SS STRU&&LE Paper of the Revolutionary Communist League of Britain. Incorporating NEW AGE IPAPER OF COMMUNIST VORKERS 1 MOVEMENT) Volume 5. No. 8 August 1981. ISE UP In the last two to three months the cities of Britain have been rocked by a wave of street fighting. Many urban areas are boarded up; police are seen everywhere; and still the movement continues. The question being asked is "why?" I~ is not a difficult question to ans wer. The people involved answer it in their different ways, but al ways it boils down to oppression frustration, anger, bitterness and a resolve not to sit back and take it - a preparedness to fight back, and to fight back outside of the BRITISH YOUTH LEARNS well-tried, tested and exposed chan THE LESSONS OF nels of Parliament and the legal FIGHTING ON THE STREETS OF BRIXTON. BELFAST. system. The immediate causes vary. In Brixton the provocative 'Operation STEPPINGUP STATE OPPRESSION Swamp', where police stopped and The response of the state in B~i One family, including a 3 year old questioned hundreds of local people, tain to the wave of violent protest girl, were driving out of the area and particularly national minority has been to step up their own legal and had a shot fired straight people on the streets, in a supposed violence. Many papers have descri through the windscreen. Phil Robins crack-down on "general crime", built bed recent events as "more remini a football player with Southport up the people's anger against the scent of Belfast than Britain". FC who lived in the street, was try insulting behaviour and arrogant They are right. The just struggle ing to clear the crowds when he was bullying of the 'forces of law and against British imperialism and the shot in the chest, and _again in the order'. The racism of the state partition of Ireland is having its back as he spun round. At the time forces has been clear. Many black impact on the oppressed and deprived of going to press, newspaper reports people have reported see ing police people in Britain, and particularly and eye-witness accounts from Liver wearing National Front stickers. the national minority people. It pool hospitals, indicate that many The week of 'Operation Swamp' ended is also true that the British state ,Jeople have been treated for inju with an incident on the Friday night has long seen Ireland as a testing ries similar to bullet wounds. Na when a black youth who had been ground to prepare against street turally there is going to be a very stabbed was put in a police car and protests and revolutionary strug 'independent' inquiry. It will be kept there and questioned. He was gles in Britain. headed by Mr Kenneth Oxford - Chief only taken to hospital after other Constable of Merseyside! black youths attacked the car, got There is not a revolutionary situ him out and took him to hospital ation here, but there is indeed a In Brixton, while the Scarman in in a taxi. spontaneous movement that breaks quiry (trying to work out a report with 'normal pol~tical channels'. which will sound liberal and conces SOUTHALL It is hardly surprising then to see sionary on social conditions, but In Southall, hundreds of skinheads a wave of Chief Constables trotting support new equipment and condemn who went into the area supposedly off to visit the semi-fasicst RUC people's resistance) is sitting, to attend a concert, attacked local chiefs in northern Ireland and the police carried out a revenge raid Asians in the street. They were brutal colonialist Hong Kong riot on the local community. Using the driven out of Southall by the mass ~ olice. The police are getting ar excuse of 'information received resistance of Asians who took to moured cars (painted blue, of course about petrol bomb factories' , po the streets and showed them that - after all, we don't want to change lice raided black houses and shops they would fight back collectively the nice, if somewhat tarnished, at 3 o'clock in the morning. The and militantly to defend themselves. image of the British Bobby), water 'raids' were similar to those aga ~annon, special helmets and other inst nationalist communities in nor The events of Brixton and Southall "riot gear". The use of plastic thern Ireland. Partition walls were following those of. St. Paul's in bullets, as in Ireland, is being broken down, doors kicked in, banni Bristol last year, have had a pro discussed. Liverpool, just over ster rails torn out, TVs, stereo found effect throughout Britain. the water from Ireland, was used equipment and musical intruments The nattonal minority people have to test 'public opinion' to the use sm:1shed. Who can consider that a. shown that they will hit back at of CS gas. The "ferret" guns used search? It w~s sheer intimidation. their oppression, at state racism, are special shot guns which fire Nqne of the conveniently-invented and at fascist hooligans; and their gas cylinders at the same speed as 'bomb factories' were found, of resistance has struck a chord with 3. normal bullet, and are designed course. Cont'd on Page 7 to penetrate barricades and walls. 1 Editoria ---RCLB HOLDS SECOND CONGRESS For a couple of years past, the struggles of the of key policy decisions which will have a great bear working class in Britain against the imperialist rul ing on how effectively it can work in the new condit ing class were at a low ebb. The possibilities of ions of the class and national struggles in Britain. wr.inging concessions from British imperialism by The Congress re-affirmed the strong stance of the means of the forms of struggle mainly· used during League against opportunism. The importance of this the 30 years of relative stability in the capitalist has been underlined by the Labour Party 1 s condemn system had been almost exhausted; in conditions of ation of the youth who rose up against the police mass unemployment, after all, the effectiveness of and by its long-standing hostility to the struggle strike action is very much reduced. The biggest ob of the Irish people. It is constantly shown by the stacle to an effective fightback has been the deep way revolutionary and progressive people run into influence of opportunism, particularly in the form the obstacle of opportunism when they seek to win of social democracy, which has served to stifle and support for the struggles of the national minorities divert working class struggles. and the Irish people, and when they fight in the un Historically, when the working class has been ions for them to stand up for their members 1 basic unable to fight successful economic struggles, it interests. has turned to political action, and the belief in THE NATIONAL QUESTION the necessity of the proletariat taking power has spread out from the few who had kept the ideas of The Congress recognised that the socialist revo socialism alive to much larger sections of the working lution in Britain could only be carried through by people. an alliance between the working class and the national minorities. It upheld the orientation of building YOUTH HIT BACK communist cells in industry as a firm base in the· The turn to political action is under way. Work working class for the communist party the League is ing class youth, with black youth to the fore, have working to rebuild, and affirmed the vanguard role taken to the streets and hit back against years of of the proletariat in the revolution in Britain, while police harassment. In one city after another, respect recognising that, at the present time, the national for the 'law and order' of the ruling class has been minority people are in the vanguard of the struggle battered by the militant youth.Despite the abuse of against the British state. the press, wider and wider sections of the working The Congress finally made a complete break with class will draw lessons from them, fight harder the old, objectively social-chauvinist line of the against the capitalist offensive and refuse to be League on Ireland, and pledged the RCLB's uncondition dragooned into order either by opportunist leaders al support to the armed struggle of the Irish people or the state. and to their Republican leadership in the fight ag When events such as those which have occurred ainst British imperialism. recently on Britain's streets took place in other countries, it used to be said, "It wouldn't happen PARTY BUILDING here!" It has, and the face of politics in Britain There are still many problems which the League will never be the same again. has to grapple with, but the decisions taken by its It was in circumstances when these momentous ev Second C;-ngress will help ensure that the work it ents were taking place in Britain and the struggle does in the coming months strengthens its ties with of the Irish people had seen a massive upsurge that the most advanced elements in the struggle against the Second Congress of the Revolutionary Communist the imperialist ruling class and its state and enables "League of Britain (RCLB) took place. It made a number it to carry its party-building work forward.
