:17:02
have ample sea and air power
to blockade her.
:17:07
Blockade?
:17:08
Blockade her.
:17:09
Now, thas true, theoretically...
:17:11
Is true in fact.
:17:12
We can blockade her with
our ships and our planes,
:17:14
and prevent the further delivery
of war supplies
:17:16
and materials from Russia.
:17:18
But Bob, how will a blockade serve
:17:19
to stop the Russians
from completing the bases
:17:22
they've begun with the materials
they already have?
:17:24
We can cut off their source for weapons,
fuel supply, lubricants,
:17:27
even their food if necessary.
:17:28
I the meantime,
while we're maneuvering at sea,
:17:30
they'll proceed to complete
their missile system.
:17:32
That is assuming that they have
all the hardware they need.
:17:35
Well, when a man points a gun
at your head,
:17:37
is only prudent to assume
that is loaded.
:17:39
Yeah, wait, let me just say this,
:17:40
I can see advantages here.
:17:41
A blockade would certainly
demonstrate our determination
:17:43
to resist Khrushchev
:17:44
while stopping short of a sneak attack.
:17:46
In the short term,
:17:47
at least is a less extreme measure
than an air strike,
:17:49
and it could reduce the danger
of an all out war.
:17:51
Exactly.
:17:52
But that does not of itself
remove the missiles,
:17:54
and the missiles are the issue,
:17:56
and the missiles are our objective.
:17:58
Tommy, you know Khrushchev better
than any of us,
:18:01
how do you think he'd respond
if we attacked Cuba by air?
:18:04
Khrushchev has a short temper,
:18:05
and a Presidium jammed
with ambitious people.
:18:08
He's under constant pressure,
and he's unpredictable.
:18:11
If we bomb those bases without warning,
:18:13
he could react impulsively.
:18:15
In my opinion, striking Cuba risks
triggering a nuclear world war.
:18:24
I suppose the first impulse is to
go in and bomb,
:18:27
but Mr. President we have to explore
every avenue
:18:29
for a peaceful solution.
:18:32
Sooner or later,
we'll have to go to the United Nations.
:18:35
Is vitally important that we go
with a reasonably case.
:18:39
Well, the country is fortunate
to have Adlai Stevenson
:18:41
at the UN at this time.
:18:45
Thank you, sir.
:18:47
I appreciate that.
:18:50
Russ tells me you're going on with
the political campaign;
:18:54
I think thas very wise.
:18:56
I had visionary hopes of
picking up some seats
:18:58
in the House and Senate.