*----------------------------------------------------------* | | | x x x x x x x xx xxx xxx xxx | | xx xx x xx xx xx x x x x x x Issue #9 | | x x x x x x x x xx x x x xx xxx | | x x x x x x x x x x x x 02/23/85 | | x x x x x x x xx x xxx xxx | | | |----------------------------------------------------------| | Newspaper of the Maoist Internationalist Movement | *----------------------------------------------------------* ETHIOPIA FEEDS ARMY ETHIOPIAN REGIME STARVES PEOPLE DIRECTS RESOURCES TO COLONIZING ERITREA, TIGRE The Soviet-backed and nominally Marxist-Leninist Ethiopian regime finally admitted a famine situation to its public. Announcing a "famine tax" and other equally dubious measures for an already war-devastated economy, the Dergue's austerity program includes domestic substitution for imports and a fuel rationing program. (Christian Science Monitor, 2/11/85, p. 2, 2/13/85, p. 10) At the same time, the Dergue recently forcibly conscripted another 40 to 50,000 youth for the army--20,000 of which are deployed against Ethiopia's struggling colony--Eritrea-- according to the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF). The Dergue has drafted 300,000 men in a country where the labor force is only 13.2 million. By its own figures, 25% of the Ethiopian budget goes to the military. Other figures put the military portion at least 50%. (Adulis, Aug. 1984, 7, 8) Arms purchases have made Ethiopia dependent on the Soviet Union. The debt to Eastern bloc countries is over $5 billion. Other debts total $646 million. (Ibid.) According to the EPLF, Ethiopia spends 700 to 900 million dollars a year on military excursions. Ethiopia's conditions have suffered. Aside from the famine, official figures put education at 3.2% and health at 1.3% of the Ethiopian budget. Sub-Saharan Africa averages a physician for every 12,187 people. Ethiopia averages one for 58,490 people. Infant mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa averages 117.6 per thousand. In Ethiopia, despite a supposed Marxist-Leninist Revolution started in 1974, the infant mortality is 145.1. (Ibid.) In Africa Now, July 1984, Ethiopia's Chief Commissioner of Relief and Rehabilitation, Major Darwit W. Giorgis was interviewed. He let out that "about 5 million people face starvation because of the drought," but "the Soviet comrades, operating from their barrack-like quarters in Addis Ababa, [Ethiopia's capital] have been flying meat and vegetables regularly from Ethiopia to Moscow." (Ibid., 18) Meanwhile, what food flows into the country from donors often ends up in the hands of troops fighting to colonize Eritrea and the Tigre. A German delegation found that foods delivered by the European Economic Community ended up in the hands of troops fighting in Eritrea. The German parliament delegates were able to photograph butter oil tins from the EEC in Ethiopian military depots recently liberated by the EPLF. They also photographed Soviet bombshells dropped on Eritrea. (Adulis, vol. 1, 13) Overall, "according to one senior relief official who asked not to be identified, only about one-third of the food arriving in Ethiopia is getting to the camps for famine victims." (New York Times, 2/18/85, 6) The Ethiopian government even confiscates food headed for the Sudan, where many Ethiopian refugees from colonized areas are in need. Finally, what food gets in the hands of famine victims may be at the cost of the splitting of families and resettlement out of areas where rebels are active according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. (Ibid.) Only very young and very old people are left in northern areas. The regime is moving 1.5 million people. (Ibid.)DONATE INTELLIGENTLY! NUESNA--RUN BY ERITREANS, PO BOX 778, NY, NY 10025. GRASSROOTS INTERNATIONAL--AMERICANS IN ERITREA AND OTHER OPPRESSED REGIONS IN THE WORLD, PO BOX 312, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139. ETHIOPIA EXECUTES CAPTIVES On January 9th and 10th, the Ethiopian government executed 27 EPLF prisoners. The EPLF holds several thousand Ethiopians in good health and periodically releases Ethiopians, who have been shown the reality of the justice of the Eritrean struggle. EPLF CRITICIZES PLO PARLIAMENTARISM Asked whether he believes in the establishment of institutions like the PLO, the Vice Secretary General of the EPLF said the EPLF rejected "the experience of the Palestinian National Council." "Effective authority lies in the hands of individuals who do as they wish; and we do not wish to have a formal parliament outside which decisions are made." (Adulis, vol. 1, 19) The EPLF thus criticizes the PLO as an unprincipled coalition. The EPLF has a centralized and disciplined organization that fights as one. In response to criticisms of this position, one Palestinian wrote to defend the EPLF. "I certainly believe that the Palestinian experience is the property of all free men the world over as well as all those interested