• AUSTRALIA$2.00 • BELGIUM BF60 • CANADA$2.00 • FRANCE FF10 • ,,.,,.NEW ZEALAND $2.50 • SWEDEN Kr12 • UK £1.00 • U.S. $f.50 New ...•. pam.p.~•·lfa!•=·· ..·Prod.ucing ,evolutionary books TH£ ...:-PAGE 7 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 62 NO.9 MARCH 9, 1998 Caterpillar U.S. troops, bombers workers out of the Mideast! vote down Fighters against Washington's brutality and its wars should not pause for one mo­ contract ment in campaigning to explain to fellow workers, students, and others the nature of BY FRANK FORRESTAL imperialism and organizing opposition to its AND CAPPY KIDD EAST PEORIA, Illinois - "Rejecting the contract sends a clear message to Cat and other companies that we are not de­ feated," said Tom Smith, a member of EDITORIAL United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 974. "Now the ball's in Cat's court." A few hours after the voting, UAW Lo­ military assaults. The recent agreement im­ cal 974 president Jim Clingan, who had posed on Baghdad, far from establishing urged his members to vote for the contract, peace, advances the next steps in the U.S. announced that the agreement had been re­ rulers' attempt to legitimize their use of jected by 61 percent of the union's mem­ enormous firepower in the Arab-Persian bership. He was answered with thunderous Gulf region and elsewhere. The "deal" puts cheers, applause, and chants of "We are a military strike on a hair trigger, providing Union!" from the 100 or so members who conditions for Washington to trample on had gathered at the East Peoria union hall. Iraqi sovereignty and spark provocations Right: Militant/Nell Wheeler Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest maker that the Clinton administration will use to Top, U.S. military presence will remain in of construction equipment, employs some justify taking unilateral military action. Mideast. Right, more than 200 people in 13,000 UAW workers in four states. Work­ "The Opening Guns of World War III: Newark, New Jersey, protest U.S. aggression ers there have been without a contract since Continued on Page 14 against the Iraqi people February 21. 1991. Failure to reach an agreement led to two strikes- a 163-day walkout in 1992 and a strike that began in June 1994. Union officials decided to end that strike after 17 'Peace' deal sets hair trigger for war months, even though the rank and file soundly rejected the company's offer at the BY MAURICE WILLIAMS The world's dominant imperialist power time. Union members were told to go back Washington has emerged with a finer hair has used its war preparations in the Persian to work. It has taken more than two years Gulf to deal blows to its rivals in Europe trigger to unilateratly use its rmrssive"1!r!le~ for formal negetiatign~ to resUme. The rati­ nal as a result of the February 23 dem nego­ and take further steps toward their ultimate fication contract vote was one of the most tiated between United Nations secretary aim of overthrowing the workers· states in Continued on Page 12 general Kofi Annan and the Iraqi govern­ Europe -primarily Russia- with military ment. While the agreement has averted a force and reestablishing the system of wage U.S. military strike for now, it in no way slavery there. The U.S. rulers seek to un­ decreases the likelihood for another slaugh­ leash their enormous military might to com- ter against the Iraqi people. Continued on Page 8 Florida sugar workers N.Y. event celebrates 100 years of walk out BY ANGEL LARISCY struggle against Yankee imperialism AND KAY SEDAM CLEWISTON, Florida -About I 00 BY MARTIN KOPPEL rica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines" groups and political organizations sponsored the meeting, which was held at City Col­ striking members of International Associa­ NEW YORK-The theme of"lOO Years drew a crowd of nearly 200 students and tion of Machinists (lAM) Local 57 spanned of Struggle Against U.S. Imperialism: Af- others here February 19. A range of student lege of New York (CCNY). Rafael Cancel Miranda, a well-known three blocks of the main street of this town leader of the fight for Puerto Rico's inde­ February 22 as they rallied outside the head­ pendence and former political prisoner, trav­ quarters of U.S. Sugar Corp. Members of eled from the island to address the youthful the union and their families enthusiastically audience, which included many Puerto waved picket signs amid the honks of pass­ Rican students. The meeting also featured ing cars and trucks showing their support. Felix Wilson, first secretary of the Cuban Two blocks away, dozens of lAM mem­ Interests Section in Washington, D.C. Other bers picketed outside the gates of the U.S. speakers included Mary-Alice Waters, edi­ Sugar plant, which they were striking for tor of The Bolivian Diary of Ernesto Che the first time in 24 years. Guevara, Rossand Fabunan of the At midnight on February 19 more than Makabayan-Philippine Forum, and 900 members of the lAM walked out at the Rosemari Mealy, WBAI radiojournalist and two organized plants ofU.S. Sugar Corp. in author of Fidel and Malcolm X: Memories. Clewiston and Pahokee, Florida. U.S. Sugar, of a Meeting. based in Clewiston, is Florida's largest sugar Saulo Colon Zavala, a member of the company. Last summer U.S. Sugar and Puerto Rico Collective, one ofthe sponsor­ United Sugars Corp., based in Minnesota, ing student organizations, chaired the event formed a sales agreement that resulted in . and spoke on behalf of that group. He noted controlling about 25 percent of the U.S . that since Washington declared war on Spain market for refined sugar. Florida leads the in 1898 and made Puerto Rico its own nation in sugar cane production. colony, the U.S. government has used the As the Militant went to press, the strikers island as a springboard for military inter­ narrowly approved a new contract andre­ Available from bookstores. in­ ventions against other nations, especially in turned to work. cluding those listed on page Latin America and the Caribbean. U.S. Sugar owns 165,000 acres of sugar 12. or write Pathfinder. 41 0 Today, Colon added, "the war against Iraq cane fields along the southern shore of Lake West St., New York. NY is the continuation of these imperialist poli­ Okeechobee in the center of the state. The 10014. When ordering by cies." harvesting is done by nonunion agricultural mail. please include $3 for Other sponsors of the meeting included workers, most of whom are immigrants. The shipping and handling. Areito, CCNY Coalition, PODER, ROOTS, two struck mills grind sugar cane, which is Graduate Student Council, Union de then boiled and separated into raw sugar and Jovenes Dominicanos, Black Studies De- Continued on Page 11 Continued on Page 6

I Discussing world politics with Cuban students -page 3 Tens of thousands in Croatia rights to jobs for decades under the former demand jobs, better conditions apartheid state. They apply to businesses with more than 50 workers and to govern­ Tens of thousands of demonstrators ment institutions. Opposition groups like the marched toward the main square in Zagreb, majority-white Democratic Party claim the Croatia, February 20, protesting unemploy­ new laws will result in "skilled whites" los­ ment and deteriorating living conditions. ing jobs, thus hurting the economy. The Croatian cops blocked their entry into the National Party, the former ruling party un­ city's main plaza, but 10,000 protesters re­ der apartheid, claimed the laws were a black fused to disperse and regrouped at another version of apartheid. South African presi­ square for a rally later that day. Unemploy­ dent Nelson Mandela responded to these ment in Croatia is at 18.4 percent by gov­ charges. "We shall build a real South Af­ ernment figures. Other estimates put the job­ rica, not the parody evoked by those who less rate closer to 23 percent, with another hanker for an artificial life of privilege." 112,000 others working but not being paid regularly, in a population of just 4.6 million. Meat war shifts to Australia Croatian president Franjo Tudjman pledged to create 50,000 jobs in 1997, but instead Government officials in Europe and the tens of thousands of workers were fired. United States have said they will ban meat imports from Australia, citing new inspec­ EU presses Poland for 'reforms' tion regulations adopted by Canberra. The Australian government is planning to give The Polish government has pledged to each meat-producing company authorization draft a "restructuring and privatization" plan to check its own product before export- a for the steel industry, according to European shift from the current government-run in­ Union (EU) external affairs commissioner thousands of protesters confronted cops in Zagreb, Croatia, February 20. spections procedure. European Union offi­ Hans van den Broek. EU officials are press­ cials said February 17 that they would re­ ing Warsaw to lift tariffs on steel imports, rior Minister Giorgio Napolitano. Holzmann applied its special reserves capi­ ject meat produced under Project 2, as the as one condition for bringing Poland into tal to cover $449million in losses from re­ Swiss perfume workers strike . structuring its French and Thai operations looser regulations are called. U.S. trade of­ EU membership. The Polish government ficials did the same in early February. The Workers at Givaudan-Roure ·~main plant· and paying compensation· for layoffs. In had promised to drop the tariffs by the end Australian meat industry has annual exports of this year, but now wants to extend pro­ in Geneva struck for two days beginning . 1996 Holzmann employed 52,000 workers. of more than $1.6 billion. tections until 2000. February 15, demanding a 2 percent wage By 1998, they project to have 36,000. Warsaw also plans to sell offPetrochemia increase. According to the Financial Times, Factory explosion releases toxins Plock, the country's largest oil refmery, and about 700 workers ....:.... half the workforce­ Palestinians: U.S. get out of Iraq CPN, the state-owned gasoline distributor, walked out. This was enough to hamper pro­ . More than 800 Palestinians, most of them Hundreds of families had to evacuate their by the end of this year. Plock has a produc­ duction both days, at what is one of the high school age and younger, marched in homes in Natalia, Texas, after an explosion tive capacity of 13 million tons per year, and world's top two perfume suppliers. On Feb­ Dura, West Bank, FebrUary 19 denouncing at a National Foam Co. factory February 19. CPN owns some I ,400 gas stations. To- . ruary 17 the workers narrowly voted to end Washington's plans to bomb Iraq. The Pal­ .The fire was caused by a hot pallet of foam gether, the companies are worth more than the strike, but left open the possibility to go estinian Authority declared that demonstra­ that exploded, triggering a series of explo­ $1 billion. out again if the demands are not met. tions against U.S. war moves were illegal, sions and igniting the building. A cloud of but that policy has been ignored. "Why do black smoke rose over the building and the Rome tightens immigration rules German company cuts 4,000 jobs the Iraqi people have to pay the price for small South Texas town. Some of the base The Italian government tightened its im­ Philip Holzmann, Germany's largest con­ Clinton's affairs?" read one sign. Israeli chemicals of the foam are extremely toxic migration laws February 19, using the pre­ struction company is "restructuring" - that troops fired live ammunition, rubber bullets, in concentrated form. About 40,000 pounds text of a large influx of Kurdish refugees is, cutting 4,000 jobs by year's end. This in­ and tear gas to disperse the crowd, in what of toulene-2, 4-diisocyanate and 30,000 fleeing th_e imminent bombing oflraq. Pre~ cludes shutting down its operations in France Associated Press writer Nasser Shiyoukhi pounds of diphenylmethane diisocyanate, vious laws gave· immigrants a two-week and Thailand, where the currency crisis has described as, "the tensest confrontation" which both produce deadly cyanide-based grace period to leave the country on their precluded making any profit, as well as ter­ since the antiwar protests began. Two Pal­ gases, were crammed into the same area. own after being expelled; the new legisla­ minating 3,000 workers in Germany. The eStinians were injured by rubber-coated bul­ tion calls for cops to escort deportees to the German construction boss already faced lets, and six others were overcome by the NY court: 'Megan's Law' stays border. Those who appeal expulsion will be economiC trouble when the post-reunifica­ tear gas. Some protesters blocked the main The New York State Court of Appeals locked up for 10 days, until their trial. tion construction boom ground to a halt, as road to Dura with boulders and pelted Is­ ruled February 19 that "Megan's Law" - "Those who don't have a right to stay will it became clear capitalism would riot be eas­ raeli troops and settlers with stones. an undemocratic law that allows state offi­ be rejected even more firmly," crowed Inte- ily restored in eastern Germany. In 1997 In Egypt about 100 protesters met at the cials to publicize the names and addresses U.S. embassy in Cairo with an Iraqi flag in of alleged sex offenders upon their release hand, chanting, "Arab blood is not cheap!" from prison - is not an additional punish­ in opposition to military strikes. "If there is ment and therefore should not be overturned. an attack, the people here will be boiling," The decision was against the appeal by two warned protester Omar Azzam. Riot cops people in Suffolk County who faced this rule prevented them from entering the building. following their release from prison, after serving time on sex offender charges. Judge ANC presses affirmative action Joseph Bellacosa struck down their appeal "Our end is a society of no discrimina­ under criminal law; a civil lawsuit is still tion and this is the means to get there," said possible. All but three U.S. states - Ken­ Lisa Seftel, chief director of labor relations tucky, Nebraska, and New Mexico - have in the South African labor department. She adopted some form of sexual offender reg­ was explaining why the African National istration law, based on a New Jersey law Congress-led government moved February enacted in 1994. There have also been many 20 to push ahead on several affirmative ac­ challenges to these measures across the tion laws. Two new laws are aimed at forc­ country. None have resulted in the laws be­ ing employers to hire blacks and other op­ ing tossed, but some have been modified. pressed nationalities who were denied equal -BRIAN TAYLOR

