world. 17. Discussion paper on May elections *A call to defend the democratic alliance', CORD statement, June 12, 1984. In Solidardad II, April-June 1984. 18. Leaflet of the Nationalist Alliance, May 23, 1984.
A total of 600 young people participated in the first international revolutionary youth camp launched by youth organisations in solidarity with the Fourth International and held in the Black Forest in West Germany from July 21 to 30. Youth from the following European
Switzerland, West Netherlands, Denmark, Luxembourg, Great Ireland, Austria, France, Spain and Portugal. Also in attendance were delegations from Japan, the Antilles, Bolivia, the United States, Canada and Sri as well as representatives of the Secretariat of the Fourth International and of Lutte Ouvriere (Workers
The average age of those taking part was 21, and 19 for the Belgian delegation on its own. Women constituted 37 per cent of the participants and were in a majority in the Dutch delegation. As far as social composition was concerned, a little over a quarter of the participants were workers, another quarter apprentices or unemployed, a quarter schoolstudents, and the rest students. thirds of those participating were sympathisers or members of the youth or ganisations and not of the sections of the Fourth International.
The first initiative was, therefore, a success, especially from the point of view of the level of participation. the more encouraging and significant when you consider that most of these youth organisations have only come into being in the last three years some are still preparing for their launch conferences as in West Germany Italy, whose conferences are due to be held in October 1984 and next December respectively.
The camp, with all its dynamism and enthusiasm, also marked an important political success. The debates every morning and the various forums and meetings drew good audiences, thus permitting wide exchanges of experience on the main themes chosen. These were the fight against the missiles and militarisation, against the crisis and unemployment, against racism and for equal rights, against the oppression of women and for solidarity with Central America as well as many other issues taken up by the youth themselves in the course of the camp.
The climax of the event was undoubtedly the welcome given to the representative of the Sandinista Youth-July 19 (JS-19), Uriel Ortega, who came especially from Matagalpa in Nicaragua to take part in the camp. He was greeted by a full-scale demonstration stretching through the camp and the singing of the Sandinista anthem. This identification with the Sandinista revolution is an expression of profound confidence in a revolutionary perspective, and in socialism as the only alternative to the military threat, to unemployment and to racism. contrast to the doubts put out and encouraged by the media, this youth vanguard also showed its conviction that it is not simply a question of protesting, or resisting the threats of an apocalypse, that radical social transformation remains not only necessary but possible and that the challenge launched by the Sandinista revolution against imperialism is the symbol of that today. feeling of confidence in the future was brought out during the final meeting and the contribution of Ernest Mandel and the socialist future of hu-
Apart from the determination to mobilise and to act collectively, which dominated the week's unfolding discussions, the meeting also reinforced the confidence and mutual respect between youth of different countries. Internationalism is often easier to proclaim in speeches than it is to put into practice on a day-to-day level, especially in times of adversity and in the face of big tests. The history of the workers movement has, unfortunately, often proved this. That is why, in a period when the economic crisis feeds not only racism but also national chauvinism, it is important, through such the revolutionary vanguard to face up to their responsibilities together and beyond frontiers, against the common enemy.
The international youth camp was also a success from the point of view of leisure Despite the inexperience of the organisers, the variety of suggested activities meant that everyone could always find something to do which kept them happy or fed their curiosity. There were games of chess and football among others, swimming, ecological walks, there were photography laboratories,
International Viewpoint 17 September 1984
video screen projection, music, dance and various improvised activities. A special mention must be made of the collective participation in an improvised evening of international cabaret.
The physical organisation of the camp was the cause of much anxiety on the eve of the event because the initial facilities planned for 400 participants had to embrace 200 extra people at the last
Thanks to collective effort and, in France and Belgium; a motion of solidarity with unemployed workers of
Uni Royal in Belgium; and a declaration of opposition to the oppression
Lastly, and above all, a collecwomen.