The Editor- CS, stand there waiting in a queue at Station was planned for today, 18th fi rom OUr New Era Books, 203 Scarborough St from 6 pm of the eve July. Last week, however, \1/hi telaw Seven Sisters Rd. ning before and wait till 10 am the imposed his latest ban on marches Postbag London N.4 ~ next morning to be selected, if in London so we were forced to lucky, for a job with no security resort to bussing supporters to the Why have the major unions not re - only getting the money for a drink picket. ally taken into account the struggle in many cases. of homeless people? I would say it Over forty people, both black is because most homeless people have In most jobs in the catering and white, militantly shouted difficulty in getting jobs. They trade you can have the 'pickings' slogans exposing the cover up of have not got references , and if the of food. But after you have finish police racist violence through the 1 employer asks where you are living ed your day s wash-up and go, you use of trumped up "assault on police" and you say the Salvation Army Hos go back to the hostel or to sleep charges. The police rolled out a tel, the Camberwell Resettleme nt on the streets of London again, token black copper who, looking Unit, or in the street, they just or anywhere these offices and decidedly sheepish, was osten hostels are. don't bother. tatiously greeted by all the white From a Liverpool worker police going in and out. I would stress here that one of the difficulties is that when you So issolated were the police that are homeless you have to sign on they were forced to allow the picket at special offices like Marshalsen From a member of the Hall Family to double in size through passers Road in the Borough and Scarborough Defence Campaign. by joining in. The picket was very Street in the East End. disciplined and a charge sheet was These offices are for homeless men I am writing this letter hot foot handed in laying at the police's which this government, and govern from a picket of the Edmonton Police door their crimes against the Hall ments before it, says it needs - station# protesting against a police family and putting these in the con because they can 1 t have this type attack on a local black family. text of police racism in general, of people mixing with ordinary· work As mentioned in your paper two as shown in the murders of Richard ing class people who go to other issues ago, the three Hall sons and Campbell , forced confessions at the New Cross Fire inquest, types of Social Security Offices. their mother were viciously beaten I believe that with cnsual work in a Brixton style dawn raid last protection of fascist thugs etc. in the catering trade there is quite February. Since then the Hall Family The state may ban our marching a turnover of people and jobs. Be Defence Campaign has been organised but marches are not the only way cause of their life, homeless people and a march to the Edmonton Police of fighting back! 2 Lau renee Scott WORKERS FIGHT FOR JOBS Class Struggle Correspondent 650 workers at Laurence Scott Electromotors of Man chester have occupied their engineering factory since April when they were told that it would be closed in three months time. They are determined that their factory which has been around for generations will exist for generations to come. The new owners, .Min ing Supplies, have other ideas of course. They had taken-the plant over with the clear intention of clo sing it down as soon as possible, selling the equip ment and transferring the orders to another plant in Norwich. But the militant action by the workforce stopped them dead. An overwhelming majority voted for occu pation, tying up £2~ million in half-finished goods, let alone all the equipment. Since then the Managing Director has tried all sorts of tactics, from the carrot of offering redundancy pay to the stick of threatening court action against the occupiers.
But they have stood firm, and even laughed at a also raised money all over the country which is vital compromise offer - to keep the plant open - for re for the resistance to continue. search only, saving no jobs. NO STRIKE PAY When this ludicrous 'offer' was refused, LSE manage ment were forced to agre~ to negotiations. And a This is particularly true seeing as the workers fat lot of good that did the occupying workers. Man have as yet received no strike pay from the union s agement and leaders of the Confederation of Shipbuil since they occupied in April. It's a relief to know ding and Engineering Unions (CSEU) hammered out a that the unions 3re "continuing to give full backing 'peace formula' last week which consisted of the wor to the action", as Douglas D3niels, district secretar y kers returning to work on a two-day week for three of the North Manchester AUEW, claims. Imagine what months while the company reassessed the si tutation they might do if they opposed it! and produced plans to ensure a "balanced work-force" Despite the slowness of the unions to put their that would make the firm "viable". At a mass meeting money where their mouth is, the occupying workers of over 600 workers on Wednesday, all but 21 voted have refused to accept redundancy payments which were to continue the occupation and reject the 'peace for sent to their homes. mula'. Alex Ferry, the CSEU General Secretary, was "disappointed" with their decision and insisted "We It would be a tragedy if this fine struggle failea achieved the basic principles of re-opening and get through lack of money. Arthur Snipe, Mineral Supplies ting people back to work." Chairman, tried to exploit this in the letter he sent As soon as the LSE workers' decision w3s known, to each rffem~ of the "ex-Manchester workforce" sever Mineral Supplies of Doncaster - the parent company al weeks after the workers occupied. In it he said: who bought LSE last October applied for a court "Well! You've got yourself into a right mess, you injunction to force the workers out of the factory. and your mates are sitting in at the Manchester fac But this will be resisted by the workers, too. As tory which has put you in a position where you get a spokesman for their joint Shop Stewards Committee, no pay from anywhere, except handouts which cannot Tom McNeill said: "We will resist any attempt to get amount to much." us out of the f3ctory until we get an assurance there will be no enforced redundancies." It is the responsibility of us 311 to make Mr Snipe WORKERS' SOLIDARITY 3ware that the LSE workers have many "mates" outside that factory, who will give - not handouts - but sup On their own they know they can't win, so they have port and solidarity to fellow workers. looked outside for help. The Norwich plant refused to take extra work which would normally go to Manches PleGse send donations, work-place collections and ter, the miners have agreed in principle to black messages of support to: all LSE products (which account for most of Mining George Fryer Supplies work) and the dockers have agreed not to 20, Roundscroft handle exports. LSE workers are operating 3 24 hour Romiley picket of the parent company in Doncaster. They h3ve Cheshire.
