U Thant's message to Khrushchev

We communicate the text of U Thant’s message to Comrade N. S. Khrushchevof 28 October:

"I would like to express to your excellency deep gratitude for your sending me a copyof your message to President Kennedy of 28 October, in response to President Kennedy's letter to your excellency of 27 October.

I take note of the constructive proposals you have made in the interests of lessening tensions in the Caribbean region. It is my opinion that, when these proposals are put into practice, the situation in the Caribbean region will be normalized.

I would like to inform your excellency that I have accepted an invitation sent to me by Prime Minister Fidel Castro on behalf of the Revolutionary government of Cuba, to visit his country. I believe that at the present time such a visit could prove to be a contribution to the peaceful settlement of this problem. As I indicated in my letter to Premier Castro, the results of my discussions with him may lead to a decision "on the basis of which the principle of Cuban sovereignty can be guaranteed, and this will also provide the possibility of taking measures for reassuring countries that feared that the recent events in Cuba threatened them."

I note with extreme satisfaction that you have already given orders to your officers to take the necessary measures for ceasing the construction of missile bases, for dismantling them, and for returning the missiles to the Soviet Union, and also that you are prepared to reach an agreement about the possibility of UN representatives checking on the dismantling of these bases.

I am also very happy to note that the Soviet government has sent to New York the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for the USSR, Mr. Kuznetsov, with the purpose of aiding me in my efforts. Mr. Kuznetsov is an old friend of mine whom I value highly, and I very much look forward to exchanging views with him as soon as he arrives. I will discuss with Mr. Kuznetsov, as well as with Premier Castro, the forms of the monitoring by UN observers which you agreed to so readily, and I hope that I will be able to reach a satisfactory agreement with them.

I am convinced that with the spirit of cooperation and concern for peace that you have demonstrated, these discussions will be satisfactory and successful for all interested parties.

Sincerely Yours,

U Thant,

Acting General Secretary."

28.X.62 V. ZORlN