Office of the Historian

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

Washington, October 6, 1962, 12:25 p.m.

826. Following message for delivery soonest to Khrushchev from the President:

Begin Verbatim Text:

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I thank you and the Soviet people on behalf of the American people for your congratulations on Commander Schirra’s successful space flight.1 Your greetings and best wishes have been conveyed to Commander Schirra.

John F. Kennedy.

End Verbatim Text.

Time of release of this message by White House not decided.

Ball
  1. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, USSR, Khrushchev Correspondence. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Owen (SOV) and cleared by Bromley Smith. Another copy of this telegram is in Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204. Also printed in Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States:John F. Kennedy, 1962, p. 433.↩
  2. Document 57.↩