Statement by Gerry Healy on the Document "The Rise and Fall of Stalinism"

From Towards a History of the Fourth International, Part 3, vol. 2: Struggle in the Fourth International: International Committee Documents 1951-1954, Volume 2 of 4 volumes (Education for Socialists, Socialist Workers Party, New York, March 1974), pp. 111. Reproduced with the permission of Pathfinder Press. Scan: Encyclopedia of Trotskyism On-Line.

International Committee (1953–63) side. Printed in the series’ volumes of International Committee documents; not a text of the International’s bodies.

1. This document was never formally voted unanimously at the IS. The real position is as follows:

a. The draft in French was read over to me in English by E. Germain prior to the IS meeting on June 20. It was impossible to take a decision on such a basis; and the IS agreed to send it out to all IEC members and call a further meeting towards the end of July. b. Because of technical difficulties in translation, it was only possible to obtain a rough draft in English before this second meeting, but it seemed to me that the document should not be held up any longer (from going out to the sections, even though I had not completed a thorough study of it). Accordingly, I indicated that there was no opposition to the document going out under the name of the IS provided it was understood that amendments could still be moved right up to the Congress. This was agreed and no formal vote was taken.

2. Upon returning to my section I received a complete translation of the document and gave it the serious study it deserves. Arising from this, I want to declare that I cannot support this document in its present state, and I am taking steps to prepare a written intervention for the IEC accordingly.

Consequently, as a member of the IS I want it to be understood that I do not support this line.

October 6, 1953