No to terrorism – No to war

For a united demonstration against terrorism and war

TONY
BLAIR has attempted since the London bombings to claim there is no
connection between the appalling events in London on 7 July and his
government’s involvement in the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Ken Smith

But, opinion polls and a think tank report out this week show that
Blair’s desperate lies are overwhelmingly being rejected. Even some who
previously supported Blair are coming out against him.

The Guardian/ICM poll shows that two-thirds believe the London
bombings are linked to the Iraq war. Even the right-wing Chatham House
organisation, formerly loyal supporters of Blair’s foreign policy
adventures, released a report this week saying: "There is no doubt
that the situation over Iraq has imposed particular difficulties for the
UK."

The Chatham House report also made it clear that "the conflict
gave a boost to the al-Qa’ida networks." They added that the key
problem for preventing terrorism was that Britain is "riding as a
pillion passenger with the United States in the war against
terror."

Yet, the response of Blair and his followers is to dismiss any
connection between their actions in supporting US imperialism’s
disasters in Iraq and the Middle East and the events of recent weeks.
Sir Ian Blair, head of the Met Police disgracefully accused the Muslim
community of being "in denial" but it is the political
establishment who are in denial.

More terror attacks likely

The socialist totally condemns the attacks in London on 7/7, as we
condemned the attacks in Madrid and as we condemn the slaughter by
imperialism in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East. But,
unfortunately, more terror attacks remain likely to occur, shattering
the lives of working-class people, while the British government
continues to play a role in the oppression of Iraq and the peoples of
the Middle East.

The Guardian/ICM poll concluded that 75% believe that it is
inevitable that there will be more attacks.

All the security measures proposed by Labour and supported by the
other establishment parties will not make life safer for working-class
people in this country or end the suffering of the peoples of Iraq and
the Middle East.

Tony Woodley, leader of the Transport and General Workers Union, said
last week that it is important that all those campaigning against the
war "are not silenced". His union’s conference agreed by
passing a resolution – against the leadership’s recommendation – moved
by Socialist Party members and supporters, calling for the immediate
withdrawal of troops.

Demonstration call

The Socialist Party has called upon the Stop The War Coalition to
deliver a swift response to Blair’s desperate lies through a national
demonstration within the next few weeks to show people are not
intimidated. To show that we are united against terrorism but also just
as united against the war and occupation, united against racism and in
defence of civil liberties.

At present, the leadership of the Stop the War Coalition has not
shown the same confidence, believing that vigils and protest meetings
are enough to ensure the voice of the anti-war movement is heard.