• «uoinnLuiw.uu • d c l u i u m Drou • OHINMUA^.UU • r(WR/C ruu • lUfcLANU KrlbO • NfcW ZEALAND $2.50 • SWEDEN Kr12 • UK £1.00 • U.S. $1.50 INSIDE ^ffE fW S Ê & Ê ? . Leon Trotsky on THE MILITANT education and culture A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE I VOL. 58 NO. 2 January 17. 1994

Clinton ANC gears up election retreats from threats campaign in S. Africa to N. Korea BY BRIAN WILLIAMS With passage of an interim constitution BY BRIAN WILLIAMS by South Africa’s apartheid parliament De­ The U.S. government has retreated for cember 22, the election campaign for a new now from its aggressive campaign of nu­ constituent assembly moved into high gear. clear blackmail and threats of economic The country’s first-ever democratic nonra­ sanctions or even military strikes against cial vote is to occur April 27. A victory for North Korea. Backing away from its de­ the African National Congress (ANC) elec­ mand for virtual unlimited inspections of tion slate will mark the end of decades of North Korea’s nuclear facilities, Washing­ white-minority rule. ton announced January 4 that it will now “ We start 1994 with vigor, for it is our accept Pyongyang’s offer of one full inspec­ year of freedom,” stated ANC president Nel­ tion of seven atomic sites. son Mandela in his Christmas and New Clinton administration officials said this Year’s message to the nation. “ A ll demo­ tentative agreement might lead to cancel­ crats who want peace and justice must work ing U.S. annual joint military exercises together to isolate the minority in our coun­ with South Korean forces scheduled for try who try to foster racial hatred and vio­ March. lence. They must not be given the slightest “ It’s one of these cases where the Admini­ chance to undermine the democratic future stration was huffing and puffing and backed that we have worked so hard for.” down,” an unnamed government official In a year-end interview with journalists, told the New York Times. “ There’s nothing as reported in the Johannesburg Sowetan, wrong with trying to come out of this with­ Mandela elaborated further on the opportu­ out starting a war.” nities and challenges that lie ahead. He For months Washington has been threatening to impose an economic block­ hailed the establishment of the Transitional ANC-organized People’s Forum in South Africa. The ANC is calling public meetings Executive Council (TEC), which w ill “ make and organizing voter education in preparation for the country’s first nonracial election. ade or carry out possible military strikes sure that the Independent Electoral Com­ if the government of the Democratic Peo­ mission w ill take control of the elections ple’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) didn’t from the regime, and place it in the hands won close to a million votes during the cratic peace force will be able to put the fire agree to demands for frequent nuclear in­ of the people themselves.” In addition, the [whites-only] referendum last year. They out.” spections. U.S. president B ill Clinton South African Broadcasting Corporation “ is have a substantial following in the civil The ANC leader has been campaigning stated a month ago that North Korea now going to be developed into an inde­ service, police, army, and they also man key at public meetings in numerous cities would never be allowed to possess nu- pendent body and not a propaganda tool for installations such as energy and fuel and where serious discussion and debate has Continued on Page 12 any party or government.” could therefore paralyze any government. unfolded on a number of political and so­ The ANC leader said the threat of civil ‘To acknowledge those facts does not cial issues. Mandela, for example, re­ war by the right-wingers should not be un­ mean the peace forces are not powerful or sponded to a variety of questions raised at derestimated. “ During the last general elec­ unable to control the situation,” continued a recent forum in Natal province. A repre­ Wall Street tions the white vote was split between the Mandela. “ The right-wing could cause a lot sentative from the Muslim community of Conservative Party and the National Party,” of damage. However, we believe that what­ Greytown asked why the ANC has not in- faces dilemma Mandela pointed out. “ But the right-wingers ever damage they could cause, the demo­ Continued on Page 3 over Russia BY BRIAN WILLIAMS U.S. gov’t tries to control damage from As 1993 came to a close, editors of big- business newspapers and magazines in the United States and around the world seem to revelations on radiation experiments agree that reestablishing capitalism in Russia, their professed goal, is not in sight. At the BY HARRY RING Researchers from Harvard same time, a discussion is unfolding among For 12 years until the early University and the Massachusetts bourgeois opinion molders on how best to 1970s, more than 100 state prison Institute of Technology con­ impose a market economy in that country. inmates in Washington and Ore­ ducted the tests. They were A December 27 editorial in Business Week gon had their testicles exposed to funded in part by the Atomic En­ calls for slowing down the pace of “reform,” a high levels of radiation. ergy Commission and by Quaker code word for the austerity measures that have In the Boston area, between Oats. (If the experiments proved been slashing the living standard of Russian 1946 and 1956, at least 49 men­ successful, would the cereal working people. “ It’s time for doctrinaire gov­ tally retarded teenagers were fed maker have used it as a commer­ ernment reformers . . . and their Western ad­ radioactive food. cial?) visers to ease up and recognize that many Rus­ These are among the gruesome In the Washington/Oregon sians voted for the extremists as a protest revelations stemming from a gov­ prison experiment, the inmates against ‘shock therapy.’ ” says Business Week. ernment damage control opera­ were subjected to high doses of The Business Week editors, like many tion relating to the countless se­ radiation to determine if such ex­ other capitalist commentators, are shocked cret experiments designed to ad­ posure would inhibit the develop­ by the strong showing of rightist politician vance its capability to wage nu­ ment of sperm. Vladimir Zhirinovsky in the December 12 clear war. parliamentary elections in Russia. His Lib­ The government now admits The fraud of ‘consent’ eral Democratic Party won 24 percent of the that up to 800 people were used The victims received small nationwide vote. as human guinea pigs in radiation payments and were required to “ Instead of simply cutting loose newly pri­ experiments without informed sign “ consent” forms. But an En­ vatized companies, the government should consent. ergy Department spokesman now help shore up select companies with govern­ And unknown thousands of concedes the consent forms were ment aid,” continues Business Week. “ Instead people were subjected to radia­ a fraud since they didn’t really of letting new businesses develop in a hap­ tion fallout from secret bomb explain the risk involved of devel­ hazard free-for-all, the government must tests. oping testicular cancer. dedicate itself to rooting out corruption.” In the Boston-area experiment, Dr. Alvin Paulsen, a retired A news article in the same issue entitled, the teenagers were fed a heavy University of Washington medi­ “ ‘The reforms have lost,’ ” pinpointed the diet of cereal laced with radioac­ cal professor who helped conduct imperialist powers’ unsolvable dilemma. tive forms of iron and calcium. the experiment, defended the pro­ “ Russia and the West have to find a path to The apparent purpose was to de­ ject. reform that doesn’t put people’s backs to the Atomic blast at Nevada Test Site in 1957. Thousands were ex­ termine if large amounts of cereal He said it would have been wall,” it concludes. posed to the fallout Facts are coming out about other radiation would slow the digestion of those unethical to do the experiments The New York Times calls for capitalist experiments carried out on people without informed consent. minerals. Continued on Page 5 Continued on Page 12

London uses conviction of boys to whip up anticrime frenzy— page 13 IN BRIEF. PLO, Tel Aviv debate accord people and destroyed about 200 dwellings Tel Aviv and the Palestine Liberation Or­ in the Port-au-Prince slum. An estimated ganization (PLO) concluded the latest round 1,500 people were left homeless. The fire of talks December 29 to decide how to im­ began a few hours after two officials of the plement the accord they signed last Septem­ rightist group were killed. ber. Negotiators said they will resume talks in early January to try to resolve the remain­ Honduran m ilitary opens files ing problems. The two sides reportedly A Honduran military spokesman said it agree on sharing responsibility for control­ will open its secret files on the murder and ling access to the West Bank and Gaza Strip, disappearance of close to 500 political activ­ but disagree over Tel Aviv’s claim to veto ists in the 1980s and allow judges to ques­ power over “problematic visitors.” tion the officers blamed for these acts. The Negotiators also differ on the size of the announcement was made December 30, one area around the West Bank town of Jericho day after a government human rights com­ that will be under Palestinian control. PLO mission report accused Argentine military officials demand jurisdiction over an area advisers and right-wing Nicaraguan contras roughly 77 to 116 square miles. Israeli rep­ of helping U.S.-trained Honduran soldiers resentatives offer a 19 square mile region torture and kill leftists. with no access to the nearby Dead Sea. More than 14,000 U.S.-backed contras Tel Aviv rejected the PLO’s request for used bases in Honduras to try to topple the UN troop protection of Israeli settlers in the Sandinista National Liberation Front in occupied territories during a period of tran­ Nicaragua. The report attributes much of the sition, after which the Israeli government wrongdoing to a battalion once headed by would evacuate settlements and turn them the current chief of the Honduran military. over to the PLO. Tel Aviv insists on retain­ ing the settlements and protecting them U.S. troops arrive in Colombia with Israeli soldiers. A Colombian mayor ordered the flag at town hall to be flown at half-staff until the 400 U.S. troops leave Somalia 150 U.S. soldiers that began arriving on the country’s Pacific coast December 28 leave. Another 400 U.S. soldiers left Moga­ Members of Zapatista Army of National Liberation who seized four towns in the The troops will be stationed at a naval base dishu December 29. More than 9,000 U.S. southern Mexican state of Chiapas. At least 84 people were killed January 1-2 in battles near the city of Cali. The chief of Colombia’s troops remain in Somalia and on ships off­ with government troops. Rebels subsequently retreated from three towns. The peas­ armed forces, Gen. Ramón Bermudez, said shore. French, Belgian, and Swedish troops ants, most of them Indians, proclaimed their struggle is “for work, land, housing, food, he could not understand the complaints. “ I pulled out at the end of December. About health care, education, independence, freedom, democracy, justice, and peace.” 25,000 United Nations soldiers remain in can’t see why there is mention of violation of the Horn of Africa. Washington, Bonn, and sovereignty as there is no such act, nothing Rome have said they will withdraw their re­ which goes beyond helping the commu­ maining forces by March 31. About one-third of the world’s population is tolerate continued failure of the United nity,” he said at a news conference. Officials infected with the lung disease, which kills 3 States Government to cany out its duties say the troops came to help build a school and Tea workers strike in Sri Lanka million people a year. The organization says under the law,” Chiles wrote in a letter to aclinic. Some Colombian news organizations $13 is enough to cure a tuberculosis patient the state’s attorney general. The governor charge that the troops arrived just four weeks Nearly 200,000 — 40 percent — of the in many countries. Since 1985, there has said he is prepared to take the case to the after the U.S. ambassador urged Bogotá to workers at government-owned tea planta­ been a 35 percent increase in the number of Supreme Court. Similar suits brought by the pursue drug traffickers in Cali. tions in Sri Lanka walked off the job Decem­ cases of tuberculosis in the United States states of New York and California have been ber 20. In response, the authorities invoked a among children under age 15. dismissed. law that allows jail terms of up to 20 years for Spanish theaters protest decree inciting government hatred or contempt. N.Y. cops acquitted in beatings Many movie theaters throughout Spain Workers at the 55 struck estates are day labor­ F lo rida sues over im m igration closed December 20 in a one-day protest of A federal jury December 29 acquitted a ers, mostly Tamils, who were employed a proposal to restrict the showing of U.S. Lawton Chiles, Democratic governor of Yonkers, New York, cop and his retired about 200 days in 1993. Among other things, films. The recent General Agreement on Florida, ordered state officials to sue the colleague on chaises of using excessive the unionists demand at least 300 days of Tariffs and Trade didn’t lower barriers to federal government to try to reduce the flow force. Police officers Michael Buono and work each year or pay for layoffs. imports of movies and television shows. of undocumented immigrants and to get re­ Bruce Nickels took two Northern Ireland The Spanish government’s decree would imbursed for social services the state claims immigrants from a christening party at a require theaters in cities with populations U.S. gov’t rejects TB aid request to have provided them. restaurant Dec. 2, 1991, to a deserted train over 125,000 to schedule one day of Euro­ Washington turned down a request by the “The people of Florida should not be station and beat them. pean Community (EC) produced films for World Health Organization to contribute $3 compelled to subsidize the entry of illegal Patrick McNulty, a 33-year-old carpenter, every two days of non-EC movies, and one million to a program to fight tuberculosis. aliens into the United States, nor should they and Patrick Lilly, a 33-year-old floor in­ in three for less populous areas. Of the films staller, produced vivid color photographs of shown in Spain, 77 percent are made in the nightstick-shaped bruises on their backs United States, 9 percent in Spain, and 14 during the trial. The judge, however, did not percent in other EC countries. allow them to introduce other evidence that MILITANT would have helped their case. Nickels was also found not guilty on a third count of Miners in Germany take pay cuts using excessive force against another cele­ Coal bosses in Germany and the IG Ber- Defend working farmers brant, Margaret Nolan, who was brutally ghau and Energie union agreed to cut min­ clubbed outside the restaurant when she pro­ ers’ workweek to four days and reduce Farmers and other working tested her husband’s arrest. wages by 6 percent. The miners had been people today face the scheduled to get a 3 percent wage increase. Rightists torch slum in Haiti consequences o f a world Employers said the cuts were necessary to Supporters of the military that ousted Hai­ avoid laying off 10,000 miners in the Ruhr depression in its early stages. tian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1991, Valley. Coal companies can cancel the The ‘M ilitant* reports on M s doused shacks in Cité Soleil, Haiti, with gaso­ agreement anytime in the next two years line December 27 and set them on fire. The if they want to reduce their workforce or economic and social crisis and blaze, started by members of the Front for the raise profits. explains how farmers and Advancement and Progress of Haiti, killed 10 — PAT SMITH workers can unite against By first-class (airmail), send $80. Asia: send the billionaire bankers, The Militant $80 drawn on a U.S. bank to 410 West St., New Closing news date: January 5,1994 York, NY 10014. Canada: Send Canadian$75 industrialists, and merchants. for one-year subscription to Militant, 4581 St. Don*t miss a single issue! Editor GEORGE FYSON Denis, Montreal, Quebec H2J 2L4. Britain, Managing Editor: ARGIRIS MALAPANIS Ireland, Africa: £35 for one year by check or Business Manager: NAOMI CRAINE international money order made out to Militant Editorial Staff: Naomi Craine, Hilda Cuzco, Distribution, 47 The Cut, London, SE1 8LL, SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Martin Koppel, Sara Lobman, Greg Rosen­ England. Continental Europe: £50 for one berg, Stu Singer, Pat Smith, Brian Williams. year by check or international money order Published weekly except for one week in De­ made out to Militant Distribution at above cember and biweekly from mid-June to mid- address. France: Send FF300 for one-year NEW READERS NAME August by the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 subscription to Militant, 8 allée Berlioz, 94800 West St., New York, NY 10014. 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2 The Militant January 17,1994 Capitalist investment mushrooms in India

BY GREG ROSENBERG 85 percent. In 1992, im­ "... the southern city o f Bangalore, port controls were abol­ about 500 miles southeast o f Bombay, has ished for most capital become the hub o f India's Silicon Valley, goods and raw materi­ home to more than 100 computer software als. A series of devalu­ companies and hardware industries — and ations have left the ru­ perhaps tens o f thousands o f computer en­ pee at about two-thirds gineers. of its former value. In “Among the investors are l.B.M., Texas In­ March 1993, Finance struments, Hewlett-Packard, Citicorp and Minister Manmohan Motorola. Only the United States and possi­ Singh unified the ex­ bly Russia have more software engineers change rate and floated than India." the rupee. Investors -New York Times, Dec. 29, 1993 from outside India can Capitalist enterprises around the world now own up to 51 per­ have begun to pour massive investments in cent in a company. For­ plants and equipment in parts of India, the eign investors can raise second most populous country on the globe their holdings beyond with more than 880 million people. that limit with addi­ In 1993 alone, U.S. companies invested tional clearance from more than in the entire preceding 45 years the Secretariat of Indus­ since India won independence from the Brit­ trial Approvals, and in ish crown. some cases from other bodies. Children working in a match factory in India. Capital investment boom will draw peasants into more About 75 percent of India’s population modern factories in urban areas. lives in rural areas in a heavily agricultural The government also economy. The transformation of the peas­ imposed austerity meas­ antry into urbanized wage-workers is fu­ ures that squeeze the living standards of and that they need protection. to increase their stakes and set up ventures eling the investment boom. And with a workers and peasants. The government’s hand was reinforced in India. Enron Power of the United States middle-class of engineers, doctors, and over the past several months. In November, signed an agreement December 8 to build other professionals numbering as large as Austerity measures the ruling Congress Party’s largest parlia­ a $930 million power station near Bom­ 250 million the capitalist families see a big Spokespeople for imperialist powers mentary opposition, the rightist Bharatiya bay. new market. have cheered Rao’s measures and offered Janata Party, suffered a setback at the polls In cities like Bangalore, where the soft­ The financial press internationally is ample advice. The Economist, published in state elections. ware companies are concentrated, a thin comparing developments in India with the in Britain, wrote in a December 4 editorial The finance minister offered his resigna­ layer of workers are doing better alongside recent influx of capital into pockets of that the government “ should now flog the tion following a report that held him partly a mushrooming middle class. A mid-level China, where foreign investment is being possibly-profitable outfits — such as the responsible for the 1992 Bombay stock mar­ engineer in this city makes about $800 a propelled by capitalist market measures in­ oil and steel companies — while sorting ket scandal. The ruling families however month, a tiny fraction of what engineers in troduced by Beijing and fueled by the entry out the thousands of enterprises touchingly rallied to Singh’s defense, and Rao rejected the United States, Japan, or Europe receive, of millions of peasants into the urban known as ‘sick.’ the resignation. but considerably more than an industrial working class. “ Then, to encourage private industry to Meanwhile, the government is boasting worker in India. Since 1991 the government of Indian restructure, Mr. Rao needs to wipe off the of a surge in exports, and the highest foreign The great majority of workers and farm­ prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao has car­ statute books the legislation that makes it currency reserves held to date. ers in India still live in grinding poverty. ried out an economic restructuring program technically illegal to close a factory or sack India is the world’s fourth largest debtor, Gross Domestic Product per capita was designed to lure foreign capital. Rao low­ a worker.” after Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia. The $290 last year. About one-half of the popu­ ered a host of trade barriers and limits on Reflecting the fear of India’s rulers that foreign debt has grown to $85 billion, up lation cannot read. non-Indian ownership of enterprises. the belt-tightening drive might spark out­ from $37 billion in 1986. While capitalist investment expands, For decades, the Indian government bursts from working people, Singh told the Since 1991, New Delhi has approved holdovers from precapitalist society are re­ maintained a highly protected economy with Financial Times that trade unions “ are pow­ $3.5 billion in foreign capital investment. tained and molded into new forms. One large-scale state ownership benefiting erful. If you take them on head-on you risk In contrast, during the previous decade less such practice is dowry payment. wealthy employers there. The Tata family having the reforms derailed altogether. You than $1 billion came into the country. Dowry payments empire, for example, encompasses manu­ have to take every step taking account of Companies from the United States, Britain, facturing and distribution of cars, trucks, what can be done. Tactics have to be sensi­ Canada, Ja^an, Germany, and Sweden Despite a 32-year-old statute banning buses, steel, computers, electronics, fertiliz­ tive to the need of the moment.” have rushed to increase their stake in In­ dowries — money and gifts given by a ers, tea, and more. The Tata companies sell Capitalist families in India have given dian firms, raising their ownership to 51 bride’s parents to the groom — the practice 2 percent of the entire Gross National Prod­ firm backing to the austerity drive in the percent. still flourishes. The New York Times re­ uct, about $5 billion a year. hopes that they can increase their profits. Coca Cola, PepsiCo, U.S. West, Gen­ ported December 30 that it is now being In July 1991, the maximum import duty Some employers, however, argue that the eral Electric Capital, Morgan Stanley, Sea­ practiced “ with a vengeance, among the was cut from 300 percent. It now stands at reforms unfairly benefit foreign capitalists. gram, and Peugeot won approval recently growing middle classes.” In 1992 alone, 4,785 women were mur­ dered by their husbands for not having pro­ vided adequate dowries, according to gov­ ANC election campaign switches to high gear ernment statistics. In the Silicon Valley around Bangalore, dowry abuse has reached Continued from front page racial party. Two days later, nine Blacks were killed “ epidemic” proportions, according to the eluded even one of the four main Indian “ This [election] is essentially a contest in the East Rand townships of Tokoza and Times. languages — Urdu, Hindi, Gujurati, or between the National Party’s corrupt Katlehong near Johannesburg and in a “ My husband wanted a house in his Tamil — among the 11 national languages white-minority rule and mismanagement squatter camp in the port city of Durban. On name,” said Nagavani, a woman interviewed it has proclaimed for South Africa. “ We as on the one hand, and democracy, recon­ December 24, assassins shot dead Patford by a Times reporter. “ He wanted a 30,000 ru­ the ANC regard this as a serious omission struction and development on the other,” Shuma, the personal assistant of ANC dep­ pee scooter,” about $ 1,000. “ He beat me. He that I cannot explain,” stated Mandela. “ It commented a December 23 ANC state­ uty general secretary Jacob Zuma. The ANC hit me on my back. He used to poke me with was raised in the last NEC [National Ex­ ment. called this killing a “ premeditated assassi­ a needle on my back. He kept saying, I am an engineer and we must have lots of things.” ecutive Committee] meeting and I assure “The ANC is not opposed to debates nation.” This violence against women has also you that it will be discussed again.” among leaders of parties contesting the elec­ Commenting on the Cape Town killings, The director of the AIDS Information tion,” the statement continued. “ But pre­ an ANC news release said, “ Such acts of sparked protests. Thousands demonstrated in New Delhi recently to protest the rise in Center in Pietermaritzburg asked Mandela cisely because the ANC is concerned about naked terrorism serve only the interests of dowry-related killings. at the same forum about the ANC’s policy the plight of the people and it is seriously those who want to destabilise negotiations toward combatting this disease. “ AIDS is working on plans to address these problems, and prevent free and fair elections.” one of the most serious problems facing media events of the type de Klerk seems to Pointing to the double standard of justice FROM the world,” commented Mandela. “ We be so desperate for, will be a cherry on top that exists by the police in going after the PATHFINDER must begin to teach our children at an early of a serious campaign — not the starting culprits of these attacks, the ANC statement stage about how to indulge in safe sex and point.” continued, “ It is regrettable that there seems use contraceptives.. . . The present gov­ The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) an­ to be a different response when such attacks To See ernment has neglected this issue.” Mandela nounced at its annual conference in mid-De- occur in townships as compared with those the Dawn also reiterated his support for a woman’s cember that the organization has decided to that occur where whites are victims.” right to control her own body and choose participate in the April elections despite op­ Baku, 1920 — First abortion. position from the PAC’s student and youth Aid to Cuba Congress o f the affiliates. The PAC, however, rejected in­ In other news, supporters of the demo­ Peoples o f the East Voter education program volvement in the Transitional Executive cratic movement in South Africa sent a sym­ In preparation for the April 27 balloting Council. bolic donation of aid, consisting of vitamin in which an estimated 22 million people tablets and $2,000 in cash, to the people of How can peasants and workers in the could go to the polls, the ANC has Violent attacks continue Cuba. Representatives of the ANC and the colonial world achieve freedom from imperialist exploitation? How can working launched a voter education program. “ We National Union of Mineworkers visited Ha­ Violent attacks continue to take the lives people overcome the divisions incited by are opening offices throughout the country of South African residents. Gunmen armed vana in December to announce this act of their national ruling classes and act together to be nearer the people,” stated Mandela. with automatic rifles and hand-grenades solidarity. for their common class interests? These “ We have to make sure that our house-to- killed four people and wounded five in a Elias Fenyane from the ANC mission in questions were addressed by 2,000 delegates house campaign is effective.. . . We have crowded restaurant in Cape Town Decem­ Cuba pointed out that when the optic neu­ to the 1920 Congress of the Peoples of the also launched the People’s Forum where ber 30. Several of the dead and wounded ritis epidemic was affecting the Cuban East Complete proceedings. Part of the people, instead of leaders, do the talking.” were white. The South African Press As­ people, a South African company offered series. The Communist International in sociation reported receiving calls taking to send vitamin tablets to Cuba, but re­ Lenin’s Time. $ 19.95 The National Party led by F.W. de Klerk credit for the attack from a man claiming ceived an order from its headquarters in Available at bookstores, including those listed on page launched its election campaign December to speak for the Azanian People’s Libera­ the United States not to do so. Many peo­ 12, o r a l the address below. I f ordering by m ail, please 21 with a call for a debate with Mandela on tion Army (APLA), the armed wing of the ple of South Africa were so outraged by add $3.00 to cover postage and handling television and radio. This party, which for PAC. Another caller from the Azanian Na­ this decision that they took to the streets PATHFINDER, -4 1 □ WEST ST.. decades upheld the banner of apartheid rule, tional Liberation Army (AZANLA) also to collect money and medicine to send to NEW YORK. NY IDQ14. is now attempting to recast itself as a non- claimed responsibility. Cuba. FAX (2 1 2) 727*0 1 SD

