GPJA#372: “Operation 8” showing this week

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 372, April 17, 2011

OPERATION 8
CutCutCut Films is pleased to announce the release of Operation 8, a feature length documentary about the 2007 ‘anti-terror’ raids. Operation 8 is screening in the 2011 World Cinema Showcase, in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin – with the world premiere on Sunday 17 April, 2.45pm at the Paramount Cinema in Wellington. Screening times are as follows:
Wellington – Paramount Theatre
Sun 17 April, 2.45 pm; Mon 25 April, 2.45 pm; Wed 27 April, 3.15 pm
Auckland – Skycity Theatre
Mon 18 April, 3.00 pm; Mon 18 April, 8.15 pm
Dunedin – Rialto Cinemas
Mon 9 May, 8.30 pm; Tue 10 May, 11.15 am
Tickets for the film are available at the respective cinemas. You can read about the film and watch the trailer here: http://www.cutcutcut.com/Operation8.htmlhttp://worldcinemashowcase.co.nz/titles11/operation8.html.
We hope to see you there! Errol Wright & Abi King-Jones, CutCutCut Films www.cutcutcut.comFacebook (for updates click the ‘LIKE’ button on the facebook page) Twitter

WHAT’S ON

Monday, April 18, 6pm, St John’s Church, Main Hall, corner of Willis & Dixon Streets, Wellington
NEW ZEALAND IS NOT FOR SALE: CAFCA’s Murray Horton is speaking. He’s also doing two other public meetings in Wellington.

Sunday April 17, 5.30 p.m, St Peter’s Hall, Corner Beach Road & Ames Street, Paekakariki, and

Tuesday April 19, 7.45 p.m., Petone Community House, 6 Britannia Street. More info is at kane.oconnell

Tuesday, April 19, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
Meeting to organise for social justice. The name selected for the organisation so far is Coalition for Social Justice. Last meetings decisions included: • Final details about 1st May rally to be sent asap. • Social Justice March to reject budget cuts Saturday 21st May 12.00 noon from Queen Elizabeth Square. • Current action: Please encourage family, friends and members to attend the upcoming events. Seek financial contributes for expenses incurred in advertising and running the march. Many thanks. Meredydd Barrar (Coalition for Social Justice) capwaitakere

Friday, April 20
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST DEEP SEA OIL – What is going on? April 20th last year, was the day that the oil spill disaster began in the Gulf of Mexico. To commemorate this day, groups all around the country are mobilising to oppose the extensive oil drilling plans the New Zealand government has. We are also showing solidarity for our guys and gals on the flotilla on the East Cape, protesting the seismic testing. We need a huge public outcry all around the country to show that we do not want this and we will do whatever we can to thwart the Government’s plans for oil expansion in this country. What is planned so far? http://www.extractionaction.net/ has up to date activities

Thursday, April 21, 6pm, Clubspace, Auckland University Quad
What would a socialist Auckland look like? A presentation by socialist activist Martin Graham on what Auckland would look like if it had a socialist economy. Economics has typically been the domain of the political right in recent years and is seen by many people as either a boring topic or a complicated one. Yet this presentation using video and music will engage both the imagination and the intellect to show that a radical economics can and should be based on everyday life. Taking us through a day in the life of an Aucklander in a post-capitalist economy, Martin’s presentation will give participants an imaginative look at how a socialist economy might function and why capitalism and state capitalism are failing us in the 21st century. Organised by Socialist Aotearoa on Campus. www.socialistaotearoa.org

Thursday, April 21, 6.30pm, Ellen Melville Hall, Freyberg Place (O’Connell St, CBD), Auckland City
The State We Are In – Fabian Society Public Lecure Series with Bernard Hickey, Director, Interest.co.nz

