From the archives: Cuban Missile Crisis ends on Oct. 28, 1962

Key Concepts

Cuban Missile Crisis: The central event, a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union concerning Soviet ballistic missile deployment in Cuba.
Quarantine: President Kennedy's term for the naval blockade of Cuba to prevent further Soviet military shipments.
Dismantling of Missile Bases: The core Soviet concession, involving the removal of missile bases and rockets from Cuba.
United Nations Supervision: The agreed-upon mechanism for verifying the dismantling of Soviet missile bases.
NATO Missile Bases in Turkey: Soviet demand for their removal, which was dropped by Khrushchev.
Cold War: The overarching geopolitical context of the crisis, characterized by tension and rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union.
Deterrence: The concept of preventing an attack by the threat of retaliation, particularly nuclear retaliation.
Arms Race: The continuous development and accumulation of weapons by opposing nations.
Diplomatic Negotiation: The process of discussion and compromise between nations to resolve disputes.
U-2 Overflight: A reconnaissance flight by a US spy plane over Soviet territory, cited as a Soviet complaint.
Organization of American States (OAS): A regional organization that supported the US action in Cuba.
Executive Committee of the National Security Council (ExComm): The group of advisors who assisted President Kennedy during the crisis.
Dollar Diplomacy: A US foreign policy strategy that sought to advance American influence through economic power.

Summary of the Cuban Missile Crisis Developments

This report details the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis, focusing on Nikita Khrushchev's decision to dismantle Soviet missile bases in Cuba under United Nations supervision and President John F. Kennedy's response. The crisis, which began with the discovery of Soviet missile sites in Cuba, escalated to the brink of nuclear war.

Khrushchev's Concession and Kennedy's Response

Nikita Khrushchev announced his decision to dismantle Soviet missile bases in Cuba and return the rockets to the Soviet Union. This move was made under United Nations supervision, a key demand of President Kennedy. Crucially, Khrushchev dropped his earlier demand for the dismantling of NATO missile bases in Turkey. This decision was communicated in a letter to President Kennedy, which was publicly broadcast by Radio Moscow before its official receipt at the White House.

President Kennedy, upon receiving the official translation of Khrushchev's letter, expressed his satisfaction and gratitude for the Soviet leader's "statesman-like decision." He welcomed the dismantling of offensive weapons and their return to the Soviet Union under UN verification, calling it an "important and constructive contribution to peace." Kennedy also indicated that the US would engage with the UN Secretary General regarding reciprocal measures to ensure peace in the Caribbean. He expressed hope that the resolution of the Cuban crisis would lead to urgent attention towards ending the arms race and reducing global tensions.

Official Reactions and Cautious Optimism

Despite the positive news, officials across the US government maintained a stance of caution.

The White House: Press Secretary Pierre Salinger conveyed President Kennedy's statement, emphasizing the constructive nature of Khrushchev's decision. The administration's focus remained on ensuring the dismantling and verification process.
The Pentagon: CBS News correspondent Neil Strazza reported from the Pentagon that there was no relaxation of activities. Aerial surveillance of the missile sites continued, and all American forces remained on general alert. The call-up of 24 troop carrier squadrons of the Air Force Reserve was noted as preparation for any eventuality. Assistant Secretary of Defense Sylvester cautioned against speculation regarding imminent military action, stressing the need for definitive information on the missile withdrawal.
The United Nations: UN correspondent Richard C. Hottlet reported that the UN was "delighted, shocked, or still disbelieving." The immediate next step was expected to involve discussions with UN Secretary General U Thant, with the US, Russia, and Cuba potentially meeting together for the first time to finalize details of UN supervision. The UN Secretariat was already preparing for its role, drawing on its experience in peacekeeping operations. However, Adlai Stevenson, the US Ambassador to the UN, noted that there was no evidence yet that work on the missile bases had stopped.

Political Perspectives

The resolution of the crisis also elicited reactions from political figures:

Republican Senators: Senator Kenneth Keating and Senator Scott expressed pleased but wary optimism. They emphasized the importance of continued surveillance and rapid inspection. They also warned of potential Soviet diversionary tactics and highlighted the Republican party's consistent stance on demanding action regarding Cuba. Senator Scott specifically credited the Republican party's firm attitude for helping to create a climate of readiness for action.
Democratic Congressman: House Democratic Whip Hale Boggs reacted with restraint and moderation, viewing the development as a significant victory for the US and a testament to President Kennedy's courage and determination. He believed the Russian backdown indicated their full appreciation of the President's resolve and highlighted the bipartisan support for the President during the crisis. Boggs also suggested that the events might diminish criticisms of the Democratic party being "soft on communism."

The Genesis of the Crisis: A Behind-the-Scenes Account

The report delves into the origins of the crisis, tracing it back to October 15th when Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara received an intelligence report detailing Soviet missile base operations in Cuba. This was considered an alarming departure from Soviet practice, as they had never before placed missiles outside their borders.

