ILC
International Newsletter
Number 20
March
31, 2003
Weekly information dossier published by the International Liaison
Committee -ILC,
Please contact :
International Liaison Committee -ILC, c/o Parti des travailleurs - 87,
rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis,
7510 Paris France
phone : (33 1) 48 01 88 28 fax : (33 1) 48 01 88 36
e-mail - eit.ilc@wanadoo.fr
******************
Contents:
- Introduction
- The International Liaison Committee informs
- Brazil: a talk with a leader of the Landless Movement
- Pakistan: APTUF and other organisations organise protests
- Algeria: A press conference of Workers' Party
- Germany: Who poses a threat to the SPD's governmental majority?
- The Organizer: Building the Labor Party and a workers international
- Revolution Youth, fighting to organise young people in the United
States
*******************
Introduction
Now, for almost a fortnight, fire and destruction have been battering
the Iraqi people.
People across the world are simply horrified. In the meantime, all the
governments make it quite quite clear that they are determined to speed
up those reforms that shatter the working class' and the peoples'
fundamental gains and rights.
In Italy, the budget Minister, Giulio Tremonti claims that he is about
to go over his economic forecast and "the ensuing consequences for
public financing".
In Germany, the Budget Minister adds: "The consequences of war
cannot be provided for, we see no reason to alter our policy."
Multinationals are already snarling over the "reconstruction"
markets of Iraq. And just as Baghdad is every night showered with bombs,
ground troops are entering Basra in order to secure the oil wells. Isn't
it clear enough that this is a war for oil, a war against peoples
against all the peoples, a war bent on tearing nations apart?
More than ever struggling against war is one and the same as struggling
against exploitation.
That is amply shown by the information forwarded by the correspondents
of the International Liaison Committee published here in this bulletin.
********************
International Liaison Committee Statement on the War Against Iraq
(March 25, 2003)
The world watched with horror as the imperialist aggression against the
nation and people of Iraq was launched during the night of March 19,
2003. In his first speech, U.S. President George Bush declared that this
war might well last longer than had been announced previously, a
statement later taken up in several declarations made by generals
commanding the U.S. and British troops.
All over the world, the news of the outbreak of the war has provoked
indignation and mobilization. The protests increased as the military
aggression against the civilian population became more evident, with the
round-the-clock bombing of the Iraqi cities of Baghdad, Nasiriya and
Basra -- and the decision by the U.S. army to cut off water and
electricity supplies to the city of Basra, the second largest city in
Iraq (1.3 million inhabitants) with the aim of crushing its resistance.
Such is the reality of the war of aggression against the people of Iraq.
This war will most likely mark a turning point in the history of the
world. The spokespersons of the most powerful capitalist class in the
world, that of the United States of America, have asserted their
determination to undermine the sovereignty of nations all over the world,
whenever they deem it necessary to preserve their interests.
And their interests stand out clearly for all to see: Even before the
port of Um Qasr fell to the invading U.S. troops, contracts for
reconstruction had already been pledged to U.S. multinational
corporations. The Bush administration has bluntly stated its purpose;
i.e., rebuild the port of Um Qasr and all the national roads and
infrastructures that lead to the oil wells. This is why the first
concern of U.S. and British troops is to gain control over those oil
wells while B-52 aircraft continue to rain down bombs on the civilian
population.
This shameful war expresses the decomposition of the capitalist system
of exploitation, a system which can only bring war, death, poverty and
destruction the world over.
More than ever, the fight against the war is inextricably linked to the
fight against exploitation. The indignation provoked by this shameful
war has brought about huge demonstrations and mass protests all over the
world.
We have received reports from ILC correspondents over the world.
One such message, from the United States, notes that hundreds of
thousands of people marched in New York and San Francisco on March 22,
demanding that the U.S. troops be called back home.
Also from the United States, as soon as the military aggression was
launched, the U.S. Labor Against the War coalition declared, in part:
"Despite the enormous effort of many millions of people around the
globe -- including many trade unionists -- to prevent this war, the U.S.
and Great Britain have launched an invasion of Iraq. We condemn this
military invasion . ...
