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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-WAH-02
In this interview Harriman discusses his position in the State Department as a roving ambassador, including his flexibility in making decisions in the field, and traveling around the world; John F. Kennedy's [JFK] conception of the Soviet Union; interactions with Souvanna Phouma and changes in general opinion of him; evaluating options for American action or intervention in Laos; the international meeting in Geneva over Laos, including dealing with the Soviet negotiator George M. Pushking and with the Chinese; comparing JFK and Franklin D. Roosevelt in their respective administration of the State Department; and the Joint Chiefs’ attitude towards Laos and the concept of limited commitment, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-WIEK-01
This written statement focuses on William E. Knox’s trips to the Soviet Union and Knox’s meeting with Chairman Krushchev in 1962, among other issues.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-26A
Dictation Belt 26A contains six sound recordings. Item 26A.1 is a telephone conversation held on August 16, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. In preparation for Secretary Rusk’s press conference, they discuss the prospect of answering a question about France and a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). The recording begins in mid-conversation, and machine noise follows the conversation. Item 26A.1A is a telephone conversation between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and a White House Operator. The operator brings Lincoln up to date on President John F. Kennedy’s recent telephone calls. Machine noise follows the conversation. Item 26A.2 is a telephone conversation held on August 16, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. They discuss the possibility of appointing United States Ambassador to Costa Rica Raymond L. Telles to a new position. They also discuss the prospects of political problems in California, where Latin American groups could resent a perceived favoritism in appointments given to Texans. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 26A.3 is a telephone conversation held on August 19, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Under Secretary of State George W. Ball. They discuss foreign aid given to countries that engage in merchant shipping to Cuba. They also discuss foreign aid for India and negotiations with the Soviet Union on nuclear test inspections. They also discuss American troops in Europe and German officials’ views on the matter. Item 26A.4 is a brief telephone exchange between President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Attorney General Kennedy asks to visit President Kennedy to review an unidentified matter. Item 26A.5 is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. The recording is noisy and ends abruptly. The full conversation (including this fragment) is recorded on Dictation Belt 26B.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-24A-6
Sound recording of a telephone conversation held on July 30, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John W. McCormack of Massachusetts, and Representative George H. Mahon of Texas. They discuss a defense budget cut, related concerns involving Korea and the Soviet Union, and potential political consequences.The recording begins in mid-conversation and ends abruptly.
This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 24A, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-24A, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 24A.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-24A
Dictation Belt 24A contains seven sound recordings. Item 24A.1 is a telephone conversation held on July 26, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and former President Harry S. Truman. Former President Truman congratulates President Kennedy on The Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963. President Kennedy asks former President Truman to make a public statement about the treaty. Item 24A.1A is a brief telephone exchange on July 26, 1963, between a White House Operator and Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz. The operator speaks to Secretary Wirtz as he holds for President Kennedy. Item 24A.2 is a telephone conversation held on July 26, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz. They discuss legislation regarding railroad work rules and George Meany’s position and strategy on the matter. Item 24A.3 is a telephone conversation held on July 26, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss enlisting businessmen for an unidentified project. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 24A.4 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. The unidentified man reports on Cardinal (Richard J.) Cushing’s discussion of the election of Pope Paul VI. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Machine noise follows the conversation. Item 24A.5 is a telephone conversation held on July 30, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. They discuss whether United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General U. Thant and Ambassador to the U.N. Adlai E. Stevenson should attend the signing of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963. They also discuss releasing a statement concerning President Charles de Gaulle of France. Machine noise follows the conversation. Item 24A.6 is a telephone conversation held on July 30, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John W. McCormack of Massachusetts, and Representative George H. Mahon of Texas. They discuss a defense budget cut, related concerns involving Korea and the Soviet Union, and potential political consequences. The recording begins in mid-conversation and ends abruptly.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-18A-4