We will hit back 11 The T.U.C. has failed to take up the strug organized force of the workers' movement. -gle against racism," h~ said. 11 But we will Now with 3 million people unemployed, every "Class Struggle" correspondent. tell the T.U.C. that we are the most advanced demonstration against racism sees less white in the fight, and we can unite the wor·kers supporters. This is the result of more than The Indian Workers 1 Association ( GB) was against racism.We are here to stay and here twenty years of compromise and courting rac founded by Shaheed Udam Singh, the great to fight and we won 1 t turn away from this ism, particularly by the official "labour Indian hero who shot down the ex-governor resolution.We will fight for our· dignity movement". of Punjab in London in 1943. This was an and honour." Other speakers included a leading peasant act of People's justice against a man who Comrade Shirley Joshi, widow of the late organizer from India and a representative had backed the massacre of hundreds of unarm General Secretary, spoke of his contribution of the Indian People 1 s Association of North ed Indians at Jallianwallah Bagh in Amritsar to the fight against racism, in support of America. in 191g, by the mass murder General Dyer. national liberation in Ireland, and for the Comrade Mohan Lal, Secretary of the Birm "Comrade Jagmohon Joshi carried on the trad promotion of the cultures and languages of ingham branch of the I.W.A. {GB), said that tion of the I.W.A. (GB) and we are carrying the oppressed peoples in Britain. When 11 Paki so long as caste oppression continues in the banner of his ideas and his leadership," bashing11 started 15 years ago, Joshi had India, the Indian workers and peasants will I.W.A. (GB) Chairman,Teja Singh Sahota, made his historic ~tatement "We won 1 t. sit never be able to win their freedom. And as told a packed meeting in Birmingham on 27 back, we will hit back". The I.W.A. (GB) long as Britain oppresses the Irish people June, commemorating the 2nd anniversary of does not believe that self-defence alone and the Black people, the British Workers the late General Secretary ,Jagmohan Joshi. is enough to defeat racism, it needs the will never be able to free themselves. 3 By a "Class Struggle" correspondent. At about 11 p.m. we arrived at E DAY NIGHT the juncion of Lodge Lane - Upper Parliament St. On the Upper Parli ament St. side we could see two coaches filled with policemen and about 20 standing beside them. In the middle of the road stood one constable directing traffic. A few yards away white men and a few women were looting Duffy's electrical shop. Opposite the blazing Ashley wallpaper shop where firemen were trying to stop the fire spreading to other buildings. LOOTING The majority of the looters seemed to be aged between 20 and 30 and were carrying away colour TVs, frid ges, washing machines, etc. One white woman, her arms full of small electrical appliances toasters, hairdryers etc ran accross the road by the PC directing traffic, laughing and saying "Where can I get a taxi?" Two black men in their 20s then appeared carrying a free zer on their heads. The police, when asked by onlookers to do some thing to stop it, replied: "There is nothing we can do" A few moments later the front of the wallpaper shop collapsed in the street, sending a huge cloud roofs, showering us. From Bedford of black dust up. The looters scat Street South we could see the home tered, but returned in less than for invalid women where the patients a minute, moving from store to had been allowed by the youths to Looting ... store. be evacuated as the blaze got clo Inevitably, when protest occurs ser. on the streets, it is often accom Meanwhile, the police coaches had panied by looting. In the main, driven away towards the Windsor St. this has been carried out by unem area, where the battles against the ployed and deprived people who every police were still taking place. day pass the shops displaying luxury Soon there were no police left in items or even just food, which they the area and the looters swept cannot afford. through the rest of Lodge Lane shop ping area. I overheard a conversa When the oppressed, who are denied tion between two local looters, who work, angrily take what they have said that the people robbing the no money to buy, we are certainly clo.thing shop further down had come not going to condemn them. Those up from London. who are denied rights will take them themselves. No-one would claim that BURNING looting shops represents a strategic We then walked down Upper Parlia way forward for the working class ment St., passing the burning dairy in Britain, but neither should any garage. Youths were driving about one who claims to stand by the op six milk floats up and down the pressed be indignant or arrogantly street. The rest of the fleet were STATISTICS OF REVOLT scornful as Labour leaders are to either destroyed or had earlier been ------day. removed by the police, until they National unemployment: 11% It is true that organised crime were attacked with bricks. Four Liverpool unemployment: 17% has used the recent events for their or five buildings were completely foxteth unemployment: 37% own profit. It is also a fact that ablaze, with flames roaring through Toxteth youth unemployment: 43% not only monopoly companies have the roofs. There were small explo Toxteth black youth unemployment: 47% been hit by looting. Although the sions coming from the building next majority of people who have attacked to the PDSA and the cascade of shops have targetted the big compan sparks forced us down to the Falkner ies, some small shopkeepers, who Terrace estate which runs alongside frequently earn no more and often Upper Parliament St. less than wage earners, have also The estate was deserted. We pas been hit. In a number of cases the sed by the notorious Red Duster pub shopkeepers are themselves national which has a permanent carpet of bro minority people. It is regrettable ken glass outside. In this area when such people suffer like this, the police invade nightly. We cros but even these events should not sed Grove Street. cloud our eyes to the main point at issue. We now knew we were getting close to the battleground. We could see It is the oppressed people tak the burning buildings of Upper Par ing what has been denied them. liament St. through the side streets Their anger is justified, and com and the sparks were flying over the munists should stand by them. 4 used to show her determination to HERETO STAY! HERE TO FIGHT! stay here as though that was a crime. Whereas it in fact shows another di lemm faced by women - if they leave a violent husband they are threatened with deportation. It was no accident that the adjudi cator in Jaswinder's case talked about '11¥ time in the Punjab': he is an ex-colonial administrator. BROAD CAWAIGN Nasi ra and J aswinder would have been quietly deported if there had been no campaigns. The campaigns have been broad based and have in cluded different ways of showing support. From writing letters and passing resolutions to more active support in demonstrations and pic kets. The most consistent support has been that from black people themselves, particularly the Asian Youth Movements. In Jaswinder' s campaign she also consistently got B,;· a ·"Class Strug.gle" support from the Sikh Terrple in , correspondent. said: "A mother and child should Leeds v.ho spoke at meetings and de not be separated. He i s ITo/ 1 if e. " monstrations and gave money to the Following Anwar Ditta's recent vic She had to choose between separation carrpaign. She was also supported tory, in the last few weeks black from Manjit and taking him with her by the Hindu Terrple and the Mlsl im people have won two more battles back to India to a life of poverty Council. Support also came from in the struggle against racist immi and under threat of violence. ]as women's groups, churches, trade uni gration laws. On 26th June Jaswin winder is not alone - the immigrati ons, political parties and rrany pro der Kaur from Leeds was told that on laws constantly split black peop gressive individuals. The campaigns she could stay indefinitely: this le's families. Anwar was separated have been based in Leeds and Mm was after a campaign lasting six from her children for six years. chester. But they have grown more months. Nasi ra Begum, from .lvk:l.nches Nasreen Akhtar has been told that and more national; support has been ter, has been campaigning for near she and two of her children rrust won particularly from the Indian, ly two years. She heard on 6th July leave. Her third child cannot be Bangladeshi and Kashmiri workers' that the Home Office had lost their deported. Cynthia Gordon's two appeal against an earlier tribunal Associations, rrainly in the Midl daughters were born here ~and have decision v.hich granted Nasi ra the ands. spent most of their lives here. right to stay. Now the Home Office want to deport l-lowever the campaigns would not Nasi ra has been openly fighting their mother. even have got off the ground if the deportation for two years but it PART OF THE GENERAL ATTACK women themselves had not decided was two and a half years before to rrake a stand and fight. Both that, that she had applied to The immigration laws are part of Nasira and Jaswinder decided to take stay in this country permmently. the general attack on black people on the state, its courts and tribu The Home Office waited two and a in this country. They justify the nals etc., with the threat of arrest half years to reply and then gave raids on factories that took place and