Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 09:17:00 +0200
Subject: R: AUT: Some thoughts from Bob Myers
From: "Laura Fiocco" <fiocco-AT-ccusv5.unical.it>


I think it is a good idea and maybe also add NGO's that was acting in that
area (or will be when the boarders will be open)
ciao laura

----------
>Da: dave graham <davgraham-AT-hotmail.com>
>A: aut-op-sy-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu, RevSocNet-AT-yahoogroups.com
>Oggetto: AUT: Some thoughts from Bob Myers
>Data: Gio, 18 ott 2001 19:24
>

> The following from Bob - may give us a clue as to how a REAL anti war
> movement might develop itself. At least its a lot better than our local
> SWP's 'join the party' dirge, and it might give folk some cheer when faced
> with other leftist lunacy.
>
> Gra
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> Wed, 17 Oct 2001
>
> Developing the anti-war movement. please forward to interested people
>
> Bob Myers.
>
> These ideas are only partially thought through.  I am circulating them
> because I think a clearer idea can better emerge from a collective
> discussion.
>
> Underpinning a lot of the anti-war protest is a conception of US imperialism
> that is inadequate or wrong.  It sees US imperialism as nothing different
> from a previous age when the great powers simply went about the world taking
> control of territories through military power. It is with this picture that
> the anti-war protestors denounce the US/UK attack on Afghanistan.
>
> I am not here going to try to say what is wrong with this 'imperialism'.
> People who think this is an adequate picture needn't read on.
>
> These anti-war protests do attract a growing number of people and this, of
> course, is very good.  But it fails to connect with millions of other
> people, who are agitated by what is going on. And the inability to connect
> with this wider population will ensure that the anti-war movement has no
> effect on the course of events, neither able to impact on the present
> reality nor able to build a lasting movement for the future.
>
> By attacking an imperialism of an earlier period the anti-war movement
> leaves Bush/Blair et al to occupy the moral high ground in most peoples
> thinking - for democracy against the Taliban etc.  No amount of detailing
> the Bush/Blair hypocrisy or past atrocities of US policy will overcome this
> (though this propaganda is both right and needed). All this leaves
> unanswered the question on everyone's mind,
>
> ` 'What to do to get a safe world? Anti-war yes but pro what?
>
> Bush/Blair have a plan. We have nothing but words about 'a better world,
> which cut little ice. And so with the cold war division of people at an end,
> a new division between people opens up.
>
> The oppressed masses in huge parts of the world drawn to Islam and the rest
> supporting a war against terrorism.
>
> Now it is very difficult to answer this question of how to break this
> alliance of people with Bush/ Blair/ Islam exactly because of the past
> failure of the revolutionary/radical/anti-capitalist movement.  If the
> Middle East oppressed turn to Islam it is above all because of the terrible
> history of the 'communist party'. But the anti-Stalinist left also has to
> share some responsibility. My own ex- 'party' - the WRP - in the past had
> terrible relations with many middle east dictators and dressed this up as
> 'anti-imperialism'. This rotten past means that the present war takes place
> with a huge gap between the kind of internationalist movement of practical
> solidarity that the Afghans (and other) need and that which exists.
>
> So there is no magic wand that can be waived to make contact with the
> anxious millions. But we must make a start and I think that means a radical
> shift in the anti-war campaign.
>
> As demonstrations etc against war we must develop a practical initiative
> that allows all the concerned and anxious people to do something themselves
> to reach for the 'safer' world rather than just being spectators as things
> get worse.
>
> Why do we anti-capitalists leave the 'humanitarian' campaign to the awful
> charities that cannot defend humanity because they are so tied to the
> governments that fund them. Isn't the need of Afghans for food, education
> material, medicine etc etc - isn't this our concern - not separated from a
> political campaign against capital and war but inseparably linked up with
> it?
>
> I am not saying exactly what such an initiative of practical solidarity
> should be.  Maybe it depends on local campaign conditions - maybe we can
> develop an international framework but this is like the great campaign to
> fight fascism in Spain in the 30's - this went from sending fighters right
> through to collecting food and clothes.  Clearly here and now we are not
> talking about sending fighters.
>
> For example people will know about the Revolutionary Association Women of
> Afghanistan.  I am not naming this group because I have a particular
> political brief for it but because its basic work - against Taliban,
> Northern Alliance, US bombing etc means that it is a voice of independence
> crying out for support. And I mean support, not using it to simply bolster
> our existing 'anti-war' propaganda.
>
> Against Bush/Blair's coalition to fight terrorism we should develop our own
> international coalition that by its combination of political perspectives
> and practical solidarity begins to show people another world - of
> co-operation. It is only in such a practical initiative that we will be able
> to overcome the scepticism of the millions that they can do anything. Words
> and demonstrations alone are not enough.
>
> So maybe- just as an example - we could start an international campaign to
> collect money, food, medicines, and educational material to be delivered to
> RAWA.
>
> How is this different from all the 'humanitarian' efforts under way already?
>   Because our initiative would have at its heart the self organisation and
> mobilisation of people to give direct solidarity to a political element in
> Afghan society that sees a way out of the chaos - not something to simply
> feed hungry people so they can starve or be killed tomorrow. We are
> strengthening the international movement for a different world.
>
> The greatest impact of this campaign in the first place is not so much in
> Afghanistan itself but here in all our countries.  To begin to change the
> outlook and activity of people here. In the midst of such a practical
> campaign we can invite speakers from RAWA etc to come and explain to people.
>
> Its in this way that people will best be able to hear what they say and to
> learn.  It is in this framework of activity that the Pilger type propaganda
> about past crimes of US etc will really make sense and be understood.
>
> Bob Myers.
> Workers Aid
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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