This record of a conversation between Fidel Castro and Erich Honecker took place in 1980, five years after the creation of the Church Committee. The final report of the Church Committee was published in 1976, four years prior to this conversation. Castro and “Comrade Honecker,” then-General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, discussed Cuba in this excerpt, focusing on United States – Cuban relations and Soviet – Cuban relations.
Castro expressed his gratefulness that he was finally able to meet with Honecker and discuss the current political climate, specifically the “increased activity of the USA and the other enemies of our revolution.” Honecker and Castro go on to chat about other happenings that they are pleased with, such as the construction of a cement factory, constantly restating their gratitude for each other and their partnership. This highlights the tensions between Cuba and the United States and Russia and the United States, while also emphasizing the intimacy between Russia and Cuba at this time.
“Through the powerful manifestation of revolutionary Cuba within the last couple of weeks, the mobilization of the Cuban people, they felt that the revolutionary regime and the government of Cuba led by Fidel Castro are very solid.
I completely agree with Fidel Castro: they feel that Cuba is not alone, that it is virtually the lighthouse of socialism in America, that it provides a stimulus for the anti-imperialist revolution in Latin America.”
— Erich Honecker
“Transcript of Conversation between Cuban Premier Fidel Castro and East German leader Erich Honecker, Havana, (excerpt),” May 25, 1980, History and Public Policy Program Digital Archive, TsKhSD, f. 5, op. 77, d. 642, ll. 18-21; translation by Svetlana Savranskaya http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/111220.