deportation over their heads. her 14 days to leave the country. in London last year and the constant Neither of them found it easy to Her appeal was finally heard last derrand that passports are shown v.hen rrake speeches, appear on television June and Nasira won. But after one someone applies for a job or goes and stand in the glare of publicity. week of thinking she had won her for hospital treatment. Nasira had Everyone who has worked on the cam right to stay, she heard that the to fight for her right to claim sup paigns has learned from their cour Home Office was appealing this deci plementary benefit and Jaswinder age and determination. Anwar has sion. She has had to wait another was advised not to claim sick pay done all she can to help these cam year for the Home Office appeal to v.hen she was off work sick. People paigns, after she won her right for be heard. In other words, the Home are held for months in detention her children to come home. J aswin Office have tried twice to deport cent res 'on suspicion of being an der and Nasira have both reacted Nasira and failed. Even now there illegal immigrant' with their only to their victories by expressing is a possibi 1 i ty that the Home Of right of appeal being v.hen they have their determination to continue sup fice rray take the decision to the left the country. porting other people threatened with High Court and challenge Nasira's deportation. right to stay again. Within this general attack, women are often the worst hit. This is Both Jaswinder and Nasira have because of their general situation hade their lives here. They have CAMPAIGN CONTINUES as dependent on men and because the family, friends and jobs in this immigration laws deny women ir1uepen country. They have both had to Most important in the near future dent rights. J aswindei~ ~1a s lived deal with the problems of a rrarri are the campaigns to stop the depor and worked in Leeds sine-= 1976 but age vJhich has split up. On top of tation of Nasreen Akhtar and Cynthia her status in law has been determin all this, they have had to live un Gordon. The four campaigns will ed by rrarriage. Because the rran der the threat of deportation with continue to work together and are she rrarried was 'illegal' she auto the Home Office trying to uproot planning a national demonstration rratically became 'illegal'. The them from the 1 ives they had rrade in October. Already at the June general attitude of the Home Office for themse 1ves. demonstration in Manchester, the was well illustrated by the adjudi unity of black people from the Asian In addition, Jaswinder has had cator at Jaswinder's appeal. He and Caribean communities was shown. to face a terrible choice for her asked her the hypothetical question Jaswinder and Nasira's victories only child, Manjit. Manjit was born of v.hether she would have stayed will help to strengthen this unity here and is a British citizen. Te with her husband if he had been le and to build a wider movement in chnically , the Home Office could gally settled here. The fact that support of all those threated by not deport him. But as Jaswinder she said she would have done was immigration laws. 5 In the last issue of 'Class Strug imperi::1lism, and the development certain demands - the overall trend gle' we published an article demon of an independent, diverse socialist is resistance to the just demands strating that the campaign for im economy with bilateral trade with of the third world. This opposition port controls, far from being organ other nations based on mutu::1l bene is spearheaded by both superpowers ised to save jobs, was a c::1mp3ign fit. Even in the short term the in their own ways. The leading wes to increase the profits of one sec use of import controls - supposedly tern imperialists are meeting in tion of imperiG.lists. This is op to 'save jobs' in a particular indus Canada at this time, and one of the posed by another section of imperi try - leads only to the loss of jobs main issues is their opposition to alists who gain most from "free in another, and the interests of the struggle for a new international trade" due to their extensive over ~ he working cl::1ss can only be served economic order. seas m::1rket. What is clear in the by uniting with the forces who are stand of both imperialist trends fighting imperi::1lism now - the op Meanwhile, in Britain, the strug is that both seek to exploit the pressed peoples and nations of the gle of the third world is being op third world and compete with other third world. On the economic level posed by the Labour Party, in the imperialist n::1tions, and that the this struggle is being waged through form of the alternative economic working class h3s nothing to gain the camp::1ign for a new international strategy; and the demand for general from trailing behind either of them. economic order. Although the imper import controls which would hit the ialists are not unified on this third world is oeing put forward The only solution to the economic question, and divisions have arisen vigorously by top Trade Union lea anarchy that characterises the pre - with some second world countries ders. In this issue we are report sent ·system is the destruction of reluctG.ntly being forced to concede ing on . both these questions. IMPORT CONTROLS AND THE TRADE UNION S
It h::1s become ::1n accepted 'truth' import controls TASS moves on to Thus the programme of import cont that the demand for general import examine recent statements of the rols suggested here will not seri controls is a 'left wing' policy. Confederation of British Industry ously harm the interests of the It is a dem::1nd popularised by the (CBI). great majority of third world coun Trade Union leadership, who have The TASS pamphlet refers to a CBI tries." What a contrast between written many pamphlets .::1nd m::1de discussion paper and states 3pprov this statement and their earlier many speeches to win the support ingly that although it is "not a approval of CBI and TUC attacks on of wide sections of workers. The third world countries listed above! statement of CBI polis:;y, ~ t does Technical and Supervisory Staff reflect a growing recognition on But.let's be generous and take them (TASS) section of the Amalgamted the part of indutry of the need to at their word - or rather the second Union of Engineering Workers (AUEW) resort to import controls on a con set of words. 'It's OK, ' they are is by no means the only union that siderable scale, while rejecting saying, 'to support our imperial has c::mpaigned on this issue, but wholes::1le protectionism." The CBI ists against other imperialists. it is one which is worth p3rticular had listed a number of areas Because we don't attack the third exG.mination. It is undoubtedly true that it particularly opposed - Hong world. It's these French, German that TASS is one of the most mil i-, Kong, south Korea, Taiwan , Singa Japanese and Italian workers who've tant unions.The fact th3t Ken Gill, pore, Indi:J. ::1nd Brazil. Make no taken our jobs! ' What internation a well-known member of the Communist mist:J.ke, it was an attack on the alism! But Ken and his CPGB and La Party of GreG.t Britain ( CPGB h is third world. bour Party friends can rest easy TASS's General Secretary can only The TASS lc.aa~rsnip also supports add to the illusion that TASS is - because their comrades and fellow the TUC derro::~ .. v.s for import controls led by 'the left' . The result of 'internationalists' in France, Ger 011 "textiles, footwe3r, motors, this is that the TASS leadership many and Italy are saying exactly steel, paper and board, electronic is in the particular position of the same about British workers! They components, broadcast receiving ant having to be re-G.ssuring that the are united! United in blaming each sound producing equipment, domestic demand for import controls is a so other. Anything but blame imperial el,;ctrical ::1ppliances and cutlery," cialist dem::1nd and not an attack ism and fight to smash it! on the third world or support for :_:v we know the bedfellows of the imperialism. So a close look is t;.',SS leadership and the TUC - and But let's get back to the third very valuable. we kllow the concern of Leslie Tolley world because here comes the and others is for nothing but their crunch. "In the long run," the TASS In 1980 TASS published a pamphlet profits. pamphlet states, as it struggles called "Import Controls Now!" with But now Ken Gill and his fellow so valiantly to safeguard the third a forw::1rd by Ken Gill. Presumably 'revolutionaries' and 'social refor world, "Britain and other advanced because of a desire to win over more mers' h~ve to put on their socialist countries should move towards the 'moderate' support the pamphletopens masks. production of high technology goods with a section designed to show how and away from labour intensive goods 'reasonable' the demand is. As well 'SAFEGUARDS FOR THE THIRD WORLD' which the developing countries can as citing other Trade Union leaders proG-uce more cheaply." So now the Tnat is the title of a specific and organisations, TASS quotes ap can of worms comes out into the section of the pamphlet designed provingly from calls for import con open. Imperialism has always stri to show that Ken Gill and his fellow trols ("protection") by Leslie Tol ven to ('eny technical development leaders are not lined up with imper ley, Chairman of the British Insti to the third world, and the TASS ialists. Unfortunately for them tue of Management (and also of Re leadership supports them to the it shows exactly the opposite! nold, the Manchester engineering hilt. That must remain the province firm). They also quote bourgeois "The industries which we a.re pro 'Of the imperialist countries. The economists like Godley and Cripps posing for import protection a.re third world must remain dependent. (members of the CG.mbridge Economic the high technology industries which And what will they get in exchange? Policy Group) and Kaldor and Neild. are threatened by imports from ad - the marvellous opportunity to work After ::1dding Tory MP Alan Clark to vanced industrial countries, not back breaking hours for a pittance the list of those supporting general ~ 6 form the third world countries. Printed and published by the Revolutionary Communist League of Britain, c/o New ~ra Books, 203 Seven Sisters Rd., London N4. WESTERN IMPERIALISTS DISCUSS CRISIS