January 17, 1994 The M ilitant 3 Librarians at meeting in London discuss ‘breaking information blockade9 to Cuba

BY BOB BUCHAN States, Britain, New Zealand, and other LONDON — “ From Hackney to Havana: countries have donated more than $6,000. Breaking the Information Blockade,” was the This sum covers only a portion of the costs theme of a meeting held November 6 in of books already donated. More funds are Hackney, East London, as part of the National needed to cover future requests. Library Week. About 60 people came to the Marriott went on to describe his experi­ event, organized by local librarians in con­ ences in Cuba as a participant on the recent junction with the International Group of the Jose Marti Brigade. “ It was organized by the Library Association (IGLA). Cuba Solidarity Campaign and enabled two “ We are about the free flow of informa­ dozen of us to take part in voluntary farming tion, we are against any form of censor­ work alongside many young Cubans who ship, and we are for protecting the rights were spending their summer holidays the of access of any individual to the informa­ same way. tion they need.” This is how Russell Bow­ “ When we first set up a table of Path­ den summed up the IGLA’s attitude toward finder books in our rest area a small thing the Cuban revolution and the U.S. trade happened that made a very big impression embargo. He reported the International on me. As we started unpacking the boxes Federation o f Library Associations will all the young Cubans who had been sitting meet in Havana in 1994. Bowden said he around jumped out of their seats and started regretted the fact that U.S. government grabbing more tables, opening the boxes, policies would prevent many delegates laying the books out — looking carefully at from the United States from attending and each one as they did so — and passing them would prohibit exhibits from U.S. compa­ around. You could almost tell who was a nies at the conference center. Cuban student by who jumped up to the Bowden expressed his confidence that the books.” “ Cubans will put on a first rate conference. Marriott also described how one Cuban Militant/Martin Koppel Our president has toured the conference fa­ woman who is Black kept returning to look Pathfinder books on display at exhibit in Holguin, Cuba, in October 1992. These books cilities and he reports that Cuba and our at How Far We Slaves Have Come, which were subsequently donated to the library of the Higher Technical Institute of Holguin. Cuban colleagues are absolutely prepared. includes speeches by Nelson Mandela and Increased demand by Cuban libraries and other institutions for donations of Pathfinder O f course the blockade w ill cause problems Fidel Castro during Mandela’s visit to Cuba books led to the establishment of the Books for Cuba Fund. but the international community w ill rise to in 1991. She explained that her father had the challenge.” volunteered to fight in Angola in the 1980s are organized in Cuban libraries. He was Describing the U.S. embargo as an affront Steve Wilkinson, speaking for the Cuba against the invasion of that country by the impressed by the large number of libraries, to the free exchange of ideas and access to Solidarity Campaign, said the U.S. em­ South African apartheid army. She had never more than 4,000, but noted that they were information, he suggested that librarians in bargo has cost Cuba $40 billion. In par­ read Mandela’s speech before. Another “dark, dingy, and badly equipped with a lack Britain organize twinning arrangements ticular he described the impact of the trade woman took a copy of the magazine New of modem books.” He also said that the with libraries in Cuba. sanctions on the publishing industry on the International no. 7 featuring the article personal service and attention to detail pro­ The meeting was held in a public library Caribbean island. Prior to the revolution “ Opening Guns of World War III” and ex­ vided by the staff was excellent. named after the Trinidadian writer on poli­ there were no indigenous publishing plained that it would be useful in her new Pupils at a school for the blind manufac­ tics and cricket C.L.R. James, who is the houses in Cuba, he said. After the revolu­ job in the Foreign Ministry. These students ture their own paper and exercise books. author of the Pathfinder book Fighting Ra­ tion 15 establishments were set up. By were only able to get hold of these books With regard to services for the disabled, cism in World War II. The library recently 1989 those were producing 50 million because of the financial contributions of King stated that he “ would be very proud if ordered a broad range of Pathfinder books books a year. Severe paper shortages, how­ international volunteers from many coun­ we had here what they have there. Reading on Cuba for its “Three Continents Libera­ ever, meant that last year only two new tries working on the farm. sessions in Braille [language for blind] in tion Collection.” Posters of the Pathfinder novels were produced in Cuba compared Marriott concluded by appealing for sup­ the libraries were extremely effective and Mural — a six-story-high wall painting, de­ with an average o f more than 15 in pre­ port for the London commitment to the well organized.” picting dozens of working class leaders vious years. Books for Cuba Fund. “ We want to raise, There are difficulties caused by the short­ whose works Pathfinder prints, at the pub­ from the contributions of those like your­ age of Braille paper and tape recorders. After lisher’s central office in New York— are Books for Cuba Fund selves, a sum of money that will allow us to he returned to Britain, King set himself the permanently displayed in prpminent posi­ Continuing on this theme, Martin Marri­ contribute a wide selection of books to a task of raising funds to set up facilities in tions in the library. ott, representing the London Pathfinder Cuban library, to be given as an act of Havana for “ talking-books” to be produced Ian Grant, manager o f the Pathfinder bookshop, explained that these shortages solidarity from people here. In this way and by volunteers. As a result, 4 specialist tape bookshop in London, helped staff a Path­ highlighted “ the tremendous importance of others, let’s keep working together to keep recorders, 30 personal tape recorders, and finder booktable at the event. “ The meet­ the library system in Cuba, so that books breaking the information blockade and play­ 2,000 tapes are now on their way to Cuba ing demonstrated that Cuba is becoming that are available in Cuba can get into as ing our part in fighting for a world without and a volunteer will be going to set up the less and less isolated in the world today,” many hands as possible.” borders.” recording studio. Grant commented. “The broad range of Marriott described how representatives of Stephen Roberts, a senior lecturer at speakers on the platform prepared to look Pathfinder Press staffed an exhibition of Services for disabled Thames Valley University, was the final objectively at the gains o f the Cuban revo­ books at a library conference in Holguin, The next speaker was Stephen King, di­ speaker. “ In spite of the problems there was lution, to fight for solidarity, and to speak Cuba, in 1992. “The exhibition of more than rector of the Royal National Institute for the a great deal of substance and organization out against the embargo was a very strik­ 100 Pathfinder titles never left Holguin. To­ Blind. King explained that until last Febru­ to the library system in Cuba,” he said. “ It ing feature.” day the books are in the library of the Higher ary he had no knowledge of Cuba. At that still looks relatively strong compared with Technical Institute of Holguin. And they are time he visited the Caribbean island along other countries in the region.” He also Bob Buchan is a member o f the Transport being used. Pathfinder received a letter from with librarians from 26 countries in Latin pointed to the high quality of the profes­ and General Workers Union in Luton, Eng­ a student there recently giving his views on America, to study how services for the blind sional work carried out in Cuban libraries. land. the book Socialism on Trial and asking for more information about the author, James P. Cannon. Another correspondence, from a teacher there, stated how much he enjoyed D.C. rally demands return of Aristide to Haiti reading Habla Malcolm X (Malcolm X Speaks) and that he would make sure his BY JANET POST phia, and one from Miami, rallied to support Jean-Claude Duvalier fled into exile in Feb­ friends read it as well.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — A demonstra­ the return of Aristide to Haiti. ruary 1986. One of the agency’s top inform­ Marriott said that because of increased tion held December 16 in front of the White The action was one of several called ers was Lt. Gen. Raoul Cédras, now head of demand from Cuban libraries and other in­ House marked the third anniversary of the around the United States by numerous Hai­ Haiti’s military regime, whose reports in­ stitutions for donations of Pathfinder books, 1990 election of deposed Haitian president tian rights groups. It was organized locally cluded exposés on Aristide. supporters o f the Militant established a Jean-Bertrand Aristide. by the Washington Office on Haiti. Other Another speaker, Haitian activist Yolande Books for Cuba Fund. Since last April, Nearly 300 people, including two bus­ demands protesters raised included justice Jean, had been detained by the U.S. military workers, students, and others in the United loads from New York, one from Philadel- for Haitian refugees and support for the at its base in Guantánamo, Cuba. She ac­ economic embargo against Haiti. cused Clinton of “ playing a hypocritical Rollande Dorancy, executive director of game — not the game of democrats but the the Haitian Refugee Center in Miami, told game of Macoutes,” referring to the Tonton demonstrators, “ we are going to fight for our Macoutes death squads in Haiti. Contribute to Books freedom and we are going to take it.” She In addition, Lynne Landsberg, associate said that while many Haitian-Americans director of the Religious Action Center for for Cuba Fund voted for President Bill Clinton, “ unfortu­ Reform Judaism; Michael Ratner, a lawyer nately we have found that Clinton and [for­ with the Center for Constitutional Rights; Many Cuban libraries have requested mer president George] Bush are the same” Antoine Adrien, a priest who works with Pathfinder books. You can help make regarding their policies on Haiti. Aristide; and U.S. representative Charles Carlos Salinas, the Amnesty International Rangel addressed the rally. these valuable political tools available to program officer for Latin America and the A Haitian demonstrator from New York Cuban youth, workers, and other fighters Caribbean, condemned the Clinton repatria­ said that “ only armed forces from another by contributing to the Books for Cuba tion policy, which is “ turning Haiti into a country” could resolve the crisis in Haiti. Fund. The fund helps cover the cost of large island prison where people are ar­ But Alain Moise, a Haitian worker from donations of Pathfinder books to libraries rested, tortured, and killed.” Washington, D.C., said, “ We need to con­ Salinas also spoke of the funding and centrate more on people in Haiti than on the and other cultural institutions training of the Haitian military by the Cen­ international community. There is no alter­ in Cuba. tral Intelligence Agency (CIA) who “ make native to the Haitian people themselves mo­ Member of voluntary youth work brigade in Cuba reading book of a mockery of human rights and then flaunt bilizing for democracy in Haiti.” Malcolm X speeches in Spanish their ‘ignorance.’” Make checks payable to the Militant, earmarked for the Books The CIA created a secret intelligence Janet Post is a member o f International for Cuba Fund and send to: 410 West St, New York, NY 10014. agency in Haiti called the National Intelli­ Association o f Machinists Local 368 in M i­ gence Service (SIN) shortly after dictator ami.

4 The Militant January 17,1994 Clinton’s proposal threatens habitat of Pacific Northwest BY FLOYD FOWLER fell and resistance grew to continued old- PORTLAND, Oregon — Assistant Inte­ growth cutting, company after company rior Secretary George Frampton announced forced wage and benefit cuts on workers December 10 the Clinton administration’s already suffering lay-offs or mill closings. proposal for protection of Northern Spotted Many communities in southern Oregon Owl habitat on state and private land in have been devastated. Now, having driven Oregon, Washington, and northern Califor­ down the price of timber workers’ labor, the nia. The administration’s plan for preserva­ industry is counting on the Clinton admini­ tion of habitat on federal lands, called Op­ stration to hand over the remaining north­ tion 9, was released last summer. Option 9 west old-growth forests. The same thirst for must still be approved by a federal court. greater profits has driven Canadian compa­ The goal of U.S. president Bill Clinton’s nies to go after the Clayquot Sound forests, package is to revive the profits of the timber despite opposition this has generated. industry. The December 11 Oregonian ac­ Washington’s proposals have provoked curately headlined its coverage of the new division among environmentalists. Some proposal “ Clinton plan would ease NW log­ had hoped for positive results after partici­ ging limits.” Long-term habitat conserva­ pating in the April Forest Summit. Organi­ tion on private land would become volun­ zations such as the Sierra Club and the tary, and tens of thousands of acres of old- Audobon Society have voiced support for growth forests would be opened up to log­ the Option 9 proposal. Others point to the ging, including clear-cutting. need to fight the plan. Bhagwati Poddar Two of Oregon’s six remaining roadless responded to the Option 9 proposal in the national forests over 25,000 acres would be Oregonian October 26. Pacific redwood forest showing lumber clear cut. Clinton’s Option 9 plan allows unlim­ logged for the first time. In the Siskiyou “ No plan that dismisses the interests of ited logging for the profit of timber industry, endangering environment and wildlife. National Forest more than a third of the future generations as lightly as Option 9 180,000 acres of roadless forest would be does in order to serve the temporary interests parceled out for sale to the timber industry. of the timber industry is, to quote from the “ Would the draft impact statement be as give up the battle before embarking on the Industry spokespeople and politicians from draft supplemental environmental impact sanguine about the probability of the extinc- pretension of fighting the battle?” Clinton to Ross Perot have sought to portray statement, ‘worthy of concern and support’ tion of a species if it were the timber industry This new proposal will surely sharpen the environmental activists as pursuing protec­ for ‘it has the familiar ring of intolerance, that faced extinction? Have we done all we debate over how to defend the environment tion for the owl at the cost of timber and mill prejudice and arrogance.’ can to save species or have we decided to and the northwest old-growth forest. workers’ jobs. Environmental organizations have re­ peatedly mounted campaigns over the last decade that have forced governmental re­ More facts revealed on U.S. radiation exposure strictions on timber industry destruction of old-growth forests in the northwest United Continued from front page 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima and These are microscopic particles of radio­ States and Canada. These campaigns have on mobile members of the population. But, Nagasaki. active material that escape from contami­ often centered on legal challenges to gov­ he added, “ Prisoners provided an opportu­ Meanwhile, the General Accounting Of­ nated areas and cling to workers who then ernment sales of forests to the industry. nity for us to follow these gentlemen for four fice, a congressional body, released informa­ cany them to supposedly safe areas. As a consequence, the Fish and Wildlife and five years.” tion on a dozen experiments where large The plant operators contend Tang was Service, the state Departments of Forestry, In a CNN interview, Energy Secretary amounts of radiation were deliberately re­ exposed to only one-six hundredth of the the Bureau of Land Management, and other Hazel O’Leary suggested that victims of leased into the atmosphere. federal safety limit. But that was measured government agencies have increasingly such tests be compensated. 1 “ At the dawn of the nuclear age,” New York by devices provided by the company and the found their actions exposed to public scru­ This is no act of generosity. Her proposal Times reporter Keith Schneider wrote, “ gov­ Nuclear Regulatory Commission. tiny. In October, Forest Service personnel that Congress determine “ what would be ernment scientists, conducting their work as In the pretrial discovery process, Tang’s testified before Congress to systematic un­ appropriate compensation” would establish if atomic war was imminent, placed a top pri­ lawyers have forced the bosses to turn over der-valuing of timber slated for sale, rigged strict limits on the amount victims could ority on research to determine the effects of records of company officials discussing the bidding procedures, and the deliberate falsi­ receive, and head off law suits that might radiation on civilians and soldiers.” unreliability of the safety monitoring de­ fication of agency records of timber industry win higher damage awards. It’s true that in the period following the vices being used. fraud. Congress has already approved such second world war, there was a real threat of In one document, a supervisor described These agencies are instrumental to the compensation for those who developed cer­ atomic war. But that danger came from the a particular monitoring device as unable to profitable operation of the timber industry, tain types of cancers and could prove they U.S. government, not the Soviet Union, as detect fuel fragments “ except for larger par­ both by selling huge tracts of forests for a were downwind from Nevada nuke tests, is so often and falsely argued. Besides drop­ ticles under very ideal conditions.” pittance and by acquiescing to clear-cutting, were soldiers or war plant workers exposed ping the bombs on Japan in 1945, Washing­ Tang said, “ I’m angry because I feel over-grazing, and other practices that gen­ there or in Pacific Island tests, or mined ton came dangerously close to using nuclear there’s a lot of cover-up.. . . With the com­ erate profits at the expense of the environ­ uranium. Fixed rates of compensation range weapons during the Korean War in the early pany, profits seem to come before safety.” ment. A growing number of species of fish from $50,000-$ 100,000. 1950s. Damage claims have been filed by hun­ and wildlife, including the Northern Spotted In an effort to blunt the shock effect of By the latter half of the 1950s, the USSR dreds of nuclear plant workers around the Owl, are threatened as a result. Nine of 10 the continuing revelations, government developed nuclear weapons and space tech­ country who have suffered radiation expo­ major salmon species in the region are ex­ spokespeople and the media suggest that in nology. This convinced the imperialists in sure. tinct or face extinction. Silt run-off from the years following World War II, when Washington that the risk of massive destruc­ Pointing to the current revelations about hillsides denuded of trees has made thou­ many of these experiments were conducted, tion not only of capitalist Europe but also the secret military experiments, Paul De­ sands of miles of streams too polluted to there was not an adequate knowledge of the the United States were too great to consider Marco, a Cincinnati lawyer said, “ What is sustain spawning. dangers of radiation. a direct assault against the Soviet and East­ worse? Someone being completely unaware This is a shameless lie. One secret Atomic ern European workers states. Since the end that they’re being subjected to radiation? Or Forest summit Energy Commission memo on this, which of the 1960s, the Soviet Union has had rough someone who’s brought into a nuclear facil­ After a federal court halted by injunction recently came to light, was written in 1950 parity with U.S. imperialism in nuclear ity, given a radiation badge, given regular uri­ sales of timber on federal land for the third by one of the agency’s top researchers. weaponry and delivery systems. nalyses and led to feel safe when he’s not?” time in four years, Clinton’s much publi­ Part of the fallout of the current revela­ cized Northwest Forest Summit was held in ‘Buchenwald touch’ tions has been a renewed focus on the health Portland, Oregon last April. He warned that the experiments being damage suffered by countless workers in the I PATHFINDER Several demonstrations were organized conducted on unwitting victims had a “ little country’s 109 nuclear power and weapons by the timber industry during the summit. of the Buchenwald touch.” This referred to plants. Companies gave employees time off to be the notorious Nazi-era German concentra­ In fact, the U.S. government has spent bused into Portland to attend. Union offi­ What W orking] tion camp where countless lethal experi­ nearly $50 million dollars defending the Shmürt Know cials of the International Woodworkers of ments were conducted on prisoners. nuclear industry bosses from lawsuits by Working America, and the Western Council of Indus­ A b o u t In fact, a 1980 investigation revealed that workers and others who have been harmed People trial Unions, among others, supported this government officials had organized a sophis­ by radiation from nuclear production. the Dangers of campaign. ticated cover-up of evidence after sheep herd­ In San Diego, California, a landmark suit Should For industry giants such as Georgia Pa­ ers in the Southwest filed a suit in 1955 for is slated to open in federal court. It was Know About in cific and Weyerhauser, the northwest forest compensation because the weakness, steril­ brought by Rung Tang, who had been an the Dangers crisis is about preserving neither jobs nor ity, and death of their livestock was caused by inspector at the San Onofre nuclear power of Nuclear owls. In the late 1980s, as the volume of A radiation from Washington’s nuclear tests. plant and is now terminally ill from leuke­ Power large diameter old-growth logs being milled The U.S. government has long used work­ mia. declined, small mills closed while the large ing people in other parts of the world as She is seeking damages from the owners FRED HALSTEAD companies modernized. guinea pigs in its nuclear experiments as well. and operators of the plant, who tried, unsuc­ Thousands of workers lost their jobs as a The second nuclear test in the ocean at cessfully, to bar the case from coming to trial A concise explanation of why result. As world prices for wood products Bikini atoll in the Pacific after World War II on grounds that the radiation exposure she threw up millions of tons of contaminated had suffered was well within the “ safety” all nuclear power installations should be shut immediately and Get the 'M ilitant' water and created vast radioactive mists. limits set by the federal government. This “ would have not only an immediate replaced with coal-fired power in bound volumes! lethal effect, but would establish a long term San Onofre case plants. Booklet. $3.00 The 1992 M ilita n t, complete with index, is an hazard through contamination of structures During the 1985-6 period Tang was an invaluable reference source. Also available by deposition of radioactive particles,” said inspector at San Onofre, the plant experi­ AVAILABLE AT BOOKSTORES. INCLUDING THOSE for some earlier years from 1970 to today. $75 LISTEO ON PAGE 12 OR FROM PATHFINDER 410 per volume. a report of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1947. enced a rash of safety problems, including WEST ST.. NEW YORK. NY 10014. IF ORDERING 8Y Order hom the Militant The plea of ignorance is particularly bra­ defective fuel rods and hundreds of inci­ MAIL. PLEASE AOD $3.00 TO COVER POSTAGE AND 410 West St.. New York. NY 10014 HANDLING. zen in light of the horrifying results of the dents involving “ nuclear fleas.”

