Television
Address On End of Crisis (November 2nd)
by John
F. Kennedy
My fellow citizens:
I want to take this opportunity to report on the conclusions which this Government has reached on the basis of yesterday's aerial photographs which will be made available tomorrow, as well as other indications, namely, that the Soviet missile bases in Cuba are being dismantled, their missiles and related equipment are being crated, and the fixed installations at these sites are being destroyed.
The United States intends to follow closely the completion of this work
through a variety of means, including aerial surveillance, until such time
as an equally satisfactory international
means
of verification is effected.
While the quarantine remains in effect, we are hopeful that adequate procedures
can be
developed
for international inspection of Cuba-bound cargoes. The International Committee
of the Red Cross, in our view, would be an appropriate agent in this matter.
The continuation of these measures in air and sea, until the threat to
peace posed by these
offensive
weapons is gone, is in keeping with our pledge to secure their withdrawal
or
elimination
from this hemisphere. It is in keeping with the resolution of the OAS,
and it is in
keeping
with the exchange of letters with Chairman Khrushchev of October 27th and
28th.
Progress is now being made towards the restoration of peace in the Caribbean, and it is our firm hope and purpose that this progress shall go forward. We will continue to keep the American people informed on this vital matter.
Thank you.