Prescott – Blair's Achilles' Heel

WORKERS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!

No 1392 Week commencing 2 June 2006 Weekly paper of the New Communist Party of Britain 50p IRAQ: CALLS FOR PULL OUT MOUNT by our Arab Affairs Correspondent president failed in 1982 are, in fact, still alive. CALLS FOR the immediate and unconditional The anonymous witness withdrawal of all imperialist troops in Iraq are from the same village said mounting following the revelations about the mas- the case against Saddam sacre of Iraqi civilians in Haditha and the increas- was built on bribes. “The ing cost in military lives as the resistance grows prosecutor said they were across the country. executed but I am telling British and American casu- take” and warned the Iraqi you I ate with them some alties are climbing and with people “not to be taken in time ago” he swore. the deaths of two CBS TV by the plans of the occu- “Many of them have be- crew members in a bomb pation to sell out or to de- come rich and occupy pow- attack in Baghdad, the part from their true aim, erful positions,” he said, as number of journalists who which is liberation.” he testified from behind a have died in hostile inci- The Americans are curtain, going on to write dents in Iraq has risen to pouring reinforcements down names for the judge. 71 — the same number into Iraq’s western prov- “If it is true and these killed or presumed dead ince of Al Anbar, calling in people are still alive, this during the Vietnam War. repeated air-strikes on the whole case should be re- Partisans downed an- resistance stronghold of considered from the begin- other US helicopter gunship Ramadi, where the Ma- ning,” one of the Saddam in western Iraq last Satur- rines are holed-up in the defence team argued. day and launched attacks town hall in the centre of First it was the “coali- on imperialist and quisling the city while British forces tion of the willing” that forces across Baghdad and are now facing partisan at- soon became “unwilling” as throughout occupied Iraq. tacks on a scale never seen many of the minnows dra- And the puppet regime has before in the south. • Anti-war protest in LA. gooned into sending troops called for “dialogue” with A state of emergency killed in action this month 1,000 of them are still miss- in support of the Anglo- British garrison.British American occupation the resistance – a call that has been proclaimed in and pushing total British ing, according to Ministry troops are penned in their was contemptuously dis- Basra, the provincial capi- deaths since the war began of Defence figures. bottled out. Now it’s camps most of the time dubbed the “coalition of the missed by the partisans. tal in the heart of the Brit- three years ago to 113. Puppet premier Nouri while the Americans pre- Five major Iraqi resis- ish zone of occupied Iraq, Resistance attacks on Maliki toured Basra this dwindling”. Italy and south fer to come out and fight Korea are pulling their tance movements rejected now seething with anti-im- British occupation forces in week vowing to use an at night with night-vision an offer of talks from the perialist anger. southern Iraq rose from 36 “iron fist” to end the vio- troops out by the end of the equipment that’s in short year. Token forces from new American puppet re- in January to 103 in April, lence but given that his au- supply to the resistance. gime in Baghdad in a two killed firing the desertion rate that thority barely stretches be- other countries like Japan It also helps their troops are expected to follow. The communiqué released this now totals nearly a 1,000 yond the fortified US avoid the searing heat, week. They repeated their Two British soldiers since the Iraq war began “Green Zone” compound sooner Britain follows the more so now in the sum- better. stand which is not “not to were killed and two others in 2003. in Baghdad there is little he mer when temperatures recognise the legitimacy of wounded in a roadside Nearly 3,000 British sol- can do, apart to appeal to soar to over 40C in day- any government under the bomb attack in Basra on diers have gone Awol ev- the mainly Shia resistance light. shade of the occupation, Sunday, bringing to nine the ery year since the start of movements in the south to But the heat is the FUND whatever form it might number of British troops the Iraq war, and nearly a end their harassment of the friend of the partisans born to the climate of the Two Our fund this week Rivers and knowing this is came to £517.90, bringing the best time to step up their our total for May to £2,365.21, which is own war for oil – the £634.79 short of our Prescott – Blair’s Achilles’ heel struggle to stop the imperi- monthly target. We really alists plundering the vast oil must try to do better in by Daphne Liddle A proper election process to Bush and leading Britain sible further scandals to reserves that they coveted into the illegal invasion of Iraq come. Some unlikely figures June. within the Labour Party would when they invaded Iraq in We thank our veteran PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair leave the whole New Labour on the basis of lies and de- have come to Prescott’s de- is fighting desperately not ceit for the benefit of Ameri- fence, including Glenda Jack- 2003. north London paper seller project very vulnerable to a for his usual £27.40 and only to save his own posi- challenge by the increasingly can oil companies. son and Ken Livingstone. Four major attacks on tion but also to keep John disaffected backbenchers The oil companies have They say he is very hard work- pipelines in May and con- we thank our London Scot Prescott’s position in the So although Prescott has not benefited because of the ing and is being mocked be- tinuous raids on fuel tank- for £20. We also thank an Cabinet because Prescott’s lost his most of his powers continuing resistance. But the cause he is working class. ers on the roads have also east Anglian comrade for fall could also sweep away as Deputy Prime Minister fol- United States and Britain But illicit affairs, owning crippled electricity and £20 and another friend for Blair. lowing recent scandals, both have become increasingly two Jags, having a grace- £4.50. All the rest comes water supplies, which rely from bankers’ orders and Prescott is deputy leader Blair and Brown are fighting isolated in the world, both and-favour home and work- on oil-fuelled generators, in of the Parliamentary Labour calls for him to be evicted politically and economically ing class ways are not we thank all the comrades Party but if he leaves the from his Dorney Wood grace- and British and American Prescott’s chief crimes. His Baghdad. Running water is who give regularly in this Cabinet, under current party and-favour home, to lose his capitalists have suffered be- chief crimes are betraying the only available for an hour way. rules, he must forfeit the £133,000 salary and numer- cause of this. working class, supporting the a day, between 1 and 2 am This is the season in deputy leadership. ous other perks that went New Labour hi-jack of the and electricity is down to which political activity This would force an elec- with his former ministerial want him out Labour Party, supporting Blair one hour in five in many grows until on any given tion within the party – and office. in privatising public services, parts of the capital. Saturday or Sunday you Blair cannot control the out- Blair is reported to have It’s not only genuine so- in going to war in Iraq. There Iraq’s jailed feel you should be in at come of such an election. He told Prescott recently that they cialists who want Blair out as And in his own right he leader, Saddam Hussein, least six places at once, also knows that if the posi- were “linked” and they will go fast as possible; powerful has supervised the attending different meet- tion of deputy leader be- together when Blair decides capitalists also want him out. privatisation of thousands of continued to defy his ac- ings and events. It is also a comes vacant, many mem- to quit. Outside the Labour And so large sections of council homes and the re- cusers in the kangaroo season that gives unlim- bers will want an election for Party, that section of the rul- the press, seeing Prescott as structuring of local authori- court set up by the Ameri- ited opportunities for sell- party leader at the same time ing class that favours alle- Blair’s Achilles’ heel, are tar- ties, making them less ac- cans to try him for the ing the paper and asking – probably at the party con- giance with Europe rather geting Prescott. His affair countable. deaths of Dujail villagers supporters for a bite of ex- ference this autumn. than Washington is evermore with secretary Tracey Temple during his rule. tra cash. Be bold and col- Gordon Brown also does frustrated at Blair’s refusal to was a genuine scandal. Play- He is no bumbling inno- One defence witness lect whatever you can and not want an open election for budge from office despite an ing croquet at Dorney Wood cent. The man is a class trai- has already been murdered send it to the New Worker party leader, he wants “an or- avalanche of scandals and while he was supposed to be tor and one of Blair’s chief Fund, PO Box 73, London derly hand over of power” with sleaze that would have looking after the country in accomplices. They must all while another claimed that SW11 2PQ. And let’s re- no debate about policies or shamed a Roman Emperor. Blair’s absence (yet another go: Blair, Brown, Prescott and many of the 148 civilians ally hit that £3,000 target challenges to his succes- The chief of all these Italian holiday) was a joke. the rest of the gang – the allegedly executed after an in June. sion. scandals is his subservience There are hints of pos- sooner the better. attempt to kill the Iraqi Page 2 THE NEW WORKER 2 June 2006 email: [email protected] News Desk 020 7223 4050

