"SOVIET ASSISTANCE TO CUBA SOLELY FOR DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES?"

SOVIET FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH JFK DURING MISSILE CRISIS

Washington (JFK+50) On October 18, 1962, President John F. Kennedy met in the Oval Office with several representatives of the Soviet government including minister Andrei Gromyko*.  The meeting, which included Vladimir Seyemenov, Deputy Minister and Anatoly Dobrynin, Soviet ambassador to the United States, began at 5 p.m. and lasted for two hours.

Gromyko read a statement from a prepared text in which his government restated that all assistance to Cuba was strictly for defensive purposes.
Having U2 photographs in his desk, JFK knew better but didn't let on that he knew the situation to be otherwise.

In a interview later in December, JFK said that he did not show Gromyko the photographs because his "information was incomplete" and he didn't want to give the Soviets the advantage of publicly announcing the presence of the missiles before he did.

JFK referred to this meeting in his address to the Nation of October 22, 1962...

"Only last Thursday, as evidence of this rapid offensive buildup was already in my hand, Soviet foreign minister Gromyko told me in my office...that 'Soviet assistance to Cuba (was)...solely (for the) defensive capabilities of Cuba and that if it were otherwise...(his) government would never become involved in rendering  assistance.'" 

*Andrei Gromyko (1909-1989) was born in Staryja Hramyki, Russia and became a member of the All Union Communist Party Bolsheviks in 1931.  In 1936, after 3 years in the study of economics, he did research and gave lectures at the Soviet Academy of Sciences.  AG entered the diplomatic service in 1939 and would serve 28 years as Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Andrei Gromyko with Dean Rusk

Photo by Yoichi Okamoto (1967)

LBJ Library Image

A WARNING OF THE GRAVEST CONSEQUENCES

JFK REMINDS SOVIETS OF U.S. POSITION ON MISSILES IN CUBA

Washington (JFK+50) Fifty-five years ago, October 18, 1962, President John F. Kennedy met in the Oval Office with representatives of the government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The meeting, which began at 5 p.m., included USSR UN Ambassador Andrei Gromyko*, Deputy Minister Vladimir Seyemenov, and Anatoly Dobrynin, Soviet ambassador to the United States. Gromyko read a statement from a prepared text in which his government restated that all assistance to Cuba was for "purely defensive" purposes.

The President, having photographic evidence in his desk drawer proving otherwise, did not disclose what he knew.  In a interview later in December, JFK said that he did not show Gromyko the photographs because his "information was incomplete" and he didn't want to give the Soviets the advantage of publicly announcing the presence of the missiles before he did.

President Kennedy simply read his statement of September 4th (1962) which warned of the "gravest consequence" if the Soviet Union installed offensive nuclear missiles in Cuba.

JFK referred to this meeting with Gromyko in his address of October 22nd (1962) announcing a blockade of the island.  

The President said...

"Only last Thursday, as evidence of this rapid offensive buildup was already in my hand, Soviet foreign minister Gromyko told me in my office...that 'Soviet assistance to Cuba (was)...solely (for the) defensive capabilities of Cuba and that if it were otherwise...(his) government would never become involved in rendering  assistance.'"

*Andrei Gromyko (1909-1989) was born in Staryja Hramyki, Russia and became a member of the All Union Communist Party Bolsheviks in 1931.  In 1936, after 3 years in the study of economics, he did research and gave lectures at the Soviet Academy of Sciences.  AG entered the diplomatic service in 1939 & served 28 years as Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs.

SOURCE

"Thirteen Days In October, Day 3 October 18", John F. Kennedy Library, www.microsites.jfklibrary.org/

Soviets Meet With JFK

Oval Office

October 18, 1962

JFK Library Photo

MISSILE CRISIS DAY 3

JFK FACES TOUGH OPTIONS:  CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS DAY 3

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) FIfty-three years ago this evening, October 18, 1962, the Executive Committee of the National Security Council, or EXCOM, met at the White House to discuss the options for responding to the placement of nuclear missiles in Cuba by the Soviet Union.

Early in the discussions, President Kennedy asked Arthur Lundahl how many different missile sites were identified.  Mr. Lundahl answered twenty-three.
General Maxwell Taylor said:

"All of our (response) plans are based on...(the)...assumption that we would attack with conventional weapons against an enemy who is not equipped with operational nuclear weapons."

The President asked "How quick is our communication with Moscow?"

Llewellyn Thompson answered that it would take from five to six hours to communicate with the Kremlin.  Mr. Thompson expressed his preference for a naval blockade of Cuba along with a demand for the missiles already in place to be dismantled. 