The meeting last month in Ottawa It is the people who suffer from the expense above all of the bill Canada,showed Thatcher, Reagan and the cr1s1s. Unemployment has shot ion~ of people of the third world. the other leaders of the 7 biggest up in the developed countries from The Ottawa confere11Cc: was the Western imperialist countries trying an average of 5% in 1974-79 to a last Western economic me~ting before to smile their way through the grim forecast of 7~% this y ear. Many cap the important summit 'ir Mexico this mest international economic crisis italist governments have tried to October, the "Brandt" Conference, .-... since the war.The smiles were pretty stimulate their way out of stagna between imperialist and third world glassy as they tried to outmanoeurve tion by spending way above their countries. Although some leaders each other. Why ? Because none of income.The result is an average West like Trudeau of Canada and Mitterand them have any economic room left. -ern rate of inflation that has soar of France wanted the West to co The relative economic stability -ed to 12.6%. operate more with the Third World, of the Western world of the 1950's Britain has initially tried to block and 1960's (largely at the expense The working people suffer and the Brandt summit altogether and of the Third World) has come to an the working people fight back. In Reagan high-handedly insisted on end. World trade this year is expand 1979 over 32 million _ workers went postponing it for four months. -ing only 2% - quite inadequate to on strike in the Western world. Not The 75% of humanity that lives satisfy each member of thi~ band surprisingly the imperialists have in the Third World w:mt to get 75% of imperialist cut-throats. The pro been looking around for other solu of the world's income and not just duction growth rate in the Western tions. As the technically efficient the 17% they presently receive. They nations is r1s1ng an average 1%; Japanese car producers cut into the want to be free of the imperialist with countries like Japan doing bet U.S. and European car markets,the economics that kills 15 million ter than thisJ others like Britain, bourgeois demand for import controls of their children under 5 every year. and even Germany, suffer from a has been rising (And has been enthu But behind the clever words and faster drop in production. siastically echoed by the opportun the minor concessions of the Ottawa Yet monopoly capitalist,imperial ists in the union movement - see summit, the leaders ist companies absolutely must accumu article opposite). Sharp friction of the Western world have decided -late profits to buy more and more behind the glassy smiles ensures to sabotage any real progress at advanced means of production in or that the temporary compromises made the Bl"andt meeting in Mexico this der to survive in the ruthless bat at Ottawa is only a pause in the October. It is the people of the tle for markets. Imperialist compan ruthless inter-imperialist rivalry. third World, above all, who o.re sup ies that lose don't just get rel But if the imperialist leaders posed to bear the burden of the egated to the next division, they succeeded in resolving their differ imperialist economic crisio; they get wiped out. ences at all it was once again at will not accept it.
ticular attack. What happended in people that l ' n that garage down Cont'd from front Page Brixton is common in Britain's cit there." ies. The police are the arm of the the urban p9or, and particularly "It won't stop here," he added, state. The police harrass the~ uriem the youth. It is not surpr1s1ng "It's the way the country feels. ployed youth. The police protect that the police have been under par- It's not just us in Liverpool, or the syste1n and those who profit from Brixton, or Bristol, or what h:we it. you." Cont'd from page 6 TOXTETH and thus produce labour intensive In Toxteth, Liverpool, an area * William Whitelaw has stated in the House goods more cheaply. When the CPGB where two in every five are unemplo of Commons that over 3000 people have been finally completely degenerated it yed, a Class Struggle Correspondent arrested during the recent uprisings around the country. came up with the line of building asked one white youth what had caus a 'socialist' commonwealth based ed the rioting and why he was invol * Before the latest upsurge, 350 people on the same set of imperialist prin- ved. "To get back at the polic'e", had been arrested in the aftermath of the ciples. It does not openly publish he replied. "For the harrassment Brixton uprising. that line any more - but, there can we've had off them for years. * 33 people were arrested during the June be no mistake, it is exactly what Everyone's sick of it - No indivi fighting in Peckham. ·chey are promoting but less openly dual started it it just blew! in the trade union movement today. But they knew which buildings they * 728 arrests occurred in the week of fight were going to get - the Raquettes ing in London - before the revenge raids That policy is not confined to 8lub, and Swainbanks- Definitely!" in Brixton. the 'Communist' Party of Great Bri tain - it is the same imperialist (The Raquettes Club is an exclu * In Dundee, ~cotland - the only non-English line that lies behind the so-called sive sports and social club for city affected so far - there have been 20 'International division of labour' wealthy businessmen, with squash arrests. which is the basis of the Soviet and badminton courts, saunas, and Smarting from the blows of the people, headed COMECON agreement in eastern plush bars. Swainbanks is a huge the ruling class wants vengeance. Summary Europe, which allows the Soviet Soc second-hand furniture store which courts are being set up to impose harsh sen ial Imperialists to profit from the ponces off the people on social se tences before the youth are sent to Army other eastern European countries curity) concentration camps. Just as the state has and keep them dependent on it. Another lad, interviewed on Radio tried and faileu in Ireland, the oppre::.sed So now we know the 'principles' 4, said "It's to get at the police. who fight back are to be criminalised. of our 'left-wing' and 'militant' It's not just the black lads they Defence committees are being formed up union leaders, and a rotten bag they harrass, it's the white lads as and down the country. They need support: are; we can welcome their support well". When asked why they were to shop floor militancy and strug "giving local residents trouble", Brixton Defence Campaign, 41 Stockwell Green, gle, where they give it, but tu sup he replied: "I can't blame them. London SW9. Phone: 01-274- 9220. port their sick imperialist poli We're not giving them trouble. We Liverpool 8 Defence Committee, c/o Charles tics will confine us to the sick don't bother hitting people . . . we Wooton Centre, 248 Upper Parliament St., imperialist system. And it is pre won't hit family houses, businesse~ Liverpool 8. Phone: 051 -708-9698. cisely that system's degeneration yeah." When the interviewer replied that lies at the real heart of the that people run the businesses, he Southwark Defence Committee, 352-354 Camber present crisis, of unemployment and said: "No, they run them, but who well New Rd., London SE5. Phone: 01-274-8793 of poverty. owns them? Who owns shell? Not the or 01-732-3298. 