Topaz - Leon Uris [112]
The President repeated the American position that the number of troops was symbolic and he could never abandon Berlin to an East German take-over.
Leonov hoped that a permanent accommodation could be worked out “before the East German regime was recognized by the Soviet Union,” and suggested the possibility of a meeting with Khrushchev.
Since the harassment of Helsinki, the President thought that might be a good idea, and looked forward to a return bout.
The atmosphere was relaxed. They got around to talking about Cuba.
“You see, Mr. President,” Leonov said, “so long as you openly support these refugee commandos, Castro feels there is the threat of another invasion, ála Bay of Pigs ... but perhaps with greater American backing. Under the circumstances, we have to look favorably on Castro’s requests for defensive weapons.”
“But the number of Soviet military and technicians seems out of proportion to the situation.”
“Speaking with utter frankness, Mr. President, Castro fears an American invasion. These defensive weapons are mainly to quell his fears. After all, what can little Cuba do against the United States?”
“I have talked this matter over with Khrushchev in Helsinki and I have given my word there will be no American invasion of Cuba. If we are to meet next year, this matter must be brought up again.”
Leonov went on at great length to assure the President that the Russian intentions in Cuba were totally peaceful.
The meeting ended and Leonov returned to the Soviet Embassy for talks with his own people before a social evening with the American Secretary of State.
His prime mission was to find out what the Americans were going to do about Cuba. He spoke at great length with the Ambassador and the Resident. Washington seemed calm and normal. The American troop movements? A little saber rattling, no more. With his years of shrewdness and wisdom Leonov was unable to detect American alarm or desire to action. If they did know of the missiles one had to conclude they did not want a confrontation with the Soviet Union.
The Russian Foreign Minister was a bit surprised. He likened the Americans and their President to their tradition of tall silent cowboys who, in times of stress, spoke little and made few threats but shot for the heart. He had argued this with Khrushchev but Khrushchev insisted the President could be bullied. Perhaps the new generation of Americans were not of the old staunch stuff.
Before leaving for his reception he cabled the waiting Kremlin.
TALKS TO CONTINUE WITH AMERICAN PRESIDENT IN THREE DAYS BUT EVERYTHING SEEMS NORMAL. EITHER THE AMERICANS ARE UNAWARE OR INTEND TO TAKE PASSIVE POSITION. ADVISE YOU TO GO FULL SPEED WITH CUBAN OPERATION.
After the second meeting of the day with the Executive Council, the President went into a midnight conference with Lowenstein on his speech and to go over the political situation in the coming election and what could be pushed through in Congress on the legislative program.
His last caller of the day came to his bedroom at one-thirty in the morning. He gave approval of a press release to give reason to him to cancel a speech outside of Washington: “The President has a slight cold and one degree of temperature. In light of the blustery weather, the White House physician insists the President remain in Washington and cancel his Cleveland address.”
Vasili Leonov was somewhat surprised when he read in the late Sunday papers that the President and his family had attended Mass just hours after he cancelled a campaign speech. Well, after all, he concluded, the President is a religious man and Americans like to know he is in church. A show of courage. The poor young man had to show his courage somehow.
1
October, 1962
THE ENGINES OF THE JET whined to a halt, and a pair of automobiles raced over the apron as the ramp was rolled to the door. One was the Cadillac of the American Ambassador, Wilbur Davis, the other car a French government Citroën.
As the door of the plane swung open. André smiled and waved to Jacques Granville at the bottom of the stairs.