Zavadskiy Statement
Moscow in English to Eastern North America 2320 GMT 23 November 1963--L
(Excerpt) The Soviet people are deeply stirred at the news
of President Kennedy's death. On Saturday morning, newspapers were snatched up
as soon as they appeared. Despite the drizzling rain, people crowded around the
newspapers pasted up on bill boards to read the details. Many had tears in their
eyes. Here in the USSR, President Kennedy's name was for many people bound up
with the emerging normalization of relations between our two countries.
Numerous cables of condolences have been sent to the White
house. One was from the Soviet Friendship Society addressed to President Lyndon
Johnson. In it, prominent Soviet individuals speak of the late president's
realistic policy, his efforts to improve the international situation, and his
understanding of every country's profound interest in a just and lasting peace.
Yuriy Zavadskiy, the eminent theater producer and board
member of the Institute of Soviet-American Relations, made a statement for our
reporter. He said it is quite clear that President John Kennedy was a real
leader in the cause of the close relations between our two countries.
Yesterday's news stunned me, as it did everyone else, he said; we are all deeply
grieved and indignant. It is so difficult to believe that John Kennedy is no
more.
I have been to America, Mr. Zavadskiy said, and have also met
many Americans here in Moscow. I know that most Americans prized his gift of
statesmanship and striking personality. On the whole, we too appreciated the
same qualities in him, although we did not agree with all aspects of his policy.
To us he was daily becoming a man who promoted the friendship of our peoples,
who rose above the layman's understanding of state interests; a man who saw in
perspective the relations which should in the final analysis lead to peace and
good will among men.
On behalf of all those who believe in better relations
between our two countries, all those to whom the name of Kennedy was bound up
with our growing friendship, I wish to convey to the American people our
profound sorrow and our faith in the future. To Mrs. Kennedy I wish to say:
Courage! I sincerely hope that this bitter event will only strengthen the desire
of our two peoples to be always together. I hope that it will give the late
President's followers the firmness to continue the policy of peace and mutual
understanding which their great citizen pursued. (indistinct passage omitted)