Socialists

In his column about Mikhail Gorbachev’s difficulties in dealing with nationalist aspirations in the Soviet Union (Op-Ed Page, March 22), Dmitri Shalin writes, “The Second Communist International broke down in 1914. . . .” This is imprecise. The first and only “Communist International”--sometimes referred to as the COMINTERN--was not formed until 1919.

Shalin is referring to the Second Socialist International. While the movement sputtered in 1914 when the leaders of various socialist and social democratic parties succumbed to nationalism and joined their governments’ efforts in World War I, it still exists today under the name--”Socialist International”--and is led by current and former heads-of-state such as Willy Brandt of West Germany, Felipe Gonzalez of Spain and Michael Manley of Jamaica.

JEFF COHEN

Executive Director

Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting

New York