John F. Kennedy: Report to the American People on the Soviet Arms Buildup in Cuba

( 1962 ) Commentary by Chester Pach, Ohio University

“Neither the United States of America nor the world community of nations can tolerate deliberate deception and offensive threats on the part of any nation, large or small. We no longer live in a world where only the actual firing of weapons represents a sufficient challenge to a nation's security to constitute maximum peril. Nuclear weapons are so destructive and ballistic missiles are so swift, that any substantially increased possibility of their use or any sudden change in their deployment may well be regarded as a definite threat to peace.” - Report to the American People on the Soviet Arms Buildup in Cuba
“It shall be the policy of this Nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union.” - Report to the American People on the Soviet Arms Buildup in Cuba

John F. Kennedy (Library of Congress)

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