Friday, April 22, 7pm, Socialist Centre, 86 Princes St, Onehunga, Auckland
“Terminal 5 – how Arab revolutions and unnatural disasters fit with the five terminal crises of global capitalism”. Feudalism, slavery and every previous civilisation in world history had seemed all-powerful to its citizens until it a cluster of fatal crises sent the system plunging into a death spiral – and the painful birth of another type of civilisation. So it will be with global capitalism. Today the world system we live under faces certain doom from the uncontrollable intensification and interaction of five terminal crises: • profitability • ecology • resources • imperialism • legitimacy. The future of humanity is at stake. People wishing to influence the future must be able to read the signs in order to design realistic strategies for human survival and social solidarity. GRANT MORGAN is a longtime ecosocialist in New Zealand and editor of Arab solidarity website kiaoragaza.net. He has been investigating how the five terminal crises of world capitalism link into the wonderful wave of Arab democratic revolutions and the terrible tsunami of unnatural disasters (such as earthquakes triggered by climate change). Grant will be speaking on these era-altering issues later this month in Auckland. After his talk there will be open floor discussion. You and your family and friends are invited to attend. Here are the meeting details:

Saturday, April 23, 7pm, Socialist Centre, 86 Princes St, Onehunga, Auckland
Left unity in Aotearoa – it’s necessary, and it should be possible. And it’s the title of an open forum at Socialist Worker’s upcoming national conference. We’re inviting all leftists who would like to discuss prospects and strategies for achieving greater left unity in this country, both now and in the future. There’s lots of common ground between outward looking leftists in New Zealand. And there’s growing awareness that the goal of challenging the neo-liberal status quo requires the left to work more closely together. As the crisis points of global capitalism continue to impact on the material and political situation in New Zealand, then so will there be challenges and opportunities for the left. We need to be prepared with realistic strategies and an organisational capacity which will enable us to connect with masses of grassroots people. We hope you can make it to this meeting. Please bring your ideas on how we can achieve greater left unity in Aotearoa. Everyone will have an opportunity to speak. Please forward this email to your own networks and post on websites and Facebook. socialist-worker Ph/txt: 021 0415 082 www.unityblognz.com

APRIL 28: WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATION BLACKBALL
Comrades, We have confirmed to-day that we will hold a Workers Memorial Day (Thursday April 28th) commemoration service this year in Blackball on the West Coast. Obviously it gives us the opportunity to honour the Pike River Miners on this International Workers Day. The service of approx 30/45 minutes will be held at the Blackball Working Class Museum at 1.45pm. In the Working Men’s Club if wet. Speakers will likely include representatives from the EPMU. NZCTU, NDU and the ICEM . Local dignitaries and Representatives of the families will be invited to attend and to speak if they wish. The local CTU may also pay tribute to the Pike River Miners in song. The purpose of this email is the get the service in your diaries and ensure that our members and the speakers etc have time time to organise attendance etc. Please distribute this to your contacts who may be interested in attending. Regards, Ged O’Connell, Assistant National Secretary, NZEPMU, 03-3530286, 0275328152

Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May, St Columba Centre, Vermont Street, Ponsonby
QPEC (Quality Public Education Coalition) National Conference – For everyone interested in fighting the National Party’s attacks on public education this will be an important event. It brings together the key players in education in election year. Everyone welcome. The agenda for the two days is:
Saturday 30 April
9 am – Morning tea is available on arrival.
10 am – Welcome and introduction. Liz Gordon, QPEC Chairperson
10.15-12.15 – Forum on education issues. A series of 5 speakers will provide a sectoral analysis of current education issues: David Do, NZUSA; Robin Duff, PPTA; Paul Goulter, NZEI; Sandra Grey, TEU; Peter Simpson, NZPF.
12.15-1.15 – Lunch, networking and media work
1.15-3.30 – Current issues in education: Privatisation – Chris Lubienski; Public tertiary education – Sharn Riggs; Early Childhood Education – Speaker tba; Pacific education – John and Judy McCaffery.
3.50 – 5.00 – National standards forum: Martin Thrupp (Chair) and activists
5.00-5.45 – QPEC AGM
Evening – We will be providing pizza for dinner and some entertainment
Sunday 1 May
9am – Forum on inequality. Speakers include Ivan Snook and John O’Neill on class and education, Mike O’Brien of the Alternative Welfare Working Group, Campbell Roberts of the Salvation Army, Catherine Delahunty and Sam Drumm of Edmund Rice.
12.30pm – Lunch and Networking/organising meeting (hosted by NZUSA)
2.00 -Political forum. Politicians from all political parties have been invited to participate, providing an overview of key issues in education, and how their 2011 policies will address these. This will be followed by an open floor discussion.
4.30 – Conference ends.