January 17,1994 The Militant 5 ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy maintains pariah status of gays in U.S. military

BY SARA LOBMAN The rules say that an individual’s ence. “The important thing is that an acrimo­ The new regulations issued by the Clinton statement that he or she is gay is not nious fight in Congress was avoided .. . and administration as part of its “ don’t ask, don’t sufficient to get them immediately the White House was permitted to preserve tell” policy on gays in the military show that thrown out of the armed forces. How­ its political capital for other fights,” he added. — campaign promises to the contrary — ever, such a statement — or a report the White House will effectively maintain a by a “ reliable” third party that the Administration to defend ban in court ban on gays in the armed forces. U.S. presi­ person engaged in homosexual con­ In a related matter, the White House an­ dent Bill Clinton also announced he will duct or said they were gay — is all nounced December 29 that it would appeal a appeal a federal court ruling finding the ban that is required for the military brass federal court ruling that found the old ban on unconstitutional. to begin a full-fledged investigation. gays in the military violated the Constitution’s The Pentagon released new detailed rules Once such an investigation begins, guarantee of equal protection under the law. December 22. They are aimed at putting into the accusations are assumed to be The November ruling, issued by a three- practice the policy Clinton announced in true unless the individual soldier can judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for July, which was approved by Congress as prove that he or she has not engaged the District of Columbia Circuit, ordered the part of the 1994 budget. The directive will in any of the forbidden behavior. “ If U.S. Navy to commission Joseph Steffan take effect February 5. it becomes clear that they are a ho­ and to grant him his diploma. Steffan was mosexual, if they state their homo­ Clinton had promised during his cam­ forced to resign from the Naval Academy sexuality, they have an opportunity to paign for president to issue an executive in 1987, six weeks before graduation, after show that they do not engage in acts,” order ending the ban against gays serving in telling a disciplinary panel he was gay. said Jamie Gorelick, the Pentagon’s the U.S. armed forces. Hundreds of indi­ According to an article in the New York general council. viduals have been expelled from the military According to the new regulations, Times, the appeal is part of the administra­ each year as a result of these regulations. tion’s preparations to defend the “ don’t ask, the banned conduct includes any hu­ However, shortly after the new administra­ man activity that satisfies sexual de­ don’t tell” directive from expected legal chal­ tion took office, it became clear that many lenges. Clinton fears the ruling will provide a ruling class figures — both civilian and sires between members of the same sex and “any bodily conduct that a rea­ powerful legal precedent for those who op­ military — were opposed to lifting the ban. pose all discrimination against gays in the sonable person would understand” as Clinton agreed to delay any action, instead military. While the court ruling did not spe­ homosexual, including two men or instructing then-Secretary of Defense Les cifically refer to the new regulations, it did two women holding hands. The policy Aspin to prepare new guidelines. bar the Pentagon from dismissing members makes no distinction between private The new directives mean that recruits will and public behavior or between activi­ of the military simply because they are gay. no longer be required to say they are hetero­ “ The government cannot discriminate ties engaged in on and off duty. A federal court ordered the Navy to commission sexual as a precondition for entering the A December 24 New York Times against a certain class in order to give effect to armed forces. However, a plethora of rules Joseph Steffan (above), who was forced to resign editorial said the new regulations are from the Naval Academy after admitting he was the prejudice of others,” Chief Judge Abner w ill continue to make it almost impossible Mikva wrote for the court. “ Such discrimina­ “ a modest advance that does away gay. The court found the m ilitary’s ban on gays for a gay soldier to openly acknowledge his with the worst abuses of the old sys­ tion plays directly into the hands of the big­ or her sexual orientation. unconstitutional. The Clinton administration is tem while entrenching the archaic planning to appeal the decision. ots.” and homophobic ban on gay soldiers ‘Homosexual conduct’ To try to focus attention away from the more firmly than ever.” drive out gays and lesbians who don’t keep constitutional issues, and to prevent accusa­ While the regulations state that people The Washington Post editors argued the their sexual preferences to themselves, even tions that his administration is defending a will be forced out of the military “ on the same day that the policy “ will bring an end to when such conduct is consensual, in private, policy he had promised to abolish, Clinton basis of conduct, not sexual orientation,” the the bad old days of witch hunts, sneaky en- off base, and on their own time.” will appeal the court ruling on technical definition of “ conduct” is so broad that it trapments and blanket surveillance.” But they Aspin defended the regulations. “ This is a grounds, arguing that only the President, not includes not only a homosexual act, but “ a also noted that the new rules give military good policy. We want it implemented,” he the Justice Department, can commission a statement by the member that demonstrates commanders “ a lot of room to investigate and said during the December 22 news confer- Navy midshipman. a propensity or intent to engage in homo­ sexual acts, or a homosexual marriage or attempted marriage.” In other words, ac­ cording to Clinton’s policy, just saying you Clinton faces allegations of misconduct are gay is considered a “ homosexual act.” “ A statement by a member that demon­ BY NAOMI CRAINE nal said, “ Reporters who have examined the for agreeing to hide his alleged affairs. strates a propensity of intent to engage in Less than one year after his inauguration, Clintons’ tax returns say no Whitewater loss Brock states that, in addition to guarding homosexual acts — such as a statement by U.S. president Bill Clinton is embroiled in was claimed for tax purposes.” Clinton’s sex life, “ the troopers functioned as the member that he or she is a homosexual questions over his dealings with a failed A senior White House official declared chauffeurs, butlers, bodyguards, errand boys, — is grounds for separation not because it savings and loan, together with his attempt December 18, “ We are not aware that any and baggage handlers. They did everything reflects the member’s sexual orientation,” to conceal related documents. At the same law-enforcement official is looking into the for the Clintons, from receiving and placing the rules say, “ but because the statement time the president is trying to face down fact that a file relating to Whitewater or telephone calls to changing bicycle tires and indicates a likelihood that the member en­ allegations that as governor of Arkansas he McDougal disappeared or in any way was cleaning up after Socks the cat (who appar­ gages in or will engage in homosexual acts.” used state police to arrange and hide his improperly handled. All the files in Vince ently retches with alarming frequency).” sexual relations with several women. Foster’s office were properly handled.” Hillary Clinton responded by calling the The White House acknowledged Decem­ Three days later Hillary Clinton said she accusations “ outrageous, terrible stories that CORRECTIONS ber 20 that personal financial files of Clinton was “ bewildered” by the continued interest people plant for political and financial rea­ and his wife Hillary were removed from the in the matter, and said she saw no reason to H » “Pathfinder around the w o ld ” sons.” She said it was particularly “ sad and office of Vincent Foster before investigators make the files public. unfortunate” that they would surface “ espe­ column in die Dec. 20,1993, Militant, had a chance to examine them. After several days of pressure, however, incorrectly identified the United Mine cially during the Christmas season.” Foster, a deputy White House counsel which included numerous news articles and Workers o f America (UM W A) as the “The stories are just as they have been who had handled many of the Clintons’ opinion pieces such as a New York Times sponsor o f the Mother Jones Dinner. said,” Bill Clinton told radio reporters De­ financial dealings in Arkansas, committed editorial titled “ Release the Whitewater The correct sponsor is the Mother Jones cember 22. “They are outrageous, and they suicide July 20. Two days later White House Files,” Clinton announced December 23 that are not so. We have not done anything wrong. Foundation, which is not affiliated to lawyer Bernard Nussbaum sorted through his lawyer would turn over the papers to The allegations on the abuse of the state or the the UMW A. and disposed of the attorney’s papers, show­ investigators. But the president insisted that Federal positions I have, it is not true.” In the article “Miners ratify new con­ ing very little of the material to the police the files would not be made public. tract, ending seven-month strike,” investigating Foster’s death. The files Nuss­ Clinton’s accusers are not the most savory which appeared in the Dec. 27, 1993, baum sent to the Clintons’ personal attorney Accusations of philandering bunch themselves. Brock explains in a foot­ issue, the figures for the vote on the in Washington, D.C., included documents The same week the right-wing magazine note to his article that he and the troopers UMW A contract in Alabama were re­ related to their investment in Whitewater American Spectator ran a cover story based “ signed a written agreement authorizing me versed. The article should have read: In Development Corporation. on an interview with two Arkansas state to publish this piece in this magazine while Alabama, 48 percent opposed the pact Whitewater, which the Clintons owned troopers who were assigned to the guberna­ protecting their right to sell a book later.” with 52 percent in favor. together with James McDougal, has come torial mansion during Clinton’s tenure. The Their lawyer. C liff Jackson, is a self-de- Also in the December 27 issue, the under Justice Department scrutiny as part of cops described at length how they were scribed friend of the president who de­ caption under the picture of Salman a criminal investigation of the Madison allegedly used by the governor to hide sev­ nounced Clinton as a draft dodger during the Rushdie on page five is incorrect. Mid­ Guaranty Savings and Loan, also owned by eral long-term affairs from his wife and to 1992 campaign. Brock is best known for night’s Children is one o f the author’s McDougal. Whitewater had its account with arrange numerous one-night stands. writing a book denigrating Anita Hill, who earlier novels, not his latest. the thrift, which went under in 1989 at a cost “ We lied for him and helped him cheat on accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment in 1991. The first footnote on page nine of of $60 million in federal deposit insurance. his wife, and he treated us like dogs,” one that same issue, in the article “Fascism, Federal investigators are looking into the of the troopers said. Defending Clinton in the liberal magazine what it is and how to fight it,” should possibility that Clinton, as governor of Ar­ In the article American Spectator writer New Republic, Michael Kinsley wrote, “ Are have read that the fascist campaign of kansas, exercised favoritism toward Madi­ David Brock compares Clinton’s behavior to all the nasty stories retailed by the troopers violence began in Bologna, Nov. 21, son in return for personal loans and special that of former president John F. Kennedy. false? Oh, probably some of them are true. 1920— not 1902. treatment in connection with Whitewater. In “ Kennedy and his handlers worked hard to The point is that the testimony of these patently unreliable sources doesn’t make the Two errors appeared in the article 1985 McDougal raised thousands of dollars keep stories of the president’s womanizing stories any more likely to be true.” “Union tops push new concessions at — much of it drawn from Madison’s coffers out of the papers, much as the Clinton cam­ United,” which appeared in the Jan. 10, — to help repay $50,000 owed to Clinton paign would do some thirty years later,” he Right-wing columnist Patrick Buchanan 1994, issue. The pilots’ union at United by his own campaign committee. The thrift says. The article rehashes stories from Clin­ is trying to use the scandal to push forward is the Airline Pilots Association made many other loans to prominent politi­ ton’s 1992 presidential campaigns about an his own agenda to build a reactionary move­ (ALPA), not the Allied Pilots Associa­ cians in the state, some of which went bad alleged 12-year affair with a former cabaret ment of ultrarightist cadre. “ As the dirt flies tion. The flight attendants’ union at to the tune of hundreds of thousands of singer who was later given a state job. It also Americans w ill begin thinking of alterna­ United is the Association o f Right At­ dollars. alleges that Clinton offered one trooper a fed­ tives — to both factions in Washington,” he tendants (A M ), not the Association of The Clintons say they lost nearly $70,000 eral job in return for keeping the matter quiet. concluded in a December 29 commentary Professional Right Attendants. invested in Whitewater. Nevertheless, a De­ The trooper later stated in the press that titled, “ Into the swamp. Unsavory Clinton cember 28 editorial in the Wall Street Jour­ Clinton never offered him a job in exchange tale sinks American politics ever lower.”

6 The Militant January 17,1994 Dozens of youth attend Pittsburgh conference Students, unionists, and other activists at socialist meeting debate world politics

