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Versailles, a fairy-tale palace even in the worst of weather, never looked more romantic. At evening's end, Kennedy and Jackie drove past the lighted buildings and fountains, twice stopped to gaze at the haunting, misty landscape. With more than usual tenderness. John Kennedy escorted his wife from their car, took her arm as they walked out toward the shadowed columns of heroic statues. De Gaulle joined them, and there, with the reminder of the grandeur that was France in the background, the two men solemnly shook hands and said goodnight.
The following day Kennedy was up early for his fifth session with De Gaulle; this time both men took along a platoon of advisers. Somewhat reluctantly, Kennedy attended a luncheon press conference to answer questions (which had been submitted in writing three days before). The President glided newslessly through most of the queries, aiming his answers as much at Soviet listeners in Vienna as at the 400 newsmen gathered in the Palais de Chaillot. His major points:
¶ Although the prospects of securing true neutrality in Laos are "not easy," the Geneva talks must succeed. "I cannot be lieve." he said, "that anyone would imperil the peace by failing to recognize the importance of reaching an agreement in Laos, by breaking up a conference and refusing to agree to a cease-fire." Cf No decision has been made to supply atomic information to France; Kennedy pointedly noted that any reinterpretation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 is "of great concern" to Congress—which has little interest in letting France in on U.S. nuclear secrets.
¶ He was deeply concerned about Soviet intransigence at the stalled Geneva test-ban talks. "If we cannot reach an agreement on this subject, how is it going to be possible for us to set up the kind of inspection system for the control of other weapons which could lead to disarmament and, therefore, to world peace?"
There was one final, unscheduled meeting with De Gaulle at Kennedy's suggestion before the final farewells. A fanfare by the trumpets of the Garde Republicaine greeted the two men as they left the Elysee Palace; they walked toward the colors, stood side by side at attention for the playing of the two national anthems. Looking into Kennedy's eyes. De Gaulle said: "Now I have more confidence in your country.'' Then they smiled, shook hands, and the President drove off for a dinner skull session with aides to prepare for the confrontation with an enemy in Vienna.