"SOME HOPE OF A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD"

KENNEDY-RUSK CONFER ON EVE OF TEST BAN TREATY SIGNING IN MOSCOW

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 2, 1963, President John F. Kennedy "held a final conference with Secretary of State Dean Rusk*" as the Secretary prepared to leave for Moscow "to sign the limited nuclear test ban treaty."

President Kennedy said that he sees "some hope of moving towards a more peaceful world" but cautions that while this is "an important step" it is "only a first step."

Mr. Rusk will be accompanied by United Nations Ambassador Adlai E. Stevenson along with six United States senators, four Democrats and two Republicans.

*David Dean Rusk (1909-1994) was born in Cherokee County, Georgia & graduated Davidson College 1931.  DDR earned his MA at Oxford University & served as U.S. Secretary of State 1961-1969.

SOURCE

"Kennedy, Rusk Draft Strategy," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 2, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

David Dean Rusk

U.S. Secretary of State

1961-1969

Department of State

"IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL ITS OVER!"

SIX SOVIET SHIPS STOP SHORT OF QUARANTINE LINE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 24, 1962, Day 9 of the Cuban Missile Crisis, six Soviet ships approaching the Quarantine Line 500 miles east of Cuba, according to CIA director John McCone, "stopped or reversed direction."

The news was relayed to the Cabinet Room at The White House where the Executive Committee of the National Security Council was in session.

Having come dangerously close to the start of a nuclear war, Secretary of State Dean Rusk said...

"We stood eyeball to eyeball.  The other fellow just blinked."

JFK+50 NOTE

At a dinner that evening, journalist Charles Bartlett proposed a toast to celebrate to which JFK responded, "You don't want to celebrate in the game this early," or as Yogi Berra put it, "It ain't over 'til its over!"

SOURCE

"We Stood Eyeball to Eyeball," JFK+50, October 24, 2014, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/

Navy P-211 Neptune Flying Over a Soviet Freighter

US Navy Photo

1962

"NO INDICATION OF NEW OR SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION"

SOVIETS TURN OVER FILE ON OSWALD TO UNITED STATES

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 1, 1963, the Associated Press reports "Soviet Ambassador Anatoly F. Dobrynin* has voluntarily turned over to Secretary of State Dean Rusk** a Soviet consular file on Lee Harvey Oswald, alleged assassin of President (John F.) Kennedy."

The U.S. State Department has turned this file over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation but "there was no indication...as to whether they contained" new or significant information.

Lee Oswald had lived in the Soviet Union from 1959 to 1962 and reportedly had requested to renounce his American citizenship.  A former Marine, he returned to the United States with his Russian wife.

The Soviet file, according to the AP, contains ten to twelve pages which are copies of the originals.  While the United States did not request the files, it is assumed they were turned over as a "friendly gesture" ordered by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

*Anatoly F. Dobrynin (1919-2010) was born in Krasnaya, Russia & graduated with distinction from the Higher Diplomatic School. AFD served as Soviet ambassador to the U.S., 1962-1986, during the tenures of six POTUS (JFK-RR).  He won many awards including 5 Orders of Lenin.

**David Dean Rusk (1909-1994) was born in Cherokee County, Georgia & educated at the University of California, Berkeley, Davidson College & St. John's College.  DDR served as U.S. Secretary of State, 1961-1969. He is the 2nd longest serving Secretary of State. 

SOURCES

"Reaction of Soviet and Communist Party Officials to JFK Assassination," FBI File, December 1, 1963, JFK Assassination System Identification Form, www.archives.gov/

"Russians Give Files On Oswald to United States," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., December 1, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

JFK+50 NOTE

The FBI file listed in my sources, originally classified 'Top Secret' was sent with cover letter to The White House by their request on Dec 2, 1966.  It became part of the records of the Church Committee.  

The file contains information saying the Soviets believed the assassination was a conspiracy "on the part of the 'ultra-right' in the U.S. to effect a 'coup'."  While they believe JFK was killed by one man, Lee Harvey Oswald, they claim "no connection (with him) whatsoever."

 

 

Lee Harvey Oswald on Time Magazine Cover

1964

Artist Boris Artzybasheff

www.flickr.com/

 

"AMERICA AT ITS BEST CAN BE A CONFIDENT AMERICA"

JFK MEETS WITH DEAN RUSK IN PALM BEACH

Palm Beach, Florida (JFK+50) On December 12, 1960, President-elect John F. Kennedy met with Dean Rusk*, his newly appointed Secretary of State to be, here in Palm Beach.

In a joint appearance before the press, Mr. Kennedy said...

"It is my hope that in the coming years foreign policy of the United States will be identified in the minds of the people of the world as a policy not merely anti-communist, but...for freedom."

