Bush's Empty Words Mask Defeat

THE WORKERS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!

NEWNo 1478 Week commencing 21 March 2008 Weekly paperWORKER of the New Communist Party of Britain 60p CAPITALIST CHAOS

by Daphne Liddle These measures were England’s Monetary foreclosures and repos- fectly clearly and showed less than the banks had Policy Committee had met sessions and falling prop- that capitalism is inherently THE WORLD of high finance rocked and been asking for, but by and voted by seven to two erty prices – digging capi- unstable. Booms and busts reeled last week after Bear Stearns, one of Tuesday they seemed to not to cut interest rates be- talism into a deeper hole. are inevitable. America’s biggest investment banks, col- have done the trick. Stock cause of fears of inflation. If the capitalists raise The capitalists have lapsed and was bought out by rival JP Mor- markets around the world Rates had already been interest rates fewer people staved off recession for a gan for $2-a-share – shares that had been val- rose again, dramatically, cut from 5.5 to 5.25 per will be able to buy, lead- couple of decades now on ued at $62 a few days before and over $150 a recovering nearly all of cent in February. ing to a drying up of mar- the basis of promoting per- few months ago. what had been lost. The capitalists are in an kets. Debt repayments will sonal debt, getting work- impossible position. If they rise, driving more workers ers to spend their future Once again the sub- In London the Gov- tumbling cut interest rates it will al- over the edge into collapse. earnings to keep the mar- prime lending crisis was at ernment put up some £10 low some people to bor- Again, property prices will kets going. But this had to the root of the crash, with billion to underwrite bank- Wednesday they row and spend and keep tumble. crash in the end. the epidemic of foreclo- ing debts – this on top of started tumbling again and the markets active. But that The capitalists will lose sures of mortgages the billions it has already there were accusations will quickly add to the al- pundits the value of their property, spreading from working pledged to bail out North- that some traders were ready huge personal debt their stocks and their class borrowers to the ern Rock, which it even- not playing by the book but problem, with its long The newspapers are full shares. The workers will middle classes. tually had to nationalise to were deliberately circulat- hours culture leading to ex- of finance pundits saying lose their jobs, their homes Across the United save it from collapse. ing false rumours that cer- hausted, stressed and they can’t understand how and in some cases their States people who a few And in Washington tain banks were in trouble burnt out workers – who this is happening, what has minds. They will also lose months ago felt safe and they wheeled out fading in order to make profits will collapse economically, caused it all and what can all illusions about the capi- secure in their homes and President Bush to make a from sharply falling and ris- physically and mentally – be done about it. talist system. Our job is to jobs can no longer keep up reassuring speech, which ing shares. Police investi- and be unable to repay the Karl Marx, who died help them rediscover their with rising debt payments, basically boiled down to: gations were threatened. debts. exactly 125 years ago this fighting spirit. are losing their homes and “Don’t panic!” By midday the Bank of That will lead to more week, explained it all per- being forced to join the growing tent cities that are springing up outside major American cities. For them FUND the American dream has turned into a living night- Bush’s empty words mask defeat Our fund this week mare. is down again after last The collapse of Bear by our Arab Affairs week’s very good total – Sterns sent shock waves Correspondent just £252.50. This around the stock markets brings our March total of the world, wiping bil- PROTESTS and demonstra- so far to £2,025.50 and tions around the world leaves £974.50 to raise lions off of stocks and marked the fifth anniversary to meet our £3,000 shares. The FTSE 100 top of the occupation of Iraq that monthly target. shares index fell more than George W Bush upholds as We thank an Epsom a “victory” to an increasingly comrade for £15, a 200 points – around four Carlisle friend for two per cent of the total. The sceptical American public. Speaking at the Pentagon gifts totalling £9 and a Japanese Nikkei fell 3.7 Bush claimed the United Manchester supporter per cent, the German Dax States and the world were for £5. We also thank 4.2 per cent and the “safer” after the invasion our Cumbrian bees for French CAC 3.5 per cent. and that his “surge” offen- the regular £10, sive had succeeded in pro- Southall NCP for £10 Investors around the moting stability in the occu- and another friend for world were mainly dump- pied Arab country. £3.50. ing shares in banks; in Brit- But words have a differ- All the rest came ain the Royal Bank of ent meaning in Iraq these from bankers’ orders days, like “stability” which and we thank the stal- Scotland shares fell 8.7 per simply means that the level wart comrades who give cent, Barclay’s lost 9.4 per of resistance attacks on regularly in this way. cent and HSBC nearly 13 American forces, which Stocks and shares per cent. peaked last year, has gone have been going up and The dollar fell to a down because some of the down like yo-yos this militias are on ceasefire and week and some capital- record low against the other Sunni forces have tem- ists have been losing for- euro and the pound also porarily aligned themselves tunes. We never had any with the occupation. But when fell. American tourists in • Anti war protest in Seoul, south Korea. fortunes or stocks and Europe complained that Bush’s deputy, Dick Cheney, shares to lose and when no one would take their touched down in Baghdad for the capitalists complain unannounced talks with his effort to flush out their where- imperialist standards be de- The International Com- they have been ruined worthless dollars any commanders and puppet abouts. scribed as a “failed state” if it mittee of the Red Cross they are still far better more. leaders in Iraq he was Two partisans breached wasn’t for the fact that it’s oc- warned on Monday that the off than we are. The US and British greeted with the usual rock- the prison security and freed cupied by US imperialism. humanitarian situation in Iraq We depend on con- eting of the “Green Zone”. the prisoners after a battle After five years of trying to con- remains among the most tributions from readers governments, who have While the US vice-president that left two wardens and four ceal the truth from national critical in the world. More than vaunted their belief in the and supporters and we talked about the “phenom- security officers dead. The and world public opinion, 27 million Iraqis have no func- know you are not wealthy power of the free market, enal” and “spectacular” im- partisans and 22 freed pris- Washington is persisting in tioning water or sanitation fa- either. But the capital- unchecked capitalism and provement recorded in the oners returned safely to base. camouflaging the failure of its cilities. The Red Cross says ists are not going to fund country since his last visit in American casualties in war on and occupation of Iraq. Iraq’s health care system is us. Fighting capitalism derided state intervention May 2007, Kerbala – some in the market as backdoor Iraq are on the rise again, a Amnesty International now in its worse shape ever. is a way of life that re- 110 km south of the capital – pattern that has been re- says the current human Unemployment is run- quires dedication and socialism, suddenly started was rocked by the biggest peated over and over as re- rights situation in Iraq is “di- ning at 60 to 70 per cent ac- real sacrifice but it’s a intervening like mad. bomb blast it’s seen for a year. sistance fighters relocate, sastrous”. In a new report, cording to the puppet govern- war worth fighting. And The US Federal Re- Earlier last week resis- reorganise and re-engage Amnesty said: “Hundreds of ment in Baghdad. This is tance fighters carried out a this week the cracks in American targets with con- people are being killed every nearly twice what it was in the the enemy’s edifice are serve cut interest rates by bold attack to liberate young centrated attacks. The war month in the pervasive vio- period of the sanctions in the three-quarters of a per captives being held at a pup- has cost the United States lence, while countless lives 1990s. Public services like showing. pet regime juvenile facility in more than $400 billion, mak- are threatened every day by water and electricity have yet Help us fight on by cent – the second cut sending whatever you within a few weeks and the Baghdad. The operation had ing it the most expensive con- poverty, cuts to power and to be fully restored, despite been four months in plan- flict in history. But Bush has water supplies, food and billions of dollars having can to the New Worker sixth cut since last summer ning and the prisoners were little to show for his “victory”. medical shortages, and ris- been spent on often badly fund, PO Box 73, London and urged other govern- mostly teenagers related to The occupation has de- ing violence against women managed reconstruction SW11 2PQ. ments to follow suit. known partisans, held in an stroyed Iraq, which would by and girls.” projects. Page 2 THE NEW WORKER 21 March 2008 email: [email protected] News Desk 020 7223 4052

