Ask the Scholar

{
    "localId": "193676",
    "label": "USSR: Vienna meeting: Background documents, 1953-1961: General",
    "core": "doc",
    "dtoType": "document",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/193676"
}

{
    "id": "193676",
    "sourceUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/193676",
    "contentType": "document",
    "title": "USSR: Vienna meeting: Background documents, 1953-1961: General",
    "description": "This file contains materials collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the Soviet Union. Materials in this file include newspaper articles, background papers on nuclear science and possible cooperative space exploration projects, a summary of a telephone conversation between President Kennedy and French President General Charles de Gaulle, an itinerary for President Kennedy's trip to Vienna, Austria, and copies of a joint statement issued by the President and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev concerning nuclear weapons, disarmament, and Germany following discussions in Vienna. The majority of this file consists of telegrams and memoranda to President Kennedy from Cabinet members and advisors regarding suggested strategies for discussing subjects such as nuclear weapons, disarmament, Berlin, and Laos with Premier Khrushchev.",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/193676",
    "identifierLocal": "JFKPOF-126-001",
    "collections": [
        "Papers of John F. Kennedy: Presidential Papers: President's Office Files",
        "Country Files"
    ],
    "subjects": [
        "Soviet Union",
        "Khrushchev, Nikita Sergeevich, 1894-1971",
        "International relations"
    ],
    "iiifBase": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/76/1936/193676/content/presidential-libraries/kennedy/POF/JFKPOF-126-001/JFKPOF-126-001-p0002.jpg",
    "thumbnailUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/76/1936/193676/content/presidential-libraries/kennedy/POF/JFKPOF-126-001/JFKPOF-126-001-p0002.jpg",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/76/1936/193676/content/presidential-libraries/kennedy/POF/JFKPOF-126-001/JFKPOF-126-001-p0002.jpg",
    "imageCount": 129,
    "hasImages": true,
    "source": "import",
    "hasTranscription": false
}

{
    "url": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/193676",
    "naId": 193676,
    "coverageEndDate": {
        "day": 21,
        "logicalDate": "1961-06-21",
        "month": 6,
        "year": 1961
    },
    "coverageStartDate": {
        "day": 13,
        "logicalDate": "1961-04-13",
        "month": 4,
        "year": 1961
    },
    "itemCount": 22,
    "levelOfDescription": "fileUnit",
    "recordType": "description",
    "ocrSource": "nara-archive"
}

{
    "seq": 67,
    "pageIndex": 0,
    "type": "photo",
    "url": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/76/1936/193676/content/presidential-libraries/kennedy/POF/JFKPOF-126-001/JFKPOF-126-001-p0068.jpg",
    "mediaId": "6c4f56e8727b6a31",
    "ocrText": "6\nPage Three\nCONF IDENTIAL\nCONTROL: 52\nproceed fruitfully unless the situation on the ground in Laos is\ntranquilized. I do not see how that can be accomplished unless the\nICSC has the necessary means and authority to fulfill its functions.\nAs Your Royal Highness can appreciate, the Royal Lao Government is\nplaced under a constant threat from the rebel forces, supported by\nmilitary equipment and strong elements of Vietminh. This threa't\nmust be contained if negotiations are to proceed with any hope of\nsuccess.\nI also take this occasion, Monseigneur, to express my conviction,\nwhich I believe parallels. your own, that it is of the utmost import=\nance to secure conference agreement to adequate measures for safe-\nguarding the neutrality and independence of Laos in the years ahead.\nThis is essential if Laos is to be removed from the scene of inter-\nnational discord and if its people are indeed to be masters of their\nown destiny. I know Your Royal Highness will agree that we cannot\nhope that this will be achieved except through an international\nmechanism that will be vigilant to detect and expose any fututre\nattempt by any foreign power to intervene in Laos internal affairs.\nI would be grateful for any further expression of Your Royal Highness\nown views on this subject.\nAs Your Royal Highness knows, Chairman Khrushchev and I have agreed\nthat we would not undertake to negotiate any specific problem, but I\nshare Your Royal Highness hope that my meeting in Vienna with Chairman\nKhrushchev can serve to improve the general international climate.\nSincerely,\nJohn F. Kennedy UNQUOTE\nEnd Verbatim Text\nDepartment would not anticipate release of text here but would have\nno objection should Sihanouk desire do so. In such case would appre-\nciate 24 hours advance notice if possible to permit consideration\nsimultaneous release here.\nRUSK\ner\nCONFIDENTIAL"
}