An interview with THE Marxist editor from Africa Pages 8-10

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 52/NO. 50 DECEMBER 23, 1988 $1.00 Gov't wants $45 billion In switch, U.S. gov't to keep nuclear arsenal will talk

The trickle of revelations has become a flood. An environmental disaster, perpe­ with PLO trated by the U.S. government, is taking place at nuclear weapons production plants BY HARRY RING Washington's decision to negotiate with across the country. the Palestine Liberation Organization rep­ The 12 plants have poured radioactive resented an abrupt reversal of U.S. policy. and other toxic wastes into the environ- It registers a setback to the Israeli regime and its efforts to smash with an "iron fist" the Palestinian uprising on the West Bank EDITORIAL and in the Gaza Strip. The December 14 announcement by President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of ment. Nuclear accidents, radioactive emis­ State George Shultz came on the heels of a sions, and toxic dumping have been know­ press conference hours earlier by PLO ingly concealed from the public. Chairman Yassir Arafat in which he reiter­ The damage to the health of workers in­ ated earlier declarations recognizing Israel side the weapons plants has yet to be accu­ and reaffirming the PLO's opposition to rately gauged and made public. "Many oc­ terrorism. cupational health professionals say it is im­ Just 24 hours before the U.S. switch, possible to draw any conclusions about the Arafat had made these same points to the health of the nuclear workers," reported the UN General Assembly and Washington December II New York Times, "because had rebuffed him. the Federal Occupational Safety and In an initial response to the Reagan ad­ Health Administration has no power in the Unloading area at Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, where most radioactive ministration's new stand, Israel's U.S. am­ plants, because security rules have limited wastes from weapons industry are stored. Energy Dept. admits these wastes are leak­ bassador expressed "regret" and repeated, the access of union officials and other ing into soil, water. "We don't recognize the PLO as a viable safety inspectors, and because the Energy partner for negotiations." Department will not release for indepen­ deteriorating, and now widely discredited Now the Department of Energy has Washington's decision came only weeks dent review the health records on which come up with its proposed solutions. The plants. As the proposals were being made after it denied Arafat a visa to come to New [its] studies are based." public, the New York Times reported that central objective: to keep the weapons of York to address the UN. the agency has spent more than $5 billion This deadly course was pursued by mass death coming off the production line, Earlier, it had shut down the Palestine since 1970 on nuclear power projects that Washington over decades - regardless of no matter what the cost in human health, Information Office in Washington and had to be abandoned. whether it was a Republican or Democrat environmental destruction, and financial tried unsuccessfully to close the PLO's UN In addition to calling for new plants, the who sat in the White House Oval Office, resources. observer mission. DOE insists that "national security" re­ whether it was Republicans or Democrats The Department of Energy proposes For some two decades, U.S. administra­ quires that one of the reactors shut down who headed congressional "oversight" spending $45 billion to build new nuclear tions - Republican and Democratic alike Continued on Page 14 committees. weapons plants to replace some of the old, -joined hands with the Israeli regime in efforts to isolate and, if possible, destroy the PLO. Washington had come under increasing Agreement signed on Angola, Namibia international pressure to modify its stand toward the PLO. But, Palestinian leaders BY SAM MANUEL dence, which is spelled out in Resolution erated that the schedule of Cuban troop stressed, the decisive factor in Washing­ The governments of Angola, Cuba, 435. Elections to establish a Namibian withdrawal will be negotiated solely be­ ton's retreat was the year-old West Bank South Africa, and the United States have government are to take place on Nov. I , tween Angola and Cuba. and Gaza Palestinian uprising - the in­ signed an agreement that represents a sub­ 1989. The exact schedule for the Cuban with­ tifada. stantial step toward ending the 13-year-old "SW APO is confident that notwithstand­ drawal will be presented at the formal UN "It is the intifada which has changed the U.S- and South African-run war against ing the many obstacles that Pretoria will signing. But the December 14 Washington world," explained PLO spokesperson Ah­ the people of Angola. It also opens the way certainly try to create, the movement will Post reported a summary of the initial med Abdul-Rahman. "Now the world un­ to implementing a United Nations plan for win the Nov. I , 1989, elections and lead proposed schedule. On April I, 1989, derstands there is a Palestinian nation that the independence of Namibia, which has the country to independence," read the Continued on Page 11 Continued on Page 13 been militarily occupied by South Africa statement. since 1915. It also commended Angola and Cuba for The agreement was signed December 13 their "decisive military actions to create in Brazzaville, Congo, and is known as the favorable conditions for the negotiations, Defenders of Mark Curtis Brazzaville Protocol. A formal signing their steadfastness as to principles, and ceremony of the protocol will take place at flexibility regarding tactics throughout the the United Nations on December 22. long, drawn out negotiations." zero in on drive for sponsors "The signing of the agreement inaugu­ Angolan and Cuban troops dealt a deci­ rates a new era of peace in southern Af­ sive military defeat to South African troops BY MARGARET JA YKO ings in the South to discredit the civil rights rica," said Angolan Army Chief of Staff and their Angolan ally, UNITA (the Na­ Anne Braden and Frank Wilkinson - movement, Wilkinson went there and Gen. Antonio dos Santos Franca Ndalu, tional Union for the Total Independence of two longtime fighters for Black rights and worked with Carl Braden to oppose this. according to a December 14 report from Angola), in March of this year at the Ango­ civil liberties - have recently become They were both subpoenaed to appear be­ Brazzaville by the Angolan Press Organi­ lan town of Cuito Cuanavale. The Angolan sponsors of the Mark Curtis Defense Com­ fore HUAC. They refused to answer ques­ zation (ANGOP). and Cuban forces were joined by fighters mittee. Like Curtis, both have been victims tions and were sentenced to a year in "The protocols show that a people deter­ from SWAPO. There is no mention of of government repression for their political prison. mined is able to reach peace," Cuban Dep­ UNIT A in the pact. activities. A recent lawsuit in California produced uty Foreign Minister Ricardo Alarcon was The four points of the protocol also pro­ In 1954 Anne Braden and her husband 132,000 pages of FBI files documenting quoted in the ANGOP dispatch. "The vide that Angola and Cuba will reach an Carl sold their home in an all-white section the government's 20-year campaign to dis­ peace and security of Angola, and the inde­ agreement with the secretary general of the of Louisville, Kentucky, to a Black family. rupt Wilkinson's activities. pendence of Namibia based on UN Resolu­ UN on a procedure for verification of This set off a racist furor, which climaxed tion 435178 constitute the results of these Cuban troop withdrawal from Angola. The with the bombing of the house. "These two endorsements," said Mark protocols." details are to be set by the December 22 The Louisville authorities charged that Curtis Defense Committee coordinator Stu Alarcon added, "Brazzaville will always UN signing. Cuba and Angola have agreed the Bradens had conspired to set the bomb Singer in a telephone interview from the be associated with the common struggle of to the establishment of a UN-sponsored un­ themselves as part of an attempt to over­ defense committee office in Des Moines, the African peoples and Cuba and it is a armed observer force to monitor Cullan throw the state of Kentucky! The Bradens Iowa, "show the potential for involving special honor that the protocols were troop withdrawal. The United States and were again indicted for sedition in 1967 . prominent rights fighters throughout the signed in Brazzaville." South Africa are not participants in this Anne Braden was also a leader of the country- and the world - in the political Ndalu and Alarcon have been leading force. Southern Conference Educational Fund, campaign to free Mark Curtis." figures in the Angolan and Cuban delega­ A previous attempt to sign an agreement which tried to involve Southern whites, Curtis is currently in the state peniten­ tions throughout the negotiations, which in Brazzaville broke down on December 3 alongside Blacks, in the civil rights move­ tiary in Anamosa, Iowa, serving a 25-year began in May. when the South African delegation sud­ ment. She continues her antiracist ac­ sentence on fabricated rape and burglary The UN observer mission of the South denly walked out of the talks. South Afri­ tivities today. charges. He is a longtime union militant, West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) can Foreign Minister Roelof Botha said the Frank Wilkinson is director-emeritus of political activist, and member of the So­ of Namibia released a statement welcom­ document was "not specific" about verifi­ the National Committee Against Repres­ cialist Workers Party . ing the signing of the protocol. The agree­ cation of Cuban troop withdrawal from An­ sive Legislation. Curtis was convicted in September, de­ ment sets April I , 1989, as the date to gola. In 1958 when the House Un-American spite the lack of any evidence to connect begin the UN plan for Namibia's indepen- Angola and Cuba have consistently reit- Activities Committee (HUAC) slated hear- Continued on Page 4 North Carolina textile workers welcome 'Militant' BY RICH STUART revolution; the struggle against and a base for the Amalgamated Kathleen Mickells, Socialist such as coal, grains, cotton, au­ GREENSBORO, N.C.- Sup­ apartheid in South Africa, and Clothing and Textile Workers Workers Party candidate for U.S. tomobiles, paper, steel, and chemi­ porters of the Militant here have other political issues. Union in North Carolina. vice-president, joined the plant­ cals through the yard. prioritized sales to workers at Workers at Cone Mills have Textile companies in nearby gate team during a swing through Many railroaders work grueling three work sites: the Cone Mills been cut to three 12-hour shifts a Reidsville and Gibsonville re­ North Carolina earlier this year. hours - on call 24 hours a day, White Oak textile mill in Greens- week. One group goes in from cently announced that they will be seven days a week, with no sched­ The sales team at Cone has also shutting down operations. At the uled time off. introduced many workers to the end of October Cone officials here A good number of UTU mem­ Mark Curtis defense campaign. explained the company will be lay­ bers are also working under the pro­ Curtis is an Iowa unionist and SELLING OUR PRESS ing off 825 workers. The com­ visions of a two-tier contract. That political activist serving a 25-year panies blame foreign imports for means workers performing exactly prison sentence on trumped-up AT THE PLANT GATE the closures and layoffs. the same task get paid two different charges. Many workers go along with rates, with those at the low end of boro, Norfolk and Southern rail Monday through Wednesday, an­ this. But even more say the job Receptivity to the Militant has the. seniority lists having to wait also been good at the Linwood rail yard in Linwood, and the mainte­ other Thursday through Saturday. losses are due to the employers' five years to get up to full pay. yard. Often an article will be clipped nance facility at Piedmont Airlines It's almost as if the company has greed. A Militant team has also started in Winston-Salem. two separate work forces. Teams The Militant has been distribut­ and put on the bulletin boards in the selling to members of the Interna­ shanties. Photocopies of these arti­ Part of what we discuss on these of Militant supporters talk with ed at Cone for five years. Several tional Association of Machinists at cles find their way to rail yards hun­ sales is how the employers are re­ both groups. workers have longterm subscrip­ Piedmont Airlines. This company dreds of miles away. organizing production and tighten­ There are 200,000 textile work­ tions as a result of discussions was recently purchased by US Air, ing the squeeze on workers' time ers in the state - mostly non­ with the plant-gate teams and with Members of the United Trans­ contributing to lAM members' un­ and take-home pay. Unionists also union. The Cone Mills plant is the Militant supporters who work in portation Union (UTU) help move certainty about what the future has express interest in the Nicaraguan largest denim producer in the world the mill. millions of tons of commodities in store. Sales drive wins new readers around the world BY NORTON SANDLER Doug Jenness, following the 1988 presi­ "The drive was more successful than we dential elections, that looked at the politi­ thought possible at the beginning." cal situation in the United States a year That comment from Catharina Tirsen in after the stock market crash. Stockholm, Sweden, summarizes what our Supporters in Iceland sold subscriptions international distributors are reporting at plant gates, on the job, and at political about the just-concluded circulation drive. meetings on Nicaragua, South Africa, and Distributors outside the United States Palestine. won 19 percent of more than II ,000 new In New Zealand distributors "discussed readers to the Militant, the Spanish-lan­ the Action Program with workers par­ guage Perspectiva Mundial, and the Marx­ ticipating in marches and other protests ist magazines New International and against unemployment in Wellington, Auck­ Nouvelle lnternationale. These same sup­ land, and Christchurch," Janet Warman porters sold 2,600 copies of the Action said. Forty workers in meat processing and Program to Confront the Coming Econom­ engineering plants there purchased sub­ ic Crisis. The Action Progam is a Pathfind­ scriptions. er pamphlet containing proposals being ad­ "Meat workers would often comment on vanced by the Socialist Workers Party on the articles about Mark Curtis," Warman how working people can effectively fight emphasized. Curtis is a Des Moines, Iowa, against the employer and government at­ packinghouse worker serving a 25-year jail tacks that will mount as the capitalist eco­ term on trumped-up rape and burglary nomic crisis deepens. charges. Tirsen explained that this was the first Warman said sales of New International time supporters in Sweden had taken a were boosted by visiting subscribers in goal. After meeting initial success they their homes. "We also began to carry out raised their targets, finally selling 39 Mili­ consistent subscription renewal work for Militant tant and 21 Perspectiva Mundial subscrip­ the first time." Militant, other socialist literature sold well at Durham miners' gala in Britain last tions, five New Internationals, and 31 Ac­ An average of I, 100 copies of the Mili­ summer. National Union of Mineworkers in Durham takes bundle of 30 Militants a tion Programs. tant are sent to Britain each week. Some week to distribute to members. Other advances, Tirsen said, included 440 are sold by distributors. The rest are establishing a weekly sales team at a cable used to fill subscriptions in Britain, the rest of Latin American-born workers in Britain need to get for information about the com­ manufacturing plant. Also, on Saturdays, of Europe, and in Africa and the Middle today. ing economic crisis. Several people distributors set up tables featuring Path­ East. stopped dead in their tracks and came back finder books at busy locations in Stock­ Subscriptions to coal miners, rail work­ Australian distributors used book stalls to get a copy." holm. ers, and engineering workers in Britain in­ featuring Pathfinder titles to spur the drive. In Iceland, bankruptcies and layoffs of creased during the drive. The Northwest Favorite titles included works by Che Gue­ Thirty-nine subscriptions and six New workers in the fish processing industry area of the National Union of Minework­ vara and Malcolm X, distributor Ron Internationals were sold in Norway. Sev­ have sparked much discussion in recent ers, which encompasses Durham, is taking Poulsen reports. The bulk of the PM sub­ enteen were also sold in Puerto Rico. weeks, distributors there report. "There a bundle of 30 copies of the Militant to dis­ scriptions were sold at the end of the drive A team of volunteers from Canada, the was less optimism about what's happening tribute to their members each week, re­ in Fairfield, a suburb of Sydney, where United States, and Britain who participated in the country," shipyard worker Gretar ported Jonathan Silberman. many workers born in Uruguay, Chile, and in a Paris symposium on the political con­ Krfstjansson explained. Distributors also point to an increase in Argentina live. tribution of African revolutionary leader A worker in a plant where fish nets are subscriptions to Perspectiva Mundial. Many "The Action Program has been a consis­ Thomas Sankara sold some 60 copies of manufactured said her coworkers were in­ were purchased by workers born in Colom­ tent seller," Poulsen emphasized. "We Nouvelle Internationale to individuals and terested in an article by Militant editor bia and Chile, part of the growing number would say this is the pamphlet workers to bookstores . THE MILITANT TELLS THE TRUTH The Militant Closing news date: December 14, 1988 Coeditors: MARGARET JA YKO and DOUG JENNESS Circulation Director: NORTON SANDLER SPECIAL RENEWAL OFFER Nicaragua Bureau Director: LARRY SEIGLE Business Manager: JIM WHITE With 6 mos. or longer renewal, New International #5 or # 6 only $3.50 Editorial Staff: Susan Apstein, Fred Feldman, Seth Galinsky (Up to $3 saving) (Nicaragua), Arthur Hughes, Cindy Jaquith, Susan LaMont, Sam Manuel, Harry Ring, Judy White (Nicaragua). The Militant carries new s and analysis • Reports on advances in Cuba Published weekly except one week in August and the last on the developing world economic week of December by the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 crisis and resistance by workers and • On-the-scene coverage from our West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Telephone: Editorial Of­ fice , (212) 243-6392; Telex, 497-4278; Business Office, (212) farmers to employer and government at­ bureau in M anagua, Nicaragua 929-3486. Nicaragua Bureau, Apartado 2222, Managua. Tele­ tacks - from the U.S. to the Philippines, phone 24845. Britain to South Africa. Correspondence concerning subscriptions or changes of address should be addressed to The Militant Business Of. Enclosed is flee, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. 0 $4 for 12 weeks, new readers 0 $9 for 12 weeks, re­ Second-class postage paid at New York, N.Y. POSTMAS­ newals TER: Send address changes to The Militant, 410 West St. , New 0 $1 7 for 6 months 0 $30 for 1 year 0 $55 for 2 years York, N.Y. 10014. Subscriptions: U.S., Canada, Latin Amer­ For $3.50 additional, send New International ica: for one-year subscription send $30, drawn on a U.S. bank, to 0 5th issue : "The Coming Revolution in South Africa" above address. By first-class (airmail), send $65. Britain, Ire­ 0 6th issue: "The Second Assassination of Maurice Bishop" land, Continental Europe, Africa: £22 for one year, £12 for Name ______six months, or £6 for three-month renewal. Send check or inter­ national money order made out to Pathfinder Press and send to Address ------Pathfinder, 47 The Cut, London SEI 8LL, England. Aus­ City ------State ___ Zip ____ tralia, Asia, Pacific: send Australian $60 to Pathfinder Press, Phone Union/School/Organization ______P.O. Box 153, Glebe, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia. Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily represent Send to THE M ILITANT, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014 the Militant's views. These are expressed in editorials.