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123Say no more Young criminals world’s most advanced object recognition software. In New York the families If a user initially tells of two four-year-old boys Super sheep Templarios – Papal Inquiry the glasses the name of ev- Weekly paper of the New Communist Party were shocked to learn their into the Trial of the Templars erything he or she looks at, sons were allegedly hand- Police in the north German is a massive work and much the glasses will remember. cuffed and lectured by a village of Guester are seeking more than a book – costing They can then locate the man in a police-type uni- the owner of a sheep that out- £4,125 pounds. last time the object was form because they refused ran their patrol car and beat “This is a milestone be- seen if it is misplaced, and The Dalai Lama to settle for their afternoon up a police dog. cause it is the first time that replay the footage. nap. Now they are suing the They say the sheep ran these documents are being In theory, the only plays his cards school. through the village at more released by the Vatican, which question that the glasses Lawyer Scott Agulnick, than 30mph, leapt over the gives a stamp of authority to will not be able to answer who is acting for the fami- bonnets of police cars as- the entire project,” said Pro- is: “Where have I put my IN LONDON Tibetan exiles and their dupes have lies, says Jaden Diaz and sembled as a road block and fessor Barbara Frale, a medi- glasses?” been demonstrating outside the Chinese embassy Christopher Brito were turned and chased off police evalist at the Vatican’s Secret in support of the separatist gangs that plunged taken by a substitute dogs by head butting them. Archives. Moated parts of the Tibetan capital into violence last teacher to an empty class- Officers eventually weekend. There can be no doubt that the London room. caught up with it after it Magic specs The Arizona town of protests and similar demonstrations taking place Then, a uniformed jumped into a field and started Yuma, close to the US- across the world have been organised by the school safety officer alleg- tucking into the grass. Japanese scientists have Mexican border plans to Dalai Lama clique and his “Free Tibet” move- edly entered the room, invented a pair of glasses that surround itself with a moat ment and there are ample facts and plenty of cuffed the boys’ wrists – Reprieved will help people remember as an alternative to the con- and told them they would where they put their car keys. troversial fences being evidence to prove that the recent riot in Lhasa never see their parents Reports from the Vatican The Smart Goggle records built to keep out Mexican was organised, premeditated, masterminded and again. City say that the Knights everything the wearer sees – immigrants. incited by the Dalai Lama clique. Agulnick said the fami- Templar – a mediaeval Chris- and can recognise objects. City officials say they Tibet became part of China in the 13th century lies were seeking damages, tian military order that was Owners can tell the intend to create a “security and this was recognised by all the local Tibetan feu- adding: “Failure to comply excommunicated when it be- glasses what they’re looking channel”, reviving a two- dal leaders down the ages, including the current Dalai with nap time is hardly an came too rich and powerful – for and the technology will mile stretch of the Colorado Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. This was recognised by the offence that warrants being is about to be partly rehabili- show them when, and where, River. Dalai Lama after China’s liberation and the establish- handcuffed, or threatened, tated when the Vatican pub- they last saw it. “The moats that I’ve ment of the people’s republic in 1949. But in 1959 the for that matter.” lishes trial documents it had Inventor Yasuo seen circled the castle and allowed you to protect feudal landlords and reactionary religious leaders fear- Christopher, now five, closely guarded for 700 years. Kuniyoshi and his team at told his mother: “I wasn’t A reproduction of the min- Tokyo University School of yourself, and that’s kind of ful of democratic reforms launched an armed rebel- shot, but my hands were utes of trials against the Information Science and what we’re looking at lion, backed by the CIA and India, to preserve the tied.” Templars, Processus Contra Technology have created the here.” serf system. It was crushed and the “god-king” of Tibet fled to India where he still holds court in exile. The Tibetan people swept the reactionaries and feudalists aside and established a people’s government in Tibet. The million serfs and slaves stood up for themselves, no longer the property of their masters The high cost of ill health to be traded, transferred or used to pay a debt in kind or by labour. But in India the Dalai Lama clique has constantly by Caroline Colebrook “The TUC is pleased to sought to sabotage and disrupt the forward march of see Dame Carol’s report DAME Carol Black, national recognising the importance of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The Dalai Lama wants director for health and work, union safety representatives his throne back and the reactionaries want to restore after lengthy research, last in delivering on occupational the wretched feudal system that held the Tibetan week proclaimed that poor health issues in the work- people in thrall for centuries. Behind them are the sin- health is costing the British place.” ister forces of imperialism working to undermine and economy over £100 billion a Meeting Dame Black’s destabilise the People’s Republic of China, the eco- year – serious money by calls for an army of special- nomic giant of Asia. anyone’s standards. ists, physiotherapists and The Dalai Lama is a hypocrite who claims he stands counsellors will also require for the Buddhist teachings of peace and harmony. She then went on to pro- an enormous Government in- Last weekend’s violence, led by his agents, has torn pose that family doctors, investment. The large numbers stead of issuing sick notes for of civil servants required to the mask from his face. But the days of serfdom and workers not fit to do their interview and direct the long- slavery are long gone in China and they will never usual job, should issue “well term sick into the sort of em- come back. We stand with the Chinese and Tibetan notes” saying what they are ployment they might be able people defending their people’s government. fit to do and to encourage to cope with are no longer workers to make themselves there after scything cuts in – through exercises or • Employers need to reduce stressful workloads. Department of work and pen- The capitalist courses – fit for different sions jobs. kinds of work. likely to spend a lot of time place accidents and illnesses, And at the end of it all crisis deepens Many readers will already off sick. The TUC has wel- and by giving ill or injured employers, given a number of be feeling a sense of déja vue comed aspects of Dame workers early access to reha- applicants for every job, are – ruling class complaints Black’s proposals that call for bilitation. still as unlikely as ever to pick ANOTHER investment bank bit the dust last about the amount of profit early intervention to prevent “In the UK millions of ill those who come with known weekend. Shares prices tumbled across the world lost through the alleged Brit- short-term periods of sickness or injured workers are being health problems. as the capitalists sold stock to cover themselves ish sick-note culture surface from deteriorating into long- dumped on benefits when A new study by the GMB following the crash of Bear Steams, one of the with monotonous regularity. term conditions, unemploy- they have treatable medical general union shows that in largest investment banks in the world. The US Dame Black’s figures are ability and life-long depen- conditions, but often no ac- the British labour market able central bank, the Federal Reserve, staved off the said to be based on estimates dence on benefits. cess to treatment. Ministers bodied and fully fit workers collapse of Bear Stearns by providing $30 billion made by doctors and bosses She proposed trials of a need to come up with practi- get jobs ahead of those dis- of losses through the pay- new “Fit for Work” service to cal solutions based on pre- abled and not fully fit. in emergency support – the first government-led vention, early access to reha- bail-out since the Great Slump of 1929 — and ment of benefits, loss of prof- provide access to specialists New rules announced in its to employers and loss of such as physiotherapists and bilitation, and universal occu- last week’s Budget will mean supporting a bargain-price buy-out by JP Morgan taxes the workers would have counsellors for all employees pational health coverage. that a total of 2,517,988 people Chase by lending them $30 billion to guarantee paid. in the early stages of sick- “The Government must on incapacity benefit in Brit- some of Bear Stearns mortgage investments. One political commentator ness. also look at how it can trans- ain, amounting to 6.7 per cent The bubble-economy based on private housing is pondered: “Do these doctors The aim would be to take form work into a more reward- of the population of working about to burst and global recession is looming. Some imagine their average patient quick action to help these ing and less harmful experi- age, must attend work capa- individual exploiters will go under but the burden of gets paid the same as they do people stay at, or return to ence, especially for the 2.2 bility assessments. the crisis will be placed on the back of working people. when they come to do these work. She said doctors did not million people who are cur- GMB general secretary We’ll be told it’s the fault of the unions for pushing sums?” wait until a cancer patient de- rently suffering from an illness Paul Kenny GMB said: “The up wages. We’ll be expected to pay for the slump in But older readers will also veloped secondary tumours that was caused or made Government policy that those be aware of a different kind of to offer treatment – but inac- worse by their work. on incapacity benefit must pay cuts, lost jobs and slashed social services. déja vue; a few decades ago tion in the workplace too of- “The TUC also recognises attend work capability as- The entire wealth of the planet is produced by it was the custom of Labour ten allowed easily treatable, the need for ‘good work’ as sessments is based on the workers in factories and farmers in the fields. Our Exchanges (as job centres minor problems to deteriorate emphasised in the report. But false notion that the high lev- labour provides the wealth that enables a tiny fraction were known then) to issue into something more severe. this will only happen if the els of claimants in some areas of the population – the industrialists, capitalists and special green cards to claim- TUC general secretary Government clamps down is due to the fact that these land-owners – to live in ease and luxury. Our labour ants of the dole who were Brendan Barber said: “There hard on employers who exploit people to not want work…. feeds them while only a tiny fraction of the wealth unfit for heavy physical work. is currently insufficient sup- their staff through bad condi- “The unpalatable truth is we produce is returned in wages to ensure that the They were allowed to refuse port for people who are off tions, long hours, or stressful that the problem lies with the work gets done. jobs that required heavy work work because they are ill or workloads. lack of demand from employ- The ruling class, as a whole, expect to carry on and were supposed to be of- injured and the TUC agrees “That means more re- ers for these workers. fered only light or sedentary with Dame Carol that more sources for the Health and “The Government needs as if nothing has happened. As long as they’re in con- work. needs to be done to encour- Safety Executive, local au- to face up to the fact that in trol they will. The only way out of the capitalist crisis But they were dropped age those on long term ben- thorities and other enforce- today’s labour market able is to end the capitalist system itself. because prospective employ- efits back into the labour mar- ment agencies, and stronger bodied and fully fit workers ers, seeing a green card, would ket. legal protection for agency, get jobs ahead of those who assume they were being sent “This is best done by do- temporary and other vulner- are disabled and those not a second-rate worker who was ing more to prevent work- able workers. fully fit.” 21 March 2008 THE NEW WORKER Page 3 Home News Newsdesk 020 7223 4052 DWP two-day strike success

