U THANT’S PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY DURING THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
The Cuban Missile Crisis was the most dangerous
moment in human history, when the world came closest
to blowing itself up during thirteen days from 16 to 28
October , 1962. President Kennedy, on 22 October,
announced that he had ordered a naval quarantine
around Cuba to come into force on 24 October .
EXCERPTED FROM B.G. RAMCHARAN,
PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY AT THE UN.
UN INTELLECTUAL HISTORY PROJECT /
INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2008.
American and Soviet naval vessels came into close proximity, with a USSR submarine captain authorized, as is now known, to use nuclear weapons in defence of Soviet ships or in self defence. An American plane was shot down over Cuba on 27 October. The efforts of UN Secretary-General U Thant contributed greatly to defusing the crisis.
In his address to the Security Council on 24 October U Thant underlined that what was at stake was the very fate of mankind. He called for urgent negotiations between the parties directly involved and informed the Security Council that he had sent urgent appeals to President Kennedy and Chairman Khruschev for a moratorium of two to three weeks. On the part of the USSR it would entail the voluntary suspension of all arms shipments to Cuba. On the part of the USA it would entail the voluntary suspension of the quarantine, especially the searching of ships bound for Cuba. He also appealed to the President and the Prime Minister of Cuba to suspend the construction and development of major military facilities and installations in Cuba during the period of negotiation. He offered to make himself available to all the parties concerned for whatever services he might be able to perform.
On 25 October, Premier Khruschev wrote to U Thant accepting his proposal. President Kennedy also wrote that day that while he appreciated the spirit that had prompted U Thant’s message, the key to the solution of the crisis lay in the removal of the weapons from Cuba. Soviet vessels continued on their way to the quarantined waters.
That very day, U Thant followed up with an urgent appeal to the two leaders because he was concerned that Soviet ships already on their way to Cuba might challenge the quarantine and produce a confrontation between Soviet and US vessels, thereby destroying the possibility of negotiations. He therefore requested Premier Khruschev to instruct any Soviet ships already sailing toward Cuba to stay away from the interception area for a limited time. He also asked President Kennedy to instruct US vessels in the Caribbean to do everything possible to avoid direct confrontation with Soviet ships. To each, he stated that if he received the assurance sought he would inform the other side of it.
President Kennedy immediately accepted his proposal, contingent upon acceptance by the Soviet Government. Premier Khruschev also accepted the moratorium. He informed U Thant that he had ordered Soviet vessels bound for Cuba to stay out of the interception area temporarily. The next day, 26 October, U Thant sent a message to Prime Minister Fidel Castro of Cuba informing him of the encouraging responses he had received to his appeals and asking that construction of ma jor military installations in Cuba, and especially those designed to launch medium – and intermediate-range ballistic missiles be suspended during the period of negotiations. Prime Minister Castro sent a forceful response complaining against the US but he extended an invitation to U Thant to visit Cuba for direct discussions.
After the American and Soviet acceptances of U Thant’s appeal, President Kennedy and Premier Khruschev had their own exchange, through letters and messengers, and managed to reach agreement on the formula that eventually ended the missile crisis. U Thant traveled to Cuba from 30– 31 October, 1962 for conversations with Cuban leaders. U Thant’s visit was of importance inasmuch as it gave the Cuban leaders an opportunity to let off steam.
President Kennedy in his letter of 28 October, 1962 to Premier Khruschev, as agreement was being consolidated, wrote: “The distinguished efforts of Acting Secretary-General U Thant have greatly facilitated both our tasks.” When all the details had been settled and the crisis was no more, the American and Soviet negotiators sent a joint letter to U Thant: On behalf of the Government of the United States of America and the Soviet Union, we desire to express to you our appreciation for your efforts in assisting our Governments to avert the serious threat to peace which arose in the Caribbean area.
U Thant, in his reply, kept pressing home the point of continued vigilance: “I am also confident that all Governments concerned will refrain from any action which might aggravate the situation in the Caribbean in any way.” U Thant’s preventive diplomacy thus continued!
Images given by Mary Keller LON Archives and Historical Collections Section Registry and Records Sub-Group United Nations Library, Geneva
