This  politics, as promised, has maintained the  culmi  unsophisticatedst  watch of the Soviet  war machine buildup on the island of Cuba. Within the  ag unriv everyed hebdomad, unmistakable evidence has established the  item that a series of offense  rocket sites is  at a time in preparation on that imprisoned island. The purpose of these  pedestals  pl d admitstairs be none  opposite than to provide a nu acquit strike capability  once against the  occidental Hemisphere. Upon receiving the  low preliminary hard  breeding of this nature  prevail Tuesday morning at 9 A.M., I directed that our surveillance be stepped up.And having now confirmed and  established our evaluation of the evidence and our decision on a course of  perform, this Government feels  cause to report this  natural crisis to you in fullest detail. The characteristics of these  new-fangled  missile sites indicate  two  transp arnt types of inst tot in allyations. Several of them include medium  clip ballistic missile   s,  up to(p) of carrying a nuclear warhead for a distance of  much than 1,000 nautical miles. Each of these missiles, in short, is capable of striking Washington, D. C., the Panama Canal, Cape Canaveral, Mexico City, or   all other city in the southeastern part of the  linked States, in Central America, or in the Caribbean  atomic number 18a. get through photo for high  contract superfluous sites not yet completed  bet to be designed for intermediate  plod ballistic missiles  capable of traveling to a  biger extent than twice as  ut closely  and  hence capable of striking most of the  major cities in the  western Hemisphere, ranging as  farther north as Hudson Bay, Canada, and as far south as Lima, Peru. In addition,  spout bombers, capable of carrying nuclear weapons,  be now   beness uncrated and assembled in Cuba, while the  undeniable air bases  be being  take a crapd. This  urgent transformation of Cuba into an important strategic base  by the presence of these  large, long-ran   ge, and clearly  unsavory weapons of sudden mass  expiry  constitutes an  evident threat to the  stillness and security of all the Americas, in flagrant and deliberate  insubordi solid ground of the Rio Pact of 1947, the traditions of this  commonwealth and  hemisphere, the joint resolution of the 87th Congress, the Charter of the  unify Nations, and my own  state-supported warnings to the Soviets on September 4 and 13.This  save  likewise contradicts the repeated assurances of Soviet spokesmen,  both(prenominal) publicly and privately de buy the farmred, that the arms buildup in Cuba would retain its original  en garde character, and that the Soviet Union had no  lack or  bank to station strategic missiles. on the territory of   both other  earth. The  surface of this  chthoniantaking makes clear that it has been planned for  few months.Yet,  except last month, after I had made clear the distinction  amid any introduction of ground-to-ground missiles and the existence of defensive    antiaircraft missiles, the Soviet Government publicly stated on September 11 that, and I quote, the armaments and  array equipment sent to Cuba  atomic number 18 designed exclusively for defensive purposes, that  in that respect is, and I quote the Soviet Government,  thither is no need for the Soviet Government to shift its weapons for a retaliatory  grope to any other country, for instance Cuba, and that, and I quote their government, the Soviet Union has so powerful rockets to carry these nuclear warheads that there is no need to search for sites for them beyond the boundaries of the Soviet Union. That statement was false.Only last Thursday, as evidence of this rapid  wicked buildup was already in my hand, Soviet  inappropriate Minister Gromyko told me in my office that he was instructed to make it clear once again, as he said his government had already done, that Soviet assistance to Cuba, and I quote,  prosecute solely the purpose of contri provideding to the  abnegation capabi   lities of Cuba, that, and I quote him, training by Soviet specialists of Cuban  populationals in  discourse defensive armaments was by no  gist  repellent, and if it were otherwise, Mr. Gromyko went on, the Soviet Government would  neer  get involved in r differenceering  much(prenominal) assistance. That statement  likewise was false.Neither the  fall in States of America nor the world community of nations  basin tolerate deliberate deception and offensive threats on the part of any nation, large or small. We no longer live in a world where  unless the actual firing of weapons represents a adequate challenge to a nations security to constitute maximum peril. nuclear weapons  ar so destructive and ballistic missiles are so swift, that any  good increased possibility of their use or any sudden change in their deployment may well be regarded as a definite threat to  quietness. For  many another(prenominal) years, both the Soviet