Anarchy: a journal of desire armed. #39, Winter '94. ON GOGOL BOULEVARD @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ On Gogol Boulevard (OGB) is the bulletin of New York City Neither East Nor West, networking East and West alternative oppositions and printing news and documents unavailable in the corporate or `left' media. We also bring Third and Fourth World activists into these efforts. This regular OGB section in Anarchy will serve the same function. We encourage all those involved in "Neither East Nor West" type activity to regularly contribute to this section. Please address letters, reports, documents, debates, graphics, photos, etc. directly to OGB. This is not a section for anarchists only. We are interested in all things promoting freedom, such as workers', women's, minority, and gay rights, environmental and anti- militarist issues, and anything pursuing paths other than the capitalist and state bureaucratic models. By the way, Gogol Boulevard is a noted hang-out for Moscow's counter-culture=FEsee you there! On Gogol Boulevard/Neither East Nor West 528 Fifth Street, Brooklyn, NY. 11215 (718) 499-7720 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ RUSSIAN ANARCHISTS CALL FOR PROTESTS Among the groups banned in Russia is possibly the Confederation of Anarcho-Syndicalists (KAS). We say possibly because KAS was named as a banned group on a pro-Yeltsin radio station, but KAS as yet hadn't seen the unpublished lists of banned groups. Additional- ly, KAS-KOR (unrelated to KAS), a labor info bulletin, had their phone line cut. On Oct. 18, Neither East Nor West, Workers Solidarity Alliance, and Nightcrawlers Anarchist Black Cross held a picket at the Russian Mission in NYC. We called for a defense of KAS, an end to the Yeltsin dictatorship plus opposition to his "Red/Brown" Communist/nationalist/ fascist opponents. (Of course Yeltsin and crew were all Communists too. The struggle was all about what sector of bureaucrats would own and control ex-USSR property.) The racism in Yeltsin's crackdown was also condemned, as nationals from the Caucasian republics - Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Georgians, and Chechens, many refugees from wars - have been purposefully singled out and robbed, beaten, arrested and deported from Moscow. We and KAS call on others around the world to please protest at Russian state buildings too. Protest letters can be sent to: Boris Yeltsin, Moscow, Russia. To reach KAS: Mikhail Tsovma, 109462 Moscow, Boulevard 21-62, Russia. [Note: At press time, it appears that KAS is no longer in immediate danger from Yeltsin and his thugs.] YOW! ANARCHY/OGB CAUSE A SCANDAL IN THE EX-U.S.S.R!! In Anarchy's Winter '93 OGB section we ran a piece entitled "Gays in the Ex-U.S.S.R." credited to Information Bulletin SMOT #6. It briefly examined the gay issue in the ex-U.S.S.R. and then listed names/addresses of a number of gay groups/publications in Russia. SMOT stands for the dissident Free Interprofessional Workers' Union, born in 1978, and heavily persecuted in the former U.S.S.R. Supported then by both ends of the anti-Communist political spectrum, SMOT continues to exist today, coalesced around the idea and praxis of promoting workers' and human rights, free trade unions, and self-management. Like any narrowly-focused group, SMOT includes all shades of thought, in this instance from monarchism to anarchism, and as could be expected, homophobes. So, when SMOT's Executive Secretary Olga Korzinina received Anarchy, the shit hit the fan; SMOT's conservatives recoiled, interpreting our reprint as promoting SMOT as a gay organization. In heavily provincial Russia, one can imagine the hysteria. Neither East Nor West-NYC received an enraged homophobic letter from SMOT accusing us of "disinformation." We replied, duly noting that we indeed reprinted verbatim from the SMOT bulletin and strongly condemned the homophobia some of SMOT were engaging in. We sent copies of both to SMOT's international representative in Paris, Alexandre Chukaev, whose international SMOT periodical we'd reprinted from. The "problem" was this though (as explained by a second conciliatory letter from SMOT in Russia and a supportive letter from Chukaev): the article in question came not from Russia's SMOT bulletin but from Chukaev's separate bulletin of the same name but qualified as "Foreign Representation." The latter's issue #6 though hadn't used the qualifier in its heading, so one of our typists left it out. Big deal? Relative to the range of opinions in SMOT, yes. In the future we'll indeed note which SMOT bulletin we're quoting from. But - as SMOT has requested continued mutually supportive relations in their second letter - we've (in a further letter) stated to SMOT that if it as an organization takes no anti-gay positions, supports no homophobic campaigns, and engages in no anti-gay behavior, then relations shall continue. Alexandre Chukaev has reassured us "in a free and fair society there shouldn't be a place for discrimination against sexual minorities. SMOT, in spite of differing views on homosexuality, will not rest if homosexuals lose their jobs." For his bulletin (in English) write: Alexandre Chukaev, 145 Rue Amelot, 75011 Paris, France. A subscription price hasn't been listed for awhile. The bulletin carries not only SMOT and labor news, but anarchist, green and other items. DECLARATION OF POLAND'S REVOLUTIONARY SYNDICALIST ACTION Every person, regardless of ethnic, racial, or national affiliation, has the right to a dignified and prosperous life. This cannot be the privilege of only the elites. Liberation of work is a condition for freedom. That is why the work of the Revolutionary Syndicalist Action (ARS) is the popular enfranchisement of workers, understood here to mean the unconditional takeover and ownership of shops by the workers. Along with that, we strive to eliminate the government bureaucracy and the control that it maintains over the majority of our society. We act also against the stealing of the national wealth by the nomenclature [Communist appointed administrators] creating the capitalist system at the cost of everyone else. We acknowledge that these goals can only be reached through direct action - general strikes and other revolutionary activities aimed at the prevailing system. We reject all political activities which do not directly lead to the enfranchisement of workers, such as struggle for power through the parliament or through violence. We consider that the conflict begun with "Revolution 80," whose content was the workers' struggle to take (control of) the wealth of society away from the hands of the communist aparatchics, is entering a decisive phase. Today determines, if, during the coming years, the owners of national wealth - that is, those who will control the spheres of social life - will be a narrow elite, or if the takeover of shops and revolution will open a road to building a truly free and just society. Simultaneously, we support all forms of social struggle (e.g. wage strikes), which already today improve the workers' standard of living. We call forth ARS to realize these goals. Anyone who accepts the principles contained in this declaration and practices them, can be a member. (Reprinted from Ulica #l3) ARS Contacts: Marek Kurzyniec, Narzymskiego 32 m. 25, Krakow, Poland; Janusz Waluszko, Stare Domki 6 m. 7, 80-857 Gdansk, Poland; Karol Karlinski, Urzednicza 10 m. 18, 91-312 Lodz, Poland; Jakub Strychala, Rolnicza 8 m. 89, 33-100 Tarnow, Poland INTERVIEW WITH POLISH SYNDICALISTS Conversation with Jakub Strychala and Karol Karlinski from Revolutionary Syndicalist Action (ARS) Q. Why did you form the ARS? A. Because there was a need for it. The Anarchist Federation (FA) has a very wide platform, compiling varied anarchistic options - completely contrary ones at times. It's difficult to find common ground with the anarcho-capitalists, for example, because that's nonsense. We won't find a common language. We can agree on some points, but we won't find a common language regarding the question of ownership, regarding the proletariat. That is why the left-wing of FA formed ARS. Anarcho-syndicalists from Warsaw, and the NLR [?], came to the founding meeting, which surprised us. We were not expecting such a flood. We want ARS to become a revolutionary organization, to enter shops. Q. Do you have thought-out tactics regarding labor unions? A. We approve of the Free Trade Union [WZZ, formed in opposition to Walesa's sellout] who are our natural allies. Q. What about Solidarnosc 80 [akin to WZZ]? A. Basically, yes, as well. But all of the remaining unions are obviously there to serve to channel moods, and not for the real struggle for the rights of working people. Q. Do you feel that new unions should be created or that the existing ones should be joined and their directions influenced? A. In the present situation, I feel that all approaches are good... Anyway, we shall see. Q. How do you assess the Polish opposition at the present time? A. That's a very broad question. In general, it's poor. As I already said, the majority of labor unions serve the government and the employers, and not the workers. Now your initiative shows up - an attempt to create a Workers' Party - which I think is very positive. All of the groups, which are on the left, are very weak, divided, and in quarrel. And as long as they are at odds with each other - which I assume is fueled, because it benefits the government - they will remain non-threatening, and even laughable. People's interest will be there only when these structures are strong.=20 Q. Forgive me this tricky question - but how can you reconcile support for the Initiative Group for a Workers' Party with anarcho- syndicalism, which rejects party structure? A. I can tell you about what is happening with us in Lodz. We began cooperating [with GIRP - editor ??] making it clear that we reject parliamentary political struggle. But we are looking for common points - because such points of overlap do exist and should be supported. So far, all of the groups sought to emphasize where they disagree. As consequence, none of them had any strength to come through. We are looking for common ground. We will probably part ways someday and not find understanding, but where there is a possibility, where we can push forward the interest of the prole- tariat, we have to do that, otherwise we will lose. Q. Aren't you afraid that you can be manipulated by the party, which is, after all, seeking power. A. Such apprehension is there, but we need to work together. There is no other way. If we spend our time thinking about provocations and manipulations, we won't get anything done. Q. Lately, the new political class is stating that labor unions play too significant a part... A. That's nonsense! They do not play a role, not a proper role. They serve the interest of capital. What matters is not what the politicians say, but what the reality is. It seems like a struggle for power - labor union leaders have concrete benefits from this. There's an on-going battle of interests. There is no threat to elites. Interview conducted by R. Adler-Zawierucha