Letters to the editor
Bogus environment parties
We, the undersigned environment groups, are writing to warn voters concerned about environment protection who may be thinking of voting for new small political parties with nice environmental names — that [they] are not what they seem.
The Wilderness Party, Save the Forest Party, Animal Liberation Party and Marine Environment Conservation Party should be ignored, because they have no track record in protecting old-growth and wilderness forests, coasts and policies giving equal consideration for all animals.
They have not taken part in any of our public campaigns to protect the environment. As we are full-time groups, we are able to be aware of the many issues and community debates. But we can find no record of any policy statements by them nor any copies of media releases urging environment protection.
We think they are bogus groups being used for unscrupulous political purposes. When you examine their preferences for the Upper House you find they are not being sent to groups with a proven track record, such as the Green or Democrats, but to other unknown parties that are known to be antagonistic to broadly accepted environment protection efforts.
Don't vote for them if you want to protect the environment.
John Connor, Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Steve Ryan, The Wilderness Society
Mark Pearson, Animal Liberation
Duncan Leadbitter, Oceanwatch
Tom McLoughlin, Friends of the Earth
Men and feminism
I was surprised to read in Green Left that men can be feminists. As a long-time feminist (and member of the DSP) I can not agree. In my opinion a feminist or women's liberationist is a woman, who is aware of her oppression as a woman and who fights for her liberation. Men who understand this oppression and support women in their fight are anti-sexists.
As a feminist and a Marxist I abhor the oppression of Blacks and while I unconditionally support Blacks fighting for their liberation, I do not call myself a black liberationist for obvious reasons.
When men involve themselves in struggles for women's rights and ultimately for women's liberation, they are taking an anti-sexist stand.
I also find the statement that men "can be part of the feminist movement" a clumsy and confusing way to say that men can be involved in the campaigns and actions which feminists organise. I strongly believe in an autonomous women's liberation movement, in which men can not be members! Feminists have always argued this, because, as Zanny writes "sexism silences women, undermines their confidence and teaches them not to lead".
Melbourne
Doctrine of containment
During the Cold War a policy introduced in the Truman and Eisenhower Administration, and later termed the doctrine of "containment", viewed the threat of communism in a global perspective. A US National Security Council memorandum of 1950 stated that "in the context of the present polarisation of power, a defeat of free institutions anywhere is a defeat everywhere".
As a result of this policy, from 1950 on America began providing military and economic assistance to Indonesia and other non-communist Asian nations.
As opposition to the former Suharto regime and to President Habibie, its present representative, grows, Australia, the USA and other western nations whose business interests profited from the exploitation of Indonesia's workers, are now rushing to support the regime.
Although Australia and the USA have long done business with China and Vietnam the doctrine of "containment" is still the basis for this policy regarding Indonesia.
Australia would be wise not to become entangled in Indonesia's internal difficulties, instead allowing use by East Timor of its off-shore oil resources to finance its national development.
However it is doubtful that commonsense will prevail so long as the Doctrine of "containment" and its unhappy spawn, the Australian-Indonesian State Treaty, remain the basis for Australia's policy toward Indonesia.
Toowong Qld
Cultural dissent
I was very interested to read (GLW #351) the piece by Denis Olsen with the good news that cultural dissent will be revived in Brisbane as Cabaret Resist. I wish Dave Riley and all involved much success. With the energetic endeavours of DSP and Resistance there are good prospects of success, they will not be deterred by the hard struggle.
It is a credit to New Theatre in Melbourne that they have survived for so many years. I greatly enjoyed taking part in the Australian musical Reedy River. It has been revived many times very successfully.
I was in the '56 revival. We played in town for six months and toured for nine months, a record which would be hard to beat anywhere.
In London many performers made a start at Unity Theatre. Warren Mitchel, Alfie Bass, Michael Redgrave were among them. As a London Pearly King I sang in one of their very popular musical revues in '58 when I worked there for a while.
I am sure that Reedy River would be a big success in Brisbane. Dick Diamond went through the public library archives and wove the story around the shearers' strike of 1891 and the huge success of the play was ensured by the inclusion of many shearing and droving songs. When Burl Ives came to Australia he heard us singing "Click Go The Shears", picked it up and it became world famous.
Happy days.
Henley Beach SA
Canadian strike
My name is Gordon Flett and I am a member of Local 2000 of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union in Vancouver, British Columbia (BC) [Canada].