Youth) in France, who was seriously wounded this summer in Nicaragua in an ambush by the contras targeted on an international work brigade which was travelling to Managua for the fifth anniversary celebration of the downfall of the dictatorship.
moment. Youth against the crisis in the first place, to the gusto and good humour of the kitchen staff who showed the way and then also to the translators, the technical services, the doctor and the cooperation of everyone, the organisational difficulties were all resolved for the
An important measure of the success of this initiative is the fact it covered
These results can be credited to a small leadership team which had been set up a year and a half before, out of a series of international meetings, and to the responexercised by the council of delegation representatives, which constituted the daily leadership of the camp. Even though there was cause for great satisfaction, we still left promising to do , better..next time. change the world must also be ready to their own permanent mini-revo-
Apart from the reserve of collective strength and the willingness to go forward together, several concrete proposals came out of the camp:
Firstly, that this autumn there would be a new European-wide tour of which will be solidarity with the victims of imperialist aggression (especially the
Revolutionary youth organisations in solidarity with the Fourth International will be in the forefront of
All the organisations present took positive note of the appeal launched by the youth section of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Great Britain (Youth CND) for a demonstration against the deployment of missiles to take place in Brussels where the headquarters of Nato are sited.
- The German comrades of Roter Maulwurf are involed in the organisation of a march against racism for the autumn
This could be marked by sending delegations from the countries where this question is already important (such as France, Belgium and the Netherpublish below the main statements (on Central America, on the antimissiles movement, against racism and against unemployment) which were adopted by those attending the camp in the final meeting on July 29, 1984. Several other motions and initiatives were also decided on, including a resolution and a collection in solidarity with the British miners; a resolution against the repression of Basque nationalists and especially against the threats of extradition and other measures menacing them International Viewpoint 17 September 1984
As young people in capitalist Europe we cannot forget that every day, throughout the third world, the workers, the peasants and the youth are plunged into deeper and deeper suffering to satisfy the appetites of the capitalist class. The price of the capitalist crisis is an increase in hunger and misery.
Death to imperialism that makes people starve! We salute the youth of Latin America, Africa
"muchachos, flame of the
Pillage of the third world is no longer enough to get the capitalists out of their
They have to create unemployment and reduce living standards taking away the social gains and democratic rights of the working class and the youth
The bosses always begin by attacking youth as well as women and immigrants since they are not so strongly organised to resist. But the interests of youth are the same as the interests of the working class. When the British miners or the German steel workers fight for their demands it encourages youth of these countries to act and they become strong enough to organise themselves. When young immigrants in France fight racism it enables immigrant workers to enter into struggle against redundancies and deportations.
Unity of workers and youth against those who cause the crisis!
For those of us who are schoolstudents and students, educational standards are deteriorating because bourgeois governments are cutting back on education for the benefit of the generals
No to austerity! The right to
The bosses want to create a sub-proletariat of millions of unemployed youth and youth condemned to unstable jobs with low wages and poor working condi-
Their objective is to divide the working class and undermine trade-union
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nternational
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resistance as well as isolate young workers from the unions.
- Throughout Europe we demand an end to unemployment! For real jobs for real wages!
Youth must rely on their own strength to fight for the right to study and the right to jobs. If any governments are worried about youth unemployment, it is because they are afraid of our reaction. If politicians look for our support at election time, it's because they know there are millions of us. Without the youth, the anti-missiles movement would not be as powerful as it is today. We can our strength by organising against the capitalist crisis. In Belgium, youth have organised two national marches for jobs, prepared by dozens of local com-
In taking this initiative they were able to get support and unity of all the workers and youth organisations. We want the unions to open their doors to youth and their demands in order to reinforce the unity of youth and workers against the crisis.
- No to redundancies! reduction of the working week with no loss of wages, to create jobs for the unemployed! Let's all work less to create jobs for everyone!
