But the world was not meant to be a prison in which man awaits his execution. Nor has mankind survived the tests and trials of thousands of years to surrender everything-including its existencenow. This Nation has the will and the faith to make a supreme effort to break the log jam on disarmament and nuclear tests-and we will persist until we prevail, until the rule of law has replaced the ever dangerous use of force. Letter From President Kennedy to the President of the Senate (Johnson) and to the Speaker of the House (McCormack), February 7, 1962 1 DEAR MR. PRESIDENT (DEAR MR. SPEAKER:): This nation's space program has introduced a new dimension to progress. An increasing flow of peaceful benefits, both national and international, is materializing from our efforts to probe this new frontier. One of the most practical examples of our growing space competence is in the field of communications. Our intensive research and development in the field of communications satellites have brought us to the point where we are now certain of the technical feasibility of transmitting messages to any part of the world by directing them to satellites for relay. This will provide an alternative means to existing transoceanic cable and microwave radio systems, and, even more importantly, will permit ready communication among distant corners of the world. The proposed legislation 2 which I am transmitting with this letter will enable us to translate this communications competence into actual performance. It is, therefore, a measure of immense long-range importance. This bill provides for the establishment, ownership, operation, and regulation of a commercial communications satellite system in accordance with the principles set forth in my statement of guidelines issued last July 24.In my judgment, a new Communications Satellite Act is required to provide an appropriate mechanism for dealing effectively with this subject-a subject which, by nature, is essentially private enterprise in character but of vital importance to both our national and international interests and policies. Among the policy objectives pursued in the preparation of this measure have been the assurance of global coverage; cooperation with other countries; expeditious development of an operational system; the provision of service to economically less developed countries as well as industrialized countries; efficient and economical use of the frequency spectrum; nondiscriminatory access to the system by authorized users; maximum competition in the acquisition of equipment and services utilized by the system; and the strengthening of competition in the communications industry. Within this policy framework, particular attention has been given to the question of the ownership of the entity that will operate this system. Throughout our history this country's national communica 1 White House press release, Feb. 7, 1962. Not printed; but for the text of the Communications Satellite Act approved Aug. 31, 1962, see post, p. 307. Ante, p. 207, extracts. tion systems have been privately owned and operated, subject to governmental regulation of rates and service. In the case of the communications satellite operation, our studies have convinced us that the national objectives outlined above can best be achieved in the framework of a privately owned corporation, properly chartered by the Congress. The attached bill authorizes the establishment of such a corporation, financed through the sale of stock to the public. But a further question presented was whether the ownership should be limited to American companies currently operating in the international communications field, or be open to the public at large. The only argument advanced for the narrowly based ownership which I found to have some merit was the contention that an investment in this corporation could in this way be treated as the acquisition of additional facilities, and thus as part of the existing rate base, of those participating companies already in the business, thereby permitting the rate of return to be spread over a very broad base and resulting in lower service fees. Otherwise, it was reasoned, the expected unprofitable early years of the new corporation could well compel unduly high charges for the satellite services to provide investors a reasonable return. While this is an important consideration, it must also be realized that such a system is by nature a government-created monopoly—and that we cannot in good conscience limit its ownership to a few existing companies and exclude automatically all other potential investors who have equal rights to own a part of this Federally-developed enterprise. To meet all of these objectives, the following arrangement was devised and incorporated in the draft bill: The common stock of the corporation will be in two classes. Holders of Class A stock, open to the public, will have voting rights and will earn dividends. Class B stock, which may be purchased only by approved communication carriers, will not confer voting rights nor will it pay dividends; the amount of investment, however, will be included in the individual companies' rate base for other international communications services. No investor would be permitted to own more than 15% of the total amount ($1 billion) of the authorized Class A stock nor more than 25% of the Class A stock outstanding at any particular time, thereby preventing domination of the corporation by a single stockholder. There is, however, no limitation on the amount of Class B stock or securities which may be owned by any one investor. Further protection against undue domination by any one stockholder is the limitation that any individual stockholder or trustee may vote for only two out of the nine to thirteen members of the corporation's board of directors. Purposes and powers of the new corporation would include: furnishing for hire channels of communication to authorized users, including the United States Government; acquiring and owning satellites, ground terminals, and