backing for the Shah.
GEOFF BELL gives the details.
ine mecung denutation from the National Executive of the Labour Party led by MPs Joan Mavnard and Neil Kinnock.
was arranged after - issued by 25 September Executive on which argued, the continued backing given by the British Government to a regime which by any standards has appalling record CLOT violation of human rights and suppression movement is without justification'.
UNMOVED But at the meeting Owen was unmoved by the thinking of the party.
The deputation went to the mechne to demane an enato British arms shipments to the Shah, the cancellation of the Queen's visit to Iran and a statement from Owen sing, at the very least, "disquiet" about the Shah's behaviour.
Each of these demands was rejected by Owen In encounter which was described to Socialist Challenge as 'quite speakers. WITH the Shah losing friends as rapidly as portraits | great deal about the oppoof him are burnt in the streets of Iran one faithful friend remains faithful — David 'Dr Death' Owen. At a special meeting on Thursday Owen reaffirmed his was with a acrimonious Owen's justification backing the tyrant was twofold.
So full of his own self-imporrance is argued at the meeting that the the promised were due in no small part to mis innuence.
He laid great stress on what he calls this "external pressure' an Britain and America the although he did acknowledge there was also a "internal pressure' on the Shah.
Owen's other explanation of his behaviour was less novel -the "British interests' at stake in Iran, detailed in an accompanying article on this page.
Owen was worried
whal would nappen to unesc interests if the Shah somewhat paradoxically then went on to argue that the opposition to the Shah was "reactionary" and that a more right-wing, government would this government would want to threaten Britain's Owen did not exolain. But when pressed Owen did finally admit he did not really know a HEAR IRANIAN TROTSKYIST AT INTERNATIONAL RALLY and see film of recent events in Iran Friday 24 November 5.30-7.30 Films from Iran, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe. Exhibitions, stalls from liberation movements and struggles around the world.
Food and music available.
7.30-10.30 Main Rally:
Ernest Mandel (a leader of the Fourth International)
Iranian Trotskyist Nan Bailey (black militant from US SWP).
Greetings from veteran Trotskyists, Zimbabwe and Irish Camden Centre, Judd Street, nr St Pancras Station WC1.
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL 40th ANNIVERSARY RALLY Then came Owen's "concession' to the deputation.
Arms shipments would not be SLOODCU. expressing "disquiet would be issued but if the timetable for June elections was interrupted, for if the military proved be "temporary and progress of "liberalisation' was halted, then the question of the VISH "reconsidered.
But even Owen's minimal concession on the Queen's visit - Jucotake Dace In ECoruary has a laste of dishonesty. When SOCIaLISE certain only the Queen's visit. •But. the aGeCe government on , said the Palace other than if the asked.
Haven neare place on we persisted.
Challenge spoke to the Foreign Office tney acnica all knowicage or such considerations affecting spokesperson this really isn't our patch. We're on protocol here, better try Buckingham Palace' *Oh no, the visit is definitely Would it be called off if the elections were called off, if reforms were withdrawn?' we anything about that" was the reply.
Had any discussion taken placing such conditions on the Queen's visit, No was me answer FORTY people attended a picket of the Iran Air office in London last week. The protest started at the Foreign Office but was quickly moved on by the police. DON MITH THE SHAH