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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-LWH-01
In this interview, Lord Harlech discusses John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] early opinions on disarmament; dealings with Nikita S. Khrushchev and the Soviet Union; the Cuban crisis; issues with selling and testing American missiles; how JFK’s relationship with British Prime Minister M. Harold Macmillan developed over time and how they worked together on specific issues; how JFK’s interest in politics and foreign affairs developed; difficulties with France over their nuclear program in 1962; JFK’s skills and character; JFK’s different circles of friends; and JFK and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis’ approaches to life in the public eye, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RFK-01
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] discusses beginning John F. Kennedy's [JFK] presidential Administration with no political obligations; carefully picking Cabinet members, specifically Secretaries of State, Defense, and Treasury; RFK’s decision on what role to play in JFK’s Administration; JFK’s unhappiness with Dean Rusk as Secretary of State; JFK’s advisers and other presidential appointments; Cabinet meetings; Department of Justice organization under RFK; the first 100 days of the Kennedy Administration; the role of the Vice President, according to RFK; JFK’s relationship with Lyndon B. Johnson and why JFK put Johnson on the ticket in 1960; what JFK was most concerned with as President; domestic programs versus foreign affairs in the Kennedy Administration; Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.’s role during JFK’s presidency; the Bay of Pigs, the aftermath, and its effect on JFK; how JFK approached problems as President; dealing with Georgi Bolshakov; negotiating with the Soviet Union in Vienna, over Laos and Cuba, etc.; JFK’s relationship with foreign heads of state; State Department staff and U.S. Ambassadors; the military coup in Vietnam; the Berlin crisis of the summer of 1961 and the Berlin Wall; RFK’s 1961 trip to the Ivory Coast; and Soviet and American nuclear testing, among other issues.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-43
Sound recording of a dictation by President John F. Kennedy. He talks about the possibility of the French making nuclear weapons.The recording ends abruptly. Machine noise follows the dictation.
Textual folder
Richard E. Neustadt Personal Papers
RENPP-020-012
Textual folder
Richard E. Neustadt Personal Papers
RENPP-020-001
Textual folder
Richard E. Neustadt Personal Papers
RENPP-019-011
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-226-002
This file contains materials for President John F. Kennedy in response to a memo from the President to Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara regarding eight questions on United States nuclear policy towards France and European nuclear matters. Also included in this folder are copies of articles by Raymond Aron published in the French newspaper Le Figaro discussing relations between the U.S. and France.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-226-001
This file contains memoranda, telegrams, and draft papers regarding the United States policy towards France and the French nuclear program, nuclear assistance to France by the U.S. and Great Britain, a nuclear program within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), and press attitudes toward a nuclear sharing program with France. Also included in this folder is a paper by Malcolm W. Hoag titled, “Nuclear Control After Nassau.”
