[March 17, 1921]

March 17, 1921

Dear Comrade Ioffe! I read your deeply disturbed letter of March 15 with great regret. I see that you have every legitimate reason for dissatisfaction and even indignation, but I assure you that you are mistaken in seeking the causes for it.

First. You are mistaken in repeating (repeatedly) that "the Central Committee, that is me." This can only be written in a state of great nervous irritation and overwork. The old Central Committee (1919-1920) defeated me on one of the gigantically important questions, as you know from the discussion. On organizational and personnel matters, there were countless instances when I was in the minority. You yourselves have seen examples of this many times when you were a member of the Central Committee. Why then be so nervous as to write a **completely impossible**, a **completely impossible** phrase, as if the Central Committee, that is me. This is overwork.

Second. I have not the slightest shadow of dissatisfaction with you, nor distrust of you. Nor do the Chekists, as far as I know them, have any; I have spoken with them, and seen their attitude towards you.

How then to explain the matter? By the fact that fate tossed you around. I have seen this in many workers. An example is Stalin. He, of course, would have stood up for himself. But "fate" did not allow him once in three and a half years to be either People's Commissar of Workers' and Peasants' Inspection, or People's Commissar of Nationalities. This is a fact.

And you, like quite a few of the foremost workers, were tossed around by fate. You are one of the first and best diplomats. Our diplomacy worked intermittently. During interruptions, you were "tried out" (Workers' and Peasants' Inspection), without being given time to finish. The fault (misfortune?) lies with the entire Central Committee, which tossed many people around in this way. Upon sober reflection, you will see that this is true.

Not elected to the All-Russian Central Executive Committee? Ask even Trotsky how many times the fundamental opinions and decisions of the Central Committee on this matter wavered! Many times! "Democratism" forced maximum renewal.
(The new Central Committee was constituted only yesterday and will not "get into its stride" immediately)3.

My personal opinion, quite frankly: (1) You need a serious rest. It is **harmful** to wear yourself out. We urgently need experienced, old, tested workers. Rest seriously. Consider if it wouldn't be better abroad, in a sanatorium. Things are bad here. You need to recover completely. (2) You were and remain one of the foremost and best diplomats and politicians. Turkey? Turkestan? Can we manage without you? Romania? I am afraid we cannot manage. I think we cannot manage.

Rest. Then come to Moscow. We will talk.

I firmly shake your hand. Your Lenin