prime Minister Charles appeared with Scott Paper workers walk out The nine were charged with burning President Ronald Reagan at the White cars and tires near the intersection of Via House on the morning that the invasion was announced. BY HENRY HILLENBRAND tion workers to do jobs out of their classifica­ Espana and Via Porras. Jose Guillermo CHESTER, Pa. - The workers at Scott tions and perform maintenance while the line Lewis Galindo, a Crusade leader, was Paper Co.'s home plant here are on strike is nmning. The company also wants to re­ arrested as he reportedly urged people to Bangladesh uproots for the first time in 77 years. On October duce the pool of workers· who fill in tempo­ carry out violertt

Noy~~ber ~1)987 --CALENDAR------ARIZONA Sun., Nov. 8, 2 p.m. 2913 Greenmount Ave. Dr. Sponsor: Socialist Workers Party and PENNSYLVANIA Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Young Socialist Alliance. For more information Phoenix For more information call (301) 235-0013. call (314) 361-0250. Pittsburgh Washington's War Against Iran. Speaker: Why the Bork Nomination Failed. Speaker: Barbara Greenway, Socialist Workers Party. Sue Skinner, Socialist Workers Party, member Translation to Spanish. Sat., Nov. 7, 7:30p.m.; MASSACHUSETTS NEW YORK United Steelworkers of America. Sat. , Oct. 31, preforum dinner, 5:30 p.m. 1809 W Indian Boston Manhattan 7:30 p.m. 4905 Penn Ave., Donation: $2. School Rd. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Why Washington Should Get Out of the Per­ Socialist Educational Weekend. Two classes Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more infor­ . Labor Forum. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Young sian Gulf. Speaker: Russell Davis, Socialist on "The 50-Year Struggle to Build a Com­ mation call (412) 362-6767 . Socialist Alliance. For more information call Workers Party, member International Union of munist Party in the United States: Lessons of the· Panic on Wall Street: the Marxist View. (602) 279-5850. Electronic Workers Local 201. Translation to Socialist Workers Party and Young Socialist Speakers: representative, Socialist Workers Behind the Coup in Burkina Faso. Panel dis­ Spanish. Sat., Nov. 7, 7:30p.m. 605 Mas­ Alliance Lawsuit Against the FBI." Class I: Party, others. Sat. Nov. 7, 7:30p.m. 4905 Penn cussion, speakers to be announced. Translation sachusetts Ave. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Mili­ "Class Struggle Policy in World War II and the Ave. , Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor to Spanish. Sat., Nov. 14, 7:30p.m. 1809 W tant Labor Forum. For more information call Birth of the Mass Struggle for Black Civil Forum. For more information call (412) 362- Indian School Rd. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Mil­ (617) 247-6772. Rights." Sat. , Oct. 31, 3 p.m. Class II: "From 6767. itant Labor Forum. For more information call World War II to Contragate to the Bork Nomi­ (602) 279-5850. MINNESOTA nation: What is the Threat to Democratic Rights UTAH Austin in the United States?" Sun., Nov. I, 11 a.m. CALIFORNIA A Victory for Democratic Rights. Celebration Translation to Spanish. 79 Leonard St. Dona­ Salt Lake City Los Angeles of recent court rulings against government in­ tion: $1 per class. Sponsors: Socialist Workers Solidarity with Workers and Farmers in Young Socialist Alliance Picnic. Sat. , Oct. 3 I , trusion into private political activity. Speaker: Party and Young Socialist Alliance. For more Struggle. Speaker: Rena Cacoullos, National 2-6 p.m. Elysian Park. Sponsor: YSA. For Fred Halstead, national spokesperson for Polit­ information call (212) 226-8445 or (201) 643- Secretary, Young Socialist Alliance. Transla­ more information call (213) 380-9460. ical Rights Defense Fund. Sun., Nov. 8. Recep­ 3341 in New Jersey. tion to Spanish. Sat., Nov. 7, 7:30p.m. 147 E Nicaragua: How the Media Distorts the tion, 3:30p.m.; rally: 4 p.m. Downtown Motel, U.S. Out of the Persian Gulf! Speakers: 900 S. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor Truth. Speaker: Miranda Collette, editor of room 36 annex. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Politi­ Georges Sayad, Socialist Workers Party; Said Forum. For more information call (801 ) 355- Barricada lnternacional. Translation to cal Rights Defense Fund. For more information Othman, General Union of Palestinian Stu­ 1124. Spanish. Sun., Nov. 1, 2 p.m. Reception to fol­ call (507) 433-3461. dents; Fred Dube, African National Congress. low. 2546 W Pico Blvd. Donation $2. Sponsor: Translation to Spanish. Fri., Nov. 6, 7:30p.m. WASHINGTON, D.C. St. Paul The Stock Market Crash of 1987: Can Militant Labor Forum. For more information Behind the Coup in Burkina Faso. Speakers: 79 Leonard St. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant call (213) 380-9460. Labor Forurn!Foro Perspectiva Mundial. For Capitalism Work? Speakers to be announced. August Nimtz, Socialist Workers Party; others. Translation to Spanish. Sat. , Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 7, 7:30p.m. 508 N Snelling Ave. more information call (212) 226-8445. FLORIDA Evening of Political and Cultural Presenta­ 3165 Mt. Pleasant NW. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Forum. For Militant Labor Forum. For more information Miami more information call (612) 644-6325. tions in Support of Palestinian Rights. Speak­ ers: Hassan Abdul Rahman, director, Palestine call (202) 797-7699. Socialist Campaign Rally. Speaker: Ernest The Peace Accords and the Struggles in El Information Office in Washington, D.C.; Julie Mailhot, Socialist Workers Party candidate for Salvador and Nicaragua. Speakers: David mayor of Miami. Translation to Spanish and Allen, Committee in Solidarity with the People Mungai, defendant in Los Angeles 8 deporta­ WEST VIRGINIA Creole. Sat., Oct. 31. Reception, 7p.m.; rally, of El Salvador; Susanne Derby, Socialist Work­ tion case; Nadia Habash, Bir Zeit University; Charleston 8p.m. 137 NE 54th St. Donation: $2. Sponsor: ers Party. Sat., Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. 508 N Snel­ Sechaba Singers; others. Sat. , Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m. Altschul Auditorium, Columbia Univer­ The Central American Peace Agreement: A Socialist Workers 1987 Mayoral Campaign. For ling Ave. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Blow to the U.S. War in Nicaragua. Speak­ more information call (305) 756-1020. Forum. For more information call (612) 644- sity, 420 W. 118 St. Donation $5. Sponsor: Arab Club at Columbia University, in conjunc­ ers: Maggie McCraw, Socialist Workers Party; Behind the Coup in Burkina Faso. Speakers 6325 . tion with Second National Convention of others. Sun., Nov. 1, 7 p.m. 11 6 McFarland St. to be announced. Translation to Spanish. Sat., Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Nov. 14, 7:30p.m. 137 NE 54th St. Donation: November 29 Committee for Palestine. For MISSOURI more information call (212) 557-5410. For more information call (304) 345-3040. $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more Kansas City information call (305) 756-1020. Rally to Stop the Strip Searches of Women Morgantown Socialist Educational Weekend. Speaker: Prisoners in Northern Ireland. Sun. , Nov. 8, The Russian Revolution - Legacy and Les­ Fred Halstead, Socialist Workers Party, 3-5 p.m. British consulate, 845 3rd Ave (be­ sons of 70 Years. Film: The Last Years of the GEORGIA longtime union and socialist activist, author of Atlanta tween 51st and 52nd streets). Tsars; Speaker: Pattie Sanchez, Socialist Work­ Out Now! and "The 1985- 86 Meat-Packers' New Paltz ers Party. Sat. , Nov. 7, 7:30p.m. 221 Pleasant Socialist Educational Conference: Strike in Austin, Minnesota." St. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor "Grenada's Revolution - Its Achievements 1. Class: "The American Movement Against South Africa Slideshow and Discussion. Speakers: Fred Dube, representative of African Forum. For more information call (304) 296- and the Lessons of Its Destruction." Speaker: the Vietnam War: How It Was Built, Its Les­ 0055. Sam Manuel. Class I. Sat., Oct. 31, 1 p.m. sons for Today." Fri. , Nov. 6, noon. Penn Val­ National Congress and professor fighting Class 2, Sun., Nov. 1, 10 a.m. ley Community College, room HB-107. against firing by State University of New York; "Coup in Burkina Faso: a Severe Blow to 2. Forum: "The Central America Peace Ac­ Tony Savino, photojournalist. Wed., Nov. 4, WISCONSIN Revolutionary Process." Speaker: Sam Manuel, cords: The Sandinista Revolution Advances." 7:30p.m. Lecture Center 100, SUNY. Sponsor: New York Public Interest Research Group. For Milwaukee Militant staff writer, just attended Pan·African Translation to Spanish. Fri., Nov. 6, 7:30p.m. Haiti Today. Speaker: Patrick Dellegarde­ more information call (914) 257-2280. anti-apartheid conference in Burkina Faso. Sat., Party and raffle to follow. 4725 Troost. Dona­ Smit}l, professor of Afro-American studies, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. All events held at 132 Cone tion: $3. Queens UWM, recently returned from visit to Haiti. St. NW, 2nd floor. Ttanslation to Spanish. Do­ 3. Class: "From Montgomery to Selma: A Hear Bernadette Devlin McAiiskey. Fri. , Sat., Oct. 31 , 7:30p.m. 4707 W Lisbon Ave. nation: classes, $1 each; rally $3. Sponsors: History ofthe Civil Rights Movement." Trans­ Nov. 6, 9 p.m. The Breffni Inn, 40th St. and Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Socialist Workers Party and Young Socialist lation to Spanish. Sat., Nov. 7, 2 p.m. 4725 Queens Blvd., Woodside. Donation: $10. Pro­ For more information call (414) 445-2076. Alliance. For more information call (404) 577- Troost. Series sponsored by Young Socialist ceeds to send legal observers to Birmingham 6 4065. Alliance. For more information call (816) 753- appeal and Liam Quinn trial in Northern Ire­ Rally to Protest Cop Murder of Eddie Lee 0224. land. Sponsor: Committee for Legal Justice in Callahan. Speakers: Members of the Callahan St. Louis Northern Ireland. For more information call family and others. Tue. , Nov. 10, 7 p.m. Can­ Join Nicaragua The Stock Market Plunge: What It Means. (71 8) 833-7741 or 436-4770. terbury Center, 471 Fair St. (near Atlanta Uni­ for Working People. Speaker: Matt Monroe, construction versity). Sponsor: Young Socialist Alliance and Young Socialist Alliance. Sat., Nov. 7, 7:30 OHIO Georgia Black Students Association. For more p.m. 4907 Martin Luther King Dr. Donation: information call (404) 577-4065. Cleveland brigade on $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more The Fight for Women's Rights Today. MARYLAND information call (314) 361-0250. Speaker: Lynn Emerson, Socialist Workers Atlantic Coast Socialist Publications Fund Rally. Speakers: Party. Sat., Oct. 31. Preforum dinner, 6 p.m. ; Baltimore Michael Butler, New International reader; forum, 7:30p.m. 2521 Market Ave. Donation: On Jan. 5, volunteers will go to Atlantic Meet the Socialist Candidates. Reception for Janine Thome, coordinator of Evergreen Politi­ $2; dinner, $3. Sponsor: Militant Forum. For Coast town of La Fe near Bluefields to Reba Williams Dixon, Socialist Workers Party cal Information Center; Tomas Villanueva, more information call (21 6) 861-6150. . build housing for the English-speaking candidate for mayor, and Dana Burroughs, president of United Farm Workers of Washing­ Black community there. Participants will . SWP candidate for city council president. Sun., ton State; Carlos Maradiaga, member of Sheet­ have opportunity to witness autonomy Nov. 1, 4 p.m. 2913 Greenrriount Ave. Spon­ metal Workers Union Local99; Cathy Sedwick, OREGON process of the Coast peoples. Cost: ap­ sor: SWP Campaign. For more information call Socialist Workers Party. Sat., Nov. 14, 7:30 Portland proximately $650. Scholarships avail­ (301) 235-001 3. p.m. 4907 Martin Luther King Dr. Sponsor: The Coup in Burkina Faso: Blow to Revolu­ able. For more information contact: A Tribute to Thomas Sankara and the Four­ Pathfinder Bookstore. For more ·information tion. Speakers: Aoyd Fowler, Socialist Work­ ACLA, P.O. Box 4 184, Atlanta, Ga. Year Legacy of the Revolution in Burkina call (314) 361-0250. ers Party; others. Sat., Nov. 7, 7:30p.m. 2732 30302. Tel: (404) 377- 1079; or Witness Faso. Speakers: Sam Manuel, Militant staff Cuba and the Rectification Campaign. Two NE Union. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant for Peace, 222 E. Lake Dr. , Decatur, Ga. writer; representative, African National Con­ classes by Cathy Sedwick. Sun., Nov. 15, Forum. For more information call (503) 287- 30030. . gress of South Africa. Translation to Spanish. 10:30 a.m. and I p.m. 4907 Martin Luther King 7416. . -If YOU liKE THIS -PAPER, lOOK US UP Where to find the Socialist Workers Party, '877-9338. 4725 Troost. Zip: 641 10: Tel: (816) 753-0224. Mark Mateja, Edinboro University of .Pa. Zip: Young Socialist Alliance, and Pathfinder GEORGIA: Atlanta: SWP, YSA, 132 Cone St. Louis: SWP, YSA, 4907 Martin Luther 16412. Tel: (814) 398-2754. Philadelphia: bookstores. St. NW, 2nd Hoor. Zip: 30303. Tel: (404) 577- King Dr. Zip: 63 113. Tel: (314) 361-0250. SWP, YS,A, 2744 Germantown Ave. Zip: 4065. NEBRASKA: Omaha: SWP, YSA, 140 S. 19133. Tel: (2 15) 225-0213. Pittsburgh: SWP, ALABAMA: Birmingham: SWP, YSA, ILLINOIS: Chicago: SWP, YSA, 6826 S. 40th St. Zip: 68131. Tel: (402) 553-0245: YSA, 4905 Penn Ave. Zip: 15224. Tel: 1306 1st Ave. N. Zip: 35203. Tel: (205) 323- Stony Island Ave. Zip: 60649. Tel: (3 12) 363- NEW JERSEY: Newark: SWP, YSA, 141 (4 12) 362-6767. 3079. 7322. Halsey. Zip: 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. New TEXAS: Austin: YSA, c/o Mike Rose, 7409 ARIZONA: Phoenix: SWP, YSA, 1809 W. INDIANA: Muncie: YSA, c/o Maurice Scott Brunswick: YSA, c/o Keith Jordan, 149 Somer­ Berkman-Dr. Zip: 78752: Tel. (512)452-3923, Indian School Rd. Zip: 8501 5. Tel: (602) 279- Peret, 11 25 W. Marsh St. Zip: 47303. Tel: (317) set St. Zip: 08903. Tel: (201) 828-1874. Houston: SWP, YSA, 4806 Almeda. Zip: 77004. 5850. Tucson: YSA, c/o Ursula Kolb, P.O. Box 282-2996. NEW YORK: Albany: YSA, c/o Lisa Sand­ Tel: (713) 522-8054. 853. Zip: 85702-0852. Tel: (602) 795-2146. IOWA: Des Moines: SWP, YSA, 2105 For­ berg, 120 Lark St. Zip: 12210. Tel: (5 18) UTAH: Price: SWP, YSA, 23 S. CarlJon Ave., CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: SWP, YSA, est Ave. Zip: 50311. Tel: (5 15) 246-1695. 463-8001. Mid-Hudson: YSA, Box 1042, Suite 19, P.O. Box 758. Zip: 84501. Tel: (801) 2546 W. Pico Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380- LOUISIANA: New Orleans: YSA, P.O. Box Annandale. Zip: 12504. Tel: (9 14) 758-0408. 637-6294. Salt Lake City: SWP, YSA, 147 E. 9460. Oakland: SWP, YSA, 3702 Telegraph 53224. Zip: 70153. Tel: (504) 484-6418. New York: SWP, YSA, 79 Leonard St. Zip: 900 South. Zip: 841 11. Tel: (801) 355-1124. Ave. Zip: 94609. Tel: (415) 420- 11 65. San MARYLAND: Baltimore: SWP, YSA, 2913 10013. Tel: (212) 2 19-3679 or 925-1668. Path­ VIRGINIA: Portsmouth: YSA, P.O. Box Diego: SWP, YSA, 2803 B St. Zip: 92102. Tel: Greenmount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) 235- finder Books, 226-8445. Rome: YSA, c/o Cos­ 6538, Churchland Station. Zip: 23707. (619) 234-4630. San Francisco: SWP, YSA, 001 3. mos Andoloro, 7172 Rickmeyer Rd. Zip: 13440. WASIDNGTON, D.C.: SWP, YSA, 3284 23rd St. Zip: 94110. Tel: (41 5) 282-6255. MASSACHUSETTS: Amherst: YSA, c/o Stony Brook: YSA, P.O. Box 1384, Patchogue, 3165 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. Zip: 20010. Tel: San Jose: SWP, YSA, 46'h Race St. Zip: David W arshawshky, P.0 . Box 1383, Hampshire N.Y. Zip: 11 772. (202) 797-7699, 797-7021. 