THE CIVIL service union maining open offering little or final day, as members contin- agement of actively seeking Highways Agency, Vehicle that will result in cuts in liv- PCS proclaimed its two-day no service to the public. The ued to show their anger by to drive down wages and and Operator Services ing standards for many hard strike by members employed public experienced difficulty staying away from work as warned that further industrial Agency (VOSA) and Vehicle working staff. DWP managers at the Department of Work getting through to call centres they protested over the impo- action could follow if they Certification Agency. and Government ministers and pensions on Monday and with recorded messages tell- sition of a three-year pay of- continued with their refusal to PCS general secretary must not be allowed to get Tuesday this week a resound- ing people to call back at a fer averaging just one per cent find a negotiated outcome Mark Serwotka commented: away with pay levels that are ing success. later date. a year. which ensured fair and just “The fact that inflation is con- so low some full-time staff will This was the second two- The imposed pay offer pay. tinuing to rise in the midst of receive increases which will They were protesting at a day strike in this dispute; the also sees 40 per cent of staff Below inflation pay as a the Government’s cap on take their pay to only 24 pence below-inflation pay package first took place in December receiving nothing this year result of the Government’s public sector pay is further above the national minimum that is effectively a pay cut. last year against a backdrop and the lowest paid receiving pay cap has also prompted evidence that public servants wage. Around 80,000 DWP of worsening industrial unrest increases that take their wage strongly supported strike ac- are not the cause of inflation, “Instead of squandering workers came out on strike, across the civil service, as the to only 24 pence above the tion in the Maritime and they are the victims. millions on private consult- affecting job centres, benefits government seeks to cap pay minimum wage. Coastguard Agency (MCA), “The strong support for ants, contractors and divisive offices, the pension service to below inflation across the With figures out on Tues- the Department for Transport, the strike demonstrates that bonus schemes, ministers and and Child Support Agency. civil and public services. day showing inflation on the Driving Standards Agency staff who have been battered DWP managers should nego- It led to the closure of The strike continued to rise, the union accused the (DSA), the Driver and Vehicle and bruised by job cuts will tiate seriously with PCS about some offices with those re- receive strong support on its government and DWP man- Licensing Agency (DVLA), not tolerate low pay increases reaching a fair settlement that will protect living standards and end low pay.” Tanya Walker, North MoD seeks to rewrite Yorkshire PCS DWP branch secretary, said the strike had caused severe disruption, af- history for schools fecting job centres and DWP THE NATIONAL Union of their country after the years offices throughout York and Teachers has accused the of neglect” – with no mention North Yorkshire. Ministry of Defence of trying of the decade of strict sanc- She said: “Members of to interfere in the way in tions that caused that neglect. the public have been severely which the history of the Iraq It describes the work affected which is something War is to be taught in done by the armed forces in we do regret. Because job schools. security and reconstruction centres are currently being The union claims the and notes the 2005 elections staffed with such minimal lev- MoD’s prepared information but fails to mention the US- els of staffing anyone going sheets are heavily biased, lack led invasion, Iraqi civilian in will experience long wait- balance and are inaccurate. deaths and the fact that no ing times or they may find Furthermore they are in weapons of mass destruction specialist officers are unavail- breach of the 1996 Education were ever found. able.” Act that aims to ensure all Passages from the sheets political issues are treated in say: “Iraq was invaded early a balanced way. in 2003 by a United States NUT general secretary coalition. Twenty-nine other Steve Sinnott said: “It is pro- countries including Britain paganda; it does not present also supplied troops [no men- Britain to a balanced position. tion of the failure to get UN “When you are dealing backing] … Iraq had not aban- with something as controver- doned its nuclear and chemi- get a sial as Iraq and the different cal weapons development events which led up to the program [American spelling of Iraq: protest at 5 years of occupation invasion, teachers are under programme] … Iraq did not security an enormous duty to present honour the ceasefire agree- AROUND 40,000 people unions, left political parties Marchers demanded material that is balanced.” ment by surrendering weap- gathered in Trafalgar and groups, community the immediate withdrawal One worksheet supplied ons of mass destruction.” Square, London, last groups, religious groups of British troops from Iraq council by the MoD and designed by The lies and distortions Saturday to protest at and thousands of other and Afghanistan, and end a private marketing company, continue throughout. Britain’s continuing in- progressives. to plans to invade Iraq and Kids Connections, describes The MoD described the PRIME Minister Gordon volvement in the illegal After a rally in the justice for the people of Brown is due to announce this the work of British forces in information sheets as “valu- invasion and occupa- square, the demonstrators Palestine. Iraq as mainly targeted at week the setting up of a US- able and fun resources for tion of Iraq. marched down Whitehall, A similar march took “helping the Iraqis to rebuild applied learning”. style security council, The event was across Westminster place in Glasgow and in charged with protecting Brit- organised jointly by the Bridge, along the Albert cities all around the ain from diverse threats, Stop the War Coalition, Embankment, crossed the world, in a global World ranging from terrorism to ATL warns of Big Brother the Campaign for Nuclear river again by Lambeth Against the War Day, climate change. Disarmament and the Brit- Bridge and ended with an- marking the fifth anniver- A list of threats has been JULIA Neal, president of the Meanwhile a senior Scot- ish Muslim Initiative and other rally in Parliament sary of the illegal invasion identified, including water and Association of Teachers and land Yard officer has called for was supported by trade Square. of Iraq. energy shortages, cyber-ter- Lecturers, last week warned primary school children to be rorism, human and animal dis- that education in England is put on the national DNA da- eases and other natural disas- becoming increasingly tabase if their behaviour sug- ters. “Orwellian”, under a regime gests they may become crimi- It will be modelled on the of targets, testing, Inspec- nal. US presidential national secu- tions and observation. Gary Pugh, director of fo- Unite calls for rity council and staffed by rensic science and the new senior politicians from all lead- She was speaking at the DNA spokesperson for the ing parties, military chiefs and union’s annual conference in Association of Chief Police Howells’ resignation scientific experts. It will also Torquay and accused the Officers, called for a debate include senior officials from Government of employing on measures required to iden- the Home Office, Foreign Of- “Big Brother-style” tactics to tify future offenders. THE GIANT union Unite last ground in Colombia who live part in solidarity delegations fice, Ministry of Defence and crack down on assaults on “If we have a primary Monday condemned com- with the very real threat of organised by JFC. Department for International staff and fellow children. means of identifying people ments made by Foreign Of- assassination by the brutal “It is clear that when se- Development. Neal, a history teacher in before they offend, then in the fice Minister Kim Howells as regime. nior politicians in Colombia Torquay Grammar School for long term the benefits of tar- “utterly unfounded” and say Since 2002, more than 550 make such comments, assas- complement Girls, claimed that the current geting younger people are he has put trade unionists and trade unionists have been as- sinations and threats against reality is of “over-measured, extremely large. human rights defenders sassinated in Colombia by the trade unionists and human The council will comple- over monitored education”. “We have to find who are working in Colombia at risk. army and paramilitary death rights activists increase and ment rather than replace the She predicted a sinister future possibly going to be the big- squads that work with them, for those reasons we are as- existing Cobra emergency with CCTV surveillance in gest threat to society,” he ar- Responding to comments yet the British government tonished that a UK Minister committee. every classroom, where chil- gued. made by Kim Howells that the continues to give military aid would make such dangerous Meanwhile MI5 has sur- dren are tested on a rolling And Children’s Secretary trade union-backed to the Colombian Army. and unfounded comments. prised many MPs by seeking basis and take regular mock Ed Balls has announced a organisation, “Justice for Co- “Instead of responding to access to records relating to tests to make sure they are £218 million expansion of lombia (JFC)” supports the Tony Woodley, Joint Gen- the legitimate concerns raised Oyster and other travel smart ready for the real ones. Family Intervention Projects FARC (a Colombian Marxist eral Secretary of Unite, said: about British policy in Colom- cards used by 17 million “Failure to demonstrate a and plans to issue Anti-Social guerrilla group fighting a war “The Minister’s comments put bia, Kim Howells is engaging people in Britain. These cards year-on-year improvement in Behaviour Orders to children against the government), in severe danger the brave in the same tactics that the leave an electronic trail wher- pass rates would be just too as young as 10. Unite say Kim Howells has trade union activists and hu- Colombian regime uses to si- ever the user travels. embarrassing,” she said. These will take the form endangered people’s lives in man rights defenders in Co- lence and intimidate its crit- Police and security ser- Neal warned that the of good behaviour contracts Colombia and should either lombia who already live with ics. He clearly has little under- vices can already ask for CCTV cameras now being in- to be issued to about 1,000 of withdraw his comments or be the very real and daily danger standing of the situation in travel details relating to indi- troduced into classrooms the country’s worst behaved sacked. of assassination. Colombia and we call on him vidual suspects but do not yet across the country were also children. Breach of contract Unite and other trade “Unite is also very con- to immediately and publicly have routine access to the there to monitor the teachers, could lead to a criminal record unions in Britain provide fi- cerned about the safety of its withdraw his comments. entire database. saving school inspectors the for children still below the of- nance for JFC which supports own members and officers Should he not do so, we call The security service says effort of actually visiting the ficial age of criminal responsi- trade unionists and human and those of other interna- on the Prime Minster to re- it needs the access under new schools. bility. rights campaigners on the tional trade unions who take move him from office.” counter-terrorism measures. Page 4 THE NEW WORKER 21 March 2008 Features

