Earthquake in India

Since the last issue of LALKAR a terrible earthquake struck India – its epicentre being the Gujarat town of Bhuja. Apart from material devastation, estimated conservatively at $1 billion, it has taken toll of several tens of thousands of lives.We send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their near and dear … [Read more…]

A comment on the Mandelson affair

“A democratic republic”, said Lenin,“is the best possible political shell for capitalism, and, therefore, once capital has gained control of this very best shell, it establishes its power so securely, so firmly, thatnochange, either of persons, of institutions, or of parties in the bourgeois-democratic republic, can shake it”(The State and Revolution).The above penetrating observation of … [Read more…]

Dr Majumdar receives Science Award

LALKAR sends hearty congratulations to Dr. Sisir K. Majumdar on his receiving the prestigious P.B. Memorial Award for his significant contribution in the field of physiological sciences. Dr. Majumdar was given this award by the Physiological Society of India for his work on the History of Insulin. He received also the gold-plated medal.Well done, Dr … [Read more…]

Behind the Lockerbie frame-up

The eminent barrister Horace Rumpole has often noted that the “golden thread running through the history of British justice” is that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty by the prosecution “beyond a reasonable doubt“. Of course, Rumpole is a fictional character created by writer John Mortimer. As the verdict handed down in the Lockerbie … [Read more…]

Maurice Levitas

Obituary of a fighter against fascism and for working class emancipationMaurice Levitas, a fine comrade and friend, died on 14 February 2001. Maurice will be well known to regular readers ofLalkarfor the numerous occasions he contributed to meetings reported by us held on the subject of the Spanish Civil War where he was always a … [Read more…]

Letter

To the Editor, Lalkar.Comrade,I have received a copy (current one for Jan/Feb 2001) from one of your supporters/Subscribers (Nora Ridley). Therefore please start with the next issue (cheque enclosed).All your article are excellent. Very well researched, documented and presented, and that is all said by acritical studentof international affairs.Keep up the good work to politically … [Read more…]

Bombing Kuwait

Felicity Arbuthnot was unable to attend the SLP Rally because she was in the Middle East, however that does not stop her continuing to expose the role of the British Government by writing letters to the press. She sent us this copy of a letter sent toThe Guardian.Dear Sir,Re: Bombing KuwaitWithout intending to ignore the … [Read more…]

War criminal elected Prime Minister of Israel

The latest Israeli election of 6 February, which resulted in the notorious war criminal, Ariel Sharon, being elected as prime minister, is more a symptom of the incurable crisis gripping the Zionist state than a solution to its problems. Israeli society and the Israeli electorate stumble from one election to another at ever-shortening intervals in … [Read more…]

IRAQ – the devastating effects of sanctions

by Joanne BakerI’d like to tell you a little bit about why I go to Iraq and then to concentrate on the effect of sanctions on the ordinary people there.I’ve been to Iraq three times now. Twice in 1999 with Voices in the Wilderness and once last summer with an independent delegation of women. We … [Read more…]

Support the Socialist Labour Party at the General Election

It is a near-certainty that the next General Election in Britain will be held on 3rd of May. Three bourgeois parties – Tory, Lib-Dem and Labour – and one socialist party – the Socialist Labour Party – will be contesting these elections. Whatever little justification (in our view there was none) working people may have … [Read more…]