In Spain, Portugal, France and throughout Europe, the parties of the left which claim to defend workers and youth forget their promises as soon as they get
As young revolutionaries we have no confidence at all in parties which betray the working class. We seek unity in action with young socialists, socialdemocrats, communists or christians to get a government that acts in the interests of workers and youth. But, we build a revolutionary youth organisation because to solve the crisis, to change our lives, we have to get rid of capitalism itself.
Under the capitalist system, harvests are destroyed in Europe, while 40,000 children are dying every day in the third world. Under this system factories are closed while enormous needs remain unsatisfied. Under this system, they put tens of millions of workers on the dole rather than reduce the working week. Under capitalism they build up nuclear weapons systems capable of annihilating humanity several times over. ism carries crisis and like a thundercloud carries a storm.
Let's all build barricades against the old world - let's build our revolutionary youth organisations!
25
Against the missiles and militarisation
As members of youth organisations in political solidarity with the Fourth International, we declare our concern at the acceleration of the arms race throughout
Now that the deployment of Pershing II and Cruise missiles has already begun in most West European countries it is necessary to continue the mass movement to get rid of these missiles, or, in the case of the Netherlands and Belgium, to pre-
Because it is our future that is at stake we are especially concerned with the anti-nuclear struggle. Mass campaigns are the only way to get rid of the missiles. We don't believe in negotiations between the USA and the USSR.
Neither do we believe that a non-nuclear defence strategy or a non-nuclear Nato will make this world any safer. Nuclear armament is the biggest threat but there is also the development of conventional weapons and troops which are used against national liberation struggles by different imperial-
We should attempt to strengthen mass action by drawing more trade union activists, more women and youth into the campaigns of the peace movements. Women and youth in particular have shown that they are willing to join or initiate mass action and that they are the most devoted fighters for disarmament.
No to the missiles!
- For mass campaigns of the peace movements!
While fighting our own governments and against the deployment of Nato missiles, we declare our solidarity with the independent peace activists in the work. ers states of Eastern Europe. Fighting for the right to decide, to control the placement of missiles, organising themselves independently from the state, they confront severe repression from their bureaucratic governments. One of the key ways to achieve disarmament in Europe is to link up with the struggle of these independent peace activists.
For solidarity with the independent peace activists of Eastern Europe!
In fighting against a 'pax Americana' in Europe, we also declare our solidarity freedom fighters of Central America and the revolutionary government of Nicaragua whose very existence is severely threatened by US imperialism. Central America!
Nato bases out! Down with Nato!
While billions and billions of dollars are put into the arms race, in Western Europe more and more youth are facing unemployment. In fact, not future but our very existence is now at
The money now used for the military build-up should be put into the education system and the public services.
- We want jobs not bombs!
Finally, we welcome the decision of Youth CND in Britain to call for an international youth march for disarmament. This would be the first time that youth have organised internationally, adding a new dimension to the fightback.
show the world what kind of future we want and we'll force our governments to get rid of nuclear weapons!
Solidarity with the fighting peoples of Central America
Every day, 30 bombs fall on El Salvador. Equipped with the latest in US war technology each bomb reaches its target - the population of the liberated zones -with precision. According to statements by the FMLN (Frente Farabundo Marti de Liberacion Nacional) the USA is planning a direct intervention in El Salvador troops - trained with US aid - carry out counter-revolutionary raids on the population of Nicaragua. Their actions do not only cost the lives of hundreds of Nicaraguan men and women, but they also obstruct the further progress of the revolution. By attacking an international brigade in the southeast of Nicaragua in mid-July, the contras attempted for the first time to bring about the collapse of this form of interna-
Behind the war against the revolutions in Central America stand the US imperialat any price, the liberation of the peoples of Latin America and destroy the Sandinista and the Cuban revolutions. They will not succeed. Against them stand, first and foremost, the workers and peasants, men and women of Central America
Their organisations, the FMLN in El Salvador, the FSLN in Nicaragua and the URNG (Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union) in Guatemala have proved ready and able to lead a determined struggle for a social revolution. But the war in Central America will not be decided by weapons alone. A strong, worldwide solidarity movement has a vital role to play in the outcome of the struggle.
