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ALGERIAN. TRADE-UNION LEADERS TAKE STOCK
“fhe. ‘document. “pelow,. whiéh- ‘has: ‘been. translated by World Outlooks: -is-of.exceptional interest, we- believe, as. evidence of the social tensions which exist in Algeria. This is not.a public appeal to the masses by an opposition group but a very sober report which-was:presented by the National Secretariat of the Union Générale -des>Travailleurs Algeriens [UGTA.-- the Algerian national tradesunion federation] to the National Executive .Committee of the union at a meeting May 21-22. That is, it is a report by the.. oo day-to-day leaders of the union to the body that elected then” "to" mo this function, the: leadership: which was elected at the second... congress about fifteen months ago.
_[Thedocument.is quite frank. Its authors speak for . socialism, which:. they. aptly define: "For us socialism in political terms means. workérs power,:.in economic terms, collective ownership of the means of production; that is, the end of exploitation. It also: méans a new kind of relationship. between men, a new order of priorities, a: new kind of life and: -culture;.. af it.is not all that, it loses its meaning." :
"(From this point of view,..the document provides a striking picture of the difficulties which its authors are encountering in leading their union towards socialism. In the criticisms which the document contains, the authors of. the document frankly accept responsibilities that fall on their shoulders, but they point out ~~ the obstacles they are running-up: against, and above all, they indicate who is responsibie for: these obstacles. From their — position at the top ,: they indicate to their constituents that the es resistance to moving toward socialism is at the highest level. an
[We believe that making such a document public will help those forces in Algeria which are trying, in the words of “the authors, "to make a real contribution to the building of a new society. "] a
x * *
This is. ‘the. time to take stock of the activities carried on by the UGTA since the second congress. We have no intention of making a show of optimism or of issuing contrived victory bulletins. We will simply tell the truth...
Our trade-union movement is at the crossroads, and this situation cannot continue long without giving rise to great dangers. It was our duty to apprise the responsible political leaders of our country of this fact, as well as to demand that our. Executive Committee assume its responsibilities. Today, the National Secretariat of the UGTA cannot conceal certain facts, nor hide its apprehensions, its misgivings.
The National Secretariat has. ‘led the UGTA. for ‘almost fourteen months. A review of the activities of the trade-union
organization reveals both a positive and a negative-side.
It would be a mistake, however, to criticize the present leadership without going back further in the development of the situation. and making’ some points about the Algerian trade-union movement in ‘general. aoe
a Although the UGTA was” created during the War of Liberation, - Algerian workers: had had trade-union experiénce, had waged. trade-:*" union struggl¢s, had acquired‘ concepts about the: struggle: against — exploitation before November. l, (1954. ;
On February 24, 1956, the vera set itself the following tasks:
"(1) To give the working-class struggle in our country an orientation in conformity with the deepest aspirations. of the workers; _ i. Cx5, 8 political, economic’ and social revolution;
~ “(2) To develop ‘a Glass consciousness in: the workers which would erable them to struggle equally against all exploiters, an without distinction; a
"G)., To create a truly democratic trade-union movement.
Thus ,.. it deliberately opted for the noncapitalist path and challenged foreign domination.
The success that the UGTA achieved, the - massive influx of workers into. our. nariks, ‘proved that the goals proposed were the correct goals and they corresponded exactly to the aspirations of the workers. This fact was also verified at the time of the cease-— fire when we again, appealed to the workers. The protection of property and the. mobilization . of the masses of the people were realized with the help of,.the~ ‘Local organizations of the FLN [Front de Libération Nationale] and the ALN fArmée de Libération Nationale].
Once the victory over colonialism was achieved, the workers assured. the continuity of production and the functioning of numerous. > Public bodies in the name of collective property.
“The ‘failure of the first congress of the “Algerian: rade" unions was the first consequence of conflicts within the party: ' (FLW) which were to publicly. erupt a few weeks later.
But nonetheless, in December 1962, the ‘political and: trade- °: union leaderships, anxious fora: solution to the dispute that divided the UGTA and the party, came to an agreement on a ‘statement which, in the” main, recognized the organizational autonomy of the’ trade-union organizations. -.» it is, true that this statement was never respected, however, and the workers paid the price. for. that a month later at the |
time of the first congress of the UGTA.
