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1961 - President Kennedy: Press Conference on Cuba. 12Apr61 Card 1 of 2
President Kennedy at podium, SOF: Reporter: “Mr. President, has a decision been reached on how far this country will be willing to go in helping an anti-Castro uprising or invasion of Cuba? What could you say w/ respect to recent developments as far as the anti-Castro movements in Cuba are concerned?
JFK: “First, I want to say that there will not be, under any conditions, an intervention in Cuba by the United States Armed Forces. This Government will do everything it possibly can, & I think it can meet its responsibilities to make sure that there are no Americans involved in any actions inside Cuba. Secondly, the Justice Department's recent indictment of Mr. Masferrer, of Florida on the grounds that he was plotting an invasion of Cuba, from Florida, in order to establish a Batista-like regime should indicate the feelings of this country towards those who wish to re-establish that kind of an administration inside Cuba. Third, we do not intend to take any action w/ respect to the property or other economic interests which American citizens formerly held in Cuba, other than formal & normal negotiations w/ a free and independent Cuba. The basic issue in Cuba is not one between the United States & Cuba. It is between the Cubans themselves. I intend to see that we adhere to that principle & as I understand it this administration's attitude is so understood & shared by the anti-Castro exiles from Cuba in this country. edit
10:25:55 Reporter: “Mr. President, your white paper last week, referred in very diplomatic language to the takeover by communism in Cuba. Is it your view that Fidel Castro is personally a Communist?”
JFK “Well, he has indicated his admiration on many occasions for the Communist revolution; he has appointed a great many Communists to high positions. A great many of those, I think, in the white paper--well, rather, the state paper--he indicated that two-thirds of those who had been members of his first government had fled Cuba, people who had a strong feeling for the revolution but who did not propose to see it come under the domination of the Communists. So I would not want to characterize Mr. Castro except to say that by his own words he has indicated his hostility to democratic rule in this hemisphere, to democratic liberal leaders in many of the countries of the hemisphere who are attempting to improve the life of their people, & has associated himself most intimately w/ the Sino-Soviet bloc, & has indicated his desire to spread the influence of that bloc throughout this hemisphere.” edit
10:27:26 Reporter: “Mr. President, do you have any indication that the Russians may be about to release the U-2 pilot, Francis Gary Powers?”
JFK “No, I do not. I have seen the story, but we do not have any information on the matter.” edit Continued...
Cold War; Pre-Bay of Pigs Invasion; 1960s;
NOTE: 10:24:13 - 10:30:23 described on two cards sold combined at per reel rate.
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NOTE: FOR ORDERING See: www.footagefarm.co.uk or contact us at: Info@Footagefarm.co.uk 1961 - President Kennedy: Press Conference on Cuba. 12Apr61 Card 1 of 2 President Kennedy at podium, SOF: Reporter: “Mr. President, has a decision been reached on how far this country will be willing to go in helping an anti-Castro uprising or invasion of Cuba? What could you say w/ respect to recent developments as far as the anti-Castro movements in Cuba are concerned? JFK: “First, I want to say that there will not be, under any conditions, an intervention in Cuba by the United States Armed Forces. This Government will do everything it possibly can, & I think it can meet its responsibilities to make sure that there are no Americans involved in any actions inside Cuba. Secondly, the Justice Department's recent indictment of Mr. Masferrer, of Florida on the grounds that he was plotting an invasion of Cuba, from Florida, in order to establish a Batista-like regime should indicate the feelings of this country towards those who wish to re-establish that kind of an administration inside Cuba. Third, we do not intend to take any action w/ respect to the property or other economic interests which American citizens formerly held in Cuba, other than formal & normal negotiations w/ a free and independent Cuba. The basic issue in Cuba is not one between the United States & Cuba. It is between the Cubans themselves. I intend to see that we adhere to that principle & as I understand it this administration's attitude is so understood & shared by the anti-Castro exiles from Cuba in this country. edit 10:25:55 Reporter: “Mr. President, your white paper last week, referred in very diplomatic language to the takeover by communism in Cuba. Is it your view that Fidel Castro is personally a Communist?” JFK “Well, he has indicated his admiration on many occasions for the Communist revolution; he has appointed a great many Communists to high positions. A great many of those, I think, in the white paper--well, rather, the state paper--he indicated that two-thirds of those who had been members of his first government had fled Cuba, people who had a strong feeling for the revolution but who did not propose to see it come under the domination of the Communists. So I would not want to characterize Mr. Castro except to say that by his own words he has indicated his hostility to democratic rule in this hemisphere, to democratic liberal leaders in many of the countries of the hemisphere who are attempting to improve the life of their people, & has associated himself most intimately w/ the Sino-Soviet bloc, & has indicated his desire to spread the influence of that bloc throughout this hemisphere.” edit 10:27:26 Reporter: “Mr. President, do you have any indication that the Russians may be about to release the U-2 pilot, Francis Gary Powers?” JFK “No, I do not. I have seen the story, but we do not have any information on the matter.” edit Continued... Cold War; Pre-Bay of Pigs Invasion; 1960s; NOTE: 10:24:13 - 10:30:23 described on two cards sold combined at per reel rate. NOTE: FOR ORDERING See: www.footagefarm.co.uk or contact us at: Info@Footagefarm.co.uk