VOLUME XXV N UMBER 3 $1.50 _DEMOCRATIC PUBLI SHED BYTH E DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AM ERICA
Belgrade 1997 The Enemy of My Enemy Is Not Necessarily My Friend
BY B OGDAN D ENITCH
fter the Rome meeting of the Socialist International .\fontenegro) is now extremely fluid, with quickly shifting relations (SI) in January, I returned to Belgrade to join by then of forces among student organizations, unorganized students, po A long lasting mass demonstrations of from 20,000 to !meal parties, trade unions and the Serbian Orthodox church. At 400,000 people against the authoritarian regime of Slobodan the same time there is great stability in the leadership of the par .l\ililoscvic. The few previous demonstrations in Belgrade in ties, including the leaders of Za1cdno who have been m place since 1993 did not compare to these in size, breadth or intensity. the beginning of multi-party acuv1ty in Yugoslavia in 1990. The two groups leading the demonstrations arc the political Zajedno 1s clear in its detestation of Milos<.'Vic and even more parties in a coalition called "Zajcdno" (Together) and the of his orthodox Commumst hard-line wife, Mira Markovic, but university sn1dents who arc formally non-political but whose very vague about its own program. They tend to repeat the stale leaders included some nationalists, some supporters of the mantras, "privatizauon and markeuzation," which, given the vast Democratic Party and a strong minority of the you th section amount of obsolete indmtry 1n Yugoslavia devastated by years of of the Social Democratic Union. The demonstrauons \\Crc triggered last November when Continued on page 3 Milosevic stoic the municipal elections-which he lost in most cit ies, including Belgrade, to La)edno. ,\lilosevic's February 5 bow to the demonstrators and their leaders was a massive and unprec ed('ntcd victory. But .\hlosev1c 1s no Gorbachev. I le will not go l]Utetlr into the night. I low much violence he will use tn maintain power will depend on how far the opposition moves beyond the issue of the theft of municipal elecuons. After all, t\~:O weeks earlier M1lo~cvic's coaliuon won the federal elections with a larger majorit}' than car· her and Zajedno lost 300,000 votes in comparison wnh previous elections. It seems that the voters wanted Za1cdno to run most of the cities but Democratic le f I • Issue #3 1997 • pa g e 1 DSA OFFICES NATIONAL NEW YORK, NY Michele Rossi, DSA Locals Contact 180 Varick Street Fl 12 DEMOCRATIC New York, NY 10014 212.727.8610 Editor Chris Riddiough WASHINGTON, DC Christine Riddiough, DSA Political Director Production 409 Butternut Street, NW Margie Burns & Michele Rossi Washington, DC 20012 202.726.0745 Editorial Committee Joanne Barkan, Dorothee Benz, REGIONAL Suzanne Crowell, David Glenn, Jeff Gold, Sherri Levine, CALIFORNIA Steve Max, Maxine Phillips Tim Parks, CA Organizer PO Box 291864 Fo1111di11g Hditor Las Angeles, CA 90029 Michael Harrington 213.951.1960 (1928-1989) MIDWEST Democratic Socialists of America Mike Heffron, Midwest Organizer share a vision of a humane international PO Box 1073 social order based on equitable distribu Columbus, OH 4321 6-1073 tion of resources, meaningful work, a healthy environment, sustainable 614.253.8992 growth, gender and .racial equality, and non-oppressive relationships. Equality, NEW YORK STATE solidarity, and democracy can only be Amy Bachrach, NY Organizer achieved th.rough international political 180 Varick Street FL 12 and social cooperation aimed at New York, NY 10014 ensuring that economic institutions 212.727.2207 benefit all people. We are dedicated to building truly international social BOSTON, MA mo\'ementS-of unionists, environmen talists, feminists, and people o{ color- 11 Gorden St. which together can elevate global justice Cambridge, MA 0213 8 over brutalizing global competition. 617354.5078 http://www.dsouso.org/ dso Dt•otr•lu IJ)i {ISS'.\I 01(,~0,?01) JS pubh,J1cd montltl)" •I 180 \·m ck Str 10 180 V•mk Srr p a g e 2 • D e m o c r o t i c L e f t • Issue #3 1997 blockade, would mean even more unemployment and ists and an unwillingness to confront nationalism within the coalition and misery. That is one reason why :"lfiloscvic will resist the among the demonstrators. 