Neither the United States of nor the world community of can tolerate deliberate deception and threats on the part of nation, large or small. We longer live in a world only the actual firing of represents a sufficient challenge to nation's security to constitute maximum . Nuclear weapons are so destructive ballistic missiles are so swift, any substantially increased possibility of use or any sudden change their deployment may well be as a definite threat to .
For many years, both the Union and the United States, this fact, have deployed strategic weapons with great care, never the precarious status quo, which these weapons would not be in the absence of some challenge. Our own strategic missiles never been transferred to the of any other nation under cloak of secrecy and deception; our history - unlike that the Soviets since the end World War II - demonstrates we have no desire to or conquer any other nation impose our system upon its . Nevertheless, American citizens have become to living daily on the ’s eye of Soviet missiles located the USSR or in submarines.
that sense, missiles in Cuba to an already clear and danger - although it should note the nations of Latin have never previously been subjected a potential nuclear threat.
But secret, swift, extraordinary build-up of missiles - in an area known to have a special historical relationship to the United and the nations of the Hemisphere, in violation of Soviet , and in defiance of American hemispheric policy - this sudden, decision to station strategic weapons the first time outside of soil - is a deliberately and unjustified change in the quo which cannot be accepted this country, if our courage our commitments are ever to trusted again by either friend foe.
The 1930s taught us clear lesson: aggressive conduct, if to go unchecked and unchallenged leads to war. This nation opposed to war. We are true to our word. Our objective, therefore, must be to the use of these missiles this or any other country, to secure their withdrawal or from the Western Hemisphere.
Our has been one of patience restraint, as befits a peaceful powerful nation, which leads a alliance. We have been determined to be diverted from our concerns by mere irritants and . But now further action is , and it is under way- - these actions may only be beginning. We will not prematurely unnecessarily risk the costs of worldwide nuclear war in which the fruits of victory would ashes in our mouth- -but will we shrink from that any time it must be .
Acting therefore, in the defence our own security and of entire Western Hemisphere, and under authority entrusted to me by Constitution as endorsed by the of the Congress, I have that the following initial steps taken immediately:
First: To halt offensive build-up, a strict quarantine all offensive military equipment under to Cuba is being initiated. ships of any kind bound Cuba from whatever nation or will, if found to contain of offensive weapons, be turned . This quarantine will be extended needed, to other types of and carriers. We are not this time, however, denying the of life as the Soviets to do in their Berlin of 1948.
Second: I have the continued and increased close of Cuba and its military -up. The foreign ministers of the , in their communiqué of October , rejected secrecy in such matters this hemisphere. Should these offensive preparations continue, thus increasing the to the hemisphere, further action be justified. I have directed Armed Forces to prepare for eventualities; and I trust that the interest of both the people and the Soviet technicians the sites, the hazards to concerned in continuing this threat be recognized.
Third: It shall the policy of this nation regard any nuclear missile launched Cuba against any nation in Western Hemisphere as an attack the Soviet Union on the States, requiring a full retaliatory upon the Soviet Union.
Fourth: a necessary military precaution, I reinforced our base at Guantanamo, today the dependants of our there, and ordered additional military to be on a stand , alert basis.
Fifth: We are tonight for an immediate meeting the Organisation of Consultation under Organisation of American States, to this threat to hemispheric security to invoke Articles 6 and of the Rio Treaty in of all necessary action. The Nations Charter allows for regional arrangements - and the nations this hemisphere decided long ago the military presence of outside . Our other allies around the have been so alerted.
Sixth: the charter of the United , we are asking tonight that emergency meeting of the Security be convoked without delay to action against this latest Soviet to world peace. Our resolution call for the prompt dismantling withdrawal of all offensive weapons Cuba, under the supervision of observers, before the quarantine can lifted.
Seventh and finally: I upon Chairman Khrushchev to halt eliminate this clandestine, reckless and threat to world peace and stable relations between our two . I call upon him further abandon this course of world , and to join in an effort to end the perilous race and to transform the of man.