Intelligence Gathering: The analysis of reconnaissance pictures and intelligence reports continued through the night.
Presidential Action: On October 16th, President Kennedy was presented with the evidence and immediately convened a meeting of his trusted advisors, forming the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (ExComm).
Secret Deliberations: The ExComm met in utmost secrecy throughout the week, considering all possible responses from UN protest to invasion, and anticipating Soviet countermoves. They employed various tactics to maintain secrecy, including holding meetings in different locations and using inconspicuous vehicles.
The Quarantine Decision: By Saturday, the idea of a blockade, termed a "quarantine," emerged as the preferred strategy. President Kennedy felt it was a firm but not aggressive move, aimed at Soviet power rather than Cuba itself. By Sunday morning, he gave the order to implement the quarantine.
Public Announcement and Global Briefing: The decision was then communicated to the world. USIA prepared global broadcasts, and the State Department briefed ambassadors worldwide. Congressional leaders were also informed.
President Kennedy's Address: On the evening of October 22nd, President Kennedy revealed the Soviet missile buildup in Cuba and announced the naval quarantine. He declared that any nuclear missile launched from Cuba would be considered an attack by the Soviet Union, requiring a full retaliatory response. This elevated the confrontation to a direct US-Soviet issue.

The Escalation and De-escalation Process

The report details the tense days that followed Kennedy's announcement:

Soviet Response: The Soviet reply, received 13 hours after Kennedy's speech, denounced the quarantine but showed signs of uncertainty.
OAS Support: The Organization of American States unanimously endorsed the US action.
UN Session: At the UN, Adlai Stevenson presented aerial photographs as evidence of the missile bases and engaged in a heated exchange with Soviet Ambassador Zorin, who refused to directly answer whether the USSR had placed missiles in Cuba.
Military Buildup: The US military buildup continued, including Marine reinforcements to Guantanamo Bay and a call-up of Air Force Reserve units.
The Quarantine in Effect: On Wednesday, October 24th, the quarantine went into effect. Soviet ships carrying weapons veered away to avoid confrontation.
Bertrand Russell's Appeal: Nikita Khrushchev responded to an appeal from British pacifist Bertrand Russell, proposing a summit meeting with President Kennedy, a proposal not enthusiastically received in Washington.
U Thant's Peace Formula: Acting UN Secretary General U Thant proposed a voluntary suspension of arms shipments to Cuba and quarantine measures for a period of two to three weeks to allow for negotiations. The US, while acknowledging the desirability of talks, insisted on the dismantling of the missile bases as a prerequisite.
First Encounters at Sea: On Thursday, a Soviet tanker carrying petroleum was intercepted and allowed to proceed as petroleum was not a prohibited material. This indicated that the Soviets were not challenging the blockade with prohibited materials.
Continued Construction: Despite the diplomatic efforts, intelligence on Friday night indicated that work on the missile sites was continuing and efforts were underway to camouflage them, raising the prospect of further US action.
Khrushchev's Letter and the Turkish Issue: On Friday night, President Kennedy received a conciliatory personal letter from Khrushchev proposing a Soviet evacuation of Cuba on acceptable terms. However, on Saturday, Moscow radio announced a different proposal, linking the removal of Russian bases in Cuba to the removal of American bases in Turkey. The US refused to discuss the Turkish bases until the Cuban missile bases were dismantled.
The Breakthrough: The report concludes with the startling news on Sunday morning of Khrushchev's agreement to withdraw Soviet weapons and personnel from Cuba under UN supervision.

Broader Implications and Historical Context

The report touches upon the broader implications of the crisis:

The Fate of Khrushchev: Analysts in Washington were considering the implications of Khrushchev's position within the Kremlin, questioning whether he could maintain control after this perceived "backdown."
The India-China Conflict: The report briefly shifts focus to the ongoing conflict between India and China, highlighting that while the world was preoccupied with Cuba, a war was already underway in Asia. The Indian ambassador requested sympathy, support, and understanding, and indicated a need for arms and equipment.
Historical Anniversaries: The report concludes by referencing two significant historical anniversaries: President Woodrow Wilson's 1913 speech on human rights and national integrity, and the 1886 unveiling of the Statue of Liberty, suggesting a need to remember historical principles in navigating current challenges.

Conclusion

The Cuban Missile Crisis, a period of extreme global tension, appears to have been resolved through a combination of firm diplomacy, military readiness, and ultimately, a willingness from both superpowers to de-escalate. The dismantling of Soviet missile bases in Cuba under UN supervision represents a significant victory for US policy, while the crisis also highlighted the precariousness of nuclear deterrence and the ongoing need for dialogue and arms control. The report emphasizes that despite the immediate relief, the world must remain soberly aware of other global conflicts and the enduring challenges to peace.