Spain-cp to Unite with Fascists?

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The intolerable pressures and divisions within the European Stalinist movement In a recent interview with the reactionary American magazine Newsweek. Santiago Carrillo, General Secretary of the Spanish Communist Party (PCE) has stated he would be willing to join a future "government of national union" with politicians of Franco's fascist regime. Questioned on the attitude of the PCE to the future of Spain when Franco dies, Carrillo had no hesitation in pledging his support to Prince Juan Carlos, Franco's nominee to succeed him as head of state. 'We are not adventurists who The F-l6, the US candidate will systematically wave the flag of social unrest. We will accept whatever the majority decides. But tons of bombs. The Israeli the monarchy, to survive," must be on the side of the people.

Underlining the. fact the the PCE is opposed to preparations They will also get large numbers for revolutionary struggle Carrillo added his "critical" support for the switchover from Franco to Juan Carlos. "I would a thousand times prefer a peaceful transition. But it's my very deep personal conviction that Prince Juan Carlos only has a future in Spain if he makes a break with the Franco Sadat's claim is that he was imprint."

Carrillo's words - spoken at the very moment when the death sentences of "the Franco imprint" were being prepared against 11 Spanish left-wingers, with the Kissinger and Ford's plans seemed threat of many more levelled at dozens held in the Fascist prisons -They fear an accelerated arms confirm the utterly cynical attitude of the Stalinists towards the lessons Chile, of Portugal and the ing in the civil war now ragit terrible defeat inflicted on the working class in the Spanish Revolution and Civil War itself.

now left to face the brunt of Israle's reinforced capacity for ag- SEMI-LEGAL Syrian President Hafez Assad has made it clear that Sadat had They go far to explain why the PCE and its front organisation Arab summit to consult and co- also includes former Franco min- "Democratic Junta" (which ordinate with other Arab states on policy towards Israel, and, more isters and representatives of the seriously, that Egypt is likely to Spanish Catholic hierarchy) is perstand aside in the event of a future mitted a semi-legal existence by the Franco regime.

Stalinism is an essential It is Sadat's open treachery and the splits and compromises component of the plans of the with imperialism of the 'left' Arab Spanish ruling class to insure the leaders and the leadership of the continuation of their rule in the "transition" after Franco goes, as Palestinian nationalist movement, that hamstring the struggle against Carrillo's answers make clear:

Q. In practical terms, how do The possibility for the US to you see the transition taking place? rearm Israel to the teeth in return Carrillo. My feeling is that the for a few square miles of con- Spanish military will join together quered land are the fruits of these with the politicians to form a provisional government of national Carillo union.

Q. If the army is involved in a provisional government, won't this mean a bid to bolster the extreme right?

Carrillo. I don't think so. Some of Spain's younger officers have radical views - and the generals are becoming more and more realistic. If they feel the only possibility of order will be to bring about peaceful change with the opposition politicians, they will do SO.

Q. Would your party be prepared to support a government of national union without being a part of it?

TRANSITION

Carrillo. The transition period will inevitably be a difficult time for Spain, and if we stayed clear of a government of national union we couldn't be blamed for any unpopular measures or decisions. Indeed, we would prefer to go to general elections without a prior spell in government. But now that the "Democratic Junta" has come into being and we have become part of it, we have a moral duty to take part in such a government. If we don't, we fear there could be more instability leading to a right-wing coup.

Commenting on the situation in Portugal, Carrillo made it clear not only that there is a deepening rift within Western European Stalinism, but that the leadership of the Spanish Communist Party is quite consciously on its guard to deal with any workers in its own ranky who may wish to make serious preparations for a revolutionary struggle against fascism.

There. he admitted, possibility oi a within the PCE, "but only in the event of violence and disorder. There may be factions with Cunhalist tendencies within the PCE, but 1 can say that so far, 1 am in control of the situation. "

"MODERATE"

"If we are moderate", b cynically added, "it is because tha is the only way for Spain today There is to be no storming of thi Winter Palace, no long march, ne Castro-mounted guerrillas."

His words make a mockery o the Stalinists' so-called "defence' of left-wingers threatened b Franco's executioners. And, as th American journalist commented, i Carrillo is to be the measure o Spanish communism "the chance of Madrid being draped in re seem slim."

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are driving certain Communist parties to hold out their hands even to the supporters of