As we approach the end of the twentieth century, the international working class confronts a catastrophe of epic proportions. For the third time this century the Balkans have become a focus for military barbarism.

In 1914 an ultimatum by the Hapsburg empire, threatening Serbian sovereignty in a similar way to that presented by the US and NATO today, triggered World War I. During World War II several hundred thousand Serbs fell victim to a murderous assault supported by the German Nazi occupation army.

The catastrophe now unfolding is not the product of a territorial conflict between the European powers, but the pursuit of US imperialist interests by an utterly reckless ruling elite. It is nevertheless an assertion of the resurgent militarism of the imperialist powers of Europe. For the first time in history, German, British, Italian and French bombers, directed by social-democratic governments, are collectively pouring tonnes of high explosives, not on each other's civilian populations, but on another virtually defenceless people.

With reports emerging daily of the deliberate targeting of a civilian population by US and NATO forces, the World Socialist Web Site and the European sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International will commemorate International Workers Day (May Day), in meetings addressed by David North, chairman of the World Socialist Web Site editorial board.

Under the title of "Socialist principles and the war in the Balkans: Stop the bombing of Yugoslavia--Withdraw all NATO forces", the meetings will reassert the basic principles of socialist internationalism, so shamelessly rejected by organisations that once claimed to represent the interests of working people.

The WSWS urges readers in Britain and Germany to make plans to attend these meetings.

London--Saturday, May 1

Doors open 12.15 pm--meeting starts 1.00 pm
The Palms Room--University of London Union
Malet Street
LONDON WC1
(Nearest Tube: Goodge St.)
Tickets: £2.50 waged / £1.50 unwaged

For further information, please contact:

The Socialist Equality Party (Britain)
PO Box 1306, Sheffield S9 3UW
Tel: 0114 244 3545
e-mail: sep@socialequality.org.uk

Berlin--Sunday, May 2

Haus der Demokratie
Friedrichstr.165
BERLIN
(U6-Bhf.Französische Str.)
Starts 3.00 pm

For further information, please contact:

Partei für Soziale Gleichheit
Postfach 040 144, D-10061 Berlin
Tel. +49 30 308 72 440; Fax +49 30 308 72 620
e-mail: info@gleichheit.de