TEXT OF KHRUSHCHEV MESSAGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00428A000200040040-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 22, 2005
• Sequence Number: 40
• Publication Date: October 29, 1962
• Content Type: OPEN

STAT
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U S S R I N T E R N A T I 0 N A L A F F A I R S
.October 1962
27 OCT. REPORTS, ' COMMENT ON CUBAN CRISIS `-~
Moscow TASS in English to Europe 1532 GMT 27 October 1962--L
(Text of message sent by N.S. Khrushchev to U.S. President Kennedy)
(Text) To U.S. President John Kennedy. Copy to U.N. Acting Secretary
General U Thant.
Dear Mr. President: It is with great : atisfaction that I studied your
reply to Mr. U Thant on the Notion of measures'in order to avoid
contact by our ships and thus avoid irreparable fatal consequences.
This reasonable step on your part persuades me that you'are showing
solicitude for the preservation of peace, and I note this with satisfaction.
I have already said that the only concern of our people and government
and myself personally as chairman of the Council of Ministers is to
develop our country and have it hold a worthy piece among all people of
the world in economic competition, advance of culture and arts, and
the rise in people's living standards. This is the loftiest and most
necessary field for competition which will only benefit both the winner
and, loser, because this benefit is peace and an increase in the facilities
by means of which man lives and obtains pleasure.
In your statement, you said that the main aim lies not oily in reaching
agreement and adopting measures to avert contact of our ships, and,
consequently, a deepening of the crisis, which because of this contact
can spark off the fire of military conflict after which any talks would
be superfluous because other forces and other laws would begin to
operate--the laws of war. I agree with you that this is only a first
step. The main thing is to normalize and stabilize the situation in
the world between states and between people.
I understand your concern for the security of the United States,
Mr. President,, because this is the first duty b.f the president. However,
these questions are also uppermost in our minds. The same duties rest
with me as chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers. You have been
worried over our assisting Cuba with arms designed to strengthen its
defensive potential--precisely defensive potential--because Cuba, no
matter what weapons it had, could not compare with you since these are
different dimensions, the more so given up-to-date means of extermination.
DOCUMENT NO.
NOANANOE IN CLASS. ^
DECLASSIFIED
NEXt REVIEW DATEI
AUTNs MR 10.2
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USSR -N 1 AT :OM AL Ai+PAIRS
29 October 1962
Our purpose has been and is to help Cuba, and no one can challenge the
humanity of our motive's aimed at allowing, Cuba to live peacefully and
develop as its peopie desire. You want. to relieve your country from
danger and this is Understandable. However, Cuba also wants this . All
countries want to relieve themselves from danger. But how can we, the
Soviet Union-and. our government, assess your ac ti cans w'ri.ch, in effect,
mean that you have surrounded the Soviet Union.witi:hrailitary bases,
s>rro'-1110ed our allies with military bases, set up military bases literally
around. our country, and stationed :your rocket weapons at them? This is
no secret. Highs-placed Amer can officials demonstratively declare this.
Your rockets are stationed in Britain and in Italy and pointed at us.
Your rockets are stationed in Turke.r.
You are worried over Cuba. You say that it worries you because it lies
at a distance of 90 miles across the sea from the shores of the.Uili.tel States.
However, Turkey lies next to us. Our sentinels are F'aei. ",;T and do.::a
and watching each other. Do you believe that you have the right to (_zaand
security for your country and the removal of such weapons that you gL:7.i~y
as offensive, while not recognizing this right for us?
You hav, stationed devastating rocket weapons, which you call offensive,
in 'turkey literally right next to us.9 How then does recognition of our
equal military possibilities tally with such unequal relations between. .
our great states? This does not tally at all.
It is good, Mr. President; that you agreed for our representntJVes to
meet and begin, talks, apparently with the participation of U.N. Acting
Secretary General U `Chant. Consequently, to some extent, he assumes
the role of intermediary, and we believe that he can cope with the
responsible mission if, of course, every side that is drawn into this
conflict shows good will.
I think that one could rapidly eliminate the conflict and no the situation. Then people would heave a sigh of relief, considering
that the statesmen who bear the responsibility have sober minds, an
awareness Of their responsibility, and an ability to solve complicated
problems and not allow matters to slide to the disaster of war.
This is why I make this proposal: We agree to remove those weapons.
from Cuba which you regard as offensive weapons. We agree to do this
and to state this commitment in the United Nations. Your representatives
will make a statement to the effect that the United. States, on its part,
bearing in mind the anxiety and of the Soviet state will evacuate
its ana7_ogrm,a weapons ;From. TTuir]key. Let us reach an. understanding on what
time you and we need to put this into effect.
