World Socialist Web Site

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

5 March 2009

As home crisis deepens
Obama, Democrats bow to banks on housing “rescue”

By Tom Eley, 5 March 2009

As the collapse of the housing market accelerates, new details of Obama’s housing rescue show that its central aim is to prop up the banks. Meanwhile, House Democrats have gutted legislation that would have given bankruptcy judges new leeway to rewrite mortgage contracts.

ASEAN summit: amid talk of cooperation, economic rivalry on the rise

By John Chan, 5 March 2009

The annual summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bangkok last weekend followed what is becoming a familiar pattern at top-level international gatherings. Amid a sharp downturn in all 10 member states, ASEAN leaders pledged themselves to economic cooperation and free trade, even as they resort to protectionist measures.

Gaza donor conference: conspiracy wrapped up as compassion

By Jean Shaoul, 5 March 2009

The donor conference for Palestine at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt had nothing to do with alleviating the appalling humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but served as a cover for furthering Washington’s geopolitical interests in the Middle East.

Germany: Left Party congress shows its support for the EU

By Dietmar Henning, 5 March 2009

At its recent congress in Essen the German Left Party opposed the Lisbon Treaty, but backed the European Union.

Bangladeshi government authorises arrest of 1,000 mutineers

By Sarath Kumara, 5 March 2009

Despite promises of an amnesty, the Bangladeshi government has launched a massive manhunt for members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) who mutinied last week and murdered their army commanders.

Australian economy heads into recession

By Mike Head, 5 March 2009

The latest statistics have put paid to claims by the Australian government that the economy is weathering the global storm better than most and that its stimulus packages would help stave off recession.

Binyam Mohamed free after years of imprisonment and torture

By Robert Stevens, 5 March 2009

Binyam Mohamed, finally released from Guantánamo Bay, has accused British intelligence of complicity in his torture.

The New York state budget crisis and the debate over the “millionaire’s tax”

By William Moore, 5 March 2009

As the New York State government prepares drastic budget cuts to cover a ballooning fiscal deficit, public employee unions and some Democratic politicians have proposed a millionaire’s tax as a form of “equal sacrifice.”

Seattle, Wash.: Video captures attack on teenage girl at police station

By Hector Cordon, 5 March 2009

A video viewed widely on YouTube depicts an apparent assault by a suburban Seattle-area sheriff’s deputy on a teenage girl while placing her in a jail holding cell.

New in German

Was steckt hinter der "Mitarbeiterbeteiligung"?
Linkspartei will Beschäftigte bei Opel und Schaeffler ins sinkende Boot holen

Von Ludwig Weller, 5. März 2009

Führende Vertreter der Linkspartei und der IG Metall preisen angesichts der Krise bei Opel und Schaeffler das Konzept der „Mitarbeiterbeteiligung" als Lösungsmodell für die Beschäftigten an.

USA planen militärische Intervention in Sri Lanka

Von Wije Dias, 5. März 2009

Die Sunday Times in Sri Lanka hat Pläne für eine US-Militärmission in der Kriegszone im Norden Sri Lankas aufgedeckt. Der Vorwand soll die Evakuierung von Zivilisten aus dem Kampfgebiet sein.

Mehr als 60 Tote bei zwei Raketenangriffen auf Pakistan

Von Barry Grey, 5. März 2009

Zwei Raketenangriffe sind ein klares Zeichen, dass die Obama-Regierung die militärische Intervention nach Pakistan ausdehnen will.

New in Russian

Правительство России спасает крупный бизнес и принимает меры по подавлению оппозиции

Владимир Волков, 5 марта 2009 г.

Развитие мирового финансового кризиса заставило Кремль радикально пересмотреть свои первоначальные оценки, дававшиеся в сентябре-октябре прошлого года. Место самоуспокоенности и заявлений о неуязвимом положении России заняли ноты тревоги и опасений по поводу разрушительного влияния кризиса на экономическое положение страны и роста социального недовольства.

New in French

Il n’y a pas de plafond aux plans de sauvetage du système financier a dit Obama

Par Barry Grey, 5 mars 2009

Il est de plus en plus évident que la politique du gouvernement Obama consiste à injecter autant d’argent du contribuable que possible dans les banques pour prévenir une nouvelle vague de faillites, dans l’espoir que l’économie connaîtra une reprise en 2010.

Troupes hors du nord et de l’est du Sri Lanka
Les leçons de la guerre civile au Sri Lanka

5 mars 2009

La section sri lankaise du CIQI, le Parti de l’égalité socialiste (SEP), est l’unique parti qui s’est systématiquement opposé à la guerre au Sri Lanka depuis son commencement.

New in Spanish

El plan para Irak revela que Obama adopta el militarismo de Estados Unidos

Por Patrick Martin, 5 Marzo 2009

Al extender la ocupación total de Irak por Estados Unidos dieciocho meses más y aceptar la agenda que el gobierno de Bush adoptara para retirar las tropas tentativamente a finales de 2011, el Presidente Barack Obama ha traicionado mucho más que las esperanzas de los millones de votantes que se expresaron en contra de la guerra y que apoyaron su candidatura en 2008.

Perspective

Gordon Brown's visit to Washington

5 March 2009

Under conditions of deepening tensions between Europe and America and within Europe itself, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned the US Congress Wednesday that protectionism could yield a “race to the bottom.”

Earlier Perspectives »

Arts Review

WSWS arts editor David Walsh speaks at meetings in San Diego and Los Angeles

By our correspondents,
4 March 2009

In meetings at San Diego State University and at the Santa Monica Public Library in the Los Angeles last week, WSWS Arts Editor David Walsh addressed students, artists and workers on “The future of art in an age of crisis.”

Socialist Equality Party

World Socialist Web Site and SEP/ISSE conference
The World Economic Crisis, the Failure of Capitalism, and the Case for Socialism

2 March 2009

The World Socialist Web Site, the Socialist Equality Party (US) and the International Students for Social Equality are sponsoring this conference to examine the origins of the economic crisis and discuss the necessary program and perspective for a new socialist movement of the American and international working class.

Workers Struggles

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.