INSIDE Demonstrators in Ireland THE MILITANT protest British domination A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE | VOL. 58/NO. 7 February 21. 1994

Clinton to ANC rejects rightist call slash social for apartheid ‘ministate’ programs in BY GREG ROSENBERG new budget JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The African National Congress (ANC) is pressing BY BRIAN WILLIAMS ahead in the fight for a nonracial democratic President B ill Clinton’s 1995 budget pro­ republic as the right-wing Freedom Alliance posal, which was presented to Congress continues to stall in negotiations with the ANC February 7, includes new attacks on the and National Party government. The Alliance rights and living standards of working peo­ has until February 12 to decide whether or not ple. It calls for sharp cuts in more than 300 to participate in the April 26-28 elections. federal programs — including 115 to be The Freedom Alliance includes the Inkatha killed outright — and reducing the federal Freedom Party, which speaks for the adminis­ workforce by 118,000 by September 1995. tration and privileged layers in the apartheid- Asserting that his plan is needed to “main­ created KwaZulu homeland; the white-su- tain budget discipline,” Clinton is leading a premacist Afrikaner People’s Front, Afrika­ bipartisan assault on a wide variety of social ner Resistance Movement, and Conservative service programs. Party; and Lucius Mangope, the military ruler “ There has not been a budget like this in of the Bophuthatswana homeland. memory,” states an editorial in the January Inkatha, headed by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, 31 Washington Post, which claims that “ the continues its threat to boycott the elections. On president, according to his budget director, February 8, King Goodwill Zwelithini, a tra­ will recommend cuts in inflation-adjusted ditional leader of the Zulus who is aligned terms in more than 500 programs.” with Inkatha, demanded that the South Afri­ The first budget to be prepared by a Demo­ can government cede an entire province of 8 cratic administration in 13 years, writes David million people to his rule. Most working peo­ Rosenbaum in a February 6 New York Times ple of Zulu background, however, are support­ article, “ varies only slightly from what a Re­ ers of the fight for a democratic South Africa publican President would have submitted.” — not the Inkatha Freedom Party. Thirty-two programs run by the Depart­ ANC president Nelson Mandela has stated ment of Education are slated to be termi­ that the democratic movement will not stand nated. This will slash $640 million from the by idly while rightists organize violence to budget. These include public library con­ sabotage the elections. Eugene Terre Blanche, struction, a foreign language assistance pro­ leader of the paramilitary Afrikaner Resis­ gram in the public schools, and bilingual tance Movement, has responded, “They can vocational training. A ll totalled, the elimi­ never, ever fight a war against the Boer nation. nation of 115 federal programs is expected We destroyed them totally in the past and if to cut $3.25 billion from the budget. they want war we will do that again.” Right­ The administration is recommending that wingers have carried out some 30 attacks a program that helps low income workers against the ANC and its allies since December pay for home heating oil be reduced by 70 in the Orange Free State. Police arrested five percent for a $700 million cut. Operating men February 7 in connection with the attacks. subsidies for urban mass transit in cities with “ They are going to live in South Africa populations of more than 50,000 would be like everybody else. They made a mistake diminished by 25 percent. by using force,” Mandela said at a speech in Clinton is proposing that spending on Kroonstad February 4. public housing construction be cut by 74 He told an audience of mainly white busi­ percent. In addition, a program to provide ness executives in Welkom that “ it is not apartments for the elderly is to be slashed only blacks who are going to die — blacks Militant/Greg Rosenberg by $ 1 billion, a 66 percent reduction. Twenty Continued on Page 6 Miner pickets at Gold Fields of South Africa office in Johannesburg February 4 Continued on Page 11 Publishers from 33 countries SOCIALIST EDUCATIONAL WEEKENDS participate in Cuba book fa ir MIAMI • NEW YORK

BY MARTIN KOPPEL One of the participants is New York- World Capitalist HAVANA, Cuba — The Sixth Interna­ based Pathfinder Press, which also took M ia m i tional Havana Book Fair opened here part in the 1988, 1990, and 1992 inter­ Politics in the ’90s Saturday, February 19 February 9. Thousands o f people from national book fairs in this city. Path­ 7 :3 0 pm this city and other parts o f the island are finder has an exhibit of almost 200 titles. ‘Downsizing,’ ‘Cultural War,’ and expected to visit the week-long fair, These include speeches and writings by Global Instability which takes place every two years. The revolutionary and working-class leaders N e w Y ork event reflects the profound thirst for lit­ such as Karl Marx, Frederick Engels, by JACK BARNES erature on international politics and cul­ V.I. Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Rosa Lux­ Location ture among working people, students, emburg, as well as Ernesto Che Guevara, to be announced and others in Cuba today. Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro, James P. The Havana book fair is a major cul- Cannon, Thomas Sankara, and Malcolm X. Cuba’s Revolution An international team of representatives For additional coverage from France, New Zealand, Iceland, Britain, M iam i Confronts a Crossroads in on Cuba see pages 8-9 Canada, and Sweden is staffing the Path­ Saturday, February 19 finder exhibition. 2:30 p.m. the Fight fo r Socialism The book fair w ill be the occasion for tural event. About 150 publishers from Report back from a recent visit several book launches and literary N e w York 33 countries have book exhibits here. awards. One well-publicized event is the Saturday, March 5 by They are mainly from Cuba and other launching of 100 previously unpublished Time and Location MARY-ALICE WATERS Latin American countries such as Mex­ titles by Cuban authors. A group in A r­ to be announced ico and Argentina, but include publishers gentina that promotes the defense of the from Europe and Asia. A few from Japan Cuban revolution waged a successful Miami events are part of a weekend socialist educational conference that will include classes and Germany are participating for the fund-raising campaign, winning finan­ on the labor movement and the fight for women's rights. For more information see ad on page 12 or call (305) 756-1020 first time. Unlike previous years, there cial support from several writers and are none from Russia or other former publishers, that made it possible to print For more information on New York events call (212) 388-9346 or (718) 399-7257. Soviet bloc countries. these books in Buenos Aires. U.S. gov’t exposed Puerto Rico activist to radiation — page 13 IN BRIEF. Thousands strike in Indonesia Kurdish people of Turkey, time it takes to process po­ Iran, Iraq, and Syria. PKK Thousands of workers in Indonesia went litical asylum requests and officials said the only casu­ on strike the first week in February to protest naturalization applications. alties were four people in a the refusal by employers to pay the new Rising labor costs minimum wage. The country’s main inde­ nearby village. To carry out the attack, pendent trade union called a nationwide Labor costs in the United walkout for mid-February. the Turkish planes had to States rose by the smallest cross a “no fly” zone pa­ The government has ordered a 27 percent amount since the U.S. La­ trolled by U.S. warplanes increase in the minimum wage for workers bor Department began that are supposedly protect­ in the industrialized region o f West Java, keeping records in 1981. ing the Kurds. effective from January 1. Bosses in other Last year’s Employment Cost Index, which mea­ parts of the country have been told to raise Fishermen protest the minimum wage by April 1. sures changes in wages, sal­ in France aries, and benefit costs, in­ Clinton lifts Vietnam embargo Police attacked thousands creased only 3.5 percent, matching the previous U.S. president B ill Clinton lifted Wash­ of fishermen with tear gas year’s record low. Health ington’s 19-year embargo against Vietnam and clubs in Rennes, France, care expenses rose by the February 3. Some U.S. companies immedi­ February 4. The fishermen smallest amount in six ately responded to investment opportunities were protesting a visit by years. in this Southeast Asian country. Pepsi began Premier Edouard Balladur. Protest leaders urged an end distributing free cans of soda to passers-by Computer wiretaps in Ho Chi Minh City. Coca-Cola announced to their demonstrations after The Clinton administra­ plans to spend $45 m illion in Vietnam over Balladur promised to act to tion plans to force federal the next five years. United Airlines w ill protect France’s fishing in­ agencies and urge private begin service to Ho Chi Minh City from Los dustry from foreign compe­ companies to use an encod­ Angeles under a route authority it purchased tition if the European Union ing device in telephone and in 1986 but, because o f the embargo, had did not quickly take steps to computer equipment that not been able to use. hike fish prices. However, they vowed to continue makes it easier for police to Record investment in China pressing for formal restric­ intercept coded messages. tions on fish imports. The device, called a “Clip­ The Chinese government reported a 135 per C hip," was designed in percent increase in foreign investment from London closes mines cooperation with the Na­ 1992 to 1993. Actual investment reached British Coal, the govern­ tional Security Agency af­ $25.75 billion and the number of projects ment-run mining company, ter law enforcement offi­ initiated by foreign-funded firms jumped 71 w ill close four more pits and cials complained that new percent to 83,265. In addition, agreements cut its workforce to less computer technology was for future investments increased by 91 per­ than 10,000 by the end o f making it difficult to carry cent. The foreign money pumped into China April. This represents a 75 Auto workers marching in Bochum, Germany, February 3. Tens of out traditional forms of in 1993 alone equaled the total amount fo r percent reduction from the thousands of IG Metall members stopped production for several days wiretapping. The govern­ the previous 14 years. 40,000 employed just 15 to demand wage increases and to protest benefit cuts. Thousands of ment is relying on its huge Open markets protested in Seoul months ago and a fraction students also held protest actions against the government’s plan to purchasing power to make of the 200,000 miners em­ freeze education grants until 1996. the chip a de facto standard About 15,000 farmers and students dem­ ployed a decade ago. for private industry. onstrated in Seoul, South Korea, February 1 to demand the government revoke or hold a Washington expands drug tests ees whose blood-alcohol levels are below Nationwide walkout in Ecuador referendum on its decision to open the coun­ the government threshold. Industries that The United Workers Front organized a na­ try’s rice markets to imports. Police attacked The U.S. Transportation Department said perform well in random tests could lower tionwide strike in Ecuador that began Febru­ the demonstration on its way to the U.S. it w ill require transportation companies to the percent of the workforce tested to 10 ary 3 and has paralyzed transportation and embassy, injuring 200 protesters. test 25 percent o f their workers for alcohol percent each year, w hile industries w ith poor business. Workers are protesting a 71 percent use. The new rules expand upon a 1991 law, results would have to test 50 percent Turkish planes bomb Kurds which requires drug and alcohol tests for increase in gas prices. They are also seeking More than 50 Turkish warplanes bombed workers at airlines, railroads, trucking com­ Senate backs school prayer an increase in wages and dismissal o f F i­ a Kurdish rebel camp inside Iraq January 28, panies, transit systems, and gas-pipeline nance Minister, César Robalino. Union offi­ in the worst assault in 10 years. The concerns. Union officials said the new reg­ The U.S. Senate voted 75-22 to deny cials reiterated the membership’s opposition Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) is fighting ulations fail to protect workers from false federal funds to state or local agencies that to privatization o f state-owned industry. Po­ fo r an independent state fo r the oppressed test results and allow bosses to fire employ­ bar student-initiated prayer. The measure lice stepped up patrols of cities to try to says all Education Department money for a weaken the strike and attacked demonstra­ school would be withdrawn if that school tors w ith tear gas. Schools were closed and “effectively prevented” a student from en­ 100 students involved in the protests were ar­ gaging in voluntary “constitutionally pro­ rested. tected” prayer. The action was led by North rm MILITANT Carolina senator Jesse Helms, who also in­ Workers strike in Bolivia troduced an amendment to bar the distribu­ Two hundred thousand industrial workers tion of condoms in public schools. and teachers in B o livia struck January 25. Unionists demanded a sustainable wage and Self-determination U.S. immigration policy protested the government’s plans to privatize U.S. attorney general Janet Reno is plan­ state-owned industry. The Bolivian govern­ ning to announce steps to tighten immigra­ ment proposes opening nationalized enter­ for Ireland tion policy. Measures include hiring and prises to foreign investment by allowing pri­ deploying hundreds of additional Border Pa­ vate businesses to purchase up to 50 percent The M ilitant has ongoing trol agents, stepped up enforcement against o f most state corporations. Following the employers who hire undocumented work­ strike, the Bolivian Workers Federation, the coverage o f the Irish ers, and hiring more Im m igration and Nat­ country’s main trade union, agreed to negoti­ struggkfor uralization Service employees to cut the ate w ith the government. — PAT S M IT H self-determination D on't miss a single issue! $80 drawn on a U.S. bank to 410 West S t, New The Militant York, NY 10014. Canada: Send Canadian Closing news date: February 9,1994 $75 for one-year subscription to Militant, 4581 Editor GEORGE FYSON St. Denis, Montreal, Quebec H2J 2L4. Britain, Ireland, Africa: £35 for one year by check or Managing Editor: ARGIRIS MALAPANIS international money order made out to Militant Business Manager: NAOMI CRAINE Distribution, 47 The Cut, London, SE1 8LL, Editorial Staff: Naomi Craine, Hilda Cuzco, England. Continental Europe: £50 for one Martin Koppel, Sara Lobman, Greg Rosen­ year by check or international money order berg, Pat Smith, Brian Williams. made out to Militant Distribution at above Published weekly except for one week in De­ address. France: Send FF300 for one-year cember and biweekly from mid-June to mid- subscription to Militant, 8 allée Berlioz, 94800 NEW READERS NAME August by the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 V ille ju if cheque postale: 25-465-01-S, Paris. West St., New York, NY 10014. Telephone: Belgium: BF2.600 for one year on account no. SIQfor 12 issue« □ (212) 243-6392; Fax (212) 924-6040. 000-1543112-36 of IMei Fonds/Fonds du 1 ADDRESS The Militant can be reached via CompuServe mai, 2140 Antwerp. Iceland: Send 5,000 Ice­ at: 73311 ¿720 or via Peacenet at: themilitant landic kronur for one-year subscription to M il­ Internet email: 73311.2720@compu- itant, P.O. Box 233,121 Reykjavik. 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2 The Militant February 21,1994 Economic, social tensions rise in Algeria BY BRIAN WILLIAMS January Algiers suspended payment on its Social and economic tensions are medium and long-term debt. mounting in the North African country of In hopes of restoring some political Algeria. credibility to the regime, the Algerian gov­ “A slow-burning civil war is consuming ernment organized a January 25-26 “ Na­ Algeria,” warns an article in the January 29 tional Consensus Conference.” However, Economist, “as its army-run regime at­ all of Algeria’s major political parties boy­ tempts to eradicate the Islamic movement cotted the meeting, which was aimed at that, two years ago, was on the way to winning support for a new three-year in­ forming an elected government. The attempt terim government. Four days later the is failing, largely because the regime has military leadership appointed Defense nothing to offer in exchange; neither jobs Minister Liamine Zeroual to the post of nor housing nor security, nor even new fa­ president. ces.” Algeria, a former French colony, won The government is embroiled in an on­ independence in 1962 after an eight-year going battle with supporters of the Islamic revolutionary struggle led by the National Salvation Front (FIS). This group deci­ Liberation Front (FLN). The following sively won the first round of voting in a year, under the leadership of Ahmed Ben December 1991 election. The following Bella, a series of popular decrees were month the government annulled the out­ issued resulting in extensive nationaliza­ come of the election and banned the orga­ tions of European-owned industry. A nization. workers and peasants government came to Since January 1992 political violence has power, placing on the agenda a showdown claimed more than 3,000 lives in Algeria. with the capitalist forces backed by impe­ K illin g s by param ilitary death squads are on rialism . the rise. The capital city of Algiers and The Ben Bella government was over­ surrounding provinces remain under a gov­ thrown in June 1965 through an army coup ernment-imposed curfew. As part o f its cam­ Textile worker in Algeria. Unemployment there currently stands at 25 percent. New IM F led by Col. Houari Boumedienne, also a paign against the military rulers, an organi­ austerity program may increase the number without work by 2 million. member of the FLN. The new regime suc­ zation calling itself the Armed Islamic ceeded in consolidating capitalist political Group issued a public ultimatum warning mists estimate that the new IMF program streets,” commented El-Haq newspaper di­ rule. In 1989, the military rulers abolished all foreigners to leave the country by De­ w ill increase the number of unemployed by rector A li Rachedi to a New York Times the state’s monopoly on foreign trade and cember 1. a further 2 m illion. reporter. opened Algeria to foreign investment. Some “ I can’t get married because I have no­ The Algerian government spent 83 per­ 21 international oil companies have since New round of austerity measures where to live and no work,” one young cent o f its 1993 export earnings just to cover undertaken o il and gas exploration projects In late January of this year, the Algerian woman told the Economist. interest payments on the country’s $26 bil­ in the country. government decided to implement a new Burdened by prices that have tripled in lion foreign debt owed to banks in imperi­ However, growing instability has capital­ round o f austerity measures demanded by the past year, many people are forced to alist centers. This exacerbates the economic ist investors and the imperialist ruling pow­ the International Monetary Fund (IMF). stand in lines outside shops for hours dur­ crisis in a country that imports at least 60 ers worried. Developments in Algeria, states These measures are certain to make the al­ ing the day to buy what little there is of percent of its food. In 1994, payments on an article in the January 25 Washington ready dire economic situation facing work­ bread, flour, cooking oil, and meat. Hun­ the debt w ill absorb all of Algeria’s foreign Post, w ill “ have widespread repercussions ers and peasants in this country o f 26 m illio n dreds o f factories are operating at less than income earnings, 97 percent of which comes for the Arab world, particularly, Egypt, Tu­ even worse. 50 percent capacity because o f lack o f ma­ from oil exports. nisia, and Morocco. It also could affect Currently one-quarter of the population is terials. Tokyo, which is one of Algeria’s biggest countries including France, Italy and Spain, out of work. Living standards for the vast “If the food shortages and bread lines creditors, is strongly opposed to any steps that are bound to this North A frican state by m ajority have been declining fo r the past continue to grow, people w ill take to the to reschedule the debt payments. In late cultural and economic ties.” five years as inflation rises by 30 percent annually. Shortages o f food and housing are reaching crisis proportions. Some econo- Imperialist gov’ts debate Bosnia policy following deadly shelling o f Sarajevo