a fact acknowledged by many by Ann Rogers military pundits. If Trident were ever used it would amount to IN MARCH 2007 the Gov- a crime of genocidal propor- ernment put a resolution tions – and it is obviously not before the House of Com- inconceivable that it could be mons calling for “the nec- used, given the first-strike talk essary steps to maintain of the Nato war chiefs. the United Kingdom’s stra- No Trident! Does Trident defend our tegic nuclear deterrent be- country? Of course not. It only yond the life of the existing increases the danger of system”. In short the Gov- nuclear catastrophe. ernment was calling for a Only the US has a compa- new generation of Trident rable system to Trident. Brit- nuclear weapons. ain does not face a threat from The resolution was passes others – we are the threat. In after pressure on both Tory fact in July 1998 a Ministry of and Labour MPs. But it was No nuclear Defence review stated: still opposed by 161 MPs – “There is today no military including 89 Labour MPs – the threat to the United Kingdom biggest revolt by Labour or Western Europe. Nor do backbenchers on a domestic we foresee the re-emergence issue since Tony Blair came of such a threat.” to office. That statement did not de- The rebel MPs were in step ter former Defence Secretary with the public as a whole. A Geoff Hoon from indicating in majority (59 per cent), polled holocaust! 2002 that Trident might be by ICM in July 2006, opposed used in a first strike capacity replacing Trident. as a pre-emptive attack In January 2008, as re- “Trident is unacceptably expensive, against a proportionate threat ported in the New Worker, and that this could be against armed forces chiefs from the economically wasteful and militarily a non-nuclear weapon state. United States, Britain, Ger- A CND briefing of May 2007 many, France and the Neth- said: “The UK is enhancing the erlands gave a statement in- unsound.” – Gordon Brown (1984). Trident system and making it sisting that a “first strike” more flexible and therefore nuclear option remains an “in- is presented by the biggest lie more usable. For example in dispensable option” since of all – that these weapons 2003 new computers were there is “simply no realistic protect our country and that installed on Trident subma- prospect of a nuclear-free they are a means of “defence”. rines so that the missiles can world”. It is thought this mani- We do not need to second now be rapidly retargeted and festo will be discussed at the guess the thinking of the rul- £28.4 million has been spent Nato summit in April. ing class here and in the on acquiring a new fire-con- Of course armed forces United States – we only need trol system (to be deployed in chiefs are not necessarily to see the specification for Tri- 2010) which will improve their speaking for their respective dent to know that it is, and al- targeting. An upgrade to the governments. But since gov- ways was, an offensive nuclear warheads has also ernments have not spoken weapon of mass destruction. been scheduled. The Govern- against these views we must Much more exposure needs to ment describe this as a “rela- conclude that this does reflect be given to this since there is tively minor upgrading and re- the thinking of the imperialist now a generation of young furbishment during the first leaders. adults who were born after the half of the next decade. This It means that objecting to Cold War in Europe and after will enable Trident warheads these policies needs to hap- the intense campaigning to remain in service until at pen now – ahead of the Nato against Trident in the 1980s. least the 2020s.” summit. Briefly: The current trident The Ministry of Defence The armed forces chiefs’ fleet consists of four Ballistic and Foreign Office have pro- statement also needs to be submarines – HMS Ven- duced a fact sheet giving a seen alongside arguments put geance, HMS Victorious, potted history of Britain’s by Tony Blair when he was HMS Vigilant and HMS Van- nuclear weapons programme striving to get the new Trident guard. At any time three of (incidentally, though this goes resolution through the Com- these can be at sea. Each back to 1941 and the 1943 mons. According to Blair it 150-metre submarine has 16 Manhattan Project, agreed would be “unwise and danger- missile tubes capable of firing between Churchill and ous” for Britain to give up its Trident D5 missiles and four Roosevelt, it never bothers to nuclear weapons. He alleged tubes for Spearfish torpedoes. mention the US bombings of that the consequences of D5 is a MERV-type missile, Hiroshima and Nagasaki in misjudgement about the which can fire 12 nuclear- 1945). country’s security would be armed warheads. However it does mention “potentially catastrophic”. Each submarine’s range is the signing in 1958 of the Mu- He alleged that new threats over 4,000 nautical miles and, tual Defence Agreement were posed by states like the according to Royal navy infor- (MDA) as the basis for Agree- Democratic Peoples Repub- mation, claims an accuracy of ment and Co-operation on lic of Korea. This outrageous a few metres. This is laugh- Uses of Atomic Energy for slur against the DPRK, a able, since a single warhead Mutual Defence Purposes. country that has issued no would totally devastate an area This, it says, “became, and threats to anyone at all and of many square miles – being remains, the cornerstone of which vigorously supports accurate to a few yards is ut- UK-US co-operation on peace and working class soli- terly irrelevant. nuclear defence issues. It was darity internationally, shows Just one trident warhead renewed in 2004 for a further the utter emptiness and weak- has eight times the explosive period of 10 years.” ness of the Government’s power of the atomic bomb It underlines the fact that case. It also shows that the dropped on Hiroshima in the US Trident missile system Cold War is not ended outside 1945. A warhead aimed at a that Britain deploys always Europe – at least in the minds city would kill, sooner or later, has to be seen as a compo- of the imperialist powers. over a million people, destroy nent of the wider US war strat- But Blair’s words will come the entire infrastructure and egy. as no surprise after backing contaminate the whole area In the 1980s Trident was to Bush’s war on Iraq on the ba- for decades to come. have been an integrated part sis of a lie about weapons of The range of Trident of the US Star Wars mass destruction, which Iraq means it could do this to any programme and today it re- did not have. country in the world. mains an arm of US strategy. The whole issue of Trident This is military nonsense – Trident is not an independent 21 March 2008 THE NEW WORKER Page 5 Features 020 7223 4052