95126. Tel: (408) 998-4007. Seaside: YSA, c/o College. Zip: 01002. Tel: (4 13) 549-4843. Bos­ NORTH CAROLINA: Greensboro: SWP, WASHINGTON: Seattle: SWP, YSA, Brian Olewude, 1790 Havana St. Zip: 93955. ton: SWP, YSA, 605 Massachusetts Ave. Zip: YSA, 22 19 E Market. Zip: 27401. Tel: (919) 55 17 Rainier Ave. South. Zip: 98118. Tel: Tel: .(408) 394-7948. 02!18. Tel: (617) 247-6772. 272-5996. (206) 723-5330. . Stockton: YSA, c/o Ted Barratt and Gustavo MICIDGAN: Detroit: SWP, YSA, 2135 . OHIO: Cleveland: SWP, YSA, 2521 Mar­ WEST VIRGINIA: Charleston: SWP, Mendoza, 825 N. San Jose St. Zip: 95203. Tel: Woodward Ave. Zip:48201. Tel: (313)961-0395. ket Ave. Zip: 441 13. Tel: (216) 861 -6150. YSA, 116 McFarland St. Zip: 25301. Tel: (304) (209) 941 -8544. MINNESOTA: Austin: SWP, YSA, 407 '12 N. Columbus: YSA, P.O. Box 02097. Zip: 345-3040. Morgantown: SWP, YSA, 22 1 FLORIDA: Miami: SWP, YSA, 137 NE Main. Zip: 559 12. Tel: (507) 433-3461. Twin 43202. Pleasant St. Zip: 26505. Tel: (304) 296-0055 . 54th St. Mailing address: P.O. Box 370486. Zip: Cities: SWP, YSA, 508 N. Snelling Ave., St. OREGON: Portland: SWP, YSA, 2732 NE WISCONSIN: Milwaukee: SWP, YSA, 33 137. Tel: (305) 75~ 1020. Tallahassee: Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: (61 2) 644-6325. Union. Zip: 97212. Tel: (503) 287-7416. 4707 W. Lisbon Ave. Zip: 53208. Tel: (414) YSA, P.O. Box 2071 5. Zip: 32316. Tel: (904) MISSOURI: Kansas City: SWP, YSA, PENNSYLVANIA: Edinboro: YSA, c/o 445-2076.

12 The Militant November 6, 1987 ··-. :THE : GREAT·SOCIETY---..------::---:------:~- The struggle continues - In cross their line. tion agencies and legalizing the sale until a disaster occurs." Obviously that's · different - Matewan, West Virginia, scene of of babies on the open market. The air force persists in shipping a the coal-strike film of the same That'll learn 'em- An Israeli Meanwhile. . • - At least deadly rocket propellant chemical name, 150 students were sus­ paper reported that the colors of His Xmas gift? - A news re­ twice this year, Eastern Airlines around the county by truck pended when they looked at a the Palestine Liberation Organiza­ port on the failure of wine coolers ordered pilots to fly planes with through populated areas. Officials tion - red, green, white, and to take off cites a New York yup­ busted altitude alert devices - assure there's no problem. Mean­ black - are very popular in the pie who figured out they taste like and suspended a pilot who balked. while, on air force bases, trucks occupied West Bank and Gaza cheap wine. "I had a six-pack that Responding to this, Eastern offi­ carrying the stuff are required to Strip, especially in T-shirts. The was sitting in my refrigerator for cials said they followed federal use special "explosive routes." report says, "The security forces six months," he said. "I gave it to rules as currently applied. The in the territories fight this nuisance the doorman." FAA said, yes, that's true. Knock your sox off-Saluting Harry every day and, in accordance with the latest styles of French designer the law, undress youngsters wear­ And probably not then - A But not to worry - "Nearly Christian Lacroix, the New York Ring ing such T -shirts." congressional study found the one-fourth of all Americans have Times enthused: "They are for Federal Aviation Administration's been exposed to carcinogens or women who love to dress, and for program and standards for check­ other hazardous substances on the them, Mr. Lacroix restores some school lunch aml, in defiance of But only at moderate prices ing jetliner safety "inadequate and job and most of them are unaware of the excitement of buying new the rules, left the building to get -One of the judges on Reagan's outdated." Rep. James Oberstar of it, according to an estimate clothes. The average price is pizza. The students staged a walk­ list of possible substitutes for Bork found this '1chilling." He said the from the National Institute of Oc­ around $3,000; more decorated out, parents are picketing, and is Richard Posner. In one essay, FAA has been ducking the prob­ cupational Safety and Health."­ evening styles go for up to four school bus drivers refused to Posner proposed eliminating adop- lem "and refuses to face up to it News item. $9,000." London rally demands sanctions against apartheid Continued from front page to apartheid's occupation of Namibia. demned Thatcher's Conservative Party ad­ marched. The Nicaragua Solidarity Cam­ The armed struggle being waged by the ministration for refusing to take action paign organized a contingent with placards liberation movement in Namibia, said against a recently revealed conspiracy to Good sales at demanding, "Boycott South Africa, not Nujoma, is a factor in propelling the inevit­ assassinate leaders of the AN C. London action Nicaragua." able collapse of the apartheid state. The government had just announced its The same day as the London demonstra­ Nujoma reported on the emerging op­ decision to drop charges against three men Supporters of the British biweekly tion, some 2,000 left supporters of the position among whites in Namibia to Pre­ accused of a plot to kidnap ANC officials Socialist Action sold over 200 copies Labour Party and other independent toria's rule, including the formation of or­ in London, citing "national security" as the of that paper to participants in the socialists, meeting in Chesterfield, adopted ganizations in support of Namibian inde­ reason. The men were arrested in July October 24 anti-apartheid demon­ pendence. This is a "clear indication that a resolution supporting the demonstration. 1987, and documents from Britain's secret stration in London. They also sold 40 About 4,000 anti-apartheid activists the liberation movement is extending its in­ intelligence were found on them. copies of the last week's Militant, marched in a coordinated demonstration in fluence in the white community" and win­ On his arrival in London to speak at the which had extensive coverage of the Cardiff, Wales. ning friends and allies, thereby further demonstration, Nujoma said he believed events in Burkina Faso, and an addi­ The president of the Anti-Apartheid isolating the regime. the release of the three to be a cover-up in­ tional 65 copies of an earlier issue of Movement, Archbishop Trevor Huddles­ Many white Namibians are refusing to volving the South African and British gov­ the Militant. Many of the papers ton, led a delegation to Thatcher's resi­ serve in the army, and some are joining ernments and intelligence services. were sold in the contingents or­ dence at Downing Street, calling on her to SWAPO. This is a "significant advance for The ANC in London responded saying ganized by backers of the African reverse her stance against divestment and our struggle," emphasized Nujoma. that the case "raises matters of the gravest National Congress and South West to impose mandatory sanctions against Johnstone Makatini, head of the Intema- · concern to the ANC and indeed the whole Africa People's Organisation. South Africa and Namibia immediately. tiona! Department of the ANC, also ad­ of Africa." In addition, the Socialist Action dressed the crowd. "Let us organize the Greetings were read to the rally from supporters sold 18 copies of the issue A rally was held in Hyde Park after the workers, housewives, students, everybody march. The main speakers were leaders of Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock. Glenys of the Marxist journal New Interna­ in this country, to impose peoples' sanc­ the ANC and SWAPO. Kinnock, who recently returned from a tional that contains an article by Jack