BY BRIAN WILLIAMS William Perry said that while all options UN force in Bosnia. The February 5 mortar shell explosion in are under review, if air strikes did not help UN secretary general Boutros Boutros- a crowded marketplace in Sarajevo has ex­ bring about a negotiated settlement in Ghali is now urging NATO to discuss us­ acerbated the debate among the im perialist Bosnia then “ we ought to reject them cat­ ing air power in Bosnia. The recent powers about whether to launch air strikes egorically. carnage in Sarajevo makes “ it necessary to or other m ilitary action in Bosnia. The blast, “The question is: What w ill the political prepare urgently for the use of air strikes which killed 68 people and wounded more effect be?” asked Perry. “ I f air strikes are ... at the request of the UN,” wrote than 200 others, was the worst massacre in Act One of a new melodrama, what is Act Boutros-Ghali. the 22-month siege of Sarajevo by rightist Two? What is Act Three? What is the con­ The North Atlantic Council, the highest Serb forces. clusion? political body of NATO, scheduled a meet­ ing February 9 to discuss the question. U.S. president B ill Clinton has played A February 7 meeting o f foreign ministers Washington and Paris have put forward a down the likelihood of immediate retaliation from the European Union (EU) (formerly for the attack. He said that for Washington the European Community) called for “the proposal for Serb forces to remove their heavy artillery from the hills surrounding to back air strikes, it would have to be immediate lifting of the siege of Sarajevo,” Sarajevo within a week or 10 days or face demonstrated beyond all doubt that Serb but backed away from the French govern­ air strikes. In response, Serb m ilitary com­ forces were responsible for the blast. ment’s request for an ultimatum setting a deadline for the Serb forces to lift their manders said they would comply and Newly appointed U.S. defense secretary encirclement of the Bosnian capital. agreed to place their weaponry around Sa­ French and Belgian government offi­ rajevo under UN monitoring. Any vote by cials say they want air power to be used the council for military action must be Clinton administration makes to back up the EU’s demand. German unanimous. chancellor Helmut Kohl, who two weeks ago argued against the use o f force in FROM PATHFINDER renewed threats to N. Korea Bosnia, is now urging that air strikes be deployed. Paris had also previously op­ BY PAT SMITH The U.S. Senate approved two amend­ posed such a bombing campaign, but re­ The Truth about Yugoslavia The White House and the United Nations ments February 2 that seek international cently reversed its stance. may soon have to decide whether to use “ a sanctions against the Democratic People’s Why working people should very big stick” and impose economic sanc­ Republic of Korea (DPRK) and support a Ministers from Spain and Greece have oppose intervention tions against North Korea, Washington’s U.S. nuclear presence on the peninsula. On expressed opposition to air strikes against new defense secretary, W illiam Perry, said February 4, Madeline Albright, U.S. ambas­ Serb forces. London and Ottawa are also THE TRUTH ABOUT at his confirmation hearing. He told the sador to the United Nations, met with en­ worried about the effects that such a bomb­ Senate Armed Services Committee that up voys o f the other members o f the UN Secu­ ing campaign w ill have on their troops on until now the U.S. government has been rity Council to urge them to approve sanc­ the ground, which are part of the 28,000- offering only “carrots” in nuclear inspection tions against North Korea. The U.S. govern­ strong United Nations contingent in the for­ talks with Pyongyang. “There are sticks ment already maintains 36,000 troops in mer Yugoslavia. downstream,” he threatened. South Korea, posing a threat to the North. Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister An­ The Clinton administration instigated a “ We in the Socialist Workers Party are drei Kozyrev has hinted at the possibility o f new provocation against the Korean people confident that Washington has misjudged Moscow blocking any further decisions in the UN Security Council to use air strikes. SinREl*.S3\ January 25 when it stated its intention to the determination of the working people IRtlRiSMAUFAMS deploy Patriot missiles in the southern part of Korea to defend the country’s national “ We believe [the air strike proposal] is the jthAtmSl'tSlRVAN of the peninsula. The Pentagon has also sovereignty and advance the fight for re­ least successful way” to resolve this prob­ increased spy flights over North Korea. unification,” Jack Bames, SWP national lem, said Kozyrev. George Fyson, Aigiris Malapanis, North Korean officials called the threats secretary, wrote in a letter to the Workers’ W hile calling fo r stepped-up m ilitary ac­ and Jonathan Silberman $8.95 “ an unpardonable and grave m ilitary Party o f Korea in response to these new tion in Bosnia, French foreign minister Alain challenge.” The real purpose o f Washington’s threats. “Not only Koreans throughout the Juppé said that support and participation by Available from bookstores, including those deployment of the missiles, a statement from peninsula but millions elsewhere in Asia Washington is essential for mounting an air listed on page 12, or from Pathfinder, 410 North Korean authorities said, is “to impede and the world are opposed to provocative strike campaign. “The European Union can­ West S t, New York, N Y 10014. Fax (212) the progress” o f the talks and to “ impose the actions by U.S. forces in Korea that could not act alone. That is not enough,” he stated 727-1050. I f ordering by mail, please add unreasonable demand for nuclear inspection engulf your country in a devastating war,” The Clinton administration remains opposed $3.00 to cover shipping and handling. on the DPRK through pressure and threat.” Bames said. to committing any U.S. ground troops to the

February 21,1994 The Militant 3 ' Strength of ANC’s own commitments to democracy become clear in these pages’ Major dailies review new Pathfinder title 'Nelson Mandela Speaks’

Since its publication by Pathfinder in No­ vember, Nelson Mandela Speaks has re­ ceived wide comment in the news media. The book is a collection of speeches given by the president of the African National Congress (ANC) between his release from prison in February 1990 through 1993. It traces the accelerating development of the revolutionary democratic struggle that has begun to transform political, eco­ nomic, and social conditions in South Af­ rica. Below are excerpts from some of the reviews that have appeared.

“ A valuable book, and not merely for the future historian. “The strength of the ANC’s own demo­ cratic commitments is made clear in these pages. So too, in the very sharpness of Mandela’s responses, is the record of costly foot-dragging that has so often characterized South African President F.W. de Klerk’s ap­ proach to negotiations. Many dilemmas — for example, the precise balance to be struck by the ANC between invoking mass action and advancing formal negotiations, tactics that are in part contradictory, in part com­ plementary — are also explored. Moreover, the book is able to close with Mandela’s acknowledgment of the setting of a 1994 election date as an important culmination of his efforts during the period since his release are exemplified by leaders like Oliver ences — from U.S. Congress to a Fidel Cas­ “ Mandela doesn’t deliver ‘just speeches.’ from prison. Throughout his tone is sober, Tam bo and Nelson Mandela, who for three tro rally in Cuba — without sounding insin­ His talks are documents, steeped in history forbearing, informative, his speeches con­ decades from their respective exiles outside cere or unprincipled. The reason appears to and chockfull of facts. His speeches are the sistently admirable in intent and eloquent in and inside the country brought the architects be that while his emphases change, he re­ best reflection of Mandela, the teacher.. . . expression.” of apartheid to sit down and discuss how to fuses to deny certain basic facts or to apol­ “ In all the book has the texts of more than John S. Saul, demolish that system. ogize for them.. . . 30 speeches, and each holds special signif­ Globe and Mail (Toronto) “ If ever there are men of integrity, it is “ Nelson Mandela represents the thinking icance. these South Africans.” of a generation of ANC leaders whose num­ “ At 75 Mandela is still making history. In Hilda Bernstein, bers is rapidly dwindling. As it gets closer a little more than four months he’ll be able “The Pathfinder collection of speeches Southern African Review of Books to assuming power, the ANC will experience to vote for the first time. And sometime soon and statements by Nelson Mandela, cover­ an inevitable change in generational leader­ he’s likely to be elected chief of state of his ing three and a half years from the time of ship. This is likely to result in many changes native South Africa. his release from Pollsmoor to a speech in “ This collection of Nelson Mandela’s in its doctrine as well. The Mandela “ In the world, he is among the giants. For Indianapolis in July 1993, charts the way in speeches covers the time from his release speeches offer a benchmark against which courage, strength and determination he has which, through constant discussion, [the] from prison in 1991 to the past summer. A changes in the ANC can be measured.” no peer. But when you examine his process of revolutionary change has come Antero Pietila, speeches, you smile because you know this about. u ------Baltimore Sun man is also one helluva teacher.” “ Quite obviously many compromises had . . . clearly reiterated Earl Caldwell, to be made between parties representing New York Daily News diametrically opposed political views and principles that form a “ Unfortunately, this collection of different sections of the population. Who speeches — ranging from Mr. Mandela’s can feel happy about compromises? But bottom line . . . first remarks upon being released from pris­ “ For readers yearning for more informa­ there are also clearly reiterated principles ------55 on in February 1990 through his speech to tion about revolutionary changes taking that form a bottom line for Mandela and his the national convention of the NAACP in place in South Africa, Nelson Mandela’s associates___ man whose television delivery has captivat­ Indianapolis in July — offers only one real own words can be rewarding. Nelson “This collection of speeches helps us to ed millions is as captivating on paper. insight into the man likely to become the Mandela Speaks is Pathfinder’s second illu­ understand how that compromise was “ What is remarkable about these speeches first semi-freely elected leader of the South minating volume of speeches by one of reached, and to appreciate the courage, the is how Mr. Mandela can cater to the con­ African state next April: In his public South Africa’s most remarkable political devotion, the sacrifice and the optimism that flicting interests of totally different audi- speeches, at least, he continues to offer noth­ leaders.. . . ing but the same tired clichés of the Leninist “ Readers come away with a deeper un- left he uttered three decades ago, before his imprisonment for treason.. . . u ------Publications review ‘Mandela Speaks’ “ Perhaps Mr. Mandela skipped class the day they were taught about the invasions of . . . a testament to the The following newspapers or Haïti Progrès (New York) Czechoslovakia and Afghanistan, the impo­ magazines have published reviews or Seattle Times political mobilization of sition of martial law in Poland or the col­ articles on Nelson Mandela Speaks. Christian Science Monitor Publishers Weekly lapse of communism throughout the world the A N C ... The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Vindicator (Youngstown, Ohio) except in China, North Korea, Cuba, and The Independent (London) several dozen American universities.” ------55 Southern African Review of Books Tri-State Defender (Memphis) Bill Pascoe, derstanding of the kind of nation he would Washington Times Carolina Peacemaker (Greensboro) Washington Times build if he is victorious at the polls during Baltimore Sun A & T Register (A&T University, Greensboro, North Carolina) South Africa’s first-ever nonracial election, New York Daily News Dallas Post Tribune set for April 27. He seems ready to breathe Booklist “ The consistent thread [in Nelson Jackson Advocate (Mississippi) new life into his country’s sanctions-bat- St. Louis Post-Dispatch Mandela Speaks] is racial conciliation and Cincinnati Herald tered economy, and he speaks of devising a Bay State Banner (Boston) creating a South Africa which, having pro­ Florida Photo News (West Palm Beach) democracy in which economic benefits are Eye (Toronto arts weekly) vided an ugly lesson in racism for so long, Grand Rapids Times shared by all rather than by a chosen few. Hilltop (Howard University, Washington, DC) now has the chance of showing the world Wilmington Journal (North Carolina) “ These addresses help explain why Asheville Citizen-Times (North Carolina) how people of different colours can live Sun-Reporter (San Francisco) Mandela commands so much respect across An Phoblacht/Republican News (Ireland) together. Roanoke Tribune (Virginia) racial and ethnic lines both in South Africa Excalibur (York University, Toronto) “That such a possibility exists is not al­ Metro Courier (Augusta, Georgia) and around the world.” South Africa Times (Britain) ways evident in these days of violent turbu­ Carolina Times (Durham, North Carolina) Robert Joiner, Los Angeles Sentinel lence. But that Nelson Mandela could Daily Challenge (Brooklyn) St. Louis Post-Dispatch Chicago Defender emerge from more than a quarter-century of Carib News (New York) Daily Cougar (University of Houston) political imprisonment to declare these Carolinian (Raleigh) Morning Star (London) views, and that he has succeeded in getting “Throughout the book there are tanta­ Tuskegee News (Alabama) African Times (London) so many of his countrymen to go along with lizing glimpses of Mandela’s blueprint for East St. Louis Monitor Milwaukee Sentinel him, shows what might yet be achieved.” action, which evolves from a philosophy of Milwaukee Community Journal The Militant Benjamin Pogrund, inclusion. He is successful in bringing di­ Firestone Park News (Los Angeles) The Post (Hawera, New Zealand) The Independent (London) verse cross sections of people together to Watts Star Review (Los Angeles) Tri-State Defender (Memphis) focus their collective energies to formulate Herald-Dispatch (Los Angeles) Vancouver Sun strategies, plans and approaches that deal Crusader (St. Louis) Interchange (Transportation Communications “ [Mandela] has a new book just published with the economy, housing, education and San Francisco Metro Reporter Union) by Pathfinder Press of New York. Its title is the infrastructure. He aspires to change the Ebony New Journal & Guide (Norfolk, Virginia) Nelson Mandela Speaks, and what makes it so special is that it is pure Mandela... . Continued on Page 5

4 The Militant February 21,1994 Mandela heads freedom march at S. Africa jail

BY GREG ROSENBERG The apartheid regime PAARL, South Africa — “Never again locked up Murphy w ill our people be imprisoned at V ictor Morobe on Robben Island Verster, Pollsmoor, and Robben Island ... from 1979 to 1982 fo r the never again w ill our children be herded crime of organizing the into homelands where there is no food. June 16, 1976, demon­ Never again w ill our people die in prison stration by Soweto youth and the police say they slipped on a bar protesting the forced of soap in the shower,” said Allan Boesak learning of Afrikaans for February 2 outside the gates of Victor Ver­ Black youth and Bantu ster prison here in the Western Cape prov­ education. “ At one point,” ince. Boesak is the African National recalled Morobe, “there Congress (ANC) candidate for the pre­ were more than 600 po­ miership of the province. litical prisoners at Robben Militant/Greg Rosenberg Island alone, not to men­ ANC president Nelson Mandela — who Nelson Mandela and Allan Boesak (in white shirt) at Freedom March from Victor Verster prison spent four of his 27 prison years in jail tion the others around the here — and an extraordinary group of hun­ country.” dreds of other former political prisoners Outside the prison gates, Mandela lit a streets. mals,” the ANC president said, there were and exiles, punished for their political ac­ torch that was carried by runners at the front At the stadium, Mandela said that “ you some who treated inmates like human be­ tivity by the apartheid white-minority of the procession. Along the march route, have no imagination of the cruelties com­ ings. This helped to reinforce the ANC’s regime, led a Freedom March and rally chants of “Never again,” and “One presi­ mitted behind prison walls.” But while most perspective of building a nonracial, demo­ from the gates of Victor Verster to the Dal dent, one Mandela!” rang throughout the white jailers treated prisoners like “ani­ cratic society. Josafat stadium in this town. Thousands of residents lined the streets to greet the mo­ torcade and march. More than 10,000 packed the stadium to hear the ANC pres­ Workers occupy factory in Cape Town ident’s address. The event took place on the fourth anni­ BY GREG ROSENBERG around 50 percent — these and other w ork­ Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers versary of Mandela’s release from prison CAPE TOWN, South Africa — On the ers in South Africa are fighting to extend Union (PPAWU) struck for a 12 percent and the unbanning o f the ANC. morning of February 4, as workers at the their rights. In 1993, there was a 14.3 percent wage increase. The bosses offered only 5 “You see people here together today Carlton Paper plant began the third day of drop in the number o f workdays lost to strike percent. “Carlton made 32 million rand from all different races,” said 19-year-old their occupation o f the factory in a strike for action. Indications are this may be changing. profits last year,” said one worker. Ilse Fester, who came out to see Mandela. wages and union rights, the South African An article in the January 23 big-business “Electricity is up, medical care is up, “ I think a new ANC government w ill mean Police (SAP) moved in with a “hippo” — Johannesburg Sunday Times warned of the phone bills are up. It’s time we got our better opportunities for the majority,” she the armored vehicle that has become synon­ likelihood of a new round of union militancy share.” Debruyn said “ I make 1,000 rand a continued. “We can make it work.” ymous worldwide for repression by the this year. Employer “ labor specialist” An­ month [about $294].” “ I ’m here because I was sent fo r 12 years apartheid regime. drew Levy & Associates said that w ith some Carlton Paper stands in the midst o f a vast to Robben Island for [membership in] Um- “ We’ve got bare hands,” said union mem­ new union elections “ some of the wisdom, industrial area in the flats o f Cape Town. The khonto we Sizwe,” said Mayoyo Kama, who ber John Debruyn as he peered through the maturity and finesse of the past have fallen flats include the townships where the apart­ was imprisoned from 1964 to 1976. Um- gates. “ They are armed.” The hundred or so by the wayside.” heid rulers mandated so-called Coloureds khonto we Sizwe is the armed group at­ workers gathered at the inside of the com­ The working class, which has powered and Africans must live. These areas stretch tached to the ANC. pany gate began talking. The cops looked South Africa’s democratic revolution, is back from the mansion-lined coasts o f Cape Frank Arendse, the mayor of nearby on menacingly. Not one striker moved from gaining confidence as the African National Town at the southern tip of Africa. Franschhoek, marched “to celebrate the their position. Congress-led democratic movement makes Nearly all the workers at the factory are freedom of our people.” Arendse, the first Despite the economic devastation headway leading up to the April elections. those who were classified by the apartheid Black mayor in this country, was a prison brought on the working class by South A f­ About 1,600 workers are employed by regime as Coloured. A ll the managers are guard at V ictor Verster until 1986. Today he rican capitalism and the impact of the world Carlton Paper — a subsidiaiy of Kimberly white. Each night of the three-day occu­ is a member of the ANC. depression — unemployment stands at Clark — at four plants in South Africa. The pation 40-50 workers slept in the plant, while others returned the next day with food and supplies. This is the first strike ever at Carlton Paper. M ajor dailies review ‘Mandela Speaks’ Handmade picket signs festoon the gates, reading “ No industrial peace w ithout Continued from Page 4 50 years a political activist. democracy is a challenge for a super nova higher increase,” “Long live the spirit of balance of power not only in the economic “The international and domestic roles human. At this writing Mandela is skillfully no surrender,” “An injury to one is an in­ sphere but in the social sphere as well. Mandela plays now show that for organised cornering his opposition. And moment by ju ry to a ll — m illions to bosses, 5% to “ Some questions, however, remain unan­ political activists engaged in what at many moment, brick by brick, a new South Africa workers,” and “Forward to a living wage swered. I, for one, am particularly concerned times seemed the most hopeless o f struggles, is unfolding.... — Amandla! [power]” about what w ill happen to the millions of there are in fact virtually no limits on what “Nelson Mandela Speaks belongs in ev­ “Conditions in the plant are noisy, dusty, young people who have been an integral part you can achieve. ery household. . . ” and hot,” said shop steward Andrew Nortzie. o f the movement to build a new South Africa. “Mandela Speaks is a testament to the po­ Prizgar Gonzales, He said that unionists were fighting against How w ill these young people who were ac­ litical mobilisation of the ANC and of Chicago Defender Continued on Page 6 tive in the protests and the struggle learn to Mandela himself in his own tireless struggle.” become active participants in the new society Neil Forde, they are about to create? What plans are being An PhoblachtlRepublican News (Ireland) made to deal with their concerns, and what re­ sources are required to meet their needs?. . . “ This book reads w ith the excitement o f Nelson Mandela Speaks “ I commend Pathfinder Press fo r their a novel. It’s all here: the breadth, the history, Forging a Democratic, Nonracial South Africa wisdom in publishing this book. It has much the right-now delicate issues upon which Tells the story of the struggles that have begun a to offer those of us who wish to understand millions of lives turn and a nation’s future deep-going transformation of political, economic, the thinking of Mandela. It prompts us to rests. Mandela Speaks is a powerful and and social conditions in South Africa. The president think about the role of leadership with a necessary read for anyone who wants to get of the African National Congress charts a course to vision, and is particularly significant in an­ beyond the one dimensional sound bites that lead the national, democratic revolution in South swering the question: who should lead in the become South A frica on our evening news.” Africa to a successful conclusion. 296 pp. $18.95 struggle to end oppression? Mandela’s Monroe Gilmour, (special offer $14.50 to members o f the speeches have been edited w ell by Steve Asheville Citizen-Times (North Carolina) Pathfinder Readers Club) Clark and help the reader get a clear image of Mandela as he ‘marches on to Pretoria.’ “ Mandela’s eyes are always set firm ly on “ I was curious at the omission of the term the prize and what it w ill take to win it. The Coming Revolution in ‘nonsexist’ in the title because it is one o f “ As he emphasised in his address to the South Africa by Jack Barnes the three phrases along w ith ‘ nonracial’ and nation following the assassination of Chris ‘democratic’ that Mandela uses to indicate Hani, ‘When we, as one people, act together The world importance of the struggle to overthrow the apartheid system the goal o f the struggle.” decisively, with discipline and determina­ and the vanguard role o f the African National Congress, which is Melvin H. King, tion, nothing can stop us.’” committed to lead the national, democratic revolution in South Africa to Bay State Banner (Dorchester, MA) a successful conclusion. In New International no. S. Abo indudes “ Why John Haylett, Cuban Volunteers Are in Angola” : 3 speeches by FkM Castro. $9.00 Morning Star (London) “ Here is what the collection o f speeches The Struggle Is My Life shows, a Mandela who’s politically objec­ “This captivating book of Mandela’s by Nelson Mandela tive, whose stature is constantly being chal­ speeches reveals a w arrior w ith the courage “ My political beliefs have been explained in my autobiography. The Struggle lenged. A Mandela under pressure, who con­ of a lion, who’s gracefully aging and wise Is My Life"— Nelson Mandela. $15.95 tinually refrains from the role of political to the opposition’s tricks and traps. His task messiah, instead remains intent on being a would have been a hundredfold more d iffi­ political motivator. cult if he had not experienced the joy of Join the PATHFINDER READERS CLUB. For a $10 annual fee you a gat a 15 percent dbcount on PatMndar tM n at your local PatMndar “ Mandela Speaks provides a remarkable meditation and prayer while in solitude. (ndudhif thoM Ihtad on paga l2,orfrom PatM nder,4IO VfastSt^NewYorfc,NY 10014.Fax (212) 727-01 SO. insight into his politics, it shows his drive is “Mandela’s determination to weave all If ordarlng by m ail, pi««« add $3.00 to covar pottage and handfctg. still intense even though now he is nearly the races of South Africa into a working