UK weapons system and it is international prestige and to inconceivable that Britain keep its permanent seat on the would ever use its Trident Security Council of the United weapons if the US did not Nations. sanction it. It is also part of the wider While British ministers al- strategy of Anglo-US relations. ways speak of trident as “our Britain is no longer a big colo- nuclear deterrent” – it is actu- nial power but a section of the ally more closely tied to British ruling class hopes to Washington than other weap- bask in the reflection of the ons systems that Britain has. new sun in the sky –the US. This is because the US will It is timely that this Easter not let Trident be subjected to CND plans to mark its 50th an- any collective decision-mak- niversary with a demonstra- ing by its allies. tion at the Atomic weapons It is not just the constraints Establishment (AWE) at of the MDA that make Trident Aldermaston. This is where a not an independent weapons new laser facility is being built system. A report prepared for to test and develop a new gen- Scottish CND revealed that eration of nuclear weapons. Trident is technically depen- This site produced and dent on the US in many im- maintains nuclear warheads portant ways. It says: “The and has always been the busi- [Trident] warhead is a Dutch ness end of Trident in Britain. copy of the US W76…. Sev- The decision to replace Tri- eral key components are pro- dent has led to an increase in duced in America…. The the workforce at Aldermaston MC2989 Neutron Generators, and capital costs have risen initially deployed on British by £278 million in the last five warheads were overhauled in years. According to a House the US in 1999. This implies of Commons written state- that they were built there. A ment £1 billion extra funding replacement Neutron Genera- Though Blair denied that cessation of the nuclear arms vice to this and by upgrading their nuclear weapons they has been earmarked for tor, the MC4380, was manu- Trident replacement is in race at an early date and to Aldermaston from 2005 to factured in America and sup- breach of the NPT, the words pursue nuclear disarmament, are clearly in breach. But that sort of thing has never worried 2008. plied to Britain in 2002 …. The of Article VI of the treaty show and on a treaty on general and This brings us to the cost gas reservoirs on British war- that he is wrong. It says: complete disarmament under either state. The imperialist powers never thought of the of Trident. According to CND heads are filled with tritium in “Each of the parties to the strict and effective interna- replacement for Trident could the US. These are difficult treaty undertakes to pursue tional control.” NPT as a call for nuclear weapons’ reduction by them- cost at least £25 billion. Run- components to build. This negotiations in good faith on Britain and the US have ning costs will be £1.5 billion- suggests that the reservoirs effective measures relating to never paid more than lip ser- selves – but only as a means of constraining all other states a-year and over a 30-year are manufactured in America. lifespan this would bring the “The arming, fusing and fir- to create as near to a nuclear weapons monopoly as pos- cost to £76 billion. The Stop ing system triggers the war- the War Coalition believes the head. The model used on Brit- sible. Since the counter-revolu- cost will be £50 billion and a ish warheads was designed Defence white paper says the by Sandia Laboratory and al- tion in the Soviet Union this pressure has built up so that running costs of Trident are most certainly procured off- five to six per cent of the an- the-shelf from America…. And now states the US regards as unfriendly are bullied to aban- nual defence budget. there is a substantial Ameri- Of course the figures all can presence at the don nuclear power generation altogether. depend on what is counted in. Northwood headquarters for example there would be from where British submarine If the Government’s stated reasons for wanting to keep extra costs for decommis- operations are controlled. sioning the old system and “Successive governments Trident are spurious, what are the true reasons? the huge costs of running have withheld information to AWE Aldermaston. conceal dependence …. This One of these can be summed up by the words of Whatever measure we use is consistent with the policy of it is colossally expensive and uncertainty that lies at the Aneurin Bevan when he ad- dressed the Labour Party represents money that could heart of British nuclear policy.” be better spent on health, edu- Blair’s statement to the Conference in 1957 and insisted that Britain retain cation, housing, pensions, House of Commons that “it public transport, local authori- would be unwise and danger- nuclear weapons “lest she go naked into the conference ties and so on. ous for Britain to give up its Clearly British taxpayers – nuclear weapons” is utterly chamber”. Maintaining nuclear status the majority of whom are bogus. The vast majority of working class people on pay- countries in the world do not has and is a ruling class ob- jective for British capitalism’s as-you-earn tax (PAYE) – are have nuclear weapons at all. helping to pay for US nuclear And since the end of the Cold war plans and “defence” strat- war in Europe Ukraine, egy. None of this is in the in- Kazakhstan and Belarus have terests of the working class. got rid of their nuclear weap- Quote: “Trident is unac- ons. ceptably expensive, economi- For Britain to opt for Trident cally wasteful and militarily un- replacement is not going to sound.” – Gordon Brown deter countries from trying to (1984). acquire nuclear weapons – it will have the opposite effect of making non-nuclear states feel threatened and therefore in need of seeking a nuclear option. Furthermore it is contrary • Opposite page – top: marching to the Nuclear Non-Prolifera- against Trident. Bottom: modern tion Treaty (NPT) that Britain Trident missiles carry far more has signed. powerful warheads than this The NPT was signed by the bomb at Nagasaki which US, Britain, the Soviet Union murdered so many. and 59 other countries on 1st This page – top: CND demo July 1968. Since then China depicting the wide range of and France have also signed. people against Trident. Middle: By 2000, 187 states were accidents are also a danger – party to the NPT. Trident goes into a spin. Page 6 THE NEW WORKER 21 March 2008 Home News