in the Palestinian revolution; and anyone can present his views and, thereby, participate in the solution of the problems of the Palestinian revolution." (Ibid.) Jewad Hassan does not ask for cheerleaders for the PLO. He has recognized the duty of all to criticize and contribute to the Palestinian revolution. To support blind phrasemongering for the PLO is to promote political ignorance and naivete amongst the masses and to bring about political demoralization in difficult times such as now exist for the PLO. ISRAEL ATTEMPTS TO USE AFRICANS AGAINST PALESTINIANS Taking advantage of the plight of the Ethiopian people, Israel has airlifted 10,000 Ethiopian Jews out of the Sudan. Controversial in the first place because the airlift amounted to kidnapping with the Ethiopian regime's tacit approval, the airlift ended with vigorous Ethiopian complaints once the international media started to report the secret airlift. Where did these Ethiopian Jews end up? Hundreds went to "the Kiryat Arab settlement outside Hebron in the West Bank." (New York Times, 1/18/85, 1) The West Bank is occupied by an Israeli minority. It is a major arena for brutal U.S./Zionist repression of Palestinians. Not a few observers have compared the situation to the so-called homelands in South Africa for Blacks set up by the white minority regime. The Ethiopian Jews have been airlifted from starvation and placed in one of the political hotspots of the world. "Out of the fire and into the frying pan?" Maybe. There can be no doubt though as to yet another scheme for neo-colonialism covered up with so-called humanitarian motivations. The Ethiopians are being used for Zionist expansion and to divide the people of the Middle-East and Africa in their joint struggle against U.S./South African/Israeli oppression. ISRAEL TERRORIZES THREE LEBANESE VILLAGES In response to the rebellion of Shiite Muslims against Israeli occupation, the Israeli army has rounded up men in three villages in Lebanon for interrogation and unknown treatment. Eight people in Arab Salim were killed. Israel also levelled 13 houses. 150 armored vehicles were involved in an attack on Deir Kanun. Other reports described helicopter gunships and tanks, which were bombing the villages. The full extent of this renewed invasion of Lebanon for the subjection of the Lebanese people to U.S./Israeli imperialism is not known at this time. (New York Times, 2/22/85) In any case, the atrocities against the Lebanese and the resistance of the Lebanese destroys the myth that the 1982 invasion of Lebanon aimed merely at the expulsion of the PLO. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE MURDER ANOTHER 23 IN EVICTIONS The apartheid regime killed 23 in an effort to evict Black squatters from white urban areas. (New York Times, 2/22/85, 5) The 80% Black population of South Africa is only allowed on the 13% of the land--the so-called homelands--unless they have permits to work in the white areas. Often only male wage-earners are allowed to live in the white areas and in company housing. Their families often follow their husbands toward the urban areas and set up shacks in squatter towns. SOUTH AFRICA CONTINUES REPRESSION OF BLACK POLITICIANS Seven activists of the United Democratic Front are charged with treason. The United Democratic Front protested changes in the South African Constitution that reinforced Black non- citizenship in the country. At about the same time, Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela decided to stay in prison rather than accede to terms for his release dictated by the apartheid regime. Mandela appears to favor armed struggle. However, Mandela is actually part of that reformist wing of the ANC that would call a truce if the apartheid regime would "'legalize us, treat us like a political party, and negotiate with us. Until they do, we will have to live with the armed struggle.'" (Christian Science Monitor, 1/29/85, 1) Unfortunately, the ANC often treats armed struggle as a way to the bargaining table, not a means of genuine liberation from colonial rule. U.S. "ECONOMIC AID" TO EL SALVADOR A COVER FOR MILITARY AID A congressional investigation led by Senator Mark Hatfield has disclosed that contrary to Congressional appropriations, [read appropriations for media consumption] most of U.S. aid to the Salvadoran junta has been military. Three-quarters of $1.7 billion in aid to the Salvadoran regime since 1980 was supposed to be so-called economic aid. In reality, only 15% of the money went to economic aid. (New York Times, 2/12/85, 1) Our more sophisticated readers will recognize that the U.S.'s propping up of the Salvadoran economy is only intended to legitimize the Salvadoran regime and to buy off the Salvadoran people. This may be cheaper than shooting people sometimes; although, corruption guarantees that the regime leaders pockets most of the so-called economic aid. The Congress also pointed out that it is Americans