09/09/10 - Cuba-L Analysis - Fidel Castro's Letter to Nikita Khrushchev on October 26, 1962 [Dear reader, The document below appears in English for the first time. We are publishing it in order to clarify for the historical record what Fidel Castro actually wrote during the 1962 Missile Crisis. Nikita Khrushchev received from the Soviet embassy in Havana a Russian translation of the letter from Fidel written in Spanish in which the nuances and conditionalities expressed there did not appear. The American public has relied on the erroneous Russian translation, which, in turn had been translated to English. The document below is a Cuba-L translation.] ========================================================================================= Havana, 26 October 1962 Dear Compañero Khrushchev: From an analysis of the situation and the reports that we have at our disposal, I believe that the aggression is almost imminent within the next 24 to 72 hours. There are two possible alternatives: the first and most likely is an attack against specific targets with the limited objective of destroying them and the second, less likely but possible, is an invasion. I understand that carrying out this alternative requires a large force and is also the most repulsive form of aggression, which might inhibit them. You can be sure that we will firmly and resolutely resist an attack whatever it may be. The morale of the Cuban people is extremely high and they will confront the aggressor heroically. I would like now to express my opinion in a very few words. If the second alternative takes place and the imperialists invade Cuba to occupy it, the danger that such an aggressive policy holds for humanity is so great that after that action the Soviet Union should not ever allow circumstance to arise in which the imperialists could unleash a first-strike nuclear attack. I tell you this because I believe that the aggressiveness of the imperialists is becoming extremely dangerous and if they decide to carry out something so brutally in violation of law and universal morality as to invade Cuba, that would be the moment to eliminate such a danger forever by the most legitimate defense no matter how severe and terrible the solution, because there is no other. I am influenced in this opinion by seeing how this aggressive policy is developing as the imperialists, in spite of world opinion, and disregarding principles of law, blockade the seas, violate our air space, prepare for invasion, while at the same time allow every possibility for negotiations to fail, despite understanding the gravity of the problem. You have been and are a tireless defender of peace; I understand how bitter these hours must have been when the results of your superhuman efforts are menaced so seriously. Nevertheless, until the last moment, we will continue in the hope that peace may be saved, and we are ready to contribute with what is at our disposal. But at the same time, we are serenely ready to confront a situation that we see as very real and very near. I express once again the infinite gratitude and the recognition of our people to the Soviet people who so generously and fraternally have been with us, and our deepest gratitude and admiration to you, as well as a desire for success in the enormous task and grave responsibilities you have on your hands. Fraternally, Fidel Castro
		Havana. October 26, 1962 Dear Comrade Khrushchev: From an analysis of the situation and the reports in our possession, I consider that the aggression is almost imminent within the 24 or 72 hours. There are two possible variants: the first and likeliest one is an air attack against certain large targets with the limited objective of destroying them; the second, less probable although possible, is invasion. I understand that this variant would call for a large number of forces and it is, in addition, the most repulsive form of aggression, which might inhibit them. You can rest assured that we will firmly and resolutely resist attack, whatever it may be. The morale of the Cuban people is extremely high and the aggressor will be confronted heroically. At this lime I want to convey to you briefly my personal opinion. If the second variant is implemented and the imperialists invade Cuba with the goal of occupying it, the danger that the aggressive policy poses for humanity is so great that following that event the Soviet Union must never allow the circumstances in which the imperialists could launch the first nuclear strike against it. I tell you this because I believe that the imperialists’ aggressiveness is extremely dangerous and if they actually carry out the brutal act of invading Cuba in violation of international law and morality, that would be the moment to eliminate such danger forever through an act of clear legitimate defense, however harsh, and terrible the solution would be, for there is no other. It has influenced my opinion to see how this aggressive policy is developing, how the imperialists, disregarding world public opinion and ignoring principles and the law, are blockading the seas, violating our airspace and preparing an invasion, while at the same time frustrating every possibility for talks, even though they are aware of the seriousness of the problem. You have been and continue to be a tireless defender of peace and I realize how bitter these hours must be, when the outcome of your superhuman efforts is so seriously threatened. However, up to the last moment we will maintain the hope that peace will be safeguarded and we are willing to contribute to this as much we can. But at the same time, we are ready to calmly confront a situation which we view as quite real and quite close. Once more I convey to you the infinite gratitude and recognition of our people to the Soviet people who have been so generous and fraternal with us, as well as our profound gratitude and admiration for you, and wish you success in the huge task serious responsibilities ahead of you. Fraternally, Fidel Castro THANKS to Prof. Philip Brenner for this translation