Saturday, April 30, 7.30pm, Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North.
Unions Manawatu presents: Aotearoa NZ’s May Day Concert 2011 Celebrating International Workers Day: A great night of fun and solidarity in the form of song, music, dance and performance art from unions, community groups and individuals from throughout New Zealand and internationally. A special performance of "Trouble on the Waterfront": Multimedia musical snapshots of the 1951 waterfront dispute, by Chris Prowse & 8 other musicians from Wgtn. And Michael Houston, New Zealand’s premiere pianist plays jazz. Also featuring Ahmed Zaoui (poems), the Michelle Robinson Dancers, the Brazen Hussies, Luc & Kate (music, dance, visuals), Julia & Cara (hip hop), the Burmese Community Singers, Double U’s (Union Ukelele’s & friends) and more. Cost: Entry by $5 donation (children free). A separate collection will be taken at the interval, proceeds to families of the 29 Pike River Miners. Judges for the May Day Cup: Peter Conway (Secretary, NZCTU), Iain Lees-Galloway (Labour Party MP, PNth), Keith Locke (Green Party MP), Matt McCarten (National Secretary, Unite Union), Dolly Larkins (PSA Organiser, Pnth). Contact: Organised by Dion Martin (coordinator) Manawatu MayDay Coalition, on behalf of Unions Manawatu. PO Box 1327, Palmerston North. (06) 356 9658, (021) 776 029, dion.martin Organise for: Proper funding for public health, education housing and all public services; The unrestricted right to strike for significant political, social and environmental issues; Free education (student debt $12 billion); Stop privatisation of ACC; No to racism – welcome refugees/asylum seekers; Peace – and a NZ foreign and trade policy independent of US and globalised corporate control; $15 per hour minimum wage; All NZ & US troops OUT of Afghanistan & Iraq NOW; Support the Free Burma campaign and the CTU Tamil Nadu project ; Fight the 90 day Fire at Will law and other recent employment law changes. Supported by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the Palmerston North City Council and Creative Communities

Sunday, May 1, QEII Square, Downtown, Queen St, Auckland
MARCH FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE. JOHN KEY IS NOT WORKING FOR NEW ZEALAND. A new Coalition of community groups, churches and unions has been formed. Our slogan is Social Justice (meeting occured on the 29th March 2011). Our aim is to challenge the policies of John Key and the National/Act/Maori party Government.We believe they are bankrupt and are not serving the interests of the majority of New Zealanders. We are organising a MASS MOBILISATION of ordinary Kiwis on SUNDAY 1ST MAY. Also more action when National announces the BUDGET on 19th May 2011. From Cairo to London ordinary people are challenging the Free Market perscription from government cuts to privatisation/asset sales. New Zealanders are angry about GST, milk prices and secret Trade deals.. About cuts to Early Childhood education and privatisation of electiricty. Meredydd Barrar, spokesperson says, "Enough is enough. Recent government announcements about cuts and a Budget that will certainly condemn the majority of New Zealanders to relative poverty is not acceptable. Children and struggling families as well as students looking to further their higher education will be penalised. There is a latent anger in New Zealnd at the moment. We aim to translate it into action. Nationals policies of cut backs and austerity measures will increase the gap between rich and poor which is already the 6th highest in the OECD. We beleive this is unacceptable and uncivilised. New Zealanders deserve better than this bankrput economic philosophy that only seems to make bankers, corporates and speculators richer”. For more info call CSJ on 098366389; 0212106720 or email capwaitakere

UNTIL MAY 2: KOTARE TRUST WORKSHOP SERIES – MOBILISING SUPPORT FOR UNION CAMPAIGNS
This workshop series is a space for union organisers to strategise on building support for union-wide campaigns with other progressive social justice movements and networks. We want people to come away from the workshops feeling energised and committed about being a unionist, feeling a strong sense of place in a wider social justice movement, and having a range of tools for building support among allies.

