'Solidarity with Argentine struggle'

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Statement of the International Workers League (Fourth International) on the conflict around the Malvinas Islands.

A military conflict has exploded between the Argentine military dictatorship, justly hated by the working people of that country, and British imperlalism, that old bulwark of world counter-revolution.

This conflict could spark off a bloody battle in the South Atlantic. In such a case the Leninist-Trotskyists have always supported the nationalism of l oppressed nations against that of the oppressor. The IWL, faithful that tradition, hereby states that if need arises, it will fight in the camp of the Argentine government.

The Argentine army had right to occupy the Malvinas. From a historical, political and military point of view, England must be held accountable for all past and future bloodshed.

The islands were invaded almost 150 years ago, by the English Fleet and since then their return has been a constant anti-imperialist claim.

Great Britain was forced by the revolutionary struggle of the colonial masses to retreat from her dominions on the seven seas and the five continents. After World War Il most of these remained under the semi-colonial domination of Yankee she did so.

Cynical

Lord Carrington's cynical statement that he resigned because his policy had failed is proof that the only aim of British diplomacy is to retain British possessions. British colonialism has sent 40 ships of her war fleet - the third in the world in terms of destructive power - to punish the Argentine.

In this it is backed by the bureaucrats of the trade unions and the Labour Party as well as by the bourgeoisie as a whole. What is at stake for Britain is neither the strategic value nor the possible economic value ot those few uninhabited islands. No, what is at stake is the principle of imperialist domination - the counterrevolutionary world order, that same order that the USA defends in Central America, Jaruzelski and the Kremlin in Poland, France in Zaire.

It is no accident that Yankee imperialism, whose armies and military advisors are spread around the globe to impose the law of the multinational corporations has condemned the legitimate action undertaken by the Argentine government from the floor of the United Nations and that they have offered to mediate in this conflict. The aim of such mediation is evident. Whatever the outcome of the negotiations, the sacred principle that an imperialist power may not be driven out but must emerge unscathed.

It is no accident that Japan and the EEC agree on this. It is no accident that the Latin American bourgeoisies, satellites of American foreign policy support the mediation, following the lead of the Colombian government.

Finally it is least of all an accident that the social democratic governments of French imperialism together with the. English Labour bureaucrats have adopted the same policy. Either punish the Argentine or negotiate a way out in such a way that imperialist principles will remain intact.

Bloody

But this clear anti-imperialist struggle has been besmirched by the character of the Argentine government. This bloody dictatorship, the worst so far this century, has exploited the workers and the people for the benefit of Yankee imperialism. Singapore and Argentina are the two semi colonies where the imperialists have reaped the greatest benefits in the past few years.

Divert

Galtieri surprised Lord Carrington and the British imperialists but he aims to surprise the Argentine workers. He aims to divert them away from the struggle against their exploiters and the dictatorship. When the dictatorship decided to take over the islands they consulted neither the Argentine people nor took their real needs into account.

The war, if there is one, will mean more hunger for the workers and the people.

However, this will not deter the Argentine workers and ourselves who have consistently attacked the dictatorship since it came to power from carying out united action against imperlalist aggression - the most odious and terrible violation of human rights. Without giving the slightest political support to the government and to the steps it has taken we will form part of the military camp of the dictatorship in the fight against the British imperialists.

We defend their right to take over the islands, we struggle together with the Argentine soldiers and call on all workers and democrats and anti-imperialist fighters around the world to, support this struggle.

At the same time we sound the alert. The Argentine government which has handed the country over to the imperialists will not wage a consistent struggle in the battle that is approaching.

This battle can only be won if the workers are armed.

Under the leadership of the military dictatorship the battle against the third navy in the world will be lost, the people will suffer and very probably the dictatorship will bow to the demands of the American imperialists, thanks to whose support and that of the Argentine bourgeoisie it has been able to remain in power.

We will fight together with the Argentine soldiers without abandoning our political struggle against the government and the military command.

Defeat

We wiil call on the workers to mobilise around the demand that the government adopts those measures that will guarantee the defeat of Her Majesty's Navy and Army, backed by, the rest of the imperialist powers.

If Argentina is to repel imperialist aggression, it is necessary:

1) To restore democratic liberties. Political parties and trade unions must be allowed freedom of political action; repeal the state of siege; the workers and people must be allowed to organise themselves to repel imperialist aggression.

2. Expropriate without compensation all the 'Malvinas' that still remain: the foreign corporations, that together with the native oligarchy rob the country's resources. Expropriate especially the British corporations and also those of the United States - the mainstay of British policy.

3) Appeal to the solidarity of the workers of the worid, especially the British workers. Sabotage the imperialists' efforts. An Argentine victory against England will be a victory for the workers and all those who struggle against imperialist exploitation and domination.

Appeal to the people and governments of the third world that they give military support to Argentina in its struggle to defeat the British navy. Only the mobilisation of the working people and the democratic and anti-imperialist solidarity of the workers of the world can guarantee the victory of the Argentine people in their just struggle against British colonialism.

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Il ril/ Socialist Organiser no.83

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imperialism. But wherever Britain was able to remain,