and seeks to build liberated zones. These are no-go areas for the white army and are intended to provide the social and political reconstruction.
The brutal and ever-increasing air raids on Zimbabwean camps the neighbouring countries, especially Mozambique, are sign desperation the white regime feels at the fact that it is decisively losing the war.
Having won control of large sections of the countryside, the guerillas are now venturing into the suburbs of major cities like Bulawayo and Salisbury. Ine most sensagonar exampi was in December, when the Patriotic Front attacked and blew up the country's major oil storage depot in Salisbury.
The symbolism of the depot blazing for six days in the white settlers' capital city was humiliating enough. But the loss of 28 out of 35 storage tanks also meant the destruction of per cent Rhodesia's oil.
Coinciding with the publication official inquiry on the oil companies sanctions-busting and the halt Iranian production, could hardly have come at a worse time for lan Smith.
white economy already in a shambles. the boom years immediately after UDI the Gross Domestic Product is now falling from year to year. Incredibly last year's budget actually military spending in real terms because the state was so much in debt.
The vital mining sector is in of this was After cut must ambabwe be free. Uganda's allies opposition. excluded in 1971.
relief at the Idi Amin. combined defence mination should Pat Collective, don SW4.
Embassy, Conference University, clients could only be removed by armed invasion This holds great dangers for future. The conservative President, Yusef Lule, has announced elections two years from now - giving him time to use his Tanzanian marginalise all Among those the government is Milton Obote, the premier whose radical talk led imperialism to back Amin The oppressed masses the world over will heave a sigh of disappearance of But that must be the of the Ugandan people's right to self-deterTanzanian troops withdraw to allow immediate free elections No doubt Amin's successor will prove far less brutal - but he has yet to show that he will be more democratic.
IRAN WOMEN THE Iranian Women's Solidarity Group, whose appeal we published last week, is still looking for both money and volunteers to help organise a women's movement delegation to Iran. Latest sponsors include Rib Irene Brennan, Rose Knight and Toni Gorton.
The group's next meeting, which is open to all women who support its objectives, is at 5pm on Sunday 29 April, at South London Women's Centre, North Street, Clapham, LonFuture events include:
• 1 May, picket of Iranian 16 Princes Gate, London SW, from 5-7pm. The main slogan will be: British Women Support our Iranian Sisters in Struggle.
• 12 May, Iranian Women's the City London. The whose names are discovered in prisoners' documents are often arrested, interrogated and tortured, only being released when they sign a statement saying they have been properly treated.
Prisoners are regularly movca trom prison to prison le avoid the application of the right of habeas corpus The movement in opposition to this law is hampered by the fact that one of the statute's provisions allows for the sacking of workers for striking Nevertheless an opposition has emerged, eith oppone among wide sectors population, helped by the emergence of a campaign of international solidarity, organisations such as Amnesty International collecting signatures of protest at the arbitrary arrests and tortures.
CHILE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN presents "For the right to live in our country' • mav. mancnester. witn sullivan: Private Stock & Trevor Hyett, 7.30 Morris, MCCR, Eliot House, Jacksons Tickets £1.40 rau Row, M2, Grass Roots Bookshop, N West Arts, 52 King St., Virgin Records, Market St 9 Mav. Leeos: with Hov ballev ar • Tickets Elso fred University, 7.30. Leon Mosse sor Great Leed: The comer booksnoD. 162 Wood.
Cooper, 0532 782296 nouse cant Leeds - 45125: Barr 10 May, Edinburgh: with Scottis baroque ensembl he Lough, 7.30 Usher Hall: shed Hall. Tick 420113 Seatle. 730, Loon Hall. Unvers London, © e29 Seven Sisters Road Tickets from CSC 129 Seven London N7 (01 272 4298), Socialist Challenge 19 April 1979 page 13
The ANL is learning 1 WRITE this letter in reply to the criticisms of the Anti Nazi League (22 March) because the accusations made are serious and, unjustified.
Since the ANL was formed it has made many serious mistakes, from the calling for state bans in Ilford to the NF mobilisation on the day of the second Carnival. organisation been learning, admittedly the hard way, and this was proved at Winchester.
At only short notice the ANI mobilised 1,200, from going to the prison (confining them to the empty town centre), and gave Relf a morale-boosting earful of Let Relf rot.
The students from either stupid or ill-informed leaving the ANL. Cutting themselves off from the ANL and its activities simply doesn't help the anti-fascist/ anti-racist struggle it who also feel that the ANL should be more accountable.