2) The Serbian Movement for Renewal (SPO), led pressure for a change of regime but has yielded on lead by Vuk Draskovic, is a large populist party which is romantically nationalist, ership of the c1t1es. A second reason 1s that the loss of royalist and harks back to the Chetnik movement of the Second World War. political power at this stage also means an 1rre\'ersible They are strong throughout the country and play a major role in small towns. loss of economic power for the present ehre-an unlovely Draskovic ran a nationalist militia at the beginning of the wars of Yugoslav mix of the old nomenklatura and new gangsters. succession. Lately he has turned agamst the war and is now an anti war na Major Opposition Parties Sorting our the major tionalist who supports democratic renewal. 3) The Democratic Pany (DS), opposition parties might help DL readers understand the led by Zoran Dpndjic, 1s a large middle class party which is for democratic polittcal context---;who is who, in ex-Yugoslavia. political reforms and a modern market economy. lt supported the chauvinist The Serbian Radical Party, led by Vojislav Seselj, is Bosnian Serb leadership co the very end, opposes autonomy for Kosovo, with a right-wing populist party whose m1litta have, with the tts Albanian ma1onty, and Vo1vodina, with its numerous mmonties (including cooperation of the Milosevic govern f lungarians, Croats, Slovaks). This is a modern party which ment and the army and poltcc, commit would probably lead the coalinon if It were co win elec ted some of the \'Cry worse of the war Milosevic's February 5 aons in Serbia in the fall of 1997 and form a pose-Milosevic crimes in Bosnia llcrcegovina and bow to the government. Dj1ndJic 1s a very skilled pohucian and has Croatia. demonstrators and the reputauon of a Machiavellian opportunist. He and his The Democratic Party of Serbia "their leaders was a party stand for a liberal state and free media. (DSS), led by Vojislav Kostunica, is a massive and Demonstrations and Leaders After cheering conservative naaonalist party which has the victones of popular mass demonstrations nga111st bitterly criticized the Milosevic regime unprecedented victory Milosev1c's authoritarian regime, democratic sociahsts for "betraying" the Serbs in Croatia and ... But the situation is should ask some important questions about the situatton Bosma. It has maimamcd a \'cry close now extremely fluid. 10 the region. relationship to Bosntan Serb leaders in • Why is it that 10 multt-ethnic Yugoslavia, where 35% of Pale. They a.re Serb nacionalists close to the population arc nor Serbs, no mc~bcr of any other eth the Orthodox Church. They are opposed to Milosevic, 10 nic community has ever been a speaker either at the meetings controlled by part, because of his supposed "leftism." They were with Zajedno or at meetings run by students? Why were extremist nationalist speak Zajedno for a time, but arc now outside the coalition. ers invited by the students? No Catholic, Moslem or Jewish religious leaders There arc three parties wirh a democratic socialist were invited. orientauon: 1) The League of Vojvodma Social Demo crats (Nenad Canak), a rcg1nnal party which did very well • Why was the Serbian Orthodox Church so visible tn the protests even though during the November federal and local elccnons. Their it did not protest the war, the bombing of Sarajevo, the prolonged violation record is consistent in opposing the war and defending of democratic rights of Albanians in Kosovo, the mass dcstrucuon of Roman minorities m the region. 2) The Social Democrauc Party Catholic Churches and Islamic mosques, the repression of media or the mass of Montenegro, led by Krivokapic, 1s an observer pany expulsions of Croat and Moslem citizens of Yugoslavia? of the SI. The party received almost 1U'Yo of the vote in • Will the Zajedno leaders pledge to accept the borders of Bosnia-Hercegovina the federal elections. It is solidi) anti-war and has a fol and Croatia? Will they state so publicly? lowing among l\foslcm and Albanian voters. It is proudly multi-ethnic. 