Editorial Standing by Mandela Only a few short years ago walking down a city street wearing a colourful sweatshirt emblazoned with the slogan “Free Nelson Mandela” would prompt people to stop and ask: ““Who’s Nelson Mandela?” Last week Nelson Mandela was in Canada, properly received as a head of state by the government, the recipient of a hero’s welcome by the Canadian people. Anti-racist, anti-fascist and democrat, his name has become synonymous with the cry of “Amandla!” (Liberty) in consciousness of millions of people. Such developments are source of joy to those who struggled through the long decades Mandela languished in jail. The joy will be tinged with sadness for those who held the candle-light vigils in dignified protest, hoping against hope for a last minute reprieve for another young life taken on the gallows of the fascist regime. But in all honesty we must also acknowledge that there is some discomfort associated with the visit — mainly around those who are queued up to shake the hand of Mandela. It was expressed by an ANC official in Canada when recalling the evening of celebrations marking Mandela’s release. “I looked around the platform and said to myself, who are all these people? Where are all our friends, those who have always been with us?” : Mandela did not have an opportunity to meet many of these friends. As a guest his schedule was arranged by his host—the Department of External Affairs. The ANC leader did not know when he was introduced to the Metro Toronto Chairman, that this was the same man who intimated that Blacks are predisposed to crime. He may not have been cognizant that the external affairs minister who makes strong statements on international platforms against apartheid has not made a single public comment on racism and bigotry in Canada. He was told that the Ontario Premier acted to restrict South African products in the province, but not that he has refused to consider five separate task force reports calling on his government to institute a civilian commission to investigate police wrong-doing. These will be uncomfortable moments for everyone who truly stands on the line with Mandela in his quest to defeat racism. But such incidents shouldn’t mar the tremendous victory represented by Mandela’s release. His visit should also lend strength and energy to the battles ahead. Apartheid is not dead. The death squads still claim their victims, political prisoners still rot in jails, bantustans are still with us. Nor is there any assurance that the tenuous steps forced on South African president FW. de Klerk will not be wiped away in a fascist backlash. Sanctions must be maintained. Solidarity with the ANC and democratic move- ments must be expanded. Because now, more than ever Mandela needs his friends. | TRIBONE __ EDITOR Sean Griffin ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dan Keeton BUSINESS & CIRCULATION MANAGER Mike Proniuk GRAPHICS Angela Kenyon Published weekly at 2681 East Hastings Street Vancouver, B.C. V5K 1Z5 Phone: (604) 251-1186 Fax: (604) 251-4232 Subscription rate: Canada: $20 one year; $35 two years; foreign $32 one’years=- 5 858% Second Class mail registration number 1560 Without doubt the most serious recur- ring question that was put to me during my recent tour of Canada concemed the rise of anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union. It understandably shocks and worries people more than any other problem. Fred Weir I think itnecessary, then, not to go away without sharing the results of the only scientific survey that has ever been done on this subject in the Soviet Union. The study was done in February-March of 1990 by two professors of the University of Houston in collaboration with the Soviet Institute of Sociology. It covered a repre- sentative sample of 506 Soviet Russian adults. This data has not appeared in the West- em media, except in highly selective form. Only negative answers have been high- lighted—18 per cent of respondents, for example, said that they disliked Jews. That is certainly worrisome information, though we might well get similar results in North America. What has not been men- tioned in our media is how strongly the majority of Soviets feel in the opposite direction: fully 63 per cent answered that they dislike Pamyat, the anti-Semitic or- ganization. There is nothing so easily manipulated as statistics. So, since you probably won’t see it anywhere else, here is that survey in full: Question 1: “I am going to read you a list of some groups that are currently active in social and political life. Do you dislike the group very much, like the group very much, neither like nor dislike the group?” Answers: Like Jews—18 per cent, like Pamyat—14 per cent ; Dislike Jews—18 per cent, dislike Pamyat—63 per cent ; Neutral to Jews—65 per cent, neutral to Pamyat—23 per cent. Q2: “More than any other group in soc- iety, it is the Jews who are responsible for the problems the Soviet Union is exper- iencing today.” A: Agree—8 per cent; Dis- agree—79 per cent; Uncertain—13 per cent. Q3: “When it comes to choosing be- tween people and money, Jews will choose money”. A: Agree—33 per cent; Dis- agree—38 per cent; Uncertain—29 per cent. Q4: “Jews have too much influence over Russian culture”. A: Agree—23 per cent; Disagree—56 per cent; Uncertain— 21 per cent. FROM MOSCOW Q5: “Jews deserve to be punished be- cause they killed Christ”. A: Agree—10 per cent; Disagree—75 per cent; Uncer- tain—15 per cent. Q6: “Anti-Jewish feeling is on the rise, diminishing, or about the same?” A: On the rise—48 per cent; Diminishing—5 per cent; About the same—44 per cent; No anti-Jewish feelings—3 per cent. Q7: “Would you say that most people in the Soviet Union are anti-Jewish, only“ some, or very few?” A: Most are anti- Jewish—17 per cent; Only some—60 per cent; Very few—19 per cent; Almost none—4 per cent. Q8: “Jews should be free to decide whether they want to remain in the Soviet Union or emigrate”. A: Agree—91 per cent; Disagree—4 per cent; Uncertain—5 per cent. Q9: “Jews who wish to emigrate to Israel are a subversive element in society”. Survey an insight into Soviet attitudes A; Agree—9 per cent; Disagree—84 per cent; Uncertain—7 per cent. Q10: “The government should make every effort to see that the rights of Jews to equal educational opportunity are respec- ted throughout the Soviet Union”. A: Agree—90 per cent; Disagree—S percent; Uncertain—S per cent. Ql1: “The government should make every effort to see that the rights of Jews to equal employment opportunities are respected throughout the Soviet Union”. A: Agree—88 per cent; Disagree—5 per cent; Uncertain—7 per cent. Q12: “Do you think the government should be doing more than it is to control anti-Semitism today in the Soviet Union?” A: Yes—74 per cent; No—21 percent; No anti-Semitism—S per cent. Q13: “It would be fine with me if a Jew who had a similar (economic) background as mine joined my close family by mar- riage”. A: Agree—31 percent; Disagree— 31 per cent; Uncertain—38 per cent. Does this survey give us grounds for concem? It most certainly does. But it also reveals a society with strong democratic and tolerant feelings as well as a majority dislike of anti-Semites. What political in- terests would want to exaggerate or bend that picture out of shape? 4 Pacific Tribune, June 25, 1990 ry Pm