The ANL has made a large impact, especially in the trade unions, and has changed the climate in favour of the anti-racists. Chances to convince trade unionists about the dangers of racism and fascism have never been better, and this is what the ANL is now putting its resources into.
Instead of anti-ANLism we need a positive attitude like that of Rich Palser if we aren't going to lose the best chance we have of turning the racist tide and beating the racists and their divisive ideas.
P.M. GRANT (Steering Committee, Rail Against the Nazis - in personal capacity Take up the State THE case of convicted racist Robert Relf has raised a number of questions regarding the Race Relations Act 1976 (Amended).
On the one hand defence and strengthening of the Act criticised for encouraging the illusion that such legislation can tackle the racism which has been encouraged through Acts.
Yet at the same time it is absolutely necessary to defend the use of the Act against racists such as Relf. Catallliy Inas proved to be irritant to the fascists, since they have found it necessary to demonstrate against it.
We should therefore defend the Act whilst recognising at the same time that any gains made under it important areas of anti-racist woke, OTTOL substituted such as calling for the repeal. immigration controls, agitating for the No platform' position and black self-defence, etc.
THE DEADLINE for this column Saturday berore NORTH WEST WARRINGTON ester Socialist Challenge offices for regularly. Socialist Ring onanenge Man UNCAICK MANCHES CH SOCIaIISI students support une paper and wouie uke to del involved in anti-fascist activity, please contact Chris (273 5947, day) or Steve Manchester Centre c/o 14 Piccadilly, Manchester with a view to forming a Salford SC group. meeting: Return Laborate grou OLDHAM Socialist Challenge Thur 26 April, 8pm, Co-op). Main speaker: (ArdWICK candidate). Other soBakers Trom Abdul Azad Defence committee Swr.
MOSS Mooner el the paper at Mosting SIDE Socialist Challenge 19 April 1979 believe, believe the gradually stopped the NF To date the intervening on Winchester Leicester are NF.
and those within at stake.
had pressurised and the ANL intervention balance anti-fascists presently face.
but developments tially out of date.
Group members can be Immigration Most an to respond to the facing ANL structure of the national ANL Socialist NORTH EAST DUKHAM Dave ron, 2 Pioneerattage ac For derais tungton, wurnan MIDDLESKHOUGH ence sales. saturday lunchime nee ne lottery stand ar cieveland centr AIsO available LininorDe Moad upstairs in the Spencer Hall shopping SCOTLAND contact Glasa Wed. Thurs, Sat afternoons. arrangement (221 7481). Wide range of Fourth International publications CLINDUNGN socials supporters uppe George at 031-346 0466 to Uttails Dunbec intormaton abour socianst Challenge activities from 64 Queen St FROM THE BARREL OF A GUN?!
ANL has avoided these Issues. At the ANL moonsanion was purely on the basis of opposing disenchantment that arose on 10 March was undoubtedly caused by a lack of understanding as to the issues It was surely correct for the ANL leaders to refuse to charge the police lines in an effort to get at the fascists. But where we strongly disagree was that the day's events were described as a total "victory" for the anti-fascist forces simply because our numbers the police into serving Public Orders against the NF Although the NF were not allowed to demonstrate outside the prison, the real victory lay with the forces of the state and the police — as has been the case for some time now. If the ANL is going to talk of confronting the Nazis, it must consider the sort of which the making and look at ways of altering forces which ANL.
We would argue that this means we shut in tie to hidth Alitical light political which render the ANL's founding statement substanLEAMINGTON Socialist Challenge Problems on the ground THE problems raised by the countermobilisation to the NF at Winchester on 10 March will not be solved just by holding an ANL conference. How to involve all those won to the ANL over the past year, how to combat growing fascist influence on the terraces, how massive police defence of NF marches, how to carry out consistent anti-racist activity -these are amongst the real problems groups which do not result just from the undemocratic Challenge should pay police attention to these problems as well as the general question of political line.
Goats corner of Scam corner oaturody am zon HAMILTON supporters sell Socialist whalenge Hamilton shopping Cantre pm. For every SUD- actans or local actvines contact vonn Ford. 553 Eliot Crescent. Hamilton.
MIDLANDS Socialist Chalwewsiareh NOTTINGHAM readers Mushroom Books Heat cotesty socialist Guanenge LEAMINGTON Socialist Contact 311772 group YORKSHIRE Queen HUDDERSFIELD Socialist Challenget for aiternative Northumberland Street Challenge rOMA socianst chanenge is on are ine ror community Thursdays Vanbrugh days (11.30-3.30) at Coney Street.