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BB 3 USSR TIV'TERIi:1TIOBTAL AFFAIRS
29 October 1,962
After this, representatives of the U.N. Security Council could control
on-the-spot the fulfillment of these comin.tmer,ts. Of course, it is
ncmessary that the Governments of Cuba and Turkey would allow these
representatives to come to their countries and check fulfillment of this
commitment,. which each side undertakes. Apparently, it would be better if
these representatives enjoyed the trust of the Security Council and ours--
the United States and the Soviet Uiii.on--as well as of Turkey and Cuba. I
think that it will riot be difficult to find such people who enjoy the trust
and respect of all interested sides.
We, having assumed this commitment in order to give satisfaction and hope
to the peoples of Cuba and Turkey and to increase their confidence in
their security, will make a statement in the security Council to the
effect that the Soviet Government gives a solemn ?ledge to respect the.
integrity of the frontiers and the sovereignty of Turkey, not to inter-
vene in its domestic af'fai.rs, not to invade Turkey, not to make available
its territory as a place d'armes for such invasion, and also wi11 restrain
those who would think'.of launching an aggression against Turkey either
from Soviet territory or from the territory of other states bordering
on Turkey.
The U.S. Government will make the same stateement in'the Security Council
with regard to Cuba. It will declare that the United States will respect
the integrity of the frontiers of Cuba, its sovereignty, undertakes not
to intervene in its domestic al"fairs, not to invade and not to make its
territory available as place d'armes for the invasion of Cuba, and also
will restrain those who would think of launching an aggression against
Cuba either from U.S. territory or from the territory of other states
bordering on Cuba.
Of course, for this we would have to reach agreement with you and to arrange
for some deadline. Let us agree to give some time but not. to delay, two
or three weeks, not more than a month.
alarm he weapons on Cuba, that you have mentioned and which, as you say,
T
you, are in the hands of Soviet Officers. Therefore any accidental
use of them whatsoever to the detriment of the United States of America
is excluded. These means are stationed in Cuba at the request of the Cuban Government and only in defensive aims. Therefore, if there is no
invasion of Cuba, or an attack on the Soviet Union, or other of our allies
then, of course,, these means do not threaten anyone and will not threaten.
For they do, not pursue offensive aims.
If you accept my proposal, Mr. President, we would send our representatives
to New York, to the United Nations, and would give them exhaustive
instructions to order to come to terms sooner. If you would also appoint
your men and give them appropriate instructi4->fR, this problem gould be
solved soon.
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BB 4 USSR T1TERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
29 October 1962
Why would I like to achieve this? Because the entire world is now,
agitated and expects reasonable actions from us. The greatest
pleasure for all the peoples would be an Lznouncement on our a ;reel..
ment, on nipping in the bud the conflict that has arisen. I attach
a great importance to such understanding because it might be a .good
beginning and, specifically, facilitate a nuclear test ban agreement.
The problem of tests. could be solved simultaneously, not linking one
with the other, - because they are different problems. However, it is
important to reach an understanding on both these problems in order to
make a good gift to the people, to let them rejoice in the news that
a nuclear test ban agreement has also been reached and thus there'..;
will be no'further contamination of the atmosphere.. Your and our
positions on-this issue are very close.
All this, possibly would serve as a good impetus to searching for
mutually acceptable agreements on other disputed issues, too, on which
there is an'-exchange of opinion between us. These problems have not
yet been solved but they it for an urgent solution which would clear
the international atmosphere. We are ready for this.
These are my Proposals, Mr. President.
Respectfully yours, (signed--TASS) Nikita Khrushchev, October 27 1962.
Shragin on Two-Way Missile Withdrawal
Moscow Domestic Service in Russian 1900 GMT 27 October 1962--L
(Text) Since the moment when, as a result of the aggressive action
on the part of the United States grim clouds became thick over the
world, the Soviet Union has been doing everything in its power to
clear the atmosphere and lead mankind away from the verge of, a nuclear
war. With exceptional calm.,-wisdom., and self-control, the Soviet
Government has instructed masters of the Soviet ships, which are at the
approaches to Cuba but have not yet entered the zone of the piratic
activities of U.S. warships, to keep away from the interception
area. The agreement of the Soviet Union and United States to take
measures avoiding contact between ships of both countries is only
the first step. The main thing, Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev says
in his messages is to normalize and stabilize the state of peace
among states and among peoples.
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