This biography of Henri Krasucki (1924-2003) is any sympathy for his subject. It is an
opportunity to revisit the history of Stalinism. A different bio would be necessary with
critical tools to understand the origins, impasses and Stalinists dramas. Nevertheless it
allows to enter this universe now disappeared fascinated and shaped the nineteenth century
in general and the French labor movement in particular. ---- The golf "Krasu" as he was
affectionately called, is indeed remarkable. A life of courage, dedication, loyalty to the
Stalinist commitments. How can we forget the young worker from the Jewish immigration, the
young rebel, the remote, the tireless activist. It would be too simple, too comfortable to
disqualify an entire generation of militant workers in wrought untold battles simply
because they were engaged in a criminal way. The book usefully reminds us that for many
activists were sincere and defended the "strategy" driven by Moscow in thinking she was
the only one possible. Many died heroically for Stalinism, some were cowardly murdered by
Stalin, others gradually die without children. Sterile or nearly so. The latest born
managing the feat of having the same faults as their former without having any qualities!
The last part of the book is that the most illuminating perspective. Krasu torn, as the
whole party, between fidelity and openness, seeking a way out (he does not understand that
Stalinism was closed in advance any issue). Internal battles can be glimpsed in a period
where Marchais imposes zig-zag stunning FCP and seeks to impose in the CGT. Alliance with
the PS or not? Walked from the rupture of the joint program in 1977 at the PCF output of
Ministers of the Socialist government in 1984 by all possible phases, excessive hostility
abdication in open country. It is remarkable that the PCF has not yet found the way out
about this question of alliances with the PS ... Under no Stalin as those under Attila
nothing repels!
The highlight and the only "revelation" of this biography is the autobiography that he
decided to work at the beginning of 1991 together with two journalists. In the
confrontation that opposes secretly to Marchais, he was willing to spread some issues to
light. But a well-Stalinist reflex will net him stop this project is the "coup" of Yeltsin
in August and the collapse of the USSR ahead. "We have to face, we forget the differences"
says Will he then his publisher ...
Jean-Yves (AL Seine-Saint-Denis)
Christian Langeois, Henri Krasucki , Cherche-Midi Ed, 2012, 372 p., 19 euros.
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