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LETTERS brave poets, writers and who are constantly mail national, as a public 1234567890123456789012345678

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miners who fought and died privatising as many social service. 1234567890123456789012345678 Yours, 123456789012345678901234567Diary 8 in Spain to defend democ- services as quickly as they 1234567890123456789012345678 Dear Comrades racy. It is they who made our can, who are reducing the George Marsh, country what it is today. wages and conditions of the Surrey. MONDAY 24 March the Memorial Plaque and So the very Attorney This Government is workers and blackmailing Aldermaston 2008. tree, speakers from the General who hoodwinked slowly strangling those the public to agree, to keep Dear Comrades Surround the base. 12 trade union and labour Parliament by stating that hard-won democratic rights. down the council taxes, noon. CND 020 7700 movement, all welcome. the Iraq War was legal, at a I plead with Gordon when postal workers defend I see Foreign Office 2393. Details from Mike cost to the taxpayer of Brown’s government to tell their rights and conditions. Minister Kim Howells has THURSDAY 27 March Fletcher, c/o NCP Party billions and billions of the Attorney General to stuff So do not be fooled by finally been stripped of Looming economic & Centre. pounds – to the detriment of his half-baked ideas on the “new” proposals to Unite union sponsorship environmental crisis: is SATURDAY 29 March our health service and local citizenship. We must regain “save” the post offices that after being photographed there an alternative? Socialist Youth Network government – has now come the world’s respect, which they will be run by your with a Colombian death 7.30pm, Vida Welsh conference. 10am-4pm, up with the harebrained idea we lost on the battlefields of democratically elected squad – murderers of trade Centre, 2b Saltoun Road, ULU, Malet St, London. of a compulsory oath of Iraq and Afghanistan. rulers, for it is only the smile unionists. Brixton, London. SATURDAY 12 April loyalty to the Queen for Yours sincerely, on the face of the privatised Howells is a former Southwark & Lambeth Celebration in memory of those applying for British Ray Davies, tiger, trying to end the NUM official. Has not Labour Representation Kim Il Sung. Speakers citizenship. Caerphilly. national collective bargain- naiveté been the problem on Cttee. include: Andy Brooks What utter, stupid ing of the trade union of the the left rather than paranoia? FRIDAY 28 March - NCP, Chris Coleman nonsense!! Love and postal workers (CWU), so Mick Kenny, Saturday 29 March. RCPB(ML) and a respect for one’s country Dear Comrades Yorkshire. Conference: Peace reprentative from the does not come from silly history. Imperial War DPRK embassy. 3pm, pledges. It stems from what The New Labour Museum, Lambeth Rd, Marx House, 37a a country means to its government, the disciples of London SE1. Both days Clerkenwell Green, people. privatisation via the Lobby to save £30, one day £25. London EC1R 0DU A long tradition of European Union, agree with www.abolishwar.org.uk MONDAY 28 April fairness and justice moulded the “new” proposal by the Friday 28 March International Workers the culture of Britain and local authorities to take over Bridlington Hospital 12.30pm, the Colchester Memorial Day. March, Wales; from the Chartists, their local post offices. Labour Representation assemble 10.30, Holland They would, of course, Committee, which St, London SE1. who shed their blood to MEMBERS of the union Unite the trust’s plans will put includes New Commu- achieve democracy for as this will mean and local campaigners from patient’s lives at risk. nist Party, Labour Party WEDNESDAY 30 April working people, to the denationalising the services Bridlington last Tuesday trav- Local Unite activist members and Unison’s Hope not Hate 2008. Suffragettes who won the and fragmenting the Royal elled to Westminster to lobby Stephen Holiday said: “Unite North East Essex Mental Carling Academy Brixton, vote for women, the Mail monopoly, to save the their MPs to keep vital ser- has been campaigning with Health branch, will be Stockwell Rd, London Tolpuddle Martyrs who face of the Government vices operating at local residents to defend the supporting workers SW9. £20/£16. helped create the greatest when the “new” scheme Bridlington Hospital. vital services at Bridlington Memorial Day outside www.hopenothate.org.uk trade union the world has fails through fragmentation. Hospital. The petition we are They handed a petition delivering is a clear demon- with 37,000 signatures to stration of local strength of Downing Street and then feeling around these essential went to the Houses of Parlia- services the hospital pro- ment to meet their MPs as part vides. FROM THE NEW COMMUNIST PARTY of the campaign opposing the “The ‘Save Bridlington On the Web... New technology and the need for socialism closure of the cardiac moni- Hospital Campaign’ and every New Worker National – toring unit and two acute signatory on this petition are £2 plus 50p P&P. medical wards at the hospital. urging a rethink on the clo- www.newworker.org The case for communism £2 plus 50p P&P. Unite has consistently said sure plans.” NCP Central – On Stalin £2plus 50p P&P. (New Worker reprint). www.geocities.com/ncpcentral All in the family by Daphne Liddle, London District NCP– £1 plus 50p P&P (New Worker reprint). http://londoncommunists.blogspot.com/ Arab nationalism and the communist movement BA pilots protest Brighton NCP – by Andy Brooks, £1 plus 50p P&P (New Worker reprint). http://brightoncommunists.blogspot.com/ NCP Lit. PO Box 73, London SW11 2PQ. MORE than 1,000 airline pi- trial action, but BA applied for NCP-PCS – lots employed by British Air- (cheques to New Worker) a legal injunction to prevent www.geocities.ncppcs/pcs1.html ways and members of the pi- it going ahead. lots’ union Balpa last week British Airways says the staged a protest march to new airline would not be vi- BA’s headquarters at able if all its pilots were em- Heathrow. ployed under existing terms. Speaking for Balpa, Cap- New Worker They are in dispute over tain Dave Smith said: “This BA plans to use non-BA pi- shows that we are determined Supporters’ Groups… lots is a subsidiary company that our jobs and our security – on reduced wages and con- and our family lives will be ditions. defended.” New Worker supporters groups exist to support the British Airways plans to A spokesperson for Balpa weekly newspaper of the New Communist Party. fly to the US direct from other said given that roughly 2,000 Individual membership is £5.00 ( 8 Euros or $10) for all European cities using the new of BA’s 3,000 pilots are usu- or part of the calendar year and every member will BA “Open Skies” service fol- ally either on duty or resting receive a New Worker Supporters Group (NWSG) card lowing an EU-US agreement. before or after flights, the turn- and a copies of the Internal Bulletin for the year. Pilots had voted for indus- out was very high.

Name...... Address...... Legal fight for ...... postcode...... asbestos victims

THE CONSTRUCTION caused by exposure to asbes- union Ucatt is backing a cam- tos. Their protest follows a le- paign to overturn a Law gal ruling last year that pleu- Lords’ ruling that prevents ral plaques would no longer the victims of asbestos-re- be a compensatable illness. lated illnesses from claiming Cruddas said: “This is vi- thousands of pounds in com- tal for this area. The local in- Weekly paper of the New Communist Party pensation. cidence of asbestos-related diseases is the highest in The campaign is also London. Mesothelioma is the SUBSCRIBE NOW! backed by Dagenham MP Jon highest for women in the coun- Cruddas, who attended an try and in the top 10 for men. 6 weeks: £5; 3 months: £10; event at Barking Town Hall, That’s why it’s so important. 6 months: £15; annual: £30 along with union activists last “The Law Lords’ decision week to launch a campaign to has saved billions for insur- restore payments to workers ance companies. It’s a work- Name...... exposed to dust from the Cape ing class disease of which Address...... Asbestos factory in Harts people sitting in the Lords Lane, Barking, which closed know very little about.” ...... in 1968. Health statistics reveal Post code...... The campaign involves Barking and Dagenham has people sending postcards to one of the highest rates of Phone...... justice secretary Jack Straw asbestos-related diseases in Cheque/P.O.’s, made out to New Worker, to: asking him to reintroduce pay- the country, and up to 25 ments to people suffering people die from diseases as- NW Subs, PO Box 73, London SW11 2PQ from scarring of the lungs, sociated with exposure to it known as pleural plaques, every year. 21 March 2008 THE NEW WORKER Page 7 020 7223 4052 No to the Lisbon Treaty!

