From: New Worker Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [New-Worker-News] New Worker Online Digest - 5/10/2001
New Worker Online Digest
Week commencing 5th October, 2001.
1) Editorial - Globocops.
2) Lead story - No to war!
3) Feature article - London Underground hit by two disputes.
4) International story - An Ireland of equals!
5) British news item - Capitalism flexes its muscles.
1) Editorial
Globocops.
BLAIR'S keynote speech to last week's Labour Party Conference began as a
call to arms against those responsible for the 11 September attacks on the
United States.
He repeated what everyone already knew, that the British government was
going to back the US government and underlined Britain's support by warning
the Taleban regime in Afghanistan that they would lose power if they failed
to surrender Osama bin Laden and his associates.
After issuing the war threats he launched into a diatribe of humbug. He
said he wanted Britain to play an active role in bringing about
international justice, seeking peaceful solutions to conflicts like that in
the Middle East, to fight against world poverty, tackle climate change and
heal the scars of Africa.
It was in effect a prime example of "third way" politics applied to
foreign affairs. It peddles the illusion that the peoples of the world can
enjoy peace, prosperity, safety and justice with the capitalist system
still intact.
It is an idea shared by social democrats and liberals who hope for some
kind of nicer capitalism -- a capitalism that has the worst of its evils
outlawed and a few more reforms thrown in.
But we need to be clear. Whatever nice thoughts some might have, those who
preach these fairytales know perfectly well there is no such thing as
humane capitalism. These storytellers are masking their real purpose -- to
keep public opinion on side while more dirty work gets done on behalf of
big business and the capitalist class.
The arrogance of this globocop mentality is staggering. Here we have Blair
saying, the international community has a "moral duty to uphold democracy,
peace and stability". He says that Africa is a scar on the conscience of
the world which needs the attention of the world.
It is staggering to listen to because it has been a tactic of the
imperialist powers for decades to arm and back the most reactionary
elements in the developing world. At the same time national leaders with a
with a wider vision of peace and development in their continent and those
with a socialist perspective have been bitterly opposed by the West.
Worse than that, a number of the very finest people, like Patrice
Lumumba, were actually assassinated by agents of imperialism. Countries
that resisted the will of imperialism were targeted for sanctions or war.
Neo-colonialism carved out by imperialism has sucked untold wealth out of
Africa. Throughout the world the interests of big business have sought to
control all trade, the flow of raw materials at a cheap price to the West
and the right to penetrate local markets with western goods.
Many countries have been forced by economic pres sure to abandon food
crops for the people and to turn their land over to cash crops for western
markets. In short there is far more wrong with the developing world than
just the iniquity of debts.
Imperialist foreign policies are nothing more than the military and
political arms of the wealthy elites. The big banks, the giant monopolies,
the transnational companies, the oil empires of the western world, these
are the forces that operate the arms of foreign policy. When it is boiled
down it is politics for profits, armies to rake in dollars.
This relentless drive for profits is the motive force of capitalism. It
impels the system along paying no heed to the consequences for humanity nor
listening to the pleadings of well-meaning, nice folk.
And it is the system itself that has to be brought to and end. Changing
the guard simply will not do since the crimes of capitalism are not
committed because some capitalists are especially evil people. It is
because all capitalists are forced to go for the maximum return on their
money or find themselves overtaken by others who then push them to the wall.
Blair and Bush are in no position to pontificate about morals, democracy,
peace or justice. The world has suffered too long from the policing and
interference of the United States and Britain.
*********************
2) Lead story
No to war!
by our Arab afffairs corresponent
THE IMPERIALIST WAR MACHINE is in top gear amid increasing fears that an
Angle-American onslaught against Afghanistan is only days away. While peace
protests grow throughout the world the diplomatic and military offensive
against Afghanistan continues relentlessly.
At Labour Party Conference this week Tony Blair warned that the Taleban
regime must "surrender the terrorists or surrender power" and Nato
ministers rubber-stamped the military preparations which are being done in
their name.