BY STEVE CRAINE many ideas being shot back and forth,” said the United States, Canada, and Mexico in PITTSBURGH — At the close of a re­ Nathaniel Hitt, a student at the College of collecting and delivering tons of aid to Cuba gional socialist educational conference held Wooster in Ohio. “ Many of the questions I ’d in February. A meeting during one of the on New Year’s weekend just outside Pitts­ been grappling with on my own were being meal breaks in the conference brought to­ burgh, Janine Dukes described her reaction addressed by a large group here. I found that gether about 50 people to discuss building to the three days of discussions at classes refreshing.” Hitt is involved in environ­ the caravan. and other events saying, “ It’s amazing how mental issues and is discussing starting a The democratic revolution in South A f­ much you can learn about politics when socialist discussion group at Wooster. He rica is one of the most powerful forces you’re engaged in discussions with people first met the SWP at an anti-Klan rally in proving the Cuban revolution is not alone. who are telling the truth.” Columbus. It was the topic of another class, led by Dukes was presenting a report from the Wendy Lyons, a member of the Amalga­ Capitalist system has got to go conference welcoming committee that re­ mated Clothing and Textile Workers Union viewed the participation at the gathering. A Paul Mailhot, a member of the Socialist in Philadelphia. student at Case Western Reserve University, Workers Party National Committee, gave “ Our job,” she said, “ is to educate about she is a new member of the Cleveland the feature presentation at a Militant Labor what’s been won in South Africa. The A fri­ branch of the Socialist Workers Party. Like Forum Saturday evening. “ Every now and can National Congress [ANC] needs help many of the 150 people in attendance, then something happens that just makes you Militant/Dave Wulp in its campaign for the April elections.” Dukes was participating in her first socialist say, ‘the capitalist system has got to go,’ ” SWP leader Paul Mailhot Conference participants learned of plans conference. Nearly a quarter of the partici­ he said to open his description of the impact for a regional conference in solidarity with pants were under 30 years old. Students of the world economic crisis on politics thinking they are entitled to compensation.” the ANC that will be held at Temple Uni­ from 12 colleges and 1 high school took part today. Mailhot explained that recently negoti­ versity in Philadelphia February 12-13. in the event, as did 71 trade unionists. “ We’ve been seeing a story of this kind ated trade pacts — the North American Free Many took part in a discussion about how Six talks were presented during the con­ unfold over the last few days with the reve­ Trade Agreement and General Agreement to make the meeting a success. ference, which was sponsored by seven lations of how the U.S. government con­ on Tariffs and Trade — are “ really about SWP branches in the region along with the ducted radiation experiments on workers imperialist powers trying to assert their Debate on child support domination over the world in the face of Toronto branch of the Communist League and their children in the 1940s and ’50s. A lively exchange on the question of economic forces that are cutting into capi­ and the Young Socialist Organization of Ed- “ But not everyone looks on this with the child support broke out in a class on a talist profits and plunging working people inboro, Pennsylvania. Each presentation horror that most working people do,” he working-class approach to women’s libera­ into deeper and deeper crisis.” was followed by lively discussion periods. noted. “The White House is mainly con­ tion. Some activists pointed to how the Mailhot said that the only way out of this “ I was really stimulated by seeing so cerned with preventing the victims from government uses campaigns against “ dead­ crisis for the capitalists is to defeat the work­ beat dads” to attack democratic rights. On ing class in battle and prepare for a devas­ the other hand, some participants said, child tating war among the imperialist rivals. Mollen commission report unveils support was an important gain of the The SWP leader concluded that working women’s rights movement, making divorce people are in a stronger position to resist the a real option for many women. rampant corruption in N.Y. police bosses’ drive toward war than they were prior to the two world wars this century. The class, given by Estelle DeBates, also “The working class is both larger and more took up issues like date rape, adoption and international than ever before,” he said. “ It child custody, and welfare. DeBates is a has greater social weight in most countries sewing machine operator and member of of the world, and is more multinational in the ILGWU from Morgantown, West Vir­ composition in the most powerful capitalist ginia. countries.” Garmez Parks, a member of the United Mailhot said that another factor making Auto Workers from Cleveland, presented a the working class stronger is that never be­ class on “ Nationalism, nationalities, and the fore in history have women had the place in world struggle for socialism.” politics and in economic and social life they The conference was opened by a talk on occupy today. Women continue to carve out the class struggle in the United States by a slightly higher percentage of the work­ John Cox from Pittsburgh. Cox analyzed force. And despite setbacks, the rulers aren’t recent strikes by coal miners and flight at­ anywhere close to being able to roll back tendants at American Airlines as examples women’s right to abortion. of the state of the labor movement today. The working class has not been taken on “ The outcome of the miners’ strike,” he in battle and defeated anywhere, Mailhot said, “ is not an unqualified victory or defeat said. “There is no capitalist country today in because many of the most important ques­ which the working class has experienced the tions remain to be worked out in practice in kinds of bloody blows and defeats it went the day to day struggles on the job.” through prior to World War II with the The miners still have opportunities to re­ spread of fascist victories in Europe. sist the bosses’ productivity drive, but, Cox “ And more important,” the SWP leader noted, the strike showed how union strength said, “the great horror of Stalinism — which has been eroded by the actions of the United had a chokehold on the working class move­ Mine Workers of America leadership. Cox ment for decades and destroyed the possi­ also observed that the coal strike was made Militant/Argiris Malapanis bility of workers conquering power in the more difficult by the lack of major fights go­ Demonstrators protesting police killing of Héctor Rivera, a Puerto Rican immigrant 1920s and 1930s — the horror that blocked ing on in other unions and industries. living in Brooklyn, New York, in January 1992. Public hearings held last fall in New York the working class from defending itself from Many conference goers took advantage City highlighted widespread corruption, other criminal activities, and the brutality the onslaught of fascism and finally made of the weekend to stock up their libraries, perpetrated by cops in working class neighborhoods. the slaughter of World War II inevitable, has buying nearly $600 worth of Pathfinder been qualitatively weakened over the past books. New titles such as Nelson Mandela decade.” BY MIKE TABER Testimony by witnesses at public hear­ Speaks: Forging a Democratic, Nonracial ings last fall, however, contradicts this find­ NEW YORK — An official investigative Cuban, South African revolutions South Africa and To See the Dawn: Baku commission reported December 28 that cor­ ing. Former and active-duty police officers 1920 First Congress o f the Peoples o f the Another session of the conference was de­ ruption and lawlessness are widely tolerated reported that up to 30 or 40 cops at a time East were best-sellers. Books by Che voted to discussing the place of the Cuban inside the New York City Police Department regularly participated in shakedowns, break- Guevara, Fidel Castro, Karl Marx, revolution in world politics. Greg McCartan, (NYPD). ins, theft, drug dealing, and other crimes, Frederick Engels, V.I. Lenin, and Leon Trot­ a member of the International Ladies’ Gar­ with the knowledge and encouragement of sky also sold well, as did the Marxist maga­ The findings were part of a preliminary ment Workers’ Union (ILGWU) in Washing­ their supervisors. zine New International. report issued by the Mollen Commission, ton, D.C., noted that “ viewing Cuba in the appointed in July 1992 by former mayor Much of the public testimony touched on For many of the participants, the discus­ the widespread police brutality in working- context of what’s going on in the rest of the David Dinkins to refurbish the badly tar­ world helps us see why crushing that revolu­ sions at the conference were new. Kim nished image of the police. Public hearings class neighborhoods. One former officer, Rickard is working to get Cuban youth Bernard Cawley, nicknamed “The Me­ tion is so important to imperialism. of the commission last September and Oc­ “The Cuban Communist Party is the first leaders to speak at her campus, Hiram Col­ tober focused a spotlight on what many chanic,” testified to personally administer­ lege in Ohio. She commented at the end of ing 300-400 “ tune-ups” — beatings — and since the Bolsheviks to give revolutionary working people know from personal obser­ leadership to a workers and farmers govern­ the weekend that the conference had participating in cop gang rapes of women. vation — that cops are routinely involved in ment and to avoid it veering off onto some touched on many of the questions she has Nevertheless, the Mollen Commission’s burglary, extortion, drug trafficking, and path that would not build socialism,” he had, and it provided answers that are totally other criminal activities. preliminary report sidestepped the issue of different from what she usually hears. police brutality. observed. “ Our investigation revealed an anti-cor­ Conference participants contributed more Jack Willey, a student at Wayne State ruption system that was more likely to con­ Its main recommendations are the crea­ than $1,000 toward a fund to donate Path­ University in Detroit, joined the SWP in ceal corruption than uncover it and a depart­ tion of an independent agency to monitor finder books to libraries and universities in October. He said he appreciated the oppor­ ment often more interested in the appear­ police corruption and an overhaul of the Cuba. These books can play an important tunity to meet other new members of the ance of integrity than its reality,” declared NYPD’s Internal Affairs Department. role in the burgeoning political discussions party and to “ find so many other young the commission, headed by Milton Mollen, Newly inaugurated mayor Rudolph Gi­ going on in that country today. people who are open to our ideas.” former deputy mayor for public safety. uliani has remained noncommittal about the Advances in working class struggles in Damon Tinnon has been part of the Stu­ Singled out for special criticism was the commission’s findings. Giuliani was elected the rest of the world, McCartan pointed out, dent Political Organizing Committee Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA). with the active support of the PBA, which has are necessary to enable the Cuban revolution (SPOC) at the University of Minnesota in “The PBA often acts as a shelter for officers assailed both the Mollen Commission’s in­ to continue moving forward. “ What we do Minneapolis since it was founded last sum­ who commit acts of misconduct,” the report vestigation and its findings. Outgoing police here in defense of the Cuban socialist revo­ mer. Tinnon, as well as another member of stated. commissioner Raymond Kelly criticized the lution will make a difference. It shows that SPOC at the conference, asked to join the The Mollen Commission concluded that report, saying, “ It besmirches the reputation Cuba is not alone.” SWP. The Pittsburgh conference, Tinnon these acts were confined to isolated pockets of the department with a rather broad brush McCartan urged everyone present to help said, “ shows how collective political dis­ of “ rogue” and “ renegade” cops operating that I don’t think is appropriate or warranted.” build the U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment, which cussions can bring greater political under­ in “ drug-cultured neighborhoods.” A final report is expected in April or May. w ill involve people in dozens of cities across standing.”

January 17,1994 The Militant 7 Leon Trotsky on education and culture

We are reprinting below excerpts of a capitalist society consisted in the division Science is a part of the historical praxis of completely by ourselves. speech by Russian revolutionary leader between mental and physical labor. This man; in its development it strives to grasp the The working class had to take power into Leon Trotsky. The address, titled “ A few division started before capitalism, with the world from all sides, to give an all-embracing its own hands so that there would be no words on how to raise a human being,” is first steps of the development of class soci­ orientation to creative man. The division of political obstacles to the construction of the part o f the Pathfinder book Problems of ety and culture; since that time, the task of theory and practice cannot help striking at new society. But when it had won power, it Everyday Life. management has become ever more bound mental labor with one end of a broken chain, found itself faced with another hindrance: Pathfinder is reissuing the book in up with mental labor and is operated through and at physical labor with the other end. We poverty and lack of culture. Here is the early 1994 with an attractive new cover, various categories of mental labor. In serv­ know this from the first pages of the first difference between our position and the po­ featuring a four-color sketch of the ing production, mental labor becomes sepa­ books about socialism. There we also learned sition of the proletariat in the advanced Okhtensky Bridge in Petrograd (now St. rated from material production. This process that capitalism, bringing this contradiction to capitalist countries. On their road there is a Petersburg) by Russian painter Ksenia goes on throughout the whole development the highest degree of tension, ipso facto pre­ direct obstacle: the bourgeois state, which Boguslavskaia. of culture. pares the way for the reconciliation of mental allows only a definite area of proletarian The book is a collection of articles by Capitalism puts mental and physical labor and physical labor and for their union on the activity, the area the ruling class considers Trotsky on social and cultural issues in in the greatest contradiction, raising the di­ basis of collectivism. permissible. the struggle to create the foundations for vision to an extraordinary degree of tension. Our socialist country is striving for the The first task in the West is to overthrow a new society, written in the Soviet press Capitalism transforms physical labor into reconciliation of social and mental labor, class rule, the bourgeois state. There, it is in the years immediately follow­ more difficult to solve this problem ing the October 1917 Russian than here, for the bourgeois state revolution. Topics range from art, is stronger there than here. But religion, and science to education when it has overthrown class rule, and the fight for the emancipation the Western proletariat w ill find it­ of women. self in a more favorable position Trotsky was a central leader of the with respect to cultural creation Russian revolution. During the first than ours. few years after the victory of the If now we have run ahead by a Bolsheviks in 1917, he served as few years, this does not at all mean foreign minister of the Soviet gov­ that we shall get to the realm of ernment, head of the Red Army, con­ socialism earlier than the English or vener of economic planning bodies, German proletariat. No, that has not and a leader of the Communist In­ been proven. On the road to the ternational. kingdom of socialism there are a few Following V.I. Lenin’s death in trenches or barricades. We took the 1924, Trotsky was the principal first barricade — the political one leader of the fight to defend the — earlier, but it is altogether possi­ revolutionary course of the Bolshe­ ble that the Europeans w ill catch up viks. Expelled from the Soviet Un­ on the second or third barricade. The ion in 1929, Trotsky was assassi­ economy, production, is the most nated in Mexico by Joseph Stalin’s difficult barricade, and only when secret police in 1940. we take it, when we raise the pro­ Copyright © by Pathfinder Press, ductive forces of socialism, will the reprinted by permission. Subhead­ cursed distinction between ings are by the Militant. “ worker” and “ intellectual,” which results from the fact that mental la­ bor is separated from physical labor, BY LEON TROTSKY disappear. When I received the invitation to It is not at all impossible — on The literary car of the “V.I. Lenin” educational train that traveled throughout Soviet Central Asia in 1920 the meeting1 to celebrate the first the contrary it is very probable — as part of an effort to raise the level of culture in the country. teaching year of the Karl that the German proletariat, if it Liebknechr Institute, I found my­ takes power into its hands in the self in a difficult position. Work in our So­ repellent, automatic labor, and raises mental which is the only thing that can lead to the next three years (I am speaking approxi­ viet Republic is becoming extraordinarily labor, at the highest level of generalization, harmonious development of man. Such is mately), w ill with two or three jumps not specialized, a larger and larger number of into idealistic abstraction and mystical scho­ our program. The program gives only gen­ only catch up with us, but even overtake separate regions are being formed, and it is lasticism. eral directions for this: it points a finger, us, because the “ inherited” material basis becoming increasingly difficult to keep up saying “ Here is the general direction of your for cultural creation is considerably richer Separation of mental, physical labor with a tenth or a hundredth, much less all, path!” there than here. Today the working class of this work with any degree of attention and Here there seems to be a contradiction. But the program does not say how to of Germany marches on paved roads, but conscientiousness. You know that scholasticism arose from the attain this union in practice. It cannot say its hands and feet are bound in class slav­ When you have to speak about an es­ church of the Middle Ages. Then, still in the this, since no one could or even now can ery. We walk in ruts, along ravines, but tablishment such as your institute, which depths of the old feudal society, natural predict under what conditions, along what our hands and feet are free. And that, Com­ is connected with a factory and workshop science began to develop and fertilize pro­ lines, socialism will be constructed in all rades, typifies the difference between us school, an establishment of exceptional duction. Thus, the development of bour­ countries and in each individual country, and the European proletariat. Under the importance, then you naturally find your­ geois society is closely linked with the de­ what the state of the economy w ill be, or by yoke of capital, it is now powerless even self in difficulties. I therefore ask you in velopment of natural science, and conse­ what methods the younger generation will to start solving the problem of physical advance not to expect a report on the sig­ quently with the struggle against church be educated — precisely — in the sense of and mental labor. It does not have the nificance and role of your Institute. I shall scholasticism. combining physical and mental labor. In this power. limit myself only to some considerations But at the same time, the more the bour­ field, as in many others, we shall go and are of principle, or more exactly considera­ geoisie grew, the more it feared the applica­ going already by way of experience, re­ When workers are the ruling class tions concerning the questions of principle tion of the methods of science to history, search, and experiments, knowing only the State power is the material capability and that arise when one starts to think about sociology, and psychology. In these fields, general direction of the road to the goal: as the formal right to say to the subject class: the tasks of your Institute, and in general bourgeois thought wandered off ever higher correct as possible a combination of physi­ there, you have the right to come up to this about the tasks of any education that into the region of idealism, abstraction, and cal and mental labor. line, but no further — as we, the ruling class strives to set up an unbreakable link be­ a new scholasticism; and then, to cover up in our country, say to the NEPmen3. We are tween physical and mental labor. its traces, it began to introduce elements of Lack of culture our own authority, but as soon as we look In the preparatory class of socialism, we idealism and scholasticism into natural sci­ This factory and workshop school is in­ beneath our feet, there are puddles, holes, learned long ago that the main curse of ence, too. teresting in that it is one of the practical ditches of all sorts, and we hobble and attempts at a partial solution of this colossal stumble along; we move slowly. But the social and educational problem. I do not European proletariat, freed from the fetters FROM PATHFINDER mean by this that the problem has already on its hands and feet, will catch up to us; been solved or that the solution is very near. and we w ill of course welcome this, for they On the contrary, I am convinced that to reach will help us, too, to get to the end of the the goal we still have considerably further matter. to go than the small distance we have al­ I am saying this to point out that with just P K O tU M S OF ready gone. If we could say that through the our own pedagogical measures we shall not EVERYDAY UFE factory and workshop school we were actu­ complete the full solution of the basic prob­ ally approaching the combination of mental lems of socialist education and the merging CREATING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A and physical labor, that would mean that we of physical with mental labor; but if we NEW SOCIETY IN REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA had already gone perhaps three-quarters or make a series of experiments on this road even more of the way to establishing social­ and reach partial successes, then that will BY LEON TROTSKY ism. But there is still a long, long way to go already be an enormous plus both for us and to that. for the European proletariat, who will be Articles on social and cultural issues, written A precondition for combining physical able to develop these partial successes on a for the Soviet press in the years immediately and mental labor is the destruction of class wider scale. Thus, we must work along this rule. In outline we have done this; power road the more energetically, the more per­ following the October 1917 revolution. here is in the hands of the workers. But it sistently, the more stubbornly. Topics covered range from art, religion, was only when the working class had taken In the field of pedagogics, i.e., in the field science, and cinema to the education of power into its hands that it understood for of the conscious cultivation of man, people the first time how poor and how backward have perhaps been learning even more youth and the emancipation of women. we still are, or, as the Russian critic Pisarev blindly than in other fields. The social life $24.95 once said, how “ poor and stupid” we are. of man had, as you know, an elemental By the word stupidity here we must under­ character: human reason did not immedi­ stand simply cultural backwardness, since ately start to work through, to think through Available at bookstores, KTcludmg those listed on page 12, or at the address belcw. by nature we are not stupid at all, and when social life. Peasant production, the peasant tf ordering by mail, please add $3.00 to cover postage and handling. we have had time to leam we shall stand PATHFINDER 4 1 0 WEST ST., NEW YORK H f 10014. FAX (212) 727-0150. family, church life, the “ patriarchal” -mon-

