Wednesday, January 26 was marked by
yet more massive demonstrations throughout Tunisia against the “national
unity” government, whose key ministers come from the government of the
hated dictator Ben Ali. The same dictator that the masses forced to flee
two weeks ago.
A tense calm settled over Cairo after Tuesday’s street demonstrations. But if there is a truce it will not
last long. That night some 15,000 protesters decided to stage a
vigil in Liberation Square in protest against police violence. News
reports speak of three people killed yesterday, of which one was a
policeman. The real figure may be higher.
The thousands of leaked documents ("The Palestinian Papers") relating to
the negotiations between the representatives of the Palestinian Authority and
Israel over the past few years blows out of the water any remaining credibility
that the so-called ‘peace process’ might have had.
Dramatic events are unfolding in the
Middle East. Today (Tuesday) Egypt was rocked by a wave of nationwide
demonstrations demanding the end of the Mubarak regime, which has
oppressed the people of this proud nation for nearly 30 years. This was
the biggest protest movement Egypt has seen for decades. In Cairo and
other cities thousands of anti-government protesters demonstrated on the
streets and fought with police.
The news has just broken that Brian Cowen has resigned as Fianna Fáil
leader, but insists that he intends to fight the General Election as
Taoiseach. FF is split from top to bottom and those among the leadership
who aren’t intending to resign with a fat pension in a few weeks time
are maneouvering for position.
Amid scenes of confusion embattled
Taoiseach Brian Cowen finally has finally hauled up the white flag and
announced the General Election date for March 11th. His intention to get the finance bill passed through the Dáil was in serious trouble this morning after his attempt to organise
a cabinet reshuffle threatened to be the final straw for the Green
Party who despite supporting the government through thick and thin over
the past period have suddenly developed a survival instinct.
Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th saw the
continuation of mass demonstrations all over Tunisia against the “new”
national unity government and demanding an end to the RCD ruling party.
Tens of thousands marched throughout the country under the slogan “RCD
degagé” (Out with the RCD), clearly identifying the national unity
government as a continuation of the old regime.
As soon as Ben Alí was on the plane to
Saudi Arabia on Friday, January 14, ousted by the mass revolutionary
movement of the Tunisian workers and youth, the Tunisian ruling class
and its imperialist puppet masters started manoeuvring to make sure that
they remained in control of the situation.
In the past days, Tunisia has
witnessed rapid developments, the most important of which was the
announcement by Prime Minister, Mohammad Al-Ghannoushi, that he was
taking over temporarily as President due to Ben Ali’s inability to carry
out his duties, and the announcement of a state of emergency in all
areas of the country. We publish here a translation of an Arabic
language article published on marxy.com as the dramatic events in
Tunisia were unfolding.
The marvellous revolutionary movement of the Tunisian workers and youth is an inspiration and an example to the whole world. For more than one week Tunisia has been living through a revolution of epic dimensions. The mass uprising in Tunisia has ended in the overthrow of the hated dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years in power.
Events in Tunisia are unfolding by the hour. The news services are carrying reports of the Tunisian president’s hurried departure from power.
Does private healthcare work? According to the Tories it does. However, we only have to look at the state of play in the USA to see the grim reality as this article from the US edition of Socialist Appeal shows.