and K. Bielawski (from Magazyn Antyrzadowy #33) UPDATE ON NIGERIA'S ANARCHIST PRISONERS By the Awareness League The four Awareness League prisoners [Nigerian anarchist /revolutionary syndicalists] - James Ndubuisi (Substantive Secretary-General of the League), Garbu Adu, Kingsley Etioni, and Chuks Udemba - were arrested in May, 1992, in the wake of the popular protests that swept the country. The protests were against the economic and social policies of the Babangida dictatorship. The protests were also aimed at Babangida's continued stay in office and continued manipulation of the political process. The protests were nationwide in character and led to the indefinite closure of all universities and polytechnics in Nigeria. The four League members were arrested in the town of Enugu, the eastern regional capitol, while taking part in the protests. Over 2000 people were arrested nationwide following the protests. The four League members later had a reprieve from the courts - a rare thing under the Babangida administration. Their bail was how- ever conditional, as they were instructed to report daily to the office of the State Security Police - SSS. Psychological warfare and harassment by the state consists in occasional swoops on other members of the League, a display of their names in their offices, organized house searches etc. Two members of the League, including the co-coordinator Samuel Mbah, were arrested in the beginning of August, 1993, following the last- ditch crackdown of the Babangida dictatorship. They were later re- leased by the interim government (whose membership was hand-picked by Babangida) together with all activists, human rights leaders etc.=20 The help we need is two-fold: material, and moral such as international solidarity. [A large support campaign has been organized by the Workers Solidarity Alliance (U.S.) and Neither East Nor West-NYC including worldwide demonstrations at Nigerian consulates, petitions, protest letters, and contributions. The nearly $2000 raised has helped pay for their lawyer, Ifeanyi Nnajiofor, who scored a precedent by getting the League prisoners out on bail - they had been starving to death in jail. In the annual report of the League they make prominent mention of the above and other groups for their support. But the charges have yet to be dropped. Please send protest letters to: WSA, 339 Lafayette St. #202, NY, NY 10012, U.S. Send International Money Orders or U.K. bank checks to: Awareness League, c/o Samuel Mbah, POB 28, Agbani, Enugu State, Nigeria. As a fundraiser send a cash donation for the Awareness League's annual report and their updated Charter to: Neither East Nor West-NYC, 528 5th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215, U.S.] BASHING MAOISTS? WHAT FUN!! Neither East Nor West (NENW-NYC) and other anarchists are working on a pamphlet exposing and denouncing the U.S. Maoist Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) and their many front groups: Refuse and Resist; Vietnam Veterans Against the War - Anti-Imperialist; Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade; Committee to Support the Revolution in Peru; and the International Emergency Committee to Defend the Life of Dr. Abimael Guzman (jailed head of Peru's totalitarian Shining Path). While we call for no collaboration with any Leninist groups, the RCP with their often punk/militant veneer is a particular problem because of their attempts to recruit among anarchists, youth, minorities, punk and women's scenes. Most often the RCP's introduction into these milieus is disruptive and destructive - true to their authoritarian form they try to take groups over. The RCP has had some success due to a lack of knowledge about the RCP, but also because many anarchists - who know better - consciously and shamefully collaborate often with the RCP. In the past the RCP tried to infiltrate the NENW-NYC milieu, but we didn't allow it. We warned off Easterners, and to our knowledge, the RCP got nowhere. We're looking for submissions from individuals and groups about your experiences with the RCP. Pseudonyms are fine. Please send to: NENW-NYC, 528 5th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215. TRANSLATORS NEEDED On Gogol Boulevard needs translators in all East/Central European and ex-USSR languages for our texts. Only the serious should volunteer=FEtoo many in the past have flaked out and fucked up on us. If you're serious please write. Thanks! ZITZER WHAT? Neither East Nor West-NYC is twinning anti-racist struggles in Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S., and the "Zitzer Spiritual Republic" in Vojvodina, Serbia. Intrigued??? Send $1 for a thick info packet to NENW-NYC, 528 5th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215, U.S. Hey, it's FUN!!!! RUSSIA'S KAS SPEAKS (OGB has printed many items about the Confederation of Anarcho- Syndicalists (KAS), some critical of KAS by other ex-USSR anar- chists. In the past we've invited KAS to respond to criticisms, but they chose not to. Now KAS is addressing the main present charges against them. Rightly or wrongly we've cut non-rebuttle sections and sections where KAS criticizes other ex-USSR anarchists, specifically the Initiative of Revolutionary Anarchists (IREAN). We've done this for space reasons and also because, as we've stated before, for now we don't want to devote much or any space to infighting. We've left all KAS rebuttle points intact.) The Confederation of Anarcho-Syndicalists (KAS) has always stood for the formation of self-managed syndicalist unions independent of party