8 The Militant January 17,1994 archie state forms course, if we were an isolated state, or the were laid down be­ only one in the world, then after conquering hind people’s backs power we would have built socialism by a imperceptibly, over peaceful path. But we are only a part of the hundreds and thou­ world, and the world that surrounds us is sands of years. still stronger than we are. The bourgeoisie Only at a certain will not give up its position without cruel level, and espe­ fights, considerably more cruel than the cially with the ap­ ones we have already been through. pearance of the The attacks from the bourgeoisie will natural sciences, take on a fierce character again when the did people begin to Communist parties start to grow above the organize produc­ head of the bourgeoisie. It would therefore tion consciously, be an unforgivable piece of thoughtlessness not according to to suppose that we will pass to socialism tradition, but ac­ without wars and upheavals. No, they won’t cording to planned let us do that. We’ll have to fight. And for design (of course, that we need hardness, education in the not on a social spirit of revolutionary valor. The name that scale, but on a pri­ is written on the walls of your Institute — vate one). Then Karl Liebknecht — must not have been they began to criti­ written in vain___ cize the class struc­ A theatrical performance in 1920 on the Island of Rest, a workers’ vacation center near Leningrad, Russia. ture and the royal NOTES power, to demand equality and democracy. friend!” To perfect man’s organism, using tion of all the rest. And for us that conscious­ 1. A speech to the anniversary meeting of the Democracy meant the application of the most varied combinations of methods, ness is a requirement of self-preservation. Karl Liebknecht Institute delivered on June 24, the reason of the young and still fresh to regulate the circulation of the blood, to We would be Utopians, wretched dreamers, 1924. Translated for this volume from Trotsky’s Problems of Cultural Work (1924), by Iain bourgeoisie to the cause of the construc­ refine the nervous system, and at the same or dreamy wretches, if we began to think Fraser. tion of the state. Thus, critical thought time to temper and strengthen it, make it that we are assured for all eternity of a 2. Karl Liebknecht (1871-1919) was a leader was transferred from questions of natural more flexible and hardier — what a gigantic peaceful development for socialism. Not at of the German Social Democracy who opposed science and technology to the state. But and fascinating task! all! In the international sense things have World War I and was jailed, along with Rosa social relations in the broad sense con­ But this, of course, is the music of the become for us, that is unquestionable. But Luxemburg, for his antiwar activity. He was tinued under the rule of the bourgeoisie future. What we have to do is lay the first do you think. Comrades, that the more the freed by the November 1918 uprising and to be laid down spontaneously. The pro­ stones in the foundations of socialist society. communist movement develops in Europe, assassinated by officers of the German Social letariat arose spontaneously against capi­ And the cornerstone is to increase the pro­ the more we will be insured against the Democratic government in January 1919. talist spontaneity. Then conscious ductivity of labor. Only on this basis can dangers of war? Anyone who thinks that is 3. The New Economic Policy (NEP) was criticism arose. On this the theory of so­ socialism develop. For each new social wrong. A dialectical approach is necessary initiated in 1921 to replace “ military communism,” which had prevailed during the here. While the Communist Party remains cialism was built. structure conquers because it increases the civil war and which had led to conflict between What is socialist construction? It is eco­ productivity of human labor. more or less dangerous, but not yet fright­ the government and the peasants as industrial nomic construction according to reason, no We w ill only be able to talk of a real, ening, the bourgeoisie, being wary of giving production declined drastically and grain was longer only within the limits of the enter­ complete, and invincible victory of so­ it nourishment, will seek truces with us; but requisitioned and confiscated from the peasants. prise or trust, as under the rule of the bour­ cialism when the unit of human power when the Communist Party of a given coun­ NEP was adopted as a temporary measure to geoisie, but within the limits of the society, gives us more products than under the try becomes a threatening force, when the revise the economy after the civil war, and and then of all humanity. In socialism we rule of private property. One of the most water starts to come up to the neck of the allowed a limited revival of free trade inside the have the application of scientific thought to important means to this is the education bourgeoisie, then the danger will grow again Soviet Union, and foreign concessions the construction of human society. Just as of cultivated, qualified workers. Such for us, too. alongside the nationalized sectors of the economy. The NEPmen — traders, merchants, earlier the bourgeoisie built factories “ ac­ education is now taking place here in this It was not for nothing that Vladimir Ilyich and other who took advantage of the cording to reason,” and constructed its state factory and workshop school. To what ex­ warned that we shall still be faced with opportunities for profitmaking under NEP — according to (bourgeois) reason, so the tent w ill these schools solve the problem having to go through a new explosion of the were viewed as a potential base for restoring working class says: “ I will construct the of preparing a “ change” in production? I furious hatred of world capital for us. Of capitalism. whole of social life from top to bottom shall not go into that question. That needs according to reason.” the serious test of experience. But let us But man himself is also an elemental impress on our memories the fact that the thing. Only gradually does he apply the fate of our economy, and hence of our criticism of reason to himself. The effect of state, depends on the solution of this PATHFINDER education on man went, as we said, unseen. problem. Only under a socialist society will the con­ AROUND THE WORLD ditions for a scientific approach to man be Conscious builders, not robots established. And man needs such an ap­ The education of qualified workers is BY MIKE TABER proach. For what is man? Not at all a fin­ one side of the matter; the education of ished and harmonious being; no, his being citizens is the other. The socialist republic Pathfinder, located in New York with * * * is still very incoherent. In him there is not needs not robots of physical labor, but distributors in Australia, Britain, and only the vestige of the appendix, which is conscious builders. The educated man of A political activist in Turkey recently no use to him — only appendicitis comes the land of workers and peasants, what­ Canada, publishes the writings and ordered 20 copies of the Pathfhder book speeches of working-class and commu­ from it — but also, if you take his psyche, ever he may be by profession, with a nar­ The Truth About Yugoslavia: Why Work­ nist leaders of the worldwide struggles then you will find there as many unneces­ row or broad specialization, must also be ing People Should Oppose Intervention against exploitation and oppression. sary “ vestiges” as you like, from which armed in one other field. This is the social for sale to other activists there. The Truth Pathfinder bookstores are listed in the come all sorts of illnesses, all sorts of spiri­ field. About Yugoslavia argues that the war in directory on page 12. tual appendicitis. Nothing protects one from the humiliat­ the former Yugoslavia is a product of the ing effect of specialization so well as the crisis and intensifying conflicts of the de- The Pathfinder Bookstore in Adanta of­ Contradictions of humankind Marxist method, as Leninism, i.e., the pression-ridden world capitalist system, fered members of the Pathfinder Readers Man, as a type of animal, developed un­ method of understanding the conditions of in which rival gangs of would-be capital­ Club a special discount for the holidays. der natural conditions, not according to plan, the society in which you live, and the ists— fragments o f the former Stalinist New members of the Readers Club who but spontaneously, and accumulated many method of acting upon those conditions. regime — drape themselves in nationalist signed up to take advantage of the offer in­ contradictions in himself. One of these seri­ And when we try to understand the relations colors in a war for territory and resources. clude a meatpacker, an immigrant worker ous contradictions, not only social but between states, we again need the same from Ethiopia, and two others from Haiti. * * * physiological, is reflected in the sexual proc­ method of Marxism-Leninism. Without the The latter “pretty much depleted our ess, which has a disturbing effect on the understanding of the connections between Many Pathfinder titles are used as French titles,” reports bookstore staffer young. The problem of how to cultivate and the private and the social, there can be no textbooks for college and university Miguel Z&rate, “and we were forced to re­ adjust, how to improve and “ finish” the educated man. courses. Recent classroom adoptions in­ stock tides like Wage Labor and Capital, physical and spiritual nature of man, is a The basic peculiarity of petty-bourgeois clude The Revolution Betrayed by Leon State and Revolution, Imperialism, and all colossal one, serious work on which is con­ thought is that it is specialized in its own Trotsky at Pace University in Pleasan- four volumes of Nouvelle Internationale." ceivable only under conditions of socialism. narrow sphere, locked in its own closet. tville, New York, and at Northern Illinois We may be able to drive a railway across There are learned bourgeois intellectuals * * * University in De Kalb, Illinois; The who, even though they write learned books Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and the whole Sahara, build the Eiffel Tower, Nelson Mandela Speaks: Forging a a thousand pages thick, still go on looking Frederick Engels at Memphis State Uni­ and talk with New York by radio, but can Democratic, Nonracial South Africa, at questions separately, each for itself, with­ versity in Memphis, Tennessee, and Nel­ we really not improve man? Yes; we will be Pathfinder’s newest tide, is included in the out connections, and thus they remain lim­ son Mandela Speaks at Pacific Lutheran able to! Bookshelf section of the January issue of University in Tacoma, Washington. To issue a new “ improved edition” of ited petty bourgeois. Ebony. In New Zealand, a review of the man — that is the further task of commu­ One must be able to take every question new book was featured on the nationwide * * * nism. But for this it is necessary as a start in its development and in its connections radio news program “Morning Report” to know man from all sides, to know his with other questions; then the conclusions and on Radio Aotearoa, a national radio “I just read Malcolm X on Afro-Ameri­ are so much the more guaranteed to be anatomy, his physiology, and that part of station oriented to Maori listeners. can History,” writes an enlisted man at sea his physiology which is called psychol­ right. This guarantee is given only by the Pathfinder distributors in London re­ in the U.S. Navy. “I really enjoyed it and Marxist school. And therefore whatever the ogy. port that in a matter of weeks after its am very interested in reading more of your Vulgar philistines say that socialism is a speculation, passing through the school of publication, they sold more than 750 cop­ books. Please send me a list of other books structure of total stagnation. Rubbish, the Leninism is essential for every educated ies o f Nelson Mandela Speaks. you have in stock, with the cost of each.” worker, and especially for every future crassest rubbish! Only with socialism does The computer network Peacenet picked The new 1994 Pathfinder catalog is just teacher. real progress begin. Man will look for the up the review of the collection of speeches off the press and one of the first copies first time at himself as if at raw material, or The school of Leninism is a school of and interviews with the president of the w ill go to this sailor. To get your copy, at best, as at a half-finished product, and say: revolutionary action.“ I am a citizen of the African National Congress by journalist visit your local Pathfinder bookstore or “ I ’ve finally got to you, my dear homo first workers’ and peasants’ republic in the Earl Caldwell that appeared in the No­ contact Pathfinder, 410 West Street, New sapiens; now I can get to work on you, world” that consciousness is the precondi­ vember 26 New York Daily News. York, NY 10014, (212) 741-0690.

January 17,1994 The Militant 9 Farmers in the Midwest face loss of land BY JON HILLSON the price of milk is MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands of farm­ too low to afford [the ers in Minnesota face 1994 with a growing additional cost of] fear that the new year may be their last one feed,” she said. on the land. Luckily, the family Devastated by more than a billion dollars operation gets in crop losses, compounded by inadequate enough feed because government relief programs, many of this a son who farms pro­ state’s rural producers have received “just vided them with hay. enough [federal aid] to keep them hoping,” Additionally, hay according to Delores Swoboda, a leader of and com feed heavy Groundswell, a family farm organization with moisture have based in Wanda, Minnesota. resulted in a drop in Farmers, she said, “ are finishing up from milk production. fall, cleaning up machinery, and are just “ We are going to plain tired. People in urban areas, in the see a lot of farmers cities, think we’re getting everything we sitting on the edge need, but that’s just wrong.” this winter,” stated Swoboda reported that in one seven- Bill Coleman, head day period in early December, nearly of the Dairy and 1,100 farmers visited or called the Livestock Division Groundswell office seeking answers in of the Minnesota the newest round of the crisis facing Department of Agri­ working farmers. The remains of a home crushed by flooding of the Mississippi River in mid-1993. Unprecedented rains and river culture, in a recent In the same time span, she fielded flooding prevented planting or drowned already seeded farmland in many areas throughout Minnesota. news article in the nearly 100 visits from rural producers at Minneapolis Star the Swoboda house in Redwood Falls, Tribune. which, with bottomless cups of coffee, borrowed into them." ances for machine^ purchased in 1992 were He predicted that about 1,000 of the also serves as an informal Groundswell A farmer who needs money but who is disqualified as well. state’s 14,000 dairy farmers w ill not last out branch office. The farm has been in the indebted to a local bank has to get the FmHA As winter sets in, Groundswell is organ­ the next few months. family of Gene Swoboda, Delores’s hus­ to loan enough to pay off the bank note in izing farmers bereft of aid to get food stamps Sellner said the grim outlook is accu­ band, for a century. order to qualify for a loan for the upcoming and fuel assistance. rate. “ The farm advocates [state supported The reasons for what Delores Swoboda planting season. Some farmers on flood-ravaged land tried farm resource personnel] here say they calls “ a nightmare for farmers” in Minnesota “ And that’s just about impossible,” the to use the zero-92 provision of the 1985 farm can’t take even one more call,” she ex­ are clear. Groundswell leader said, leaving farmers bill “ safety net,” which pays for not planting plained. “ It’s just too much for them. • Unprecedented rains and river flooding “ unable to pay operating loans [from pre­ or for plowing under crops. Some of the older farmers w ill just sell that either prevented planting or drowned vious years]. Then, what happens come Feb­ But this approach was a double-edged off the cattle and leave.” already seeded farmland. ruary when you have to buy inputs?” sword, Swoboda said. “ You had to decide In the new year, she predicts, “ a real rash • An unusual, early fall frost in Septem­ More that 14,000 farmers and migrant by a certain time to sign on to it, and if [of auctions and foreclosures] is going to hit ber that killed still viable crops before har­ workers from Minnesota’s 88,000 farms you still hoped for a crop and didn’t apply, a lot of people, like a second wave out of vest. filed for unemployment insurance in a and the crop failed, you missed out on the flood. “ It’s very frustrating with all the everything. The whole thing was • $802 million in lost com production, first-time ever program the government paperwork, and trying to figure out what to baloney.” $310 million in ruined soybean crop, and claimed would provide relief from the im­ do, but we’ll keep going. We’ve got a son pact of the flooding, according to Depart­ to help us out.” $78 million in failed wheat harvest. Crop insurance • Only one in three com farmers are ment of Employment researcher Don To top off these blows, the federal gov­ Crop insurance, which provides limited ernment is now trying to force farmers to covered by crop insurance. Hilbert. Benefits range from $36 to $305 coverage of planted land, was a mixed return monies provided in 1993 advance • Unavailability of credit and low inter­ a week. blessing, at best. Without the insurance, deficiency payments. est loans for 1994 planting. More than 6,000 farmers and 3,300 mi­ the Groundswell leader said, their farm, These federal stipends make up the dif­ Government news releases, Swoboda grant workers have been approved for pay­ which produces com, soybean, wheat, ference between established target prices said, “ make it sound like [federal programs] ments. But that figure is a fraction of what and oats, “ wouldn’t have had a dam for crops and what those commodities ac­ are working just fine.” it might have been, had the program been thing. It’s the thread that keeps us hang­ tually fetch at the market. Instead, many farmers are trying to figure publicized. Many farmers, Swoboda said, ing on.”- The disbursements, made prior to the out, with little success, how to borrow “ didn’t know about the program, applied too This dollop of relief surpasses what results of the floods, are based on the his­ money for fertilizer, chemicals, and seed for late, or were disqualified.” was available to farmers in the ruinous toric yields of farmers’ crops. the upcoming season after a 1993 crop that Groundswell went on a public campaign drought of 1988. “ Maybe it was because Because many farmers did not plant or for many farmers meant a year without net that helped extend the filing deadline for cities got flooded and everything was on did not harvest due to rains and flooding, income. rural applicants. television,” she said, “ but you didn’t hear the government is pressing for a return of While the Farmers Home Administration In general, Hilbert said, only one person anything [in 1988] and we didn’t get a the payment. (FmHA), the federal farm lending agency, per farm qualifies for the plan. This excludes dime.” But such funds, given the economic beat­ is advertising loans, she said, “ you can’t get farm spouses and children, whose labor is Jim Saarf, who raises cattle in Eagle Bend ing farmers here have taken and the insuf­ any money from them unless you mortgage often decisive in family farming. Farmers in northern Minnesota, agrees. Heavy rains ficiency of aid programs, have already been everything you’ve got, or you’re already who took advantage of one-time tax allow- kept him from planting com on 120 acres spent to meet routine farm upkeep costs and but a remaining 180 acres were insured. “ We the pressing financial needs of the 1994 didn’t get a good kernel” from that land, he planting season. said. “ Farmers have suffered enough finan­ Iowa farm activists demand While Saarf lost thousands of dollars of cially during this long year,” stated an edi­ potential income, he was at least able to torial in Agri-News, a Midwest farm harvest the substandard com for feed. Other newsweekly published in southern Minne­ gov’t protection from crisis cattle farmers, he said, “ had to import [pur­ sota. “ The government doesn’t need to add chase] feed,” financially weakening them to their burden by demanding repayment of BY NORTON SANDLER producers across the state get for their even further. advanced deficiency.” DES MOINES, Iowa — Farm activists crops and the creation of decent-paying “ If we’d have gotten the same kind of Instead, the journal’s editors proposed from tiie American Agricultural Movement jobs in the rural areas, said Iowa AAM treatment we got during the drought under Department of Agriculture head Mike (AAM) protested December 16 at the state president Dan Schmidt. the Bush administration, a lot of us would Espy postpone “ the payback until next capitol here. The activists also insisted the state leg­ have gone under by now. Thank God we got fall” or that the requirement be voided Farmers demanded the state govern­ islative subcommittee on agriculture open Bush out of there,” said Saarf, who at 42 is altogether. ment take action to raise the prices rural to the public its hearing that day on the one of the youngest members of the National “This may take Congressional action,” the topic of rural economic development. A Farm Organization’s board of directors. Agri-News editorial stated, “ but a disaster of cross-section of farmers wanted to testify Pressures from the FmHA to pay off Continued on Page 11 at it. loans, Saarf said, have gone “ right up to “ This whole economic development foreclosure and then stopped. Those people scam has the politicians scrambling to get are in limbo.” more money into the state till,” Schmidt That pressure continues to mount, as said. “ Meanwhile, the poor farmer has been payments on debts, particularly to rural eroded to where there is nothing left.” banks, remain unpaid. Sooner than later, farmers say, these banks w ill call the notes “ When they talk about rural develop­ due. ment,” farm activist Carroll Nearmyer said, For Grace Sellner’s dairy farm, near “ they have to go back to the farm gate where Sleepy Eye, in southern Minnesota, crop it all begins. We need a decent price for what insurance was part of the disaster. “ We we’re producing, the same as working men weren’t as hard hit [with rain and floods] as and women need to be paid a decent rate for other places,” Sellner said, describing the their work.” conditions on the farm that has been in the Larry Ginter, a com and hog producer family more than 100 years. from Rhodes added, “ We are demanding Still, only 70 percent of the farm’s 450 awareness about what really creates acres of com, soybean, oats, and alfalfa wealth. It’s not only farmers producing survived the downpours to harvest. commodities but labor that is a part of the “ We were insured for a 35 percent loss, same struggle. If we have justice for the so we didn’t get anything,” Sellner said. farmers and justice for the workers we If that threshold had been reached, she could get rid of this debt that is strangling explained, the insurance would cover only people.” a fraction of the ruined crops, “ since The farmers were joined at the protest by there’s a 20 percent deductible to begin Militant/Barbara Bowman a handful of Des Moines trade unionists. with.” Carroll Nearmyer (left) and Dan Schmidt The action was covered by the local ABC Farmers whose hay crop was wrecked by at December 16 farm protest. television affiliate. rain may “ have to sell their cattle because

10 The Militant January 17,1994 Yellowknife bosses fail to break union after 18-month strike BY NED DMYTRYSHYN government, the RCMP [Royal Canadian AND JOE YOUNG Mounted Police], and companies that don’t YELLOWKNIFE, North West Territories want unions. But they couldn’t break us — After 18 months on strike against Royal because we hung on and got support from Oak Mines, members of the Canadian As­ unions down south.” Wells was recalled to sociation of Smelter and Allied Workers work December 1 with 29 other union mem­ union (CASAW) Local 4 are going back to bers. As CASAW members get recalled re­ work with a contract and the union intact at placement workers are laid off. the gold mine. At the same time a frame-up On December 21, additional CASAW campaign against three workers continues. members who work underground began re­ The main issues in the strike were the com­ turning to work. Twenty-seven CASAW pany’s attempt to cut back safety inspections, members who had crossed the picket line are its disciplining of injured workers, and at­ also being recalled. During the strike 47 tempts to roll back seniority rights. workers found other jobs and do not plan to U A o A W Royal Oak hired replacement workers return to the mine. The strike began with 240 Three CAS AW members remain in jail on trumped-up charges. Above, Royal Canadian and used a cop presence and police violence unionists. Mounted Police at Royal Oak Mine, shortly before cops assaulted strikers June 14,1992. to try to bust the union. This included a The Canada Labor Relations Board campaign to get CASAW decertified and (CLRB) ruled November 11 that the com­ CASAW member Terry Legge said in an vice, possession of a prohibited weapon, replaced with an “ association.” pany had not bargained in good faith and interview that the mine owners “ didn’t break and uttering threats to cause death in inci­ Unionists from across Canada and inter­ issued a back-to-work protocol. An attempt the union but we didn’t win anything. We dents unrelated to the explosion that killed nationally gave support to the CASAW by Royal Oak to get a stay of the ruling was gained a lot in terms of solidarity.” the replacement workers. strikers, whose fight became the most im­ turned down by the Federal Court of Appeal At the union hall, CASAW member Bill CASAW members believe that the ac­ portant labor battle in the country. It came on December 21. CASAW will now remain Dyke, a seven-year scoop operator at Royal cused are facing a justice system that has con­ at a time when strike activity in Canada hit the bargaining unit at Royal Oak Mines for Oak’s Giant Mine, who is scheduled to go sistently supported the mine owners against the lowest point in 50 years. the next three years. back to work December 21, explained that the union. The right to presumption of inno­ “ I don’t think they want any unions in the On November 16,96 percent of CASAW members will be giving two hours pay per cence has been violated. CASAW member north while companies are developing members present voted to accept the CLRB month to the 100 workers on strike at Alcan Alexander Mikus said, “ I ’ve worked with mines,” said striker Corey Wells. “This recommendation, which the company was in Vancouver who are also CASAW mem­ Roger [Warren] for 12 years. I don’t believe lasted so long because she [Royal Oak ordered to present to the union. The decision bers. “ We don’t forget the solidarity that we he did this. Why haven’t the RCMP investi­ owner Peggy Witte] had support from the gave federal commissioners Don Munroe and Vince Ready the authority to deal with received,” commented Dyke. gated seriously the fact that I saw a white outstanding issues and impose a contract. Three unionists framed-up during the pickup truck with Saskatchewan plates com­ The commissioners ruled that wages for strike have been held in the Yellowknife ing out of the mine at 4:00 a.m. the morning Midwest farmers returning workers will remain the same as Correctional Centre without bail since mid- of the explosion. Roger was a person to calm at the time of the strike. Wages for replace­ October. people on the picket line.” face loss of land ment workers hired as helpers since the On October 16, the RCMP arrested and Warren is “ a scapegoat,” stated Legge. beginning of the strike will start at $14 an charged CASAW member Roger Warren “There is no justice system. Or, there is one Continued from Page 10 hour. Under the old contract helpers are paid with nine counts of first degree murder in but it is for another group of people.” this magnitude requires special action.” $19 an hour. The number of days a month the death of nine replacement workers who There are important stakes for the labor Stan Pankratz of Mountain Lake, in allotted for safety inspections will remain as were killed by an explosion in the mine Sept. movement in defending the framed southern Minnesota, stopped farming his in the old contract: four below ground and 18,1992. Warren’s preliminary inquiry is set CASAW members. land this year, and rented out the acreage two above. At the end of the three-year for February 14. that’s been in his family for more than contract the commissioners will have the Two other strikers, Tim Bettger and A1 Ned Dmytryshyn is a laid-off member of 100 years. authority to impose another one. The 52 Shearing, were arrested October 18 and Teamsters Local 213 and Joe Young is a The farm came up with “ the worst yield unionists fired during the strike will have charged a week later with a series of of­ member of United Steelworkers of America in my 55 years here,” he said. The zero-92 their cases go to expedited arbitration. fenses, including setting an explosive de­ Local 3495 in Vancouver, British Columbia. program“ was never designed for disaster relief.” By paying farmers not to farm, the pro­ gram benefits the richest farmers and corpo­ Southern textile workers gain new contract rate agriculture. With more land unused they can more easily monopolize production. BY SUSAN LAMONT leaflets and stickers, and generally kept the maintaining the grievance procedure; pay­ To get into the program, family farmers COLUMBUS, Georgia — Members of heat on Fieldcrest Cannon, letting the com­ ing overtime to 12-hour shift workers after have to first come up with an accurate pre­ the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Work­ pany know that union members were not 36 hours; and limiting overtime to two Sat­ diction of the estimated crop yield for pay­ ers Union (ACTWU) at Fieldcrest Cannon going to give up and give in. urdays in a row, down from the current three. ment to the government’s satisfaction, Pank­ ratified a new three-year contract with the Reese Boulware, district manager of “This contract was a victory for the un­ ratz explained. company in late November. The contract is ACTWU’s South Georgia district, reported ion,” said Earl Moore, vice-president of that the newly ratified contract includes provi­ ACTWU Local 1855B at Fieldcrest Can­ But if their prediction exceeds the yield the largest single textile agreement, covering sions for an immediate 1 percent wage raise, non’s towel m ill in Columbus, Georgia. they plowed under, they must pay the dif­ some 4,500 workers at plants in Fieldale, Vir­ Moore is a drawing frame cleaner and has ference to the government and are disquali­ ginia; Eden, North Carolina; Columbus, as part of the back pay owed to the unionists since 1991, when Fieldcrest Cannon awarded worked at the m ill for 13 years. fied from the program. Georgia; and Phenix City, Alabama. a wage increase at its nonunion mills and de­ “ Fieldcrest Cannon didn’t just give us the And, Pankratz pointed out, “ to decide to Fieldcrest Cannon is one of the five larg­ est textile manufacturers in the United nied the same pay at its union facilities. 1 percent [back pay],” he continued, “ they plow under is very difficult morally for States, employing about 17,000 workers, the More back pay is subject to further talks, had to acknowledge that they broke the law. farmers. It’s something you hate to do, to as is the in-plant smoking issue. Negotia­ This was a result of our people standing not plant, to plow under.” majority at nonunion mills. The company dominates the towel market and produces tions for an actual wage increase are set to strong and fighting.” Now, working farmers in his area are bedding as well. begin in January. Other provisions of the “ really up against it. They have no idea The new contract forced the company new contract include allowing union mem­ Susan LaMont is a member o f ACTWU Lo­ what w ill happen next. They’re ‘living on back from its worst concession demands. It bers the right to strike for up to eight hours; cal 365 in Austell, Georgia. the come,” ’ Pankratz said. “ You know, a came as a result of a seven-month fight that better harvest will come, a better time will followed union members’ overwhelming re­ come.” jection of the company’s final contract offer Pankratz said he and his wife Eileen no last April. At that time the bosses insisted longer want to “ live on the come.” With their on limiting union members’ right to strike, children grown, they’re trying to sell the more forced overtime and subcontracting, Coming Soon — New Edition land and quit farming. putting more jobs on 12-hour shifts, a ban The economic impact of the crisis has on smoking inside the plants, no wage in­ The Changing Face made finding buyers hard. But Pankratz is crease, and other concessions. determined to sell rather than face another ACTWU members also demanded back of U.S. Politics year of difficulty making a living on the pay dating from 1991, totaling $2.5 million; Working-Class Politics land. a wage increase; maintaining the grievance and the Trade Unions procedure and right to strike; changes in “ I ’m disillusioned with the American sys­ JACK BARNES tem of agriculture,” he said. “ The trans­ contract language to protect employees’ nationals [multinational corporations] con­ wages; and provisions to guarantee that jobs Building a revolutionary trol everything. They own the chemicals, would not be lost if the company was sold. fertilizers, seed, and machinery. They con­ For months unionists campaigned to win w orkers' p a rty in a w o rld «1 3 - ADD 1* WEED Of tract for the crop. They’re the food proces­ a decent contract and force Fieldcrest Can­ of deepening capitalist economic sors and own the packinghouses. non to back off its concessionary drive. crises, wars, increasing trade conflicts, THE MILITANT “ They still ‘let’ us raise grain because it’s Workers at the North Carolina and Virginia *S4» far book only (i«guktrtr*MS> cheaper for them,” he continued, “ and then plants carried out one- and two-day “ unfair antiunion assaults, and increasing ThU book toll the *tarj of fb• M - they pay us below the cost of production. labor practices” strikes in May to protest the day strike« It oxptadtas bow Rsdt* They squeeze us every way they can. They firing of union leader Laveme Lambeth pressure on workers' rights and a&d'fUo wwiit