2 The Militant December 23, 1988 Pathfinder London meeting celebrates new Sankara book BY JONATHAN SILBERMAN Helen Arthur, a member of the Amalgam­ LONDON - More than 100 people ated Engineering Union. gathered at the Africa Centre here De­ "It is a great privilege for us to be invited cember 3 to celebrate the publication of the to speak on this occasion," said Mzala, re­ Pathfinder book Th omas Sankara Speaks: porting that he had had the opportunity to The Burkina Faso Revolution 1983-87. meet Sankara on a visit to Burkina Faso. Through the words of its central leader, the "We feel joy and optimism in South Af­ book chronicles the development of the rica and Namibia because the launching of revolution in the West African country of this book allows us to keep alive the ideas Burkina Faso from 1983 until its overthrow of one of those outstanding revolutionaries in 1987, when Sankara himself was killed. whose thoughts are not confined to the bor­ Great interest had been shown in the ders of his country," he continued. "San­ book prior to the meeting, explained Path­ kara represented the vision of Africa and finder's Alan Harris, who chaired the the world when men and women shall walk event. Africa Concord, a prominent maga­ tall with pride in themselves." zine on African politics, featured the book Mzala, a frequent contributor to the on its cover and for six weeks offered a free ANC's journal Sechaba , announced, "We book with every subscription. are preparing reviews of the Sankara book The book is a best-seller in the recently in Sechaba and in the journals of allied or­ opened Pathfinder bookshop in London ganizations." where more than 60 copies have been sold. To date, 500 copies of the book have been Revel, chair of Rail Against Apartheid, sold in Britain. told the meeting that the National Union of Messages were sent to the meeting from Railwaymen had also commissioned are­ Jacob Hannai, deputy chief representative view of the book for its journal Transport in Western Europe of the South West Af­ Review. rica People's Organisation of Namibia; Revel stressed the importance of making Julio Ricardo of the Sandinista National Sankara's ideas known as widely as possi­ Liberation Front of Nicaragua; Angola's ble in the labor movement. "As the bosses embassy in Britain; Labour members of come face to face with their crisis, they'll Parliament Bernie Grant and Paul Boetang; turn on us - their class enemy - with a Keith Bennett, political editor of Hansib viciousness that we've not yet ex peri­ G. M. Cookson publications, which publishes Africa Times, enced," he said. "In the fight back against Speakers at London meeting were (from left) Helen Arthur, engineering union mem­ Caribbean Times, and Asian Times here; these attacks, this book will be a weapon ber; ANC representative Mzala; Alan Harris of Pathfinder; International Thomas and from Kenyan author and political ac­ for us , an inspiration to trade unionists and Sankara Association leader David Gakunzi; rail union activist Geoff Revel; and Sam tivist Ngugi Wa Thiongo. to youth." Manuel, Pathfinder ~ural Project director. "Thomas Sankara was a young leader," Arthur discussed how Sankara' s speeches and interviews reflected his understanding Ngugi wrote, "but he had managed to make that working people are the subjects of so­ and united people, led by communists, to - who all agreed that the meeting had his mark on 20th century Africa. They may cial change, not simply objects of history . overcome tremendous obstacles. On no been a huge success - made their way kill him, but his spirit will never die. This "The book does not present the idealistic issue is this revealed more vividly than in across London to the Pathfinder bookshop book of his talks is evidence of this. But the or unrealizable visions of a dreamer," she what Sankara said and what the revolution­ to continue discussions. Altogether they greater evidence is that the spirit is in mil­ said, "but the story of a real revolution in ary government did in relation to women." bought £188 (US$348) worth of literature, lions of African peasants and workers, who the making and the power of a conscious After the meeting dozens of participants including 16 copies of the new book. are today struggling against neocolonial­ ism and will never stop doing so until vic­ tory. We here today can only honor that spirit by uniting with the peasants and workers of the world to continue the work Nicaragua demands return of helicopter he was doing." Speaking at the meeting were David BY LARRY SEIGLE war against the U.S. -backed forces known tiona! rallying cry for opponents of the Gakunzi, editor of the Paris-based maga­ MANAGUA, Nicaragua- The Nicara­ as the contras. Sandinista revolution. Some capitalist gov­ zine Coumbite and a leader of the Interna­ guan government is demanding the return According to Nicaraguan Foreign Minis­ ernments and procapitalist international tional Thomas Sankara Association; and of a Soviet-built MI-25 helicopter flown to ter Miguel D'Escoto, treaties between Nic­ union organizations had demanded the re­ Sam Manuel, director of the Pathfinder Honduras December 7 by a defector. Capt. aragua and Honduras require the return of lease of the prisoners as a condition for Mural Project in New York. Edwin Estrada Leiva, a pilot in the San­ the stolen aircraft. D'Escoto also asked the sending emergency aid to Nicaragua in the With them on the platform of the Lon­ dinista Air Force, delivered the craft to the Honduran authorities to detain Estrada wake of Hurricane Joan, which struck here don meeting were African National Con­ Hernan Acosta Mejfa air base in southern until a formal extradition request can be October 22 . gress (ANC) of South Africa representative Honduras. submitted. The July 10 demonstration in Nandaime Mzala; Geoff Revel, a prominent activist in The MI-25 is an advanced combat heli­ Honduran officials have so far taken no was organized by the Democratic Coor­ the National Union of Railwaymen; and copter that played an important role in the action in response to Nicaragua's requests. dinating Committee of Nicaragua, a coali­ In a statement December 7, the Nicara­ tion of anti-Sandinista parties, unions, and guan defense ministry said that Estrada was business groups. N.Y. meeting to honor life of acting under instructions of the CIA. The During the action, several hundred par­ following day, President Daniel Ortega ticipants attacked the police with stones, said that the seizure of the helicopter was a clubs, and poles used to carry banners. Ten ANC leader Mfanafuthi Makatini CIA operation carried out by an "infil­ policemen were injured. trator." A memorial meeting for African Na­ - until the final victory over apartheid is Originally, 38 individuals were found tional Congress of South Africa leader won." Ortega said that the action was timed so guilty. An appeals court overturned the Mfanafuthi Makatini will be held in New The memorial meeting for Makatini will as to "sling mud at Mikhail Gorbachev's convictions of 25, ruling that the govern­ York on December 16. Makatini, 58 years be held at the Canaan Baptist Church, 132 appearance at the United Nations." The ment had not provided proof of their re­ old, died on December 3 in Lusaka, Zam­ West !16th Street in Manhattan, at 6:30 Soviet president spoke before the General sponsibility for criminal acts. bia, following a short illness. He was the p.m. Assembly in New York on December 7. Four of the 13 remaining prisoners were ANC's director of international affairs. Estrada is the highest-ranking Nicara­ sentenced to three years in prison, and guan military officer to defect since Major eight were given terms of one and a half Makatini went into exile when the apart­ Roger Miranda Bengoechea sold out to the years . One was released because of ill heid regime in South Africa outlawed the United States in October 1987. Miranda, health . ANC in 1960. He served as the ANC repre­ who had been a member of the Sandinista sentative in Algeria until 1972 and was its On December 7, the judge in the case, National Liberation Front since 1978, was Luis Jimenez, suspended the sentences of chief representative to the United Nations in charge of the secretariat of the ministry from 1978 to 1983 . all the remaining prisoners. Jimenez acted of defense. under a provision of the criminal code al­ Many messages and statements of sol­ He left the country with military docu­ lowing conditional suspension of sentences idarity with the ANC have come in from ments and subsequently became part of the of less than three years when the judge be­ around the world. A message from Social­ U.S. government's propaganda campaign lieves the defendants are of good character ist Workers Party leader James Warren on against the Nicaraguan revolution. and unlikely to pose a danger to society . behalf of the SWP National Committee No information has been made available Jimenez has the authority to impose re­ read, "The long struggle of the South Afri­ here on Estrada's background. Nor have strictions on the activities of those whose can people Jed by the ANC to put an end to details been released on the circumstances sentences have been suspended, but has not the blight on humanity represented by the of his removal of the MI-25 from a military yet done so. apartheid state has been an inspiration to installation. Government officials denied that the working people the world over . . .. In another development, a Nicaraguan judge's decision to release the prisoners judge has freed from prison the last of was influenced by political considerations. "The ANC's political perspectives, un­ those convicted of involvement in assaults Barricada , the daily newspaper of the compromising leadership, and long years on police during an antigovernment dem­ Sandinista front , said in an editorial that of resistance have inspired new generations onstration in Nandaime last July. Those the courts had handled the "much-dis­ of fighters in South Africa that have joined found guilty included leaders of several op­ cussed case with professional responsibil­ in the battle against apartheid . .. . position political parties and officials of an­ ity and juridical-technical impeccability. "These new generations will stand on the Harsch tigovernment trade unions. Powerful domestic and foreign pressures shoulders of comrade Makatini and the African National Congress leader Mfa­ The demand for the release of the Nan­ tried vainly to turn this case into a political thousands of others who came before them nafuthi Makatini. daime prisoners had become an interna- scandal."

December 23, 1988 The Militant 3 City Council of Jersey City joins defense effort

Mark Curtis is a unionist and of ACTWU [Amalgamated Cloth­ victim's high school this fall. tion in wages, working conditions, it is popularly known, is the first political activist from Des Moines, ing and Textile Workers Union]; 'The Guardian would do well and social services. test of the gains for political rights Iowa, who is serving 25 years in the African [National] Congress; to check for a local progressive 'This victory advances the registered in the Socialist Workers jail on frame-up charges of rape and consensus before accepting sec­ rights of the labor movement and Party's successful lawsuit against and burglary. The Mark Curtis "Whereas, the constitutional tarian campaigns at face value." of all those born in the U.S. It government spying and disrup­ Defense Committee is leading an rights of Mark Curtis have been In the letters column in the De­ strikes a blow against government tion .. .. international protest campaign grossly violated leading to the im­ cember 14 issue, the editors efforts to intervene in the unions, "Mark's crime was to be an out­ to fight for justice for Curtis. To plications that if the rights of one printed an answer to Douglas by to deport unionists who are spoken defender of foreign-born contact the committee, write citizen are violated, then the rights Nellie Berry and Robert Berry, foreign-born, to break up the unity workers in the middle of a nation­ Box 1048, Des Moines, Iowa of all citizens are violated. two Iowa Socialist Party mem­ of workers fighting against em­ ally coordinated INS raid and probe 50311. Telephone (515) 246- "Now, therefore, be it resolved, bers. ployer attacks on their rights, against Congress' amnesty pro- 1695. that: "We attended the complete trial " I . the City Council of Jersey of Mark Curtis," they wrote. "No The city council of Jersey City , City joins with the National and In­ physical evidence was presented at New Jersey , voted unanimously at ternational Defense Efforts on be- any time through the trial to con­ vict Curtis of the crime of which he was charged. Furthermore, Curtis was not allowed to bring DEFEND MARK CURTIS! evidence into the courtroom which we feel would have proved his in­ its October 27 meeting to approve half of Mark Curtis and believes nocence beyond a shadow of a a resolution in support of Mark that every individual's right to free doubt. Curtis. speech and association must never "We too were workers before It said, in part: be trampled upon and silenced .. . . '' retiring and have belonged to and "Whereas, on March 4, 1988 , worked with union people so we Mark Curtis, a trade union mem­ • know the problems working peo­ ber from the State of Iowa. was ar­ In its November 16 issue, the ple face. Therefore we understand rested and charged with rape and Guardian newsweekly ran a sub­ what happened to Mark Curtis and assaulting police after attending a stantial article about Curtis' as members of the Mark Curtis meeting in support of 17 cowork­ frame-up . Two weeks later, a re­ Defense Committee we can assure ers from the Swift Premium Meat sponse was published in the letters you we will not rest until Mark is Packing Plant in Des Moines; and column, under the heading "No free and cleared of all charges consensus on Curtis." It was writ­ "Whereas, at the jail, Mark against him." Curtis was harassed and abused by ten by Bill Douglas , leader of the the police, who called him ' Mexi­ Iowa Socialist Party. • can-lover' and brutally beat him , "Careful readers of the Guard­ Hector Marroquin has sent out a after which he was charged with ian story on the Mark Curtis case letter thanking all those who sup­ Militant/Linda Marcus assaulting police officers; and will note no mention of local pro­ ported his successful fight for per­ "Whereas, the events leading to gressive support for the case, Nellie and Robert Berry at international defense rally for Curtis last manent residence in the United September. the arrest of Mark Curtis are especially from the Black and States, explaining the importance highly suspicious, leading to the feminist communities," Douglas of his victory and urging backing belief that he was attacked because wrote. "The reason is that such for the fight to free Curtis. Marro­ wages, and working conditions. gram. His crime was to be a union­ of his role in the union movement support does not exist very far out­ quin is a Mexican-born leader of "The victory defends the rights ist at Swift in the middle of a na­ in support of migrant workers side the isolated Socialist Workers the Socialist Workers Party who of all to meet, discuss, and work tional drive in the packinghouse in­ from Mexico and El Salvador; Party chapter here. now lives in Des Moines. with everyone they choose, re­ dustry to lower wages, and working and . . . . 'The implausibility of Curtis's "This victory registers progress gardless of where they were born, and safety conditions . . .. "Whereas, the National Law­ story that police entrapped him," for the rights of immigrants," free from government political "I was a victim of a similar at­ yers' Guild is joined by hundreds continued Douglas, "using an en­ Marroquin writes. "It expands the censorship and exclusion. tempted frame-up in Mexico, of organizations and individuals tire Black working-class family, capacity of those not born in the "Because of this victory, ev­ which forced me to flee to the nationwide who have expressed coupled with a dishonest and at U.S. to fight to live, to work, and eryone in this country - immi­ U.S. My victory proves that by concern about this case, including times despicable support cam­ to be politically active here . grant and native-born alike -has fighting and appealing for public U.S. Congressman John Conyers, paign, has brought little support "It is a blow against government more rights and is in a stronger po­ support such frame-ups can be ex­ Jr.; the United Farm Workers of from those in a position to know and employer efforts to force un­ sition to defend and use those posed and justice won." Washington State; Bernard Fire­ the whole story. The campaign set documented workers into pariah rights today. stone, Secretary-Treasurer of Chi­ new standards for insensitivity and status, denied protection of law, "My success in winning perma­ Marroquin is currently on a na­ cago and Central State Joint Board harassment by leafleting the rape and subject to special discrimina- nent residence, or a green card as tional speaking tour. Defense committee zeroes in on sponsor drive

Continued from front page national director, Committee in Solidarity Des Moines, and they have made a big fessors. him with the alleged crime. Curtis is ap­ with the People of El Salvador; Fred Dube, political impact." "We want to systematically call and visit pealing his conviction. African National Congress of South Af­ But, he emphasized, "we're making a people and convince them to become spon­ Supporters are on a drive to sign up rica; attorney Stuart Russell , Association shift now in the focus of our activities . sors of the defense committee." thousands of sponsors of the committee. of Quebec Jurists; Yvonne Melendez and We' re urging defense committee support­ This broadening out of the defense ef­ "To become a sponsor," Singer explained, Juan Segarra, Puerto Rico/Hartford 15; ers in every city - from Los Angeles to fort, said Singer, builds upon the substan­ "you simply have to agree with the com­ Connie Gilbert-Neiss, Essex County, New Stockholm- to draw up a list of figures in tial amount of work supporters have al­ mittee's goal of opposing this frame-up and Jersey, National Organization for Women; the fight for Black rights, Puerto Rican ready done among coworkers and fellow winning freedom for Curtis." Socialist Bloc , Dominican Republic; Peter rights, Chicano rights, women's rights, political activists. Hundreds of people have already signed Schey, National Center for Immigrants' and immigrant rights; leaders of unions, To get sponsor cards and other defense sponsor cards. They include: Thomas Rights, Inc.; James Southworth, president, farm organizations, antiwar groups, and materials, contact the Mark Curtis Defense Gumbleton, bishop in the Archdiocese of International Union of Electronic Workers left-wing political parties; elected officials; Committee, Box 1048, Des Moines, Iowa Detroit; Byron Charlton, assistant to the Local 244; and farm activists Carroll Near­ civil libertarians; student leaders; and pro- 50311. executive director, African-American La­ myer, George Paris, and Maurice Owens. bor Center, AFL-CIO; R.T. Griffin, presi­ "Up until now," said Singer, "supporters dent, Central Arizona Labor Council; of the defense effort have concentrated on Des Moines cops guilty of harassment Terry Marry show, leader, Maurice Bishop collecting thousands of signatures on peti­ Patriotic Movement of Grenada; Bill tions protesting Curtis' arrest and beating BY PRISCILLA SCHENK Civil Service Commission ordered Smith Means, executive director, International by the cops at the time of his arrest. Stacks DES MOINES , Iowa- A Polk County reinstated to the police force. The commis­ Indian Treaty Council; Angela Sanbrano, of these were delivered to the authorities in district judge here ruled December 7 that sion issued a report accusing the police de­ former policewoman Deborah Lynch had partment of condoning sexist and racist been subjected to "intensely degrading" abuses by police officers, and of trying to sexual harassment by fellow officers in the clear superior officers of wrongdoing Des Moines Police Department and award­ rather than investigate the charges raised ed her $10,000 in compensation. by Smith. He also ordered the city to pay Lynch's In response, the U.S. Justice Depart­ attorney's fees and ordered the police de­ ment has begun an investigation of the partment to submit a plan to educate and city's police force. train officers to prevent further incidents of A member of the Civil Service Commis­ sexual harassment. sion stated publicly, however, that he be­ Police Chief William Moulder expressed lieves the investigation will be a "white­ surprise at the ruling. "It certainly doesn't wash." make my day," he said. · Pascual Marquez, the Justice Depart­ Lynch's case brought out testimony that ment investigator who has been called in, a cop unzipped his pants in public and teaches classes at the Des Moines police asked Lynch to perform a sex act; that academy. "This causes me a real problem," women officers face degrading antiwoman Commissioner Tom Baker told the Des language; and that police officers dressed Moines Register. "It would taint the inves­ in Ku Klux Klan robes to intimidate Black tigation in my opinion." officers. Ralph Costanzo, the commission chair­ In a separate case, policewoman Charlie person, said he has heard similar fears from Smith was fired when she reported that a the public. "They say it's 10-to-l odds it Militant/Nelson Blackstock Militant/Della Rossa police lieutenant called an arrested Black will be a whitewash. I personally don't be­ Curtis sponsors Anne Braden and Frank Wilkinson man a "coon." In November the city's lieve that," he said.

