er

The Falkiands/Malvinas crisis, its
roots and the attitude of the Com-
munist Party of Argentina (CPA) are
outlined in this article (abridged) by
Mario Jose Grabivker, a feading
member of the CPA.

For almost a century and a half Argen-
tina has sought to regain sovereignty
over the Malvinas, which the British had
taken by force. Essentially speaking, the
problem boils down to eradicating the
shameful legacy of the epoch of colonial
conquests. However, London wrecked
all attempts to have constructive talks on
the matter. Britain’s negative stand stif-
fened with the confirmation of the as-
sumption that in the zone of the ar-
chipelago there are large deposits of oil,
manganese, and uranium, as well as huge
reserves of seafood (krill and fish).

The Argentine people regard the prin-
ciples of national sovereignty as inviol-
able. This is their stand relative to the
Maivinas. They regard this issue as part
of the general struggle of the continent’s
peoples against colonialism and, at the
same time, as a major element of the
movement for the nation’s democratiza-
tion.

The conflict over the Malvinas led to
Argentina’s confrontation not only with
Britain but also with its senior partner,
the USA. Washington has long had its
eye on the South Atlantic and has been
escalating its efforts to draw Argentina
into its aggressive plans and seize control
of the wealth of the Malvinas.

The Reagan administration hardened
its aggressive policies not only towards
the Central American states but also the
nations of the Caribbean. It is out to rein-
force its domination throughout the reg-
ion, which was at one time seen as the
““‘backyard’’ of the North American
imperialists. Here the aim is to halt the
liberation movement of the peoples of
Latin America and Caribbean, a move-
ment that had now reached unpre-
cedented proportions.

A Southern NATO

In the context of these imperial plans
the USA saw Argentina as a potential
ally and suitable candidate for the role of
its policeman. This role presupposed the
establishment of military bases on the
Malvinas and in south Argentina, and the
exploitation of natural wealth for the
profit of North American and British
monopolies. In the long run, this spelled
out economic, political, and military con-
trol of the whole of Argentina's
Patagonia, the Malvinas, and the south-
erm seas, in other words, the strategic
zone of the contemplated new military
bloc, the South Atlantic Treaty to

Washi

Four thousand Britons marched through London streets to protest the British invasion of

ton s plans for
‘> CEASE-FIRE NEGUTIATE

bed

the Falklands-Malvinas Islands. The demonstrators called for an immediate cease fire
the beginning of negotiations to solve the crisis.

supplement NATO. Had these sinister
intentions materialized, Argentina would
have found itself in greater dependence
than ever on North American imperial-
ism.

Washington maintained unceasing
pressure on the governments that re-
placed one another in Argentina. Relying
on the most reactionary elements in the
country, it interfered in the policies of the
Argentine government, and gave its sup-
port to a military regime that had no sup-
port among the people.

Democratic freedoms were abolished.
Hundreds of Argentines are in prison or
listed as *‘disappeared’’. Political parties
and trade unions have been banned. The
economic policy, geared to suit the
imperialist monopolies and the financial
oligarchy, has led to the dismantling of
part of the production apparatus, un-
employment, emigration, and a cutback
of the working people’s living standard.

The crisis gripping the nation has
evoked the growing anger of the people;
who are taking the road of an organized
struggle. Sharp conflicts have erupted
even in government circles. This has
generated a new situation.

The National Day of Struggle on
March 30, this year was an event of im-

mense significance. The working people :

demonstrated, protesting against the
anti-people policy that has led our coun-
try to the brink of national catastrophe.

_ They demanded freedoms and democrat-

ic rights. The most noteworthy
development is that despite repressions
the people marched, demonstrating the

increased unity of all democratic forces.

This was the situation on the eve of
April 2, when the Argentine Government
decided to reintegrate.the Malvinas with
national territory.

The Malvinas

There were a number of reasons and
factors behind this step. They include the
justified patriotic mood of the Argentine
people, many generations of whom
fought relapses into colonialism or var-
ious nationalistic trends, both civilian
and military. It is not to be excluded that
to some extent this was also a political
manoeuvre, which the government
hoped would divert the people’s atten-
tion from internal difficulties.

The method used by the military re-
gime to liberate the islands — seizure by
force — has been justifiably deplored. Of
course, if Argentina had a democratic
government relying on the will of the
people it would be quite fair to expect
that it might have achieved the same aim
by different means. It might have been
possible, say, to mobilize the working
people for political actions, to rely on
international organizations, and have re-
course to the assistance of friendly
governments and states.

