NTERNATIONAL I IEWPOINT V News and analysis from the Fourth International IV384 - December 2006

France - Pre-electoral turbulence Italy - Discord in Rifondazione Sri Lanka - For Tamil self-determination International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

IV384 - December 2006

France - Italy - Sri Lanka

France Pre-electoral turbulence in France - François Sabado 3

Netherlands Spectacular Breakthrough for Socialist Party - Koen Haegens 6

Italy Discord in Rifondazione over confidence in Prodi - Salvatore Cannavò, Carlos Sevilla 8

Denmark Autonomous Youth House fights back - Aage Skovrind 10

Ecuador Correa's triumph is victory against oligarchy and neoliberalism - Margarita Aguinaga 11

Mexico Marcos: Oaxaca from above - and below - Subcomandante Marcos 12 Sri Lanka For the right to self-determination of Ilankai Tamils - Vickramabahu Karunarathne 14 No war in Sri Lanka - self determination for the Tamil people - International on-line petition 16 Listing Article Index - 2006 17

INTERNATIONAL VIEWPOINT is a review of news and analysis published under the auspices of the Executive Bureau of the Fourth International. IV appears online at www.internationalviewpoint.org and in a monthly pdf version. Editorial office: PO Box 112, Manchester M12 5DW UK ISSN 1294-2925 2 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

France Pre-electoral turbulence in France

Disputes Left and Right

François Sabado

This interview with François Sabado, member of the Political Bureau of the LCR, (Revolutionary Communist League, French section of the Fourth International) was first published on the website Viento Sur. Since this interview took place the process there have been further developments on the "left" of the French political scene. By a vote of its members the Socialist Party (PS) has designated Ségolène Royal as its candidate. Royal is a self-proclaimed admirer of Tony Blair and has not hesitated to engage in the debates on, for example, security or the education system, with positions hardly distinguishable from those of the right wing incarnated by L to R: Marie-George Buffet (PCF), Oliver Besancenot (LCR), Noël Nicolas Sarkozy. Mamère (Greens) and Arlette Laguiller

On the radical left, the difficult the position within it of the other hand, organisations like We were ready to discuss and process of trying to determine a different political and social the LCR which, even with its from that point the discussion unitary candidate on the "anti- organisations and currents limited forces, tried to direct the developed on two closely related neoliberal" movement continues seems quite confused. And in movement against the Chirac- questions: First, does a with votes in all the local addition it is a polemical Villepin government. On the consistent defence of an anti- collectives to determine which subject, including within the electoral level, there also this liberal programme imply moves candidate each collective LCR. We would like to know the unitary aspiration, but there the along the path of a break with supports. This process should position of the Ligue leadership things are complicated, because capitalism? Does defence of culminate in a national meeting and your own opinions on the electoral and institutional public services require not only on 9/10th September. questions in this process. To questions pose, even on the undoing rightwing privatisations start with, could you summarise parliamentary level, the problem but also what the left privatised, The global justice and peasant the general positions of the of power, whether that is on the which implies recommending activist José Bové who was Ligue? overall political level - what general solutions of forms of originally a "candidate to be break with liberalism? - or in the public and social property for candidate" has withdrawn. There François Sabado: The starting form of the governmental transport, energy, remain in the running Marie- point for this process was the answers. telecommunications and other George Buffet, national NO victory in the referendum on key sectors of the economy? The secretary of the PCF (French the European Constitution on the That is why from September LCR answered these questions Communist Party), Clémentine 29th May 2005. For the first 2005 we said to the PCF that we by arguing the need for a break Autain, deputy mayor and time in a long time there was a were ready to discuss all these with capitalism. member of Paris City Council in defeat of the economically questions. In fact, we wrote that which she is a member of the liberal European project. It was the PCF was at a crossroads: The PCF though defended the PCF group without being a party thus completely natural that either it could choose to continue idea of undoing rightwing member, Yves Salesse, president there was a continuation of this the dynamics of the leftwing No privatisations but not those of the Copernic Foundation, a both on the level of a fight back by clearly refusing all new carried out by the plural left left wing think tank which against liberal attacks as well as parliamentary and governmental government of 1998-2002, in launched the original appeal the desire to build an electoral alliance with a PS leadership that which it had participated. On against the European expression for the leftwing No had voted yes to the European employment, we defend radical Constitution but who is also a forces. This did not pose major constitution. And in this case, we solutions like forbidding "stock high ranking civil servant. These problems in action, in particular were ready to constitute an anti- exchange" dismissals. The PCF are the three main contenders. in the mobilisation against the liberal front with all the sticks to general formulas for the There are 4 others of whom the Bolkenstein directive, or in components of the left No, defence of employment without best known is Patrick Braouzec, solidarity with young people's including the PCF, for the posing the problem of a PCF mayor of St Denis in the fight against the CPE. elections. confrontation with employers. Paris suburbs. The second question under Although we should note that Or it could try to do a balancing discussion is the question of Viento Sur: The possibility of a divergences appeared during the act, discussing with the LCR but government. We think that the unitary anti-neoliberal movement between, on the one keeping its agreements with the defence of an anti-liberal candidate has awakened a broad hand, the left currents in the SP PS at the same time and, in that programme in the continuity of interest in the European and the PCF who refused to case, it could not count on us to the referendum NO cannot go alternative left. But the challenge the rightwing constitute a unitary political alongside a parliamentary development of the process and government in power, and on the alternative of unit. coalition or participation in a 3 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

France

government with the SP We do not stand fast on this within the process: that of the politics without posing the leadership. Can one take part in position because we are PCF, that of sectors which question of parliamentary or a government that, in the current sectarian. We are the systematic support the candidature of José governmental alliances with the balance of forces, would be defenders of unity of action of Bové and those which want a PS. In the relationship of forces dominated by the social-liberal the whole left - including the PS position on "non party" this leads it to positions policy of the SP leadership? Can - in struggles and movements. consensus. How do you subordinate to the PS on the big there be joint government But on the governmental characterise them? questions. Thus, we ask the same between supporters of the Yes question there are unavoidable question to both the PCF and to and No on the European fundamental delimitations that José Bové did not like this Bové on the question of constitution? We answer no, concern the question of the situation and called on PCF alliances. For example, he unhesitatingly. The PCF independence of the radical left, leader Marie-George Buffet and declared that he would not stand explained to us that one could which are behind the problems LCR candidate Olivier if Laurent Fabius (former PS not rule out the possibility of a posed in Italy or Germany: In a Besancenot to withdraw and let Prime Minister, who policy change by the SP situation where there is a social him be the unitary candidate. For campaigned for the No) were the leadership, of making it shift and political fight back to us the problem is not the people PS candidate. One sees the under pressure and then liberalism, or there is the but the political basis and we problems and the ambiguities envisaging the possibility of emergence of forces breaking have the same problem with that his positions pose. forming a government. with this liberalism, should the Buffet and Bové on the question radical left remain independent of the relations with the PS, even What is the reality of the unitary But the PCF continued with a of the centre left or social- if it is in different forms. committees? dual language, it proposed a democratic leaders or should it Fundamentally, there is an series of more or less radical get involved in the mechanics of agreement by all the components The collectives, and in formulas to us but at the same alliance with the centre left and of the left No, except the LCR, particularly the public meetings for the left No, brought together time it took part in top-level social democracy? to discussing a programmatic many thousands of people meetings with the SP leadership and governmental alternative during the campaign. Today the to discuss a programmatic We resolutely choose the first with the PS. unitary aspiration remains strong alternative for the whole "left" option, and thus we reject the In fact the anti-liberal left No but the collectives no longer without the PS showing any sign policy of the PCF, which was an alliance of left have the representativity and the of shifting under pressure. The remains on the whole reformists, Socialists or post- strength they had during the No PCF also made a joint list with determined by its institutional Stalinists, "anti liberal Europe" campaign. This is because of the the SP in recent local elections in alliances with the PS. From this point of view, we defend the republicans, global justice effects of the left No on the Bordeaux, rejecting an anti- perspective for unitary anti- activists, anti capitalists and political situation. May 29 had a liberal unitary list. We made the liberal candidatures but on two revolutionaries. Once the unitary very strong dynamic against proposal of such a list to all the conditions: a consistently anti- dynamic of that movement European liberal policy but it components of the "left No" liberal programme and an declined the left reformist was not sufficiently strong to including the PCF, which independent perspective, in apparatuses returned to their change the political relationship refused. We had said that PCF particular on the governmental traditional policy and in of forces, first of all between the was at a crossroads. It did not level, from that of the PS particular the PCF apparatus, popular classes and the want to be released from its leadership. whose priority was the dominant classes, and then subaltern relationship with the management of its institutional within the labour movement PS. We even said that we presented a positions. between the PS, PCF, a series of candidate to weigh on this left reformist currents and From there the situation could discussion but we were ready to José Bové does not have an revolutionaries. One thing was lead only to a fragmentation of withdraw him provided that apparatus and represents a sector the dynamic at the base in the the anti-liberal forces. We do not there is a political agreement on of the global justice movement, meetings in the collectives in the want to allow ourselves to be these questions. More precisely, with which we share many full swing of the campaign; drawn into a re-edition of the we had a good formula that common struggles - involvement another is that of the collectives plural left government. This is summed up our approach "what on the question of political more than one year after the not only a French question. It is matters for us, is the scenario not ecology and the fight against campaign, which are now posed in Italy with the current the casting". But up to now, the GMs for example, but it remains composed mainly of militants of policy of Rifondazione, which organisers of these unitary trapped in a certain conception a certain generation - fifty-year- supports the centre left Prodi collectives and the PCF of "lobbying pressure" on social olds. government. It is posed in Berlin leadership have not wanted to democracy or the dominant left where the Linskspartei has just answer the political problems parties. This sector of the global What's more, the left No was been sanctioned for having posed by the LCR. justice movement can be very pluralist from the socialist left to managed Berlin on a socio- radical on a practical question revolutionaries, but now many liberal basis in alliance with the There seem to be at least three like the anti GM fight, but at the organisations or currents have SPD leadership. significant political positions same time it does not think about returned to the fold: the socialist 4 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