A number of activists withdrew from ‘all trade-union or political activity after January 1963. -
The: hastily’ constituted leadership which came out of the cr? first congress could not completely fulfill its’role. Moreover, © its dependence on political figures who differed with each other did not at all contribute to its: homogeneity.:
The March decrees and the profound effect they had on- the: masses of the working people propelled the leadership of the’ UGTA forward.
Despite the contradictions and the disputes which vonimea ®:
to reign within the leading bodies of the UGTA and between the UGTA and the political leadership, the workers in the cities and in the countryside continued to play a decisive xole in the ecod#..9 ©nomic, political and social evolution of our cotihtry in the two : years between the first’ and second: congresses of the UGTA. Enorste °° mous demonstrations marked the massive support of the workers for the socialist options in our country. ff
In spite of the pressure that the: government was. able to bring to bear on thé second congress of the UGTA in March 1965, the results obtained there constituted an important victory for the workers.
The preparatory sessions of. “this congress, furthernore, were held in the last few weeks under the chairmanship of the secretary general of the party. The meetings were held at the Palace of the People.
A tract boldly signed, “the Executive Committee," was distributed ‘after May 1, 1966; challenging the second congress which it described as "prefabricated. " We had some experience in 1962 with this kind of claim which then took the form of defiant telegrams: sent to the National Secretariat by imaginary locals. It is always dangerous in Algeria, as elsewhere, to cast doubts on the regularity of an election, or on the degree of representative- =: ness of a man or group of men. Once this type of thing has started, it may go very far.
We don't think that there is a genuine militant who would fail to applaud a congress run in a complétely democratic way. The problem is whether or not> we want democracy to be observed. ee
While the national goals were clear during the War of Liberation, and the participation of the unions in the fight forliberation raised no problems with regard to prerogatives (role and place), the situation has been different since independence.
The UGTA is one of the mass organizations of the party. It is led by revolutionaries and composed of producers; i.e., those
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most interested and involved in the success.of socialism. It cannot be suspected of deviationism in any way. The program of the UGTA is still inscribed in the Charter.of Algiers and.the Trade Union Charter. Nonetheless, the political figures who have held power, have lacked confidence in it. It has not taken its proper place © either in the party, in the administration of the economy, or, and this is. more serious, in the self-managed enterprises themselyes.
Today, paradoxically, our organization finds itself crit- — icized by the workers for its lack of militancy in the pursuit of the demands which they consider legitimate; the leaders of the country .accuse it, however, of agitation, and even of oppositionist activity. This situation which places the trade unions between the. — hammer and the anvil cannot long continue without grave consequences for the workers and the country.
For us, socialism in political terms means workers power, in economic terms;,,collective ownership of the means of. production; that is, the end-of:.exploitation. It:.also means a new kind of relationship between, men, a new order.of priorities, a new kind of life and culture;-if it is not all these things, it loses its meaning. be . a
~ But, what is.-the. present situation? What power is exercised by the producers? None: not even in the self-managed sector where. resolutions exist which. accord a preponderant. place: to the producers.
Surely, everyone knows that these resolutions have never been applied and that. the resolutions. themselves. could stand some improvement. But.-noething: has: “been done: ain this regard. The UGTA itself has done -little. : eres 9 ae
The Communal Pep Councils [Conseils Communaux a! Animation] have not been created. The Economic Council, which would permit the UGTA to deal with economic, pricing policies and present its . own point of view has not seen the light of. day.
With regard to wages and. salaries, the. principle of equal. pay for equal work is yet to be applied. Anarchy exists, such as jumping -from:.one thing to another, that prevents the economy fron . functioning rationally and smoothly. The disparity in wages often reaches a ratio of fifteen to one.
The privileged minors ty who live in the capital or in the large cities and enjoy‘a standard of living markedly above the .. . average of the country oppose the introduction of socialism in...” Algeria. Well situated, either in the wheels of ‘administration: of trade or the party, they block every actempy : “GO. advance aL ong the’ socialist road. , Pope, eget ty col -
The majority of Algerians in the towns . and ; in the county?
side lack even the basic necessities. _
Of. course, the Algerian standard. of living 3 is. ‘determined, by the country' s economic development.
