Nicaragua. On one side are the - fighting against raguans- the workers and poor peasants.
fits of a few. tion 21 years ago. by seeing when Somoza fled.
FOR THE MASSES trol and run the country.
owners and given to the poor A decisive battle is shaping up in bosses, the rich landlords and their supporters- the government and bosses in the United States. On the and countryside. other side stand the mass of NicaThe outcome will decide whether Nicaragua will be run in the inter- people. ests of the majority, or for the proA victory for the masses will see the establishment of a government which would create the conditions for a victory over illiteracy, hunger, rampant disease, and unemploymen as did the Cuban socialist revoluNicaragua started down the road of the Cuban revolution when, in economic position July last year, a mass uprising of workers and peasants overthrew the brutal dictator Somoza, who for the defense of the revolution from its enemies both at home and abroad, the fsin has now launched voluteer militias in the workplaces aragua.
The government has also shown that it intends to push forward with its top priority of improving the quality of life for Nicaragua's The 1980 Plan for Economic Reactivation which has been announced sets aside 62% of the budget for heaith, education and housing, compared to the 17% set aside in Somoza's 1978 budget.
But in implementing these policies, and achieving the goals set, the government faces extreme difficulties. Nicaragua is in a desperate Somoza ordered massive destruc tion of factories when he knew he could no longer hold on to power.
world. ing down production.
These actions indicate that a de. cisive showdown is coming in NicEither the bosses and landlords, with the backing of the US government, can continue their old ways of exploitation and repression, or the workers and peasants, under the leadership of the Sandinistas, can take over completely the running of the country.
But the Nicaraguan masses have already shown- through their historic struggle against Somoza and their determined efforts to rebuild their country- that they intend to put up a massive fight to push forward to their goal of building a new Nicaragua.
AID NEEDED To help rebuild Nicaragua, the Sar. dinista government has appealed:: aid from supporters around the Cuba, also a poor country. has re. sponded generously. It has pledge: £25 million in direct aid and has sent hundreds of doctors and tead! ers to Nicaragua. Trade and aid agreements were signed with the Seriet Union in March However. the United States e many of the proc.ems: aragua faces- they helped to install and backed Somoza's brutal and corrupt regime- has turre: t back on the plight of the Nitra an people. • The US congress ras frozen a £35 million loan promis: i earlier.
Unable to send in troops to militarily defeat the Nicaraguan revolution because of the deep antiwar sentiment at home, the US rulers hope to starve the Nicaraguan masses into giving up their fight for a better life That is why we in Britain must build maximum solidarity inside the labour movement for the heroic people of Nicaragua