EUROPEAN communist par- tal. It cannot represent a genu- democratic “European Party ties called for a mass cam- ine counterweight to the of the Left” bloc, like the paign for a strong No vote United States in favour of the French Communist Party and against the “Lisbon Treaty” people. With the Lisbon the Italian Communist in Ireland and throughout the Treaty, new steps are being Refoundation Party, did not European Union at a confer- taken towards the configura- take part in the conference ence in Athens last weekend. tion of the EU as an imperial- though others including the Twenty-three communist and ist, economic, political and Communist Party of Spain workers’ parties, including military bloc contrary to the (PCE) fully participated in the New Communist Party of interests of the workers and support of the communist ini- Britain, took part in the con- the people. tiative. ference called to develop joint The sovereignty and inde- The guest of honour was and co-ordinated initiatives to pendence of peoples and the Cuban ambassador to mobilise the working class countries are being further Greece and two anti-European against the bourgeois drive to undermined. The attack on Marxist-Leninist movements, build the capitalist super- labour and trade union rights the Pole of Communist state in Europe. throughout the EU is escalat- Renaissaince in France There was broad unanim- ing in the name of (PRCF) and the L’Ernesto ity amongst the communist “modernisation”; “competi- magazine from Italy attended representatives from 20 EU tiveness” and “flexicurity”, as observers. member-states and accession and in order to ensure the NCP leader Andy Brooks countries on the true nature profits of capital. The partici- and Theo Russell from the of the European Union. They pants vehemently denounced Central Committee repre- stressed that the development the adoption of the Treaty sented the Party in Athens. In of the Common Market and without consulting the his speech Andy Brooks the EU that followed was the people. called for mass support for a choice of European imperial- The unilateral secession No vote in Ireland, the only ism and western European of Kosovo from Serbia was country that is putting the monopoly capital. condemned and concern was Lisbon Treaty to referendum. • Aleka Papariga, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) It promotes neo-liberal expressed about its conse- He said: “Communists must opening the conference. measures favouring the mo- quences. also use the opportunity of the vote to make the principled Rome altogether…the Euro- the Treaty of Rome, which nopolies and the concentra- Leading members of the public debate that will no stand against the European pean Union cannot be re- established the Common tion and accumulation of capi- revisionist and left social- doubt take place prior to the Union and the Treaty of formed except by tearing up Market in the first place”. Tibet police exercised ‘great restraint’

by Wu Jiao Yet “public security rioters in Lhasa. personnel and police Yet he expressed POLICE SHOWED showed maximum re- confidence in maintain- great restraint and straint during law enforce- ing social stability and used no lethal force ment” and “throughout the order under the leader- in dealing with the process, (security forces) ship of the central riots in Lhasa last did not carry or use any government. Friday, the chairman destructive weapons. Only “Any plot to destroy of the Tibet autono- tear gas and water social stability or to mous regional cannons were employed,” mastermind the seces- government said on Qiangba Puncog said. sion of Tibet are against Monday. The regional govern- the will of the people in “The riots caused ment immediately Tibet and doomed to heavy loss of life and organised task forces to failure,” he said. property, and seriously put out the fires, rescue • Qiangba Puncog. Meanwhile, the disturbed social order,” the injured and protected Chinese Foreign Qiangba Puncog told a hospitals, schools, banks result of a conspiracy Ministry condemned news briefing in and government offices. hatched by domestic and the attacks against Beijing. The military was not overseas separatists Chinese embassies and • Robert Laurie lays flowers on behalf of the NCP. On Friday violence involved in quelling the advocating “Tibetan consulates in Europe involving physical riots, but participated in independence”. and the United States assault, destruction of rescue work, he said. It was “premeditated, by Tibetans linked to Honouring Marx property, looting and In a notice issued over organised and master- the Dalai Lama. arson broke out in the weekend, law enforce- minded” by the Dalai Rioters smashed THE PROMISED rain held the base of the huge tomb, urban Lhasa. Rioters ment agencies promised Lama clique, he said. doors and windows at off last Friday as a large including red roses laid by set fires at more than leniency to rioters who “A tiny handful of China’s embassies and group of people from all New Communist Party 300 locations, includ- turned themselves in. separatists and lawless consulates, said corners of the world gath- central committee member ing 214 homes and Qiangba Puncog elements engaged in spokesman Liu ered in Highgate Cem- Robert Laurie. shops, and smashed underscored the terms of extreme acts with the goal Jiancohao. He urged etery, north London, to Professor John Cal- the notice, saying: “If of generating publicity to foreign governments to th and burned 56 ve- mark the 125 anniver- low gave a short speech, hicles. these people provide wreck stability during this increase security at sary of the death of Karl in which he mentioned the In one case, a further information about crucial period of the Chinese missions. Marx. recently published book civilian was doused others involved in crimes, Olympic Games,” he said. “The atrocities of the Those gathered in- Marx in London that he has ‘Tibetan independence’ cluded ambassadors and co-authored. with petrol and burned they will be treated even Qiangba Puncog also diplomats from People’s He said his work was to death by rioters. more leniently. said he was indignant that forces showed again the China, Vietnam, South Af- an attempt to rescue the Sixty-one members “Those who committed some Westerners and the divisive nature of the rica and Cuba together with real Marx from a welter of of the armed police serious crimes in the riots Dalai Lama group had Dalai clique and the Danish and German com- tradition and ritual and pro- were injured, including will face the full force of spread a distorted version hypocrisy and deceit of munists, a large party of mote the content of Marx’s six critically. Rioters the law.” of the unrest by describing its peace and non- Chinese students from writings. “Marxism is not a beat a police officer He said he did not the riots as a “peaceful violence propaganda,” Westminster College and rigid dogma but a living way into a coma and cut a know if anyone had demonstration”. Liu said. the regular London-based of interpreting the political, fist-size piece of flesh surrendered so far. He said no democratic communist stalwarts of the social and economic pro- country would tolerate the struggle. cesses that are happening out of his buttock, he Qiangba Puncog said Flowers were laid at all around us,” he said. said. that the riots were the brutality shown by the China Daily Page 8 21 March 2008 THE NEW WORKER International News Web: www.newworker.org Fax 020 7223 4057