"We call for military action to cease and desist immediately so
that American and British troops can be removed from harm's way and
brought safely home, and to spare the Iraqi people more death,
destruction and suffering.
"We call upon Congress to repeal the authority it granted last
October for military action and to hold this reckless administration to
account.
"As citizens and as trade unionists, we intend to participate
vigorously in the debate about this war while always making a clear
distinction between those policies and leaders who dragged us into it
and the young men and women in our military who are being sent to do the
fighting by those leaders. ...
"We have said from the beginning that we are gravely concerned
about our own economy jobs, health care, pensions, education, housing,
and other social needs. This now includes making resources available to
care for the veterans of the war on Iraq. We will defend Arab people in
the U.S. against racist violence and political persecution that this war
may provoke. We intend to make sure that the cost of the war is not used
as an excuse to prevent us from meeting these urgent needs or as a basis
for eroding civil liberties and trade union rights in the name of
national security.
"We support and defend the right of the people to protest this
unjust war and restore the path to peace, including the actions taken by
trade unions and workers around the world ranging from demonstrations to
work stoppages. We urge union members in the U.S. to participate in
local antiwar events and activities, to make their voices heard, to
lobby their representatives, and to take action consistent with their
convictions to demonstrate their opposition to this war on Iraq."
One of the spokespersons and founding coordinators of USLAW, Brother
Gene Bruskin, declared on March 22 :
"Bush may dominate in this war -- but he can never win the peace.
"This is the case because the arrogance of his administration has
organized and politicized a massive international movement that has no
real historical precedent. The world has spoken with one voice for peace
and justice, neighborhood by neighborhood, union by union, university by
university, nation by nation. Thank you George, at least you have done
something useful.
"I think Bush's impact on the labor movement is instructive. The
anti-war movement in labor developed because of the overlap between
Bush's domestic and international policies. ... After 9/11, labor began
to oppose Bush's anti immigrant policies and his denial of union rights
for airport screeners and homeland security employees. Labor saw Bush
reward the airline industry and ignore the plight of laid-off airline
employees. As the war against Iraq became front and center for Bush's
administration, so did its continued attacks on labor, as his
administration sided with the shipping industry against the
International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
"US Labor Against the War was created on January 11, 2003 to help
coordinate the wave of anti-war resolutions and activity of unions
across the country. As of now, approximately 200 local unions, close to
50 central labor councils and six national unions have come out against
the war. ...
"Troops from virtually every war have not been supported when they
returned home, starting with the American Revolution when the farmer/soldiers
returned home from winning the revolutionary war to see their land being
foreclosed on them by the banks because they hadn't been able to pay
their mortgage while fighting in the war. This resulted in the (Daniel)
Shays Rebellion, a grassroots armed rebellion of veterans protecting
their land that led to other similar rebellions around the country and
eventually to the Bill of Rights in the constitution.
"In the 1930s there was a World War One vets encampment in
Washington DC, perhaps the first march on Washington, with vets to get
the war pensions benefits they were promised. General Macarthur led the
assault on these veterans in a battle that made him a public figure, but
wasn't exactly an example of "supporting the troops."
"Our streets in Washington DC and elsewhere are still filled with
homeless Vietnam vets who were permanently scarred by the war they were
commanded to fight and were not given the proper support to recover from
the damage that war inflicted upon them. ...
"The troops, in fact, are made of largely working class people who
Bush's policies are designed to degrade and, in many cases, became 'the
troops' because they couldn't afford to become American university
students and because the military, being a well funded institution,
provided health care, education, housing and other benefits for young
workers and their families who could not get those benefits elsewhere.
"I recently heard about a 52-year-old superintendent of schools
from the Mississippi Delta region who was currently in the Gulf with his
reserve unit. He had been forced to stay in the reserves because he
needed the extra benefits it provided him, since the under-funded school
system in Mississippi couldn't afford to pay him enough to support his
family.
"Logic tells us that the best way to support soldiers asked to
fight and unnecessary war is to bring them home. ...
