Marginalia Written While Reading the Draft Program of the Cuban People’s Socialist Party
Seven
Establish a patriotic people’s front comprising all ethnic groups within the country, all democratic classes, all democratic political parties, various mass organizations, and the people’s armed forces.
1 11
Eight
Artisans and fishermen are producers; this is not the case. (2)
Nine
Is mutual exchange possible?
13(
[1]
These marginalia were written in the “Civil Rights and Political System” section of the programmatic part of the Draft Program of the Cuban People’s Socialist Party.
[2]
The Draft Program states: “In cities and towns, the situation of numerous artisans, fishermen, small shopkeepers, petty traders, and professionals is no better than that of workers and peasants. They subsist on the wealth created by workers and peasants, so their fate depends on the overall state of affairs.” Below the word “subsist,” Mao Zedong added emphasis marks and wrote this annotation.
[3]
The Draft Program, in its section on “National Independence and Foreign Policy,” first states: “Cuba should also establish relations with the Soviet Union, the People’s Republic of China, and other socialist countries, which would be of great significance for strengthening Cuba’s independence and developing its economy in accordance with national interests.” It then continues: “In its foreign policy, Cuba should take into account solidarity, friendship, and cooperative relations with Latin American countries and peoples.” Mao Zedong moved the second sentence before the first and added this annotation.

Ten
Are foreign banks to be expropriated without compensation?
Eleven
How should redemption and abolition be interpreted?
(2
Twelve
Should larger-scale cooperatives be formed in several stages?
(3)
[1]
The Draft Program, in its section on “Nationalization,” reads: “Foreign banks operating in Cuba are the most powerful and decisive financial institutions. By leveraging their strength, they have deepened our country’s monoculture system and backwardness. Nationalizing these banks and placing credit under state control would not deprive anyone of a single penny, yet it would give the state a tremendous lever for economic development.” Next to this passage, Mao Zedong added emphasis marks and wrote this annotation.
[2]
The Draft Program, in its section on “Nationalization,” further states: “Foreign monopolies and trusts still control vast wealth today, based on colonial concessions obtained through pressure and bribery to the detriment of our national interests.” It goes on to say: “To redeem this wealth, the first step could be to abolish those colonial concessions that harm our national interests—beginning with those acquired from the overthrown anti-national dictatorial regime.” Mao Zedong added emphasis marks next to both of these passages and wrote this annotation.
[3]
These marginalia were written beside several paragraphs in the “Land Reform” section of the Draft Program that discuss organizing cooperatives.

Marginalia Written While Reading the Draft Program of the Cuban People’s Socialist Party
Thirteen
The issue of small freedoms—the question of small plots of private land around homes.
Fourteen
What if we reverse it?
Fifteen
Steel production and machine manufacturing.
[l]
The Draft Program, in its “Land Reform” section, states: “Cooperatives should oppose individualism, promote collective spirit and cooperation among peasants, and combat exploitation of man by man.” Mao Zedong added emphasis marks next to this sentence and wrote this annotation.
[2]
The Draft Program, in its section on “Industrialization and Independent Development of the National Economy,” first says: “Establishing stable relations with the Soviet Union, the People’s Republic of China, and other socialist countries will provide Cuba’s exports, including rubber, with a steady and growing market, as well as a source for importing various machines, industrial equipment, complete factories, fuel, and other goods we need.” It then adds: “Economic relations with Latin American countries and with newly liberated Asian and African nations are of immense importance for strengthening the cooperation necessary for mutual economic development.” Mao Zedong added emphasis marks next to both of these passages and wrote this annotation.
[3]
The Draft Program continues in this section: “In the current economic plan, priority should be given to developing agriculture—to eliminate our annual import of 150 million pesos worth of food—and light industry. However, we must not overlook potential opportunities in metallurgy, particularly in iron, copper, and other metals, nor in the chemical industry. In short, whenever resources and conditions permit the development of heavy industry, we should not neglect it.” Mao Zedong added emphasis marks next to this passage and wrote this annotation.

In 1960, Mao Zedong met with Che Guevara, head of the Cuban economic delegation.

Commentary Regarding the Preparation of an Article Entitled “A Discussion with Comrade Kosygin”
(April 1960)
This article must be critically reviewed; see page 2 for my views. Please have Yang Shangkun consult with Comrades Deng Xiaoping and Chen Boda regarding its preparation.
[1]
Refers to the report delivered by Kosygin, member of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and secretary of the Secretariat, at the Moscow conference commemorating the 90th anniversary of Lenin’s birth on April 22, 1960. An internal publication compiled by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee on April 26 reprinted the main arguments of this report: First, merely repeating the old truth that imperialism is aggressive is insufficient; such dogmatic positions are backward. We must not ignore the fact that the era of imperialist domination over the world has passed. Today, a powerful socialist system exists, creating vast “zones of peace.” Within imperialist countries, peace-loving forces have become more united and organized. Therefore, our task is to fully utilize these new factors favorable to peace in order to save humanity from the catastrophe of a new war. Second, new types of weapons are beginning to exert pressures conducive to peace. Lenin once predicted that one day the destructive power of war would become so overwhelming that it would simply become impossible. Third, there are now sober-minded international activists within the ranks of imperialism who recognize that waging a large-scale, devastating war would be irrational. This undoubtedly contributes to the struggle for victory in the cause of peace.
[2]
Yang Shangkun was then a candidate member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. Deng Xiaoping was then General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. Chen Boda was a candidate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, director of the Central Research Office, and Mao Zedong’s secretary.

It is proposed to write an article titled “A Discussion with Comrade Kosygin,” critically and convincingly refuting the erroneous viewpoints presented in Kosygin’s article. The draft should first be shown to a small group of central leaders for review and revision, after which consideration can be given to whether it should be made public or circulated only among senior party cadres.
On May 1, 1960, Mao Zedong celebrated International Labor Day with a large crowd of people in Tianjin.