region.
The most immediate of these is that in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia). Until recently the Smith regime had ample room for manoeuvre in 'negotiating a settlement with the reformist wing of the Rhodesian African National Council (ANC)
represented by Joshua Nkomo.
because it could rely on the support of South Africa's Vorster and the imperialist powers.
But the increasingly hard line taken by the ultra-right of the Rhodesia Front, and the growing isolation of Nkomo as thousands of black militants flock to the side of armed struggle, have severely reduced the options open to the Smith regime. And the hardest blow of all has been the political defeat suffered by Vorster and imperialism in Angola, which effectively has made South Africa incapable of intervening in Zimbabwe directly, in turn boosting the confidence of the masses in their armed struggSince US imperialism and Vorster have been rendered impotent, the only chance is for the British bourgeoisie to find some means of intervening. The possibility of an armed intervention can be more or less ruled out because of the danger that it would set our a nuge domestic crisis in Britain itself, so there a omy one road unal can be tollowcd: to negotiate with Smith for the return of Rhodesia to its former colonial status, enabling Britain to bring about the urgently needed peacetul settlement' - the establishment of a neo-colonial regime made up of a majority of the black petty bourgeoisie.
United Nations Such a manoeuvre, if successful, would allow the intervention of a UN 'peace-keeping force' to police the interim period, and create more time for moves to isolate the more militant elements of ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union) and the newly established Zimbabwe Military High Command. The neocolonial world would, of course, be expected to play its role in giving support to these policies and in isolating ZANU militants - already Kaunda (Zambia) and Nyerere (Tanzania) have played their part in the repression of ZANU during IMPORTANT CORRECTION An unfortunate editing error occurred (without the knowledge of the authors) in an article in the 12 February issue Red Weekly concerning the Workers Socialist League and those mem. bers of the Trotskyist Opposition' tendency in the IMG who resigned from the IMG to join the WSL On several occasions reference was made to the "Trotskyist Opposition' when this in fact should have read the former supporters of the Trot skyist Upposition. in most cases the intention was obvious as the reference was coupled with quotations from the comrades' resignation letter printed in Socialist Press (14 January); nevertheless the designation used implied that this was an unacceptable public attack on a tendency within the ING.
We therefore wish to state clearly that this was not the intention, and that the article was concerned solely with the positions of the comrades who have left the IMG and of the WSL. The defeat suffered by imperialism at the hands of the Angolan masses in their struggles to defend the People's Republic of Angola has been the most important event in the history of southern Africa to date: not only has it threatened the stability of imperialist economic interests, but more importantly, it has triggered off a series of political and social crises throughout the the last year, while both have been screaming 'blood-bath' recently in their urgent calls for the imperialists to take a hand in Zimbabwe.
The likelihood of success for these manoeuvres by Wilson on behalf of the British bourgeoisie remains small: the ultra-rights of the Rhodesia Front are unlikely to allow Smith to go back on UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence -1965); moreover, vast numbers of Zimbabwe militants have been preparing themselves for years for the eventual armed confrontation, and are unlikely to back down from this stand.
Nevertheless, the danger exists that the carrot that Wilson offers may have a wider appeal to those unaware of its bitter tast: who don't realise that immediate majority rule' by this means will only be achieved at the expense of the masses. Compensation will be paid to the white farmers, industrialists and to the multinationals etc., assurances will be made for the safeguarding of private property, and security and safe journey will be offered to those leaving the country ...... all paid for, of course, out of the value created by Zimbabwean aDOUT It is therefore important to stress to all Zimbabwean militants the need to advance clear socialist demands today that can pave the way 1mmediatelv towards socialist CAMPAIGN for Repeal of Immigration Act-ad ho Friday, 7.30pm, 152 Camden High Street ommitee to organise PON WOMEN CHARTER Campaign nation to: Red Books, 97 Caledonian Road, London N.C.