4 The Militant December 23, 1988 Civil rights veteran joins struggle against frame-up

BY MARGARET JA YKO that she was greeted with affection by one (Tenth of a series) of the patrons when we walked in the door. DES MOINES , Iowa- A key element As we were waiting for our food, Floyd of the political campaign to frame up Mark gave Griffin a statement of support for the Curtis, led by city and county authorities Curtis defense fight by a longtime friend here, has been to emphasize that Curtis is and political colleague, farm leader Merle white and the woman he is accused of rap­ Hansen. He and Griffin had both been ing is Black. The goal is to confuse and win supporters of the Progressive Party cam­ support for this frame-up from progressive­ paign of Henry Wallace for U.S. president minded working people by appealing to in 1948. Black nationalist and antiracist sentiments. "My background and life are a little un­ During Curtis' Sept. 7-9, 1988, trial, a usual ," Griffin began. She was born on Reporters interview Edna Griffin at defense committee office couple of people who are members of the Oct. 23, 1909, in Kentucky, but moved to National Black United Front chapter in Des Walpole, New Hampshire, when she was The Urban League helped Griffin get a for executive clemency for the Rosen­ nine months old. Her father trained saddle skilled job during World War II at the bergs. She got several top church figures to horses. "We were the only Black family" Western Electric plant. She was one of a add their names to the appeal. there, she recalled. handful of Blacks who worked there. They What prompted her to become a support­ The She went to high school in Pittsfield, were never asked to join the union, she er of the Curtis defense effort? Massachusetts, where she was the only said. "I think I read a story in the paper, and Mark Black person in the school, "except for The idea was to give her a job she then I picked up a phone and asked a buddy one Black boy who didn't consider himself couldn't do so that she would get discour­ what was going on," said Griffin. She got a Curtis Black," she said. aged and leave. But a coworker, an Italian "cue" to mind her own business. She described high school as a "traumat­ man, helped her out. She eventually was Griffin said she got involved anyway Story ic experience," but "I managed to gradu­ fired . "when I figured out that he is Spanish­ ate." The minister of a Black church that she In 194 7 Griffin moved to Iowa where speaking and is a great danger because he Moines picketed the Mark Curtis Defense was a member of helped Griffin get a her husband was attending college. Griffin can communicate with Spanish-speaking Committee office, repeating the prosecu­ scholarship to Fisk University in participated in the fight against racist workers." She mentioned that the recent tion's lies, and urging the Black communi­ Nashville, Tennessee. The school was segregation in Des Moines. exposes of racism and sexism in the Des ty to mobilize in defense of the alleged vic­ coed and all Black. One day Griffin went with her baby Moines Police Department also entered tim and against Curtis. I asked her when she first became in­ daughter to Katz' drugstore downtown and into her decision. "That's why I came to This plea fell largely on deaf ears. The terested in politics. "I think I learned to ordered a soda. A young woman who court," she said, and sat through the trial. number of Blacks who came into the de­ read from The Crisis magazine," she said, worked there was about to serve Griffin, The issue, said Griffin, is Curtis' anti­ fense committee office to discuss the Curtis referring to the publication of the National when she got a signal from somewhere not war activity and participation in the Com­ case, and often volunteer to help, outnum­ Association for the Advancement of Col­ to wait on her. mittee in Solidarity with the People of El bered the one or two pickets who walked ored People (NAACP). Her parents, how­ Civil rights activists began picketing Salvador (CISPES), and the fact that he silently outside. ever, were not involved in political activity. Katz' every Saturday. Then they decided to speaks Spanish and can communicate with At an international Curtis defense rally sit in at the counter and the booths. And immigrant workers. That makes him here on the eve of the trial's opening, three Scottsboro case every Monday morning, somebody filed a dangerous as far as the employers and gov­ women and one man from the NBUF chap­ Griffin recalled the arrest of the "Scotts­ suit against Katz' for discrimination. Grif­ ernment are concerned. ter picketed for several hours. boro Boys" and the fear it inspired at Fisk. fin had insisted that they not include the At the September defense rally, Jack More than 400 people attended the rally, In 1931 nine Black youths were tried in waitress who had tried to serve Griffin as a Barnes, national secretary of the Socialist and heard a broad array of speakers link Scottsboro, Alabama, on charges of having defendant in the suit. The waitress was a Workers Party, which Curtis is a longtime Curtis' fight for justice to their own experi­ raped two white women in a freight car key witness for the defendant in the trial of member of, pointed to Edna Griffin as an ences with the cops and courts in South Af­ passing through Alabama. The nine were the drugstore. Katz' eventually lost in state example of how the ruling class misjudged rica, El Salvador, on the streets of U.S. found guilty and sentenced to death or to supreme court and was forced to serve what the response would be to Curtis' Black and Spanish-speaking communities, 75 to 99 years in prison. Blacks. frame-up . on strike picket lines, and on farms facing The U.S. Supreme Court twice reversed Griffin was also involved in the fight Working people who are Black, he said, foreclosure. the convictions on procedural grounds. At against the frame-up of Julius and Ethel have had the most extensive experiences One of those who spoke was Edna Grif­ the second trial one of the women recanted Rosenberg, who were murdered in the with cop brutality, police frame-ups to dis­ fin, a 79-year-old civil rights and political her testimony. In 1937 charges against five electric chair in New York in 1953 on the courage political activity, and employer activist in the Des Moines area. She told were dropped. Three others were freed in phony charge of giving the "secret" of the victimization to curb militancy among the crowd that when she read in the papers the 1940s, and the last escaped in 1948 to atom bomb to the Soviet government. workers and deepe!_1 racial divisions. that a white man accused of raping a young Michigan, which refused to return him to When she first got a phone call asking Far from being blinded by the skin col­ Black woman was being vigorously prose­ Alabama. her to do something in Des Moines to de­ ors of the people involved, Black working cuted by the authorities, she wondered, "People stopped breathing" when the fend the Rosenbergs, "I could have cried," people in Des Moines tended, especially as "What's this new arrangement? When has Scottsboro Boys were arrested, recalled she said. She was a housewife, in the mid­ the date of the trial approached, to become there been such concern about sexual Griffin. dle of the McCarthyite witch-hunt, who more supportive of Curtis. Many could abuse, never mind rape, of our young She recounted another incident that con­ was being red-baited in her church. identify with Curtis' history of struggle. Black women?" tributed to the atmosphere of intimidation. But she went ahead and joined the fight (To be continued) Griffin pledged to get all her friends in­ Fisk's dean of women was driving from volved in the fight to defend Curtis. "Color Nashville to Atlanta to go to a football doesn't mean a damn thing today when it game, and had an accident en route. She comes to the battle for justice," she said. was left on the side of the road until an am­ Curtis moved to state prison bulance came all the way from Atlanta. A Griffin attended all three days of Curtis' hospital for whites, meanwhile, "was "Today nine of us from Oakdale were based on your 'crime' and behavior here. trial, and his sentencing, as well as events within shouting distance" of where she lay. transferred to Anamosa," began a letter "After seven days I can get visitors. at the defense committee office. Forces After graduating from Fisk, Griffin went Mark Curtis wrote December 8 to de­ Only family at first, but later friends. hostile to the defense effort tried their best to New York City where she lived for fense committee activist Sandra Nelson. "Yesterday I received the defense to convince her to stay home. about a decade. She roomed with a woman Anamosa is the Iowa State Men's Refor­ committee's answer to the slanderous at­ I sat down with Griffin and defense com­ from New York who was a political ac­ matory in Anamosa, Iowa, which is in tack on me and the committee by Keith mittee activist Jackie Floyd in October and tivist. Griffin had a variety of jobs: work­ the east-central part of the state. Morris. The materials I had in Oakdale discussed Griffin's political experiences ing in a cafeteria, a YWCA, and for the On November 18, the day he was sen­ were very helpful. People continue to and what convinced her to become a parti­ Works Progress Administration, where she tenced, Curtis was moved from the Mar­ write letters to me and I am responding." san of the defense committee. taught English to the foreign-born. The ion County Jail, where he had been held Curtis can receive only letters, not We talked over lunch at Hobbs, a bar­ WPA was established by President Frank­ since his September 14 conviction, to packages. According to the prison rules: becue restaurant across the street from the lin Roosevelt as a public works program to the Iowa Medical and Classification "Incoming letters are to be written in a defense committee office. Griffin is well­ provide federal jobs for unemployed work­ Center in Oakdale. At Oakdale he was legible manner on standard-type statio­ known in this town, and it was not unusual ers. Griffin became a member of the put through a series of medical and nery." The sender's full name and ad­ psychological tests to determine which dress must appear in the upper left hand teachers' union. state penitentiary he would end up in, comer of the envelope and "only corres­ Mark Curtis is a packinghouse work­ First political meeting and to get him oriented to prison life. pondence from the noted sender is per­ "We took a van out at 8:00 a.m. for mitted . The resident's full name, er, unionist, and political activist in Des At teachers' seminars and classes Griffin the 45-minute ride to this little town number, box number, city, and state Moines, Iowa. On Sept. 14, 1988, he was "learned about the history of the labor where the Iowa State Men's Reforma­ must also appear on the envelope in de­ convicted on frame-up charges of sexual movement." One of her professors was Leo abuse and burglary. He was sentenced to tory is located," Curtis wrote. "It's an tail. Sign name in full at end of letter. Huberman, who later became a founding old prison. I saw the date 1904 etched Greeting cards (not to exceed 8'h"x II") serve 25 years in jail. editor of Monthly Review, a socialist maga­ into some of the limestone bricks. are permitted. Unionists, farmers, and youth around zine. She also learned about anti-Semitism the world recognize that Curtis is one of "At first glance it looks like some old "Persons under the age of 18 must for the first time in a class he taught. castle from another time. It's got high, have written permission from their par­ those workers who are starting to stand The first political event she ever went to up and fight back against the employers 50-foot walls with tall windows and ents before correspondence with resi­ was a small meeting protesting fascist bars. Inside are the 'living units,' the dents will be allowed ." and their government. In their thou­ Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 . sands, working people are beginning to cafeteria, and many other buildings. To write to Curtis, address letters to: join the fight for justice for Curtis. Griffin walked her first picket line in There's a big yard and softball field. Mark S. Curtis, No. 805338A, Box B, The Mark Curtis Story is a multipart support of striking teachers. She got ar­ "I will be going through a I 0-day orien­ Anamosa, Iowa 52205. series that describes what happened to rested along with several other pickets as tation and (ifl pass) go to one of the living Copies should be sent to the Mark Curtis, where it fits into the class strug­ part of a regular cop round up ·Of strikers units. There's a level II, III, IV, etc. , each Curtis Defense Committee, Box 1048, gle, and the big stakes for working peo­ and their supporters. Her roommate bailed with more privileges . You are assigned Des Moines, Iowa 50311 . ple in the fight against this frame-up. her out.

December 23, 1988 The Militant 5 Economic crisis spurs resistance by Caribbean workers, farmers, youth Militant/Norton Sandler Farming area in St. Vincent. Small farmers there are fighting for improved roads, so that crops can he brought to market in salable condition.

BY NORTON SANDLER steep hills to the main roads where trucks Union leader Jackson said the Caribbean for four years. They work six or seven days The depth of the economic crisis in the pick them up. They are taken to sheds for Basin Initiative launched by Washington in a week depending on which camp you get Caribbean was brought home to a team of weighing and packing. Afterwards, the 1984, touted to bring development to the assigned to. Only a few workers get paid Pathfinder volunteers from Britain, Cana­ bananas are trucked to the harbor where region, has instead "promoted oppression by the hour, the rest by the amount of cane da, and the United States who recently they are loaded onto Geest freighters bound and exploitation." they cut. His family can't get by, he said, toured several islands. for Britain. He cited a meeting 1984 in the Bahamas without the trip to Florida every year. We were in the English-speaking Carib­ One of the union's main demands is the where governments from the English­ bean promoting the new Pathfinder book improvement of roads in the countryside. speaking Caribbean got together and • One People, One Destiny: The Caribbean "People live on the coastal areas and drafted the "Nassau Understanding." The and Central America Today, edited by Don farm in the hills," Home explained. "Up in document called for putting caps on work­ Governments in the English-speaking Rojas, as well as increasing the distribution those areas the main roads are bad, but in ers' pay hikes. Caribbean contribute to maintaining the of the full range of Pathfinder books and some places no road at all exists. So people The U .S.-based Wilson Sporting Goods, University of West Indies (UWI) campuses pamphlets. Rojas was the featured speaker make a little footpath . When the rains the largest employer in St. Vincent after in Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad. at several meetings on the book held during come, the path gets wiped out." the government, has been successful thus Under the impact of the economic crisis, the tour. "A farmer <;I ears the land in the hills far in blocking unionization. the Trinidad and Tobago government is "Women come out at the end of the trying to push through Parliament an an­ Rojas had been the editor of the Free without any help," she continued, "you week at Wilson with $48," Jackson said. nual tuition fee of nearly $900 per student, West Indian and press secretary to Prime wait nine months to get your bananas. When you begin to reap the bananas the "If they want to make more they have to the first such assessment in the history of Minister Maurice Bishop during the 1979- put in a lot of nights doing overtime." the country. 83 Grenada revolution. Bishop was killed roads and paths are in such bad shape that The fiberglass used in tennis racquet On November 5 the Student Guild at the in a counterrevolutionary coup on Oct. 19, almost half, or in some cases more than production "gets all over the skin and there UWI St. Augustine campus in Trinidad 1983, an act that paved the way for Wash­ half, your bananas will be rejected for bruises." is no safety protection," he said. staged a two-hour candlelight demonstra­ ington's invasion of the island six days Jackson believes the victory at East tion singing "we can't pay the cess [assess­ later. Health care is also poor in the coun­ Caribbean Metals "can help bring a revival ment] ." Below are a few observations based on tryside. "You might be fortunate to have a to the trade union movement in this coun­ discussions with workers, union leaders, medical clinic in your area, not all the rural They are getting support for their strug­ try." The teachers union, which has been gle from students at the UWI's Mona cam­ farmers, and students. areas have them," said Home. "But you fighting for recognition for years, is press­ pus outside Kingston, Jamaica. might find that there are hardly any ing forward its demands, and other unions The Jamaican government was the first supplies in the clinic and that the doctor • will follow suit, said Jackson. Caribbean government to introduce the visits them once a week. If a patient is very ·"cess," explained Mona Student Guild Trinidad and Tobago is in the throes of a ill, and travels straight to the city, they President Cordel Green . depression brought on by the collapse of don't accept you. They say go back to your • "The government claims you are con­ world oil prices. It is exacerbated by the district, find your district doctor." In Grenada Anslem DeBourg and Derek U.S. government's cutbacks in sugar tributing towards your education," Green Allard described that government's attempt quotas and other imports. Fitzpatrick said, "The government has stated. "It is really tied into policies of the to push back union rights . De Bourg is presi­ With the country already heavily in debt spent large sums of money on the infra­ International Monetary Fund, which is de­ dent of the Commercial and Industrial to imperialist banks, the National Alliance structure, roads to sites that have been manding that the government cut its public Workers Union and Grenada's Trade Union for Reconstruction government is negoti­ identified for factory shelves. They invari­ expenditures." Council. Allard is president of the Bank ating additional loans with the Interna­ ably use some of our best agricultural flat­ The opening of the Jamaica campus was and General Workers Union. tional Monetary Fund. lands to construct the shelves," which are delayed for two months because of the de­ In August Prime Minister Herbert As a precondition for continuing discus­ the concrete foundations for buildings. vastation brought by Hurricane Gilbert in Blaize's New National Party passed the Es­ sions, IMF officials have demanded andre­ "They offer minimal rent for the build­ September. The violent winds tore roofs sential Services Act. Under the law, Allard ceived a pledge from the Trinidad and To­ ing and give you a 10- or 15-year tax holi­ off dormitories and classrooms, shattered explained, unions will be required to give bago government to cut the payroll 15 per­ day. And you can bring in the machinery windows, and uprooted large trees. 28 days notice before striking or taking cent by 1990. Nearly 10,000 civil servants duty free ." While repairs continue, students are liv­ other forms of industrial action in work­ will be laid off. The imperialist bankers But in many cases, he emphasized, the ing four or five to a room that normally places deemed by the government to be es­ have also received a pledge that govern­ foundations remain only concrete shells houses two, Green told us. sential. ment workers will continue to be denied because, even with the giveaways, the gov­ Included are dock, electrical, telephone, past due cost-of-living payments. ernment has been unable to attract inves­ airport, and sanitation workers. The list Some 150,000 are already unemployed tors from abroad . can also be expanded to include other in­ in a country of 1.2 million. The Trinidad dustries at the discretion of the minister of and Tobago dollar was devalued once this •- labor. year. Another devaluation is rumored. "The minister of labor can declare any On weekdays people line up outside the At the end of October, members of the National Workers Movement of St. Vin­ strike, sick-out, go-slow, work-to-rule il­ ONE United States and Canadian embassies to legal," said Allard. "Workers that disobey apply for travel visas. On a Saturday after­ cent won a union recognition strike at the an order from the minister of labor can be noon, hundreds of working people pack East Caribbean Metals Industries Ltd. PEOPLE sent to jail for six months or a year." into the airport hours before departure time plant in Campden Park. "The right to withhold labor is a funda­ for the Air Canada and BWIA flights to The company employs 25 workers in a mental right," DeBourg explained. The North America. plant that fabricates galvanized steel tanks and pipe, NWM General Secretary Noel government has hinged its plans for de­ ONE Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson's govern­ Jackson explained. velopment on growth of "the private sec­ ment is also selling off nationalized indus­ "A man comes to work at 7:30 in the tor," he continued. As is the case in St. DESTINY tries to private owners to help raise currency morning and goes home at 8:00 at night. Vincent, investors were promised years of to meet the debt payments. An end to these Another set comes on at 8:00 and leaves at tax breaks if they set up shop in the coun­ $5.95 privatizations was one of the major demands 7:00 in the morning," Jackson said. "For try. In return, the Grenada government has ~M-, 3,000 unionists and farmers raised during nearly seven years they have been going fought hard against workers' attempts to ,... -71 an October demonstration against the gov­ like that night and day and they wouldn't unionize the factories, hotels, and other ernment and the IMF held in Port of Spain. take it anymore." facilities. In the meantime, DeBourg said, The Caribbean and--·- ~ In May 80 percent of the workers in the thousands have been laid off. Central America Today ' • plant voted to recognize the NWM. The plant previously had been organized by a • In St. Vincent we spoke with Earlene union federation known for its close ties to Home and Robert Fitzpatrick, leaders of the governing party. The airport in St. Vincent was crowded the National Farmers' Union, an organiza­ After management stonewalled, the with farm workers in the early morning on Edited by Don Rojas, press secretary to tion of I ,200 small farmers. union members were finally forced on November 3. They were waiting for a Grenada's late Prime Minister Maurice Bishop About 200 of the union's members are strike in September. flight to St. Lucia. There, they join farm The struggle in Nicaragua and El Salvador, im­ pact of the Grenada revolution, U.S. militarization women. Home said women do a half to The company threatened to reopen the workers from other islands on a charter jet of Puerto Rico, Panama's struggle for sov­ three-quarters of the work in the fields on plant with scabs. The union responded by to Miami. ereignty, and the region's crushing foreign debt. many crops including bananas, St. Vin­ blocking the entrance to the factory with One man explained that the government These topics are discussed in speeches and reso­ cent's main agricultural export. vehicles. in St. Vincent is under contract with U.S. lutions drawn from the Anti-Imperialist Organiza­ tions of the Caribbean and Central America. 115 Geest, a British company, operates a vir­ The police dragged the vehicles away, growers to supply workers to cut sugar­ pp. $5.95. Sold at bookstores listed on page 12 or tual monopoly over the country's banana which served to increase support for the cane. by mail from Pathfinder, 41 0 West St., NY, NY trade. A couple of times a week small strikers among working people on the is­ Another farm worker said he had been 10014. Please add S1 for pos1aQe farmers haul bunches of bananas out of the land. going to the area near Belle Glade, Florida,

