No. 1. RESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL
The International Committee of the 4th International, meeting in Paris on May 11th 1954, takes note of:
1. The directive issued by the PABLO IS (April 9th) calling for an International Conference of all labour organizations on the basis of demands for:
a) "An immediate Armistice in Viet-Nam."
b) "Free General Elections in Viet-Nam to decide the Statutes and Government."
c) "Prohibition of Atomic Weapons."
It affirms that each one of these demands is in contradiction to the traditional and established position of the Fourth International:
a) for the complete freedom of the colonies and unconditional withdrawal of all Imperialist forces;
b) for the recognition of the Ho Chi Minh Government;
c) the regard of all "disarmament" hoaxes under capitalism as a pacifist trap designed to derail the working class from the class struggle.
Further, it calls attention to the fact that this 3-point programme of the Pabloite IS coincides entirely with the current line of Stalinist agitation.
Finally, it notes that no W.C., no IEC Plenum, nor any authoritative body ever took any action in the slightest to be interpreted to sanction such a position on the part of the Pabloite IS.
2. The attempt of Collins and the British Pabloites to represent the "national front" conference in Paris (March 26th) against EDC as a "Socialist-Communist" united front for a Socialist Europe; the ferocious attack launched by Collins & Co. in combination with centrist politicians against the British Trotskyists for unmasking this effort to lend a "left" cover for Stalinist policy; of their unscrupulous Stalinist-type "amalgam" effort to link the Trotskyists with the Morrison Right-Wing and to denounce them as "splitters of the Left-Wing" for taking this principled stand; of the flirtations of Collins & Co. with chauvinist sentiment and their defense of such opportunism as "progressive"; of their unprincipled machinations utilizing Stalinist elements against the Trotskyists in press matters; finally, the complete silence on the part of the Pabloite IS on all these unprecedented betrayals of established F.I. policy and practice.
3. The latest Pabloite incitations to split at the very time their IS was meeting (Iceland).
4. The "appeal" by the Pabloite IS of the same date, addressed "to all who have voluntarily placed themselves outside the International"; of their correspondence with the LSSP; of their dispute with the Cochranites ("Socialist Union").
The IC notes that, while in practice and in policy moving ever closer to Stalinism, the Pabloite IS at the same time puts forward a "proposition" for the "reunification of the International" on the basis of the "acceptance of the principle of democratic centralism" and offers the specific proposal of an arrangements commission to organize the 4th W.C. consisting of "for example" nominees from their own faction plus 2 from the LSSP.
While making this "offer" the Pabloite IS continues to refuse postponement of the W.C. for adequate discussion or to rescind its suspensions of entire organizations constituting the great bulk of the membership of the International, as demanded by the LSSP, as well as by the organizations grouped around the IC and supporting it.
5. The IC further notes that the LSSP leadership has rejected this latest offer and that the LSSP's IEC members have in this connection noted the factional character of the Pabloite IS and its propositions and formulations, which implies that their "assembly" set for June can have only a factional character that can only prevent the convocation of an authoritative World Congress, representative of the Fourth International.
It further notes that the LSSP representatives intend to continue to use their "good offices" to obtain a reunification on the principled basis above specified.
6. The IC therefore advises the LSSP representatives as follows:
If the Pabloite IS is prepared to do more than phrases about "reunification" and the "principle of democratic centralism" — that is if its latest "appeal" is not a crude maneuver, but a serious proposition, then the Pabloite IS and IEC should:
1) Cease and desist from putting forward a public political line never sanctioned by any organ of democratic centralism in the F.I. — a line such as enumerated under (1) which we cannot but attack publicly if we are indeed to take the principle of democratic centralism seriously ourselves.
2) Cease and desist from sanctioning splits in constituent organizations and recognizing splitting minorities as "sections."
3) Call to order its followers, such as Collins, and warn them against violations of the political line adopted by all previous congresses of the International.
4) Agree to a postponement of the 4th W.C. that will allow ample time for full discussion.
5) Rescind all suspensions and other organizational sanctions against the orthodox Trotskyists and reestablish the organizational status quo at the 3rd World Congress.
Only on such a basis can the constitution of a joint arrangements commission for the 4th Congress be considered.
No. 2. RESOLUTION ON THE POLITICAL DECLARATION OF THE LSSP
The IC notes with satisfaction the political declaration of the LSSP on the Pabloite IS document: "The Rise and Fall of Stalinism," which was adopted unanimously by its CC on 24th April 1954, and characterized as "leading to a fundamental revision of the positions of Trotskyism in regard to Stalinism but also denies to the Trotskyist movement all justification for its own independent existence."
The IC records its fundamental agreement with this resolution of the CC of the LSSP, and considers it an essential step forward towards the realization of the political regrouping of the immense majority of the International on the basis of the Trotskyist Programme.
[p. 241]
No. 3. RESOLUTION ON THE ICELAND SECTION
The IC of the 4th International, meeting in Paris on May 11th 1954, notes with pleasure the successful outcome of the struggle against Pabloism in the Iceland section. It salutes the leadership and membership in the decisive way it defeated the attempt of Pablo to revise the basic principles of our movement. The fact that his underhanded efforts resulted in a split of a tiny minority is in itself a great tribute to the political maturity of the Iceland section.
It notes the desire of the section to affiliate to the International Committee, and takes great pleasure in welcoming this affiliation.
No. 4. RESOLUTION ON THE WORK IN ITALY
The IC confirms its previous decision to delegate to the French section, the task of re-grouping the Trotskyist forces in Italy, under the political control of the IC.
Thus, the leading bodies of the French section must take the necessary measures in order to carry out this work and are to nominate the comrades entrusted with it. Only such comrades nominated by the French section can have the authority to represent the IC before the Italian Minority.
No. 5. RESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION IN GREAT BRITAIN
Please note: This resolution will be sent out after the 15th May 1954.
No. 6. RESOLUTION ON THE VICTORY OF DIEN-BIEN-PHU
The International Committee of the 4th International, in the name of the Trotskyist militants of the whole world, salutes the glorious victory won by the Viet-Namese forces of the Asiatic Revolution over the troops of Imperialism at Dien-Bien-Phu. The International Committee considers that the victory of Dien-Bien-Phu constitutes an historical event of the greatest importance, setting back the plans of aggression of American imperialism in Asia, as well as thwarting the treacherous maneuvers of the Kremlin, which seeks to strike a compromise with Washington at the expense of the Asiatic Revolution.
The International Committee congratulates the French section for the indefatigable campaign which it is pursuing for the attainment of peace in Viet-Nam, for the withdrawal of the French Expeditionary Corps and the recognition of the Ho-Chi-Minh government.
It calls upon all Trotskyist organizations to intensify the campaign for the defense of the Chinese and Viet-Namese revolutions against Imperialism, for the withdrawal of all imperialist troops from Viet-Nam, Malaya, Burma, Formosa and Korea, for the right of the Asiatic peoples to dispose of themselves, for the recognition of the governments of the Popular Republic of China and of the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam.
Paris, 11th May 1954
Present:
G. Bloch - French section.
Burns - British section.
Steven - British section.
Smith - United States.
Jacques - Swiss section.