3) The Social Democratic Union (SDU), led • Will the leaders of Za1edno accept the right of the majority Albanian popu by federal deputy Zarko Korac, is a newly (1995) founded lation in Kosovo to govern themselves within Yugoslavia? What about the party which views nationahsm 111 Serbia as particularly rights of the Moslems m the Sanjak and Montenegro? Will Zajedno support virulent and as a pnmary cause of the wars of Yugoslav decentralization and regionalization of Yugoslavia-which is the demand of succession. The party is small, untested in elections and the Voivodina and other regions? has an active student group wluch has played a substan • Why doesn't Za1edno perm1t antt-Mtlosevic democratic non-nationalist tial role in the student demonstrations. groups, like the trade union Nezav1snost, the Social Democratic Union, the Close to the social democrats 1s the tndepcndcnt Social Democratic Party of Montenegro, and the League of Vojvodma Social union, Nezavisnost, (Branko Canak). This union has been Democrats, to speak at their rallies) Is it their view that they alone represent anti-war and anti-Milosevic during the worst of Limes, 1s the anti-Milosov1c democratic opposition? organizing rapidly and is of growing importance. The coalition .lajedno includes: 1) The Civic Alli I lavmg asked these questions, democrats and socialists should cheer ance of Serbia (GSS), led by Vcsna Pcsie, is the smallest the defeat of Milosevic and his brazen attempt to steal elections. His shame and most attracave party m this coalitton. They arc demo less pleas for support from democratic socialist parties and NGOs 1s outra crats who were anti-war and have been acuvc with Non· geous. To suppoct efforts for long range solutions to the situation, you can give Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Politically they contributions to Transition to Democracy (c/o DSA) which is working in Yu rank someplace between liberalism and social democracy goslavia, Croatia and Bosma-I Icrcegovina for democracy and social justice. and have a following among 1ntellcctuals in Belgrade. Their Bogdan Denitch is an honorary chair ofDSA mam weaknesses are an absence of links to trade union and a leading expert on Yugoslav politics. D e m o c r o ti c L e ft • Issue #3 1997 • p o g e 3 Video Adivism with Breaking Bread BY A.C. W ARDEN WITH MAx ALVAREZ ow can progressives from diverse political and \X'hy are we charging $30 when you can get Jndtpmdmce f)'!Y at your ethnic backgrounds forge closer alliances in local Blockbuster for SI 5) Because Breaking Bread is no corporate mass-mar· H these Throughout, the speakers remain frank and honest while respecting differing views and perspectives. As Bar bara Ehrenreich promises, you won't hear "the same old AFFIRMATIVE ACTION platitudes." The Breaking Bread video can serve as an organiz RESOURCES ing and educauonal tool for all those seeking to under stand racism and how ll divides us pohncally, economi DSA's Anti-Racism Commission has materials cally, socially, and personally. Use 1t in the classroom, dur for activists to use in defense of Affirmative ing anti racism organizing and as a fundraising tool. Get Action. The materials include background re it on your local cable public access station and then ad search, a speakers' packet, and videos. We offer vertise it. These broadcasts can also serve as organizing these materials to any activist, organization or opportunities by getting local groups to discuss issues in community forums in and out of the studio. DSA local. To order a copy of Break.Jn,~ Brtad, send S30 to Please send a check for $ 15 to cover Breaking Bread, PO Box 29490, Washington, DC 20017. copying costs to Our Struggle, P.O. Box 162394, Include your name and address-written clearly and a Sacramento, CA 95816. Annual subscriptions to check payable to DC/MD/NOVA DSA. You will also Our Struggle are $15. receive a resource and discussion guide with the tape to help activists and organt:tations build mulu-racial alliances. p age 4 • Demo c r a Ii c Le f I • Issue #3 1997 Budget Balancing Ads BY CHRIS RIDDIOUGH artier this year the Senate defeated , b y one ence research and other areas. vote, the Balanced Budget Amendment to Dc:llums described our national sccunty as being made up of three ac E the Con stitution. T hat was round one in this counts-m1hrary budget, foreign assistance and domestic budgets. I le said," In year's debate about the federal budget. But th e fig ht !the military! accoum,we cuntmue to make a commitment to find way' to fi. on the budg et will continue throu g hout the year. nance a too-large military force strucwrc, an m·erlr aggressi\'e and in many Consen·ativc Republicans and 'Blue Dog' (moder casc.