who are running the bombing missions in El Salvador by selecting targets and maintaining advanced equipment. Demonstrating the strategic problems the U.S. Congress has fighting Reagan-style, the Congress documented that a high profile request by Reagan last year for $93 million emergency aid was unnecessary. The report did not say that the aid was illegitimate, only that the Salvadoran army was well- supplied and had access to $32 million to make further purchases should the need arise. Rather than claim that no advisers should be in El Salvador to help bomb the Salvadoran people, the Congressional Report claimed that Reagan had twice as many as approved by the Congress. (Ibid.) The Hatfield Report plugs for more economic aid for the attempt to buy off the Salvadoran people. Hatfield claims that Reagan used false information to justify the Reagan strategy for the Vietnam-like situation in El Salvador. This kind of factional struggle amongst the U.S. imperialists is a good sign that the struggle in El Salvador is going well. Current aid to El Salvador is supposed to be $326 million in economic aid and $128 million in military aid. Reagan is proposing an increase of $100 million in economic aid. He wants a total of $200 million in military aid. (New York Times, 1/18/85, 1) PRESIDENT DUARTE'S HANDS TIED; EVEN REFORM IMPOSSIBLE IN SALVADOR With a sluggish economy, land reforms at a standstill and no control in the National Assembly where the rightist faction of the regime has a majority, Napolean Duarte has done little to earn even the title of figleaf for exploitation in El Salvador. Rumors reported in American papers and protested by Duarte say that American officials favor the ultraright in the upcoming elections for the National Assembly. It also seems likely that the ultraright will expand its majority in the Assembly. (Christian Science Monitor, 2/15/85) One Christian Democrat official admits that Duarte does not have control of the Assembly, media, economy, judiciary or military where the ultraright has power. The same official demonstrates that he is either a fool or a cunning tool. "'The right has controlled everything.'" "'They have vetoed every piece of legislation by Duarte that could be considered progressive.'" (Ibid.) Duarte had to abandon any talks with the Salvadoran rebels (FMLN) because of divisions within his own government. (Christian Science Monitor, 1/25/85) The U.S. appears to have given the rightist generals the signal to end the talks. (Christian Science Monitor, 1/18/85, 1) This paralysis discredits the supposedly moderate regime; emboldens the rightists to abandon the facade of democracy and gives the guerrillas an opportunity to take advantage of. REAGAN CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF SANDINISTA REGIME President Reagan went on television to explain his Central America policy. He said that his goal was to "remove" the "present structure" of Nicaragua. Calling the terrorist contras "brothers," Reagan asked Congress for another $14 million to overthrow the Sandinista government. (New York Times, 2/22/85, 1) CONGRESS APPROPRIATES 95% OF REAGAN MILITARY REQUESTS How does Reagan succeed in pushing through his record military buildup? The Democratic Congress gives it to him, minus 5% which everybody recognizes as padding. This year Defense Secretary focussed on a sham $8 billion dollar defense cut from figures proposed by Reagan. The $8 billion concession preserved the myth that the Democrats differ from the Republicans while covering up the fact that military spending still increased over $30 billion. The $8 billion haggling with Weinberger dominated the front pages for weeks, thus making all involved appear reasonable. Meanwhile, in five years from 1981 to 1985, Congress appropriated 1.1742 trillion dollars for the military. Congress averaged 95% of Reagan's requests in the five years. (Christian Science Monitor, 2/15/85, 4) REAGAN TO SET UP STAR WARS NO MATTER WHAT The cost of Star Wars will be at least $70 to 100 billion by 1993. The amount the militarists are willing to tax the masses for and the insistence that even bilateral disarmament would not deter them from building the Star Wars weapons demonstrates the absolute necessity the capitalists must face in preparing for war. This necessity compels the capitalists to tell the skeptical public that it will ram Star Wars down its throat and nothing will stop them. (New York Times, 2/12/85, 1, 10) UNION CARBIDE EXPOSES CAPITALISM AT BHOPAL The Indian Government has conducted an investigation of the gas leak on Dec. 3rd, 1984 that left over 1,400 dead, 170,000 injured and five more dead each week from after- effects. First, despite knowledge of the potential danger to the public, Union Carbide took no precautions to evacuate or alert the public in case of accident. Secondly, six leaky valve accidents occurred at Bhopal between 1978 and 1982—one resulting in death. Thirdly, one