:53:00
which you regard as offensive.
:53:02
We agree to do this,
and to state this commitment
:53:04
in the United Nations.
:53:06
Your representative will
make a statement to the effect
:53:08
that the United States on its part
:53:09
will evacuate its analogous
weapons from Turkey.
:53:12
Let us reach an understanding
on what time
:53:14
you and we need to put this into effect.
:53:17
He's taken back half
of what he offered yesterday,
:53:20
and added the demand,
:53:25
impossible demand that
we trade Turkey for Cuba.
:53:29
So I can trade nations like chessmen,
:53:32
Turkey for Cuba,
British Guyana for Berlin.
:53:40
Why has Khrushchev repudiated
his own offer?
:53:45
Who's running the show over there?
:53:49
Well, there may be a split in
the Presidium.
:53:51
Maybe they feel that Khrushchev's
been too reasonable
:53:53
and they're upping the ante.
:53:55
Is blackmail,
and is damn effective blackmail.
:54:00
It saves Khrushchev's face,
:54:01
and it wins for the Soviet Union
:54:05
the automatic support of all those
:54:07
that think both sides are wrong,
:54:09
and everyone should give up something.
:54:13
That idea has all sorts of support,
:54:15
even amongst our friends.
:54:16
We could ask the Turkish government
:54:18
to reject the demand on its own.
:54:19
No, the issue is between the
Soviet Union and us,
:54:21
is not about Turkey, is about Cuba.
:54:24
But because my orders to get
those damned missiles out of Turkey
:54:26
were ignored, we've given the Soviets
:54:28
an open invitation to retaliate there
:54:30
if we strike at Cuba.
:54:33
And if they go after Turkey,
that involved NATO,
:54:35
and thas war across the board.
:54:37
Now we're vulnerable and
is our own damned fault.
:54:47
Bob, how long will it take
to launch an air strike?
:54:49
Forty-eight hours.
:54:51
Thirty, if absolutely necessary.
:54:53
Mr. President, I would rather sink
a Russian ship than bomb Cuba.