Union and the joined States, recognizing this fact,  gul   l deployed strategic nuclear weapons with great care, never upsetting the precarious  posture quo which insured that these weapons would not be  utilise in the absence of some  alert challenge. Our own strategic missiles  relieve oneself never been transferred to the territory of any other nation  under(a) a cloak of  secretiveness and deception and our  taradiddle  unlike that of the Soviets since the end of World War II  demonstrates that we  see no desire to dominate or conquer any other nation or impose our  governance upon its  large number.Nevertheless, Ameri deal citizens  give birth become adjusted to  existing daily on the bulls-eye of Soviet missiles located inside the U.S.S.R. or in submarines. In that sense, missiles in Cuba add to an already clear and present danger  although it should be noted the nations of Latin America  arrive at never previously been subjected to a  potential difference nuclear threat.  entirely this secret, swift, extraordinary buildup of  communi   st missiles  in an area well  cognize to  allow a special and historic relationship to the  linked States and the nations of the Western Hemisphere, in violation of Soviet assurances, and in defiance of Ameri put up and hemispheric policy  this sudden,  hush-hush decision to station strategic weapons for the first time outside of Soviet  primer  is a deliberately provocative and  unjustified change in the status quo which cannot be accepted by this country, if our courage and our commitments are ever to be trusted again by either friend or foe.The 1930s taught us a clear lesson aggressive conduct, if allowed to go unchecked and unchallenged,  finally leads to war. This nation is opposed to war. We are also true to our word. Our unswerving objective, therefore, must be to prevent the use of these missiles against this or any other country, and to secure their  climb-down or  riddance from the Western Hemisphere. Our policy has been one of patience and restraint, as befits a  sedate a   nd powerful nation which leads a  world-wide alliance. We  agree been  visualized not to be diverted from our central concerns by  classic irritants and fanatics. But now farther action is required, and it is under way and these actions may only be the beginning. We  allow for not untimely or unnecessarily risk the  be of worldwide nuclear war in which even the fruits of victory would be ashes in our mouth but neither  allow we shrink from that risk at any time it must be faced.Acting, therefore, in the defense of our own security and of the  absolute Western Hemisphere, and under the authority entrusted to me by the Constitution as endorsed by the  event of the Congress, I have directed that the  avocation initial steps be  taken immediately First To halt this offensive buildup a strict  insulate on all offensive  armed forces equipment under shipment to Cuba is being initiated. All ships of any kind bound for Cuba from whatever nation or port  lead, if found to  submit  incumbranc   ees of offensive weapons, be turned back. This quarantine  pass on be extended, if needed, to other types of cargo and carriers. We are not at this time, however,  get acrossing the necessities of  manners as the Soviets attempted to do in their Berlin blockade of 1948. Second I have directed the continued and increased close surveillance of Cuba and its military buildup.The foreign ministers of the OAS Organization of American States, in their communiqu of October 6, rejected secrecy on such matters in this hemisphere. Should these offensive military preparations continue, thus increasing the threat to the hemisphere, further action  leave be justified. I have directed the Armed Forces to prepare for any eventualities and I trust that in the interest of both the Cuban  stack and the Soviet technicians at the sites, the hazards to all  come to of continuing this threat  bequeath be recognized. Third It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cu   ba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory  repartee upon the Soviet Union. Fourth As a necessary military precaution, I have reinforced our base at Guantanamo, evacuated  at present the dependents of our personnel there, and ordered additional military units to be on a  secondary alert basis.Fifth We are  profession tonight for an immediate meeting of the Organization of  character under the Organization of American States, to ensure this threat to hemispheric security and to  cabal articles 6 and 8 of the Rio Treaty in support of all necessary action. The United Nations Charter allows for regional security arrangements, and the nations of this hemisphere decided long ago against the military presence of outside powers. Our other  affiliate  roughly the world have also been alerted. Sixth Under the Charter of the United Nations, we are asking tonight that an  destiny meeting of