"The war is not over and we need to continue to protest and to
publicly challenge the assumptions underlying it in the face of the
media onslaught about our military prowess and the administration's love
for democracy and concern for Iraqi life. Every independent study since
the Gulf war, including those done by the UN, showed massive
malnutrition and disease resulting from the US-led sanctions. It is well
forgotten that pre-Gulf War, under Hussein, dictator that he is, Iraqis
had one of the highest standards of living in the middle east, with
women enjoying broad rights, a high rate of literacy and a large middle
class. That all ended with the Gulf War and the resulting sanctions. ...
"We must attack the assumptions that underlie the Bush
administration: we must show that war is not peace; that you don't
liberate a people by bombing them, that diplomacy is not weakness; that
God is not a Christian American; that immigrants are not terrorists;
that callousness is not compassion; that corporate welfare is not an
economic incentive program; that greed cannot be the basis for our
economic system; that might does not make right.
"In fact, we in the antiwar movement have many issues in common,
and they are all consistent with supporting the troops after they leave
the battlefield. We must resolutely oppose the Bush agenda and remove
his administration from power. And we must do it in a way that builds a
broad popular movement that will lead on the issues of social justice,
not follow the agenda of fearful Democratic politicians."
In Great Britain, hundred of thousands of people marched in the streets
of London on Saturday, March 21, shouting: "Drop Blair, not
bombs!" The newspaper The Independent on Sunday headlined: "We
Bomb. They Suffer". The National Conference of Labour Against the
War will take place in London on March 29. Their representatives have
sent the ILC the latest public declaration by Member of Parliament John
Mc Donnell, their main leader, together with Member of Parliament Jeremy
Corbin, of 'Labour Against the War', which calls for immediate cessation
of the military onslaught against Iraq. It states:
"Whatever our leaders may be saying, a hurricane of fire is coming
down over areas mostly inhabited by the civilian populations in Baghdad.
They are stepping up terror in order to show the people of Iraq and the
rest of the world how powerful and ruthless the U.S. military power may
be. Such a barbaric act will bear shame on Great Britain and
the U.S. forever. In the name of humanity, we call for immediate
cease-fire, as the only way of saving human lives".
In Spain, where the Aznar government has taken part in the declaration
of war against Iraq, 4 to 5 million demonstrators swarmed through the
streets of Spanish cities on March 22, one million of them in Madrid and
as many in Barcelona. The slogans against the war were shouted together
with slogans calling for the resignation of the Aznar government, who
opposes all of the people's demands. According to official opinion
surveys, antiwar popular sentiment remains unhampered, with 85% of the
people still opposed to the war even after it was launched. On March 22,
the demonstrators also shouted slogans addressed to the trade unions
urging them: "You Must Call for a General Strike !"
In Pakistan, the All Pakistan Trade Union Federation (APTUF), speaking
out in the name of its hundreds of thousands of members, made known its
deep solidarity with the men, women and children of Iraq who are the
victims of the brutal aggression of the United States and its allies.
A supporter of the ILC, the APTUF has added its name to the
international Appeal issued by U.S. Labor Against the War, and has
initiated demonstrations and rallies to oppose the plans of U.S.
imperialism against the people of Iraq. On March 20, the members of
APTUF organized a series of rallies and protests outside the workplaces.
A demonstration was planned for the next day; but the government
resorted to martial law and banned any demonstration in the streets. The
workers again rallied at the gates of the factories, wearing black
armbands. In spite of police violence, the workers stood their ground.
The APTUF federation, together with other trade unions, has called for
the continuation of antiwar actions. An emergency APTUF regional
conference will be held in Lahore to specify and issue their decisions
for further action.
In Bangladesh, as soon as the invasion by U.S. and British troops was
known on March 20, thousands of workers, young people, students and
women rallied at the monument of the martyrs of the war of liberation to
protest against the deadly aggression against Iraq. From this
spontaneous demonstration the decision was issued to initiate a
one-daystrike in solidarity with the people of Iraq on March 22. This
strike won support from numerous trade unions, labour parties and
associations of press reporters. The strike was a success. As part of
this day of action, the Democratic Workers Party organized a rally in
the center of Dacca, the capital of Bangladesh.
