Photo: COLIN HEADWORTH (Soclalist Challenge)
Rafael Runco who was imprisoned for five yoars by the junta Sacialist Challenge 22 April 1982 month up as defenders of sovereignty.
the responsible for 30,000 from these policies.
Of course, population. Rafael Runco (speech delivered to Socialist Challenge public meeting)
The Argentine junta is trying to create conflict. heroes to make us forget our martyrs.
the junta became engulfed in a massive crisis because of ine aeterioraling economic shuation and the growing chorus of demands for a resolution of the human rights This was the background to its decision to occupy the Malvinas. Now the armed forces have put themselves — ne same junta which has sold the country multi-nationals and been 'disappeared persons*: It needed to divert attention the recovery of the Malvinas was supported by the whole struggle Over 200,000 people demonstrated in support of the occupation of the islands in Buenos But what lies behind such acWe deny that they constitute support for the regime and its overall Behind the demonstration was primarily the anti-imperialist feelings of the Argentinian people The dictatorship is the result of imperialist domination in We in the Argentinian exile community are very saa lo near voices try ing to avoid the real meaning of the The British government thoroughly hypocritical. Only a few weeks ago the relations between the Tories and the junta were warm and friendly. Then Chile was the naughty boy and Argentina the star.
The situation has now changed Thatcher now flirting Pinochet.
The Argentinians in Britain are happy to have this kind of support. We are happy to work with you on the basis of what you have said here, that is, to oppose the policy of the British government.
But we would also invite you to take up the struggle for human and democratic rights by supporting the Argentinian people and involving yourself in the work of our Human Rights Committee. Latin unions IN FANTASTIC workers' Argentinian tion the CGT has appealed to the TUC for a joint meeting to work out a solution to the Argentinian Ricardo Perez, secretary of the leader of the CGT delegation now Europe national labour movement 'to act in unison to achieve a peaceful solution' He explained ported Argentina's longstanding claim to the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands. ple believe these islands are part concerned Islanders way few rights.
workers gesture tney retre the most trade union general drivers union and opposition, the that he sup 'All the Argentinian peoBut he thought it right to be that the Falkland their democratic and human rights guaranteed. He would fight for this in the same as organistaion fighting to win such rights for the Argentinian people as a whole But he pointed out that at present the Islanders enjoyed very They were forced to Bolsover. Many these live in tied cottages which they have to leave when They only enjoy the primitive of services because of the years of neglect by the British government.
The CGT is not compromised with the junta of General Galtieri In fact it was because of the strike that une CGT recently organised and the rising that Galtieri decided the Islands in the first place. So the TUC has no justification for refusing such a meeting It should break from Thatcher's war drive and help formulate solution which in COl laboration with the CGT could be a major factor in the overthrow of both Galtieri and Thatcher.
noted that the Falklands issue had turned Reagan and Haig into international peacemakers. 'The crisis is not about oil sovereignty Thatcher quite prepared
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Inter- nationalist gesture by Argentinian