Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Former Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister andSecretary of the Party Central Committee Vu Khoan recounted to theMinistry of Foreign Affairs his memories on the beginning of the Vietnam -Cubafriendship, which has been marked by loyalty and affinity, on the occasionof the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960 –December 2, 2020).

The following are Vu Khoan’s full remarks.

"Our generation neverforgets the feeling of utmost excitement when hearing about the triumph of theCuban Revolution just as Vietnam’s struggles against the American aggression toliberate the country entered a new chapter.

I have not been in charge specifically of Vietnam-Cuba relations but I have hadthe good fortune to have been able to meet a number of high-level leadersof our comrade country.

In 1960, when I was working at the Vietnamese embassy in Moscow, Vietnam’sGovernment asked then-ambassador Nguyen Van Kinh to make contacts with Cubanambassador in the Soviet Union (now the Russian Federation) to start talks onthe establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. I accompaniedthe ambassador Kinh to the Ukraine Hotel in Moscow to meet with the Cubanambassador and presented the national credentials.

Kinh was greeted by a thin man with a scholarly look to him save for the beardand olive oil-coloured military-issue khaki clothes in the meeting room.That was Faure Chomón, a legendary Cuban commander and one of the foundingmembers and leaders of Directorio Revolucionario Estudiantil – DRE (StudentRevolutionary Directorate) – one the of the three main movements in the CubanRevolution.

Commander Chomón was very receptive to the proposal of setting up ties between Vietnamand Cuba and promptly reported back to Cuba.

It was not long before Cuba agreed to the proposal and the two sides quicklynegotiated on the content of this historic announcement, marking the start ofthe long and rich history of comradeship and friendly relations between the twopeoples on the same side in the fight against imperialism and endeavours fornational liberation and the aspiration for socialism.

[The Soviet-led] Sovét Ekonomícheskoy Vzaimopómoshchi – SEV (Council forMutual Economic Assistance) once held a special meeting on relations withCuba, with the attending Cuban delegation headed by the famous Che Guevarahimself, a bearded man in olive-green military uniform wearing a beret.Despite Vietnam not being a member of SEV, the Vietnamese ambassador to theSoviet Union was invited to take part in the meeting.
Theimage of Che in this meeting has left a strong impression on me, when he tookhis seat, he removed the pistol from his belt and placed it on the table with agesture that was both natural and coolly nonchalant.

Che gave a detailed account of the challenges Cuba faced after the victory ofthe revolution and requested assistance from the Soviet Union and otherSocialist comrade countries, in exchange for steady sugar supplies.

The impression of Chomónand Che as “revolutionary knights” with aflair of romanticism always returned to me when I had the opportunity to meetwith Cuban President Fidel Castro and Raúl Castro or other Cuban leaders duringimportant meetings held in the Soviet Union or when Cuban leaders visited Vietnamor when I had the chance to visit “the island of freedom” in the WesternHemisphere.

It seems to me that Cuban people are eternally optimistic, life-affirming,and passionately relentless in fighting for their noble beliefs andideals, in a fashion I can only describe as very Cuban.

Despite the oppressive economic embargo by the US in the last six decadesand difficulties and hardship, Cuba has made itself a paradise ofquality education and health care.

The hearts of Cuban people are filled with a pure spirit of [socialist]internationalism and an ardent readiness to sacrifice for other oppressedpeoples – not unlike the knights of old times. With regards to Vietnam, ourCuban friends are never anything short of committed and dedicated, stayingtrue to the famous saying of the late Fidel Castro: “For Vietnam, Cuba iswilling to shed its blood!”

This profound fidelity has created a solid foundation for the genuine brotherlyties between Vietnam and Cuba to shine forever."/.