394. Memorandum of telephone conversation between Stevenson and Ball, October 251
Stevenson—I got him out of bed. He said that he was afraid that there was no communications facilities tonight but he would call and see what he could do tonight. In any event, he would get off a message first thing in the morning, to persuade him to hold off his ships while we discuss modalities. I didn’t reveal that we had the message; I said that I had news which was alarming about the possible confrontation of force tomorrow and I thought he might give his own proposal for working if he were to take this further step because his message to us has been delayed until 6 o’clock this evening and I suspected that his message about his speech to the Security Council hadn’t got to Moscow yet, and I think he had better follow it up. He said he didn’t understand all of this, but he said he would do it. I think if tomorrow you can let me have that material.
Ball—It’s has already gone up on the wire.
Stevenson—I said can I assure Pres. Kennedy that you will send such a message, and he said yes you can assure him that I will send it but I can’t assure that I’ll send it tonight. I think that is all clear.
Ball—Do you have what you dictated to him.
Stevenson—I said to him: I suggested that he say: “Pending consideration of my proposal in the Security Council tonight, I would hope that you could hold off ships from Cuban waters pending determination of an acceptance which looks favorable by the US and discussion if you accept modalities of implementation” or something like that
Ball—It doesn’t look favorable that we accept his proposal as made.
Stevenson—He wanted to know what our reaction was and I said that I think if we can get it on the condition that we talked about, it is favorable and he felt he had to say something to K that indicated that there was some basis here for his wiring him. Tomorrow I will talk to him as to what I think we should say. I have sent you now three alternative drafts on what we should say, and I think the Pres. [Typeset Page 1193] shouldn’t say it. I think I should announce it when I speak in the Security Council after we have got it all clear. That will be at 4 o’clock.
[Facsimile Page 2]Ball—Do you think you will get from him first thing in the morning what he will send to K.
Stevenson—Yes, I think I can get it from him.
Ball—Would this be a public message to K? or private?
Stevenson—No, this would just be a personal message from him.
Ball—I see. I think that is
Stevenson—about all you can do now.
Ball—You haven’t reported this to Bundy or anybody, have you?
Stevenson—I haven’t reported it to anybody.
Ball—OK, fine.
- Report on Stevenson’s conversation with U Thant on message to Khrushchev to hold off Soviet ships for discussion of situation. No classification marking. 2 pp. DOS, Ball Papers: Lot 74 D 272, Telcons—Cuba.↩