6 The Militant December 23, 1988 Nicaragua: sugar harvest under way at recently nationalized mill

BY LARRY SEIGLE a strike, most workers who spoke to CST CHICHIGALPA, Nicaragua - Long leader Jimenez during a recent visit said after dark, tractors are still hauling trailers they haven't heard much talk about a work filled with freshly cut sugarcane to the stoppage, nor did they think there is much mill. The plant's machinery is alive, and support for one. Many said there have been the chimneys spew a steady column of some improvements in conditions for the smoke into the sky. workers. As it has every year for almost a century, "Were you there at the meeting where the frenetic pace of the sugar harvest in Commander Wheelock spoke, and some full-swing regulates all activity at the giant companeros were talking about a strike?" complex known as the San Antonio Sugar Jimenez asked one group of workers. Mill. "Yeah, this compaiiero spoke there, that But this year, the San Antonio's harvest there was going to be a strike," replied one has taken on a directly political as well as cane-cutter, who is a CST activist. "We an economic dimension. In July the San­ don't agree with a strike. It's better to sit dinista government nationalized the mill down and reach an agreement. and its tens of thousands of acres of cane "A strike wouldn't be an advance, it fields. Now, the 1988-89 harvest is being would be a step backward," he added. "We followed closely by both supporters and know very well that if there is a strike we opponents of the revolution. are defeating ourselves by stopping pro­ "The people of Nicaragua are watching duction." this harvest," Lucio Jimenez, head of the At an impromptu assembly held after Sandinista Workers Federation (CST), told supper in one of the housing settlements on a group of workers at the mill recently. the San Antonio property, Jimenez and "And so are the enemies of the revolution. Victor Sevilla, head of the CST local at the "The revolution's enemies want to dem­ mill, talked with workers and their families onstrate that we are incapable, as the work­ about the problems they face. ing class, of a successful sugar harvest," With the beginning of the harvest, the Jimenez said. "We have to show that we ration of rice, beans, com, and cooking oil have the capacity to do it." available to the families of workers was in­ creased. But some people complained that Political challenge there is sometimes confusion over how In taking over the San Antonio opera­ much they are entitled to. tion, the Sandinista government assumed The company also provides three meals the challenge of organizing production at a day for employees, at a very low cost. the huge mill . It is a challenge substantially Everyone agreed that the meals are good. complicated by the fact that workers here But, several said, the woman who runs the are divided in their attitudes toward the dining room in their neighborhood doesn't Sandinista National Liberation Front get up early enough to have beans and tor­ (FSLN) and toward the CST leadership. tillas ready for breakfast at 5:00a.m. As a The FSLN has been relatively weak result, they are late getting into the fields. among workers here. And, although the More serious complaints came from San Antonio sugar mill workers local union is affiliated to the CST, some workers who said there are delays in giving workers look to opposition union groups workers new machetes, files, rubber boots, for leadership. Wheelock, minister of agricultural de­ that a successful sugar harvest is in the in­ and water jugs, which the company is sup­ The government seized the property be­ velopment and agrarian reform, has said terests of the working class as a whole, and posed to provide. Other supplies, such as cause the capitalist owners, the Pellas fam­ that MIDINRA will soon hold discus­ is necessary to help defend and strengthen mattresses for the seasonal workers, are ily, were running it into the ground. They sions with the Pellas family about the the Sandinista revolution. also slow in being distributed, they said. had been taking capital out, letting the "transfer" of the Flor de Caiia distillery. Sevilla replied that some cane-cutters fields, equipment, and processing plant de­ 'Cut otT their hands' had arrived for the harvest, picked up their teriorate. The Pellas family was content to Divided opinions Wheelock then responded. "The revolu­ tools and clothing, and then took off with let production fall as long as the mill pro­ The nationalization of the San Antonio tion gives rewards," he said, "but it also them. As a result, he said, union officers vided enough sugar to supply the profitable mill was carried out by the government punishes. If anyone raises the banner of a and management had agreed that workers Flor de Caiia rum distillery, which it also with little political preparation or involve­ strike here , we'll cut off his hands because would only get these things after they had owns. ment of the workers here. There were no it would be a crime against the people, who been on the job for a while. Last year's San Antonio harvest was a mobilizations leading up to or accompany­ need the sugar and the medicine that can be "But how can we work without good disaster. Although the facility has a capac­ ing the decree. bought with the foreign exchange it brings." tools?" asked Thelma Espinoza angrily. ity of 150,000 tons of sugar, in 1987-88 it The decision itself has met with different Wheelock's statement, which was re­ "Anyway, many of us live here year­ produced only 55,000 tons. round. Where are we going to take off to?" · On July 13 the Ministry of Agricultural reactions among the workers . Some sup­ ported in the Sandinista daily, Barricada, port the move. But others echo the capital­ was quickly seized on by opponents of the Sevilla and Jimenez agreed that the deci­ Development and Agrarian Reform sion would be modified. Jimenez also (MIDINRA) ordered the expropriation ists' position that the problems at the mill FSLN, who cited it as an example of were all the fault of the Sandinista govern­ threats of repression against workers. suggested it would be better if the food allot­ "for reasons of public necessity and the ments were distributed every two weeks, interests of society." ment, not the bosses. Many aren't sure, Conservative Democratic Party deputies and have adopted a wait-and-see attitude. instead of once a month. The local union The "Confiscation Decree" also en­ in the National Assembly submitted a for­ leadership should make sure the proper compassed the Flor de Caiia Rum Co., Since the takeover, the government has mal request to the chamber for a written amount of food gets to each family, he but so far no government action has been allocated substantial resources to get the explanation from Wheelock. added. taken on that part of the order. Jaime mill ready for the harvest. A goal of pro­ The capitalist newspaper La Prensa "Everything that it is possible to resolve ducing 80,000 tons has been set. quoted the threat in a banner headline. The here must be resolved," Jimenez told the ~--NEW------~ Trucks, tractors, and trailers have been next day, Wheelock replied to La Prensa assembly. "I don't think the things you are repaired, and the mill itself has been put with a statement published in Barricada. raising are things that are impossible to into shape. There have also been some im­ "Those who in our history have cut off solve." provements made in living and working not just the arms but also the heads of The stocks of food, tools, and equipment ''Cuba conditions. Nicaraguan workers and peasants have at the mill are adequate, he said. The im­ How much progress has been made in been the Yankee marines and their succes­ portance of the harvest for the revolution, advancing the political consciousness and sive allies: the Dfazes and Chamorros, the he said, dictates that steps be taken to Will level of organization of the workers on Somozas, and now the Bermudezes and guarantee that the workers get what they whom the harvest depends is another ques­ company," Wheelock wrote. "In these last need. Never tion. Some CST leaders believe that oppo­ nine years the revolution has threatened the "Whenever there is more rice, more sition unionists could still cause a signifi­ peasants, giving 100,000 landless families corn, more beans available, they have to be cant disruption of the harvest if they were property titles, as well as tractors, irriga­ distributed to the workers," Jimenez said. Adopt to try to organize a work stoppage. tion equipment, tools ... and rifles to de­ "The revolution's enemies want to prove The issue was spotlighted at a November fend their revolution and their homeland. that we can't complete this harvest. That's 12 assembly here, where Wheelock spoke "With the expropriation of the San An­ why they are pressing for a strike here. Capitalist to kick off the harvest and award prizes to tonio Sugar Mill, the revolution has pre­ "Our goal is to produce 80,000 tons, and workers who had exceeded production vented its collapse, which would have cost if we need to allocate more of the available goals . Although no discussion period was the jobs of thousands of workers with resources to the workers in order to achieve Methods'' planned, one member of the audience, families to feed. that goal, then this is what has to be done." Rigoberto Solis, a cane-cutter, interrupted "If the aggression that our people suffer Excerpts from the program and succeeded in getting the at the hands of the Reagan administration is floor. criminal, so are the actions of its allies in­ Barricada Fidel Castro's Solis complained vigorously about what side Nicaragua. The revolution and our lnternacional 26, 1988 speech he said are abysmal wages and inadequate people have the sacred right to defend Nic­ Barricada IntemacionaJ, the biweekly July food . If conditions don't improve, he said, aragua, from both foreign aggressors and official voice of the Sandinista National 32 pp. pamphlet, $1.50 a strike might be the only alternative. CST their domestic allies. Liberation Front, is available in Spanish leaders said afterward that Solis is a sup­ "From the time of Sandino we learned and English. The price is $30 per year. Order from Pathfinder, 410 West porter of the Workers' Front, a union that the sovereignty of a people is not to be Send check or money order to: St. , New York, N.Y. 10014. Please grouping organized by the ultraleft Marx­ discussed, it is to be defended with arms in include 75¢ for postage and han­ Nica News ist-Leninist Party. hand." P.O. Box 398, Station "E" dling. Solis was answered from the t1oor by two Whatever they thought about Whee­ Toronto, Ontario M6H 4E3 Canada workers who support the CST. They argued lock's approach to workers who advocated

December 23, 1988 The Militant 7 in interview with Alrican Marxist edi Below is an interview with David Manuel. How did you come to the deci­ have played a great role in resistance pendence in Angola and Mozambique in Gakunzi, editor of Coumbite, a French­ sion to launch such a magazine? against the colonizers. Women like Queen the 1970s had a big impact. The South Af­ Nzinga 1 of Angola, and others. ricans, who were the biggest military language quarterly on politics in Africa Gakunzi. When we first came to Europe and the Caribbean published in Paris. We also write about the history of Africa power in Africa, tried to overturn the new most of us tried to make links with the left. Gakunzi, 26 years old, comes from the in general. I was watching a video of Mal­ Angolan government in 1975. They were Many joined the left parties in France. But former Belgian colony of Burundi in colm X yesterday. He said, when your his­ beaten. Everybody was saying it could 't I must say we are disappointed at the state tory has been wiped out you can't fight. be done. Everyone was at their radios east-central Africa. Today he lives in of the so-called left. For most of these par­ Because when you are convinced that you throughout Burundi trying to follow what exile in Paris. ties if there is a revolution in the Third have accomplished nothing in the past, you On November 13, Gakunzi was a fea­ World it is only a mini-revolution, it's not was going on. How many kilometers the tured speaker at a rally of more than 300 can't have confidence that you will ac- South Africans had advanced and how far very important. people in Harlem to launch the new Path­ These revolutions are considered by finder book Thomas Sankara Speaks: them like children trying to do something, The Burkina Faso Revolution 1983-87. but it's not really serious. He addressed a celebration of the book They are unable to understand the need in Atlanta on November 19. for social change. For them revolution is Militant staff writer Sam Manuel in­ something that was done 200 years ago in terviewed Gakunzi in Atlanta November France. Now it is old-fashioned. 20. The interview was conducted in En­ And what is the program of these par­ glish. ties? Some just ask for higher wages. Sam Manuel. Why did you choose Others say, we have to have a more practi­ Coumbite as the name of your magazine? cal view, that the capitalists and those who are exploited have to reach a compromise David Gakunzi. Coumbite is a Haitian through discussion so there can be econom­ word that means solidarity, or peasants ic equilibrium. coming together to work . We chose it be­ This situation brought many of us to cause we think the problems of Africa can't conclude that we were losing time inside have individual solutions. We need to work the left parties in France. So we decided to together. get outside and organize ourselves. Coumbite means peasants coming to­ gether. The independence of Africa cannot Manuel. What is the purpose of Coum­ happen without addressing the conditions bite? of the peasants. Peasants make up more Gakunzi. Today in Africa the young than 90 percent of the population of Africa. people want change because the situation is They also produce the wealth of the coun­ so critical. The problem is that most of us tries of Africa. At the same time they are know what we don't want, but what do we ignored by those in power. want, that's the question. What we are try­ We think the condition of the peasants is ing to do is to build a magazine that will a fundamental issue not only because of help to discuss and try to find solutions. their numbers but also because you cannot What is to be done? as Lenin said. talk about revolution and at the same time We try to take a position on the revolu­ set aside the most exploited class. tions that have taken place in Africa. For· As a Haitian word, coumbite comes example, in Mozambique. What are the from outside Africa. The significance of problems for the revolution? Or Burkina that is that the problems of Africa are Faso. What was new in it? We need to linked with the problems of other Third know not only what has gone on before but World countries and the world. Today you also how not to make the same errors that can't just get your own national borders, or others have. economic borders, and talk about having Those who began revolutionary strug­ independence. gles in Africa can have an excuse. Before And more than that we think there are them there were no revolutions. But we struggles in the North, in the European haven't that excuse. We have to learn from countries, and in North America that are them. also linked to the struggles of Third World David Gakunzi, editor of Coumbite. peoples. The imperialists, the people who Manuel. How do you do this? dominate the world, have been able to di­ vide the working class in the North and the Gakunzi. We write about revolutionary complish anything today, or tomorrow. the Angolans had been pushed back. Bu( people in the South. But we think that we figures in Africa and their theoretical and We also write about economic issues the South Africans were beaten. have interests that are the same. political contributions. People like Amilcar such as the International Monetary Fund, The independence of Angola was proof Even if some working people of the Cabral of Guinea Bissau, Franz Fanon who and the effects of the foreign debt. We try that oppression can be overthrown, that North have a higher standard of living than was from Martinique but came to help in to demystify all the technical terms. Be­ things can be changed. the peoples of the South, it's those who are the Algerian revolution, and Thomas San­ cause they try to make it seem that eco­ That event was important also because it in power who really profit most from the kara of Burkina Faso. nomics is so complicated that you can't un­ was Cubans, who had been described in the international social order. We think that if derstand anything about it. We try to show worst way in Africa, who came to help U!'. our struggles of the Third World are sup­ Role of women in Africa that anybody can understand the debt, how who sent troops to aid Angola. Even son._ ported, it will mean that those who oppress We write about the role of women in Af­ it came about, what are its consequences, African regimes didn't move to oppose the people in the North will be weakened. rica. Women play a big role in agricultural and why it should not and cannot be paid. South Africa. It was the Cubans who came Together with us those who are oppressed production in Africa. At the same time they Overall the purpose of Coumbite is to in­ to shed their blood and die for Africa. All and exploited in the North will be stronger. get nothing . In the history of Africa women form people and to convince people that we those people around the world who were can understand the world. When we under­ talking about democracy and human rights stand that, we have the weapons to change were helping the South Africans. That was our situation. clear. It was clear who were our enemies rrom Pathfinder and who were our friends. Manuel. Where do the people come from The independence of Zimbabwe was who work on Coumbite? also important. In 1978 Ian Smith was say­ ing, come back to Rhodesia3 in 1 ,000 years THOMAS SANKARA SPEAKS Gakunzi. We come from Namibia, Bu­ rundi, Senegal, the Congo, Zaire, Algeria, and you will still find us here. One year later he was defeated by the liberation THE BURKINA FASO REVOLUTION 1983-87 Haiti, and Martinique. We all come from movement. And we said next time it will different experiences, but we are also "The Burkinabe people took strides linked by and have been touched by the be Johannesburg. same events. Like the Cuban revolution, Cuito Cuanavale toward democratizing social relations like the struggles in southern Africa. We Manuel. Those events took place in are fighters against apartheid. on the land and reversing the loss of 1975, '76, and '79. How do you view the farmland to the desert. Coumbite is circulated in Burundi, impact of the South African defeat at the Benin, the Congo, Senegal and, before the hands of Angolan and Cuban troops at "This book is an inspiring chronicle of coup, in Burkina Faso. 2 Cuito Cuanavale, Angola, earlier this Sankara's role in leading the people in year? Manuel. What impact did the struggles Gakunzi. You know in Paris it was n these achievements." in southern Africa have on your political seen as important. But for the people of Af­ development? rica this was the second, and most impor­ Gakunzi. The winning of national inde- tant lesson to South Africa. It forced South Africa to the negotiating table to discuss the independence of Namibia. It showed I . Queen of the Mbundu-speaking people in To get this book: that the only language that the South Afri­ Angola in the 1600s. She fought several wars cans understand is the language of force, Contact the Pathfinder bookstore nearest you listed on against the Portuguese but is also said to have page 12, or by mail from Pathfinder, 410 West St., New held brief alliances with the Portuguese against York, N.Y. 10014. 260 pp ., $9.95 (Please include $1.00 her rivals. 3. Rhodesia was the name of the white postage and handling.) 2. A counterrevolutionary coup in the West minority-ruled country in southern Africa For mail orders in Africa, Europe, Middle East: Central Books, 14 The Leather­ African country of Burkina Faso on Oct. 15, founded by Cecil Rhodes. In 1980, after years market, London SE1 3ER, England; In Asia and Pacific: Hale & lremonger, 1987, overthrew the revolutionary government of struggle, the Rhodesian regime headed by GPO Box 2552, Sydney NSW 2001, Australia. In Canada P.O. Box 9600, Sta· of Thomas Sankara. Sankara and 12 of his aides Ian Smith was replaced by a Black-majority lion A, Toronto, Ont. M5W 2C7, Canada. were murdered in the coup, which was led by government and the country was renamed Zim­ Blaise Compaore. babwe.