The workshops run over four Mondays in March, April and May. It’s okay if you miss some of the workshops, but for those that can come to them all, they will build on each other.
Monday April 18, 4.30pm-7.30pm. What techniques do we have to achieve the big goals?
Building on the earlier discussion on strategy and tactics, this session will look at what tools unions have to achieve campaign goals. Monday May 2, 4.30pm-7.30pm. Who’s affected and how: coalition building
Using tools such as power mapping, this session will look at practical strategies for unions in coalition building with other progressive justice movements and community organisations, such as welfare and beneficiary rights activists.
Venue: All sessions will be run at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. Parking is available on nearby side streets.
Cost: $0-$50 sliding scale for each workshop. Please self-assess your payment and consider your means when deciding what to pay. Donations towards Kotare’s running costs are very welcome. If you are on a low income, please feel welcome to attend at a subsidised rate.
Registration: Please register as soon as possible and no later than one week before each session. Spaces are limited and we want to ensure a good representation from different unions. We will be providing snacks/a light meal and need to know dietary needs in advance.
Facilitation team: Tanya Newman, Rachel Mackintosh and Sam Huggard
Registration. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please contact Tanya Newman at education or phone (09) 551 7765 or mobile (021) 0276-9112.

Friday, May 20, 7.30am, School of Population Health, Tamaki Campus, Auckland University
CPAG’s 11th Annual Post Budget Breakfast

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

WORLD CINEMA SHOWCASE
Thought you guys maybe interested in some of these films which will be shown as apart of world cinema showcase (http://www.worldcinemashowcase.co.nz/films.html) next month. Armadillo (http://www.worldcinemashowcase.co.nz/titles11/armadillo.html) and Restrepo (http://www.worldcinemashowcase.co.nz/titles11/restrepo.html) are two films about western forces in Afghanistan and would be worth seeing. When We Leave (http://www.worldcinemashowcase.co.nz/titles11/whenweleave.html) may also be worth a look considering the attacks against Turkish people in Germany.

AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL CHANGE TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 3
The event, which is sponsored by the Office of Environmental Programs at Melbourne University and organised by Green Left Weekly and the Socialist Alliance, will run from Friday, September 30 to Monday, October 3 at Melbourne University. The discussions at this conference will be enriched by the participation of one of the world’s foremost radical ecologists, John Bellamy Foster. A well-known economist from the United States, Foster is also an editor of Monthly Review and the author of The Ecological Rift (with Brett Clark and Richard York) The Ecological Revolution, The Great Financial Crisis (with Fred Magdoff) and Marx’s Ecology. Also leading the conference discussions will be Canadian ecosocialist writer and activist Ian Angus. Angus co-founded the Ecosocialist International Network and is the editor of Climateandcapitalism.com. He is the author of the forthcoming book Too Many People? Population, Immigration, and the Environmental Crisis (with Simon Butler) and has also authored Food Crisis: World Hunger, Agribusiness and the Food Sovereignty Alternative and edited The Global Fight for Climate Justice. http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47144

TARIQ ALI LECTURES AT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY (video)
2011 Robb Lecture 1: Ali – Islam and its discontents (VIDEO).
2011 Robb Lecture 2: Ali – US power today: The global hegemon (VIDEO).
2011 Rob Lecture 3: Ali – The rise of China (VIDEO).

QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes which were, for the moment, unpopular." – Edward R. Murrow

"He who takes a stand is often wrong, but he who fails to take a stand is always wrong." – Unknown

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." – Mahatma Ghandi

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND
Grant Illingworth on jury trial – From Radio NZ. Grant Illingworth speaks about the decision to deny the"Urewera 18"the right to a jury trial. (duration: 12’23?) http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ntn/ntn-20110406-1136-Legal_correspondent_-_Grant_Illingworth-048.mp3
Musicians call for jury trial http://www.capitaltimes.co.nz/article/3969/Musicianscallforjurytrial.html
Government can’t ignore vote of no confidence in National Standards http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00125/govt-cant-ignore-vote-of-no-confidence-in-national-standard.htm
MP: Govt using ‘Libya tactics’ against protest http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10718803
Migrants’ life still uphill struggle http://www.nzherald.co.nz/china-and-us/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503058&objectid=10718644
Dave Armstrong (Stuff): SIS continues its comedy act
Matt McCarten (NZH): Labour losers must take axe to dead wood
Labour’s 2011 party list – the triumph of identity politics http://liberation.typepad.com/liberation/2011/04/labours-2011-party-list-the-triumph-of-identity-politics.html
Gordon Campbell: On Legal Aid & The Hobbit Saga http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/04/13/gordon-campbell-on-legal-aid-and-the-hobbit-saga/
Charge of the right brigade by Sue Bradford http://pundit.co.nz/content/charge-of-the-right-brigade
Martin Kay and Andrea Vance (Stuff): Controversial internet file-sharing law passed
Russell Brown (Hard News): The file-sharing bill
No Right Turn: The return of guilt by accusation

