1.
LVPAN MEMBERS OF PRESS SEATED
0.05

2.
SVPAN PRESS; KENNEDY ENTERS.
0.07

3.
LVPAN PRESS; KENNEDY ON TO ROSTRUM.
0.14

4.
SCU PRESS; KENNEDY DURING STATEMENT. S.O.F. IN..."I HAVE TWO STATEMENTS..... S.O.F. OUT.."USE OF FORCE IN THIS AREA.
0.44

5 CU PRESS; KENNEDY DURING STATEMENT S O F IN "UNDER THIS POLICY.

1.31

6.
LV REPORTERS.
1.36


TRANSCRIPT: (SEQ 4) KENNEDY: "I HAVE TWO STATEMENTS. THE SITUATION IN THE AREA OF THE TAIWAN STRAIT IS A MATTER OF SERIOUS CONCERN TO THIS GOVERNMENT. VERY LARGE MOVEMENTS OF CHINESE COMMUNIST FORCES INTO THIS AREA HAVE TAKEN PLACE. THE PURPOSE OF THESE MOVES IS NOT CLEAR. IT SEEMS IMPORTANT IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THE POSITION OF THE UNITED STATED GOVERNMENT BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD. OUR BASIC POSITION HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE USE OF FORCE IN THIS AREA. "UNDER THIS POLICY, SUSTAINED CONTINUOUSLY BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SINCE 1954, IT IS CLEAR THAT ANY THREAT TO THE OFFSHORE ISLANDS MUST BE JUDGED IN RELATION TO ITS WIDER MEANING FOR THE SAFETY OF FORMOSA AND THE PEACE OF THE AREA. EXACTLY WHAT ACTION WOULD BE NECESSARY IN THE EVENT OF ANY SUCH ACT OF FORCE WOULD DEPEND ON THE SITUATION AS IT DEVELOPED. BUT THERE MUST BE NO DOUBT THAT OUR POLICY, SPECIFICALLY INCLUDING OUR READINESS TO TAKE NECESSARY ACTION IN THE FACE OF FORCE, REMAINS JUST WHAT IT HAS BEEN ON THIS MATTER SINCE 1955. IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE IS UNDERSTOOD THAT ON THIS POINT THE UNITED STATES SPEAKS WITH ONE VOICE. BUT I REPEAT THAT THE PURPOSES OF THE UNITED STATES IN THIS AREA ARE PEACEFUL AND DEFENSIVE."




Initials KB/S/WS/EEH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE UNITED STATES WOULD DEFEND THE CHINESE OFFSHORE ISLANDS OF QUEMOY AND MATSU IF AN ATTACK ON THEM WAS CONSIDERED TO BE PART OF AN ATTACK ON TAIWAN AND THE PESCADORES, PRESIDENT KENNEDY TOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, ON JUNE 27TH.

MR. KENNEDY'S STATEMENT FOLLOWED REPORTS OF A STEADY BUILD UP IN RECENT MONTHS OF TROOPS ON THE CHINESE MAINLAND OPPOSITE THE ISLANDS. IT REAFFIRMED POLICY OUTLINED IN A DECLARATION PASSED BY CONGRESS DURING THE EISENHOWER ADMINISTRATION, WHICH GAVE THE PRESIDENT AUTHORITY TO CALL IN THE ARMED FORCES, IF NECESSARY, TO PROTECT TAIWAN AND NEARBY TERRITORIES FROM INVASION.

THE PRESIDENT BEGAN BY RESTATING THE UNITED STATED OPPOSITION TO THE USE OF FORCE IN THE AREA OF THE FORMOSA STRAITS: