Mongolian Embassy in Moscow, Record of Conversation between the Mongolian Ambassador to the Soviet Union and Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Trade Alberto Mora Becerra

EMBASSY OF THE MPR [MONGOLIAN PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC] IN THE USSR

RECORD OF CONVERSATION

No. 171 1962-12-14

Content: About a meeting between the minister of foreign trade of Cuba Alberto Mora Becerra and Ambassador Luvsan.

Taking part in the conversation were, from the Cuban side: Ambassador of Cuba in the USSR Arnoldo Peres Pinto, and interpreters, and from our side: deputy trade representative Hishigsuren and interpreters Ilyin and Erdene.

At the beginning of the conversation Ambassador Luvsan asked Alberto Mora Becerra whether he travelled well and whether he likes the Moscow weather. Alberto Mora, after expressing his happiness, asked Ambassador Luvsan how his health was after he had visited Cuba this spring, to which Ambassador Luvsan said that it was great to be in Havana, and that he came back very content. He answered that Cuban air and atmosphere were very suitable for his health.

Alberto—On the occasion of being in Moscow I wanted to talk to you about our two countries’ trade discussions. We had our first negotiation in Ulaanbaatar, and the next in Moscow. If possible, we propose to conduct the next round in Havana; what if we invited your representatives?

Luvsan—Our government, seeing [that it was agreed] to conduct trade negotiations in Havana, and that our representatives could not come there, believes that it would be correct to have trade negotiations for 1963 in Havana, and appointed me the head of the trade delegation, on the occasion of my own trip to Cuba to participate in the Cuban [national day] celebration.

This delegation, other than me, will consist of our deputy trade representatives Hishigsuren, and the third will be a technical expert who will come from Ulaanbaatar. Our representatives were invited to your national day celebrations through the channels of public organizations. These representatives, who will come to participate in your [national day] celebration, will be the deputy member of the MPRP Central Committee Politburo, deputy of the State Khural, first secretary of Ulaanbaatar city committee, head of the Mongol-Cuban Friendship Society Luvsanravdan, as the head, and another person.

Alberto—I am very satisfied that you will come to Havana to do trade negotiations.

Luvsan—On the occasion of your being in Moscow, and in order to ease our negotiations in Havana, I would like to hear your main thoughts about what goods could be exchanged [between Mongolia and Cuba].

Alberto—Our trade counselor Arnoldo Peres Pinto will later give you full explanations about this.

Peres—When tomorrow I come to meet with your deputy trade representative Hishigsuren, I will bring a list of our goods in Russian.

Luvsan—We will carefully study your list of goods. Although our country is small, we will help the Cuban comrades within our possibilities.

Alberto—Now, after finishing negotiations in Moscow, I will go to China. Because I may not be able to meet with you in Havana, you will probably conduct negotiations with my deputy Rodriguez. In general, because ministers travel here and there a lot, there is little time to meet.

Luvsan—I know your deputy well. I am happy to conduct negotiations with an old acquaintance comrade Rodriguez. Has the policy of squeezing Cuba, conducted by American imperialism, changed at all?

Alberto—At yesterday’s press conference, President Kennedy let it be known that the policy of economic squeeze, conducted with respect to our country, will continue.

Luvsan—During the last crisis, under the wise leadership of comrade N.S. Khrushchev and the victorious leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro, the Socialist camp, headed by the Soviet Union, and the people who struggle for peace, saved the entire world from the danger of a nuclear war.

Alberto—During the last crisis, our people bravely and heroically struggled against the American aggression. F. Castro, after the crisis, spoke on Havana television. He said: “our people are truly heroic people. I have never been more proud to have been born a son to this people.” Other than that, the USSR truly carried out a great duty.

Luvsan—People of every socialist country provide Cuba with all necessary help, and Cuba has friends in all corners of the world. Therefore, I firmly believe that if there is no war, Cuba’s difficult questions can all easily be resolved. We understand that Brazil, Mexico, and Chile support Cuba, could you explain what, truly, is their relationship with Cuba?

Alberto—Because the governments of these countries are under the pressure of American imperialism, they are very irresolute. We had a great trade relationship with Chile. But Chile stopped buying our sugar, and buys sugar on the world market at prices that are twice the price of our sugar. For our sugar, we were getting goods from them that do not sell well on the world market—think of it, this [stopping trade with Cuba] is very harmful to Chile. It is clear what Chile-Cuban relations will be like after the meeting between Kennedy and the Chilean President [Jorge Alessandri Rodriguez] that will take place soon. Mexico and Brazil are also irresolute like this. In general it is difficult to believe any of the governments of Latin America but one can believe the people. For example, even though the Venezuelan government is brutal, the people are well-disposed towards us, and stand on the side of our people.

Luvsan—How was your harvest this year?

Alberto—This year there was more rain in our country compared to previous years. This has had a bad influence on sugar, which has become our main crop, and it looks like this year we will take in less sugar than during the previous years.

Luvsan—In addition to that, the provocative policies of the American imperialists draw considerable force away from peaceful labor, creating obstacles.

Alberto—This of course had a negative influence but while our men hold guns defending the country, women and children successfully gather the harvest.

After the conversation ended, there were friendly parting formalities.

Conversation recorded by: /Erdene/

Checked by Ambassador /Luvsan/