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 placards cost £7,200. They 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123Say no more Loose woman left him with a 10-foot “cube” of space for his Social workers in Ger- Witham Friary are facing a dry lagers asked Defra for help protest. many recently had to tell a future after the Duke of they were told to approach Police later said that Weekly paper of the New Communist Party 92-year-old mother that her Somerset told them that main- their local authority. Now the not all the 78 were de- 68-year-old daughter’s love taining the reservoir on a parish and district councils are ployed; 24 were kept in re- life was none of their busi- nearby hill had become too trying to broker a deal with serve while others were ness after the woman had expensive and he was going the Duke. evidence-gathering teams asked them to speak to her to cut off their water supply. who filmed the proceed- The beast is on daughter about her loose The residents pay the Overwhelming force ings. morals. Duke £200 a year for their the back foot Adelheid Schmidt water supply to be maintained The Metropolitan Police Awol called the youth department and chlorinated but a Force last week sent 78 police of social services in hosepipe ban has been in in the middle of the night to More than 900 British WHEN BUSH AND BLAIR met last week at Georgetown Hildesheim, Lower Saxony, force for the last 18 months dismantle the banners and troops have deserted since University to make mutually supportive speeches, the to complain about her and the Duke has asked them placards of one protester. the illegal invasion of Iraq world’s press did not portray them as great world states- daughter Tina’s “uncon- to refrain from flushing the Brian Haw has maintained his – triple the rate from before men so much as two pathetic lame ducks, trying to trollable, immoral and loose toilets too often. one-man peace protest oppo- 2003 – and the number is shore each other up. The New York Times described behaviour with men”. Now the pipes are ageing site the House of Commons rising. The figures emerged Blair as looking “dismayed and tongue-tied”. Mrs Schmidt made the and the local population is for five years now. during a House of Com- For the very first time, they admitted some mistakes call after she found out that growing and the Department Many times various au- mons debate on a law that over the illegal invasion of Iraq and Bush conceded his Tina had a boyfriend. But for Environment, Food and thorities have tried to move could mean military per- “tough talk” and “bring it on” challenge to the resis- the social workers told her Rural Affairs (Defra) turned him from his spot and they sonnel refusing to take tance had been a mistake. He said: “I’m afraid, in the they could not help her as down the Duke’s application even passed a law aimed to part in a foreign occupation end we were always going to have to be prepared for her “child” was 50 years for a £90,000 grant. outlaw his protest. But they could face life sentences. the fall of Saddam not to be the rise of democratic Iraq.” past the age limit where so- So the Duke, who owns drafted it badly and in court It has also emerged Bush also had a desperate message for Blair: “I cial services can get in- two large estates in Devon Brian Haw was able to claim that the Ministry of De- want him to be here so long as I’m the president.” volved. and in Wiltshire, wrote to the that the law did not apply to fence has paid £9 million Blair used his speech to call for a reorganisation of villagers giving notice that he him because his continuous to Priory Group clinics for the United Nations – no doubt voicing Bush’s hopes. High and dry will cut off their water from 25th protest dated from before it treating service personnel He called for “values based on interventionism” in the June. Connection to the near- was passed. suffering from depression name of democracy and human rights. “What we want Three hundred resi- est mains supply will cost up The police action to re- and other mental disorders is to make sure the UN is an effective instrument for dents in the hamlet of to £1 million. When the vil- move most of Brian Haw’s since the attack on Iraq. multilateral action,” he said. In other words Bush and Blair want to use the UN in pre-emptive actions against any country in the world that dares to defy US imperialism. It is a pipe-dream and both of them know it. Most Tesco joins Wal-Mart anti-union crusade world leaders recognise that the UN is long overdue for reform but such pro-American changes would never be by Caroline Colebrook endorsed either by the General Assembly nor by the Security Council. People’s China, Russia and France THE GIANT British super- would veto such changes and the nations of Africa, market chain Tesco – rated Asia and Latin America would never let it pass. the world’s third largest gro- Some wondered if Blair was making a bid to become cer – has been expanding its the next UN secretary general after he quits as Prime trading empire into the Minister. It is more likely that Bush and Blair would like United States domestic mar- to use the issue to withdraw US and British support for ket and is adopting the tac- the UN – but even in that ambition they know their time tics of is main rival Wal-Mart in office is now limited and their successors are not in waging a war against likely to do this. union membership among its US imperialism is now weaker than it has been for a US employees. long time. Bush’s adventurism in Afghanistan and Iraq A recent job advert, has US and British military strength tied down more drawn up by Tesco for senior firmly than Brer Rabbit was stuck to the Tar Baby. Bush managers, listed “maintaining is making threats to bomb Iran but he cannot threaten union-free status” and “union to invade without reintroducing conscription in America. avoidance activities” among the responsibilities of senior In both Britain and the US army recruitment is tumbling managers of its planned new while desertions are soaring. The cannon fodder is no network of stores on the US longer willing. Bombing Iran will be terrible and cause west coast. death a suffering. But it would not defeat the Iranian The Tesco operation in • Plenty of anti Wal-Mart feeling in California - does Tesco want this? people. It would make them more angry and more anti- Britain has recognised and opposing its workers joining yet decided on its policy to- tried to fight moves to cut American. negotiated with the the United Food and Commer- wards trade unions in other benefits by Kroger, US imperialism is also losing its power to blackmail shopworkers’ union Usdaw cial Workers (UFCW) in parts of the US. Albertson’s and Safeway. other nations economically. It has blockaded Cuba for since 1998, and has more than southern California. The company is reported The UFCW’s Local 770 is around 40 years, yet the socialist island survives. Now 100,000 union members An advert for a new em- to be planning a range of campaigning aggressively the Chavez government in Venezuela is willing to sell oil among its staff. It has also ployee relations director, said: smaller shops that will stock against the expansion of Wal- to countries that defy the US. China is growing as a adopted a human rights “The incumbent has primary fresh foods and prepared Mart’s Supercentres in the giant world economic power – beyond the control of policy that includes “the right responsibility for manage- meals. Los Angeles area. Washington. Russia and the EU are no longer dancing of our staff to join a ment of employee relations; In southern California, it Nelson Lichtenstein, a to America’s tune. The US can no longer threaten to recognised trade union”. maintaining non-union status is entering one of the most labour history professor at the isolate countries that defy it from “the world economic But in the US it seems the and union avoidance activi- bitterly contested labour re- University of California, said community”. It can only further isolate itself. company is set to follow the ties.” lations battlefields in the US. that Tesco’s small format Two weeks ago Hugo Chavez told a mass rally in American example set by Tesco also plans to ex- Two years ago, the area stores could represent an London that US imperialism was doomed as a pig on its Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, pand into Los Angeles and witnessed a four-month su- “under the radar threat” to the way to the slaughterhouse. The most reactionary and Trader Joe’s and others in Phoenix but says it has not permarket strike, as the UFCW UFCW. avaricious section of the global ruling class is staring defeat in the face. But there is no cause for complacency. Soon Bush and Blair will both be out of office and their successors FBU fights cuts in Herts are likely to be cleverer. A Democrat government in the FIRE CREWS in US could take up the EU plan to withdraw from Iraq, The most recent non-pro- of one of the county’s three our frontline 999 service.” Hertfordshire are stepping posals – that would only be specialist “high-reach” ve- The union cited the which has been on offer since 2003. That would mean up industrial action in protest hicles. Council’s own web site, which all US and British forces leaving the country while neu- formally offered if the fire the latest threat from the fire crews first indicated they Tony Smith, Herts FBU shows the cabinet has not