Quotes from the Declaration of Independence

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 

Extract from 13 Days: Cuban Missile Crises - Robert Kennedy

...Our friends, our allies, and, as Thomas

Jefferson said, a respect for the opinions of mankind,

are all vitally important. We cannot be an

island even if we wished; nor can we successfully

separate ourselves from the rest of the world.

Lessons from Kennedy's letter to Khrushchev - Accepting the offer

 Lessons:

1. 1. Clarity and Directness:

   • 
     
   • Reference: "The first thing that needs to be done, however, is for work to cease on offensive missile bases in Cuba and for all weapons systems in Cuba capable of offensive use to be rendered inoperable, under effective United Nations arrangements."
   • 
     
   • Lesson: Kennedy's clear and direct language leaves no ambiguity about the desired outcome and the specific actions required to achieve it.
   • 
     

2. 2. Acknowledgment of Positive Steps:

   • 
     
   • Reference: "I have read your letter of October 26th with great care and welcomed the statement of your desire to seek a prompt solution to the problem."
   • 
     
   • Lesson: By acknowledging the Soviet Union's expressed desire for a prompt solution, Kennedy sets a constructive tone for further negotiations.

3. 
   

4. 
   

5. 3. Reciprocal Commitments:

   • 
     
   • Reference: "As I read your letter, the key elements of your proposals - which seem generally acceptable as I understand them — are as follows..."
   • 
     
   • Lesson: Kennedy acknowledges elements of the Soviet Union's proposals that are acceptable while clearly outlining reciprocal commitments expected from both sides.

6. 
   

7. 4. Importance of International Cooperation:

   • 
     
   • Reference: "...for all weapons systems in Cuba capable of offensive use to be rendered inoperable, under effective United Nations arrangements."
   • 
     
   • Lesson: Kennedy emphasizes the importance of involving the United Nations and international observers to oversee the implementation and verification of agreements.

8. 
   

9. 5. Focus on De-escalation:

10. • 
      
    • Reference: "The continuation of this threat, or a prolonging of this discussion concerning Cuba by linking these problems to the broader questions of European and world security, would surely lead to an intensification of the Cuban crisis..."
    • 
      
    • Lesson: Kennedy warns against prolonging the crisis and stresses the urgency of resolving the Cuban issue promptly to prevent further escalation and risks to world peace.
    • 
      

11. 6. Openness to Dialogue:

    • 
      
    • Reference: "...we are quite prepared to consider with our allies any useful proposals."
    • 
      
    • Lesson: Kennedy expresses openness to further discussions and proposals beyond the immediate crisis, demonstrating a willingness to explore broader avenues for dialogue and cooperation.
    • 
      

12. 7. Firmness with Diplomacy:

    • 
      
    • Reference: "...the cessation of work on missile sites in Cuba and measures to render such weapons inoperable, under effective international guarantees."
    • 
      
    • Lesson: While expressing a desire for peaceful resolution, Kennedy maintains firmness in his position regarding the removal of offensive weapons from Cuba, emphasizing it as a crucial requirement for resolving the crisis.

13. 
    

Kennedy's letter to Krushchev accepting his offer

 Dear Mr. Chairman:

I have read your letter of October 26th with great care and welcomed the statement of your desire to seek a prompt solution to the problem. The first thing that needs to be done, however, is for work to cease on offensive missile bases in Cuba and for all weapons systems in Cuba capable of offensive use to be rendered inoperable, under effective United Nations arrangements. Assuming this is done promptly, I have given my representatives in New York instructions that will permit them to work out this weekend — in co-operation with the Acting Secretary General and your representative — an arrangement for a permanent solution to the Cuban problem along the lines suggested in your letter of October 26th. As I read your letter, the key elements of your proposals - which seem generally acceptable as I understand them — are as follows: 1. You would agree to remove these weapons systems from Cuba under appropriate United Nations observation and supervision; and under-take, with suitable safeguards, to halt the further introduction of such weapons systems into Cuba. 2. We, on our part, would agree — upon the establishment of adequate arrangements through the United Nations to ensure the carrying out and continuation of these commitments -— (a) to remove promptly the quarantine measures now in effect, and (6) to give assurances against an invasion of Cuba. I am confident that other nations of the Western Hemisphere would be prepared to do likewise. If you will give your representative similar instructions, there is no reason why we should not be able to complete these arrangements and announce them to the world within a couple of days. The effect of such a settlement on easing world tensions would enable us to work toward a more general arrangement regarding ‘other armaments’, as proposed in your second letter, which you made public. I would like to say again that the United States is very much interested in reducing tensions and halting the arms race; and if your letter signifies that you are prepared to discuss a detente affecting NATO and the Warsaw Pact, we are quite prepared to consider with our allies any useful proposals. But the first ingredient, let me emphasize, is the cessation of work on missile sites in Cuba and measures to render such weapons inoperable, under effective international guarantees. The continuation of this threat, or a prolonging of this discussion concerning Cuba by linking these problems to the broader questions of European and world security, would surely lead to an intensification of the Cuban crisis and a grave risk to the peace of the world. For this reason, I hope we can quickly agree along the lines outlined in this letter and in your letter of October 26th. 

