interests of security....' from the OSB. Ponting national 'In the THE SECURITY SERVICES Bill (SSB) and Official Secrets through parliament, represent The failure of the broad anti- kind of political crisis out of the powers of the state and Bill (OSB), currently going further entrenchments of the Thatcher alliance' to create any passing of the bills holds many les- erosions of civil liberties.
regarding German activities in the Thus in defending this national interest Labour's hands were tied denial of trade union rights at GCHO should not he over-ridden can Labour convincingly argue for in attempting to argue that the Similarly with the new OSB: how on gmunds of national security. run up to the 1914-18 war. a 'public interest' The new laws will make raids on journalists and publications easier and more information illegal to obtain or publish. political, industrial or violent means*. Implementation will en- Peter Wright and MI5's infamous ing illegal ones) taken against left sure no further beans are spilled on 'bugging and burgling across London, It also could be used to ensure silence on actions (includ- wing, black, trade union or Irish As with the media ban on organisations. specific areas: defence, MIS, inter- security. Under these terms it is Likely that Ponting would not have got off: Spycatcher would have Stalker would now be inside with The OSB's real soupe is only national relations and national remained banned; and John information in an Indefinite and blanket ban on the old Secrets Act. Now there will be disclosure of any clear when taken the Guildford 4. In fact the goverment never this criticism. The sole function of tion, alheit against the tide, on the Socrets Act, the government's defeats over Spycatcher, Ponting liance to develop illusions that the had any intention of addressing the new acts will be to make more efficient the implementation of policy dangerously riddled by debacles in recent years. Hence sons in itself. Widespread criticism of s.2(1) of the old and other controversies led this al new bills may lead to a liberalisa- question of state security.
somehow get around a national interest argument against it? Bitherthe public interest" and 'na- tional interest are the same or they tween the 'people" and the 'nation" are not other policics based on na- tional socurity, NATO member- United action with all who op pose the existing and proposed mation and the lack of account- favour of disclosure that will are not. If there is such a gap be- ship for one, also likely to be ques restrictions on freedom of infor- tioned? defended the concept of is not simply to keep 'Britain's enemies" al bay. The bill's effect will be intimidatory: smothening The weakness of Labour's opposition is "national interest' and "national security that the bills are based on. Before 1889 there was no legislation against spying republican sympathisers - the sim broad public debate, particulary in the media and by public figures. that it has always A fortnightly review of news and analysis published under the auspices of the United (setting out the ambit of M 15) and tion and activity subject to non- This is to include protecting the state from actions intended to overthrow or under- mine parliamentary democracy hy a definition of the type of informa- nternational IEWPOINT disclosure. Advert Ponting affairs - the need for two of the main demands raised by this lobby in the Spycatcher and "public interest" and prior publi- cation' defences against prosecu- tion for disclosing information -
ability of state bodies, must be sought. Unfortunately this is un- likely In bite, without greater clarity over what exactly such al- Socialists, at least, must be cicar that such rights will never be at- tained so long as they are tied to the interests of the capitalist state. We have much to contribute to that Piers Mostyn liances are for and against. SOCIALIST OUTLOOK no 13 March 1989 discussion. hegemony and (ironical- to protect itself against its the 1911 Act now heing Its appearance and usage coincided exactly with the zenith and decline of British imperialist ly) the developing need imperialist rivals - not those opposed to bour- geois democracy. Thus replaced was passed in response lo apprehension or information leaking Bank transfers to PEC, BNP Robespierre, Account 230179/90. Important: All Payment: French francs preferred. Cheques to PEC, CCP No 2322 42T Paris, Secretariat of the Fourth International Surface Mail: / year 200FF/£18; 6 months /20FF/£9.50 bank or postal transfers must also be notified by letter. Air Mail: 1 year 245FF/£21; 6 months 135F F/E13 2 rue Richard Lenoir, 93108 Montrevil, France Subscribe now! Subscription and correspondence to: International Viewpoint, Subscription rates: Page 6