February 21,1994 The Militant 5 ANC rejects call for apartheid 'ministate'

Continued from front page someplace that they call a Volkstaat. The ganization to take the program o f the ANC — President F.W. de Klerk’s ruling National and whites are going to die — innocent peo­ issue immediately arises — where is this the Freedom Charter — and the election Party released its 35-page election mani­ ple. It is your duty to stand up and persuade place going to be where you find only manifesto out to every residence in the coun­ festo February 2. The National Party is try­ diem to abandon this suicidal scheme.” Afrikaners? There is no place like that. try “ twice and even thrice.” He told delegates ing to take all the credit for the dismantling Despite the escalating threats and talk of Afrikaners are spread throughout South A f­ to the ANC Conference on Reconstruction of apartheid that, in reality, was forced by war, the ANC has successfully bound the rica. And when you ask them, they do not and Strategy that unless this is done, “ every­ the hand o f the democratic movement right wing into negotiations, which are ex­ explain these issues.” thing w ill have been in vain.” De Klerk told a special National Party pected to continue. “ We want to warn you that the danger to Congress that “ The ANC would cast us back ANC launches political campaign our cause is not the National Party,” Mandela into the dark ages. It is secretly controlled by No ‘volkstaat’ A t the end o f January, the ANC launched said to more than 10,000 people at a march o f communists, m ilitants, and extremists.” In a February 4 interview with the M ili­ its political campaign in preparation for the former prisoners and exiles February 2 in “ The National Party,” said Mandela at one tant in Johannesburg (to be published in a elections. According to the ANC’s Depart­ Paarl in the Western Cape province. campaign stop in the western Transvaal, “ is forthcoming issue), ANC leader Baleka ment o f Information and Publicity, some “ The danger to the cause o f democracy is dead.” At a refinery in Sasolburg, the ANC Kgositsile addressed the challenges faced by 100,000 people turned out in the western you,” he continued. “ It is members of the A f­ president said that “ The people are shunning the democratic movement in the talks. Transvaal to hear Nelson Mandela speak Jan­ rican National Congress, members of the tri­ the National Party like lepers, which they are Kgositsile was the secretary-general of the uary 30-31. Reuters reported February 7 that partite alliance, democrats. Our duty is to turn ... The NP is still a racist party ... extinc­ ANC Women’s League until last December. Mandela wound up a three-day tour of the Or­ that 70 percent support that we have nation­ tion is staring them in the face.” She is a member o f the ANC Negotiations ange Free State at a rally o f more than 30,000. ally and transform it onto the ballot paper. To ANC National Executive Committee Commission and one of its candidates for The elections are a product o f the gains make sure that on the date o f the election ev­ member Pallo Jordan responded to the Na­ national parliament. conquered by the democratic movement. For ery one o f you is able to vote.” tional Party’s red-baiting assertions in an Kgositsile said “despite the ANC’s nego­ the first time in South A frica’s history, all res­ opinion piece in the February 4-10 Weekly ANC more needed than ever tiating flexibility and willingness to talk, idents, regardless of their skin color, w ill be Mail and Guardian. “Whatever the motives there is no way” it w ill accede to the Allian­ able to vote. They w ill elect a new 400-seat The goal o f the campaign is to emerge in o f those who echo the Red-baiters m ight be, ce’s demands for an apartheid mini-state. Assembly and 90-seat Senate. The Constitu­ April with a stronger ANC, better positioned there can be no doubt that they bring grist to The ANC cannot accept this, she said, “ pre­ ent Assembly w ill draft the new constitution to speak and act in the interests o f the op­ the mills of the guardians of the old order, cisely because we come from a past where of a nonracial democratic republic. pressed and exploited m ajority in South A f­ who would much rather debate who is or is our country was tom up into pieces, and Within the assembly, a two-thirds major­ rica. “ In the face o f what lies ahead o f us, the not a ‘communist’ than address die glaring there were all these artificial creations of ity w ill be needed to approve the draft o f the need for [the ANC] is even greater,” Mandela injustices that are the real issue.” bantustans according to tribes, in particular new constitution. This places a premium on emphasized at the ANC national conference. for the black majority.” a decisive ANC victory. “ We must, therefore, make certain that what­ Struggle for land It is ruled out, she said, that “ we w ill allow On the campaign trail Mandela has ever else we do, we have the strength to con­ a group of Afrikaners to go off and have stressed in forceful terms the need for the or­ tinue to build such an organization.” According to new legislation, about 1.2 million farm workers now have the right to join trade unions and negotiate for bet­ ter working conditions. A spokesperson for Workers occupy factory in Cape Town the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) told South Africa Continued from Page 5 Broadcasting Corporation Television this management’s imposition of 12-hour shifts was a product of a long struggle against and racist treatment of workers. the South African Agricultural Union and Joan Titus explained that two-thirds o f the the government. The COSATU repre­ 300 employed here are women. “I’ve sentative, Mike Madlala, said this would worked here fo r seven years,” she said, “ and force white farmers and the government I’m still a packer. A ll die men are in higher to extend the law on basic working con­ positions. We are fighting to get equal wages ditions to agriculture. This development for women too — and stopping discrimina­ could also open the door to increased ac­ tion against women.” cess on huge, capitalist farms fo r the ANC to campaign among farm workers who live Equal wages for women and work there. Titus said she hoped “ that when there is In a related development, the National a new government we can have equal rights Land Committee, an umbrella group for and bigger job opportunities.” nine organizations, announced plans for a Later that day, the SAP called in mem­ mass rally of rural and landless Blacks to bers of the notorious Internal Stability regain land seized under white minority Unit (ISU) to back company demands rule. The group said more than 3.5 million and injunctions that workers vacate the Blacks— 10 percent of the population — plant. “There were some PPAWU work­ have been driven from the land since 1960 ers from other plants outside the gates alone. who came to support us. They were re­ “The rural people need their demands to moved by the police and locked up,” be met,” Abie Ditlhake from the Farm­ said Gabriela Rajap, a worker volunteer­ Militant/Greg Rosenberg workers Research and Resource Project ing at the union office. Strikers occupied Carlton Paper plant in Cape Town February 4 demanding pay raise. said. “ First and foremost they need their The same day gold miners launched campaign to force company to honor union rights. “ After that, Carlton called in more se­ land back. This is not negotiable.” curity units armed with tear gas guns and promises it would not press charges. blocked off the strikers. They gave us 10 The strike continues at all four plants minutes to leave the premises before across South Africa. APPEAL TO OUW READERS they attacked. Since we’ve been on strike we have attacked no one,” she In related developments, outside the Help the ‘Militant* provide you with firsthand continued. giant offices of Gold Fields of South A f­ Workers on the spot made a decision to rica (GFSA) in Johannesburg, the Na­ coverage of world politics! vacate the premises as an alternative to ja il. tional Union of Mincworkers (NUM) Militant reporters are traveling throughout According to a union spokesperson, launched a campaign February 4 to force the world to give our readers the best, most the employer to honor basic union rights. workers went back to the gates for demon­ accurate news and analysis of major world More than 1,000 miners participated in strations February 7-8. The ISU showed up events: the picket line over the course of 24 again, arresting 60 workers for violating a Cuba — How are working people in hours. court injunction that prohibited workers Cuba confronting the economic crisis and gathering w ithin one kilom eter o f the gates. standing up to Washington’s aggression to Gold miners protest conditions After everyone remaining on the job — in­ defend the socialist revolution? An interna­ cluding administrative staff— downed their GFSA owns some of the richest mines in tional team of reporters is covering the Ha­ vana Book Fair and other developments in tools in protest, management gave verbal the country and employs some 60,000 min­ ers, according to Kgalema Motlanthe, acting Cuba. general secretary of the NUM. South Africa — The Militant is fea­ One miner on the line said that GFSA turing firsthand reports on the African Na­ Corrections should “ blast the face, not us.” Eleven work­ tional Congress election campaign. Militant ers died January 10 in GFSA’s Leeudoom staff writer Greg Rosenberg, along with Brian Youth rally outside Victor Verster prison In South In M ilitant issue no. 5, two photo­ Pugh from Salt Lake City and Brock Satter Africa to commemorate unbanning of ANC. mine. On January 24, another five miners graphs are misidentified. The press from Minneapolis, have just returned from a conference pictured on the front page were killed in a fire at the West Driefontein three-week reporting trip. Britain to Ireland to participate in a demon­ announced die national candidates list mine. stration against British domination of die is­ of the African National Congress Miners voiced demands for rapid moves Ireland — Beginning in this issue, we land. They w ill be writing about the reac­ (A N C ), and was held during the to improve safety, increased union involve­ are carrying coverage by Militant reporters tions of workers, young people, and political Pete Clifford, Julie Crawford, Jim Gordon, AN C ’s National Conference on Re­ ment in control over conditions under­ activists to the “ peace” negotiations on and Tony Hunt, who recently traveled from Northern Ireland. construction and Strategy. The photo­ ground, provision of meeting places for graph on page four is o f a January 20 union members, and an end to racist prac­ The cost of these trips exceeds $20,000. As we go to press, readers have contributed $2J261. People’s Forum at the South African tices by GFSA managers. The Militant depends on these generous contributions from workers, students, and others Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). “Last year a black worker was painted who value the coverage they can find nowhere else to make such reporting possible. white by managers because he used a car­ Please send your contribution to the Militant, 410 West St., New York, NY 10014, and earmark It Travel Fund. In issue no. 6, the date o f Nelson riage reserved for whites,” said Motlanthe. Mandela’s speech at the SABC He indicated that an ANC-led government Enclosed is: Q$500 Q$200 QllOO O$50 Q o th er____ People’s Forum is listed incorrectly o f national unity w ill be “ a huge moral boost NAME- for the NUM.” as January 21. The meeting took CTTY. _STXTE_ -ZIP. -COUNTRY. place on January 20. The error also To send a message o f solidarity to the o r g a m z a o o n ______appears in an accompanying photo striking paperworkers, write PPAWU, P.O. 0ortfa*Me«ai«4ÿ) caption. Box 418, Salt River, 7925, South Africa. Fax SPECIFYOIjmvob) REPORTING TRB>(S) . (021) 47-5398

6 The Militant February 21,1994 Protesters in Ireland demonstrate against British domination BY PETE CLIFFORD tion post that looks over the Bogside area. DERRY, Northern Ireland — Thousands Residents — who are fearful o f RUC harass­ joined a march here January 30 protesting in­ ment in the area, as w ell as bomb attacks in justice under British domination. The demon­ response from the Irish Republican Army stration took place while London and Dublin (IRA) — are demanding it be closed down. move to reorganize how Northern Ireland is “We have a right today to live in housing ruled as signaled in their December 15 decla­ without being spied on and without being as­ ration. A central goal of the agreement is to saulted,” Hutcheon told the demonstrators. force the nationalist party Sinn Fein to the “ Some people say Bloody Sunday is just bargaining table on terms favorable to the history and should be forgotten,” said John British and Irish governments. Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed on The “ Bloody Sunday” march is held every Bloody Sunday. “ But the B ritish government year to mark the day 22 years ago when B rit­ doesn’t say they w ill hunt the murderers of ish army troops shot dead 13 unarmed dem­ my brother until the day they die, as they do onstrators. Fourteen marchers were seriously when they refer to Irish people who k ill their wounded and one subsequently died. Seven soldiers.” Kelly called for those who were o f those killed were under the age o f 19. murdered to have their names cleared. “ We The 1972 march was called by the Civil want the British government to admit their in­ Rights Association to protest internment nocence. We want those who planned and without trial of opponents of British rule and carried out this murder brought to justice.” London’s system of institutionalized dis­ “ I don’t remember what it’s like to live in a crimination against Catholics. More than community that wasn’t militarized, always 20,000 joined the demonstration, inspite of facing gun battles, raids, helicopters over it being declared illegal. No member of the head, intimidation, and tension,” Margaret British army or government — which or­ Caraher said. Caraher, whose husband Feigal dered the use o f force that day — has been was killed by Royal Marines in 1990, was charged for the brutal attack on the demon­ bom in 1970. A t least one-third o f those who strators. In fact, the army commanding o ffi­ marched were her age or younger. Some stu­ cer, Lt. Colonel W ilford, was subsequently dents from Creggan told the Militant that they Militant/Julie Crawford honored by the Queen. had heard about Bloody Sunday from their January 30 demonstration in Derry, Northern Ireland. As this year’s march wound its way toward parents. They came to march, they said, Deny center through the Brandywell and because they wanted the soldiers o ff the of the London/Dublin declaration by Sinn land o f Ireland,” he said. “ We believe that by Bogside areas, hundreds o f people lined the street. Caraher told the demonstration that the Fein is not a propaganda device by Repub­ ending the constitutional guarantee and the streets and came out o f their homes to jo in in. soldiers who killed her husband had been licans. “We who’ve bom the brunt of the veto, Britain can at long last break the politi­ By the time it reached the spot where the pro­ cleared o f murder December 23 after the re­ conflict, buried our dead, tell those who cal logjam in Ireland by instituting a new re­ testers were shot in 1972, march organizers cent signing of the London/Dublin declara­ want to listen — we want peace, permanent alism in which dialogue becomes desirable estimate more than 5,000 people had joined tion. “There was no jury and the one judge peace, built on justice, equality, and demo­ and in which the Unionists can join in build­ the demonstration. The overwhelming ma­ was appointed by the British,” she said. “ The­ cratic rights, which includes our right to ing a new and agreed future for this island.” jo rity came from the local area, but buses y ’ve a cheek to call that a legal system.” national self-determination. A smaller demonstration of more than came from most towns in Northern Ireland as Tom Harltey, Sinn Fein national chairper­ “ Unionists must be persuaded that their 1,000 was held in London the previous day. w ell as parts o f the Irish Republic. The march son, was the last speaker. He told the dem­ real strength lies not in threats or vetoes but in Neither demonstration was reported in organizers also reported there were partici­ onstrators that the demand for clarification their place as a substantial m inority on the is- newspapers in Britain. pants from Britain, Sweden, the United States, France, and Germany. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) maintained a constant presence. As the Sinn Fein leader speaks in New York march approached the Bogside area some 20 RUC officers with automatic weapons came BY MARTIN DUNNE end to all other organizations involved in progress,” he said. out of their landrovers. At another point, NEW YORK — Sinn Fein leader Gerry armed actions.” Adams demanded that the British and RUC members filmed the marchers. The Adams spent January 31-February 2 here Three days later, upon his arrival in New Irish governments clarify sections of their British army mounted armed road blocks discussing his view of the struggle in North­ York, the Sinn Fein leader was greeted by a joint declaration, while making it clear that stopping vehicles as they arrived at the dem­ ern Ireland. U.S. president B ill Clinton large crowd of enthusiastic supporters and both he and Sinn Fein were committed to onstration but did not have an open presence granted Adams a visa after first barring him journalists. Following a press conference at finding a peaceful resolution to the situation on the march route. from the country in May and again in No­ the airport, Adams came into the city where in Northern Ireland. The rally was opened by Cecil Hutcheon. vember. Adams’s requests for a U.S. visa he gave several interviews, including one on That evening, at a meeting which was built Hutcheon is a leader of the Rosemount Anti- have been rejected eight times over the past CNN’s “Larry King Live.” Viewers of the by word of mouth in 24 hours, 1,200 people Watchtower Committee, an organization of 20 years. The terms of the 48-hour visa show in Europe, the M iddle East, and Africa, turned out to hear Adams at his only public residents near the vast RUC fo rt and observa- forbade Adams from travelling more than however, were not allowed to view the in­ appearance of the trip, reflecting the wide­ 25 miles from New York City and engaging terview until the next day. A voice-over spread sentiment in support o f Irish self-de­ in any kind of fundraising. replaced Adams’s voice, since the television termination both in Ireland and in the United Communist League The U.S. State Department, Attorney network had agreed to abide by the B ritish government’s censorship of Sinn Fein. States. He was introduced — to a standing sends greetings to General Janet Reno, the C IA , and the B ritish ovation — by Irish activist Paul O’Dwyer. Government all opposed giving Adams a W hile in New York, Adams addressed a meeting sponsored by the National Commit­ “ We are moving in to the final phase o f the Bloody Sunday rally visa. However, a strong campaign has also conflict,” Adams said. “ I come here with a been waged to allow him into the country. tee on American Foreign Policy. Adams took Today’s demonstration is a timely up many issues in his address to the confer­ message o f peace. We’re going to have peace Senators Edward Kennedy and Daniel Moy- not in 40 or 50 years time but in our tim e.” reminder that the driving force of vio­ nihan, as well as 38 other members of Con­ ence including the British occupation of lence comes out of the British army’s gress, uiged the U.S. government to grant Northern Ireland, the right of the Irish peo­ In the aftermath of the visit Clinton re­ occupation of Northern Ireland. Lon­ the visa. This disagreement between wings ple as a whole to self-determination, the scinded his campaign promise to appoint an don’s claim that it supports peace and o f the U.S. and B ritish ruling classes reflects democratic rights o f both the Nationalist and envoy to Northern Ireland, saying that he is human life falls hollow given their fail­ tactical differences over how to best main­ Unionist populations, and his opposition to satisfied with the initiatives of the British ure to overturn the whitewash of the tain imperialist control in Northern Ireland. the proposal that Unionists in Northern Ire­ and Irish governments. U.S. diplomats are Widgery Tribunal on Bloody Sunday Washington hopes Adams w ill play a role land be given effective veto power over any already working to bring supporters of B rit­ and prosecute those responsible for the in advancing the rulers’ interests in negotia­ decision to unify the country. ‘To accept the ish rule of Northern Ireland to the United murders. tions currently under way between Dublin veto means accepting that there can be no States to explain their positions. Their hypocrisy rings true for work­ and London. W hile carried out under the ban­ ing people in many other parts of the ner o f a “ peace process,” the talks — and the F o r Further Reading world who, over recent years, have December 15 declaration by the British and X f t A T I A Z faced the guns of the British army and Irish governments that they engendered — their allies — especially the U.S. gov­ are aimed at achieving a more stable constitu­ MARX ernment— from the slaughter in the tional arrangement for maintaining domina­ IRELAND AND THE Gulf War to the phony United Nations tion over the working class in Ireland. ENGELS “ peace” operation in Somalia. Sinn Fein, a legal political party in Ireland IRISH QUESTION For workers in Britain, defense of the that opposes the British occupation of BY KARL MARX AND FREDERICK ENGELS Irish fight for self-determination is es­ Northern Ireland and supports the military Irelan d sential to chart an alternative in the campaign of the Irish Republican Army For workers in Britain, M arx and Engels explain, “the and the interests of working people to the di- (IR A ), has been barred from the talks unless national emancipation o f Ireland is no question of Irish Question vide-and-rule policies of Britain’s rul­ it “renounces violence.” London and Dublin abstract justice or humanitarian sentiment, but the first ing fam ilies and to build a society based are anxious to involve Sinn Fein, but on their condition of their own social emancipation." Articles, • . ,,- V -4 on human solidarity not profit. Today terms. “ It is our sense that Adams is trying letters, and documents on Ireland by the founding leaders we can draw strength from the to move the IRA in the direction of peace,” of the modem working-class movement i a senior White House official said, explain­ mobilisation o f millions in South Africa Progress Publishers. 665 pp. $ 19.95 as well as the determination o f the Cu­ ing the decision to allow the Irish activist M B PROGRESS Pubi U hm ban people to defend their socialist rev­ into the country. olution. They are showing that by plac­ Adams was interviewed in Belfast Janu­ Available at bookstores including those listed on page 12, or at the address below. ing confidence in the strength of work­ ary 28 by U.S. officials who report him as If ordering by mail, please add S3.00 to cover postage and handling. ing people we can achieve justice. saying that “ his personal and political prior­ Pathfinder, 410 We*t S«., New York, NY 10014. Fax (212) 7274)150 ity is to see an end to the IRA and to see an

