225. Editorial Note
On March 16 at 9:30 p.m. President Eisenhower addressed the American people on the subjects of Berlin and national defense posture. In the first part of his address the President reviewed the background of the Berlin crisis and defined the United States position on the city and on negotiations concerning it. He concluded by stating:
“Our position, then, is this: We will not retreat one inch from our duty. We shall continue to exercise our right of peaceful passage to and [Page 492] from West Berlin. We will not be the first to breach the peace; it is the Soviets who threaten the use of force to interfere with such free passage. We are ready to participate fully in every sincere effort at negotiation that will respect the existing rights of all and their opportunity to live in peace.”
For full text of the President’s address, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1959, pages 273–282.