Re: FARC & ELN was: Cheap electricity?

["Macdonald Stainsby" <mstainsby@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> Now that the World Bank has taken this position, I suppose it is incumbent
> upon us to pressure the FARC and ELN to include the demand "MORE DAMS FOR
> COLOMBIA" in their program.

Although I know Lou was being facetious, It is important we recognise that
it is not up to us to "pressure" these or any other revolutionaries
(especially those actually engaged in something tangible) to do anything. In
certain cases, such as the one that may be used by the Trent Lott types- the
U'wa- an attempt at dialogue can be in order. However, if the left is to
truly re-internationalise, all this kind of nonsense (you are
petty-bourgeois, Stalinist, taking a nationalist position, betraying
workers, smell bad on Sundays) must be disposed of. It would be interesting
but pointless to determine when or who was at fault for this style. When
there is a radical movement seriously challenging state power somewhere,
those we, in the "first world" especially, must pressure are "our"
governments. This will relieve pressure on said "imperfect" group, and give
that movement far more ability to correct any "wrong" lines.

For example: If there had been a more effective movement in North America to
stop the Contras, there would have been a smaller likelihood of the errors
in dealing with the Miskitu committed by the FSLN. Or, at the least, it
would have made the situation less "black and white" for the Sandinistas,
and given them a better chance to reflect and reverse course sooner- rather
than be put in a position where the assaults on the Miskitu continued, as
Jose put it, fratricidally.

In todays scenario, we can yell at the FARC all we like. They will be even
further isolated, get into what would be almost "reasonable" paranoia and
the situation worsens. Better yet, we leave the state dep't off the hook.
_______
Macdonald Stainsby
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