HAH! CAPITULATING AGAIN TO ELITIST MILITARISM!
PABLOITE!
It should be more actively concerned wit bullaing tne ANL MIKE TUCKER (Southampton ANL treasurer)
Need for anti-racist strategy THE events at Winchester and other anti-fascist demonstrations over the past year have clearly brought into he AN faces, The main problem / problems which the ANL faces. facing anti-fascists today is the extent to which the state is prepared to go to let the Nazis organise and march.
There is a sizable and growing proportion within the ANL who feel that collaboration with the law has become the main concern of the ANL leadership. There Is also a stron feeling that the ANL leadership is leliberately trying to tone down th militancy of the anti-fascist move in order appease so-called "liberal' elements in the Again, the lack of organisation, cohesion, and coordination has been amply revealed by the events at the second Carnival, the NF Cenotaph march, and Winchester. tendency of the ANL leadership to play down clear failures like the Cenotaph march is deplorable.
There is also a feeling that the ANL is turning more and more into an appeasement' body rather than undertive separated it these circumstances -imperative that revolutionary left (SWP and IMG) reassesses its role within the ANL and develops an effective anti-fascist strategy.
What is also needed is an effective anti-racist strategy. The problem of institutionalised racism needs to be picked up. The extent to which the state goes to protect the Nazis should serve as an indication to those who believe that it is only the NF who count.
This means picking up things like immigration controls, "sus' and judicial illustrated by the case of the Virk brothers), etc. Consequently an ANL Bank, 12.30-2.00pm in ine SOUTH WEST Series Challenge every other Sunday ISLE WIGHT 44 Union St, Ryde PORTSMOUTH Bookshop sellers York the south-west.
Bristol 6 OBSCURE REFERENGE TO THE RECENT DEMISE POLITICIAN? conference is absolutely necessary to discuss strategy, pick up such issues. and coordinate general election.
UNMESH A. DESAI (LSE ANL and Central London SWP)
THE LENGTH of letters printed will usually be kept down to 400 words in order to encourage as wide a range of contributions as possible. All letters may be cut at the Editor's discretion.
Unsigned letters will not normally be published, although we will withhold real names from publication request. the Distined for 22.50 ea brackets on the list) -LIDIA The and is the THE -NEV Led or maybe soon to be • LIST D whole (E1.50).
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For detar BATH Socialist Challenge sales every COLCHESTER Saturday, 2-3.30pm, outside Maclish recurany on SOUTHAMPTON Socialist Challenge ales every Saturday from 10am-1pr Hempstead 41037 above bar, Post Office, Bargate Challenge tube: Sunde Saturdays, FOR INFORMATION on activities write to Box UU2 c/o Fullmarks, 110 Cheltenham Road activity for the on rookmart FIRST QUARTER 1979 subscription, you will save pounds on the retail value of the books (shown ir LET ME SPEAK, - LISTE FAREWELL TECHNOLOGY LENIN AND REVOLUTION, by Jack London each extra list)
NAME ADDRESS IUNDRED YEARS OF LABOU N THE USA by Daniel Guerin (E3.5 -Send to BOOKMARX CLUB. 265 Seven Sisters Road, London, N4 sales SOUTH EAST NORWICH Socialist Challenge sales Waiversity of fast Ang Thursdays at every Saturday in Davey -race tope Challenge hone Steve on Wivenhoe 2949 porters meet regularly. For detail MEMEL HEMPS LAD SuDDoners mee sunday evenings phone Mick O nemel LONDON HAMLETS Socialist fortnight meet 10am, Brick Lai (corner of Buxton St E17 evil, Chichele Road, Room 7.3080r Everyone welcome.
AWAKE POOK Idea of unity THE letter from Leicester Poly CARF (22 March) argues that the ANL has not only failed to mobilise effective opposition to NF marches but has also served to obstruct those who seek to confront racists and not march off in the opposite direction Why is it that the ANL marches off in the opposite direction'? The answer is to be found in their idea of unity unity WITEn the oppressed, defending black workers in their struggles, but unity with supporters of a racist Labour government - Benn and Bidwell among others. MARY WILLIS (Manchester 12) de hungara 12 by Domitia Barre COMPANIONS James Flunket 11.00 and tour years enter tap Tony Cliff (£3.60)
I wish to join/rejoin the Bookmai Club and enclose E4.50 (+ £2.50 f Please send list A + Lists) O 2,300 a Kilter el kry a day 2.30pm, at Kilburn Sq.
