Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Cuba, 'A Report of the Conversation between Chargé d’Affaires Huang Wenyou, and Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Pelegrin Torras'

Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Chargé d’Affaires Huang [Wenyou] visited [Cuban] Deputy Foreign Minister Torras. The content of conversation is presented as follows:

On Cuba’s situation. He said that Cuba’s situation has yet to stabilize. In the UN, all sorts of proposals are under discussion (including ones from Latin American and Asia-African countries). One thing is critical, which is the coordinated and collective position of the Soviet Union and Cuba. This will place American imperialism in a political difficulty. We [i.e. the Cubans] know that imperialism will not abandon its aggressive attempt, and [we] also understand that this struggle is a long-lasting one. We [i.e. Cubans] wish, via the discussion of various proposals and especially via the Soviet Union and Cuba adopting a shared position, to expose to the world the true attempt [of imperialism], even if [we] cannot make imperialism honor its promise. We believe that this is also a political victory over imperialism.

The Sino-Indian problem. He said that I [i.e., Torras], along with other [Cuban] leaders, have kept a close eye on it. With respect to the Sino-Indian conflict, we [Cubans] understand the proposals put forth by the Chinese government in the hope to peacefully solve the border problem, agreed that these proposals could serve as the basis of negotiation. What is regrettable is that the Indian government repeatedly turned them down. A continuation of the Sino-Indian border conflict will do no good for the Indian people; [it] will only serve Indian counterrevolutionaries and imperialism. The reason why Indian counterrevolutionaries are doing these [presumably referring to accusations against China for invading Indian territory] is to arouse a deviating nationalistic sentiment, and to split the Indian people’s power. By doing so, [Indian leader Jawaharlal] Nehru is to gain his personal interests and the interests of the class he represents. I [i.e. Torras] speak of this as a comrade, because Cuba has diplomatic relationships with both countries. When expressing opinions as deputy Foreign Minister, [I] have to take into account the fact of Cuba having a relationship with India. When being asked if Cuba has received the petition letter from Nehru, he said that the Cuban government hasn’t.

Chargé d’Affaires Huang indicated that [China] feels grateful to Cuba which supports China’s proposals in the aim to peacefully solve the Sino-Indian border conflict, and that we [i.e. China] understand Cuba’s present situation.

[Chinese] Embassy in Cuba

13 November 1962