by Many hundreds of Africans in north activational in London recently Smith regime include soles of ectrodes or cattle goads in guerrilla attacks.
000 blacks have already been herded into compounds. tected villages'.
Nhat the Labour government (as its coun terpart in South Africa) fears above al is that Smith's intransigence to a major race war in Zimbabwe which could overspill into neighbouring ries and threaten Imperialism's massive investment there. The Economist was more open. It pointed out last month that if the British ernment participated in the negotiations between the white settlers and Zimbab -weans, on the scope of the franchise which it would '.. have something to say help. to decide what sort of men will lead What the Economist was stressing was, the first majority - rule government. of course, the hope that British intervention could create a 'moderate majority rule government' which was not hostile to imperialism's interests.
Washington has been quick to the support of the Labour government's intervention. The New York Times, reflecting thinking in US ruling circles, pointed out that 'the stakes are so great in Southern Africa and the cost of fail -ure is likely to be so catastrophic that Britain deserves support in this latest desperate effort'.
Negative Despite the carrot and stick treatment imom las so far rejected the proposals. however, Prime Minister Smith ime has call them ino less extremé than those of the African National Council', which Smith had held discussions with previously. the loss of political power to a Black For the Rhodesian government would mean an end to their privileged social and economic position which exists solely through over the black majority.
While Smith continues with a few token reforms (such as calling for a few Black Ministers to participate in the govern -ment), in reality he is intensifying anti-guerrilla campaign.
its programme of forced resettlement of months, the regime has clearly expanded the Black population in rural areas so as to lisolatel the guerrillas from any hase.
At the same time, wide-scale terror is cist threat tomorrow: chauvinism While the left gets involved in racism. ¡heroic confrontations, they have done nothing to burn out these prejudices in the labour movement which continue provide the NF with support.
While the IMG, demonstration, called for building 'anti-fascist committees', on the left have consistently refused to build in any serious way against racism by supporting campaigns such as which launched its first national demonstration in April. Sending a few NFers home with a bloody nose has become a substitute for a serious attempt to root racism out of the labour movement by the building of serious campaigns.
is no doubt that the potential of a fascist menace is undermined a times more securely by building mass small, 'isolated' conflicts with action against the be against using force against NF thugs This is not, to defend democratic rights.
black demonstrations in Bradford Birmingham show the real need, today, to begin organising defence committees against a racist backlash.
ing such cttees involving members major difference, however, in the labour movement and black community and the small 'confrontations' veloped by groups such as IS or in their 'No Platform for Fascists' campaign. The first involves wide layers of people in defence of their rights and shows the NF to be the racist thugs which they are.
The second, flicts' which leave the masses as spectators, nave been routinesy tortured, according to a repatre eased by nesty - east aimbabwe. castration or immersed headfirst in barrels of water until unconscious In addition International also estimated that more than 700 blacks are being detained without trial. Some of them have already spent ten years in prison. More than anned political organisation or allegedly carrying out guerrilla actions.
more the wiped san seeds been and come in 195 penalty is mandatory for conviction on charges of treason, arsen or participation Amnesty International examined another technique of repression becoming more widely used by the white racist regime in its struggle against the liberation 500 additional political prisoners have been convicted on charges of belonging The civil rights group estimated that between 100, 000 and 30Ồ could lead countgovBritain will come to minority regines.
the Smith regwent so far as to eign Minister Andrei La wine settlers, ings, dominance and economically.
Over the pasi and rights.
to following the Bradford the it and others CRIA There hundred Immigration Act than the as Cde JB might infer, to and Side & buildof aeIMG a twofold tactic.
by calling for small Icon -pure allow the NF to pose as dean area of fertile the torture techniques used by the racist beating on the torture victims have been threatened with Moreover, secret trials)
The deat Never being conducted among the black population (particularly farm workers) who are accused of being accomplices of the guerrillas. It is clear that the Smith redespite its token concessions, grimly determined to retain majority rule in Zimbabwe and is preparing to face the gathering storm arms in hands.
Despite the fact that the British government has condemned Smith's intransig -ence in refusing to make concessions, is clear that its main concern is not the principle of 'majority rule! (which it has turned a blind eye to in the past). Knowing that they cannot any longer hold back would like to see an 'orderly! transfer of the tide of liberation in Zimbabwe. they power to men loyal to Britain's interests. At the same time as pressurising Smith regime, however, both the British and US governments have attempted warn the freedom fighters not to go 'too far'. In late March, Kissinger stated the USA would not tolerate the use of Cuban troops (previously involved in Angola) anywhere else, even against the white He also warned Mozort those 'who rely on Cuban treets! On ambique that Washington would not suppCallaghan was even more direct. March 23rd, he told visiting Soviet Forthat any indirect, would be construed as a direc Cuban intervention in Zimbabwe attack against Britain itself. Such warnexpose the hypocritical concern of in themselves are sufficient the Labour government for 'majority rule!.
Far from opposing those who are against racism in Zimbabwe, the Labour government should be called on to demand immediate majority rule & to deny the minority any assistance militarily At the same time, should equally be called on to conacint the racist regime in South Africalabout which it has kept curiously mute) and deny it any assistance in terms of arms or investment by which that government continues to spread its control over the vast areas of southern Africa.
necessary - but force in defence of democratic rights and not to suppress these - UNION ANT-IMMORATION MOVEMENT March for Britain. Typical of the held by the ultra-right focused on black immigration. demonstracions In the coming period, we can be sure that racism is going to be one of the Itrump cards' used by the right to divconfuse the workers! movement.
The NF demonstrations last month are only one aspect of this 'whipping up' of racist feeling (particularly around the immigration issue). Taking up this issue - and the left must take it up - involves First, it means boid!:
building CRIA as a mass campaign roo:ed in the unions to fight against racis:
prejudice. And, secondly, it means supporting the creation of defence citees against any sign of right-wing violence.
It is by the use of these tactics -not the infantile heroism of some !let:
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interne eration the body with fists and sticks the feet with sticks and the application of electric shocks by means of el-