-DATE- 19740228 -YEAR- 1974 -DOCUMENT_TYPE- MEETING -AUTHOR- F. CASTRO -HEADLINE- GDR-CUBAN JOINT DECLARATION -PLACE- CUBAN REPUBLIC -SOURCE- ADN INTERNATIONAL SERVIC -REPORT_NBR- FBIS -REPORT_DATE- 19740228 -TEXT- TEXT OF GDR-CUBAN JOINT DECLARATION RELEASED East Berlin ADN International Service in German 0512 GMT 28 Feb 74 L ["Text of Declaration on the Strengthening of Friendship and Intensification of Cooperation Between the GDR and the Republic of Cuba"--ADN headline] [Text] Havana--The first official friendly visit by a GDR party-government delegation, headed by Enrich Honecker, first secretary of the SED Central Committee who stayed in the Cuban Republic from 20-26 February 1974, at the invitation of Fidel Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party [PCC] and prime minister of the Revolutionary Government of Cuba, afforded the opportunity for a fruitful exchange of opinions on the internal development of both countries and those fundamental issues which disturb the world public. With this friendly visit, relations between the two countries enter upon a new stage of their development. They are aimed at serving the progress of their nations and contributing to the strengthening of the socialist community of states, its unbreakable alliance with the country of Lenin, to the cohesion of the world communist movement and to the righteous liberation struggle of the nations. The fraternal ties and close friendship between the SED and the PCC, between the peoples of the GDR and the Cuban Republic, are indispensable prerequisites for the great joint achievements in the construction of socialism and in the struggle for peace, democracy and social progress. In the conviction that joint action is most deeply consonant with the interests of world peace and the striving of the nations for national and social liberation, and in the spirit of the identity of their views on the current world situation and on the foreign policy of the socialist states, a policy directed toward the defense of freedom, independence and sovereign rights of states and nations, the strengthening of peace and international cooperation, the first secretaries of the central committees of the SED and the PCC have agreed to declare: I With great satisfaction, both parties and governments note that, since the official friendly visit to the GDR by first secretary of the PCC Central Committee, prime minister of the Revolutionary Government of Cuba, Fidel Castro Ruz, the relations of fraternal friendship and cooperation between the SED and the PCC, the GDR and Cuba governments, as well as the social organizations of both countries, have reached a higher level of their development, and they express their determination also henceforth to further them on the basis of the principles of Marxism-Leninism and socialist internationalism for the benefit of both nations and the socialist community of states. They find concrete expression in a large number of treaties, accords and agreements which have been concluded between the two countries in the political, economic, cultural and scientific-technical sphere, and whose implementation is a valuable contribution to building socialism in both countries. The GDR and the Cuban Republic have been able during the past period to achieve new significant successes in all spheres of socialist construction. The GDR, whose foundation represented a turning point in the history of Europe, marks the 25th anniversary of its existence this year. The resolutions of the Eighth SED Congress are being realized with good results and the directive of the current 5-year plan is being fulfilled and overfulfilled in all decisive target figures. The enthusiasm of the working people in all spheres of the national economy, science and culture have made possible a smooth implementation of the main task laid down by the Eighth SED Congress and the improvement of the material and cultural living standards of the people. The moral and political unity of the GDR people, who rally around the SED in firm confidence, is stable and unshakable. The international positions of the GDR as a sovereign socialist state have been consolidated as a result of the definitive liquidation of the diplomatic blockade conducted by the imperialists and of the worldwide recognition of the GDR on the basis of international law, as well as its admission to the United Nations. The GDR, as a member of the socialist community of states, enjoys on the basis of its growing successes and its consistent socialist foreign policy, high international authority. The SED and the people of the GDR highly appreciate the successes of the Cuban people, already freed of all exploitation, in constructing a socialist society under the well-tried leadership of the PCC. The profound socialist transformations, the great progress in cultural development, the fundamental changes in the way of life of the Cuban people are an example and an encouragement for many other peoples who are fighting for their national liberation and for social progress. The Cuban socialist revolution, whose 15th anniversary was recently marked, has entered a new stage of its development. It resolutely