:14:02
He admitted that the Americans supported
:14:04
invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs
was a mistake,
:14:07
the result of his only recently
having taken power.
:14:10
In other words,
the result of his inexperience.
:14:14
He suggested that we should
stabilize the world order,
:14:17
in order to avoid future conflict,
:14:19
a proposal to which I said
I would never agree.
:14:22
I was firm with Kennedy in Vienna,
:14:25
as we had been firm in Berlin,
:14:26
where our wall symbolizes
that determination.
:14:29
We have been firm in resuming our
nuclear tests
:14:32
and our rocket,
missiles and space program.
:14:35
We have been firm in our support
of the just struggles
:14:37
for national liberation against the
capitalist imperialist forces.
:14:41
There's the story of a father who
in the cold of winter
:14:46
was forced to move his cow
into the farmhouse with him.
:14:50
The farmer didn't like
the cow in the house,
:14:51
didn't like the smell, but in time,
in order to survive,
:14:55
he grew used to it.
:14:58
You ask how Kennedy will respond
when in a few weeks
:15:00
we reveal the new situation in Cuba,
:15:02
like the farmer he will grow used to it.
:15:05
He will not like it,
:15:07
but he will grow used to the smell
of Soviet rockets,
:15:09
Soviet missiles, Soviet strength,
Soviet presence in Cuba.
:15:14
What do you think, Bobby?
:15:16
Well, I think there has to be
an alternative
:15:17
between doing nothing and
launching a sneak attack.
:15:19
I'm looking forward to hearing one.
:15:21
And is surprising how inhibited
they still are around you.
:15:23
Even McNamara and Bundy
are still inhibited
:15:25
in the presidential presence.
:15:27
What would you suggest?
:15:28
Maybe you should remove yourself a while.
:15:30
Let us meet informally
at the State Department,
:15:32
George Ball's office,
:15:33
where they'll be free
to speculate without you.
:15:36
Yes, that could be useful.
:15:38
I don't suppose you inhibit them?
:15:39
Irritate, yes, inhibit, no.
:15:42
Then irritate them.
:15:44
I will.
:15:45
But they have to reach agreement.
:15:47
I understand.
:15:48
But the question is, on what?
:15:50
A policy that the broadest elements
in the government,
:15:52
the bureaucracy, can support,
a consensus that won't tear
:15:56
the country and this administration
to pieces,