January 17,1994 The Militant 11 U.S. campaign MILITANT LABOR FORUMS ALABAMA GEORGIA American-Irish Political Education Commit­ against N. Korea tee; Roger Weist, Director of Political Edu­ B irm in g h a m A tla n ta cation, Ohio State Board of the Ancient Order Continued from front page Clinton's First Year: A Year of Attacks on The gains of the Civil Rights Movement: Its of Hibernians; Michael Fitzsimmons, Social­ clear weapons. A few weeks later the CIA Working People and Democratic Rights. Lessons for Today. Speaker: Bob Braxton, So­ ist Workers Party, member of United Steel­ Speaker Kay Sedam, Socialist Workers Party, cialist Workers Party, member of United Auto workers of America Local 14919. Sat., Jan. charged that Pyongyang had already made member of United Steelworkers of America Lo­ Workers Local 882. Sat., Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m. 172 at least one such bomb. This claim was 15, 5 p.m. 1863 W. 25th St. Donation: $3. cal 2122. Sat., Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m. 111 21st St. S. Trinity Ave. SW. Donation: $3. Tel: (404) 577- Tel: (216) 861-6150. publicly disputed by both the South Korean Donation: $3. Tel: (205) 323-3079. 4065. government and officials at the U.S. State How the Fight for Abortion Rights Was Won. Department. Speaker: Susan LaMont, Socialist Workers Party, Pyongyang has repeatedly stated that its CALIFORNIA member of Amalgamated Clothing and Textile BRITAIN nuclear program is only for peaceful energy Los Angeles Workers Union Local 365. Sat., Jan. 22,7:30p.m. M anche ster development and it is not involved in build­ What Was the Civil Rights Movement? Lessons 172 Trinity Ave. SW. Donation: $3. Tel: (404) for Today. Speaker Nelson Blackstock, participant Cuba Faces the Challenges of a Changing ing atomic bombs. 577-4065. in southern civil rights movement, author of Work­ W orld. Report from European Solidarity In his New Year address, Kim II Sung, ers in a Changing South and Cointelprv: The FBI's Conference in Havana, December 6-13. president of the DPRK, stated, “ It is the Secret War on Political Freedom, and member of OHIO Speaker: Jonathan Silberman, Havana con­ United States that has created the Fictitious Socialist Workers Party. Sat., Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m. C leveland ference participant. Fri., Jan. 14, 7 p.m. Unit ‘doubt about nuclear development by the 2546-C W. Pico Blvd. Donation: $4. Translation Prospects for Peace in Northern Ireland. 4, 60 Shudehill. Donation: £1. Tel: 061-839 north,’ and it is the United States that has into Spanish. Tel: (213) 380-9460. Speakers: Kathy Whitford, National Board, 1766. actually shipped nuclear weapons into the Korean peninsula and has been threatening us.”

No inspection o f U.S. bases Wall Street faces dilemma over Russia There have been no inspections of U.S. Continued from front page setting up social safety nets, and we won’t businessman Edwin Neuwirth, a former bases or other nuclear installations in South governments to quickly provide more aid. now,” an unnamed senior administration of­ member of the Nazi’s elite SS military corps. Korea, where Washington maintains 35,000 “ Economic recovery in Russia means shut­ ficial said. “ There’s not enough money. We Neuwirth disputes the existence of gas cham­ troops. The Korean peninsula has been ting down mammoth military, steel, and can change focus a little bit, but not much.” bers at World War II Nazi death camps. He divided since the end of the U.S.-led Korean other factories,” states the Times. “ Russia’s While all of Russia’s basic industry — also visited Germany and Bulgaria. war in 1953. reformers can’t win over a fearful popula­ mines, steel mills, railroads — is still state He was jeered December 28 by an angry Last March, the DPRK government tion unless they have money before they property, the Wall Street Journal remains up­ crowd of about 500 as he laid flowers at a threatened to pull out o f the Nuclear Non­ undertake reform.” beat about Yeltsin’s economic policies. A l­ monument to Russian soldiers in Sofia, Bul­ proliferation Treaty following the re­ Strobe Talbott, who had been Ambassa­ though almost 70 percent of the nation’s garia. “Hitler!,” “Fascist!” “ Go home!” the sumption of the “Team Spirit” joint dor at Large to the former Soviet republic small and medium-size businesses are now in protesters chanted. That same day, the Bul­ military exercises by U.S. and South Ko­ and was recently named to be the deputy private hands, “this doesn’t mean that the garian government ordered Zhirinovsky to rean forces. These maneuvers, which are secretary of state, told reporters that what companies are yet functioning like private leave the country within 24 hours, after he essentially a practice invasion o f North was needed was “ less shock and more ther­ businesses in the Western sense,” the Journal called for the resignation of Bulgaria’s presi­ Korea, had been called off in 1992 after apy for the Russian people.” He said the states. “The civic institutions that emerged in dent. The Interior Ministry charged him with the governments of North and South Ko­ U.S. government would consider ways of the West over a millennia are forming quickly using “offensive language and attitudes to­ rea signed an agreement calling for mu­ improving social welfare in Russia. in Russia, but not overnight.. . . Things like wards the Bulgarian head of state” and inter­ tual inspection of nuclear sites. Seoul felt Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, on the enforceable contracts take time.” fering in the country’s internal affairs. obligated to support this pact because of other hand, insists Russia’s problems should In spite of the widespread agreement The German government then refused the mass sentiment among working peo­ not be blamed on “ shock therapy” economic among ruling class pundits that it would Zhirinovsky’s request to reenter that coun­ ple in the south for reunification with the measures. “ I don’t believe that when you are advance their cause to increase financial aid try, saying his renewed presence would north. having 10 to 20 percent inflation a month to Yeltsin’s government, little appears to be “ prejudice German state interests.” Politi­ Pyongyang allowed six inspections of its that means that you are having excessive headed that way. cians from all three major German political nuclear facilities, but the military exercises reform,” stated Bentsen. Sergei Vasil iev, a leading Russian econo­ parties — the Free Democrats, Christian were resumed after the International Atomic Jeffrey Sachs, a professor of economics at mist, told the Russian Information Agency Democrats, and Social Democratic Party — Energy Agency demanded access to addi­ Harvard University and adviser to the Russian January 3 that “ in the next two years no large- backed the decision to bar him. tional sites in North Korea. DPRK govern­ government, backs Bentsen’s point of view. scale foreign investment will come to Russia.” With the new Russian parliament set to ment officials say these are military instal­ “The reformers here had to struggle in a In an effort to convince the IMF to pro­ convene January 11, Yeltsin made clear that lations that are unrelated to nuclear produc­ treacherous, populistic, and often corrupt po­ vide Russia with $1.5 billion in loans that he plans to collaborate with Zhirinovsky. tion. litical milieu, and without timely financial had previously been promised, the govern­ The governments of China, Japan, and support from the West,” he says in à December ment succeeded in lowering the rate of in­ South Korea have been reluctant to support 30 opinion column in the Wall Street Journal. flation to 15 percent in November. It had East Europeans Washington’s moves toward a military con­ Under these conditions, he adds, they “have been averaging 20 percent each month. This frontation with North Korea. Chinese offi­ done extraordinarily well.” Sachs writes that was accomplished by refusing to pay wages in NATO? No way. cials have publicly stated their opposition to what’s needed in Russia is a more rapid pace to miners, farmers, soldiers, and others. In response to recent developments in employing economic sanctions while call­ of carrying out this policy, such as has been The Russian government thus begins Russia, Washington has decided to back ing for the entire Korean peninsula to be a done in Poland and the Czech Republic. 1994 owing $4 billion in deferred payments, off from its ipitial plan to move toward non-nuclear zone. “The worst social misery is not being “ which will push inflation up again no mat­ granting NATO membership to Eastern Many of the 750,000 Koreans living in caused by reform but by the lack of it,” states ter what decisions any new Government European countries. Yeltsin has stated his Japan are strongly opposed to a foreign the Washington Post. “ Social conditions are makes,” concludes an article in the New strong opposition to these countries join­ policy threatening military action against much better in Russia than in, say, York Times. ing NATO. the DPRK, or to any efforts to cut off eco­ Ukraine. . . . Russia has made a substantial The U.S. government’s current pro­ Zhirinovsky’s European tour nomic ties between the two countries. beginning on the process of reform, while posal, which w ill be presented to a NATO Ukraine has done little and is suffering for it ” While capitalist commentators debated at Japan maintains trade relations summit meeting January 10-11 in Brus­ “ But there’s a need for a real safety net in what pace to proceed with austerity meas­ sels, w ill invite Eastern European Coun­ In fact, Japan remains the only capitalist Russia,” the Post adds. “ Perhaps the United ures in Russia, Liberal Democratic Party tries and former Soviet republics to take country to maintain significant trade rela­ States and the other rich democracies have chief Zhirinovsky embarked on a tour of part in military training and exercises with tions with North Korea. In 1991, Japan an obligation to come up with larger grants several European countries to meet with NATO, but without being offered formal ranked second only to China in trade with rather than more loans.” right-wing leaders there. membership. » w Pyongyang, with a total volume of $481 “ We have not gotten into the business of He spent a few days in Austria visiting with million — including imports of fish, miner­ als, and textiles, as well as exports of ma­ chinery and textile materials. Eighty percent of this trade is conducted by Koreans living — IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP in Japan. Where to find Pathfinder books and Zip: 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. 2000. Tel: 02-281-3297. While Washington moves toward a ne­ distributors of the Militant, Perspectiva NEW YORK: Brooklyn: 59 4th Avenue BRITAIN gotiated agreement with the government Mundial, New International, Nouvelle In­ (comer of Bergen) Zip: 11217 Tel: (718) London: 47 The Cut. Postal code: SE1 8LL. of the DPRK, commentators in the big- ternationale, and Nueva Internacional. 399-7257; New York: 214-16 Avenue A. Tel: 071-928-7993. business press continue to beat the drums Mailing address: P.O. Box 2652. Zip: Manchester: Unit 4, 60 Shudehill. Postal for a military solution. One such example UNITED STATES ALABAMA: Birmingham: 111 21st St. 10009. Tel: (212) 388-9346; 167 Charles St. code: M4 4AA. Tel: 061-839 1766. is a January 5 column in the Wall Street South. Zip: 35233. Tel: (205) 323-3079. Zip: 10014. Tel: (212) 366-1973. Sheffield: 1 Gower St., Spiral Hill, Postal Journal entitled “ Korea, Clinton’s Cuban CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2546 W. Pico NORTH CAROLINA: Greensboro: code: S47HA. Tel: 0742-765070. Missile Crisis,” by Karen House, an in­ Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380-9460, 380- 2000-C S. Elm-Eugene St. Zip 27406. Tel: CANADA ternational vice-president of Dow Jones. 9640. San Francisco: 3284 23rd St. Zip: 94110. (910) 272-5996. Montreal: 4581 Saint-Denis. Postal code: House calls for “ putting in place now a Tel: (415) 282-6255. OHIO: Cincinnati: P.O. Box 19484. Zip: H2J 2L4. Tel: (514) 284-7369. total embargo o f North Korea, including CONNECTICUT: New Haven: Mailing ad­ 45219. Tel: (513) 221-2691. Cleveland: 1863 Toronto: 827 Bloor St. West. Postal code: a naval blockade by U.S. and Japanese dress: P.O. Box 16751, Baybrook Station, West W. 25th St. Zip: 44113. Tel: (216)861-6150. M6G 1M1. Tel: (416) 533-4324. Haven. Zip: 06516. Tel: (203) 688-5418. warships. The time to do this is yester­ OREGON: Portland: 2310 NE 8th #1. Zip: Vancouver: 3967 Main St. Postal code: V5V FLORIDA: Miami: 137 N.E. 54th St. Zip: day.” 97212. Tel: (503)288-0466. 3P3. Tel: (604) 872-8343. 33137. Tel: (305)756-1020. PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 1906 GEORGIA: Atlanta: 172 Trinity Ave. Zip: South St. Zip: 19146. Tel: (215) 546-8218. Pitts­ FRANCE 30303. Tel: (404) 577-4065. burgh: 4905 Penn Ave. Zip 15224. Tel: (412) Paris: 8, allee Berlioz 94800 Villejuif Tel: (1) -CALENDAR— ILLINOIS: Chicago: 545 W. Roosevelt Rd. 362-6767. 47-26-58-21 Zip: 60607. Tel: (312) 829-6815, 829-7018. TEXAS: Houston: 6969 Gulf Freeway, Suite ICELAND ALABAMA IOWA: Des Moines: 2105 Forest Ave. Zip: 250. Zip: 77087. Tel. (713) 644-9066. Reykjavik: Klapparstig 26. Mailing address: 50311. Tel: (515)246-8249. UTAH: Salt Lake City: 147 E. 900 S. Zip: P. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. Tel: (91) 17513. B irm in g h a m MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: 780Tremont 84111. Tel: (801)355-1124. NEW ZEALAND Abortion Rights Rally. Celebrate the 21st An­ St. Zip: 02118. Tel: (617) 247-6772. WASHINGTON, D.C.: 523 8th St. SE. Zip: niversary of the Roe vs. Wade Decision. Speak­ MICHIGAN: Detroit: 7414 Woodward 20003. Tel: (202) 547-7557. Auckland: La Gonda Arcade, 203 Karanga- ers: David Gunn Jr., pro-choice activist; Mary Ave. Zip: 48202. Tel: (313) 875-0100. WASHINGTON: Seattle: 1405 E. Madison. hape Road. Postal Address: P.O. Box 3025. Tel: (9) 379-3075. Jones, Mayor’s Commission on Women. Sat., MINNESOTA: Twin Cities: 508 N. Zip: 98122. Tel: (206) 323-1755. Jan. 22, 1 p.m. Kelly Ingram Park (6th Avenue Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: WEST VIRGINIA: Morgantown: 242 Christchurch: 199 High St. Postal address: and 16th Street North). Sponsored by Birming­ (612) 644-6325. Walnut. Mailing address: P.O. Box 203. Zip: P.O. Box 22-530. Tel: (3) 365-6055. ham Clinic Defense Team, Greater Birmingham MISSOURI: St. Louis: 1622 S. Broadway. 26507. Tel: (304) 296-0055. SWEDEN National Organization for Women, Alabamians Zip: 63104. Tel: (314) 421-3808. AUSTRALIA Stockholm: Vikingagatan 10 (T-bana St for Choice. For more information, call (205) NEW JERSEY: Newark: 141 Halsey. Mail­ Sydney: 19 Terry St., Surry Hills 2010. Mail­ Eriksplan). Postal code: S-113 42. Tel: (08) 31 930-9663. ing address: 1188 Raymond Blvd., Suite 222. ing address: P.O. Box K879, Haymarket, NSW 69 33.

