Office of the Historian

103. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union0

Washington, May 19, 1963, 11:15 a.m.

2508. The following message dated May 19 for delivery soonest to Khrushchev from the President. Begin Verbatim Text:

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Thank you for your cordial message of congratulations on the successful completion of astronaut L. Gordon Cooper’s orbital flight.1

All of Major Cooper’s countrymen share a deep sense of satisfaction at his achievement.

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They know it represents not an American accomplishment alone, but the result of the peaceful application of scientific and technical work by men of all nations.

It is our hope that the flight of the Faith-7 will be a milestone towards the peaceful conquest of space for men of all nations.

Sincerely,

John F. Kennedy. End Text.

Please inform Department when message delivered. Unless Embassy perceives objections we plan to release exchange of messages 24 hours after delivery.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204. Limited Official Use; Priority. Drafted by S/S-S Harrison; cleared by Davis, Henry (SOV), Anderson (EUR), Tully (P), and Bromley Smith; and approved by Harrison and Kriebel (S/S). Another copy of this message is in the Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, USSR, Khrushchev Correspondence.↩
  2. Document 102.↩