_ The Palestinian peoples and their supporters have voiced grave concern over the dif- ferences inside the Fatah section of the Palestinian Liberation Organization which has cul- minated in armed battle between Palestinian fighters. These _ difficulties are aggravated by worsened relations between the PLO leadership and Syria which came to the surface with Yassar Arafat’s expulsion from the coun- try last July. _ The Palestinian Communist Party has sought to resolve these differences and joins with those calling for a solution to the con- flict based on Palestinian national unity and democratic dialogue. In a recent bulletin it warns that at this time in particular, unity is es- sential to prevent U.S.-Israeli ef- forts to turn Lebanon into a beach head for their expansionist aims into the Middle East and Africa. The U.S. is promoting the ap- pearance of a split in the Arab world between those states who *‘support’’ Arafat, and Syria, who is backing rebel forces calling for substantial reform in the PLO. In fact this unsolicited support for Arafat is coming from Eygpt, Sudan, Oman and other reaction- ary governments who supported the Israeli-Lebanon treaty which called for the evacuation of the PLO forces from Lebanon un- dermining the PLO as the rep- resentative of the Palestinian people. _ Those forces backing Arafat are doing so to mask their aggres- sion against Syria who rejected the treaty and is lending its sup- port to the Lebanese national _ Syria’s interference in the in- _ ternal affairs of the PLO is un- _ justifiable, however the Party cautions that criticism of Syria PLO fight plays into U.S. plan to control Mideast and disapproval of Arafat’s ex- pulsion should be clear and not cloud the common objectives of the PLO, Syria and the Lebanese national forces to expel the U.S. and Israel from Lebanon. Differences between Syria and the PLO leadership are under- mining the national security of the country in the face of a combined U.S.-Israel attack. Syria requires PLO support. The PLO also needs good relations with Syria and a united organization to. operate in the battlefield without ob- struction. An effective stand against imperialism will be impossible the party says ‘‘unless better and im- proved relations with the PLO and its chairman Yasser Arafat, exist and the unity of Fatah is found.”’ The Party also warns the Palestinian people and their sup- porters in the Arab world and ab- road will not accept a military sol- _ution to the differences in Fatah and between Arafat and Syria. Fatah is a major contingent of the PLO which also includes poli- tical parties, religious, trade union, youth and women’s groups. The call for reforms within the PLO and Fatah are longstanding, but the withdrawal from Beruit brought internal con- flicts to a head. Obviously the fight within Fatah effects the organization as a whole. The party’s bulletin explains that a critical examination of the previous period is urgent. “‘This task can no longer be postponed, particularly in the present difficult and complicated conditions created after the withdrawal from Beirut, requires overcoming all shortcoming of the previous period, ending corruption, bureaucracy and unnecessary spending.”’ The PCP calls for radical democratic changes in the PLO at the political, organizational and military level. It calls for strict adherence to the decisions of the 16th session of the National Council which included the elec- tion of Yasser Arafat as its chair- man and opposition to any forces within the PLO who would capitulate to U.S. plans laid down in the Israeli-Lebanon Treaty. Organizationally the Party ad- vocates a re-democratization of the PLO based on collective leadership and strengthening ties with the Palestinian people as well as ‘‘liquidating the positions of the bureaucratic and parasitical elements which have developed in the PLO’’. As a first step the Party suggests a redistribution of funds and the popular taxation of the Palestinian people ‘‘which will strengthen the ties between the PLO and the Palestinian masses.” The Party is also pushing for the unification of the Palestinian armed forces into a national liber- ation army “where no domination of or monopoly of one group exists and political and ideo- logical affiliation of its members” are respected’’. Palestinian national disunity and the division of the PLO has been ardiously sought for years by the U.S. and Israel. They have used the differences within the PLO to create confusion, to ques- tion the legitimate right of the PLO as a representative of its people and, to spread dispair among the people, particularly in the occupied territories. A united PLO is the major obstacle to their expansionism in the Middle East, a divided organization leaves an open door. entine vote rejects military rule 90,000 police guard Reagan TOKYO — Thousands protested as U.S. president Reagan began a three-day visit to Japan as part of a Far East tour which will also take him to South Korea. Two thousand riot police ringed the airport and a total of 90,000 will guard the visitor during his stay. Reagan is in Asia to forge a new U.S.