.Of course, we must speed production. ©
Of ccourse; we must ‘practice austerity; but, up to.now, the burden of this- -austerity has fallen’on the least» ‘well-off. - —_
Can anyone believe that an agricultural worker can work with enthusiasm when his "wages" are not.paid for months while the functionary who represents the state drives an automobile. and carries a full wallet?
Our ‘frequent - travels: across "the - country, and the numerous. contacts we have had, not only with workers, ‘bat with ordinary :: citizens, have enabled us to realize how difficult the economic» Situation is. Unless courageous decisions are made, our future and that of the generations to come will be seriously compromised. The rising cost-of living, the°*taste for luxury, thée-thirst for gain, corruption; the widening gap: between the two-Algerias, are of) slowly isolating: arid -submerging the work and goodwill of revolus: me tionaries at ark level's who. still believe | in | Something clean; just, better. “ ends DS:
The social situation which ts . characterized by growing unemployment, unrestrained demagogy, increasing emigration to France, mostly of unskilled labor, but.also of cadres, the tragic isotation of the youth, cut. off, in-Targe part, from participation in activities, the loss in-interest dnd.political apathy:of the .-. masses, are ‘the constant preoccupation of. the : leadergsot. the. “UGTA: sane
We see that the official slogans ,- speeches and. declarations have little or no impact on the average Algerian. There is. practically no vehicle for carrying out the ideas which emanate from tie “Feadership. And the leadership is generally unaware of what the rank and file- are thinking. nf aoe
The ‘dreary. national press. is read: by. only ‘a small number: of Algeriazis..°77).5 0 tL: . wis .
To the complexity ¢ of the general situation in the country havé been added the difficulties that the trade-union movement itself is éxperiencing. We will take ‘up the trade-union-party | relationship and:the relationship of the trade-union movement to.. the state later on, and we will touch on the problem which has blocked us now for: four years, “the problem of the party...
The trade-union movement has great weaknesses, in addition to those which we have mentioned previously. We point out these weaknesses for the: ‘Sake of objectivity: : .
-- The small number of cadres,
oot The rarity of the ‘spirit of sacrifice.
Our’. yeaderst ‘lack of perseverance. :..
-- The weakness of our organization in certain branches of
the economy due to the absence. of working-class consciousness.
oie =a:The self-interested actions of some leaders, devoured by ambition,: who use their organizations for nontrade-union ..2b%:. purposes.
vi The misappropriation | of: dues by leaders of local ome it: regional’ unions.: «+ sees yet
-~ The frequent lack of democracy in renewing the personnel in the. trade-union: offices. and in the Secretariats of local or regional” ‘union organizations.:
Sine Insufficient communication.
We are all responsible for ‘these weaknesses, including both the National Secretariat and the Executive. Committee. However, without exaggerating the possibilities and without making any excessive claims, we say that. the Algerian trade-union movement has the means to overcome these weaknesses, if it were not that the framework and the conditions in which it has been evolving for some years Limit its freedom of movement.
Because we *have been.-placed at: the head ‘of the UGTA, because: we are conscious of the responsibility that rests on our shoulders, because we must. give an accounting for our mandate, because. we know the desires and legitimate aspirations of the workers, we cannot be accomplices in a situation which will soon be reflected in the actual weakening of the. most important organization in the country.
Our trade unionism is neither an instrument of administration nor an instrument for the expression of the economic demands of the workers. Our country is not yet socialist and it cannot be capitalist. If the banners of. the UGTA always figured in the demonstrations in the first years that followed independence, they were carried more as an alibi than anything else.
| There have even been attempts, today, to challenge the very existerice ° ofthe union. The incidents at Skikda, Sétif, Bord-- Bou-Arreridj,” Oran, Mascara, : ‘Algiers and elsewhere testify to ithis.
The complex of political, economic and ‘social realities» have thus not ceased to weigh on the life and activities of the UGTA.. .
The union is the conquest of the. workers. It is also the. product of experience in the realm of working-class organization.
_“ UGTA-Party Relations
The situation has evolved since the agreement of December 1962. This evolution has always been defined by the party-UGTA
relationship. Eveby' formula has been tried: . —
The UGTA -- the National Organization is with the part}:
The ‘UGTA -+ the National Organization is behind thé’ party.
ghee UCTH -~ the National Organization is of the party.
