FACED increasing tionary upheavals, especially in Centrai America and the the United States government has been putting pressure on its allies in West Europe and Asia to share more of the cost of defending imperialist interests around the world.
But its plans are running foul of the world recession and mass resistance in a number of Western countries.
that members should increase their real arms spenaing Is running into probiems. plan was for an annual 3 after inflation for five years, beginning in 1978.
West Germany is NATO's strongest member in West Éurope. In late October the coalition government said that the cent goal. Ministers cited the expected zero growth of the economy in 1981 as grounds for scaling down arms spending plans.
In addition to the economic problems, there is increasing resistance from West German youth. 25th anniversary of West mament, demonstrated militarism and the draft.
Cruise In Holland more than a million people signed petitions two years ago opposing HICULTON 00ino demonstrations and other forced the Dutch government to suspend its decision on accepting Cruise missiles until December 1981.
The Social Democratic government of Denmark has been social spending while military spending be frozen at levels, with adjustments for Some opinion polls have shown that only 17 per cent of the Danish population support increases in military spending.
Norway is one of members expected to reach the 3 per cent target, but a major debate is brewing NATO plan American weapons and equipment in the country for use by US marines.
Unlike virtually every other governSocialist Challenge Middle East, MOSTI NATO per cent rise would not meet the 3 per West German November on the German rear50,000 people growing Europe. Mass opposition ment in hacking been advocating that inflation. The spending military the few NATO 29 January 1981 West Europe, the French have able to boost arms spending and step up their military role outside Europe without having to face mass protests.
1981 of the government includes sharp cuts in public in all areas except military budget is scheduled to rise by more than 3 per cent after inflation, even though economic growth will fall sharply, with unemployment rising Giscard is planning a new missile for with the already has its own regular forces with dustrial Giscard for the fact the weak spots in giant 500,000 on 22 October missiles targeted on Soviet cities and incentres, nuclear submarine force that is to go from five submarines to 10, and an airborne nuclear force that is undergoing modernisation.
Greece and Turkey remain major the imperialist alliance.
Greece became reintegrated into NATO's military wing in October. This was met daily outside the Athens parliament reaching as many as There is no doubt that there has been an increase in military spending but not important tain and Greece The imperialist continuing revolutionary semicolonial countries. the basis for big within the selves.
Reissner.
increase resistance that has been brought forth in most of these countries especially in Brimilitarisation drive was forced into high gear in 1980 by the upsurge in the But it is laying class confrontations imperialist centes This article is based on a report from In Press/Inprecor by Will