February 21,1994 The Militant 7 Second Declaration of Havana put socialist revolution on agenda throughout Americas mmtuae-...stxr-'-.is!^sssmmsr saezites'cr - •«.-•- v s c t b k ?' ' --- 's ***» * i& 'i# We are printing below excerpts from José] Martí already pointed out the danger o f the other Latin-American states, the When the bourgeoisie took political the Second Declaration of Havana. This hovering over America and called imperial­ United States is attempting to use the power and established upon the ruins of document was ratified by a rally of 1 ism by its name: imperialism. He pointed strength of America against Cuba. feudal society its capitalist mode of produc­ million people in Havana, Cuba, in Feb­ out to the people o f Latin America that more What is the history o f Cuba but the history tion, on this mode of production it erected ruary 1962 — three years after Cuban than anyone, they had a stake in seeing to it of Latin America? And what is the history its state, its laws, its ideas and institutions. toilers overthrew the Uü.-backed tyr­ that Cuba did not succumb to the greed of of Latin America but the history of Asia, Those institutions sanctified in the first in­ anny of Fulgencio Batista, established a the Yankee, scornful of the peoples of Latin Africa and Oceania? And what is the history stance the essence o f its class rule; private workers and peasants government, and America.... o f all these peoples but the history o f the property. opened the socialist revolution in the But Cuba arose. Cuba was able to redeem most pitiless and cruel exploitation by im­ The new society based on the private Americas. itself from the bastard guardianship. Cuba perialism throughout the world? ownership o f the means o f production and It is available, along with the First Dec­ broke the chains which tied its fortunes to A t the end o f the last and the beginning o f free competition was thus divided into two laration of Havana, in the Pathfinder those o f the imperial oppressor, redeemed the present century a handful o f economically basic classes: One the owner o f the means pamphlet titled The Second Declaration its riches, reclaimed its culture, and unfurled developed nations had finished partitioning of production, ever more modem and effi­ o f Havana Copyright © Pathfinder Press, its banner of Free Territory and People of the world among themselves, subjecting to its cient; the other, deprived of all wealth, pos­ reprinted by permission. Footnotes are by America. economic and political domination two-thirds sessing only its labor power, of necessity the M ilitant. Now the United States w ill never again of humanity, which was thus forced to work sold in the market as another piece o f mer­ be able to use Cuba’s strength against Amer­ for the ruling classes o f the economically ad­ chandise simply in order to live. . . In 1895, [Cuban independence Fighter ica, but conversely, dominating the majority vanced capitalist countries. . . Where did the colossal quantity of re­ sources come from which permitted a hand­ ful of monopolists to accumulate billions of dollars? Simply from the exploitation of hu­ Interest in communist literature high man labor. Millions of men, forced to work for a wage o f bare subsistence, produced with their strength the gigantic capital of the mo­ nopolies. The workers amassed the fortunes at Havana Latin American conference of the privileged classes, ever richer, ever more powerful. Through the banking institu­ BY MICHEL PRAIRIE tions these classes were able to make use not HAVANA, Cuba — More than 150 books only o f their own money but that of all soci­ and pamphlets published by Pathfinder Press ety. Thus was brought about the fusion of the in Spanish, English, and French, as well as banks with great industry and finance capital copies o f the M arxist magazine New Interna­ was bom. What should they do with the great tional, were sold at a January 25-28 confer­ surplus of capital which was accumulating in ence here. Some 1,100 delegates attended the ever greater quantities? Invade the world Fourth Latin American and Caribbean Con­ with it. Always in pursuit of profit, they be­ ference for Solidarity, Sovereignty, Self-De­ gan to seize the natural resources of all the termination, and the Life o f Our Peoples. economically weak countries and to exploit In addition, delegates purchased 10 sub­ the human labor of their inhabitants with scriptions to the Spanish-language maga­ much more wretched wages than what they zine Perspectiva Mundial, and one to the were forced to pay to the workers of their Militant. own developed countries. Thus began the ter­ Participants at the meeting — repre­ ritorial and economic division of the world. senting political parties, trade unions, as By 1914, eight or 10 imperialist countries well as peasant, student, Native, women’s had subjugated territories beyond their own rights, antiracist, cultural, and environmen­ borders covering more than 83,700,000 tal groups and organizations — came from square kilometers, with a population of virtually every country in Latin America, 970,000,000 inhabitants. They had simply several countries in the Caribbean, the divided up the world. United States, and Canada. They discussed But as the world, limited in size, was di­ the accelerating economic and social crisis vided to the last comer of the earth, a clash of capitalism across the continent and the ensued among the different monopolist na­ resistance by working people to it tions and struggles arose from new divisions, Staffed by delegates from the United originating in the disproportionate distribu- States and Canada, a table o f Pathfinder books and a display o f enlarged book covers provoked interest among conference partic­ ipants, several of whom didn’t know Path­ finder before coming to the event Based in U.S., Canada activists build caravan to Cuba New York, Pathfinder publishes the writings BY NAOMI CRAINE Irene Maclnnes, a driver from Vancouver, Union and Eastern European countries. and speeches o f revolutionary fighters and “ I ’ve been trying to figure ways to oppose British Columbia. Among the 165 conference participants communist leaders of the modem working- U.S. foreign policy and I agree w ith the Border-crossing events are also planned were students from the Cuba Educational class movement. principles of the Cuban revolution,” said at the points where delegations from Que­ Project at the University of California in Most o f the time, the table was a beehive Angela Marino, a student at Evergreen Col­ bec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatoon w ill Santa Cruz and several members of a new of political discussion. A debate erupted be­ lege in Olympia, Washington, explaining join up with the caravan. socialist youth organization at De Anza Col­ tween delegates from Peru and members of why she signed up as a driver fo r the third Friendshipment supporters in New Jersey lege. the Communist Party — Marxist-Leninist U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment caravan. A total have been working to draw more young from Ecuador, who were reacting to Path­ of six people from Olympia w ill be taking people into the project Students at five uni­ Public meetings give boost to caravan finder’s recently published pamphlet Shin­ part in the caravan. versity campuses in northern and central Recent public meetings have given a ing Path, Evolution o f a Stalinist Sect by The convoy, organized to oppose the U.S. New Jersey have hosted six presentations boost to building the caravan in Chicago. Martin Koppel. “Shining Path is [Peruvian government’s embargo of Cuba, w ill travel and video showings on last year’s caravan Nearly 150 people took part in a January 29 president Alberto] Fujim ori’s best ally,” ex­ through dozens o f cities in the United States, so far. The Latin American Student Council meeting sponsored by the Chicago Cuba plained a woman delegate from Peru. and several in Canada, February 22-March 6. at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, Coalition. DePaul University professor José Two articles written almost 150 years ago Along the way, participants w ill hold meet­ New Jersey, is collecting material aid at its López and Antonio Maceo Brigade leader by the founders of the modem communist ings and press conferences to speak out Cultural Center. Students plan to pass out Andrés Gómez spoke there. Four days later movement, Karl Marx and Frederick Eng­ against the embargo and collect material aid caravan leaflets at local supermarkets. A Gómez and University of Havana professor els, and reprinted in recent issues o f Per­ fo r Cuba A fter converging in Laredo, Texas, send-off rally for the caravan w ill be held Alberto Prieto addressed about 80 students spectiva Mundial led to a series o f in-depth March 6, the caravan w ill cross the border and February 25 at the Rutgers Newark Law at the University of Illinois in Chicago on discussions concerning what stand the proceed to Tampico, Mexico, where the aid School campus. “ Cuba in Crisis.” working class should take on the conflicts w ill be shipped to Cuba Solidarity activists in Caravan supporters in the San Francisco More material aid for the caravan is start­ and debates among capitalists over free- M exico plan to participate in this stage o f the Bay Area hosted an Educational and Organ­ ing to arrive at drop-off sites around Chi­ trade and protectionism. caravan. izing Conference on Cuba January 29 at cago, which include several churches and The recent North American Free Trade The second Friendshipment delivered Laney College in Oakland, California. The local bookstores. Agreement between the governments of more than 100 tons of humanitarian aid to featured guests at the conference were A l­ A public meeting to build the caravan in Canada, the United States, and M exico has Cuba last August, and involved some 300 fonso Fraga, head o f the Cuban Interests Brooklyn, New York, drew more than 50 generated great interest in this question. drivers. section in Washington, D.C.; Bernardo people January 28. Many of those who bought subscriptions to A ctivists are now stepping up prepara­ Toscano, third secretary of the Cuban Inter­ A February 5 party hosted by the Miami- Perspectiva Mundial did so in order to re­ tions and outreach across North America for ests Section; and Tom Hansen, director o f Cuba Friendshipment Committee raised sev­ ceive more such material. the project. Pastors fo r Peace, which is organizing the eral hundred dollars for the caravan, and a The most eagerly looked for titles were La Friendshipment press conference and rally are in the works fo r revolución traicionada [the Spanish-lan­ Participation from Canada Fraga described the impact of the U.S. February 16. “ So far we have 16 people who guage edition o f The Revolution Betrayed] by Friendshipment participants from Wash­ government’s trade ban on the Cuban peo­ are applying to be drivers,” said Tony Llanso, Leon Trotsky, a leader o f the 1917 Russian ington state w ill be joined by 14 drivers from ple. He noted that eight successive U.S. an activist in the Miami group. “We’ve col­ revolution (17 copies were sold); the first two B ritish Columbia, Canada. An international presidents have maintained the economic, lected a lot of material aid, including 10 issues o f the Spanish-language magazine rally is in the works for February 20, when commercial, and financial embargo against wheelchairs, 100 sets o f crutches, powdered Nueva Internacional that feature the articles the Canadian participants plan to cross the the Caribbean country. The diplomat also m ilk, canned food, soap, and more.” “The Opening Guns of World War 1H” and border into the United States with aid they explained the steps the Cuban government For more information on the Friendship­ “ Che Guevara, Cuba and the Road to Social­ have collected. “ Getting as many people as and people are taking to stand up to the ment contact Pastors fo r Peace at 331 17th ism” (11 copies o f each were purchased); and possible to the border rally w ill be important economic crisis that was precipitated by the Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Tel Continued on Page 12 in getting the caravan across,” explained collapse of trade with the former Soviet (612) 378-0062.

8 The Militant February 21,1994 tion of industrial and eco­ an d World Politics nomic power which the vari­ ous monopolistic nations C /f T / J 7 £ % SPECIAL OFFER FOR MEMBERS OF THE had attained in their uneven 0 / 1 PATHFINDER READERS CLUB OffiER ENOS MARCH IS. 1994 development Imperialist wars broke out which would TO SPEAK THE TRUTH i------cost humanity 50 million Why Washington's X M WaC Agartst Cuba Doesn't End DYNAMICS dead, tens o f m illions FIDEL CASTRO AND O f th e CUBAN wounded and the destruction CHE GUEVARA o f incalculable material and Why the U.S. gov­ REVOLUTION cultural wealth. Even before ernment is deter­ The Opening Yean this had happened Karl Marx mined to destroy the JOSEPH HANSEN wrote that “ capital comes example set by the How did the Cuban revolution Why ^ into the world dripping from WttNOfllWl'S Cuban revolution come about? Why does it head to foot from every pore Cold War and why its effort agalnsi Cuba r represent, as Hansen put it, an with blood and m ire.” C_J Down! Hid ^ will fail. Introduc­ The capitalist system of * tion by Mary-Alice “unbearable challenge” to U.S. production, once it had given Waters. $16.95 imperialism? What are the FISCI CASTRO A O K 8UEVARA all o f which it was capable, (special offer political challenges it confronted became an abysmal obstacle $12.75) in the early years? Why are its to the progress of humanity. lessons of decisive importance for But the bourgeoisie from its IN DEFENSE OF SOCIALISM fighting workers and farmers origins carried within itself Four Speeches on the 30th Anniversary o f the Cuban Revolution around the its contradiction. In its womb gigantic productive instru­ FIDEL CASTRO world? These ments were developed, but N ot only is eco­ questions are with time a new and vigorous nomic and social answered by social force developed: the progress possible an active proletariat, destined to without the dog- partisan of the change the old and worn-out eat-dog competi­ revolution, social system o f capitalism to Cuban president Fidel Castro addressing sugarcane work- tion o f capitalism, writing during a superior socio-economic ers in the province of Pinar del Rio, February 1960. Castro argues, but its opening form in accordance with the socialism is the historic possibilities of human society, con- imperialists are making to prevent the lib- only way forward decade. $19.95 verting into social property those gigantic eration of the peoples. Cuba hurts the im- for humanity. Also (new printing available means o f production which the people, and no perialists in a special way. What is it that discusses Cuba’s role in advancing the February 28; special pre­ one else but the people, by their work had ere- is hidden behind the Yankees’ hate o f the struggle against apartheid in Africa. publication offer $14.95) ated and amassed Cuban revolution? What is it that rationally $13.95 (special offer $10.50) Cuba and Latin America are part of the explains the conspiracy, uniting for the world. Our problems form part of the prob- same aggressive purpose the most power- CHE GUEVARA AND THE CHE GUEVARA AND THE lems engendered by the general crisis of ful and rich imperialist power in the con- FIGHT FOR SOCIALISM CUBAN REVOLUTION imperialism and the struggle of the subju- temporary world and the oligarchies of an TODAY Writings and Speeches o f Ernesto Che Cuevora gated peoples; the clash between the world entire continent, which together are sup- Cuba Confronts the World Crisis of the "90s The most complete that is being bom and the world that is posed to represent a population of 350 mil- MARY-AUCE WATERS collection in En­ dying. The odious and brutal campaign un- lion human beings, against a small country glish. Discusses the Socialism can be leashed against our nation expresses the of only seven million inhabitants, econom- revolutionary war fcuHt only by free desperate as well as futile effort which the ' Continued on Page 14 that brought the men and women workers and fanners who consciously to victory, Cuba’s ef­ work together to lay forts to overcome the foundadons for a Congressmen join campaign economic backward­ new society, trans­ ness; developing a forming themselves new social con­ to get visas for Cuban youth in the process. That sciousness in a soci­ course, championed ety on the road to socialism; and Cuba’s BY DOUG JENNESS member of her country’s National Assem­ by Ernesto Che commitment to freedom struggles around MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — The na­ bly. Diaz has comparable ties to Cuba. Guevara in the early the world. $21.95 (special offer $16.50) tional campaign to urge the U.S. State De­ “ I understand, however,” Peterson contin­ years o f the Cuban revolution, remains partment to grant visas to two Cuban youth ued, “ that the State Department is reconsid­ central for Cuban working people today as CHE GUEVARA: ECONOMICS to visit the United States received a boost ering this action and has invited Rodriguez they confront the biggest challenges yet in when two U.S. congressmen from Minne­ and Diaz to resubmit their applications. I AND POLITICS IN THE the history o f the revolution. Also available TRANSITION TO SOCIALISM sota sent letters pressing for the visas to be urge you to recommend the approval of their in Spanish, French, and Icelandic. approved. visas and see that the process is handled Booklet. $3.50 CARLOS TABLADA Representative M artin Sabo from M inne­ expeditiously.” The two Cuban youth resub­ (special offer $2.75) Based on Guevara’s sota’s 5th district, which includes Minneapo­ mitted their applications January 25. extensive speeches lis, wrote to the State Department, “ I wish to Sim ilar messages sent to Hays so far in ­ and writings, ex­ lend my support to organizers at the Univer­ clude letters from Prof. John Cotman, How­ THE SECOND plains why building sity of Minnesota who wish to sponsor the ard University, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Jo­ DECLARATION socialism is the task visit o f two Cuban researchers as part o f a na­ seph Farry, Dean o f the College, Saint John’s o f free men and tional lecture series in the United States------It University in Collegeville, Minnesota; and o f HAVANA women who trans­ is important for the free exchange o f political Maryann Mahaffey, president of Detroit’s FIDEL CASTRO form themselves views that our country allows such visits.” city council. Docum ent and society at the The youth, Arleen Rodriguez Derivet and On February 7, Rodriguez and Diaz were THE SECOND ratified by a same time. Also Pavel Díaz Hernández, have been invited to interviewed by an official of the U.S. Inter­ DECLARATION available in Spanish rally of one visit the United States for a series o f lectures ests Section in Havana. Although the visit OF HAVANA and French. $17.95 (special offier $13.50) at universities in February and March by of the Cuban youth is scheduled to begin m illion in WITH THE FIRST more than 50 professors and student groups February 15, the U.S. official said they w ill DECLARATION February 1962, CHE GUEVARA, CUBA, AND at 31 campuses in 23 cities. not get an answer to their visa requests OF HAVANA pointing to THE ROAD TO SOCIAUSM Rep. Collin Peterson, from Minnesota’s before February 21. conditions for ARTICLES BY ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA 7th district, located north of the Twin Cities, The Faculty-Student Cuban Youth Lectures revolutionary CARLOS RAFAEL RODRÎGUEZ, CARLOS wrote in a letter to Dennis Hays, Director of Committee at the University of Minnesota in struggle T A B LA D A MARY-AUCE WATERS, STEVE the Office of Cuban Affairs at the State Minneapolis, which is coordinating the visit CLARK, JACK BARNES Department, “Rodriguez and Diaz have by Rodriguez and Diaz, is urging an immedi­ throughout Exchanges from been invited by professors and students to ate all-out effort to get dozens o f additional the Americas. Booklet. $3.00 both the early 1960s messages from professors and other academ­ exchange ideas, values, and opinions with (special offer $2.25) and today on the rel­ ics, politicians, clergy, student leaders, jour­ young people in this country. This is a won­ evance and historic nalists, and other prominent figures urging the derful opportunity for others to hear the importance o f the State Department to expedite the visas. views of those from a country with a differ­ political and eco­ ent political and economic system.” Messages urging the visas be granted PERU’S ‘SHINING PATH’ Anatomy o f a Reactionary Sect nomic perspectives The U.S. Interests Section in Havana ini­ should be sent to: Dennis Hays, Director of MARTIN KOPPEL defended by tially turned down the visa requests by the the Office of Cuban Affairs, U.S. Depart­ Ernesto Che two Cuban youth in January. “The denial of ment of State, 2200 C Street NW, RA-CCA, In a region devastated by the world eco­ Guevara. In New Room 3250, Washington, D.C. 20520. Fax: nomic crisis, the guerrilla group known as the visas,” Peterson wrote, “ on the grounds International no 8. that Rodriguez and Diaz had failed to (202) 736-4475. Shining Path presents itself as a leader of $10.00 demonstrate ‘strong economic, family, or Please send copies to the Faculty-Student the oppressed, directing its appeal to the social ties, or any other strong ties that Cuban Youth Lectures Committee, do Pro­ most impoverished and desperate layers. Joinjhe PATHFINDER would force the applicant to return after a fessor Guillermo Rojas, 102 Scott Hall, 72 But its use o f terrorist methods to impose READERS CLUB reactionary, anti-working-class policies temporary visit to the United States’ is pat­ Pleasant Ave. SE, University o f Minnesota, For ft 110 annual fee you can take advantage ci a p rria l ently specious. Rodriguez is editor o f Cuba’s Minneapolis, MN. 55455. Tel: (612) 624- makes it an enemy o f all working people. offer* like these and get a 15 percent discount oo afl other Also available in Spanish. Booklet $3.50 Pathfinder title*. Available from your local Pathfinder second largest weekly newspaper and a 6005; Fax: (612) 624-3858. Bookstore» aee directory on page 12, or write Pathfinder, (special o ffe r $2.75) 410 We*t Street, New York, NY 10014

