Information on the DPRK Position Regarding Measures by the Soviet Government for a Peaceful Resolution of the Cuba Conflict and Regarding the Chinese-Indian Border Conflict

SED Central Committee

Department of International Relations

[SAPMO-BA, Berlin, archival signature missing]

[GDR Ministry for Foreign Affairs]

1^st Extra-European Department

Berlin, 16 November 1962

Information

on the DPRK Position

Regarding Measures by the Soviet Government

for a Peaceful Resolution of the Cuba Conflict and

Regarding the Chinese-Indian Border Conflict

1. The Korean press began very belatedly to cover the Cuba events. Outlining the Soviet position and measures taken by the Soviet government played an extremely peripheral role. Letters by Comrade Khrushchev to [John F.] Kennedy and [Lord Bertrand] Russell were not quoted literally. The Soviet government declaration was covered through a short summary only. Until 5 November 1962 there was no reference to the Cuba visit by Comrade [Anastas] Mikoyan. Yet on 26 October already, the full text of the PR China's statement was published. Overall, Chinese statements were broadly covered.

The government statement by Comrade Kim Il Sung, where he also talked about the situation in Cuba, did not refer to Soviet proposals as well. An editorial in the KWP central newspaper stated the Korean people are condemning the actions of the U.S. imperialists and support the Cuban people in solidarity. The editorial states the support for Cuba by the entire socialist camp, as expressed through the Soviet government's statement from 23 October which says everything will be done to prevent an U.S. aggression.

At a mass rally in Pyongyang, the speakers did not refer to Soviet policy pertaining to the resolution of the Cuba conflict. Only the Cuban ambassador mentioned the role of the Soviet Union and the support from the Soviet Union and all socialist states. The [Korean] press also did not report whether the Soviet position was mentioned at meetings in [DPRK] district cities.

On 30 October the KWP central organ had a special page on Cuba. Here one could find excerpts from the most important messages and statements by the Soviet government, as well as facts about the Cuba conflict.

2. Concerning the Chinese-Indian border conflict the DPRK completely sides with the PR China. The DPRK press is covering this issue broadly. Statements and notes by the PRC government get published, as well as important articles from the Chinese press about the border issue. On 31 October, for instance, the KWP central newspaper had an extra page featuring the full text of an article from Beijing's People's Paper [Renmin Ribao] titled “Discussing the Chinese-Indian Border Issue and Revisiting Again the Philosophy of Nehru”.

DPRK statements clearly express support for the actions of the PR China. The Acting Ambassador of the DPRK to the GDR, Hong Deng U [sic], responded this way to a question before students of the German Academy for State and Law “Walter Ulbricht”: “The DPRK is viewing the Chinese-Indian border conflict as an expression of class struggle between socialism and capitalism. The PR China is a socialist country and gets supported by the DPRK. The DPRK condemns the Indian aggression. We think that U.S. imperialism attempts to sow discord among the peoples. This is why all socialist countries have to support the PR China.”

[signed]

Stude

Department Head

CC:

1x Minister Schwab

1x Information Division

1x Central Committee, Foreign Policy Division, Comrade Ott

1x Embassy Pyongyang

1x Comrade Stude

1x Section Korea