Sound recording of a telephone conversation held on April 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and W. Averell Harriman. They discuss fighting in Laos involving the Pathet Lao and the forces of Kong Le and others. They also discuss whether the United States should discuss the matter with Soviet officials.Transcript included. This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 18A, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-18A, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 18A.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-18A
Dictation Belt 18A contains eight sound recordings. Item 18A.1 is a sound recording of a brief fragment of a telephone conversation held on April 4, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Walter W. Heller, Chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. They talk about budgetary matters. The recording starts in mid-conversation. Item 18A.2 is a brief telephone exchange on April 4, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Ralph A. Dungan, Special Assistant to the President. They talk about a letter from Lucius Clay. Item 18A.3 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. The topic of discussion is unclear. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Machine noise follows the conversation. Item 18A.3A is a brief telephone exchange between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and a White House Operator. The operator notifies Lincoln of an incoming call from Robert B. Troutman. The recording ends abruptly. The telephone conversation with Troutman is not recorded. Item 18A.4 is a telephone conversation held on April 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and W. Averell Harriman. They discuss fighting in Laos involving the Pathet Lao and the forces of Kong Le and others. They also discuss whether the United States should discuss the matter with Soviet officials. Item 18A.5 is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation held on April 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy. They talk about a Laos statement and a list of raids. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 18A.6 is a telephone conversation held on May 6, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. They discuss Secretary Rusk’s trip to Europe, matters involving Yugoslavia, and arrangements for a meeting. Item 18A.7 is part of a telephone conversation held on May 7, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Representative Edith S. Green of Oregon. They discuss an education bill and a newspaper article that characterized their political relationship. The recording ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 18B.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-41-3
Sound recording of a telephone conversation held on October 28, 1962, between President John F. Kennedy and former President Harry S. Truman. They discuss dealings with Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev for ending the Cuban Missile Crisis.[White House Operator?] places the call at President Kennedy’s request and a delay follows.
This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 41, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-41, Title: Telephone Recordings: Dictation Belt 41.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-41-2
Sound recording of a telephone conversation held on October 28, 1962, between President John F. Kennedy and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. They discuss dealings with Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev for ending the Cuban Missile Crisis.[White House Operator?] connects the call at President Kennedy’s request.
Transcript included. This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 41, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-41, Title: Telephone Recordings: Dictation Belt 41.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-41
Dictation Belt 41 contains four sound recordings. Item 41.1 is a telephone conversation between unidentified men. They discuss aerial reconnaissance and various proposals involving airplanes or aerial photography, including the sale of an airplane to the United Nations (U.N.). Most of one speaker’s side of the conversation is indistinct. The conversation ends abruptly and machine noise follows. Item 41.2 is a telephone conversation held on October 28, 1962, between President John F. Kennedy and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. They discuss dealings with Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev for ending the Cuban Missile Crisis. [White House Operator?] connects the call at President Kennedy’s request. Item 41.3 is a telephone conversation held on October 28, 1962, between President John F. Kennedy and former President Harry S. Truman. They discuss dealings with Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev for ending the Cuban Missile Crisis. [White House Operator?] places the call at President Kennedy’s request and a delay follows. Item 41.4 is a telephone conversation held on October 28, 1962, between President John F. Kennedy and former President Herbert Hoover. They discuss conditions for ending the Cuban Missile Crisis. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Machine noise follows the conversation.Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-32-1
Sound recording of a telephone conversation held on October 23, 1962, between President John F. Kennedy and General Lucius Clay. President Kennedy reads a message from Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev delivered in response to U.S. actions during the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Kennedy invites General Clay to be involved in discussions about the crisis and expresses concern about possible consequences for Berlin, Germany.The recording begins in mid-conversation.
