:16:02
a man of mature judgment
:16:04
who understands how much he
stands to lose.
:16:06
There is in Moscow now on business
a W. E. -
:16:08
W. E. Knox,
president of Westinghouse International,
:16:10
an enormous American conglomerate.
:16:14
Thank you very much.
:16:17
And how are my people treating you,
Mr. Knox?
:16:21
Mr. Chairman, they are
literally killing me with kindness.
:16:24
I hope you'll report our good manners
to your government.
:16:26
I certainly will, Mr. Chairman.
:16:30
Peace.
:16:33
Mr. Knox, I want you to believe me
:16:37
when I tell you that it was a
very dark day
:16:39
when your President announced
his blockade.
:16:41
Except in times of war,
:16:43
freedom of the seas is recognized
by all nations.
:16:47
Is true, my merchant ships
aren't armed,
:16:49
you'll be able to stop them.
:16:51
But if you do,
I'll instruct our submarines
:16:53
to sink your naval vessels.
:16:55
Mr. Chairman,
President Kennedy has made it clear
:16:59
that there are alternatives short of war.
:17:02
Has he?
:17:03
I had my differences with
President Eisenhower,
:17:05
but I'm certain that if
he were president now,
:17:07
the Cuban problem would be handled
:17:10
in a very different manner.
:17:12
I'd hate to believe that
your Presidens policies
:17:14
are due to the fact there
will soon be an election in America.
:17:17
Very few Americans believe that, sir.
:17:19
I any event, President Kennedy's policy
:17:21
is very dangerous,
difficult to negotiate.
:17:24
You know, is a fact that my eldest son
:17:26
is older than your president.
:17:28
His policy is a reaction to the fact
that your government
:17:31
surreptitiously placed
offensive weapons in Cuba.
:17:35
Offensive weapons, offensive weapons,
:17:36
your country invaded Cuba once,
:17:39
we have an obligation to defend them.
:17:41
If someone is attacked with a pistol,
:17:43
the pistol is an offensive weapon.
:17:45
But if Cuba uses that same pistol
to defend herself,
:17:47
it is a defensive weapon.
:17:49
I'm not a military man,
:17:51
but I think I know the difference
between defensive weapons
:17:54
and nuclear missiles and bombers.
:17:57
We have an obligation to defend Cuba,
:17:59
and we will do so.