Cynical praise from Sukarno for CP

Newsletter Correspondent A was sentenced to death by a special military court in Jakarta, President Sukarno S Indonesian communist and trade union leader, 43-year-old Njono bin Sastroedjo cynically praised the communists for 'sacrificing' so much for the country. He announced the erection of a monument to those who died for the country. This follows the massacre of at - MINERS' LOBBY least half a million workers and peasants-followers and supporters of the Indonesian Commúnist Party-since the abortive September 30 coup, during which Njono was said to have been SHOWS NEED responsible for the deaths of six army generals.

To heap insult on infamy the Indonesian FOR REAL FIGHT now leaked to the press what is obviously a fabricated confession of Aidit. The sole purpose of this execrable forgery is to justify the massacres and to absolve Sukarno from any part in Colonel Untung's abortive coup. The 'confession' is supposed to have been made by has not shaken the government in its purpose Aidit before his execution. the closure of 150 pits in the next two years, involvUNNOTICED ing 120,000 men, is to go ahead. This bloody emasculation of the Just how calmly the Labour their demonstration as quiet as largest Communist Party outside leaders took the lobby was possible. No call was issued to the Soviet Union and China by made clear in 'The Guardian' any pit to stop work. Mosiems and the right-wing generals in Jakarta has gone report of February 18: almost unnoticed by the British "The whole demonstration Communist Party.

was processed so efficiently Last week's Newsletter challenged CP general secretary, John by the police and at the Gollan, to make clear the posi- House of Commons by the tion of his party on the question Minister of Power that the of Njono.

emotional impact that might He waited until Wednesday's 'Daily Worker', , two days after have been expected from Njono was sentenced, to finally miners marching on parliaprotest. ment to demand more pay But why has the British Com- and to protest against pit munist Party been silent for so closures was largely missing. long about the killings in Indonesia and the role of the Party The police took the whole there: the actions of the late thing in their stride and ... Party leader, Aidit—himself a vicat the House the various conreaction-in currying favour with the almost schizo- tingents were fed smoothly phrenic Sukarno? through the lobby and committee rooms and by the time UNITE WITH MOSLEMS! they found themselves outAnd now, after the biggest side on the pavement again, bloodbath in the history of the many seemed to feel that the communist movement, how can government. too. was taking Gollan call for unity between ON ..... nationalists, communists . . . and their grievances very much in Moslems(!)-the very people who its stride' have been running amok behead- A marked contrast with the ing all those suspected of sympathising with the Party-in January 26 lobby against antiwhat he calls the 'cause of In- trade union laws which threw the donesian national independence'? Labour MPs into hopeless panic!

Surely this is the same Stalinist But the fact is that the January mistake made by Aidit? 26 lobby was planned for the With a fraternal gesture maximum effect, whereas the Njono and what is left of National Union of Mineworkers' (Continued on back page) leaders took great care to keep paration time lost because all-out effective struggle against the right wing. has always We welcome the decision struggle. portha lomby of parament one all that is required.

legislation is to organise a fight against the right-wing Labour government. Mere protests are not enough. The industrial strength of the working class must be mobilised in a way that will force the treat and abandon the Bill.

the government that a General Election will be held early in March means that if Labour wins, tion against the trade unions soon tter the Easter parliamentary re ess, towards the end of Apri Before the election every Labour candidate must clare his or her position on the legislation.

SELECTED DELEGATES must be made an election issue.

As a result only 1,000 carefully Local demonstrations and lobbies selected delegates took part in the f prospective candidates must be march, whereas a real leadership ome a permanent feature of the could have called out the miners campaign in all areas. in their tens of thousands. A real campaign in the coalfields could have done this-but the alliance of right-wingers and Communist Party leaders in the NUM took care that there was no such campaign.

This is because these leaders are themselves unable to put up any struggle against pit closures. Just look at the record. record. the trade unions.

In 1961—32 pits closed involying 8,000 men; 1962-52 pits ready well ahead with their plans closed, 25,000 men; 1963—37 pits closed, 16,000 men; 1964—37 annual conference, which will be held at Morecambe, Lancashire, pits, 17,000 men; and now further 150 pits involving 120,000 special session to discuss - men. effects of this legislation and to draw up plans on how to defeat it.

While more and more pits close, the NUM leaders go on bleating trade unionists have already about 'directing industry'. agreed to participate in the disAt last week's lobby all the cushe Young Socialists conferleadership's demands aimed at appealing to the government to ence can become the main arena ease the hardship of the men who for the organisation of effective will lose their jobs-at least anti-trade union (Continued on back page)