France

left has gone back to the PS, the of aces. It claims more than liberalism. Our programme different currents in the PCF 100,000 members, even on the starts from a series of social and have made an internal most optimistic estimations democratic demands: an equilibrium their priority, rather there are not more than 5000 increase in buying power, than the dynamic of the leftwing activists in the committees, defence of the public services, No, and others have also many of whom are PCF cadres. the right to stable and guaranteed returned to their origins. Thus today the PCF leadership is employment with a system of José Bové (microphone) determined to present Marie- job security which in practice On these political questions we George Buffet as the communist forbids redundancies, starting indicated an unquestionable have to recognise that we have candidate and the candidate of with those caused by buy-outs. popularity of Olivier, an lost the battle. The unitary the collectives and is using its employee - a postman - a young feeling and the manoeuvres of relative strength to suffocate Olivier Besancenot is the only person, an anti-capitalist militant the PCF leadership have been discussion in the collectives and candidate who also has begun a with whom millions of people stronger than our arguments. The to drag them all into supporting campaign against police can identify, a reference point national meetings of the MGB. discrimination and violence collectives have not wanted to against immigrants and young that can make it possible, even clarify the questions asked. This Today we are continuing the people. We do a lot of work with on a very distorted electoral has allowed the PCF leadership discussion with a series of a series of youth associations level to rebuild a perspective and to position itself and continues militants, currents or and others of undocumented a class consciousness against its meetings with the PS organizations in the collectives. workers. employers and the neoliberal leadership. Some people have But by refusing to clarify a series capitalist system. The polls give begun to understand the of political questions, the Our enemy is the capitalist Olivier Besancenot between 4 orientation the PCF wants to majority of the organisers of the system, the government, the and 6 %, 3 to 4% for Arlette impose on the collectives and collectives are refusing to map right, and in particular its Laguiller of Lutte Ouvrière and this is creating a whole series of out a path that is clearly representative in the next only between 2 and 3% to the problems. independent of the PS election, ultra-liberal PCF candidate Marie George leadership. Thus the conditions authoritarian Nicolas Sarkozy. Buffet. In this situation, can But this is where there is a for a unitary candidature do not But we accuse the left and in understand better all the efforts second question, which is the exist. The PCF will have its particular the PS of adapting to of the PCF leadership to specificity of the electoral candidate with its orientation. In neoliberalism, not breaking with eliminate Olivier's candidature, terrain. Where there is a united this situation we could not allow what the right did, of seeking but without success until today. front in action it is those who are the PCF to be the representative conciliation with the employers. the most determined and of the left No, so we decided to The PS leadership identifies Of course, we are not fooled, and resolute in the action who win stand Oliver Besancenot as an with the acts of the plural left we do not confuse opinion polls out, and in general the reformists LCR candidate but to withdraw government under Jospin, it with votes. The pressure for a are cautious about getting into him if the there was a political refuses to reconsider the "useful" vote for the PS will be united fronts in action because agreement. Today this seems privatisations made by the left in very strong. Our campaign will they see the danger of a less and less likely so we are the early 2000s. These are the be very difficult. But we think radicalisation in the process. preparing the Besancenot fundamental reasons for our that in the current situation, with rejection of any alliances with campaign. the hardness of the neoliberal For elections it is different, the the PS leadership. strongest force is not the most According to the press and some attacks and the adaptation of the determined for action or leftwing activists, including We want a radical break with the traditional left to neoliberalism, mobilisation but that which has leading figures of the LCR, the neoliberal policies that have it is essential to build a strong the most institutional positions, Ligue is not fully participating in been implemented by left and alternative that can resist the the biggest apparatus and an the creating the conditions for a right in the last twenty years. pressure and counts in building electoral solution which is the unitary candidate and could pay The PS doesn't and the PCF the necessary balance of forces. most compatible with the a high price for what seems to be subordinates anti-liberal We do not know if it there is also electoral and institutional a demonstration of sectarianism. measures to its agreements with a "French exception" in the relationship of forces and that How do you react to this? the PS. weight that the revolutionary left means to defeat the right, to have has in the situation. In any case people elected, to get new We are beginning our campaign It is from this point of view that is worth the effort to continue to positions an agreement with the now. It will be an anti-capitalist we constitute an alternative, with defend this "exception". PS that goes beyond politics or campaign. We place it in the a consistent anti-neoliberal content. continuity of the left No which, stance based on the mobilisation François Sabado is a member of the in order to present an overall of youth and workers. This Political Bureau of the Revolutionary In this game the PCF, despite its alternative, must be anchored on stance has undoubted support in Communist League (LCR, French section of the Fourth International), organisational and electoral class questions and the population. For several and of the Executive Bureau of the weakening, still holds a number independence from social- months, the opinion polls have Fourth International. 5 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Netherlands Spectacular Breakthrough for Socialist Party

Koen Haegens

'The anarchists won the elections.' 'The peasants have seized power.' Or was it the Maoist Red Guards? These were some of the reactions once the results were known of the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands on 22 November. The reality was that the Dutch voted massively for a more social course after four years of harsh right-wing governments led by Christian Democratic Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. As a result, for the first time in post-war Dutch history, the Labour Party's dominant SP leader Jan Marijnissen position on the left is being contested, by the anti-neoliberal left Socialist Party (SP). The elections were a breakthrough for the SP, Labour, the SP, the Green Left party and the populism in 2002, liberalism is in any event which won almost 17 per cent of the vote and new green Animal Rights party are the no longer the glue that holds the Dutch right 25 out of 150 seats in the lower house (up biggest left contingent in Dutch together. from 9 seats after the previous elections). The parliamentary history. This result reflects the SP emerged as the country's third-biggest spirit of Amsterdam's Museumplein, where Although Fortuyn's divided, quarrelling party party, after Balkenende's Christian 300,000 people responded in October 2004 to disappeared from parliament in these Democrats, who came out almost unscathed, the trade unions' call to resist government elections, Wilders' success shows that right- and Wouter Bos' weakened Labour Party. attacks on pensions, and of the May 2005 wing populism has not lost its appeal. So referendum defeat for the European does right-wing Minister of Immigration Rita The extreme reactions about anarchists and constitution. Verdonk's success in winning the votes of Maoists from the right-wing liberals of the almost half the VVD's members in the party's VVD, like long-time Finance Minister Gerrit There is an understandable longing for pre-election leadership contest, and her Zalm, were no surprise. More shocking were security in the face of neoliberal chaos ability to continue to plague VVD leader attempts by many commentators to treat the behind the shift to the left. But that has little Mark Rutte after the election. Verdonk, the SP as the twin of far-right MP Geert Wilders' to do with 'conservatism', despite what VVD's number two, managed to get more Freedom Party, which had a smaller today's right-wing so-called 'progressives' votes than Rutte. breakthrough with 9 seats, or the small claim. Since when is it 'progressive' to Protestant Christian Union, which grew to 6 demand lower taxes for corporations and Cynics might say that liberalism has fallen seats. fewer rights for workers? victim to its own success. With so much of the welfare state dismantled, one may ask The Financieel Dagblad (Financial Daily) The real united left-right front in Dutch what central project this current can still wrote, for example, 'Each in its own way is politics is not some imaginary SP-Wilders have. Many liberals hardly seem liberal at all fighting against the open society being axis, but the neoliberal consensus that any more. They are animated instead by a created by European unification and the stretches from the right-wing VVD to parts of bitter enmity towards anything even mildly the Green Left party. Their goal is to forces of globalisation. The SP is clinging to leftist. marginalise resistance to neoliberalism. What the old protective walls of the welfare state they have achieved instead is alienating more and the Christian Union to its own religious ... and of Labour and more voters from politics. identity, while Wilders wants to defend Dutch But the Labour Party has its own problems. culture by keeping out all non-Western The established parties' overblown reactions immigrants.' After these elections, the SP has at least as reveal the deep trouble they are in. The VVD strong a claim to embody the social lost six seats; the Labour Party lost nine, The people have spoken, was the prevailing democratic tradition. The SP's extraordinary despite its position in the opposition and its analysis, and the people are conservative, growth creates an unprecedented situation in commanding lead in the polls for much of the Dutch politics. For the first time in nationalistic and backward. An even more previous year. extreme example came from the poet Ilja parliamentary history, the hegemony of the Leonard Pfeijffer, who voted for the Green Both parties have problems that go far deeper Labour Party - or its pre-war predecessor, the Left party: 'The winners of this election share than a few seats' loss or a few leadership SDAP - is under threat. a repressive, provincial mind-set. They blunders. Both are in an existential crisis. A central question in the coming years will be expect little from Europe, and are all too They are no longer the automatic political who represents social democracy in the eager to sacrifice freedom of thought to their expressions of two of the three dominant fear of terrorism.... The Randstad (the political currents in the Netherlands, Netherlands. The SP, despite its origins as a urbanised western Netherlands, including liberalism and social democracy (Christian Maoist organisation in the 1970s, may Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Hague) has Democracy being the third). increasingly define itself, not as a current to lost. The peasants have seized power.' the left of social democracy, but as the real The situation is particularly complicated on Dutch social democratic party. Its movement The crisis of liberalism... the right. The classical liberals are divided to the right was visible in 1998, when it among several parties: besides the VVD, they dropped the demand for the nationalisation of The truth is different, and simpler: many are also in the once 'left-liberal' D66, the big companies, and even more this year, voters opted on 22 November to move to the Green Left party, parts of the Labour Party when withdrawal from NATO and abolition left and oppose the attacks on social and perhaps the Animal Rights party. Since of the monarchy no longer appeared in its programmes. The combined 67 seats for the sudden rise of Pim Fortuyn's right-wing election manifesto. 6 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Netherlands

