Introduction
The greatest challenge of JFK’s presidency came in October 1962, as U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. were on the brink of a possibly a nuclear face-off over the presence of Russian missiles in Cuba, while the President had to decide whether to engage or maintain peace with their adversary. Thirteen Days provides a historical account of events transpiring during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The book is written from the point of view of RFK (Robery F Kennedy), the U.S. Attorney General under his brother’s leadership. The book highlights the events of 13 days where decisions were made by the two superpowers to resolve their conflict. RFK’s personal account of the Cuban Missile Crisis started with his meeting with the President on October 19. Throughout the crisis, RFK played a key role in the decisions and ensures the United States of America resolved the crisis without use of arms (Kennedy, 1969, p. 19-98).
RFK’s Diplomatic Steps
Military Action
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, RFK had a huge influence on the ExComm group, which comprised of the top officials from American intelligence, politics and military. In his own words, RFK described the groups as, “the highest intelligence, industrious, courageous, and dedicated to their country’s well being” (Kennedy, 1969, p. 25). From the start, the ExComm was split into two groups, one who wanted to military action and others who preferred to quarantine Cuba. At the start, the majority and the RFK preferred the military action, but the course of the debate RFK changed his opinion (Kennedy, 1969, p. 25). The quarantine option comprised of a naval blockade, which itself was an act of war. The options led a split between the groups, and RFK strongly supported the naval blockade of the island.
RFK led the group and convinced the President that the best solution at that time was to blockade of the island. If in the future, it became necessary, then military action could also be adopted. Especially, due to the fact that Robert McNamara, the person who proposed the quarantine option presented the facts that America had no idea about the locations of all missile sites and in case military action was taken they would risk the lives of millions of Americans (Kennedy, 1969, p. 27). RFK also gave the example of Tojo’s attack on Pearl Harbor to the President, in case America decided to attack Cuba (Kennedy, 1969, p. 25).
RFK also added that a military strike would be morally unacceptable for America, as the resulting action, “would rain bombs on Cuba, killing thousands and thousands of civilians in a surprise attack” (Kennedy, 1969, p. 29). RFK called such an action against the American values and traditions.
Allies and Enemies
Apart from having a major hand in deciding the American strategy of Quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis, RFK also played a major role as an advisor to the President. After receiving a letter from the Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, RFK advised the President to reply to the Soviets and agree to the deal offered. The letter included the same terms that were opposed by KGB Station Chief Aleksandr Fomin that the Soviet missiles would be removed from Cuba once America promises that they would not invade Cuba (Kennedy, 1969, p. 90-91). The same was proposed by Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, as he called for the U.S.A to “stop threatening Cuba” (Kennedy, 1969, p.31). Understanding that the deal was in the best interest of the American public and ensured a war would be avoided.
The second letter from the Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev consisted of a quid pro quo deal over removal of the missiles. Nikita Khrushchev wrote that he would remove the Soviet missiles from Cuba, if America removed the Jupiter missiles from their Turkish base.
Being in such a position where America was being leveraged to agree to terms that the President had already approved was another matter of concern for the President and RFK. Even though the President had already ordered to take the missiles out of Turkey, he learned that his orders were not taken care of. According to RFK, the President believed that, “his wishes having been made clear, they would be followed and the missiles removed. He had therefore dismissed the matter from his mind.” (Kennedy, 1969, p. 72).
This where the attorney general intervened and convinced the Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin that President Kennedy would be willing to accept the terms of the second letter. RFK requested that the Soviet government needs to give American 4-5 months to remove the Jupiter missiles from Turkish bases. This was due to the reason that the deployment of the missiles was done by NATO. In case the missiles were removed within a few days, the decision would be the end of NATO and convincing NATO to be part of the deal would be a tough deal to convince. Through this way, RFK played a major diplomatic role by communicating and convincing not only the American decision makers, but also the Soviet officials.
Creditworthy Efforts of RFK’s
President JFK established a group of American officials in politics, military and intelligence called ExComm, on top of the list he wrote his brother’s name. According to RFK’s account: “President Kennedy called and asked me to come to the White House. He said only that we were facing great trouble” (Kennedy, 1969, p. 19). RFK faced significant challenges in the ExComm, as many members were calling for a military invasion to protect America. RFK unwaveringly led the ExComm and supported to idea of a blockade floated by some of the advisors in the meeting. He helped President to sway away from the idea of military action. During the meeting, RFK sealed President’s approval by mentioning, “I now know how Tojo felt when he was planning Pearl Harbor” (Kennedy, 1969, p. 25). Comparing any attack on Cuba to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, RFK discredited the call for military action and ensured the President chose the safer option of blockade.
As the Crisis unfolded and reached critical heights, RFK devised the plan for ending the confrontation between the superpowers. Following his advice, the President wrote to Soviet Premier Khrushchev and accepted the terms that they would take out the missiles and the United States would not invade Cuba. In addition, RFK also pledged in person to the Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin that the Jupiter Missiles in Turkey would also be removed, but, it would be kept secret. The result of such diplomatic manoeuvres by RFK ensured that Soviets backed down and a war was avoided between the superpowers. Through his diplomatic and advisory role as the U.S. Attorney General, RFK played a crucial role in making sure the crisis was resolved without the use of any arms and ammunition and loss of life between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R (Kennedy, 1969, p. 19-98).
Conclusion
The Cuban Missile Crisis was the most challenging 13 days of the Presidency of JFK, as the United States of America came within an inch of trading missile attacks and war with the U.S.S.R. During this time, the U.S. Attorney General and President’s brother RFK played a major role in leading the American strategy of quarantine and diplomatic measures to ensure a positive resolution of the condition. The strategy of blockading the island of Cuba, rather than attacking turned out to be successful, as the probable war was delayed and the navy was in place to attack if any strike came from the other side. Also, RFK also had a strategic role in relaying the messages from the Soviets and convincing the President to agree to terms and avoid instigating a war.
References
Kennedy, R. F. (1969). Thirteen days: A memoir of the Cuban missile crisis. New York, NY: W.W. Norton.