The President-elect also stated his concern about ending world hunger, disease and illiteracy.  He added that the "happy relationship" between the United States and Europe would continue to be the "bulwark of American security."

Dean Rusk said...

"...we are in a period of rapid and revolutionary (world) change...(and) America at its best can be a confident America..." 

 

*David Dean Rusk(1909-1994) was born in Cherokee County, GA & graduated from Davidson College.  DDR served in WWII & was president of the Rockefeller Foundation before serving as US Secretary of State (1961-1969).  Afterwards, he taught International Relations at the University of Georgia School of Law.

 

SOURCE

"December 12, 1960: President-elect John F. Kennedy and new Secretary of State Dean Rusk," www.youtube.com/HelmerReenberg 

 

     

 

Dean Rusk

Secretary of State (1961-1969)

US Dept of State Photo

"THE OTHER FELLOW JUST BLINKED"

SIX SOVIET SHIPS STOP OR REVERSE DIRECTION AT QUARANTINE LINE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 24, 1962, President John F. Kennedy was informed by CIA Director John McCone*, at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council, that 22 Soviet ships were headed toward the "Quarantine Line" 500 miles East of Cuba.

Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, with additional information, said that two of these ships were approaching the line with a Soviet submarine in between.

This was a critical point in the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Updates were being sent in during the meeting, and McCone was alerted that six of the Soviet ships had stopped or reversed direction.

With that, Secretary of State Dean Rusk said these memorable words...

"We stood eyeball to eyeball and the other fellow just blinked." 

 

*John Alexander McCone (1902-1991) was born in San Francisco, CA & educated at University of California Berkely.  JAM was Under Secretary of the Air Force under Truman & Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission under Eisenhower.  He was Director of CIA (1961-1965) & was awarded the Hoover Medal in 1964.

 

SOURCE

"One Minute to Midnight:  Kennedy, Khrushchev and Castro On the Brink of Nuclear War," by Michael Dobbs, Alfred Knopf, 2008.

   

 

 

P-2H Neptune Over Soviet Ship

October 1962

U.S. Navy Photo

 
 

"MAKE EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT TO FIND PATHS TOWARD DISARMAMENT"

JFK RESPONDS TO KHRUSHCHEV'S LETTER ON GENEVA CONFERENCE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 6, 1962, the White House released a letter from President John F. Kennedy to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in response to the Chairman's recent message agreeing that the Geneva Disarmament Negotiations be opened by Foreign Ministers.*

In the letter, President Kennedy wrote...

"It will be the purpose of the representatives of the United States, headed by Secretary (Dean) Rusk*, to make every possible effort to find paths toward disarmament."

The President expressed the hope that he and the Chairman would join in giving "close personal support and direction to the work of our representatives."

*Chairman Khrushchev's letter was dated March 3, 1962.  JFK's letter was dated March 5,  1962 but not released to the press until the following day.

**David Dean Rusk (1909-1994) was born in Cherokee County, GA & educated at Davidson & St. John's College.  DDR received his law degree from the University of California Berkeley.  He served in WWII & became president of the Rockefeller Foundation in 1952.  DDR served as Secretary of State 1961-1969.

SOURCE

"Message to Chairman Khrushchev Concerning the Opening of the Geneva Disarmament Negotiations, March 6, 1962," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States:  John F. Kennedy, January 1 to December 31, 1962, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1963.

Llewellyn Thompson, Adrei Gromyko & Dean Rusk
Photo by Yoichi Okamoto (1967)
LBJ Library Image

"WE STOOD EYEBALL TO EYEBALL..."

SOVIET SHIPS STOP OR REVERSE DIRECTION AT BLOCKADE LINE


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 24, 1962, the Executive Committee of the National Security Council met at 10 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White House.

The meeting began with CIA Director John McCone reporting that 22 Soviet ships were heading for the Quarantine Line 500 miles east of Cuba.


Later, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara relayed information that two Soviet ships, Kimovsk & Yuri Gagarin, were approaching the line with a Soviet submarine in between.

McCone broke the news that 6 Soviet ships had "either stopped or reversed direction." 

Secretary of State Dean Rusk said...

"We stood eyeball to eyeball and the other fellow just blinked."*

 SOURCES

Michael Dobbs, One Minute to Midnight, 2008.

James M. Lindsay, TWE Remembers, 10/24/2012.

Navy P-2H Neptune

Flying Over a Soviet Freighter

US Navy Photo, 1962

                       

                            

"HE WOULD THRIVE IN A CRISIS. HE WAS CALM & UNFLAPPABLE"

DEAN RUSK RECOMMENDS DAVID NES FOR DCM

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 10, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson discussed the appointment of David G. Nes* as Deputy Chief of Mission in Saigon with Secretary of State Dean Rusk**.

The recorded telephone conversation, available at the Miller Center, indicates that Mr. Rusk recommended David Nes as "the best man for the job."