EARTHQUAKE
Quake-hit AMI insurance bailout could cost $1 billion http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4856873/Quake-hit-AMI-insurance-bailout-could-cost-1-billion

WELFARE “REFORM”
Susan St John (NZH): Opinion: Family tax credits vital
TVNZ: Demand for food parcels increasing
TVNZ: Budgeting groups say government ‘out of touch’

HONE HARAWIRA
Hone Harawira: When rich people fail, poor people pay… http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1104/S00178/when-rich-people-fail-poor-people-pay-hone-harawira.htm

NZ WORK RIGHTS
PSIS staff taking strike action today http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/psis-staff-taking-strike-action-today/5/87750
"30 per cent cheaper" – Govt admits defeat on NZ wage gap with Australia http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00124/govt-admits-defeat-on-nz-wage-gap-with-australia.htm
Facts on the wage comparison with Australia http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00144/facts-on-the-wage-comparison-with-australia.htm
Tracy Watkins (Stuff): Key wage gap claimed rebuffed
Quentin Findlay (new masses): And, the Poor Will Always Be With Us.
Secondary teachers reach settlement http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/4874130/Secondary-teachers-reach-settlementThe Hobbit Dispute: Helen Kelly, President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions provides a comprehensive account of one of last year’s most contentious industrial disputes. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1104/S00081/helen-kelly-the-hobbit-dispute.htm
Union concerned about potential sale of Citibus http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00200/union-concerned-about-potential-sale-of-citibus.htm

NZ ECONOMY
Wrong time to focus on long-term woes http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10717571
AMI – Nationalisation is not a Dirty Word http://newmasses.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/ami-%E2%80%93-nationalisation-is-not-a-dirty-word/
Tapu Misa: IMF at last sees perils of inequality http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10718425
Gift tax ends for the rich and starts for the poor http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00147/gift-tax-ends-for-the-rich-and-starts-for-the-poor.htm
No Right Turn: Crony Capitalism III http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2011/04/crony-capitalism-iii.html
Bernard Hickey (NZH): Deeper into mire as tax reforms fail
TV3: NZ singled out for not fighting tax haven abuse
The Standard: Poverty Trap!
RMTU: Government leadership lacking on KiwiRail procurement http://business.scoop.co.nz/2011/04/14/government-leadership-lacking-on-kiwirail-procurement/

CULTURAL DISSENT
Misogyny as "entertainment": Defenders of raunch culture portray their critics as "humorless," but there’s nothing funny about the discrimination and violence they prop up, explains Rachel Cohen http://socialistworker.org/2011/03/29/misogyny-entertainment
New documentary, ‘Operation Peter Pan: Flying Back to Cuba,’ explores return, 50 years after exodus http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2011/04/10/2011-04-0_gripping_tale_recounts_exit_of_cubas_kids.html#ixzz1JAUK9DFG
Ronald Fraser HOW THE REPUBLIC WAS LOST – The belief that the Spanish Civil War can essentially be reduced to a struggle between democracy and fascism, or fascism and communism, receives a salutary corrective as early as page two of Julián Casanova’s excellent new history of 1930s Spain. http://www.newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2880

FEATURES
Middle East: ‘An incredible display of people power’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47293
Was Marx Right? It’s Not Too Late to Ask by Terry Eagleton http://commonwealmagazine.org/was-marx-right
World military spending reached $1.6 trillion in 2010, biggest increase in South America, fall in Europe according to new SIPRI data http://www.sipri.org/media/pressreleases/translations11/milexbackground.pdf
Latin America shakes off the US yoke – The current spat with Ecuador is symptomatic of Washington’s failure to grasp that it no longer exercises regional hegemony http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/apr/08/venezuela-ecuador

LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIROMENT
Profit Pathology and the Disposable Planet http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=4104
Naomi Klein: Our Lives Are Under Threat From Some of the Most Powerful and Richest Entities — Here’s How We Can Fight Back and Win

http://www.naomiklein.org/articles/2011/04/our-lives-are-under-threat-some-most-powerful-and-richest-entities-heres-how-we-can
Carbon Trading in Europe: An Expensive and Harmful Failure http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=4112
Farmers Suffer While Food Prices Rise http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=4121

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Swans and Zombies: Neoliberalism’s Permanent Contradiction http://www.thenation.com/article/159728/swans-and-zombies-neoliberalisms-permanent-contradiction
Monopoly and Competition in Twenty-First Century Capitalism BY John Bellamy Foster, Robert W. McChesney and R. Jamil Jonna http://monthlyreview.org/2011/04/01/monopoly-and-competition-in-twenty-first-century-capitalism
Tax the Super Rich now or face a revolution Source: MarketWatch http://socialistworker.org/blog/critical-reading/2011/04/01/reform-or-revolution
Public opinion on capitalism – Market troubles http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/04/public_opinion_capitalism

AFGHANISTAN
The Inaccurately Labeled “Qur’an Burning Protests” in Afghanistan http://afghansforpeace.org/archives/1673

BAHRAIN
Bahrain’s Rulers Tighten Their Grip on Battered Opposition http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/07/world/middleeast/07bahrain.html?_r=1
Crackdown on the trade union movement in Bahrain http://www.fidh.org/Crackdown-on-the-trade-union-movement-BHR-002

BOLIVIA
Bolivia today: an exchange http://isreview.org/issues/76/debate-bolivia.shtml

CUBA
Cuba: The Accidental Eden http://video.pbs.org/video/1598230084/
Cuba From the Other Side http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/cuba_from_the_other_side_20110408/

EGYPT
Massive ‎sit-in at Egypt military factory http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/9444.aspx
Egypt’s revolutionaries fight the army, and win: eyewitness report and photo essay http://links.org.au/node/2259
HAITI
Martelly’s Historically Weak Mandate http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/relief-and-reconstruction-watch/martellys-historically-weak-mandate
Declaration on Haiti by Cuban FM Bruno Rodriguez http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2011/0408-bruno-rodriguez.htm

IVORY COAST
Western interests help fuel conflict http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47316
The Roots of the Côte d’Ivoire Crisis http://www.thenation.com/article/159707/roots-cote-divoire-crisis

JAPAN
Working Poor Hardest Hit By Disaster http://ww.ipsnews.net/text/news.asp?idnews=55035
Helen Caldicott: How nuclear apologists mislead the world over radiation – George Monbiot and others at best misinform and at worst distort evidence of the dangers of atomic energy http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/11/nuclear-apologists-radiation

LIBYA
The two wars in Libya – Two wars are being waged simultaneously in Libya. One has grown out of a revolutionary struggle for democracy; the other is an attempt by imperialism to strengthen its domination of the country. Both wars appear to share the goal of “regime change” but they stand at opposite ends of the political spectrum. http://links.org.au/node/2253
Left debates Libya: `This is Washington’s war’ — Richard Seymour, ‘Angry Arab’ & Vijay Prashad on the rebel leadership http://links.org.au/node/2249
Imperialism’s legacy in Libya – Eamonn McCann explains how proclamations about "humanitarian" intervention have been used as a cover for imperial domination in Libya http://socialistworker.org/2011/04/12/imperialism-in-libya
False Pretense For War In Libya? By Alan J. Kuperman – EVIDENCE IS now in that President Barack Obama grossly exaggerated the humanitarian threat to justify military action in Libya. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article27889.htm
U.S., allies see Libyan rebels in hopeless disarray: Too little is known about Libya’s rebels and they remain too fragmented for the United States to get seriously involved in organizing or training them, let alone arming them, U.S. and European officials say. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/14/us-libya-usa-rebels-idUSTRE73D68S20110414

MEXICO
Mexico, just say no to America’s war on drugs By Gwynne Dyer http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10718630
How a big US bank laundered billions from Mexico’s murderous drug gangs http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/03/us-bank-mexico-drug-gangs

PACIFIC
Oscar Temaru back as French Polynesia’s President after new ouster motion http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/04/oscar-temaru-back-as-french-polynesia%E2%80%99s-president-after-new-ouster-motion/