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2 The Militant March 9, 1998 Socialists from United States, Canada discuss politics with Cuban students BY JOSHUA CARROLL worker in New York and Miami who is a AND MARlA ISABELLE BLANC reporter for Perspectiva Mundial, kicked off GUINA DE MELENA, Cuba- "Given two discussion sessions attended by a total the economic reality of our country," ex­ of some 80 students. Picado talked about plained Carelis Dfaz, "we have taken respon­ the work of communists in the factories, the sibility for work that used to be done by trade unions, and among the youth in the someone else. Now we, the students, orga­ United States, and pointed to a number of nize to clean the school, paint the facilities, books that, along with participation in a and we have had to learn how to do repairs." range of social struggles, were essential to As a result, she said, "when we see a stu­ carrying out communist work. Copies of dent mistreating the facilities, it's different; Spanish-language editions of The Commu­ we remind him or her of who is responsible nist Manifesto, Opening Guns ofWorld War and who is going to be fixing things if they III, The Changing Face of U.S. Politics, are broken." February 1965: The Final Speeches by Carelis is a senior at the Batalla de Malcolm X, and other titles were circulated Ayacucho secondary school, where support­ as examples of the books used in this effort. ers of Pathfinder Press had been invited to The students eagerly looked over copies of bring a display of books and meet with stu­ the Militant and Perspectiva Mundial as dents on February 13. Batalla de Ayacucho well. is a type of boarding school that is a comer­ "The main task facing communists to­ stone of the Cuban educational system. In day," Picado explained, "is to confront the addition to their normal curriculum, study­ impending criminal assault against Iraq by ing to become teachers, its 436 students telling the truth about imperialism and cam­ work for three to four hours a day in a nearby paigning to win youth and workers to the Militant photos by Joshua Carroll (top) cooperative farm cultivating crops. The co­ fight to do away with all imperialist regimes, Mana IsabelLe Blanc (right) op in tum supplies the school with food for beginning with the United States." He Top: Marta Isabel Le Blanc (at left), a the students' meals. stressed that the opportunities to build com­ leader ofthe Yo~ Socialists in Canada, These reporters and Francisco Picado munist parties that can eventually lead mil­ discusses politic~,with students at Batalla came to Batalla de Ayacucho, located some lions to follow the example of the Cuban de Ayacucbo se~ondary school. Right: 13 miles southwest of Havana, at the invi­ revolution are greater today than they have Cuban students read The Final Speeches tation of Rafael Iglesias, a mathematics been for decades. by Malcolm X. teacher here. He was eager to have the stu­ dents talk with revolutionary workers and Questions about capitalist society In the lively discussion that followed, the correct when he pointed to Fidel as his youth from the United States and Canada. teacher. Che became a communist Iglesias explained that "students would ben­ students had many questions that went to the heart of the crisis of the capitalist sys­ through liis combat experience in the efit more from two hours" of this sort of brary, including The Communist Manifesto tem and its consequences for working Rebel Army and his participation in the July discussion, "than they would from 20 and an issue of Nueva Internacional con­ people. 26 Movement, under the leadership of Fi­ courses in philosophy." del." Picado told the class, to this student's taining the article "Imperialism's March to­ Iglesias is a communist whose teaching "What is the United States trying to do in Iraq?" asked one. · further dissatisfaction and the smiles and ward Fascism and War." credentials go back to when he volunteered Discussion eont1hi1ed viewed "What is the reason for racism in the approval of others, that Pathfinder plans to as stude~ts at age 11 for the massive literacy campaign a display of photographs depicting how United States? Why are there so many divi­ publish two new volumes of speeches by of 1961, when 100,000 young Cubans took Pathfinder books, the Militant, andPerspec­ sions?" another wanted to know. Fidel Castro. to the fields, mountains, and working-class tiva Mundial are sold to workers, including "What is the situation with the Another student asked, "I have heard that neighborhoods in every comer of their is­ through street-comer tables and factory francophones and the anglophones in all workers in the United States can have land to teach all those who wanted to learn plant-gate sales. · Canada?" asked a young woman, aware that their own houses and cars and everything to read and write. That campaign began to "In your opinion, what is going to hap­ Marialsabt?l LeBlanc, one of the visit0fS, they need. Is that true?" · wipe out illiteracy in a matter of months. pen in'Guahtanarrto?" asked one student. He was a worker from Quebec. · "No," said Picado, "and if is'l'ess and less Iglesias later joined the newly formed Revo­ was referring to the U.S. military base that Students were also interested in discuss­ true with each passing day. What you are lutionary Armed Forces. He became a no­ illegally occupies a piece of Cuban territory ing the role of the Young Socialists in build­ talking about is called the 'American litical instructor and teacher, responsibili­ at the easternmost end of the island, in ing revolutionary youth organizations today Dream.' It was true for a layer in the work­ ties he carried out until he was 19. He then Guantanamo. "Is there any possibility of in the United States and Canada. ing class in the decades that followed World went to school in Havana, where he gradu­ change?" Although the great majority of students War II, when Wall Street completely domi­ ated as a teacher in mathematics. "Do you think something will change clearly enjoyed the discussion of working­ nated the world economy and the crumbs On the way to the school we had seen with the blockade?" asked Oscar M. Peiia. class politics and the opportunity to ask that fell from the bosses' table were more some brand new houses, and asked Iglesias "The U.S. ruling class will not stop the questions about life .in the imperialist coun­ plentiful. But those days were over a quar­ who owned them. He explained that "some economic embargo unless they think the tries, that was not true for everyone. One ter century ago, and since then the bosses private farmers in the area are doing really revolution is weakening and the Cuban student took issue with Pathfinder's publish­ and their government have been driving well selling produce for dollars," and that people can be bought off," said Picado. ing of speeches by Fidel Castro. "I can un­ down wages, working conditions, and the some people call farmers in Giiina de Mel­ "They will never forgive the Cuban people derstand your wanting to publish the overall standard of living of us all. ena "los ricos" (the wealthy ones). for your revolution nor for the fact that you speeches of [Emesto] Che Guevara," he "Most workers in the United States do not Iglesias also pointed out the entrance to have been independent for 40 years. They said, "99 percent of Cubans like him too. come close to making the kind of wages that the "Los Perros" farm. As a leader of the will never forgive the example of resistance But why would you want to publish Fidel would enable them to buy a house of their Union of Young Communists, he headed the to imperialist domination you are setting." Castro for people to read?" own," Picado explained. He pointed to the contingent that nationalized that farm on the "Well, if that is the case," said Peiia, "we While some students expressed disagree­ fact that in the United States, many young outskirts of Havana in 1968. "The young will fight them, like Marti and Maceo and ment with the questioner, Picado thanked workers, including layers of working-class people you are about to meet," he said, "I Fidel and Che have done before us." the student for raising this because it allowed Blacks and immigrants, spend what little am convinced they can be every bit as revo­ "And that's how it will be," said Jose him to clarify what he thought. "I share the money they have to buy sports shoes, de­ lutionary as the generations that preceded Garcia, "because everybody is going to fight views of the editors at Pathfinder Press on signer jeans, or a CD player. "But," he con­ them." them here. Even the dogs, pigs, and chick­ this," he said. "I think Che Guevara was tinued, "most of these same young people Francisco Picado, a former garment have nothing to look forward to but an un­ ens." employment line, an uncertain, low-paying job, being drafted for a war, or the bullet of a racist, anti-working-class cop." FROM PATHFINDER Discussion of Pope's visit To Speak the Truth "What do you think about the Pope's re­ WHY WASHINGTON'S 'COLD WAR' cent visit to Cuba?" the visitors asked the Cuban students. AGAINST CUBA DOESN'T END Most students expressed approval and Fidel Castro enthusiasm for the visit. One explained that and Che Guevara when the Pope visited, "we became the cen­ In historic speeches ter of the world for a few days." before the United "Everything was right, we showed every­ Nations and UN one we could welcome him the right way," bodies, Guevara said another young woman. and Castro address When asked what they thought about the workers of the what the Pope had to say, Ligia Lara, the world, explaining president of the local chapter of Student why the U.S. gov­ Federation of Middle Level Schools (FEEM), said, "It was very nice; he spoke ernment so hates of peace and fraternity, and spoke against the example set by the [U.S.] blockade." None of the students the socialist revolu­ who voiced opinions were aware of, or as­ tion in Cuba and cribed any weight to, the fact that the Pope why Washington's effort to destroy it will fail. had spoken out against women's right to $16.95 choose abortion and contraception. As the formal part of the meeting ended, students crowded around each of the Path­ finder books that were circulating, and ap­ plauded the announcement that several of the titles would be donated to the schoolli- March 9, 1998 The Militant 3 January Sales of Pathfinder Books to Non-Pathfinder Outlets Stores order books )i\NUARY

CITY/COUNTRY DEC NOV OCT UNITED STATES on Iraq, Black rights ATLANTA 204 239 59 BOSTON 231 9 54 BY SARA LOBMAN A team of supporters in Washington, CHICAGO 69 76 2 WASHINGTON, D.C. 48 124 12 Pathfinder supporters in several areas are D.C., just won a new account from a com­ PHILADELPHIA 158 39 0 taking advantage of the increased political bination video and bookstore. The first or­ MIAMI 17 108 3 discussion in the wake of Washington's der for 40 books includedNew International NEW YORK 354 7 59 moves toward war on Iraq, as well as the no. 7, Cointelpro: The FBI's Secret War on SEATTLE 21 5 36 new Pathfinder title John Coltrane and the Political Freedom, and The Communist PITTSBURGH 24 0 0 Jazz Revolution of the I960s, by Frank Manifesto. LOS ANGELES 148 61 190 Kofsky to increase efforts to place Path­ CLEVELAND 18 134 0 finder titles in bookstores and libraries. SAN FRANCISCO 195 256 25 BY RICH STUART "Enclosed is an order $189 of books and BIRMINGHAM 40 5 1 BIRMINGHAM, Alabama- Pathfinder DES MOINES 574 163 0 pamphlets from a store that has ordered sev­ HOUSTON 8 9 eral Pathfmder titles in the past," Rick Young supporters here in the last week of January made sales calls to 25 campus and commu­ NEWARK 156 0 reports from Chicago. "We recently visited 23 16 22 nity bookstores and libraries, as well as the TWIN CITIES them to show them the new book by Kofsky DETROIT 0 28 0 and titles on the Middle East." Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. U.S. TOTAL 2084 1272 345 In addition to four copies of John The sales effort included visits in Bir­ Coltrane, the store ordered three copies of mingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Auburn, CANADA Montgomery, and Tuskegee. Birmingham is TORONTO ', ' ':' 'l!ll'lrt, ' 13 24 0 issue no. 7 of the Marxist magazine New ::':::"2m:';: an industrial city with a large steel industry MONTREAL 7 3 12 International with "The Opening Guns of VANCOUVER 2 ::,-:,•: 25 16 10 and coal mines in the surrounding area. The World War III," three copies of U.S. Hands CANADA TOTAL '167 : ' -115%< 45 43 22 of the Mideast! Cuba Speaks Out at the city and the entire state of Alabama have a United Nations by Fidel Castro and Ricardo large Black population. Alarcon, and two copies ofthe new booklet The very first visit to a shopping mall 1950s and 1960s, ordered titles on the Black plans to send the professor the Pathfinder cata­ Celebrating the Homecoming of Ernesto bookstore in Tuscaloosa netted an order for struggle for the museum bookstore. The log, which includes four pages of books on Che Guevara's Reinforcement Brigade to 20 books. The store staff told the Pathfinder museum and bookstore are visited daily by the Cuban revolution. Cuba. representatives that people had come into people from around the world. In addition Among the titles this campus store or­ A supporter in Vancouver reports that af­ the store asking for The Communist Mani­ to several books by Malcolm X, they ordered dered were The Bolivian Diary of Ernesto ter an initially chilly reception from a book festo. They ordered five copies. This store Fighting Racism in World War 11 by C.L.R. Che Guevara and To Speak the Truth: Why buyer who said his store dido 't order locally, also stocked up for Black History Month, James and Blacks in America's Wars by Washington's 'Cold War' against Cuba she walked away with an order for two cop­ ordering Pathfinder's newest title John Robert Mullen. Never Ends by Fidel Castro and Guevara, ies each of John Coltrane and Pombo: A Coltrane and the Jazz Revolution of the A Birmingham university bookstore or­ The Changing Face ofU.S. Politics by Jack Man ofChe's 'guerrilla', and one copy each I960s by Frank Kofsky. The order also in­ dered 12 different titles, many of them on Barnes, and New International no. 7. of Ernesto Che Guevara's Bolivian Diary cluded the upcoming title by Kofsky Black Cuba. The sales trip coincided with the Pope's Eight Alabama Pathfinder supporters and Episodes of the Cuban Revolutionary Music, White Business, as well as books by visit to Cuba. The book buyer there told the joined in the effort, teaming with a repre­ War. "His whole demeanor changes when I Malcolm X and Nelson Mandela. Pathfinder representatives that a professor had sentative of Pathfinder in New York. Sev­ showed him the catalog and the Coltrane The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a recently come into the store asking for books eral supporters here took days off from work book," she commented. museum of the civil rights movement of the on Cuba. The store had none. The book buyer to participate.

From the pages of The Voice, printed by the Journalism Department of Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia, Jan. 22,1998 Abortion fight continues ,'Remain vigilant,' says rights activist

Speaker addresses issue shut the clinic down, feminists set up picket lines, working to keep it open. of abortion on the 25th ln 1988 .the Supreme Court legalized anniversary of the 1973 abortion in Canada. However, abortion was illegal from 1969 to 1981:\ unless it Roe vs Wade decision. was performed by <1 physician in hospi­ tal. By GWEN YIP "This gain we have won is not secure," Canadian women have come a long Marus said. way in the fight to inform people about "We need to remain vigilant to keep birth control and abortion since the land­ abortion accessible to all, to keep the right Lukas Drake and Steve Penner discuss politics at the Pathfinder Bookstore. mark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision. But ac­ for abortion real," she said. tions still need to be taken to ensure Marus said she understands that some women are equal. people do not agree with abortion. Store forum for debate That"s the view of Mary Ellen Marus, However, everyone has the right to By GWEN YIP who spoke last week at the Militant La­ choose whether or not to agree with abor­ The Pathfinder Bookstore on Main nist League are two organizations that bor Forum. tion. 'That, she said, is the meaning of pro­ Street is not just any bookstore. The often use books from the store. They of­ Marus began her fight for the right to choice. books it seJis were written by workers ten look for support and information abortion in 1970 while in Marus also spoke and are about groups who have been about their own struggles. university. about women's libera­ oppressed and exploited. '1be Young Socialists and the Com­ There was no birth tion. "The reason for this bookstore is so we munist League really depend on this control or sex education · "In order for can reach out politically, not to sell bookstore," Penner said. on campuses at the time. women to be truly Iib­ books;" said Lukas Drake, a volunteer at Penner said there has been some con· When she inter­ era ted, we need to the bookstore and a member of the Young troversy about the bookstore, although viewed a high school revolutionize society," Socialists. not as serious as in American cities. He girl who had been she said. Some of the books include Episodes said there have been physical attacks, through a botched abor­ Marusspokeabout of the Cuban Revolutionary War:1956~58; such as spray painting and breaking win­ tion, Marus realized the the exploitation and The Communist Manifesto; and Defend­ dows, on the Pathfinder bookstores in the importance of setting up oppression of women ing Cuba, Defending Cuba's Socialist u.s. information organiza­ in the workforce. !~evolution. Volunteer Steve Penner said People come into the Vancouver store tions. She said in today's manv of the books are about countries to debate issues, but Penner said that is She played a part in society; women are that 'have had successful revolutions or welcome. the creation of the Birth taught to be mothers revolutions from which people can learn. "We welcome opposing views," he Control Information Nicole Andersen and wives, and not The bookstore supports the rights of said. "That is part of people being con­ Centre at Queen's Uni­ This was one of several books individual, thinking workers, blacks, women, and other scious and dear about reaching our versity. on display at the meeting. women. groups and it supports pt'<>ple getting goals." 'In- the following She also said that jobs they would not have traditionally Drake said some debating n.-sults in years, Marus, a member of the socialist in a capitalist society, there is no equal­ had. It also suppor.ts helping Quebec people changing their views. movement took part in protests involv­ itv. Sl'parate, because, according to Penner, "It's not uncommon for people to have ing hundreds of thousands of people de­ - "We need to fight for socialism, where the province hils the right to determine certain views, but through political dis­ manding that abortion be legalized. everybody is equal," she said. its own relationship with the rest of the cussions, they n•alizt' socialism is for the A parade of cars, called the Abortion jacob Gavin, a member of the Young countn·. pcl.'lpk," he said. Caravan, travelk>d from Vancouver toOt­ Socialists, agreed with Marus. Drake said the books arc gf.iod fon>du­ The Pathfinder Bookslurt• has been tawa, educating people about abortion. "I think that the fight for women's lib­ cating peopk. Tlw bnokstcm.. ' gives him open si nee 1989. ·fht>rl." are currently mon• In 1980, there were debates at a eration is a very important one," he said. • a chance lu mt>t>l pl'l.>plc and to talk .tbout th;m 30 Pe who were pro-choice and pro-life. Marus pointed out women's oppression Tlw Young Socialists Mld the Cmnmu- in Crnada, Marus said when protestors tried to is tied to capitalism and a class society.