8 The Militant December 23, 1988 ltor David Gakunzi not dialogue. Dialogue has come only be­ Gakunzi. We were greatly influenced by cause of what has taken place on the Che Guevara. Che is a legend in Africa. battlefield. His silhouette can be seen in many places. Cuito Cuanavale will go down in Afri­ We once saw it on aT-shirt. We thought he can history as the reversal ofBambata's de­ was a famous singer. fr t . 4 It was Bambata who said what you We were told that he fought in the have lost on the battlefield you can only Congo on the side of the independence win back on the battlefield. forces . He was known as "Tatu." In Swahili it means three. We never figured Manuel. You are a leader of the Thomas out its significance. Sankara International Association. What One of the stories about Che that in­ was the importance of Sankara and the rev­ spired us was when he and his compafieros olution in Burkina Faso? arrived in the Congo. Che saw that the 'Jakunzi. I think that the importance of Congolese fighters did not have boots or Sankara and the Burkinabe revolution was shoes of any kind. Che said, "We are all that for the first time in a French-speaking equal here. If you don't have boots, we country in Africa there was a revolution won't have boots." So he and his men which was a radical rupture of the system. fought without boots. For example, on the issue of apartheid This had a big impact in Africa because Sankara fought for concrete action. He it was the first time that what appeared to stressed that so much has been said, now be a white man had come to fight alongside tl· ' re must be action . Sankara spoke at the the Africans in their behalf. IY86 summit of the Organization of Afri­ Later we were able to read some books can Unity in Addis Ababa. When he took about Che. They were Guerrilla Warfare, the platform he brought I 0 guns and am­ and The Diary ofChe in Bolivia. Strangely munition and said this is my contribution to enough we got them from the French Cul­ the African National Congress. He called tural Center in Burundi. The books passed on everyone there to do the same. through a lot of hands. The pages were It was great! It put everyone on the spot even falling out. in that great tribune where everyone is tl,.;re only to pass resolutions and make Che as a communist mutual congratulations. As a communist Che exemplified the Sankara is v(fry important in Africa's highest values of humanity . He became a struggle. That's why it is important that doctor, but he left that because he saw that such a book as Thomas Sankara Speaks is the best medicine, the medicine most published in English and should be pub­ needed, was revolution. When he met lished in French. The best tribute to San­ Fidel he was ready to fight for a country kara is to be like him. But to be like him the that wasn't his own . He had to overcome 1- Jple need all the weapons he had, even physical limits such as asthma, which he more. That means first of all that his ideas suffered from. In combat he was always at must be available to people. the front of the battle. He was always first to volunteer for the most dangerous tasks. Nicaraguan and Grenadian revolutions Che showed us that a revolutionary , a Manuel . You have spoken of Sankara's communist, is a human being with a heart close relations with the leaders of the and convictions. He fights because he Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Grenadian revo­ loves life. i .ns. Were you able to get much infor­ We were told that Che was Cuban so we mation in Burundi about these revolutions? began to search for something on Cuba. Gakunzi. Mainly through the French­ What helped us very much was Granma. language edition of the Granma Weekly We got it very late, one month, sometimes Peasant women of Burkina Faso working on soil erosion control project, 1986. Gakunzi Review from Cuba. The Nicaraguan revo­ two months after publication. But we says, "You cannot talk about revolution and at the same time set aside the peasants, the lution came about the same time as the in­ Continued on Page 10 most exploited class." dependence of Zimbabwe. I remember see­ ing the pictures of the Sandinistas entering 6. Anibal Escalante, a longtime leader of the tiona! operation attempting to oust Castro and membership and leadership would be deter­ t . Somoza palace. In the Nicaraguan and Popular Socialist Party of Cuba, was elected or­ the historic cadres of the July 26 Movement mined by merit and self-sacrifice, not privilege­ Grenadian revolutions the leaders were like ganization secretary of Integrated Revolution­ from the ORI leadership using his position as seeking and careerism. the working people. ary Organizations (ORI) formed in 1961 . The organization secretary to place former PSP In 1968 Escalante and some of his supporters ORI was a step in the process of uniting the July members in important positions. He promoted We saw pictures of Maurice Bishop5 were tried for violations of Cuban law commit­ 26 Movement, led by Fidel Castro, and other policies and bureaucratic methods that had a de­ ted in the course of their continued factional ac­ with the people, building schools with the parties supporting the revolution in Cuba; this moralizing impact on the struggles of peasants tivity, especially their dealings with embassy people and doing manual work. This was eventually led to the formation of the Com­ and workers. In 1962 Escalante was removed personnel from other countries behind the backs important. It was a new way of being a munist Party of Cuba in 1965 . from his position by vote of the ORI national di­ of the Cuban government. They were convicted leader. He gave dignity to manual work. In the early 1960s, Escalante organized a fac- rectorate . The party was reorganized so that the and imprisoned for a number of years. '3ishop's approach was to advance the revolution with the people. He didn't just , come to the people with a program and say "Follow me!" and not even tell the people ''Burundi's problem is political and social, not 'tribal' where they were going. His death was a great loss to us. Those The following is a selection from the The Tutsi elite, who want to keep the result of colonialism. When the colo­ who murdered him were sectarian. They Militant interview in which David Ga­ power, tell the Tutsi peasants "the Hutu nial powers divided up Africa they de­ said Bishop was not sufficiently revolu­ kunzi takes up recent developments in want to kill us." The Hutu elite, who want signed borders without any consideration t; ~ "'ary, was not leading the revolution cor­ Burundi: · to gain power, tell the Hutu peasants "the for the historical, geographical, and cul­ rectly. According to which theories or Sam Manuel . Thousands of people were Tutsi are oppressing us ." But neither of tural differences of the peoples of Africa. them care about the peasants. texts, I don't know . killed a few months ago in Burundi in what Groups of people were thrown together If Bishop had been killed by the right the press reported as "tribal conflicts." In 1965 and 1972 the Tutsi elite or­ who never had links before, and others wing, then that's normal, it's the enemy. Could you comment on this? ganized the massacres of Hutus, killing with long historical ties were separated. What was revolting was that it was done by more than 10 percent of them. Many of the I have a friend whose grandfather is people claiming to be revolutionaries but David Gakunzi. Burundi is in central­ Hutu youth were killed. The Tutsi ruling Cameroonian and his father is Chadian. who objectively killed the revolution. east Africa. It has a long history and was class claimed that the Hutu were planning a When the border was drawn it divided his This has been a problem in every revolu­ one of the first kingdoms in Africa. There revolt. village in half. One side became Cameroon­ t.Jn, in Cuba with Escalante6 , in the Con­ are three main groups of people: the Tutsi, The western press has always presented ian, the other Chadian. go, and in Angola. What Bernard Coard who are about 14 percent of the population; the massacres as simply tribal war between did had been done by others before him. It the Hutu , who are about 85 percent; and the Tutsi , whom they describe as tall, and Manuel. You said that the peasants were was the same problem in Burkina Faso. the Twa, about I percent. the Hutu, who are supposedly short. I don't and remain the victims of colonialism and It is a problem of specific social forces. Burundi was colonized by Belgium in know by whose standard they decide what its legacy in Burundi. Can you give an Bernard Coard and Blaise Compaore repre­ the early 1900s. The Belgians based their is tall or short, but I can tell you who is example? sent specific social forces who became bu­ power on the Tutsi minority. Many of the poor and who is rich. Gakunzi. Burundi is a fertile agricultural reaucratized. They came to have their own Tutsi were sent to Belgian schools. But The fact is you do not have a situation country. The Belgians exploited cotton and i erests different from those of the people. some of those people became advocates of where all the Tutsi are in power and all the independence after they returned. The Bel­ Hutu are poor. You have Tutsis and Hutus coffee production. They did this both through large foreign-owned farms and by Manuel. How did you become a Marx­ gians then appealed to the Hutu majority, who are bourgeois, Tutsis and Hutus who forcing the local peasants to grow these ist? saying that the Tutsi wanted independence are peasants and suffering. So this problem in order to oppress the Hutu. Some of the in Burundi, as in the rest of Africa, is a crops to get money to pay the head tax or face going to prison. 4. Zulu Chief Bambata was killed and be­ Hutus opposed independence. political and social one. headed in 1906 for his role in leading armed re­ There was one progressive leader of the What makes me laugh is this: Why isn't Those who didn 't have enough land also sistance to British colonial rule of what is today movement for independence who opposed all the fighting between countries in went into the cities in search of work in ~n · •th Africa. this divisive tactic and stood for unity. His Europe called tribal wars? That term is order to pay the tax. Some would even go .J. Maurice Bishop was the central leader of name was Louis Rwrgasora, a close friend only used in relation to Africa. To my to Uganda, often by foot, to work in the the 1979 revolution in the eastern Caribbean is­ land of Grenada and became the country's of Patrice Lumumba [leader of the inde­ knowledge no tribal war in Africa has ever mines to get money to pay the tax. prime minister. He was murdered along with pendence struggle in the Congo, another set the world on fire . But the two European After independence the Tutsi and Hutu several key supporters in an Oct, 19, 1983 coup Belgian colony] . Rwrgasora was murdered tribal wars set the whole world on fire . elite continued the same use of the head tax led by Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard. by the Belgians. Following his death the They killed more people than any war in until 1976, when it was suppressed under His murder opened the way for the U.S. inva­ struggle between the Tutsi and Hutu elites Africa. the reform government of Jean-Baptiste sion soon after. stepped up. These so-called tribal wars in Africa are Bagaza.

December 23, 1988 The Militant 9 Marxist editor on struggles in Africa, France, Caribbean

Continued from previous page fight on the side of Britain and France would all study it. against Hitler. Through the example of Cuba we saw Following the war many of them re­ our conditions in Africa were not fate. turned to Africa. They were the ones who Cuba had been in the same situation as Af­ began to demand independence. They had rica- hunger, misery, prostitution, all of been promised independence if they de­ those things. fended France, but afterwards they were But after some years of the revolution simply put back in the same situation. Cuba made big accomplishments, in edu­ Many of those who had learned to use cation, in culture, and other areas. If there weapons were massacred, for example in is real social change, hunger and other con­ the Thiaroye camp in Senegal where many ditions of oppression can be wiped out. of those returning were held. They were Through Cuba we also saw that freedom simply gunned down because they de­ and dignity can't be begged for. The Cuban manded independence. 1986 march in Paris protests police killing of student of Algerian descent. "There is revolution came by struggle. Others who stayed in France faced many a new generation of immigrants born in France," Gakunzi says. "They are demand­ We also heard that China had succeeded problems of discrimination in housing and ing their rights in France." in wiping out hunger. That since the Oc­ other areas. In the immigrant housing areas tober 1917 revolution the USSR had be­ there were, and still are, beds that are never When Dulcie September, the African Na­ the beginning of the century that coloniza­ come the second most powerful country in cold. Because when one person goes to tional Congress representative in France, tion is civilization. In the middle of the the world. work, another comes home from work and was assassinated, the youth held big pro­ century when that part of Africa that was I heard that both of those countries were sleeps in the same bed. tests across the country. They even at­ under French colonial rule was divided into communist. Neither of them had exploited Most immigrant workers got jobs in the tacked the South African embassy in Paris. small countries, Gaston Defferre, a Social­ Africa, that is, they didn't make progress at automobile and construction industries. So we think it is a matter of time and dis­ ist Party politician, played a big role in Africa's expense. Many also worked and died in the mines. cussions . that. Communism was also popular because At first workers came only to get money During the Algerian revolution the the colonial powers would always accuse to send back home. They did not view Manuel. And the political parties? anyone who stood for independence of themselves as part of France. Now there is French Communist Party was telling the being a communist. So I began to try to un­ a new generation born in France. They are Gakunzi. The extreme right campaigns Algerian Communist Party not to fight for derstand what is communism. not going back to Africa. They are de­ against immigrant workers. They say to independence but to ask for community manding their rights in France. make jobs for 3 million unemployed French with France. And that explains why the I started with a two-volume series of workers, 3 million immigrants must be de­ Algerian Communist Party played no role Marx's writings that I got from the Soviet Manuel. What has been the stance of the ported. in the revolution. embassy in Burundi. The man at the em­ unions towards immigrant workers? What There is not much difference with the bassy thought I was crazy, attempting to It is the same in Guadeloupe, the French impact have immigrant workers had on Socialist Party. They say no more immi­ read Marx. He would only give me two colony in the Caribbean. Only now has the French workers? grants should be allowed into France be­ Guadeloupe Communist Party taken a books. He promised more after I finished cause there is no more room . They also say them. Later I read Critique of Political Gakunzi. Some unions like the CGT stand for independence. Before, it also the immigrants that are in the country ille­ fought for community with France. Economy, but I didn't understand much. [General Confederation of Workers] have gally should be deported. That is a retreat tried to organize immigrant workers. They Then some of us began to study collec­ from their position in 1981, when they Manuel. You've had a short time here in are even in the CGT leadership, but only at legalized all immigrant workers. tively. One would understand some parts. the local level. the United States. What have been your im­ Another would get other points. And to­ The Communist Party fights for the im­ pressions? I think for immigrant workers this is a migrant workers but doesn't fight to inte­ gether we understood much more. We transition period. We are beginning to see went on to Lenin's State and Revolution, grate them politically. But you can't be a Gakunzi. I have seen the United States signs of their impact on the workers in workers' party and set aside the immigrant before only in pictures of the big buildings. and Origin of the Family, Private Prop­ France, and they are becoming part of the erty, and the State, by Frederick Engels. workers, who are the most exploited part of When I arrived in New York, and I saw the working class in France. Many of the the workers in France. homeless and the misery, I couldn't believe Immigrant workers in France French workers who had supported the The far left also fights for immigrant it. The richest country in the world and Communist Party in the past supported the workers but is unable to integrate them there is so much poverty. Manuel. Can you comment on the role of extreme right candidacy of Jean-Marie Le immigrant workers in France? politically. They don't want to listen to us. But I have learned much about the rich Pen. They only come to teach. And when an im­ Gakunzi. At the beginning of the century There are some hopeful signs among the history of struggle in this country. About migrant worker sees that attitude he says, the civil rights movement. About Malcolm the French capitalists sent representatives youth. They have organized to defend the OK, I have my dignity too. immigrant workers. In the fight against X and Marcus Garvey. I really enjoyed the to Africa to recruit workers. In 1945 this Even important historical leaders of the increased as more men were recruited to apartheid they have also been very strong. video of Malcolm X. I have heard much socialist parties like Jean Jaures 7 said at about him but this was the first chance I have had to see him. I hope his works will 7. Jean Jaures (1859-1914) was a longtime also be made more widely available in Subscribe to 'Perspectiva Mundial' leader of the French socialist movement. French. Cuban revolution advances 'Oscar a revolutionary till he died'

Playwright Frank Greenwood recent­ feared the Trotskyists. My political under­ ly wrote the following tribute to longtime standing grew over the more than 20 years As a reader of the Militant Socialist Workers Party leader Oscar I knew Oscar and Della [Rossa, Coover's you are familiar with our week­ Coover, Jr., who died in Los Angeles longtime comrade and companion] . ly coverage of the struggles of October 28. Coover joined the SWP in Many times I differed, and argued, with UNION SOVIETICA ANAL! SIS Minneapolis in 1938 and remained an Oscar. But I respected his political acu­ working people around the ;Resolveroi world. perestroika Recesion active party builder until his death. men, and later I found out that he was usu­ los problemas economica Greenwood's message was received ally right. My respect for the man's knowl­ If you can read or are study­ economicos? afectara Ia after meetings to celebrate Coover's life edge grew over the years. ing Spanish, there is a com­ ESTADOS UNIDOS politica en Sindicalista and political contributions were held in When I came to the end of my one-per­ plementary monthly magazine Estados Unidos Mark Curtis New York and Los Angeles in Novem­ son play on Mother Jones, I called him to for you: Perspectiva Mundial. condenado a 25 arlos ber. An article about those meetings ap­ get his advice on what he thought she'd say PM is a Spanish-language so­ peared in the December 9 Militant. to us today about what is wrong with this cialist magazine that carries Greenwood's play Malcolm X: Rem­ nation, and what must be done by us all to many of the same articles you iniscences of a Revolutionary is widely set it right. That was several weeks ago­ read in the Militant. Thomas Sankara: ~ performed in the Los Angeles area. it was then that I learned of his fatal illness. In the December issue, PM Debemos combatir \ He was too ill to help me on the final scene juntos el All my adult life I have sought freedom of the play. He could have given me many brings you an interview with imperialismo ·. ·. ;-.._ ~~ - for myself and my people. During the ~.;r~~r~ .. insights if he had been able to. Nieves Alemafty, member of 1950s that search Jed me to the Communist the Cuban Communist Party's Party, and I joined it enthusiastically. And yet I do not mourn his demise. I cel­ Central Committee. She ex­ My comrades frowned on one of my ebrate his life and reflect on the many les­ Subscriptions: habits - exchanging ideas with persons sons to be learned from it. plains some of the progress Oscar continually studied and read . He women are making through Introductory offer: $3 for six who differed with the Communist Party, months; $9 for one year. like Oscar Coover. They told me not to as­ was dedicated completely to the task of the rectification process cur­ sociate with him or any Trotskyist; I dis­ revolutionizing this sick capitalist society, rently going on in Cuba. D Begin my sub with current issue. agreed. After all, I was seeking more free­ and put nothing else before it. The party is leading the Name ______dom not less. He fought nearly his whole life to gain a Cuban people in taking giant I began to drift away from the Com­ world of freedom for all peoples, all over steps forward in the fight to Address ------­ munist Party, although I still paid dues. Fi­ the world. Oscar was a true revolutionary develop the new men and City/State/Zip ------­ nally, I even stopped dues payments. I to the day he died. women, necessary to build a never regretted that decision, and have His life taught us how to die. And his life Clip and mail to PM, 410 West St., learned to treasure my association with taught us all how to Jive and struggle. I can socialist society New York, NY 10014. Oscar Coover. Through him and others like only honor him by emulating his dedication him, and continual reading and research, I and commitment in my life and work. I, soon learned why the Communist Party and other revolutionaries, will miss him .

