The Lima embassy massacre strategy should not be equated with "restraining the workers." The union rank and file
United Secretariat of the Fourth International (USFI) declaration, 13 May 1997 were not and are not straining at the bit for a militant new party, with the leadership of the
Labor Party the only impediment to such a shares the The framework of the capitalist system welcome development. On the contrary, indignation of all revolutionaries and must be respected. Particularly in Latin
Mazzocchi et al. were out in front: they deserve praise for their boldness in birthing the project and bringing it this far.
launched against the MRTA militants not protected by any law or democratic
Social issues
The guerrilla commando had killed no- against them, which has already caused
Many delegates predicted that the longone, injured no-one, and made no ulti- so much damage in Central America awaited labor party platform would remain silent on social issues, focusing instead on bread-and-butter economic planks.
draft presented in Cleveland backed affirmative action, opposed "bigotry," and took stands on women's issues ranging from childcare to reproductive rights. When
Clinton signed the welfare bill later in the summer, the party put out a detailed state-
The 4* International democrats at the savage operation which the Peruvian government inside the Japanese embassy in Lima. matum. But President Fujimori decided on a massacre, using the combined forces of the army, air force and marines, with the aid of the USA, Britain and Israel, and with the complicity of the Japanese government.. He wanted no prisoners. His goal was to exterminate all the militants inside the embassy.
The bourgeois media all over the
America, those who are not disposed to accept this should know that they are guarantee. The "low intensity war" and elsewhere will continue. This is the other message which Fujimori and his imperialist allies wanted to send to the oppressed and exploited of the revolutionary organisation has the right to choose whether or not it adopts the same choices as the MRTA To ask itself whether or not the methods ment calling the bill an "attack on all working people." world didn't hesitate to express their used by its militants are useful. Whether
Nonetheless, it is clear that the new party intends to distance itself from automatic acceptance of the left's full agenda. The platform takes positions and uses language meant to attract — or at least not put off — non-leftists. For example, the environment plank says the party will support steps to protect the environment "if and only if the livelihoods of working people endangered by environmental change are fully protected. There is no call for open borders, as the Farm Labor Organising Committee had proposed in pre-convention discussions. The antibigotry plank opposes discrimination and insatisfaction, and join in with the congratulations which their governments adaressed to Alberto Fujimori. This sinister individual has succeeded in polishing his tyrant's badge - which the MRTA
Fujimori and his gang have sent the Peruvian people a clear message: the state has a monopoly on force of what ever kind, and the "state interest" has priority, at any price. Those who challenge these "principles" punished mercilessly.
they contribute effectively to the legitimate combat against "national" and foreign oppressors. But at a moment when the dominant classes in Latin America and their imperialist patrons are crying "victory!", it is our duty to express our full solidarity with the MRTA in their
We also demand an end to the scandalous detention of political prisoners in Peru in unacceptable and inhuman conditions. International solidarity with all these prisoners is a must! *
June 1997#289