World Socialist Web Site

wsws.org

Published by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI)

26 February 2009

Economic slump deepens in Japan as exports collapse

By Peter Symonds, 26 February 2009

The collapse of Japanese exports last month underscores just how rapidly economic recession is turning into a full-blown depression—and not just in Japan.

Reject UAW sellout at Ford! Mobilize autoworkers to defend jobs and living standards!

26 February 2009

Ford workers should reject the sellout agreement negotiated by the United Auto Workers union and fight to mobilize the strength of all autoworkers against the attack on jobs, living standards and working conditions.

Gunmen kill 16 Sri Lankan villagers

By Sarath Kumara, 26 February 2009

An unidentified group of gunmen killed up to 16 people, including three children, and left 20 more injured in a rampage through the village of Karametiya in Sri Lanka’s eastern province on Saturday. This criminal attack, whoever carried it out, plays directly into the hands of Colombo government, which is anxious to deflect criticism of its war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

UK: Jack Straw blocks release of cabinet minutes on Iraq

By Ann Talbot, 26 February 2009

UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw has vetoed a ruling to release the minutes of two key cabinet meetings that discussed the decision to go to war against Iraq.

Flight 1549 pilot tells Congress: Airline employees “hit by an economic tsunami”

By Kate Randall, 26 February 2009

In testimony on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Sully Sullenberger, the pilot of US Airways Flight 1549, gave a devastating account of the deteriorating conditions facing commercial pilots and other airline employees, as well as the dangers to airline safety.

Britain: An opportunist defence of the union betrayal at BMW Cowley

By Niall Green, 26 February 2009

The Socialist Unity web site has come out in defense of the trade union’s complicity in the mass sackings at BMW, Oxford.

Australian banks dictate jobs axe at Pacific Brands

By Mike Head, 26 February 2009

Driven by the demands of an Australian-led consortium of banks, Pacific Brands, a transnational clothing company, has unveiled the closure of nearly all its factories in Australia and China, destroying at least 2,700 jobs.

Australian bushfire victims and volunteers criticise government inaction

By our correspondents, 26 February 2009

Five large bushfires are still burning out of control across the state of Victoria more than two weeks after the February 7 “Black Saturday” fires. Last weekend WSWS reporters spoke with bushfire survivors and volunteers in Whittlesea as well as interviewing people attending the National Day of Mourning ceremony in Melbourne.

New in German

Debatte über Verstaatlichung der Banken

Von Barry Grey, 26. Februar 2009

Angesichts der Bankenkrise beschäftigt sich die öffentliche Debatte immer offener mit der Möglichkeit einer Übernahme mehrerer großer Banken durch die Regierung. Drohende "Verstaatlichungen" haben es bis in die Schlagzeilen geschafft.

Berlusconi-Regierung führt private Bürgerwehren per Dekret ein

Von Marianne Arens, 25. Februar 2009

Die italienische Berlusconi-Regierung autorisiert per Dekret private nächtliche Bürgerpatrouillen und legalisiert damit die Attacken von rassistischen und faschistischen Schlägerbanden, die in den vergangenen Wochen und Monaten verstärkt Einwanderer angegriffen haben.

New in Portuguese

França: uma conversa com Alain Krivine, do NPA

Por Alex Lantier, 26 de fevereiro de 2009

Site Socialista de Interligação Mundial entrevistou Alain Krivine no congresso de fundação do Novo Partido Anti-Capitalista (Nouveau Parti Anti-Capitaliste — NPA).

New in French

Effondrement économique record au Japon : le signe d’une aggravation de la récession mondiale

Par Peter Symonds, 26 février 2009

Une baisse spectaculaire de l’économie japonaise fin 2008 est un signe inquiétant supplémentaire que la crise économique mondiale est en train de poursuivre son effet boule de neige, et il n’y a pas de fin en vue.

Perspective

Obama’s Iraq withdrawal plan sets stage for continued war

26 February 2009

Obama’s plan to withdraw US “combat troops” from Iraq over the course of the next 19 months is another indication of continuity with the policies of the Bush administration and a blueprint for continued occupation.

Earlier Perspectives »

Arts review

The 59th Berlinale—Part 2
A few healthy shoots

By Stefan Steinberg, 26 February 2009

A small number of films featured in the main competition section of the 59th Berlinale were able to integrate pressing social themes into a convincing and moving narrative.

History

The Revolution Betrayed and the fate of the Soviet Union
Part two

By Peter Daniels,
26 February 2009

An understanding of the Russian Revolution and the Soviet state—their rise and subsequent degeneration—is critical in politically arming the working class by learning the lessons of the twentieth century in order to prepare for the struggles of the twenty-first.

Socialist Equality Party

ISSE meetings in Australia
Marxism and the world economic crisis

26 February 2009

The International Students for Social Equality in Australia are holding meetings at universities in Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle during March to present a Marxist analysis of the world economic crisis and the necessity for a socialist and internationalist solution for the working class.