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

2 March 2010

Government declares martial law in central Chile after earthquake

By Rafael Azul, 2 March 2010

As the death toll from the massive earthquake has reached 723 and rising, 10,000 soldiers have taken control of Maule and Bío Bío, the two regions most directly affected.

Wall Street Journal cites Chilean earthquake to praise Pinochet

By David Walsh, 2 March 2010

According to the Wall Street Journal, the impact of the Chilean earthquake is a vindication of the fascist dictatorship of General Pinochet.

Video report
Dexter Avenue Fire Inquiry: Sister of victims speaks on utility shutoffs

2 March 2010

The Citizens Inquiry into the Dexter Avenue fire of January 5 has begun interviews with relatives, neighbors and Detroit residents. We begin with an interview with Charlotte Nash, the sister of two of the victims.

Obama applauds firing of Rhode Island teachers

By Jerry White, 2 March 2010

In a speech before the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC on Monday, President Obama hailed the decision by school authorities in Rhode Island to fire the entire teaching and support staff at Central Falls High School.

The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care study: Shoddy science in support of health care cuts

By Joanne Laurier, 2 March 2010

The Obama White House and its media backers defend the administration’s cost-cutting health care overhaul, with all its dire implications for broad layers of the population, with the claim that the scheme is based on objective scientific research.

An interview with Dr. Richard Cooper, critic of the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care research

By Joanne Laurier, 2 March 2010

Dr. Richard Cooper, a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, is a proponent of health care reform that addresses the needs of low-income families and a critic of the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care.

Interview with Dr. Michael Ong: A response to the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care

By Joanne Laurier, 2 March 2010

Dr. Michael Ong is the lead author of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, a study by California teaching hospitals carried out in response to the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care.

British oil drilling off Malvinas escalates tensions with Argentina

By Paul Bond, 2 March 2010

Britain’s decision to begin exploratory drilling has stoked tensions with the Argentine government over control of the disputed Malvinas (Falklands) Islands, and the oil reserves on the seabed around them.

Opel unions and works councils collaborate in job losses

By Dietmar Henning, 2 March 2010

All of the main players in GM Europe are playing for time: the works councils and trade unions to hold back Opel workers and present them with a fait accompli, the governments and the EU to prevent the payment of state aid wherever possible.

New York State announces cuts in public parks, historic sites

By William Moore, 2 March 2010

As part of sweeping budget cuts, New York State Governor David Paterson has announced plans for a large number of closures and service reductions in the state’s extensive system of parks and historic sites.

New in German

WSWS spricht mit führendem Vertreter des GSSE
Griechische Gewerkschaften: Partner der Regierung beim Sozialabbau

Von Markus Salzmann und Robert Stevens, 2. März 2010

Mit der Verschärfung der Schuldenkrise in Griechenland spielen die Gewerkschaften eine entscheidende Rolle, um der sozialdemokratischen Regierung von Premierminister Georgios Papandreou zu helfen, sein Kürzungsprogramm durchzusetzen.

Militärputsch in Niger

Von Barry Mason, 2. März 2010

In dem westafrikanischen Staat Niger haben die Militärs einen Putsch durchgeführt und den Präsidenten Mamadou Tandja abgesetzt.

New in Spanish

Informe de Nick Beams al Congreso de Fundación del Partido Socialista por la Igualdad (Australia) - Parte 1

Por Nick Beams, 2 Marzo 2010

A continuación publicamos la primera parte del discurso de apertura pronunciado por Nick Beams, secretario nacional del Partido Socialista por la Igualdad (Australia), al congreso de fundación del PSI, celebrado en Sídney en enero 21-25 (ver: "Igualdad de Partido Socialista (Australia) celebra Congreso de Fundación "). La parte final del informe será publicada mañana.

Dos millones de trabajadores griegos en huelga contra medidas de austeridad

Por nuestros reporteros en Atenas, 2 Marzo 2010

Dos millones de trabajadores griegos participaron en una huelga general el miércoles 24 de febrero. Los eventos masivos fueron convocados en respuesta a las medidas de austeridad impuestas por el Movimiento Socialista Panhelénico del gobierno del primer ministro, George Papandreou.

Protestas en Atenas: Trabajadores y jóvenes hablan con el World Socialist Web Site

Por nuestros reporteros, 2 Marzo 2010

Un número de trabajadores y jóvenes que participaron el miércoles 24 de febrero en la huelga general griega y las manifestaciones de masas en Atenas, habló con un equipo de reporteros del World Socialist Web Site —el sitio web] del Comité Internacional de la Cuarta Internacional — sobre su comprensión de la crisis económica y su impacto.

New in Portuguese

Socialist Equality Party (Austrália) realiza Congresso de fundação

Por2 de março de 2010

O Partido da Igualdade Socialista na Austrália realizou seu congresso de fundação em Sydney do dia 21 a 25 de Janeiro, marcando um decisivo passo adiante para a Quarta Internacional. O congresso foi parte de uma iniciativa internacional iniciada com o congresso de fundação do partido irmão do SEP nos Estados Unidos em Agosto de 2008 pelo Comitê Internacional da Quarta Internacional (CIQI) em resposta ao colapso do capitalismo mundial anunciado pela crise econômica e financeira global de 2007 a 2008.

