NCJ Number
50188
Journal
Socialist Review Volume: 39 Dated: (MAY/JUNE 1978) Pages: 118-123
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
IN THIS INTERVIEW, HORST MAHLER, LEFTIST AND LAWYER FOR THE BAADER-MEINOF TERRORIST GANG TRACES THE RISE OF TERRORISM IN WEST GERMANY, JAPAN, AND ITALY, MISTAKES MADE IN WEST GERMANY, AND HIS REASONS FOR REJECTING IT.
Abstract
THE INTRODUCTION GIVES A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY AND AN OVERVIEW OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE RED ARMY FACTION (RAF). MAHLER ATTRIBUTES THE RISE OF THE RAF TO DISENCHANTMENT OF GERMAN YOUTH WITH THE MORAL DUPLICITY OF THE WEST GERMAN GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS SEEN AS BECOMING AS FASCIST AS THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT OF THE 1930'S. A SIMILAR FEAR OF FASCISM IS GIVEN AS A REASON FOR THE RISE OF TERRORIST GROUPS IN ITALY AND JAPAN. MAHLER ATTRIBUTES THE ESCALATON OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES TO A VAIN ATTEMPT TO WIN POPULAR SUPPORT. HE STATES THAT THE RAF ATTRIBUTED LACK OF POPULAR UPRISING TO FEAR AMONG THE PEOPLE. INSTEAD IT WAS DUE TO LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THE RAF'S GOALS. HE TRACES THE GROUPS ATTEMPTS TO IDENTIFY WITH THIRD WORLD MOVEMENTS, AND ITS ULTIMATE ISOLATION FROM THESE CAUSES AS WELL. FINALLY EVEN FELLOW LEFTISTS FELL AWAY FROM THE RAF CAUSE. HE ATTRIBUTES THIS LACK OF SUPPORT TO THE RAF'S IDEOLOGICAL VACUUM, WHICH CONCENTRATED ONLY ON DESTRUCTION. HE POINTS OT THAT MARX MERELY SAYS CAPITALISM IS GOING TO FALL, NOT WHAT IS GOING TO REPLACE IT. HE COMMENTS THAT A REVOLUTION CAN ONLY BE MADE BY A MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE, BUT A MOVEMENT CAN'T BUILD A MAJORITY IF IT DOES NOT KNOW WHERE IT WANTS TO GO. THROUGHOUT, THE RAF FAILURE TO FULLY INTEGRATE ITSELF INTO EITHER THE LEFTIST EUROPEAN MOVEMENTS OR THE THIRD WORLD MOVEMENTS IS UNDERSCORED. THIS, TO MAHLER, UNDERSCORES THE EMPTINESS OF TERRORISM FOR TERRORISM'S SAKE. THE FINAL COMMENTS CONCERN WORSENING PRISON CONDITIONS FOR CONVICTED TERRORISTS. (GLR)