JOHN F. KENNEDY

Diplomatic Dialogue Lessons: Letter from President Kennedy to Nikita Khrushchev October 23,1962

 

Draft of President Kennedy's Letter to Chairman Khrushchev, October 23, 1962

(Source: https://microsites.jfklibrary.org/cmc/oct23/doc5.html)

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I have received your letter of October twenty-third. I think you will recognize that the step which started the current chain of events was the action of your Government in secretly furnishing long-range missiles to Cuba. We will be [handwritten "are" inserted] discussing this matter in the Security Council. In the meantime, I am concerned that we both show prudence and do nothing to allow events to make the situation more difficult to control than it already is.

With this in mind I hope you will issue instructions to your ships bound for Cuba not to challenge the quarantine legally established by the Organization of American States this afternoon

Sincerely,

Background: President Kennedy signs the Naval Proclamation 3504, authorizing the Naval Quarantine of Cuba. 

Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs Edwin Martin seeks a resolution of support from the Organization of American States. Ambassador to the United Nations Adlai Stevenson lays the matter before the U.N. Security Council. The ships of the naval quarantine fleet move into place around Cuba. Soviet submarines threaten the quarantine by moving into the Caribbean area. Soviet freighters bound for Cuba with military supplies stop dead in the water, but the oil tanker Bucharest continues towards Cuba. In the evening Robert Kennedy meets with Ambassador Dobrynin at the Soviet Embassy.

Diplomatic Lessons:

1. Acknowledgment of Received Communication:

• President Kennedy acknowledges receiving Khrushchev's letter, indicating a willingness to engage in a dialogue.
• 
  

2. Commitment to Dialogue as opposed to Immediate Military Action

3. Issue Identification and Clarity:

• Kennedy clearly identifies the issue at hand, which is the furnishing of offensive weapons to Cuba by the Soviet government. This demonstrates a focus on the specific matter under discussion.

4. Avoidance of Escalation:

• By urging prudence and caution, Kennedy is attempting to avoid further escalation of the crisis. This is crucial as the Cuban Missile Crisis was a moment when the world was on the brink of nuclear conflict.

        
            "In the meantime, I am concerned that we both show prudence and do nothing to allow events to make the situation more difficult to control than it already is."

5. Use of International Institutions - Multilateral Approach:

• Kennedy mentions the intention to discuss the matter in the Security Council, emphasizing a multilateral approach to address the crisis. This aligns with the negotiation principle of involving relevant parties in finding a resolution.

• The reference to discussing the matter in the Security Council and the Organization of American States reflects a reliance on international institutions to address and resolve conflicts, emphasizing the importance of a rules-based approach.

6. Establishment of a Naval Quarantine:

• The letter announces the establishment of a naval quarantine around Cuba. This action is a significant diplomatic and strategic move, demonstrating a resolve to address the threat posed by Soviet missiles in Cuba without immediately resorting to military force.
• 
  

7. Communication as a Tool of Diplomacy:

• The exchange of letters between Kennedy and Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis is an example of how diplomatic communication, even in written form, can play a crucial role in preventing a full-blown conflict and seeking peaceful resolutions to crises.

1. 
   

2. 
   

3. 
   

The Art of Diplomacy

"A man with outer courage dares to die

 A man with inner courage dares to live."

I'm not sure if the quote is by, Lao Tzu or the Japanese Martial Artist Morihei Ueshiba.

As I read through the pages of '13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crises of 1962', written by JF Kennedy's brother Robbert Kennedy, I cant help wonder, on how he exercised the virtues of restraint, prudence and his consultative decision making as he navigated the 13 days. 

 His hybrid strategy of military readiness coupled with exercise of diplomatic measures with prompt communication channels, are key lessons in the Cuban Missile Crises. 

As time goes, by, this section of history has far more lessons to be learnt from. 

Robert Kennedy points out, "Our situation was made more difficult by the fact that there was no obvious or simple solution. A dogmatism, a certainty of viewpoint, was simply not possible. For every position there were inherent weaknesses; and those opposed would point them out, often with devastating effects."