_ The | UGTA -- _ the National Organization is in the party.
-“ONOw we are in ‘the Perey which organically includes the "national organizations. We
We must state in: our: ‘defense that. the: ‘only relations we: Have had with the Executive Secretariat since its installation have been ‘in ‘eonnéction with reprimands, restrictions, prohibitions. We. have never Been invited to: participate in a meeting devoted to the” fight against unemployment; for instance, or to the education ° of" activists, to the methods of applying self-management’in agri-- eae culture, industry, commerce , etc.... ;
We have participated in commissions : charged’ with examining — projects generally already approved by the -governmédt. a :
We have never received any directives, any orientation: from the. Executive | Secretariat except the following:
"No tours through Algeria without first advising the Executive Secretariat...
"No. congresses | without prior agréement..
"No | strikes without the agrecment: of the party...
"No .publication of communiqués, or declarations, without prior review by the. Executive Secretariat...
"No. ‘issue of Revolution et - ‘avail ‘without ‘party approval.
~Although our attitude was one of ‘G1laboration, support, we encountered only. hostility, Aifticulties, traps; maneuvers , close surveillance, etc... ae
The government has chosen socialism as its system of development and inspiration and the single party as the means by. which to put socialism into practice. However, the choice of the principle ; of the single party is” not ‘enough to ‘create, a government which would be revolutionary in’ eSsence, immune to all kinds of de-~ formations and deviations.
The choice of the single party must ‘be made with a clarity’ and precision which would eliminate all ambiguity with regard to its goals, its: social composition and the principles by which itl functions.
The party must be conceived as the expression of the __ .. aspirations of the masses; it must never be in opposition to the masses.
The vanguard party is yet to be built, and, if anyone doubts it, he need only refer to the interview which the chairman of the Council of the Revolution recently gave to Jeune Afrique {a liberal Tunisian weekly] to convince himself of it.
The revolutionary party can be an incomparable instrument but it cannot be created by authoritarian or arbitrary methods. Only democratic methods will guarantee freedom of discussion and criticism within the organization on the one hand and assure a permanent dialogue with the masses on the other.
What. is. ‘the party's. situation four: years after independence? What is the balance sheet? What are the perspectives? How many members. does it have? What is..its ability to mobilize the masses? How many cadres has it trained? -
Since our organization has been merely an appendage of the party,.it has suffered from. the same contradictions which have disrupted the political organization. It would be superficial to put the blame for the difficulties of the party on the trade-union organization. rege
Under these circumstances, how can we continue to assume our responsibilities? Some say that the errors committed by the National Secretariat have led to this impasse. However, our participation in the congresses of local unions, regions and ~ federations in the work of various executive commissions at all levels, our contacts with the trade-union sections and with the workers of the.various public bodies prove that we only reflect the truth.
We say simply: the role that the organization must carry out, the place that it must occupy must be recognized; the ‘organization must be given: the freedom of movement and action which are essential to its progress. We cannot risk unpopularity among the workers and hostility from the government. In no case will we accept the role of liquidators of the Algerian trade-union movement, just as we are unable to accept being "official trade. unionists” of the type so common in Africa.
We are conscious of the importance of the. decision that will be made at.the conclusion of:.our.,labors. We believe that the highest interests of the trade-union movement, of the workers, are involved. The very future. of the party depends. on it.
We must not lead the UGTA into naking any concessions which would deprive trade unionism of. any meaning.
This conception of “the trade-union, movement by no means leads us to forget that only an authentically revolutionary party,.
a genuine vanguard party, will enable Algeria to establish socialism. Only sucha “party. will win the adherence ; “ead support Of “the best revolutionaries in our country.