continues the glorious revolutionary traditions of the Cuban people and is achieving outstanding performances in the political, scientific and intellectual-cultural life of the country. The nations of the world have great respect and confidence for the Cuban people and their revolutionary leadership. The existence and secure upsurge of socialist Cuba is a testimony to the revolutionary renewal of the world on the road to freedom, independence and social progress. Both sides highly value the creative activity of the CPSU, of the entire Soviet people, implementing the resolutions of the 24th party congress. They believes the CPSU and the USSR demonstrate through their consistent domestic and foreign policy, whose basis is unflinching fidelity to Marxism-Leninism, their internationalist aid and support for all nations fighting for their freedom and social progress, their vanguard role in the victorious struggle of all revolutionary, progressive and democratic forces of our epoch. The GDR and the Cuban Republic express to the Soviet Union their deep gratitude for its internationalist solidarity and fraternal assistance which is being given to them in all fields of socialist construction, and they manifest their determination to strengthen fraternal relations with the country of Lenin and to work for closer relations between the socialist fraternal countries and their nations. Both sides regard it as their revolutionary duty to strengthen and deepen the friendship and cooperation with the CPSU, the USSR and the other countries of the socialist community of states. This is the guarantee for successful construction of socialism in their countries. II The core of the friendly relations between the GDR and the Cuban Republic is the close fraternal bond between the SED and the PCC. Both parties express their determination to unceasingly deepened and expand their political, ideological and theoretical cooperation on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism, in the spirit of the revolutionary traditions of both parties. They ascribe primary significance to the agreement concluded for this purpose, and make the systematic exchange of delegations and experiences. They agree with the aim of strengthening the unity and cohesion of the world communist movement and express their determination to make an effective contribution to the struggle against anticommunism, anti-Sovietism, revisionism and chauvinism. They oppose any attempt to undermine this unity and cohesion. Both parties support all steps toward further rallying the world communist movement on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism. The GDR and the Cuban Republic will, on the strength of the good state of cooperation built on mutual confidence, solidarity and fraternity, develop their political, economic, scientific-technical and cultural relations in a planned manner. Intensive economic relations serve the purpose of dynamically developing further the productive forces of both countries, of more effectively utilizing science and technology, promoting socialist economic integration and raising the standard of living of both nations in a planned manner. They attach special importance to coordination of economic plans of the GDR and the Cuban Republic form 1976-80. Socialist economic integration gives the economic and scientific-technical cooperation of the two countries an even wider frame and opens up far-reaching prospects. The GDR and the Cuban Republic as member states of CEMA express their firm resolution actively to contribute to implementing the comprehensive program of socialist economic integration. III In the discussion of the current international situation, both sides completely agree on their assessment of the fundamental questions considered. The might of world socialism, the unity and solidarity of the socialist community of states, which are united by indestructible bonds of fraternity, are the revolutionary main force of our epoch and decisively influence the course of social development in the world. The struggle of the nations against imperialism, colonialism and neocolonialism has scored impressive victories. At the same time, the struggle of the working class in the capitalist countries, as a result of an unprecedented intensification of all political and economic contradictions which they exhibit, is receiving fresh impetus. As a result of all this remarkable progress in favor of the forces of socialism, national liberation and social progress, a positive change has occurred in international relations toward further asserting the principles of peaceful coexistence and detente. Thanks to the coordinated actions of the forces of peace, democracy and socialism, important successes could be attained. The GDR and the Cuban Republic regard it as an important and pressing task of all socialist countries and all revolutionary forces in the world to render irreversible the achieved results of the socialist peace policy, and in particular the peace program adopted at the 24th CPSU Congress, and to extend the process of detente to all regions and countries regardless of their size and power. The fundamental prerequisite for this is