"EDITORIAL Peace—with bombs? he United States did.not go to Paris of its own accord to talk peace. It went there propelled by a mighty dual force: the world-wide demand for peace and an end to its saturnalia of killing, plus the heroism and determination of the people of Vietnam, North and South, to resist all mili- tary aggression and genocide until the right to their own sovereign independence is won. That is why the U.S. is in Paris, presumably to talk “‘peace’’ but in actuality to scheme, delay, obstruct and conspire, to the end that any peace achieved will be dictated on their terms, hoping thereby to score a political ‘‘victory” ina situation in which they can never hope to achieve a military one. Meantime of course while they talk, stepping up their murderous attacks upon the people of both North and South Vietnam. While it is already abundantly clear that U.S, spokesmen in Paris are resorting to every ruse and argument in order to sidestep any and all meaningful attempts towards a cessation of military action as the only basis from which a genuine peace can result, an equally grave danger begins to manifest itself. Under the illusion of thinking the U.S. is honestly seeking peace in Vietnam from the evil results of its own aggressive actions, the world volume of protest against this genocidal horror upon the people of Vietnam is subsiding, just as the arch-conspirators of the Pentagon hoped it would. Nothing could be farther from the truth. As reported in Paris On revruary 20th by NFL leader Tran Buu Kiem, “‘in 12- days alone, from February 14th to the 25th, American planes dropped over 17,000 tons of bombs on areas around Saigon, breaking an original record of intensity of bombing such a narrow territory in such a brief period’. This while a spokesman for North Vietnam pointed out the same day that U.S. air bombing continues over densely-populated areas of North Vietnam, while 24 U.S. warships, together with U.S. artillery south of the ‘‘Demilitarized Zone’’ continue to pour heavy bombs on North Vietnam territory. Questions placed before the U.S. ‘‘peace”’ mission regarding their position on the cessation of military hostilities, the rights of the Vietnamese people to determine their own affairs, the unification of their country, the 1954 Geneva Agree- ment, etc. — all are received with evasion or in cold silence— a disdainful cold silence more sinister than words. As in Panmunjohn in Korea, where the U.S. ‘‘peace- makers” systematically stalled meaningful negotations for over two years before they became signatory to a peace treaty they didn’t draft, so also in Paris. There the U.S. is not likely to put its signature to a peace treaty for Vietnam, until the mounting weight of world opinion is so overwhelming that it is left with no other choice; that, plus the heroism, sacrifice and determination of the people of Vietnam to be master in their own house. They have demonstrated, at a terrible cost, that they can uphold their end for peace. The prime question at this moment is: can we, the million-fold peoples of all lands, raising our voices in greater volume than ever before for peace, demand that peace instead of new U.S. war conspiracies, petty argument and cheap subterfuges — become the single objective of the Paris conference? Se ~ Pacific Tribune ‘West Coast edition, Canadian Tribune Editor—TOM McEWEN = Associate Editor—MAURICE RUSH Published weekly at Ford Bidg., Mezzanine No. 3, 193 E. Hastings St., Vancouver 4, 8.C. Phone 685-5288. Subscription Rate: Canada, $5.00 one yeor; $2.75 for six months. North and South America and Commonwealth countries, $6.00 one year. All other countries, $7.00 one year. Authorized as second class mail by the Sins Sic nae eT and for payment of postage in cash. SS sa RS Pacinic TUNA 7, 1999—Page 2 KEEP UP PRESSURE Socreds forced to give more cash for education The people of Vancouver won a significant victory when education minister Donald Bro- thers announced last week that the provincial government would contribute an additional special allowance of $825,826 to meet a deficit of almost $1 million in Vancouver's school board budget. For the time being this removes the threat of Vancouver e* yls being forced to close before the end of June or of cuts in staff and services. Either or both of these unpleasant alternatives would have become necessary had the issue of raising the $1 million through increased property taxes gone to referendum and been turned down by property owners, This concession by the Ben- nett government was a victory not only for Vancouver but for all the people of B.C. The additional grant to Vancouver (increased allowances to finance special classes for mentally retarded children, slow learners, children with visual and hearing handi- caps and others), will be extended to all school districts. This victory was achieved only because of the strong fight waged by many groups for more provincial aid for education. It's proof that unrelenting and mounting public pressure can win. The B.C. Parent- Teacher Federation presented a fighting and well documented brief to the minister of education, backed by a delegation of over 100 angry mothers. The B.C. Teachers’ Federation also conducted a vigorous public fight against the government's unpopular finance policy (Bill 86). On alderman Harry Rankin’s motion, Vancouver City Council initiated a joint delegation with the school board to press education minister Brothers for more assistance. The widespread public cam- paign for more financial aid from the provincial government for education in Vancouver, carried on by the Committees of Progressive Electors in last December's civic election, was also