In 1978, the CNT’s reformist fraction who created the spanish CGT, led by Enric Marcos (first CGT-e general secretary), were visiting the US embassy in Madrid to explain that « CNT » (later CGT) supported democracy and was a good alternative to « communism » for workers and avoid any developpment like in Italy …
Also they explain clearly why they sould be authorized to participate to professional elections and why it is so important as it would give a clear evidence that – according to their point of view – the « CNT » (which will became CGT) has abandoned the revolutionary path …
3. THE REASON FOR OSET’S MESSAGE, ASSUMING IT WAS IN FACT AUTHORIZED BY THE CNT SECRETARY GENERAL [Enrique MARCOS], MAY WELL BE A GROWING FEELING OF INSECURITY ON THE PART OF THE CNT. ALREADY ONLY A SHADOW OF ITS FORMER, PRE-CIVIL WAR SELF, ITS BOYCOTTING OF THE UNION ELECTIONS WAS IN THE OPINION OF MOST OBSERVERS A MISTAKE.
(from Wikileaks : https://www.wikileaks.org/plu…/cables/1978BARCEL00384_d.html)
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LABOR: CNT SUPPORTS DEMOCRACY
1978 May 23, 00:00 (Tuesday)
1978BARCEL00384_d
1. A LOCAL CNT (CONFEDERACION NACIONAL DEL TRABAJO) MEMBER, AGUSTIN OSET NACHES, RECENTLY VISITED THE CONSULAGE TO DISCUSS SEVERAL ISSUES. HE STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN AUTHORIZED TO DO SO BY ENRIQUE MARCOS, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE CNT. [Note from CNT AIT : Enrique Marcos used to be the very first General secretary of CGT spain after the split they initiated in CNT]
2. OSET SAID THAT IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CNT TO REMAIN A LEGAL, LEGITIMATE TRADE UNION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT CNT MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF THE BURNING OF LA SCALA (A POPULAR BARCELONA NIGHT CLUB) AND OF BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF THE LABOR VIOLENCE RECENTLY, THE CNT WAS COMMITTED TO PEACEFUL LABOR ORGANIZING.
ALTHOUGH ANARCHISTS, THEY WERE LABOR ANARCHISTS, NOT POLITICAL, AND NEEDED A VIABLE, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO PROSPER.
THE CNT WAS AS CONCERNED AS EVERYONE OVER THE ITALIAN SITUATION AND DID NOT WANT SPAIN TO FOLLOW THE SAME PATH.
AS LONG AS IT REMAINED LEGAL, THE CNT COULD PROVIDE A NON-COMMUNIST ALTERNATIVE TO LEFTIST WORKERS, SOMETHING LACKING IN ITALY AND A MAJOR CAUSE OF ITS PROBLEMS, ACCORDING TO OSET. THIS MESSAGE – THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CNT REMAINING A LEGAL UNION IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY – WAS ONE WHICH OSET AND MARCOS WANTED TO BE SURE THE USG (US Government) UNDERSTOOD.
3. THE REASON FOR OSET’S MESSAGE, ASSUMING IT WAS IN FACT AUTHORIZED BY THE CNT SECRETARY GENERAL [Enrique MARCOS], MAY WELL BE A GROWING FEELING OF INSECURITY ON THE PART OF THE CNT. ALREADY ONLY A SHADOW OF ITS FORMER, PRE-CIVIL WAR SELF, ITS BOYCOTTING OF THE UNION ELECTIONS WAS IN THE OPINION OF MOST OBSERVERS A MISTAKE.
THE CONNECTION OF SOME OF ITS MEMBERS WITH RECENT VIOLENCE HAS ALSO RESULTED IN NEGATIVE PUBLICITY. TO COUNTERACT THIS, CNT POSTERS HAVE BEEN APPEARING BLAMING VIOLENT ACTS SUCH AS LA SCALA ON « GOVERNMENT AGITATORS ». THE CNT ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD NOT PARTICIPATE WITH OTHER UNIONS IN THEIR MAY DAY DEMONSTRATION SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE BLAMED FOR ANY VIOLENCE. THEIR SEPARATE DEMONSTRATIONS IN BARCELONA WERE INCIDENT FREE. THIS VISIT, THEN, MAY BE PART OF A CNT ATTEMPT AT IMAGE BUILDING.
SINN CONFIDENTIAL NNN Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014
(from Wikileaks : https://www.wikileaks.org/plu…/cables/1978BARCEL00384_d.html)
===========
LABOR: CNT SUPPORTS DEMOCRACY
1978 May 23, 00:00 (Tuesday)
1978BARCEL00384_d
1. A LOCAL CNT (CONFEDERACION NACIONAL DEL TRABAJO) MEMBER, AGUSTIN OSET NACHES, RECENTLY VISITED THE CONSULAGE TO DISCUSS SEVERAL ISSUES. HE STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN AUTHORIZED TO DO SO BY ENRIQUE MARCOS, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE CNT. [Note from CNT AIT : Enrique Marcos used to be the very first General secretary of CGT spain after the split they initiated in CNT]
2. OSET SAID THAT IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CNT TO REMAIN A LEGAL, LEGITIMATE TRADE UNION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT CNT MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF THE BURNING OF LA SCALA (A POPULAR BARCELONA NIGHT CLUB) AND OF BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF THE LABOR VIOLENCE RECENTLY, THE CNT WAS COMMITTED TO PEACEFUL LABOR ORGANIZING.
ALTHOUGH ANARCHISTS, THEY WERE LABOR ANARCHISTS, NOT POLITICAL, AND NEEDED A VIABLE, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO PROSPER.
THE CNT WAS AS CONCERNED AS EVERYONE OVER THE ITALIAN SITUATION AND DID NOT WANT SPAIN TO FOLLOW THE SAME PATH.
AS LONG AS IT REMAINED LEGAL, THE CNT COULD PROVIDE A NON-COMMUNIST ALTERNATIVE TO LEFTIST WORKERS, SOMETHING LACKING IN ITALY AND A MAJOR CAUSE OF ITS PROBLEMS, ACCORDING TO OSET. THIS MESSAGE – THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CNT REMAINING A LEGAL UNION IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY – WAS ONE WHICH OSET AND MARCOS WANTED TO BE SURE THE USG UNDERSTOOD.
3. THE REASON FOR OSET’S MESSAGE, ASSUMING IT WAS IN FACT AUTHORIZED BY THE CNT SECRETARY GENERAL, MAY WELL BE A GROWING FEELING OF INSECURITY ON THE PART OF THE CNT. ALREADY ONLY A SHADOW OF ITS FORMER, PRE-CIVIL WAR SELF, ITS BOYCOTTING OF THE UNION ELECTIONS WAS IN THE OPINION OF MOST OBSERVERS A MISTAKE.
THE CONNECTION OF SOME OF ITS MEMBERS WITH RECENT VIOLENCE HAS ALSO RESULTED IN NEGATIVE PUBLICITY. TO COUNTERACT THIS, CNT POSTERS HAVE BEEN APPEARING BLAMING VIOLENT ACTS SUCH AS LA SCALA ON « GOVERNMENT AGITATORS ». THE CNT ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD NOT PARTICIPATE WITH OTHER UNIONS IN THEIR MAY DAY DEMONSTRATION SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE BLAMED FOR ANY VIOLENCE. THEIR SEPARATE DEMONSTRATIONS IN BARCELONA WERE INCIDENT FREE. THIS VISIT, THEN, MAY BE PART OF A CNT ATTEMPT AT IMAGE BUILDING.
SINN CONFIDENTIAL NNN Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014