Voice of Revolution

May Day Worldwide

Peoples Stand Against War and Fight for Another World

Around the world on May Day, working people took to the streets to fight against imperialist war and for another world that recognizes the rights of all. In the U.S. millions of workers marched for rights in L.A., Chicago, Los Angeles, and more than 60 other cities nationwide. An internationalist spirit was prevalent as workers of many nationalities stood as one with workers everywhere in saying No to War! No One is Illegal! We Demand Our Rights!

In Canada and Mexico many of the actions expressed their unity with the demonstrations in the U.S., opposing attacks on rights by the U.S. government. Canadians opposed having Canadian troops in Afghanistan and firmly opposed U.S. efforts to embroil Canada in aggression. Broad opposition to the anti-social offensive of the government and affirming the rights of all was widely evident.

In Mexico too, actions expressed their support for the battle being waged in the U.S. to defend immigrants and all workers. Stands were also taken against recent government attacks on miners.

In Cuba, more than one million people poured into the Plaza of the Revolution in Havana. Expressing their unity with the struggle of immigrants in the U.S., alongside Cuban and red flags were Mexican flags and others of the Americas. Demonstrators also denounced U.S. aggression, including recent military maneuvers aimed at intimidating Cuba and Venezuela. The demonstrators made clear Cubans are standing firm in defense of their sovereignty and their revolution.

Numerous demonstrations took place across the Americas, including those in Bolivia, Venezuela, Panama, Brazil, and elsewhere.

In Asia, Indonesia saw more than 100,000 workers protesting against government attacks on workers, including a new labor law targeting pensions and contracts. Sri Lanka had actions despite efforts by the government to cancel them. Thousands also demonstrated in India, Pakistan, south Korea, Japan and elsewhere. In the Philippines protesters confronted police as they stood against U.S. imperialism and demanded the ouster of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In the Middle East, Palestinians took their stand against the war on Iraq and against the U.S-backed Israeli occupation, with the call Viva Viva Intifada widespread. Workers in Iraq also protested U.S. aggression, as did those in Iran and elsewhere.

In Africa, numerous actions also took place, including those in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

All across Europe, east and west, workers demonstrated, many carrying the banners of their unions. In Belarus people opposed the attacks on the right to protest. In Bosnia the people targeted the high levels of unemployment. In Greece the focus was against the war on Iraq, with workers marching to the U.S. Embassy. In Britain workers 50,000 strong defended their rights and organizations and also took their stand against imperialist war.

Brazil; Panama

Cuba; Mexico

England; Poland

Greece; Turkey
Iraq; Palestine

Zimbabwe; Japan

Philippines; Indonesia

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New York City

350,000 March for Peace, Justice and Democracy

United for Peace and Justice, April 29, 2006

The streets of New York City echoed today with the chants, songs and shouts of at least 350,000 people from across the United States. Mobilized around the calls to end the war in Iraq, to say no to any attack on Iran, and to support the rights and dignity of all people, including immigrants and women, the marchers brought a renewed urgency to the clear demand for change. The march featured the largest antiwar labor contingent in U.S. history. (See photos from the April 29 action)

Initiated by an historic alliance linking a diverse coalition of national organizations -- United for Peace and Justice, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, the National Organization for Women, Friends of the Earth, Climate Crisis Coalition, U.S. Labor Against the War, Veterans for Peace, National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, People's Hurricane Relief Fund -- the March for Peace, Justice and Democracy embodied the understanding that all those working for such goals must come together to right the reckless, dangerous, and wrong-headed direction the U.S. government has been following.

The march kicked off at noon on a sunny Saturday in Manhattan. The lead contingent included Oscar winning actors Susan Sarandon and Mercedes Ruehl; Oscar-winning film director Jonathan Demme; writer/actor Malachy McCourt; NYC Transport Workers Union leader Roger Toussaint; Air America host Randi Rhodes; Michael Berg, whose son was the first U.S. civilian hostage killed in Iraq; Reverend Jesse Jackson; Reverend Al Sharpton; Gold Star mother Cindy Sheehan; Faiza Al-Araji, a peace and women's rights advocate from Iraq; John Wilhem, president of UNITE/HERE; National Organization for Women President Kim Gandy; and Anne Wright, the first State Department diplomat to resign protesting the Iraq War.

