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"Shield from Danger." As the nuclear discussion continued, Kennedy realized that the main deterrent to U.S. testing was neither world opinion nor the danger of polluting the atmosphere, but the risk of speeding up an arms race with Russia that might lead to nuclear war. Yet last week, as he announced that the U.S. would keep fallout from its tests to a minimum,* he also showed his awareness of the world's concern about testing: "I find it deeply regrettable that any radioactive material must be added to the atmosphere—that even one additional individual's health may be risked in the foreseeable future."
Last November Kennedy turned down a rash plan to fire off a few atomic weapons as a kind of reprisal for the Soviet tests. As late as last week, he was still soliciting alternate views from his advisers and Cabinet members, held one final meeting of the National Security Council to turn up any last thoughts. There were none. While Presidential Adviser Ted Sorensen worked several nights until 3 a.m. or later on the President's speech, U.S. ambassadors thoroughly briefed key Government officials around the world, spelling out the reasons for Kennedy's decision. A special presidential message went off to Premier Ikeda of Japan, the ally expected to protest the loudest against the tests.
Issue at Stake. The U.S. was braced for the world's reaction—and resigned to it. Japan's Premier Ikeda fired off a courtly but unhappy letter to Kennedy that called the testing announcement "exceedingly regrettable," and urged: "We strongly request you to withdraw the decision." Egypt's government-owned newspaper lamented the announcement, said it would produce "an air of pessimism" at the disarmament conference in Geneva. Red China fell into step for once with the Soviet Union, attacked Kennedy's speech as a power play to force the Russians to accept a nefarious U.S. scheme for a test ban. Predictably, Britain, France, Canada and the Philippines gave prompt and firm support to the President.
However the world chose to understand it, the issue at stake in last week's decision was the security of the U.S. and all free nations. Concluded the President: "Our foremost aim is the control of force, not the pursuit of force, in a world made safe for mankind. But whatever the future brings, I am sworn to uphold and defend the freedom of the American people—and I intend to do whatever must be done to fulfill that solemn obligation."
*Said Kennedy: "It has been estimated that the exposure due to radioactivity from these tests will be less than one-fiftieth of the difference which can be experienced, due to variations in natural radioactivity, simply by living in different locations in this country."