-‘Fhe.problem, to -be sure, remains unsolved. It is with great uneasiness: that we have come to sucha conclusion. Lee a
” Moday ,: the situation is too grave for | us to devote ‘this. necting. ‘of: the National Executive Committee to the study: ofais theoretical document far removed from the grim reality... “It is too. grave for us to initiate a discussion that would skirt the problems which we do not hesitate.to discuss in.small groups. It..is too grave for us to end this meeting by voting for a soothing | resolution. os Tt, ‘is: Sup. to you : to decide if.we are right and for. you. to. find the ‘way:.to free the. trade-union. movement. from the impasse. into which it has- slipped. dittle by Little... If you. want to- ae contribute to-the building of a new-sectety, | it. is. important bo caetermine the most efféetive methods of work,-+a-more realistic; conception. This:is.what both the workers and. the party need...
""S syeiers, May 21,1966
wd The National : Secretariat of the UGTA
ee
APTA
7 sui ikea women emog asae
= (The following document was issued by. the National Secretariat of the UGTA as a supplement to the report published .above. The original title is "Voici -Quelques Faits qui Meritent Reflexion. This document as well.as the one above have. been translated by . World Outlook. Both documents have been scheduled. for publication. in the original French in the current issue of our sister publication | Ferspective Mondiale. ]
of the a7 “Os tober ey Lee ba
our national. ‘leadership “ehose. two of ate members ‘40° attend | this important trade-union congress. —
However, ‘the party, in ‘disregard of the democracy and the _ statutes that govern our organization, chose to compel a member of our: Executive Committee to participate. This can only be explained by an unfounded fear on the part. of the party leaders. that-our _.. delegates would.conduct a campaign to discredit the. dune | 19 “events. -Qur organization has: proved, by: waging a. vast campaign of. expjana= tion.within.the international trade-union organizations that. the fears of the party leaders are groundless. a
A Letter from the Executive Secretariat -- - Department:
ign Relations =~ Demanding ‘the
Our Relations with the Reactionary American Unions.
The directive contained in this letter proves that there is a certain tendency in the party that wants close collaboration with the Americans at any price. As far as we are concerned, our position is clear. We can have no contacts ‘with the American unions which keep on slandering us and supporting their country! Ss imperialist | policy in Vietnam ‘and elsewhere ine ‘the world. ©
' Tours of Party Inspectors within the Countr .
The leadership of the party has designated party inspectors to carry out tours for study and work in the federations. However, the work of the inspectors has not stopped there. At least some have not hesitated to carry on a campaign of slander against the™ National Secretariat in the regional unions of the UGTA in order to isolate the Secretariat from the rank and file. Such proceedings cannot add to the prestige and reputation of our party.
Relations between the Algerian and Soviet Trade Unions.
‘Although the interests of the Algerian trade unions require good relations with fraternal trade-union movements and, particularly with those that supported us in our struggle, the party, we note, disputes this point... It is taking unilaterai measures without consulting our trade-union leadership: As proof we will cite only the Fol towing: ~ “The Central Council of ‘Soviet ‘Trade ‘Unions invited a delegation ’ of five leading members of the UGTA. We agreed to send the delegation which would be headed by the secretary general, ‘in view of the importance of the ‘country and of the objectives in question. The Exécutive Secretariat of the party informed us” of ‘its decision to cancel this visit. .
Preparations for the Celebration of the Tenth Anniversary
of the UGTA
The célebration of the tenth anniversary of the UGTA is certainly an event of national importance; but the responsibility for the preparations for this event falls primarily on the union. However, a preparatory commission was created by the party to take charge of this. The situation thus created ‘could only detract from the quality. of the preparations for an event as important as the tenth . anniversary of the UGTA.
Throughout the nation (particularly in Algiers and. Skikda) the invitations made by the UGTA for May Day 1966 were eliminated in favor of those made by the party, or by the Council of the Revolution, and we may note that, if May Day is the workers holiday, the workers participated at no point in the preparations for its celebration.
- The AGTA Incident”
fl. “The: simple: ‘fact ‘that ‘the national secretary made. contact with the Amicale [the Amicale Générale des Travailleurs Algeriens represents Algerian workers in France] during:a recent trip to Paris aroused the suspicions: of the: Executive Secretariat and caused: the’ secretary general to be summoned by the Coordinator of the Executive Secretariat of the party for a Session. ~id “Such: harassments , which. are riumerous and more: or less' well known abroad, make the: Algerian trade-union movement look pitiful.