The Pentagon has confirmed that US Special Forces are already operating
inside Afghanistan while denying an Arab report that Taleban forces had
already captured three US servicemen. Reports that British SAS scouts had
also landed received the usual no-comment MOD response.
And Taleban leaders have rejected further Pakistani appeals to hand over
Osama bin Laden, whose Islamic order is blamed for organising the deadly
attacks on the Pentagon and New York last September.
Warmonger
Back in Washington US President Bush has temporarily withdrawn from the
limelight while his emissaries struggle to keep America's Arab and Muslim
clients on-side. And he's left it to Britain to drum up support and public
opinion in Europe.
Blair obliged, stepping centre-stage into the world crisis with a
war-mongering speech at Labour Party conference also designed to boost
British imperialism's claim to be the chief running-dog of the United
States.
Meanwhile American diplomatic efforts to build the grand coalition needed
to mask the strategic and economic aims of the aggression to come continue
to stumble on the reticence and often down-right opposition of much of the
Third World.
People's China and many other non-aligned countries are calling for a
United Nationscentred policy to define, as well as deal, with the problem
of "terrorism".
Though this is being sidelined by Washington the State Department is
moving heaven and earth to buy-off some and neutralise other countries to
clear the decks for war.
In a surprise move the Bush administration has said it now accepts the
eventuality of a "Palestinian state" once the conflict with Israel ends and
peace is established. This, in itself, hasn't been enough to end the
violence or keep the Saudi's -- America's main player in the region --
happy.
Israeli forces are pounding Gaza again in revenge for an earlier
resistance attack on a Zionist settlement in the north of the Gaza Strip.
And the Saudis, fearful of being branded as Arab and Muslim traitors by
their own people -- particularly the tribal and religious leaders who count
in the oil-rich desert kingdom are ruling out the use of American bases on
their soil for any attack on the Afghans.
Imperialist problems
Anglo-American imperialism faces many military problems. Its land-locked
mountains make an invasion from the skies wellnigh impossible.
The anti-Taleban United Front has reached an accord with the pro-Western
ex-king of Afghanistan but their offensive has been limited to the capture
of one small town, and that by the defection of the chief of the 80-strong
garrison to their ranks.
Allies are needed but few can be found. Pakistan has been armed-twisted
into opening up its air-space to the imperialists but the military
government is fearful of allowing Western troops on its soil.
Anti-American feeling is rising in Pakistan and the military leaders are
rightly worried that a backlash triggered by their presence could easily
topple their regime.
Iran has repeatedly stated that its air-space is closed to Western
warplanes and warned that Tehran would react "strongly" if its skies are
violated.
Russia, whose bases in the Central Asian republics could provide useful
stepping stones for the Western offensive, is blowing hot-and-cold.
President Putin hopes to get his full seat in the Group of Seven and block
Nato's eastward expansion by making the right noises while senior aides
back m the Kremlm publicly urge caution.
The head of the intelligence services, FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev, in
particular used the conference of intelligence heads from the former Soviet
republics in Tajikistan to state that Russia and the 11 other republics
"should not take part in military actions in Afghanistan, but join in the
global fight against terrorism".
Afghanistan's neighbours, no friends of the Taleban, are fearful that once
the Americans land they'll want to stay for good.
And all the leaders in the Islamic states know that if such a war does
erupt it could trigger anti-American riots on an unprecedented scale not to
mention the wrath of the organised Islamic brotherhoods like the one Bin
Laden leads.
UN agencies and humanitarian organisations are expressing their worries.
Millions have already fled Afghanistan and millions are expected to seek
refuge once the bombs start falling.
In Britain the movement is mobilising behind the national Peace and
Justice for All demonstration in London on 13 October. Similar peace
protests will take place on that day in many other parts of the world. This
war can be stopped before it starts. We must make it so.
*************************
3) Feature article
London Underground hit by two disputes.
by Caroline Colebrook
WORKERS on the London Underground network are engaged in two long-running
disputes that are set to culminate in strike days on Friday 12 October and
Thursday 18 October.