12 The Militant January 17,1994 GREAT SOCIETY How robust can you get? — cost of living increased only 2.7 per­ Law ’n order, L.A . — Ricky “ smoke in front of everyone to It figures — Dan Lemmons, a “ Even though the U.S. economy is cent. Now the Bureau says the actual Gonzales was busted by a Los An­ show who supports the country and California dealer, says he’s doing in a robust recovery, unemployment inflation rate may have been 25 per­ geles sheriff’s deputy on a passen­ who evades taxes.” well marketing a Charles Manson cent less than it figured. So, starting ger platform of the Metro line. Hit T-shirt. In 1969, Manson was con­ next year, a different method of cal­ by the flu, Gonzales had violated Safety net — Stuart Marylander victed of mass murder. Lemmons culating will be used, which is ex­ the trolley services no-food policy was director of two nonprofit Los says he’s giving “ a good chunk” of pected to produce better numbers. by popping a cough drop. A job Angeles hospitals kept afloat by the T-shirt profits to Operation seeker from a Nevada Paiute reser­ state funding. With the hospitals Rescue, the right-wing “ right to- Cleaner air — Driven out of of­ vation, he will be tried February 1. about to go down the tube, Marylan­ lifers.” fice after the Rodney King beating, If convicted, he faces a $250 fine. der was bounced. But not to worry. Los Angeles police chief Daryl He’ll be drawing $25,000 a month Good reminder — A doctor Gates became a radio talk show Ready to die for Greece — The for the next three years. One year of reader sent along one of the scurri­ lines still swell and layoffs at big host. But the big-mouthed defender Greek government has imposed a this is severance pay. The other two? lous, anonymous leaflets she re­ companies are endemic problems. of police brutality and racism has sharp increase in the cigarette tax. His contract stipulates he can’t be ceives from antiabortionists. This In addition, wages are flat year to been pink-slipped. The station man­ Meanwhile non-smoking univer­ fired without two years notice. one skipped the usual biblical ful­ year.” — Bloomberg Business ager said the assignment had been sity students have been pressing to minations but reiterated the abor­ News. temporary and the end of the year be freed of the imposition of sec- Then there’s the fringes — tion is “ murder” theme. It con­ was “ the right time” for Gates to ond-hand smoke. Rallying against Health care specialist Marylander is cluded with a slogan that seemed Curb inflation? No problem — move on. In his place, there will be this, a poster was issued by the also drawing $1,575 a month car more apt than the author intended: We scoffed when the Bureau of La­ commentary on current issues by a “ Brotherhood of Persecuted Smok­ allowance, plus medical and dis­ “ If you think the days of the snake bor Statistics said that last year the stand-up comic. ers.” It declared supporters would ability benefits. oil salesmen are in the past. . . ” London uses murder conviction of boys to whip up anticrime frenzy, attack democratic rights

BY PETE KENNEDY side society, from the “ underclass.” watch” in the light of the Bulger killing. On been a complete fabrication. But by that MANCHESTER, England — Two 11- Egged on by editorials, in which the right December 6 the government announced it time tens of thousands of working people, year-old children were convicted November of assumed innocence was discounted, an would be introducing a campaign to pro­ including many young children, had died 24th for the murder of two-year old James angry crowd gathered at the police station mote “ family values” in the school curricula as a result o f relentless bomb attacks, star­ Bulger. where the boy was held, and his family came and unveiled new divorce laws, which vation, and disease. The case has become a focal point in the under duress. Days later he was released, would recommend couples go through a The capitalist rulers care no more “ war on crime” campaign by big-business having had nothing whatsoever to do with mediation program before a divorce could about two-year-old Bulger than they did politicians and media in Britain in the past the killing. be granted. Though the mediation has not about those who died in Iraq. The capi­ months. What this campaign actually con­ After the names of the boys eventually been presented as compulsory, the proposals talist system, with the wars, unemploy­ sists of is attacks on democratic rights and convicted were released, feature articles in threaten to deny legal aid for divorce costs ment, and hunger it generates, is the attempts to scapegoat “ lawless” youth, sin­ every daily raked over details of the private if it is not observed. biggest source of violence and brutality gle mothers, and a criminal “ underclass” for lives of their families. One of the boys was The opposition Labour Party has joined working people face. And it is the vicious the violence and brutality bred every day by from a single-parent household with a large in the law-and-order call. Labour Party dog-eat-dog nature of the system that capitalist society. number of children. Truancy, absent fathers, spokesman on police affairs Alun Michael breaks down human solidarity, leading to “The killing was an act of unparalleled alcohol, and indiscipline, it was implied, had criticized the Neighborhood Watch propos­ the acts of violence that are more com­ evil and barbarity, cunning and wicked,” produced these “ Little Devils,” as one front als, saying the government was reneging on monly considered crime. Judge Michael Moorland told the boys, page called the youths. its promise of more police. The number of The supposed solutions put forward by aged 10 at the time of Bulger’s death. He cops has fallen by 224 to 125,000. the politicians and big-business media — Media promotes ‘war on crime’ putting more cops on the streets, crusading The media hype around the trial is part Capitalism is source of violence for family values, combating the so-called NEWS ANALYSIS and parcel of the “ war on crime” promoted Feigning tremendous concern for the underclass — are aimed against the work­ at the Conservative Party’s conference in welfare of children like Bulger in order to ing class. These measures divide the class, October. Major talked in his keynote speech manipulate popular feeling is not a new convincing workers to see each other as less insisted they would be imprisoned for at that event of “ getting back to basics,” of tactic of the ruling class. In order to win than human, as a subclass to be feared “ very, very many years.” In departure from returning to the “old core values.. . of support for the murderous slaughter un­ instead of as allies in fighting against the normal legal practice, Moorland waived neighborliness, decency, courtesy,” along leashed against the working people of Iraq horrors created by capitalism and to build a banning orders that would have prevented with “ self-discipline and respect for the in 1991, the same newspapers prominently new society. They are used to take back disclosure of the names of the boys and law.” He targeted single mothers as the key featured a story of Kuwaiti babies being democratic rights working people and their their families. Their public identification obstacle in the way of returning to “ the old taken from hospital incubators by Iraqi organizations need to defend their interests. followed a press campaign of vilification core values.” troops. This was later admitted to have They should be opposed. that began immediately after Bulger’s According to the Independent, unmarried body was found in Bootle, near Liverpool, mothers were portrayed at the conference as last February. “ feckless young parasites who get pregnant The fact that children or young teenag­ deliberately to jump housing queues and 25 AND 50 YEARS AGO ers were suspected in his death gave whose aim is thereafter to breed with aban­ ground for a flood of press claims that don and with a multitude of partners on Britain was “ under siege” from violent, income support.” THE THE MILITANT lawless, children. This has been echoed by The central target of government ministers PUIUSHIO IN TNI IN T H n n Of IM V top government officials. “ Society needs was not simply housing and benefit rights of NEW YORK, N Y FIVE (S) CENTS to condemn a little more and understand single mothers, which they promised to at­ MILITANT January 15,1944 a little less,” Prime Minister John Major tack. The politicians sought to convince Published in the Interest of the Working People stated. working people that by disregarding “ family January 17,1969 Price 10« Encouraged by the intensified capitalist as­ Chancellor Kenneth Clark added “ It’s no values,” single young women were creating sault against American labor and inspired by good permanently finding excuses for a sec­ in their children an underclass of violent LONDON — Obi Egbuna, the well- Hitler’s mass extermination of the European tion of the population who are essentially criminals. At the conference, Major pledged, known Biafran novelist and playwright, and Jews, fascist hoodlum gangs directed by such nasty pieces of work.” “ above all to lead a new campaign to defeat Nigerian artist Peter Martin were found scum as the “ Christian Front,” Nazi Bundists The fruits of this tirade were immediately the cancer that is crime.” “ guilty” by an all-white jury here Dec. 11 of and similar outfits have reopened their cam­ apparent when a young boy was detained as Michael Howard, the home secretary, an­ “ maliciously uttering a writing threathening paign of anti-Jewish terrorism on New York a suspect by police in Bootle. A range of nounced a new set of measures including to murder police officers in Hyde Park.” The City streets. Similar terrorism is reported private details of the boy’s family back­ longer sentences, doubled for those in juve­ third defendant, Gideon Dolo, was found from Boston, Baltimore and other large cities. ground appeared in the press. He was por­ nile prisons; more jailing of 12-14 year olds; “ not guilty.” Egbuna, a leader of the Univer­ Within the past three months this city has trayed as a representative of something out- allowing police more leeway to erect road­ sal Coloured Peoples’ Association [UCPA] been the scene of more than 200 physical blocks; new “ antiterrorist” laws; automatic and editor of the organization’s magazine, assaults, including knifings, on Jewish DNA sampling of all those arrested; and Black Power Speaks, was sentenced to one youngsters and aged people and vandalistic most significantly, ending the right of sus­ year in prison. The sentence was suspended acts against Jewish synagogues and ceme­ pects to remain silent. for three years. teries. The New York City Police Depart­ The youth of the boys charged in Bulger’s In the ten-day trial the prosecution’s case ment, notoriously infested with members TRIAL death did not prevent thinly veiled calls for was clearly exposed as a frameup. What was and “ ex-members” of the fascist “ Christian F B ION a return of capital punishment. Bryan Ap- significant was not that racialist hysteria Front,” has failed to give any protection THE VICTORY IN THE SOCIALIST pleyard wrote in the November 25 Inde­ could be used by the police to secure a against these assaults or to arrest the perpe­ WORKERS PARTY SUIT AGAINST GOVERNMENT SPYING pendent, “ The feeling is that the locking up conviction, but that the sentence for such a trators of these criminal acts. of two 11 -year-olds, for however long, is not supposedly serious offence would be so Workers throughout the country will re­ Edited by enough. It could not satisfy the craving for light. Only a year ago another black power call the demonstration of 50,000 anti-fascist Margaret Jayko balance and justice.” leader, Michael X, was sentenced to a year workers, organized and led by the Socialist The historic In the atmosphere established by these in prison — and served it — under the Race Workers Party, which in Feb. 1939 sur­ 1986 federal developments the Conservative govern­ Relations Act for merely preaching black rounded a public rally of the Nazi Bund and “ Christian Fronters” at Madison Square court ruling, ment has moved to press some new aspects pride (allegedly “ inciting racial hatred” ). of their offensive. Howard announced De­ The outcome of the trial can be seen as a Garden and which taught the fascists a les­ trial testimony, cember 4 that he would authorize street modest victory for the defendants and for son they have long remembered. That night, and commentary patrols under the Neighborhood Watch the sizeable movement for their defense it will also be recalled, [Mayor Fiorello] tracing 50 years program. Neighborhood Watch is a so- throughout Britain. Many marchers in the LaGuardia’s police, 16,000 strong, rode of government called crimebusting initiative involving 5 massive Oct. 27 London antiwar demonstra­ down with their horses and clubbed the spying. $17.95 million homes and a network of 115,000 tion carried signs protesting the fact that anti-fascist demonstrators and protected the

Available at bookstores, including those listed on page 12, groups of neighbors linked into the police Egbuna and the others were held without fascists. or at the address below. If ordering by mail, please add system. bail from the time of their arrest in July. An Anti-Semitic attacks, just as anti-Negro $3.00 to cover postage and handling. Howard’s proposals followed those of energetic publicity campaign was carried attacks, will never be successfully fought by PATHFINDER, 410 West St., New York, NY 10014. Fax (212) 727-0150 Education Secretary John Patten, who sug­ out by the Committee for the Defence of Obi depending on a LaGuardia, by relying on gested citizens should undertake a “ truancy Egbuna on the eve of the trial. the capitalists or their government.

January 17,1994 The Militant 13 —EDITORIALS ------What way forward Their morals and ours for Irish struggle? In a letter on the facing page, reader Kathleen Shields Questionable business connections. Concealing possible It’s no accident, however, that one of the main attacks questions an editorial titled “ British troops out of Ireland” evidence. Using state resources for personal business. The on Clinton appeared in the right-wing magazine American that appeared in the November 15 issue of the Militant. picture that’s been painted in the press of U.S. president Spectator. Rightist politicians like Patrick Buchanan and Her letter misses the central point of the editorial, which Bill Clinton over the last few weeks is not a pretty one. Ross Perot try to feed off these kind of scandals. They tap stated that today’s crisis of British rule over Ireland “ stems These scandals, however, are not the real problem with into a growing conviction among millions of people that from the long-term decline of British imperialism, its deep the Clinton administration. Financial and moral corruption the established bourgeois politicians are incapable of ad­ economic depression, and the stress of trying to compete are endemic to the capitalist class and their lackeys in dressing the deepening social crisis. More and more people with rival capitalist powers as the old world order comes Congress and the White House. A ll capitalist politicians are becoming open to the suggestion that these figures are apart.” While the partition of Ireland has since the 1920s think nothing of it, except when it can be used to scandalize immoral and not fit to be in office and that the parliamen­ provided a large pool of cheap labor, as well as a means an opponent. The financial misconduct Clinton is accused tary and democratic institutions under capitalism are rotten to exploit Ireland as a whole, today this is in question. of is small potatoes compared to what Democratic and places where thieves, bureaucrats, and maneuverers hide. Nineteen thousand troops have been tied down in a 25-year Republican politicians and other businessmen do every day And more and more people believe that something radical war with no end in sight. The British rulers need to be able — both legally and illegally — to exploit workers and must be done to break through this spreading corruption. to deploy them elsewhere if they are to compete with their farmers around the world. The bourgeois right will win adherents to their own rivals. The war in the North is now an obstacle to invest­ The real crimes of Clinton and the entire capitalist class he radical — and reactionary — views and proposals until the ment by capitalists. Meanwhile capitalist rivals from the represents are numerous. They include: bombing Iraq during working class begins to forge its own leadership with class United States, Germany, and Japan are moving more into the president’s first days in office; forcibly returning Haitian struggle answers. the increasingly lucrative south of Ireland. refugees into the hands of a military dictatorship; tightening Buchanan rails against both the immorality of Clinton Shields is right that London will continue to play the aspects of the trade embargo against Cuba; massacring more and the cravenness of the press for printing the accusations “ Orange card” to preserve its colonial rule. The question than 80 human beings last April in Waco, Texas, upon the or­ against him. Working people must reject this sort of dema­ der of Attorney General Janet Reno and with the president’s gogic appeal. Buchanan’s actual aim is to draw a cadre full backing and encouragement; and using the cops and around him that can ultimately form a fascist movement DISCUSSION WITH courts to frame miners in West Virginia for striking against to preserve capitalism as the crisis gets worse and the the coal bosses last year — to name just a few examples. working class builds organized resistance. OUR READERS The allegations of misdeeds surrounding Clinton less than The gallons of ink devoted to describing Clinton’s al­ a year after taking office reflect the problems the ruling class leged misuse of money and power to enrich his family and faces in attempting to cut social programs, attack democratic quell his sexual appetites do not strengthen the working is to what extent can the British government successfully rights of working people, and lower our standard of living class, or encourage more workers to engage in politics. do this today. It is a mistake to describe, as Shields does, workers who are Protestant as “ Unionist workers,” as during a worldwide depression. Former president John F. The scandal-mongering of the right-wing press sidetracks though a worker’s religion determines forever his or her Kennedy has today become infamous for his philandering. discussion from where the real problems lie — with the political outlook. It is worth considering in this regard the But Kennedy ruled in a time of capitalist stability, and his ex­ capitalist system that’s dripping with the blood of the world’s nonracial stance of the African National Congress (ANC) ploits weren’t widely publicized until after his death. workers and farmers. The corruption of individual members towards people of all colors in South Africa. ANC leader To build their own power base, capitalist politicians of the ruling class is just one reflection of capitalism’s vile Nelson Mandela continually stresses that opponents of the regularly expose or frame each other for corruption. They and immoral nature. It needs to be replaced by a society that apartheid regime who are white have an important place all lie and steal. And working people never get the truth puts human needs before profits. That’s what working peo­ in the freedom struggle. He never starts with blasting the from either the conservatives or liberals in Congress. ple should keep our fire on. privileges they’ve gained from apartheid. A ll working people in Ireland are increasingly being forced into the world of the modem class struggle, opening up room to focus on what is common, not what divides them. Washington’s human guinea pigs Every time there has been a rise of class struggle in Britain and Ireland, steps towards unity have been posed. When the British miners struck in 1984-5, collections and solidarity The revelations that the U.S. government exposed hun­ ments brand his predecessors. were organized throughout Ireland. The ferocity of the police dreds of individuals to high levels of radiation in a series Those who try to get the U.S. government off the hook assault on the miners’ picket lines led to a lead article in the of secret experiments, as well as contaminating millions — arguing that the experiments were a result of dedicated strike newspaper entitled “From Belfast to Blidworth,” with its nuclear testing and leaks from power and weapons scientists working with a new and unknown material, or which compared the police brutality against miners to the plants, is a prime example of the utter contempt the bosses that this was all necessary to prepare for an imminent British military occupation of Northern Ireland. and their government have for working people. nuclear attack from the Soviet Union — do not speak the Another example of the openings in Northern Ireland U.S. president Bill Clinton hopes to emerge shining from truth. Politicians in Washington and officials in the nuclear today is the' response to the assassination of Sean Hagan. the horrifying disclosures. It was George Bush and Ronald industry knew plenty about the effects of radioactivity. A worker who is Catholic, Hagan was murdered by rightist Reagan’s fault, he says, for not bringing the experiments That’s why they went to such lengths to keep their experi­ thugs. The Today newspaper reported December 1, “ Work­ to light sooner. Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary boasts she ments secret And the threat of atomic war following the mates at the European Components factory, most of whom is “ appalled, shocked, and deeply saddened.” slaughter of World War II did not come from Moscow. It are Protestant, stayed away in respect and to protest at the But Clinton and his cronies are crying crocodile tears. came from Washington. outlawed Ulster Freedom Fighters who claimed responsi­ The radioactive dishes fed to children in Massachusetts bility.” We should not begin with an assumption about the and the blasts of nuclear particles directed at the testicles Working people cannot rely on the profit-hungry em­ “ Orange card” but with the fight to unify all working of prison inmates in Washington and Oregon do not belong ployers and their spokespeople to look out for our interests. people in struggle by demanding: Immediate withdrawal to some bygone era. They are the conscious and considered The labor movement must demand that every document of British troops, self-determination for Ireland as a whole, policy of a ruling class that, then as now, views working related to atomic tests and other secret experiments of the free the political prisoners, end censorship, and positive people as nothing more than wage slaves for their factories, nuclear industry be made public. Nuclear power and weap­ (affirmative) action for Catholics. It is through this course guinea pigs for their laboratories, and cannon fodder for ons plants must be closed down, with workers getting that labor can forge a leadership to fight for a workers and their wars. union-scale wages until they get new jobs. Washington farmers government in Ireland. The determination of Clinton, O ’Leary, and Co. to es­ should fully compensate victims of government testing and Finally, Shields’s point of reference to Karl Marx and tablish strict limits on compensation to those who are those exposed to radiation from nuclear facilities. Frederick Engels is mistaken. The book by Marx and Engels victims of the government’s tests, Rung Tang’s fight for Most importantly, working people should join in the “ Ireland and the Irish Question” 1 tells the story of how the justice, and the millions of dollars the U.S. government fight for a socialist society. If anything clinches the verdict two communist leaders sought to explain the exploitation of continues to spend to defend the nuclear industry, brand on the inhuman nature of capitalism, Washington’s nuclear Ireland in class terms. In the framework of building the com­ Clinton guilty just as surely as the newly released docu- guinea pigs do so. munist movement, Marx and Engels built solidarity with the Irish national struggle, including organizing demonstrations in London in support of Irish prisoners. They incidentally had no hesitation pointing to the weaknesses of the Fenian The shock therapy dilemma movement, the main “ plebeian” force of Irish nationalism. When a tailor’s shop was blown up in London, Marx wrote to Engels, “The London masses, who have shown great sym­ The strong showing of rightist politician Vladimir Zhir­ The debate in the big-business press today is a far cry from pathy for Ireland, will be made wild by it and driven into the inovsky in Russia’s parliamentary elections has thrown a just a few short years ago when the capitalist rulers, cele­ arms of the government party.” layer of the U.S. ruling class into a tizzy. Like the sizeable brated their “ victory against communism” in the cold war. In fact the main point of the Militant editorial was not to vote for Ross Perot in the 1992 U.S. presidential elections, Their dream has turned into a nightmare, however, as Russia criticize the IRA but to explain that the “opportunities. . . to it is a sure sign of increasing capitalist instability. Because becomes a massive, destabilizing monster, not the desper­ build a leadership that can unite working people. . . are the crisis in Russia is, in fact, a crisis of capitalism. ately hoped-for boost of new markets and investments. greater today because of the breakup of the Stalinist parties Some cracks have appeared in what has been the em­ In order to reestablish capitalism, the imperialist pow­ and regimes.” Stalinism, as in many parts of the world, be­ ployers’ almost unanimous support for the so-called shock ers w ill have to defeat the working class in Russia di­ trayed the thousands of young men and women in Ireland therapy method of attempting to crush the working class rectly, something that more than six decades of Stalinist who in the course of resisting British rule began to look for a in order to rapidly integrate Russia’s economy into the brutality and mind-numbing bureaucratization were not socialist perspective. In place of communism they found world capitalist market. “ Doctrinaire government reform­ able to do. The Russian toilers have shown themselves Stalinism, which in the name of working-class unity failed to ers. . . and their Western counterparts [should] ease up,” quite reluctant to embrace the concrete realities of hun­ fight British rule. This is not as large a factor today. Business Week warns. “ Russia and the West have to find a ger, homelessness, and unemployment that capitalist re­ Shields’s assertion that the Russian revolution was inci­ path to reform that doesn’t put people’s backs to the wall.” form is generating. dental to developments in Ireland is also mistaken. While the But that’s precisely what the imperialist powers, along In addition, there is no ready-made capitalist class in Rus­ Easter Rising of 1916 did initiate the revolutionary struggle with Russian president Boris Yeltsin and the other procapi­ sia, no banking and credit system, no bourgeois legal system, against British rule, it was the Russian revolution that talist bureaucrats in Moscow, have to do to reestablish and no attitudes and work habits that have been imposed on opened the political space and gave confidence to the masses capitalism there: Put workers against the wall. workers in capitalist countries during centuries. “ You can’t of Irish people. The challenge fighters faced was not “ pov­ There is no kinder, gentler, road to capitalism. “ We have build a prefab market democracy and then plop it on top of a erty” and “ a shortage of weapons” but to build a working- not gotten into the business of setting up social safety nets,” country,” the Wall Street Journal grumbles. class leadership. Reaching for the lessons of the Russian one senior administration official stated bluntly. That’s why The working class in Russia will increasingly find itself revolution as well as those of the socialist revolution in Cuba Jeffrey Sachs, U.S. advisor to the Russian government, calls fighting against the ravages of capitalism side by side with was, and remains, one of the main challenges facing fighters for stepping up the pace of the so-called market reforms. toilers from all comers of the globe. It is as part of this in Ireland and Britain today. — PETE CLIFFORD Sachs argues that shock therapy was never really imple­ international struggle that working people there — like mented. From the point of view big capital that is probably their brothers and sisters around the world — will reject 1. The book can be obtained from Pathfinder, 410 West Street, more accurate than Business Week’s assessment. Russian both the shock therapy methods of Yeltsin and the impe­ New York, NY 10014, Fax (212) 727-0150, or from bookstores, workers, however, feel in their bones the ruination that Yelt­ rialist rulers and the demagogic nationalist politics of the including those listed on page 12. It costs $19.95. If ordering by sin’s reforms have already wrought on their livelihood. Zhirinovskys of all stripes. mail add $3.00 for postage and handling.