When it comes to the struggle against the rich or withdrawing Dutch troops from neoliberalism, against Dutch participation in Afghanistan. the US 'war on terror' and other key struggles, the party has consistently held true to its If the SP gives up these demands, the voters principles. After its breakthrough, however, that deserted the traditional parties this time the pressure for the SP to move to the right will most likely abandon the SP next time. will increase, as Labour pushes SP leader Jan They will either cynically turn their backs on Marijnissen to join in a big coalition with politics entirely or perhaps turn to Wilders' Christian Democracy. far right party - a prospect that apparently does not concern the SP's 'democratic' Even so, we must not underestimate the counsellors. unique, short-lived ideological window of opportunity that now exists on the left. The The voters will probably only give the SP one question of what socialism means and who chance in the near future to prove itself in Appendix: speaks in its name is now a subject for public government. It should therefore wait until it debate. That opens up space for critical- has optimal conditions for translating a The SP's 'right-wing minded socialists. substantial part of its programme into policy: nationalist voters', and other More is at stake here than seats in parliament, not only a strong parliamentary delegation nonsense which can be won and lost from one election but also an overall left majority in to the next. Roots in social movements are parliament, and above all strong social Considerable nonsense was spouted about the more enduring. The Labour Party has for movements and a society in ferment. None of SP before, during and immediately after the decades occupied many positions in the trade this is impossible. Labour, SP and the Green elections. To take a small sample of the unions, the universities, the media, the Left had a majority in the polls for many wealth of examples: judiciary and the many commissions and months during the past year; and October advisory councils that are a big Dutch 2004 showed that Dutch society is not "The SP is fishing in the same troubled tradition; but in recent years Labour has been doomed to eternal quiescence. waters as Wilders." losing much of this ground. It is a big, open A glance at the figures about the origins of question whether the SP can fill the gap. Tasks for the far left each party's voters - easily available to all the The stakes are high. As long as the unions The critical left in and around the SP will commentators - is enough to dispose of this remain loyal to Labour in government, the have more than enough work on its hands in notion. The SP's new voters were almost entirely people who did not vote in the last possibility of strong social opposition to a the coming months. To begin with, it needs to parliamentary elections in 2003 or who voted pro-business government agenda is more defend the advances the left made in these Labour or (to a lesser extent) Christian limited. elections and the confidence the voters Democratic. Only a very small percentage of placed in the SP. This means being vigilant There are at least initial signs that the SP is SP voters had voted for the Pim Fortuyn List putting down stronger roots in civil society. for any course that would cheat the voters - in 2003. The situation is very different with More and more trade union activists vote SP and for the SP to join a Christian Democratic- Wilders: almost a quarter of his voters had or have even joined the SP. Antiwar groups, led government would clearly be cheating the voted for Fortuyn's party in 2003, and most renters' associations and refugee voters. of the rest had voted VVD or Christian organisations also increasingly see the SP as Democratic. The SP called on voters to resist the an ally. It is relatively weak among intellectuals, however. It still labours under temptation to vote 'strategically' for Labour "The SP capitalises on gut reflexes and the image of inward-looking party with little with the argument that Labour leader Bos nationalist sentiments." might well end up in Balkenende's next room for discussion. Strange then that so few SP voters mentioned cabinet, while a vote for the SP would ensure nationalism, anti-European sentiments or Taking responsibility kicking out Balkenende as prime minister. discontent with immigration among their Furthermore, people who voted SP were reasons for voting SP. The reasons they did Putting down roots in the movements is in voting against the traditional Labour mention: the future and affordability of any event a more promising strategy for wheeling and dealing with the Christian health care - no fewer than 76 per cent said changing Dutch society than grabbing the Democrats. If that's what voters had wanted, this was their primary motive - and the SP's first chance to join a coalition they would have voted for Wouter Bos. economy and poverty, which 31 per cent said government and disappoint its electorate - this was one of their major reasons. however great the pressure. This is the Left activists inside the SP are also in an ideal implicit purpose of the comparisons between position to counter suggestions that the SP "The SP is a party of older white men." the SP and Wilders. Marijnissen supposedly has anything in common with Wilders. They Too bad for the SP's hip critics: more than has to prove his innocence by showing that can do that most effectively by working to two-thirds of SP voters this year were he has the nerve to 'take responsibility' - build an open, multicultural, democratic and meaning accept a ministerial post in Christian women. In the shadow elections held in internationalist SP, a socialist party that takes Democrat Balkenende's fourth government. primary and secondary schools the SP came bold initiatives and offers a clear alternative second, after Labour. The same applies to This is nothing less than a call to cheat the vision for society. With this starting point, the black and immigrant voters: the SP is the SP's voters. It is almost out of the question debate about who really stands for socialism second biggest party among them, second that the Christian Democrats will go along in the Netherlands can become a very only to Labour. Black and immigrant voters with such key points of the SP programme as interesting one. The VVD's nightmares are elected three of the SP's 25 MPs. rolling back this year's health care 'reform', not about to become true anytime soon, but renationalising the railways, raising taxes on there could be some fascinating years ahead. Koen Haegens writes for Grenzeloos. 7 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Italy Discord in Rifondazione over confidence in Prodi

Anti-capitalist left versus governmental left

Salvatore Cannavò, Carlos Sevilla

"Market friendly former Marxists"? This was the question the British weekly The Economist posed a few months ago concerning the composition of the Prodi government, made up of politicians originating from the old Italian Communist Party (PCI) and, to a lesser extent, Christian Democracy. Their fears have been dissipated in the last few months of legislature, with the deregulation of professional sectors and the general budgets of 2007, praised by the European Commission and the IMF. Fausto Bertinotti with Romano Prodi The provisional balance sheet of balance sheet of the 2003 emerged, a coordination with up this current had united in 200 days of the Prodi referendum on article 18 of the those sectors of the "good October 1998 with the PRC government could not be more statute of labour (extension of bourgeoisie" ready to go majority of Fausto Bertinotti, discouraging. 'Deregulation', union rights to companies with "beyond neoliberalism" in agreeing that the PRC should not withdrawal from Iraq according less than 15 workers) that was "reducing the damage" of support the 1998 budget of the to "technical timetables" (the defeated because the turnout neoliberal policies to workers. preceding Prodi government. troops are still there), voting of failed to reach the necessary war credits for the "peace threshold. This ended the A project that has an important Integration in the majority took mission" in Afghanistan, priority orientation of RC limit: "the Italian bourgeoisie place at the congress of 2002. A shipment of troops to the towards the construction of the does not have margins of radically different interpretation Lebanon, arms sales to movements, after the "red redistribution or if it has, it of the results of the 2003 'democratic' China. bienio" of social mobilization prefers, nevertheless, a referendum (11 million votes in between the G8 in Genoa in restructuring of "labour costs" favour of the extension of article The jewel in the crown has been 2001 and the mobilizations and the cost of collective hiring, 18) in a context of great the budget for 2007, fulfilling against the war on February 15, a revision of pension costs in opposition from the main the Maastricht orthodoxy 2003. favour of the development of political, union and media forces through cuts in spending on pension funds and a plan of of the left, marked the first health, education (schools, It was during this period that the extreme deregulation. Reforms confrontation between this universities and research), 5th Congress of the party which are indispensable to keep current and the majority of RC. municipal services, increases in approved a critique of Stalinism up with the rest of European SC resumed its autonomy in military expenditure and so on. (though not of the bureaucracy capitalism and international 2005 when Bertinotti made a A policy which is incapable of that is its material support) and competition. turn towards the centre-left destroying the material and decided on the investment of its coalition and the "Great cultural bases of political capital in the The Prodi government Reform". 'Berlusconismo': increasing movements. At this time the constitutes a privileged deregulation of labour, wars in famous "15 theses for the instrument for this project The 3rd Congress of Giovani Iraq and Afghanistan and construction of a European because it involves the unions in Comunisti, the youth institutionalised racism. alternative left" by Fausto the theme of coordination and, organization of the PRC, held Bertinotti, now president of the thanks to the turn of the PRC, last September saw an increase This situation has certainly been chamber of deputies, were guarantees the absence of the in the internal influence of SC in helped by the change in drawn up. After the setback of only party that until now was the party, up to 10%, thanks to orientation of the leading group the referendum, the hypothesis committed to social struggle". the opposition of SC in the of Rifondazione Comunista of a coalition government with Congress and Senate against the (Communist Refoundation - the centre-left to electorally In this political conjuncture, war credits in Afghanistan RC), once the spearhead of the defeat Berlusconi won the day. Sinistra Critica (SC - Critical (unlike the rest of the party) and European alternative left and Left) has emerged around the thanks also to a partial cycle of nowadays trustworthy partner in The 6th Congress of RC in 2005 magazine "Erre-Bandiera mobilizations that has opened the Unione, the government formally adopted this political Rossa" (Fourth International), against labour deregulation (the coalition which supports the direction, towards the presenting an alternative motion Stop Precarietà! action on ultra-neoliberal Romano Prodi. constitution of the Unione and to that of the majority at the 6th November 4), against big the Prodi government mark 2. congress of RC in March 2005 infrastructure projects - No Tav This profound cleavage dates From this congress the idea of which obtained 6.5% of the against the high speed rail link from the critical and negative the "Great Reform" also votes. The activists who make between France and Italy going 8 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Italy