4 The Militant March 9, 1998 Caterpillar workers snap up 'Militant' The stories below are highlights of ers, a few students from Bradley Uni­ the third week of the campaign to sell versity and some high school students : , Bam1ai11inl <~1amil imleliiali~m itII watt :: ,, , : , copies of the Militant and Perspectiva stopped by to talk about the U.S. mili­ Mundial, along with New International tary buildup in the Persian Gulf. Two February 1 -March 1 • Target percentage for third week= 7s<~) no. 7 and Celebrating the Homecom­ students are members of the Islamic Stu­ Militant Nl7 Dual% PM Che ing of Emesto Che Guevara's Rein­ dent Association and are planning a forcement Brigade to Cuba. demonstration to protest the war moves. Goal Sold Goal Sold % Goal Sold Goal Sold Some 25 members of UAW local 786 AUSTRALIA 135 105 5 0 6 3 20 8 EAST PEORIA, Illinois - Support­ at Caterpillar in York, Pennsylvania, CANADA ers of the Militant from Chicago; Des bought the Militant February 22 outside Moines, Iowa; and Minneapolis, St. Toronto 360 288 15 13 8 3 40 10 Paul, sold nearly 80 copies of the paper Vancouver 200 136 12 7 8 4 20 9 in central Illinois February 21-22. We Montreal 140 68 20 7 16 6 20 7 kicked off the weekend selling 12 cop­ Canada total 700 492 47 27 32 13 80 26 ies outside Caterpillar factories in East Peoria and Mossville. Sales continued ICELAND 30 22 2 2 4 2 into the evening as we sold 14 papers in a working-class community and near a NEW ZEALAND local college campus. Christchurch 45 45 3 3 12 10 During the contract vote a team of Auckland 100 99 5 2 20 6 NZ total 145 144 8 5 32 16

SWEDEN 92 61 8 4 10 2 8 6

UNITED KINGDOM Manchester 160 127 10 7 20 12 London 180 177 25 11 40 20 UK total 340 304 35 18 60 32 Militant photos: Left: Janet Roth Top: Jim Garrison UNITED STATES Left, sales at February 6 an­ Des Moines 200 194 12 8 20 16 17 5 nual march for Maori rights in New York 415 50 40 60 100 37 Waitangi, New Zealand. Top, 500 35 a member of UAW Local 974 Boston 220 227 25 12 10 25 9 checks out the Militant before Philadelphia 200 158 10 7 10 3 25 7 entering contract vote meeting Los Angeles 345 240 25 18 20 32 30 20 February 22 in East Peoria, Birmingham, AL 140 113 10 6 15 3 8 6 Illinois. .San Francisco 240 157 20 15 30 2 40 17 Twin Cities, MN 220 171 20 10 20 6 30 9 Militant supporters went to Decatur and Miami 200 122 25 14 30 9 30 9 Dallastown High School, where their Washington, DC 160 139 10 3 12 4 20 6 sold six copies of the paper to Caterpil­ contract vote was held. Before sales we Newark, NJ 320 272 40 11 80 11 30 7 lar workers. In Peoria, 45 papers were stopped for coffee at a fast food place. Seattle 150 108 15 6 5 25 3 sold before and after the union meeting. An "illegally terminated" Cat worker Atlanta 240 150 20 20 14 30 7 "U.S. hands off Iraq" was one of the who joined us explained why he would 8 main signs on our literature table. Sev­ not vote for the contract. "Since I was Cleveland 160 119 8 2 8 4 20 8 eral unionists who walked by made pro­ in Vietnam, I've learned that the media Chicago 400 313 25 5 40 32 50 11 war comments like, "Bomb him"; "nuke lies. And they always take the Pittsburgh 120 66 13 5 3 0 10 3 'em"; "we should have finished him off'; company's side." He picked up a Mili­ Detroit 140 100 1 5 3 25 9 and "don't you know what anthrax is?" tant, saying, "I may not always agree 140 2 3 15 3 Mack Street, a UAW member from with you, but you say it like it is." Local 974, said he disagreed with the Sarah Katz and Bob Miller war moves because his son was part of Desert Storm in 1990 - 91. Another Caterpillar worker in Decatur said he 24 5 3 4 "didn't agree with the headline on Iraq," SYDNEY, Australia- The high points of this week included selling two but bought the paper anyway because it CANADA Militants at the Port Botany wharves, took up union issues. Paul Miller, a CAW 8 4 1 1 where we have established a regular sale United Auto Workers member who has USWA 44 28 12 6 6 3 8 in response to a fight by dock workers read the Militant before, wanted to talk lAM 36 29 5 3 in the Maritime Union of Australia about Cuba. "I have a friend from UNITE 8 1 Canada who's been to Cuba and says it's against a union-busting drive that is be­ Canada total 96 61 19 8 6 3 13 0 not the way it's portrayed in the media ing championed by the government. We've also sold 17 Militants on the job here," he said. He bought a paper. NEW ZEALAND in the Amalgamated Manufacturing Along with sales to Caterpillar work- MWU 10 10 0 2 1 Workers,leaving seven to get in the last EU 20 12 2 0 2 0 week to reach our goal. At a protest of SFWU 4 2 more than 1,000 February 21, which NZtotal 34 24 3 0 4 began at the Australian Defence Offices and marched to the U.S. consulate, we UNITED KINGDOM sold 10 Militants and three pamphlets. TGWU 28 22 5 2 5 Bob Aiken AEEU 20 13 4 4 RMT 16 4 3 4 UK total 64 39 12 4 13 MINNEAPOLIS- Supporters of the Militant sold 25 copies of the paper UNITED STATES to workers at Honeywell plants in the OCAW 88 40 14 10 16 3 area during and after their 14-day strike, lAM 160 81 35 19 20 4 40 6 which pushed back some of the UFCW 28 13 7 4 12 17 6 3 company's concession demands. We UAW 200 97 20 9 7 6 30 8 sold 17 copies of the Militant to strik­ UTU* 200 58 40 23 20 2 ing Teamsters at the picket lines, ral­ UNITE 34 24 13 2 22 19 16 7 lies, and union meetings. Since the con­ USWA 175 73 40 9 15 7 25 3 tract was narrowly approved, we have U.S. total 885 386 169 76 76 53 153 32 fielded two teams to Honeywell plant gates and have sold eight more copies. * combined Militant and PM goal A worker with 14 years in the Golden Cities are ranked by the average percentage of Militants and New Internationals sold Valley heating controls plant saw the team selling and walked back from the AEEU -Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Workers Union;AMWU -Amalgamated Manufacturers Union; CAW parking lot to talk with them and buy a - Canadian Autoworkers Union: EU- Engineers Union; MWU - Meat Workers Union; lAM -International Associa­ paper. "I personally won't volunteer for tion of Machinists; OCAW- Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers; RMT - National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Trans­ port Workers; TGWU -Transport and General Workers Union; UAW-United Auto Workers: UFBGWU - United any overtime now and I wouldn't rec­ Food, Beverage, and General Workers Union;UFCW- United Food and CommerciaiWorkers;UMWA- United Mine ommend getting a job here to any of Workers of America; UNITE- Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees; USWA- United Steelworkers my friends after what the company did of America; UTU United Transportation Union. to us," he told the team. Jeff Jones bombing that country, but most did not. One man We sold at least three copies of NIno. 7 in the saw our signs and the newspaper headlines, and fall as part of talking to track workers who were DETROIT- Two supporters of the had his car window rolled down with $1.50 ready. demanding a contract." Garcia and Ruth Militant went to Selfridge Air National Marty Ressler Robinett, another communist worker there, Guard base near Mt. Clemens, Michi­ teamed up to visit a track worker who had bought gan, February 14 and sold six copies to the Militant twice. As other workers passed military personnel and their families. NEW YORK- Ellie Garcia, an assistant con­ through the break room area, debates broke out We wore placards which showed our ductor at Amtrak and member of the United Trans­ over Iraq. One declared, "You don't belong opposition to the U.S. war moves, with portation Union, reported that communist work­ here," and prevented any discussion for nearly slogans like "U.S. Hands Off Iraq." A ers there have sold eight New International no. 7 10 minutes. Whi:m he left, an even bigger civil number of those who paused to talk said out of a goal of four and 15 Militant copies out a discussion resumed. "After an hour, the worker they definitely were going to be sent to goal of 20. "One thing that helped was relating to we came to visit, still unsure of his position on Iraq. Some expressed enthusiasm for a fight of track workers more than a month earlier. the war drive, bought a third paper," said Garcia. March 9, 1998 The Militant 5 - YOUNG SOCIALISTS AROUND THE WORLD------­ CampUS events and classes help build YS This column is written and edited by Black History Month and has included dis­ the Young Socialists (YS), an interna­ cussions on the legacy of Malcolm X and tional organization of young workers, Leon Trotsky on Black Nationalism and Self students, and other youth fighting for Determination published by Pathfinder socialism. For more information about Press. In addition, YS members have been the YS write to: Young Socialists, 1573 active in selling the Militant and campaign­ N. Milwaukee, P.O. Box #478, Chicago, ing against imperialism and war. Ill. 60622. Tel: (773) 772-0551. The first class was held on February 18 Compuserve: 105162,605 and will go through March 4. The latest class came one day after an antiwar protest of 250 BYNICKPELL people in front of the Westwood ·Federal BOSTON- Young Socialists here took Building. Nestor Bazua, a railroad worker advantage of a week-long break from who served in the military during the Per­ school to step up campaigning against im­ sian Gulf War, came to the class. An intern perialism and war. We set up tables of revo­ from KPFK radio also attended and inter­ lutionary books on campuses and spoke at viewed everyone after the meeting for a area universities. Militant/Naomi Craine news broadcast on opposition to the war Young Socialists table was a lively spot for political discussion among revolutionary­ On February 18, leading up to a large drive against Iraq. teach-in at the Massachusetts Institute of minded youth who attended the February 19 event celebrating 100 years·of struggle Along with a Militant Labor Forum on against imperialism at the City College of New York. Technology (MIT), YS members went up Malcolm X, the YS is holding classes on to Bowdoin College in southern Maine. the vanguard role of the Black struggle to­ This reporter and Elena Tate spoke at a day. Heather Martin, a Young Socialists part in the sales of the Militant in working­ with YS members about the role of the Cu­ meeting against U.S. war moves, sponsored member, and Harry Ring, a lifelong com­ class communities, plant gates, antiwar ban revolution today. Two Marines were by the African-American House. Ten stu­ munist who interviewed Malcolm X in the picket lines and events, and to Marines at eager to read president Fidel Castro's wel­ dents showed up for a wide-ranging discus­ 1960s, spoke live on:a Ideal radio station, Camp Pendleton about to be deployed to the coming speech to Pope John Paul II during sion. One student was particularly interested KSPC, for a hour and a half tribute to Persian Gulf. There have .been a variety of his recent visit to Cuba. in the Iranian revolution of 1979. Two oth­ Malcolm X. This included discussion about response~, many of which indica,te the deep­ As part of its campaigning, the Young ers bought copies of the Militant. opposition to Washirigti>n"swar drive and ening polarization in the working class: Socialists is also building a student and After the meeting two students met with how this relates to Malcolm X's internation­ Many of the GI's stationed at Camp youth conference in opposition to YS members to discuss future common ac­ alist perspective. Pendleton expressed little enthusiasm about Washington's war moves at the University tivity. They plan to bring themselves and Young Socialists have been an integral the prospect for war. Some had discussions of California Los Angeles (UCLA). others to a rally against U.S. aggression to­ ward Iraq in Boston March 1. On February 21 the YS participated in an ali-day teach-in at MIT opposing U.S. war moves on Iraq. More than 350 students Sugar mill workers strike in Florida and others from the University of Massa­ chusetts, Boston University, Boston Col­ Continued from front page they reach the field instead of when they with uncertified workers the boilers could lege, Northeastern, Wellsely, MIT, Univer­ molasses. leave the plant. "They also use the two-tier blow up. Not only would that be devastat­ sity of Maine, Harvard, Brandeis, and other The company's contract offer demanded to try to get us divided among ourselves," ing for the workers but would effect all the campuses participated in the event, which that the union accept a paltry 5 percent pay he commented. Bailey Walker, a 58-year­ people in the area." Several years ago one included a plenary session and two rounds increase over three years; continue the two­ old Black worker, said, "This time they worker was killed when a boiler blew up. of workshops. A panel of six people spoke tier wage system that was implemented in dido 't give us enough to live with." Walker, The union and the company went back to at the plenary, including Howard Zion, a 1995; cut work hours for heavy equipment who has 26 years in the plant, added, "We the bargaining table February 22. Other retired professor from Boston University operators; as well as cut guaranteed· work ha~e to get something for those who come unionists, such as members of the Commu­ and Elena Tate from the Young Socialists. hours over all. The union overwhelmingly after us. The company keeps pushing and nication Workers of America from West - Several speakers focused on the effects rejected the offer and went on strike. pushing. Now they want us to pay more for Palm Beach, have come to the picket line to of international sanctions on the people of James, 23-year-old Chicano who asked our insurance too." show solidarity with the strike Iraq. Tate took up the quest!on of sanctions that his last name not be printed, was hired U.S. Sugar also owns a nonunion mill in "The town has been very supportive of in the context of explaining the role of U.S. three years ago, one month after the two­ nearby Belle Glade, which they say they our strike. Grocery stores have contributed imperialism and in defending the sover­ tier wage structure went into effect. He might use to process cane during the strike. food and beverages," reported Jarvis. eignty of Iraq against U.S. war plans. started as a laborer at $6.56 an hour when The company has threatened to hire replace­ Workers say they are not sure how long "We must be clear," Tate explained. "The weeks before the starting wage was $9.32. ment workers if the strike continues. "We've the strike will last but they are prepared to U.S. government represents ... the interests "I don't think it's fair for two people to work begun lining up ways to get replacement fight. James thought the strike was impor­ of the tiny minority of people who own the side by side and one gets less than the other," workers and are going to move in that di­ tant because, "The fastest way of getting no­ majority of the world's resources and he commented. This worker also expressed rection very shortly," said Robert Buker, where is doing nothing." wealth. They are going to war for oil, for his opinion that the company would like to senior vice president of corporate affairs. The Miami Herald reported that Lee control of the Middle East, and to really fire some of the older workers and hire new "If they were to do this it would have grave County sheriff deputies were sent February show the world who, exactly, is in charge." people at the lower wage. safety implications," remarked Randy 23 to protect scabs from entering the plant. The Young Socialists sponsored an open One of the issues striking workers con­ Jarvis, a shop steward in the mill. "They can house after the event that youth interested sider important is fighting for a guaranteed barely run the mill safely with workers who Kay Sedam is a member ofthe United Trans­ in the communist movement participated in. income over the year. They work massive know what they are doing," he continued. portation Union. Bill Kalman, also a mem­ The week of activities included setting amounts of overtime for half the year, then . "If the company were to start up the mill ber of the UTU, contributed to this article. up YS tables featuring books by revolution­ are laid off until the next harvest season. aries and the Militant andPerspectiva Mun­ During the five months of the cane harvest, dial at Boston University, Bowdoin College, the mills run seven days a week, 24-hours­ and other places. Supporters oftheMilitant a-day. What the company has proposed is Protests condemn attempt to sold a total of 130 single copies of the pa­ cutting the harvest season workweek by two per over the course of the week. hours each year of the contract. By the end of the contract guaranteed work hours will restore death penalty in I owa be cut from 56 per week to 50, while pro­ ducing the same amount of product. BY SIMONE BERG with a maximum penalty of life imprison­ BY CARLOS HERNANDEZ Jack Brown works as a back hoe opera­ DES MOINES, Iowa- More than 75 ment without the possibility of parole. LOS ANGELES- The Young Social­ tor and has a total of 36 years with U.S. people turned out in freezing temperatures Socialist Workers candidate for governor ists here has organized two class series for Sugar. He noted that in the past 10 years the to demonstrate against reinstating the death Thomas Alter, a member of the United Food the month of February. One of the classes company has doubled its production. "We penalty here February 4. and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local focuses on the current U.S. war drive against just want them to stop taking away," Brown After the protest, there was a public hear­ 1149 and a meatpacker in Perry, Iowa, an­ Iraq, using New International no. 7, which explained as he voiced his opposition to the ing on the death penalty in the chambers of nounced his campaign at the public hear­ features "Opening Guns of World War Ill." company's proposal to begin forcing heavy the Iowa House of Representatives. Over 70 ing. The second one has been organized around equipment drivers to clock in and out when people signed up to speak, with the over­ Alter explained, "The attempt to reinstate whelming majority voicing opposition to the death penalty is a part of a broader at­ capital punishment. tack on workers and farmers at home and The speakers included Laurel Eckhouse, abroad." After hearing him speak, one of YS T-shirts! a young activist and leader of Students the young people there signed up to help Two shirts to choose from. against the Death Penalty, who pointed to Alter campaign. the 23 people who were exonerated after There have been other protests against the I. Equal Rights for Immigrants, their executions; Attorney General Tom death penalty as well. About 30 students stop the deportations, open the Miller; Dubuque Archbishop Jerome from area high schools demonstrated on borders. Demands in both English Hanus; and Ben Stone, the executive direc­ February 3, marching inside the capitol ro- and Spanish. tor of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union. tunda with signs. , In part as a result of the public hearing, A contingent of the youth had handmade 2. Stop Police Brutality. proponents of the death penalty dropped T -shirts that they had worn to their high their attempts to get it reinstated in the state school because the school administration had stopped them from putting up leaflets Sizes include medium, large, and x-large. legislature this year. Governor Terry Branstad has had a long-standing proposal to publicize the day's event. Available from the YS national office. I - 4 to introduce the death penalty for some An interfaith prayer meeting against the t-shirts, $15 each; bulk orders of five or cases. death penalty took place February 8, and more, $1 0 each. Shipping costs included. The bill has failed completely in the last about 25 people turned out to a demonstra­ three years. Capital punishment was re­ tion called by Students against the Death pealed 33 years ago in Iowa, and replaced Penalty on February 14. 6 The Militant March 9, 1998 New booklet centers on production and distribution of revolutionary literature Publishing books needed to build communist movement is Pathfinder's goal BY ARGIRIS MALAPANIS up meeting halls and safeguard their func­ TheMilitant has just announced the pub­ tioning, to plan more effective public forums lication of a new booklet that will be off the where the voice of militant labor can be press March 1. It is a compilation of articles heard in each city every week, and to func­ from the socialist newsweekly and other tion in a more disciplined and collective material on the centrality of the production manner. and circulation of revolutionary literature in SWP branches are also organizing meet­ building the communist movement. ings of party active supporters, who - to­ The booklet begins with the talk by Mary­ gether with literally hundreds of other party Alice Waters, president of Pathfinder Press, partisans - are pitching in to help build the at a conference on Political and Social Pub­ communist movement with greater enthu­ lishing held in Havana, Cuba, February 2 - siasm and determination and in larger num­ 3. The gathering was sponsored by Casa bers than most members of the movement Editora Abril, the publishing house of the have ever seen. Their activities include staff­ Union of Young Communists. ing Pathfinder bookstores, fundraising, "As a publishing house, our direct line of translating forum flyers into Spanish or continuity goes back to the earliest publica­ French, and other tasks that free up party tion of speeches and writings by Lenin in members to do more plant-gate sales, to or­ the United States on the eve of 1917," says ganize regular political and pro­ Waters at the opening of her talk. paganda work on campuses and "Following the victorious insurrection of in Black and other working-class the workers, peasants, and soldiers of the communities, to travel to reach tsarist empire, revolutionary-minded work­ out to political and union ing people the world over sought to emu­ Militant/Eric Simpson (above); Linda Joyce (right) struggles in the region, and to late the example of the first worker­ Running the web press at Pathfinder's print pay more attention to recruit­ bolsheviks. By 1919 a regroupment ofleft­ shop (above). Transforming organization of ment. wing socialists, ·members of the Industrial labor in shop will make it possible to keep These openings for the com­ Workers of the World, and others had come in print-in short runs and at sharply lower munist movement to recruit have together to found something truly new - costs-the 350 titles in the publisher's back­ encouraged the steps now under the communist movement in the United list. The goal is to maintain a pipeline of revo­ way to transform the production States, whose explicit goal was to emulate lutionary literature flowing to working of revolutionary books and pam­ the Bolsheviks. people around the world who need them to phlets in Pathfinder's print shop. "Through many and varied channels they tight more effectively. Purchasing Pathfinder Print-shop workers are making began to publish the periodicals, pamphlets, books at Claridad festival, San Juan, Puer­ the rounds of other printing and books that for the first time in the 20th to Rico, October 1997 (right). plants in the Northeast to.get fa­ century brought to the working class in our miliar with modem computer-to- hemisphere a communist perspective that plate equipment that will make drew on the toilers' initial experience of tak­ shop that produces Pathfinder books. This ingrained habits of responsibility and disci­ it possible to bypass labor-intensive produc­ ing power, defending it, and using it world­ transformation is necessary to keep the 350 plined functioning of the party take on even tion processes - film processing, film strip­ wide." titles in the publisher's backlist in print for greater importance. ping, and plate burning - by going direct For more than 80 years, Waters says, Path­ use by working people and youth who need To respond to these new political open­ from electronic files of finished manuscripts finder and its predecessors have had one and them to be more effective fighters. ings, SWP and Young Socialists members to metal or polyester printing plates, drasti­ only .one objective: "to publish and distrib­ The goal is to decrease substantially the in industrial unions are holding a round of cally cutting labor time and costs in all shop ute as widely as possible the books, pam­ turnaround time of book production -while national meetings to discuss how to cam­ departments. phlets, and magazines that are necessary to reducing the size of the print shop and hours paign more effectively among their co­ Shop workers are within a couple of advance the construction of a communist of labor- and doing so in a way that main­ workers and other unionists. Socialist work­ weeks of making a proposal on the kind of party in the United States - an objective tains and improves the high standards of ers in the United Auto Workers, for example, equipment to be purchased and of submit­ that is inseparable from the building of a quality for which Pathfinder has become are holding such a meeting in Chicago Feb­ ting reconstruction plans necessary for the communist movement internationally." known. ruary 28 - March 1. Among other points, machinery's installation, which will involve "For us, the care with which we edit and SWP members in the UAW will discuss the other volunteers. As this work progresses, Militant readers respond prepare every single book or pamphlet we rejection by fellow unionists at Caterpillar the Militant will launch a capital fund to The conference where Waters gave this produce is the most important test of our of a contract proposal just a week earlier (see raise the funds necessary to make this ac­ presentation was one of the events surround­ publishing efforts," Waters told participants front-page article). And they will discuss the quisition a reality. ing the Eighth International Book Fair in in the Havana conference. kinds of habits of disciplined functioning Havana, which Waters covered as part of a "We consider this to be a class question. that make it possible for a workers party to Volunteer efforts team of Militant reporters. Pathfinder Dis­ If it is to prepare itself to be the ruling class, respond effectively to openings such as Supporters and friends of the communist tribution in London organized a stand at the the working class must have access to truth, these. . movement have responded to an appeal dur­ fair, staffed by an international team of vol­ to culture, to clearly presented, accurate in­ ing the Seattle conference to set the pace in unteers from Canada, New Zealand, Swe­ formation. Their own history and continu­ Branches, active supporters this effort by organizing to produce digital den, and the United Kingdom. ity must be made accessible to new genera­ Coming out of the round of regional con­ manuscripts of books ready for printing Meetings celebrating the publication of tions of fighters as they enter the struggle .... ferences, the articles in Part II ofthe book­ plates. books on display at the Havana book fair­ The working class must learn to be exact­ let point out, party branches have begun tak­ Volunteers in the San Francisco Bay Area a major cultural and political affair in the ing in the standards of quality it demands in ing steps to expand and regularize sales of have taken on the responsibility to be the Cuban capital organized every two years - all things. That is part of our self-respect communist literature at factory gates, to join organizing center for this worldwide effort were an important feature of the February and self-confidence. Those who belong to strike picket lines and maintain links with to scan and proof Pathfinder books and then 4 -10 event. The first section of this book- the class that produces everything know workers once the walkout ends, to organize tum those electronic files into final page let concludes with the talk by Waters at the better than anyone when work is done with their forces and political reach in a variety layouts using desktop publishing. The new book launch of Pombo: A Man of Che's quality and when it is shoddy and unworthy of plants and unions in each city, to clean Continued on Page 14 'guerrilla' by Cuban brigadier general Harry of their efforts." Villegas (Pombo) published by Pathfinder The perspective of keeping a pipeline of Press in 1997. revolutionary literature flowing was central COmiNG lOON The publication of Waters's talk on Path­ to a round of four regional socialist confer­ finder struck a chord among many Militant ences held across North America - in Chi­ Pathfinder Press was born with the October revolution readers. Robin Maisel, a long-time supporter cago, Birmingham, Toronto, and Seattle - A PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR WORKING-CLASS FIGHTERS THAT LETS REVOLUTION­ from California, sent in $200 in mid~ Febru­ between October 1997 and the end of Janu­ ARY LEADERS SPEAK IN THEIR OWN WORDS ary for a rush order of 200 copies of the ary of this year. The featured speakers at • Pathfinder: books published in heat of political battles each of these gatherings were Waters and February "International Socialist Review" • Using computer-to-plate technology to revolutionize the preparation.and print­ supplement to the Militant featuring that Socialist Workers Party (SWP) national sec­ ing of Pathfinder books presentation. "I would like to do a mailing retary Jack Barnes. to supporters and others in southern Cali­ The articles in the second section of the • Strenthening the propaganda production and political leverage of the communist fornia as a fund raiser," Maisel wrote. new booklet explain not only the revolution movement Following up on his idea, the Militant in Pathfinder's print shop now under way 1991 report by Mary-Alice Waters $8.00 editors decided to reproduce the talk by but the political foundation on which it is Waters along with the related materials in based. As the main talks at these conferences this booklet. Maisers initiative builds on an outlined, there is growing evidence that the offer he made earlier of volunteering his political retreat of the working class in North Celebrating the Homecoming of time, experience, and organizing efforts to America, Europe, and most other imperial­ Emesto Che Guevara's Rein· help raise funds for thepublication of a simi­ ist countries has bottomed out; that the so­ forcement Brigade to Cuba lar booklet, "Celebrating. the homecoming cialist revolution in Cuba has been strength­ ened in the last years and its communist lead­ Articles from the Militant newspaper on of Emesto Che Guevara's reinforcement the 30th anniversary of the combat waged brigade to Cuba: Articles from the Militant ership is· playing an important role in re­ grouping revolutionary forces in the world in Bolivia by Che and his comrades. newspaper on the 30th anniversary of the Available in English and Spanish. $8.00 combat waged in Bolivia by Che and his as the worst of the post-1990 economic cri­ comrades" (see ad on this page). sis Cubans call Special Period is conquered; Order from bookstores, including those listed on page 12, and that a small but steady number of youth or write Pathfinder, 41 0 West St., New York. NY I 00 14. Tel: Organization of labor in shop are being won to the working-class vanguard (212) 741-0690. Fax: (212) 727-01 SO. When ordering by The second part of the booklet consists and are shouldering greater leadership re­ mail, please include $3 to cover shipping and handling. of a number of articles on steps to revolu­ sponsibilities in the communist movement. tionize the organization of labor in the print Under such. conditions, strengthening the March 9, 1998 The Militant 7 UN deal sets stage for further use of U.S. military force

