Reagan's policy bone | Socialist Action 1983

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I WOULD like to make It on Paul Lawson's Middle East article in SA 47 The ignominious defeat of Reagan's policy towards Svria and Lebanon is a defeat for inat strategy alone rather than for any possible US imperialist strategy.

It has always been clear that Reagan's policy was bone-neadca and unrealistic. Other sections of Us imperialism wanted a different one. Most particular v the contronta tionist position of Assad ot svria was not choser by Assad who has clearly been dying to do a deal with imperialism for some time but by The balance of military and political forces which existed between the Christian right, the Phalange, and the Druze and Muslim groups in Lebanon made Reagan's strategy a non-starter.

It is now probable that imperialism will do a series of deals with Assad et al to arrive at an accommodation in the • so that the revolutionary sting is drawn from the situation.

Paul's article the previous week, in which he characterises the nature of the various groups in the Lebanon, indicates a basis for this.

HUGH LOWE, London W4 Our mistake WE HAVE received complaints about the reference in Oliver MacDonald's report or the Andropov's death to 'aged cripples of the Kremlin' Physical disability and uge ure not in themselves reasons for political incompetence and degeneracy and we recognise that older and disabled revolutionaries have found a place in ou history.

Point taken comrades, we should know better!

support each other and Further information from Sarah co Hungerford House. Victoria Embk. London Wr2. • Glasgow Labour Campaion for Gav Richts meets second Thursday every 35 488 Great Western Rd. Glasgon.

Miscellaneous • GLC workshops Employment and training LL March Migrants in In NHS. County Hall. 7.9.30 pm. 5 April Migrants, black women and trad C'ouniy Hall. 7.9.30pm New pamphlet: Politics in the 1980's - - The British Crisis.

Articles reprinted from Socialist Action and - John Ross, British politics in the 1980's; Alan Freeman, How Labour Can Win; Steve Marks. The 1983 Election; John Ross, Facing 1984; Alan Freeman, Rebuilding the Labour Party Available from PO Box 50 London NI. price 35р. (plus 16p, p/p).