This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 32, which contains additional sound recording(s) following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-32, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 32.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-32
Dictation Belt 32 contains three sound recordings. Item 32.1 is a telephone conversation held on October 23, 1962, between President John F. Kennedy and General Lucius Clay. President Kennedy reads a message from Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev delivered in response to U.S. actions during the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Kennedy invites General Clay to be involved in discussions about the crisis and expresses concern about possible consequences for Berlin, Germany. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 32.2 is a brief telephone exchange between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Secretary Rusk asks to see President John F. Kennedy. The recording begins in mid-sentence and ends abruptly. Item 32.3 is a telephone conversation possibly held on October 23, 1962, between President John F. Kennedy and Deputy Secretary of Defense Roswell L. Gilpatric. They discuss setting rules of engagement for a naval blockade of Cuba, in case American naval forces need to engage Soviet ships. They also discuss arranging a meeting with Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller of New York and the Civil Defense Committee. The recording begins in mid-conversation. After the conversation, there is a brief fragment of indistinct speech followed by another brief exchange between President Kennedy and Gilpatric. Machine noise follows.Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-08B
Dictation Belt 8B contains five sound recordings. The recording of the conversation in item 8B.1 begins on Dictation Belt 8A.4. Item 8B.1 is a telephone conversation held on March 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They continue to discuss a press item about a proposed nuclear naval force and Soviet surveillance of naval vessels. Item 8B.2 is a telephone conversation held on March 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy. They discuss reconnaissance flights over Cuba and statements made by Senator Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 8B.3 is a sound recording of a telephone conversation held on March 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss reconnaissance flights over Cuba and surveillance of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) naval fleet and merchant ships. Item 8B.4 is a telephone conversation held on March 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. They discuss the Stennis Committee’s review of the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Item 8B.5 is a telephone conversation held on March 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. They discuss the Stennis Committee’s review of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, results of a recent Gallup Poll, and problems for Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller of New York. The recording of the end of the conversation repeats on Dictation Belt 9A.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Textual folder
Theodore C. Sorensen Personal Papers
TCSPP-060-018
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-323-007
This folder contains memoranda from Walt Rostow, Deputy Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and later Chairman of the Policy Planning Council in the Department of State, to President John F. Kennedy and McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Topics include foreign aid, speech theme suggestions for the President, policy towards the Communist Bloc, and a proposal for domestic and foreign economic policy. Also included in this folder is a transcript of a “Meet the Press” interview with Rostow discussing nuclear weapons, the Soviet Union, Laos, Vietnam, and communism.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-084-002
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Topics include policy regarding the astronauts on Project Mercury; the geographical distribution of NASA contracts; informal talks on nuclear testing between the Soviet Union and United States; direct railroad connections from Cape Canaveral, Florida to main rail lines in Florida, and the adoption of the lunar orbit rendezvous. Of note is a letter to the President from Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, concerning the President’s request of Dr. Von Braun’s views on legislation or other restrictions that may delay the manned lunar mission. Also included in this folder is a letter to the President from NASA Administrator James E. Webb regarding the priority of the manned lunar landing program in the space program.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-121a-018
This folder contains materials collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning potential foreign military intervention in Laos (then officially known as the Kingdom of Laos) and the possibility of a Pathet Lao Communist rebellion supported by the Soviet Union. Materials in this folder include maps, a telegram, a briefing paper on the Pathet Lao movement and American objectives in Laos, a situation report on recent Pathet Lao activities, and memoranda regarding recommended military and diplomatic courses of action.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-117-005
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning Germany. Materials concern the situation in Berlin, a visit to the United States by Mayor of Berlin Willy Brandt, a meeting between Secretary of State Dean Rusk and German Foreign Minister Heinrich von Brentano, and the U.S. balance of payments and Germany. Also included in this folder is a memorandum to the President from Senator Mike Mansfield advising the President on Berlin.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-111-002
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning Afghanistan. Materials concern relations between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Soviet Union; Prince Mohammad Naim of Afghanistan; and the resignation of Mohammad Daud Khan as Prime Minister. Of note is correspondence between the President and King Mohammad Zahir Shah of Afghanistan. This folder contains some foreign language material.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-115-004
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning Cuba. Materials pertain to the missile crisis in Cuba between the United States and the Soviet Union, Cuba’s economic situation, and a meeting between President Kennedy and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko. Also included in this folder are memoranda from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) regarding a planned uprising of counterrevolutionary groups in Cuba.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-065-003
This folder contains memoranda between the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, and Walt W. Rostow, Chairman of the Policy Planning Council, Department of State. Topics include economics, a strategy for development in Mexico, and deceleration of growth in the Soviet Union. Of note are materials concerning international educational development. Also included in this folder is a draft of a paper regarding the balance of payments.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-065-001
This folder contains memoranda between the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, and Walt W. Rostow, Deputy Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Topics include Vietnam, the Soviet Union, and China. Of note is a telegram from President Kennedy to President Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-126-001
This folder contains materials collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the Soviet Union. Materials in this folder 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 folder 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.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-088-004
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the Department of State. Topics include the foreign student program, Berlin, the foreign trade program, and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Of note are materials relating to a proposed study by Representative Porter Hardy of the Department of State's personnel policies, practices, and procedures. Also included in this folder is a memorandum from the President to Secretary of State Dean Rusk regarding upcoming negotiations on Berlin.