7 BRITAIN RENEGES AGAIN In the period up to press two more out of the ir houses by a loyalist and that they are not calling on Irish hunger-strikers have died lin mob under the direction of the Rev. the British Government to confer gering and painful deaths against Bradford, a he nchm3n of Paisley's, political status in name. They are a background of British governme nt in full view of the British army. calling on the Government to confer double-dealing in their negotiati He w:.1s l' epe atedly interned and im prison conditions which recognise ons. The peace negotiations we r e prisone d. He did not volunteer dur the prisoners not to be criminals set up through the agency of the ing the first hunger strike, saying, and which win for the Republican Irish Commission for Justice and "I have too much to live for". He Movement the best possible circum Peace which through long hours of was so e nrage d by the British double stances for their prisoners during patient talks arrived at a formula dealing at the end of the first hun the war of liberation. which incorporated the prisone rs' ge r strike in December that when five demands and which British gov his comrade-in-arms Bobby Sands died At the beginning of the current ernment officials said they were on May lOth this year, he volunteer round of negotiations the prisoners prepared to accept. Th e British ed to take his pl3ce. In the Irish issued a statement which bent over dragged these negotiations out so general election he f e ll just short backwards -that Joe McDonnell died long hours of winning a seat by 315 votes. to lay the basis for a settlement. It read, in part: "It after the promised British st3teme nt He died after 61 days on hunger is wrong for the British government of terms had failed to materialise. strike. Then, the morning following McDon to say we are looking for differen MARTIN HURSON nell's death they cynic:J.lly produ tial treatment from other prisoners. We believe that the granting of the ced a statement that cont:Jined no At Joe McDonnell's funeral the five demands to all prisoners would proposals for advance . British army caused mayhem and in jury by sending a snatch squad fir not be forfeiting control of the The leader of the Irish Commis ing live rounds to capture the fir prisons, b~t the prisoners would sion, Bishop Dermot O'Mahoney, said ing party. They made some arrests have their dignity restored and in a subsequent radio inte rview: and captured some rifles. A week cease to occupy the role of the es "last week we gave them a gre at op tablishment zombie." later at Martin Hurson's funeral, portunity to find a solution without a vast and determined crowd protec- In the coming days more prisoners any loss of principle. They missed a golden opportunity." This is a verdict with which the whole world agrees the Irish gove rnme nt is now openly blaming Thatcher's govern ment for its failure to settle and has sent two of its ministers to London to say so plainly. In the United States the main groupings in the Irish lobby h::1v e joine d to gether to put concerted pressure on the British governme nt to settle. After Patsy O'Hara's death Margaret Thatcher visited Be lfast to say that no 'responsible' section of Irish society wanted her to settle with the prisoners. Now thanks to the determination of the hunge r strike rs and the justice of their cause the re ted the firing party which for the face death. Next in line is Irish is no 'responsible ' s e ction of Irish first time was permitted to fire M.P. Kieran Doherty. More prisoners society that is not calling on he r over the grave inside the cemetary. have stepped into the hunger-strike to negotiate. Martin Hurson had r e turne d to Ire to replace their fall e n comrades. The response of the British go land in 1976 afte r a period working By the justice of their demands vernment? Michae l Allison of the for Macalpines in Britain. He was and their determination they have Northern Ireland Office scuttle d a patriot who returned home to take won th€ great mass of ordinary Irish off to the U.S. t o s::1y that they up the fight. He died on 13th July people to their side, as well as could not time n egotia tions t o t :J. k e after 45 days on hunger strike. towing the Irish government, the account of the de ath of p :J r t icul :J. r Cardinal 0 Fiaich, who has been in SDLP and other normally pro-imperi hunger strike rs, :md made the vile volved in many negotiations between alist forces into their camp. World suggestion that Joe McDonne ll ha d the prisoners and the British auth opinion supports the prisoners, not caused a hitch in n egotiations by orities said of both men: "They need the British government. dying. Following that speech a six not have died." th hunger striker, Martin Hurson, In Britain, in the heart of the died after forty-five days on hun beast, matters stand differently Both men would have understood ger strike. He died unexpe cte dly The Labour Party has been splitting ve ry we ll the rituals which occurred early and the British Northe rn Ire on Ireland, which is a welcome thing. in the we ek they died. On July 12th land Office had the nerve to say But it turns out that the new propo the Orange Order and their support they were making an inquiry into sals for Irish runification are con ers marched in strength in Belfast what he had died of! On the ground, ditional on a referendum in the six and other towns in the six counties. the British army murdered three counties that is, they do not The message of all these marches people and injured scores of others challenge partitio~ and put the fut was the same as it has always been: trying to contain the rise of the ure of Ireland in the hands of the "Crappy lie down!", emphasising that Irish people at these deaths. Loyalists. Last weekend there was the nationalist people can never a march in Mansfield, Don Concan JOE McDONNELL find justice in ::1n artificial state non's constituency, to oppose his let dominated by loyalism. Both the men who died were H-Block hard-line defence of the bipartisan candidates who polled well in the It is two years since the five pol icy. The march was opposed by recent Irish general election. Joe demands wer~ first formulated. The the National Front who, from behind McDonnell's father was a steel erec H-Block Armagh Committee have always 3 police barricade, chanted, "Con tor from West Belfast. In 1970 his made it clear that these demands cannon, Concannon". What could be family and their inlaws were stone d form the basis of any settlement more e loquent? ~ 8 NATIONAL MINORITY YOUTH
SHOW THE WAY
the more opportunist of the so-call tion from the Nazi National Front • Vlc:tblll: ParfteD Khan ed 'community leaders' to try to the CRC leaders then promptly can .... little Imna, .... two. prevent any protest from taking celled their funeral procession and place. But the determination of asked the Metropolitan Police Com the black and Asian youth of the missioner to ban the Action Commit area defeated them. tee march! Obviously this is exact ly what rumours of a Nazi presence THE PEOPLE ORGANISE had been designed to achieve. On the Sunday following the fire, In fact the area had been alive members of the Joint Council of As with rumours of a Southall style ian Organisations met with anti invasion all week. The response racist organisations and individuals of the youth, both Asian and black, in the area, and a decision was made was to go out on the streets. When unanimously for a demonstration the a coachload of skinheads was dropped e Vidim: Daughter Aqsa, e Vlctial: Son Kamnu, aged following Saturday afternoon. Also .,.. tea. n. off at the bottom of the High St out of this meeting the Khan Mass on Tuesday night the police had no acre Action Committee was formed, choice but to disperse them. which includes many members of the And it was the same on Saturday On the early morning of July 2nd, 11th. Despite the ban on marching, petrol was poured through the letter crowds turned up at the rallying box of the Khan family in Belgrave point and demanded to march. Al Rd. , Wal thamstow, and ignited. In though hampered by the fact that the ensuing inferno four members the police broke them up into groups of the family died. Parveen Khan of ten or so the youth did march. ( 31) and her three children Kamran They chased off any NF scum who (11), 'Aqsa (10) and Imran (2) were showed their faces along the way, all burned to death. The sole sur and braved constant police harass vivor of the family was Muhammed ment. One young Pakistani worker Yunis Khan who was severely burned. later told a "Class Struggle" cor This vicious racist attack left him respondent, "The pol ice pushed us with nothing - at the end of the around all the time. They tried month he is to be made redundant to stop us attending the funeral . from the Mains Gas appliance factory They kept calling us 'Paki in Edmonton. bastards'." The reaction of the Asian commun Before the funeral there was time ity hit the headlines last Saturday. for a brief rally, where the chair But sensational headlines like 'Fun man, Shabaz Khan, of the Khan Mass eral turns into bloody riot' conceal acre Action Committee, told the more than they reveal. What happened crowd: in Wal thamstow was that the forces "We were told there would be a of the racist state combined with funeral march, then that it would be called off. Then they called for our march to be called off. It is only the Nazis who should get their marches called off. It is The government may be moving at Joint Council, Bangladesh Workers very sad that we are not allowed snail's pace towards a settlement. Association, Anti-Nazi League, Lon to make our protest known. We coul~ Their latest move has been to call don Campaign Against Racism and Fas not bury our dead without a protest. in the Red Cross! That is just a cism and a number of others. How smokescreen. They can settle with ever, leaders of the Community Rel And the protest was indeed made. the prisoners in their own right ations Council like the Rev. Ron The Chairman of the CRC, Abdullah at any time they wish. They have Waters, and Dr Abdullah Sheik were Sheik, had to have police protection no support abroad for their policies more concerned with 'keeping the to escape the anger of the crowd. and in Ireland they face growing borough a peaceful one' , which is During the funeral itself a micro unity and resistance. But they have a sick joke considering the amount phone was grabbed by a youth who proved beyond all doubt that they of recent racist violence. These started the chant, 'We will fight! will avoid a settlement if they can gentlemen called for a funeral pro We will fight!" "Class Struggle" and that they don't give a damn cession to take place at the same was told later, "Our leaders are about Irish lives. In this country time as the proposed march. traitors. We will elect new ones." the task remains one of building The Action Committee was concern The mood in tl:e area is still a reliable soldarity movement firmly ed that both a militant protest, defiant. The community is vigilant rooted amongst the most oppressed, and a dignified and respectful fun against further fascist attacks. those who in recent weeks are more eral should take place, and so moved And further actions are being plan and more coming out onto the streets their march from the afternoon to ned to force the racist state to themselves to fight the British the morning to avoid a clash. On bring those responsible for the Knan state. the pretence of threats of disrup- massacre to justice. 9 FOREIGN COMMUNISTS GREET RCLB SECOND CONGRESS
