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This year marks the 20thanniversary of the hunger strike undertaken by the Republican prisoners in the notorious Maze prison, with even more notorious H-Blocks, in which 10 young men were to die a martyr’s death, one after the other, over 172 traumatic days. The strike was begun to press the demand for recognition of their … [Read more…]

[Reproduced from the spring 2001 issue of theKorea Bulletin, published by the Society for Friendship with Korea, with thanks].The newly-‘elected’ President of the United States, George W Bush, is openly engaged in trying to put a stop to the process of reunification of Korea. He issued instructions to this effect to South Korean president Kim … [Read more…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

“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…]

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…]