Dean Rusk told the President...

"If we have a new job, (David Ness) ought to take a part in building it."

LBJ would later say...

"I hope Nes is the kind of guy who goes for the jugular because that's what we need out there."

David Ness arrived in Saigon as DCM under Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. in 1964.  At that time, there were 25,000 U.S. military advisers in South Vietnam.

Ness's daughter, Nancy Nes Knowlton, said of her father...

"He would thrive in a crisis.  He was calm and unflappable."

*David Gulick Nes was born in York, PA & graduated from Princeton University with a BA in history.  DGN became a division assistant in the State Dept in 1942.  He helped evacuate 500 Americans from Egypt during the Six Day War in 1967 & received the Superior Honor Award.

**Dean Rusk (1909-1994) was born in Cherokee County, GA & was educated at Davidson College, University of California Berkely, & the University of Oxford.  DR served as Secretary of State under JFK & LBJ 1961-1969.

SOURCES

"Conversation With Dean Rusk, December 10, 1963," Secret White House Tapes, Lyndon B. Johnson Presidency, UVA, www.millercenter.org/

"David Gulick Nes, 89, career State Department officer," by Jacques Kelly, The Baltimore Sun, June 1, 2006.

Dean Rusk, LBJ, Bob McNamara
February 9, 1968
Photo by Yoichi Okamoto

WE STOOD EYEBALL TO EYEBALL & THE OTHER FELLOW JUST BLINKED

SOVIET SHIPS STOP OR REVERSE DIRECTION 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 53 years ago today, October 24, 1962, began the ninth day of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the closest the world has come to nuclear war.

The Executive Committee of the National Security Council met at 10 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White House.The meeting began with CIA Director John McCone reporting that 22 Soviet ships were heading for the Quarantine Line 500 miles east of Cuba.

Later, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara relayed information that two Soviet ships, Kimovsk and Yuri Gagarin, were approaching the line with a Soviet submarine in between.

When John McCone broke the news that six Soviet ships had "either stopped or reversed direction,"  Secretary of State Dean Rusk said...

"We stood eyeball to eyeball and the other fellow just blinked."

In the evening, JFK enjoyed a private late night dinner with Mrs. Kennedy and close friends including journalist Charles Bartlett.  When Mr. Bartlett proposed a toast to celebrate the day's events, the President said....

"You don't want to celebrate in the game this early."

According to Michael Dobbs, evidence now available proves the Soviet "turnaround" was actually done on Tuesday morning, October 23, 1962, or 24 hours before the EXCOM meeting of the 24th.

Dobbs says that historians  "failed to use these records to plot the actual positions of Soviet ships on the morning of Wednesday, October 24, 1962."

SOURCES

Michael Dobbs, One Minute to Midnight, 2008.

James M. Lindsay, TWE Remembers, 10/24/2012.

EXCOM Meeting

October 1962

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Photo

                        

WE STOOD EYEBALL TO EYEBALL

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2108

SOVIET SHIPS STOP OR REVERSE DIRECTION UPON APPROACHING QUARANTINE LINE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago today, October 24, 1962, was the ninth day of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the closest the world has come to nuclear war.

The Executive Committee of the National Security Council met at 10 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White House.  The meeting began with CIA Director John McCone reporting that 22 Soviet ships were heading for the Quarantine Line 500 miles east of Cuba.

Later, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara relayed information that two Soviet ships, Kimovsk and Yuri Gagarin, were approaching the line with a Soviet submarine in between.

When John McCone broke the news that six Soviet ships had "either stopped or reversed direction,"  Secretary of State Dean Rusk said...

"We stood eyeball to eyeball and the other fellow just blinked."

In the evening, the President enjoyed a private late night dinner with Mrs. Kennedy and close friends including journalist Charles Bartlett.  When Mr. Bartlett proposed a toast to celebrate the day's events, the President said....

"You don't want to celebrate in the game this early."

According to Michael Dobbs, evidence now available proves the Soviet "turnaround" was actually done on Tuesday morning, October 23, 1962, or 24 hours before the EXCOM meeting of the 24th.

Dobbs says that historians  "failed to use these records to plot the actual positions of Soviet ships on the morning of Wednesday, October 24, 1962."

SOURCES

Michael Dobbs, One Minute to Midnight, 2008.

James M. Lindsay, TWE Remembers, 10/24/2012.

EXCOM Meeting

October 1962

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Photo

                        

MISSILE CRISIS DAY 9

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 1753

SAC ORDERS ALERT TO DEFCON-2

Omaha, Nebraska (JFK+50) Fifty-three years ago today, October 24, 1962, General Thomas Power of the Strategic Air Command, headquartered here in Omaha, ordered his forces to DEFCON-2, one step from "imminent nuclear war".  The General also broadcast an alert message on non-scrambled, open radio channels.

