This day. 41st anniversary of the defeat of US aggression and intervention in Vietnam

Victory monument in Xuan Loc, Vietnam

On April 30, 1975, 41 years ago, the U.S. imperialists had to flee Vietnam as their puppet regime in Saigon collapsed and their armed aggression and intervention in Vietnam was defeated.

This war of intervention and aggression by U.S. imperialism goes down in the annals of aggressive wars as one of the most brutal. It left more than 3 million Vietnamese dead, millions more wounded and homeless and the entire country and its economy in ruin. The devastation caused to the country and the people almost reached the level of that in Korea where U.S. imperialism had intervened in the early fifties and which was the first place the U.S. had to be satisfied with defeat.

All Out for May Day 2016 — International Day of Working Class Unity and Struggle

Calendar of events across Canada. All dates May 1 unless otherwise noted.

Sighting. CIA, NATO and Swedish military plotted regime change in Sweden in 1980s

 

‘Heroes’ and victims of 80’s US disinformation provide clues to today’s Russian scare | Alexei Pankin

Polish city refuses to demolish monument honouring WWII Red Army soldiers

RT.com (April 21) – The city of Rzeszow, close to Poland’s border with Ukraine, has ignored calls to remove a Soviet-era monument celebrating the liberation of the city from the Nazis. Last month, Poland’s historical legacy institute urged the immediate removal of 500 such memorials across the country.

April 28 — National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job

Mourn for the Dead! Fight for the Living! Stop the Killing!

Workers’ memorials across the country. Left to right: Pictou, Nova Scotia monument to those killed in Westray mine disaster; Sudbury Miners Memorial; Edmonton Day of Mourning workers’ memorial; BC forestry workers’ memorial park. Below: memorial in Kanesatake to the workers who died in the 1907 collapse of the Quebec Bridge.

Irish youth proud of 1916 Easter Rising, want change

By The Irish Revolution

Irish school students are overwhelmingly proud of the Easter Rising in 1916, but almost half believe its leaders would not be proud of present-day Ireland, according to a nationwide poll.

Frongoch, the first internment camp

Memorial at the site in Frongnoch, Wales where Irish patriots were interned following the 1916 Rebellion.

People in Wales have called on the governments in Dublin and Cardiff to provide a permanent commemorative centre in Frongoch, where 1,800 Irishmen were interned after the 1916 Rising.

The PoW camp, on the site of an old whisky distillery outside the town of Bala, held rebels such as Michael Collins, Terence MacSweeney and Richard Mulcahy.

It became known as ‘The University of Revolution’, as it was here that plans were discussed for future attacks on British rule in Ireland.

“During the summer, we sent an invitation to President Higgins to come here on the centenary of 2016,” said Councillor Alwyn Jones, who lives nearby.

Commemoration of the Easter Rising: Southern state is not the Republic declared in 1916

The full text of the keynote speech to mark the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, delivered by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams at Milltown cemetery in Belfast.

A chairde agus a chomraidithe,

I want to welcome you all here today to this holy place on this historic date.

I want to especially welcome the families and friends of our patriot dead.

Ta muid fior buioch daoibhse go leir.

The signatories of the Irish Proclamation of Independence 1916

Signatories of the Proclamation

Short biographies of the seven patriots who signed Ireland’s historic declaration of independence in 1916.

We Only Want the Earth

James Connolly, 1907

Some men, faint-hearted, ever seek

Our programme to retouch,

And will insist, whene’er they speak

That we demand too much.

‘Tis passing strange, yet I declare

Such statements give me mirth,
For our demands most modest are,
We only want the earth.

“Be moderate,” the trimmers cry,
Who dread the tyrants’ thunder.
“You ask too much and people fly
From you aghast in wonder.”
‘Tis passing strange, for I declare
Such statements give me mirth,
For our demands most moderate are,
We only want the earth.Our masters all a godly crew,
Whose hearts throb for the poor,
Their sympathies assure us, too,
If our demands were fewer.
Most generous souls! But please observe,
What they enjoy from birth
Is all we ever had the nerve
To ask, that is, the earth.

The “labour fakir” full of guile,
Base doctrine ever preaches,
And whilst he bleeds the rank and file
Tame moderation teaches.
Yet, in despite, we’ll see the day
When, with sword in its girth,
Labour shall march in war array
To realize its own, the earth.

For labour long, with sighs and tears,
To its oppressors knelt.
But never yet, to aught save fears,
Did the heart of tyrant melt.
We need not kneel, our cause no dearth
Of loyal soldiers’ needs
And our victorious rallying cry
Shall be we want the earth!