The first is over a pay claim and involves the RMT transport union which
has about 8,000 members working for LU in a wide variety of roles, and
Aslef, the main drivers' union which has 2,200 members employed by LU.
Both unions are demanding a substantial pay rise to compensate for years
of below inflation rises, which have seen pay values eroded.
LU has offered four per cent, but with many strings such as poorer pension
deals for newly employed staff, paid meal breaks, staff travel and so on.
The workers want a decent rise with no strings at all.
RMT assistant general secretary Bob Crow said: "Obviously we regret
having to resort to strike action but passengers should know that London
Underground's approach to these negotiations has been shambolic.
"LU has made no effort to get around the negotiating table. Our members
are not asking for the world, they just want LU to stop playing games and
resume negotiations."
And he warned that unless a better offer is made, "There will be nothing
running on those dates"
The second dispute dates back eight years and involves drivers. The
staffing system was reorganised with heavy job cuts. Drivers were expected
to start and end their shifts not necessarily at the main depots where they
were based.
This meant travelling in the very early ours of the morning to remote
stations to pick up heir first tram or delivering a tram to such a station
in the middle of the night.
Few of these small stations are equipped with the staff facilities
necessary. such as changing rooms. toilets, wash rooms, tea-making
facilities and so on.
The unions gave LU some time to remedy the matter but this has not
happened and so now strikes are taking place. Dates have not been settled
but they may coincide with strike dates for the pay dispute.
Aslef is demanding that these stations be properly equipped for staff
with lockers, changing facilities, separate male and female toilets with
separate access, boilers for teamaking, cooking facilities such as
microwaves, fridges and car parking.
Aslef district secretary Steve Grant said: "The conditions for staff,
particularly women, at some of the stations have to be seen to be believed.
"We have instances where women have been told to go and change or use the
lavatory of a local pub because there is nothing available for them at the
station.
"LU launched a successful campaign earlier this year to attract women but
is not providing even the most basic facilities. This is 2001, not 1801. We
have extended our deadlines time and time again for LU to improve the
conditions but the company has not honoured agreements."
LU has promised separate toilet facilities only where more than 10 staff
are employed; otherwise men and women will have to share. It had admitted,
"As regards lavatories, in some areas the facilities are not as good as we
would like"
* RMT is also demanding breathing masks for staff employed underground
after a survey revealed that levels of particulates in the air of the LU
system are many times above even the worst at street level. The health
implications for LU workers and for the travelling public are serious.
*************************
4) International story
An Ireland of equals!
by Theo Russell in Dublin
SINN Fein's 95th Ard Fheis met in Dublin last weekend in a spirit of
soaring confidence and determination to move forward and revolutionise
politics in the whole of Ireland.
Under the slogans 'Saoirse. Siochain agus Ceart' -- Freedom. Peace and
Justice -- and 'Building an Ireland of Equals,' the party outlined dynamic
and well-prepared policies to confront the considerable problems faced in
both parts of the island, from drugs. crime and health to policing and the
peace process.
There was of course concern at the state of the peace process, but this in
no way dented the spirit of celebration of Sinn Feins electoral advances in
the North, and confident expectations of sweeping gains in the next
elections in both parts of Ireland.
As party chairman Mitchel McGlaughlin pointed out in his opening address,
"the rejectionists may be under the misapprehension that they have opened
up the space to re-negotiate the Good Friday Agreement and to fatally
undermine the peace process. Let me reiterate that the peace process is
unstoppable and the momentum for peace is in train."
Caoimhghin O Caolain TD (member ofthe Irish parliament) predicted that
after the next elections in the republic, "room will have to be made beside
me in the Dail (parliament) chamber for Sean Crowe TD, Martin Ferris TD,
Arthur Morgan TD, Aengus O Snodaigh TD, Sean MacManus TD, and Nicky Kehoe
TD. And theres more."
He said that since another Sinn Fein-led victory -- the defeat of the
referendum in the Republic on EU enlargement -- "we have seen a mounting
campaign by the establishment parties against Sinn Fein.
