FOR THE RELEASE of MICHEL RAPTIS (PABLO) and
SAL SANTEN, LEADERS of the FOURTH INTERNATIONAL
Pablo) and Sal Santen, respectively secretary and mem. the colonialist war of Algeria. At this moment the Algeriar
Documents
The imprisonment in Holland of Comrades Michel Raptis ber of the Secretariat of the Fourth International, has marked the beginning of a new wave of repression set in motion by French imperialism, its allies, and its agents of the "Red Hand," against the vanguard of the workers, and intellectuals which in Europe is supporting and aiding the cause of the Algerian revolution. There are also to be counted today among these repressive measures: the trial of the Jeanson network, the prosecution and indietments of the signers of the Declaration of the 121, the new executions of the courageous militants of the Algerian revolution, etc.
The Dutch police, acting for the account and the common interests of imperialism, has tried to present the repression against the Trotskyist leaders as a problem of
But the accusations are already showing, and the trial will further show, that what is in question is the unconditional support given by the Fourth International to the Algerian revolution since its beginning. What is in question is the action of support and solidarity, the international and revolutionary activity, carried on by Comrades Pablo and Santen for the triumph of the Algerian
This cause is supported today by the peoples of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, themselves engaged in struggle against imperialist repression. It is supported by growing currents in France itself, as is shown by the attitude of the military absentees, the students, and the hundreds of intellectuals and artists who have so far signed the Declaration of the 121. It is a cause that has been taken up by the vanguard of workers and intellectuals in various European countries.
In face of the betrayal or paralysis of the traditional workers' currents, the Fourth International has maintained the honor of the communist workers' movement; it has maintained its own revolutionary and internationalist traditions, supporting the Algerian revolution with all its strength, by being active in vanguard circles and among he masses for the development of a concrete action in all French circles for the triumph of the Algerian revolution.
It is against this developing movement, against this activity of the Fourth International, that French imperialism and its German and Dutch imperialist allies are aiming their blows.
This repression is not an expression of their strength, but of their powerlessness to find a military solution to revolution is winning allies among the African peonles it is winning the solidarity of the workers' states. And - what is of immense importance - it is winning the militant solidarity of thousands of the French youth, of a movement that is growing daily in all French circles.
This repression must be faced up to by mobilizing all forces in defense of those who have fallen into the hands of the foroes of repression because they are holding aloft the banner of the liberation of the Algerian people, of the liberation of all peoples. The defendants in the Jeanson trial, the 121, the leaders of the Fourth International imprisoned in Amsterdam — all are the accusers of a regime of crime and oppression against which the people of the world are rising up.
Hundreds of intellectuals, legislators, workers' leaders, and political leaders, of Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the United States, are already forming a current of support, of solidarity, with the imprisoned Trotskyist leaders. Well-known intellectuals who support the cause of the Algerians, the cause of the military absentees, are today supporting these leaders of the Fourth International whose imprisonment marked the beginning of a general repression. Worker-militant, youth, and intellectual comrades:
In a few weeks, in Amsterdam, in the Dutch courts, a new stage of the anti-colonialist struggle, of the fight for the Algerian revolution, will begin.
Contribute to it your strength, your solidarity.
Show Dutch justice and imperialism in all its expressions that these militants are part of a movement that nobody can stop or defeat.
Let us unite all anti-colonial forces, let us carry on the battle on every front, let us transform every trial against left-wing militants into a condemnation-trial of colonialism and of the colonialist war against the Algerian people.
Call out to the Dutch judges and to public opinion, showing the political nature of these so-called "common criminal" trials.
Solidarity with Comrades Raptis (Pablo) and Santen!
Solidarity with the Fourth International faced by repression!
THE INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT OF THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL 3 October 1960