GUEVARA'S LETTER TO CASTRO
[In our October 15 issue, we ran an article by Joseph Hansen concerning Fidel Castro's announcement that Ernesto "Che" Guevara had taken an assignment in "a new field of battle."= Castro read a letter which he had received from Guevara last April. The interna~ tional press ran only excerpts from this letter. Since then the full text has been published in an English translation by the Militant, a New York revolutionary-socialist weekly.
[The full text of the letter bears out the main conclusion of World Outlook's analysis; namely, Guevara's identification with the foreign policy of Cuba's revolution and the need to free the Cuban government of responsibility for Guevara's activities in this field. "T have always been identified with the foreign policy of our revolution and I will continue to be," Guevara declares. "I state once more that I free Cuba from all responsibility, except that which stems from its example,"
[Guevara also makes clear his complete loyalty to the Cuban Revolution: "I carry to new battle fronts the faith that you taught me, the revolutionary spirit of my people, the feeling of fulfilling the most sacred of duties: to fight against imperialism wherever it may be." He also indicates in several places that there are no dif= ferences between him and Castro in matters of fundamental revolutionary principles: "I am thankful for your teaching, your example, and I will try to be faithful to the final consequences of my acts. *]
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a Fidel,
At this moment I remember many things -~ when I met you in Maria Antonia'ts house, when you suggested my coming, all the tensions involved in the preparations.
One day they asked who should be notified in case of death, and the real possibility of that fact affected us all. Later we knew that it was true, that in revolution one wins or dies (if it is a real one). Many comrades fell along the way to victory.
Today everything is less dramatic because we are more mature, But the fact is repeated. I feel that I have fulfilled the part of my duty that tied me to the Cuban revolution in its territory, and I say good-by to you, the comrades, your people, who are already mine.
I formally renounce my positions in the national leadership of the party, my post as minister, my rank of major, and my Cuban citizenship, Nothing legal binds me to Cuba. The only ties are of another nature; those which cannot be broken as appointments can.
Recalling my past life, I believe I have worked with sufficient honor and dedication to consolidate the revolutionary triumph. My only serious failing was not having confided more in you from the first moments in the Sierra Maestra, and not having understood quickly enough your qualities as a leader and a revolutionary.
I have lived magnificent days and I felt at your side the pride of belonging to our people in the brilliant yet sad days of the Caribbean crisis.
Few times has. a statesman been more brilliant than you in those days. I am also proud of having followed you without hesitation, identified with your way of thinking and of Seeing and of appraising dangers and principles. .
Other nations of the world call for my modest efforts, I can do that which is-denied you because of your responsibility as the head of Cuba and the time has come for us to part.
I want it known that I do it with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow: I leave here the purest of my hopes as a builder, and the dearest of those I love. And I leave a people that received me as a son. That wounds me deeply. I carry to new battle fronts the faith that you taught me, the revolutionary spirit of my people, the feel-~ ing of fulfilling the most sacred of duties: to fight against imperialism wherever it may be. This comforts and heals the deepest wounds.
I state once more that I free Cuba from all responsibility, except that which stems from its example. If my final hour finds me under other skies, my last thought will be of this people and espe= cially of yous. I am thankful for your teaching, your example, and I will try to be faithful to the final consequences of my acts.
I have always been identified with the foreign policy of our revolution and I will continue to be. Wherever I am, I will feel the responsibility of being a Cuban revolutionary, and as such I shall
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behave, I am not sorry that I leave my children and my wife nothing ‘material, I am happy it is that way. I ask nothing for them, as I know the state will provide enough for their expenses and education,
I would like to say much to you and to our people, but I-feel it is not necessary. Words cannot express what I would want them to, and I dontt think it's worth while to banter phrases,
Ever onward to victory! Homeland or death!
I embrace you with all my revolutionary fervor.
tt Che"