February 21,1994 The Militant 9 ‘Marx, Engels on United States’ shows class character of fight against racism

BY MAGGIE TROWE unions; and the free fanners (and would-be Marx and Engels on the United States, farmers) who sought homesteads in the a collection of writings by Karl Marx and western territories. The fanners were the Frederick Engels, founders of the commu­ social base of the radical movement for nist movement, is one of the books fea­ the abolition of slavery and the most dy­ tured by Pathfinder for Black History namic and resolute force against capitalist Month 1994. The writings in this collection slavery. The abortive 1859 attempt by John span from the 1840s, when the tw o young Brown to initiate a slave revolt in Harpers’ fighters participated in the revolutionary Ferry, West Virginia, is the most famous movement in Europe, to 1895, the year example of this movement. Engels died. Marx and Engels were parti­ Slave labor not only degraded the slaves sans o f the fig h t to end slavery in the themselves, but held back the advance o f the United States. Much of their writings ad­ organization and class consciousness o f the dress that struggle, making this collection young working class. “ In the United States a fitting choice for Black History Month. of North America, every independent move­ While most historians date the outbreak ment of the workers was paralyzed so long as slavery disfigured a part of the Republic,” Marx wrote in the chapter of Capital entitled IN REVIEW “The Working Day.” “ Labour cannot eman­ cipate itself in the white skin where in the of the C ivil War to 1861 when the states in Black it is branded,” he said. the southern United States, controlled by the For the firs t few years after the secession capitalist slave-holding oligarchy of cotton by the states o f the so-called Confederacy, plantation owners, seceded. M arx, however, Marx explained, the Northern bourgeoisie dated the beginning o f the war to the 1854 conducted the war as a constitutional con­ struggle of prairie farmers to make Kansas flict to preserve the Union, not as a revolu­ Members ot tne lir/tii u.a. colored troops. Marx anticipated that the U.a. government a slavery-free territory. tionary war. The Lincoln government made would be forced to allow Blacks into the army. “A single Negro regiment would have a remarkable effect on Southern nerves,” he wrote. In “The North American Civil War,” concessions to the slave-holders in border which appeared in Die Presse, Austria’s states that had not seceded. Even during this largest daily newspaper, Marx describes period when the Union army foundered, of the Potomac until he was replaced by cratic rights and for land and the where­ how in that year “ armed emissaries of the however, Marx was confident that the U.S. Ulysses S. Grant, favored compromise with w ithal to t ill it — “ 40 acres and a mule,” as slave holders, border rabble from Missouri the slave owners. the popular slogan put it. and Arkansas, with bowie-knife in one 44------Marx anticipated that Lincoln would be In 1877 the Republicans and Democrats hand and revolver in the other, fell upon Labour cannot forced to take revolutionaiy actions like die gave the go-ahead to the new administration Kansas and sought by the most unheard-of Emancipation Proclamation o f 1863, which of President Rutherford Hayes to withdraw atrocities to dislodge its settlers from the emancipate itself in the freed the slaves and allowed them to serve the troops from the South and began a Territory colonized by them. These raids white skin where in the in the army and navy; the Homestead Act of bloody assault on the gains o f Blacks. That were supported by the central government 1862, which promised free plots of frontier same year, railroad workers canied out a in Washington. Hence a tremendous reac­ Black it is branded... land to settlers; and the act authorizing con­ m ilitant nation-wide strike against pay cuts, tion. ------55 fiscation of the slave owners’ land. These and farmers protested the gifts of huge tracts ‘Throughout the North,” Marx wrote, “ but measures responded to the pressure from the of arable land by the government to the rail particularly in the North-west, a relief organi­ government would eventually be forced to farmers and workers and helped draw them and m ining bosses. zation was formed to support Kansas with take revolutionary measures to defeat the more deeply into the effort to press the war Taking stock o f these developments, men, arms and money. Out o f this re lie f orga­ South. He wrote to a worried Engels in to a victorious end. M arx posed the need fo r a class alliance o f nization arose the Republican Party...” August 1862, “The North w ill finally make Support for the fight against slavery was workers, farmers, and the newly liberated The cultivation of cotton by slave labor war seriously, adopt revolutionary methods strong in the working class in Britain. This Black toilers. continually exhausted the soil, and the slave- and throw over the dom ination'of the border was particularly die case among textile “What do you think of the workers in holding cotton oligarchs consequently were slave statesmen. A single Negro regiment workers, who took the moral high ground in the United States?” Marx wrote to Engels. compelled to seek new territory to provide would have a remarkable effect on Southern calling on Britain to cut o ff cotton trade with “This first eruption against the oligarchy fertile land. Thus the slaveocracy demanded nerves.” the Southern states even though that meant of associated capital which has arisen that the frontier territories become slave Because the slave states could not survive many of the mills where they worked would since the C ivil War w ill of course be put states. with limited territory, it was an all-or-noth­ close. Mass meetings were held in several down, but it could quite well form the The slavery system clashed head-on not ing war for both sides. While the C ivil War cities in England in December 1862 in sol­ starting point for the establishment of a only with the class interests of the Black was a bourgeois democratic revolution, the idarity with the Northern states’ struggle serious labour party in the United States. laborers held in bondage by the system. It last one carried out by the U.S. capitalists, against slavery and against the British gov­ There are moreover two favourable cir­ also collided with the interests of the the actions o f die bourgeois regime of Pres­ ernment’s support for the Confederacy. "The cumstances. The policy o f the new Presi­ classes rising with the advance of indus­ ident Abraham Lincoln were characterized Times and its like are utterly furious over the dent w ill turn the Negroes into allies of trial capitalism — the bourgeoisie in the by compromise, irresoluteness, and corrup­ workers’ meetings in Manchester, Sheffield the workers, and the large expropriations Northern cities; the industrial working tion. M ilitary leaders like George McClel­ and London,” Marx wrote to Engels in Jan­ of land (especially fertile land) in favour class, still in its infancy and largely without lan, the head o f the Union army and the army uary, 1863. “ It is very good that the Yankees of railway, mining, etc. companies w ill have their eyes opened up in this way. By convert the peasants of the West, who are the way, Opdyke (M ayor o f New York and already very disenchanted, into allies of FEBRUARY political economist) has already said at a the workers. Thus a fine mess is in the Pathfinder celebrates meeting in New York: ‘We know that the offing over there.” Marx and Engels on the English working classes are with us, and that The “ Fine mess,” — the development o f United States BLACK the governing classes o f England are against a multinational working-class movement Articles and us.’ ” that forged links with the struggles of work­ letters from 1846 HISTORY The International Working Men’s Asso­ ing farmers — turned out not to be on the M arx to 1895 examine ciation, the First International, of which immediate agenda. The strength of a rising the rise of U.S. MONTH Marx was a founding member, was U.S. capitalism, which emerged as an im­ Engels capitalism and the launched in London in 1864 out of the perialist power in the late 1870s, and the on the 25% Discount challenges facing to members of the momentum of working-class solidarity United the emerging Pathfinder Readers Club with the fight against slavery and the dem­ 44------States working-class OFFER ENDS FEBRUARY 28, 1994 ocratic struggle in Poland against Russian The first necessity is the movement. tsarist rule. The International sent a soli­ darity message to Lincoln as one o f its passing of a law by which Indispensable for February 1965: The Final Speeches .. f . v f U , u.».«. understanding the firs t acts. Malcolm X The defeat of the slaveocracy gave new eight hours shall be the the fight against Speeches from the last three weeks of Malcolm X’s slavery, the C ivil War, and the rise and life, presenting the still accelerating evolution of his energy to the U.S. labor movement. normal working day... defeat o f Radical Reconstruction. $15.95 political views. A large part is material previously “Out of the death of slavery a new life (special offer $11.95) unavailable, with some in print for the first time. at once arose,” Marx wrote. “The first fruit First volume in a chronological series of Malcolm of the C ivil War was the eight hours’ ag­ X’s speeches and writings. $17.95 very limited development of any class-con­ (special offer $13.50) itation, that ran with the seven-leagued scious leadership in the working class Thomas Sankara Speaks boots of the locomotive from the Atlantic The Burkina Faso Revolution, 1983-87 blocked the road to this revolutionary alli­ to the Pacific, from New England to Cal­ The president of Burkina Faso, murdered in Fighting Racism in World War II ance. 1987, tells the story of the revolution that C.LR. James and others ifo rn ia Building such an alliance, however, re­ unfolded in this West African country as peasants A week-by-week account of the struggle against “The General Congress o f Labour at Bal­ mains the key to advancing toward a so­ and workers began confronting hunger, illiteracy, racism and racial discrimination in the United timore (August 16th, 1866) declared: ‘The cialist revolution in the United States and other conditions perpetuated by capitalism. States from 1939 to 1945, taken from the pages of firs t and great necessity o f the present, to J18.95 (special offer $14.50) the socialist newsweekly, the Militant. $20.95 today, in a situation where the formerly (special offer $15.75) free the labour of this country from capital­ largely rural oppressed Black nationality istic slavery, is the passing of a law by which To See the Dawn has become in the big m ajority urban and eight hours shall be the normal working-day proletarian. Baku, 1920—First Congress of the Peoples of the East JOIN THE How can peasants and workers in the colonial PATHFINDER READERS CLUB in all States o f the American Union For those who want to understand the world achieve freedom from imperialist For o $10 annual fee you con lake advantage The movement for the eight-hour day be­ fight against slavery in terms of the struggle exploitation? How can working people overcome of special offers Idee these and get o 15 percent came an international fighL between labor and capital, this readable col­ discount on a ll other Pathfinder tides. divisions incited by their national ruling classes Marx and Engels supported Radical Re­ lection of writings by Marx and Engels is and act together for their common class interests? These questions were addressed by 2,000 Available from your local Pathfinder bookstore, see direc­ construction — the fight for political power one of the best ways to begin. It w ill whet tory on poge 12, or write Pathfinder, 4 1 0 West Street, by Blacks and other toilers in the former delegates to the 1920 Congress of the Peoples of N ew York, NY 10014. Il ordering by moil, please odd the reader’s appetite to venture further into the East. Complete proceedings. $19.95 $ 3 .0 0 for the first title ond $ 0 .5 0 for each additional slave states, which were occupied by Fed­ reading Capital and related volumes o f the (special offer $14.95) book to cover postage ond handling. eral troops after the C iv il War, and the de­ Collected Works o f Marx and Engels, also mands o f the form er slaves fo r fu ll demo­ available from Pathfinder.

10 The Militant February 21,1994 Meetings in Britain win new support for Curtis defense effort

M ark Curtis, a union and political activ­ trumped-up charges. ist from Iowa, was arrested in 1988, beaten Ian Walker, who, like Curtis, had worked by the police, and framed up on rape and in the meatpacking industry, discussed how burglary charges. A fter an unfair trial, he Curtis’s frame-up was connected to the was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He is bosses’ offensive against working people. currently at the John Bennett Correctional He noted the conditions in the Des Moines, Center in Fort Madison, Iowa. Iowa, packinghouse where Curtis was work­ Curtis meets all requirements for pa­ ing at the time of the frame-up. “ It’s just like role. He has served out the rape sentence, Thatcherism in Britain,” he said. His son has an excellent work and personal con­ Duncan is presently jailed for conspiracy on duct record in prison, job offers upon the grounds that he was seen in a pub with release, and widespread community sup­ others who were convicted of robbery. In­ Mark Curtis at John Bennett Correctional Facility in Ft. Madison, Iowa, last April. port. He has been declared mentally fit nocent members have bought eight copies by a prison psychiatrist Supporters of the of the pamphlet “The Stakes In The World­ prison on a frame-up robbery charge. tion the jury in his case had been advised to framed-up unionist have launched a cam­ wide Political Campaign To Defend Mark Like McCarthy, he has reftised to end his interpret silence as guilt. paign to demand that Curtis be granted Curtis” by John Gaige. fight for justice or let the matter drop. He Robertson said that working people need a parole hearing and released. Letters At the Militant Labor Forum, McCarthy reported the difficulties he had attempting to work to involve the trade unions in the requesting a hearing for Curtis can be and Da Silva joined Julie Hart, representing to secure the services of a Black barrister fight against political frame-ups. Hart said sent to the Iowa State Board of Parole, noted for his defense of frame-up victims. that while members of Innocent were deter­ Capitol Annex, 523 East 12th St, Des Innocent; Toby May, the son o f Susan May, who is now serving a 15-year sentence for He also explained how the British govern­ mined to fight and depend upon their own Moines, IA 50319. Copies should be sent murder; and Hugh Robertson a supporter of ment’s move to introduce new laws remov­ strengths, she couldn’t see “ that the Labour to the Mark Curtis Defense Committee, ing a suspect’s right to silence affected his Party or the unions have been on the side o f P.O. Box 1048, Des Moines, IA 50311. the Mark Curtis defense campaign. Da Silva, who is Black, spent seven years in case. Even before the law’s formal introduc- working people since 1945.” BY PETE KENNEDY MANCHESTER, England — Two events here in January gave supporters o f Mark Cur­ tis opportunities to win new backing for the Congress curbs earthquake relief for framed unionist, and gave local frame-up vic­ tims and others a chance to discuss why such attacks on democratic rights take place today. undocumented workers in California A showing of the video The Frame-Up of Mark Curtis was hosted by the campaign BY HARRY RING speaks to meanness, it speaks to immigrant came down and all o f a sudden these people group Innocent at its regular meeting in the LOS ANGELES — Congress dealt a blow bashing . . . it says that everyone who looks had no place to go.” Ancoats district of Manchester. Later the to democratic and human rights when it voted different is going to be questioned over and Federal officials here also instituted pol­ same week the M ilitant Labor Forum hosted to curb disaster aid for undocumented immi­ over again.” icies to make it more difficult for people to a program. grant victim s o f the earthquake here. The measure is intended to intimidate get food stamps. Initially, emergency food Innocent, which was formed last year by The measure, an amendment to an earth­ immigrant quake victims from seeking even stamps were issued as soon as a quake vic­ frame-up victims, their families, and friends, quake relief b ill, was approved by the House the minimal emergency aid to which — so tim applied. Now there is a three-day wait fights to expose miscarriages of justice and February 3 by a vote o f 337 to 54. Senate far — they are entitled. while applications are checked out Appli­ support those imprisoned. “ We were won­ action on the legislation was to follow . In the San Fernando valley, the area hard­ cants are notified by mail if they qualify. dering who this Mark Curtis was, but now The bill excludes undocumented immi­ est h it by the trembler, curbing aid to im m i­ we know he’s just like us,” group members grants left homeless by the quake from re­ grants is no small matter. Latinos, many here Queried on how those left homeless w ill Gerry McCarthy and Mike da Silva said. ceiving federal rent subsidies granted for an w ithout papers, are one-third o f the valley’s receive the mailed notices, a staff worker at McCarthy served nine years in jail for 18-month period. Undocumented home­ population. But they comprise 58 percent of the Federal Emergency Management conspiracy to rob after being setup by Man­ owners are denied access to low-cost federal those seeking shelter after the quake. Agency said, “They’ll have to find alternate chester cops. home repair loans. Sim ilar loans to small An estimated 85 percent earn less than ways of receiving it.” “I subpoenaed the cops for my trial,” businesspeople w ill be barred. $20,000 a year. O fficials and the media ju s tify the change McCarthy said. “They were never made to “This is the beginning of changing gov­ “I don’t think we knew how many truly with claims of massive fraud by those ob­ appear.” McCarthy, who is Irish, described ernment policy on how we spend our social poor people live in the San Fernando valley taining stamps. This, however, has proven how the cops had dug up his garden and dollars,” said Rep. Ron Packard, who intro­ because it was not possible to see it before­ to be a hoax. In one week, officials say, just the floorboards o f his house on the pretext duced the amendment. It was, he said, “ a hand,” federal housing secretary Henry Cis­ 15 people have been arrested for buying or of searching for weapons or connecting huge, huge victory.” neros said. “There were tripled-up families selling stamps on the street. him with the Irish Republican movement. The chair of the Congressional Hispanic living in dilapidated apartment buildings, in According to a front-page headline in the He was rearrested recently on new Caucus, Rep. José Serrano, said, “ This issue garages behind buildings. Those garages Los Angeles Times, county quake aid work­ ers are also being probed fo r fraud.