10 The Militant December 23, 1988 Haiti strike backs workers' demands on Avril government

BY SUSAN LaMONT dustrial park, as many as 70 percent of Thousands of workers, students, ven­ workers observed the strike. Other fac­ ders, and others throughout Haiti partici­ tories weren't able to open at all. pated in a 24-hour protest strike November Commercial activity in the capital was 21, initiated by the Independent Federation also affected. "The stores are open," Radio of Haitian Workers (CATH), the country's Nationale reported, "but there is not the leading trade union organization. usual heated activity downtown. There has CA TH issued a statement the following been a slowdown because of the [lack of] day calling the strike a success, and ex­ public transportation on the Grand Rue. It plaining that it was "held to call national is pretty empty. Most of the shops and and international public opinion's attention small grocery stores are open, but you do to the immediate demands being made by not see the intense activity that is the norm Representatives of organizations backing November 21 strike held news conference a the nation" on the government of Gen. for this area." week earlier to explain aims of strike. (From left) Hebert Beauchard, Association of Prosper Avril. The strike was widely observed despite Families and Friends of Patriotic Soldiers; Fram;ois Pierre-Louis, National Popular being declared illegal by the military gov­ These included rehiring workers fired at Assembly; Jean-Auguste Mesyeux, CATH; Idly Cameau, Haitian Workers Commit­ ernment. Avril himself made a statement tee. the Acierie d'Haiti steel plant in Port-au­ attacking the strike because it "has to do Prince, and at other factories, and an end to with politics." employer abuse of union activists; govern­ "Unions are essentially apolitical," Avril ment measures to lower the cost of living, stated. "This means that the Constitution such as reducing gas prices; disarming of does not give a union the right to defend -WORLD NEWS BRIEFS-- ex-dictator Jean Claude Duvalier's private any interests other than its work interests." thug army, the Tontons Macoutes, who Revolt in Argentine Mandela, who was sentenced to life in The Constitution Avril cited was ap­ prison by the apartheid regime in 1964, continue to carry out violent attacks; and proved by a popular referendum in March releasing of soldiers arrested by Avril in army put down was hospitalized in August for tuber­ 1987, a little more than one year after culosis. Last month, South African offi­ October following what he termed a coup Duvalier was forced to flee the country. It A revolt by a section of Argentina's attempt. Avril came to power in September cials indicated that he would not be re­ was suspended by Namphy last summer army began in the Buenos Aires area De­ turned to Pollsmoor Prison. as a result of a noncommissioned officers' before his ouster. Avril has refused de­ cember I when 53 members of a coast revolt that ousted Gen. Henri Namphy mands for its reinstatement. guard unit robbed an arsenal and de­ The New York Times reported De­ from the presidency. In an interview conducted in Montreal a serted their base. The next day, 400 cember 8 that Mandela's lawyer, Ismail more soldiers took over the infantry Ayob, issued a statement confirming the Jean-Bertrand Aristide few days before the November 21 strike, CA TH General Secretary Yves Richard de­ school at the Campo de Mayo military transfer. Ayob also said that anti-apart­ The strike also demanded that Jean-Ber­ scribed the systematic victimization of complex 22 miles northwest of the city. heid leader Winnie Mandela, Nelson trand Aristide be allowed to remain active union members at the Acierie d'Haiti, one The soldiers later shifted their base of Mandela's wife, would not accept the in Haiti. Aristide is one of the Haitian of Haiti's largest industrial plants. operations to the Villa Martelli arsenal, unlimited visiting hours the government popular movement's most prominent lead­ "The boss Gilbert Bigio has just fired 80 in a residential area nine miles outside had offered her and her family unless all ers. He is a priest at Jean Bosco Church in union workers affiliated to CA TH, because Buenos Aires. other political prisoners were afforded the same treatment. Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. Repeated workers want to improve their work and The rebels, led by Col. Mohamed Ali demonstrations in October prevented the health conditions inside the plant," Richard Seineldfn, demanded amnesty for offi­ Mandela Reception Committees have Catholic Church hierarchy from enforcing said. "It is hell inside Acierie d'Haiti." cers convicted of, or awaiting trial for, begun to be organized in South Africa, its order for Aristide to be transferred out human rights abuses committed during according to the December 6 London of the country. "Bigio is a notorious Macoute, an as­ sociate of Duvalier," Richard continued. what Argentines call "the dirty war." Guardian. The first, formed in the The November 21 strike was backed by After Bigio fired the union members, This refers to the repression carried out Western Cape, distributed a leaflet in the Haitian Workers Committee; Associa­ CA TH "took the necessary legal steps with by the country's military dictatorship be­ Cape Town appealing to people to pre­ tion of Families and Friends of Patriotic the Ministry of Labor, but the matter was tween 1976 and 1983 during which at pare for the release of "our leaders." Soldiers; National Popular Assembly; not resolved. We want to deal with matters least 9,000 people - including many League of Former Haitian Political Prison­ "disappeared"- were killed. "Let us set up structures in our com­ seriously, and so we have declared a gen­ munities; hold meetings in your homes, ers; and other political, labor, peasant, eral strike, to protest the insecurity that The soldiers were also demanding youth, church, and democratic rights as­ changes in the top military command meetings in your streets, meetings in reigns in the country and the firing of your class, meetings in your factories," sociations. workers for union activity, in violation of and better pay and equipment. The same demands were raised during the leaflet said. "Make time available to Most students in Port-au-Prince, Jere­ international labor law." prepare together with the Mandela Re­ "The workers at Acierie d'Haiti had two similar army revolts in April 1987 mie, Saint-Marc, Cap-Ha.itien, Gona·ives and January 1988. Following the April ception Committee for a welcome fit for and other cities and towns supported the signed a two-year collective bargaining the leaders of our country." agreement with the boss," said Richard. revolt, the Argentine government agreed strike by staying out of school. "We see to halt the trials of middle- and lower­ The committees are also aimed at that all the schools in Jeremie have re­ "The boss violated the contract by bringing creating a broad, new anti-apartheid a robot into the factory that forces the level military officers. Convictions of mained closed, so students are not going to former military junta members and other front to replace the banned United Dem­ school," said one Radio Nationale broad­ workers to do in 15 minutes what used to ocratic Front, the dispatch said. take one hour. The worker is constantly top officers, however, were left intact. cast, typical of many that day. Transporta­ Ten are serving sentences of up to life in tion within and between Haiti's population forced to feed steel to the robot, which has a higher production rate." prison. centers was also hit hard by bus and truck Seineldfn is known as a sympathizer Toxic waste ship drivers' participation in the strike. Richard also described other employer of Col. Aldo Rico, who is awaiting court reappears - empty At some factories in Port-au-Prince's in- violations of the contract. When the work­ martial for leading the two previous re­ ers responded by going on strike November volts. At the end of November, the freighter 7, Bigio called the army into the plant. On December 2, President Raul Al­ Khian Sea - now renamed Pelicano­ Namibia pact After the strikers returned to work under fonsfn ordered the rebellion put down, was reported anchored in international protest, he fired 80, including the core of and fire was exchanged between rebel waters off Singapore, empty of the 28 Continued from front page activists most widely identified with the and loyalist troops. Five people were re­ million pounds of toxic ash it has been 3,000 Cuban troops would return to Cuba. union. ported wounded. The night of December trying to dump for more than two years. Within three months of that date South Af­ 3, some 30,000 people demonstrated The toxic ash came from municipal rica would reduce its estimated 50,000 Art Young in Montreal contributed to this against the revolt. and industrial incinerators in Philadel­ troops and 24,000-strong territorial force article. The next day, hundreds of people op­ phia. After the waste was rejected by the in Namibia to I ,500. posed to the army rebellion converged at Bahamian government, the ship wan­ On August I all Cuban forces would be the Villa Martelli base. At least three ci­ dered the Caribbean for 18 months. Last moved north of the 15th parallel in Angola, Antiracist march set vilians were killed and 35 wounded in a January, more than 3,000 tons of the about 200 miles from the Namibian border. for Jan. 16 in N.Y. confrontation with the rebels. Seineldfn waste were dumped in Gonai·ves, Haiti, By the November I elections in Na­ surrendered soon after, following a before protests there and in the United mibia, Cuban forces would move north of BY SAM MANUEL negotiated settlement reached with the States forced the ship to leave. It then the 13th parallel, about 350 miles from the NEW YORK -A coalition of union of­ government. tried to enter the Delaware Bay between Namibian border. Half of the Cuban forces ficials, Central America solidarity and While Alfonsfn denies making a deal New Jersey and Delaware. Bermuda, would have returned to Cuba by then. The anti-apartheid groups, women's rights or­ with the rebels, he expressed some sym­ Panama, Honduras, the Dominican Re­ Cuban withdrawal would be completed in ganizations, and elected officials have pathy for their demands in a speech public, Costa Rica, Guinea-Bissau, and July 1991. called a Jan. 16, 1989, march and rally to given December 6. Alfonsfn was elected Cape Verde are some of the other coun­ Thousands of Cuban troops were sent to protest acts of racist violence in New York. president in 1983, replacing a succes­ tries where the freighter tried unsuccess­ Angola at the government's request to January 16 is also a national holiday sion of military regimes. fully to unload its poisonous cargo. repel a massive South African military in­ honoring the birthday of slain civil rights The U.S. Environmental Protection vasion in 1975. Cuban forces have re­ leader Martin Luther King, Jr. The march Agency reported that the ash contained mained ever since to aid in the defense of will assemble at City Hall at 2:00p.m. Mandela moved toxic dioxins, aluminum, arsenic, chro­ Angola's independence. Among the initial sponsors of the action to prison farm mium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, Under the provisions of the protocol, are: Black rights activist Herbert Daughtry; and zinc. Angola, Cuba, and South Africa would ex­ New York State chair of the National On December 7, South Africa Justice Reporters who visited the ship when it change prisoners of war, and set up a joint Women's Political Caucus, Gail Brewer; Minister Kobie Coetsee announced that reappeared off Singapore confirmed that commission that would resolve disputes executive vice-president of Local 1199 African National Congress leader Nel­ it appeared empty, but a man identifying arising from the agreement. The U.S. and Hospital and Health Care Employees, Den­ son Mandela had been moved from the himself as Capt. Arturo Fuentes refused Soviet governments would serve on the nis Rivera; Chinese Progressive Associa­ Constantiaburg Clinic outside Cape to say where the ash was dumped. The commission as observers. Namibia would tion leader Mae Ngai; and chair of the New Town to a house on a prison farm about environmental group Greenpeace says it become a full member of the commission York State Assembly Black and Puerto 50 miles away. was dumped in the Indian Ocean. following the November I elections. Rican Legislative Caucus, Roger Green.

December 23, 1988 The Militant 11 -CAlENDAR------NEW ZEALAND IOWA inforrnation call (402) 553-0245. Come to a CALIFORNIA Massive Worldwide Aid Needed for Nicara­ Los Angeles Des Moines gua. A fund-raising event. Sun ., Dec . 18, 3 Socialist Educational Report from Nicaragua. Speaker: Seth Ga­ Children in Debt. Film about the Latin Amer­ p.m. Chicano Awareness Center, 4825 S 24 St. linsky, correspondent with Militant and Per­ ican foreign debt and its devastating effects. Sponsors: Witness for Peace, Pledge of Resis­ and Active Workers spectiva Mundial's Nicaragua Bureau. Fri ., Translation to English. Presentation and discus­ tance. Dec. 30, 7:30 p.m. 2546 W Pico Blvd. Dona­ sion to follow. Speaker: Pat Smith, Young So­ Conference tion: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For cialist Alliance, member International Associa­ Dec. 28-31, Hamilton more inforrnation call (213) 380-9460. tion of Machinists Local 1513 . Sat., Dec. 17, NEW YORK 7:30 p.m. 2105 Forest Ave. Donation: $2 . Manhattan Discuss coming world eco­ FLORIDA Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum . For more infor­ Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Vence­ nomic crisis and building party Miami mation call (515) 246-1695. remos Brigade and Cuban Revolution's 30th Glasnost - Perestroika: Is Gorbachev De­ Anniversary. Fund-raiser party. Salsa, calyp­ of communist workers mocratizing the USSR? Will Capitalist MARYLAND so, merengue, funk ; DJs Will K. Wilkins and Program includes: Methods Solve the USSR's Economic Crisis? Baltimore Emory White. Sat., Dec. 17, 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. The Workers' States and the Speaker: Thabo Ntweng, Socialist Workers Cuba and Angola: "Response to the South Casa de las Americas, 104 W 14th St. (between Party . Translation to Spanish and French. Sat., African Escalation." Video showing of Cuban 6th and 7th aves.). Donation: $7 in advance, $8 Renewal of Communist Lead­ Dec. 17 , 7:30p.m. 137 NE 54th St. Donation: documentary on the defeat of the apartheid at door. Sponsor: N.Y . 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Speaker: land Institute College of Art, Station Building ney for the Hartford 15, framed Puerto Rican Speaker: Russell Johnson, national sec­ Dana Burroughs, Socialist Workers Party, mem­ Auditorium, 1400 Cathedral (near Mount activists; Jon Haines, regional director of the retary Socialist Action League of New ber United Steelworkers of America Local Royal) . Sponsors: Pathfinder Bookstore, Mary­ Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Zealand. 5488 . Translation to Spanish. Sat. , Dec . 17 , 6 land Institute College of Art . For more inforrna­ Salvador; Peter Krala, member International The Growing Importance of p.m. 6826 S Stony Island Ave . Donation: $3. tion call (30 I) 235-0013. Union of Electronic Workers Local 244 at Nor­ Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more infor­ den Systems, Norwalk, Connecticut, fired for Pathfinder Books and Pam­ mation call (312) 363-7322 or 363-7136. MICHIGAN political and union activities. Translation to phlets to Rebuilding the World Spanish. 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Sponsor: Militant Labor Philadelphia For further information contact Social­ Revolutionary Workers League Politi­ Forum. For more inforrnation call (507) 433- The Housing Crisis: A Marxist Analysis. ist Action League: Auckland, 157a 3461. cal Committee. Speaker: David Paparella, Socialist Workers Symonds St. Phone 793-075. Welling­ Rise, Decline, and Transfor­ Party. Translation to Spanish. Sat., Dec. 17, ton: 23 Majoribanks St. Phone 844-205. mation of Industrial Unions in MISSOURI 7:30 p.m. 2744 Gerrnantown Ave. Donation: Kansas City $2. Sponsor: Militant Forum. For more infor­ Christchurch: 593a Colombo St. (up­ Canada. Speaker: Steve Penner, U.S. Aid for Nicaragua Now! Two-part pre­ mation call (215) 225-0213. stairs). Phone656-055. Or write P.O. Box executive secretary of the RWL. sentation by Harvey McArthur, former corre­ 3025, Auckland. Next Steps in Building a Com­ spondent with the Militant's Nicaragua TEXAS munist Party Rooted in the In­ Bureau. I. 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12 The Militant December 23, 1988 -THE GREAT SOCIETY------Better yet, how about condos? rent will build character among the thorities said."- News item. the antidrug Just Say No Club work - The bankers who ar­ -New York's Mayor Koch fa­ homeless. pleaded guilty to passing two bad ranged the financing for the $24.7 vors charging rent in city shelters. Dead men tell no tales checks written on the club's ac­ billion RJR Nabisco buyout will "We have people making hun­ How about the local jail­ Asked why Israeli intelligence count to help support her cocaine pocket fees of over $700 million. dreds of dollars a week living in house? -Rich people may not be agent Amiram Nir made his last habit."- News item. as dumb as they look. Across the flight under a fake name, a Mexi­ Ushering in the kinder, gen­ bay from San Francisco, in Tibu­ can police official responded, Practically Darwinians - The tler society - A New York fash­ ron (median income $70,300), the "He's dead, so I can't ask him Institute for Creation Research is ion show will feature custom­ town fathers came up with a novel why , can I?" appealing a California ruling bar­ way of meeting a low-cost housing made clothing and furs with bul­ ring it from issuing masters' de­ let-proof linings. Up to $80,000 quota - counting servants quar­ Give 'em a fighting chance - grees in science. Declared a school Harry depending on the quality of the ters as low-income housing units . U.S . delegates torpedoed a pro­ official, "Our program is com­ furs and leathers. Ring posed international pact to "en­ pletely scientific. There is no reli­ Most convincing story of the deavor to prevent" youth from 15 gion in it .. . . We assume that ani­ week- "MEXICO CITY- A to 18 being sent into combat. A mals were created by God and did Be well - "More competition our shelters," he confides. "We former Israeli official involved in U.S. proposal favored keeping not evolve. Everything else we among profit-seeking providers of have people who go to work with the Iran-contra affair who was children under 15 from the firing teach is the same as in standard medical care may lead to increased briefcases." killed in a plane crash in Mexico line. science courses." cases of price-fixing and other an­ was in the country in connection titrust violations, say law enforce­ P.S. - Koch, who resides rent­ with a private business deal to buy A no-no? - ''HASTINGS, ment officials and experts in free in a city mansion, says paying avocados, Mexican and Israeli au- Mich. -The former treasurer of Fair day's pay for fair day's health care."- News item . Sylvia Bleeker, 1901-88: a pioneer communist

BY HARRY RING revolution came to power. Jewish workers in the city. She helped to dustry until he suffered a back injury in the NEW YORK,- Sylvia Bleeker, a pio­ She undertook a project of organizing form educational clubs that provided a base 1950s. neer communist, died here November 23 . and teaching kindergarten classes . The for the founding of the Young Communist In 1932 they launched a Yiddish-lan­ On December 25, she would have been 87. new government then sent her to Minsk, League, the CP's youth organization. guage magazine, Un ser Kamf (Our Strug­ She participated in the Russian revolu­ the principal city in Belorussia, for further She obtained work in the millinery in­ gle) . An eight -page tabloid, it was published tion of 1917 and was an early member of study in this field. dustry and soon emerged as an important twice a month for about a year. the U.S. Communist Party and a founding In 1920, the area was occupied by Po­ figure. Lewitt was the editor and Bleeker the member of the Socialist Workers Party. land, and her family decided to emigrate to In that period , before the rise of the Con­ business manager. Advancing the views of She is survived by her lifelong compan­ the United States, taking her with them. gress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), the Communist League, it attained a circula­ ion, Morris Lewitt, also a pioneer com­ the American Federation of Labor (AFL) tion of3,000 here and abroad. Among the boatload of immigrants was munist. For many years he was a national organized workers primarily on a craft But in that depression period of meager leader of the SWP, and she was a leading Morris Lew itt and his family . They met on basis , accepting into membership those resources and a small membership, the ven­ activist in the New York party. In the mid- the boat, and their personal and political deemed to be skilled. ture could not be sustained. 1960s, beset by health difficulties, they Jives continued together from then on . The Millinery Workers Union included In the late 1930s, Bleeker became the withdrew from the party. In the United States, they soon joined the men who worked as machine operators manager of Pioneer Publishers, which un­ At the time of the Russian revolution, the young Communist Party, then an un­ and as blockers of hats. The women, who dertook to publish a number of the writings Bleeker Jived in the town of Slusk in Be­ derground organization. trimmed the hats, were not in the union. of the Russian revolutionary leader Leon lorussia, a region of Eastern Europe bor­ Bleeker became immersed in political Bleeker sparked a drive to organize the Trotsky, and leaders of the SWP. It pub­ dering on Poland. She was 15 when the and educational activity among immigrant trimmers. They succeeded in founding lished numerous popular pamphlets. Pio­ Local 43 of the Millinery Workers, with a neer Publishers was the founding predeces­ peak membership of 4,000. It was the sor of Pathfinder. biggest women's local in the AFL. Bleeker In 1946, the SWP launched its first New U.S. gov't to talk with PLO became secretary-treasurer of the local. York state election campaign, nominating Farrell Dobbs for governor and Joseph Han­ Continued from front page to the UN. In 1930, she was selected as the Com­ munist Party candidate for Congress from sen for U.S. senator. Dobbs was then editor yearns for freedom and that we will not The first was that the UN secretary gen­ of theMilitant and Hansen associate editor. stop until we get legitimate recognition for eral undertake to prepare the way for an in­ New York. But in the midst of the cam­ our basic human rights." ternational peace conference. paign she, and Morris Lew itt, were expelled Bleeker was on the ticket as the party's The abrupt U.S . reversal came as the in­ Secondly, that the UN supervise a with­ from the party for "Trotskyism." candidate for state attorney general. tifada entered its second year, despite Is­ drawal of Israeli forces "from our occupied They were thrown out for being among The energetic campaign waged in support raeli repression that has resulted in the kill­ Palestinian land." those who defended the program of of the ticket helped to Jay the base for the ing of at least 322 Palestinians and 20;000 Thirdly, that the PLO would seek inter­ Leninism against the political degeneration party's first presidential bid, with the nomi­ casualties, including victims of shootings, national settlement of the conflict on the that marked the rise of the Stalinist nation of Dobbs in 1948. For several decades, Bleeker was a lead­ beatings, and tear gas. basis of UN resolutions 242 and 338. bureaucracy in the Soviet Union. The pro­ ing activist in the New York SWP. The bloody repression and the continu­ These resolutions call on Israel to withdraw cess of Stalinization was spreading through­ ing Palestinian protests discredited and iso­ from the territories it seized from its Arab out the Communist International, including A skilled, popular speaker with an engag­ lated the Israeli regime to an unprecedented neighbors in a 1967 war. At the same time , the U.S. party. ing personality, she was a stalwart at party degree around the world. the resolutions provide that Israel 's right to Lewitt and Bleeker became early mem­ street corner meetings. She spoke often in And Washington's efforts to bolster its "secure" borders be recognized. bers of the Communist League of America. the garment district and on the Lower East Israeli partner by boycotting the PLO made Reiterating PLO rejection of terrorism The CLA was a forerunner of the Socialist Side, an area that then included many immi­ the U.S. government's position increas­ "in all its forms , including state terrorism," Workers Party. grant Jewish workers. ingly untenable. It created growing ten­ Arafat told the UN assembly, "This posi­ In the early 1930s, Bleeker and Lewitt Speaking in English and Yiddish, Sylvia sions even with proimperialist regimes in tion, Mr. President, is free and clear of all helped to win a layer of Jewish workers, always drew a crowd. And , invariably, in the Middle East, and with Western Euro­ ambiguity. And yet I, as chairman of the many from the New York garment industry, the crowd there would be a few old-timers pean governments. Palestine Liberation Organization, hereby then known as the needle trades, to support who remembered her with respect and affec­ The extent of the discomfort with the once more declare that I condemn terrorism of the CLA. Lewitt, a member of the plum­ tion for her militant role among the millinery Washington line was dramatically regis­ in all its forms, and at the same time salute bers' union, worked in the construction in- workers. tered when the UN General Assembly all those sitting before me in this hall who, voted 154-2 to hold an unprecedented spe­ in the days when they fought to free their cial session in Go>:neva, Switzerland, so that countries from the yoke of colonialism, -10 AND 25 YEARS AGO--- Arafat could be heard despite the U.S. ban were accused of terrorism by their oppres­ on him. sors." crowded, under-repaired Harlem, Negro At the December 13 Geneva meeting, Following his speech, representatives of THE MILITANT and Puerto Rican tenants are declaring - Arafat was escorted to the podium by the West European governments and the ASOCIAUSTNEWS'NEEKLYPl&..JSHEDINTHEINTEAESTSOFTHE'M)AKINGPEOPLE25c: "No service, no rent!" UN chief of protocol, a ceremonial proce­ Soviet Union spoke in support of his stand. Dec. 22, 1978 In Harlem the Community Council on dure reserved for heads of state or govern­ Formal endorsement was given by the 12- Housing has organized the people in 60 ment. member European Economic Community. Just how dim the shah of Iran's pros­ buildings. These tenants have committed In his speech to the UN body, the PLO The Swedish government and others re­ pects of survival are was indicated by the themselves to withholding their rent mon­ leader concretized the stand taken by a portedly undertook to negotiate between enormous demonstrations of December I 0 ey. Their object is to force city agencies, mid-November meeting in Algiers of the Washington and the PLO. and II . Opposition leaders asserted that 7 such as the Buildings Department- which Palestine National Council, which acts as a Arafat then convened the Geneva press million protesters- one-fifth of the coun­ have adequate legal powers - to clean up leading body of the PLO. conference, December 14. There he de­ try's population- marched in opposition completely the unhealthy and dangerous The PNC called for recognition of Israel, clared that the PLO accepted "the right of to the regime on December 10. housing conditions in the city's ghettos. as part of the basis for negotiations, and all parties concerned in the Middle East An estimated 1.5 million marched in Jesse Gray, director of the Community reaffirmed the PLO's opposition to ter­ conflict to exist in peace and security." Tehran alone. "The sheer weight of num­ Council, emphasizes that rent-strike de­ rorism. This, he said, includes, "the state of bers of the procession took even seasoned mands are not primarily concerned with re­ The PNC moves included proclamation Palestine, Israel, and other neighbors." observers by surprise," Tony Allaway re­ ductions of rent. "Rent strikes," he said, of a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its With this, Washington declared its con­ ported in the December II Christian Sci­ "have been defeated in the past by slum­ capital, which has since obtained some ditions had now been met and Reagan au­ ence Monitor. "More than a quarter of lords reducing rent while the strike is going form of diplomatic recognition from about thorized the opening of a "substantive Tehran's population had turned out to reg­ full steam, and then raising rents once the 70 countries. dialogue" with the PLO. He reiterated the ister their protest." excitement dies down." The PNC meeting opened a diplomatic U.S. commitment to the Israeli regime. Mark Brown, Gray's assistant, says, offensive by the PLO, aimed at pressuring Meanwhile, in his press statement, "Tenants are on strike for a decent place to the U.S. and Israeli governments to enter Arafat declared: "Let it be absolutely clear THE live, for heat and hot water, and painting into peace negotiations. that neither Arafat, nor any for that matter, and repairs." Arafat presented a three-point proposal can stop the intifada, the uprising. The in­ MILITANT A recent leaflet of the Community Coun­ tifada will come to an end only when prac­ Published In the Interests of the Working People cil calling a rent-strike rally, stated, "Let tical and tangible steps have been taken to­ Dec. 23, 1963 Price JOe the landlords know, we are not going to Subscribe to ward the achievement of our national aims pay rents for rats to eat our children, no the Militant and establishment of our independent Pal­ From Brooklyn's slum-ridden Bedford­ heat and no hot water, stopped-up toilets, estinian state." Stuyvesant district to Manhattan's over- leaking ceilings, or any other violation."

December 23, 1988 The Militant 13 -EDITORIAlS------I thought I heard The irrepressible conflict the tsar

Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, speaking at the But it has been through these struggles that the embat­ speaking United Nations on December 7, called for a "joint effort" tled toilers have advanced the fight for peace - be it by by UN members "to put an end to the era of wars, con­ defeating the contras in Nicaragua or driving the South BY DOUG JENNESS frontation, and regional conflicts .... " African army out of Angola. When Mikhail Gorbachev flew to Armenia after an These could be halted, he said, through forging "a uni­ It is true that big changes have occurred in the world earthquake devastated large areas of that Soviet republic, versal human consensus." World politics, he stated, since 1917, when the workers and farmers in the Russian he ran smack dab into a hornet's nest. Unlike the ac­ "should be guided by the primacy of universal human Empire overthrew tsarism and capitalist rule; and since colades from U.S. government officials, newspaper values." 1789, when the French masses began to settle accounts editors, and TV broadcasters that were still ringing in his "Two great revolutions, the French revolution of 1789 with feudalism. But far from concluding that revolution­ ears from his trip to New York, the Soviet leader was met and the Russian revolution of 1917," Gorbachev said, ary struggles are no longer on the agenda, they force the by angry protests. "gave a tremendous impetus to mankind's progress." opposite conclusion. Some Armenians jeered, whistled, and spit on the "But today," he continued, "we face a different world, The economy and politics of countries throughout the ground as the Soviet leader inspected the damage. They for which we must seek a different road to the future." world are integrated and interdependent as never before. He placed high priority on "untying knots of regional As a result, the worldwide impact of crises and social problems" in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. struggles in any part of the world is experienced much Referring to "regional problems," however, demeans more quickly and is more explosive. LEARNING ABOUT and obscures the stakes in the just struggles being waged Today the accumulating economic difficulties in the by workers and farmers in the most oppressed and capitalist countries are setting the stage for a social and SOCIALISM exploited countries of the world. economic catastrophe. The $1.2 trillion foreign debt that The so-called regional problems are struggles ranging the governments of Asia, Africa, and Latin America owe were bitter about the way the Moscow leadership was from the Nicaraguan revolution and Washington's efforts to bankers in the United States, Britain. France, Japan, handling the relief effort and wanted to debate the status to reverse it; to the Palestinians' struggle against the Is­ West Germany, and other imperialist countries is one of of Nagorno-Karabakh. This region is claimed by both the raeli regime that rules over their homeland; to the battles many worsening symptoms. Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the con­ in southern Africa against the apartheid regime. The coming international capitalist depression will troversy has been the source of massive protests since These are irrepressible conflicts between oppressor have devastating effects on the working people of the February. and oppressed, rich and poor, exploiter and exploited. United States and other imperialist countries, as well as Gorbachev said he was disgusted by the preoccupation They are rooted in revolts by workers and farmers against those of the colonial and semicolonial countries. To with this discussion of national rights. Those to blame, intolerable conditions imposed by the handful of im­ counter the effects of the crisis and find a way out of it, he said, are "striving for power. They should be stopped, perialist billionaires who hold most of the world's wealth workers and farmers will have to wage revolutionary by using all the power at our command - political and in their grip. struggles that are more widespread and on a scale that has administrative. Let God judge them. It's not for them to Struggles of this kind will not end as long as the im­ not been seen for decades. decide the destiny of this land." perialists are driven to maintain and expand their exploi­ What Cuban President Fidel Castro said of Latin My first reaction after reading this was that I'd sud­ tation of toilers everywhere; and as long as workers and America in a speech in October is becoming more true of denly been transported back to the early part of the cen­ farmers refuse to bow to ever-increasing plunder and the world. Citing the examples of the French and Russian tury when the Romanov dynasty still reigned in the Rus­ misery as the price of an illusory peace. revolutions, he stated, "I feel that the objective condi­ sian Empire. The tsars were also keen on appealing to The fact is that no universal consensus exists for such tions that gave rise to the great revolutions of history are God and deciding other people's destinies. objectives as peace; ending starvation, illiteracy, and in­ accumulating .... the objective conditions that in the past But I rubbed my eyes and looked at the date on the fant mortality; and the right of oppressed nations to self­ led to the great historical revolutions." newspaper again, and yes, it was 1988 . determination . Victory in these battles will enable workers and farm­ The fact is that Gorbachev's threats epitomize the These goals must be fought for by hundreds of millions ers to rid the world of warmaking imperialism and forge Soviet bureaucracy's long-time arrogance toward op­ of workers and farmers . Their struggles face the violent a society in which the values of peace, equality, and the pressed nationalities and national rights in the Union of opposition of the imperialist rulers. meeting of human needs will be truly universal. Soviet Socialist Republics. The nationalist protests that are beginning to arise today, spurred by the mounting economic and social crisis in the Soviet Union, reveal the depth of national oppression by a bureaucracy based in the historically dominant Russian nationality. $45 billion for weapons plants? Under tsarist rule, the Russian state conquered peoples in bordering areas - both in Asia and Europe - and Continued from front page the plants, and up to $10 billion to attempt to decontami­ brought them directly under its rule. The boundaries of for safety reasons at the Savannah River plant in South nate and dismantle several hundred unusable facilities . the empire were considered absolute, and nationalist Carolina must quickly be brought back on line to produce The recently completed storage center in Carlsbad, fighters from Azerbaijan to Poland, who demanded a say tritium. Otherwise, officials warn, some of the thousands New Mexico, which was scheduled to open last October, in their destiny, were savagely repressed. of nuclear bombs may have to be dismantled. Officials is riddled with leaks into the surrounding groundwater. The monarchy's oppression of nationalities was also concede that the plant will not meet the DOE's safety The opening of the center, once portrayed as a leak-proof used to inculcate chauvinist attitudes among workers and standards when it starts up. answer to the waste storage problem, has now been put peasants of the Russian nationality and to pit oppressed Tritium, a key radioactive component of many nuclear off indefinitely. nationalities against each other. weapons, decays at a rate of 5.5 percent ann~ally . The This is the price- the enormous human, environmen­ The politically most conscious section of the working tritium has to be replaced periodically or else the weap­ tal, and financial price- that the people of the United class, led by the Bolshevik party headed by V.I. Lenin, ons must be junked. States and the world will be forced to pay as long as attempted to overcome this disunity. They sought to unite While details concerning what measures to take and Washington is committed to maintaining its nuclear arse­ the workers and peasants in a struggle to overturn tsarist how much to spend are being debated in Congress, there nal. There's no such thing as safe production of nuclear oppression and capitalist~landlord rule. is a broad consensus in ruling circles on priorities. An weapons. The Bolsheviks proposed granting the right to self-de­ editorial in the December 9 Times cited three problems Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, in his December termination to all oppressed nationalities, including the facing the weapons makers: "production capacity, en­ 7 speech to the United Nations General Assembly, an­ right to separate from the Russian state. Although they vironmental cleanup, and long-term nuclear waste dis­ nounced that the Soviet government would unilaterally were attacked from nearly all quarters for proposing the posal." reduce its armed forces by 500,000- about 10 percent breakup of Russia, history proved that their course was "The first," the editors insisted, "is by far the most ur­ of the total - and withdraw 50,000 troops and 5,000 the only one that could unify working people. gent." tanks from countries in Eastern Europe . The Bolshevik policy of support to self-determination The needs of U.S. working people are radically differ­ He also urged the U.S. government to join in agree­ was not only key to workers and peasants successfully es­ ent. Our interests require shutting down the weapons­ ments to reduce nuclear weapons by 50 percent and to tablishing their own government in October 1917. It also making syster.1 now . eliminate chemical weapons. proved essential to beating back counterrevolutionary ar­ The latest admissions from the DOE came December President Ronald Reagan insisted the next day that sig­ mies and imperialist invaders in the civil war of 1918-20. 6, when the agency issued a ranking of environmental nificant U.S. cuts "can't happen with our defense spend­ The revolutionary government did what it said it would hazards at the plants. ing until we have reached a parity." do- granted independence to Finland, Poland, Latvia, The most serious damage, the DOE now admits, took Gorbachev's initiative increased the pressure on the Estonia, and Lithuania. even though these countries had place at the Rocky Flats plant, a few miles from Denver. U.S. rulers and their allies in Europe, and heightened de­ capitalist governments. One of its first acts was to issue Toxic wastes from the plant have been leaking into un­ bate in Congress and the U.S. big-business media over an appeal "To all Muslim Toilers of Russia and of the derground water supplies and have already contaminated reducing U.S. arms spending as part of efforts to limit the East" declaring, "Your beliefs and usages, your national the soil in the surrounding area. government's budget deficit. and cultural institutions are henceforth free and inviola­ A successful suit by local landholders forced the re­ Nonetheless the administration is seeking to rally ble. Organize your national life in complete freedom. lease of documents. They revealed, according to the De­ bipartisan support in Congress for spending tens of bil­ You have the right." cember 12 Washington Post, that "in just over 35 years of lions to refurbish the nuclear weapons plants and create What a breath of fresh air compared to Gorbachev' s operation, Rocky Flats has experienced hundreds of new ones. New plants, we are promised, will be immune call for the Almighty's judgment and the Soviet army's small fires and at least two major blazes that likely in­ to leaks and other disasters - just as the current ones heavy hand. volved significant radioactivity releases ." were said to be not too long ago. Under Lenin's leadership the conditions began to be Public health officials believe that the plutonium dust The Soviet government's offer to cut its troop strength laid for moving toward socialism and eliminating contaminating the land surrounding the plant has been in Europe provides an opening to demand that Washing­ chauvinism and national inequalities. But this Marxist carried far from there by the wind. Environmentalists ton withdraw all its troops, nuclear weapons, tanks and course was derailed by the privileged bureaucracy headed termed the situation "a creeping Chernobyl." other military hardware from Europe now. by Joseph Stalin that based itself on the Russian national­ The DOE describes the Idaho National Engineering • U.S. nuclear weapons plants must be shut down for ity and reinstituted the domination of peoples that had for Laboratory near Idaho Falls as one of the most contami­ good as well, and the nuclear stockpiles destroyed. All many years been oppressed by the tsarist empire. nated sites in the weapons industry. Operations there dis­ commercial nuclear reactors should be shut down too. When working people once again awaken politically in charged radioactive and toxic wastes into disposal la­ • The billions now spent on the U.S. military budget the Soviet Union and develop confidence in their own goons and wells that have contaminated the Snake River should be be used instead to meet the needs of working capacities and begin to fight for the road to socialism, aquifer- the principal water source for eastern Idaho. people. High on the list are massive programs to repair their fight will go hand in hand with the struggle for na­ The DOE says that $110 billion will be needed over the the environmental damage done by nuclear plants, work tional rights. Like their predecessors in 1917, working long term to repair and limit the damage already caused toward a solution to the problem of nuclear waste dis­ people will again unify themselves - not by holding by the nuclear weapons production plants. posal, and provide the free health care that workers at nu­ Russia's borders sacred, but by fighting for the right to The DOE is requesting another $30 billion to process clear plants and millions of people who have lived in self-determination. And that, it is guaranteed, will tear and store the nuclear wastes that have been produced by harm's way are entitled to. the Stalinist empire asunder.

