The United States, which has "advisors" at every level of the Greek security services, is using the case to spearhead their "anti-terrorist" drive. One of their latest proposals is for "terrorism" suspects to be brought before court only to hear the confirmation of the sentence — imposed during a trial in their absence!
According to Zoe Chalidia of the Balafas solidarity committee, "the weaker the passed at Westminster for Scotland. There is a distinct Scottish Educational system and even separate Scottish National Football and
Rugby teams in international competitions.
In fact, Scotland already has separate
Government. The Scottish Office presides over the administration of the Scottish State, and enormous discretionary power resides in the hands of Britain's Secretary of State for
Scotland. But uniquely in the EU, (excluding the EU Commission) no directly elected body scrutinises the Scottish administration.
Opposition to the Union (of Scotland and
England) has been continuous since 1707.
And the demand for Home Rule has always been part of the Scottish Labour Movement. case against George becomes, the more inflexible the judges become... The more people become convinced that he is the victim of a frame-up, the more the authorities and their US "advisors" intervene in judicial procedures."
Balafas will appear before the Appeals Court on October 22nd. Formally the court will decide whether he was once a member of a terrorist group. In fact, his appearance will be another battle in the extremely polarised confrontation between Greece's discredited judicial system, and a militant, antiauthoritarian movement in defence of civil liberties. [ZC/JD] * Send protests to: Ministry of Justice, fax +30 1 7758742, with copy to Eleftherotypla newspaper, fax 9028311. Contact: G. Balafas Solidarity Committee, Valtetsiou 35, Exarhia, 10681, Athens. © +30 1 7753979, fax 6745302
International Viewpoint
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Greece: test case for "anti-terrorist"
measures goes to appeal
Greece: test case for "anti-terrorist"
measures goes to appeal
Keir Hardie, the founder of Britain's Labour party was also a leader of the Scottish Home Rule association. The Scottish Trade Union Congress, founded in 1897 as a split from the British TUC, and which continues to represent Scottish Trade Unionists, has continuously advocated Scottish Home Rule.
Since the rise of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the 1960s, British Governments have repeatedly discussed the idea of a separate parliament for Scotland. In a sense, this issue has defined Scottish Politics for the last 30 years. In a 1979 referendum 51.6% of Scots voted for a Parliament. The legislation was on the statute book, but the new Tory (Conservative) Government of Margaret Thatcher repealed the Act. The Tories compounded Scots' feeling of national political oppression by introducing the hated Poll Tax to Scotland one year ahead of England -effectively using Scotland as a guinea pig for new forms of regressive taxation. Party positions
The SNP (left Nationalists claiming to be Social Democrats with around 25% of the vote) support a Scottish Parliament as a stepping stone to Independence. Their leadership support the EU and have a policy for Scottish Independence in Europe. But their base, which is more left wing, increasingly opposes the Bosses Europe on social grounds.
Labour (which wins 45%-50% of Scottish votes in British elections) was split over devolution in 1979. Since then, a substantial nationalist wing has developed within the party. Whilst many in Scottish Labour are still Unionists, they realise that a substantial part of the party would switch to SNP if Labour didn't deliver on its promises for a Parliament. In the September 1997 referendum, Labour this time was united behind the Yes campaign. Doubters reluctantly accepted that this reform was the best way to defend the Union with England
The Liberals (a bourgeois party with 10% of the Scottish vote, and increasingly aligned with Labour at the British level) have always supported Home Rule, and particularly the Proportional Representation voting system it will bring.
The Scottish Conservatives (14% electoral support) are formally opposed to the idea of a Scottish Parliament. But they accept the reality of its popular support. They may eventually back greater autonomy for Scotland, within the European Union.
The Greens also backed the Parliament, but have almost vanished as an electoral force in Scotland
The Left
Most of the far left supported a Yes vote, even the SWP, which opposed the 1979 devolution campaign. Some very small groups called for a boycott, arguing that real self determination' was not on offer.
The anti-capitalist left in Scotland is fairly small. The only groups which contest elections are the Scottish Socialist Alliance
(SSA) and Socialist Labour Party. Both these groups have formed over the last two years, since Miners' leader Arthur Scargill led a split from Labour.
The larger group, Scottish Socialist Alliance, has between 400 and 500 members mainly from Militant and the Scottish Socialist Movement. Many International Viewpoint readers are also members.
The SSA was prominent in arguing for "a Parliament which will take the powers needed to tackle Scotland's social and economic problems - against a Bosses' Europe." The SSA hopes for representation in the new parliament. Under the planned proportional representation rules, the group would receive one seat if it won 6.5% of votes in its stronghold, Glasgow. Growing tension
The new Parliament will inevitably
The othe Reporting direct action is "conspiracy" say
British police
In January 1996 editors of Green Anarchist magazine and the Animal Liberation
Front (ALF) Support Group Newsletter were charged with "conspiracy to incite persons unknown to commit criminal damage" on the basis of news and comment they had published. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of ten years. The trial, which began at Portsmouth Crown Court on August 26th, opens the way for similar attacks on any publication deemed to be in favour of direct action. If the reporting of direct action can constitute incitement this has very worrying implications for freedom of speech. "Public Interest Immunity" Certificates have been used to suppress evidence of secret service actions in the gathering of evidence.
A protest petition is being circulated by Corporate Watch, Reclaim the
Streets, Squall, The McLibel Support
Campaign, and radical publications. *
Contacts: • Corporate Watch, Box E, 111 Magdalen Road,
Oxford 0X4 1RQ, © +44 01865 791 391 Email
<[email protected]> • The GAndALF
Defendants' Campaign, PO Box 66, Stevenage, SG1 2TR,
Britain • McLibel Support Campaign, PO Box 62, Craftsbury
VT 05826-0062, USA. Internet: <www.mcspotlight.org/> Email
<[email protected]> Phone/Fax 802-586-9628. To join the "mclibel" electronic mailing list, send a message
"subscribe mclibel" to <[email protected]>.
Class War no more
The Class War Federation has dissolved. The group emerged from England's anarchist scene in the early 1980s in opposition to "pacifist, middle-class, and anti-organisational tendencies" ana antı-organısallonal lendenules • become the focus for politics in Scotland. Conflicts between London and Edinburgh are most likely to occur over fiscal Policy, and European integration.
Scottish opposition to the EU is higher than in England, and can only grow. And while it supports the EU, the Scottish National Party is demanding 'a place at the table,' rather than trusting English interests to negotiate for Britain as a whole. They will not be satisfied with the minor influence on regional policy, which is what is being offered to Scotland at the moment.