Thursday, 27 September 2012

The West is looking for war

The reports in the media allow no room for doubt; the West is once again beating the war drums. And as usual the targets are in the Middle East. Not only Iran, but Syria too is in the sights of the NATO generals. The question is why all of this is happening now? To find an answer we must look at the recent history of the region. For years now the Americans have said that they want a completely new Middle East. And when they say such things we know that they mean that they want a Middle East which observes the orders from Washington. To create such a situation the Americans could go it alone. But they are hesitant about that. They always need partners to drag into the murky war business. It does not matter if they are called Blair or Merkel, Cameron or Rutte. The important thing is that there flag is there next to the stars and stripes.  

In the past the European nations were happy to take part. They liked showing off a little on the world stage, some still do. But after the lies that surrounded the Iraq war most heads of state are less eager to become involved. Their peoples are totally fed up with the losses and the high costs of yet another so-called humanitarian intervention. So finding partners is less easy for Washington. But the conflicts still happen and the pattern is always the same. They pick a country, recently it was Libya, and they start destabilising it. Out of nothing a rebel opposition appears and before you know it a new war has been created. At first this is seen as an internal conflict. A people that rises up against a dictator or a regime. But when we look at the so-called opposition forces or militias, we see a very different picture.
Most of the time they are build up out of Islamic militants, criminals, and hired soldiers. They have very little to with the people who make up the majority in such a country. We saw such a picture in Libya, for example. The rebels there would never have won if they did not have support from the West, mostly the Americans. The procedure is always the same. All of a sudden the rebels have weapons which they would normally never get their hands on. They also get other supplies and intelligence. To back them up further special forces, again mostly American or British, carry out secret operations in the country to sabotage and destabilise. When this is not enough the intervening powers create a so-called humanitarian disaster. There are reports of bloodbaths against civilians, there is lack of food and shelter, and naturally, they create a refugee problem. All these problems are blamed on the sitting regime, while it is in fact the West which creates these conditions.

When this stage has been reached things move forward quickly. The civilians need help, so the matter is taken to the United Nations. There must be sanctions and naturally a no-fly zone. To the uninformed observer a no-fly zone seems a good option. It should mean that the regime can no longer use air power to attack civilians and rebels. You would say that it is a good humanitarian measure. But no-fly zone is a term which does not means what it seems. In fact it is a license for NATO to carry out unlimited bombings in the country. That was very visible, first in Iraq and recently in Libya. The raids kill many civilians, but that is never mentioned. Without these measures the rebels would never have a chance, because they do not represent the majority of the people.
We now see a similar picture appearing in Syria. The rebels there are a similar mix as in Libya and most of the procedure has already been played out. The no-fly zone has already been discussed, but it is not yet in place because Russia is opposed. But it will come sooner or later and then the trigger happy Americans can start blasting away again. In the meantime, it has become clear that many people in Syria still back the regime. These pictures are naturally never or rarely shown on Western TV. They would undermine the picture the generals and politicians want to create.

How the confrontation in Syria will finish will depend on how long Russia can hold out against more Western aggression. The same goes for China which also backs Syria. But the next problem is already there; Iran and its nuclear program. Israel wants quick action to prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb, but the Americans hesitate. Not because they don’t want war, but because they are in the middle of an election year. They all know that Iran will not be an easy war, and they are afraid that the possible chaos will have a huge influence on the possible reelection of Obama.
We must ask ourselves if it is necessary to destroy the Iranian nuclear capability. The regime in Iran consisting of mad Mullahs and fascist militants deserves to be ousted as soon as possible. And it is certainly not a pleasant thought to see nuclear weapons in their hands. But even if they have the bomb, what can they do with it? Israel has its own nuclear weapons and the American arsenal can blow up the whole world many times over, let alone Iran. So even if the Iranian bomb becomes a reality they will never be able to use it. When they would try, their own country would be totally destroyed. So, in fact, the bomb is useless. It will only be of use to show off, just like the Iranian rockets which can hit European capitals. They have them, but cannot use them, even for blackmail, because there are thousands of rockets standing against them.