through the Susa Valley, No The Cannavó/Giordano debate on the motion of confidence in the Prodi government MOSE [1] against the proposed sea barrier in Venice, No ponte Appendix: (against the bridge to Sicily) - and against Prodi's budget for The left and the 2007 budget 2007 (November 17) supported by RC. Debate on first reading in the rate of personal income tax, an The recent SC meeting in Chamber of Deputies on the increase in indirect taxes, the Riccione (October 2007) motion of confidence in the introduction of the health ticket attracted more than 300 people Prodi Government with respect and cuts in funding for the city from every region of Italy. The to the state budget for 2007. councils. concluding motion of the "In addition, that we await an meeting indicated an exit Chamber President Fausto increase in military expenditure, strategy from Rifondazione Bertinotti asked deputy in a context of hard "re- faced with the hypothesis of the Cannavò to speak in a personal cleaning", honestly seems to us party of the European left, a capacity on his voting intentions. Salvatore Cannavò scandalous. I will not vote in strategic project promoted by Salvatore Cannavò (PRC- favour of this draft budget law Giordano, Salvatore Cannavò, most of RC of a left government Sinistra Critica). and I will not vote for the announcing his vote against the destined "to reduce the damage" confidence motion, not budget, "evidently chooses and to maintain the "lesser evil". "Mr President, representatives of participating in the voting. individually a way different the government, I don't likes from that compatible with The elaboration of a expressing my dissent on the "I hope that this signal of alarm Communist Rifondazione". programmatic manifesto handling of the budget, dissent is received with a view to the "Anticapitalista! A critical left discussion in the Senate. Among Replying Salvatore Cannavò for the 21st century" for the next that has nothing has to do with the people of the left, there is a said, "I am not incompatible meeting in January will seal the that expressed by the Right, widespread feeling of with the PRC - I am coherent. formal constitution of the eager for severe anti-social disappointment and disillusion, (...) I dissent from the handling, association Sinistra Critica at a policies. My dissent goes in the as was perceived yesterday [the so I will not participate in the national level to give an opposite direction. November 17 actions against voting. I do not feel alternative political way out "The budget, beyond being cuts in social expenditure in incompatible with the party. from the crisis that traverses the sacrificed to the logic of education, health, and so on] and Mine is not a gesture of rupture Italian left and above all the RC. "restructuring" and the Stability November 4 [national with Rifondazione, this is not the intention. It is a gesture that I Salvatore Cannavò is a member of the Pact, is distinguished by an demonstration against labour national political committee of the enormous transfer of resources deregulation]. I believe that it is think should maintain a coherent Party of Communist Refoundation to the private sector, with a my duty to represent in this thread: in here as a (PRC) and a PRC deputy in the Italian consolidated neoliberal logic. assembly, although in representation of a part of the parliament lower house, the Chamber left that does not want this of Deputies. Carlos Sevilla is a militant Fiscal rebalancing is neutralized insufficient form, a part of these budget. With limitations and of Espacio Alternativa in Spain by measures like the additional mobilizations. This is also a way to reduce the damage from an without presumptions I want to NOTES economic policy that remains make this symbolic gesture". [1] The MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale distant from the hopes of those Elettromeccanico or Electromechanical who voted Berlusconi out. " Experimental Module) project is a flood barrier system, which uses adjustable Following this statement of metal plates that are raised from the sea voting intentions Franco floor to prevent water from entering the Venice lagoon when high tides are Giordano, Secretary General of forecast. Considered too expensive, only Rifondazione Comunista said moderately effective, and having a that "Cannavó has chosen a significant impact on the lagoon ecosystem, it is still heavily opposed by trajectory incompatible with Italian environmentalists and many Communist Rifondazione". Protestors fight Carabinieri over TAV in Venetians. Franco Giordano (18/11/2006) According to Susa valley, Dec 2005 9 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Denmark Autonomous Youth House fights back

Aage Skovrind

Controversy about the future of an autonomous cultural centre in Copenhagen, known as the Youth House (or "Ungeren"), escalated on December 16 with fierce street fighting between police and users of the House. Two hundred and seventy three peoples were arrested: most of them, however, were released the following day. Users of the House declare that they have nothing to loose and no intention of leaving "their" house. The Red-Green Alliance is calling for a were ordered to leave the House by political solution which allows the users to December 14th. keep the House as a self-managed cultural centre. However, this outcome appears more Several attempts have been made to convince unlikely after the violent clashes, as the the Christian sect that they should sell back the House. Particularly, a Foundation set up popular support for the users of the House is by trade union leaders, lawyers and former diminishing. users offered to buy the house for 13 million The violence broke out following a march by (plus 2 million for renovation) Danish kroner users of the House and supporters, including (apr. 2 million euros). However, the Christian several foreigners who had come to Denmark sect refused even this favourable offer, in the days up to December 14th. December declaring it a "matter of principle". 14th was set as the date when the young users The Red Green Alliance has condemned the of the House were ordered to leave and use of political violence, while insisting that Website of the transfer the keys to the legal owners. the responsibility for a peaceful solution is a Youth House However, the users from the beginning made political matter, particularly by the city it clear that they have no intention to leave council which sold the House in 1999. Red- In English: the House. Eviction date has been postponed Green members of the city council as well of http://ungdomshuset.info/ by the police and is expected to provoke new the national Parliament have submitted en.php3?id_rubrique=4 violent clashes. several proposals, including implementation of a district or a national development plan, The controversy about the ownership and which ties the use of the House to the present access to the House dates many years back. activities. However, proposals like these have been rejected by a majority of political Several houses in Copenhagen were occupied parties so far. in the 1980s by the squatters' movement. Among them was a big empty building in the "Consequently, police will be used as old workers district of Noerrebro, formerly garbage collectors for the mess created by the one of the traditional "Peoples Houses" of the politicians", says MP Line Barfod of the Red- workers movement. Green Alliance, adding that there is an immediate risk of more violence, more In 1982, the Municipality of Copenhagen destruction and more casualties. legalized the occupied House which developed into a centre of music concerts and "However, even at the 11th hour, time hasn't other activities. However, in 1999 the run out for a political solution yet. The Red- municipality council took a fatal decision to Green Alliance is working for this and urges sell the House. In 2000, it was bought by a all responsible politicians to do so as well", small Christian sect. Following a series of she adds. legal battles, the Christians won the legal Aage Skovrind is press secretary of the Red-Green right to the House in August 2006. The users Alliance. 10 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Ecuador Correa's triumph is victory against oligarchy and neoliberalism

Margarita Aguinaga

"Arise the poor of the world, stand up the slaves without bread, we advance united..." The victory of the oppressed is expressed in the election of Rafael Correa as President of the Republic. The last two months have produced a meeting of social consciousness and left politics, expressed in Correa's triumph against oligarchy and neoliberalism represented by Alvaro Noboa and the ultraconservative forces of the country; while their support for Noboa has unmasked the Social Christians, Roldosistas, PRIAN and what remains of Popular Democracy. Some years ago, after the fall of years by indigenous and popular political force, along with the We have many challenges: - to President Lucio Gutiérrez in organizations, have come Social Christians and the PRIAN consolidate a government which 2003, it was said that there were together in the left alliance in and PRE, was on the verge of fulfils the most important two possibilities at that time of favour of Rafael Correa. The surrendering the country's promises like not signing the crisis of political representation course of history in favour of the sovereignty to the United States TLC, creating the Constituent in the state, an advance towards people has been opened initially by signing the TLC; this is no Assembly and improving the the most recalcitrant form of the and this is reason not only to be more than a strategy, because its conditions of life, employment, crisis of neoliberalism, which happy, but to put an impetus into social base could be weakened - health, education and housing, would imply a strong right bloc the anti-capitalist processes. the poor people that voted PSP of the poorest people of the and the harshest measures in the first round, radicalised country; on the other hand, to It is evident that the right and against the people to restore the their position in the second consolidate the unity of the left imperialism have suffered a situation of the model, or a turn round and went to the left. that will be tested in the capacity to left and the possibility of defeat, although the form of their to take ahead a Constituent counter-offensive can be reversing the neoliberal model in It is preferable to trust the direct Assembly, not only altering but foreseen, we can be guided by its fundamental aspects. alliance between the people and pushing back the neoliberal what has happened and the left, to make it stronger, this model in its substance, that is, on That change is now certain, it continues happening against is the base that not only is going privatisation and in relation to has taken shape and Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia; to maintain the new government, the foreign debt; to radicalise simultaneously a new they will not remain quiet, the but will push for the Correa's specific reforms and to harness correlation of forces has been bourgeoisie is going to look to campaign proposals to be carried the struggle for respect, human opened and the possibility of a regain control of the out so we can advance towards and collective rights, that benefit historic moment, favouring the government, under the political indigenous peoples, women, proletariat and the oppressed of and military forms that it another situation of struggle, not young people and so on, in the Ecuador. The right did not requires to do this, hoping to only in Ecuador but in Latin perspective of constructing a manage to make the fall of Lucio erode this government and the America and the world. Gutiérrez the arena to usher in left, to turn the people against it. New Society; to affirm a process Although Rafael Correa neoliberal proposals, as Rafael Correa won the elections of unity and alliance with obtained a significant vote in the happened in 2000, with Jamil representing, amidst weaknesses Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba, Bolivia first round, in the second round, Mahuad and dollarization, after and errors, a quite radical and other peoples in resistance in an articulation of left the fall of Abdalá Bucaram in discourse and set of proposals. Latin America, Europe, Africa consciousness in the urban and 1997. and Asia; to promote new In addition, with a right wing rural sectors of the country was processes of organization and to Instead, democratic content and congress dominated by right developed; a new encounter strengthen the proposals of the the confluence of struggles populism, which, by means of between the social and political popular and collective against the TLC [Tratado de the Patriotic Society Party forces of left, between all the assemblies of struggle to allow Libre Comercio - the free trade announcing that it will support actors who for more than two the opening of a broad debate treaty with the United States], the Constituent Assembly, seeks decades have fought openly about where we want our fought mainly over the last two to disguise the fact that this same against neoliberal globalisation. country to go; also it is a time of 11 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Oaxaca battles vicious repression Marcos: Oaxaca from above - and below