met tral UN troops and negotiators broker a genuine sover- authority to press ahead with would accept them – also dis- vice-chair and serving since before the lawful trade eign Iraqi state. Such a government could mend bridges the closure of Radlett and closed the fire authority’s se- firefighter said: “The latest fire dispute began and the full with Europe and Russia and try to reassert US eco- Bovingdon fire stations next cret intention to close of authority threat is one of a County Council has not dis- nomic influence more subtly. This more sophisticated week. Radlett and Bovingdon fire series which have accompa- cussed the fire dispute since form of imperialism could be more dangerous in the long In addition to the lawful stations on 1st June 2006, re- nied every proposal put to us they first approved the run. strike action already set for gardless of the lawful trade by the fire authority. swingeing cuts on 28th March. But it would have a hard task after the damage that 31st May from 2pm, strike ac- dispute remaining unresolved “This is yet another ama- Tony Smith added: “They Bush has done at home as well as abroad. US political tion will also take place on the and negotiations continuing. teurish negotiating tactic have appeared to us to be sim- writer Noam Chomsky is already describing the US as a following two days until 2pm The document of non- which far from appeasing fire ply going through the mo- “failed state”, unable to protect its citizens, believing it on 2nd June 2006. This coin- proposals given to the union crews has simply hardened tions of meeting us without is above the law and lacking democracy. These three cides with the clear threat from last weekend still included the our resolve. We are beginning actually reconsidering the criteria would theoretically justify a UN intervention. Herts County Council to per- loss of 16 whole-time to wonder whether the central cuts and closures they Political thinkers in the US are pondering America manently shut Radlett and firefighter jobs to be taken Council’s tactics really are due wished to implement from the Beyond Capitalism – a new book by Gar Alperowitz. Bovingdon fire stations from from Hemel Hempstead, to their incompetence or outset. It’s still a long way to go to realising that socialism is Thursday 1st June next week. Stevenage, Watford and St whether they are part of a po- “It has been a game to the way forward but a step in the right direction. A US Representatives from fire Albans; the closure of Radlett litical agenda to deliberately them. They need to wake up controlled by its working class would be a very differ- stations across Hertfordshire and Bovingdon fire stations; inflame the dispute. and realise this is not a game ent place to what it is now. We live in hopes of that met last week and rejected re- redundancy notices hanging “Either way, we cannot to their fire crews. It is our happening but we know there are no guarantees. markably similar proposals to over the heads of the 23 sit back and watch as they lives and those of our com- those already rejected by fire firefighters serving Radlett close down our fire stations munities they are putting at crews only the week before. and Bovingdon; and the loss and axe more than 40 jobs from risk.” 2 June 2006 THE NEW WORKER Page 3 Home News Newsdesk 020 7223 4050 MoD pays £100,000 Pension reform will hit low paid for nerve THE GMB general union because of the long delay in workers and employers will in retirement,” says the GMB general secretary, gas test last week warned that the implementing them. The be obliged to contribute. But GMB. Paul Kenny said: “This Government’s White Pa- union says the delay will the GNB points out that the But the union’s main ob- White Paper could mark the THE MINISTRY of Defence per on pension reforms deny much needed assis- Government has put in opt- jection is the demand for foundation of a Labour last week paid out £100,000 will divide the working tance to many of today’s out clauses – as it did with workers to work until they legacy matched only by the in compensation to the fam- class, enabling high paid pensioners and to those re- the European Working Time are 68. “There is no evi- likes of the NHS and the ily of an airman who died in workers who can afford to tiring in the next few years. Directive – and the scheme dence that health inequalities Welfare State in the public 1953 in a clandestine nerve save considerable sums to Why should women have to is now full of loopholes. will have narrowed by the mind. gas test. The MoD also retire at 65 or earlier, wait until 2010 before the deadline the Government “Sadly at the moment apologised to the family. while the lower-paid will pensions system acknowl- realistic have brought forward to there seem to be too many Ronald Maddison was a have to work until they edges that caring for others 2045, so once again the gaps, too many delays and 20year-old airman who re- drop. is valuable work? “Without realistic em- lower earners will be forced too much caution. The sponded to an appeal for vol- The union pointed out The Second State Pen- ployer contributions, even to work until they drop while GMB will continue to cam- unteer “guinea pigs”. He was that health inequalities mean sion, that used to be known those who are able to par- high earners will continue to paign for sustainable reform sent to the Government re- that people on low incomes as Serps, will undergo radi- ticipate are liable to be retire early and live longer,” with tangible results. search establishment at already suffer poorer health cal changes. In theory both says the GMB. Porton Down, where scien- heavily reliant on the state “The UK needs radical than the better paid and are pension reform that forces tists were conducting tests on less likely to live so long. Yet chemical weapons, such as business to pay its share. nerve gas and mustard gas these are the very people Increased funding for the during the Cold War. who will face having to work FAS should be widely wel- Others who took part in until they are 68. comed but everyone should the experiments said they The GMB welcomed remember that when the were duped into taking part the Government decision to Government asked compa- and believed they were help- restore the link between the nies to contribute they were ing to find a cure for the com- basic pension rate and av- met with the sight of busi- mon cold. erage earnings, reform the ness leaders washing their On the morning of 6th national insurance system hands of responsibility. May 1953 scientists put and establish a National Pen- “Individuals need to be drops of liquid sarin on to the sions Savings Scheme encouraged towards active arms of Richard Maddison (NPSS). participation not shepherded and five other volunteers in a It also welcomed plans towards means testing. The sealed chamber. Five minutes to increase the Financial As- Government have made a later Maddison had to be car- sistance Scheme (FAS), good step towards this by ried out and taken to hospi- which helps workers who accepting the theory of the tal. He died within half an hour. have saved for their retire- NPSS but there are a lot of His father was given a ment only to find that when version of events but in- loose ends that will need to their employer goes bank- be trimmed. structed to tell no one else. rupt their pension fund dis- Since then the family have “There can be no justi- campaigned to find out the appears. So far the funding fication for increasing the truth of what happened. In for this scheme has been state pension age so soon 2002 they succeeded in win- totally inadequate. when health inequalities in ning a fresh inquest and in But the GMB said the our country are so extreme. 2004 that inquest rules that reforms “left a sour taste” • Many pensioners feel betrayed by Labour. How can anyone justify Maddison had been unlaw- forcing workers to work for fully killed. longer because the rich re- Now the MoD has agreed tire early and live longer?” compensation. Madison’s The Transport and Gen- sister Lillias Craik said: “It is a eral Workers’ Union gave the great relief. I am still angry at Seafarers GMB fights Pensions White Paper a cool what happened but I am welcome. TGWU general pleased it is over. I can’t for- secretary Tony Woodley get what they did and I can’t campaign for mini said: “The Government de- forgive them.” serves two fairly rousing The MoD is now facing cheers for the policies out- legal action from 500 other against ‘social volunteers who believe their cab driver lined in the Pensions White health was seriously damaged Paper. by the tests at Porton. dumping’ who would benefit from THE GMB general welcomed union last week being picked up and Call BRITISH AND Irish seafar- plained ITF campaign co- called for the same dropped off directly “The decision to intro- ers converged on the Welsh ordinator Norrie McVicar. rules for mini cabs as outside their desired duce the National Pensions for torture TUC congress last Thursday “The nationality of crews for black cabs in location. Savings Scheme – with to demonstrate their determi- employed is utterly irrel- London after a mini This appeal comes compulsory contributions flights nation to stop the super-ex- evant,” said RMT general cab driver faces as GMB member Ariyibi from employers to back up ploitation of foreign seafar- secretary Bob Crow. “What £1,000 in fines for Adeniran who lives in worker and Government inquiry ers by ship-owners on ferry matters is that they are paid helping disabled fares Hackney and has been contributions – is to be wel- routes across the Irish Sea. properly, work in decent con- to reach their destina- a