Continued from front page "mount one last diplomatic effort" theNew pensate for what they can ~t achieve through York Times reported February 25. Backed economic weight alone. by the massive U.S. armada in the Arab­ "The United States, because of our posi­ Persian Gulf, Annan wrested a written agree­ tion in the world, is called upon to bring its ment from the Iraqi government that allows power to bear when it is important to do so,'' the UN weapons "inspectors" to have "im­ said President William Clinton at his Feb­ mediate, unconditional, and unrestricted ruary 23 news conference on the UN deal access" throughout the country. Baghdad with Iraq. "Once again we have seen that received nothing in return except acknowl­ diplomacy must be backed by strength and edgment that "lifting of sanctions is obvi­ resolve." ously of paramount importance to the people Echoing Clinton, U.S. secretary of state and government of Iraq." Annan openly gave credit to Madeleine Albright told an aJ.Jdience of 200 Washington's war preparations are students at Tennessee State University, "We Washington's war threats for bringing about the "peace" agreement. Sitting at a joint aimed not only against working are the only superpower and, as a result of people of Iraq, but at layhig the news conference with Iraqi deputy prime that, we have many responsibilities and ground for assault on the workers privileges. We stand tall, and therefore we minister Tariq Aziz in Baghdad, the UN sec­ retary general bluntly stated, "You can do a states in Russia and other former can see further into the future." During this Soviet Republics. At right, U.S. lot with diplomacy, but of course you can meeting the secretary of state explained that troops in Brcko, Bosnia, form part . the "long-term goal of American foreign do a lot more with diplomacy backed by firmness and force." Upon his return to the of NATO occupation force, which policy and international policy" was to bring has same ultimate goal. everybody into the group "of countries who United Nations offices in New York, Annan understand the rules and ... follow them - praised Clinton and British prime minister posits. The three Caspian republics - the rules of the international system." She Anthony Blair as "perfect UN peacekeep­ to have to topple Saddam Hussein." He said Azerbaijan, Kazakstan, and Turkmen­ said Iraq "falls into the rogue state group." ers" who knew that "the best way to use the CIA plan could help "bring Saddam istan- possess more than 100 billion bar­ Washington must "try to isolate the rogues force is to show it in order not to use it." Hussein to his knees." rels of oil, the world's third-largest reserves and then try to reform them so that they can But Washington remains poised to use Ultrarightist Patrick Buchanan repeated after the Persian Gulf and Siberia. Last Sep­ be part of' a stable imperialist system. military force. If the Iraqi government balks his nationalist demagogy in a column pub­ tember 500 Gls from the 82nd Airborne "I feel very secure as a diplomat, because on the deal, the U.S. military "would have lished February 25 under the headline, "Next Division participated in a week-long joint I know that I have the American military the unilateral right to respond at a time, Time, Send in the French." exercise in Kazakstan with soldiers from force behind me, the finec;t force in the place, and manner of our own choosing," "Saddam is a UN problem now, not ours," Russia, Turkey, Kazakstan, Uzbekistan, and world," Albright boasted. "Threat of the use Clinton declared February 23. White House Buchanan said, referring to the Iraqi presi­ the Kyrgyz Republic. of force sometimes helps diplomacy. And officials have reiterated that point since. dent. "Every nation involved in the Gulf Blair chimed in, "We are not going to get crisis, except our own, looked out for its own all those troops out there in the Gulf are send­ U.S. deals blow to imperialist rivals ing a very strong message to Saddam that if mucked about in two or three months' time." interests first." he doesn't obey ... we are coming." Two days before the agreement was Washington has dealt a blow to its impe­ Albright spoke later that day at the Uni­ reached, Washington had advised all U.S. War moves aimed at Russia rialist rivals in Europe through this process, versity of South· Carolina and the day be­ citizens to leave Iraq as soon as possible. The U.S. rulers have used their military primarily Paris, which had opposed inter­ fore, February 18, she had participated in a "Due to these ongoing tensions," the State deployment in the Arab-Persian Gulf as part vention against Iraq. "We've made clear, and televised "international town hall meeting" Department warned February 21, "all United · of •preparing the regimes in Poland, Hun­ the French and Russians accept, that they on Iraq at Ohio State University where she States citizens are strongly urged to avoid gaily, and the Czech Republic __:_ prospec­ won't be able to hold back military action," was heckled by opponents of Washington's all travel to Iraq, and those already in Iraq · tive new NATO member states -for future said a Clinton administration official right war moves. are advised to depart as soon as possible."· military confrontations with Russia and after the agreement was signed. The secretary of state has been touring the A UN official announced February 25 that other workers states of the Soviet Union. At a NATO meeting of foreign ministers country to drum up support for military ac­ some 80 UN staff personnel who left Bagh­ Founded in 1949, the U.S.-dominatedNorth in Brussels in December, Albright declared tion against Iraq. In a TV interview hours dad to escape an impending U.S. bombing Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was that a war against Iraq and destroying weap­ before her talk in Tennessee, she repeated raid would return to the country the next day. designed to exert maximum economic and ons of"rogue states" should become the new what has been the theme of the Clinton ad­ Despite the UN accord Clinton said, "I military pressure on the Soviet Union, "unifying threat" that joins imperialists in ministration since the president's second have ordered our military to remain in the codify Washington's dominance in Europe, Europe and United States in·the so-called inaugural: "If we have to use force, it is be­ Persian Gulf. Our soldiers, our ships, [and] and push back the struggles of workers farm­ post-Cold War era. She asserted that the cause we are America; we are the indispens­ our planes will stay there in force until we ers around the world. NATO war machine must extend its geo­ able nation." are satisfied." He said the U.S. war machine The proposed NATO expansion would graphic reach beyond Europe and become would remain at a "high level of prepara­ put U.S. troops right on Poland's border with "a force for peace from the Middle East to UN deal dictated by Washington tion in the Gulf." the former Soviet republics of Ukraine and Central Africa." Washington military preparations has fu­ Nearly a week before he left for Bagh­ The U.S. military force has expanded to Belarus, as well as the Russian enclave next eled tensions among its competitors. "Eu­ dad, the UN secretary general met with nearly 35,000 troops, 30 warships, and 450 to the Baltic port of Kaliningrad. ropean allies balk at expanded role for Albright, who stipulated the "red lines" or warplanes in the Persian Gulf region. And "Gulf crisis may help NATO candidates" NATO" was- the headline of a February 22 Washington's dictates for his mission to in fact Washington is continuing its buildup. headlined an article in the February 24 Wall On February 25 an additional 200 U.S. Street Journal. The article asserts that article in the Washington Post reporting that Marines arrived in Kuwait, where they will Clinton's war move "has handed Poland, officials in Paris and other "European allies" be based on land. London is keeping an air­ Hungary and the Czech Republic an oppor­ said the imperialist military alliance would craft carrier and other forces in the region tunity to display their allegiances just weeks become "little more than a multinational as well. before the U.S. Senate votes on admitting military machine to assert global U.S. in­ "We have to be willing to be committed them to the North Atlantic Treaty Organi­ terests" if it launches assaults beyond the to the use of force if [the agreement] doesn't zation." European continent. stick," stated Donald Snider, a former di­ Poland's deputy foreign minister Radek A group of U.S. senators traveled to rector of the White House National Secu­ Sikorski had announced his government was Munich, Germany, for a defense seminar in rity Council who teaches at the U.S. Mili­ ready to send 216 soldiers to Persian Gulf. early February to press support for tary Academy at West Point. He urged Con­ "We certainly want to be an exporter of sta­ Washington's onslaught against Iraq. Sena­ gress to allocate more funds to the military, bility," he declared. tor John Warner warned, "Make no mistake: adding, '"'bis one is not over by a long shot." Yeltsin commented approvingly on the There is a direct relationship between deci­ The Clinton administration has come un­ agreement signed in Baghdad February 23, sions taken on Iraq in the next weeks and der fire from some Republicans for not stating that if Washington launched an at­ the future ofU.S. support for NATO." pressing hard enough to overthrowing the tack in the Persian Gulf, it "would not end Expressing outraged at this "blackmail," Iraqi government. Senate majority leader with Iraq [but] involve a much greater terri­ one European ambassador asserted, "What­ Trent Lott, who has called for setting up a tory and significantly more countries." ever happens in Iraq, blind support for ev­ puppet regime in Iraq, opposes the UN deal. The Russian president and other Moscow ery policy dictated by Washington cannot "The secretary general is calling the shots," officials made several statements along these be the basis of this alliance." he declared February 25. ''The United States lines during the previous weeks. At a joint is not." news conference with William Cohen, the , ~ A February 25 article in the Wall Street U.S. war secretary, Russian defense minis­ Washington's War Journal headlined "It's not too late to topple ter qen. Igor Sergeyev had pointedly asked, Saddam," demanded Washington establish "Does the uncompromising and tough stand Drive against Iraq an opposition that would "over time" set up of the United States on the issue of Iraq help a "provisional government inside Iraq." The to strengthen stability and security in the Speaker: Naomi Craine, article suggested providing direct military world?" editor of the. Militant assistance including "close-air support to Other prominent political figures in Rus­ ensure the opposition of local military su­ sia; including Communist Party leader Thursday, March s periority." The next day the New York Times Gennady Zyuganov · and ultrarightist poli­ e::to p.m. reported that "the Central Intelligence tician Alekandr Zirhinovsky have adopted Agency has drafted plans for a major pro­ a more strident opposition to U.S. war Emerson JOS gram of sabotage and subversion" against moves against Iraq. Harvard University the Iraqi government. Washington has also begun establishing Republican Senator Arlen Specter in­ a military presence in the Central Asian Boston sisted that "one way or another we're going workers states, which contain huge oil de- Sponsored by the Democracy Teach ln. ~ ~