Radical Mexico rallies to defend imprisoned and missing

Subcomandante Marcos

Introduction by International Viewpoint

At the end of October Mexico's PAN [1] government sent thousands of paramilitary police to crush the near insurrectionary movement, which has mobilised hundreds of thousands against the corrupt state government of Ulises Ruiz. In the last two weeks the the recently called-off teachers repression has become strike throughout Oaxaca unless particularly severe. During the repression stops. clashes between police and troops on the one hand and Many famous intellectuals and supporters of APPO (Popular personalities - including left- Assembly of the Peoples of wing Senator Rosario Ibarra de Oaxaca) on the other, several Piedra, the writer Carlos people have been killed, more Montemayor the actress Ofelia than 220 have been arrested or Medina have also indicated their 'disappeared' and hundreds have intention to participate. been injured. On Monday 4 revolutionary ideological this is the first presidency December key APPO leader Below we publish the December reaffirmation that should not be originating from the left and Flavio Sosa, together with his 6 statement of EZLN leader lost. promoting the socialism of the comrades Ignacio García and Subcomandante Marcos (aka 21st century). Marcelino Coache, were arrested 'Delegado Zero') on Oaxaca and It is a good time to recover and in Mexico City and taken to the EZLN call for solidarity. to advance, for a rethink on the If it represents a great step for high-security Almoloya prison Marcos' statement was made new left. The political action of one of the smaller peoples in Mexico state. during the final meeting of the the political and social territorially, it has beautiful and Northern phase of the national organizations, in addition, combative referents next to Dozens of prisoners have been tour of the EZLN's 'Other depends on reflection, because Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia. It dispersed to jails outside Campaign'. to build socialism we need to is time to gather the first part of Oaxaca. Many families do not consider the contributions of the harvest, of the valiant know the fate of relatives who NOTES history, to strengthen and update struggles of the indigenous have disappeared - are they it from our conditions, Marxism, [1] National Action Party which is right- movement, impelled by the arrested, have they been wing, neoliberal and pro-US. feminism and other CONAIE, the FENOCIN and murdered, are they being revolutionary theories that will other indigenous organizations, tortured? In the struggles of this [2] Party of the Democratic Revolution help us to reconstruct the and Workers Party respectively. by women, workers, young year torture and abuse of revolutionary utopia, starting people, and the critical thinkers prisoners has become normal in from the historical struggles of who are pointing out another Mexico. our own people. way in history and another exit To fight back the APPO has Times of greater respect, dignity from the crises and defeats that called a new 'mega march' for and creativity are coming, some we have experienced, Sunday 10 December in Oaxaca, say the beginning of a challenging us to continue to demand the release of the revolutionary process, in this prioritising political objectives imprisoned militants. The sense all must contribute in the by the construction of popular leadership of the 'centre-left' and perspective of maximising the power and socialism. centre parties - the PRD, PT [2] impact the first left government and Convergence of Progressive that has existed in the history of Margarita Aguinaga is a feminist Forces, have all indicated they activist in Refundación Socialista, Ecuador (there was also the Ecuadorian section of the Fourth will participate in the march. presidency of Jaime Roldós, but International. APPO is threatening to reimpose Flavio Sosa 12 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Mexico

WORDS FROM DELEGATE ZERO OF THE SIXTH COMMISSION OF THE EZLN. DECEMBER 2, 2006. COPAI-México The Other Campaign in the North of Mexico: saying "Oaxaca" from above and below Hundreds of people detained Oaxaca is extending in pain, but illegally, dozens of people also in struggle. Pieces of this disappeared, tortures, searches, people, as if parts of a puzzle, and beatings. Young men and are scattered throughout the women, indigenous people, national territory and beyond its children, elders. In other words: geographic limits, which, at least the people of Oaxaca who come in the north, are more ridiculous from below. Above, there are the than ever. Federal Preventive Police, During the two months that we Ulises Ruiz's paramilitaries, the spent walking in the different mass media, the political class. corners of the Mexican north, Marcos at Oaxaca protest meeting To be quiet in the face of this is Oaxaca appeared over after over. to say "Oaxaca" from above, and And it cloaked itself in pain and to make top-down assessments rage, and it spoke to us and watched us. that are cheerful...and idiotic. COMMUNIQUE FROM THE CLANDESTINE And the Other Campaign Because up above they are REVOLUTIONARY INDIGENOUS COMMITTEE- listened and keeps listening; and prepared to declare that GENERAL COMMAND OF THE ZAPATISTA ARMY it extends its arms, as do the everything has returned to FOR NATIONAL LIBERATION (EZLN). thousands of Zapatistas who normal and that the "conflict" is blocked off the roads of Chiapas controlled because "the leaders" EZLN appeal for national and international on two occasions in solidarity have been detained, as if this solidarity with Oaxaca and the Others in movement had "leaders" to be all of the corners of Mexico from DECEMBER 2, 2006 ULISES RUIZ AND FEDERAL bought, imprisoned or killed. Below, as well as the others in all FORCES FROM OAXACA, They say that now we must look of the corners of the world. As TO THE PEOPLE OF FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF the other way. they extend their arms. As they MEXICO: TO THE PEOPLE THOSE GUILTY OF will keep extending them even if OF THE WORLD: That is to say, we must turn a TORTURE, RAPE AND no one pays attention; as we who MURDER. IN BRIEF: FOR steady gaze to those above, to are nobody will not become a SISTERS AND BROTHERS: FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY the paraphernalia of political fragmented mirror. AND JUSTICE FOR THE power, to its simulations and its THE ATTACK THAT OUR PEOPLE OF OAXACA. fronts, which command and give In front of Oaxaca, for Oaxaca BRETHREN, THE PEOPLE OF orders while the true Power and by Oaxaca, we say: OAXACA, SUFFERED AND WE CALL FOR THIS doles out the day's orders to its ARE SUFFERING, CANNOT INTERNATIONAL media, pundits, announcers, Subcomandante Marcos (Delegado BE IGNORED BY THOSE CAMPAIGN TO SAY, IN ALL Zero) is a leading mebver of the EZLN WHO STRUGGLE FOR artists, intellectuals, police - Zapatista Army of National WAYS AND IN ALL PLACES LIBERTY, JUSTICE AND chiefs, military units and Liberation. WHERE IT IS POSSIBLE, paramilitary. DEMOCRACY IN EVERY WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND CORNER OF THE PLANET. IS HAPPENING IN OAXACA, To say "Oaxaca" from below is EACH PERSON IN THEIR FOR THIS REASON, THE to say compañero and OWN MANNER, TIME AND EZLN CALLS EVERY compañera, to draw near to those SPACE. HONEST PERSON, IN who are persecuted, to mobilize MEXICO AND AROUND THE our own forces to demand the WE CALL FOR THESE WORLD, TO BEGIN, FROM return of the disappeared and the ACTIONS TO CULMINATE IN THIS MOMENT, release of detainees, to inform, A GLOBAL MOBILIZATION CONTINUOUS ACTIONS IN to call for international solidarity FOR OAXACA ON SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT DECEMBER 22, 2006. and support, to not be quiet, to OF THE OAXACAN PEOPLE, speak of this southern pain and WITH THE FOLLOWING THE OAXACAN PEOPLE to announce that it extends DEMANDS: ARE NOT ALONE. WE MUST through the entire country and PROCLAIM THIS AND SHOW beyond its borders on all four FOR THE LIVE RETURN OF THAT IT IS TRUE, BOTH TO sides, as though it were down THOSE WHO HAVE THEM AND TO EVERYONE. below where pains walks, is DISAPPEARED, FOR THE Democracy! Liberty! named, spoken of and listened Acclaimed muralist Gerardo Bonilla, who RELEASE OF PRISONERS, to. has been ’disappeared’ in Oaxaca FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF Justice! 13 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Sri Lanka For the right to self-determination of Ilankai Tamils