Making revolution in their own country is the pri to overcome any difficulties facing us at home and mary responsibility of any Marxist-Leninist Party abroad ... I can assure you,comrades,we are together or organisation. But each Marxist-Leninist Party in this fight. We shall carry the struggle through or organisation also forms part of the international to the end." communist movement, a movement whose strategic goal The letter from the Communist Party Marxist-Leninist is to end exploitation and oppression throughout the (of France) said that the working class and people world. For this reaso0, the ~evolu t". onary Communist of Britain needed a revolutionary pu.rty capable of Ledgue of Britain (RCLB) has always enjoyed the sup leading their struggle against the capitalist and port of comrades around the world. imperialist bourgeoisie and to raise their vigilance The recentiy held Second Congress of the R.C.L.B. against the danger of a third world war,brought about (see article on page 2) was honoured by the presence by the rivalry between the two superpowers for world of fraternal comrades from: the London office of domination. Wishing the Congress success, the French China's Xinhua News Agency, An Spreach (an Irish comrades said that it would no doubt be an important Marxist-Leninist group), Communist League of Bangla contribution to building an authentic communist Party. desh(Marxist-Leninist), Provisional Central Committee Sending greetings to the Congress,the Central of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), Committee of the Communist Workers' Organization Party of Labour of Belgium and the Marxist-Leninist (Marxist-Leninist) of Holland declared that, Party of Italy. A social held on the saturday night "We know by our own experience, that the tasks and of the Congress was also attended by members of the problems, facing the communist movement today , are no Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania (South Africa). easy matters to deal with. There is stHL the lack of At the Congress, speeches were made by various unity within the Marxist-Leninist movement,and the representatives of the fraternal delegations. The tense national and - international situation gives rise comrade from An Spreach pointed to the connection to many questions with regard to a correct integra between the Irish struggle and the struggle of the tion of the Marxist-Leninist principles with the con national minorities in Britain.She stressed that there crete conditions in the respective countries. were two organizations waging the armed struggle in "We wish you all strength and much sucess, and hope Ireland and that both should be supported.She stress that your Congress will be a successful one,and will ed the need for communists to involve themselves in contribute to strenghen the revolutionary forces in the nationalist struggle that had as its strategic Britain." goal a united Ireland. She said that any possibility The letter from Comrade Fernand Lefebvre, Chairman of work amongst the protestant section of the Irish of the Central Committee of the Communist Party working class was conditional on the defeat of British Marxist-Leninist of Belgium,expressed support for Imperialism in Ireland. In Ireland,the broad support the Leagtre's struggle to build the revolutionary party for the Prisoners' five demands contained the embryo of the working class in Britain, for its loyalty tc of an anti-imperialist front. British revolutionaries the scientific principles of Marxism-Leninism and must support the Irish people and not allow Thatcher its efforts to apply them to the concrete conditions to get away with murder. of Britain today. Bringing greetings, the comrade from the Communist "We salute your struggle against imperialism and League of Bangladesh ( ML) expressed his belief that hegemonism,particularly against Soviet Social Imperial British communists will be in a united party. -ism which constitutes the greatest danger to the The comrade from the Party of Labour of Belgium peoples of Europe." ( PTB) called for defence of the People's Republic The letter from the Central Committee of the Marxist and Communist Party of China as well as material sup -Leninist Party of Italy (PMLI) expressed strong sup port for the Marxist-Leninist parties in the Third port for the loyalty of the R.C.L.B. to the principl~s World.Marxist-Leninists in Europe had a duty to press of Marxism-Leninism and their application to the con urize their governments to adopt a stand favourable crete conditions of imperialist Britain. The Italian to the peoples of the third world. The PTB stands comrades stated that despite the claims of modern for a Europe independent of the Soviet Union and the revisionists, it was the October Revolution that United States. In the event of a Soviet invasion of illuminated the road ahead. Poland,the European countries must give concrete The PMLI expressed the view that the R.C.L.B. 's support to the Polish resistance. Second Congress would help give the British proleta In the capitalist crisis,the Marxist-Leninist part riat the necessary ideology,programme,politics and ies of Europe should co-ordinate their efforts. The organization to effectively combat imperialism, social comrade cited the example of the closure of a British imperialism, colonialism, racism and apartheid. The let Leyland factory in Belgium. The British trade unions ter also expressed the Italian comrades' views concern had refused to support the struggle of the Belgian -ing recent events in China. workforce.These are areas in which Marxist-Lenin{sts A telegram from the Communist Party of Japan (Left) could co-operate. sent "warmest communist greetings". Presenting some detailed information about the The Political Secretary of the Workers' Communist work of his party, the Belgian comrade pointed out League of New Zealand stated in a telegram that that it was primarily built in heavy industry but the R.C.L.B. Congress, that the Party also worked to build a broad front "Will mark an important step forward in re-establish for social progress, democracy and national indepen -ing a genuine Marxist-Leninist party in Britain. dence. Experience shows that building a revolutionary party Congress received the statements from foreign of the working class in an advanced capitalist country comrades with warm standing ovations. is fraught with difficulties and continuous struggle A number of letters and telegrams of greetings against right and 'left' opportunism." were also received by the Congress. The telegram expressed the wish to develop closer The letter from the External Representative of ties between our two organizations over the coming the Communist League of Bangladesh ( ML) stated: years. "You are holding this Congress at a time when in many countries in the west some M-L forces are raisin~ The R.C.L.B. is sincerely grateful for and humbled doubts about the basic principles of communism. This by all the messages we have recieved. We extend our Congress of yours is a sure sign of your.determination warmest greetings to the communists of every country. 10 INTERNATIONAL NOTES * CHINA: On July 1st this year, the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrated its 60th birthday .When the CPC was founded it had less than 60 members and China The people of Ireland and Afghanistan was a poverty stricken and backward country, a play are waging the same struggle: Against thing of the various imperialist countries. After im Imperialism, for independence. mense sacrifices the CPC under the leadership of com-. In these photos rade Mao Zedong, founded the People's Republic of revolutionary China in 1949. The Chinese people had stood up. Today , youth of Ireland after making a serious attempt to overcome and correct and Afghanistan aim errors, the CPC, now a party of 39 mill ion members their catapaults at is leading China on the road to building a modern imperialism. ized socialist country with a high degree of democracy and civilization.The theoretical contributions of the Chinese communists,summed up in Mao Zedong Thought have immeasurably enriched Marxism-Leninism . China now plays a major role in world politics , in defence of world peace and for the rights of all oppressed nations and peoples. In a congratulatory message the International Committee of the RCLB pointed out "Your victories have decisively changed the balance of forces in the era of imperialism." The CPC has recently elected a new Chairman to re place Comrade Hua Guofeng who now becomes a party vice-chairman.The new Chairman is Comrade Hu Yaobang, In a message. of greetings to Comrade Hu Yaobang, the International Committee of the RCLB stated "We reaffirm our confidence in the work of the Communist Party of China in restoring the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought,reviving demo cratic centralism,and leading China to become a power ful modern state with a high degree of socialist civilization and socialist democracy."