an important factor. The lack-lustre effort by the Vancouver school board itself was the weakest spot of the whole campaign. It still follows a cap-in-hand attitude when dealing with Premier Bennett's government. Instead of spear- heading a drive for more aid, it had to be pulled and pushed by Vancouver City Council and alderman Rankin into even sending a delegation to Victoria. The provincial government could no longer ignore the rising wave of public anger against its starve-education policies. And so it bowed to publia pressure and now dons the robe of generous donor. Premier CNPE dicruce Py PT wwii & Ald. Harry Rankin told a COPE membership meeting on Sunday that positive action was needed to distinguish their group from others in the municipal field. “When the situation calls for it, we should get out a picket line to protest rank injustices such as the case where old people have been displaced from their homes by the Block 42 developers, and no provision has been made to find them shelter. We must translate good ideas into positive action, or we will fail in our purpose.”’ Secretary Frank Kennedy reported to the meeting in the IWA hall on developments which had taken place in the Organization since its inauguration last fall. He said that committees on _ housing, health, transit, assessments, education and parks and recreation had been set up, each with a chairman. “It is a big step forward when trade unionists and various com- munity organizations come together to seek and present solutions to municipal problems,’ he said. He said that there had been some talk that the New Demo- cratic Party should take part, as a party, in municipal politics. “That is up to the NDP mem- bership to decide, not the ultra- leftist group which is trying to split NDP members away from COPE...” The report on Assessments - given by Mrs. Alice McKenzie, announced . that, the Central UlbItUID prulls Council of Ratepayers would present a brief to city council protesting the 1969 assessments. Detailing some of the more blatant cases of discrimination in the assessments, she said that difficult as it was to get documented evidence on recent sales of homes, and other pertinent data, her group had found that in one case, older homes in an industrial area had been assessed at a value 56.8 percent higher than last year, while industries in the same area had been assessed at only 23.5 percent higher. Nick Podivinikoff, chairman of Housing, advocated a Seminar on the housing problem in which interested groups and individuals could take part. Dusty Greenwell, for Parks and Recreation, reported that his committee felt that a seawail should be built along the beach in the University area, and that the cost should be borne by the provincial and federal govern- ments. For the Education com- mittee, chairman Jim McFarlan outlined a broad program aimed at bringing information on educa- tional matters to the public at large. He said that the High School Students Union is seeking legal status, and it might be that some of their membership would work with the committee. May 8th has been marked as the date for a monster ‘‘Bash’’ to celebrate Ald. Rankin’s birthday. Chairman Ron Gomez urged the members to keep the date in mind for it will be a fund- raising venture. —M.M. Bennett is a wily politician and knows when to give in. However this latest con- cession by the provincial govern- ment does not end the crisis in education. Too big a share of education costs are still borne by homeowners. The provinciacial government pays about 50 percent of certain approved educational costs in the province. This should be increased to 80 percent. In the case of Vancouver the province pays only about 30 percent of costs. This should be increased to the provincial average. Premier Bennett's regressive educational finance formula must be changed and replaced by a new formula which will remove the 110 percent ceiling on school operating costs and automatically adjust provincial grants to the actual salaries paid to teachers. Right now the Bennett govern- ment is on the defensive. It's in political trouble over the handling of the Commonwealth Trust business. Teachers and parents are up in arms over its education policies. Labor is angry about Bill 33. The govern- ment is very vulnerable at this moment. Now is the time to increase the pressure for still further concessions. as i : ( hi The Canadian Cuba Friend- ship Committee com- memorated the 10th Anni- versary of the Cuban Revolution last Saturday night at the Fisher- man Hall. Members of the tour organized annually by the Com- mittee, were present to give their first hand impressions of this once backward Caribbean Is- land, The Canadians, num- bering 28, toured the Island from top to bottom. Eunice Parker, delegate for the Friendship Committee showed slides of the Isle of Pines and the Psychiatric Hospital of Havanna.. ‘‘To see the Isle of Pines is to see youth in action for youth have answered the call by the thousands to volunteer to work on this small island off the coast of Havana.’’ They have come in such numbers to the citric nurseries and cattle farms which are the Isle’s main concen- tration, that it is now called the “Isle of Youth,”’ Colored slides were also shown by Sid Sheard who narrated his impressions on the progress made in the 10 years since the revolution. Statistics are impressive in marking progress in education, per capita wages and food consumption but the spirit, warmth and enthusiasm of the people is something that 4 list of statistics doesn’t tell and this is what leaves visitors witha conviction that the Cuban motto, “Vencerermos”’, ‘We will wit’ will undoubtedly be so.