So what is the use of destroying the Iranian nuclear industry? It will destabilise the country and make the way free for the new Middle East which the Americans are so keen on. That is the only reason for all these conflicts, the increase of American power. Never believe the lies that it is for democracy or humanitarian purposes. Look at the countries where such interventions have already taken place or are ongoing. They are in total chaos and thousands of people have lost their lives. They have not become more democratic either. Usually Islamic hardliners start playing a leading role. For the Americans this is no problem. They are now creating the enemies for the future. Madness, you would say. But they are clever. The Americans need enemies all the time to keep their weapons industry going. Without this industry the American economy would collapse. If there were no new enemies the American people would never tolerate such a huge defence budget. So Washington is planning ahead and lining up new enemies for tomorrow.           
All this makes it essential that we oppose new wars and interventions. Not because we support regimes like in Syria or Iran. These regimes have no right to keep their own peoples in chains. But they must be destroyed by the peoples, not through Western intervention. Some on the left blindly support these regimes because they claim that they are anti imperialist. This is total nonsense, and we distance ourselves from such a point of view. We want to see a socialist Middle East where the people are in charge, not the Americans and not the Islamic fundamentalists. That is the only right stand to take. The view that the enemy of your enemy is automatically your friend does not work and is naïve to say the least.

So oppose all Western intervention in the Middle East or elsewhere and support every people who are trying to do away with their local tyrants. A new world can only emerge out of our own power. Every other way is a roadway to disaster.

Saturday, 22 September 2012

Derry march charges re-instated in Marian Price case

Marian Price's lawyer said she was severely depressed and may not be fit to appear in court
ON September 5 charges against four people including former hunger striker Marian Price have been re-instated by the British Public Prosecution Service (PPS).


In May, a district judge said he would not return the four for trial as there were "no papers in front of him" and the charges were not proceeded with. However, the decision by the PPS means that the four will now face the original charges again. The three Derry men were freed but Marian Price continued to be held in custody because her licence had been revoked.

Marian Price (57) who appeared in court under her married name of Marian McGlinchey, from Stockman's Avenue in Belfast, was charged along with Paddy McDaid, 42, of Sackville Court, Frank Quigley, 29, of Elmwood Road and Marvin Canning, 50, of Glendara, all in Derry, in connection with managing and taking part in a meeting in support of a proscribed organisation.

They are due to appear at a preliminary enquiry at the city's Magistrate's Court on September 27. At the time of her first appearance on this charge in May 2011, it was announced that the British Secretary of Sate had revoked Marian Price's licence and she has remained in custody ever since. There are increasing concerns about the health of Marian Price.

Source: Republican Sinn Fein 22-09-2012

Thursday, 13 September 2012

Hillsborough Disaster; At last the truth - now for justice

Wednesday 12 September 2012

by Paddy McGuffin, Home Affairs Reporter

Police and emergency services made "strenuous attempts" to smear innocent Liverpool fans over the Hillsborough disaster, an independent investigation into the 1989 tragedy found yesterday. In its damning report the Hillsborough Independent Panel found that both South Yorkshire Police (SYP) and emergency services doctored statements in an attempt to cover up one of Britain's worst peacetime disasters.

Ninety-six Liverpool supporters died in a crush at Hillsborough stadium, Sheffield, on April 15 1989 where their team were meeting Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. The report found the ground failed to meet minimum safety standards and deficiencies "were well known." The panel said emergency services did not fully implement a major incident plan, rescue attempts were held back by a failure of leadership and co-ordination and there was a delay in response.

False claims about the fans' behaviour, published most infamously in the Sun, originated from "a Sheffield
press agency, senior SYP officers, an SYP Police Federation spokesman and a local MP." It also found that officers had carried out background checks on those who died in an attempt to "impugn the reputations of the deceased." There was also strong criticism of Lord Taylor's inquiry into the tragedy and the coroner who carried out the inquests. The panel said 41 people could have survived beyond the 3.15pm cut-off point at which the coroner claimed all the victims had died. Evidence showed tests were carried out on all those who died to find out whether they were drunk - even children.

Bishop of Liverpool James Jones, who chaired the panel, said: "The documents disclosed to and analysed by the panel show that the tragedy should never have happened. "There were clear operational failures in response to the disaster and strenuous attempts to deflect the blame onto the fans." PM David Cameron and opposition leader Ed Miliband apologised for the failures of successive governments. Mr Cameron said that Attorney General Dominic Grieve will decide whether to apply to the High Court to quash the original, flawed inquest and order a new one.  Mr Miliband said the report revealed the original inquest was "hopelessly inadequate" and called on the Attorney General to make a speedy decision.