London mini cab driver comed. The lobby, at the conditions, have the right to join tions safely, when that for many years, faces a trade union, are treated with “And the eventual res- A REPORT published last gress centre in Llandudno, means stopping along almost £1,000 worth of was organised by the Inter- respect and are not used to toration of a link between week by the Joint Committee a red route. fines and a visit from earnings and state pensions of Human Rights sparked a national Transport Workers’ undermine existing pay and the bailiffs as he cannot Federation’s British and Irish conditions. The union has called is something for which we call from MPs and peers for afford to pay the out- a full Government investiga- affiliates – RMT, NUMAST, “We need to see the Gov- on Transport for London have campaigned over many tion into the use of British the TGWU and SIPTU in sup- ernment applying the mini- to review its ruling that standing fines many of years. It would be even more airports for CIA flights tak- port of the Wales TUC’s con- mum wage to vessels operat- bars London’s licensed which are the result of welcome if the link were ing suspected terrorists to tinuing campaign against “so- ing in UK territorial waters private hire mini cab his helping disabled restored earlier. countries where they are at cial dumping” and ending the shameful ex- drivers from picking up fares reach their desti- “Increasing the state risk of being tortured. emption from the Race Rela- and dropping off their nations safely. pension age is very defi- The report claimed that still denied tions Act that allows ship- fares in red routes even nitely not a welcome devel- ministers have not properly owners to discriminate with when driving disabled Ed Blissett, GMB opment, however, and we shown that they have thor- Inside the congress del- impunity,” said Bob Crow. passengers, even London region secretary are also disappointed at the oughly examined claims of egates heard that despite the though black cabs are said: “Some laws are lack of help for today’s pen- “extraordinary rendition” on mass campaign against Irish threatening allowed to stop in the just plan wrong and sioners. secret flights, leaving them Ferries, which had forced the GMB London feels that “Measures to end dis- potentially in breach of human company to sign up to an “We now have Stena red routes for picking up and dropping off fares. this total ban may be a crimination against women rights law. agreement to pay migrant threatening to join the ‘race in our pensions system are Now it has emerged that workers at least the Irish mini- to the bottom’ in seafarers’ The total ban costs case in point. We are London’s 40,000 not looking to disrupt long overdue, and the another parliamentary com- mum wage, foreign workers pay by introducing low-cost government’s proposals do mittee is to investigate the were still being denied basic overseas crew on their licensed mini cab drivers London’s traffic flow but simply to enable the go some way to meet that extent of British involvement union rights. Some had even Holyhead-Dublin route,” thousands of pounds in objective. and support for the CIA’s ac- been removed by police from noted RMT national secre- fines every week. It capital’s mini cab drivers tary Steve Todd. the same rights as “The extension of the tivities. vessels after complaining disadvantages able Financial Assistance The Intelligence and Se- about conditions. “We have told Stena that bodied passengers who London’s black cabs curity Committee will try to “The Irish Sea has be- we expect them to honour their and to help the travelling Scheme is also to be wel- have to be dropped comed, since it will help to establish whether British au- come the latest battleground agreement with us that sets some times a long public and especially thorities shared information against ship-owners displac- out the rates paid to ratings bring some protection to distance from their the disabled to get to workers whose entitlement with the United States that led ing organised crews with working out of Holyhead, and and from their destina- to the abduction of two ‘low-cost’ overseas labour that any attempt to undermine destination but is to a decent retirement has particular hard on tions with as little been denied them through former British residents who paid at sub-minimum-wage it will be resisted, with indus- difficulty as possible.” are now being held at rates and working on vastly trial action if necessary,” disabled passengers the collapse of their pension Guantanamo Bay. inferior conditions,” ex- Steve Todd said. schemes.” Page 4 THE NEW WORKER 2 June 2006 Features Terrorism and Democratic Korea communism The hard

by Rob Gowland Brunswick to find myself favourite nickname for facing the physical bulk of Australian premier Menzies IT WAS IN 1953, when I the local police constable among non-conservative was 15, that I had first- who lived 150 yards up the voters) intimidate people. hand experience of the struggle road from us on the opposite “What the old bastard is paranoia gripping the so- side of Burnell Street. doing is using state cops to called leaders of Australia. Mr Hicks was familiar to do his dirty work, even My brothers John, 20, and me, as I had sung in a choir though their job has nothing Lew, 17, and I had permis- with his son, Ian, before both to do with federal politics.” sion to use our father’s our voices broke. This was just a few years car to attend a Eureka “Hello, Mr Hicks”, I said. after Menzies’ attempt to Youth League picnic at He did not respond to my outlaw the Communist Party the Eltham sports ground greeting, but merely said: of Australia failed on appeal for steel — at that time set in “Where is the owner of car to the High Court of Austra- delightful bush-land north registration number 211 lia. IN THE 1950s the great dent went to see the workers at east of Melbourne. 050?” In 1951 he had called a march to build a new society the plant. Informing them of the The League was a juve- While we considered the referendum on the issue, was launched in Democratic internal and external situation, he nile appendage of the Com- dear old 1036 Dodge to be asking the electorate to vote Korea. It was called the said that in order to strengthen munist Party of Australia our father’s it was, indeed, “yes”, the comparatively new Chollima or the Chollima the people’s national defence (CPA), essentially a potential still registered in the name of federal Labour leader, Dr Work-team movement after capabilities and firmly build an recruiting ground for the our elder brother, Monty, who Herbert Vere Evatt, cam- the winged horse of Korean independent national economy CPA. had offered the vehicle to paigned successfully for a legends. much more steel should be pro- Entry to the sports ground Dad before crossing the “no” vote, seemingly putting Although it was only a brief duced and that “when others was not at all easy as the Tasman to further his busi- to rest the hysteria about the period in the protracted history of walk, we should run, and when gate to the reserve was ness career. threat of communism in the Korean revolution, the Ko- others run, we should fly”. located at the south-western “He’s in New Zealand”, I Australia. rean people always remember Soon after he led the work- corner of the tract, about 200 replied. But Menzies was not those meaningful days when the ers who lit the torch of the yards from the main road. Then came: “Was the finished; with the assistance movement was in full swing. Chollima Work-team Movement Gaining access to the car, registration number 211 of Bartholomew Augustine and ensured that the whole coun- ground required a hard right 050, at the Eltham sports (Bob) Santamaria, a ram- try took part in the drive to win turn — almost a U-turn — The poplar ground on Sunday the XXX?” pant and almost psychotic tells the story the title of Chollima Work-team. which John could not Before I could answer, anti-communist Roman In a hearty response to his achieve because of the Lew’s voice came from Catholic whose early dream call, the Kangson workers pro- length and poor lock of behind me. “Have you got a it was to create a predomi- In the compound of the duced 120,000 tons of steel bil- Dad’s 1936 Dodge. Conse- warrant or something?” he nantly Italian peasant society Chollima Steel Complex a poplar lets from the mill with the rated quently, he kept driving along said. in Australia. tree stands like a silent witness capacity of 60,000 tons, helping the dirt road that ran up a “No”, the policeman replied. What he began as the to history. After Korea was lib- and leading one another forward, gradual, winding slope to the erated from the yoke of Japanese “Then fuck off”, Lew said. Catholic Rural Movement in th smashing conservatism, passiv- west of the reserve. I was astonished to see the the late 1930s was subse- imperialists on 15 August 1945, ism and mysticism about tech- Once John had found a burly uniformed representa- quently renamed the Na- President Kim Il Sung visited the nique, and surmounting all ob- spot at which he could turn complex and met the workers on tive of law and order turn and tional Civic Council. th stacles and hardships. with safety, we began to walk away. My brother 9 October 1945. He sat cross- In this way, the Kangson make our way back towards reinforced this part of my Acknowledgement to The legged with them on the floor to plant was the first to win the the entrance. learning process. Beacon. discuss the restoration of the fac- Chollima Work-team title, and the As we made our ap- “Now listen, Yarra”, he tory and steel production. flames of this movement