Dover anti-fascists under attack against Europe's bosses th Europe! in the lig MooS MISERY i end richt MISERY super-state across Europe * A socialist answer inc postage from Alan Thornett ANOTHER important step has been taken towards the introduction of the job-cutting single European Currancy on January Ist 1999. Eleven of the fifteen member states now claim that they have met the criteria and wish to join in the first wave. The countries which have failed to meet the criteria or are not applying to join in the first wave are just Greece, Denmark, Sweden and Britain. The applications for those applying to go into the first wave will now be examined by the EU, and the final list decided at an EMU Council of the EU to be held in Brussels on May 1,2 and 3. Most have met the criteria by massive attacks on the welfare state and the working class. This has met huge resistance in a number of countries, most notably in France. There has also been substantial opposition in Belgium, Germany, anti-fascists managed to drive back the police lines to within a few yards of the fascists, at which point more police and dogs were brought in. The police then started driving the anti-fascists back to allow the NF march to inch forward. The Socialist Outlook pamphlet setting out all you need to know on the background to the Euromarches and the fight against austerity in Europe. * The bosses' strategy for a single currency and a * Why Maastricht is driving a fresh offensive against Jobs, living standards and welfare rights * How workers are fighting back All in easy-to-read A4 format, for just £1.20 Socialist Outlook, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU Spain and Italy. The Italian Government introduced a special EMU tax to reduce government debt in preparation for the application.
Not that qualifying for EMU will be the end of austerity drives. It is one thing establishing the single currency, it is another to keep it stable in a turbulent world economic situation.
Maintaining its stability will involve the strict application of the Stability Pact - including the continued maintainence of government borrowing below 3% of GDP, with all that involves.
60% against In Britain the fight to defeat the single currency in any furturé election needs to go forward apace. Opinion polls curerently put the no vote at about 60%.
That has to be maintained and extended before the government machine begins to crank up for a yes vote. There is, however, a real Half-way along the marine parade anti-fascist had surrounded the fascists, with the police inbetween.
At this point the police appeared to panic, randomly arresting antifascist demonstrators. In all, o around 25 were arrested, most charged with obstruction, with a few charged with minor public order offences.
At the time of writing it appears that most, if not all, those charged are due to appear in court on 1 April.
The whole confrontation was provoked by police determined to ensure that the fascists could march. Given the minor nature of all the charges it seems bizarre that police are bothering to press charges. It is clearly an attempt to criminalise anti-fascists.
With council elections coming up this. May, fascists will be attempting to organise in a number of areas across the country. All antifascists must assert that fascists have no right to demonstrate or organise. We must assert our right defend our communities against fascist thugs.
Show your opposition to the fitting up of anti-fascists at the court hearing on 1 April.
* 9.30 am, Dover Magistrates Court, Pencaster Road, Dover. chance that it can be defeated when it comes up.
That will depend, however, on the effectiveness of the campaign between now and when that decision has to be taken.
An important mean of raising consciousness against the EU in Britain is to build for the demonstration in Cardiff on June 14, at the last major EU event before EMU is introduced.
The demonstration has been called by a broad committee based in Cardiff. The European marches across Europe will be mobilising for it.
It will be an opportunity to continue the tradition of international organisation and solidarity begun in Amsterdam last June and continued at the mass demonstration at the EU jobs summit in Luxembourg in November.
The demonstration is an opportunity, on the basis of an international demonstration, to take the issue back into the unions and the Labour Party and to extend the debate. VICTIMISED: the trial of the "Campsfield 9" detained asylum seekers on trial for riot and violient disorder at Campsfield House near Oxford has been put back to June 1. Home Office ministers appear to have intervened to ensure that the most serious charges would be levelled at the nine.
REFUGEES ARE NOT CRIMINALS DROP THE CHARGES