PAKISTAN
US killed 957 Pakistani civilians in 2010: A total of 957 Pakistani civilians were killed in American drone attacks in the country 2010, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in its annual report Thursday. http://story.irishsun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/2411cd3571b4f088/id/769208/cs/1/

PALESTINE
Lessons From Egypt – Palestine and the Revolution By MOUSTAFA BARGHOUTHI http://www.counterpunch.org/barghouthi03042011.html
Amnesty International: Israeli campaign to avoid accountability for Gaza war crimes must be rejected http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article20987
Goldstone and the Israelis — an Analysis by Uri Avnery http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/goldstone-and-the-israelis-an-analysis-by-uri-avnery
Why does Israel have a veto over the peace process? http://tinyurl.com/3ma2nmx
Ilan Pappé: Denying the Nakbah http://tinyurl.com/42yjs3p
Goldstone report: Statement issued by members of UN mission on Gaza war http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/14/goldstone-report-statement-un-gaza

PHILIPPINES
Moro people demand self-determination http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47317

SWAZILAND
Monarchy cracks down on pro-democracy protests http://links.org.au/node/2261

THAILAND
Thai Military make threats against pro-democracy Red Shirts by Giles Ji Ungpakorn http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article21052

UK
John Pilger: Westminster warriors untouched by Libya’s suffering and bloodshed http://www.newstatesman.com/africa/2011/04/pilger-british-libya-yemen

USA
Full Text of Human Rights Record of the United States in 2010 http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-04/10/c_13822287.htm
The One-Percenters: Day after day I read stories that make me angry. Wanton consumption is glorified. Corruption is rewarded. Ordinary people see their real income dropping, their houses sold out from under them, their pensions plundered, their unions legislated against, their health care still under attack. http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/04/the_one-percenters.html
What in the fuck has Obama done so far? http://whatinthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/
Obama’s Legal Professor Outraged by ‘Torture’ of Bradley Manning, Decries His "Degrading and Inhumane" Imprisonment http://tinyurl.com/3bg37oz

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN BOLIVIA SOLIDARITY TOUR 2011
Greetings, The Latin American Forums of Melbourne and Sydney invite you and /or your organisation to participate in the first solidarity tour to Bolivia organised from Australia. Under the leadership of President Evo Morales, Bolivia is one of the countries in Latin America that is undertaking a radical progressive change. Bolivia is moving from the unjust and exploitative neo liberal capitalist state to a new form of participative community democracy, where the needs of the people are put before the drive for profits for the minority. We invite you to participate in this solidarity tour to meet activists from community, environmental, indigenous groups and unions and see for yourself how this transformation is taking place. See attached leaflet for more detail. Please note the deadline for expressions of interest. Please pass on this information to your contacts. Please direct all inquiries to John or Fred (details below). In Solidarity, John Cleary +61 407500839 or email johncleary271 Fred Fuentes +61 412 556 527 or fred.fuentes

JOIN THE MAY DAY 2011 SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA! APRIL 25TH – MAY 4TH, 2011
The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network invites you to observe first-hand the inspiring Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela. The sweeping social changes being carried out by Venezuela’s “people’s power” movements are radically transforming life for the majority in that country – workers, women, Indigenous people, young people and all those who have suffered the injustices of poverty, exploitation and exclusion that accompany corporate globalisation. Along the way, this remarkable revolution is showing the rest of the world that a more rational, socially just and sustainable future is possible. A special feature of the 2011 May Day brigade will be the opportunity it offers to observe the developing workers’ participation and workers’ control that is a vital part of the Venezuelan revolution, with visits to worker-run factories and cooperatives, and meetings with trade union and community management representatives in a variety of sectors and regions. The brigadistas will also observe Venezuela’s grassroots democracy in action, with visits to the social missions, communal councils and communes. They will meet and speak with grassroots activists in the free, high-quality public health and education services; sustainable development projects; community controlled media; and women’s and Indigenous organisations. Joining the huge May Day rally in Caracas on May 1st will be a another highlight. This brigade is the 12th solidarity and study tour organised by the AVSN. Participants’ reports and photos from previous brigades are available at brigades or phone Lisa Macdonald +61 413 031 108, Roberto Jorquera +61 425 182 994 or John Cleary +61 407 500 839.