Synthesized answer
Stevenson's core argument against the Soviet Union's actions in Cuba is that they have secretly placed medium- and intermediate-range missiles and sites there, which he views as a deliberate deception and a dangerous act that has upset the global balance of power [3, 4]. He repeatedly demands a direct "yes or no" answer from Ambassador Zorin regarding the existence of these missiles, highlighting the Soviet representative's refusal to provide one [1, 3, 5]. Stevenson emphasizes that the United States possesses clear and incontrovertible evidence of these weapons and insists they must be removed from Cuba [2, 4].
Stevenson contrasts his communication style with Zorin's to bolster his credibility and message by directly addressing Zorin's use of "obfuscation, for distortion, for confusing language, and for doubletalk" [2]. He implies that Zorin's rhetoric is characterized by "perfidy" and "nuclear deceit" [3]. By framing his own approach as direct and evidence-based, Stevenson positions himself as transparent and trustworthy, in contrast to what he portrays as Soviet evasiveness and dishonesty [2, 3, 5]. He states, "I want to say to you, Mr. Zorin, that I do not have your talent…
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
sador Zorin, deny that the U.S.S.R. has placed and is placing medium- and intermediate-range missiles and sites in Cuba? Yes or no—don't wait for the translation—yes or no? (The Soviet representative waited for translation, then responded.) "This is not a court of law, I do not need to provide a yes or no answer..." (was cut off by Mr. Stevenson at this point) *Source United Nations Assembly video archives. You can answer yes or no. You have denied they exist. I want to know if I understood you correctly. I am prepared to wait for my answer until hell freezes over, if that's your decision.…
← Cuban Missile Crisis speech to the United Nations Security Council ( 1962 ) by Adlai Stevenson → information about this edition related portals : Speeches US Ambassador Adlai Stevenson addresses the UN Security Council and his Soviet counterpart Valerian Zorin on 25 October 1962 68468 Cuban Missile Crisis speech to the United Nations Security Council 1962 Adlai Stevenson I want to say to you, Mr. Zorin, that I do not have your talent for obfuscation, for distortion, for confusing language, and for doubletalk. And I must confess to you that I am glad that I do not! But if I understood what…
t Mr. Gromyko was blandly denying to the President that the U.S.S.R. was placing such weapons on sites in the new world. Well, I will tell you why—because we were assembling the evidence, and perhaps it would be instructive to the world to see how a Soviet official—how far he would go in perfidy. Perhaps we wanted to know if this country faced another example of nuclear deceit like that one a year ago, when in stealth, the Soviet Union broke the nuclear test moratorium. And while we are asking questions, let me ask you why your Government—your Foreign Minister—deliberately, cynically deceived…
e it, and it is clear and it is incontrovertible. And let me say something else—those weapons must be taken out of Cuba. Next, let me say to you that, if I understood you, with a trespass on credibility that excels your best, you said that our position had changed since I spoke here the other day because of the pressures of world opinion and the majority of the United Nations. Well, let me say to you, sir, you are wrong again. We have had no pressure from anyone whatsoever. We came in here today to indicate our willingness to discuss Mr. U Thant's proposals, and that is the only change that…
s in Cuba—and that question remains unanswered. I knew it would be. As to the authenticity of the photographs, which Mr. Zorin has spoken about with such scorn, I wonder if the Soviet Union would ask its Cuban colleague to permit a U.N. team to go to these sites. If so, I can assure you that we can direct them to the proper places very quickly. And now I hope that we can get down to business, that we can stop this sparring. We know the facts, and so do you, sir, and we are ready to talk about them. Our job here is not to score debating points. Our job, Mr. Zorin, is to save the peace. And if…
More questions about this book
- Stevenson repeatedly claims the US possesses "clear and incontrovertible" evidence of missiles in Cuba. If you were tasked with explaining the significance of this evidence to someone unfamiliar with the crisis, what aspects would you emphasize, and why would it compel immediate action?
- Stevenson highlights the shifting Soviet positions on the missiles, from calling them "defensive weapons" to denying their existence entirely. How does he strategically use these inconsistencies to undermine the Soviet Union's credibility and strengthen his own accusations of "perfidy"?
- Stevenson asserts that the Soviet Union "has upset the balance of power in the world." How would you explain the concept of the "balance of power" in the context of the Cold War to a layperson, and why was the placement of missiles in Cuba considered such a profound disruption to it?
- Stevenson explains the US delayed revealing its evidence to observe "how far he would go in perfidy." Beyond simply gathering more proof, what does this decision reveal about the US's strategic objectives and their assessment of Soviet trustworthiness and intentions during the crisis?