8 The Militant March 9, 1998 U.S. war moves protested

BY DOUG JENNESS BY JOSHUA CARROLL war that "we had let MINNEAPOLIS -William Richardson, WASHINGTON, D.C.- "They tried to down our country." She the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, use us as a pep rally for their war, but we said that being at the was greeted by more than 100 angry pick­ wouldn't let them," said Amber Decker, a demonstration and meet­ ets when he spoke at the University of Min­ 21-year-old student who had attended the ing people who ap­ nesota February 20. As they rallied outside "town hall meeting" at Ohio State Univer­ plauded them for stand­ the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute on cam­ sity. Decker was at a demonstration of 2,000 ing up to Clinton's war pus, protesters' chants against U.S. threats against U.S. war plans at the White advisors gave them to bomb Iraq echoed through the breakfast HouseFebruary 22. She was one of a dozen more confidence. gathering Richardson was addressing. Sev­ young women from Ohio State at the dem­ eral speakers referred to the protests a few onstration. They had come to Washington days earlier in Columbus, Ohio, where three to attend a Women of Color and Allies Sum­ BY AARON prominent figures in the Clinton adminis­ mit sponsored by the National Organization ARMSTRONG tration were targeted by angry protests. for Women (NOW), and decided to attend More than 200 people After a half hour or so the protesters were the rally when it was announced in one of demonstrated at the permitted to enter the meeting area to ask the workshops there. One of the women car­ Newark Federal Build­ questions. At one point Richardson, attempt­ ried a hand-lettered sign that read, "We were ing February 21 to pro­ ing to paint the Clinton administration's at your town meeting at Ohio State; you test the Clinton admin­ stance as moral, said that food and medi­ wanted our opinion. We say: NO WAR!" istration's latest war cines enter Iraq within the framework o(the Decker explained that when she had gone moves. The action was economic sanctions. In response, dozens of to the Ohio State meeting she had not yet initiated by the Islamic protesters chanted, "Shame! Shame! made up her mind about U.S. plans to bomb Students Organization at Shame!" Iraq, but that when she saw how the press Rutgers University in Richardson was unable to complete his and the Clinton administration "tried to use Newark and the Young speech before his departure as shouting and it and manipulate it to serve their own inter­ Socialists, and spon­ chanting continued. ests," she decided that she was opposed to sored 'by other Islamic, Militant/Nell Wheeler The previous afternoon a demonstration the planned war. "They said they wanted the Filipino, and Pakistani Socialist Workers candidate Melissa Harris speaks at pro­ at the federal building in downtown Minne­ opinion of the 'heartland,' but they didn't student groups. test in Newark against Washington's war moves on Iraq. apolis drew over 200 protesters. Called by like our opinion, so they tried to tum it into Mutaz Szharef, the the Iraqi Peace Action Coalition, an ad hoc something else." first speaker at the event, spoke about the the Saddam Hussein government. formation that includes a couple of dozen Kristen Bolzenius, also a student at Ohio hundreds of thousands of Iraqi children who Melissa Harris, the Socialist Workers can­ organizations, the action was the third such state, explained that after the "town hall" have died as a result of the brutal United didate for the Newark city council, put for­ protest since the third week of January. meeting, the university administration, some Nations sanctions in place since the 1990- ward a different view. "What is at stake is members of the faculty, and other students 91 Gulf war. The Iraqi people, he said, the sovereignty of Iraq," she argued. "The tried to convince those who had opposed the should not be made to pay for the actions of U.S. government has no right to intervene." Imperialist attacks on Iraq are part ofpreparing for war against workers state in Russia BY NAOMI CRAINE expanation of capitalist relations. pean Union or United Nations, the Clinton During the recent U.S. military buildup "There is the growing danger posed by "The crumbling of the Warsaw Pact mili­ administration stepped in to impose a "peace in the Arab-Persian Gulf, Yeltsin twice rogue states with dangerous weapons. There tary alliance under these conditions sharply accord" signed on a U.S. military base in warned that Washington could "run into a are still questions about the future of Rus­ accelerates the disintegration of the reaction­ Dayton, Ohio, at the end of 1995. That ac­ world war" through its military actions. sia," declared Secretary of State Madeleine ary NATO military alliance, which was !tlc cord ---:- bearing the name of a Midwestern For most workers, the only imperialist Albright February 24, addressing the Sen­ ready under growing strains from intensi­ U.S. city- spelled out the partition of the wars they've known have been aimed at the ate Foreign relations committee on the ex­ fying interimperialist competition and shift­ Yugoslav republic of Bosnia and its occu­ subjugation of semicolonial nations. But the pansion of NATO. ing alignments among the rival capitalist pation by tens of thousands of NATO troops, 1990--91 assault on Iraq and the U.S.-led oc­ Her statement highlights the reality that nations," the 1990 resolution said. But the with Washington in the dominant role -the cupation of Bosnia will more and more Washington's war moves in the Arab-Per­ U.S. rulers "will continue to use their over­ first imperialist attempt to use direct mili­ be the pattern of imperialist wars in the com­ sian Gulf are not simply a drive to bring the all nuclear and conventional military domi­ tary force to crush working-class resistance ing years. This was among the questions Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq to its knees. nance to exercise po~itical power within the in one of the workers states in Europe and socialist workers and youth discussed at a Along with the U.S.-led occupation of imperialist system greater than their eco­ push through the restoration of capitalism. series of regional socialist educational con­ Bosnia and Washington's drive to expand nomic might would otherwise allow." Washington and its NATO allies/rivals have ferences held in Chicago, Birmingham, Tor­ the NATO military alliance eastward, they The article "The Opening Guns of World still not achieved this aim, despite years of onto, and Seattle between October 1997 and are a step by the U.S. rulers to put them­ War III," based on talks by SWP national war and two years of direct occupation of January 1998. SWP national secretary selves in a position to directly confront the secretary Jack Barnes immediately follow­ Yugoslavia. Last December, Clinton an­ Barnes gave one of the main presentations workers states, particularly in Russia, and ing the U.S.-led slaughter in Iraq in 1991, nounced that U.S. troops would stay in at each of these conferences. . attempt to restore capitalist rule there explained that the Gulf War was "the first Bosnia indefinitely. In recent months they Speaking in Toronto, Barnes pointed out through military force. war since the close of World War II that grew have stepped up military operations in the that this period is the first time since the The world political resolution adopted by primarily out of the intensified competition name of capturing "war criminals." 1930s that the economic crises bred by capi­ the Socialist Workers Party convention in and accelerating instability of the crises-rid­ talism are coming home to the imperialist June 1990 explained that Washington had den old imperialist world order." It exacer­ Drive to push NATO boundary east countries. An economic collapse is espe­ lost the "Cold War." This was the term used bated all social and political conflicts, and The imperialist intervention in Bosnia cially looming in Europe, where the capi­ to describe the strategic military course guaranteed Washington would never again served as a springboard for Washington's talist economies are relatively weaker and forced upon U.S. imperialism and its allies be able to force together the same kind of drive to expand NATO eastward, reposition­ the rulers have been so far incapable of driv­ in the face of the limitations imposed by the "coalition" to advance the aims of U.S. capi­ ing U.S. troops and possibly nuclear weap­ ing down wages and living conditions to the international balance of class forces follow­ tal. Washington's imperialist rivals, espe­ ons up to the border of the former Soviet same extent as those in the United States. ing World War II. Washington was immedi­ cially in Paris, Bonn, and Tokyo, became Union. "The bottom line is that Poland, As part of the preparations for the wars it ately blocked from pursuing its goal of turn­ more determined to not be put in the posi­ Hungary, and the Czech Republic are al­ is driven to launch against working people ing the U.S. military machine to the task of tion of having to support a war that will ben­ ready behaving as loyal allies," Albright told around the world, intertwined with attacks restoring capitalism in the Soviet Union and efit their U.S. rival at their expense. the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on workers at home, the rulers in every im­ Eastern Europe, as well as stemming the arguing for approval of the treaty bringing perialist country need to convince working Chinese revolution, by the refusal of the Gls Built on bones of Yugoslavia these regimes into NATO. In addition to people to put the interests of "the nation" in 1945 to go back to war. U.S. imperialism Since 1991, the U.S. rulers have contin­ joining Washington's war plans in the Gulf, first. Working people need to reject all forms was also pushed back by the Korean people ued the course of using their military supe­ she said, "When we asked them to put their of economic nationalism, Barnes said. That in its attempt 'to overturn the Democratic riority to press an advantage against their soldiers in harm's way in Bosnia they did was the point of the main banner at the con­ People's Republic of Korea in the early rivals, while getting into position to launch not hesitate. When we asked Hungary to ferences, which read, "Ask not what you can 1950s. By the latter half of that -decade, the an attack on the workers states. The clearest open its bases to American troops, so they do for 'your country.' Ask what you can do Soviet Union's development of nuclear example is in Yugoslavia. could deploy safely to ·Bosnia, it did not for your class." weapons convinced the imperialists that the As the Stalinist apparatus that had domi­ hesitate. risks of massive destruction not only of capi­ nated Yugoslavia began to disintegrate at the "NATO is a military alliance, not a social talist Europe but also the United States were start of the 1990s, members of the petty­ club," Albright added. too great to consider a direct assault against bourgeois layer that ruled that country or­ Russian officials correctly see this as di­ the Soviet and Eastern European workers ganized along nationalist lines, scrambled rectly aimed against Moscow. Last May states. · to grab territory and resources for them­ Boris Yeltsin, in response to Washington's The imperialists viewed the Cold War as selves to-maintain or augment their privi­ drive to expand the NATO military alliance an unavoidable interlude, during which they leged way of life. Bonn, Paris, and other declared, "Since Krushchev's Cuban crisis, hoped the workers states would become suf­ imperialist governments in Europe gave sup­ there hasn't been such a sharp issue in rela­ ficiently weakened by Stalinist demoraljza­ port to different warring parties, fueling the tions between Russia and the United States, tion of the working class to make possible slaughter. Washington adopted a "let it which concerns Russia's interests to the de­ their destruction. But despite all the horrors bleed" attitude for a while, gradually bring­ gree that everyone should think about it, meted out to working people in the name of ing to bear arms shipments and sporadic air Americans and Europeans." "socialism" by the former Stalinist regimes, power to increase their leverage in the con­ In October 1962, U.S. president John workers were not so badly defeated by the flict and block the aims of their European Kennedy imposed a naval blockade on Cuba bureaucratic castes in these countries tha:t rivals. and brought the world to the brink of nuclear they have simply been ready to acquiesce After undermining each attempt by its war with the Soviet Union over Havana's to, let alone internalize, all the culture, val­ capitalist rivals to impose a resolution in acquisition of missiles capable of carrying ues, and attitudes that are necessary for the their interests under the aegis of the Euro- nuclear warheads.