Uma reviravolta na Europa

Por Chris Marsden, 2 de março de 2010

A greve geral de quarta-feira na Grécia, envolvendo dois milhões de trabalhadores dos setores público e privado, marca uma reviravolta na situação política em toda a Europa.

New in French

Les banques exigent des mesures d'austérité contre les pays « gaspilleurs »

Par Barry Grey, 2 mars 2010

Avec le déclenchement de la crise européenne de la dette souveraine, une nouvelle catégorie est apparue dans la presse bourgeoise celle des pays « gaspilleurs ».

Perspective

The Dubai assassination and the “war on terror”

2 March 2010

The reaction of world governments to the brutal murder of Hamas member Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai last month underscores the extent to which basic precepts of international law have been torn up under the “war on terror”.

Earlier Perspectives »

Socialist Equality Party

SEP stands in Sri Lankan parliamentary election

By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 2 March 2010

The SEP is contesting the parliamentary election on April 8 to mobilise the working class on the basis of a socialist program against the deepening assault on living standards and democratic rights.

SEP public meeting in Colombo to launch election campaign

2 March 2010

The Sri Lankan SEP will launch its campaign for the April 8 parliamentary election at a public meeting at the Public Library Auditorium in Colombo on March 5 at 4 p.m.

For a socialist policy to defeat the attacks on mass transit!

Statement of the Socialist Equality Party, 2 March 2010

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is preparing to adopt a savage round of service cutbacks and new attacks on the jobs and wages of transit workers, adding to the suffering in the midst of the biggest economic slump since the depression of the 1930s.

Attend the fact-finding inquiry
The Dexter Avenue fire: Utility shutoffs and the social crisis in Detroit

Statement of the Socialist Equality Party, 25 February 2010

The SEP is calling on workers, young people and all those concerned about the worsening social conditions in Detroit to participate in a fact-finding inquiry into the January 5 house fire on Dexter Ave. which killed three residents living without utilities.

Emergency Conference on the Social Crisis & War
The Fight for a Socialist Alternative

23 February 2010

The World Socialist Web Site, Socialist Equality Party and International Students for Social Equality are holding an emergency national conference on the social crisis and war, to be held April 17-18 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Mehring Books

February 2010 edition of WSWS Perspectives now available

2 March 2010

The February 2010 edition of WSWS Perspectives is now available from Mehring Books.

SEP (Australia) Founding Congress

Documents of the SEP Founding Congress
The Historical and International Foundations of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia)—Part 3

2 March 2010

The World Socialist Web Site continues publication of The Historical and International Foundations of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia). The document was adopted unanimously at the party’s founding congress in Sydney on January 21–25.

Opening report to the SEP (Australia) Founding Congress

By Nick Beams, 27 February 2010

Nick Beams, national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), delivered the opening report to the SEP’s founding congress held in Sydney on January 21–25.

International Students for Social Equality

For a socialist movement to defend education!

Statement of the International Students for Social Equality,
23 February 2010

On March 4, students and workers throughout California and the US will demonstrate against the attack on public education and increases in tuition that are making a college education unaffordable for the majority of working class youth. The following statement is being distributed by the International Students for Social Equality.

Workers Struggles

Video: NUMMI auto workers denounce UAW intimidation

2 March 2010

The WSWS attended a United Auto Workers union meeting in Fremont, California, on February 28. Workers opposed the closure of the NUMMI auto plant and denounced the role of the UAW in working with the company and seeking to intimidate workers.

Video: Locked-out California Borax mine workers oppose concessions

1 March 2010

The WSWS spoke with Rio Tinto miners participating in a rally in Boron, California on February 24. Some 570 Borax mine workers in the city have been locked out for four weeks after workers opposed contract concessions.

Workers Struggles: The Americas

2 March 2010

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

Arts Review

The Criterion Collection’s The Golden Age of Television
Not quite golden, but still valuable

By Charles Bogle, 2 March 2010

The Criterion Collection has released a boxed set of eight teleplays from the “golden age of American television” in the 1950s. The dramas (and comedies) have distinct limitations, but there are some remarkable pieces and performances.

25 years
50 years
75 years
100 years

25 years ago: British miners’ strike ends

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on March 5, 1985 called an official end to the year-long strike against the Thatcher governments’ attempts to reorganize the coal industry at the expense of its workers. The defeat of the miners’ strike, which the Tory government had provoked, paved the way for a ruling class offensive against the wages and conditions of the entire working class.

More »

50 years ago: Munitions ship explodes in Havana’s harbor

On March 4, 1960, a French ship, Le Coubre, carrying 76 tons of Belgian weapons to Cuba’s militia, blew up in Havana’s harbor, killing dozens of workers. A half an hour later, a second explosion occurred, killing many more who had come to provide assistance to the wounded.

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75 years ago: Attempted coup in Greece

On March 1, 1935, supporters within the Greek military of former Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos launched a coup attempt against the government of Panagis Tsaldaris’s right-wing People’s Party. The Venizelist coup was led by General Nikolaos Plastiras, who had played a leading role in the coup against King Constantine I in 1922 and opposed the royalist sympathies of the People’s Party.

More »

100 years ago: Philadelphia general strike

On March 5, 1910, a general strike broke out in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania over the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company’s refusal to meet demands of striking streetcar workers organized in the Amalgamated Association of Street Car and Electric Railway Men of America. The general strike was “so titanic that it attracted the attention of all vested interests in this country and abroad,” according to the Public Ledger.