Cuba Speech Essay

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.