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LA36 KB articles 1988 98 and cuttings 131 003

3 · Part

Part of Mosquito Press

-3- progressive and patriotic parties in that country, have pointed out, it is the people of Russia that envy the free, dignified and socialist life that prevails in People's Korea. The fact that the victorious Bolshevik Revolution extended its hand of friendship and solidarity to the struggling peoples of Asia, and that that hand was grasped by the patriots and revolutionaries of Asia, who also took Lenin's good advice to translate the universal truths of scientific socialism into the languages and dialects of Asia, is a matter of material reality not merely historical curiosity. Socialism has suffered a serious setback in Europe, but hundreds of millions of people live under the red flag and are building a new life in the People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People's Democratic Republic of Laos, as well as right under the nose of the Yankee imperialists in the Republic of Cuba. In particular, the People's Republic of China, whose population comprises fully one quarter of the entire humanity and which is currently experiencing the world's highest economic growth rate whilst the capitalist world, old and new, lurches from crisis to crisis, serves as a powerful reminder that the New World Order of imperial barbarism is not going unchallenged, and socialism represents not just an ideal but an actually existing alternative. The current struggle to build 'socialism with Chinese characteristics' is not without its difficulties and problems. Like the Russian revolutionaries of their time, the Chinese comrades are grappling with questions that have scarcely been posed let alone tackled before. We should not be surprised if mistakes are made, but our attitude must be one of solidarity, because in the work to build a modern socialist China concerns not only the future of the Chinese people but all humanity. To celebrate the October Revolution must mean to support and defend those countries presently building socialism - and it must mean supporting every struggle against imperialism and for independence and socialism wherever it is taking place. In closing, allow me to express my appreciation to the New Communist Party for inviting me to speak and, more importantly, for helping to keep alive the history and legacy of the October Revolution in this, the oldest imperialist country.

LA36 KB articles 1988 98 and cuttings 132 001

1 · Part

Part of Mosquito Press

LA36 KB articles 1988 98 and cuttings 133 001

1 · Part

Part of Mosquito Press

Part 1 of Conference Agenda Culture, its concept and its function I intend to speak on how culture can serve as a tool in the people's struggle for peace, democracy, social justice and internationalism. That is why all progressive societies attach such great importance to the cultural field as well as to education at all levels. In this context, I will make brief reference to the experience of Libya, mentioning how, when the country was under colonial rule and fascist occupation, as well as later when it was under the backward-looking feudal monarchy, the majority of the people were not only poor, but also illiterate, superstitious and culturally backward. The position of Libyan women was particularly backward and distressing. Since the revolution of 1969, and in particular since the oil wealth of the country was taken into the hands of the people and the foreign military bases were expelled, Libya has not only experienced a steadily rising standard of living, but also has registered phenomenal accomplishments in developing popular culture, raising the educational and scientific level of the population and emancipating women. All of this is particularly relevant in the context of the present regional situation as it constitutes a bulwark against the backward and repressive programme of fundamentalism. Enlightened opinion in Britain and other western countries should, for this reason alone, urge their governments to abandon the policies of hostility and isolation towards Tripoli and engage with it as productive and equal partners in dialogue and cooperation, which, of course, would include cultural exchange. In the second part of the talk, I will refer specifically to the case of Liverpool, which is my native city and an area of which I represent in the British parliament. I will stress that Liverpool has provided and provides an example of how the meeting, mingling and melting of peoples, together with the class struggle, generates a culture that is original, rich, internationalist, and democratic and working class in its orientation. Liverpool has produced unique cultural achievements and patterns that have enriched British society as well as the wider international community. On the one hand, Liverpool is a city whose earlier wealth was based on the profits of the slave trade, but just as early socialist thinkers pointed out that, by creating the working class, capitalism creates its own grave-diggers, so Liverpool's pivotal role in the slave trade, and Britain's colonial history generally, has served to create a uniquely internationalist and anti-racist culture and ethos. Not only is Liverpool home to one of Britain's earliest black communities, the same is also the case with the Chinese community, who came originally as seamen. Likewise, in the great Irish famine, whose 150th anniversary is marked this year and whose legacy has left a permanent mark on Irish history and society, Liverpool was the first port of call for many of those forced to leave their homes, to the extent that Liverpool can, in many ways, be considered as much an Irish city as it is an English one. The African (and African-Caribbean), Chinese and Irish represent three concrete examples. Moreover, people from practically every corner of the world have been welcomed to Liverpool and have made this city their home. This has made Liverpool people's culture accessible and known throughout the world. The most famous example is, of course, the Beatles (and their later solo and collective offshoots). Not only did they speak for and represent a generation, they also stood for peace and did not hesitate to champion a variety of just causes, from opposing the US war in Vietnam to insisting on the right of the Irish people to determine their own future. Although the Beatles are the most well-known, they are not the only example. A more