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Special pages :
The Source of the Problem
| Author(s) | Leon Trotsky |
|---|---|
| Written | 11 January 1939 |
If Comrade Van has understood Diego Rivera correctly, he refuses to give public explanations for his resignation from the Fourth International so that … he would not hinder my living in his house. Truly, one can hardly believe one's ears. When there are differences within an organization, and when both sides remain loyal to the fundamental principles, an open discussion can have a completely friendly character, without in any way poisoning personal relationships (for example, my discussion with Burnham and Carter, in the United States, or with Craipeau, in France, on the character of the Soviet state, etc.).
What infects the atmosphere and poisons the personal relationships are the unprincipled intrigues and the behind-the-scenes insinuations, which are completely unfounded. In his letter to Breton, Diego Rivera accused me of such acts. To illustrate his accusation, which he has never openly presented to me, he gave only two examples, which he himself invented from start to finish. When I pointed this out to him in writing, he promised to rectify his false statements. The next day he refused to do that. Moreover, his statements were not only false, but even absurd, absolutely contrary to the actual facts and to my general methods. It is not open and serious discussion but actions of this type that make moral solidarity impossible, and preclude benefiting from hospitality.
I will make every effort to overcome the material difficulties of my somewhat special situation in order to move my dwelling as soon as possible.
At the same time, I am ready immediately to present to any commission at all, or to Comrade Rivera himself, copies of all my correspondence dealing with him. This correspondence demonstrates that I have always been concerned with emphasizing to comrades how important it is that Rivera is in our ranks and I have always tried to raise his authority in the eyes of our young friends.
I distinguish between the personal conflict, unilaterally provoked by Diego Rivera, and the political question. If Comrade Rivera remains in the Fourth International, as I sincerely hope, I will extend to him the same collaboration as in the past.