In addition to the President and Vice-President, other participants were:

Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of Defense
Dean Rusk, Secretary of State
C. Douglas Dillon, Secretary of Treasury
Bob F. Kennedy, Attorney General
Llewellyn Thompson, Special Assistant for Soviet affairs
George Ball, Under Secretary of State
McGeorge Bundy, National Security adviser
John McCone, CIA director
Art Lundahl, director National Photo Interpreting Center
General Maxwell Taylor, chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff

JFK CHOOSES NOT TO REVEAL HIS "HAND" DURING MEETING WITH GROMKYO

Washington (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy met in the Oval Office with several representatives of the Soviet government including UN Ambassador Andrei Gromyko* fifty-three years ago this afternoon, October 18, 1962.

The meeting, which included Vladimir Seyemenov, Deputy Minister and Anatoly Dobrynin, Soviet ambassador to the United States, began at 5 p.m. and lasted for two hours.

Gromyko read a statement from a prepared text in which his government restated that all assistance to Cuba was strictly for defensive purposes.
Having the U2 photographs in his desk drawer, JFK knew better but he didn't let on that he knew the situation to be otherwise.

In a interview later in December, JFK said that he did not show Gromyko the photographs because his "information was incomplete" and he didn't want to give the Soviets the advantage of publicly announcing the presence of the missiles before he did.

JFK referred to this meeting in his address to the Nation of October 22, 1962...

"Only last Thursday, as evidence of this rapid offensive buildup was already in my hand, Soviet foreign minister Gromyko told me in my office...that 'Soviet assistance to Cuba (was)...solely (for the) defensive capabilities of Cuba and that if it were otherwise...(his) government would never become involved in rendering  assistance.'"

Andrei Gromyko with Dean Rusk

Photo by Yoichi Okamoto (1967)

LBJ Library Image

*Andrei Gromyko (1909-1989) was born in Staryja Hramyki, Russia and became a member of the All Union Communist Party Bolsheviks in 1931.  In 1936, after 3 years in the study of economics, he did research and gave lectures at the Soviet Academy of Sciences.

AG entered the diplomatic service in 1939 and would serve 28 years as Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs.

THIRD DAY OF CUBAN CRISIS

EXCOM REVIEWS OPTIONS: DAY 3 OF CRISIS IN CUBA

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) FIfty-two years ago this evening, October 18, 1962, the Executive Committee of the National Security Council, or EXCOM, met at the White House to discuss the options for responding to the placement of nuclear missiles in Cuba by the Soviet Union.

In addition to the President and Vice-President, other participants were:

Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of Defense
Dean Rusk, Secretary of State
C. Douglas Dillon, Secretary of Treasury
Bob F. Kennedy, Attorney General
Llewellyn Thompson, Special Assistant for Soviet affairs
George Ball, Under Secretary of State
McGeorge Bundy, National Security adviser
John McCone, CIA director
Art Lundahl, director National Photo Interpreting Center
General Maxwell Taylor, chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff

Early in the discussions, President Kennedy asked Arthur Lundahl how many different missile sites were identified.  Mr. Lundahl answered 23.

General Maxwell Taylor said:

"All of our (response) plans are based on...(the)...assumption that we would attack with conventional weapons against an enemy who is not equipped with operational nuclear weapons."

The President asked "How quick is our communication with Moscow?"

Llewellyn Thompson answered that it would take from 5 to 6 hours to communicate with the Kremlin.  Mr. Thompson expressed his preference for a naval blockade of Cuba along with a demand for the missiles already in place to be dismantled. 


SOVIET AMBASSADOR GROMYKO MEETS WITH JFK DURING CRISIS

Washington (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy met in the Oval Office with several representatives of the Soviet government including UN Ambassador Andrei Gromyko* 52 years ago this afternoon, October 18, 1962.

The meeting, which included Vladimir Seyemenov, Deputy Minister and Anatoly Dobrynin, Soviet ambassador to the United States, began at 5 p.m. and lasted for two hours.

Gromyko read a statement from a prepared text in which his government restated that all assistance to Cuba was strictly for defensive purposes.
Having the U2 photographs in his desk drawer, JFK knew better but he didn't let on that he knew the situation to be otherwise.

In a interview later in December, JFK said that he did not show Gromyko the photographs because his "information was incomplete" and he didn't want to give the Soviets the advantage of publicly announcing the presence of the missiles before he did.

JFK referred to this meeting in his address to the Nation of October 22, 1962...

"Only last Thursday, as evidence of this rapid offensive buildup was already in my hand, Soviet foreign minister Gromyko told me in my office...that 'Soviet assistance to Cuba (was)...solely (for the) defensive capabilities of Cuba and that if it were otherwise...(his) government would never become involved in rendering  assistance.'"

Andrei Gromyko with Dean Rusk

Photo by Yoichi Okamoto (1967)

LBJ Library Image

*Andrei Gromyko (1909-1989) was born in Staryja Hramyki, Russia and became a member of the All Union Communist Party Bolsheviks in 1931.  In 1936, after 3 years in the study of economics, he did research and gave lectures at the Soviet Academy of Sciences.

AG entered the diplomatic service in 1939 and would serve 28 years as Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs.

CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS: DAY 3

DAY 3 OF 13 DAY CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS 51 YEARS AGO TODAY!

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 51 years ago today, October 18, 1962, was the third day of what would be the 13 day Cuban Missile Crisis, the closest the world has come to nuclear war.

President John F. Kennedy met in the Oval Office with several representatives of the Soviet government including UN Ambassador Andrei Gromyko*.

The meeting, which included Vladimir Seyemenov, Deputy Minister and Anatoly Dobrynin, Soviet ambassador to the United States, began at 5 p.m. and lasted for two hours.

Gromyko read a statement from a prepared text in which his government restated that all assistance to Cuba was strictly for defensive purposes.

Having the U2 photographs in his desk drawer, JFK knew better but he didn't let on that he knew the situation to be otherwise.

In a interview later in December, JFK said that he did not show Gromyko the photographs because his "information was incomplete" and he didn't want to give the Soviets the advantage of publicly announcing the presence of the missiles before he did.

JFK referred to this meeting in his address to the Nation of October 22, 1962...

"Only last Thursday, as evidence of this rapid offensive buildup was already in my hand, Soviet foreign minister Gromyko told me in my office...that 'Soviet assistance to Cuba (was)...solely (for the) defensive capabilities of Cuba and that if it were otherwise...(his) government would never become involved in rendering  assistance.'"

Andrei Gromyko with Dean Rusk

Photo by Yoichi Okamoto (1967)

LBJ Library Image

*Andrei Gromyko (1909-1989) was born in Staryja Hramyki, Russia and became a member of the All Union Communist Party Bolsheviks in 1931.  In 1936, after 3 years in the study of economics, he did research and gave lectures at the Soviet Academy of Sciences.

AG entered the diplomatic service in 1939 and would serve 28 years as Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs.

EXCOM MEETS TO DISCUSS OPTIONS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 51 years ago this evening, October 18, 1962, the Executive Committee of the National Security Council, or EXCOM, met at the White House to discuss the options for responding to the discovery that nuclear missiles had been placed in Cuba by the Soviet Union.

In addition to the President and Vice-President, other participants were:

Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of Defense
Dean Rusk, Secretary of State
C. Douglas Dillon, Secretary of Treasury
Bob F. Kennedy, Attorney General
Llewellyn Thompson, Special Assistant for Soviet affairs
George Ball, Under Secretary of State
McGeorge Bundy, National Security adviser
John McCone, CIA director
Art Lundahl, director National Photo Interpreting Center
General Maxwell Taylor, chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff

Early in the discussions, President Kennedy asked Arthur Lundahl how many different missile sites were identified.  

Mr. Lundahl answered 23.

Arthur Lundhaul

Photo courtesy of Sandy Spangnolo

General Maxwell Taylor said:

"All of our (response) plans are based on...(the)...assumption that we would attack with conventional weapons against an enemy who is not equipped with operational nuclear weapons."

The President asked...

"How quick is our communication with Moscow?"

Llewellyn Thompson answered that it would take from five to six hours to communicate with the Kremlin.

Mr. Thompson, later in the meeting, expressed his preference for a naval blockade of Cuba along with a demand for the missiles already in place to be dismantled.

Robert Kennedy originally supported military action but in this meeting appeared to be leaning toward a blockade.

DAY #3: CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

DAY #3: CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On Thursday, October 18, 1962, President Kennedy met in the Oval Office in the West Wing of the White House with several representatives of the Soviet government including UN Ambassador Andrei Gromyko.

The meeting, which included Vladimir Seyemenov, Deputy Minister & Anatoly Dobrynin, Soviet ambassador to the United States, began at 5 p.m. & ended at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

Gromyko read a statement to the President from a prepared text in which his government restated that all assistance to Cuba was strictly for defensive purposes.

Having U2 photographs in his desk drawer, JFK knew better but he didn't let on to the Russians.

In a televised interview later in December, JFK said that did not show the photographs because his information was incomplete & he didn't want to give the Soviets the advantage of announcing 1st that the missiles were there.

JFK referred to the meeting with Gromyko in his address to the nation of October 22, 1962 when he said:

"Only last Thursday, as evidence of this rapid offensive buildup was already in my hand, Soviet foreign minister Gromyko told me in my office...that 'Soviet assistance to Cuba (was)...solely (for the) defensive capabilities of Cuba & that if it were otherwise...(his) government would never become involved in rendering  assistance.'"