On the same day, 500,000 demonstrators swarmed through Tunis in a
demonstration initiated, among others, by the UGTT trade union
federation. In Egypt, Jordan and even in Kabul, where 10,000 people
demonstrated, the opposition to the aggression against the people in
Iraq has been expressed massively.
The International Liaison Committee, as co-organizer and supporter of
"International Labour Movement Against the War in Iraq"
committee created in Paris on Jan. 23-24, 2003, fully supports the
declaration of US Labor Against War (USLAW) presented in its
international press conference on February 19, the last paragraphs of
which remain entirely relevant:
"We know that the principal victims of any military action in Iraq
will be the sons and daughters of working class families who serve in
the military forces and innocent Iraqi civilians who have already
suffered so much.
"We have no quarrel with the ordinary working class men, women and
children of Iraq, or any other country.
"We oppose the spending of billions of dollars to stage and execute
this war when our nations need money for education, healthcare, housing,
and other basic needs.
"We oppose the use of this war, and the threat of war, as pretext
for attacks on labor, civil, immigrant and human rights in the United
States and in other nations
"We believe Bush's drive for war serves as a cover and distraction
for the sinking U.S. economy, corporate corruption, and layoffs.
"As representatives of the labor movement around the world, we have
long had an historic role in fighting for justice. We urge our members
to actively protest this war. At the onset of the 21st Century we join
with the vast majority of the people of the world who seek a better life
and who yearn for a peaceful resolution to this and other international
disputes."
The ILC was constituted in Barcelona, Spain, in January 1991, with a
Manifesto against the war and exploitation ; the ILC now calls on all
the organizations that supports its mission and campaigns to take full
part in the international protest against this war on the people of Iraq.
Paris, France, March 25, 2003
********************
Brazil
"We must give hope an organised form!"
As the movement of seizing land is ever widening across the country, one
of main leaders of the Landless Movement, Gilmar Mauro, \answerws the
questions posed by the editors the newspaper O Trabalho, current in the
Workers' Party of Brazil.
O Trabalho: How do you, in the "Landless Movement" gauge the
three first months of the new government?
Gilmar Mauro: In the camps and within the Landless Movement, we
discussed a programme of agrarian reforms that would deeply alter the
current pattern because the current one (the Latifundo, vast estates TN)
is incompatible with the reform.
Among the rank and file of my movement there is a measure of dread. We
put much hope in the new government. Those last years, there has been a
difficult situation, the small landowners have become impoverished and
occupations have taken place.
We have to observe that, to this day, the new government has taken no
step to solve that crisis. That raises a lot of fear.
OT: What concrete steps do you advocate?
Gilmar Mauro: When we met the ministers of the new government we
submitted an emergency programme. Up to now, they have turned a deaf ear
to us.
The programme proposes the solutions of problems caused by the previous
government of F.H. Cardoso: basic food help for the 70 000 men, women
and children who occupy the land; rescheduling the debts of those who
occupy lands and cannot pay: providing loans on easy terms for
investment on the land (we ask that each family be awarded 2 000 reais;
200 000 families are concerned, which amounts to 400 million reais):
technicians should be appointed to bring some help to those who occupy
lands.
During the latest meeting with the government, the only thing that was
improved was food help which was promised for the month of April, and
the possibility to appoint technicians.
No advance has been made concerning the grant of land to those families
who occupy it, nor of loans. A national programme of agrarian reform has
been talked of, which I consider positive. That programme would comprise
goals that might guarantee some progress during the Lula administration.
OT: Why do the big landowners react violently in the struggle for land?
Gilmar Mauro: we are much maligned not only by the big landowners but
also by the media.
The bourgeoisie realises that it has to attack the Landless Movement
because -even if it is we who say so - it feels that we may b e a role
model for other sectors. I reacts by defending the transitory measure
that goes under the name of "MP agrarian reform" that has for
two years been in the way of integrating occupied lands into the
agrarian reform.
We really rejoice that the PT national leadership has voted for the
repeal of that MP that is an authoritarian leftover from the Cardoso
government.
To get things changed we have to alter the balance of power. We are
still undergoing the aftermath of the Cardoso government. But people are
again mobilising, the fight against war sets people mobilising and a
growing movement is on the agenda.
