Sold out to Thatcher?

Scan page 13

The US in Grenada: continuing the War of Independence?

YOU have done it again!

was appalled to read in Socialist Organiser (27 October) of your latest contemptible capitulation to British imperialism and fawning accommodation to its social democratic henchman, the Labour Party.

Kautskyist renegades that you are, you failed to support the objectively progressive invasion of Grenada by America, who has laid claim to the island ever since the enunciation of the Monroe Doctrine, early in the last century.

The re-acquisition of Grenada is an integral part of the national democratic revolution in America, which, as Trotsky explained to your historical mentors 70 years ago, must inevitably flow over, in the epoch of rotting capitalism, into fully-fledged socialist revolution under the leadership of the peasantry and proletariat.

But the fundamental tenets of Marxism are eschewed by Socialist Organiser in its grovelling subservience to its capitalist paymasters.

America's invasion has brought it into an objectively progressive conflict with British imperialism, which seized the island in 1763 and colonised it with the ancestors of the present population as a strategic outpost for the domination of the American sub-continent.

The American government may not be a fully socialist one by your ultra-sectarian standards. (In fact, being Republican, it is probably too left-wing for your monarchist tastes). But an American defeat of British imperialism will weaken the world imperialist system in which American imperialism is dependent and serve as a massive encouragement to the THE article by Mick O'Sullivan oppressed millions the world.

Instead of pursuing this consistently socialist and anti-imperialist line, Socialist Organiser, capitulating to the jingoistic war hysteria, condemns the American national liberation struggle and seeks to hide its grotesque opportunism behind the spurious notion of "self-determination for Grenada"

Comrades, (I use the word with hesitation), Grenada is no bigger than the Isle of Wight, which in turn is not much bigger than a few streets in Islington.

What will SO be calling for next? Defence of the GLC against the objectively progressive attempts of the Thatcher government to create a unified nation state, which, as Trotsky explained to your historical mentors 70 years ago, must inevitably flow over, in the epoch of rotting capitalism, into fully-fledged socialist revolution under the leadership of the peasantry and proletariat?

British imperialism is opposed to the invasion and occupation. It calls for withdrawal of liberating forces. SO is opposed to the invasion and occupation, and also calls for withdrawal of the American freedom fighters. What is the difference, save that you seek to cloak your pro-imperialist sentiments in the language of Marxism?

If SO had members in the Grenadian Parliament, I do not hesitate to say that they would vote for war credits.

Do not get me wrong. I am not a hard man. The tools of British imperialism who inhabit Grenada live in abominable conditions of poverty. But, let us face facts, it is not their country. If they want to remain British, then let them return to Britain, save that they cannot do so because of the Tories' tion laws.

Away with your servile slogans of capitulation to British imperialism! Let us inscribe in blood on the glorious banner of the international proletariat: Grenada-Yankee-Si! Britain, go home! Long live the American National Democratic Revolution, which as Trotsky explained to your Historical mentors 70 years ago, must inevitably flow over, the Nicaraguan revolution, in the epoch of Rotting Capitalism, into fully fledged socialist revolution under the leadership of the Peasantry and Proletariat!

Please cancel my subscription to SO forthwith. I can find better uses for my money than financing the hand-maidens of British imperialism.

Yours in solidarity, Stanley C. Raptis Glasgow longer than 400 words please: Send letters to Socialist Organiser, 28 Middle Lane, London N8. No longer letters are liable to be cut.