OCTOBER 18, 1962

EXCOMM MEETS TO MAKE DECISION ON MISSILES IN CUBA

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) This evening the Executive Committee of the National Security Council, called EXCOMM, met at the White House to discuss the options for responding to the discovery that nuclear missiles have been placed in Cuba by the U.S.S.R.

In addition to the President & Vice-President, other participants were:

Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of Defense
Dean Rusk, Secretary of State
C. Douglas Dillon, Secretary of Treasury
Bob F. Kennedy, Attorney General
Llewellyn Thompson, Special Assistant for Soviet affairs
George Ball, Under Secretary of State
McGeorge Bundy, National Security adviser
John McCone, CIA director
Arthur Lundahl, director National Photography Interpreting Center
General Maxwell Taylor, chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff

Early in the discussions, President Kennedy asked Mr. Lundahl how many different missile sites were identified.  

He answered 23.

General Maxwell Taylor said:

"All of our (response) plans are based on...(the)...assumption that we would attack with conventional weapons against an enemy who is not equipped with operational nuclear weapons."

The President asked "how quick is our communication with Moscow?"

Mr. Thompson said 5 to 6 hours and later expressed his preference for a (naval) blockade along with a demand for the missiles already in place to be dismantled.

The Attorney General, who originally supported military action, now appears to be leaning toward a blockade following the lead of Llewellyn Thompson & George Ball.*

*Although JFK+50 posts this as a news article for Oct 18, 1962, it would not have appeared so at the time because this information was top secret.  

ANDREI GROMYKO

February 17, 1957


GROMYKO BECOMES SOVIET FOREIGN MINISTER


The Soviet government today announced that Andrei Gromyko is now Foreign Minister for the USSR.


Mr. Gromyko started in the foreign service in 1939 & after WWII became an expert in Cold War diplomacy.*


*Gromyko would be invited to the White House in October 1962 before the US announced it had evidence of a Soviet build up of nuclear missile sites in Cuba.  President Kennedy had the photographs showing the missiles in his desk but did not let on to Gromyko who continued to say that the USSR was not putting missiles in Cuba.

Gromyko 3rd from left meeting with JFK in 1962


February 17, 1979


CHINESE INVADE VIETNAM


In response to Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia, Chinese troops attacked Vietnam today.  


Tensions have been building between the two communist nations since the Vietnam War ended in 1975.  Vietnam had previously sent their troops into Laos & the Chinese government has been troubled about Vietnam's ties with the USSR.

February 17, 1972


VW BEETLE IS NOW #1 SELLER OF ALL TIME


The Volkswagen Beetle became the #l automobile ever to be produced today as the 15,007,034th German mini car rolled off the assembly line.  The Beetle moved ahead of Henry Ford's Model T which previously held the record.


The VW Beetle was the brainchild of Adolf Hitler & Ferdinand Porsche.  It was touted as "the people's car" but did not go into mass production until after WWII.


The 1st VW plant was located in Wolfsburg, Germany.*

The VW was produced from 1938 to 2003.


February 17, 1947


VOA BROADCASTS TO SOVIET UNION


The Voice of America began shortwave broadcasts to the USSR today.  The American broadcasts are in the Russian language.  


The VOA hopes to "give listeners in the USSR a picture of life in America."*


*The sound quality of the broadcast was poor due to bad weather & technical problems.

February 17, 1909


GERONIMO DIES


Apache chief Geronimo, known for fighting against both the United States & Mexico, died today.


The chief, born in 1829, was famous for his daring exploits as well as his ability to escape capture for many years.

 February 17, 1904


MADAME BUTTERFLY PREMIERS IN ITALY


The opera Madame Butterfly premiered today at the Scala Theater in Milan, Italy.


Written by Giacomo Puccini over a 2 year span, the opera is based on the play by David Belarco which was based on a story by John Luther King.*


*Madame Butterfly wins international success & is performed for the 1st time at New York's Metropolitan Opera in 1907.

February 17, 1864


H.L. HUNLEY SINKS USS HOUSATONIC


The 1st submarine to engage & sink a warship in all recorded history occurred today when the Confederate Navy's H.L. Hunley succeeded in sinking the USS Housatonic off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina.


The Housatonic was on blockade duty when the Hunley's spar placed a torpedo inside her hull.  There were 8 crewmen aboard the submarine.


The Hunley, named after its builder Horace L. Hunley, disappeared shortly after sinking the Houstonic.*


*The H.L. Hunley has been recovered & can be seen today in Charleston.