failed; old and new left; migration and racism in Fortress Eurone: work. labour movement and trade unions; self organisation; imperialism and militarism; German coffee barons in Chianas: education learn. ing and science; repression, the violation of the rights of political prisoners; health care and health for all.
There was an over-subscribed showing economy, and 60 per cent of the national income continued to de appropriated by only 3 per cent of the population. Meanwhile, 70 per cent continued in their traditional way of life, subsistence farming.
Nevertheless, the nascent working class in the new industries began to organise itself, in spite of the immense obstacles placed in its path by the tubman regime. in 963. 20,000 Firestone workers went on strike and were savagely suppressed by the government.
Of the two trade union federa. tions, one was led by the President's son who doubled as a personnel advisor to various foreign companies) and the other by the President's former social secretary. Strikes were illegal unless the dispute had first been heard by a labour court, but-catch 22 - no labour court was ever established. Hardly surprising then that three-quarters of all strikes in 1976 were in non-unionised companies.
In tandem with the open door policy, Tubman developed very close links with the US, concluding a mutual defence pact and allowing a very powerful Voice of America transmitter to be installed, capable of reaching the whole of the African continent.
When Tubman died in 197l, he was succeeded by his Vice-President, William Tolbert. Unfortunately for Tolbert, Tubman's death released all the pent-up frustrations of the urban poor and the rural bert regime. Students returning and the campaigns against the war in vetnam. began to oraanise. Movement for Justice in Africa instability, the Tolbert regime sucS.K. Doe ficered by elite Americo-Liberians, but with a soldiery recruited from various tribes, particularly the Krahn, stepped into the breach. Come to the counter-summit from 21, 22 and 23 June Details: Contact Pierre Rousset on 00 33 1 48 70 42 33 or by fax on 00 33 1 48 59 23 28 Quite possibly with the assistance of were successfully headed within a couple of years President regime became increasingly corpre-coup level of aid of 59 million SuDoie. former allies on the left and amply funded by the United States, Doe maintained his rule by corruption and brutality. Demonstrations at the University of Liberia were bloodily suppressed and the presidential election in 1985 was shamelessly fixed. 1989, funded by expatriate Americo-Liberians in the United States, a former civil servant, Charles Taylor launched an armed rebellion and Doe was killed in the following year. The collapse of the Liberian state has begun. In 1990 multinational peacekeeping force under the lead. refugees from all parts of former Yugoslagrowing repression and censorship; and Despite this, there is growing class assercar or moving object gone". tribal allegiances. The role of the €17. PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU. / Name Address Post Code Telephone sent in British pounds.
Socialist Outlook 103 • June 8, 1996.