International news briefs
Metalworkers strike continues
Members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa employed in small workplaces associated with the motor industry are continuing their indefinite national strike that began on September 1. The Congress of South African Trade Unions issued a statement on October 1 giving its full support to the workers as the strike entered its fifth week.
On September 22, all 220,000 NUMSA members walked out in support of the 60,000 petrol pump attendants and workers in panel beating shops, spare parts firms and car parts manufacturers. The workers are demanding a wage increase of 12-18% on actual pay, rather than the bosses' offer of 4.5% on workers' minimum pay.
South Africa's five major car manufacturers were at a standstill during the solidarity strike. Many car plants have slashed production due to a shortage of components
Tamil Tigers capture town
Rebels fighting for an independent Tamil homeland in the north and east of Sri Lanka have won a major battle against the Sri Lankan military. The military admitted on October 1 that Tamil Tiger guerillas had captured one of the north's largest towns, Kilinochi, after a three-day battle.
The fall of the town means that the Tamil Tigers control a key highway linking the south with the Tamil-majority north, which is controlled by the Sri Lankan army (see article on page 22).
Anti-government protests in Ecuador
Workers and students demonstrated throughout Ecuador on October 1 against government austerity. The protests coincided with a 24-hour general strike.
Strikers vowed to force President Jamil Mahuad to repeal austerity measures announced on September 14. The government devalued the currency and abolished price subsidies for cooking gas, electricity and diesel fuel. Fuel prices have skyrocketed by 400%, causing most other prices to rise.
Police attacked the demonstrations. At least three people were reported killed in the police actions.
The strike was called by Ecuador's largest trade union federation, the left-wing United Workers Front. The strike is the first major challenge to the Mahuad government, which took office on August 10.
Cease-fire in West Papua?
ABC Radio reported on September 30 that the Indonesian military has reached a cease-fire agreement with the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM). ABC correspondent Mark Bowling reported that it appears the agreement was reached with only some of the OPM guerillas.
According to Bowling: "Major General Amir Sembiring, whose command covers the remote border region with Papua New Guinea, said the proposal came from the OPM military chief, Mathias Wenda, in a formal letter handed to the Indonesian General. The OPM has also proposed talks with the military.
"But the Free Papua movement has two other military leaders including the most senior, Kelly Kualic, commanding guerillas elsewhere in Irian Jaya. Their names were not included in the cease-fire letter."
Churchill considered starting WWIII
Within days of the defeat of Germany in the second world war by the allied forces of Britain, the US and the Soviet Union, the British prime minister Winston Churchill ordered plans be drawn up for an Anglo-American invasion of the Soviet Union, reported Britain's Daily Telegraph on October 1.
The plan, code-named "Operation Unthinkable", was presented to Churchill on May 22, 1945. It included the use of up 100,000 Nazi troops to support 500,000 US and British soldiers, who would attack the Soviet Union through northern Germany.
The report assumed that the third world war would start on July 1, 1945, the Telegraph said, with a surprise attack by 47 British and US divisions.