November 2, 1962
Cable no. 346 from the Czechoslovak Embassy in Havana (Pavlíček)
This document was made possible with support from Leon Levy Foundation
Telegram from Havana File # 11.340 St
Arrived: 2.11.62 05:05
Processed: 2.11.62 06:10 Office of the President, G, Ku, Kl, 6, TO
Dispatched: 2.11.62 06:45
The Cuban press is stressing Fidel [Castro]’s 5 Points and gathering other news from API without commentaries, and only a little from TASS. Journalists are very disoriented and embarrassed; some circles are even supporting anti-Soviet moods and anti-communism, although these tendencies are not determined. The press makes no mention of China’s heightened position given its proclamation supporting the 5 Points and Cuba, nor of the Chinese-Indian conflict. We can expect the press to take some direction after Fidel’s speech. Explain to ČTK [Czech News Agency] that Vavruš [a ČTK reporter] is consulting important steps with the embassy and cannot make note of certain negative realities included in our other, already sent messages. At a press conference we probed for reactions to the Czechoslovak government’s gift—results are good and there were positive evaluations from our partners in East Germany (GDR), the USSR, etc. Details and analysis of individual tendencies in the press and the like will be sent by messenger. We recommend an increase of photos and materials about the situation via Prel and also the embassy.
Pavlíček 346
Pavlicek's primary focus in this cable is the effect of the crisis on the national media. The Cuban media is stressing Castro's 5 Points, and some journalists are hesitant to report anything else. There is a slight thread of anticommunism and anti-Soviet sentiment breeding among the media, but these feelings are not widespread, according to Pavlicek. The press is holding off on coverage of all other events such as the Sino-Indian border conflict and Chinese support for Castro's 5 points until after his speech.
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