tions," said Makatini. Barnes titled "The Coming Revolu­ Sam Nujoma, president of SWAPO, de­ conference on children under apartheid Ron Todd, General Secretary of the held in Zimbabwe, spoke about the South tion in South Africa." Some $725 scribed the "reign of terror" maintained by Transport and General Workers' Union­ worth of revolutionary literature was the I 00,000 South African occupation African regime's torture of children. one of the largest in the country-said that Greetings were also read from U.S. pol­ sold on thtee Socialist Action litera­ troops in Namibia. "It has mobilized death "Thatcher doesn't talk for the working ture tables. squads, who are committing untold at­ iticians Sen. Edward Kennedy and Jesse people of Great Britain" when she refuses Jackson. rocities," he reported. to back sanctions against South Africa. "Hundreds of innocent Namibian civil­ "If she won't impose sanctions, we ians are being arrested, detained, tortured, will," he said, referring to a number of re­ and killed," he said, "in an attempt by the cent cases where British workers have re­ -10 AND 25 YEARS AGO--- regime to break the Namibians' heroic re­ fused to handle South African goods. Nor­ of mankind by President John Kennedy's sistance to apartheid colonialism." man Willis, general secretary of the Trades THE MILITANT October 22 proclamation of his act-of-war Nujoma described the suppression of Union Congress, also spoke. blockade of Cuba was reflected indirectly struggles by unionists for livable wages, Joan Lestor, from the National Execu­ Nov. 4,1977 by actions and declarations emanating improved working conditions, and an end tive Committee of the Labour Party, con- from high world councils, including the The white supremacist regime in South United Nations and the Vatican. Direct op­ Africa has attempted, with one sudden position to Washington's brink of nuclear blow, to tum back the tide of· massive war moves has been shown by mass actions 1962 Cuban missile crisis Black political protests that has engulfed of workers and students both in this coun­ that country for more than a year. try and in many countries of Latin Ameri­ Continued from Page 9 Miami Herald, for example, was titled Early on the morning of October 19, the ca, Europe, and Asia. what it calls the '~rectification" process - a "U.S.-Cuba relations thawing." It began, Vorster regime outlawed more than 20 It is not any alleged missile bases on historic turning point within the revolution. "Despite continued public antagonism, Black and other anti-apartheid organiza­ Cuba which the U.S. ruling class fears and This process is dealing with the growing bilateral relations between Cuba and the tions and banned two Black-run newspa­ cannot tolerate. It is a weapon far more problems of bureaucratization, corruption, United States are improving and might lead pers. awesome to the U.S. bankers and indus­ demoralization, and depoliticization that to the renewal of a U.S.-Cuba immigration The move, which was carried out under trialists than any H-bomb. It is a world­ was affecting the revolution. agreement suspended two years ago. theprovisions of the draconian Internal Se­ shaking idea - the idea that the workers The most tangible and important result "The outward signs of improvement in­ curity Act, is the most drastic action and peasants, the oppressed and miserable so far of this rectification process has been clude last month's assignment of an Amer­ against Black political organizations since of this earth, can take political power into the revival, on a truly massive scale, of the ican diplomat to Havana to head the U.S. 1960. their own hands and run society for their volunteer construction brigades. (See Oc­ Interests Section there. The position had Vorster's new round of bannings has own benefit. tober 16 and October 23 issues of the Mil­ been vacant for nine months. Last week, been accompanied by a series of arrests. In A hint as to the reason why Kennedy has itant for extensive coverage of the work of the head of the Cuban mission in Washing­ predawn raids October 19, police seized not taken the final fatal step [invasion] the "minibrigades. ") ton returned to the United States after a about 50 prominent political activists, which the governing clique in Washington These advances the Cuban people are lengthy stay in Havana." community figures, teachers, journalists, has been seriously contemplating, is given making in becoming more communist, . and students. An unknown number of by Washington correspondent Max Frankel The Herald quoted a U.S. official: more internationalist, and more political others were served with banning orders. in today's New York Times. He writes: "There is a return to normal procedures. It can only serve to win their revolution even The crackdown was launched partly in "Administration officials, looking back broader support among the workers, farm­ is appropriate to say that this reflects im­ provement over what existed before." response to a mounting wave of protests today on the fateful choice [an act-of-war ers, and youth of the world and make even over the death in police custody of Steve blockade rather than a sudden invasion] re­ higher the price Washington pays for its A similar article appeared in the October Biko, one of the country's most influential vealed that the final decision was made for belligerent policies. 4 New York Times. It was titled "U.S. ties young Black leaders and a founder of the moral as well as tactical reasons. Grave Reagan had come into office in January with Cuba in warming trend." nationalist current known as the Black questions were raised in the President's 1981 pledging to increase hostility to In February of this year, Sen. Claiborne Consciousness movement. inner circle about the blot that an assault on Cuba. With bipartisan support, he carried Pell, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Cuba would place on the United States rec­ this out. Committee, commented, "I'd like to see a ord and repurcussions it would have around But after six years of such moves, Cuba normalization in our relations with Cuba." the world." is less isolated than ever- and Washing­ These are important signs that some in THE A wave of pro-Cuba demonstrations last ton has been unable to exact a single con­ U.S. ruling circles believe normalizing re­ week throughout Latin America gave some cession from the Cubans in foreign or lations with Cuba isnecessary. Washing­ MILITANT open indications of the sentiment pervad­ domestic policy. Moreover, the U.S. rulers ton's trade embargo, military provoca­ Published in the Interests of the Wor.inq People ing Latin America. On October 26 there find themselves with less leverage than tions, and goal of overturning the Cuban Nov. 5, 1962 Price 10c was a violent demonstration of some 3,000 ever before for putting pressure on Cuba. government, however, still remain a seri­ unionists in La Paz, Bolivia, before the It's this failure that has spurted a new ous threat. OCT. 30 - Fear of worldwide repercus­ U.S. embassy. In Caracas, Buenos Aires, debate among capitalist politicians and That's why all opponents of U.S. inter­ sions has been a significant factor in tem­ Rio de Janeiro, ttie Ecuadoran port of newspaper commentators over reestablish­ vention in the Caribbean and Central porarily staying the Kennedy administra­ Guayaquil, in Montevideo, Mexico City, ing diplomatic and . trade relations with America and all supporters of the Cuban tion from launching aU .S. invasion of rev­ Santo Domingo, Bogota, and Managua, Cuba. - revolution must continue to demand, olutionary Cuba. demonstrations and other protest actions A front-page article in the October 11 "Hands off Cuba!" The horror aroused in the vast majority took place.

