Telegram to L.M. Kaganovich, 16 August 1932

Source: Tom 17

CC VKP(b). To Kaganovich.

1. The ECCI theses on the current situation are fundamentally acceptable, but require reworking in the direction of greater concretization of revolutionary tasks by country. We recommend that the question of the situation in the Far East, Japan's war against China, and the threat of war against the USSR be raised as a separate item. We recommend that the theses on this question criticize the corresponding resolution of the Second International, expose the shortcomings of the European communist parties that failed to prevent arms exports to Japan, and outline concrete tasks for the communist parties of Japan, China, the USSR, and especially the European and American communist parties along the lines of organizing action committees, port and transport committees for the disruption of arms exports. We propose the Japanese comrade Katayama or another authoritative Japanese comrade as the speaker on this question.

2. On the question of France and Romania, we recommend consulting Litvinov's opinion and only then deciding the matter. If you find it necessary to consult us, send us Litvinov's opinion beforehand.

3. Asatkin (trade representative in Japan -- Ed.) may be recalled.

Stalin, Molotov

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Source: Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931-1936, p. 277.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 79. L. 18-20.

NOTE: On 17 August 1932, the Politburo relieved A.N. Asatkin of his post as trade representative in Japan.