But whatever the motives behind the
decision of April 2 its significance is
explicit. The return to the Argentines ofa
colonial enclave after almost 150 years of
British rule has objectively become an
anti-imperialist act. It cannot be assessed
otherwise, although this does not depend
on the will of those who accomplished
it.

the M

alvinas

The liberation of the Malvinas cause!
an eruption of patriotic but by no meal
chauvinistic feeling among the peopl
The political parties — with the CP
among the first — the workers, and se
lic organizations declared unequiv:
in favor of the restoration of natio
sovereignty in the archipelago. But,
the same time, they demanded
nomic, political, and social changes, al
the immediate restoration of civil libé
ties, seeing this as indispensable !
strengthening the nation’s unity in
face of the threat of ‘aggression. j 1

The CPA declaration May 12 speaks
«the need for a faster quest for a no!
military settlement in order to keep #
peace and safeguard Argentina's inali¢l
able rights. The priority aims must &
first, the immediate cessation of ho!

participation of the UN _ Secreta y
General to lay down a reasonable tiff
limit for the restoration of Argentina?
sovereignty over the Malvinas and esté

which the Argentine Government hast
fact been observing for many yeals}
and, third, the convocation of the UI
‘Security Council to consider these #
sues. q

The CPA, holds that regardless of
character of the mutual concessions t
may be made at the negotiations, Argel
tina should under no circumstances
linquish its sovereignty over the isle n }
and that it should prevent any fore gt
power from building a military base 0
them. It is the firm belief of the Coit
munists that no agreement should
given to either direct or indirect medi@
tion by the U.S. government.

Return to Democracy

To pursue this course, which has the
support of the vast majority of the Arge
tine people, steps must be taken to f@
consider the economic policy thi
weakened the nation’s defence capabil
ity through the cutback in production.
is important to ensure the participation?
the people in decision-making throug?
representative bodies, for which purpos*
the ban on political parties and trad
unions must be promptly lifted and thé
operation of the Constitution restored. I
the view of the CPA, the milital)
government should invite all politic?
parties and public organizations, withoul
discrimination to a discussion and for th?
joint adoption of a minimum program. >
decision must be taken on the ways and
means of implementing this progrant an
on the character and type of governmet!
required by the situation to ensure thé
victory of the nation’s just cause.

Al

S. African regime murders exiled ANC rep

Special to the Tribune

In the past two weeks the military wing of the
African National Congress (South Africa), ‘‘Um-
khonto We Sizwe”’ carried out a series of actions
throughout South Africa causing the racist regime
considerable worry.

Two weeks ago in Durban a water and fuel pipe-
line were biown up. Shortly after, the West Rand
administration building in Soweto exploded when
that body attempted to impose rent increases.

Late in May a large fuel depot was blown up at
Hectorspruit near the Mozambique border and
seconds later a nearby power station was also de-
stroyed.

These coincided with military actions launched
by the Mozambique army against the. so-called
‘‘Mozambiquan. National Resistance Front”
which is funded and armed by the South African
regime.

On June 2 in Pietersburg, northern: Natal, six
bombs exploded at a fuel depot devastating huge

storage tanks. On June 4, explosions rocked rail-
way lines in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth seri-
ously disrupting rail traffic. The same day in
Johannesburg, the President's Council building
was blown up.

The South African regime responded by killing
Petrus Nyaose, deputy representative of the ANC
in Swaziland. According to a statement by ANC
general secretary Alfred Nzo, June 7, Nyaose and
his wife Jabu were killed when a car bomb ex-
ploded near Matsapa June 4.

The ANC statement said a few others were in-
jured when the bomb went off in a populated sec-
tor. “‘The Botha-Milan regime,”’. it continued,
“once again must bear full responsibility for this
latest act of blatant terrorism which further under-
lines the depth of the crisis which must eventually
spell the doom of the oppressive apartheid regime.

“It is ironical that against the background of
escalating terror by the apartheid regime which is
seen in the rising tempo ‘of detention, and in-

creasing barbarous torture of detainees,’’ Nzo
said, ‘‘coupled with escalating aggression against
neighboring African states, apologists and suppor-
ters of the regime in South Africa and abroad seek
to convince the world that positive changes within
the apartheid system are possible.

“The present reality clearly shows that nothing
short of the total destruction of the apartheid sys-
tem will bring about peace and progress both in
South Africa and southern Africa and, indeed over
the whole continent.”’

Nzo said the murder of Petrus and Jabu Nyaose
will not interrupt the rising tempo of the national
democratic revolution within South Africa. ‘‘If
anything, these desperate acts of terrorism add fuel
on the burning embers of our revolutionary strug-

le,
“The current intensified military and political
campaign by the ANC will and must attain new
high levels,’ Nzo concluded. He paid tribute to the
sacrifice of Petrus and Jabu Nyaose and all other

martyrs who have fallen before. = a

a

PACIFIC TRIBUNE— JUNE 18, 1982— Page 8