DEFCON-2 is the highest alert level ever ordered by the United States military. On September 11, 2001, the United States armed forces were ordered to Defcon-3 or medium military readiness.

    CHART OF DEFCON RATINGS

 DEFCON 5 Lowest military readiness
 DEFCON 4 Increased intelligence watch 
 DEFCON 3 Medium military readiness
*DEFCON 2 War readiness
 DEFCON 1 Nuclear war imminent

General Thomas Power

Strategic Air Command

"WE STOOD EYEBALL TO EYEBALL"

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 53 years ago today, October 24, 1962, began the ninth day of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the closest the world has come to nuclear war.

The Executive Committee of the National Security Council met at 10 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White House.The meeting began with CIA Director John McCone reporting that 22 Soviet ships were heading for the Quarantine Line 500 miles east of Cuba.

Later, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara relayed information that two Soviet ships, Kimovsk and Yuri Gagarin, were approaching the line with a Soviet submarine in between.

When John McCone broke the news that six Soviet ships had "either stopped or reversed direction,"  Secretary of State Dean Rusk said:

"We stood eyeball to eyeball and the other fellow just blinked."

In the evening, JFK enjoyed a private late night dinner with Mrs. Kennedy and close friends including journalist Charles Bartlett.  When Mr. Bartlett proposed a toast to celebrate the day's events, the President said....

"You don't want to celebrate in the game this early."

According to Michael Dobbs, evidence now available proves the Soviet "turnaround" was actually done on Tuesday morning, October 23, 1962, or 24 hours before the EXCOM meeting of the 24th.

Dobbs says that historians  "failed to use these records to plot the actual positions of Soviet ships on the morning of Wednesday, October 24, 1962."

SOURCES

Michael Dobbs, One Minute to Midnight, 2008.

James M. Lindsay, TWE Remembers, 10/24/2012.

EXCOM Meeting

October 1962

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Photo

                        

POISONOUS GAS USED ON VC

STATE DEPARTMENT REVEALS GAS USED AGAINST VIET CONG

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50)The State Department revealed fifty years ago today, March 22, 1965, the fact that non-lethal gas was supplied by the United States to the South Vietnamese Army to be used in battle with Vietnamese communists or Viet Cong.

Secretary of State Dean Rusk, who was appointed to the position by President John F. Kennedy, said the gas was the same type used by police in riot control.

North Vietnam and the Soviet Union protested the introduction of poisonous gas into the war.


JFK SAYS UNITED STATES WANTS PEACE IN LAOS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50)  President Kennedy discussed the situation in Laos at his televised news conference in Washington 54 years ago today, March 22, 1961.

Laos was in the grip of a civil war between the pro-Western regime and the pro-communist Pathet Lao.

JFK said the United States would not tolerate the loss of Laos to rebel forces and that along with our allies, we would consider military options.

President Kennedy said...

"I want to make it clear...all we want in Laos is peace...a truly neutral government & a settlement at the conference table."

JFK PUSHED PASSAGE OF 24TH AMENDMENT

Washington, D.C.(JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, March 22, 1963,  President John F. Kennedy sent a telegram to the governors of states which had not yet ratified the proposed 24th amendment to the Constitution of the United States which prohibits the collection of poll taxes.

JFK emphasized the importance of ratification of the amendment to insure a fair election in 1964.

The President said...

"Every effort should be made to broaden the base of citizen participation."

          

SOVIET SHIPS BOUND FOR CUBA STOP OR TURN BACK

Wednesday, October 24, 1962

SOVIET SHIPS BOUND FOR CUBA STOP OR TURN BACK

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) During a critical briefing at the White House today by CIA director John McCone, a message was delivered from the Office of Naval Intelligence.

Mr. McCone, who was handed the message by an aide, read it & then said:

"Mr. President...all six Soviet ships...in Cuban waters...have either stopped or reversed course."*

                      Navy P-2H Neptune
             Flying Over a Soviet Freighter
                    US Navy Photo, 1962

Dean Rusk, JFK's Secretary of State, said:

"We're eyeball to eyeball, & the other fellow just blinked."

Having put in a full day dealing with the crisis, the President enjoyed a private late night dinner with Mrs. Kennedy & close friends including journalist Charles Bartlett.

At one point, Mr. Bartlett proposed a toast to celebrate the day's events.  JFK responded:

"You don't want to celebrate in the game this early."

*The CIA identified 22 Soviet ships heading for Cuba, 2 of which were approaching the blockade line 500 miles off the East coast of the island.

Khrushchev had ordered his ships to turn around "shortly after Kennedy's nationwide televised address" announcing the quarantine of Cuba.

Sources:  Michael Dobbs, One Minute to Midnight, 2008.

James M. Lindsay, TWE Remembers, 10/24/2012.