lit up all proach, we saw a grey FX said, “I’ve told you before, The Guardian He called on the workers to parts of the country. Holden in which were seated the State police are being Australian communist rebuild it as soon as possible to In recent years the steel com- three men wearing snap- used to help Pig Iron (the weekly produce steel and make a big plex has suffered many difficul- brim hats — one of them contribution towards the building ties and obstacles owing to the peering through binoculars of a new nation now that they imperialists’ moves of isolation at the goings-on in the were the masters of the country. and stifling. sports ground below. In hearty response to his call, But the workers taking up the Lew said: “ASIO”. (Aus- the workers rebuilt an electric spirit and stamina they had dis- tralian Security Intelligence furnace and steel began to roll on played in Chollima days, per- Organisation). Basically we 1st December that year. rd fected the steel production base, just laughed about such On 3 August 1953 ( Juche further increased the production government concern over a 42), when the smoke of the Ko- of rolled steel and their assort- social day involving the Meat rean war started by the US im- ments, and turned out second- Workers’ Union, the Wharf perialists still lingered over the processed products. Labourers’ Federation and Korean peninsula, President Kim True to the tasks set in the various other workers’ Il Sung went to see the steel plant joint editorial of this year, they are industrial organisations, that had been devastated in the making painstaking efforts to pro- along with uncommitted conflict. Under the poplar tree he duce more high-quality molten people who just wanted to met workers and encouraged steel and steel billets. have a good day out, not them to start reconstruction as Their exploits have been por- seduced by the anti-commu- soon as possible and produce trayed in feature films, novels, nist hysteria going on about steel again. fine art works and poems and the the country. True to his instructions, the poplar tree still stands majesti- We had a great day; there steel workers rebuilt the electric cally in the factory compound. were a few anti-Menzies/ furnace along expansive lines and anti-McCarthy speeches tapped the steel in only 40 days. delivered, but the essence of In 1956 the situation at home Young smelters the afternoon was laid-back and abroad was very complex. enjoyment. The US imperialists and the south Many years have passed We wickedly indulged in Korean puppet clique were des- along with the poplar tree. A new things like tug-o-war, sack perately trying to ignite another generation of workers are now races, volleyball and other war in Korea. Anti-Party and standing in the steel mill com- such politically suspect counter-revolutionary factional- pound. Young workers, the third activities. ists were trying in every way to and fourth generations of the It was quite a surprise demolish the class position of the revolution at the Chollima Steel when, several weeks later, I Party to further their political Complex, are now making their answered the front door at ambitions. appearance as its masters. our home in West • Dr Herbert Vere Evatt speaking in 1942. In December 1956 the Presi- Among them is Jin Yong Il, the 2 June 2006 THE NEW WORKER Page 5 Features 020 7223 4052

One day in December 1956 to carry out the task advanced in (Juche 45) President Kim Il Sung the joint editorial published by visited the plant and, organising leading newspapers of the DPR a consultative meeting, said to the Korea on the first day of this year, workers that if they produced he is energetically stepping up the 10,000 tons more structural steel technical renovation and it would be a shot in the arm for modernisation of his workshop for the nation. “Let’s trust each other, the active introduction of the you and me, and bring about an Juche-based method of steel pro- innovation in steel production,” he duction and the bringing about of appealed. a new turn in steel production. That day the President per- Jin Yong Il says, “We have a sonally met Jin Ung Won at the task of making a higher leap, full meeting and showed great ap- of great ambition and confidence. preciation for the work he had As manager of a steel produc- done so far and expressed the tion workshop, I, together with hope that he would the building the steel producers of the new of the country by producing steel generation, will live and work like plentifully in the future, too. the steel producers of the older Afterward, the President generations and support the coun- kindled the torch of the Chollima try with steel production, thereby Movement, saying that if steel making an active contribution to was to be produced, a mass the building of a great prosper- movement to help and lead one ous powerful nation.” another forward in production was needed. Recreational activities True to his words, Jin Ung Won converted his work-team Mass cultural and recreational into a collective of people help- activities thrive at the Chollima ing and leading one another for- Steel Complex. ward, under the motto “one for Sports games are organised in all and all for one” with impres- the work-shops and across the sive results, producing tens of plant on national holidays, the thousands of tons of steel by founding anniversary of the com- making technical innovations, plex and Sundays. Korean chess son of Jin Ung Won who was one while smashing conservatism, and the Korean board-game yut, of the front rankers of the passivity and mysticism about table tennis, volleyball and vari- Chollima Movement conducted technique. ous amusement games are held in the Democratic People’s Re- Jin was the leader of the first frequently. public of Korea in the 1950s. Chollima Work-team. Later, he Last year the complex com- When Jin Ung Won’s arrived was awarded a Kim Il Sung Or- memorated the 115th May Day at the Kangson Steel Plant (the der and the title of Labour Hero on a grand scale. name of the complex in those and he was elected to the Su- Placards reading “Long live days) shortly after the end of the preme People’s Assembly. May Day, the international holi- Korean war, the place was dev- Now his son Jin Yong Il is day of the workers of the world!” astated — all that remained of working as the manager of Steel and “Celebrate May Day!” were the plant was heaps of ashes. Workshop No 1. After finishing put up on the sports field. Vari- Harbouring bitter hatred to- military service he studied at the ous matches including football, ward the enemy, the US imperi- Kim Chaek University of Tech- volleyball, basketball, tug-of-war, alists, he spared no effort and nology, and returning to his home and running took place, while old wisdom for the reconstruction of town he became a smelter. workers enjoyed table-tennis, his plant. In the course of this he When became the crew Korean chess, yut and other became a labour innovator and leader of the furnace, Demo- board games. an exemplary smelter. cratic Korea was facing eco- The players with nameplates nomic difficulties due to the im- of Kangchol (steel), Abyon perialist strategy of blockade and (rolling), Pungoe (blooming) and diplomatic isolation. Steel produc- Wollyo (raw material) on their • Top: President Kim Il Sung tion was hindered in no small chests were filled with optimism talking to the steel workers of measure. and determination to win. Kangson in 1960. Right: smelters He was sunk in deep thought The most conspicuous match smell success. Bottom: the flying that “today when our country is horse of Chollima. of the day was the tug-of-war. under trying circumstances we Each team was comprised of 100 must not yield to difficulties. We people, who vied with strength must operate the furnace at full with one mind, demonstrating capacity by all means and back their organisation and united up the country with steel as our power. older generation did.” The workers’ house of culture Filled with a firm determina- is a centre of the cultural life of tion, he buckled down to his work the factory. After work, they and, making economies in the use spend evening hours at this place, of even a gram of raw and other engaged in various clubs accord- materials, strove to find out ra- ing to their hobbies and abilities. tional methods of operation suited Artistic performances are often to given conditions. By so doing held there with workers present- he put steel production onto a ing poems, songs and novels they steady footing. wrote. He established a well- Many talented writers and organised system of small, me- artistes come from the complex. dium and overall repairs to the Poet Kim Man Yong, a Kim Il furnace and carried out the plan Sung Prize winner, was a worker for its repair ahead of schedule. himself, and the writer of the full- He invented the method of work length novel Iron Conviction, for lengthening the expected life- Kim Ri Don, was also a member span of the lid of the melting pot of the literary club of the com- and the bottom of the furnace, plex. thereby making a contribution to The chairperson of the trade steel production. union of the complex says, “We As the new generation forms will conduct more dynamically the backbone of the team at the mass culture and recreational present he is making efforts to work to carry out the Workers’ help them enhance their techni- Party of Korea’s intention to give cal and skill levels. He is inspir- full play to the culture of the ing them to raise the quality of working class in the era of molten steel and live and work Songun. Then the life of our steel like the heroic steel producers of producers will be full of happi- the 1950s. ness and optimism.” He is now a workshop manager. Today, too, he is taking the lead in bringing about uninter- rupted innovations. And in order Korea Today Page 6 THE NEW WORKER 2 June 2006 Home News