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-225-010
This file contains memoranda and reports from various government departments and agencies regarding support for missile technology and nuclear aid to France. Materials include a Department of Defense report titled, "Policy on Sharing Nuclear Information, Materials and Delivery Systems with France"; a Department of State report titled, "Nuclear Aid to France"; and minutes from a meeting between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, and McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-225-009
This file contains memoranda regarding the United States, France, and nuclear weapons including the French nuclear weapons and missile program, negotiations between the U.S. and France on nuclear weapons issues, and proposed nuclear aid to France.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-225-008
This file contains Department of State memoranda regarding the "Agreement for Cooperation in the Operation of Atomic Weapons Systems for Mutual Defense Purposes with the Government of France," proposed by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to support and maintain NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) forces. The memoranda include advice to President John F. Kennedy regarding requests made by United States Ambassador to France, James M. Gavin, to supply France with enriched uranium for military purposes.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-225-007
This file contains memoranda regarding creation of a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Nuclear Force and a review of NATO defense strategy and planning. Also included is a report by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) titled, “Proposed Mutual Defense Agreement for Cooperation with the Government of France,” and a copy of the Atomic Cooperation Agreement between the United States and France.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-224-006
This folder contains Department of State telegrams regarding NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and nuclear weapons programs including an agreement with France for mutual defense, Belgium and NATO forces, Euratom (European Atomic Energy Community) membership and plutonium, and the Atomic Cooperation Agreement.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-222-004
This folder contains Department of State telegrams regarding NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Topics include NATO strategic and defense planning; a summary of a NAC (North Atlantic Council) meeting discussing nuclear testing, disarmament, and the situation in Berlin; and the position of France and Germany on NATO defense planning.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-214-007
This folder contains telegrams, memoranda, and draft reports on United States policies and objectives towards Europe. Topics include European unity, communism, France and French President Charles de Gaulle, the European Economic Community (EEC), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and shared nuclear responsibility.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-214-006
This folder contains memoranda for the record of European Policy Review group meetings. Topics include United States military forces in Europe and within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the European Economic Community (EEC) and France, a proposed multilateral nuclear force (MLF) within NATO, relations between France and Germany, and French President Charles de Gaulle.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-214-004
This folder contains papers, memoranda, and draft outlines by Policy Review (PR) study groups regarding Europe and the United States including military policy; economics; and the relation between domestic politics and foreign policy in Germany, France, and Italy. Also included in this folder is a partial transcript of a press conference given by French President Charles de Gaulle discussing the Nassau Agreement and French relations with Germany.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-214-003
This folder contains papers by Policy Review (PR) study groups regarding United States policy towards Europe; an appraisal of British, French, and West German strategic views; and the impact of an Executive Committee within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) on the policies of French President Charles de Gaulle. Also included in this folder is a paper by the PR Military Committee titled, “Strategic Problems and Alternatives,” discussing the Cold War, collective defense in Europe, and a European nuclear weapons force.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-072-004
This file contains Department of State telegrams regarding France including participation in a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) multilateral nuclear force, an assassination plot against French President Charles de Gaulle, French territories, and criticism by the French media of the United States agricultural policy and Trade Expansion Act.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-322-021
This folder contains memoranda from Henry Owen, National Security Council Assistant for East-West Negotiations and Berlin, to various persons regarding matters of foreign affairs including Berlin and the Soviet Union; relations with France; and MRBMs (medium range ballistic missiles).
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-316-006
This folder contains background memoranda, summaries, and Record of Actions for National Security Council (NSC) Executive Committee meetings. Topics include Soviet Union military forces and equipment in Cuba; United States policy towards Cuba within the OAS (Organization of American States); U.S. policy towards Europe, particularly France; and discussion of a multilateral nuclear force in Europe and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-314-016
This folder contains an agenda, background materials, and Records of Actions of National Security Council (NSC) Standing Group meetings. Topics include nuclear weapons testing, relations between the United States and France, and proposed actions by the U.S. towards Algeria and the Congo.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-314-002
This folder contains an agenda, background memoranda, a list of attendees, and a Record of Action for meeting number 508 of the National Security Council (NSC) wherein President John F. Kennedy discusses national security issues. Topics include Cuba; France, Great Britain, and a multilateral nuclear force; United States trade negotiations; foreign aid; and the economy. Of note is a meeting summary containing the President’s handwritten notes. Also included in this folder is a transcript of a news conference held by White House Press Secretary Pierre Salinger.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-318-006
This folder contains memoranda and indexes of materials compiled for President John F. Kennedy’s weekend reading. Topics include various matters regarding Cuba, the Soviet Union, France and President Charles de Gaulle, Germany, nuclear weapons and the test ban treaty, and Pakistan.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-317-026
This folder contains a draft of the test ban treaty and summaries of meetings regarding the test ban treaty negotiations between the United States, Soviet Union, and Great Britain; potential French reaction to the treaty; and instructions for Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman in his communication with members of the Russian delegation.