The B Projectionists (IATSE Local 348) have been locked out since December 5 for refusing to take 20% wage cuts in the next three years and agree to other concessions that would gut the Union. There are only 62 of them in the province and it is impossible for them to form effective picket lines so we have been picketing with them at two theatres in Surrey since January 5.
We found out about the dispute after reading a pro-theatre company article in one of our company's right-wing newspapers. Reporters for the Vancouver Sun and Province are not allowed to write anything but pro-employer articles about this dispute. There is also a right-wing media blackout of their rallies as the companies want nobody to know what is going on.
Viacom (Famous Players) made $13.2 billion in profit last year and Sony (Cineplex Odeon) made $51.2 billion, so money is no object in starving this small group of people out.
The right-wing media has people brainwashed into thinking that Union people make too much money anyway and do little to earn it so are only getting what is coming to them. I recently sent out a letter to all the Unions in BC asking them to do what we are doing (adopt a theatre or theatres) and we are hoping to get some positive response.
For further information, e-mail <348@bcprojectionists.com> or visit the web at <http://www.bcprojectionists.com>. I can be reached at (604) 732-9613 or <gflett1@home.com>.
The projectionists are in dire straits and could use all the help they can get. Solidarity forever.
CEP Local 2000
[Abridged.]
CP expelled thousands?
Bob Gould's critique of Stuart Macintyre's book The Reds (GLW #352) suffers some of the very things he accuses Macintyre of. Unsupported allegations and at times total inaccuracy.
Of the Australian CPA, "even in the limited period he [Macintyre] is discussing [mid- and late '30s]", Gould asserts "several thousand people were expelled". Total CPA membership wavered around 2000, so how the hell did we manage to expel thousands?
I was in a position to know. I joined it in 1939, a branch official until the '60s, zone organiser several years, district committee member, delegate to state conference, and a dues-paying member till our dissolution about 1990.
I spoke numerous times on the Party's Sydney Domain platform [and] was campaign director for two Central Committee members in their parliamentary candidacy. Could I have missed knowing that "thousands" were expelled.
What a pity, Bob, you spoilt a good case against Stalinism by such absurdities and downright untruths.
A "redoubtable communist mass leader [Gould's words], Nelson fell out with the CP for alcoholism". Gould says, "What bullshit". Gould omits that Miners' leader Nelson was taking secret funds from Menzies Government cabinet minister Billy Hughes to oppose progressive policies.
Kelvin Grove Qld
Adams visit
Gerry Adams' recent historic visit awakened Australia's conscience by his sincerity and eloquence in explaining to huge audiences that he came to "seek support for Sinn Féin's peace strategy and for Ireland's quest for unity and a democratic peace settlement".
In Brisbane 1200 people including Mayor Jim Soorley gave Adams a standing ovation. In Sydney, at a Herald luncheon, a capacity crowd gave Adams an ecstatic reception; as was the case at the public meeting chaired by the Vice-Chancellor at the University of NSW. Victoria's Premier, Jeff Kennett, also welcomed Adams — as did Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley.
Adams has stressed the importance of Sinn Féin's "Good Friday Conflict Resolution". This document has the overwhelming support of the people of both Northern Ireland and the Republic. President Clinton said that the document should be acted upon "in the spirit and letter of its contents".
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has met with Adams several times.
Adams' message of conflict resolution is generous, humane, and stresses justice and peace for all. All parliaments in every nation, the media, local, state and national governments and every church and religious organisation should support this peace process.
Our Prime Minister, John Howard, has alienated himself from a large section of the Australian community by refusing to meet with Gerry Adams. He has failed to advance the Irish peace process, and has not followed the intelligent lead give by Australia's powerful friend and ally, the USA.
We should all give Gerry Adams our enthusiastic support!
Belmont NSW
East Timor
Portugal and Indonesia have no right to be negotiating over the future of East Timor. That small country has been invaded and colonised by both of these countries and both should now withdraw.
East Timor, with the help of a United Nations peacekeeping force, can manage its own future. Australian troops should most definitely not be a part of any such force given their history of military collaboration with, and support for, the Suharto dictatorship.
As for holding a referendum on independence or autonomy, did anyone suggest that France, Belgium or the other occupied countries of Europe hold referenda after the war to determine whether they wanted to remain part of the invading country? What an insulting suggestion it is to demand that East Timor must do so. The Australian Government and opposition just cannot bring themselves to face the new reality and wipe the egg off their faces.
Alawa NT