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protest at warns 1234567890123456789012345678 NHS ‘choice’ 123456789012345678901234567Diary 8 academy’s prisons are 1234567890123456789012345678 deepens divisions selection too packed FRIDAY 2 June 25th aniv. of 1981 Hunger Bands against Bush. The Strike. 5.30pm reception Beat, Cracked Actors, 360, PARENTS of schoolchildren LORD PHILLIPS, the Lord & exhibition. 7.30pm rally. INCREASING patient choice ternative that would not be in who attend Trinity School in Chief Justice of England and Cupid Stunts. 1.30pm-2am, Conway Hall, Red Lion Sq, over which hospital to be the best interests of the pa- Thorne near Doncaster claim Wales, last week warned that The Sanctuary, Digbeth, London WC1. Troops Out treated in will increase health tients. the sponsored academy run prison overcrowding is pre- Birmingham. £8. Stop the & Wolf Tone Soc. inequalities, according to a Former Health Secretary by Sir Peter Vardy is exclud- venting any useful treatment War. TUESDAY 14 June report released last Wednes- Frank Dobson accused the ing children for petty of- or rehabilitation of prisoners. FRIDAY 2 June 25th aniv. of 1981 Hunger day by the King’s Fund. Government of “rigging the fences to get rid of pupils it He also condemned the The health think-tank market”. He said: “When the Don’t attack Iran. public Strike.5.30pm reception & does not want to teach – ei- lack of drug rehabilitation fa- meeting with Shirin Ebadi, exhibition. 7.30pm rally. conducted a poll, commis- Government introduced foun- ther because they are not aca- cilities in the community that sioned by the Government, of dation hospitals, it promised Tony Benn etc. 6.30pm, Carrs Lane Church, demic high achievers or be- leads to addicts committing Friends House, Euston 1,000 people and found that they would not be given spe- cause they question the crimes in desperation be- Birmingham City Centre, those with formal education cial privileges. Clearly they are school’s strong religious cause prison is the only place Road, London WC1. B4 7Sx. were likely to choose the best having difficulty drumming up ethos. where they can hope to get SATURDAY 3 June 25th aniv. of 1981 Hunger hospitals. trade and so now they are Trinity is the third acad- treatment. The price of war - Labour Strike.5.30pm reception & Most of those without being given favoured treat- emy run by Vardy – a friend The prison population of Against the War AGM & exhibition. 7.30pm rally. such qualifications opted for ment. It’s called rigging the of Tony Blair – in the north of England and Wales is set to conference. 10.30am- Irish World Heritage the nearest hospital. market.” England and it opened last exceed 80,000 by autumn and This finding coincided James Johnson, who 4.30pm, Hungerford Primary Centre, Queens Rd, summer. Vardy is a believer in Lord Phillips has called on his School, Hungerford Rd, Cheetham Hill, Manches- with the Government an- chairs the British Medical creationism and his others fellow judges not to send any nouncement that patient Association, said: “We would Lonon, N7. ter M8 8UF. schools have attracted con- more offenders to prison un- SUNDAY 4 June choice is to be extended, giv- like to get back to the choice troversy through their less there is absolutely no al- WEDNESDAY 14 June ing them the right to free treat- available before the Conser- Dickensian discipline and for ternative. Nottingham Green Festival. Aniv. of the founding of ment anywhere in England – vatives started their reforms teaching creationism along- He said: “We need much 12–6pm, The Arboretum, the CPP by Kwame including private clinics and in the 1990s, when a GP could side science as if it were a valid better drug rehabilitation fa- Waverly St. Free. Nkrumah. 7pm, room 15, foundation hospitals. refer to any hospital or spe- scientific theory. cilities in the community. It SUNDAY 4 June House of Commons, This will increase compe- cialist anywhere in the coun- Parents of Trinity pupils, should not be necessary to Children’s music gala 3. tition between hospitals and try.” Westminster, SW1A. meeting last week at the commit an offence in order to Celebrating Interntional 07984 405 307. anger unions representing Meanwhile the Depart- Moorends Hotel, gave in- get drug treatment. I’m afraid thousands of healthcare ment of Health last week Children’s Day. 6pm, St THURSDAY 15 June stances of pupils being sent the reality in many parts of the Monica’s Hall, 521 Green Defend the right to workers facing redundancy signed the first contract of its home for buying their clothes country is that it is.” because of the current crisis kind with a private firm to pro- in the wrong shop of failing He added that it is point- Lanes, London N13. Free. protest. PSC supporters facing most NHS trusts. vide GP services to thou- to carry a Bible on certain less to send people to jail for Enfield Cypriots Assoc. in court. 9.30am, picket of Health Secretary Patricia sands of patients in east Lon- days. two-week sentences and SUNDAY 4 June Horseferry Magistrates Hewitt plans to publish a na- don. Thorne is a former mining Military action against Iran? Court, Horseferry Rd, tional “menu” of choices for called for many more beds for Care UK, based in area and there is no other prisoners with mental health Bruce Kent, Tahir Swift. London SW1. PSC. every patient needing non- Colchester, Essex, beat four school in the vicinity. Parents problems so they could be emergency treatment. rivals for a contract to run a 2.30pm, Friends meetin FRIDAY 16 June have no choice but to send taken out of jails. House, Church St, Reading. End the Occupation. The first edition of this list practice for 7,000 patients and their children there, even But Lord Phillips pointed will include 15 private treat- a walk-in centre in the Lon- SUNDAY 4 June Public meeting. 7pm, though they do not like the out that the public would not The Resistable rise of the main hall, Indian YMCA, 41 ment centres, specialising in don Borough of Barking and school’s philosophy. accept community sentencing routine operations including Dagenham. Pauline Wood, whose unless it involved “significant Far Right. speaker: Daphne Fitzroy Sq, London W1. cataract surgery and hip re- The GP practice will em- daughter attends Trinity, said: punishment”. He said he had Liddle. 2pm, Lucas Arms, Stop the War. placements. ploy four doctors and seven “We thought it was just one met prisoners who preferred 245a Gray’s Inn Road, SATURDAY 17 June She also plans to publish nurse practitioners. The com- or two cases to start with but prison rather than community London WC1. Canterbury party for success rates for individual pany will also provide a walk- when we talked we realised the sentences, so they could get SUNDAY 4 June peace: Stop the War surgeons and consultants in centre dealing with 100 pa- scale of what was happen- treatment. and to set up a task force to tients a day. North West District New festival. 1-8pm, Dane ing… He told judges to resist Workers Supporters John Gardens, Canterbury, advise on extending “choice” The service will remain “The strong feeling lo- the temptation to send petty into different areas such as free to patients and the NHS Groups meeting. 4pm, Kent. 0778 636 7975. cally is that the school is aim- offenders to jail “for a touch Liverpool. Details Mike SATURDAY 17 June mental health and maternity will pay the company in a deal ing to get rid of the pupils who of prison” because this made care. said to be in excess of £5 mil- have problems or are consid- things impossible for the Fletcher c/o NCP centre, 020 MANA concert for peace. The danger of bringing lion over five years. ered difficult. They’ve already people trying to run the pris- 7223 4052. Lauderdale House, the private or voluntary sec- The BMA has criticised got a waiting list with kids ons. SATURDAY 10 June Highgate Hill, London N6. tor into mental healthcare is the introduction of a market from outside the area and they 5th Stop the War annual 020 8455 1030. that many evangelical reli- place and competition into want to get them in so the conference. 10am-7.30pm, WEDNESDAY 21 June gious groups are ready and providing what should be exam results go up and they willing to provide a cheap al- high quality care for patients. Friends House, Euston Rd, Peace & War Launch can say the school is a suc- London WC1.£10 observers party. Film, music, events. cess. But what happens to & delegates. 020 7278 6694.8pm, Mile End Arts our kids – the kids they don’t SATURDAY 10 June Emergency New Worker want?” Pavilion, Grove Rd, The parents are planning Hunger Strike march & London E3. a protest march outside the rally. Assemble Glenbarr St, TUESDAY 27 June school gates. Garngad, Glasgow, for Joint union campaign press appeal march to Queen’s Park. against privatisation. rally Because of a problem on our printing press we are www.cairde-hungerstrike.org& mass lobby. 12pm-5pm, launching an emergency appeal for SUNDAY 11 June Central Hall, Westminster, London Socialist Film Co- London. op. Commandante - an WEDNESDAY 28 June £3,000 Oliver Stone film about Fidel Night of Conscience. to cover repairs and maintenance. Castro. 10.30am, Renoir Fund raiser for war Please send what you can to: Cinema, Brunswick Sq, protestor. 7.30pm St Press Appeal (cheques/PO’s to New Worker), New WC1. £6/£4. James Church, Piccadilly, Worker, PO Box 73, London SW11 2PQ. MONDAY 12 June London. £15. Stop the War.