TYNDALE and the Right-Wing Attack: Sociali Searle, Dave Lister, Ken Jon (Tyndale teacher). Thurs 26 Feb, 7.30pm, Friend Meeting House, Euston Road NT AS 2 re 250pm in Diabeth Cir ral meeting, Sun 29 Fet Hall (Lecture Room 2 "CHILE: the Continuing Struogle'-speakers at Londor socialist rorum include a Collean exile: Peter Nore o Chile Solidarity Campaign; and a speaker from the . 30pm, Conway Hall, Red Lion Sa. Wes property! Seizure of all foreign capital and foreign exchange!
crisis is far from being confined simply within Zimbabwe. It heart of racist South Africa.
government aimed at isolating SWAPO (South West African to a hurried relinquishing of responsibilities.
reflected in the Labour Party ernment's policy of vetoing all ort to British companies doing Cooking up a deal on the backs of the African masses-reformist ANC leader Joshua Nkomo with British Foreign Secretary James Callahan a few weeks ago business with Namibia' (Financial Times, 19 February).
MPLA militants in southern Angola and SWAPO are beginning to prove successful in establishing more bases in Angola from which SWAPO can operate, and guerilla activity in the north of Namibia has increased substantially in response to the defeat of South Africa in Angola omy is suffering a decline that is heightening the crisis for the regime In the last fortnight the gold mines index has averaged a fall of more than 1 per cent each trading day. Platinum shares have dropped even faster' (Sunday Times, 22 February) Over and above the effects of the world capitalist crisis, the rest of the economy is suffering a similar of elected representatives subject to instant recall! Nationalisation of industry and capitalist farms under workers control with no compensation! Expropriation of all private But the political and social has permeated the whole of southêrn Africa, from Zambia to the very The attempts made previously by Vorster to "bantustanise' Namibia and to set up an 'independent People's Organisation) have collapsed. As in Zimbabwe, Vorster and imperialism are urgently searching for a "settlement' that will lead The sharpening of this crisis is NEC's challenge to the British Govmoves to condemn South Africa's occupation of Namibia. The NEC wants the Government to provide *aid to SWAPO and to give no supp Guildford IMG L. Hodges Hemel IMG Reader Ared Meanwhile, links made between LANKS In South Africa itself, the econmeasures by Vorster is likely to provoke widespread response from this working class. And until a satisfactory conclusion can be brought about in Zimbabwe and Namibia, the European and American bourgeoisie will remain reluctant to bail him out.
In Britain, the attempts by the Wilson Government to solve the crisis of the international capitalist class must today be fought with the broadest possible mobilisation:
Against the reactionary stand of the Wilson leadership! Break all links with racist Vorster! Break all links with racist Smith! Solidarity with Zimbabwe! Solidaity with SWAPO!
Solidarity with the Angolan revolution! Solidarity with the southern African revolution!
We still need nearly £7,500 in not much more than a week! That is the extent of our plight. Last week brought only £279.30. Our thanks all the same to:
3.00 5.00 19.30 20.00 Special sale of IMG material The money received this week and last still enables us to take on a fulltime organiser for our trade union work. Your donations have thus helped to strengthen a vital area of the IMG's intervention.
But we have still not raised enough money for our Scottish Centre. The current debate on devolution, and the fact that the cuts and unemployment will hit the Scottish working class especially hard, mean that it is vital for the IMG to build a strong centre in Scotland. We need £2,000 for a lease and office equipment, but so far we have received only £467.
Rush your donations to: Jo-Ann, 97 Caledonian Road, London N.1.
So Jar 50% co NEXT TIME NO BETRAYAL!
New three-colour poster (chocolate, red and blue), all proceeds to IMG Fund Drive. Available shortly from most IMG branches, price 25p, or direct from Gen eral Strike Poster, 97 Caledonian Road, London N1, price 33p (inc p&p) birminanam nealin worker R. Howard Manchester IMG 15.00 Leed IMG 46.00 headel 10.00 1,000
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N. EAST 2197 YORKS
WALES ANGLIA
$15,000 FUND DRIVE
£Eff 1{331 £££ 1230 £aff 2.75 £zd
Target 2,000
1,000 1,000