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CBS NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY: PRESS CONFERENCE (TV)

Summary

This "CBS News Special Report" presents a "slightly edited" videotape of President John F. Kennedy's November 8, 1961 press conference. In his prepared statement, the president makes the following announcements: Dwight D. Eisenhower has agreed to serve as chairman of the board of trustees of the new "People to People" program, an organization that fosters contacts between the citizens of all nations; Gen. Maxwell Taylor has returned from Vietnam with a report of findings to be evaluated; and the first meeting of the joint U.S.-Japan Committee on trade and economic affairs met successfully in Japan the week before. In response to questions from the press, Kennedy discusses the following topics: U.S. military strength over Russia; the Berlin crisis and the idea that it has cooled down somewhat; progress toward solving the problems he identified as a presidential candidate and whether those problems are still issues today; nuclear testing in the atmosphere; the continuing trade of food and medicine to Cuba; the frequency of this press conferences; the current tensions between Russia and China; civil defense and difficulties in coordinating the efforts of the state, local, and federal governments; his respect for India's Prime Minister Jawaharial Nehru; the future role of West Germany and the general matter of rearming West Germany, topics he will take up during Chancellor Konrad Adenauer's upcoming visit; the legacy of nuclear fallout on future generations; and what his administration has done for equal rights for women.

Details

  • NETWORK: CBS
  • DATE: November 8, 1961 Wednesday 5:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:29:21
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T83:0531
  • GENRE: News
  • SUBJECT HEADING: People to People (organization); Vietnam War - 1961; U S - Economic conditions; U S - Foreign relations - U S S R; U S - Foreign relations - Cuba; U S S R - Foreign relations - China; China, People's Repub.; Raioactive fallout; Women's rights; U S - Officials - Talk/Interviews; Berlin Question, 1945-; U S - Foreign relations - Germany
  • SERIES RUN: CBS - TV, 1961
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • John F. Kennedy … Speaker
  • Maxwell Taylor
  • Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Konrad Adenauer
  • Tom Wicker
  • May Craig
  • Merriman Smith
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower