Delegates pledge to fight US warmongers

Louise Nousratpour in Blackpool
Tuesday May 30, 2006
The Morning Star

TARGET OF THE US: Conference highlighted the need to defend the emerging socialist societies of Venezuela and Bolivia under Hugo Chavez (right) and Evo Morales.

NATFHE delegates in Blackpool vowed yesterday to intensify their international campaign in the face of increased "neoliberal warmongering" in the Middle East and Latin America.

Conference stressed the need to strengthen the union's successful international activities to defend emerging socialist countries such as Venezuela and Bolivia, while showing strong opposition to the continued illegal war in Iraq, sanctions on Palestine and possible attacks on Iran.

In a range of motions on international issues, delegates stressed the importance of carrying the campaign into the new merged union UCU.

Southern delegate David Fysh demanded an end to the US and British-backed economic sanctions on Palestine, as well as the recognition of the democratically elected Hamas government.

He also called on delegates to reaffirm their support for Palestinian universities and colleges.

West Midlands delegate Darrall Cozens condemned the recent hostile media coverage of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's visit to London which falsely depicted him as a dictator.

Mr Cozens argued that the US had increased its interference and economic sabotage in Venezuela to prepare the ground for an invasion.

"If the US was not bogged down in Iraq, it would have invaded the country by now," Mr Cozens warned, urging delegates to chant pro-Chavez slogans to show support for Venezuela's Bolivarian revolution.

During a debate on Iran, Yorkshire and Humberside delegate Howard Miles condemned the US and Britain's "hypocritical sabre-rattling" over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Mr Miles called on conference to step-up its anti-war campaign by encouraging all branches as well as the new union to support the Stop the War Coalition's position of "Bring the troops home, don't attack Iran."