November 6, 1987 The Militant 13 -EDITORIALS------Should socialists have abstained on The move to chop .social spending Bork debate?

Congress and the White House have joined hands to In 1988, ~ocial Security benefits wi'II be increased 4.2 BY DOUG JENNESS use the gyrations of the stock market as justification for percent to compensate for inflation. The Militant welcomes suggestions for improving our new cuts in government-financed social programs. Com­ But at the same time, the monthly premium paid by coverage, including disagreements with our positions, bined with the persistent employer drive against wages Social Security recipients for Medicare coverage is being which we attempt to present clearly and frankly. How­ and working conditions, this further reduces the living increased from $17.90 to $24.80. That's a hike of nearly ever, Stansfield Smith, who criticizes our treatment of standards of working people- with the poorest, again, 40 percent, the biggest so far. the Robert Bork nomination in a letter on the facing page, hit the hardest. That increase means that for the average retiree the net unfortunately also gives an erroneous account of our Administration officials and legislators argue that by increase will be closer to 2 percent than 4.2 percent. stand. reducing the federal deficit there will be less need for the Measured against inflation, that's a cut, not an increase. He says that our view is that "real Marxists do not in­ government to borrow money. This, they say, will help The budget-cutting team is reportedly weighing in­ volve themselves in Supreme Court choices on princi- lower interest rates, which in tum will encourage busi­ creases in such "user" taxes as those on gasoline, to­ ness to get loans to invest in expansion and head off a bacco, alcohol, and telephone service. One trial balloon possible recession. This, presumably, would allay the speaks of a national sales tax. All such taxes, of course, fears of stock market speculators and restore stability on are calculated to put a disproportionate burden on work­ LEARNING ABOUT Wall Street. ing people. However, compared with the total federal debt- now However, it's promised that there's no plan to hike in­ SOCIALISM over the $2 trillion mark - the proposed reductions in come taxes. If true, that would be fine- if they were the 1988 deficit are chicken feed. (A "very modest simply talking about workers, who certainly have been pie." And that we "dismissed" the whole business "as a achievement" and no panacea in terms of U.S. economic hit hard enough. liberal-conservative Senate struggle from which leftists ills, advises House Speaker Jim Wright, the Texas Dem­ But there is absolutely no justicfication for not increas­ should abstain." ocrat.) But this is not our view. In the articles Smith refers to But in terms of the impact on the lives of working ing taxes on big business. With last year's so-called tax reform law, working (October 9, 16, and 23 Militant), we made our opposition people, the cuts will prove substantial. The bipartisan to the Bork nomination and our celebration of his defeat congressional team and administration representatives, people got a few miserable crumbs at best. The real re­ ductions went to corporations and to wealthy individuals. unambiguously clear. have agreed on a declared initial goal of cutting the Normally, working people have little interest in Su­ budget by at least $23 billion. This is the amount that And those cuts came at a time when rich people are preme Court nominations. They are routinely approved would assertedly be lopped off under the new automatic pocketing a greater share of the nation's wealth than ever. by the Senate and don't usually reveal a great deal about deficit reduction law. the current stage in the struggle between the working (Actually the automatic cut would be $10 billion, not Last year, the wealthiest 20 percent of the people in the class and the capitalist rulers. $23 billion, since a 4.2 percent inflation factor is in­ country took 43.7 percent of the national income, the highest percentage yet. But the Bork nomination was different. And most cluded.) working people recognized this was the case. Even under the automatic cutting procedure, now Now these people want to load the burden of the pres­ By appointing a judge who has persistently cam­ being discarded as too minimal, the reduction in social ent crisis onto the already overburdened backs of work­ ing people. paigned to reverse the entire body of progressive deci­ services would be harsh. sions made by the high court in the past 30 years, Presi­ Federal housing for the elderly would be cut back by We should say a strong "no" to that. One area where dent Reagan brazenly challenged rights that have been l ,000 units. Congress has remained stubbornly reluctant to make any conquered in struggle by the labor, civil rights, and Rural housing, slashed 50 percent since 1980, would meaningful cuts is the monstrous military budget. women's liberation movements. The appointment sig­ be cut another $180 million. With the annual budget for weapons of destruction naled the prospect of a full-steam-ahead offensive against Expenditures on the dangerously inadequate air traffic now near the $300 billion mark, they're speaking of a affirmative action for Blacks and women, abortion control system would be sliced by $400 million. token $11.5 billion cut at most. rights, and the right of privacy for individuals and organi­ Spending for education would be cut by $900 million. Since Reagan took office in 1981 , military expendi­ zations. The scandalously insufficient AIDS research and treat­ tures, approved by Congress, have totaled an astronomi­ Moreover, the Bork nomination offered a rallying ment program would be cut $23 .8 million. cal $1. 6 trillion! point for the right-wing supporters of Reagan to try tore­ With pious hypocrisy Reagan, and the Democrats, as­ It's time for working peopleto demand a halt to that. coup their losses in the 1986 elections and as a result of sure that the one thing that won't be touched is Social Se­ The entire military arsenal, which threatens all of human­ the Iran-contra arms exposures. curity benefits. ity, should be scrapped. The trillions poured into the war The debate over the nomination also disclosed a dis­ That's a fraud. A new cut, indirect but real, has just machine should be used for what's really necessary. That pute in ruling circles over how rapidly and to what extent been imposed without a murmur from Congress. is, to expand social programs, not cut them. tougher measures, including drastically curtailing demo­ cratic rights, should be used against strikes, demonstra­ tions, and other working-class struggles. Our recognition that the debate among Democratic and Republican politicians was fundamentally over the tac­ tics the exploiting class should use against the exploited AFL-CIO, Teamsters reunification classes is a far cry from dismissing the dispute as simply a "liberal-conservative Senate struggle" as Smith ac­ AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland told the recent fed­ ment's probe, Kirkland put the AFL-CIO on record cuses. eration convention in Miami that the readmittance of the against a government takeover of the Teamsters, a stand To the contrary, the Militant pointed out that the de­ International Brotherhood of Teamsters into the AFL­ all unionists should support. bate helped illuminate a little better the current stage in CIO represents a "major step .. . toward reunification of Kirkland also stressed that the readmittance of the the employing class's assault on the working class. It the entire labor movement under the banner of the AFL­ Teamsters into the AFL-CIO was based on solidarity. shows that a majority in the ruling circles think a frontal CIO." But solidarity has little meaning for the officials of the assault on democratic rights, at this time, would unneces­ But that reaffiliation of the 1. 