At the march's conclusion in Foley Square, a vibrant sea of flags, banners and signs welcomed marchers to the "Peace and Justice Festival." Issue tents featured speakers, literature, t-shirt sales, food and music highlighting the key issues of the wide-ranging March coalition: the war in Iraq and threats of war and U.S. nuclear attacks on Iran, a Palestine tent featuring Q&A on Israel/Palestine and folkloric dance in an Arab-style "café," counter-recruitment campaigners, a Labor tent featuring the NYC Labor Chorus, and others. A special Children's Peace Tent featured puppet making and peace crane art projects, "Putt for Peace" and other games, face painting, musicians and jugglers. Films, music, performances by the Raging Grannies and many other activities were featured as well.

According to Leslie Cogan, national coordinator of the 1,500-organization strong United for Peace and Justice Coalition, "An unprecedented range of organizations, committed to varied constituencies and a wide range of priorities, came together to march today. We all recognize that until we end this lethal war in Iraq -- a war that is destroying so many lives in Iraq and here, and costing so many billions of dollars so desperately needed for rebuilding lives, cities and countries -- that we cannot succeed at reclaiming our democracy."

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U.S. is Nuclear Threat

Hands Off Iran!

President George W. Bush continues to make threats against Iran, using Iran's legitimate nuclear program as justification. The facts are, Iran has met the requirements of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has again confirmed that Iran is not building nuclear weapons. Its report of April 28 says "all the nuclear material declared by Iran to the nuclear agency is accounted for. Apart from the small quantities previously reported to the Board, the Agency has found no other undeclared nuclear material in Iran." In trying to make Iran the problem, the U.S. is seeking to embroil the world in its aggression, while diverting from its own crimes against humanity.

Iran, like every country, has the right to sovereignty. This means it is up to Iran to decide whether to develop and use nuclear energy and to build nuclear weapons if it decides to do so. In continuing to honor the NPT despite U.S. threats, Iran is expressing its readiness to refrain from building nuclear weapons and in favor of the establishment of a nuclear-free Middle East. The U.S. and Israel, both nuclear powers, refuse to do the same.

The U.S. has systematically refused to meet the requirements of the NPT, which requires the U.S. to disarm and eliminate large quantities of its nuclear arsenal. It has also openly broken international law by threatening aggression against Iran. As well, the U.S. war plans include use of nuclear weapons as offensive weapons. It is well known that such weapons devastate civilian populations and civilian infrastructure, which are both war crimes.

The starting point for nuclear disarmament is disarmament by the U.S. It is U.S. disarmament that will contribute to peace, in the Middle East and elsewhere. Charging Bush with war crimes and crimes against humanity while defending the right of Iran and all countries to sovereignty also contributes to peace. The recent anti-war action in NYC as well as those on May Day made clear the stand of the American people: No War Against Iran!

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Iran Urges United Nations to Oppose U.S. Threats

Warren Hoge

In a letter to Secretary General Kofi Annan, Javad Zarif, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, pointed to recent comments by President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on ways to halt Iran's nuclear program and to news reports of Pentagon planning for possible nuclear attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran.

"Such dangerous statements, particularly those of the United States president, widely considered in political and media circles as a tacit confirmation of the shocking news on the administration's possible contemplation of nuclear strikes against certain targets in Iran, defiantly articulate the United States' policies and intentions on the resort to nuclear weapons," Mr. Zarif wrote in the letter. He made no mention of any specific news reports, referring only to "recent news in U.S. newspapers."

He said the comments by the United States were "matters of extreme gravity that require an urgent, concerted and resolute response on the part of the United Nations, and particularly the Security Council."

Mr. Zarif also faulted the United Nations for remaining silent on "these illegal and inexcusable threats" and said the lack of action had "emboldened senior United States officials to go further and even consider the use of nuclear weapons as 'an option on the table.' "

American officials have said they are pursuing a diplomatic solution to the dispute over Iran's nuclear program, but they have repeatedly said that all options, including military ones, are being considered. Iran says its nuclear program is only for producing energy, but the United States and its European allies contend that Iran is preparing to build weapons.

[President G. W.] Bush, asked at the White House on April 18 if the United States was considering military action against Iran, said, "All options are on the table." Two days later, [Secretary of State] Rice echoed the president in a speech to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. In his letter, Mr. Jarif made specific mention of both comments.

Stéphane Dujarric, Mr. Annan's spokesman, said that the letter from Mr. Zarif had been received but that there would be no immediate comment.