T.O.: How can those who participated in bringing Lula into the
presidency respond to the masses' aspirations?
Gilmar Mauro: We think it can be done through taking up the social
struggle. There is no other way to set not only the agrarian reform but
also all the measures in favour of workers on the agenda of the new
government.
Why is the capital for its part determined to secure the reform of taxes
and retirement pension funds? Because that meets its interests. Take for
instance retirement pension funds. They wish to set up private pension
funds they can tap for profit.
For our own part, we have to bolster social pressure, fight to make the
government take popular and democratic measures that have yet to be
started.
The people expects a lot from the government but workers' demands will
not come into being under their own wind without struggle and
mobilisation.
We must give hope an organised form.
********************
Pakistan
Despite bans and repression, protests and demonstrations are organised
by the All Pakistan Trade Union Federation.
General Secretary of APTUF informs us:
We on behalf of All Pakistan Trade Union Federation and its hundred
thousand members, express our deep solidarity with Iraqi people, women /
children facing brutal aggression imposed by US Imperialist and its
allies. United State, UK government always impatient to cultivate
democratic states in third world, deny voices of majority of world
population, who raised voice against war and demanding peace. In
fact, that fascist powers have their own version to control the economy
of the Middle East. US and its allies main purpose is to control
the world resources and topple down every government, who would not
abide their dictation.
As you all aware that government of Pakistan is pro American and
American Intelligence agency FBI is working openly in Pakistan, and got
right to arrest any person on the name Al-Qaeda. Pakistani government is
fully supporting these imperialist agencies and giving up the suspect to
American government on the name of war against terrorism.
APTUF have organized demonstrations and rallies against US Imperialism
plan to attack on Iraqi people. We call for more escalating national and
international protest chain against the barbaric action of US, UK and
allies. We want to make it clear that USA must realize this fact, that
more they attack Iraq; more would be the hatred against USA in hearts of
people of the world. USA is not throwing bombs on Iraq but in fact, it
is bombing on its own imperialist aims, as proved by huge protest
rallies and gatherings of people against war all around the world
including USA.
On 20th March 2003, All Pakistan Trade Union Federation along with its
members, organized gate meetings against the US aggressive attack on
IRAQI innocent people, It was announced that tomorrow on March 21st
APTUF would take out procession, but the government has imposed Section
144, restricting gathering of four person at open place. APTUF has
changed its strategy and advised workers of Industrial and informal
sector to tied black badges and ribbons on their arms during working
hours and hold protest demonstration in front of factories gate, to show
their deep grief on this ferocious act of coalition forces, but police
equipped with arms, forced workers, not to do so. In spite of all
hurdles, workers hold demonstration with great enthusiasm and chanted
slogan against government as well as the American imperialism.
Resistance from workers and clash with police has been reported in some
areas.
Speakers criticized the Pakistani government on adopting American's
guidelines and appeal the demonstrators, workers and people to boycott
American and UK products and also urged the government to take firm
stand against the US fascist policy to kill the innocent people of IRAQ.
Speakers also appeal to the people to step forward unitedly and raise
voice against the US Imperialism attack on IRAQ.
It was unanimously decided that APTUF with other trade unions and
likeminded organizations would continue observing protest march against
US and allies. An emergency provincial meeting of APTUF will be held on
25rd March 2003 to decide the future plan of action.
Down with US Imperialism!
Gulzar Ahmed Chaudhry
General Secretary.
*******************
Algeria
An article from the Algerian newspaper "La Tribune" reporting
on the Press Conference of Louisa Hanoune, spokesperson of the Algerian
Workers' Party (PT)
The spokesperson of the Workers' Party was quite vocal on the stand
taken by the Arab regimes, the UN, and the Algerian regime.
During a press conference she held at the headquarters of her party at
El Harrach, Ms Hanoune voiced her and her party's anger concerning the
showdown unleashed this Thursday against the citizens who responded to
the appeal of the PT and of the Support Iraq Committee; they
demonstrated and expressed their solidarity with the Iraqi people.