Rd, London NW6 HACKNEY socialist chanenge gro neerines remoorany suspendeo un atter election. ror detans of activities London it Por cone Martin on 559 meanwnie WHITE olou day)
HACKNEY meet Sainsbury's HARGEY Paper sales at Finsbury Park and Seven Sisters tubes. Thurs evenine, muswen milano croucn cad oroadways. saturda morning. Also available at Muswell Hill Bookshop Broadway: Vares Boosmarks, Finsbury Pare Middle N8; and LET readers cal Socialist 326 Lea Bridge Road WALTHAMSTOW readers can buy Guarence regularly Sheridan's Newsagents. 86 Hoe St HARROW Socialist Challenge
them.
Georgina, 12, from Dulwich, South London: It would be good to have meetings at school to discuss racism. If someone is offensive to a black person in the playground we go up and have an argument, but neither side really knows enough about racism to keep it up.
Meetings would give us more arguments to use. Most of the teachers are very right-wing, so have anti-racist discussions in class.
Some kids think they support the NF but when you ask them why, they don't know. They suppose it's because their mum supports it.
Me and my mum and some of my friends if they're not busy go along to all the anti-Nazi things we know about. interests kids who 'HI, it's your alien kulture' announced the big banner at Ally Pally in London on Saturday, and that's what awaited the 5,000 who came to Rock Against Racism's They were mainly youth. Socialist Challenge took the opportunity to ask about issues that concerned Tormany mierested in pontes.
They come along and become interested in politics.
Fahim Qureshi, 18, Luton: I'll be voting Labour to keep the Tories out, but the Labour government is racist.
The Labour Party is okay, only they don't do mucit. They come round once every five years.
Racism should be made a major issue in the election: how black people are in the worst houses; the harassment by the pigs; telling the truth about the Nazis, who are being given time on the box. Yet the BBC bans Dread, Beat and Blood because they re afraid black might be encouraged to stand up for themselves.
RAR Unemployment needs to be taken in the particularly how it affects black people. I used to work night shifts for a catering firm on E23 a week. It's not worth it. A lot of kids don't want to work because you get ripped off. I'm at college now.
I'll be going along for the demonstration in Leicester on Saturday. Black people should be playing a more dominant part in the ANL, standing up for themselves. I used to be very quiet...
Sheila, 17, from Watford: I'm always on about unions in the office work. supposed to make coffee three times a day, but when the boss wants a cup have to drop what I'm doing, which I don't think is right.
There's a bloke who keeps asking me to do envelopes and if I'm busy he goes complaining the boss.
We're not even allowed to pop out for five minutes to get an ice cream because the boss says it doesn't look very businesslike.
When I talk about getting a union they say it's impossible. The option is either I should do what I'm told or I should get out.
Stephen, 17, from Kennington, South London: There's quite a bit of NF around our way. We discuss it with them. few have changed, but a lot don't bother listening.
Te vack nice and that. But there's violence and that. white kids do the same. There just isn't enough there; enough mixing. Jobwise, if you come from people from you ain't got a chance. I make air fresheners, which is not a whole lot of fun. Mandie North London: ledger and I'm treated like shit. I'm giving the job up. It's not worth being wound up every evening because you've had a lousy day at work. When you go into the Jobcentre they ask if you want to be an office worker, a child minder — never an engineer.
I don't think I should have a VOLC I would rather wasn't anyone to vote for. All the political parties give out all this shit and when they get into power they don't do anything The age of consent is a load I'm of crap, because no one takes any notice of it. No one thinks about it, until they're taken to Such a sneak.
Quite a where we come 17, from Islington, I'm a sales control accounts clerk there carnivals between.
which does local court. It should be abolished.
need to have because there's strong feeling of unity and you feel really glad you came along. But they're so few and far gig'.
I'm in the Camden RAR club gigs tickets as cheap as possible to get kids along. The club means you can build up a relationship; come along and say I thought so and so was wrong with the hoping to tour of Camden with a band on the back of a lorry just before the • The Revolution stall at Ally Pally was kept busy, with over 200 sales of the revolutionary youth paper.
Have you received your copy Revolution's special? It's 10p plus p&p from PO Box 50, London N1 2xp.
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anchester SC Centre, 14 Piccadilly. be conta
Sommercial Road Precinct Regent St (Brunet Centre).
WORKERS AGAINST THE Semyonovna (E1.95). were of then ha
ocialist Challenge from the Oz Shop TOWER
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details from Box 50, London N1 2XP final gig in its militant entertainment tour.
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