This document was made possible with support from Leon Levy Foundation
TO CC BCP POLITBURO
MEMORANDUM
RE: Expanding the relations between the Bulgarian Communist Party and the Cuban Communist Party
In recent years the economic and cultural relations between Bulgaria and Cuba have expanded and intensified and the perspective is for them to expand even more. Yet the relations between our parties are unsatisfactory.
Taking into account Politburo’s decision for strengthening the relations with the fraternal parties, we think we should take the initiative for expanding and strengthening the relations between our two parties. In the same lines, a suggestion was made by our Ambassador in Havana. A readiness for such an expansion was demonstrated by Raul Castro during his visit last year in our country as well as by Osmani Sienfuegos, member of the Central Committee and Head of its Foreign Affairs commission, during his meeting with Elena Gavrilova[1] in January this year in Havana.
The department considers that it is reasonable to propose to the CC of the CCP the following measures for 1966:
To exchange delegations, led by a Politburo member or a CC Secretary to share experience in the sphere of the Party construction and agriculture.
To exchange one or two lecturers between our Party schools.
To exchange journalists between the “Novo Vreme” /New Time/ and “Partien Zhivot” /Party Life/ magazines with the “Socialist Cuba” magazine.
4. The “Rabotnichesko delo” newspaper, the “Novo Vreme” and “Partien Zhivot” magazines to establish relations and work out a plan for the exchange of articles with the “Granma” newspaper and “Socialist Cuba” magazine.
11 February 1966
Head of the “Foreign Policy and International Relations” department:
Dimo Dichev
[1] CC BCP member and head of a Communist Party Department.
In a memo, Dimo Dichev, Head of the International Relations and Foreign Policy Department of the Bulgarian Communist Party Central Committee, reports unsatisfactory relations between Cuba and Bulgaria. Dichev suggests political and journalism exchanges to show an initiative to bolster relations. Dichev proposes exchanges between specific Cuban and Bulgarian newspapers and magazines.
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