CHINA INTERVIEW "Class Struggle" has reluctantly decided to post pone the second instalement of its interview series critical reasons,the Soviet social imperialists) con with the International Editor following his recent demn British imperialism for its brutal colonialist visit to the People's Republic of China~ It has been occupation of Northern Ireland against the will of necessitated by the shortage of space in this issue the Irish ~ peop1e,in particular for its barbarous mur o~ing to coverage of the uprisings throughout England der of the hunger strikers. Is British Imperialism by black and white working class youth and the Second now the "internationalist model" for the Kremlin ? Congress of the RCLB. The series will resume in our rs Afganistan marked down as the "16th republic" of September issue and will deal with the question of the Soviet Union ? In seeking to deny their aggression China's Trade Unions. the Soviet imperialists are forced to resort more and more to out and out imperialist gangster logic.The ic KAMPUCHEA: In a recent statement in support of Soviet leaders have inadvertently blurted out the the United Nations Conference on Kampuchea being held truth: that the peoples of Ireland and Afganistan in New York, Comrade Hoang van Hoan,a veteran leader are waging the same struggle , a struggle against of the Communist Party of Vietnam,hoped that the Con foreign imperialist aggression and for national inde ference will "force Le Duan and company to immediately pendance ! withdraw all troops from Kampuchea." Last November,Sinn Fein sent a message to a meeting He called on "all patriotic forces in Vietnam to organized by the RCLB in solidarity with the people rise in action and co-operate with the people of of Afganistan.They said, "Sinn Fein,the Republican Kampuchea and the other peoples of the world in the Movement, expresses . solidarity with the Afgan people struggle." He urged them, "not to give up the struggle in their heroic struggle against Russian imperialism. befor~ the aim is achieved." As a country fighting imperialism for the last 700 "We Vietnamese who love our motherland, and cherish years,a fight which continues today and will continue peace and justice hold that Le Duan and Company's until victory,we appreciate your struggle and support invasion of Kampuchea is not only an unjust action it. It doesn't matter under what flag imperialism in betraying the Kampuchean people who fought shoulder goes, for imperialism under any form cannot be to shoulder with the Vietnamese people in the struggle tolerated and must be fought.The Afgan people by their against the common enemy. It is also a stupid action courage and determination, their refusal to bend the that betrays the fundamental interests of the Vietnam knee to the imperialists are a great inspiration to ese people and seriously endangers peace and tranquil liberation movements everywhere." ilty in Southeast Asia and the World as a whole." BRITISH RACISM CONDEMNED lf SOVIET UNION: Soviet aggression around the world * meets with fierce resistance from the people.No matter The governments of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh how many sweet words about "internationalism" and have all expressed their grave concern to the British "revolution" they utter they cannot cover up their government about the racist attacks by police or by aggressive behaviour.The Soviet Union is hard pressed fascist groups with police complicity on their nation to explain its rejection of the recent proposals known als and other peoples of Asian origin in Britain. as the "Carrington Plan for Afganistan". In a commen In India,there have been large demonstrati ons outside tary released by the offical Soviet News Agency, Tass, the British embassy in New Delhi. on July 6, the Kremlin warlords state: "What would A recent meeting of the foreign ministers of the London say, for instance, if anyone proposed an 'inter Caribbean community has described the British Nation national' conference on the problems of Northern Ire ality Bill as an "iniquitous instrument which was land without the participation of the parties con ciearly designed as a racist measure for controling cerned ? " immigration." They have called for the issue to be What a shameless confession by the Kremlin warlords! raised at the Commonwealth Summit to be held in Nearly t~e whole world (including,for their own hypo- Australia this September. 11 WELSH MARTYRS REMEMBERED "British Mainland", in particular home to try and escape from its "Class Struggle" Welsh working class youth.Simi crisis, the advanced experience Correspondent larly, the press refers to the spon of the Irish people and the revol -taneous uprisings by black youth utionary road they point out will On Saturday July 4,over 300 -supported by some white youth- more and more inspire the work people marched through the small as being "more like Belfast than ing people of Britain, first and town of Abergele,north Wales, in Britain" ·.and to youths wearing foremost the peoples of Scotland memory of two patriotic martyrs, balaclavas in order to avoid later and Wales and the national min- Alwyn Jones and George Taylor police persecution as "hooded IRA . orities, in particular the black who died on June 30 1969, the eve style". people. This is something to give of the investiture of the so-called As British imperialism intensi the ruling class nightmares. 1 'Prince of Wales , when a bomb fies its repressive policies at they were carrying exploded pre maturely. The remembrance of these The following two poems in memory of the murdered revolutionaries, Bobby martyrs is an annual event in Sands and Francis Hughes, are reprinted from "An Phoblacht/Republican News ", Welsh political life. The late "We will remember Bobby Sands" was written by Reamonn McLaughlin, a rev 1960s were a period of intense olutionary himself serving 12 years in English prisons, currently ' nationalist activity in Wales. in Canterbury. The marchJ organized by "Francis Hughes has left us now" was written by a member of the H-block/ Pwyllgor Coffa Merthyron Abergele Armagh Action Committee in Westport, County Mayo. (Abergele Martyrs Memorial Comit tee) consisted of largely local We will remember Bobby Sands working class people. The largest When our resolution weakens, organized contingent was from We will remember Bobby Sands. the Welsh Socialist Republican When. the struggle becomt11 hard and victory seems far BWIIy, We will f'flfTiember Bobby Sands. Movement ( WSRM). Other contingents When our rerources grow low 1111d Brit imperialism seems Indomitable, were organized by ·cofiwn (the We will remember Bobby Sends. Welsh H,istorical Society) and the When other comrades fall and the summer sky darkens, We will remember Bobby Sends. nationalist organization., Adfer. Nat When imperialist prop8f1anda shouts its foudest, ionalists from Scotland, Brittany And the voice of freedom is but a cry in the wildernt11s, and Cornwall also attended. We will remember Bobby Sends. When the stinging tears of sorrow 1111d pride Led by a lone piper and a Stop flowing from his mother's eyes, 12 strong WSRM colour party bear We '(