Clinton to slash social programs in budget Reporter’s notebook Continued from front page spending by $427 million on programs for for health services on Indian reservations BY KEVIN JONES percent less is projected to be spent on the homeless. would be reduced by $247 m illion. LOS ANGELES — While the earth­ HOME grants to state and local govern­ Other projects facing the budget ax include “ We had to cut spending on yesterday’s quake damage in my apartment was ments for construction, rehabilitation, and Rural Electrification Administration loan outmoded programs so we can bring down being repaired, I made time to talk with rental assistance. subsidies, public broadcasting, and 70 per­ the deficit,” stated C linton, who charac­ some o f the people who were left a lot Some administration officials attempt to cent less for the Next Generation Weather Ra­ terized many o f these projects as “ hav[ing] worse off. justify such drastic cuts in funding for public dar project, which would provide earlier been trapped in a time warp, frozen in by­ I talked with a young woman who is housing by pointing to plans to increase warnings of tornados and hurricanes. Funds gone days.” Black at a Red Cross disaster aid center The operations and maintenance budget in Northridge. She had been waiting for the Pentagon w ill increase by 2 percent nearly seven hours and was just about under Clinton’s proposals. M ilitary spending to get her number called to apply for food stamps. She does computer w o k AVAILABLE FROM Volume 34 w ill rise $2.8 billion to a total of $264 billion for fiscal 1995, which begins October 1. The at home and her husband is a city san­ PATHFINDER of the Collected Works of White House projects spending $1.2 trillion itation worker. Their house was badly on the m ilitary over the next five years. damaged, she said, and they have no M arx and Engels earthquake insurance. Nearly 2 percent, or $28 billion, of the I asked her how she felt die emer­ The last of seven volumes presenting Marx’s $1.5 trillion federal budget is for top secret gency relief was being handled. “Not KARL rough drafts and notes for Capital military and spy agency projects. very well,” she replied. MARX Now, for the first time, all the preparatory writings— One huge expenditure that the administra­ I also dropped by Dodger stadium, some never before in English—are available complete and in tion w ill certainly not attempt to reduce are now one o f the main places food stamps one [dace, in volumes 28-34, from International Publishers. interest payments on the national debt. In FREDERICK Volume 34 contains. .. the final part of Marx’s 1861-63 are distributed. The lines seemed to be rough draft, parts of which previously appeared as Theories 1995 this expenditure, which fills the coffers moving fairly smoothly, except it takes ENGELS of Surplus Value... plus ‘ Results of the Direct Production o f the wealthy bondholders, amounts to $212 longer for those who speak Spanish, Process,” initially drafted as the last chapter of volume 1 of billion, 15 percent o f the entire budget. who must wait for translation. CapitaL While cutting various social programs, Collected Other volumes contain an improved translation of Later, I talked with a woman from Marx’s 1857-61 rough draft (the Grundrisse) and his 1859 the administration is seeking $22 billion as Mexico who is doing volunteer work Works Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy. part of its crime legislation package, which for the Red Cross. She didn’t like all Together, these are invaluable to a better understanding of w ill place 100,000 additional cops on the the immigrant-bashing. These attacks, how capitalism exploits workers and farmers the world over \tìume 34 streets, build new high-security prisons, and she said, have the effect of keeping Mane 1861-T864 to enrich a wealthy handful—and why that system leads to oppression, social crises, depressions, and war. further restrict the democratic rights of undocumented workers from applying Vol. 34—$25. For members of Pathfinder Readers Club, working people. for the emergency help they need. They all 7 volumes for $150—a $25 savings. The proposed budget includes $2.3 bil­ are fearful o f being arrested or de­ lion for prison operating funds. About $589 ported. She was also critical of the fact Available at bookstores hsted on page 12 or at the address below. If ordering by mad, please add $4.00 for the first title and $1.00 for each additional book to cover postage and handling. million is allocated for prison construction. that die people who do apply are not According to Attorney General Janet Reno, told about the different kinds of aid they PATHFINDER, 410 WEST ST., NEW YORK, NY 10014. FAX (212) 727-0150 this w ill provide an additional 9,700 new might be eligible for. prison beds.

February 21,1994 The Militant 11 — MILITANT LABOR FORUMS

CALIFORNIA Socialist Educational Conference Los Angeles Malcolm X: The Evolution of a Revolution­ FEBRUARY 19-20 Miami, Florida ary. Speakers: Ajamu Ajani, president, Black SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Student Association at Santa Monica College, 2:30 p.m.—Mary-Alia Waters on: Cuba’s member o f A ll African People’s Revolutionary Revolution Confronts a Crossroads in the Fight Party; Ollie Bivens, member o f United Auto for Socialism: Report Back from a Recent Visit Workers Local 148. Excerpt w ill be shown 7:30 p.m.—Jack Barnes on: World Capitalist Politics in the 90s: ‘Downsizing,’ ’Cultural War,’ from PBS special “ Malcolm X: Make It Plain.” and Global Instability Sat., Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. 2546-C W. Pico Blvd. Donation: $4. Tel: (213) 380-9460. SUNDAY FEBRUARY 20 10:00 a.m.— Tom Leonard on: Trade Unions and San Francisco the Fight Against Imperialist Wan Lessons from The Political Legacy of Malcolm X. Sat., Feb. the Maritime Union in World War II 19, 7 p.m. 3284 23rd St. Donation $3. Tel: (415) 1:30 p.m.—Betsy Farley and Rollande Girard on: A Class Perspective on the Fight for Women’s 282-6255. Liberation From Baby Jessica to the Date Rape Debate and the Bobbitt Controversy 4:30 p.m.—Eyewitness Report from the Fight for a Democratic, Nonracial South Africa MICHIGAN Speaker to be announced.

Detroit THE DAYS INN Miami Airport Hotel Celebrate the New Pathfinder Release: Nel­ 3401 N.W. Lejeune Road son Mandela Speaks: Forging a Democratic, Registration $25.00 ($5.00 for each class) Nonracial South Africa. Speakers: Ernest For more information call (305) 756-1020 Goodman, civil libertarian who was part of Mandela’s legal defense team at the Rivonia trial in 1963 and 1964; Nathan Head, United Vancouver Auto Workers (UAW) international repre­ Cuba’s Revolution Confronts a Crossroads in sentative, C ivil Rights Department; Mike Les­ the Fight fo r Socialism. Speaker Michel Prairie, lie, Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, editor of Nouvelle Internationale, attended the United Auto Workers Local 735, visited South Fourth Latin American and Caribbean Confer­ Africa in 1993; Greg Rosenberg, reporter for Militant/Hilda Cuzco ence for Solidarity, Sovereignty, Self-Determina­ the Militant just returned from South Africa. Marcella Fitzgerald, a leader of the Communist League in Britain, speaking in Brook­ tion and Life of our Peoples held in Havana at F it, Feb. 18, 7 p.m. Reception 6 p.m. 7414 lyn, New York, at January 22 forum on struggle for self-determination in Ireland. the end of January. Thurs., Feb. 17, 7 p.m. 3967 Woodward Ave. Donation; $4. Tel; (313) 875- Main St. (between 23rd and 24 Ave). Donation: 0100. $4. Tel: (604) 872-8343. Gower St., Spital H ill. Donation: £2. Tel: 0742- BRITAIN 765070. NORTH CAROLINA Manchester NEW ZEALAND Their Morals and Ours. Speaker Ann Fiander, Christchurch Greensboro Communist League, member of Amalgamated CANADA South Africa: Support ANC’s Election Cam­ South A frica: The Revolution Advances. Engineering and Electrical Union. Sat., Feb. 19, Montreal paign. Speaker: Carolyn Alien, Communist Speakers: Students from South Africa; Marty 6 p.m. First Floor, 60 Shudehill. Donation: £2. Malcolm X, His Life and Ideas. Documentary League. Report w ill be presented from meeting Boyers, member of United Auto Workers Local Tel: 061-839 1766. video of speeches, interviews with Malcolm X. in Sydney that launched the new Pathfinder book 1597 and the Socialist Workers Party. Sat., Feb. Sheffield Discussion to follow. Fri., Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m. Nelson Mandela Speaks: Forging a Democratic, 19,7:30 p.m. 2000-C S. Elm-Eugene St., Dona­ Eyewitness Report o f Recent Trip to Ireland 4581 St. Denis. Donation $4. Tel: (514) 284- Nonracial South Africa. Sat., Feb. 26,7 p.m. 199 tion: S3. Tel:(910) 272-5996. by Militant Reporters. Sat., Feb. 19, 6 p.m. 1 7369. High St. Donation: $3. Tel: (3) 365-6055.

TEXAS — CALENDAR— Houston MARYLAND Representative in Australia; Bob Hawke, Pa­ FLORIDA tron, Australians for Democracy in South A f­ Malcolm X: The Final Years. The Evolution Miami C olum bia rica; Marcelino Fajardo, Consul-General of o f a Revolutionary. Speaker Jeaniel Clement, Support the U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment in. Rally and Dinner to Welcome U.S.-Cuba Cuba; Kevin Tory, Trade Union Committee for Socialist Workers Party. SaL, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. End the U.S. Embargo Against Cuba. Speaker Friendshipment Cuban Dinner, the Malcolm X Aboriginal Rights; Meredith Burgmann, Labor 6969 Gulf Freeway #250. Donation $4. Tel: (713) Rev. Lucius Walker, leader o f the Inter-religious Park Drummers, music by the Companions. MLC, NSW Parliament; Paul Matters, Secre­ 644-9066. Foundation for Community Organizations Speakers from the Friendshipment caravan. Sat., tary, South Coast Labor Council; Mamie Ken­ (IFCO) and Pastors for Peace. Wed., Feb. 16, Ffeb. 26,6 to 9 p.m. Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, nedy, Pathfinder Books. Thurs., Feb. 17,7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Jerusalem Church, 4201 N.E. 2nd Ave. TWin Rivers & Trumpeter roads For more infor­ Reception: 6 p.m. Construction, Forestry, Min­ UTAH Sponsored by the Miami-Cuba Friendship Com­ mation, call (410) 467-9388 ext. 3. ing & Energy Union, 361 Kent St. Sponsored mittee. Donation: $3. For more information, call by Pathfinder Books. For more information, Salt Lake City (305) 221-2837. call 02-281 3297. Eyewitness Report. South Africa Today: The PENNSYLVANIA Revolution Unfolds. Speaker Brian Pugh, So­ Philadelphia cialist Workers Party, part of a delegation of GEORGIA Send OfT for the 3rd U.S.-Cuba Friendship­ CANADA young socialists who just returned from South Atlanta ment Caravan. Fri., Feb. 25, 7 p.m. German­ Africa. Attended African National Congress Dinner to Welcome Third U.S.-Cuba Friend- town Friends Meeting, 47 W. Coulter St. (be­ Vancouver Youth League conference and participated in hipment Caravan to Atlanta. Mon., Feb. 28, tween Germantown and Greene, 2-3 blocks south End the U.S. Embargo o f Cuba. International opening weeks of Nelson Mandela’s election 6:30 p.m. First Existentialist Church, 470 Can­ of Chelten). Sponsored by the Cuba Support rally to support the Friendshipment caravan to campaign. Sat., Feb. 19, 7 p.m. 147 E. 900 S. dler Park Drive. For further information, call Coalition. For more information, call (215) 729- Cuba. Help support the border crossing. Sun., Donation: $3. Tel: (801) 355-1124. Robin Singer at (404) 377-1079. 8514 or (215) 426-0364. Feb. 20,12 noon. Peace Arch Park, Blaine Border Crossing. Organized in Canada by: Vancouver- Cuba Friendshipment, Victoria Goods for Cuba Pathfinder books ILLINOIS AUSTRALIA Committee, Nanaimo-Cuba Friendshipment. In Chicago Sydney the U.S.A.: Seattle-Cuba Friendshipment, Ta­ Rally for ANC Victory! Featured speaker. Jeff Celebrate the Publication of the New Book coma Committee in Solidarity with the People of well received at Radebe, member ANC National Executive Com­ from Pathfinder Press: Nelson Mandela Latin America, Olympia-Cuba Friendshipment, mittee and chairperson, ANC Southern Natal. Speaks: Forging a Democratic, Nonracial Bellingham Friends of Cuba, Portland Campaign Havana meeting Sun., Feb 13. 6:30-9:00 p.m. First Baptist Con­ South Africa. Special guest speaker Ndumiso for Peace with Cuba. For more information, call gregational Church, 1613 W. Washington. Ntishinga, African National Congress, Chief (604) 737-1299; in the U.S.A.: (206) 322-5722. Continued from Page 8 the pamphlet by Mary-Alice Waters Che Guevara and the Fight fo r Socialism Today IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP (14 copies were sold). A ll together, 27 copies o f the various issues o f the Spanish, English, Where to find Pathfinder books and Zip: 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. BRITAIN and French editions o f the New International distributors of the Militant, Perspectiva NEW YORK: Brooklyn: 59 4th Avenue London: 47 The Cut. Postal code: SE1 8LL. magazine were sold during the conference. Mondial, New International, Nouvelle In­ (comer of Bergen) Zip: 11217 Tel: (718) 399- Tel: 071-928-7993. Participants also eagerly purchased three ternationale, and Nueva Internacional. 7257; New York: 214-16 Avenue A. Mailing Manchester: Unit 4, 60 Shudehill. Postal dozen xeroxed copies of major political address: P.O. Box 2652. Zip: 10009. Tel: (212) code: M4 4AA. Tel: 061-839 1766. UNITED STATES 388-9346; 167 Charles St. Zip: 10014. Tel: articles previously published in Per­ Sheffield: 1 Gower St., Spital H ill, Postal ALABAMA: Birmingham: 111 21st St. (212) 366-1973. spectiva Mundial, including 14 copies of code: S47HA. Tel: 0742-765070. South. Zip: 35233. Tel: (205) 323-3079. NORTH CAROLINA: Greensboro: 2000-C “In Defense of Revolutionary Nicaragua: CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2546 W. Pico S. Elm-Eugene St. Zip 27406. Tel: (910) 272- CANADA The Eroding Foundations of the Workers Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380-9460, 380- 5996. Montreal: 4581 Saint-Denis. Postal code: H2J and Peasants Government” and “ The Sec­ 9640. San Francisco: 3284 23rd St. Zip: 94110. OHIO: Cincinnati: P.O. Box 19484. Zip: 2L4. Tel: (514) 284-7369. ond Assassination of Maurice Bishop.” Tel: (415) 282-6255. 45219. Tel: (513) 221 -2691. Cleveland: 1863 W. Toronto: 827 Bloor St. West. Postal code: Eye-catching displays of the Pathfinder CONNECTICUT: New Haven: Mailing ad­ 25th St. Zip: 44113. Tel: (216) 861-6150. M6G 1M1. Tel: (416) 533-4324. mural painted on the building housing the dress: P.O. Box 16751, Baybrook Station, West PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 1906 Vancouver: 3967 Main St. Postal code: V5V editorial offices in New York and of the Haven. Zip: 06516. Tel: (203) 688-5418. South St. Zip: 19146. Tel: (215) 546-8218. Pitts­ 3P3. Tel: (604) 872-8343. defense campaign for union and political FLORIDA: Miami: 137 N.E. 54th St. Zip: burgh: 4905 Penn Ave. Zip 15224. Tel: (412) FRANCE 33137. Tel: (305) 756-1020. 362-6767. activist Mark Curtis, jailed on frame-up GEORGIA: Atlanta: 172 Trinity Ave. Zip: Paris: 8, allee Berlioz 94800 V illejuif Tel: (1) charges in the United States, evoked broad TEXAS: Houston: 6969 Gulf Freeway, Suite 47-26-58-21 30303. Tel: (404) 577-4065. 250. Zip: 77087. Tel. (713) 644-9066. interest and many discussions on the class ILLIN O IS : Chicago: 545 W. Roosevelt Rd. UTAH: Sait Lake City: 147 E. 900 S. Zip: ICELAND struggle in the United States. Zip: 60607. Tel: (312) 829-6815, 829-7018. 84111. Tel: (801) 355-1124. Reykjavik: Kiapparstig 26. Mailing address: The last morning of the conference, IOWA: Des Moines: 2105 Forest Ave. Zip: WASHINGTON, D.C.: 1802 Belmont Rd. P. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. Tel: (91) 17513. when books were also sold in Cuban pesos, 50311. Tel: (515)246-8249. N.W. Zip: 20009. Tel: (202) 387-2185. NEW ZEALAND the Pathfinder table was overwhelmed. MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: 780 Tremont WASHINGTON: Seattle: 1405 E. Madison. St. Zip: 02118. Tel: (617) 247-6772. Auckland: La Gonda Arcade, 203 Karan- Virtually every Spanish title and dozens Zip: 98122. Tel: (206) 323-1755. gahape Road. Postal Address: P.O. Box 3025. Tel: M ICHIGAN: Detroit: 7414 Woodward Ave. more in English were gone within a couple WEST VIR G IN IA: Morgantown: 242 Wal­ (9) 379-3075. Zip: 48202. Tel: (313) 875-0100. o f hours. nut. Mailing address: P.O. Box 203. Zip: 26507. Christchurch: 199 High St. Postal address: MINNESOTA: Twin Cities: 508 N. Snelling Tel: (304) 296-0055. P.O. Box 22-530. Tel: (3) 365-6055. A picture of the table appeared in the Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: (612) 644-6325. February 9 issue o f Granma International, MISSOURI: St. Louis: 1622 S. Broadway. AUSTRALIA SWEDEN published in Cuba. A crew of Argentinian Zip: 63104. Tel: (314) 421-3808. Sydney: 19 Terry St., Suny Hills 2010. Mail­ Stockholm: Vikingagatan 10 (T-bana St students filmed the table for a program on NEW JERSEY: Newark: 141 Halsey. Mail­ ing address: P.O. Box K879, Haymarket, NSW Eriksplan). Postal code: S-113 42. Tel: (08) 31 university television in their country. ing address: 1188 Raymond Blvd., Suite 222. 2000. Tel: 02-281-3297. 69 33.