"Since the 1997 general election when we have really blossomed throughout
this island. the alarm of the leaderships of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour
and the Peoples Democrats is palpable. They can barely tolerate a resurgent
Sinn Fein in the North, but now it is far too close to home.
"We have challenged their cosy consensus politics and brought political
leadership into disadvantaged communities abandoned by these parties. I say
let us keep them on the rack by building our strength."
And in a speech on the peace process, Martin McGuinness predicted: "Coner
Murphy is now the undisputed MP in waiting for Newry/Armagh, and I am
confident that Mitchel McLaughlin will join him as the MP for Foyle."
McGuiness described the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) approach to
decommissioning as "war by other means," but added: "it is incumbent on us
to acknowledge that for many unionists the issue of decommissioning is a
real issue. It is also an issue for us. So let me make the Sinn Fein
position absolutely clear. We want the issue of weapons, all weapons,
resolved."
"Threats. ultimatums and deadlines do not work. Politics does and that is
what we are about."
The British government, he said, "still views the north through the filter
of unionism. They are only willing to introduce as much change as is
acceptable to unionist politicians."
But he stressed that "it is incumbent on us to reach out to the that
section of the unionist community which feels uncertain of the future, to
provide reassurances to grass roots unionists that whatever changes come
about will not threaten them and their future as a valued section of our
people."
In his presidential address, listened to amongst others by the US
Ambassador and president of the Friends of Sinn Fein in the United States,
Gerry Adams said "our own peace process is in a mess, and it must now be
obvious to everyone that the political institutions are going to collapse
unless the Unionists work with Sinn Fein and the other parties."
"Republicans are angry at a British government which underpins the UUP
position and which has re-militarised nationalist and republican
heartlands."
Adams paid tribute to Social Democratic & Labour Party (SDLP) leader John
Hume, whose resignation as party leader "marks the end of an era," and
called on all political parties in Ireland to sign an anti-racist pledge
and commitment not to tolerate racism in their party.
Martin Ferris, Ard Comhairle (Executive) member, outlined the objectives
of the republican struggle: "to realise an Irish republic as envisaged in
the 1916 Proclamation and the Democratic Programme of 1919."
Speaking on an emergency motion on policing, Northern executive member
Gerry Kelly said the SDLP's support of the British position and decision to
take seats on the Policing was "a mistake of mammoth proportions." "The
British Government," he said, "are not honest brokers. The only party
involved in the policing debate which has the power to do anything about
this, is the British Government."
The recent attacks in America were strongly condemned by the entire Sinn
Fein leadership, as well as by the international guests. A minute's silence
was observed, and it was announced that the proceeds of this year's Sinn
Fein national draw would go to the victims' families.
*********************
5) British news item
Capitalism flexes its muscles.
by Daphne Liddle
THE LEADERSHIP of the Labour Party came to this year's annual conference at
Brighton well prepared to defend and extend the role of capitalism at home
and abroad on all fronts: international terrorism, law and order,
privatisation, asylum, Europe and world war.
Even so, it could not hide or escape from the growing resistance in its
own ranks, in the trade unions and generally.
Privatisation
Labour's behind-the-scenes strategy produced a split among the big unions,
which had vowed to fight further privatisation of the public sector.
The biggest union, Unison, withdrew from the battle after private talks
with Transport Secretary Stephen Byers and Health Secretary Alan Milburn.
They promised a three month review of the Best Value system under which
private firms and council workforces compete for contracts. The unions
complain that this favours private companies and lowers the wages and
conditions of new employees.
And they told Unison general secretary David Prentiss that private sector
involvement in the NHS would be "a relationship, not a take over".
Prentiss accepted this, with the warning: "Every public sector worker in
this hall will hold you to account for delivering these commitments and
delivering them quickly. I make no apology for being part of a composite
that seeks to unite us rather than one that dwells only on the conflicts
between us."