March 9, 1998 The Militant 9 Offer ends March 31 :::::::e ' < >

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10 March 9, 1998 The Militant CCNY event draws youth looking to fight imperialism and war Continued from front page Nations General Assembly on behalf of the partment, Casa de las Americas, Young So­ Movement of Non-Aligned Countries in cialists, Bronx ProLibertad, and Comite 1979. I come here to warn, said Castro, "that Nacional Puertorriquefio 98. Colon recog­ if we do not peacefully and wisely solve and nized Luis Miranda, director of Casa de las eliminate the present injustices and inequali­ Americas, in the audience. Silvio Torres, ties, the future will be apocalyptic." head of the Institute of Dominican Studies "That's a good place to begin tonight," at CCNY, welcomed people to the event. Waters said, "as Washington is marching working people in the United States and the Fight to free Puerto Rican prisoners rest of the world into a war, that is not our Colon underscored the importance of the war, against the people of Iraq." campaign to free 14 Puerto Rican indepen­ Militant photos:· Naomi Craine dence fighters who are in U.S. prisons. He Iraq, NATO: initial shots of WWIII Nearly 200 people attended urged those present to build and join a March What is happening today, Waters noted, event at City College of New 27 protest in Washington, D.C., and one on is directly linked to what happened 100 years York February 19 to celebrate July 25 at the United Nations, which will ago when Washington launched the first war anti-imperialist struggle. Above, demand the freeing of the Puerto Rican of the imperialist epoch. left to right, panelists: Mary­ fighters. She quoted U.S. secretary of state Alice Waters, editor of Che Felix Wilson explained that the war of Madeleine Albright's arrogant declaration Guevara's Bolivian Diary; Felix 1898 was actually the Spanish-Cuban­ the day before, that the United States, "the Wilson, first secretary of the American War, and that after the defeat of greatest country in the world," is merely Cuban Interests Section; and the Spanish colonialists, the invading U.S. playing its role as "the indispensable nation" Puerto Rican independence forces snatched victory away from Cuba's to make the world safe for "those people fighter Rafael Cancel Miranda. plebeian liberation army, known as the around the world who follow the rules." Right, youth asks question about mambises, whonr they blocked from enter­ "This war is not about weapons prolif­ Cuba. ing the city of Santiago de Cuba. eration or United Nations Security Council Today, Wilson said, the rulers of the decisions," Waters noted. "Nor is it prima­ the fight to free Puerto Rico from colonial of Puerto Rican independence fighters who United States "can't forgive us for the fact rily about teaching the Iraqi rulers a lesson. rule. But the road taken by Cuban workers carried out an armed attack on U.S. Con­ we made a revolution and came to power in It has much more to do with the conditions and farmers, she continued, "is every bit as gress to help bring world attention to Puerto 1959," winning freedom from U.S. domi­ that are being prepared for the coming con­ important for working people here inside the Rico's situation. "The first time they gave nation. He highlighted some of the revolu­ frontation with the former Soviet Union, United States, within the body of the impe­ me two years in prison because I refused to tionary gains the Cuban people have made, with Russia above all. With the working rialist power itself." shoot. The second time, they gave me 80 despite the current economic crisis and people of the former Soviet Union. With the Waters pointed to the responsibility of years in prison for shooting. I guess it de­ Washington's efforts to strangle Cuba expansion of NATO and the goal- through those inside the United States, working to­ pends who you shoot at," he said. through an embargo. Wilson added that one this assault on Iraq - of integrating Poland, gether with those struggling for national of the most important strengths of the revo­ especially, and the Czech Republic more independence and socialism around the 'Cuba is a real democracy' lution is the number of Cubans who have deeply as military components of NATO in world, to lead a fight against imperialism. "They commit crimes in the name of de­ volunteered to aid other nations, particularly preparation for the confrontation with Rus­ She underscored this point with a quote from mocracy. But imperialism is not a democ­ the 300,000 Cubans who served in Angola sia." Che Guevara's call to revolutionaries around racy. It's Cuba where there is a real democ­ and were decisive in defeating the South If the Gulf War of 1990- 91 registered the world in his 1967 "Message to the racy," the Puerto Rican leader stated. Point­ African apartheid army's invasion in 1988. the opening guns of World War III, and the Tricontinental." "Our every action is a battle ing to Cuban representative Wilson, Cancel Rossand Fabunan outlined the Filipino imperialist military intervention in Bosnia cry against imperialism," Che said, as he Miranda said, "Do you want to see a free people '~§JnlggJ& for independence - first over the last several years marked the sec­ called for unity against "the great enemy of man? He is a free man!" from Spain, then from the United States, and ond round, "the third round is being prepare;Q the human race: the United States of North Asked by a Puerto Rican student from now from U.S. imperialist domination. for Iraq today. And one thing we can be sui~ America." Hostos College during the discussion period Rosemari Mealy talked about the political of, it will not be the last," she emphasized. Puerto Rican independence fighter Rafael what advice he had for young people, Can­ and economic changes that the Cuban revo­ "There will be further rounds as their impe­ Cancel Miranda; who spent 28 years in U.S. cel Miranda said, "Think for yourself. Don't lution made possible. She urged support for rialist system pushes them inexorably to­ prisons, one of the longest-held political just accept everything older people tell you. a bill in Congress that would exempt food ward the next interimperialist slaughter on prisoners in the Western hemisphere until "And never let them make you ashamed and medicine from the U.S. embargo as one a world scale, unless we are capable of stop­ his release in 1979, closed the evening pro­ of being a Puerto Rican. Never let them take of the actions that can be taken to oppose ping them" as the class struggle heats up. gram with a scathing indictment of your dignity, your Puerto Rican-ness away U.S. policy toward Cuba. Commenting on "And that is the challenge before us." Washington's wars abroad, from Nicaragua from you," he added to applause and shouts the Pope's recent visit to Cuba, she said the The 20th century has been the epoch of at the tum of the century to Panama in 1989. of approval. welcome extended to him by the Cuban gov­ imperialism, Waters said. But "it has also "In 1898 the imperialists invaded Puerto "This country is controlled by a 1 percent ernment and people showed that "building been the century of revolution - starting Rico and saved us from ourselves - be­ minority that exploits the majority," he ex­ socialism is not contradictory with the prac­ with the two great Russian revolutions of cause they always come to save you from plained. U.S. officials like Madeleine tice of religion." 1917, all the way through to Cuba and the yourself," he said to laughter and applause. Albright speak for that minority when they Mary-Alice Waters, who had recently re­ opening of the socialist revolution in our The head of the invading force, Gen. say that Washington will unleash force turned from aMilitantreporting trip to Cuba, hemisphere." Nelson Miles, "who supposedly brought us against those who don't "follow the rules," began her remarks by quoting Cuban leader Waters noted that "the example of the Cu­ democracy and freedom, was also the one Cancel Miranda said, echoing the point made Fidel Castro when he addressed the United ban revolution points the way forward" in who was responsible for the massacre of by Waters. Native Americans at Wounded Knee" in "There are people here in the audience 1890, Cancel Mirandappinted out. who identify with our struggle. But to those Militant Labor forums held on Iraq He added that die U.S. imperialist rulers who don't know what I'm talking about, my "have always used Puerto Rican youth as message to you is: find out. Otherwise you'll cannon fodder in their wars, to fight and die BY MAGGIE PUCCI by reminding the audience that that day was pay a high price for being ignorant. Because for them. They used our youth in Korea WASHINGTON, D.C.- Well over 50 the 33rd anniversary of the assassination of you have to find out the truth about your­ against the Koreans, and in Vietnam against people packed the Militant Labor Forum Malcolm X. Shirvani pointed to Malcolm's self." Drawing applause, Cancel Miranda the Vietnamese." here February 21 to hear Socialist Workers internationalism and anti-imperialist stance said, "I'm looking for people who want to In 1949, when he was just out of high Party leader Ma'mud Shirvani speak on as an example people should look to today. fight. If I came all the way from warm school, Cancel Miranda said, "they put me "U.S. Hands Off Iraq: The weakening of the Working people and youth should demand Puerto Rico to speak here in cold New York, in jail for refusing to go kill Koreans." Later, Clinton administration and the shortening "U.S. Hands Off Iraq" because Iraq is a sov­ it's for that. And if there's even one of you in 1954, he was arrested as part of a group war fuse." Shirvani has traveled extensively ereign country: the future of the country here who wants to fight, it was worth it." in the Caspian Sea region. , . must be det~rmin~d by the people of Iraq Many of those in attendance were social­ and not the U.S. military, Shirvani stated. ist workers who are members of the Inter­ The same evening, some 70 people turned national Association of Machinists (lAM). out for a Militant Labor Forum in St. Paul, The Machinists were meeting as a national Minnesota, where Militant editor Naomi unit to discuss imperialism's march toward Craine spoke on similar themes. Among fascism and war, and how to carry out a them were a number of students from the working-class campaign against the pend­ area, activists in opposing the U.S. war ing U.S. war against Iraq among their co­ moves and in protesting police brutality, workers. longtime supporters of the communist Several students had made the trip here movement, and socialist workers active in from Guilford College in Greensboro, North the United Steelworkers of America who Carolina, to attend a march and rally at the were meeting in town that weekend. White House earlier in the day protesting Two young women said they heard about U.S. war threats against Iraq, and to attend the forum from an anti-police brutality ac­ the forum. Participants also came to the fo­ tivist, and another from a friend who got a rum after meeting members of the Young leaflet at a protest calling for U.S. hands off Available from bookstores, in­ Socialists and Socialist Workers Party at the Iraq. Another said he got a leaflet himself at cluding those listed on page 12, Women of Color and Their Allies Summit that protest, and remembered hearing a So­ or writ~ Pattlfinder,. 41 0. West organized by the National Organization for cialist Workers candidate speak a couple St., NewYork, NY 10014. Tel: Women. years earlier. (212) 7 41-0690. Fax: (212) Other youth came after getting a flyer at 727-0150. When ordering by .the march and rally by some 2,000 people Jenny Benton in St. Paul contributed to this mail, please include $3 to cover at the White House. Shirvani opened his talk article. shipping and handling.