Policeman My Lai dies of Anti-war protests massacre wounds in survivors Kosovo sweep America remember Survivors of the My A UNITED NATIONS police- AS PART of actions across man who was badly wounded the United States to mark the Lai massacre gath- in clashes with ethnic Serbs fifth anniversary of the US ered in the small in the northern Kosovo town invasion of Iraq in 2003, ten Vietnamese village of Mitrovica died on Tuesday, “Grandmothers for Peace” along with American police said. — ranging in age from 57 to veterans of the war of “I can confirm the death 80 — were arrested in At- aggression to com- of a UN policeman from lanta while trying to enlist in memorate the 40th Ukraine,” said Kosovo Police the United States Army. Acts anniversary of the in- Service (KPS) spokesman of civil disobedience are Veton Elshani. Elshani did not famous event. planned all this week in at One US veteran, give the identity of the police- least 17 other American cit- man or specify the hospital in Lawrence Colburn, was ies. reunited with the person which the Ukrainian had died. According to eyewit- Riots erupted in the north- nesses, the Grandmothers for he rescued from the ern part of the flashpoint town Peace entered the Army Re- rampaging members of of Mitrovica on Monday cruiting Station at the Mid- Charlie Company, the morning after several hundred town Place Shopping Centre US troops who slaugh- UN special police backed by in Atlanta, Georgia at around tered up to 500 unarmed French Nato peacekeepers 9:30 am, Monday morning. Vietnamese villagers in stormed the Municipal and The women broke up into one of the most notori- District Court in the town and three groups, each approach- ous chapters of the arrested dozens of Serbs, ing a different recruiter’s desk former court employees, who Vietnam War. to engage them in questions. th had been protesting in the On 16 March Some of the grandmothers 1968, Colburn found building for several days, de- asked about getting bonuses manding their jobs back nine eight-year-old Do Ba and insisted on being able to clinging to his mother’s years after they were left job- join the Army so that their • Anti war protesters in California. less in 1999. grandchildren and other corpse in a ditch with The riots escalated into young people don’t have to activists were given 10 sec- misdemeanor, could carry a the bodies of more than open clashes in which fire- ing at the presence of nuclear go to Iraq. Meanwhile, doz- onds to leave the army recruit- maximum of one year in jail, weapons near her home in 100 people who had arms, teargas and shock ens of activists were outside ing station or face arrest. The although a judge could use Sacramento, California. Today been mowed down. bombs were used. Around 70 of the recruitment centre, beat- Atlanta Police Department his or her discretion. the group conducts a variety Nearly all the victims Serbs were injured, of whom ing drums and chanting un- confirmed the arrest of ten Grandmothers for Peace were women, children 15 seriously injured were hos- of protests and other actions, der a banner that read: “Take Grandmothers for Peace. The International was founded in including civil disobedience, and the elderly. pitalized, while two persons us, not our grandchildren!” women were charged with 1981 when Barbara Wiender, who had received life-threat- around issues of nuclear dis- Colburn, a member Finally, Atlanta police of- criminal trespassing and taken the first Grandmother for armament, peace and justice. of a three-man helicop- ening injuries were trans- ficers were called in and the to a local jail. The charge, a Peace, was arrested protest- ported to Kragujevac and Radio Havana Cuba ter crew who intervened Belgrade. to stop the killing, said Regional KPS spokes- that Do Ba is now mar- man Besim Hoti said on Mon- Pakistan’s coalition parties ried and has a little baby day that more than100 UN girl. He said that he is police officers and Nato-led agree on power-sharing US motor giant “a perfect example of peacekeeping forces (KFOR) the human spirit, of the were injured in Monday’s PAKISTAN’S coalition par- net formation and its size will to survive.” clashes including 14 Ukraini- Hundreds of Viet- ans, 13 Poles and eight French ties have finally agreed on a would be reduced as com- in deep trouble soldiers. unanimous power-sharing pared to the previous cabinet. namese from the village KFOR spokesman Etienne formula based on their pro- He said the prime minis- gathered this weekend du Fayet de la Tour confirmed portionate strength in both ter would decide on the distri- A MAJOR American car nology crash of 2001, several to remember the My Lai late on Monday that KFOR houses of parliament. bution of key ministries such manufacturer is planning to Silicon Valley companies, massacre. The 40th an- units had used automatic The incoming prime min- as Foreign Affairs and Fi- save money by shutting down niversary of the event ister would announce the port- such as Adobe Systems and weapons in the riots, but they nance. its plants for several weeks Sun Microsystems, ordered that shocked the world fired only warning shots. folio after consultations with The PPP won most votes in this summer. Chrysler, and undermined Ameri- the parties, including Paki- in the parliamentary elections employees to take a week off The spokesman said the which is restructuring a to save money. cans’ support for the soldiers had sustained inju- stan People’s Party (PPP), Pa- and agreed to form a coalition troubled business under pri- kistan Muslim League-Nawaz government with the PML-N But Chrysler’s shutdown war was commemo- ries from “grenades, stones vate ownership, told its work- is notable for two reasons: It rated at a time when the and Molotov cocktails”. (PML-N), Awami National led by former Prime Minister ers by email that almost all of Party (ANP), and the Jamiat Nawaz Sharif, which came the will include all of Chrysler’s US is getting ready to The bridge on the river the company will shut down employees except for minimal mark the fifth anniver- Ibar which separates Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). second. for two weeks in July to save staff needed for what Nardelli sary of the invasion of Mitrovica into northern “The formula has been According to the declara- money. called “business critical op- Serbian and southern Alba- agreed unanimously. The tion signed by the two major erations”. It’s also notable be- Iraq. nian parts was closed to traf- composition of the cabinet parties, the candidates for Chrysler’s CEO, Robert L cause of the company’s cur- Buddhist monks led fic on Tuesday. would be based on the prime minister, parliament Nardelli, wrote to the the mourners in prayer strength of the parties in the rent state of play — execut- The building of the dis- speaker and deputy speaker carmaker’s 71,500 employees: ing tough cuts in a turbulent at My Lai on Saturday, trict and municipal court is National Assembly and the will be from the PPP of the as- “This year, in order to create economy to prepare it for sale, outside a museum that encircled with barbed wire, Senate,” PML-N leader Nisar sassinated former Prime Min- better alignment and effi- likely to another carmaker. has been erected to re- and in its courtyard members Ali Khan said. ister Benazir Bhutto. But the ciency across organisational Khan said that around 20 PPP has not nominated any Cerberus Capital Manage- member the dead. of the French and Belgian lines and boost productivity, ment bought an 80 per cent Among those praying contingent of KFOR were sta- members would be inducted person for premiership so far. Chrysler will use a corporate- in the first phase of the cabi- stake in Chrysler from Daimler was 83-year-old Ha Thi tioned in full battle kit with Xinhua news agency wide vacation shutdown for for $7.4 billion last May. th th Quy, a My Lai survivor armoured vehicles. the weeks of 7 and 14 of Cerberus has been paring the who still struggles with Serbian Foreign Minister July.” company down to make it at- anger and depression Vuk Jeremic has sent a pro- Sales of new cars are down tractive to a buyer, possibly test note to UN Secretary 5.4 per cent this year, as the Volkswagen or the Nissan- four decades after the General Ban Ki Moon be- economy flags and the na- Renault alliance, according to slaughter. Members of cause, as he cited the abso- tional average price of petrol experts. Charlie Company shot lutely unacceptable and ex- tops $3 per gallon. Chrysler’s Last year, Chrysler nego- her in the leg and killed cessive use of force by inter- sales are down 13 per cent for tiated a contract with the her mother, her 16-year- national forces in the north- the first two months of this United Auto Workers that old daughter and her ern part of Mitrovica, and de- year compared with last year. changes the benefits struc- six-year-old son. Her manded an investigation into Toyota Motor has said that it ture for the company’s em- husband later died of his how the incident had taken would cut production of its ployees, significantly lessen- injuries and another son place. Tundra pickup trucks at ing Chrysler’s long-term obli- had to have an arm and Jeremic also wrote a letter plants in Texas and Indiana. gations. Also, the company a leg amputated after Carmakers in recent years to the UN Security Council announced last year that it suffering gunshot chairman, Russian Ambassa- have selectively shut down would lay off as many as dor Vitaly Churkin, in which plants or entire manufactur- 12,000 workers and discon- wounds that day. She he demanded that the most ing units, usually during the tinue several slow-selling ve- survived only because influential world body discuss summer, to save money. Gen- hicles, including the Crossfire she was shielded be- the security situation in the eral Motors and Ford plan sports coupe and Magnum neath a pile of dead region. two-week plant shutdowns Muscle saloon. bodies.

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