President John F. Kennedy on Cuba
December 15, 1958, in Puerto Rico:
I realize that
it will always be a cardinal tenet of American foreign policy not to intervene
in the internal affairs of other nations-and this is particularly true in Latin
America. I realize that we cannot force out any duly constituted government,
however repugnant its methods or views may be-particularly when we have no
guarantee that its successors in the long run will be a real improvement…
But an announced policy of nonintervention because a sham when it is turned off
and on to suit our own purposes.
For there is little question that
should any Latin country be driven by repression into the arms of the
communists, our attitude of nonintervention would change overnight.
Strategy of Peace - January 1, 1960:
Whether
Castro would have take a more rational course after his victory had the United
States Government not backed the dictator Batista so long and so uncritically,
and had it given the fiery young rebel a warmer welcome in his hour of triumph,
especially on his trip to this country, we cannot be sure.
September 2, 1960 - Portland, Maine:
I think he
[Castro] should be condemned. I think he is a source of maximum danger.
September 21, 1960 - Nashville, Tennessee:
I am
not satisfied to see a communist satellite ninety miles off the coast of
Florida, eight minutes by jet. Those who say they will stand up to Khrushchev
had not demonstrated ability to stand up to Mr. Castro.
October 6, 1960 - Cincinnati, Ohio:
But Castro is
not just another Latin American dictator-a petty tyrant bent merely on personal
power and gain. His ambitions extend far beyond his own shores.
October 15, 1960 - Johnstown, Pennsylvania:
The
first thing we have to do is let the Cuban people know our determination that
they will someday again be free. We did not make clear to the Cubans our
devotion to freedom during the brutal regime of the Batista dictatorship-and we
are not making our position any clearer under the Castro dictatorship…
Secondly, we must end the harassment, which this government has carried
on, of liberty-loving anti-Castro forces in Cuba and other lands. While we
cannot violate international law, we msut recognize that these exiles and
rebels represent the real voice of Cuba and should not be constantly
handicapped by our Immigration and Justice Department Authorities.
Third, we must let Mr. Castro know that we do not intend to be pushed
around any longer and in particular do not intend to be pushed out of our naval
base at Guantanamo…
April 23, 1963:
I think it is unfortunate that
[Castro] was permitted to assume control in the 1950s, and perhaps it would
have been easier to take an action then than it is now.