The Restorations
‘x During the Week of Self-Management, which came immediately after: the third anniversary of the March decrees had just ended and the Council of the Revolution had just made 1966 the year of agrarian reform, and thousands of reassured and confident. activists and “the masses of the: working people were taking part in ‘the’ work in: earnest, a blow was struck against the Revolution and. against: seltmanagement which remains its principal foundation. **" . oP Ore,
It began with the restoration of a 2,000-hectare: estate to its: former owner, M.Bouthiba. The decision had scarcely been: * revoked: when a flood of restorations: hit other self=managed:estates, notably in the province of Oran. ‘Revolutionary activists: together with the workers reacted vigorously in accordance’ with the : ‘indignation. aroused: by these measures. RSE R
A cloud was taking form. Indeed, the enthusiasm ; and confidence of the activists. and of the toiling ‘masses: which. had previously.manifested itself became somewhat overcast, and doubt and:. discouragement. came to replace the former mood. Why? In our opinion, because the higher authorities in the country did not take the initiative in clarifying the situation for the masses and the ‘activists, because they did not open a dialogue with them. .
An event of such importance.,,. of. such particular gravity: passed unperceived by them, was even classed as minor, at the very moment when the’ masses most. needed to be given direction, encouraged and enlisted totally and entirely in the exhilarating: economic struggle. This event, if it had been: used for the purpose of clarification, would have hardened the morale of the toiling masses and of the activists and, doubtless, would have mobilized them around the. directives of the: Council of the Revolution and of the party.
The UGTA alerted the higher: ‘authorities to this and even proposed a plan of work for the party. Our attempts brought us assurances, notably: a guarantee of the inalienability of the conquests of the Revolution. Concretely, this led to nothing but a period of waiting since the restorations to private property decided upon have been maintained.
- The decision to provide news: for the workers. Wiaa
Y
workers paper was a correct one. Indeed, if it is true that the building of socialism is the job of the workers in general and if cit is. certainly true that the weight of the Revolution with all that.::this: involves: in sacrifices, self-denial and deprivation, rests ‘on. their shoulders alone ; it is not less true that they are the. ones: primarily interested in- everything that, concerns the -Revolution..
The best way to begin a process of alienation from the masses in general: is: to:cut oneself off from them. And. to discuss the serious’ problems: related to the continuity or the liquidation of the. Revolution behind closed doors” at the top only constitutes irrefutable proof of this. :
~ Under no:pretext do we have the right to. keep the workers at a: ‘distance and to ‘keep them in ignorance of such serious things.
Furthermore , our mandate. demands that we serve the “needs of the Revolution (through the application of the political line of. -the country and of the Trade Union Charter) and the needs of the rank. . and file who have given us their confidence.
-..Profoundly corivinced of the correctness of this judgment, we decided to publish an article on the restorations in Revolution et Travail (Revolution and Labor]...To no avail; since to our great disappointment, the. Executive Secretariat decided to block our . -weekly paper and seized that issue. The party leaders responsible for this gave little in the way of explanation except that they. thought that it was not useful to call attention to this problem.
We: had divergent points of view. Our differences were not eliminated until April 19-20.when the Executive Secretariat and sour Executive Committee met at the party headquarters to study the new situation: and adopted a- joint resolution unanimously.
Since. the ‘Executive Secretariat did not distribute this - Tesolution, it was sent to all members of the National Executive Committee by: ‘the ‘National Secretariat.
The ‘gap: ‘between theory and practice. was considerable. It. was decided that the Executive Secretariat would "assume the . responsibility for taking the necessary - measures against the authors of these restorations. :
| It was decided that "the task of - disseminating news “must have clarity as its basic principle and the mobilization of all revolutionary activists as its objective." a
But the actual: “practice belied the written truths. -Concretely, the results were nonexistent. There hasbeen no punishment of . ‘: those responsible for the restorations, no news, no clarity.
Quite the contrary, Revolution et Travail is still blocked, although the Executive Secretariat recognized the necessity of keep-
239
ing” the® revolutionary activists: informed and of. Clarifying. the sivaation. ae fer: .
. “The ‘UGTA organ is a precious instrument of ‘the Revolution and unquestionably contributes to the development of the consciousness of the masses of working people.