-d misguided weapons modernization program, and an ove~ly programmed ate) Democrats conunue to argue that balancing the bud requirement to maintain shor1-term readiness.... \\'e fail to pay for a sufficient get is crucial to maintaining a strong US ec DAVE WILDBERGER DS/\ )()st one of us best friends and mos1 commmed acuvists when David \\'ildberger died of a heart attack m his \\''ashington, DC home on fcbruary 11 I le was 45. Dave was acuve in many of the local's projects and coalition efforts over the past decade, including health care, labor, ant1- aparthcid and Central America anti 1ntcr\'cntion work. I le also served as n writer and editor Df the lf/a1h111gton .\orzalift. l lc \1.-as a delegate to several DSr\ com·enuons, and seldom missed the opportunity tO march behind the OS/\ banner in a rallr or demon· stration. In addition to his DSt\ work, Dave was ac11Ye m the environmental movement as a staffpcrson at Clean \X'ater Actmn Project. I le also was an acuve member of Amnesty International, D.C. Men 1\gamst Rape, and the Socialist Party USA. He was buried February 18 m hts family plot m Baltimore. DSi\ members will miss noc only Dave's energy and dedicauon hut also his irre\·ercnce and, especially, J11s sense of humor. I le will live o n m our memories as a friend who not only professed socialist ideals, hut lived 1hcm as well. -Bill Mosley Democrotic Left Issue #3 1997 • pa g e 5 Youth Section Conference Anti-Guess Demonstration Highlights Gathering BY KEVIN PRANIS n Tuesday, February 25, I re ceived a call from a reporter for 0 the Suburban World(?), a newspaper serving the Columbus, Ohio, suburbs. He had received the press re lease for Go Left, the pring Youth Sec tion conference, and had some ques tions. After a few perfunctory queries about the nature of the group and our compl:iints against Guess, he arrived at the heart of the matter: "Why is this con ference being held in Columbus?" Our friend from the S1tb1trban \Vorld seemed genuinely worried by the imminent pros pect of socialist invasion, and perplexed Michael Ile/fron attempts flight during the welfare activism workshop. as to why -iuch a fringe group would hold a conference in Columbus, heart of America's heartland. categorization. A motley collccuon of public \\'as a first ever DSi\ event, to vcnfy that there Yet the scvent)' or so young activists and pm ate school students, young workers, are really, all around the countr)', p1ung so who came to the confere nce from t\ew York, veteran and neophyte ac1iv1 sts, they came to e1alists carrying on the struggle for 1u~uce. Cahiorma, O hio, Kentucky, .Missouri, South sec old friends, hone act1v1st skills, or iust meet On Fndar e\·emng, the so~1al1S1 youth Carolina, Pcnnsylv11 nia, llli nois, Colorado, Barbara Ehrcnrdch Or, in the case of the started mckhng mto Cap11al UmverSJt). 'J he Michigan, and c\en Spam defied such easy majonty of the paracip:ants for whom this next morning, the conference hegan m car- 'E if a:i Mall sec1trity pushes into the DSA crowd protesting at the G1teH store. page 6 • Democroli c left Issue #3 1997 mall reverberated with a cham of "Shame paign for Economtc Justice led by Chris on Guess" led by DSA staffer Michele RoSSL. Ridd1ough and Alan Charney. The session By 12:10, we were bemg fombly marched focused in particular on the need to con past crowds of curious onlookers and out nect current YS activism around labor and the mall doors. Undaunted, our merry band prison issues to DSA's work with the Pro continued with s10g1ng, chanting and gressive Caucus. The da} continued with a speeches for the benefit of the passersby. discussion of the YS's Pnson Moratorium At 12:35, the protest, which had begun to Pro1ect covering the significance of pnson disperse, was hastily reassembled for the buildmg to a broad progressive agenda and benefit of the