"The men and women of Algiers are no pariahs,» she said referring
to the fact that marches and demonstrations had been permitted across
the whole country except in the capital city (...)
Ms. Hanoune analysed Algeria's official position and made it quite clear
that her party disagreed with that position. The official stand of
Algeria was that it was against war short of UN permission. We cannot
accept that, she said.. It means that the authorities would have
accepted the attack on Iraq if the Security Council of the UN had voted
for it. They might even have sent Algerian soldiers in support of the
coalition.
She took up the opportunity to give stern tongue-lashing to Ouyahia that
fawned on the powers in place by giving their support to the official
declaration and criticised those who opposed them.
The PT spokesperson considered that the Algerian power's current stand
is a considerable setback from the 1991 one during the Chadli tenure.
Even the military then had opposed the war and had withstood pressures
on Algeria to condone the attack on Iraq.
"We took to the streets several times with the same slogans as now.
Algerians clogged the capital's and other cities' thoroughfares then by
the millions to say they refused war, to voice their solidarity with the
Iraqi people. The situation then was the same as now inside the country.
Consequently, adds Louisa Hanoune, forbidding people to demonstrate in
the capital city is a lame excuse".
She explains that the refusal to permit marches in Algiers stems from
other motivations, namely to shield British and American embassies. But
even when they marched with the blessing of the government - members of
the Executive led the marches, Benflis himself travelled to Oran in
order to march -, citizens refrained from using violence. "Which
goes to prove, according to the speaker, that people love peace and are
not violent".
Ms Hanoune analyses the motives of the war; she points out interests
linked to money and oil. Whether she speaks of the aggressors or Arab
countries (...)
Before ending the press conference, she "gives the most heart-felt
and respectful greeting to the Iraqi resistance that is fighting not
only for Iraq but for all of mankind".
********************
Germany
A proposed contribution to be endorsed by social democrat activists and
trade unionists
Who poses a threat to the SPD's governmental majority?
"We can accept no delay whatever especially in difficult situations
on the international level" Through this statement, Gerhard Schröder
demands a speedy transposition of the altered orientation he claimed in
his governmental speech "against any resistance"!
No delay whatever?
- On an altered orientation that breaks from the SPD congress and the
electors' mandate?
- For the discussion on the revolutionary character of the proposed
measures?
When the unions and the SPD express concern, misgivings and protests,
Gerhard Schröder objects that there can be no "further self
containment". It would weaken the government.
Who by the way is responsible for weakening? Who poses a threat to the
SPD's governmental majority?
We workers, unionist, social-democrats who gave the SPD a majority for
the government against the parties of the union to say NO to war, to
continue social-oriented state and for workers' rights?
We who gave them the mandate to protect jobs, uphold labour laws, defend
free negotiations on wages and trade union liberties, national
collective bargaining agreements, the independence of unions and
realising Germany's social unity?
What policy brought about the electoral disasters in Hesse, in Lower
Saxony and Schleswig Holstein?
Who is responsible for this disaster that shatters the SPD's
governmental majority in the federation? For the fact that thousands of
long-time members of the SPD are walking out on the party in their
disillusion and disappointment?
Who is to blame?
- Isn't it the policy that did nothing against job losses, that, on the
opposite excessively favoured speculation - therefore let capital
withdraw from production?
- Isn't it the law that promoted financial market and the corresponding
tax measures?
- Isn't it the policy that attacks the system of collective bargaining
agreements and the freedom of negotiation on wages, trade union
independence and therefore threatens trade unions themselves?
- A policy that instead of spreading wealth to the largest number,
conversely brings wealth to capitalists through tax perks? That at the
same time sends communal budgets bankrupt and pulls down public services?
(.)
All those that voted the SPD into government greet Schröder for
sticking to NO to war. Yet, when G Schröder is trying to impose now
still more drastic measures against them and against the unions under
the pressure of the EU, of the parties of the Union and boos
organisations as well as under the urge of Wolfgang Clement Budget
Minister, shouldn't workers feel unsettled and upset?