March 9, 1998 The Militant 11 Auto workers reject Caterpillar contract

Continued from front page up to 50 others. There are an additional 13 closely watched union votes in years. workers who filed their own unfair labor Ten days prior to the February 21 - 22 charges with the National Labor Relations vote, UAW officials voted at a downtown Board. meeting in Chicago to accept the company's "The main issue is the illegally termi­ contract offer after months of negotiations. nated, not wages or pensions. This has been Wayne Zimmerman, vice president of Cat­ the issue from the very beginning," said erpillar, said "This agreement is in the best David Schmidgall, a retired UAW member interest of all our employees." who worked for Caterpillar for 31 years. Richard Shoemaker, vice president of the "We're not going to sell 50 workers down UAW, said the agreement was better than the river." the one presented to the membership in Schmidgall echoed the widespread senti­ 1995. "We are pleased with this agreement," ment that all of the fired workers should get said Shoemaker. "We are confident it will their jobs back. "It's wrong that the line be ratified by our members." crossers get amnesty and the illegally ter­ Militant/Jim Garrison But that is not what happened. The East minated don't," he said. "We can't tolerate UAW Local974 members discuss contract before meeting in East Peoria February 22 Peoria local, with 7,000 members, rejected Cat pitting man against man." An estimated the contract by 63 percent. UAW Local751 4,000, crossed the picket lines during the confirmed press reports that U AW Local 7 51 The wage and pension provisions were im­ in Decatur, Illinois, defeated it by 92 per­ 17-month strike in 1994- 95. was ready to strike after learning that the provements from the 1995 offer. The con­ cent, and Local 2096 in Pontiac, Illinois tentative contract included dropping all the tract also contained a two-tier wage for new voted it down by 61 percent. The contract Solidarity, rights are central issues unfair labor charges. hires, starting at 70 percent, which is now was approved by 82 percent in Aurora, Illi­ UAW Local 751 member Charlie Holt, Other parts of the six-year contract drew common in most UAW contracts. nois, and by 84 percent in Memphis, Ten­ who works at the Caterpillar plant in fire as well. ·The contract contained a so­ Local974 member Roger Lynch, fired six nessee; with smaller margins at locals in Decatur, said he was against the contract called job security provision that secured months ago for alleged comments to a co­ Denver, Colorado; and York, Pennsylvania. because voting for it meant dropping the jobs by name only. This meant that the more worker, said prior to the vote that he NLRB cases, which "stem from Caterpillar's than 4,000 UAW members who will be eli­ wouldn't support the contract, even if an Workers campaign for 'no' vote attempt to take away our rights inside the gible for retirement over the next few years agreement would mean getting his job back. In the period leading up to the vote, re­ plants .... Workers were fired or suspended could be replaced by nonunion workers. Many other fired workers expressed the porters for the big-business press wrote as for activities in support of the union. Cater­ One of the workers who will soon retire same view. Lynch said he would vote against if the U AW rank and file were defeated, and pillar was telling us we couldn't wear but­ is Isom Weems, a member of Local 2096 in the contract because he doesn't want to pay it was just a matter of taking a vote to end tons or union related T -shirts. They would Pontiac. "The contract is bad in every re­ 30 percent of the cost of his medical bills if the dispute. refuse us union representation on the shop spect. The by-name job security would he chooses not to be treated at the company's Once word got out about what was con­ floor, which they are still doing today." weaken the union to the point of breaking preferred provider. tained in the tentative contract, however, Refusal to grant union representation - it," said Weems. "They tried to blackmail Caterpillar's attempt to impose new work rank-and-file workers began to organize oth­ after the company forced a worker to work us with the pension proposal. But we need rules - known as flex time - in the con­ ers to vote "No." In the Peoria area much of 14 hours -led to a 30-hour walkout last to look at a contract that the younger gen­ tract was another bone of contention. "Some this work was organized by the "blue shirts," November at Caterpillar's Mossville plant. eration can live with." The contract would people are already forced into flex-time also known as the "Tactical Response The labor protest ended when the company have increased monthly pension benefits, schedules," said Kenny Whetstone, a mem­ Team." This group of workers includes sev­ backed off and allowed union representa­ going from $1,800 to $2,300 by 2004. The ber of UAW Local 974, "They work three eral "illegally terminated" unionists. tion when asked for. contract also contained wage increases of 2 twelve-hour shifts, one four-hour day, get "No" buttons and flyers against the ten­ In a phone interview after the vote, Holt - 4 percent depending on the labor grade. Continued on Page 14 tative agreement were distributed at plant gates and inside the plants. These materials were also widely distributed at the Cat plants --MILITANT LABOR FORUMS------in Decatur and Pontiac. One of the flyers handed out was a letter by Terry Orndorff, CALIFORNIA follow. Sat., March 7, 7:30p.m. MASSACHUSETTS Chairman of UAW Local 786 in York and Los Angeles From Iraq to th Caspian Sea Region: The Cri­ Boston the only local union president who voted Speak-out Against the Death Penalty. Speak­ sis oflmperialism in the Middle East. Speaker: The Fight for Puerto Rico's Independence: against the agreement. Orndorff said he did ers: Dr. Peggy Kidwell, co-chair L.A. Death Ma'mud Shirvani. Sat., March 14, 1:30p.m.Both 100 Years of Struggle. Panel discussion. Fri., "not recommend the proposal to anyone." Penalty Focus; Elizabeth Lariscy, Socialist events will be held at 1223 N. Milwaukee Ave. March 6, 7:30p.m. 780 Tremont St. Donation: The return of only 110 out of the 160 Workers Party, member of International Asso­ (at Division on CTA Blue Line). Donation: $4. $4. Tel: (617) 247-6772. union workers fired during the past six and ciation of Machinists. Fri., March 6, 7:30 p.m. March 14 Dinner: $6. Tel: (773) 342-1780. a half years, the dropping of more than 400 2546 W. Pico Blvd. Donation: $4. Tel: (213) 380- TEXAS unfair labor practice charges, and amnesty 9460. IOWA Houston for all line crossers were the key issues that From Iraq to the Caspian Sea Region: The determined the outcome of the vote. These Des Moines Crisis of Imperialism in the Middle East. ILLINOIS The Fight to Defend and Extend Abortion Speaker: Ma'mud Shirvani. Sat., March 7, 7:30 issues were dubbed by Caterpillar and UAW Chicago officials, and echoed in the press, as "emo­ Rights Today. Fri., March 6, 7:30p.m. Dinner p.m. Dinner: 6:30p.m. 6969 GulfFreeway, Suite "Portrait of Teresa." A Cuban film about 6:30p.m. 2724 Douglas Ave. Donation: $4. Din­ 380. Donation: $4. Dinner: $6. Tel: (713) 847- tional issues." women and the Cuban revolution. Discussion to ner: $4. Tel: (515) 277-4600: 0704. But most UAW Cat workers saw it dif­ ferently. These were fundamental issues of principle involving human solidarity and dignity. They flowed from the head and the -·IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP--- heart. Where to find Pathfinder books and dis­ 101515,2702 The contract calls for giving jobs back to Mailing address: 909 Broad St., Suite 320. Zip: at least 110 fired workers, with the company tributors of the Militant, Perspectiva 07102. Tel: (973) 643-3341. Compuserve: Manchester: Unit 4, 60 Shudehill. Postal 104216,2703 reserving the right to arbitrate the cases of Mundial, New International, Nouvelle code: M4 4AA. Tel: 0161-839-1766. Internationale,NuevainternacionalandNy NEW YORK: New York City: 59 4th Av­ Compuserve: 106462,327 International. enue (comer of Bergen) Brooklyn, NY Zip: 11217. Tel: (718) 399-7257. Compuserve: CANADA -CALENDAR- UNITED STATES 102064,2642 ; 167 Charles St., Manhattan, Montreal: 4581 Saint-Denis. Postal code: ALABAMA: Birmingham: Ill 21st St. NY. Zip: 10014. Tel: (212) 366-1973. H2J 2L4. Tel: (514) 284-7369. Compuserve: DETROIT 104614,2606 South Zip 35233. Tel: (205) 323-3079. OHIO: Cincinnati: P.O. Box 19484. Zip: Michigan Compuserve: 73712,3561 Toronto: 851 Bloor St. West. Postal code: 45219. Tel: (513) 662-1931. Cleveland: 1832 The Pope's Visit to Cuba. A report back from M6G 1M3. Tel: (416) 533-4324. Compuserve: CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2546 W. Euclid. Zip: 44115. Tel: (216) 861-6150. Detroitans attending the event. Panelists: Father 103474,13 John Nowlan, Nora Mendoza. Thurs., March 5, Pico Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380-9460. Compuserve: 103253,1111 7:00 p.m. Wayne State University, Room 289, Compuserve: 74642,326San Francisco: 3284 Vancouver: 3967 Main St. Postal code: 23rd St. Zip: 94110. Tel: (415) 282-6255,285- PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 1906 V5V 3P3. Tel: (604) 872-8343. Compuserve: Student Center Building. Sponsored by WSU South St. Zip: 19146. Tel: (215) 546-8218. Newman Catholic Center and the Justice for 5323. Compuserve: 75604,556 103430,1552 Compuserve: 104502,1757 Pittsburgh: 1103 Cuba Coalition. For more information, call: FLORIDA: Miami: 137 N.E. 54th St. Zip: (313) 577-3462 or (313) 561-8004. E. Carson St. Zip 15203. Tel: (412) 381-9785. FRANCE 33137. Tel: (305) 756-1020. Compuserve: Compuserve: 103122,720 103171,1674 Paris: MBE 201,208 rue de la Convention. TEXAS: Houston: 6969 Gulf Freeway, Postal code: 75015. Tel: (1) 47-26-58-21. NEW YORK GEORGIA: Atlanta: 803 Peachtree St. Compuserve: 73504,442 NE. Zip: 30308. Tel: (404) 724-9759. Suite 380. Zip: 77087. Tel: (713) 847-0704. New York Compuserve: 102527,2271 International Women's Day Program. Speak­ Compuserve: 104226,1245 ICELAND ers include: Lourdes Vasquez, author; and a rep­ ILLINOIS: Chicago: 1223 N. Milwaukee WASHINGTON, D.C.: 1930 18th St. N.W. Reykjavik: Klapparstfg 26. Mailing ad­ resentative of the Federation of Cuban Women. Ave. Zip: 60622. Tel: (773) 342-1780. Suite #3 (Entrance on Florida Ave.) Zip: dress: P. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. Tel: 552 Video: "Parallel Histories" by Marta Bautiz. Sat., Compuserve: 104077,511 20009. Tel: (202) 387-2185. Compuserve: 5502. INTERNET:[email protected] March 7, 7:00p.m. Sponsored by Casa de las IOWA: Des Moines: 2724 Douglas Ave. 75407,3345. Americas. Suggested donation: $5. Food served. NEW ZEALAND For more information, call: (212)675-2584. Zip: 50310. Tel: (515) 277-4600. Compuserve: WASHINGTON: Seattle: 1405 E. Madi­ 104107,1412 son. Zip: 98122. Tel: (206) 323-1755. Auckland: La Gonda Arcade, 203 Compuserve: 74461,2544. Karangahape Road. Postal address: P.O. Box WASHINGTON, D.C. MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: 780 Tre­ 3025. Tel: (9) 379-3075. Compuserve: mont St. Zip: 02118. Tel: (617) 247-6772. Support the Black Farmers Class Action Law 100035,3205 Compuserve: I 03426,3430 AUSTRALIA Suit. Join Black Farmers and Agriculturists As­ Christchurch: 199 High St. Postal address: sociation (BFAA) in support of their suit against MICHIGAN: Detroit: 7414 Woodward Sydney: 19 Terry St., Surry Hills 2010. the U.S. Department of Agriculture for decades Mailing address: P.O. Box K879, Haymarket P.O. Box 22-530. Tel: (3) 365-6055. Ave. Zip: 48202. Compuserve: 104127,3505 Compuserve: I 00250,1511 of racist discrimination in denying loans and Tel: (313) 875-0100. Post Office, NSW 1240. Tel: 02-9281-3297. driving Black farmers off the land. Meet Thurs., MINNESOTA: St. Paul: 2490 University Compuserve: 106450,2216 SWEDEN March5 at 9:00a.m. in front ofthe federal court­ Ave. W., St. Paul. Zip: 55114. Tel: (612) 644- house at 3rd St. and Constitution Ave., N.W. The BRITAIN Stockholm: Vikingagatan 10 (T-bana St hearing begins at 10:00 a.m. For more infor­ 6325. Compuserve: 103014,3261 London: 47 The Cut. Postal code: SEI 8LL. Eriksplan). Postal code: S-113 42. Tel: (08) mation, contact Gary Grant at (9/9) 826-30/7. NEW JERSEY: Newark: 87 A Halsey. Tel: 0171-928-7993. Compuserve: 31 69 33. Compuserve: 100416,2362 12 The Militant March 9, 1998 -GREAT SOCIETY------We tossed all night -A new Bleak Blair -Anthony Blair, only to Israeli citizens. dignitaries. bail jumpers ($1 ,480 a week and no defense fund was authorized by the United Kingdom's Labour Party share of the bounty paid by bail 'Sick,' as in 'sick society'- In They got squeezed? - "Be­ William and Hillary Clinton to help prime minister, said it would be two bondsmen). Recruits will be given Johnson City, Tennessee, a school sieged" officials at Nicholas High raise the $3.2 million they owe their "tough" and "frustrating" years be­ black uniforms, bulletproof vests, psychologist and her husband, a in Fullerton, California, modified lawyers. The head trustee of the fore there would be any visible ben­ and a pistol. "When you kick in the minister, were indicted for child their ban on hugging and other on­ efits from his government's cut­ door," he observed, "you never abuse. On a cold rainy night they campus displays of affection. backs of social entitlements. Not to know what's going to happen." put their adopted son, 13, out na­ "Some" hugs and even "high fives" mention the political fallout of serv­ ked as a punishment. He was found are now OK. But they drew a line ing as running dog in U.S. •.. nor does the victim- In the Harry the next morning in a neighbor's in the sand. Declared an adminis­ imperialism's dirty war against Iraq. Los Angeles area, two bounty hunt­ bam, trembling with cold, and clad trator: "This is a place of business. ers acting to seize an alleged bail only in a choir robe he took from Ring White citizens? - Thousands Sometimes it's appropriate to hug jumper, shot a bystander through the his father's nearby church. ... [but] making out in the bushes, of immigrant workers and tourists chest, leaving him in critical condi­ that's not appropriate." in Israel were told not to join the It was pretty malodorous - tion. Police took the targeted man fund warned that if big money long lines waiting for gas masks The Holocaust Memorial Museum 'How I spent my holiday' -A into custody, but released the bounty doesn't come in, "this couple will being issued, assertedly, in the event has fired the director who refused U.S. bounty hunter is offering Brit­ hunters after brief questioning. They leave the White House impover­ of an Iraqi attack. Due to a short­ to take Palestine's Yasser Arafat on ish vacationers the chance to spend said it was an accident, "not a crimi­ ished." age, the masks are being distributed the VIP tour expended to visiting their holiday pursuing and arresting nal act." Malcolm X and the fight against imperialism The following selection is excerpted the Black struggle for freedom? from an interview printed in Malcolm X MALCOLM X: Whites who are sincere Talks to Young People. The interview was don't accomplish anything by joining Negro given to Jack Barnes and Barry organizations and making them integrated. Sheppard, leaders of the Young Socialist Whites who are sincere should organize Alliance, on Jan. 18, 1965. Malcolm X among themselves and figure out some strat­ read and approved the final text, which egy to break down the prejudice that exists in appeared in the March-April1965 issue white communities. This is where they can of the Young Socialist. It is copyright © function more intelligently and more effec­ 1965 by Betty Shabazz and Pathfinder tively, in the white community itself, and this Press. Reprinted by permission. has never been done. YOUNG SOCIALIST: How do you view YOUNG SOCIALIST: What part in the the role of the U.S. in the Congo?! world revolution are youth playing, and what MALCOLM X: As criminal. Probably lessons may this have for American youth? there is no better example of criminal activ­ MALCOLM X: If you've studied the cap­ ity against an oppressed people than the role tives being caught by the American soldiers the U.S. has been playing in the Congo, in South Vietnam, you'll find that these guer­ through her ties with Tshombe and the mer- rillas are young people. Some of them are just children and some haven't yet reached their teens. Most are teenagers. Iris the teenagers abroad, all over the world, who are actually BOOK OF involving themselves in the struggle to elimi­ nate oppression and exploitation. In the Malcolm X at Militant Labor Forum in New York, Apri11964. THE WEEK Congo, the refugees point out that many of the Congolese revolutionaries are children. MALCOLM X: It is impossible for capi­ pletely. In fact, when they shoot captive revolution­ talism to survive, primarily because the sys­ cenaries. You can't overlook the fact that aries, they shoot all the way down to seven tem of capitalism needs some blood to suck. years old- that's been reported in the press. 1 Congo declared its independence from Bel­ Tshombe gets his money from the U.S. The Capitalism used to be like an eagle, but now gian colonial rule in June 1960 and Patrice money he uses to hire these mercenaries - Because the revolutionaries" are children, it's more like a vulture. It used to be strong Lumumba, who had led the liberation struggle, these paid killers imported from South Af­ young people. In these countries the young enough to go and suck anybody's blood headed the first independent Congolese govern­ rica- comes from the United States. The people are the ones who most quickly iden­ whether they were strong or not. But now ment. He was deposed by U.S.-backed rival pilots that fly these planes have been trained tify with the struggle and the necessity to it has become more cowardly, like the vul­ Moise Tshombe as Washington led an interven­ by the U.S. The bombs themselves that are eliminate the evil conditions that exist. And ture, and it can only suck the blood of the tion force under the United Nations flag in late blowing apart the bodies of women and chil­ here in this country, it has been my own ob­ 1960. Lumumba was murdered by the Tshombe's helpless. As the nations of the world free forces in January 1961. Tshombe, installed as dren come from the U.S. So I can only view servation that when you get into a conversa­ themselves, then capitalism has less vic­ the role of the United States in the Congo as tion on racism and discrimination and segre­ prime minister in 1964; crushed a revolt in east­ tims, less to suck, and it becomes weaker em Congo by Lumumba's followers. Washing­ a criminal role. And I think the seeds she is gation, you will find young people are more and weaker. It's only a matter of time in incensed over it - they feel more filled with ton later admitted that U.S. planes flown by U.S. sowing in the Congo she will have to har­ my opinion before it will collapse com- pilots had taken part in the operation vest. The chickens that she has turned loose an urge to eliminate it. over there have got to come home to roost. I think young people here can find a pow­ erful example in the young simbas [lions] in YOUNG SOCIALIST: What about the the Congo and the young fighters in South -25 AND 50 YEARS AGO-- U.S. role in South Vietnam? Vietnam. MALCOLM X: The same thing. It shows Another point: as the dark -skinned nations victims of war-caused cutbacks in funds for the real ignorance of those who control the of this earth become independent, as they decent education. American power structure. If France, with develop and become stronger, that means that THE MILITANT all types of heavy arms, as deeply entrenched time is on the side of the American Negro. as she was in what then was called At this point the American Negro is still hos­ March 9, 1973 Indochina, couldn't stay there, I don't see THE MILITANT pitable and friendly and forgiving. But if he WASHINGTON, D.C.-Two hundred PUaLIIHID IN THI INTIRIITI OP THI WORKING PIOPLI how anybody in their right mind can think is continually tricked and deceived and so on, people participated in a White House picket NEW YORK, N.Y. ~ FIVE (5) CENTS the U.S. can get in there- it's impossible. and if there is still no solution to his prob­ line and joint national steering committee So it shows her ignorance, her blindness, her lems, he will become completely disillu­ meeting of the National Peace action Coa­ lack of foresight and hindsight; and her com­ sioned, disenchanted, and disassociate him­ lition (NPAC) and the Student Mobiliza­ March 8, 1948 plete defeat in South Vietnam is only a mat­ self from the interest of America and its soci­ tion Committee (SMC) here today. The LOS ANGELES -The long struggle of ter of time .... ety. Many have done that already. antiwar activists from 48 cities in 18 states California farm laborers to achieve organi­ came to express their determination to re­ zation is being renewed in the heroic strike YOUNG SOCIALIST: What contribution YOUNG SOCIALIST: What is your opin­ main in the streets demanding a total end in Kern County at the Di Giorgio farm cor­ can youth, especially students, who are dis­ ion of the worldwide struggle now going on to U.S. intervention in Southeast Asia. poration, a 20,000-acre fruit ranch. A 19\12 gusted with racism in this society, make to between capitalism and socialism? A spirited picket line of about 150 mile picket line has been maintained for five circled in front of the White House for months, since last Oct. 1 by 1,100 members about two hours. Two days before the Paris of the APL National Farm Laborers Union conference to "guarantee the peace" in Local 218 and 125 truck drivers of AFL Vietnam, the demonstrators listed the many Teamsters Local 87. ways in which the U.S. remains in South­ In addition to the solidarity and fighting east Asia to back up regimes acceptable to spirit of the strikers, has been the aid and Washington: 10,000 civilian advisers in assistance given by the AFL, which has Vietnam, economic and military aid to the brought the help of the city workers to the Thieu regime, air bases in Thailand, the farm workers. This help reached a high point Seventh Fleet off the coast of Vietnam. on Feb. 6 when the AFL brought a Friend­ Each example was followed with the chant ship Train of its own to the strikers, a cara­ of "Out Now!" van of some 250 cars and trucks bearing Fran Froehle, who drove 19 hours to get 1,000 AFL members $20,000 worth of food to Washington from Minneapolis, seemed and $6,000 in cash. to sum up the feeling of most of the dem­ The landowners know what is at stake. onstrators. "I don't believe the U.S. is re­ The example of successful struggle being ally getting out," she said. "The U.S. is still waged at the Di Giorgio ranch through the deeply involved in Vietnam, and we need unity of the farm and city workers opens the to keep on having actions like this and edu­ gates to organization of some 350,000 Cali­ cational work." fornia agricultural workers. Abe Bloom and Chuck Petrin were Some were drawn into the city during the elected as additional national co-coordina­ war and afterwards returned to the fields. tors ofNPAC. The meeting also sent a tele­ Most had no previous trade union experi­ gram to the striking Philadelphia Federa­ ence. A few did, however, and they play an tion of Teachers, solidarizing with them as important part in the union. March 9, 1998 The Militant 13 -EDITORIALS------____;_---~- Caterpillar U.S. troops out of the Mideast! .workers reject Continued from front page politics, such as the recent meeting at the City College of contract Washington's Assault on Iraq," featured in New Interna­ New York that discussed the theme of "100 Years of tional no. 7, describes the reality of imperialism in the Struggle Against U.S. Imperialism: Africa, Cuba, Puerto Continued from Page 12 aftermath of the 1990-91 Gulf War- a world marked Rico, the Philippines." That event highlighted the revolu­ two days off and then right back again. So at least one by mounting economic crisis, social instability, intensi­ tionary example of the Cuban people and their intransi­ weekend a month, they're working a weekend without fied political conflicts, and deepening struggles for self­ gent resistance to the colossus to the north. It also dis­ overtime pay." determination. played the indomitable spirit of the Puerto Rican inde­ At the beginning ofUAW Local974's ratification meet­ "Washington's war in the Gulf is not, as the U.S. rulers pendence fighters against the Yankee colonizers. ing union, officials invited the press in to take pictures. pretend, the harbinger of a new world order based on Socialist workers and Young Socialists around the world The army of photographers and TV camera crews ignited peaceful solutions to strife among states," the article ex­ campaigned in February to get the Militant, Perspectiva a chorus of boos, setting the stage for what turned out to plains. The slaughter could accurately be described as the Mundial, New International no. 7, and the booklet Cel­ be a loud and raucous meeting. As the union tops tried to prelude to World War III. "That is the inexorable historic ebrating the homecoming of Ernesto Che Guevara's re­ convince union members to vote for the contract, UAW logic of imperialism in its decline - the class logic that inforcement brigade to Cuba into the hands of workers, members inside reported that many booed and hissed. will culminate in world war if the capitalists prevail in the young fighters, and others, In March they will launch a Others walked out early, wanting only to cast their vote. decisive struggles that are ahead.... drive to sell new subscriptions to the two periodicals and Union hats, shirts, and crumpled-up contract summaries "As the political consequences of Washington's mili­ copies of the New International as they continue to cam­ were thrown on the stage. A few workers walked into the tary 'victory' in the Gulf continue to unfold, we need to paign against imperialism. winter air bare-chested. recognize that this is not primarily a postwar period, but The working class is the biggest obstacle to the imperi­ Later, on Peoria TV, Clingan said he "couldn't get the a prewar period," the article stated. It pointed out that the alists' march toward fascism and World War III, upon message across to his members and that many will regret 1990-91 "slaughter in the Gulf is the first in a number of · whom the wealthy rulers would have to inflict a world­ how they voted." conflicts and wars that will be initiated by the U.S. rulers wide decisive defeat to reverse the decline of their decay­ Weems described the Pontiac ratification meeting in a in the 1990s, and the opening of a new stage of accelerat­ ing system. These battles remain ahead. The vote by the similar way. "A lot of turmoil," he said. ing imperialist preparations - at home and abroad- for Caterpillar workers rejecting a recent contract proposal is those wars." That remains true to

