been speaking to many Labour MPs who opposed it from the outset, and whose voices were drowned in the tide of national hysteria which swept the press and House of mons.
Labour MP for Leith, Edinburgh, what he felt about Thatcher's war. I'M TOTALLY OPPOSED to this adventure. War fever has been generated by the capitalist media; but that and, in this situation, inevitably goes to war.
The argument that ine islanas are a possession. I don't accept that: history Droves Illall things depending on your The Cass islands were seized by force by the British ruling lass 150 years ago people reckon time justifies anything; and we know that so otten possession is nine tenths of the at least, capitalist laW law Naturally enough aisagree witn TaSCISI junta; l disagree with the But it's also clear that for considerable Lillic British governments - including Lavoul have been draggTCHES ing their feet and were very reluctant concede the although the United Nations urged this course.
I think they are using the islanders as an excuse. The main owner OI the islands is Coalite, I understand, and the older people di c forced out the use to the company.
no ume m unc vasu have British governients intervened protect the islanders; if they weren't interested in the past. then they certainly aren't just now.
And if you look at the self-determination, Anguilla, think was, was taken by bobbies OYCI when the island declared for self-determination.
A Labour government sadly sent out the long arm of the law to stop islanders in the Caribbean expressing their viewpoint. It's entirely bogus to talk about self-determination. Plaid Cymru have called for the publication of all negotiations. Do you agree?
That is a very important intereste think the public should know Wildl een going on behind the Eve Should knot what has been said on both sides, so that we can judge.
What should be done now?
This government should resign. hor the ores say they believe in freedom and democracy pletely hypocritical. The Arachullal julila flas been largely built up with Calls and trade. If a Frankenstein monster has seized the islands, the responsibility lies with its creators, the Tories.
lhe labour movement must demand that the fleet DULL and that negotiations take place. These cannot really occur ComOn Friday 23 April we asked Ron Brown, Capitalism is again in crisis in a meaningful way if you have massive arms sailing south to challenge another al illy not having a war, we're denying both camps the opportunity to divert workers' attention. indeed create the situation in Argentina where the leit can and challenge. in this country. the labour movement has Holone enough to help the left in South America challenge the juntas.
What do you think of the Labour front bench response?
It leaves a lot to be desired. Healey and Foot basically sing the same tune. They may argue, of course, that public opinion indicates that British workers want to get those islands back Public opinion notably fickle. The support the Tories apparently now have will evaporate like snow off a dyke, come a shooting war. seen as part or mel team we'll be discredited.
It's often hard to tight prejudice and war fever. But socialisi you've got to do that.
It has been argued by some people we've talked to on the left that it would be suicide for the Labour Party to put this view forward.
don't agree it's suicide. Workers have often been kidded on and then decided, because of experience, that their former view was wrong. And the individuals who went along with it were in turn ditched and discredited for involvement WILl the ruling policy. The classical case, course was the rirst World War.
are the walever developments it's important for the Labour Party stand up on principle and fight on principle.
do you think should be done to stop the war?
We have a situation here — in the gasworks, as Hardie called it - where one vall Tribune Group нетт believe the you have to go along with Foot and Healey The other half think differently.
Those who disagree with the Healey/ Foot approach must do something about it. Early day moorial. But that won't change the dories' It's really a matter of linking up with THOSE side - vicalisations CND, all those on VULthe left who see more clearly what's happening and realise the dangers. What do you feel about the proposal to bring in the United Nations? Labour MP's Ernie Ross, Jo Richardson, Judith Hart and Tony Benn led the 1500 plus demonstration throvah Centra Lon don last Sunday 25 April calling for an end to hostilities in the Falklands. Challenge whilst disagreeing with the organisers call though tor negorations tions.
I don't regard the UN as an ideal body. It could be some neura countis could be used to act as mealalo! • Sweden, Switzerland, or whatever.
while have reserva tions about the United Natimes more em wits that particular phasis should along point of view rather than Haig, who Is certainly an honest BroKer is nor Reagan, who incriminated in all sorts of unsavoury situations throughout the world.
Neither nor Argentinian workers can trust them. They want aeal wnicn will keen the status quo. If we can get a den we all argument force
Socialist
supported the demonstration the United Nageneral election, then we should take the opportuniLikewise we should be encouraging Argentinian workers to do the same.
But the Argentinians, whatever the nature of the regime, have a legitimate claim to the islands. That the would recognise that: and that is one reason Reagan, Haig, and reluctant to use the UN. We should be arguing that the UN should be used in Inis situation However, the one basic demand workers can put forward is Inal the ships De returned port. cannot guarantee that the UN will be involved, nor that it will Tony Benn addressed the rally appealing that All those that oppose war with Argentina should speak up now. ...The excuse that this is a war against fascism carries no weiaht since the wav to fight fascism is to isolate it internationally instead of supporting it and arming it a Britain did with Argentine. The existence of fascism in Argentina cannot be used as an excuse for war.
put forward solutions that will i anyone. one don't deed anyulic. don't have that control. But we have muscle, the political muscle, to influence events in this country.
This government is gocasso this he writs class in this country. It going to war through the economy by destroying Jobs, destroying living standards, and they're now going into a shooting war. Many people in this country if this government gets way. So it's in the interests of the British workclass up challenge now, not just to to happen. Because things TOMERS VAR concluding to the United Nations.
will happen, if we allow the Tories to get away with this suicidal policy.
appears that the Argentinian trade unions have put out call to meet with British trade unions. Do you think there is any chance getting dialogue?
suspect that the will General Council very unwilling to enter into any Will the Argentinian trade unionists. But that's not to say that individuals on the TUC general council and other leading trade unionists may not be terested - I'm sure they WIll.
I'm sure it will arouse Socialist Challenge 'It requires much more moral courage to argue for peace now than to go along with the crude war-mongering. But to stay silent would be to accept responsibility for the tragedy. We here today speak for the gagged majority. Millions of people in Britain want peace and do not support the use of war'. He reiterated his call for recourse general interest in the trade union movement. If the left MPS can do anything to encourage that, I'm sure we will all get as Somephine.
something that should have gee, considered some time ago.
We've got to make up lost ground, because happens we've got try and come workers leaders elsewhere particularly in Argentina, put up a challenge to the capitalist system Argentinian trade unions have a point ol view and lls gol to be heard. It should be heard in this country by the MPs and union leaders
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Opposition to the Malvinas military adventure is growing by the hour. Socialist Challenge has
ONE IN THREE SAY NO TO TU WAR I PAUSE
0 TO Part of the strong Socialist Challenge contingent on Sunday's demonstration
ONE IN THREE SAY -NO TO THATCHER'S WAR