at the dictator's funeral.
These scandalous actions should cone as no subase. The European ruling class is terrified that the passing of Franco will touch off a huge explosion in Spain as the workers and other oppressed sections launch a determined struggle to wipe out every vestige of Francoism. Such an explosion, coming at a time when the workers of Portugal are shaking the very foundations of capitalist rule in that country, would rapidly place the struggle for socialism on the agenda.
Determined Furthermore, a determined struggle for socialism by the working class of the entire Iberian peninsula would threaten capitalist rule not just in this corner of Europe, but in every EuropCT COULETY The European capitalists are hoping and praying that Juan Carlos, now officially King of Spain in line with plans drawn up by Franco himralian black movement. **********» London, E2 from Cambridge and £2 from Bath.
working class living standards.
Road, London N.1.
NAME... General Franco is finally dead. And who should be first in line to mourn the death of this ancient and brutal enemy of the workers movement but.....the leaders of the European Social Democratic parties! West Germany's Social Democratic Chancellor Schmidt sent a telegram of 'condolence" to Spain's Prime Minister and ordered flags to be flown at half mast in mourning, while here in Britain the Labour Government sent off a cabinet minister, Lord Shepherd, to pay their respects In line with this, the capitalist press were busy last week writing apologies for Franco and attempting to patch up an 'acceptable face" • A dictator new king hints at change and 'New king of Spain gives hint of change. This was how they described a ceremony in which Juan Carlos swore to be loyal to the National Movement (the official Francoist party), pledged full support tor the Francost Army, and also 'hinted' that he would pursue the old favourite right-wing demand of reclaiming Gibralter!
Just as the right-wing leaders of the As the Sunday Times explained: *The decision to send Lord Shepherd was made as a gesture of good will to the new ruler.... There is anxiety that the dictator's death might lead to a repetition of the chaos in Portugal that came after President Salazar's death, thus undermining Western security.
These actions should provoke a massive outcry from every quarter of the labour movement. We must insist that the Labour Government stops this hob-nobbing with the heirs of Franco (included in the company Lord Sheperd found in Madrid was Chile's General Pinochet) and breaks all links with Spain until the downfall of the dictatorship. Resolutions letters, and telegrams to this effect should pour into Downing Street. But it wil take more than paper td stop the pro-capitalist treachery of Wilson, Callaghan and their ilk: it will require the building of a massive solidarity movement with the strug gles of the Spanish working class. with the Portuguese Working Class, 12