-Japan-South Korea military axis which could also see Cruise missiles installed on the territory of the two partners. The U.S. now has 85,000 troops and 264 combat aircraft stationed in the two countries. UN condemns Grenada invasion UNITED NATIONS — The General Assembly passed a resolution 108-9 with 27 abstentions Nov. 4 stating it ““deeply deplores the armed intervention in Grenada, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and of the inde- pendence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Grenada.” Sueing Reaganforpeace NEW YORK — Ten women from the British Greenham Women Against Cruise are in the U.S. to file suit against Reagan as head of state for breaking international agreements under which nuclear war is illegal. These include the Inter- national Declaration of Human Rights, the 1949 Geneva Con- vention, the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 and Nurem- a] berg trials decisions against genocide. 4 Belgian peace strike BRUSSELS — Thousands of Belgian workers struck for 15 minutes Nov. 8 in opposition to Cruise deployment on their territory. Belgium is scheduled to receive 48 U.S. Cruise missiles in 1985. The strike was called by the Socialist Union Federation. Socialist deputies in parliament argue the con- stitution prohibits acceptance of foreign nuclear weapons. The largest peace march in Belgium’s history, 300,000 strong, said “No” to missile deployment Oct. 22. have ‘‘disappeared”’ at the hands of the military and para MEXICO CITY — A new political era may be emerg- ing in Argentina’s history. In last Sunday’s election, the first in 10 years, Argentine voters rejected the eight- _ The new government, however, will have to make - concessions with the Peronists in order to govern the country and it will take control with the always present threat of a military coup looming in the background. _ In a record voter turnout (82 per cent of the eligible voters), Raul Alfonsin, candidate of the reformist Radi- cal Civic Union (UCR) Party, won a landslide victory against the Peronist candidate, Italo Luder. It was the first victory of the Radical Party, the oldest traditional party in the country, in more than 50 years, and the first a Peronist movement since its in- ion in 1945. = Radicals received more votes than any candidates in history — even more than General Juan Peron, whose party had dominated the political scene for more than 40 years. Discredited Leadership The reasons for the Peronist defeat are numerous. _ Since Juan Peron died in 1974 the party has lacked some- one who could unify the country by utilizing demogogy about greater benefits derived for working people under ‘military rule as opposed to non-military rule. Also, the Peronists, who have maintained virtual con- trol of the country’s labor movement for nearly 40 years, have suffered from a discredited leadership, especially that of Lorenzo Miguel, first vice president of the party. PACIFIC TRIBUNE—NOVEMBER 16, 1983—Page 6 Sa aS. A representative of the right-wing trade union bureau- cracy, Miguel demonstrated his distance from the rank- and-file when he opposed the huge worker demonstra- tions which have taken place over the past months. In addition, the radicals were able to attract the major- ity of the youth, who represent more than four million first-time voters. Alfonsin presented an image of renova- tion, of change, not only to the youth, but to the middle class and other sectors as well. The Peronists, on the other hand, signified a return to the dismal past. Isabel Peron’s last year in office in 1976, when inflation first hit the 300 per cent mark, has not faded from the Argentine memory. With sparodic intervals of civilian rule, the military has governed the country since 1930. No elected government has finished its term in office. This was also true when the military last seized power in 1976. Reign of Terror Since that time, the Argentine people have been the victims of an unprecedented reign of terror and a ruined economy that has brought the country to the verge of total collapse. For the past eight years, more than 30,000 Argentines Cindy Hawes military forces. Workers’ purchasing power has dropped _ 50 per cent, while the industrial production has fallen by | 28 per cent. By the end of the year, inflation is expecte¢ | to reach a staggering 1,000 per cent. Unemployment 1S || more than 20 per cent. - The specter of imminent bankruptcy hovers over the | country with the government owing $40-billion in foreig? — debt. The peso has been devalued by more than half it — the past six months alone. ; a This is the legacy inherited by the new president. _ Observers predict that Alfonsin’s success in confronting — the disastrous situation will depend on negotiations with _ the Peronists. Lacking a majority in the Senate (Radicals captured 22 seats, Peronists 24), the Radical president — will have to make alliances with the opposition to carTy _ out initiatives. The Senate’s approval is required in the appointment of judges, their promotion and retirement of armed forces personnel, and the designation of army | commanders and the naming of ambassadors. . ae In the electoral program, the Radicals have proposed measures to consolidate their power and create the bas! _ for a period of stability, justice and development. The — program calls for demilitarization of the country, a Te duction in military spending, the end of torture and arb! rary treatment. It opposes amnesty for those in the mili tary who participated in the crimes against the people. economic matters, it supports the renegotiation of thé foreign debt. Cindy Hawes is Mexico City correspondent for the U.S: Daily World.