a further curbing of the most aggressive circles of imperialism. This calls for the strengthening of world socialism and unanimous action taken by all revolutionary and peace forces as well as a heightened vigilance of the nations toward all provocations and threats of war. The great military, political and diplomatic victory of the Vietnamese people in its struggle against U.S. aggression as well as the signing of the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam are assessed by the GDR and the Cuban Republic as an historic victory of the heroic Vietnamese people and the solidarity of the socialist countries and all revolutionary and progressive forces of the world. Both states also reaffirm their intention to give henceforth all-round assistance to the DRV and the Republic of South Vietnam in implementing the agreements concluded and in the construction of the country. They support the policy of the DRV directed at the strict observation of the agreements and the construction of socialism in the DRV. They support the policy of the PRGRSV, which serves peace, independence, democracy and neutrality, and condemn the systematic violation of the Paris agreement on Vietnam by the Saigon administration and the United States. The GDR and the Cuban Republic declare their solidarity with the Cambodian people's struggle against the Lon Nol clique and pay tribute to the successes of the Cambodian people under the leadership of the National United Front of Cambodia. They are firmly convinced that the day of victory is near for the Cambodian people. They speak in favor of strict observation of the Agreement on Restoring Peace and Achieving National Concord in Laos. In Europe, favorable conditions have arisen for normalizing the political climate on this continent and for developing advantageous cooperation between all European states. The Cuban Republic and the GDR agree in their assessment that this is primarily the result of the joint efforts of the socialist community of states and of the conclusion of the treaties of Moscow, Warsaw, Berlin and Prague. They assess the treaty on the foundations of relations between the GDR and the FRG as an important contribution to strengthening peace in Europe and to asserting the principles of peaceful coexistence in relations between the GDR and the FRG. The GDR and the Cuban Republic believe that the strict observance of the treaty in letter and spirit is imperative and the only possible prerequisite for developing good-neighborly relations between the GDR and the FRG. Guided by the endeavor to contribute to detente and to a normalization of relations, the GDR and the Cuban Republic endorse the provisions of the quadripartite agreement on West Berlin, in which it was laid down unequivocally that West Berlin is not part of the FRG and must not be governed by it. The strict observance of the quadripartite agreement on West Berlin and of the corresponding accords and agreements between the GDR and the FRG and the West Berlin Senat is essential for understanding between all sides interested in West Berlin affairs, well as as the basis for solving all practical questions affecting West Berlin. Both sides welcome the signing of the treaty between the CSSR and the FRG, in which the nullity of the Munich agreement is recognized. They note with satisfaction that diplomatic relations have been established between the FRG and the CSSR, the Hungarian People's Republic and the Bulgarian People's Republic. Both states speak in favor of an early and successful conclusion of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. They regard a successful conclusion of this conference as a contribution of fundamental importance to peace throughout the world. The Cuban side appreciate the GDR's constructive contribution to detente and to cooperation between European states. The GDR and the Cuban Republic condemn Israel's imperialist policy of aggression against the Arab states. They manifest their determination to develop further the solidarity and cooperation with the Arab nations and the Palestinian people. They come out in favor of a political settlement of this conflict and express their expectation that the positive steps already taken, including the Geneva peace conference, will lead to results which fulfill the legitimate demands of the Arab nations. They are of opinion that lasting peace in this part of the world depends on the total withdrawal of Israeli aggressive troops from all Arab territories occupied in 1967 and in the securing of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Both sides in a spirit of solidarity support the proposals of the DPRK regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops and reunification of the country without foreign interference. Both sides are of the opinion that with the victory of the Cuban revolution, the revolutionary movement in Latin America, and the nations' struggle against imperialism, for national independence and social progress have received a great impetus. They condemn the brutal oppression practiced by imperialism against the nations of Latin America, and express their conviction that, notwithstanding temporary setbacks, the