NEWS FROM
4
THE FOURTH
INTERNATIONAL
LCR/MC:
unity
process continues FOR SEVERAL years the Communist Movement (MC) and the Revolutionary Communist League (LCR), the section of the Fourth International in the Spanish state, have carried out common work in the feminist movement, the Workers' Commissions and the peace movement.
Both revolutionary organizations also waged a joint campaign to support the candidates of the Basque revolutionary nationalist organization Herri Batasuna in the June elections for Euro-MPs. [See IV 121, June 1, 1987.] The following statement on this unity process was published in the July 18 issue of Combate, the LCR paper. A N IMPORTANT STEP forward in relations between our two organizations was represented by a resolution that was discussed and adopted at the MC's Fifth Congress, held July 3-5. In fact, the cengress ratified agreements that had been reached beforehand by the MC's 26 tral Committee. rederal Committee and the LCR's CenInternational Viewpoint • October 12, 1987
These accords involve setting in motion a gradual process in which we will undertake a series of experiments in joint work and debates, and in which each step forward will be the basis for the next.
The stage we are beginning here is preliminary to, and different from, a process of unification. Its main objective is to create the conditions that would make unification possible in the future, by clarifying the differences that exist now and adopting the most effective methods for overcoming them
The measures chosen for entering into this gradual unity process involve thoroughgoing political discussions, which are necessary to clarify the possibilities for a fusion process. They include attendance by members of the leaderships of both parties at meetings of the LCR Central Committee and the MC Federal Committee; the adoption of formulas for joint study and education; regular collaboration in the press; and, as a pilot experiment, regular meetings between members of a national leadership body and a common leadership in certain areas of the peace movement.
Fraternal relations go back several years
Taken as a whole, the unity agreement represents a step forward in relations between the MC and the LCR. But it also has important elements of continuity. In fact, fraternal relations between both parties go back years. They have concerned both practical work and general political debate. It can be said that the balance sheet of these relations was positive overall. The present unity process is based on this previous experience.
Why has a step forward in relations between the two organizations come about at this time? Because, through a rather complicated process, both leaderships reached the conclusion that it was not enough to recognize the rapprochement between the two parties, to promote it in certain concrete areas and expect that a spontaneous ripening would lead to party unity. Now they see the need for working actively and consciously toward this objective.
To this end, they have chosen a realistic, cautious and gradual road, based in the preceding period — a long common practical experience, recognizing that differences have become smaller (especially in the most recent period), and a confidence in the openness of both parties and their capacities to rectify their errors.
In the unfolding of this unity process, problems and difficulties may arise. But this process itself also involves a determination to resolve such problems in a positive way, to overcome the obstacles still in the way of unification.
### Discussion to clarify agreement and differences
Some problems may come from frictions continuing to exist in practical work, inasmuch as we will continue to be independent parties whose tactics may clash at given moments. Each party must try to anticipate such problems, and when (despite everything) they arise, they must be dealt with correctly, without exaggerations and taking into account the interests of both parties and the common perspective of unity.
However, the main problems may arise from a lack of sufficient general political agreement between the parties.
On this level, we cannot take anything for granted, and only the development of the discussion will enable us to continue to clarify our points of agreement and difference. The only thing we can do is to approach the discussion with a method that will not freeze the initial differences, but seek to overcome them through common study and elaboration.
Throughout the entire process, the objective is to continue to reinforce each party as we develop a unity process. This is going to mean a certain innovation, certain changes in our styles of work, which up until now have been guided only by the needs of building our own parties. The growth of unity must not in any way mean abandoning the effort to build our own parties.
Undoubtedly, the stronger both parties are, the more progress will be made toward unity. On the other hand, the worst possibility cannot be excluded, that is that unification will fail. In that case, our concern must be that both parties remain strong and self-confident, with relations at least as fraternal as they are now.
But while we have to be realistic, we are staking our hopes on the success of the unity process, which we will develop cautiously, without pre-established timetables but with a determination to see it culminate in unification. *
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SPANISH STATE precisely on all the positive elements
Declarations on the murder of
Lean Alejandro against fascism and militarism! Expose and resist all forms of US imperialist intervention in our internal affairs! Close ranks, rely on the people's strength, save our country
PHILIPPINES Message from the United Secretariat of the Fourth International to Bayan DEAR COMRADES of Bayan, It is with anger and emotion that we learnt that your general secretary, Lean Alejandro, was the victim of a criminal attack on Saturday, September 19.
We know with what courage Ka Lean
THE MURDER of Lean Alejandro, general secretary of the