/* Written 1:52 PM Jan 14, 1998 by jshell@netcom.com in igc:labr.all */ /* ---------- "Korea heats up; our response (fwd)" ---------- */ Forwarded message: >From chrisbailey@gn.apc.org Wed Jan 14 12:07:11 1998 From: Chris Croome To: LabourNet Global Subject: (fwd) Korea heats up; our response Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 19:56:38 GMT
Hi
Both me and Chris Bailey have been really pulled out over the last few weeks -- apologies for not doing anything with this list so far.
Eric's message below is clearly a global labournet issue -- perhaps we can get this list going with a discussion around this.
In terms of people to go on this list, I propose that we all just post lists of people that we know are doing the work to build a global labournet -- I don't see any reason at this stage to limit participation in it -- it's not like we are snowed under with postings from this list!
All the best
Chris
On Tue, 13 Jan 1998 12:38:40 +0200, Eric Lee wrote:
>Dear friends in the labo(u)rnets, > >In the most recent Associated Press reports which I've seen on Korea, the >following ominous phrase appears: "The confederation [KCTU], which claims >a membership of 500,000 in auto, shipbuilding, steel and many other key >industries, has taken part in many violent street protests." > >The KCTU is described in the article as being "radical", "militant" and >"maverick" -- and contrasted with the "mainstream" Federation of Korean >Trade Unions. > >I think there is a veiled threat here -- the implication being that the >KCTU is a "violent" group with little public support. The AP article goes >on to say: > >"With little public support for any radical labor protests in the midst of >an economic crisis, it is unclear whether the militant unions would be able >to organize efficient nationwide strikes." > >I for one do not believe that the former dissident (and president-elect) >Kim Dae Jung will behave any better than former dissident (current >president) Kim Young Sam when it comes to dealing with a political general >strike. > >In other words, I think the Korean political and business elite is already >stirring up talk of "violence" in order to prepare the media in South Korea >and around the world for suppression of any labour upsurge. > >Expecting this to happen, I think it's important that we begin talking >among ourselves how we can be better prepared for coordinated international >action, particularly on the net (but not exclusively on the net). > >We must face the reality that as far as the "global labournet" goes, we >with our sites are still the main players in the game. The ICFTU hasn't >even bothered to post its own statement on Korea to its web site; I posted >it online for them on my site ( http://www.solinet.org/LEE/korea13.html ). >Unfortunately, it seems we won't have much competition online when it comes >to building support for the Korean workers. > >I was wondering what you all thought we should be doing in preparation for >what now appears to be inevitable. At the very least -- we should begin >talking about it. > >Looking forward to reading your comments. > >Eric Lee >---------------------------------------- >Eric Lee, Kibbutz Ein Dor, Israel >Personal home page: http://www.geocities.com/capitolhill/2808/ > > >
Chris
chris@atomism.demon.co.uk http://www.atomism.demon.co.uk/ |