February 13, ee .
THE MILITARY COUP Ili TRAQ
PARIS, Feb. 12 -- General Abdul Karim Kassem's regime, which was overthrown by a military coup four days ago. was a bonepertist dictatorship constantly at war on various fronts in its efforts to hang on to power, Kassem battled the pro-liasserist Anab national-ists who belong to a wing of the Ba'ath (Socialist Party of Arab Renaissance), a petty-bourgeois nationalist party influertial in Syria and Jordan as well as Iraq. He repressed the Cpmnunist party which had been decisive in keeping him in power and in helping him to put down the pro-liasserite insurrection at lisosul. He was arainst the Kurds, who are struggling to conquer national auton my. He was against the remnants of the old Nouri es-Saidrezime and the direct stooges of British imperialism among both the landlord class and the comprador bourgeoisie. Brae lee oe gt tye ae
He opened the way to his own downfall by failing to scarry for~. ward the revolution begun in 1958. Brutal repressive measures proved insufficient to make up for his loss in popularity
In the Arab world, nationalist layers hailed the overthrow of ‘the Kassem regime and the victory of Colonel Abdel Salam Aref. , Iraqi students in Britain staged a big demonstration. Yuroslavia as well as most of the Arab countries, including Algeria, at once granted recognition-to the new regime.
Emotions were somewhat mixed, however. The evident strenpthening of Nasserism caused anxiety, especially anonc reactionary forces in Syria and Jordan and among Zionist leaders in Israel. They were particularly nervous over the unsettling effect of the overturn following the opening of the revolution in Yemen only last Septem-
On the left. despite Algeria's quick recognition of the new regime, the daily newspaper Al Chaab printed a discordant note. "As for the population [in Iraq,” it reported, "it was truly is ‘stunned! by the suddenness of the coup d'etat and by its extent. Most people appear to be uneasy and dismayed. The aspect of the ‘erowd which hurried yesterday on the sidewalks of baghdad tovard the stores and markets, after two days of curfew, was far from the
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delirious enthusiasm which has marked the tone of Radio Daghdad since the beginning of the coup d'etat."
The disastrous consequences of the opportunist policy of the Communist party should now be plain to everyone. In 1950 it was the strongest party in Iraq. Instead of taking power, it preferred to oack Kassem. Jn this way it conformed to Hoscow’s policy of seexing; to maintain the status quo. Today the ranks of the Communis: party, and, in fact, anyone accused of association with "communis," however remotely, are targets of a blood purge. One of the first acts ‘of the new militarist regime was to launch a nation-wide witch-hunt of the most savage kind. Your and a half years after it had vower within reach, the Communist party of Iraq is reduced to a pathetic appeal by one of its leaders, Anwer liustapha, condemning the "counterrevolutionary pro-imperialist coup" and calling on democratic opinion throughout the world to support the Iragi people against “terror gancs not unlike the SS."
In its first public announcement, the Aref regime guaranteed the status quo of the Iraq Petroleum Company, the international con-sortium which operates the chief Iraqi oil fields. The Dritish government made quite clear that this pledge was decisive in winning recognition from Britain. Washington's quick recognition ~~ within seventy-two hours of the bloody coup -=- was based on "hope that greater stability in the Middle Last would emerge from last Friday’s revolt," as the New York Times put it. American imperialist circles expressed considerable satisfaction over the "anti-Communist" characte of the new government.
It may turn out, however, that in pursuit of popular appeal and perhaps a boost in royalties, the new regime will not hesitate latex to put a squeeze on the oil companies.
As Arab nationalists, the Aref group favor Arab unity. But to actually join the United Arab Republic in accordance with Nasser’s policy would involve sharing with Egypt the all-important royalties received from the Iraq Petroleum Company.
Aref is under pressure now to put an end to the Kurd uprising. But the army has been weakened by the split between the pro- and anti-Kassem forces. The alternative, to grant national autonomy to the Kurds, is not easily reconciled with Arab nationalism.
It would thus seem that the downfall of Kassem has sharpened contradictions in the Middle Dast and opened up a nev period of instability.
ALCERIANS BACK ANGOLANS WITH MASS RALLIES : 7 Demonstrations throughout Algeria in behalf of the Angolan a freedom movement were staged Tebruary 9 under auspices of the BDA (National Liberation Front).
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At Oran the crowd swelled to around 180,000 to 200,000 people, according to Al Chaab. In other cities tens. of thousands rallied to hear speeches and shout slogans such as "Long Live Free Angolai" "Long Live Algeria!" “Down with Portguese Colonialism!" : oo Typical banners read, "Down with Salazar." "Long Live the Angolese people." “Long Live the MPLA." (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola.) me, ]oG
In Algiers a crowd at the municipal stadium heard Idouardo Santos deliver a fighting speech in behalf of the MPLA. He expressed gratitude for the help whith the Algerian people are giving the Angolans in their fight to end colonial rule. .
Another huge rally was staged at the Square of the Martyrs just below the Casbah in the heart of Algiers.
At Blida, Premier Ben Bella addressed a huge crowd. "Our support," he said, “is felt by us not only as a moral duty. The struggle of the Angolan people is our struggle."
It is necessary to sweep away all colonialism once: and for all, he declared.
"Brother Angolans, we are with you to a man, and we say, ‘Go forward. All of Algeria, fighting, militant and genuinely social~ ist, marches with you. The volunteers will not be lacking."
"REVOLUTION AFRICAINE"
An impressive new French~language weekly has appeared in Algiers, Revolution Africaine. As its title indicates, its sub= ject matter is the continent of Africa as seen from the viewpoint of revolutionary struggle.
The first issue was a huge success. The press run of 60,000 was completely sold out and the second number was increased to 80,000. In Algiers 7,000 copies of the first issue were sold on newsstands. Orders for the second increased to 15,000.
The tone of the publication can be gathered from a statement by Ben Bella which was featured in the center spread of the first issue:
“On the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of the African National Congress, I am happy to salute the heroic struggle in which the people of South Africa are engaged.
"The whole world knows that our peaceful brothers did not choose violence; they were compelled by the colonialist and racist violence to defend their lives and dignity. Thus their violence. — is legitimate violence which merits the moral and material support,
willbe Ca support of all the peoples and of all the governments in rica.
"I assure them in any case of the limitless solidarity of the FIN. We feel that the provocation which the policy of apartheid constitutes has lasted long enough and we are ready to examine with all the interested governments the organization of the necessary resolute action to put an end to it. African unity will not be possible if it does not begin here. Our brothers are suffering and fighting for us. They are our pride, our spear and our shield."
In the United States, copies of Revolution Africaine can be obtained at 244 Last 46th St., New Yor so Nek.
In Britain, at 9, Frognal, Mansions 97, Frognal, London, N..W..B.
In Cuba, at the offices of Revolucion, Plaza Civica, La Habana,