 

Reproduced from TML Weekly, April 23, 2016 – No. 17

Youtube: 

We Only Want the Earth – Cornelius Cardew

 

The Irish Rebellion of 1916 – The Discussion on Self-Determination Summed Up

Painting ‘Birth of the Irish Republic‘

The following is an excerpt from the article by V. I. Lenin, “The Discussion on Self-Determination Summed Up,” first published in October 1916. Lenin wrote to clarify the issue of self-determination of nations including the significance of the Irish Rebellion in opposition to the opportunist and chauvinist theses put forward by Polish social-democrats and the so-called Zimmerwald Leftists. These theses dismissed the revolt of oppressed nations such as Ireland and the important role of their struggle for their right to self-determination in the proletarian revolution. In his conclusion, Lenin pointed out, “The epoch of imperialism has turned all the ‘great’ powers into the oppressors of a number of nations, and the development of imperialism will inevitably lead to a more definite division of trends in this question in international Social-Democracy as well.” *

Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising: Our duty in this crisis

By James Connolly, Irish Worker, August 8, 1914

Soviet painting depicting an injured James Connolly during the Irish Rising

What should be the attitude to the working-class democracy of Ireland in face of the present crisis? I wish to emphasise the fact that the question is addressed to the ‘working-class democracy’ because I believe that it would be worse than foolish — it would be a crime against all our hopes and aspirations — to take counsel in this matter from any other source.

Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising: Celebrate the glorious uprising of the Irish people!

1991 mural in Belfast marking the 75th anniversary of the Irish Rebellion. In foreground are the Republicans who signed the proclamation of independence.

By Dougal MacDonald

The Easter Rising (Éirí Amach na Cásca), also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed uprising in Ireland during Easter Week in 1916, from April 24-29. The Rising was part of the centuries-long ongoing struggle of the Irish people for independence from England, which began in 1169 with Henry II’s annexation of Ireland. The Rising was no isolated incident or “putsch” as some labeled it at the time to denigrate it. The Irish people have always resisted British rule without letup. Prior to the Rising, at least 20 other separate rebellions had taken place since the 16th century, including within Canada. The single-minded aim of the Irish people has always been to fight to win their independence by ending British colonial rule so as to be free to decide their own destiny.

Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising: The Irish Declaration of Independence, April 24, 1916

Poblacht na hÉireann – the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic, an original copy with its distinct fonts

Poblacht na hÉireann

The Provisional Government

of the Irish Republic

‘To the People of Ireland’

IRISHMEN AND IRISHWOMEN: In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives the old tradition of nationhood, Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag, and strikes for her freedom.

Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising: A timeline (2)

Close-quarter combat in the Easter Rising: A reportage-style account of the combat that took place during the Easter Rising. The second in a two-part series. (For part one see here.)

Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising: A timeline (1)

Close-quarter combat in the Easter Rising: A reportage-style account of the combat that took place during the Easter Rising. The first in a two-part series. (For part two see here.)

Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising: Turning point in the history of the Irish nation

Proclamation of the Irish Republic, signed on April 24, 1916 by seven leaders of the uprising, Thomas J. Clarke, Seán Mac Diarmada, Thomas MacDonagh, Pádraig Pearse, Éamonn Ceannt, James Connolly and Joseph Plunkett. All were executed by the British after the rising was crushed.

April 24 marks the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in Ireland, an armed uprising of the Irish people to win their independence by ending British colonial rule so as to be free to decide their own destiny. The 1916 Rising was the first major revolt against British rule in Ireland since the United Irishmen Rebellion of 1798. The rebellion lasted until April 29 when it was brutally crushed by the forces of the British Empire, after thousands of reinforcements were brought in from England and other parts of Ireland. It became the first stage in a war of independence that resulted in the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922 and, ultimately, the formal declaration of an Irish Republic in 1949. Britain still maintain a military presence in the north of Ireland, even if troops have been withdrawn from the streets for some years now – mainly to free them for other criminal interventions in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Events. Centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland

Proclamation of the Irish Republic, signed on April 24, 1916 by seven leaders of the uprising, Thomas J. Clarke, Seán Mac Diarmada, Thomas MacDonagh, Pádraig Pearse, Éamonn Ceannt, James Connolly and Joseph Plunkett. All were executed by the British after the rising was crushed.

April 24 marks the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in Ireland, an armed uprising of the Irish people to win their independence by ending British colonial rule so as to be free to decide their own destiny. The 1916 Rising was the first major revolt against British rule in Ireland since the United Irishmen Rebellion of 1798. The rebellion lasted until April 29 when it was brutally crushed by the forces of the British Empire, after thousands of reinforcements were brought in from England and other parts of Ireland. It became the first stage in a war of independence that resulted in the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922 and, ultimately, the formal declaration of an Irish Republic in 1949. Britain still maintain a military presence in the north of Ireland, even if troops have been withdrawn from the streets for some years now – mainly to free them for other criminal interventions in the Middle East and elsewhere.

The Easter Rising stands second to none in the pages of the heroic history of the Irish people, and centenary events are being marked throughout 2016 in Ireland and around the world. The number and variety of commemorative events taking place on the Easter weekend in Ireland was at a record as the 26 County state attempted to make up for the years when it ignored the 1916 anniversary. Many events below are from the calendar provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Ireland in Canada.

The pipeline debate and who sets the agenda

By PEGGY MORTON

A Resolution adopted at the recent national NDP Convention in Edmonton calls on constituency associations to discuss the Leap Manifesto over the next two years.[1] The Resolution passed despite strong opposition from Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan and others, who repudiated the document.