refrigeration safety system had been shut off before the accident. Other safety equipment to deal with excess gas would have been inadequate even if it were functional. (Time, 2/18/85, 78) Such accidents are the rule for capitalism. In 1974 in the U.S., occupational hazards brought about over 100,000 deaths--more than 5 times the number of murders that year. This does not include the total contribution of pollution to public mortality. Under socialist planning the public does not suffer under capitalist safety procedures. Safety is incorporated into production as a value of that production. This may involve bureaucrats to implement the plan, since the masses may not run production completely for themselves immediately the day after capitalism is overthrown. However, rather these bureaucrats that plan to prevent catastrophes than the ambulance-chasing lawyers who survive because there are such accidents. Certainly the people of Bhopal deserve Union Carbide's billions--otherwise Union Carbide will make a profit out of the accident. Still, the legal suits filed one at a time for every industrial accident are a band-aid approach at best. CHINESE CAPITALIST FINANCE DEVELOPS So-called Communist China put its consumers on the installment plan last week and on January 14th also allowed the first stock sale since 1949. 20,000 people bought shares in Yanzhong Industrial Corp. which sells at $18 a share and gives a 13% dividend. Savings deposits earn 5.75%. (Time, 2/25/85, 68) MIM REACHES INTO THE BELLY OF THE BEAST MIM's existence has been greeted with the greatest thirst by revolutionary prisoners across the country. MIM has sent out many different books to many different comrades. A copy of George Jackson's prison letters, 4 copies of Mao's red book, 3 Selected Readings from the Works of Mao, 2 Marx- Engels Readers, Mao on Literature and Art, 3 Mao anthologies, one essential works of Lenin, a copy of Weatherman and 2 copies of Chairman Mao Talks to the People. Here are some excerpts from comrades in prison with the region they're from noted after the quote. Each excerpt is from a different prisoner. Most of the prisoners note harassment and some request legal aid. All request literature. Donations of money or even used classics by Marx, Engels, Lenin, Mao, George Jackson and Franz Fanon would be appreciated. We should try to do more to reach into the prisons. "There are comrades here that are interested in the histories of China, the Soviet Union, Cuba, Nicaragua and other countries, my self among them, and especially China during its Cultural Revolution." N.East "Brothers and Sisters of the Maoist Internationalist Movement, revolutionary greetings. I am incarcerated deep in the belly of the fascist hole, if you send prisoners free literature would you please send me the complete works of Mao or George Jackson or Franz Fanon. I would really like to have Wretched of the Earth by Fanon." Mid-West "I found out about your group and would like to hear more and even maybe join. Since I'm a Muslim, a Black-man, Young Rebellious against enemy forces. My life is in danger because of the elements of oppression which are always around you in prison. But yet it was a prison outside. The imperialist fascists are exploiting the poor and oppressed in Africa and Asia and South America and at home. Our job is to destroy the insect dictators. Please keep in touch." N.East "Seems to this old revolutionary that almost all new parties are Trotskyists in the 1980s." N.East "I'm also critical of the adventurism and romanticism displayed in Weatherman by Bernardine Dohrn. I'm also critical of Bernardine Dohrne's extolments of Charlie Manson's criminal activities as being revolutionary in nature... I'm also critical of most mother country radicals because most of them have problems effecting or accepting the physical neutralization of our adversaries... Mother country radicals (the vast majority) must come to terms with the prospects of death and captivity... A people with fear cannot triumph over a brutal enemy." N.East "I am a P.O.W.... presently confined in one of the special deprivation units." N.East "Mao's book was well received and enjoyed. As is usual when reading one of his books I was impressed with the simplicity with which the man wrote. He wanted everyone to understand what he was saying, wanted them to understand what the revolution was striving for. I also agree with the importance he placed on education, which is necessary to overcome so many social disorders." Mid-West _____________________________________________________________ THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC ISSUE OF MIM NOTES For the real thing, twelve to sixteen pages of tabloid newsprint, including revolutionary art and photos with professional lay-out, subscribe to MIM Notes now. Back- issues also available in original release for most issues. 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