According to the latter's propositions
- The time during which unemployment benefits are paid should be
drastically reduced (down to 12 months for people under 55 and to 18
months for those over 55)
- Unemployment benefits should merge with social help, therefore, it
should disappear. People will be thrown into destitution by the hundred
of thousands after being robbed of their jobs, and all that in the name
of a government headed by the SPD on behalf of "reforms"?
- Therefore, the protection of wage earners against redundancies must be
made more flexible; this and other measures contribute to creating a
legion of underpaid workers, deprived of their rights, which undermines
the system of collective bargaining agreements and labour laws.
Gerhard Schröder bypassed all the trade union warnings and announced
derogation clauses to the legislation of collective bargaining
agreements; therefore waging war on the collective bargaining agreement
system, on free negotiations on wages, on trade union independence and
on trade unions. (.)
Isn't it this policy that weakens and undermines the SPD's governmental
majority, backed by the workers' mandate? Isn't such policy driving the
SPD to the brink and will it not shatter trade unions? "What is at
stake is not only vanishing membership and electoral defeats; the 140
year-old party is now losing its flesh and blood" (Oskar Lafontaine)
The radically altered orientation that was achieved without discussion
"within the party nor within the parliamentary fraction" has
to be forced in. For, G Schröder declares, as SPD was voted into
presidency " the party makes it legitimate". No extraordinary
congress of the SPD must take place as was demanded within the SPD after
electoral defeats.
For, according to Glaf Schoh, general secretary, the SPD is quite
willing to have good relationships with trade unions but the government
would have "another mission".
We workers, unionists and social democrats, we say that the SPD's
million is to fulfil the mandate given by the workers who gave it the
majority in government. And there can be no doubt on the fact that the
millions of workers and unionists and social-democrats wish to maintain
the SPD-led government for the fulfilling of that mission, for the
defence of workers' interests and for social justice.
Workers want trade unions to remain their trade unions, representing
interests stemming from the guarantee of the system of collective
bargaining agreements and labour rights wrenched by class struggle.
"The AFA (SPD's labour committee) urgently warns the government on
the danger of forsaking the rights and gains secured by decades of
struggle by workersŠ"
The SPD grew in strength as a representation of workers' political
interests through free and democratic discussion. We have to fight for
that today; there must be no repression against democracy within the
working class movement. How can a discussion be reputedly over before it
has even been started?
That is why we are addressing all the workers, unionists and social
democrats. Discuss those questions and take those stands to your
social-democrat members of parliament: you can prevent those changes of
orientation from taking place.
Let us, like the AFA federal leadership demand that all the
social-democratic party's leaders turn away from this irresponsible
course.
Gotthard Krupp
(Followed by and appeal to support this contribution to the discussion)
**********************
The Organizer
Building the Labor Party and a Workers' International
In a special issue on war, this paper reproduces as an editorial the
statement issued by the Kansas City Labor Against the War committee the
day after the bombing of Iraq began.
Despite strong opposition from most of the world's governments; appeals
from the Pope and the National Council of Churches; a plea from former
President Carter; resolutions from the labor movement, including the
AFL-CIO executive council; and demonstrations involving millions on all
continents, President Bush and Prime Minister Blair have launched a war
on Iraq.
There are some who say that now dissent must cease, that we must all
rally around our government and our troops. We don't accept such demand
for silence.
On the contrary, now that American, British and Iraqi casualties have
begun to mount we have an even greater duty to try to stop this unjust
war.
The jingoist media cynically tries to manipulate our emotions by calling
for "support our troops." Their idea of support is to send
them off to Iraq, to kill or be killed, in a war that benefits only
American and British Big Business.
Like all Americans we also care deeply about our men and women in
uniform. They are, after all, our children and grandchildren, siblings
and spouses and parents. They mainly come from the working class. They
all signed up to defend their country. Many signed up because they
needed a job.
But they are not being used to defend our country. Despite all the
bullying and bribing -- and outright lies -- Bush and Blair could not
convince even their closest allies that Iraq was a serious threat to
anyone, much less the United States.
This war is not about self-defense, not about disarming weapons of mass
destruction, not about dealing a blow to terrorism-and certainly is not
about bringing democracy to Iraq.
This war is about establishing the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive strikes.