14 The Militant January 17,1994 Iowa meatpackers reject IB P’s ‘last, best’ offer

This column is devoted to re­ 1149 of the United Food and Com­ porting the resistance by working mercial Workers. In the face of people to the employers’ assault company demands, backed up on their living standards, work­ with threats of closing or operating ing conditions, and unions. the plant nonunion, workers twice We invite you to contribute approved three-month contract ex­ short items to this column as a tensions of the existing agreement, way for other fighting workers which now expires Dec. 31, 1993. around the world to read about Unionists rejected an IBP offer and learn from these important December 9 382 to 6. That con­ struggles. Jot down a few lines tract would have frozen wages for about what is happening in your four years at the current base rate union, at your workplace or other of $8.35 an hour. workplaces in your area, includ­ Meatpackers have many differ­ ing interesting political discus­ ent opinions on what to do about sions. IBP’s demands. “ If they close the plant we can collect unemployment Meatpackers at IBP’s pork compensation and take time to look slaughter plant in Perry, Iowa, re­ for a better job,” one worker on the jected management’s “ last, best, ham line said. and final offer” by a vote of 219 to A worker from El Salvador said 95 December 20. that a four-year contract is not a The four-year contract offer in- good idea and without a wage in-

Militant/Miguel Zârate ON THE PICKET LINE Farmworkers and supporters rally outside the World of Coca Cola Museum in downtown Atlanta December 31 to protest the company’s termination of its contract with more than 600 Florida eludes increased medical costs and crease it is even worse. He said a farmworkers who pick oranges for Coca Cola-owned Minute Maid. Coke’s decision became effective a phony profit-sharing scheme. six-month contract would be better, that day, even though the contract with the United Farm Workers (UFW) didn’t expire until July Wages were to be frozen the first since the cost of everything is con­ 1994. “I f we do not get a satisfactory response . . . we will begin an international boycott of Coke year, with possible increases the stantly going up. □ products,” UFW leader Delores Huerta told the 40 demonstrators. More than 35,000 other farm­ second and third years. The pay workers’ pay is patterned on agreements between the UFW and Coca Cola. raises would be contingent on whether wages at large non-IBP 100 rally in Puerto Rico pork slaughtering plants rose. De­ to defend fire d strikers fired activists worked. People at the were APFA members and their while in the hearing company offi­ pending on the Pork Industry Wage One hundred people rallied in candle-light vigil wore buttons sup­ families. Unionists from the Com­ cials claimed he punched a photog­ Index, fourth year wages could ac­ front of the capitol in San Juan, porting the reinstatement of the munications Workers of America rapher. tually go down. Puerto Rico, December 13 to pro­ “ SJU 9” . SJU is the airline industry and the Hotel Employees and Res­ The next step for the fired work­ Many workers felt insulted and test the firing of 15 union activists code for San Juan. The SJU 9 were taurant Employees International ers is an arbitration hearing. □ outraged at this latest offer and by American Airlines. A ll of the 15 falsely accused by the company of Union also participated. voted accordingly. members of the Association of Pro­ harassing a flight attendant who Originally 16 workers in San The following people contributed to IBP is the largest U.S. producer fessional Flight Attendants (APFA) was crossing the picket line. Juan were suspended with pay. this week’s column: Cleve Andrew of beef and the world’s largest were active in the recent five-day Pedro Rivera, chairman of the Charges were dropped against 7 of Pulley, member UFCW Local 1149 pork slaughtering company. The strike against the carrier. San Juan council of the APFA, said the flight attendants. In one case the in Perry, Iowa; Ron Richards in San Perry plant employs 630 produc­ San Juan, one of the smaller the union was organizing similar charges were dropped because the Juan, Puerto Rico; and Miguel tion workers, more than 76 percent bases for flight attendants at Ameri­ activities in every city where it has suspension letter said the worker Zarate, member United Auto Work­ of whom are members of Local can Airlines, is where 9 of the 15 members. Most of the participants had harassed an airline employee ers Local 882 in Atlanta. —LETTERS Irish freedom struggle their living conditions and their avowed goal of attaining ‘a just, lives. And, in my opinion, there can comprehensive, peaceful and last­ For 65 years the Militant has had be no working-class unity without ing resolution to the internal armed an admirable record of support for Protestant workers breaking from conflict,’ his administration refused the Irish struggle for self-determi­ the Orange system, in which they to effect the immediate and uncon­ nation and in educating American are steeped from birth, and raising ditional release of all political pris­ workers about its importance. the demand for an end to partition oners as a step towards this goal.” However, the editorial “ British as their own. And they explained, “ From July troops out of Ireland” in the No­ The editorial criticized the IRA 1992 to November 1993, 21 politi­ vember 15 issue contained a num­ for treating British workers as part of cal prisoners have been convicted ber of factual errors and at least one the problem. Perhaps this is because — mostly of criminal charges like important omission. the British working class has never murder, robbery, arson and illegal To write that the capitalists of differentiated itself from the British possession of firearms. Of 350 po­ Belfast and London “ won some ruling class with regard to Ireland. litical detainees languishing in 79 workers to their Unionist banner by Marx and Engels dealt with this detention centers nationwide, 123 providing privileges to a layer of problem and considered it to be were arrested under the Ramos ad­ Protestant workers” is simply un­ essential to the liberation of the ministration, 217 under [Corazon] true and is a sugar coating of the English working class that the Brit­ Aquino and 10 under [Ferdinand] situation that has existed in the ish workers break with their ruling Marcos. The total of the political North. The editorial also implies class around the question of Ireland. arrest and detention victims under that this took place after partition. In fact, they considered it so essen­ the Ramos administration has al­ The fact is that partition was won tial that they described it as a pre­ ready reached 1,080 — 59 of in battles in which Unionist work­ condition for the British working whom were tortured. Two of the ers whole-heartedly participated on class succeeding in breaking its arrest victims were salvaged (sum­ the side of Britain, violently expel­ own chains. They also did not de­ mary execution) and four have dis­ ling all Catholic workers from the mand that Irish freedom fighters appeared .... meanwhile, 127 per­ majority of major Belfast industries abandon tactics or dictate how they sons were killed in several inci­ and demanding terrorist actions struggle for independence was in­ suffered imprisonment, torture, and should pursue the struggle. They dents of extra-judicial executions against the Catholic community. itiated by the Easter Rising of 1916, death at the hands of the British. recognized that it is the responsibil­ and massacres. Five others died in The privileges to a “ layer” of and was well under way by the time There was poverty, a shortage of ity of the English working class to unpremeditated killings.” of the 1917 Russian revolution. It weapons, and the fact that Ireland Protestant workers were granted, support the Irish struggle and that Thus, until now our human did not follow in the wake of the faced a brutal, fierce imperialist however marginally, to virtually all nothing is served by starting at any rights situation is very terrible. Protestant workers in the form of Russian revolution. The limited in­ power with no support or solidarity other point than one of support of Free all political prisoners now!! jobs, housing, and freedom from dependence from England that Ire­ from the British working class. Irish freedom and solidarity with the terror which stalks the Catholic land achieved was won after the In a rather broad-reaching edito­ Taro Ozeki those who cany out the fight for Manila, Philippines community . . . no small thing in Russian revolution, but the struggle rial which discusses at some length Irish freedom. the Northern Irish state. started before it. I think that this is the necessity for forging a revolu­ Kathleen Shields There have been gigantic labor important because possibly Irish tionary leadership in Ireland, no­ Chicago, Illinois The letters column is an open struggles temporarily uniting Cath­ history may have unfolded differ­ where is the demand for an end to forum for all viewpoints on sub­ olic and Protestant workers, raising ently had the revolutionary work­ partition raised. I guarantee that the jects of general interest to our the horrendous specter (to the capi­ ing-class leader, James Connolly, Irish view this as slightly more im­ Philippine prisoners readers. Please keep your let­ talists) of working-class unity. But lived to draw the lessons of the portant than the demand you raised December 10 was the 45th anni­ ters brief. Where necessary the capitalists have, since the crea­ Russian revolution. regarding the broadcasting ban on versary of the universal declaration they will be abridged. Please in­ tion of the Northern Irish state, al­ In my opinion it was not short­ Irish nationalists being heard on of human rights by the United Na­ dicate if you prefer that your ways been able to play the “ Orange comings on the part of Irish revolu­ British radio and television. tions. initials be used rather than your card” to rekindle sectarianism and tionaries which prevented class Partition is not in the interests of Task Force Detainees of the Phil­ fu ll name. diffuse labor struggles. unity being achieved in the six coun­ Protestant workers. Though they ippines (TFDP), an organization for The Militant special prisoner To begin the process of estab­ ties of Northeast Ireland. Rather it may enjoy slight privileges in com­ political prisoners, campaigned that fund makes it possible to send lishing a basis for working-class was the result of British imperialism parison to their Catholic counter­ day, demanding, “ Release all politi­ reduced-rate subscriptions to unity which can carry all the work­ carefully fostering sectarianism and parts, they live in a state which cal prisoners now.” prisoners who can’t pay for ers of the North of Ireland forward fear on the part of Protestant workers cynically uses their prejudice TTie TFDP said in a handbill, “The them. To help this important in the battles that are coming, one and spending huge amounts of against Catholics and their blind past 16 months under the [Fidel] Ra­ cause, send your contribution has to recognize that these differ­ money to arm the Loyalists. There loyalty to British imperialism to mos administration however have il­ to Militant Prisoner Subscrip­ ences exist. was no lack of will, or indeed of vi­ manipulate them into abandoning lustrated Ramos’ failure to live up to tion Fund, 410 West St., New Contrary to the editorial, the Irish sion, by Irish revolutionaries who every effort they make to improve his liberal posturing. Despite his York, NY 10014.

January 17,1994 The Militant 15 the m il it a n t Atlantic Canada fishermen, workers ruined by closing of fishing grounds

BY ROGER ANNIS In 1992, European governments set SAMBRO, Nova Scotia — Hundreds themselves a quota of 27,000 tonnes of cod more fishing industry workers along Can­ while the Canadian government set 120,000 ada’s Atlantic coast were thrown out of work tonnes (neither quota was met due to the December 20 following the latest closing of disappearance of the fish). fishing grounds by the Canadian govern­ “ There’s overfishing going on by every­ ment. body — the Europeans and the Canadians,” Since July 1992, more than 35,000 fish­ said Paddy Gray as he readied his lobster ermen and fish plant workers in the five traps on the wharf in Sambro in preparation provinces of Atlantic Canada have lost their for the start of the season. “The fisheries livelihood as fishing for cod, haddock, and department lets it happen because they’re other species called groundfish (because bought off. They’re all paid lobbyists for they feed along the ocean floor in the rela­ National Sea or Clearwater [the two largest tively shallow waters off Canada’s east fish companies in Nova Scotia].” coast) has been closed or sharply reduced. The closings have devastated hundreds of What the future holds coastal fishing communities where for the A great pall of uncertainty now hangs most part there is no alternative livelihood. over the future for workers in the industry. In 1991 landings of cod in the region were Following angry protests by fishermen in worth $700 million, 21 percent of the value 1992, a compensation package was created of the entire codfish harvest. by the federal government that pays $300 per week to fishermen and fish plant work­ Roots of the crisis ers. But federal fisheries minister Brian To­ The government announced the ground- bin said December 20 that no compensation fish closings claiming the species are threat­ money is budgeted after May 15, 1994. ened with extinction by overfishing. Some The premier of Newfoundland, the prov­ ince hardest hit by the closings, is proposing scientists also cite environmental factors Joseph Sesk and his 35-foot fishing skiff have been out of the water since 1991. Sesk, a “ reformed” unemployment insurance pro­ such as fluctuation in water temperatures as from Newfoundland, is among thousands of idled fishermen in Atlantic Canada. worsening the impact of overfishing. gram that would throw 30,000 recipients in “ We see something that has never hap­ that province onto welfare. fished. Everybody could see it coming . . . continued to refuse calls by fishermen to pened before,” described Robert Hache of the A federal government advisory council, It’s been predicted for many years.” close other threatened fishing grounds or Acadian Professional Fishermens Associa­ headed by Cashin, plans to solve the fish­ A huge expansion took place over the past reduce the catch. tion. “ We have a total collapse, an ecological eries crisis by removing half the fishermen 20 years in the Canadian fishing industry from the industry. The council proposes to catastrophe of unknown proportions.” Reactionary campaign and internationally. The growth took place lift the licenses of those it calls “ non-pro- George Rose, a research scientist with the in Canada after 1977 when control over With sharply declining catches beginning Department of Fisheries in St. John’s, New­ fessional” fishermen, that is, those with the offshore resources by maritime countries to appear in 1990 and 1991, small fishermen smallest income and fewest weeks of work foundland, told CBC Radio in December, was extended from 12 to 200 miles by in­ turned their anger on the federal government “The decline of the cod stock is quite cata­ per year. ternational agreement. through militant protests. They condemned While some scientists predict a quick strophic. It’s probably down to 10 percent The biggest capitalist families and finan­ its failure to manage the fishery and quota of the level that it might have been five years recovery of the fishery to commercially vi­ cial institutions in the country’s eastern allotments, which favored large companies able levels, others like Walters call such ago.” provinces poured tens of millions of dollars over small fishermen. Wade Lovelace, a worker at Sambro Fish­ optimistic predictions “ absolute nonsense.” of capital into the industry in the following The federal and provincial governments “ I think the minimum recoverable time eries on the southwest coast of Nova Scotia, years. The number of fish processing plants began to peddle a reactionary and chauvinist described the impact on him. to fishable levels is 25-30 years,” he said, in Atlantic Canada rose from 559 in 1977 to campaign pinning the blame for the growing “ and it could be as long as 60 years.” “ I moved here three years ago from New­ 1,063 in 1991. crisis on overfishing by fisherman from Rose doesn’t rale out the possibility that foundland,” he explained, “ and was lucky This increase was encouraged and heavily other countries. Ninety percent of the fishing the cod stock has been so damaged that it to land a job at that time. I was getting financed by the federal and provincial gov­ grounds off Canada’s east coast lie within w ill never recover. 40-hour weeks, sometimes lots more. ernments in Canada. the Canadian territorial limit. Companies The crisis that has struck the fishery in “ This year, work has dropped to 20 or “ It was just a free-for-all. . . they thought based in European countries, Japan, and Atlantic Canada is not unique to this part of 30 hours a week. Last week I got only 8 there was a gold mine out there and it was Cuba, fish in the remaining 10 percent of the world. A report released last November hours. We’ll get some work from process­ going to last forever,” said Martin. the grounds. These companies also purchase by the World Watch Institute in Washington, ing lobsters when that season opens, and Large fishing craft, factory trawlers al­ quotas within Canadian waters. D.C., stated that all 17 of the world’s major from some other species like mackerel. But ready in use by European fishing compa­ Government ministers, fish company rep­ fishing areas have either reached or ex­ if the groundfish ban remains, things will nies, were built for the fleets of the big resentatives, and officials of the Newfound­ ceeded their natural limits. Fish stock in 9 be real bad.” Canadian companies. These boats are capa­ land Food, Fishery and Allied Workers of these areas is in serious decline. Small fishermen blame the crisis on the ble of catching and processing huge (NFFAW), the largest union of fish industry According to Donald Ludwig, a profes­ amounts of fish. They drag nets along the greed and the destructive fishing practices workers in eastern Canada, called for Cana­ sor of mathematics and biology at the Uni­ of large Canadian and European companies. sea floor, scooping everything out of the dian navy warships to drive foreign fishing versity of British Columbia, the disaster that water, and disrupting the ecosystem. Imma­ “There’s some great debate taking place vessels out of the fishing grounds, both has struck the fishery is looming for other ture fish, unwanted species, or fish for which now in the scientific circles about, you inside and outside Canada’s 200-mile limit. resource-based industries, such as forestry, know, where did 200 million fish go,” New­ the boat has no allotted quota are tossed dead Vigilante-style flotillas were organized in as well. foundland fisherman Bernard Martin told a back into the sea. Newfoundland in 1992 and 1993 to chal­ “ We can see quite clearly in the case of CBC Radio program last April. “ We all An article in the June 24, 1993, issue of lenge foreign vessels in international waters. forestry that the world’s stocks of available know where the fish went — it was over­ the Halifax Mail-Star cited the example of There were also confrontations directed at timber are being depleted at quite unsustain­ a trawler off the Nova Scotia coast that fishermen on St. Pierre and Miquelon, two able rates.” Ludwig said that destructive landed 19,000 pounds of fish for one week’s islands governed by France that are located harvesting practices of natural resources For fu rth e r reading work last January, a good catch at the time. off the Newfoundland coast. must stop or the consequences will be dev­ But this represented only 20 percent of its The leading public spokesperson for this astating. Land, labor, and the total catch — the rest had been discarded campaign was Richard Cashin, the president “ I hope we are capable of changing things overboard! of the NFFAW. Canadian revolution before we get some horrible catastrophe that In Nova Scotia, fishermen blockaded a brings the lesson home.” In New International Gov’t ignored warnings Russian fishing vessel in Shelburne harbor no. 6 The federal government and large fishing for seven days in July 1993 to prevent it Roger Annis is a member of Canadian Auto BY MICHEL DUGRf companies scoffed at small fishermen’s re­ from unloading cod for processing. The fish Workers Local 1900 in Montreal. How Canadian peated warnings about overfishing. Scien­ had been caught in international waters off imperialism was tists in the federal Department of Fisheries Norway. built on the backs produced optimistic fishing forecasts. But The anti-foreign campaign, however, did of workers, farm­ these were based on the catch rates of the not square with the facts. ers, and other toll­ ers. It explains fishermen. The 1991 State of Canada’s Environment the roots of the op­ “ We’ve known for 50 years in fisheries Report, for example, produced by the fed­ pression of the N a­ that commercial catch rates are no index at eral government’s own Environment Can­ tive people; how all of the decline of fish stock,” Carl Walters ada, laid most of the blame for overfishing an oppressed na­ told CBC Radio in December. Walters is a on Canadian fleets. “ Canada’s own fishing tionality cam e Into being in Quebec; and the m aterial basis lor an alliance of professor of fisheries and zoology at the fleets have substantially contributed to the workers, working farmers, and other ex­ University of British Columbia. “TTie stock current crisis in the fishery,” it stated. ploited producers of a ll national origins can be collapsing entirely while success According to the Canadian Atlantic Fish­ and languages. $10.00 rates in catching go up because fishermen eries Scientific Advisory Committee, in Available at bookstores, including those listed on page become better at finding the fish,” he said. 1991 Canadian vessels caught 127,000 ton­ 12. or tram Pathfinder. 410 West St.. N ew York. NY 10014. Fax C212) 727-0150 H ordering b y m afl please a dd $3.00 Even after the first moratorium in New­ nes of cod off Atlantic Canada while Euro­ lor shipping and bandHng. foundland in 1992, the fisheries department pean boats took 47,000 tonnes.

16 The Militant January 17,1994