Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-055-008
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the President's News Conference of February 14, 1962 (News Conference 24). The President began the press conference with a statement concerning the release of Soviet intelligence officer Colonel Rudolph Abel in exchange for the release of the American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers and American student Frederic Pryor from detention in the Soviet Union and East Germany. Following this statement the President answered questions from the press on a variety of topics including United States involvement in Vietnam, the status of the nuclear test ban treaty, and restrictions on public statements by military personnel. Background materials in this folder include a draft press conference announcement, executive department and agency reports, and briefing papers for the President on domestic and foreign affairs and national security. Topics of the briefing papers include the economy, negotiations for a nuclear test ban treaty, and the situation in South Vietnam. The official White House transcript of the press conference and the stenotype transcript of the press conference are also included.