and state. The particularities of the situation in Russia are such that irregardless of the appearance of an independent workers' movement after the 1989 miners' strike, there aren't really any mass workers' organizations which could become a serious alterna- tive to the former official Communist trade unions. In the majority of cases, the old trade unions are the only ones in the workplace and serious changes in this situation don't come about due to the low level of activity of the workers. Also, the majority of the new unions, more specifically their leadership, support the government and its reforms. At the same time, these new trade unions are no better than the old ones - there are the same problems of corruption and bureaucratic centralism. Therefore in response to the concrete situation of the workplace where KAS activists work, one can either fight to build independent unions or try to reform the existing ones, be they of the old sort or the new. This must only be done from below, not by using bureaucratic tricks on the workers. As far as we know, we are not the only ones who think this way; some of our anarcho-syndicalist comrades, including members of the International Workers Association (IWA), also advocate a like strategy. All of the accusations about us working with trade union bureaucrats are false. Another thing KAS is accused of is working with Communists and Trotskyists and taking part in the formation of the Party of Labor [a group of new-left sorts, social democrats, and ex-Communist Party members -OGB]. It's true that at the beginning a few members of KAS took part in discussions leading to the formation of this party and eventually signed its declaration. But for them to participate in this party they would have to renounce their anarcho-syndicalist ideals, which some of them did. At present nobody from KAS participates in the Party of Labor or any other socialist or communist party. It's not true that KAS doesn't want to form syndicalist unions, we just don't want to create mythological organizations because we take our work seriously. It's not true that KAS doesn't want to join the IWA because it shows contempt for that organization; rather the reason we don't want official affiliation has to do with something different, as is clear from the resolution which was adopted at the 4th KAS conference in May 1991. This resolution clearly outlines the reasons why we wouldn't want to join the IWA. The resolution reads: "We feel that at present KAS cannot join any of the existing international political and syndicalist workers' organizations, including IWA, because such a step could serve to deepen splits and rivalries between syndicalist organizations. We feel that it is necessary to strengthen contacts with all anarcho-syndicalists, revolutionary syndicalists and libertarian socialist organizations, including those in the IWA and those who don't work with this organization. As well we would like to build ties between the growing free trade unions in the USSR and with the militant unions in the West which have a democratic structure and which aren't integrated into the bourgeois state-party system." It's a lie that KAS is putting out information that is disparaging to the IWA. On the contrary, we often wrote about the actions and the principles of the IWA in our publications. We are always ready to exchange information with IWA organizations but unfortunately we don't always have the possibility of participating in their conferences. In Solidarity, Mikhail Tsovma, International Secretary of KAS=20 (for a full copy of the text send $1 for copying and postage to NENW) FREE THE HUNAN ICONOCLASTS WHO ARE THEY: Yu Zhijian, age 27, formerly a teacher at the Tantou=20 Wan Primary School in Dahu Township, Liuyang County, Hunan Prov- ince. Yu Dongyue, former fine arts director of the Liuyang News. Lu Decheng, 28, previously an employee of the Liuyang branch of the Hunan Provincial Bus Company WHY ARE THEY IN PRISON: On May 23, 1989, they attacked the giant picture of Mao Zedong in Tienanmen Square, Beijing, with ink and paint filled eggshells, summing up in a single bold stroke China's experience with Marxism-Leninism. The three were immediatly siezed and were tried by the Beijing Intermediate Court in September 1989 on charges of "counter-revolutionary sabotage" and "counter- revolutionary propaganda and incitement." They were sentenced to life, twenty and sixteen years imprisonment repectively. WHAT IS THEIR SITUATION: After their sentencing they were assigned to a "strict regime" unit in Provincial No. 3rd Prison, Lingling Prefecture, Yongshou City, Hunan. Lu Decheng was remanded to a shared-cell regime after six months, but Yu Zhijian and Yu Dongyue have been in solitary confinement since 1989. Accused of having uttered "reactionary statements" against certain government officials, they have been subjected to a wide range of physical torture and are now in grave condition. Teacher Yu Zhijian was most recently reported as being severely emaciated and fine- arts director Yu Dongyue has been rendered incapable of controlling his physical functions. It is clear that the government of the People's Republic of China means to murder them in prison. Please send protest letters to: Li Peng, Peking, China (China has released some prisoners. Letters can help.) Information taken from the Asia Watch publication, Anthems of Defeat, Human Rights Watch, 1992; for more information contact: International Friends of Wei Jingsheng, PO Box 40256, San Francisco, CA 94140. Reprinted from Fifth Estate, Summer '93.