Turkish Leader Shot

Scan page 3

"ding fresh ya TESCO KENAN BUDAK, a leather workers' leader in the DISK trade union federation, was shot dead by Turkish police on 26th July - 'while trying to escape' ', they said.

Another 500 DISK leaders are being held in jail by the military regime, and the military prosecutor is demanding death sentences for 52 of them.

DISK had about a million members before it was abolished by the military regime immediately after they seized power. The 52 are being charged with 'advocating the domination of a social class over other social classes', under the notorious Articles 141 and 142 of the Turkish Penal Code, which were borrowed directly from Mussolini's in the '30s.

Meanwhile, the Tory government is planning to give Turkey's generals £15 million in military aid as part of a NATO package -23 million of it as a free gift!

The Turkey Solidarity Campaign is calling. for union branches, Labour Parties, and campaign or community groups to pass the following motion:

"This... • condemns the threat the lives of DISK members in Turkey and in particular the attempt to execute 52 of its leaders, • demands their immediate release, • resolves to campaign for their release throughout the labour movement by: a] calling on MPs and MEPs to express this view in Parliament, European Parliament, and the Coun cil of Europe, and to demand an immediate end to all economic and military aid to the junta; in particular the promised £15 aid from the Tory government to the junta must be withdrawn, 'use only designated pedestrian crossing points" but that such crossings may be closed from 8.45 am until after lunch. ('Get to know your policeman. Stay handcuffed to him!')

What isn't Royal Wedd ing is Warrington or revolution e.

Fleet Street's choice for the Croydon by-election, Shirley Williams, failed to make the ballot paper despite the biggest pre-election launch since British vodka.

(It's Shirley or BustExpress, Shirley by a Mile - Star).

The Daily Mail (courtesy of the Economic League 'exposed' 'the secrets of the Trots' training centres for revolution' . but these only turned out to be the WRP centres and everyone knows that the most revolutionary programme on offer there would be next week's cinema guide.

The Daily Mail (again)

headlined Hattersley's attack on Trotskyists under the headline Purge the b caling on our union executive to raise the matter with the TUC, urging them to campaign for the release of the DISK members and to seek ways to assist them in their struggle against dictatorship, • further resolves to send a copy of this motion to both General Evren, Head of State, Ankara, Turkey, and Mr V.Asiroglu, Turkish Embassy, Belgrave Square, London W1.

[Please send a copy, too, to the Turkey Solidarity Campaign, BM Box 5965, London WCIN 3XX]. Parasites' in which the most notable feature was the absence of an attack on the Militant tendency.

Hattersley's words about the IMG, WSL and should be Pigly eat ded should be from influence in our affairs'.

The next day the Guardian reported Hattersley as saying he was opposed to expulsions but wanted to see the left 'politically defeated' Maybe sharing our scepticism the Daily Mail did not report this modification.

Then there wasn't much room for anything else. The royal wedding launched itself at our jugulars. Lady Di runs screaming from the photographers. Prince Charles discusses the difficulties of watching polo. Lord George Brown starts another tour. Labour's right wing warn of a closing down sale if Benn is not defeated.

Which leaves you wondering. Is life a media event?