On October 22, in Washington, President Kennedy issued a proclamation on the "interdiction of the delivery of offensive weapons to Cuba," which was transmitted to all U.S. diplomatic missions overseas for immediate presentation to other Governments.
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After announcing that the U.S. armed forces had been instructed, as from "2 p.m. Greenwich time October 24," to "interdict the delivery of offensive weapons and associated material to Cuba," the proclamation stated:
The following categories of weapons were declared to be prohibited material: "Surface-to-surface missiles; bomber aircraft; bombs, air-to-surface rockets, and guided missiles; warheads for any of the above weapons; mechanical or electronic equipment to support or operate the above items; and any other classes of material hereafter designated by the Secretary of Defence for the purpose of effectuating this proclamation.
"To enforce this order, the Secretary of Defence shall take appropriate measures to prevent the delivery of prohibited material to Cuba, employing the land, sea, and air forces of the United States in co-operation with any forces that may be made available by other American States.
"Any vessel or craft which may be proceeding toward Cuba may be intercepted and directed to identify itself, its cargo, equipment and stores, and its ports of call; to stop, lie to, or submit to visit and search; or to proceed as directed. Any vessel or craft which fails or refuses to respond to or comply with directions shall be subject to being taken into custody. Any vessel or craft which it is believed is en route to Cuba and may be carrying prohibited material, or may itself constitute such material, shall, wherever possible, be directed to proceed to another destination of its own choice and shall be taken into custody if it fails or refuses to obey such directions. All vessels or craft taken into custody shall be sent into a U.S. port for appropriate disposition.
In Moscow, the Soviet Government issued a 3,000-word statement denouncing the American "blockade" of Cuba as an "act of piracy" and an "unheard-of violation of international law"; accusing the United States of "taking a step towards unleashing a thermo-nuclear world war"; and asserting that Soviet arms supplied to Cuba were solely for "defensive" purposes.
The Tass Agency announced that the Soviet Government had cancelled all leave in the armed forces and halted the release of older age-groups from rocket, submarine, and anti-aircraft units, following a ministerial meeting.
In Cuba itself it was announced that Dr. Castro had ordered the mobilization of the Cuban armed forces shortly before President Kennedy's broadcast, that the entire nation was on a war footing, and that all Cuban forces had been ordered to battle stations. A Havana broadcast said that "hundreds of thousands" of men had been mobilized in a few hours and that "the heroic defenders of the revolution, the leaders of the revolution, and the entire Government are at their posts and ready to die in defence of the homeland."
This article comes from Keesings Worldwide Online
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