The youth organisations in political solidarity with the Fourth International pledge full political, moral and material support for the liberation struggles in Central America. The tour of two members of the Juventud Sandinista (Sandinista Youth) in April and May 1984 throughout Europe provided a good opportunity for this. We will continue to fight for:
- A broad front of all forces of the peace movement and the workers movement in support of the revolution in Central America;
- The setting up of further work brigades for Nicaragua;
Material support for armed struggle in El Salvador;
A campaign of information on the real situation in Nicaragua and against the lies of the imperialist press. The Nicaraguan elections in November provide the next opportunity for this.
And, finally, for a further tour of Europe by representatives of the Sandinistas in Europe.
Long live international solidarity!
Long live the struggle of the peoples of Central America!
Let's work together to defeat the intervention of US imperialism and its allies in Central America!
No pasaran!
Throughout Europe reject racism, demand equal rights
In October 1983 in France about a dozen young immigrants launched an appeal 'Against racism, against racist attacks and for equal rights!' On December 3, 1983, more than 100,000 people responded to that appeal by demonstrating in Paris.
Throughout Europe racism is threaten-
The bosses are throwing millions of workers out of work, spreading misery and disillusion.
are making immigrant workers scapegoats for the crisis for which they alone are responsible. With the economic crisis the bosses are seeking any means to get rid of this superexploited labour force to whom they have denied basic rights, even the right to vote. Everywhere racist measures restricting the rights of residence of im-
This is done through deportation fees, through border controls
Lack of job creates insecurity of residence because the issuing of a resident's card depends on having a work permit.
Young immigrants are the first to feel the effects of the crisis. Excluded from political life because of their lack of rights, they are also marginalised as a result of unemployment and the crisis. Culturally, their identity is ridiculed by the education system. Denigrated in this way they are also subject to systematic racist attacks
Young immigrants who are born in Europe, who study or work there, are demanding their rights, fighting discrimination, in order to find space to live and express their own identity. All youth must stand alongside them to stop racist campaigns like those of Le Pen in France which lead to hatred and other
International Viewpoint 17 September 1984
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We will fight shoulder to shoulder with young immigrants in defence of their rights: for the right to a job, for the right to organise, for the right to a unified education system for all young people; for the right to decent housing, for the right to leisure and to their own culture. We do not accept the treatment of immigrants as second class citizens and we demand the right to vote and other
After the success of the march in France the mobilisation is continuing. In West Germany young people have decided, in turn, to organise their own march against racism in October 1984.
At every stage we will be there to build the movement of immigrant youth against their oppression and to construct a united front of all young people against racism and fascism.
were held in factories, and Fosatu leaflets and Don't Vote stickers distributed
On the Western Cape, Fosatu participated in a mass rally organised jointly by the independent unions and progressive organisations on August 6. Some 6,000 workers were bused in to the Fun City stadium in Athlone to discuss the new constitution.
Black students also played an active role in the campaign, boycotting classes in the high schools and universities, in protest not only against the racist constitutional proposals but also against the nferior educational system that they have
Successful boycott campaign of South African elections
On November 2, 1983, South African prime minister P.W. Botha won the support of two-thirds of the white electorate (the only ones asked to vote) for his constitutional proposals (see International Viewpoint, No 46, February 13, 1984). The reforms approved by this referendum strengthened the power of the president, and created a parliament of three distinct chambers: one for the whites (the biggest), one for the 'Coloureds', and one for the 'Indians'. million blacks remain unrepresented.
This was a wide-ranging operation for
While he undertook a militarydiplomatic offensive directed towards his neighbours, he also had to respond to the growing activity of the black masses around their national oppression and on social questions.
