Obituaries
Uruguay Brenda Silvara ("Marita") During the dark years of dictatorship (1973-85), "Marita" was part of the underground resistance, writes Ernesto Herrera. She spent 1975-78 in one of the Generals' concentration camps. Rearrested and savagely tortured, she found exile
With the democratic opening in 1985, she returned to Uruguay, and began organising the teachers' union. She was a determined member of the country's broad left front (Frente Amplio), and of its radical, feminist wing.
A primary school teacher profession, Marita was also a leading member of of Uruguay's Socialist Workers Party (POS) and the Fourth International. When Ernest Mandel died, she wrote, in the Tupamaros magazine Mate Amargo, that he was "irreplaceable, like every revolutionary." The same
But she will also be missed for her human qualitities. We have lost our last
- the comrade who never let us down, who always found a solution, who was always ready with unconditional solidarity. in personal and emotional, as well as political moments.
She had the humility and disregard for material wealth that only those who have grown up and lived in extreme poverty can have, and a legendary courage that only those who devote their entire lives to breaking humanity's chains
In her final stay in the hospital, terribly weakened, she continued to ask after her pupils, to share her personal 34 International Viewpoint #309 March 1999 belongings with the other patients, to tell the doctors exactly what she thought of them, and sided with the nurses and other personnel. She remained, until the very last moment, a woman full of life, optimism, sincerity, and solidarity.
She finally passed away on January 3rd. At her request, we organised no solemn processions, no ritual lamenting. Just a simple round of thanks and applause for a life well lived. *
¡Hasta la victoria!
Ernesto Hererra Jerusalem Tragedy takes three AIC staff Three collaborators of the Jerusalembased Alternative Information Centre died in a tragic hiking accident on January 24.
That day, writes Sergio of the AIC, six AIC associates embarked on a hike to the Wadi Daragch area in the desert east of Jerusalem. The trip was organised by the AIC as part of staff activities. Initially the staff members called an official centre to confirm the weather conditions for the region and received approval that the region was safe.
By 15:30, flash floods struck the region taking us by surprise. Three of the group were able to escape, but the other three were swept away and were later found dead on Monday afternoon.
Our comrades who perished in this accident were:
Elias Jeraiseh, resident of Beit Sahour, born on February 9, 1961. Elias was married and is survived by 2 sons. He was our editor in chief for the Arabic publication Ruiah Ukhra. Because of his previous progressive activities he had been forced to live underground for four years, and served combined prison sentences of 7 years, including 27 months without trial under "administrative
Inbal Perelson resident of Jerusalem was born on August 6, 1960, was editor in chief of Mitsad Sheni and had been an activist for many years.
Yochanan Lorwin, resident of Jerusalem born on April 12, 1953 was trained as a lawyer and worked in the AIC as assistant editor and translator for the English publication News From Within.
We grieve for the loss of our comrades that dedicated their life for the cause of peace, equality, human rights and the recognition of the rights of the
Palestinian people. They were enthusiastic and giving activists who lived their lives in line with their progressive beliefs and principles.
Their death is a great loss for their families and loved ones, the Alternative
Information Centre and the cause of the
Palestinian people. *
4th Congress Fine ourtl International Transformation and regroupment Reactions to the current socio-economic crisis all too often take the form of reactionary tendencies of an ethnic, nationalist, racial or religious character. Hence the urgent need to rebuild a world-wide movement of anti-capitalist struggle, taking account of the recomposition of the workers' movement which is underway as a result of the double failure of social democracy and Stalinism. Regroupments of forces determined to learn the lessons of the historical abomination that was Stalinism and to continue, against the winds and the tides, to fight against capitalism are being realised in a number of countries. In all the countries where such possibilities exist, the organisations of the Fourth International are ready to be part of the re-groupment process. We consider this as an important step towards the recomposition of the anti-capitalist left on a world scale. At the international level, the Fourth International is an active participant in re-groupment, bringing with it the advantages of a long tradition of combat against capitalism and Stalinism. *
International Viewpoint, PO Box 27410, London SW9 9WQ, Britain.
<International Viewpoint@compuserve.com>
Electronic
Viewpoint
Some of the articles for the next issue of International Viewpoint are already viewable at our web site. We are slowly adding a downloadable archive of articles published in previous issues www.internationalen.se/sp/ivp.html International Viewpoint is also distributed free by email. We also have lists in French, German and Spanish. Subscription is free. To add your name, send a message to: <International_Viewpoint@compuserve.com>