Vickramabahu Karunarathne

The Sri Lanka government is carrying out an undeclared war against the Tamil people. The government of Mahinda Rajapaksa has consistently breached the 2002 cease-fire agreement with the LTTE. The anti-war opposition has been put under extreme pressure. Tamil MP Nadaraja Raviraj was gunned down in Colombo on November 9 and other activists have received serious death threats. At the heart of this secret war is the issue of the historic right to self-determination for the Tamil people. The right of self determination For example, Sinhala was used clan identity. The word jathiya, Anagarika Dharmapala. Parallel of the Tamil speaking people is in the Anuradhapura period to the Sinhala word used in general to this there were movements the foremost issue in modern represent a Vansa, a clan of today to represent a nation, was launched by Aarumuga Lankan society. Though it is people associated with a used widely at that stage to Naawalar and Siddhi Lebbe. The related to the Tamil vs. Sinhala particular agriculture based on a represent caste. Even today if Veddha community also asserted conflicts narrated in various special irrigation system. These one asks a Kandyan villager its identity under Thissahamy chronicles, the present form people were considered to be of about his jathiya he may assume and others. arises out of an inability to Aryan descent. Aryans were the that as a reference to his caste. In construct a democratic, plural, nomadic people who invaded any case at that time and until Thus when the British went civil society. Though Sri Lanka India around 2000 BC and recently people in Lanka were away in 1948, Lanka remained a (the Sinhala equivalent of overran Dravidian clan societies more loyal to their caste group prison house of several nationalities. Power was Ilankai) is considered a nation by clustered around the Indus than any other form of concentrated in the hands of the the United Nations, Sri Lankan valley and elsewhere. It is community. Sinhala royalty English speaking elite that nationality is yet to be widely believed that around 500 always thought it is better to behaved like a separate recognized by the masses here. BC some Aryan people came to marry some one from Tamil nationality. A tiny community of People in Lanka consider Lanka and overpowered the royalty than to a lower caste less than one million fake Anglo- themselves as Sinhala, Tamil, Dravidian society that existed person from Sinhala kingdom. Saxons, who relished the chance Muslim, Burger, Veddha, etc. there. Thus there were Vansa This thinking was not confined to imitate Anglo-American and rarely as Sri Lankans. In that clashes in that early period of to the royalty but common to upper classes, appropriated and sense it is a Society of history. These Vansa clashes almost all caste groups. Even held all economic, political and Nationalities. As a Marxist, I continued until the end of the today such thinking exists in social powers in their hands. consider nations are really built Rajarata Civilization and the spite of Sinhala vs. Tamil on a capitalist market economy. I emergence of semi-feudal national clashes. Tamil upper classes consider refer to a community as a society in the wet zone. In this themselves a part of this elite. In nationality if that community of society divisions were based I explain all this in order to show fact early leaders who people is in conscious struggle to more on trade caste groups. that the Tamil or Sinhala nation collaborated with the then be a nation but not yet matured as we know today did not exist British rule were famous Tamils fully as one. When we look at the Kandyan in the past. Nation building is a such as Sir Ponnambalam kingdom before the takeover by relatively new phenomenon. It Ramanadan. It was in their The word nation is loosely used the British, we see that the word means that a community with the interest to build a state power on to represent any group of people Sinhala is used to represent the same language and tradition will the basis of Sinhala Buddhist with a common language. But ruling elite. The Radala-Mudali unite to work democratically. chauvinism. This policy was such a definition is not useful in elite referred to themselves as This is the positive side of an started by D.S.Senanayake and understanding problems of the Sinhala. In this scenario not emerging nation, its ability to continued with vigour by the nationhood in modern society. only the other caste groups in the break down caste and other Bandaranaikes. They de- The identities Sinhala and Tamil Kandyan areas were left out of parochial barriers to unite a franchised Tamil plantation were used in Lanka for a long the Sinhala identity, but also the community with equality and workers and made the majority period of time stretching as far entire community in the low fraternity. In the recent past we of the working class state-less. A back as 3rd century BC. But the country who spoke Sinhala saw the emergence of several consistent campaign of entity represented by the term Language as their mother nationalities in Lanka. Sinhala discrimination was aimed at Tamil or Sinhala is very different tongue. At this stage caste was nationality emerged with the Tamil speaking people. While at different times. more important than any other temperance movement under English remained the language 14 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Sri Lanka

of the rulers, Sinhala was made Tamil people. Racial riots broke Tamils irrespective of their explained all along that it is the sole official language to be out several times, the worst of actual connection to the futile to expect the Global used as a device for which was in 1983. All this led liberation struggle. Capitalist powers to intervene discrimination. to the liberation struggle of the here to safeguard the interests of Tamil people. The Nava Sama Samaja Party, Tamil and Muslims or any other Sinhala Colonization schemes from its inception defended the minority. were established in Tamil areas Today Lankan Tamil nationality Right of Self Determination of to create communal disharmony is a complex entity. Firstly, so the Tamil speaking people. Many Tamil leaders believed and fool the Sinhala poor called native Tamils of the north Before becoming a party, as a that Indian Rulers would help masses. So called media wise and east have developed as group within the Lanka Sama them to achieve freedom from standardization was used to Eelam Tamils with a Samaja Party, in 1974 we came discriminations and oppression. discriminate against Tamil recognizable homeland. Their out with our analysis of the In fact they appealed for military students. All this pushed the national consciousness has Tamil National Question. We intervention. However, the Tamils in to protest and developed to a high degree. explained that Tamil nationality Indian intervention became a rebellion. As early as 1930, even They form the basis of the is emerging fighting for its self nightmare for the Tamils. Today the Tamil elite had to break away existing armed struggle for determination. the only unity Sinhala chauvinist, such as and put separate demands to the Tamil liberation. Though the possible is the voluntary union Gunadasa Amarasekara openly British Raj. Then they demanded Sinhala army of the Mahinda of the two nationalities. For this, claim that the Indian 50/50 in the legislative regime is in occupation of recognition of the right of self intervention was a god sent assembly, meaning that Sinhala certain strategic areas of the determination of Tamil people is chance for them and regret that it majority should get no more than Tamil homeland, it has failed to a precondition. Acceptance of was not fully utilized to crush 50% of seats. Later the Federal get the upper hand. Under the equality, autonomy and the the LTTE. Party was formed with the MOU signed by Ranil Right of Self Determination is demand for Autonomy for the Wickramasinghe in 2002, more the only basis for a democratic Now, the same thing is repeated North and the East. than one third of the Tamil home unity. in relation to the Western powers land was accepted to be under led by the Americans. Tamils In the 1950s, the Marxist the direct control of the LTTE. Since 1974 we have been have to accept that it is foolish to movement led by the Lanka fighting for this position in all expect support for the Tamil Sama Samaja Party fought Secondly, the plantation Tamils our political campaigns. In spite struggle from the West against against this fraud and stood for of up-country, descendents of of many difficulties, we have the Mahinda regime that equality, democracy and south Indian Tamil workers managed to take this message collaborates with the socialism. The Communist Party brought to Lanka by the British- among the Sinhala people. We Development Programme of the in early 50s passed a resolution raj, have not identified entirely have influenced the thinking of West. accepting the Right of self with the Eelam liberation almost all political parties of determination for the Tamils, but struggle. Certainly the youth is Lanka. Concepts of equality, The Mahinda Regime while nothing was done to take this to highly influenced by the struggle autonomy and the right of self paying lip service to the peace the public. Tamils and other in the north and east. But their determination are now very project is hell bent on crushing national minority groups showed demands are different, being widely discussed. Understanding the Tamil uprising. On the other much faith and expected fair- very largely socio-economic. of the masses has increased hand the LTTE appears to play from them. Land and citizenship rights, tremendously. And now there is believe that suicidal attacks by greater autonomy for Tamil widespread resentment against the Tamil youth can achieve Later, however, LSSP/CP areas, and greater Tamil the war efforts of the liberation. So far no efforts are leaders made a fundamental participation in local government. made to take the issue among the mistake and joined the capitalist administration, are some of their left democratic forces government of Mrs Sirima demands. In 1994 Vasudeva Nanayakkara internationally. Left Front Bandaranaike. Once in power and a few others broke away and (NSSP) will take the issue of they also became pawns in the Thirdly, there is a substantial collaborated with SLFP led Tamil Liberation among Left hands of Sinhala chauvinism. In Tamil community living in governments. Though they pay Democratic Forces both locally fact Dr. Colvin R de Silva, who Colombo and its suburbs. They lip service to the Tamil and internationally. We shall once said "One language - Two are a combination of native and Liberation, in practice they have show that Mahinda Regime is a nations" became the man who Indian Tamils. Except for the become a part of the treacherous total failure not only on the formulated the Buddhist recent refugees, others are more group led by the CP and LSSP. Tamil National problem but also theocratic constitution. This total interested in getting equality and This coalitionist left has become by becoming a vassal of Global betrayal led to much justice than supporting the the cover for the killer regime of Capital. disillusionment among Tamil liberation struggle. However, in Mahinda Rajapaksa. youth. The failure of the old left spite of these divisions all Vickramabahu Karunarathne movement against Sinhala Tamils are living under fear and It is clear that the Western ('Bahu')is the general secretary of the Nava Saja Samana Party (NSSP - Buddhist chauvinism opened the repression. On the other hand, powers are now backing the New Socialist Party), the Sri Lanka stage for violence against the the war has its effect on all chauvinist Mahinda regime. We section of the Fourth International. 15 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Sri Lanka No war in Sri Lanka - self determination for the Tamil people

International on-line petition

On-line petition Sign the petition at

http://www.petitiononline.com/ntwsdtp/petition.html

The Sri Lanka government is carrying out an undeclared war against the Tamil people who have been struggling for more than two decades for the legitimate right to self-rule. The government of Mahinda British army training school at Rajapaksa, elected on a Sinhala Sandhurst while the Tamil Tigers chauvinist basis in November (LTTE) are banned as a 2005, has consistently breached supposedly "terrorist" the 2002 cease-fire agreement organisation across Europe. with the LTTE. They have been conducting aerial We therefore call on our bombardments, specifically governments and international outlawed under the agreement. institutions to lift any bans on In August, the Sri Lankan air the LTTE and to demand that the force destroyed an orphanage in Sri Lankan government: Sencholai, killing 50 children. v End the aerial bombardments; The anti-war opposition has been put under extreme pressure. v End the disappearances and Tamil MP Nadaraja Raviraj was stop support for paramilitaries; gunned down in Colombo on November 9 and other activists v Open the A9 road and other have received serious death access routes so that essential threats. humanitarian supplies can get through to the Tamil areas in the External support for the north; Mahinda regime is essential in allowing it to carry out this war v Re-open negotiations with the mongering. The Sri Lankan LTTE for a just solution army leadership is trained at the acceptable to the Tamil people.