12 The Militant February 21,1994 GREAT SOCIETY Read it and retch — “ I lost my doling out vouchers to some of But then they don’t really than Rover about preserving British four percent saluting the legal pro­ job the day o f the quake. The lady those left homeless by the quake count — One outfit helping to un­ culture. Rover, Britain’s last major fession. I work for in Beverly Hills took and who need cash to get a new clog L.A. commuter arteries offers carmaker, is being sold to Germa­ my job away because I didn’t go to place. But if you were homeless a 25-minute hop over the battered ny’s BMW. A Tokyo spokesperson Yo, Mr. Magoo! — Spectacles, a before the quake, don’t bother get­ freeways for $66 round trip. Ob­ for Honda, which owns 20 percent San Francisco shop, is featuring a ting in line. You don’t qualify. Also, serves the chief pilot: “That proba­ of Rover, huffed, “ We have been line of Cartier eyeglass frames. the city’s Red Cross shelter director bly doesn’t appeal to the low-end cooperating with Rover for 15 years Solid gold or platinum and studded confirmed that at the particular consumer.” with the aim of maintaining the with diamonds or other rocks, shelter he’s running, you need ID Britishness and Rovemess of the $85,000. and “ some proof or indication of See, it was for their own good indigenous British company.” residence” to get in. — The owner of the Northridge Royal trip — Confirming that apartment building which collapsed Almost as bad as the legal sys­ he’s a regular fella, Charles, Prince That’s what makes America in the quake, killing 16 people, is tem — In Florida, 875 readers re­ of Wales, and his entourage, flew to work on Monday. How was I sup­ great — “ Recognizing an earth- one of a group of landlords that had sponded to a newspaper query Australia on a regular Qantas flight. posed to go clean her house in quake-bome business opportunity been targeted earlier in a class ac­ about what they thought of lawyers, He did graciously accept free first- Beverly Hills if I was out here?” when they see one, a number of tion suit charging discrimination which wasn’t much. A thumping 86 class tickets from the Australian — Ana Morales. The quake left small aviation companies have against rental applicants who are percent saw them as a plague on government, and we do hope he her and her family living in the rushed to offer services connecting Black. society, with one-quarter charging enjoyed the first-class food — su­ street. the Antelope and Santa Clarita val­ that they prey on others’ miseries. shi, prawns, oysters, duck, lobster, leys with the San Fernando Valley Somebody’s got to do it — Ten percent felt that the problem etc. And, of course, silver service, The sane society — The feds are and Los Angeles.” — News Item. Honda seems to be more concerned was one of a few bad apples, with none of the economy-class plastic. Gov’t exposed Puerto Rico activist to radiation BY RON RICHARDS When one wants to read and they do not totally exterminate the population. It might Senator Eudaldo Bâez-Galib, wrote to U.S. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Gov. Pedro allow it, they shoot rays at the eyes. Under then be livable. I have done my best to Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary to ask for Rosselló has ordered an investigation into these conditions they have had me for three further the process of extermination by k ill­ the release of this information. charges that prison authorities subjected Na­ years. This crime, I repeat, is the responsi­ ing off 8 and transplanting cancer into sev­ tionalist Party president Pedro Albizu Cam­ bility of the government of the United States eral more. The latter has not resulted in any Ron Richards is a member o f Local 1503 o f pos Campos to radiation from 1950 to 1953 and all the nationalists have been victims. fatalities so fa r. . . The matter of consider­ the American Federation o f Government while he was in a Puerto Rican prison. This La Princesa is a center of crime. ation for the patients’ welfare plays no role Employees in San Juan, Puerto Rico. marks the first official investigation into the “ I was held in solitary confinement since here — in fact, all physicians take delight in 40-year-old allegations. my arrest in November 1950 until February the abuse and torture of the unfortunate Albizu Campos was the most important 1951. On February 18,1951,1 was subjected subjects,” states Rhoads. fighter for the independence of Puerto Rico to an electronic attack that left me uncon­ The investigation into the treatment of in this century. He was arrested in 1936 and scious. For the first time in my life I lost Albizu Campos comes in the wake of rev­ spent 10 years in prison after being con­ consciousness.” elations that the U.S. government con­ victed of trying to overthrow the govern­ In 1953 a team of doctors examined A l­ ducted secret radiation experiments on ment of the United States. By the time of his bizu Campos. His accusations of mistreat­ hundreds of people over several decades. death in April 1965, Albizu Campos had ment were used as evidence that he was “ a The Puerto Rican Justice Department has spent 25 years in U.S. and Puerto Rican jails. crazy fanatic." assigned two investigators to the case. The The health of Albizu Campos declined José Trias Mange, a former secretary of Corrections Administration is also carrying dramatically in the three years that he was justice and chief justice of the Common­ out an investigation. imprisoned in La Princesa in Puerto Rico. wealth Supreme Court, headed up the team. In addition to Rossello, who is a mem­ Photos in a book entitled ¡Yo acuso¡ by He has refused to speak publicly about the ber of the pro-statehood New Progressive historian Pedro Aponte Vasquez show him case. Party, leaders of the pro-status quo Popular walking confidently into the prison in 1950. The charges were raised again in 1984 Democratic Party have also joined the call Three years later he had swollen limbs with when Aponte testified before the Decoloni­ for public disclosure of any information sores. He spent his time in bed and covered zation Committee of the United Nations. ¡Yo about Puerto Ricans who were subjected his skin with cold cream and wet towels. He acuso!, published in 1985, documents the to radiation. was frequently incoherent. He was rear­ evidence he collected. Aponte believes that rested in 1954 after a group of Nationalists Albizu Campos was subjected to radioactive On January 13 the Puerto Rican Senate led by Lolita Lebrón fired shots in the U.S. sources, including early versions of lasers, unanimously approved a resolution calling Congress building. He died of cancer in which were then in the development stage. on the Energy Department of the United 1965. At the time of his death he was para­ The late Ruth Reynolds was a woman States to release such records. The sponsor lyzed and could not speak. from the United States who spent time in of the resolution, Popular Democratic Party Albizu Campos in 1936 prison for her activities in solidarity with the Responsibility of U.S. government Nationalist Party. This is what she said in a The charges that he was purposely exposed declaration given to Aponte. 25 AND 50 YEARS AGO to high levels of radiation were first raised by “ Dr. Orlando Daumy, a Cuban radiolo­ Albizu Campos himself when he was re­ gist, diagnosed the condition [of Albizu be fought is with an undemocratic army, leased from La Princesa prison in 1953. Campos] in November [1953] as ‘bums where GIs cannot be allowed to think, to “ When one receives an atomic attack all similar to those seen in cancer patients suf­ discuss the war and speak out against i t ” the body swells up,” he wrote that year. fering from overdoses of radiation.’ ” Meanwhile, the brass have moved to Aponte accuses Dr. Cor­ frame up five black GIs who are active in nelius Rhoads of being the GIs United. The charges run from disobey­ central figure behind the ing an order to go to bed, to a charge of brutal mistreatment of the assault. In two cases charges have been in­ independence fighter. dicated but not actually filed. Do GIs have the right to freely discuss the Rhoads had clashed with A l­ war in Vietnam? Growing numbers of GIs at bizu Campos when he lived Ft. Jackson, [South Carolina], think they do. in Puerto Rico in the 1930s. A petition circulated by antiwar GIs at After World War II Rhoads Ft. Jackson and calling on the post com­ worked for the Atomic En­ mander to authorize and provide facilities ergy Commission and was for an open meeting to discuss the war has February 19, 1944 decorated by the military for met an immediate favorable response. In exposing schemes by which German his work in the development The petition requests permission of the financiers hope to cling to their power after of chemical warfare. Ft. Jackson commanding officer to hold an the fall of Hitler, the New York Post has While it has not been open meeting on the post on Feb. 26 at traced the interwoven threads of world cap­ proven that Rhoads per­ which all those concerned can freely discuss italist intrigue. formed any experiments on the legal and moral questions relating to the Under a plan attributed to Hjalmar Albizu Campos while he war in Vietnam and to the civil rights of Schacht, British and American capital would was in prison, there is no American citizens both within and outside take a share in the ownership of German doubt that he was a racist, sa­ the armed forces. The petition was initiated industry, while leaving to German financiers distic killer. A hospital em­ by a group calling itself GIs United Against full control of a political regime designed to ployee found a letter Rhoads the War in Vietnam. crush the expected revolt of the workers. had written in 1931 and sent The group has issued a policy statement The headquarters of this conspiracy is the a copy of it to Albizu Cam­ which says in part: Bank of International Settlements at Basle, pos, who then published it. “ We, as GIs, are forced to suffer most of Switzerland, founded in 1930 to fulfill loan “ I can get a damn fine job all in the Vietnam fiasco. Many of us were arrangements under the Young plan. The here and am tempted to take drafted into the Army against our will — BIS acts as a clearing house for the financial it,” wrote Rhoads from nearly all of us are kept in its grasp against deals of international cartels. Puerto Rico. “ It would be our will — all in order to carry out this President of BIS is Thomas H. McKit- ideal except for the Porto illegal, immoral and unjust war. We are trick, American financier who on Nov. 23, Ricans — they are beyond forced to fight and die in a war we did not 1943 was accused by a Morgenthau aide of doubt the dirtiest, laziest, create and in which we don’t believe. doing business with Germany “ while Amer­ most degenerate and thiev­ “This is not to mention the tens of thou­ ican soldiers are fighting German soldiers.” ish race of men ever inhab­ sands of innocent Vietnamese who are dying A former president of BIS is Leon Fraser, iting this sphere. It makes at our hands, many of them killed only now president of the Rockefeller First Na­ you sick to inhabit the same because we can no longer tell the difference tional Bank of New York which is affiliated island with them. They are between them and our ‘enemies.’ with BIS. even lower than the Italians. “ And while all this goes on, the Army The board of directors of BIS, which “ What the island needs is continues to trample on our rights as well as alone votes its policy, includes repre­ Puerto Rican independence fighter Pedro Albizu Campos not public health work, but our lives. And there’s a reason for it: This is sentatives from both Axis and Allied na­ shows effects in 1953 of forced exposure to radiation. a tidal wave or something to an undemocratic war — the only way it can tions.

February 21,1994 The Militant 13 — EDITORIALS------Second declaration Continued from Page 9 ically underdeveloped, without financial or military means to threaten the security or economy of any other Support aid caravan to Cuba country? What unites them and stirs them up is fear. What explains it is fear. Not fear of the Cuban revolution The next few weeks offer an important opportunity to the Cuban revolution represents. For 35 years, workers and but fear of the Latin-American revolution. Not fear of defend the Cuban revolution and build opposition to Wash­ farmers in Cuba, led by the communist leadership there, the workers, peasants, intellectuals, students and progres­ ington’s criminal trade and travel ban against the Caribbean have fought to build a new society based on human soli­ sive layers of the middle strata which by revolutionary country. The third U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment caravan can darity and internationalism, not the dog-eat-dog market means have taken power in Cuba; but fear that the work­ help break Cuba’s isolation and expose the lie that Wash­ system. ers, peasants, students, intellectuals and progressive sec­ ington’s policy of trying to starve Cuba into submission is That’s what Washington — as well as Ottawa and all tors of the middle strata w ill by revolutionary means based on concern for democracy or human rights. It can other imperialist governments — hate so much about take power in the oppressed and hungry countries ex­ also be an important vehicle to win new fighters to the Cuba. It is a living, socialist revolution made by workers ploited by the Yankee monopolies and reactionary oli­ banner of the socialist revolution. and farmers in their millions who will not give up and who garchies of America, fear that the plundered people of As the Friendshipment gears up in dozens of cities demonstrate to toilers around the world that it is possible the continent w ill seize the arms from their oppressors across the United States and Canada, defenders of the to stand up and fight. The Friendshipment won’t change and, like Cuba, declare themselves free people of Amer­ Cuban revolution have a chance to reach out to broader the imperialists’ hatred for Cuba and their policy of eco­ ica. forces. Supporters o f the aid caravan are hosting public nomic embargo. But along the caravan routes, and in the By crushing the Cuban revolution they hope to dispel the meetings, campus discussions, video showings, and fund­ events to build and support the Friendshipment, many fear that torments them, the specter of the revolution that raising parties. Activists can appeal widely for aid, from workers and youth will leam from and be inspired by the threatens them. By liquidating the Cuban revolution, they leafleting supermarkets and street comers to talking with Cuban revolution. hope to liquidate the revolutionary spirit of the people___ coworkers, students, farmers, and others about the Cuban Thirty-two years ago, in the Second Declaration of At Punta del Este1 a great ideological battle unfolded revolution and U.S. embargo. As the caravan itself moves Havana, Cuban president Fidel Castro explained the need between the Cuban revolution and Yankee imperialism. along, meetings at each stop and rallies at the Canada- for socialist revolution throughout the Americas. “ Each Who did they represent there, for whom did each speak? U.S. and U.S.-Mexico border w ill also be important focal year that the liberation of America is speeded up will mean Cuba represented the people; the United States repre­ points. the lives of millions of children saved, millions of intellects sented the monopolies. Cuba spoke for America’s ex­ There is a severe economic crisis in Cuba today. The saved for culture, an infinite quantity of pain spared the ploited masses; the United States for the exploiting, medicine, food, and other supplies that the Friendshipment people,” he said. oligarchal and imperialist interests; Cuba for sovereignty; will bring, though they are a drop in the bucket, are TTie best help working people in the United States can the United States for intervention; Cuba for the nation­ certainly needed. But what w ill win new forces to join in give our brothers and sisters in Cuba is to march together alization of foreign enterprises; the United States for new the Friendshipment and other efforts is not sympathy with down that same road, as equals in the fight to rid the world investments by foreign capital. Cuba for culture; the the “ suffering” Cuban people, but admiration for their of capitalism and build a new society. Through building United States for ignorance. Cuba for agrarian reform; fighting spirit. the Friendshipment, more people can be won to this course the United States for great landed estates. Cuba for the Workers and young people are attracted to the struggle charted by socialist Cuba. industrialization of America; the United States for under­ development. Cuba for creative work; the United States for the sabotage end counter-revolutionary terror prac­ ticed by its agents — the destruction o f sugar-cane fields and factories, the bombing by their pirate planes of the Grant visas to Cuban youth labor of a peaceful people. Cuba for the murdered al­ phabetizes; the United States for the assassins. Cuba for Dozens of professors and student groups from 31 cam­ porters make it a priority. Already two congressmen and bread; the United States for hunger. Cuba for equality; puses in 23 cities have extended invitations to two Cuban several professors have sent in letters to the State Depart­ the United States for privilege and discrimination. Cuba youth, Arleen Rodriguez Derivet and Pavel Diaz ment. for the truth; the United States for lies. Cuba for liber­ Hernández, to visit the United States for a series of lectures Professors and student leaders who invited the Cuban ation; the United States for oppression. Cuba for the on campuses in February and March. youth as well as many other academics can join the effort. bright future of humanity; the United States for the past However, the reaction by U.S. authorities to the visa In addition, politicians, journalists, clergy, other prominent without hope. Cuba for the heroes who fell at [Playa] request by the Cuban youth shows that Washington is not individuals, and all supporters of the free exchange of ideas Giron2 to save the country from foreign domination; the well disposed to respect the wishes of dozens of academics, can be won to take part in this letter-writing campaign. United States for the mercenaries and traitors who serve students, and other supporters of a free exchange of ideas. Messages from academics and others demanding U.S. the foreigner against their country. Cuba for peace among The U.S. Interests Section in Havana initially turned authorities grant the visas can be used to generate publicity peoples; the United States for aggression and war. Cuba down the visa applications on absurd grounds. Rodriguez in the press. for socialism; the United States for capitalism___ and Diaz supposedly didn’t have “ strong economic, family, Timeliness in this emergency effort is crucial in maxi­ or social ties, or any other strong ties that would force the mizing the chances that Rodriguez and Diaz will get Duty of revolutionists applicant to return after a temporary visit to the United permission to travel to the United States. It is the duty of every revolutionist to make the rev­ States.” A ll opponents of the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba olution. It is known that the revolution w ill triumph in It was indeed a “ patently specious” pretext as Rep. and of Washington’s travel restrictions to the island have America and throughout the world, but it is not for Collin Peterson from Minnesota said in a letter to the State a stake in this fight, which should be tied to efforts to build revolutionists to sit in the doorways of their houses wait­ Department demanding the visas be granted. the upcoming U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment. ing for the corpse of imperialism to pass by. The role The reasons for this denial were so flawed that Wash­ The fight to end travel and immigration restrictions is of Job doesn’t suit a revolutionist. Each year that the ington’s representatives in Havana retracted and asked the of great importance to working people. The exchange of liberation of America is speeded up w ill mean the lives Cuban youth to resubmit their applications. This initial ideas and experiences among youth and workers from of millions of children saved, millions of intellects saved denial, and the conduct of U.S. officials since, indicate the different countries is essential to strengthening the capacity for culture, an infinite quantity of pain spared the people. State Department might turn down the visa requests once of the working class to unite and confront attacks by the Even if the Yankee imperialists prepare a bloody drama again — albeit on different grounds. Rodriguez and Diaz employers and their government. for America, they w ill not succeed in crushing the peo­ have been told not to expect an answer until at least a week Washington has a long history of denying the right to ples’ struggles, they w ill only arouse universal hatred after their visit is scheduled to begin. However, the visa travel to the United States to thousands of people whose against themselves. And such a drama w ill also mark the applications they resubmitted January 25 have not been views do not square with Uncle Sam’s. The State Depart­ death of their greedy and carnivorous system___ denied up to this point. ment will only grant visas to the Cuban youth if it feels Now in the fields and mountains of America, on its Now is the time for supporters of the Minneapolis-based under enough pressure. slopes and prairies and in its jungles, in the wilderness or Faculty-Student Cuban Youth Lectures Committee to make A successful campaign that involves dozens of people in the traffic of cities, this world is beginning with full an all out effort to flood the State Department with letters in every city across the United States demanding that cause to erupt. Anxious hands are stretched forth, ready to and phone calls demanding the visas be granted. Rodriguez and Diaz be granted visas will go a long way die for what is theirs, to win those rights which were Initial results from the campaign the Minneapolis com­ in winning the right of people who live in the United States laughed at by one and all for 500 years.. . . mittee recently launched show this is possible — if sup- to exchange ideas with people of different points of view. For this great mass of humanity has said, “ enough!” and has begun to march. And their giant march will not be halted until they conquer true independence — for which they have vainly died more than once. Today, however, those who die w ill die like the Cubans at Playa Clinton targets social services Giron. They w ill die for their own, true and never-to- be-surrendered independence. President B ill Clinton’s 1995 budget proposals, which higher bus and subway fares — and less service — for Patria o Muerte! Venceremos! drastically cut spending on hundreds of federally-funded working people in cities throughout the country. THE PEOPLE OF CUBA programs while eliminating 115 others, is aimed at accel­ Clinton’s proposals for health care “ reform,” which are Havana, Cuba erating the rulers’ drive to roll back social programs and not part of this budget plan, are premised on deep cuts in Free Territory of America benefits won by working people in earlier struggles. In the Medicaid and Medicare expenditures for the poor and February 4, 1962 name of “ budget discipline,” Congress and the Clinton elderly. administration are continuing their bipartisan assault on the These belt-tightening measures are not optional for the The National General Assembly of the People of Cuba re­ rights and living standard of working people. The only bosses. They stem from sharp competition for markets and solves that this Declaration be known as the Second Decla­ disagreement among some Democratic and Republican the capitalists’ declining rate of profit, which force the ration o f Havana, translated into the major languages and politicians is whether more programs should be cut at a employing class to try to transfer more social wealth into distributed throughout the world. It also resolves to urge ail quicker pace. their own private coffers. the friends o f the Cuban Revolution in Latin America that it A look at just a few of the items being slashed shows The huge $264 billion expenditure on the military in this be widely distributed among the worker, peasant, student the real priorities of the billionaire families who run the budget, and the $1.2 trillion projected over a five-year and intellectual masses o f this continent. United States. In the midst of one of the coldest winters in period, are part of Washington’s preparations to wage new the Midwest and Northeast, the president calls for slashing wars to defend its economic and political interests abroad. NOTES funds available to help low income workers pay exorbitant In fact, the Clinton administration is planning to spend 1. Reference to the 1961 ministerial meeting of the Inter-American Economic heating bills. nearly as much on the military next year as the rest of the and Social Council sponsored by the Organization of American States (OAS). The conference was held at Punta del Este, Uruguay. Ernesto Che Guevara headed Cuba’s As homelessness soars nationwide, the administration world combined. delegation to the meeting. responds by drastically reducing funds available for public The labor movement should take the lead in organizing 2. On April 17, 1961, 1,500 Cuban-born mercenaries invaded Cuba at the Bay housing. And government officials have the gall to moti­ protest actions against the social service cutbacks and of Pigs on the southern coast of the island. The action, organized by Washington, aimed to establish a “provisional government” to appeal for direct U.S. intervention. vate this move as a way to generate more funds to help the spending priorities embodied in Clinton’s budget. A social However, the invaders were defeated within 72 hours by the Cuban militia and the homeless! movement needs to be built capable of defending our rights Revolutionary Armed Forces. On April 19, the last invaders surrendered at Playa The White House’s proposal to reduce by 25 percent and fighting for a desperately needed public works pro­ Girón (Girón Beach), which is the name Cubans use to designate the battle. federal funding for already inadequate and dilapidated gram to build and repair housing, schools, hospitals, and urban mass transit systems w ill inevitably mean even bridges at decent union wages.

