Booknotes
A Thai journey Student leader, guerrilla, university professor and writer, Seksan Prasertkoun is one of the most striking personalities of the generation of Thai radicals who entered politics in the 1970s. He writes well too. An autobiographical selection of his works was recently translated into French. Pierre Rousset October 1973. Thailand is a massive base for the American forces engaged in Indochina. Hundreds of thousands of Thais march in protest, despite the military regime. They force open a democratic space. The dictatorship falls. As the fire of protest spreads across Asia, a generation of students and young radicals are formed, and international links are
Seksan Prasertkoun was part of the radical wing of the student movement. We met in Bangkok in 1974, and again when he came to France in 1975, to prepare his entry into the Thai Communist Party's guerrilla movement where he spent five years. As the threat of repression loomed, Seksan saw the Communist Party as the only force able to organise an underground struggle. Thousands of militants - students and members of the popular classes - fled from the military terror to join the guerrillas. In 1976 the country suffered another bloody coup
Seksan wrote the articles in this autobiographical collection during the 1980s, when he returned to civilian life. He completed his studies, became a lecturer and for two years was even the head of a social science faculty.
His writings reveal his personal, humanist outlook on the world, and his gentle spirit. He writes about his militant activities, but also about his childhood and family, the time he spent in a Buddhist monastery, and the eye-opening experience of university life.
This is above all a literary work, and reading it is a pleasure. It is an introduction to the society in which Seksan grew up, and to the East-Asian facet of that tremendous radical experience which formed a revolutionary generation, from Paris to Bangkok to Tokyo to Los Angeles.
In the early 80s, the Thai Communist Party imploded. Just as the party was taking off, it was confronted to the SinoVietnamese conflict, the Cambodian tragedy, and the loss of its support bases. The old, pro-Chinese apparatus was unable to integrate the generation of militants like Seksan, who had entered politics in the 1970s. It was a "jungle party,"
with most of its members living in the guerrilla camps, neglecting to put down
This is an important story, about which we know relatively little - even after reading this book. Let's hope that one day Seksan will also write about the political history of the Thai revolutionary movement, the military experience of the guerrillas, and his differences of opinion with the Maoist leaders of the Party. *
Seksan Prasertkoun, Vivre debout
(Standing tall), translated from Thai to
French by Marcel Barang. Published by Kergour, 1998, 285p., 135 FFR. Labour's first black MP
Mare Wadsworth reviews Comrade Sak, by Eddie Tucker Sharpurji Saklatvala was Britain's first black Labour MP — and also a member of the Communist Party, when joint membership was permitted for a short period in the 1920s. Author Eddie Tucker was himself a key player in the formation of Labour Party Black Sections in the
Saklatvala's role as an MP is almost unrecognisable by today's miserable standards. He agitated among the working class of his London constituency of Battersea, and played an active role in the Indian independence movement. He was a champion of African and Asian
Along with the other Communists, Saklatvala became a thorn in the side of the Labour Party leadership, and 1924 was the last time, he was able to stand -and win - as a Labour candidate. In 1929 he lost his seat, standing as a Communist. But he remained active in Britain and internationally.
This book brings to life not only Comrade Sak, but the radical history of the left and the unions in the early 20th century. * [This review first appeared in LIB magazine] Published in 1998 by Peepal Tree Press, £9.99 Show racism the red card!
At last, an initiative against racism in soccer which is rooted in the real world of the football supporter. Don't be discouraged by the foreword by Tony Blair to this, the second annual report produced by Youth against Racism in Europe, the Independent Newcastle United Supporters Association, and Race Equality Councils in England's depressed Northreviews *
East.
Backed by international footballers and the UNISON trade union, this is a working class response to the racism which is still endemic in the stadiums, despite the introduction of fully-seated stadiums and higher ticket prices.
The YRE, linked to Britain's Militant group in its early years, has produced a series of videos, school activities and club-based initiatives to combat racism in sport. The organisers of this report have even recieved death threats a sign that they are having an effect. [ET/LLB]
To order the report, send a large envelope with your own address, together with a 26p stamp (or an international reply coupon) to SRTRC, 1 Drury Lane,
Newcastle, NE1 1EA, Britain. Mandel in the Philippines
A Philippine (English-language) edition of Ernest Mandel's pamphlet "The Leninist Theory of Organisation: its relevance for today" has been produced by Life is Beautiful Press, PO Box 1460, International Workers Aid
The November 1998 bulletin looks back at the first five years of this unique attempt to build concrete solidarity and material aid from the west European labour movement to multi-ethnic and labour groups in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The definitive history of this experience is still beyond our grasp, but these articles are a worthwhile contribution. For more information about IWA's continuing projects to support trade unions and women's groups in Bosnia, contact the international office at Ragvaldsgatan 14, S118 46 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel +46 8 714 8686, fax +46 8 462 9384, Email <arbetarkonvojen@online.idg.se> Left opposition The Left Opposition 1998: State Capitalism in the Soviet Union A contribution to this perenial debate, informed by the oscillations of some sections of New Zealand's far left. Available on request from:
<trotsky1917@inet.net.nz> Correction
In October we forgot to mention that our review of Woody, Cisco and Me: Seamen Three in the Merchant Marine, by Jim Longhi, first appeared in the Fall 1998 edition of Socialist Action (Canada) newspaper. Subscription (four issues) costs C$6 in Canada, USS10 abroad. Available from 517 College St, Room 234, Toronto Ontario M6G 4A2, Canada. Tel. (416) 535-8779 E-mail: barryw@web.net
International Viewpoint #309 March 1999 35
@ PO Box 27410, London SW9 9WQ, Britain.