16 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Listing by subject/country Article Index - 2006

Aids Time to Deliver! - Julia Barnett - IV381 September Belgium Left electoral alliance projects new left party - David Dessers - IV383 November Bolivia Unity and Perspectives of Bolivian Left - Remberto Arias - IV374 January "The nationalisation of hyrdocarbons will be our first task" - Herve do Alto - IV374 January Will Evo Morales Change Bolivia? - Jeffery R Webber - IV374 January The Morales government - Herve do Alto - IV375 February "A government of the poor, for the poor" - Juan Ramon Quintana - IV375 February A revolutionary process that is different - Hugo Blanco - IV376 March After the electoral triumph of the MAS - Herve do Alto - IV376 March The challenge for Morales - Herve do Alto - IV377 April Nationalization of Gas! Bolivia's Historic May Day, 2006 - Jeffery R Webber - IV378 May Evismo - Reform? Revolution? Counter-Revolution? - Jeffery R Webber - IV382 October Brazil A bad internationalism - and unenlightened ideas about the Brazilian PT - Joaquim Soriano - IV374 January Concerning a Polemic - Jan Malewski - IV375 February Resolution on Brazil - IC February 2006 - IV376 March Socialists of the World Support Heloisa Helena - IV380 July-August For an alternative in Brazil - Left Front - IV381 September 2006 Elections - a profound political break - João Machado, José Corrêa Leite - IV383 November Britain Abortion - defend a woman's right to choose - Terry Conway - IV375 February Rough Music - Fred LePlat - IV376 March One million strike to defend pensions - IV377 April The crisis in working class representation - Greg Tucker - IV378 May No renewal for New Labour - Piers Mostyn - IV378 May Respect breakthrough in English local elections - Alan Thornett - IV378 May Latin America: a continent in revolt - Socialist Resistance - IV378 May Two victories for the Campaign against Climate Change - Terry Conway - IV379 June Socialist Resistance hosts Latin socialists - Andrew Kennedy - IV379 June Membership crisis ignored at Respect conference - Alan Thornett - IV383 November A tale of two conferences - Alan Thornett - IV383 November Broad Parties Where Does the Left Come From? - Magdelena Ostrowska - IV374 January A bad internationalism - and unenlightened ideas about the Brazilian PT - Joaquim Soriano - IV374 January Defending the SSP model - a reply to the SWP - Alan Thornett - IV374 January Rifondazione "will support a Prodi government and take part in it" - IV377 April The crisis in working class representation - Greg Tucker - IV378 May Respect breakthrough in English local elections - Alan Thornett - IV378 May New Platform in the Scottish Socialist Party - IV379 June Resistance and Revolution - Phil Hearse - IV379 June Take off without a left wing? - Manuel Kellner - IV379 June ISG statement on the crisis in the SSP - International Socialist Group - IV380 July-August Broad Left Party Forms - International Viewpoint - IV382 October Left electoral alliance projects new left party - David Dessers - IV383 November Milestone conference for Scottish Socialists - Terry Conway, Alan Thornett - IV383 November Membership crisis ignored at Respect conference - Alan Thornett - IV383 November Cuba Fidel and Trotsky - Celia Hart - IV378 May The revival of a political tradition - John Lister - IV381 September "It's never too late to love or rebel" - Michael Löwy - IV382 October 17 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Index

Denmark Socialist leaders arrested for 'terrorist' T-shirts - IV375 February Danish cartoons controversy - documents - IV376 March Huge demonstration against government welfare cuts - Aage Skovrind - IV378 May Autonomous Youth House fights back - Aage Skovrind - IV384 December Ecology and the Environment Two victories for the Campaign against Climate Change - Terry Conway - IV379 June Resolution on Climate Change - IC February 2006 - IV376 March Economy World Economy - Tendencies and Tensions - Eduardo Lucita - IV375 February Ecuador Correa's triumph is victory against oligarchy and neoliberalism - Margarita Aguinaga - IV384 December Europe Declaration of European Anti-Capitalist Left meeting - European Anti-Capitalist Left - IV374 January Defeat the Bolkestein directive! - Leonce Aguirre - IV374 January Together against the Bolkestein directive - IV375 February European parliament adopts Bolkestein directive - Patrick Tamerlan - IV376 March The European trade union movement today - a rapid overview - Thadeus Pato - IV380 July-August Call for Anti-G8 mobilisation in Rostok - European Anti-Capitalist Left - IV381 September Euskadi The end of ETA - José Ramón Castaños "Troglo" - IV377 April Fourth International Solidarity with dismissed SEAT workers - IV375 February Notes on the situation in Latin America - François Sabado - IV375 February Resolution on Brazil - IC February 2006 - IV376 March Resolution on Climate Change - IC February 2006 - IV376 March Danish cartoons controversy - documents - IV376 March Aid needed as IV's readership jumps 75% - Chris Brooks - IV376 March Report on the international situation - François Sabado - IV377 April Alain Krivine and Algeria - Alain Krivine - IV381 September International Viewpoint needs €3,670 - Chris Brooks - IV381 September Pasta, politics and parties - Thomas Eisler , Penelope Duggan - IV381 September Pre-electoral turbulence in France - François Sabado - IV384 December France 16th Congress of the LCR - IV375 February Student movement puts government on the defensive - Murray Smith - IV376 March Massive turnout against labour law - IV376 March Anti-labour law movement enters key stage - Murray Smith - IV376 March "The question of a link between workers and students is immediate" - Daniel Bensaïd - IV376 March A government on the ropes - Murray Smith - IV377 April Chirac and the government eat their words! - Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire - IV377 April The white flag goes up - Murray Smith - IV377 April Marie-George, Arlette, José - what if we were to talk? - Olivier Besancenot - IV378 May The mass movement has defeated the government - what now? - Murray Smith - IV378 May A Major Social and Political Crisis - Laurent Carasso - IV379 June Alain Krivine and Algeria - Alain Krivine - IV381 September Pre-electoral turbulence in France - François Sabado - IV384 December Germany The time of Alternatives - isl - IV377 April Take off without a left wing? - Manuel Kellner - IV379 June Globalisation Call for Anti-G8 mobilisation in Rostok - European Anti-Capitalist Left - IV381 September 18 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Index

Greece Seafarers open new period in workers' struggles - Pantelis Afthinos - IV376 March Fighting neoliberal university reform - Panagiotis Sifogiorgakis - IV379 June Hungary The Crushing of the Hungarian Revolution - Phil Hearse - IV382 October India Slum dwellers organise against demolitions - Maya Valecha - IV374 January Indonesia Broad Left Party Forms - International Viewpoint - IV382 October Iran A Caliphate disguised as a republic - Houshang Sepehr - IV382 October An Islamic "Chinese model"? - Houshang Sepehr - IV382 October Shadow of war or war of shadows? - Houshang Sepehr - IV382 October Iraq The Case for Immediate Withdrawal - Gilbert Achcar - IV374 January Joint Statement Issued by the Iraqi Trade Unions - IV374 January Why America wants endless war - Phil Hearse - IV378 May Occupation, civil war and the call for withdrawal - Gilbert Achcar - IV379 June Israel The drive to normality and separation - Michel Warschawski - IV379 June The witch-hunting of Tali Fahima - Lin Calozin-Dovrat - IV379 June Israel's Dual Onslaught On Lebanon And Palestine - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August "Israel is holding a whole population hostage" - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August The future of Israel is at stake - Michel Warschawski - IV380 July-August Israel's new Lebanon war - Piers Mostyn - IV380 July-August Twin Battles - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August The Limits of Might - Michel Warschawski - IV381 September Italy Italian feminists defend abortion rights and women's self-determination - Maria Gatti - IV376 March Without ifs or buts, even after 9 April - Sinistra Critica (Critical Left) - IV377 April Rifondazione "will support a Prodi government and take part in it" - IV377 April A first balance sheet - Salvatore Cannavò, Franco Turigliatto - IV377 April A dangerous situation for Rifondazione - Flavia d'Angeli - IV378 May "The Project of Prodi's Centre-Left Union has failed" - Franco Turigliatto - IV378 May Withdraw Italian troops from Afghanistan! - Sinistra Critica (Critical Left) - IV380 July-August Chomsky, Tariq Ali criticise Rifondazione on Afghanistan, back antiwar MPs - Tariq Ali, Noam Chomsky - IV380 July-August Against the Italian intervention in Afghanistan - Franco Turigliatto - IV380 July-August No Blank Cheque, Ours is a Clockwork "Yes" - Gigi Malabarba - IV382 October A Vote of Confidence with a Time Limit - Gigi Malabarba - IV382 October A parliament of just "giving the green light" is not a normal parliament - Salvatore Cannavò - IV382 October In the Chamber of Deputies: four against all! - Salvatore Cannavò - IV382 October Draft Resolution on Afghanistan - Sinistra Critica (Critical Left) - IV382 October The Prodi II Government, the Radical and Pacifist Left, and the War - Jan Malewski - IV382 October Support the Livio Maitan study centre - Centro Studi "Livio Maitan" - IV382 October Discord in Rifondazione over confidence in Prodi - Salvatore Cannavò, Carlos Sevilla - IV384 December Latin America Notes on the situation in Latin America - François Sabado - IV375 February Latin America - a Continent Turns Left - IV375 February Resistance and Revolution - Phil Hearse - IV379 June New Challenges to Imperialism - James Cockcroft - IV379 June Lebanon Israel's Dual Onslaught On Lebanon And Palestine - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August "Israel is holding a whole population hostage" - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August Changing the Rules of the Game? Let it Be! - Revolutionary Communist Group - Lebanon - IV380 July-August 19 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Index

