World Socialist Web Site

wsws.org

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

6 March 2009

As Clinton ratchets up rhetoric against Iran
Obama-linked think tank calls for US “nuclear umbrella” in Middle East

By Bill Van Auken, 6 March 2009

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ratcheted up US rhetoric against Iran as a new report proposed that Washington consider imposing a Cold War-style “nuclear umbrella” over the Middle East.

Three more Canadian troops killed in Afghanistan

By Keith Jones, 6 March 2009

Three Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel were killed late Tuesday in an area of Kandahar province that till now had been largely untouched by the insurgency against the US-NATO occupation of Afghanistan.

Ireland: KPS unlikely to maintain production at occupied Waterford facility

By Steve James, 6 March 2009

Workers occupying the Waterford facility at Kilbarry, Ireland, face being left high and dry by its sale to KPS Capital.

Australia: Victorian bushfires demonstrate the need for a socialist perspective

By Richard Phillips, 6 March 2009

Any serious examination of the real causes of Black Saturday reveals a harsh truth—that providing adequate fire-fighting and fire safety measures to protect every person facing potential threat is incompatible with the current socio-economic system, where everything, including human life, is determined by the dollar bottom line.

East Timor journalist faces jail over corruption allegations

By Peter Byrne, 6 March 2009

In violation of basic democratic rights, the East Timorese government is using a penal code imposed by the former Indonesian military regime to charge a journalist with criminal defamation.

Retirement funds in danger for millions of Americans

By Mike Bryan, 6 March 2009

For millions of Americans, the deepening recession has meant a dramatic drop in funds put aside for their retirement. Companies have stopped making matching 401(k) contributions, and many workers have been forced to tap into their already dwindling retirement funds.

New in German

Die Opelarbeiter werden erpresst

Von Ulrich Rippert, 6. März 2009

Jeden Tag werden neue Hiobsbotschaften verbreitet, um die Beschäftigten des Autokonzerns Opel einzuschüchtern und in die Knie zu zwingen.

Die Geberkonferenz für den Gazastreifen: Verschwörung im Mantel des Mitleids

Von Jean Shaoul, 6. März 2009

Bei der Geber-Konferenz am Montag in Scharm-el-Scheich ging es nicht darum, die schreckliche humanitäre Krise im Gazastreifen zu lindern, und die von Israel zerstörten Häuser, Fabriken, Infrastruktur und Schulen wiederaufzubauen.

Landtagswahlen in Kärnten und Salzburg
Sozialdemokraten im freien Fall

Von Markus Salzmann, 6. März 2009

Die Landtagswahlen in den österreichischen Bundesländern Kärnten und Salzburg wurden für die sozialdemokratische SPÖ zum Debakel.

Einsturz des Kölner Stadtarchivs
Wer ist dafür verantwortlich?

Von Sybille Fuchs, 6. März 2009

Am Dienstag, dem 3. März gegen 14 Uhr brach in wenigen Sekunden der sechsstöckige Bau des Kölner Stadtarchivs in sich zusammen und versank in einem riesigen Hohlraum im Erdboden.

New in French

Canada : Le syndicat de l’automobile promet des concessions aux fabricants

Par Carl Bronski, 6 mars 2009

Suivant les traces du gouvernement américain sous George W. Bush et maintenant Barack Obama, le gouvernement conservateur canadien rend toute aide aux fabricants de l’automobile conditionnelle à des réductions de coûts de la main-d’œuvre au niveau des usines opérant au sud des États-Unis.

Réunion publique à Paris
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

Obama defiende su "Guantánamo" en Afganistán

Por James Cogan, 6 Marzo 2009

La administración Obama ha insistido en que los prisioneros que están siendo indefinidamente detenidos sin juicio alguno en una prisión estadounidense en la base aérea de Bagram, en Afganistán, no tienen derecho a impugnar su detención ni el trato que se les aplica en los tribunales estadounidenses.

Perspective

The collapse of General Motors

6 March 2009

A report from the auditing firm Deloitte & Touche issued on Thursday confirmed that General Motors, up until recently the world’s largest automaker, is unable to pay its bills and on the brink of bankruptcy.

Earlier Perspectives »

Socialist Equality Party

The World Socialist Web Site, the Socialist Equality Party (US) and the International Students for Social Equality are sponsoring three regional conferences 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

Worker opposition to Ford-UAW agreement reflected in votes

By Lawrence Porter, 6 March 2009

The contract amendment pushed by the UAW, which aims to “save” Ford at the expense of its workers and provide a model for concessions at GM and Chrysler, has been met with significant worker opposition.

Ford workers: “Now the fight is with our own union.”

6 March 2009

A WSWS video team speaks to Ford workers during the vote on the concessionary contract amendment supported by the union.

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.

10,000 steelworkers demonstrate in Duisburg against threatened job cuts

By Elisabeth Zimmermann, 6 March 2009

10,000 steelworkers demonstrated in defense of jobs in Duisburg on February 26. The main concern of trade union leaders, however, is the social unrest that will inevitably result from growing unemployment and short-time working in steel and other industries.

Workers Struggles: Europe & Africa

6 March 2009

The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

History

Britain: 25 years since the year-long miners’ strike
Part one

By Chris Marsden and Julie Hyland, 6 March 2009

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the 1984-85 British miners’ strike. Below we are republishing the first of a two-part series that reviews its essential lessons. The series was first published in March 2004 to mark the 20th anniversary of the strike.