7-million-member Team­ AFL-CIO or of the Teamsters. The Teamsters tops look sarily provoke a revolt . sters union, which goes into effect November 1 after a at the merger as a way of strengthening their hand against The employers' offensive of the past decade has en­ 30-year separation, will do little to strengthen the fight­ the government, not the solidarity of Teamster members joyed considerable bipartisan backing, but the debate ing capacity of the labor movement. with other unionists, let alone nonunion workers. For over the Bork nomination reflected certain limits to this The merger announcement comes in the context of Kirkland and the others in the AFL-CIO hierarchy the consensus at the present time. As the pressure to use threats of a Justice Department lawsuit aimed at getting merger means an increase in funds pouring into the feder­ · harsher methods increases, however, in the face of work­ rid of the Teamsters executive board and having the ation's coffers in the face of declining membership. ing-class battles against concession contracts, speed-up, union placed under government control. In trial balloons As the employers' offensive heated up during the wage cuts, and so on, . there will be growing support floated about the takeover, the government says it wants 1980s, officials of both the AFL-CIO unions and the among the employers and their political representatives to remove the union from the grip of"organized crime." Teamsters demonstrated that they have no strategy to to crack down on constitutional rights. The corruption of the Teamsters officialdom and the fight back. In most instances, the union bureaucracy's This was camouflaged during the debate because the lack of democracy in the union is no secret to millions of approach has been to accommodate the employers' con­ liberal opposition portrayed itself as champions of demo­ workers. cession demands in order to help keep their companies cratic rights . But the last thing the billionaire ruling-class families profitable and to "save" jobs. The congressional opponents of Bork, and many who and their government are concerned about is lack of As workers have tried to struggle, the employers use supported them, also gave the impression that Bork's vote union democracy. For more than a decade they have court injunctions and antilabor laws to prevent workers on the Supreme Court would be decisive in overturning the waged a relentless war on working people. Throughout from using union power to win their demands. Faced conquests ofthe past three decades, if not more. this period unionists have been under the gun to give con­ with this, the officials have thrown their own book of In opposing the Bork nomination, one of the principal cessions on wages, work rules, safety conditions, and rules at the workers to further hamstring their fight. tasks of vanguard forces in the working class, in addition union rights. This approach has resulted in millions having their to exposing Bork's record, was to explain that advances But as the pressure has mounted, workers have begun wages slashed, faster line speed in most plants, and a in democratic rights, codified by court decisions and con­ resisting these attacks. This is shown by the fights of growing number of on-the-job injuries. stitutional amendments, have been won as the result of meat-packers, cannery workers, farm workers, paper It has resulted in the employers getting away with in­ struggles by working people, not the goodwill of the workers, coal miners, and others over the past year. The creased use of lockouts, scab-herding, and outright courts. And that for the employing class to reverse them employers recognize that the methods used in the first union-busting. It has resulted in a decrease in the size of will also require massive battles. half of the 1980s - getting union officials to convince the organized union movement and a drop in the labor This means showing how the outcome of fights work­ workers to go along with concessions - will become in­ movement's stature in the eyes of the working class as a ers are engaged in today - strikes, defense cases, and so creasingly ineffective, and they are preparing to use whole. on - affects whether or not democratic rights are ad­ rougher measures. This includes laying the groundwork Bringing the Teamsters under the roof of the AFL-CIO vanced or set back. for curtailing democratic rights and giving the govern­ will by itself do nothing to tum this around. The debate around Bork was not an occasion for ment a free hand to intervene directly in the unions. A new strategy for labor will develop out of future bat­ abstention, but for actively explaining- in the unions, Right now a majority of the rulers are unwilling to tles as more and more unionists come to the conclusion on campuses, and at anti-Bork rallies - the working­ launch such a frontal attack. They calculate it could pro­ that they have irreconcilable differences with the ~ploy­ class stakes in opposing Bork and defending and advanc­ voke massive resistance. But by going after unpopular ers and their government in Washington. That strategy ing constitutional rights and how that can be achieved. targets such as the Teamsters officialdom that may be will rely on turning the unions into instruments of strug­ Smith says it wasn't only "liberals" who actively op­ more vulnerable, they seek to grease the skids for doing gle where the mobilization and organization of the ranks posed Bork. That's true. But unfortunately most of those this down the road. is used to settle disputes with the employers day-to-day calling themselves socialists accepted the leadership and Sensing the opposition of many workers to the govern- on the job as well as at contract time. echoed the arguments of the liberal capitalist opponents of Bork. Their standpoint was not the interests of work­ ing people.

14 The Militant November 6, 1987 How Daniel Ortega talked to U.S. students

BY HARRY RING mental damage that would be done. Supposing, a student asked, new elections were held. NEW YORK -It's not every day that people in this "So," Ortega said, "the project was canceled." Would the Sandinistas win again? country get to see a political figure who listens to ques­ The audience clapped in approval. Ortega responded by recalling that in the 1984 elec­ tions carefully and answers them in a patient, well­ What about the counterrevplutionary prisoners, a stu­ tions his campaign for the presidency did not include any reasoned way. When it does happen, it's appreciated. dent wanted to know. With the new peace accord, will promises -except the promise that with the continuation This was apparent when Nicaragua's President Daniel they be pardoned? of the contra war and economic difficulties, there would Ortega was at Columbia University following his Oc­ be even greater sacrifice and hardship ahead. tober 8 address to the United Nations. Ortega took out a piece of paper and gave precise num­ On that "platform," he observed, the Sandinistas won The Columbia meeting was hosted by the graduate bers - 1 ,234 were pardoned between 1980 and 1987. two-thirds of the vote. school of journalism, and admission was limited to stu­ Another 1 ,518 were freed after completing their sen­ Consider, he told the students. If at the time of the next dents and the media. The 750-seat hall was jam-packed. tences. So, he explained, Nicaragua's policy of pardon­ elections there is peace in Nicaragua and the Sandinistas As we reported earlier, the Nicaraguan leader got an ing and releasing prisoners began well before the accords can realistically pledge advances in housing, food, med­ excellent reception, and as the evening went on, it got were signed. ical care, and other social needs, is there any reason to But, he firmly added, there will be no pardons for believe they would lose? "hardened criminals." For the audience, it was a persuasive reply and, again, He added another point. The maximum jail term in won a round of applause . AS I SEE IT Nicaragua is 30 years and there is no death penalty. That The students seemed equally impressed with an answer drew applause. Ortega offered to a question that hadn't been asked. better, It was clear that many in the audience were influ­ What about the status of women in the new Nicaragua? He said that as he came to the meeting he had seen a enced by what he had to say. Most important, Ortega responded, there is a massive campus rally in progress in solidarity with Nicaragua. The students plied him with questions and listened in­ integration of women into the tasks of the revolution - Nearby there was a counterdemonstration of right-wing tently to his answers. This seemed particularly so with "politically, economically, and in defense of the coun­ students chanting, "USA." questions about what's happening within Nicaragua. try." It would have been good, Ortega observed, if these One of the early questions was about an agreement students had attended his meeting, "so they could explain Nicaragua had made with Costa Rica for a joint lumber­ But, he continued, "women have specific grievances." what their viewpoint was, and we might have the oppor­ cutting project in a rain forest that's part of the border Principal among these, he said, was the lack of child­ tunity to clarify things." area of the two countries. Soon after it was made, the care facilities, a lack that is a big barrier to greater inte­ He told the audience, "I hope that in your contact and agreement was scrapped. gration of women into the revolutionary process. conversation with them you will clarify that there is no Ortega's explanation was brief and to the point. A priority has been given, he said, to building such war between the United States and Nicaragua. There is a The Nicaraguan government had approved the project, centers in the countryside and at factories. But the critical war being waged by the United States government and he had done so personally. But almost immediately, lack of resources has imposed big limits on this. against Nicaragua." he added, there was protest from environmental activists Once peace comes and the resources become avail­ He emphasized that Nicaraguans distinguished be­ and from the Nicaraguan government agency charged able, he declared, building an adequate number of day­ tween the people of the United States and the govern­ with wildlife preservation. They pointed to the environ- care centers will be a "key priority." ment. -lETTERS------Ecological destruction minority. Thus, he argues that Ortega in Bronx Enclosed is $12 for a six-month school prayer should be permitted, While in the United States, renewal to the Militant . Thanks abortion should be outlawed, oral Daniel Ortega, his wife Rosario for the stimulating paper. sex in private should be banned, Murillo, and their children at­ I was very interested in the few criminals should be sterilized, and tended a program at Highbridge articles you ran on the environ­ contraceptives should be banned, Community Life Center in South ment and ecological destruction all if the majority favors these pol­ Bronx, New York. School chil­ going on worldwide. More articles icies. dren and religious and community on how workers can grapple with He doesn't believe in the con­ activists let them know that the these devastating problems, cept of natural rights. He is there­ people of this country do not agree please! fore the precise opposite of a with Washington's war against G.D. Libertarian. Nicaragua. San Francisco, California The Libertarian Party national Children from the third grade convention last month passed a class at Community Elementary Bork I resolution opposing Bork's place­ School 114 sang "We Are the ment on the U.S. Supreme Court. world" and "La Bamba." They I think the Militant errs in stat­ Richard Winger also presented in both Spanish and ing that the opposition to the San Francisco, California English a letter to the Ortega chil­ nomination of Judge Robert Bork dren and all the children of Nicara­ was led and organized by liberals. gua, letting them know that the To call all these "liberal" is simply TWA strikers third graders wished only peace saying that all who actively op­ The Eighth Circuit Court of Ap­ posed Bork were liberals; all who peals has turned down a petition for Nicaragua. The Sacred Heart Middle opposed him but did nothing about by Trans World Airlines seeking a School Choir and the Brazilian formation on their struggle. Pierre Dale Selby? it were radicals like yourselves. rehearing of the court's earlier de­ musician Thiago de Mello also Naturally we were happy to In your article, it appeared that This seems to flow from your po­ cision ordering reinstatement and performed. help by sending her the October 23 the execution was a racial act be­ sition that real Marxists do not in­ back pay for some 1,500 flight at­ During his talk to the group, Militant along with several back cause Selby was a black, sen­ volve themselves in Supreme tendants, members of the Indepen­ Ortega said that if Ronald Reagan issues. tenced by an all-white jury. If all Court choices on principle. dent Federation of Flight Atten­ dants (IFFA). really represented democracy, he Dennis Koncewicz the facts had been stated it would You put forward an abstr~ct would allow the people of the Birmingham, Alabama not have appeared this way . statement as an alternative to the The ruling requires the airline to United States to vote to see if they I think you left out just a few de­ anti-Bork campaign: Democratic replace 463 junior flight attendants agree with his war policy in Nica­ tails . There were not three, but rights will not be won by Supreme - hired after the union called off Child labor ragua. five victims. Selby and his accom­ Court decisions, but "will be de­ its 1986 strike against TWA - With tears in my eyes, I read A representative of 125 solidar­ plice, William Andrews, forced f~nded and extended in the course with senior attendants who had your article on the exploitation of ity and peace groups presented the victims to drink Liquid Drano. of victories won in big battles be­ struck. child labor around the globe (Mili­ Following that, three of them were Ortega with 27,000 signatures of tant, October 2). tween workers and farmers and In addition, the court let stand shot in the head at point-blank their exploiters." This is true in­ New Yorkers against contra aid. This is the cruelest aspect of its earlier ruling that up to I ,200 The signatures were collected in range. sofar as it is true that these two can capitalism, that not even the chil­ union members who returned to just one day of tabling throughout In your article you quoted Selby be conceived of as opposed dren are spared, but are forced to work during the strike must give the city. from a letter he wrote to the Salt methods of winning rights. "It's clear that the North work under hellish conditions. way to more senior full-term strik­ American people do not support Lake Tribune, "With this case However the Bork case does not Children as young ·as four are bro­ ers. the government," she said. especially, there's only one way to fit into this sort of schema. The ken like domestic animals to work IFFA President Vicki Frank­ Ortega ended his talk at the go: 'Hang the niggers. '" No, broad popular opposition to the as much as 7 5 hours a week and ovich commented, "This ruling community center with "a new call Selby, in my opinion, Liquid rightist views represented by Bork receive as little as 15 cents an will cost the company $55 million, to the president of the United Drano would have done just fine. is a lightning rod in the battles be­ hour. These children fabricate and a favorable ruling in our bad­ States and his advisers to end the Selby took away the "right to tween the people and the rulers glass, gems, carpets, etc. , which life" from three people and in faith bargaining lawsuit could re­ war against Nicaragua." are sold in North America and over whose view of democratic doing so he gave up his "right to sult in hundreds of millions Becky Ellis Eurore for huge profits. rights will be enforced. It should life" three times over. more." Newar,k, New Jersey THis is nothing less than slav­ be understood as such rather than As I was left with a question, I ery. The capitalists steal the child­ dismissed as a liberal-conservative . In adc;lition .to this decision, will leave it with you: Your article Senate struggle from which leftists IFF A is seeking reinstatemenl and Paperworkers coverage hood and very lives from these stated that the death penalty is a children. should abstain. full back pay for approximately The Pathfinder Bookstore here "cruel and unusual punishment" Stansfield Smith 5,000 strikers·in the bad-faith bar­ in Birmingham recently . got a This nightmare of child abuse (from the criminal's point of can only come to an end with the Chicago, Illinois gaining suit, which is currently phone call from a student at Au­ view), which is prohibited by the struggles and revolution of the pending in U.S. district court in bum University. She was in the Constitution. Then what is a mur­ working people. Bork II Kansas·City. process of writing a paper for a der to an innocent victim? labor studies course on the strikes John-Michael Eggertsen Tara Plocek The October 9 Militant printed a It is not yet known whether Salt Lake City, Utah letter from a reader who states that TWA will appeal this decision to against International Paper Co. Des Moines, Iowa Judge Robert Bork is a Liberta­ the U.S. Supreme Court. Most She told us she had called the rian. strikers feel that an appeal is cer­ United Paperworkers International 'The other side' The letters column is an open Although Bork has said he was tain as the company continues to Union's local office in Mobile , I. am writing in response to an forum for all viewpoints on sub­ a Libertarian i·n the late 1960s, he use its legal department and its fi­ Alabama, where the workers have article in your September 18 issue, jects of general interest to our also says he changed most of his nancial resources to fight their been locked out by IP since March "Utah demonstration protests ex­ readers. Please keep your letters libertarian views around 1970. court -ordered return. 21. The union member who an­ ecution." As I was reading, I brief. Where necessary they will Bork believes that a majority Marcia Halverson swered the phone at the office re­ found myself left with a un­ be abridged. Please indicate if has the moral and constitutional Former 1WA striker ferred her to us , saying that the answered question: What were the you prefer that your initials be right to impose its views on a Cleveland, Ohio Militant was the best source of in- events that led to the execution of used rather than your full name.

