In response to the President’s request that we examine the form and
substance of our “no invasion” pledge with respect to Cuba in the event
the IL–28s are removed and
satisfactory on-ground verification is achieved, there is attached the
draft of a proposed statement to be made in the UN Security Council. It will be noted that this statement
also anticipates a prior OAS
Resolution.
Enclosure
UNITED STATES DECLARATION IN SECURITY
COUNCIL
(On assumption satisfactory verification Soviet
removal of offensive weapons.)
On October 27, 1962 President Kennedy replied to a letter sent by Premier
Khrushchev on the
preceding day, and in his reply stated that the proposals of Premier
Khrushchev regarding a
solution to the Cuban problem seemed generally acceptable. President
Kennedy summarized the
key elements of the proposals as follows:
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(1) The USSR would agree to
remove from Cuba, under appropriate United Nations observation
and supervision, all weapons systems capable of offensive use;
and the USSR would undertake,
with suitable safeguards, to halt the further introduction of
such weapons systems into Cuba; and
(2) The United States would agree—upon the establishment of
adequate arrangements through the United Nations to ensure the
carrying out and continuation of these commitments—(a) to remove
promptly the quarantine measures now in effect, and (b) to give
assurances against an invasion of Cuba; the President expressed
his confidence that other nations of the Western Hemisphere
would be prepared to do likewise.
On October 28, President Kennedy addressed a further letter to Premier
Khrushchev, in answer to
the Premier’s message of the same day. The President said: “I
consider my letter to you of October 27 and your reply of today as
firm undertakings on part of both our Governments which should be
promptly carried out.” It is the understanding of the
[Facsimile Page 3]
United
States Government that the Soviet Government regards these
undertakings in the same light.
The United States notes the statements made by the Soviet Union that
offensive weapons systems have now been removed from Cuba and that
no such systems will be re-introduced. We welcome these
assurances.
The United States also notes the arrangements, which have been worked
out by the Acting Secretary-General with the Soviet Government and
the Government of Cuba, for international verification of the
removal of offensive weapons systems. The United States appreciates
the measures taken and the arrangements made, and expresses its
satisfaction that it has been possible to provide these assurances
to the peoples of the Western Hemisphere that the threat of
offensive weapons against them has been removed and will not
recur.
The United States Government, on its part, has taken the initiative
in the Organ of Consultation under the Inter-American Treaty of
Reciprocal Assistance to secure action terminating the effectiveness
of the resolution adopted by that Organization on October 23 at such
time as arrangements would have been completed to carry out the
undertakings reached between the United States and Soviet
Governments on October 27 and 28. At the conclusion of this meeting
of the Security Council, the United States will notify the
Secretary-General of the Organization of American States that the
arrangements in question have been completed and, accordingly, the
effectiveness of the resolution of October 23 should be considered
as terminated.
In these circumstances, the United States will lift its defensive
[Facsimile Page 4]
quarantine of shipping going to Cuba, and will terminate the
proclamation of October 23 by which the quarantine was established
in pursu
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ance of the resolution adopted by the Organ of Consultation. The
United States Government also gives assurances against an invasion
of Cuba, in the light of the arrangements that have been made and on
the understanding and condition that no offensive weapons systems
are stationed in Cuba. The Organ of Consultation under the
Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance has also, in its
resolution of November ______, given expression to like assurances
on the part of all of the member States.
The assurances against an invasion of Cuba have been given in
connection with the carrying out of undertakings between the United
States and Soviet Governments. Those assurances are in conformity
with the commitments of the American Republics under the
Inter-American system, and do not alter the commitments of the
United States or other countries of the Hemisphere under the
Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance or actions taken by
organs of the Inter-American system in pursuance of the relevant
Inter-American treaties. These commitments and the statement of the
President of the United States of September 13 remain integral parts
of United States foreign policy.
