Into the Fold

Both parties take a clear line on superpower contention. They support the Soviet Union. The only difference between the two is that the French occasionally criticise Soviet internal policy. However, both support to the hilt Soviet foreign policy. Last year, the SUP, while busy sabotaging action in Auckland against the SIS Legislation, simultaneously pushed the Stockholm Peace Appeal. The Appeal, drafted by the Soviet foreign office, praises detente and falsely claims that tensions are being relaxed in today's world. The French party joined with the SUP in supporting the Soviet- Cuban invasion of Angloa and remained mum as Soviet troops invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968. Now that the Soviet Union is propping up Ethiopian fascism both parties are attempting to picture Mengistu's regime as "progressive". In the same way they portrayed the Somali regime as progressive while the Soviets were allowed to maintain base facilities at Berbera. When the Soviet advisers were kicked out the Somalis became "reactionary".

But the most blatant piece of pro- Sovietism is contained in a booklet recently published by the SUP. The booklet purports to contain the solution to the current economic crisis. The solution — increased trade with the Soviet Union. A solution so simple and direct that it defies the imagination - and reality. India has already tried this pipe-dream cure-all. Soviet trade only increased their difficulties. The Soviets were exporting some goods to India, under "co-operation" and "friendship" agreements, at 20-30% above world prices. Meanwhile a number of Indian imports to the Soviet Union were receiving prices 20% below world prices. No wonder the Soviets are getting their SUP pen-pushers to enthusiastically propose such a novel solution for New Zealand's economic ills!