Russian-Iranian canal could connect Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf

Zavtra*

(April 8) – Russia and Iran are discussing building a navigable canal from the Caspian sea to the Persian Gulf, announced the ambassador of Iran in Russia Mehdi Snai at the meeting with students of St. Petersburg State University, reports TASS.

Italian soldiers keep dying from ‘Balkan syndrome’

At least 300 Italian soldiers may have died from exposure to depleted uranium in Bosnia and Kosovo – but the Italian authorities continue to deny the existence of a connection – much like Canada. That is happening to Canadian soldiers: the number of Canadian soldiers and military personnel that is sick and in need of medical treatment, let alone those who are dead already. We had Terry Reardon, who was a Canadian veteran, absolutely contaminated, no doubt he died from uranium poisoning, according to the autopsy. Yet, the Canadian DND continues to insist there were no exposures and no health risks. | Rodolfo Toe, BIRN 

An Italian soldier on the hills above Sarajevo in 1996 | NATO

More than 300 Italian soldiers may have died during the past 15 years from exposure without protection to depleted uranium during missions to Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, while another 3,700 are sick for the same reason.

China home to 60 per cent of world’s high-speed rail

Pictured is a high-speed train connecting Datong, Shanxi Province to Xi’an,Shaanxi Province during a trial run at Yongji North Station | people.cn

By Zhang Mengxu (People’s Daily)

Despite the continuous queries of foreign media on China’s high-speed railway cooperation with neighbouring countries, the nation’s improved technology has earned China-made equipment more global recognition. Data shows that China is now home to more than 60 per cent of the world’s high-speed railways (HSR).

The Daesh Chronicles: The ‘we-told-you-so’ story

By GHASSAN KADI*

When the so-called “Arab Spring” took off, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Muammar Gaddafi, made a televised speech to Libyans warning them, and the world, of what would happen should the central government in Tripoli fall apart.

The Daesh Chronicles: The definition challenge

The war against ISIS | GHASSAN KADI* argues against self-serving dogma substituting as analysis, and for the renovation of Islam

Islam, real Islam, is a religion of piety, wisdom and peace, and Muslims, real Muslims are not terrorists. Even though all terrorists that have been caught involved in terrorism are “Muslims”, this does not give a blanket description of all Muslims as beings terrorists.

Saudi arms deal: The foreign minister must resign!

No to the arms sales to Saudi Arabia! No to the “new doctrine” called “responsible conviction!”

(April 13) – The Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada condemns Canada’s sale of arms to Saudi Arabia for which this government signed export permits on April 8. No matter what the pretext, these arms sales are unacceptable. By no stretch of the imagination can Saudi Arabia be considered a peaceful or a democratic country as the ministry and Trudeau government claim. Nor can Canada’s mission in the Middle East be considered a peaceful one. This is simply not true.

The example of the arms deal to Saudi Arabia was given by the Foreign Minister in a speech at the University of Ottawa on March 29, to vindicate the new government doctrine called “responsible conviction.” On that occasion, the Minister created the impression that the arms sale was a done deal by the previous Harper government. He said it would not be right for Canada to go back on its signature due to harmful consequences. He repeated that Canada’s aim is to bring stability to the region and advanced various other pragmatic excuses to justify aggression and war.

Now it turns out that Dion signed the papers himself on April 8. He has to be held to account for trying to mislead Canadians on this matter since the beginning of January and again on March 29.

The Arab Spring: US black ops and subversion

Book review of Ahmed Bensaada, Arabesque$: Enquête sur le rôle des États-Unis dans les révoltes arabes (Investigation into the US Role in the Arab Uprisings) by Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall

Dion’s delusions of grandeur: Hubris about Canada’s role in the imperialist system of states

To prove the importance of “responsible conviction,” in his speech at the University of Ottawa on March 29 Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion presented a fairy tale of Canada as an intrepid and indispensable international actor whose “responsibility” has allowed it to change the course of history. The Harper government only had “conviction” but not “responsibility,” Dion suggested, and this has blunted Canada’s ability to play such a role.

‘Responsible conviction’ – Dion announces new foreign affairs doctrine

Trudeau government moves to criminalize the right to conscience

(April 9) – Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Dion spoke at an international conference at the University of Ottawa on March 29, entitled “Canada in Global Affairs, New Challenges, New Ways.”[1] Dion continued the practice of prior governments of making important announcements about Canada’s foreign policy in an offhand manner. Dion used a speech to a university audience to announce a new foreign affairs doctrine for Canada he calls “responsible conviction.” Dion says “responsible conviction” will be the “guiding principle” the government will follow in implementing foreign policy.

Fake image of shortage-ridden Venezuelan supermarket taken in New York

Along with gossip, speculation, rumours and disinformation in small, unchallengeable and unverifiable chunks of words and video, the brazen use of fake photos and hoaxes by the monopoly media and social media is becoming common. LUCAS KOERNER documents the latest total fabrication from Venezuela below.

US delivers 3,000 tons of weapons and ammo to Al-Qaeda & Co in Syria

The United States via its Central Intelligence Agency is still delivering thousands of tons of additional weapons to al-Qaeda and others in Syria.

The British military information service Janes found the transport solicitation for the shipment on the U.S. government website FedBizOps.gov. Janes writes: