Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-060-008
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, for the President’s News Conference of August 20, 1963 (News Conference 60). The President began the press conference with a statement urging the House of Representatives to pass the Mutual Defense and Assistance Bill of 1964, stating that the foreign aid program is essential to the strength of the free world. Following this announcement the President answered questions on a variety of topics including the four safeguards proposed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to protect the country under the limited language of the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT), the upcoming civil rights march in Washington D.C., atmospheric nuclear testing, British Guiana, and legislation. Background materials in this folder include briefing papers for the President on domestic and foreign affairs and national security. Of note is an article by David Halberstam from The New York Times titled “Vietnamese Reds Gain in Key Area,” and a critique of the article by Special Assistant for Counterinsurgency and Special Activities, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Victor H. Krulak. Also included in this folder is a statement of the Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding their position on the three-environment LTBT and a transcript of Meet the Press focusing on the treaty. The official White House transcript of the press conference and the stenotype transcript of the press conference are also included.