Labour MP Andy Burnham - who established the independent panel - said there had been a "catalogue of negligence, appalling failure and sheer mendacity" and "a monumental cover-up and a sickening campaign of vilification against victims, grieving families, traumatised survivors and the city in shock." Steve Rotheram, MP for Liverpool Walton, said: "Finally we have the undeniable truth which means we now know that many innocent people could and should have been saved. "There was a deliberate attempt to shift the blame," he added. "It is not about retribution, it is about responsibility."

Sheila Coleman of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign welcomed Mr Cameron's apology. She said: "It is an acknowledgement that Liverpool, the bereaved families and the fans have been telling the truth for years and yet have been considered liars." Ms Coleman said that the inquests must be quashed and that criminal charges should be brought.

Source: The Morning Star 13-09-2012
Statement Editorial Board The Red Banner

We welcome the report of the new inquiry into the Hillsborough Disaster and hope that the victims and the families finally will get the justice they deserve. The question remains why it took 23 years for the truth to come out. We believe that this has something to do with the relationship between former Prime Minister Thatcher and the South Yorkshire Police. The South Yorkshire Police helped Thatcher win a victory over the Miners during the strike of 1984. They created a civil war situation in the coalfield and behaved as a paramilitary force. When the Hillsborough Disaster happened and it turned out the South Yorkshire Police were to blame for the tragedy they called in old favours from Thatcher. This is how it works in capitalism, I scratch your back, you scratch mine. She allowed the cover up and the tactic of blaming the victims. Despite her age she should stand in the dock next to the responsible officers of the South Yorkshire Police.

Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Go and vote, and vote Left!!

On September 12 the people of the Netherlands are taking a decision about how the future will look in the coming years. It is very important to take part in this decision. We call on all our readers in The Netherlands to go and vote, and support the leftwing parties. This means voting for the PvdA or the SP. Both parties will not create a socialist society in The Netherlands, but it is important to get a leftwing government into power. The first priority is to make a leftwing party the biggest so that the right does not have first choice in the forming of a government. This is only a small step on the road to a different country and a different world. But we must not forget that every building started with just one brick. Every step is important. So do not hesitate, and make use of your right to vote. We can only overcome the crisis when we fight back, not individually, but together. So, vote PvdA of SP, but at the same time continue the struggle for a socialist Holland in a socialist world.

The Central Editorial Board of The Red Banner

Thursday, 6 September 2012

Internet censorship on workers culture

The internet has the reputation that anything is possible en freely available. It is portrayed as a form of general freedom, where everyone can place his opinion, idea or conviction. Of course we already knew that this was not completely true. The internet exists because some are making heaps of money out of it. But these same people want to make sure that the freedom does not go too far. Especially when it involves ideological freedom.

A number of Marxists-Leninists have been working very hard in the last few years, to put a number of workers films, which were made in East Germany and the Soviet Union, on You Tube. There films are not only historical documents; they also carry an ideological message. The films give a good view of workers struggles and history seen from the viewpoint of the working class. This is not a welcome development for the money grabbers who control the internet, and naturally also You Tube.
Every so often the films are removed, or whole channels are closed down. As reason is given that no royalties are paid to some obscure production companies. But these films were made for the peoples of East Germany and the Soviet Union with money from the government. This means that no one has the right to demand royalties on these films. The rights were probably bought by some West German con merchants, who have their dirty fingers in everything that makes money.

These conmen have no right to any payments, they have stolen enough as it is. It is clear that it is not just a matter of money. The ruling class does not want to see these films and their message. It could so happen that people become influenced if they see the truth. The rulers would like to destroy the films completely, but this is not possible because there are quite a few copies in circulation.
So they have to content themselves with blocking and removing. But this too has only limited success. A number of comrades are continuing to open new accounts and channels to show the films once again. It is a cat and mouse game which will last for a very long time. The so-called freedom on the internet is an illusion, as it is in the rest of the capitalist world. The only way forward is to grab our freedom and keep putting forward our message.

Censorship on the internet cannot be prevented, but it can be sidestepped. In other words; the class struggle continues, also on the internet.