Asia

"Solidarity of the migrant workers of Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka demonstrated with PTUDC. Hong Kong Unions join the fray. Call for a party of labour wings support - notion to be sent to the labour movement of Hong Kong and Macao. Labour Ministers of Indonesia and Philippines rushing to Hong Kong to mediate the struggle." These are the headings of an article we have received from Marxists in Hong Kong about the recent migrant workers struggle and their intervention in the movement.

("A city of life" is the slogan of the HK Tourist Authority, but "a city of struggle" has become a regular by-line in the South China Morning Post). This article we have received from a group of Marxists in Hong Kong describes the political, economical and social situation in the city. There have been a number of strikes and demonstrations by different groups of workers in the last period, particularly the immigrant workers. The article also explains the strategy of the Marxists in their intervention.

It was quite amusing to hear the reports on the radio that a column of American tanks was advancing on Kandahar. Since this glorious advance only took place after Kandahar had surrendered, this must have been the most painless "triumphal advance" in the history of warfare! This little incident is a good example of the kind of surrealism that has characterised this campaign from the beginning. Predictably, the Americans are shouting victory as loud as they can. Despite all the triumphalism, the real situation becomes clear if we ask ourselves concretely what has been achieved?

We will be carrying the full story as soon as we receive first-hand accounts from Pakistan. Meanwhile, many thanks to all our readers who sent protests to the Pakistani authorities.

We will be carrying the full story as soon as we receive first-hand accounts from Pakistan. Meanwhile, many thanks to all our readers who sent protests to the Pakistani authorities.

Shahida Jabeen was arrested following a speech she gave on November 30, at a rally in Garri Shahu to mark the 34th anniversary of the founding of the Pakistan People's Party. She called for socialism and workers' democracy and strongly criticized the regime of Purvez Musharraf and American imperialism.

Shahida Jabeen was arrested following a speech she gave on November 30, at a rally in Garri Shahu to mark the 34th anniversary of the founding of the Pakistan People's Party. She called for socialism and workers' democracy and strongly criticized the regime of Purvez Musharraf and American imperialism.

Khalid Bhatti, national organiser of the PTUDC in Pakistan explains the sitatution in the Karachi Steel Mills. He gives a brief history of the unionisation of the workers and explains the role of the PTUDC.

"The Marines have landed and the situation is under control." This kind of headline was very common in the 1930s, when the USA had a habit of intervening with tedious regularity in the territory of small states in Central America. Now history seems to be repeating itself - but with a difference. The marines referred to here are, of course, American. While the US marine corps is grabbing the headlines of the world press, a couple of hundred British marines are kicking their heels on the outskirts of Bagram airstrip, while a couple of thousand of their comrades are kept hanging around on army bases in Britain, unloved and unwanted, while Tony Blair fumes in impotent humiliation.

We have just received the following report from Quetta, Baluchistan. The strikers of the public sector CSEA union, after a hard strike in which over 100 workers were arrested, have won an outstanding victory.