struggle of these peoples will led to the achievement of genuine independence. They condemn the fascists putsch in Chile, the murder of the legitimate president, Salvador Allende, and the overthrow of the government of the Popular Unity. This military-fascist putsch is the work of domestic and foreign counterrevolutionaries and manifests the moral, political and ideological crisis of imperialism. Both sides express their complete and all-round solidarity with the Chilean people, with all patriotic and democratic forces associated in the parties of the Chilean Left, in their struggle to create the broadest possible unity front against the fascist junta in Chile. They demand the cessatio of the bloody terror and persecution as well as the immediate release of the general secretary of the Chilean Communist Party, Comrade Luis Corvalan, and of all the other incarcerated patriots. They are sure that the struggle of the Chilean people will be successful. The GDR and the Cuban Republic support the people and Government of Peru in their resolute policy for the defense and recovery of the country's economic resources and for the unrestricted exercise of their sovereign rights. They support the legitimate aspirations of the people of Panama for independence and sovereignty over their entire territory. They welcome the development and strengthening of relations between Latin American states and the socialist countries and are convinced that the more active participation of the independence Latin American countries in international life will make a substantial contribution to peace and cooperation between states. They express their militant solidarity with the patriotic and revolutionary forces of the Latin American countries in the struggle for national independence and social progress. Both sides agree that the liquidation of colonialism, neocolonialism and racism are questions of high priority at the present juncture. They come out in favor of the right of the nations in Latin America and of all other continents who suffer under the colonial yoke to determine their destinies by themselves. Both states advocate strict observance of all applicable UN resolutions. The GDR condemns most resolutely the imperialist policy of diplomatic and economic blockade against the first socialist state on the American Continent. The GDR welcomes Cuba's successes in the struggle against the aggressive policy of blockade conducted by imperialism, and expresses its joy about the normalization of state relations between socialist Cuba and an ever increasing number of Latin American states. The GDR renews its support for the Cuban Republic's legitimate demand for the unconditional abolition of the Guantanamo Naval Base, which is being unlawfully maintained by the United States against the will of the Cuban people. Both sides solemnly declare their unswerving solidarity with the liberation movements of peoples throughout the world which are fighting against imperialism, colonialism, neocolonialism and racism, for national and social liberation. The GDR and the Cuban Republic welcome the foundation of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and express their sympathy and support for the struggle waged by its people in common with the peoples of Angola and Mozambique against Portuguese colonialism and its reactionary allies in NATA. Both states attach great importance to the nonaligned movement in world politics. They highly appreciate the anti-imperialist tendency of this policy, its endeavor to contribute to a lessening of international tensions and to the strengthening of peace in the world. The GDR and the Cuban Republic greet the results of the Fourth Conference of Heads of State and Government of Nonaligned States in Algiers. They assess the anti-imperialist and anticolonialist resolutions of the conference as a worthy contribution by these states to detente, to the consolidation of peace, mutual understanding and goodneighbourly relations. The Soviet Union and the other states of the socialist community are reliable allies of these states in their struggle against imperialism and colonialism. The GDR and the Cuban Republic believe that political detente must be supplemented by practical steps toward disarmament. In this connection, both sides welcome the treaties concluded between the USSR and the United States and the talks started on halting the arms race and reducing the number of troops. They support the Soviet proposal adopted by the United Nations for the permanent Security Council members to reduce arms expenditures by 10 percent and to hand over part of these funds to aid developing countries. The GDR and the Cuban Republic express their conviction that the realization of the objectives proclaimed in this declaration constitutes a worthy contribution of both nations to further strengthening world socialism and to consolidating world peace, and serves the interests of all revolutionary forces of the world. [Signed] Enrich Honecker, first secretary of the SED Central Committee Fidel Castro Ruz, first secretary of the PCC Central Committee and prime minister of the Revolutionary Government of the Cuban Republic. -END-