The first stage was capped off by the agreements with Mozambique and Angola. Botha took advantage of these to make a tour of the European capitals to promote his image as a reformer. The second was a bitter failure. Despite a considerable effort, such "special votes' electors not able to go to the polls, participation did not reach a sufficient level to give this rump parliament the least credibility.
Voting took place in two stages, on for the Coloureds and August 28 for the Indians. Of the potential Coloured electorate of 1.5 million, some 907,000 were registered to vote, only 270,469 actually cast a vote, giving a rate of participation of only 30% for those registered or 18% of the potential electorate. The rate of participation by Indians was still lower, around
One of the most significant facts was that the rate of abstention was markedly higher in the regions where these populations are concentrated, such as in the Cape which is one of the chief designated zones where Coloureds work, or Durban, a main designated residential zone for Indians. Moroever, many ganisations denounced the procedure of written votes which made wide-spread vote rigging possible as the authorities went to collect voting papers from those who were unable for one reason or another to move. These factors inforce the scope of the boycott and unInternational Viewpoint 17 September 1984 derline the victory won on this occasion by the oppressed
Botha's bitterness was expressed in his 'A good number of
Coloureds still show little interest in the exercise of their democratic rights? is certain that the sort of 'rights' that the apartheid system offers to blacks are not likely to arouse the interest of the black
The response of the oppressed people of the Republic of South Africa was clear. Through their activity, their meetings and their demonstrations they reaffirmed their refusal to collaborate with the racist regime and its puppets.
The principal forces in the campaign for a boycott of the elections were the United Democratic Front (UDF), a broad front set up a year ago in opposition to the constitutional proposals; the National committee initiated by several People's Organisation (Azapo); Azapo itself; the independent non-racial unions; throughout the RSA to campaign for the boycott addressed by speakers from these organisations, the Transvaal Indian Congress and others. The Rand Daily Mail, reporting on two separate meetings in Johannesburg on the previous day attended by a total of 1,100 people, commented that "These meetings were the clearest indication so far in the election campaigns on the Reef of the streneth of the 'anti-participation' factions. Participating parties have drawn tiny crowds to meetings on the Reef so far.'
Federation of South African Trade Unions (Fosatu) reported on the front page of the August issue of its bulletin Fosatu Workers News on its door-to-door canvassing campaign for a boycott, over the banner call "Don't vote' One of the targets for this campaign was four townships on the Eastern Cape. Canvassers reported that 'the majority of people visited were sympathetic to the Don't Vote call'. Along with this activity, enabling Fosatu to reach organised non-organised workers, meetings
Official estimates put the figure of student boycotters at 630,000.
The call for a boycott was also backed by the outlawed ANC. A speech broadcast by the president, Oliver Tambo, emphasised 'We must crush the August elections by the vigour of our united struggle and through an intensive campaign exposing the danger and treachery reasserting the people's goal of a united, democratic and non-racial South Africa.'
The minister of law and order who authorised several hundred cases of 'arrest and preventive detention' because of the revolutionary climate which prevailed' made no mistake in his judgement of the situation. Such an intense campaign was thus obviously not allowed to pass without let or hindrance by the racist regime. For calling for a boycott of the elections to the Indian college 137 persons were arrested, 17 of whom will remain in preventive detention for
Several dozens of well-known figures were also arrested during the boycott campaigns, including one of the presidents of the UDF, Archie Gumede, and the presidents of the Natal. Also arrested was Kader Hassim, chair of the Maritzburg branch of the affiliated to the Unity Movement of South Africa) and a former Robben Island prisoner.
Besides arrests of campaigners there were violent confrontations in the black ghettoes that continued into the early days of September. the black townships were provoked by new constitutional proposals but given a new spark by the announcement of rent rises in the townships.
reports of the Pretoria government put the death toll, on September 3, at 22 deaths and dozens wounded.
The attempted enticement black masses has failed, and the racist regime will be unable to avoid a confrontation with the black masses of Southern Africa, despite its more or less secret contacts with the ANC, illustrated by the recent meeting between a South African representative and Joe Slovo, an ANC representative.