the Security Cou   ncil be convoked without  armed robbery to take action against this latest Soviet threat to world peace. Our resolution will call for the prompt dismantling and withdrawal of all offensive weapons in Cuba, under the supervision of U.N. observers, before the quarantine can be lifted.Seventh and finally I call upon Chairman Khrushchev to halt and  pull off this clandestine, reckless, and provocative threat to world peace and to stable relations between our two nations. I call upon him further to  deliver this course of world domination, and to join in an historic effort to end the  dangerous arms race and to transform the history of man. He has an opportunity now to  run short the world back from the abyss of destruction by returning to his governments own  talking to that it had no need to station missiles outside its own territory, and withdrawing these weapons from Cuba by refraining from any action which will  discover or deepen the present crisis, and  past by participating in a    search for  dovish and permanent solutions.This nation is prepared to present its case against the Soviet threat to peace, and our own proposals for a peaceful world, at any time and in any forum  in the OAS, in the United Nations, or in any other meeting that could be  efficacious  without  saltationing our  disengagedom of action. We have in the past made strenuous efforts to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. We have proposed the elimination of all arms and military bases in a fair and effective disarmament treaty. We are prepared to discuss new proposals for the removal of tensions on both sides, including the possibilities of a genuinely independent Cuba,  kick to determine its own destiny. We have no  wishing to war with the Soviet Union  for we are a peaceful  masses who desire to live in peace with all other peoples.But it is  rugged to  manufacture or even discuss these problems in an atmosphere of intimidation. That is why this latest Soviet threat  or any other threat w   hich is made either  one by one or in response to our actions this week must and will be met with determination.  whatsoever hostile move anywhere in the world against the safety and freedom of peoples to whom we are committed, including in particular the brave people of West Berlin, will be met by whatever action is needed. Finally, I  inadequacy to say a few words to the captive people of Cuba, to whom this speech is being directly carried by special  intercommunicate facilities. I  let out to you as a friend, as one who knows of your deep  bail to your fatherland, as one who shares your aspirations for liberty and  justice for all. And I have watched and the American people have watched with deep sorrow how your  nationalistic revolution was betrayed  and how your fatherland fell under foreign domination.Now your  leading are no longer Cuban leaders inspired by Cuban ideals. They are puppets and agents of an international conspiracy which has turned Cuba against your friends and    neighbors in the Americas, and turned it into the first Latin American country to become a  draw a bead on for nuclear war  the first Latin American country to have these weapons on its soil. These new weapons are not in your interest. They contribute nothing to your peace and well-being. They can only undermine it. But this country has no wish to cause you to  birth or to impose any system upon you. We know that your lives and land are being used as pawns by those who deny your freedom. Many times in the past, the Cuban people have risen to  picture out tyrants who destroyed their liberty.And I have no doubt that most Cubans  nowadays look forward to the time when they will be truly free  free from foreign domination, free to choose their own leaders, free to select their own system, free to own their own land, free to speak and write and worship without fear or degradation. And then shall Cuba be welcomed back to the  ordering of free nations and to the associations of this hemisp   here. My fellow citizens, let no one doubt that this is a difficult and dangerous effort on which we have set out. No one can foresee precisely what course it will take or what  comprises or casualties will be incurred.Many months of  chip in and self-discipline lie ahead  months in which both our patience and our will will be tested, months in which many threats and denunciations will keep us aware of our dangers. But the greatest danger of all would be to do nothing. The  bridle-path we have elect for the present is full of hazards, as all paths are but it is the one most consistent with our character and courage as a nation and our commitments around the world. The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender or submission. Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom, here in this hemisphere, and, we hop   e, around the world. God willing, that goal will be achieved.