Militant practices the kind of WUSl chauvinism (socialism in woras. chauvinism practice) when it attempts reduce the crisis fight between the capitalist governments the inee Workes Britain and Argentina will not served Dv supporting either capitalist governother an oppressed Socialists cannot remain neutral in suen a conte as they would in one between LWO inDenals powers. It is necessary for British workers to break from imperialist claims for Marx said *a namon which oppresses will not itself be • free A victory lor Argenimperialist demands" they nave oromoted wil nave d tendency to cut slalicc the junta.
Militant argues that the salvation of the Falkland Islanders rests in the hands of the Argentinian opposi tion. is true. But all the main forces of the opgeneral action against the government.
even Argentinian revolutionaries forced into exile in Cuba by the junta were reported volunteering to defend the islands against the British force, despite their undying opposition to the junta. The defeat of Britain and ine victory ol 2224882 Anv other road leads us play to accommodation as the case of Militant shows. In clickily LIC demands for economic bovcotts. calls workers to black Argentinian goods - thus in prac tice favouring a British victory. No socialist follow this road. the gains legitimate ment... either the invader or our assault troops.
Britain against Argentina live in peace posals reauire the task force Prime Minister her position. NO blank cheque for this operation has been given to the government by the Op. position Front Bench. If somebody is to try later to cash a blank cheque, it might be better to say now that we do not want to issue a cheque at all. That is my position. The risks of this exercise far exceed and indeed contradict the objectives of the govern.
I give three objectives to the government. First, the safety of the islanders should be our prime con cern. If we get it wrong, as I said, there will be no one to consult. That must mean seeking a local ad ministration that will protect the islanders from the tyranny of their new occupying consul.
Alternatively there must be resettlement, but do not threaten them with landing craft. Their little wooden houses would quickly be destroyed by Second, a United Nations peace-keeping force must be established in the Falkland Islands ... If that proposal includes a United Nations mandate, the question of sovereignty could be merged into the United Nations, and the world will support Third, now is the time for the Prime Minister to say that we would be prepared to cede sovereignty to a condominium or to the United Nations . We must be prepared to contemplate a range o solutions provided that the Falkland islanders can None of these legitimate and constructive proThe task force in volves enormous risks. It will cost this country a far greater humiliation than we have already suffered, and if history repeats itself, it will cost the Socialist Challenge 15 April 1982