21
NICARAGUA The peace camp - an important act of solidarity An important act of solidarity with the struggle of the Nicaraguan people was undertaken in Managua between July 15 and 23 in the face of a mounting imperialist offensive. peace camp was organised by the Nicaraguan Committee for Solidarity with All Peoples (CNSP) and drew together 600 people from 27 countries. The delegations present basically represented solidarity committees and brigades from Europe, Latin America and North America.
There were also delegations from other political organisations such as the JCR (Revolutionary Communist Youth -France) who had been expressly invited by the Sandinista Youth. They were representing all the organisations in po. litical solidarity with the Fourth International, which had organised a European tour for the Sandinista Youth in May and June this year.
On this occasion the JCR had several discussions with the leadership of the Sandinista Youth and replaced some important photographic equipment for their journal, Mucha-
The participants in the camp were able to attend chos. several talks and meetings with leaders of the FSLN, most notably with Tomas Borge and Sergio Ramirez. The closing speech to the camp was made by Comandante Dora Maria Tellez who spelt out for everyone the relationship between today's liberated Nicaragua and the future, post-capitalist era which is the historic destiny of humanity. She explained how the Sandinistas draw on previous revolutionary experiences and try to avoid making the same errors.
During the summer, several different solidarity committees who had come to Nicaragua to help with the reconstruction were able to meet each other. Nearly one thousand true internationalists gave up their holiday time to the Nicaraguan people and helped, in their own way, to consolidate the gains of the revolution, that is the schools, the heath centres, the cooperatives, etc.
The work brigades brought invaluable help just at a time when the whole country had to be mobilised to support those at the front in the war against imperialist aggression. The contras understood this very well. That is why, on July 18, they chose to attack one of these brigades, deliberately, seeking to kill and to discourage international supporters and smash the concrete links that have been made in solidarity with Nicaragua. An activist of the French solidarity movement, who is also a member of the JCR, was wounded in this attack along with three Telcor (Nicaraguan Telephone Company) workers.
The attack was condemned unanimously by the participants in the peace camp, and in a communique issued by all the French organisations present (MJS, JCR, MJCF, CSN (1)). strengthened the fraternal links which have bound us to- *Far from, intimidating us, this attack has further gether in the last fifteen days of work. We are more determined than ever to return to Nicaragua and to explain to the French people the work that has been carried out and to tell the truth about the daily aggression to which the people are subjected and about the methods of the contras who purport
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Free Rafael Taveras and his comrades *Rafael Taveras, known as Fafa, leader of the Frente Izquierda Dominicana (FID, Dominican Left Front) and the general secretary of the Bloque Socialista (BS, Socialist Bloc) was arrested on the evening of August 29, at the door of his
[Five other leaders of the Dominican left were! arrested several hours later.]
"Three days previously the military high command of the country had accused the left of conspiring together against the security of the state, and having received funds from Libya and North Korea for this purpose. These serious accusations, totally unfounded as they are, put into danger the life of the revolutionary leader Fafa Taveras, and mark wave of repression against leaders of the popular movement.
which has already brought about, on April 22,23, and 24, more than 100 deaths, 500 wounded and 4,000 imprisonments, remains the only official response to the rise in popular protestations against the starvation policy imposed by the government on the recom mendation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
"Given the seriousness of the charges made by the government, we call on world public opinion to demand that Fafa Taveras be set free and human rights be respected in the Dominican Republic.
"The representatives of the FID and BS in Europe call on democratic organisations and defenders of human rights, and ask for protest telegrams to be sent to the president of the Dominican Republic, Salvador Jorge Blanco, demanding the freeing of comrade Taveras.'
FID Delegation in France BS Delegation in Europe Paris, August 30, 1984. Send telegrams to: Salvador Jorge Blanco, President of the Republic, Palacio Nacional, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Send a copy to: Periodico La Noticia, Julio Vernes 14, Santo Domingo,