DAY BY DAY the headlines are filled with lengthening dole queues and new wars erupting across Europe. So what is the Euro powers' answer? To relaunch the Cold War.
£20 bilion European Fighter Aircraft (EFA), brainchild off NATO in the early eightes. Designed to halt the Russian hordes as they swept across Europe, the fchier project has already eaten up bilions But a slight hitch has come upthe Cold War ended. As the leading German review Der Spiegelsaid We tion any more, and we must save money" And their government agreed - unless there's an about-face, Germany will be pulling out.
Namby-pamby
There's been no such namby amby nonsense from Malcolm Rt Tories latest Defence supremo. Britain is to go ahead with EFA, target or not. In tact we're to The reasoning? Well, we have to protect jobs Malolm explained - in line win the tones usual concern Tor protecting jobs in threatened industries by state investment, of But unfortunately this is not just a case of Tory macho posturing. Something more sinister is involved. As the Servictional Security Are Information Service said dual capabilities... would make it an ideal fool for supporting NATO's Cut-of Area commitments. Operations in the Persian Gulf is a recent example of such a role.
Here is the reality of the projectthe cutting edge of the drive to make Europe a world miitary power in its own right. EFA could be used both as a ground-attack aircraft, a fighter and potentially a nuclear bomber But in a recession-led cimate. the Tories' arguments have already seduced some on the left. Corresponcents in ine morming oir nave recently argued that their members' jobs have to come first Ignoring the EFA would be a dangerous error for the lett. As NATO pursues its drive to impose the new world order - and Euro-powers try to nore wy got a sace of useon the EFA couid become a dangerous te powder we whole wrests millary arsenal.
It is also, of course, a colossal waste of resources. Trade unionists who plead that their members' jobs must be detended at al costs need to be reminded that the weapons in dustry is one of the worst job If the bilions were to be invested in Britain's allino constructon in dustry. He beneficial effect in the shortening the dole queues would be dramatic. summer school 1992 - North Wales haf 1992 - Gogledd Cymru