so's monetarist reforms. It is vital that French section congress the PT, its economists and parliamentary The 11th Congress of the Revolutionary Communist League (LCR - French deputies go on the offensive around the section of the Fourth International) took place from 16-19 June at Sainteconomic plan, not just in relation to its Denis, north of Paris. 150 delegates took part and there were numerous electoral aspects. observers from both French and foreign organisations (Brazilian PT to men-
Supported by the majority of big tion one). The French Communist Party (PCF) was present for the first time. reserve), the candidacy of Fernando business (who also have Quércia in The aim of the Congress was to build a new anti-capitalist force in France with the support of currents from the PCF, Socialist Party (PS) and left wing Henrique Cardoso is beginning to bene- Greens. This position ("Tendency A") won 52% of delegates votes, with an governmental machine. It is this which fit conspicuously from favours from the diverse currents around a reformist programme, "Tendency B" obtained 26% changing from a revolutionary organisation into a new force made up of amendment gaining 5%. Concerned that this policy might end in the League explains the pressure by Itamar Franco of votes. The tendency "Democracy and Revolution", which wanted a return on the members of his government who to a united Workers' Front to take on the right, and which complained of a would incline towards Quercia, and who lack of democracy in the League, gained 9%. A group of comrades from the today oppose him, through electoralist former majority who believed that the analyses of Europe were inadequate self-interest the economic plan and the and reproached the outgoing leadership for having exaggerated the political President himself. It is a clear signal to situation and proposing initiatives for recomposition too swiftly, gained 7% the opposition sectors of the PMDB that The Congress decided that they will argue for a joint critical left/progressive they will have official support in their Green candidate for next year's Presidential elections. It was also decided pro-Henrique Cardoso rebellion. The that if this should come to nothing then Alain Krivine will be the League's canannouncement of benefit for workers on didate, the necessary collection of Mayors' signatures beginning immediateminimal wages is a declaration of sup- ly. port for Henrique Cardoso. Even it the number of League members has not increased, the Congress
Support by the state machine for a demonstrated that it now has amongst them a significant proportion of leacandidate is nothing new in Brazil. ders of mass organisations (associations and trade unions). The success of However such support will not in itself the national demonstration against unemployment and the rôle played in this overturn the relationship of the electoral by League militants have made this initiative a central point of discussion, not forces, because up until now Henrique to mention, of course, the League's intervention in the Air France mobilisaCardoso has appeared as a "bought" tions, or that around education. Finally, the number of young delegates candidate, clearly benefiting from attests to the progress made in this area in recent months. However, a negagovernment support. What is new for us tive feature of the Congress was the decrease in women attending: the prois the necessity to show more clearly our portion of women in the LCR is now less than 30% and there are even less in opposition to Itamar Franco. the new central committee. The Congress concluded with greetings by Alfon-
(...) In short, we must — while profi- so Moro on behalf of the Fourth International leadership. © ting from the the halt to revision -clearly state that it is now time for real reform. This approach must dominate both our electoral campaign and our programme of government, which must include the institutional reforms which Rwanda we will make from 1 January 1995. * Declaration from the LCR Congress
The French government is complicit and coresponsible, through its support for the dictatorship of the Rwandan government, for hundreds of thousands of Tutsi and Hutu deaths. The criminals have found refuge in France, while the French army has instructed and equipped the Rwandan military forces responsible for the The French goverment has shamelessly declared that it now wishes to send in Correction genocide. its army, aided by the dictator Mobutu (under the pretext of "humanitarian action"),
In our last issue we inadvertantly forgot the credits for Natal el Saa- so that the assassins are not placed on trial. The LCR calls on all democratic forces to take action to demand:
dawi and Sherif Hetata ('Safety valve set to burst'). Both are esta- 1. The withdrawal of French troops from Rwanda;
blished Egyptian writers. Natal El 2. An end to protection and asylum for those responsible for the killing;
Saadawi is particularly renowned 3. The exclusion of the Rwandan government from negotiations towards a political in the Arab world for her reputation as a prominent feminist fighter and The LCR wishes to make links with all democratic forces which refuse to stay theoretician. Several of her books have been translated in to English, solution. silent upon the responsibility of the French government for some of the most horof which 'Hidden face of Eve' is probably the most well-known. © rible massacres of recent years. It proposes that in the days and weeks to come there should be meetings and demonstrations in Paris and other parts of France in solidarity with the people of Rwanda. © 36 International Viewpoint #258 July 1994