Subject: JFK letter to Khrushchev. Says it all.
Date: 23 Jun 1999 00:01:14 GMT
From: atlasrecrd@aol.com (Atlasrecrd)
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
Newsgroups: alt.conspiracy.jfk

Message From President Kennedy to Chairman Khrushchev

Washington, April 11, 1963.

 Khrushchev Correspondence, Vol. IV-A, 1/4/63-4/11/63.
Top Secret; Eyes Only; No Distribution.

Dear Mr. Chairman: It has been some time since I have written you
directly, and I think it may be helpful to have some exchange of views
in this private channel./1/ As we have both earlier agreed, it is of
great importance that we should try to understand each other clearly, so
that we can avoid unnecessary dangers or obstacles to progress in the
effort for peaceful agreements.
 We on our side have been endeavoring to reduce tension in this area in
a number of ways. For example, the fundamental justification of our
practice of peaceful observation of Cuba is precisely that it is
necessary to prevent further increase in tension and a repetition of the
dangers of last fall. Without such peaceful observation in 1962, this
Hemisphere would have been confronted with intolerable danger, and the
people of the Hemisphere could not now accept a situation in which they
were without adequate information on the situation in Cuba.
 We are also aware of the tensions unduly created by recent private
attacks on your ships in Caribbean waters; and we are taking action to
halt those attacks which are in violation of our laws, and obtaining the
support of the British Government in preventing the use of their
Caribbean islands for this purpose. The efforts of this Government to
reduce tensions have, as you know, aroused much criticism from certain
quarters in this country. But neither such criticism nor the opposition
of any sector of our society will be allowed to determine the polices of
this Government. In particular, I have neither the intention nor the
desire to invade Cuba; I consider that it is for the Cuban people
themselves to decide their destiny. I am determined to continue with
policies which will contribute to peace in the Caribbean. There are other
issues and problems before us, but perhaps I have said
enough to give you a sense of my own current thinking on these matters.
 Let me now also offer the suggestion that it might be helpful if some
time in May I should send a senior personal representative to discuss
these and other matters informally with you. The object would not be
formal negotiations, but a fully frank, informal exchange of views,
arranged in such a way as to receive as little attention as possible. If
this thought is appealing to you, please let me know your views on the
most convenient time.

In closing, I want again to send my warm personal wishes to you and all
your family. These are difficult and dangerous times in which we live,
and both you and I have grave responsibilities to our families and to
all of mankind. The pressures from those who have a less patient and
peaceful outlook are very great--but I assure you of my own
determination to work at all times to strengthen world peace.effort for
peaceful agreements.