14 The Militant February 21,1994 New Zealand nurses strike over health cutbacks This column is devoted to re­ the strike. The other union is the porting the resistance by working Public Service Association, which people to the employers’ assault covers clerical workers and some on their living standards, work­ professional staff. ing conditions, and unions. “ We have already lost 5 percent We invite you to contribute to 10 percent of our pay in the last short items to this column as a contract,” stated Osborne. “ Nurses way for other fighting workers see it not simply as a question of around the world to read about pay, but of equity and justice. We and learn from these important want to get rid of the inequities that struggles. Jot down a few lines have been introduced between about what is happening in your nurses in different regions and also union, at your workplace or other between staff of similar qualifica­ workplaces in your area, includ­ tions within the hospital itself.” □ ing interesting political discus­ sions. Longshoremen shut

Chanting “ 1,2,3,4. We don’t British Columbia ports want your CHEs no more,” 150 Three thousand members o f the nurses and other health-care w ork­ International Longshoremen’s and ers marched through the center o f Warehousemen’s Union (ILWU) Whangarei, New Zealand, Febru- shut down the Port of Vancouver ON THE PICKET LINE ary 1. Carrying placards saying “5 and almost every terminal on the Teamsters union members in the Northeast and some other locations struck United Parcel Service percent or we strike again,” and “ If Canadian Pacific coast January 28. (UPS) February 8 in defiance of court order. Union opposed UPS’s plan to raise weight lim it from 70 I wanted to be overpaid, I ’d be The strike action was called in re­ pounds to 150. After the company agreed that no teamster will lift more than 70 pounds without help working for management,” the sponse to a lockout planned by the from another employee, not to penalize strikers, and not sue union locals for damages, the workers marchers won wide support from British Columbia Maritime Em­ ended the walkout passers-by. Health-care workers in ployers Association for the follow­ Kawakawa, Kaitaia, Dargarville, ing day. The bosses’ move was to and Rotorua, held spontaneous counter a strike by members of marches and set up picket lines. ILWU Local 508 on Vancouver Is­ thousands o f jobs i f the plan was Local 6529 members at Taylor- cancer, liver damage, or pulmo­ More than 1,100 health-care work­ land that began January 27. The not accepted. Winfield Corp. in Warren, Ohio, nary problems. ers in Northland province, north o f workers organized this action to The six -year contract w ill cut the ended in early January when the “ These are illnesses which can Auckland, and 300 in the Rotorua protest lack of progress in negoti­ base pay of IAM members by 9.7 un:-on district office ended strike take 20 years to show up. His idea region began a four-day strike over ations over the past 16 months. percent, cancel a 5 percent raise benefits and effectively disbanded was to eliminate his liability,” said their employment contracts. British Columbia longshoremen scheduled for May, and eliminate a the local. Lazaro. “We worked with trans­ Since 1990 the New Zealand have been w ithout a contract since paid lunch, lengthening the work­ “ We had come to accept that we former oil, with PCPs, with tri- government has pursued a course o f January 1993. □ day by half an hour. A no strike were not getting back in there,” chlorethylene, and with mercury dismantling the system of free pub­ pledge is part o f the agreement. said Darlene Lazaro, chairperson and silver in the plating room. We lic hospitals, and replacing it with Machinists at United Severance benefits for kitchen of the local’s grievance committee used to cut asbestos w ith the band profit-driven Crown Health Enter­ workers, whose jobs have been and member of the negotiating saw.” prises (CHEs). The national awards approve concessions eliminated, are also included, as team. Lazaro said former members of (contracts) for nurses were broken Members o f the International As­ well as an increase in retirement Production previously done by the local are discussing organizing up, and nurses in each region now sociation of Machinists (IAM ) em­ benefits in 1998. 116 union members at the plant has themselves into a community group negotiate their contracts separately. ployed at United Airlines voted Jan­ The National Executive Council been moved by company owner to continue their fight □ A bill requiring patients to pay for uary 26 to approve a deep conces­ of the Air Line Pilots Association John Anderson to a factory in hospital stays was introduced, only sion contract, which was put for­ (ALPA) voted January 27 to en­ Youngstown. The following people contributed to to be dropped later, after massive ward as an Employee Stock Own­ dorse the package. The company’s “We could never figure out this week’s column: James Robb, public opposition and widespread ership Plan (ESOP). With only two- stockholders w ill vote on the pro­ why Anderson would open a new member o f New Zealand Meat refusal to pay. thirds of the 2,600 IAM members posal in May. □ plant and give employees there Workers Union in Auckland; Ned “ Nurses don’t take this kind o f ac­ at United Airlines voting, the con­ health benefits he refused to give Dmytryshyn, member o f Teamsters tion lightly,” Kaye Osborne said. Os­ tract was approved by a 56 percent Lockout ends as workers to workers at the old plant,” said Local 213 in Vancouver, Canada; borne is an intensive care nurse and margin. Lazaro. “Then one day we were Kathleen Denny, member o f IAM the chairperson o f the New Zealand United management had threat­ lose jobs at Ohio plant talking and realized there are Local 1781 in Oakland, California; Nurses Organisation in Northland, ened to contract out aircraft main­ The 487-day lockout of United about 35 workers we know of and Don Mackle, member of USWA one of two unions participating in tenance and other work, eliminating Steelworkers of America (USWA) who have died or are sick from Local 6037 in Cleveland. LETTERS Prison slave labor o f sports in capitalist America is the politics of p rofit greed, and brutal­ Thank you for sending me a sam­ ity, which permeates all aspects o f ple copy of the Militant. I enjoyed society under capitalism. And Har­ reading your paper and w ill pass it ding remains innocent till proven around among friends along with the guilty. letter and subscription information. Gary Cohen As a previously exploited non­ Arlington, Massachusetts union worker and now as an impris­ oned slave o f 10 years, having read your paper for the first time, I see A must see movie an obvious parallel between op­ For all readers who wonder how pressed workers everywhere and far a government would go to frame the fascist oppression o f imprisoned up people, I suggest seeing the new slaves. A ll o f us are being used by movie “ In The Name o f the Father.” the monied elite fo r their gain at our The movie is based on the events expense. W hile employers pay their around the frame-up of the “Guild­ employees as little as possible with The cartoon, “the ol’ double standard,” was submitted by the prisoner whose letter appears on this page. ford Four,” framed up in Britain and as few benefits as possible in the falsely accused o f a bombing and least acceptable environment, pris­ An oft quoted truism of Dos­ sports in capitalist society, it leaves teristics representing the U.S.A. being IRA members. The movie re­ oners are used as slaves without pay toyevsky is “ (t)he degree of civili­ on ice a major issue in all the hoopla Harding has come under attack counts the torture and beatings in­ or at next-to-nothing wages as a zation in a society can be judged by — that elemental democratic right because o f her “ looks,” her “ build,” curred while being questioned by source of cheap labor under ex­ entering its prisons.” Enter a prison, which is crucial to working people her “attitude” and other “unfemi­ British police. The movie also tremely fascist conditions. look at parole statistics, the rise in — the right to be judged innocent nine” characteristics. In addition to shows how far die cops would go to Those who benefit from the prison construction and related till proven guilty. the sexist brickbats thrown her way, frame people up, up to and including state-sponsored slavery —- politi­ costs, and wonder why prisons as As of this writing, Tonya Har­ her family background is ridiculed Conlon’s father, aunt, and cousins cians who dupe the uninformed they now exist, if a viable solution ding has not been charged with a because her mother was a waitress on conspiracy charges. For anyone public into buying their “tough on to crime, only have gained us an crime, much less convicted. Even a who was married five times and her who would question how far a gov­ crime” agendas o f inordinately long increase in crime. You can hate conviction does not prove g u ilt in a father was often unemployed. These ernments w ill go to frame up people sentences and lack o f rehabilitating criminals if you so choose, but that court system where justice is hon­ anti-working-class sentiments, reek­ like Mark Curtis and Leonard Pelt­ programs, and the powerful lobbies attitude is what has fueled the sys­ ored more in its breach than in its ing of right-wing family values ier, this is a must see movie. of the prison administrators and tem to date which paroles prisoners observance. The case o f Mark Cur­ hype, should be rejected. Dennis Chambers guards who support prison con­ most o f whom are worse than when tis is a prime example. As for Harding’s concern for Chicago, Illinois struction because it means more first enslaved. A hue and cry has gone up de­ “dollar signs,” is this any different jobs and more job promotions to the A prisoner manding that Harding not be al­ than for any other professional or The letters column is an open detriment o f the taxpayers — are Represa, California lowed to skate in the Olympics. so-called amateur athlete? Isn’t this forum for all viewpoints on sub­ really no different from employers Why? Because she has been tried in the goal athletes aspire to? I t ’s the jects of general interest to our who exploit their workers. the media and a judgment rendered. American way. Harding is just more readers. Please keep your let­ It is in free workers’ interests Tonya Harding She must be guilty, the argument honest about it ters brief. Where necessary they to support the cause of impris­ While the lead editorial in the goes, because o f her association, I don’t understand what is meant will be abridged. Please indicate oned slaves who seek decent and Militant of January 31 accurately her insensitivity, her toughness. by the “politics of resentment” that if you prefer that your initials safe conditions and a fair wage characterizes the venality, corrup­ Anyhow we don’t want someone “Harding and her supporters pro­ be used rath er than your full for their toil. tion, and nastiness that permeates with her background and charac­ mote.” I do know that the politics name.

February 21,1994 The Militant 15 The MILITANT Iceland unionist wins reinstatement BY SIGURLAUG a resolution demanding that Hersir be re- December 31 instead of November 30. If The company said that those who did not GUNNLAUGSD6TTIR hired. there was enough work at the end of the agree would have to find another job. REYKJAVIK, Iceland — Workers at the The charges filed by Dagsbrun against year as determined by the owner, foreman, A ll of the shipyard workers, who are St&smidjan shipyard scored a victory Janu­ the company received wide publicity. This and union steward together the firing organized by several different unions, as ary 14 in their year-long fight against com­ was only the second time since 1938 that would be withdrawn. If not, Hersir would well as their union leaderships protested. pany demands for concessions. the court had heard a charge against a boss be the first to be rehired when work picked They refused to take a pay cut and would The unskilled workers who are members for a political firing. The Stalsmidjan ship­ up. not accept the bosses’ threat to replace them. of the union Dagsbrun (Dawn) refused to yard workers’ fight was being followed The owner called the union steward and The workers also demanded that Hersir be sign a new contract unless G ylfi Pall Hersir, closely by other workers. On New Year’s foreman December 31 to tell them that he rehired. a union member fired in September for his Day Hersir was interviewed about the fir­ had decided, without their consultation, The foremen singled out individual role in the fight, was rehired. On January 13 ing and the labor fight in the shipyard as that there was no basis for Hersir to con­ workers asking them if this was really their the union threatened to strike i f Hersir was part of a 45-minute program on national tinue working. This is in spite of the fact opinion. Did they want the shipyard to close not rehired. Dagsbrun represents 5,000 un­ television about the domestic news high­ that there was plenty of work in the ship­ down? The workers stood firm. skilled workers in Iceland. The strike was to lights o f 1993. yard. On January 13, when the unskilled effect more than the 12 members at the On the day of his hearing in labor court, During this same period, in October, the workers’ union called for a strike over Stalsmidjan shipyard. Dock workers were the company and union reached an agree­ company demanded that the workers take a Hersir’s firing, the shipyard owners being called out as well. ment. The union activist would work until 12.5 percent wage cut starting February 1. backed down. Facing a strike and the refusal of workers to sign the new contract, the company backed o ff and rehired Hersir the next day. The new contract, which took effect London rail workers protest company February 1, covers all 100 workers at the shipyard, skilled and unskilled. The un­ skilled workers in particular gained victimizations through drug testing ground. In past agreements the unskilled workers were guaranteed five hours of overtime each week to compensate fo r BY ROBERT HIGLEY had led to M cCole’s death. In the lower wages. In this contract the overtime AND HELEN WARNOCK same breath, however, the attor­ guarantee was dropped in favor of a 4 per­ LONDON — T hirty people at­ neys tried to shift the blame from cent wage increase. In addition, the un­ tended a Militant Labor forum management to the workers, say­ skilled workers will move from their here January 22 to discuss the ing that rail workers had a “casual separate lunch facilities and join the skilled way ra il bosses use their drug and attitude to safety,” and described workers in the cafeteria. Food compensa­ alcohol policy to go after work­ this as “a kind of virus in the tion was cut, but the bosses signed an ers’ rights. railway culture.” agreement to provide free food on week­ Speakers included Tony O’Mara, Their drug and alcohol policy ends. a local union representative from is part of British Rail’s effort to Iceland’s fishing industry has been hit the National Union of Rail, Mar­ shift the blame fo r the increase in accidents onto workers. The hard by the world economic crisis. Fish itim e and Transport Workers bosses try to make workers pay products are 80 percent of the country’s (R M T) and Helen Wamock, a exports. This aggravates the crisis for the member of the RMT and Com­ for the crisis they face, and break shipyard industry — shipbuilding, repairs, munist League. down solidarity between work­ and maintenance. Competition is fierce be­ The drug and alcohol policy ers. “Under the present policy tween different shipyards in the country now in force on British Rail al­ the burden for health and safety and between the industry in Iceland and lows the company to fire anyone at work has been placed on the shipyards in other countries, including found to have more than 30 m il­ backs of the workers,” Wamock Norway and Poland. The bosses are trying ligrams of alcohol per 100 said. “The responsibility is on us to place the burden of their problems on m illilitres in their blood. The legal to report to management if we’re taking medicines or have an al­ the workers. lim it for automobile drivers is 80 milligrams. cohol or drug problem. We are In late 1992, the owners of the Stals­ supposed to put ourselves for­ midjan shipyard here announced that after Workers are tested upon h ir­ ward for rehabilitation programs Jan. 1, 1993 they would not pay the un­ ing in, transferring jobs, and get­ run by the company. These pro­ skilled workers the five hours of overtime ting promotions. They are told grams are nothing more than an guaranteed each week in their contract. The not to consume alcohol within excuse fo r the bosses to pry into workers responded by demanding higher eight hours o f starting work, and not to be seen wearing a B ritish our personal lives. They tie us wages to compensate. When this was de­ closer to the company, and by nied, the workers refused to work any over­ Rail uniform in places licensed to serve alcohol. Any worker taking away our democratic time. they deem as acting suspiciously, rights they reduce our ability to One Saturday, in late January 1993, the or who has a record o f bad time­ defend ourselves as a union.” company ordered the foremen to run a ship keeping may be tested. I f a Warnock urged those present to down into the water. This is a job the un­ worker tests positive, they w ill reject the bosses’ drug and alco­ skilled workers normally do. Most of these be dismissed. hol policy. workers came into the shipyard and pre­ The law allows British Rail to vented the foremen from doing their work. fire a worker if their boss suspects G. M. Cookson Shorter workweek The union filed a charge in labor court them of drinking, even if there is Rail yard in Sheffield, England. New policy allows British Rail Instead, she said, working peo­ demanding that the company stick to the no evidence. It also allows ran­ to fire workers supervisors suspect of drinking, even if there is ple should fight for a shorter contract. At the same time the company dom testing of workers. no evidence. Lim it of alcohol allowed in blood of rail workers is working week, without loss of filed a charge insisting that the workers’ O’Mara reported that a co­ set at less than half the legal limit for automobile drivers. pay. This would be one way to action be declared ille g a l and that the worker had been randomly tested make the job safer. It would also union be fined. in early December. He heard nothing further much we are against this random testing.” mean that workers would be sharing avail­ It is rare for the labor court to rule in the until early January when he was called in to Martin Marriott, a member of Wimbledon able work, providing employment for those union’s favor. But in March last year the see the supervisor. The rail worker was told without jobs. “This would help to break court ruled that the company had broken the RMT branch and the Communist League, he had failed the test and was escorted o ff down one of the biggest divisions in the contract. This victory earned the shipyard stressed that this policy had nothing what­ the premises. On January 7 he was dis­ working class — that between employed workers respect. Their fig h t became w ell soever to do w ith safety, and had everything missed. to do w ith the bosses’ drive to try to rule by and unemployed,” Wamock said. known in Iceland. Most workers were shocked and angry fear in their attempt to maintain profits in an Wamock also argued that any drug and al­ In September, the company’s case was about what had happened. He had 26 years economic crisis. Most rail workers experi­ cohol rehabilitation program be run by the heard in court. Two days after the hearing, experience and no record of unsafe work­ ence this as B ritish Rail drives toward p ri­ union and not by the company. Workers union activist Gylfi Pall Hersir was fired. ing practices. A special lunchtime union vatization. Workers are forced to work long should have access to the best treatment since While the company claimed that this had to meeting was held that same week to dis­ hours, on difficult shifts, while the company they are the ones who face the greatest safety do with downsizing, many workers thought cuss and protest this attack. The union reg­ barely invests in up to date warning devices. risks. Those in such a union run program Hersir was fired because o f his role in their istered its opposition to random drug The average rail worker puts in 50 hours a should be paid full wage while receiving fig h t testing. week. treatment, and returned to their original job as Two weeks later, the labor court ruled that soon as possible with no reprisals from the the action the workers undertook to defend The fired rail worker “ was considered to One example o f the bosses disregard for company. This needs to be part o f a wider de­ themselves against the company breaking be one of the safest workers,” O’Mara told safety is the death of Thomas McCole, who mand for improved national health care with the contract was illegal and the union was the forum. He had been offered early retire­ was struck by a train traveling 70 miles per more hospitals opened, since it is precisely in fined. ment as part of British Rail’s policy of re­ hour. McCole usually worked in the drawing ducing the workforce in preparation for the times o f depression that workers need access A ll the unskilled workers signed a letter office, and was only on track duties because to good health care most. demanding that the union activist be rehired, privatization o f the state rail system. He is o f maintenance staff shortages. He was explaining that he was fired due to their no longer eligible for the retirement deal, working near noisy machinery while it was Taking these demands up, Wamock con­ ongoing labor struggle. The Dagsbrun union and is appealing his dismissal. dark and raining. There was no lookout cluded, w ill serve to unite and strengthen the board decided to back this demand and to “ No longer can we sit back and take this person, and no emergency speed restriction working class. take Hersir’s case to court. In October, the kind o f attack,” O’Mara said. “ A union is only boards to slow the train to 20 miles per hour. national conference of the Federation of as strong as its members. I f we had been con­ British Rail’s lawyers admitted that a series Robert Higley and Helen Warnock are mem­ Unskilled Workers Union in Iceland passed sulted, everybody would have seen how of failures in the company’s safety system bers o f the RMT in London.

16 The Militant February 21,1994