Weekly paper of the New Communist Party SUBSCRIBE NOW! 6 weeks: £4; 3 months: £8; On the Web... 6 months: £15; annual: £30 New Worker National – www.newworker.org Name...... NCP Central – Address...... www.geocities.com/ncpcentral ...... London District NCP– http://londoncommunists.blogspot.com/ Post code...... Brighton NCP – Phone...... http://brightoncommunists.blogspot.com/ Cheque/P.O.’s, made out to New Worker, to: NCP-PCS – www.geocities.ncppcs/pcs1.html NW Subs, PO Box 73, London SW11 2PQ 2 June 2006 THE NEW WORKER Page 7 020 7223 4052

MICK JAMES 12th August 1917–18th May 2006

THE NEW Communist World War he was taken work at the agreed time, the workers of Britain had Peoples Republic of Party mourns the prisoner by the Nazis at they were ordered to rejected Conservatism and China in 1993. death of Mick James, Dunkirk. He made at least continue. Mick stood his all the trappings of In the mid 90s he at the age of 89, a three efforts to escape ground and refused, even imperialism and were set developed cancer of the founder member of and ended up being at gunpoint. He defied the to build a new Britain with jaw. Though he fought the party and for transferred to different guard to shoot him – and a “welfare state”. this off it took a heavy many years its prisoner of war camps in the guard tried. Fortu- But Mick was well toll on his health. The leading economic eastern Europe. nately his gun jammed aware that it would take death of his wife Chris theoretician. In Silesia he found and Mick survived to more than a change of was another big blow Mick was born in himself forced to work in negotiate another day. government in and his political activity the mining community the mines – the very life Eventually, as the Red Westminster to achieve declined. He spent of South Wales as he had hoped to escape Army advanced while the real socialism. And when more time with his son Morgan James, known by joining the army. He Germans retreated, Mick the old Communist Party Danny – a lecturer at Moc – the Welsh was also forced to work in and his colleagues of Britain became gradu- the University of Indiana diminutive of Morgan, a sawmill in Czechoslova- escaped again and ally more and more in the United States but which was later trans- kia where he found himself headed eastwards. The revisionist he, along with returned to Britain as lated to Mick when he representing fellow Red Army repatriated him Sid French, Eric Trevett his healthcare needs moved away from prisoners in negotiating through Odessa as the and other comrades, set grew. Wales. • Mick speaking at an NCP National Congress. hours of work with the war was ending. up the New Communist We salute a great He was a tall man private sector owner of the After the war Mick Party in 1977 to make a comrade and offer and did not relish the military career in full sawmill. joined the Communist break with revisionism. condolences to his son cramped life of a miner ceremonial uniform The German guards Party and became an He continued to play a Danny, daughter-in-law and sought to escape outside Buckingham did not recognise the avaricious reader of leading role in the party Lynn and their children: by joining the Welsh Palace in London. agreement reached, and political theory and and represented the Party Nick, Daniel and Guards. He began his During the Second when the workers stopped economics at a time when on a delegation to the Rachel.

US marines massacred civilians in Iraq

The Marines who killed Iraqi government’s weakness by John Catalinotto the civilians had claimed they that Blair’s trip to Iraq had to were in the middle of a battle be carried out in secret. It was IN THE FIRST year of the US when it happened. Murtha, another that the three major occupation of Iraq some who has been briefed on an ministries handling security— voices, even within the US ongoing military investiga- Interior, Defence and the Na- anti-war movement, argued tion of the incident, said on tional Security Council—had that a hasty withdrawal of US 18th May: “There was no fire- no appointments, as the new troops would leave Iraq victim fight. There was no IED [im- Prime Minister Nouri Al- of civil war, general chaos and provised explosive device] Maliky couldn’t find people random murders. Some pre- that killed those innocent acceptable to all the battling sented this as an argument people. Our troops overre- parties. that US military forces acted because of the pressure Al-Maliky had promised a should stay. on them and they killed inno- month ago that the govern- Now, after more than three cent civilians in cold blood.” ment would form in 24 hours. years of continuous US mili- Time magazine had re- Now, after creating enough tary occupation, Iraq is ported earlier that “eyewit- government ministries to give plagued with general chaos, nesses cast doubt on the posts to every party with a seemingly random murders military’s claim, saying four of few people elected, and pro- and massacres, and some- the Iraqis had been pushed claiming a new government, thing resembling civil war. into a closet, then shot.” he had to appoint himself and President George W Bush Murtha is a pro-military two aides to the most impor- and British premier Tony Blair member of Congress who has tant posts on a temporary ba- are commending the new Iraqi begun to oppose the Iraq oc- sis. government that finally cupation for tactical reasons. He proposes to fill the • US troops leaving death and destruction behind them. formed after bickering for five Speaking for a section of the rank and file of the security months after the election. It Pentagon officials, he states forces with the militias of the would be ridiculous if it his fears that the military will different parties and sects— weren’t such a crime. self-destruct if the occupation that is, with those forces ac- The electricity still continues. cused with good reason of Communist voices doesn’t work. Oil is pumped Murtha understands the being “death squads.” Every at lower levels than before the situation US troops are in, post is carefully appointed Andy Brooks, who spoke mention them by name. He war, with much of it sold ille- based on his own experience with an eye on which party for the New Communist quotes Lenin on the retreat gally. in Vietnam. Where occupation and sect people belong to. REVIEW Party of Britain — but they of the New Economic Iraqi police themselves troops face a popular resis- Nevertheless both Blair give interesting snap-shots Policy in the early days of carry out mass murders while tance and fear everyone, they and Bush extolled the new of the situation in many Soviet Russia, using the serving narrow political par- shoot quickly, in fear and an- government as a victory for by Ray Jones countries and the attitude of term “state capitalism” and ties or religious sects—or sim- ger. They commit war crimes. democracy in the Middle East communists there to the talking of the necessity of ply their own corrupt inter- Murtha wouldn’t agree, and especially a victory for Information Bulletins 1/ world situation. using capitalism. ests. And educated Iraqis but under those circum- their unjustified and criminal 2005/12 & 2/2005/12, £5 Although there is broad Lenin points out that who have the chance are try- stances, the only honourable invasion of Iraq. each inc. P&P (cheques agreement on the world “state capitalism” in a soci- ing to emigrate. thing for US troops to do in Despite the two imperial- to New Worker) from NCP situation it’s seen from ety where the state is con- On top of this, the US mili- Iraq is to refuse to fight against ist leaders’ praise, they don’t Lit. PO Box 73, London slightly different perspec- trolled by the workers is the resistance. Otherwise expect any quick results. The tary, supposedly the most SW11 2PQ. tives and there are differ- quite different from “state disciplined force, carries out these massacres of civilians White House expects no wanton slaughters of Iraqi ci- will continue to take place, quick troop withdrawals. ences on the correct way capitalism” where the state vilians. According to the lat- just as they did in Vietnam. “We’re not going to sort of THESE TWO Information forward within individual is controlled by capitalists. est exposure, US Marines Some will continue from the look at our watches and say, Bulletins are the countries — which you Bains seems to think that slaughtered at least 16 Iraqi air, where bombing raids oop, time to go,” White speeches and statements might expect given that a strategy of “stages” is civilians, including children, in against suspected “insur- House Press Secretary Tony arising from the recent most countries have more applicable to India as well. the city of Haditha last No- gents” hit homes in villages. Snow said 23rd May. meeting of communist than one communist party. John Foster, Commu- vember. Such a raid just happened General Peter Pace, the and workers’ parties held I found the material from nist Party of Britain, ends Iraqi sources consider the in Afghanistan. Major Scott chair of the Joint Chiefs of in Athens and hosted by former socialist countries his interesting piece by call- Haditha massacre a normal Lundy, speaking for the “coa- Staff, had put it even more the Communist Party of useful as inside views of ing for more active coopera- Pentagon operation. That’s lition,” reported a big success succinctly a week earlier when Greece (KKE). what happened to socialism tion between communist why so many Iraqis join the in killing “80 Taliban fighters” a Senate committee asked him That may sound rather there. and workers’ parties inter- with a 21/22nd May strike on whether troops could with- resistance. What makes it dry and, to be frank, boring. Harsev Bains, of the nationally — which unfortu- stand out, however, is that not the village of Azizi in draw completely from any of only did Iraqis complain, but Kandahar province. This Iraq’s 18 provinces within the But I didn’t find them so. Communist Party of India nately sits rather awkwardly the US media and US Con- claim was then cut to 20 fight- next three months. Naturally styles of writing (Marxist), appears to ex- with his party’s refusal to do gressman Joseph Murtha, a ers plus 16 civilian villagers, “No, sir,” Pace replied. vary — not everyone has the plain and defend the route so with the NCP, whose retired Marine colonel and including children, and an- journalistic skills of Rob to communism chosen by proposal for a communist veteran of the Vietnam War, other 15 wounded. Gowland of the Communist Peoples’ China and Viet- liaison committee still re- exposed this war crime. It was one sign of the new Workers World (US) Party of Australia or our own nam — although he doesn’t mains on the table. Page 8 2 June 2006