John Edmonds, general secretary ofthe general union GMB reacted strongly
to the news of Prentiss's defection from the opposition to further
privatisation. After a five-hour negotiation session behind closed doors,
he refused to fall in with the agreement.
He told delegates: "I thought it was the Tories that privatised public
services and Labour that defended them.
"The time has come to stop demoralising pubic sector workers and start
co-operating with them."
One GMB official described the promised review of local government pay
and conditions as "not worth the paper it won't be written on".
He added: "There is no hiding the fact that here has been a big split
between the unions."
Just three weeks ago, at the curtailed TUC conference, Dave Prentiss had
spoken of months of public sector strikes to prevent further private sector
encroachment.
In the event, Tony Blair was spared a humiliating defeat on this issue on
the conference floor.
Nevertheless, opposition to privatisation remains strong and a fringe
meeting on the issue, addressed by London mayor Ken Livingstone, alongside
Labour left-wingers, was well supported.
Asylum
Home Secretary David Blunkett used the conference to announce new
proposals for an immigration and asylum Bill that would grant
American-style "green card" work permits to selected immigrants with useful
skills.
He attempted to head off a revolt, spearheaded by the Transport and
General Workers' Union over the asylum seekers' food voucher system and the
disastrous dispersal system.
TGWU general secretary Bill Morris described the vouchers as a system of
"retailing apartheid".
As we go to press, a TGWU motion that these vouchers should be redeemable
for cash at post offices is being debated.
And Blunkett agreed to drop plans to introduce identity cards in the wake
of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. The administration of
the scheme would be extremely expensive and use up an enormous amount of
police time, not to say police cell space, dealing with people who have
simply lost or mislaid their ID cards without aiding the fight against
terrorism one bit.
Blunkett's proposals include new measures to outlaw the propagation of
race hate -- extending it to include hatred on religious grounds. This
sounds promising but the details will have to be carefully scrutinised when
published.
He also proposed that anyone suspected of terrorism should automatically
be denied asylum.
This is very dangerous. It means that an oppressive regime has only to
label someone escaping its clutches as a terrorist to ensure the British
government sends them right back.
An asylum seeker should be proved to be a terrorist, not merely
suspected, before being denied political asylum.
Europe
Tony Blair used the conference to speed up his agenda for getting Britain
into the European single currency, indicating that he intends to hold the
crucial referendum before the next general election.
He argued that Britain needed to enter the single currency to avoid
isolation at a time of growing globalism and a "new world order".
He said: "Britain needs its voice strong in Europe and bluntly, Europe
needs a strong Britain, rock solid in our alliance with the US yet
determined to play its full part in shaping Europe's destiny."
This could be interpreted to mean that US capitalism needs Britain as a
strong cat's paw within its rival trading bloc.
Senior ministers calculate the referendum is most likely to be held in
2003.
Taxation
Chancellor Gordon Brown last week hinted that Labour might be prepared to
raise taxes to cover rising public spending costs -- including the costs of
a coming war in Afghanistan.
He said he was determined to press ahead with increased spending on
schools, hospitals, the police and transport in spite of the deepening
global economic downturn. Currently, capitalist experts are saying the
global slum, could last until 2003. Socialist experts expect it to be
somewhat longer.
But he gave a warning there would be no state bail-outs for failing
industries, such as airlines.
He made his usual claim that Britain is in a good position to withstand
economic hardship and that he has "conquered" the cycle of boom and bust
that is endemic to the capitalist system.
But, he added, no country could insulate itself from the global economy
and slowing world trade will have an effect on people's livelihoods.
He renewed the Government's election pledge of above inflation rises in
public spending.
But since government policy is to allow creeping privatisation of the
public sector, much of this taxpayers money will end up in private pockets
while the services will continue to deteriorate.
Brown also renewed his promise to the rich not to increase the higher
rate of income tax -- meaning that it is ordinary workers who will pick up
the bill. He promised not to extend the scope of Value Added Tax but did
not mention its level. Many tax experts expect him to opt for indirect
forms of taxation such as this, which hit the poor disproportionately.
*********************
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