· November 6-, 1987 'The Militant 15 THE MILITANT Wyoming miners under attack 84 strikers arrested trying to block buses carrying scabs

BY SCOTT BREEN 30-day restraining order from a Montana SHERIDAN, Wyo. - In what is be­ district judge that prohibits blockades. coming a major showdown between the After the October 23 action in Sheridan, labor movement and big business, 84 strik­ a restrammg order against blocking ing coal miners were arrested and charged Kiewit's office was issued by a Wyoming with "disorderly conduct" here on October judge. Earlier, during a mass car and truck 23. The miners were participating in a sit­ caravan from Sheridan to Decker, union down blockade that prevented two bus­ members and supporters were stopped at loads of scabs from leaving Sheridan for the Montana border. License numbers the Decker Coal Co. mine. were taken down by the cops. Strikers and Some 270 members of United Mine their supporters have now been harassed Workers of America (UMW A) Local 1972 and arrested by sheriff and police deputies have been on strike since the beginning of so often that many carry $160 in bail October at the large Decker strip mine, money with them at all times. which is north of Sheridan, just across the Despite these odds, the union is holding Montana state line. firm. Support for the strike has come from Decker is owned and operated by Peter other area unions, particularly members of Kiewit and Sons and Nerco Coal Co. the United Transportation Union, who are Omaha-based Kiewit is, according to the refusing to move coal cars along the rail UMW Journal, the largest construction bed leading from the mine. The strikers are company in the United States. getting strong support from UMW A mem­ Five days after Local 1972 struck Deck­ bers throughout the West, many of whom er, the 44 members of UMW A Local 2055 have sent delegations to participate in the went on strike at Big Hom Coal. The con­ picketing. tract at that mine, which is also owned by This battle has far-reaching implica­ Kiewit, expired March 23, and the com­ tions. In the nearby Powder River Basin pany had unilaterally imposed a $1.25 are many nonunion strip mines in what has wage cut after the union and the company UMW A was forced on strike at Decker mine at beginning of October. Operators become the most productive coal mining reached an impasse in negotiations. want to prevent coal union from organizing other mines in Powder River Basin. region in the country. Six of the top 10 At issue in both strikes are job security U.S. coal producing mines are located in and benefits. The UMW A is demanding strikers. In a 1983 election, the miners scabs and company personnel into the Campbell County, Wyoming. Many are contract provisions protecting their mem­ chose the UMW A as their bargaining rep­ mme. owned by the large oil companies. bership's jobs from being eliminated by resentative. Decker has hired Baker and Associates, The Decker and Big Hom mines have subcontracting. For three years the company refused to a notorious union-busting outfit. The pro­ given the UMW A a foothold in this area In addition the union wants a three-year allow the miners to have their union dues fessional strikebreakers have maintained from which to organize. Representation contract to replace the one-year contract it deducted from their paychecks. In 1986, continual surveillance of the picket lines, elections are scheduled at two mines in signed in 1986 and a clause granting laid­ three years after the union was voted in, the videotaping the workers and their support­ early November, and both the coal bosses off miners the right to preferential recall at company finally agreed to a one-year con­ ers from the hillsides. Baker thugs have and the workers are carefully following the other Kiewit mines. tract. The company is now refusing to also tried to provoke violence on the picket battle at Decker. The company is seeking cuts in medical negotiate seriously. lines and have harassed strikers and their Messages of solidarity and donations care coverage and a wage freeze. Miners A UMW A press release quotes union families in Sheridan. can be sent to UMWA Local 1972, P.O. have only received one raise of five cents President Richard Trumka as saying, "In­ The company is also making full use of Box 66, Sheridan, Wyo. 82801. an hour since 1982. stead of using resources to bargain in good the courts and cops against the strike. On The union is demanding a $500 lump­ faith to reach mutual faith agreement for October 13 the union organized a peaceful Scott Breen works at the Amoco Refinery in sum bonus the first year of the contract, the best interest of our members, the com­ sit-down blockade of the Decker coal mine Salt Lake City, Utah, and is a member of followed by a $700 bonus the second year munity, Wyoming, and Montana, manage­ entrance which prevented work at the mine Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Local and a wage raise of 35 cents an hour in the ment has engaged in a series of illegal ac­ that day. A week later the company got a 2286. third year. But union members are quick to tions designed to foster an atmosphere of point out that wages are not the real issue. coercion, intimidation, and confrontation." They say the company wants to bust their On the second day of the strike, the com­ union. pany sent out letters to all employees tell­ 1, 000 in Indianapolis hit In 1980 the workers were forced out on ing them they would be replaced if they did strike at Decker. At that time the mine was not return to work by October 12. The organized by the Progressive Mine Work­ company placed advertisements for scabs ers, whose leadership turned its back on the in local papers and chartered buses to get killing of Black youth

BY KAREN SMITH ers. Cops searched him twice before taking AND ANDY COATES him to the Marion County Juvenile Deten­ Ga. cops claiin fourth victiin INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -Nearly 1,000 tion Center, where reports say the shooting people, the big majority Black, gathered occurred as the police car entered the BY MACEO DIXON pursuit ended in a crash. outside police headquarters October 3 to grounds. ATLANTA- Lamar Bradley, 29, be­ The cops pulled Callahan from the car, protest the September 24 killing of Michael Charles Penniston, the cop driving the came the fourth person to die as a result of beat him, and shot him six times - five Taylor. car in which Taylor was shot, was one of police actions in this area in six weeks. times in the back and once in the side. They A 16-year-old Black youth, Taylor was the cops who searched him earlier that day. He died October 15 of a ruptured spleen, say he tried to get one of their guns . shot in the head while seated in the back of According to Indianapolis Police De­ after having reportedly been shot in the Residents of the project say that Calla­ a police car with his hands handcuffed be­ partment and coroner reports, both Pennis­ knee by a cop in Douglass High School the han was lying face down with his hands hind him. Official reports of the In­ ton and Taylor had gunpowder residue on day before. Fulton County medical ex­ cuffed behind his back when he was shot. dianapolis cops claim that Taylor shot him­ their hands. But city investigators contend aminers claim there was no evidence that The police say they did not put handcuffs self. that insufficient amounts were present to Bradley had been beaten, but say they do on Callahan until after they had shot and Protesters chanted "No more killings!" decisively conclude who fired the .32- not know why his spleen burst. killed him. and "We want justice- Now!" Relatives caliber handgun with which Taylor was Although police say that Bradley was Five marches have been held to demand of Taylor led a march around police head­ shot in the temple. shot only once, the wall near where he was that the cops be brought to justice. quarters. During a rally on;the steps of the The cops claim the lack of fingerprints shot was peppered with bullet holes. The Michael Long, the cop who pulled the building, a coffin was raised up to the front on the gun was due to its aged and marred police department claims that the cop, re­ trigger, has now been indicted for involun­ door. It bore a sign reading, "Is this spot condition. The weapon itself has been sponding to a report of a burglary., fired tary manslaughter - carrying a maximum waiting on your child?" traced as one that disappeared in a January bullets into the wall to make sure his gun sentence of one year in jail and a $1,000 1986 residential burglary, according to the would be empty just in case the alleged fine. The other cop was exonerated A petition demanding an open meeting Marion County Sheriff's Department. burglar grabbed it. Mayor Andrew Young expressed shock with Indianapolis police and the coroner Police claim no further knowledge of the This implausible story heightened out­ that any indictment would be leveled was circulated. An alliance of Black clergy gun's whereabouts. rage here, already running high over the against "police officers performing their took contributions to hire a private inves­ On September 28, police released avid­ gunning down of Eddie Lee Callahan, a duty." tigator. eotape that was intended to suggest it was Black Vietnam veteran. But especially in the Black community, Many of the protesters were trade union­ physically possible for Taylor to shoot On September 10 two cops at the Carver there is anger at the grand jury for letting ists, including auto workers. There is a himself. Recruits at a police training center Homes housing project- which the police the police gunman and his cohort off large Chrysler plant here. were shown sitting handcuffed in the back have branded a "war zone" - came upon lightly. Even police officer Wali Kareem, On September 24, Taylor was arrested seat of a patrol car. Several, but not all, Callahan arguing with his sister about the president of the 400-member Afro-Ameri­ on suspicion of trying to steal a car. Police succeeded in getting a gun to their heads. family car. Callahan got into the car and can Patrolmen's League, criticized the took a photograph of him a short time be­ The type of handcuffs used in the video drove off. grand jury and said Black police officers fore his death. He is shown handcuffed, demonstration, however, were felt by The police chased him, claiming that "want questions answered" about the kill­ standing in front of a cop car, wearing a some who saw it to not be identical to the they thought he was a car thief, and the ing. tank-top T-shirt, shorts, socks, and sneak- ones used on Taylor.

16 The Militant November 6, 1987