from Guy Debord

To Mustapha Khayati
Saturday 19 February [1966]
Dear Mustapha:

Agreed upon the precisions on the end of the Treatise [on Living for the Younger Generations]. It is in fact a question, not of "correcting" this chapter[1] but of posing the basis of a much more vast development (and Raoul [Vaneigem] can bear in mind several points so as to make a "better summary" of the question that he has displayed but not approached at the end of his book). Anton [Harstein] and Rene [Vienet] are at Raoul's place and discussing the modalities of his practical flight out of Belgium. Because his affair,[2] still pursued by relentless investigators, now concludes by putting him in prison (it is already decided by a chamber of indictment or some equivalent organization). The police have exhumed -- with the help of his ex-wife -- the testimony, from a year ago, of a cleaning woman, who "saw" -- unfortunately Koranic exactitude isn't required -- Raoul sleeping with the student he led astray [detournee]. This proof of adultery will probably recommence the [prosecution for] "seduction" of the student and, due to the preceding denials, perhaps the outrage of the magistrates. Moreover, on this first point, the judicial invasion can very easily lead to serious things: a number of other young women -- from whence comes [talk of] "the orgies of Linkeberg"[3] -- of whom one or two were minors -- and, when one already sees what troubles false minors[4] can give you in such a country, one must be seriously worried.

Winock spoke of the Debudo-Amedeen[5] book, not without enthusiasm, in the most recent issue of Spirit -- in which [Daniel] Mothe engaged in a little bit of well-hidden situationism (he defined the citizens of France by their status as "consumers of spectacle").

Is it worth the trouble to critique the O.R.P. text? Judge -- and, if yes, make a short note of two-three pages that we will drop into "Of Alienation."[6] Thus, it is necessary that this text is very criticial. Scornful with respect to the leaders.

Concerning Denise [Cheype], all is quite clear. If, moreover, she doesn't come now, it will be the same as avowing that sincere and personal relations with you aren't sufficient for her: she would like to have a meeting [English in original]!

Goldmann[7] and the Trashcan[8] -- charming!

[J.V.] Martin writes me that our theses progress in the current cultural discussion in Denmark -- a discussion that greatly preoccupies the authorities that try to control it (in the press, the local Malraux alludes to a stray avant-garde that the people must not take into consideration; does not name it; but says that he knows of what he speaks). Our relations develop well with England -- and even with the Americans. If we can begin to get these publications going in England, this would immediately reverberate very positively in Scandanavia. Still no news of Constantine. What to think? I quite regret that you are not here [in Paris] already. At this moment, I find myself everyday -- for hours -- occupied with new encounters. I have no one to whom to pass them. This delays my final work on I.S. #10.

Cordially,
Guy

[1] Translator: Chapter 25, the last one in the book.

[2] Accusation of aggravated adultery.

[3] At the conjugal home of Vaneigem.

[4] The "minor student led astray" was older than 18.

[5] In his book The Proclamation of the Commune, published in 1965 and very inspired by situationist theses, [Henri] Lefebvre thanked a certain Guy Debud (cf. I.S. #10, p. 73-75). [Translator: Amedeen was Debord's name for Lefebvre.]

[6] The chapter [sic] devoted to the "examination of several concrete aspects," in I.S. #10, p. 56-82.

[7] Lucien Goldmann, cf. Correspondance vol I, p. 244 [letter dated 2 July 1959].

[8] Reference to the situationist tract Into the Trashcan of History! which was directed against the plagiarist, Henri Lefebvre.


(Published in Guy Debord, Correspondance, Volume 3, 1965-1968. Footnotes by Alice Debord, except where noted. Translated from the French by NOT BORED! August 2005.)



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