Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Cuba, 'Cuban Foreign Ministry Officials Talked about the Situation'

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Cuban Foreign Ministry Officials Talked about the Situation

To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

[We’re] now presenting you the summary of the conversation between comrade Huang Wenyou, the head of the socialist country division of the Cuban foreign ministry, [José] Fuxá, and the head of US-Canadian division, [Cecilio] Martinez (previously the first secretary of the Embassy in China):

As to the [Cuban] reaction to China’s support, Fuxá said, “China’s support to Cuba via prompt organization of demonstrations has been a great encouragement to us. We feel very grateful.” Martinez said, “China’s statement has increased our strength. The Chinese government and people are, indeed, a government of revolution and people of revolution.”

With respect to the present situation, Martinez commented, “last week the world experienced an unparalleled, unprecedented peril. Now the perilous situation has gone, though a few questions are left and we need to continue the struggle. That [Cuba’s] foreign minister, [Raúl] Roa, went to the UN to open a new front is a mere change of form [of struggle], and the revolution will continue progressing. He also said, “This is the victory of peace, because the attempt of imperialists was to start a war, but now war has been prevented. At least for the time being, [imperialists] haven’t started the war. This incident proves that the peaceful forces have the upper hand, and peace comes not at the mercy of imperialism, but by active striving. It is because of the Cuban people, the development of Soviet technology, and socialist countries who not only have atomic bombs but also people, such as the Chinese people, etc., that the war was avoided. Fuxá said, “The situation is developing fast: [we are] not finished with reading one [piece of] information when another reply has already come in. One week ago, [we] could not think about the possibility of negotiation; [but now] we hope that this negotiation will generate productive results. Imperialism will not easily abandon their attempt, and we should maintain the mobilization status and be vigilant. American imperialism should give more than words, they should act.”

One attendant of the protocol department said, “The situation is developing fast. Although it did not exactly follow what we expected, this happened for a reason: because the affair was specific; it could not be solved by alternatives; it should be either this way, or the other way, there is no way in between.”

Special report.

[Chinese] Embassy in Cuba

31 October 1962