Last month, the Security Council adopted a non-binding statement that urged Iran to stop enriching uranium and asked the International Atomic Energy Agency to report on Iran's compliance by the end of April.

That report, issued Friday, said that Iran had failed to comply and that it had drastically curtailed its cooperation with the agency's inspectors as it sped forward with nuclear enrichment. (See item below - TML ed. note)

The United States, Britain and France are preparing a resolution to be circulated to Security Council members this week. The resolution would require Iran to stop nuclear enrichment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which makes compliance mandatory under international law and holds out the possibility of economic penalties and military action.

China and Russia are expected to object to any measure that imposes sanctions on Iran, and weeks of negotiations are anticipated.

Warren Hoge, The New York Times, May 2, 2006

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IAEA Finds No Proof of Iranian Nuclear Weapons Program

- Juan Cole, April 29, 2006 -

In its April 28 report,[1] the International Atomic Energy Agency mentioned the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) mandate to Iran of last February:

. re-establish full and sustained suspension of all enrichment related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, to be verified by the Agency;

. reconsider the construction of a research reactor moderated by heavy water;

. ratify promptly and implement in full the Additional Protocol;

. pending ratification, continue to act in accordance with the provisions of the Additional Protocol which Iran signed on 18 December 2003;

. implement transparency measures, as requested by the Director General, including in GOV/2005/67, which extend beyond the formal requirements of the Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol, and include such access to individuals, documentation relating to procurement, dual use equipment, certain military-owned workshops and research and development as the Agency may request in support of its ongoing investigations.

Despite not being fully in compliance with these demands, Iran maintains that it is in fact fulfilling its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The IAEA found no smoking gun.

Here is its conclusion, which others will not quote for you at such length:

"33. All the nuclear material declared by Iran to the Agency is accounted for. Apart from the small quantities previously reported to the Board, the Agency has found no other undeclared nuclear material in Iran. However, gaps remain in the Agency's knowledge with respect to the scope and content of Iran's centrifuge program. Because of this, and other gaps in the Agency's knowledge, including the role of the military in Iran's nuclear program, the Agency is unable to make progress in its efforts to provide assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran.

34. After more than three years of Agency efforts to seek clarity about all aspects of Iran's nuclear program, the existing gaps in knowledge continue to be a matter of concern."

This ambiguity is being twisted by the Bush administration to make it seem as though Iran has done something illegal. The report can be read to say that there is no evidence that Iran is doing anything illegal.

In fact, under the NPT, countries do have the right to do the sort of experiments Iran is doing. Most of the complaints are not about substance but about something else.

Iran's president pledged to continue to cooperate with UN inspectors.[2]

Notes

1. For the full April 28 report of the IAEA see: http://www.isis-online.org/publications/iran/IAEAreport28Apr06.pdf

2. http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0604286057183433.htm

* Juan Cole is Professor of History at the University of Michigan.

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Iran Demands IAEA Review Nuclear Dossier

Iran has reiterated that it will implement the Additional Protocol (to the Non-Proliferation Treaty) voluntarily if the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reviews Iran's nuclear dossier. A recent report by the IAEA said all nuclear materials in Iran have been under the IAEA supervision and there has been no violation in this field.

In a local television interview on Saturday night, deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) for International Affairs, Mohammad Saeedi, said that Teheran will never stop research and development at the laboratory level and regards it as a sovereign right.

"Calls for Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment should be rational but there has been no proof of diversion in the country's nuclear program," Saeedi stressed. The deputy said that the use of nuclear energy is a demand of the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic of Iran made no decision to suspend or halt enrichment.

Saeedi's remarks came after a report presented on Friday by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei to the UN Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors on Iran's nuclear program.

The first part of the report dealt with the progress and the second section with ElBaradei's evaluation and measures after the Security Council statement and the last meeting of the Board of Governors. The IAEA chief reiterated that Iran has provided responses to seven questions on plutonium and just one question has been left unanswered.

According to the report, contamination of centrifuge parts in Iran had a foreign origin and the IAEA should continue with its research in this regard.

Prensa Latina, April 30, 2006

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Iran, Venezuela Reiterate Right to Peaceful Nuclear Technology

- Islamic Republic News Agency, April 20, 2006 -

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in a telephone conversation late Saturday held talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Ali Rodriguez on the latest in bilateral relations as well as Iran's peaceful nuclear energy activities, the Foreign Ministry's Information and Media Department reported.

