"This is all part of the new unity offensive": letter from Gerry Healy to Farrell Dobbs

From Towards a History of the Fourth International, Second series, vol. 4: "Deep Entryism" and Pablo's Anti-Unity Offensive (Documents, 1958-1960), Plus documents from India and Japan (Education for Socialists, Socialist Workers Party, New York, November 1978), pp. 87. Reproduced with the permission of Pathfinder Press. Scan: Encyclopedia of Trotskyism On-Line.

[p. 87]

COPY TO JAMES P. CANNON

Dear Farrell,

I received your letter this morning with a copy of the letter you have received from Pierre Frank.

This is all part of the new unity offensive, designed to split the SWP from the Socialist Labour League. Consider the treatment given you and that retained for us. We have carried on a fair amount of activity in relation to Pablo and Santen of which they are aware, yet they carefully omit any mention of it from their write up in the last issue of their journal Fourth International, although they gave prominence to your contribution in this respect. We are not objecting to this because we understand the political position of these gentlemen.

Nothing will be achieved in any kind of organizational moves at this stage. We must elaborate a political position on the international questions and your plenum should take a decision to help with this work.

If it is possible to invite a comrade from South America to the North we would like you to do so.

The Japanese situation is interesting, but here again we will not be able to make progress on the Pablo question until the political issues are straightened out amongst our own people.

Best wishes,

G. HEALY

VM/H