In a sense we are all the objects or the subjects of a most extraordinary historic experience, and we are, it seems to me, bound together essentially today in the preservation of the freedom of our hemisphere.

As long as we are free, as long as we are able to maintain that freedom, we have to use that freedom, and use it to provide internally a more equitable and more fruitful life for the people in all the hemisphere.

I'm hopeful that Brazil and the United States will continue to walk together, we hope in peace.

I want to emphasize what I think is our common view: that we in this hemisphere are not merely against something; we are strongly for something, and that is the opportunity to provide, through freedom, a better life for our people.

So I'm very proud to have you here.

I send to you my best wishes.

But the first ingredient, let me emphasize, is the cessation of work on missile sites in Cuba and measures to render such weapons inoperable, under effective international guarantees.

The first thing that needs to be done, however, is for work to cease on offensive missile bases in Cuba and for all weapons systems in Cuba capable of offensive use to be rendered inoperable, under effective United Nations arrangements.

I would like to say again that the United States is very much interested in reducing tensions and halting the arms race; and if your letter signifies that you are prepared to discuss a detente affecting NATO and the Warsaw Pact, we are…

I have read your letter of October 26th with great care and welcomed the statement of your desire to seek a prompt solution to the problem.

It is therefore the position of the United States that as an urgent preliminary to consideration of any proposals work on the Cuban bases must stop; offensive weapons must be rendered inoperable; and further shipment of offensive weapons…