The .Réelationship: between the State and: the UGTA:
Serious abuses: have put the principles that govern our country in. question. Doe EEL VE ; . that
Many examples give us ‘reason to think that these abuses are? intentional and are carried out with the aim of challenging the participation of the workers in: the administration of the state. Who: is*behind: these abuses? It is the antisocialists, the bureau-.... erats, the:-supporters of: statist authoritarianism, trained in the: school of the manipulation ofiimen by monopolizing the levers: of:~<:. command. What dées it mean'when the police surround the offices: of. trade-union locals, seeking the least pretext to harass trade-union activists? we ve of - SOE
What ‘aia the presence: “of police in the offices: of: ‘tradesunion locals on the eve of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of our organization on’ + February 24, +1966, meant poy os
>What was’ the meaning of the: presence of police. dn: the: eifices of the UGTA locals throughout. the:nation following the: celebration. of May Day? What do these interrogations of trade-union militants mean, and the shameful inquisitions that _they-have suffered?
We think, frankly, that these activities: have the single = purpose of creating fear and demoralization in our organization.
Police provocations are no answer, in any. case, “to: political and other problems. To the contrary, they .. can:only accentuate. these problems. ore Com.
The state is the guardian of the material resources of our country. These resources must not serve the interests of. any. ene: individual ‘or group. They must serve the people and: those: whose.only interest is in serving the.people. Thus we believe--that, ‘the. news media, for example, must inform the people so that they know everything that takes place in their country,’ so. that they: know ‘what the leaders say and do. The workers:, also,: have a right -to. the-use of the news media. These media must give objective news so. that the people may fully understand the preoccupations of the . nation and its leaders.
“We fina: ‘chat ‘everything that is "published concerning the declarations, Ainterviews and communiqués issued by the UGTA is distorted, often divested of its real meaning,: and. often totally .. ‘iendred ‘by ‘the officials in charge of the:news- media. - j OH
“fhe UGTA:does not..issue :antisocialist and: antinational propaganda. The UGTA has only one concern, that of serving the-interests of the masses of the working People and the people of Algeria co | genevaly” ne
Bag 7 Liat
ANGER IN: JAPAN OVER. VISIT OF. NUCLEAR SUBMARINE |
The U.S. nuclear submarine Snook left Yokosuka June:3 after a five-day visit that was | marked by mas massive daily demonstrations from the: time: at docked.
“Home Affairs Minister. ‘Tadanori | Nagayama reported. to the? cabinet. that some..52,000 students and unionists had mobilized: for” the demonstrations. These were. of a-smilitant character. Some of: the participants, armed with stones; -sought to trespass into the U.S. military ‘base. Japanese: ‘Security’ forces battled to keep them back.
Sixty-five ‘policemen were injured, six seriously. Forty-six. demonstrators were injured, six of them seriously. The police “aprested: ‘thirty-four demonstrators. .
The ‘demonstrations wére -sponsored ‘by. SOHYO, the General Council of Trade Unions, the Japan Socialist party and the Japan “Communist party as well as by many other: groups. Kozo Sasaki , chairman of the” Japan Socialist: party,” ‘Said. June B20
“ory is. ‘not merely : the. question of safety that matters. What . matters is the fact that this country is allowing U.S. warships to visit. its port in connection with: “he Vietnam war. "
“By permitting the “Snook and ‘perhaps later the nuclear aireraft carrier Enterprise to‘enter a. Japanese port, the government was in effect participating in the war in Vietnam, since both: vessels have been actively engaged in that conflict. —
"If we allow: the Enterprise, which is equipped with nuclear weapons,..to visit:a: Japanese port," continued Sasaki, "that means. Japan:is actually under the: U:S. nuclear umbrella and therefore. virtually armed. with nuclear. weapons. " ot, i
“In oppobition to: this. policy, the Japan “Socialist party - ‘will launch massive campaigns: to enlist popular support for its slate in the next general election as well as docal elections next spring, Sasaki: said. ante : by vo
Sasaki's arguments appeared to be confirmed by Foreign minister EtSusaburo Shiina who ‘said. that Japan -was opening its ports to the U.S. “in the interest: of::the peace and security of. the Far East." He cleared up what he meant by this by saying that in-view of. the Security Treaty, Japan’‘couid not be-'said:to be neutral in the Vietnam war.