BY HILDA CUZCO August 30, 1985, in Puerto Rico. They were are kept separated and in maximum secu­ and sentenced to 35 years in a state prison, There are 14 Puerto Rican political ac­ charged with being members of the rity. No communications are allowed among plus 55 additional years in a federal prison. tivists who are incarcerated in prisons across Macheteros, a proindependence organiza­ the inmates, and correspondence is restricted She is imprisoned at FCT Dublin, Dublin the United States for participating in the tion, and of conspiring to rob a Wells Fargo to their immediate relatives only. They are · California. struggle for the independence of their coun­ depot in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1983. kept in prisons far away from their homes, Dylcia Pagan, sentenced to 55 years, is try. Their sentences run up to 105 years. The other 13 activists were arrested in while prison authorities severely limit visits scheduled to be released in 2013. She is im­ Among the 14 independence fighters, Chicago between 1980 and 1985. They were of close relatives. The prison ·officials have prisoned at FCT Dublin, Dublin, California. accused of membership in the Armed Front coerced the inmates into physical searches Juan Segarra Palmer is the last of the "Hart­ Ida Luz Rodriguez was sentenced to 75 for National Liberation and with sedition. while naked. They receive little medical ford 15" defendants who were arrested dur­ years. Her release date is 2014. She is im­ The prisoners, nine men and five women, treatinent or some are forced into unautho­ ing a raid by more than 200 FBI agents on prisoned at FCT Dublin, Dublin, California. rized surgeries. An international campaign to free the Carmen Valentin is scheduled for release Puerto Rican political prisoners has won in 2043. She is imprisoned at FCT Dublin, support for their immediate release through Dublin, California. speak-outs, teach-ins, letters, petitions, and Edwin Cortes, who was sentenced in phone calls to the U.S. government officials. 1983 to 35 years, is doing time at USP Terre Prominent figures such as South African Haute, Terre Haute, Indiana. Archbishop Desmond Tutu as well as Latino Luis Rosa at USP Leavenworth, 1members of the U.S. Congress have written Leavenworth, Kansas, was sentenced to 30 · letters urging Washington to release the in­ years in a state prison and also faces a 75- dependence fighters. The Puerto Rican Fed­ year federal term. eration of Labor and numerous religious, civic, and cultural organizatiqns in Puerto Carlos Alberto Torres was sentenced to Rico and the United States have endorsed 70 years at FCI Oxford, Oxford, Wiscon­ the campaign. sin. The jailed independence fighters include: Juan Segarra Palmer, FCI Marianna, Alejandrina Torres at Pembroke Station, Navajo Unit, Marianna, Florida. A political Danbury, Connecticut. She is scheduled to prisoner since 1986 serving a 60-year sen­ be discharged in 2004. tence. Elizam Escobar is incarcerated at FCI Adolfo Matos, USP Lompoc, Lompoc, El Reno, El Reno, Oklahoma. Arrested in California. Serving a sentence of 70 years, 1980, Escobar served a state sentence of Matos was a state prisoner for eight years. eight years before a federal court sentenced Alberto Rodriguez, USP Lewisburg, him to 60 years. Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Arrested in 1983 Oscar Lopez Rivera is jailed in Marion, and imprisoned on a 35-year sentence. Illinois. He was arrested in 1981 and is serv­ Ricardo Jimenez, USP Lewisburg, ing a 70-year sentence. Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Sentenced to 90 Alicia Rodriguez was arrested in 1980 years with release due in 2036.

-LETTERS------~------~ Concessions at Northwest ber to be aware of how far below Long Kesh detention camp in 1983. these political hostages of U.S. im­ Add me to mailing list I have been a flight attendant for industry standard we truly are - es­ After their escape, they immigrated perialism. I'm writing to request that you 31 years. A friend of mine retired pecially in retirement. to the United States, got jobs, mar­ The addresses : Terrence Kirby add me to your mailing list. I'm an from United Airlines last year at age c.w ried, had children, and became part #885 33 -011; Pol Brennan# 875 inmate at Angola, Louisiana, (Loui­ 55 with pay of$1,700 a month. Ifl Los Angeles, California of the U.S. working class, like mil­ .71 - 011; Kevin Barry Artt #330 20 siana State Penitentiary) and I ran were to retire at that age, mine lions of other workers from around - 198 - Federal Detention Center, across your ad in the Prison Life would be $490 a month. Thirty-four Free Irish activists the world. These three anti-imperi­ 5675 8th. Street, Camp Parks, magazine. I automatically became years is a long time to work for a In the summer of 1997, the alist fighters remained supporters of Dublin, California 94568. interested! large company and leave basically United States government promised the freedom struggle in Ireland and Richard Johnson #17422 - 038 A prisoner with nothing. Sinn Fein that the remaining Irish made speeches, raised funds, and UA56- Box 1000 White Deer, Angola, Louisiana Our union along with the others political prisoners in the USA went to demonstrations. They en­ Pa. 17887. gave three very long years of con­ would be released and that all de­ gaged in legal political activity. It Also, Irish Northern Aid is call­ What can I do to help? cessions to "supposedly" save portation proceedings against Irish is because of their political activity ing for letters of protest to President I want to receive your newspa­ Northwest from a certain fate of political refugees would be ended. that they have been singled out for William Clinton requesting that he per. Myself and two friends are bankruptcy. Because of these con­ Sometime in December of 1997, the persecution by the federal govern­ release all Irish political prisoners planning to found a socialist com­ cessions, the company is in a very White House decided to reject the ment. and end deportation proceedings mune when we get out. I want to good financial state (over $1.2 bil­ clemency appeal of Richard Richard Johnson is an Irish­ against political refugees. educate the masses and open their lion in cash in the bank). Northwest Johnson, an Irish republican politi­ American supporter of the Irish Roy Inglee eyes to the truth. What can I do to and the other carriers have made cal prisoner. In California, three freedom struggle who was simply Wilmington, Delaware help the socialist movement? massive profits while the workers Irish political refugees, Terry Kirby, framed up by the FBI on charges of A prisoner have given tremendous conces­ Pol Brennan, and Kevin Barry Artt, holding contraband for foreign in­ 'Go to the socialists' Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas sions. Flight attendants at AA are being held in federal prison, surgents. I am interested in your newspa­ [American Airlines] and Alaska for awaiting deportation hearings. In We would like to ask other Mili­ per. The Militant is a socialist pa­ The letters column is an open example fought back and won!! Cleveland Ohio, another political tant readers to come to the support per, I believe. I am Albanian. My forum for all viewpoints on sub­ It is really an insult to us all that refugee, Noel Cassidy, will face of our fellow anti-imperialist fight­ country now is socialist. So I jects of general interest to our Northwest is not willing to negoti­ deportation proceedings this sum­ ers imprisoned in the United States. thought this would be the best w~y readers. Please keep your letters ate in a fair way. Morale right now mer. The three prisoners in Califor­ First of all these political prisoners to educate myself. "If you want to brief. Where necessary they will is very low. It has been 10 years nia, Terry Kirby, Pol Brennan and need solidarity, contact with fight­ learn socialism, go to the socialist." be abridged. Please indicate if since we have had a pay increase. Kevin Barry Artt, were republican ers on the outside of the walls. We A prisoner you prefer that your initials be In closing, I want every union mem- prisoners of war, who escaped from urge you to write to one or more of Fishkill, New York used rather t~n your full name.

March 9, 1998 The Militant 15 THE MILITANT Thousands protest Sinn Fein ouster from Ireland talks BY ANN FIANDER indictment of Sinn Fein is palpable, particu­ AND DEBRA JACOBS larly in nationalist areas of the north, and is MANCHESTER, England-Thousands evident throughout Ireland," Adams contin­ of people marched to City Hall in Belfast ued. "I appeal to everyone to channel their February 22 to protest the expulsion of Sinn anger and frustration at today 's decision into Fein from negotiations on the future of Ire­ peaceful and disciplined protest. It is our land. Two days earlier, the British and Irish democratic right to protest. Now is the time governments had announced the expulsion for people to exercise this right." of Sinn Fein, the leading party fighting to As a pretext to suspend Sinn Fein from end British rule in Northern· Ireland, from the negotiations, British secretary of state the talks for three weeks, until March 9. for Northern Ireland Mrujorie Mow lam cited Demonstrators block road to Derry, Northern Ireland, February 18 protesting the Others took part in protest rallies and meet­ assertions by Ronald Flanagan, head of the expulsion of Sinn Fein - the leading organization fighting to get British occupation ings across Northern Ireland that weekend. pro-British Royal Ulster Constabulary, that forces out that region - from negotiations on the future of Ireland. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams re­ the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was re­ sponded to this decision saying, "The pro­ sponsible for the killings of two men. Nei­ began at midday on Sunday, July 20 last from the talks for a month after admitting a cess by which this decision was reached ther Flanagan nor Mowlam have offered year, remains intact." death squad associated with it was respon­ lacked any notion of natural justice. At the evidence for their claims. David Trimble, leader of the pro-British sible for killing several Catholics in Janu­ stroke of a pen this decision attempts to si­ Since Sinn Fein's expulsion, two bombs Ulster Unionist Party, complained that the ary. The RUC and British authorities had lence the voices of 175,000 people who have exploded in Northern Ireland, which three-week expulsion of Sinn Fein was too ignored these murders for weeks. voted for our party nationally," both north British authorities have attempted to blame brief. David Adams of the loyalist Ulster and south of the line dividing Ireland that on the IRA. In response, the IRA issued a Democratic Party (UDP) made similar com­ Debra Jacobs is a member of the National was imposed by London in 1921. statement saying, "We reiterate that the com­ ments. Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport "The anger at the British Government's plete cessation of military operations, which The UDP was earlier forced to withdraw Workers. Government probe against Quebec rights backfires BY KATY LEROUGETEL nounced it will take an active part in the Toronto Star columnist pointed out, "The of the hearings, Quebec union tops and the TORONTO- The week-long federal upcoming Quebec provincial elections, a government has not renounced the use of government announced an agreement to cut Supreme Court hearing on whether Quebec move widely seen as a sign of irreconcil­ force under other conditions." And it re­ wages, averting governmental legislation has the legal right to secede from Canada able tensions between the Quebec Liberal serves to itself the right to determine whether imposing the cuts. Gerald Larose, head of "unilaterally" concluded February 20 with Party, which opposed Ottawa's court case, Quebec's will has been "clearly expressed." the National Confederation of Trade Unions the federal government emerging as the po­ and the federal Liberals. Only two provincial governments, those (CSN) in Quebec joined Prime Minister litical loser. Ottawa initiated the hearing with Federalist forces across the country were of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, made sub­ Lucien Bouchard at the/ sovereignist rally the aim of intimidating sovereignist senti­ also disunited around Ottawa' move. A Tor­ missions to the court. on February 20. ment in Quebec by moving to declare inde­ onto Star column called the federal court The Canadian Labor Congress (CLC), the The Grand Council of the Crees was one pendence illegal. lawyer's performance "scatterbrained" and largest trade union federation in Canada, of several Native groups to appear before Instead, this attack created a broad con­ "a good reflection of the confusion ... over complained, "This legal action takes us away the court. Offering thinly veiled cover for sensus in Quebec among a wide range of how to handle the threat of Quebec seces­ from finding a solution and into emotion­ federal use of force against Quebec, their political forces in favor of Quebec's right to sion." The Globe and Mail, Canada's na­ ally charged territory." This is consistent lawyer said if a secessionist government decide its own future and was the impetus tional daily, moaned that there was "too with the CLC's long-standing silence and tried to take control of aboriginal territory, for the largest nationalist rally in Quebec much wrong and too much risky" in this inaction in face of Ottawa's assaults on Que­ Ottawa would have a legal obligation to stop since the 1995 referendum on Quebec sov­ court reference and that "the Supreme Court becois rights despite the fact that several ma­ it. "The Crees merely ask that they not be ereignty. should find a way to put it off." jor CLC affiliates adopted resolutions in the taken out of Canada against their will." The Quebecois form a nation in Canada Federal lawyer Yves Fortier argued that 1970s supporting Quebec's right to self-de­ The Native peoples are oppressed oppressed on the basis of their language, Ottawa had never conceded "that there is a termination. throughout Canada, with the federal gov­ French. They represent more than 80 per­ right to secede .... Quite the contrary, the In Quebec thousands of municipal work­ ernment in the forefront of enforcing their cent of the population of the province of government of Canada maintains that there ers took part in job actions in the week be­ second-class status. Quebec. is no such right." He said that nonetheless fore the Supreme Court hearing to protest Katy LeRougetel is a member of United La Presse, the major French-language and Ottawa would not keep Quebec in Canada wage cuts imposed by the PQ government. federalist daily in Montreal, called the fed­ against its clearly expressed will. But, as a After all-night negotiations, in the middle Steelworkers ofAmerica Local5338. eral government's initiative a "fiasco." Fed­ eralist forces across the country came out of it in disarray. At the beginning of the hearings, 1,000 Paper strikers 'Inore deteriDined than ever' people rallied in Ottawa in support of Que­ BY NED DMYTRYSHYN strikers are members of the Communication, mirror image of what the company wants. becois rights. Workplaces, hot line shows, AND BRIAN HAUK Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP); the It's total garbage," added McKinnon. and coffee shops in Quebec buzzed with others belong to the PPWC. The strike is "What happens in this strike will set a CROFTON, British Columbia-"We're near-unanimous condemnation of the fed­ entering its eighth month, making it the precedent for the entire pulp and paper in­ more determined than ever to fight the com­ eral government's stand. Polls taken longest walkout in the history of the paper dustry in B.C., affecting 12,000 workers. We pany," said Norm McKenzie, as he walked throughout the week indicated that a solid and pulp industry in this province. are fighting for something important when the picket line with Mike Lundahl and Stu majority of those living in Quebec think it The Crofton mill employs 850 workers, we get so much support from workers across McKinnon. The three strikers are members is solely up to them to decide their future, 700 of whom are members of the PPWC Canada and from around the world, includ­ of Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada despite Ottawa's threats of dire conse­ Local 2 and work in the pulp operation. The ing New Zealand," where Fletcher Chal­ (PPWC) Local 2 at Fletcher Challenge's quences. others are CEP Local 1132 members who lenge is based. "This fight is important not Crofton Pulp and Paper Mill. "The Indus­ On the evening of February 20 an over­ work in the paper operation. The report rec­ just for pulp and paper workers but for all trial Inquiry Commission (IIC) report will flow crowd of 4,000 people packed the Mon­ ommends separate application of the collec­ workers," McKinnon said. mean the loss of 200 jobs at Crofton and treal convention center celebrating Ottawa's tive agreement to each operation. Ludahl explained that- two supervisors hundreds more across British Columbia," failure and demanding Quebec be given the The IIC report recommended adoption of have already been killed during the strike at added McKinnon. right to decide its own future. The rally was a six-year agreement and granted the com­ Crofton. "They were doing unsafe work," McKenzie is a pipefitter with 25 years at called by the Party Quebecois (PQ), which pany demands of "full flexibility" and 365- he said. "These are the supervisors that had Fletcher Challenge. McKinnon is a mill­ forms the Quebec government. day-a-year operation in exchange for a often tried to get me to do unsafe work, wright, and Ludahl has been an operator for All political parties with representatives $3,000 signing bonus. which I refused to do. This industry is dan­ 15 years at the Crofton operation. in the Quebec legislature and nearly all of Strikers on the picket line explained that gerous." The strikers were commenting on the the media publicly opposed the use of the full flexibility would give the company the Fletcher Challenge rejected the IIC report February 9 recommendations from IIC me­ courts to thwart Quebec's right to decide its right to assign workers to any job, under­ and announced February 20 that it was on diators Vince Ready and Colin Taylor, who future. Representatives of the Quebec gov­ mining safety and job security. Contracting the verge of buying a paper mill outside of ernment refused to appear before the court. were appointed by the New Democratic would be allowed in the skilled trades. British Columbia. Party (NDP) provincial government. The The Montreal English-language daily The The IIC report also recommends wage "This company was going to do this any­ NDP is a social democratic labor party with Gazette and the Equality Party, which has increases of just 1 percent the first year and way. They're out to get rid of the union," organizational ties to the unions. no deputies in the legislature, raised the lone 2 percent each of the five following years. stated McKinnon. voices in Quebec in favor of Ottawa's case. By February 19 the 2,400 pulp and paper Company pension contributions would be workers striking at tbree different Fletcher The Equality Party says it is for "English cut by 3.6 percent. Ned Dmytryshyn is a member of the Inter­ Challenge mills across the province had rights," wbich in fact means for preserving "The report ignored virtually all submis­ national Association of Machinists Local voted down the recommendations, with privileges for English-speakers. sions by the unions on the key issues of the 764. Brian Hauk is a member of the Cana­ nearly 94 percent opposed. Two-thirds of the The federal Liberal Party has now an- dispute," said McKenzie. "This report is a dian Auto Workers Local3014 . .

16 The Militant March 9, 1998