They plan an unprecedented display of high tech horror as an example to
the whole world. This, they are saying, is what we can do anywhere,
anytime we want, regardless of the UN or world opinion. Better get with
the program or you may be next on our list of evil.
The objective of the Bush Doctrine is to use the might of the world's
only remaining superpower to advance their corporate agenda abroad as
well as at home. Its weapons may be high tech but the mission is good
old fashioned imperialism.
Some foolish workers may think this is a good thing, that we will all
prosper through American dominance of the world. They are dead wrong.
Success of the Bush Doctrine will speed up the flight of capital and
jobs from this country to low wage areas secured by U.S. military might.
It will make the race to the bottom for competing workers of the world
even more frantic. Only the ruling rich will prosper under the Bush
Doctrine.
The war abroad will also be used to justify stepping up the war on
workers' rights and living standards at home as well.
Already under the pretext of "homeland security," Bush and
Ridge have withdrawn collective bargaining rights for tens of thousands
of federal workers organized in unions and have declared airport
security workers ineligible for unionization.
The roundup and deportation of immigrant workers certainly has a
chilling effect on their ability to organize.
"Patriotic" pressure will be brought to bear on any "selfish"
union workers trying to protect their jobs and living standards during
war.
Environmental protections will be thrown overboard.
And who will pick up the enormous tab for this new war? School kids,
welfare children, transit riders -- and all the most needy and
vulnerable members of the working class, victimized by draconian
slashing of social programs. Not to mention the chuck holes in the
streets, "user fees" for services supposed to be covered by
our taxes, and many other annoying results of paying for war.
Far from defeating terrorism we can expect that outrage about this war
will result in a new determined wave of terrorists who will target the
United States, Britain and Israel.
This war is morally wrong.
This war is legally wrong.
This war, and the American military occupation to follow, will hurt, not
help the long-suffering working people of Iraq with whom we have no
quarrel.
And this war is not in the interests of the working class majority of
the United States.
That is why we cannot and will not remain silent.
Support Our Troops -- Bring Them Home Now!
[Note: KC Labor Against the War can be reached at <laboradvocate@kclabor.org.]
*******************
Revolution Youth (USA)
Editorial of Inaugural Issue
"Let's organize all over the world to fight against war and
exploitation"
We refuse to die for your profits! Money for books, not bombs!
The youth uprising against the war in Iraq has begun. The Revolutionary
Youth International (RYI) has been in the forefront of this struggle and
is actively organizing the March 5th International Student Strike
Against the War. Together, we can jam the wheels of the war machine!
The RYI is publishing, in over 20 countries, the "International
Youth Bulletin Against the War" to inform youth about the struggles
taking place worldwide, and to share organizing advice on the best ways
to throw strikes against the war, occupations of your universities, etc.
Everywhere, the RYI affiliates are demanding:
… Immediate cancellation of the debt, which is strangling populations!
Down with the IMF and World Bank!
… Transportation, schools and healthcare are rights, and must be
assured by free public services.
… Stop the privatization of education!
It's clear that governments all over the world are attempting to remove
themselves from responsibility to provide free public education to
students. Universities everywhere are increasing the cost of attendance,
making education accessible to fewer and fewer people every year. In
Mexico, for example, only 1 in 100 people are able to attend a
university.
In nearly every country universities are dropping social science and
other academic curriculum in order to train students in "practical
skills" that corporations are demanding. Corporations are
influencing, and in some cases even purchasing, universities and using
them to create their future workforce rather than preparing them to
contribute to the welfare of society.
In the U.S., K-12 schools have begun signing exclusive contracts with
soda and clothing manufacturers. The students are then captive audiences
for companies like Pepsi and Nike. Corporations in the U.S. have also
begun providing text books to cash-strapped teachers that contain
corporate advertisements in the form of lesson plans.
Everywhere, the RYI affiliates are demanding:
… Unconditional solidarity with the youth and people of Palestine in
their struggle for their rights!
…
… Down with racism, down with division! End police brutality!
…
Youth and workers must stand united in our struggles! Together we can
create a world that provides for human needs, not corporate greed!
*******************
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