late-arriving television cam the ongoing work of the project, includmg era crew. a New York state coalition of students and Our accivtsts rerumed, 1m•1gorated, to commumty orgamzations and a PMP CD the conference site. After a quick lunch, the featuring major hip hop artists which will be festivities continued with a discuss10n led by released soon on the DSNs own Luxemburg .E Ehrenreich and Bob Fitrakis on socialist h1s record label. Q) mry. When the discussion concluded, partici Following the prison discussion, partici lL pants broke up mto committees to discuss cri pants broke into a series of YS-led trainings and workshops on topics ranging &om chap ongoing national work. Highlights of the meet Barbara Ebrenreich. ter building to transnational capitalism to wel ings include a recommendation by the Prison fare reform to political theater. Jusuce Committee that the PMP develop an nest, with a quick report on the Stare of the After d10ner conference anendees organizing handbook and a media pro1ect, and Youth Section by yours truly. i\ fter several reconvened for the conference keynote, a a tentative plan by the International Commit lean years 111 the YS, members were happy presentation by Barbara Ehrenreich on pro tee to organize an international day of action to learn of gains, with abour twenty chap gressive political prospeccs. Ehrenre1ch fo. around the right to strike. ters functioning (half of whom were repre cused her talk on the erosion of support for After the committee meeting, there sented in Columbus) and anothc.:r ten on the public provision of goods, and she chal was nothmg left to do but evaluate the con way. The report was followed by a re\·iew lenged socialists and progressive to think ference. While many changes were sug of the ABC's oi democratic socialism led beyond statist solutions to poverty and in gested, the general mood of the conference by Joe Schwartz. equality. The event was followed by a bump evaluation was euphoric. Veterans agreed t\t precisely 11: 15, the re\'lew con ing parry held at rhe Filr:lkis residence at that this was the largest and best conference eluded and the DSA anti-Guess strike force which YS members danced, drank, social we've had in years, and new folks left cx swung into action. DSA YS 1s part of a na ized, sang socialist songs, and became ac c1red to reinvigorate existing chapters or start tional effort co support nghts of workers in quainted with Bob's pct pigs. new ones. Guess Jeans' L.A. sweatshops co join Surprisingly, almost everyone ap Kevin Pranis is the DSA Youth Section UNITE (Umon of Needle Trades, Indus peared the next morning (a bit blear) ·eyed) staffperson. mal and Textile Employees). The strike force to participate in a discussion of DS \'s Cam handed out marching orders, synchronized watches, and dispatched convoys (rental vans, battered sedans with ''I'd Rather Be Smashing Imperialism" bumper stickers) to an upscale Columbus mall. lt was rumored that the L"'l~ had been tipped off by unscrupulous members of the Ohio Seate Republican Club, su our forces (includmg DSA ::\':uional Director Alan Charney and llonorary Chair Barbara Ehrenreich) proceeded wnh caution, at tcmpt10g to emer the mall as inconspicuously as 1s possible for sixtr scruffy looking so cialists (Hide the "Abbie lloffman Lives" butcons and all thac!). At 11:47, we were sta uoned chroug110uc the mall distributing in ~ formauonal leaflets to bemused cu.scorners. Qi lL On the stroke of twelve, or maybe a cri few m10utes after, our forces assembled in front of the Guess boutique, and the entire Boone Davis stntms some rather unique interpretations of labor traditionals during the sing-along Saturday night. Democrotic left Issue #3 1997 • pa g e 7 t's good to sec that the C o ngres greatl·r share of this global market. With posed enem1cs-1he so-called rogue state~ sional Progressive Cauc us has d e morl· global 1nsccur1ty as the result of more or even in murderous ethnic convulsions like I cided to take up the issue of mili :1rms, there is the potenti;tl for more rogue Bosma or Rwanda. The real danger lies with tary expenditures in earnest. F o r too states-wluch pro\·1cles e\·en m p o g e 8 • D e m o c r a I i c L e I t • Issue #3 1997