International News Web: www.newworker.org Fax 020 7223 4057 Mass street actions win gains in Nepal Collusion cover-up by David Hoskins in northern Ireland Prachanda said that “this dec- NEPAL’S parliament—which laration has not been able to was restored in April after fully address the needs and THE EARLY release and massive street demonstra- aspirations of Nepal and the spiriting away of British tions and armed actions Nepali people.” agent Ken Barrett and revela- against the absolute rule of The CPN (M) and the coa- tions by former RUC police- King Gyanendra—has now lition government have man Trevor McIlwrath con- issued a number of declara- agreed to a mutual ceasefire cerning the involvement of tions that dramatically cur- between revolutionary and RUC Special Branch agents tail the power of the monar- state forces in preparation for in the murder of nationalist chy. peace negotiations. civilians, with the full knowl- The restored House is- Prachanda, who will head edge and support of their han- sued arrest orders for five negotiations for the CPN (M), dlers, highlights an increas- high-ranking cabinet officials has outlined his party’s core ingly clear British state who served under demands as a condition for a agenda. Gyanendra. The new coalition final peace settlement. The That agenda aims to pro- government also formally de- three primary demands are: tect state agents within the clared Nepal a secular state unconditional elections to a Unionist death squads and instead of a Hindu kingdom, constituent assembly with the those in Special Branch and stripped the monarchy of its power to rewrite the constitu- MI5 who ran them. control over the armed forces, tion and eliminate the monar- The British state contin- removed all references to the chy, a federalist structure that ues to operate a policy of monarchy from the army and empowers ethnic minorities concealment and cover-up. government, made the royal with greater self-determina- Further evidence of this family‘s assets subject to tion and revolutionary land policy is the British taxation, and eliminated the reform based on the principle government’s plan to give pri- royal advisory council known of land to the tiller. macy in intelligence gathering as Raj Parishad. While it is likely that all in the Six Counties to MI5, one Many legal experts in three demands will be met with of the organisations impli- unease from different quarters cated in the murder of citizens Nepal have predicted that • Mural of Shankill Loyalists – did they collaborate with the British in the death of Finucane? these measures will ultimately of the ruling class, the third there. face legal challenges by roy- demand in particular is likely As Sinn Féin MLA [north- also a paid British agent. Irish citizens in the north of has called on Irish premier alist elements who contend to meet stiff resistance from ern Irish assembly MP] Gerry It is clear therefore that the Ireland, British collusion with Bertie Ahern to call a special that they violate the current the bourgeois and reformist Kelly reminded people this Pat Finucane case goes to the Unionist paramilitaries has summit meeting with the Brit- constitution. parties that make up the coa- week, nobody believes that very heart of the British state taken a heavy toll in human ish Prime Minister on the is- Many of the pronounce- lition government. Many of the murder of Pat Finucane policy of collusion with lives in the 26 Counties. sue of collusion and to use ments are similar to the prin- these parties represent large was solely planned, Unionist paramilitaries. That In March the Dáil [Dublin that opportunity to demand, cipal demands made by the sections of the elite landown- organised and carried out by is why successive British parliament] unanimously before the world’s media, that Communist Party of Nepal ers and have little interest in Shankill Road Loyalists. governments have sought to passed a resolution calling on a fully independent inquiry be (Maoist) when it led the any sort of meaningful reform Barrett was himself a self- conceal the truth by continu- the British Government to es- established into the murder of Nepali masses to launch a that would threaten their eco- confessed British agent, as ing to stall the type of inves- tablish a full, independent Pat Finucane. popular revolution in 1996. nomic interests. was William Stobie the man tigation demanded by the public inquiry into the The Irish Government While welcoming the parlia- The CPN (M) aims to use who supplied the murder Finucane family. Finucane murder. The British also has a responsibility to mentary declaration as a par- the process of negotiations to weapon, along with Brian Tony Blair made public rejected that call. It is now establish full public inquiries tial step toward progress, the demonstrate that its program Nelson the man who supplied commitments on this issue time for the Irish to into notorious cases of collu- CPN (M) has made clear its more fully represents the ma- the intelligence that enabled after Weston Park. He has yet internationalise the issue, to sion in the 26 Counties such intention to stand firm in the terial needs and political as- the murder to be carried out. to deliver on them. But the place it on the agenda of the as the Dublin/Monaghan push to eliminate the monar- pirations of the downtrodden The Ulster Defence Associa- Irish Government also has re- European Union and the bombings and the murder of chy completely. Nepali masses. tion leader in West Belfast at sponsibilities on this issue. United Nations. Donegal Councillor Eddie Ful- CPN (M) leader Workers World (US) that time, Tommy Lyttle, was Apart from is obligations to In this regard Sinn Féin lerton. AP/RN US planned to bomb China in 1964

A NEWLY-PUBLISHED aca- ines in the late 1950s and posed a surprise attack on should find ourselves in mili- were vulnerable to military covered places in the moun- demic study reveals that a early 1960s, the leadership, the Chinese nuclear facili- tary hostilities at any level attack tains. secret American plan to steered by Chairman Mao, ties, including research labs with the Chinese Commu- After the economic plan- Chairman Mao ordered bomb China’s first nuclear previously had decided to re- and nuclear reactors churn- nists, we would expect to give ning adjustment, the govern- a full preparation for a pos- weapon facility 42 years ago vive the sluggish national ing out weapon-grade mate- very close attention to the ment arranged for the trans- sible large-scale war and forced the Chinese leader- economy in the five years rial at land-locked Lop Nur. possibility of an appropriate fer of important factories, uni- even considered building the ship to switch its economic between 1966 and 1970. Pri- According to a declassi- military action against Chi- versities and key governmen- world’s highest railroad from development away from the ority tasks had been to ad- fied top secret document of nese nuclear facilities,” it tal departments to south Qinghai to Tibet, that was coastal regions to the re- dress the basic problems of 14th December 1964 written said. west China. There, they were halted at that time but taken mote south-western moun- the shortage of food, clothes by George G Rathjens of the On 16th October 1964, relocated and scattered to up again in the early 2000s. tains to avoid possible US and other daily consumer US Arms Control and Disar- China tested its first atom Xinhua news agency air-raids. goods for the people. mament Agency, American bomb at Lop Nur. This abrupt change, leaders seriously considered Although the impending which governed all the na- changed the possibility of “overt non- US strike on Chinese tional economic plans from nuclear air attack.” nuclear facilities did not take 1966 to 1970, was revealed But Chairman Mao, in “A ‘relatively heavy’ non- place, the Chinese leader- in the Research Report on view of the current interna- nuclear air attack would be ship made its mind up any- China’s Ten Five-Year Plans, tional situation and the war- required to destroy fission- way to move vital economic published by China’s top scenario consideration, able material production fa- capabilities to remote inland think tank, the Chinese Acad- changed the consensus- cilities to the degree that es- areas. Mao and his close emy of Social Sciences based proposal on enhanc- sentially complete rebuilding associates obviously knew (CASS) in Beijing on Tues- ing the fragile economy. Now would be required,” Rathjens that the sword of Damocles day. economists believe that the said. “A question is raised as hung over national security of The book was compiled readjustment of national eco- to how effective a job could China. by prominent economist Liu nomic planning in 1964 in- be done with various alterna- Guoguang and a handful of advertently set a solid basis tive levels of attack,” he vulnerable top academics from CASS for latest endeavours to added. who say that Chairman Mao revitalise the economy in After careful calculation, In the early 1960s, Zedong, after a careful study western China. the US foreign policy team China’s 14 megacities, each of the international situation, The CIA learnt of the se- agreed: “We are not in favour with over a million people, agreed to change the Third cret Chinese nuclear weap- of unprovoked unilateral US contained more than 60 per Five-Year Plan (1966-70) ons programme in 1960. military action against Chi- cent of machinery production, from focusing on improving They reckoned that the first nese nuclear installations at 50 per cent of chemical pro- people’s livelihood to prepar- fission reactor would be com- this time. We would prefer to duction, and 52 per cent of ing for an all-out war against pleted by 1961 and that plu- have a Chinese test take defence industry production. the “imperialists”, particularly tonium production would place than to initiate such ac- Most of the 14 megacities US imperialism. start in 1962. Figuring out that tion now,” a declassified and 20 other key cities, with In bailing the Chinese the Chinese would likely deto- memo to President Lyndon populations ranging from people out of economic hard- nate their first atom bomb in B Johnson said. 500,000 to one million, were ship resulting from big fam- 1964, US intelligence pro- “If for other reasons we near coastal areas which as a newspaper. Printed by New Age Press (TU). Registed at the Post Office