Speech at the International Friendship House (Moscow), November 11 (1964)

Last visit in USSR

On November 11 (1964), Che attended a gathering at the International Friendship House inaugurating the Soviet-Cuban Friendship Society. After a speech by Yuri Gagarin, the cosmonaut elected President of the Society, and greetings by Gerardo Mazola, then leader of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Nations (ICAP), it was Che's turn to speak. This address was Che's last in the Soviet Union. We include it here in full.

"Dorogie tovarishchi!1

"Now I shall speak in Spanish. You know that when the leaders of the Cuban revolution talk into the microphone, it is hard to tear them away from it.

"In my case you have nothing to fear. Comrade Mazola aptly expressed the sentiment of our people. And the other comrades have already provided us with the most thorough information, including even a report on the early fulfilment of plan targets in honour of the anniversary of the October Revolution.

"That, of course, is taking place here in the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, I cannot bring you news of a similar sort. In the future we shall also overfulfil our plans in honour of November 7,2 since this date belongs to all.

"Comrades! The Cuban people began to build socialism only recently. We still have much to leam. We must develop our consciousness and our love for work. But our people are familiar with history, the true history. They know the power of example and they know that the blood shed by Soviet soldiers in defence of freedom, socialism and communism-this blood could form rivers. They also know that the Soviet people shed their blood in places far from their homeland, that there are Soviet military specialists on our island fulfilling their proletarian internationalist duty. They also know that at the present time a large number of Soviet specialists are teaching us peacetime crafts. They know that Soviet specialists are to be found throughout the world working to help the developing nations master the most modern technology offering the key to a better future. They know of the marvelous exploits in conquering outer space begun by the Soviet Union.

"Our people, having studied history and knowing the power of example, will always acknowledge the sacrifices borne by the Soviet people, and we shall be able to follow your bright example, unflinchingly defending our revolution and building socialism.

"Cuba, my Soviet comrades, will never retreat!

"Our friendship shall be eternal!

"Slava Sovetskomu Soyuzu!" (In Russian: "Long Live the Soviet Union!")

On the eve of his departure from the Soviet Union Che told an APN correspondent:

"I had the honour of representing Cuba at the November 7 celebrations twice: in 1960 and today. When in I960 we stood on the rostrum of the Lenin Mausoleum we were representatives of a country which was still hoping to become something, which was in the midst of a struggle with the USA.

"This year we mounted the rostrum of the Mausoleum as representatives of a socialist country, a new socialist country born on the American continent. We were pleased to see the name of our country among those of the other socialist states, to hear our military marches at the parade, just as recently in Havana it was a pleasure to greet the new Soviet tanker bearing the name of our capital. This tanker is one of a line of large craft bearing the names of the capitals of the socialist countries. For us such things are a source of excitement, for it was only recently that we took up the building of socialism.

"On Red Square we felt the warm friendship and undying enthusiasm of the Soviet people.

"We visited a number of Soviet enterprises. We saw much that reflects the advanced industrial potential of the USSR. At the Likhachev Auto Works, for instance, we saw new automated shops and new models of trucks."

Che was asked of the prospects for the industrial development of Cuba and for the further strengthening of Soviet-Cuban economic cooperation. He answered:

"Our cooperation with the Soviet Union is making successful progress in a number of areas, above all in power engineering where the Soviet Union has a wealth of experience. The majority of our power stations are now being built with Soviet help. We shall install our traditional thermo-electric power stations, operating on oil and using, when economically feasible, peat and other types of fuel.

"At present, metallurgy has become an important industrial branch of the Cuban economy. We shall build new steel-smelting enterprises. We shall develop the non-ferrous metal industries. We have large reserves of laterite ores in the north of Oriente Province. In that spot a metallurgical combine shall be built which will serve as the cornerstone of the non-ferrous metal industry. Here again we are counting on Soviet help.

"Relying on Soviet experience we are also planning to improve the production of agricultural machinery.

"Cuba is also interested in the development of chemistry, automation, electronics. But these are all novelties for us at present, and for the time being we must first accumulate the necessary experience.

"Our Soviet comrades are already giving us concrete aid in the chemical industry: next year they will begin the building of a fertiliser factory in the city of Nuevitas."

Che welcomed the creation of the Soviet-Cuban Friendship Society and said that it would facilitate the strengthening of ties, cultural exchange and other contacts between the two countries.

"When the Society was organised," Che said, "we were most excited by the climate of warmth generated by the Soviet people, by the large number of individuals and organisations wishing to join and by the enthusiasm with which the news about the establishment of the Society was greeted. By the way, we are also preparing to organise such a society in Cuba, but you have moved more quickly than we.

"Despite the fact that our friendship is of recent origin, we are bound by very strong, unbreakable ties. Whenever we step on the soil of the country where socialism was first built we feel the warmth of friendship. On our part we can repeat again and again that the feeling is reciprocated by the Cuban people. When we see the major achievements of the Soviet people-the champion of peace throughout the world and ally of Cuba, we feel a rush of strength and confidence.

"We know that the Soviet people have the wherewithal to defend the peace, we saw the evidence at the November 7 parade."

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1 Dear Comrades! (Russian)

2 November 7, 1917-the day of the Great October Socialist Revolution in Russia (October 25 by the old Russian calendar)