Mottaki referred to the report of the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and said that it indicates that other than those instances which Iran has declared, nothing has been found during IAEA inspection. He stressed Iran's positive and transparent cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

Iran is prepared to continue cooperation with the IAEA based on a suitable and clear timetable on the condition that the issue remain within the IAEA framework and in a technical format, he underlined.

Mottaki further stressed that logical and prudent decisions underpinned by norms and regulation of the IAEA and away from political gamesmanship by some powers, could culminate in positive results. He also reiterated the need for recognition of the legitimate rights of Iran to access peaceful nuclear technology as the only way of resolving the current standoff.

For his part, Rodriguez also outlined his country' support of Iran's legitimate rights in using peaceful nuclear technology and pledged Venezuela's support for Iran in international arenas.

Earlier, Mottaki and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov discussed on Saturday the latest development on Iran's nuclear dossier over the phone.

Mottaki initiated the telephone conversation following the recent report of IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear activities.

During the telephone conversation, the Russian foreign minister underlined that Iran should take necessary measures to win the confidence of others on its peaceful nuclear activities.

The Russian foreign minister called for suspension of uranium enrichment activities in Iran and urged Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA in a bid to clarify its activities and remove existing ambiguities in the country's nuclear program.

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Fresh Data Sheds Light on U.S. Recognition of Israeli Nuclear Policy

- Aluf Benn, Ha'aretz, April 30, 2006 -

New revelations about the circumstances under which Israel and the United States reached a secret understanding on the Israeli nuclear program, and the Richard Nixon administration came to recognize Israel's policy of "nuclear ambiguity," appear in an article published this weekend in Washington. The article, in the current issue of Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, was coauthored by Israeli historian Avner Cohen, who wrote "Israel and the Bomb" (1998), and William Burr, an expert on U.S. nuclear weapons policy.

Cohen and Burr reveal internal documents of the Nixon administration about contacts with Israel over the nuclear issue, including Israel's official notification to the U.S. that it would not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The "nuclear understanding" reached in 1969 between then-prime minister Golda Meir and Richard Nixon ended a decade of American pressure on Israel to stop its nuclear program. In the '60s the Americans sent inspectors to the Dimona nuclear reactor, and officials in the Johnson administration sought to condition the supply of F-4 Phantom fighter planes to Israel on its signing the NPT. Israel refused and adhered to its vague pledge "not to be the first country to introduce nuclear weapons into the Middle East."

Nixon's entry to the White House in January 1969 heralded a change in U.S. policy. Cohen and Burr reveal that the administration worked up documents on the ramifications of a nuclear-armed Israel, the contents of which remain classified. According to documents that have been declassified, the administration was of the opinion before Meir's first Washington visit, in September 1969 that Israel was already in the possession of nuclear weapons and was capable of deploying and launching Jericho ground-to-ground missiles. Based on that assessment, the U.S. State Department recommended that Nixon pressure Meir to pledge, "Israel would not possess nuclear weapons, would sign the NPT, and would not deploy missiles." Cohen and Burr say it is not known whether Nixon tried to do this, but that "subsequent actions indicate that he did not."

Meir and Nixon met in private at the White House on September 26, 1969. The precise contents of their conversation remains a blank, but it is known that it led to an understanding between the two countries. According to internal memoranda by Nixon's national security adviser, Henry Kissinger, Nixon had made clear to Meir that it was in America's interest that "Israel make no visible introduction of nuclear weapons or undertake a nuclear test program."

The administration was offered this formula, according to which "introduction of nuclear weapons" meant announcing their existence or performing a nuclear test, in conversations several months earlier with Israel's ambassador to Washington, Yitzhak Rabin. Refraining from an announcement or test would obligate Israel to keep its nuclear program clandestine, and maintain vagueness regarding its capabilities.

After Meir's departure, according to a Kissinger memo from October 7, 1969, Rabin assured the administration that "Israel will not become a nuclear power" and "will not deploy strategic missiles until at least 1972."

When Kissinger asked how a country could become a nuclear power without "possessing" nuclear weapons, Rabin said the Israelis "prefer" their formulation.

Nixon accepted Kissinger's recommendation that Rabin's assurance, vague as it was, be considered an Israeli commitment to wording connoted by the NPT, which states that non-nuclear states agree not to "manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons."

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