JFK MEETS WITH RUSSIANS IN OVAL OFFICE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 18, 1962, President John F. Kennedy met with representatives of the Soviet government in the Oval Office at the White House.
Soviet United Nations Ambassador Andrei Gromoyko* read a prepared statement which stated that all assistance to Cuba was strictly for defensive purposes.
Although President Kennedy had U2 photographs in his desk drawer proving otherwise, he didn't reveal them to the Soviets because, as he said later, the information was incomplete and he did not want to give the Russians the opportunity to announce the presence of the missiles first.
*Andrei Andreyevich Gromoyko (1909-1989) entered the Soviet diplomatic service in 1939 & served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for 28 years. AAG was Chairman of the Supreme Soviet 1985-1988.