14 The Militant December 23, 1988 Report details baby-trafficking in Guatemala

BY SUSAN LaMONT dren, but didn't know where they were to be taken. Curitiba, Brazil, had to be returned to her parents. The A report released in October by the Paris-based Inter­ Another woman discovered running a nursery in June director of the Association for Private Adoption in Israel national Human Rights Federation (IHRF) gives a de­ told police that she took one baby to the Sheraton Hotel in estimates that 2,000 infants from Latin America have tailed picture of a "vast trade in babies" taking place in Guatemala City, where a couple from the United States been adopted by Israeli parents. Others say the number of Guatemala. The report was based on an investigation car­ and a lawyer were waiting for the infant. adoptions from Brazil alone is higher. ried out during the summer by two IHRF representatives Most of these children are kidnapped from their In August, Brazilian police reported breaking up an sent to Guatemala and Haiti in response to reports of families; few are ever returned. One exception was 18- operation in Cunha Pora where babies were "bought" babies being sold to obtain organs for use in transplants. month-old Maria Enelvina Calder6n, who was kid­ from their mothers - with the help of a lawyer - for While no evidence of this practice was found , the delega­ napped with her eight-year-old brother Mario and bun­ adoption in West Germany and France. Police also ar­ tion did find ample evidence of trafficking in babies for dled into a truck that already had eight other young chil­ rested a French couple trying to leave town with three of adoption. dren in it. Mario was later abandoned in a distant part of the children. Each year, the report says, more than 300 babies des­ the city. The Centre for Protection of Children's Rights in tined for adoption by parents in the United States, When the mother went to the police for help in finding Bangkok, Thailand, says that 6,000 children have been her baby, she was visited by two women who threatened kidnapped for adoption from that country over the past 10 her life. One of them turned out to be a social worker who years. was subsequently arrested and charged with kidnapping Piet Stoffelen, a Labo11r member of parliament in the AS I SEE IT children. Nine days later, Maria Enelvina's parents got a Netherlands, issued a report last fall documenting, phone call telling them where the baby could be found. among other forms of child exploitation, the international France, Italy, and other imperialist countries are bought Other children are "bought" from their mothers. Baby trade in children for adoption from Latin America and or stolen from their mothers in Guatemala. sellers anxious to avoid charges of kidnapping hire spies Asia. "The adoptable child is , bluntly speaking, a com­ Lawyers figure prominently in the baby trade, arrang­ to keep an eye out for mothers in financial distress, who mercial object commanding five-figure prices," Stoffelen ing the adoptions, working out how to "comply" with the are then coerced into "giving away" their babies for a said. His report cites El Salvador, as well as Guatemala, laws, and profiting handsomely in the bargain. The IHRF small payment. as a "source" of babies for the United States and Europe. report says that each child is sold for about $10,000. Guatemala's adoption laws are circumvented in a vari­ Stoffelen hits the main point: the growing international The infants are often kept in secret "nurseries" while ety of ways, including paying women to register kid­ trade in children is an example of capitalism at work. Be­ arrangements are made for them to be sent to, or picked napped children as their own and then "give" them away cause the number of children available for adoption in the up by, their new parents. Newspapers regularly report the for adoption. In April 1988, authorities uncovered one United States and other imperialist countries has de­ discovery of such nurseries by police; conditions in them 42-year-old woman who declared she had borne 33 chil­ clined, a lucrative market has been created for adoptable are frequently "sub-human," according to the IHRF. dren between 1965 and 1985, eight of them between babies - although racism still prevents the adoption of The newspaper Prensa Libre showed a picture of one 1965 and 1970. many U.S . children who are Black. Capitalist business­ uncovered last year in which seven children were laid out This summer, evidence of similar baby-trafficking in men fill the demand with babies from Latin America and on a battered mattress on an iron cot. The woman in Brazil came to light when an Israeli court ruled that a Asia, where imperialist domination makes such traffic charge said she was paid $35 a month to care for the chi!- two-year-old child who had been kidnapped as a baby in easier. -FROM OUR READERS BEHIND BARS-

This week we devote the let­ for the problems facing the Black with no chance of parole. ters column to our brothers and community, to divert attention A prisoner sisters who are in prison. from its own inability to provide a Kingston, Ontario The Militant receives numer­ decent life for the majority of Afri­ ous letters from our readers be­ can Americans. Political prisoners hind bars. We are able to print The strength, dedication, and The jails are full of political only a small part of these. And militant action symbolized by prisoners who are brainwashed many are abridged. Malcolm X must again be brought into believing they are criminals. Many of the letters are from to the forefront. Their crimes came from a denial prisoners without funds who re­ A prisoner of their share of America by the quest subscriptions to the Mili­ Auburn, New York wealthy fat cats who run this na­ tant, as well as a wide range of tion via corporate influence while other literature. The Militant's Like Curtis attempting to meddle in the affairs special prisoners' fund makes it This letter is written in the hope of other nations. Then after incarc­ possible to send these subscrip­ that your paper might take an in­ eration they are further violated as tions and where possible, to fill terest in my welfare and the ongo­ human beings by brainwashing requests for other literature. To ing injustice I am suffering be­ techniques to dehumanize them as help in this important effort, cause of my politics. The Cana­ the "perpetrating class." send your contribution to the dian True North is not strong and Keep up the good reporting. Militant's Prisoner Subscription free! Mark Curtis and I have much A prisoner Fund, 410 West St., New York, in common perhaps. Pikeville, Tennessee N.Y. 10014. On Oct. 28 , 1986, I was about to get my dog and papers from my Master of deceit South Africa car and take a taxi home to my I have just read J. Edgar Hoover's Revolutionary greetings to all apartment when I was grabbed book about what the communists the readers of this wonderful from behind by two Toronto cops. are doing to bring America to its paper. I had recently returned from a knees, the so-called masters of de­ I'm writing you to pay homage holiday in British Columbia. Ear­ ceit. Funny, isn't it, coming from to our brothers and sisters in the lier that night I had taken some the master of deceit himself. I struggle who have fallen hero­ photos of the African National wonder what he would call the ically on May 4, 1978, and June Congress headquarters on Dan­ FBI and CIA - angels of trust? 16, 1976, through murderous ac­ forth Avenue for a story I was A prisoner tions perpetrated by the racist doing about the conflict in South Lovelady, Texas troops of South Africa. Africa with reporter Mike Wang These days are memorable not of the Kingston Whig Standard, a Discrimination Kingston, Ontario's paper. only in the life and history of the For years we have tried to have people of Africa and the Carib­ At the 53rd Division of the To­ prison reforms instituted, but we bean, but for the whole of man­ ronto Police my white hat and are constantly encountering the kind in the struggle against social pants and white running shoes, opposition of Texas Department of beige parka, and camera were injustice. Corrections prisoncrats, adminis­ Wretched of the Earth, by Franz I am a 24-year-old African free­ stripped from me and I was hand­ A prisoner trators, and members of the legis­ Fanon, and The System of Dante's dom fighter currently in San cuffed to a radiator. Interrogators Auburn, New York lature and Board of Pardons and Hell, by Leroi Jones. Quentin's hole who already re­ kept me awake and first tried for Paroles. A prisoner ceives the Militant. If you have a hours to make me confess to a Malcolm X Not only is prison reform need­ Rosharon, Texas copy of Blood in My Eye, I would child's murder! Later they tried to I'm writing this letter to all the ed, but discriminatory practices greatly appreciate it if you could make me confess to beating up a Young people readers of the Militant on remem­ must be eliminated. Asiatic/Afri­ forward it to me. I am in contact woman at an underground parking bering Malcolm X. can/Black prisoners constitute the I would love to keep receiving with some eager learning people. lot. biggest percentage of the prisoner the Militant. In the unit I'm on A prisoner With his razor-sharp wit, dy­ They made it clear that my story population (50 percent, I think), now there are a lot of young peo­ San Quentin, California namic speaking abilities, and pin­ with the Whig Standard would be yet the parole ratio by race almost ple and by them getting a hold of point analysis of racism and na­ suppressed. I have left out a lot of this paper, they just may have a tional oppression, Malcolm rad­ has us at the bottom of the line. Nicaragua the details, but it was abundantly There is no way this can be ex­ new outlook on life. icalized a whole generation of Af­ obvious my arrest was political. A prisoner From within the belly of the plained, or justified, except when rican Americans, Third World I was then 36 years old, 6'1", Navasota, Texas beast, I am very thankful for the discrimination and discriminatory people, and white progressives. 195 pounds, with glasses and re­ subscription to the Militant. I'd practices are at work! Malcolm, like no other person, ceding blonde hair. A Mary Sue George Jackson also like to receive a copy of Nica­ A prisoner represented the cutting edge of the Fitzkerry was apparently punched I would like to extend a firm ragua , the Sandinista People's Rev­ Tennessee Colony, Texas Black movement in its struggle for and kicked by someone she de­ embrace of solidarity to you and olution. justice, equality, and self-determi­ scribed as 5'8", 160 pounds, with all who disseminate the literature A prisoner nation. a reddish leather coat, black shoes Victory and vital information exposing the Tarnal, California We're living in a time when the (not running shoes), and black Two books have come to my at­ farce behind the mask of world white ruling class has launched a pants. This occurred on Oct. 28 , tention involving the Socialist events and the true nature of im­ The letters column is an open blistering counteroffensive to erase 1986, about half a mile from the Workers Party and Young Social­ perialism, which is the highest forum for all viewpoints on sub­ the political, economic, and social pub I was in. ist Alliance's legal battle and vic­ stage of capitalism. jects of general interest to our gains made by the civil rights and Eventually I was convicted after tory over the government of the I have been incarcerated within readers. Please keep your letters Black power movements in the one and a half years in custody of United States. They are Cointel­ the beast's belly for seven and a brief. Where necessary they will 1950s and '60s. It is a time when three counts of assault and three of pro and FBI on Trial. I would like half years now. I have recently be abridged. Please indicate if capitalism seeks to blame the choking a female. My sentence, to receive these from you . begun reading and analyzing the you prefer that your initials be Black family, Black youth, etc. which started May 25, is 12 years, I would also like to receive The works of George Jackson. used rather than your full name.

December 23, 1988 The Militant 15 THE MILITANT Protests hit antiabortion disrupters Atlanta: 'No to Operation Rescue'

BY KATE DAHER said that the actions of the anti-women ATLANTA - More than 200 abortion rights activists were "awakening a sleeping rights supporters turned out to picket an an­ majority of people who have taken for tiabortion leadership conference organized granted their right to an abortion." She ex­ by Operation Rescue here December 9. plained that this was the "largest pro-abor­ Operation Rescue, a national organiza­ tion rights action in Atlanta in 10 years." tion opposed to legal abortion, has been Betty Grant, state president of the Na­ blocking entrances to abortion clinics and tional Organization for Women encour­ hospitals since last July in an unsuccessful aged the demonstrators to organize for the attempt to shut them down. April 9 abortion rights march on Washing­ Although it has organized disruption ef­ ton, D.C. NOW called the march, which forts against women seeking abortions in has been endorsed by the Coalition of several cities, most of its actions have been Labor Union Women. held in Atlanta where I ,200 of its members In other developments, a group of local and supporters have been arrested. businessmen, antiabortion activists, and Operation Rescue bills its activities a na­ metro Atlanta pastors have organized a six­ tional campaign of "nonviolent civil dis­ month campaign to erect 60 billboards obedience." Antiabortion protestors sit throughout the area that read, "Having down and block clinic entrances to keep problems from an abortion?" Included is a patients and staff from going in. Clinics toll-free number that refers women to and hospitals must use volunteer escorts to counselors and lawyers to discuss the pos­ help women get through the gauntlet of sibility of suing clinics and hospitals that protestors who scream at the women and perform abortions. According to the At­ attempt physical attacks. lanta Journal and Constitution the busi­ Keynote speaker at the anti-abortion ness leaders hope to bring lawsuits against rights conference of 600, many from out of the clinics so that their malpractice insur­ Police allowed disrupters to block entrance to Planned Parenthood clinic in New York state, was right-wing figure Jerry Falwell. ance will be discontinued. for five hours before abortion rights supporters finally forced cops to take action. According to local press reports, he On November II Atlanta city council­ claimed that the antiabortion movement man and veteran civil rights leader Hosea block access to abortion clinics or harass em Christian Leadership Conference, said, parallels the civil rights movement of the Williams filed a brief in Superior Court on women attempting to enter or leave them. "The civil rights protests were against laws early 1960s that overturned the racist sys­ behalf of antiabortion protestors who he Although Williams and others have com­ and public policy that denied our rights. tem of legal segregation. "Martin Luther claims were mistreated by the city during pared Operation Rescue to the civil rights These are demonstrations against private King is everybody's American hero," Fal­ demonstrations last fall and summer. movement, some veterans of that movement choice rather than public policy. They are At a City Hall news conference, Wil­ well said. don't agree with the comparison. protesting a private choice," referring to a Outside the conference, abortion rights liams declared, "I have acquired legal Joseph Lowery, president of the South- woman's choice to have an abortion. advocates demonstrated. Banners and counsel and filed suit . . . in an effort to placards read, "My body, my choice," "At­ stop the Atlanta City Council, the mayor, lanta says no to Operation Rescue," "No re­ and the City of Atlanta from misusing turn to backstreet butchers," and "Legal police powers to prevent antiabortion dem­ N.Y.: clinic blockade defeated abortion is pro-life." onstrators from exercising their First Many of the demonstrators were young Amendment right of free speech." BY PATRICIA FEELY allow the protesters to block for five hours women from local campuses, including Williams was referring to an injunction, NEW YORK - Some 300 antiabortion two entrances to the building, where abor­ Agnes Scott College and Emory University. sought by city council in a 12-to-5 vote and protesters organized by "Operation Res­ tions are performed. Lynn Randall, executive director of the granted by Superior Court Judge Joel cue" were unsuccessful in their attempt to The New York Police Department (NYPD) Feminist Women's Health Center, which Fryer, that establishes fines and penalties close a Planned Parenthood clinic here De­ was notified of the antiabortion blockade at has been targeted by Operation Rescue, for anti-abortion rights demonstrators who cember 4. Police inaction, however, did 7:00a.m. By 8:00a.m., hundreds of cops, including special units and mounted police, were deployed around the building, three to four deep around the protesters. Independent Puerto Rico 'only road' Several streets around the building were closed off. BY CINDY JAQUITH plained, the colonial issue does not go Martin was elected to the Puerto Rican Abortion clinic workers, other Planned NEW YORK - Independence from away. Solidarity with Puerto Rico's right Senate. PIP leader Ruben Berrios, who ran Parenthood staff, patients, and other sup­ U.S. colonial rule is the only road forward to independence has increased in Latin for governor, received 5.4 percent of the porters of abortion rights quickly organized for the people of Puerto Rico, Carlos Ga­ America, he said. vote. a spirited counterdemonstration across the llisa told a meeting here December 11. "Now it's not just the governments of Candidates of the Popular Democratic street from the clinic. They waved placards Gallisa is general secretary of the Puerto Cuba and Nicaragua that support decoloni­ Party and New Progressive Party - which that read, "Our bodies, our choice, we will Rican Socialist Party (PSP). He addressed zation, but Panama and Peru," he said, add­ oppose independence - won the big never go back" and "Not the church, not 50 people - mainly Puerto Ricans and ing that the PSP expects the representatives majority of seats. Incumbent Gov. Rafael the state, a woman shall decide her fate" other Latin Americans- at the Casa de las of Argentina, Ecuador, and Venezuela to Hernandez Colon of the Popular Demo­ and shouted chants in defense of women's Americas hal: here during a brief visit to support independence in the next round of cratic Party was reelected. rights. the United States. United Nations debates on decolonization. An island of 3 million in the Caribbean, Gallisa predicted that Washington may Clinic workers and other abortion rights Puerto Rico is denied the sovereign right to make some cosmetic changes in the form backers grew increasingly angry with the draft its own laws and regulate commerce, of its colonial rule in Puerto Rico, but that cops for the long delay in clearing away the immigration, and the use of its territory and it will seek to maintain its domination for demonstrators. "Remove them from the door! natural resources. Laws passed by the U.S. two reasons: the strategic importance of the NYPD, there's no excuse, five hours and Congress, in which Puerto Rico has no U.S. military bases on the island and the no results," they shouted. Cops threatened vote, are enforced on the island through profits U.S. companies make from exploit­ abortion rights protesters with arrest, phys­ U.S. courts and police agencies. ing Puerto Rican labor and material re­ ical assault, and made sexist remarks to Puerto Rican youth are required to regis­ sources tax free . them. ter for the U.S. draft and to serve if called Gallisa also explained why the PSP sup­ Finally, a path was cleared to the clinic's up. The island is covered with U.S. mili­ ported candidates of the Puerto Rican Inde­ side entrance, and a group of clinic work­ tary bases . Puerto Rico was a principal pendence Party (PIP) in the November 8 ers, patients, and Planned Parenthood rep­ staging ground for the U.S. invasion of local elections. resentatives retook the building. Grenada in 1983. The PIP, traditionally associated with The clinic was opened by I :00 p.m., and In the 1970s, faced with sizable protests the independence struggle, is a member of by Puerto Rican youth favoring indepen­ the Socialist International. This year, in an saw 24 of the 40 patients scheduled for that dence, Washington began an extensive effort to increase electoral support, PIP day. Abortion rights supporters continued grant program , providing food stamps, rent candidates said that a vote for their party to demonstrate on the street below. subsidies, and college scholarships to did not mean a vote for independence. At about I :00 p.m., cops started arrest­ many residents of the island. Gallisa said the PSP opposed this line. ing the antiabortion protesters, removing The higher standard of living in Puerto "The movement paid an ideological price" them one by one on stretchers onto buses Rico relative to that on neighboring islands for the PIP's refusal to defend indepen­ and vans. More than 250 were arrested and is often used as an argument that Puerto dence, he argued. charged with disorderly conduct and resist­ Rico is better off under colonial status. The PSP supported the PIP candidates ing arrest. They were issued tickets to ap­ Gallisa noted that "this is still the great nevertheless, Gallisa said, because the PIP pear in court at a later date and released. challenge for independence supporters, "is historically identified with indepen­ The last demonstrators were arrested at providing an alternative to this depen­ dence." 3:30 p.m. Planned Parenthood is filing dence." In the election, PIP candidate David M complaints with the cops over the exces­ Despite Washington's ability to contain Noriega was reelected to the Puerto Rican Puerto Rican Socialist Party sive delay in arresting the antiabortion dis­ pro-independence sentiment, Gallisa ex- House of Representatives and Fernando los Gallisa. rupters.

16 The Militant December 23, 1988