Israel's new Lebanon war - Piers Mostyn - IV380 July-August Twin Battles - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August Against resolution 1701, against the sending of NATO troops - Gilbert Achcar - IV381 September Hezbollah and Resistance - Marie Nassif-Debs - IV383 November "The Savage Anomaly" of the Islamic Movement - Niciolas Qualander - IV383 November Mali Neoliberal Globalisation vs the Poor - Jean Nanga - IV376 March Impressions on the movement for global justice in Africa - Jean Nanga - IV377 April Marxism The party and the period - Daniel Bensaïd - IV376 March On a Recent Book by John Holloway - Daniel Bensaïd - IV379 June Marx, Weber and the Critique of Capitalism - Michael Löwy - IV380 July-August The Labor Aristocracy Myth - Charlie Post - IV381 September The Mole and the Locomotive - Daniel Bensaïd - IV381 September The Marxism of Trotsky's "Results and Prospects" - Michael Löwy - IV381 September Dialectics and Revolution - Michael Löwy - IV381 September The Challenge of Revolutionary Democracy in the Life and Thought of Rosa Luxemburg - Paul Le Blanc - IV381 September Support the Livio Maitan study centre - Centro Studi "Livio Maitan" - IV382 October May Day Which side are you on? - Sharon Smith - IV378 May "The power to stop the system" - Nativo Lopez - IV378 May International Manifesto Of The Undocumented - IV378 May Nationalization of Gas! Bolivia's Historic May Day, 2006 - Jeffery R Webber - IV378 May Mexico Zapatistas call Red Alert over state attacks - Phil Hearse - IV378 May Mexican miners and steelworkers on strike - Dan La Botz - IV378 May "Teachers killed" in Oaxaca police attack, says union - IV379 June Mega March replies to police violence - IV379 June Showdown in Mexico - Phil Hearse - IV380 July-August Oaxaca, solitary and in flames - Adolfo Gilly - IV383 November Oaxaca: final crisis of the "old order" - Manuel Aguilar Mora - IV383 November Marcos: Oaxaca from above - and below - Subcomandante Marcos - IV384 December Middle East New turbulence, new transformations in the Middle East - Gilbert Achcar - IV376 March Twin Battles - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August The sinking ship of US imperial ambitions - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August The 33-Day War and UNSC Resolution 1701 - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August Hezbollah's Victory (2000) - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August The Limits of Might - Michel Warschawski - IV381 September Eleven Theses on the Resurgence of Islamic Fundamentalism - Gilbert Achcar - IV381 September Nepal This is no rah-rah revolt - Tariq Ali - IV378 May Netherlands Spectacular Breakthrough for Socialist Party - Koen Haegens - IV384 December Niger Neoliberal Globalisation vs the Poor - Jean Nanga - IV376 March Nigeria Unions lead popular resistance - Danielle Obono - IV376 March Pakistan LPP demonstrators greet Bush - Farooq Tariq - IV376 March Brick kiln worker revolt against slave labour - Farooq Tariq - IV376 March Good Books opened by Tariq Ali - IV377 April WSF Karachi - A short report - Farooq Tariq - IV377 April 20 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Index

Left groups unite - Peter Boyle - IV377 April The Karachi Social Forum and its international significance - Pierre Rousset - IV377 April Gorja - a great victory for textile workers - Farooq Tariq - IV380 July-August Palestine First Reflections On The Electoral Victory Of Hamas - Gilbert Achcar - IV374 January Ariel Sharon's Last Victory - Michel Warschawski - IV375 February Israel's Dual Onslaught On Lebanon And Palestine - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August "Israel is holding a whole population hostage" - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August Peru Ollanta Humala - Peru's New Hope? - Herve do Alto - IV377 April Philippines The Shadow of Martial Law - Revolutionary Workers Party - Mindanao - IV376 March After the State of Emergency - Pierre Rousset - IV376 March Poland Death on the road to a workers' party - Zbigniew Marcin Kowalewski - IV374 January Where Does the Left Come From? - Magdelena Ostrowska - IV374 January 50 years since the Poznan uprising - Zbigniew Marcin Kowalewski - IV379 June Defend Polish women's abortion rights! - IV382 October Portugal Victory for the Right - Jorge Costa - IV374 January Francisco Louçã's presidential campaign - Alda Sousa - IV377 April Quebec Québec Solidaire - the new option in Québec politics - Susan Caldwell - IV376 March Religion British media campaign's response - IV375 February Danish cartoons controversy - documents - IV376 March Zero tolerance for reactionary forces - IV376 March The Anti-Imperialist Left Confronted with Islam - Tariq Ali - IV376 March Eleven Theses on the Resurgence of Islamic Fundamentalism - Gilbert Achcar - IV381 September Revolutionary strategy Change the world without taking power? ... - IV379 June Twelve comments plus one more, to continue the debate with John Holloway - Daniel Bensaïd - IV381 September Russia Russian Social Forum Success - Aleksander Buzgalin - IV380 July-August Scotland New Platform in the Scottish Socialist Party - IV379 June ISG statement on the crisis in the SSP - International Socialist Group - IV380 July-August SSP is split by Sheridan - Socialist Resistance - IV380 July-August Milestone conference for Scottish Socialists - Terry Conway, Alan Thornett - IV383 November Serbia Dossier - On Slobodan Milosevic - Catherine Samary - IV380 July-August Slobodan Milosevic: Architect of Yugoslav break-up - Alan Thornett - IV380 July-August Social Forum Another Africa is Possible - Matt Panthers - IV374 January "A breath of red air" - Édouard Diago - IV375 February WSF's Karachi leg later this month - IV376 March WSF Karachi - A short report - Farooq Tariq - IV377 April Impressions on the movement for global justice in Africa - Jean Nanga - IV377 April The Karachi Social Forum and its international significance - Pierre Rousset - IV377 April News from the European Social Forum, Athens - IV378 May An Unquestionable Success - Ingrid Hayes - IV378 May Russian Social Forum Success - Aleksander Buzgalin - IV380 July-August 21 International Viewpoint - IV384 - December 2006

Index

South Africa Resistance to neoliberalism - Josep María Antentas - IV380 July-August Liberation, Then What? - Jeffery R Webber - IV381 September Spain Urgent solidarity appeal for sacked SEAT workers in Catalonia - IV374 January Solidarity with dismissed SEAT workers - IV375 February "We are a nation and we have the right to decide" - Revolta Global - IV377 April Sri Lanka The tsunami - one year after - Niel Wijethilake - IV374 January For the right to self-determination of Ilankai Tamils - Vickramabahu Karunarathne - IV384 December No war in Sri Lanka - self determination for the Tamil people - IV384 December Sweden Narrow victory for the Swedish right - Anders Svensson - IV381 September Thailand Crisis in the 'Land of the Smile' - Danielle Sabai and Jean Sanuk - IV376 March An unending spiral of coups? - Danielle Sabai and Jean Sanuk - IV383 November The coup d'etat: a step backwards for Thailand and Southeast Asia - Danielle Sabai and Jean Sanuk - IV383 November Tsunami Tragedy Tsunami, Katrina, Kashmir - Pierre Rousset - IV376 March USA Transit union shuts down New York - Steve Downs - IV374 January Million march for immigrants rights in Los Angeles - Walter Lippmann - IV376 March Which side are you on? - Sharon Smith - IV378 May "The power to stop the system" - Nativo Lopez - IV378 May An Eruption in the Streets - Against the Current - IV378 May Elections and Regime Crisis - Against the Current - IV381 September Jumping Through Hoops - Dianne Feeley - IV381 September In the Aftermath of the Elections: First Thoughts - David Finkel - IV383 November Venezuela The revolution seen from the left: Chavismo's original sin - Roland Denis - IV380 July-August In support of the re-election of Chavez - IV382 October If we were Venezuelan we would vote for Chavez! - IV383 November War drive Occupation, civil war and the call for withdrawal - Gilbert Achcar - IV379 June The future of Israel is at stake - Michel Warschawski - IV380 July-August The sinking ship of US imperial ambitions - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August The 33-Day War and UNSC Resolution 1701 - Gilbert Achcar - IV380 July-August Women Abortion - defend a woman's right to choose - Terry Conway - IV375 February Italian feminists defend abortion rights and women's self-determination - Maria Gatti - IV376 March Jumping Through Hoops - Dianne Feeley - IV381 September A Tale of Two Cities - Kathy Lowe - IV381 September Defend Polish women's abortion rights! - IV382 October Youth camp A new generation to build a new Europe! - IV378 May Pasta, politics and parties - Thomas Eisler , Penelope Duggan - IV381 September

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