:07:03
Right.
:07:06
Mr. President,
there's a new letter from Khrushchev
:07:09
coming in on the wire.
:07:11
They'll bring a translation
as soon as they have it.
:07:14
We don't want war, and I don't believe
the Russians do, either.
:07:18
But they took a step and
we had to respond.
:07:21
They react and we respond again.
:07:23
So for reasons of pride,
or security, or face,
:07:25
each response requires
a counter response,
:07:28
and we escalate our way to disaster.
:07:30
We have to control ourselves
and try to control events.
:07:34
We must be careful not to miscalculate
or to misjudge,
:07:38
or to challenge the Russians
needlessly or thoughtlessly
:07:41
into a war neither side wants,
:07:42
and neither side can win.
:07:45
If we only knew.
:07:49
President Kennedy,
I have your letter of this date.
:07:53
The actions of the United States
of America
:07:55
with regard to Cuba
are outright banditry.
:07:59
Or if you like,
the folly of degenerate imperialism.
:08:04
The United States is forcing mankind
into the abyss
:08:07
of a world missile nuclear war.
:08:10
The Soviet Union will not instruct
captains of Soviet vessels
:08:14
bound on the high seas to Cuba
:08:17
to obey the orders of
American Naval forces.
:08:21
If any such effort were to be made
to interfere with Soviet ships,
:08:24
we would then be forced on our part
to take the measures
:08:27
which we deem necessary and adequate
to protect our rights.
:08:32
For this, we have all that is necessary.
:08:35
I've read the letter half a dozen times,
:08:37
and there's not a ray of light in it.
:08:40
What are your plans for this evening?
:08:43
I'm having dinner with you and David.
:08:46
Have to find another way
to reach Khrushchev.
:08:49
He's looking back over the past
to Vienna, and he's thinking,
:08:53
Kennedy didn't commit American power
at the Bay of Pigs,
:08:57
Kennedy didn't commit American power
at the Berlin Wall,