other facilities necessary for the system's operation, management, and interconnection with terrestrial communications systems; conducting or contracting for research and development; and purchasing satellite launching and related services from the U.S. Government. Adequate authority and responsibility is reserved for the President to ensure that the policies and objectives of the Act are carried out ef fectively. The draft legislation does not interfere with or limit the existing prerogatives of any government agency; but because of the existing overlapping of responsibilities and interests, it seeks to define and identify these responsibilities and expressly assign them in an orderly fashion. In coordinating the efforts of the various departments and agencies, I expect to rely heavily on the Director of Telecommunications Management, a new post to be established in the Office of Emergency Planning to assist in planning for and managing the telecommunications resources of the United States. In addition, I will look to the National Aeronautics and Space Council for assistance in coordinating this new communications satellite program with other aspects of our space efforts. It is my firm conviction that the enactment of this legislation and the actual operation of such a system would provide a dramatic demonstration of our leadership in this area of space activity, our intention to share the benefits of space for peaceful use, and the ability of this nation and its economic and political system to keep pace with a changing and complex world. The direct benefits-economic, educational, and political of this improved world-wide communcation will be invaluable. For these reasons I urge the Congress to give prompt and favorable attention to the enclosed bill. Joint Statement by the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom on Nuclear Tests, February 8, 1962 1 It is the joint view of the United States and the United Kingdom Governments that the existing state of nuclear development, in which the recent massive Soviet tests are an important factor, would justify the West in making such further series of nuclear tests as may be necessary for purely military reasons. The United States and United Kingdom Governments have therefore decided that preparations should be made in various places, and as part of these the United Kingdom Government are making available to the United States Government the facilities at Christmas Island. The two Governments are, however, deeply concerned for the future of mankind if a halt cannot be called to the nuclear arms race. The two Governments are, therefore, determined to make a new effort to move away from this sterile contest. They believe that a supreme effort should be made at the Eighteen Nation Disarmament Committee which will begin meetings on March 14 at Geneva, and that the Heads of Government of the United States, United Kingdom, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics should assume a direct and personal interest in these negotiations. The President and the Prime Minister have, therefore, addressed a joint communication to Chairman Khrushchev proposing that this meeting be initiated at the Foreign Minister level and that their Foreign Ministers should meet before the Conference started and also be prepared to return as personal participants in the negotiations at appropriate stages as progress is made. 1 Department of State Bulletin, Feb. 26, 1962, p. 329. Statement by President Kennedy on the Successful Flight of I know that I express the great happiness and thanksgiving of all of us that Colonel Glenn has completed his trip, and I know that this is particularly felt by Mrs. Glenn and his two children. A few days ago, Colonel Glenn came to the White House and visited me, and he is as are the other Astronauts-the kind of American of whom we are most proud. Some years ago, as a Marine pilot, he raced the sun across this country-and lost. And today he won. I also want to say a word for all those who participated with Colonel Glenn in Canaveral. They faced many disappointments and delays the burdens upon them were great-but they kept their heads and they made a judgment, and I think their judgment has been vindicated. We have a long way to go in this Space race. We started late. But this is the new ocean, and I believe the United States must sail on it and be in a position second to none. Some months ago I said that I hoped every American would serve his country. Today Colonel Glenn served his, and we all express our thanks to him. Letter From the Soviet Premier (Khrushchev) to President Kennedy, February 21, 1962 2 DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: On behalf of the people of the Soviet Union and myself personally I congratulate you and the American people on the occasion of the successful launching of a spaceship with a man on board. One more step has been taken toward mastering the cosmos and this time Lieutenant Colonel John Glenn, a citizen of the United States of America, has been added to the family of astronauts. The successful launching of spaceships signalizing the conquest of new heights in science and technology inspires legitimate pride for the limitless potentialities of the human mind to serve the welfare of humanity. It is to be hoped that the genius of man, penetrating the depth of the universe, will be able to find ways to lasting peace and insure the prosperity of all peoples on our planet Earth which, in the space age, though it does not seem so large, is still dear to all of its inhabitants. If our countries pooled their efforts scientific, technical and material—to master the universe, this would be very beneficial for the advance of science and would be joyfully acclaimed by all peoples who would like to see scientific achievements benefit man and not be used for "cold war" purposes and the arms race. Please convey cordial congratulations and best wishes to Astronaut John Glenn. 1 White House press release, Feb. 20, 1963. On this day Lt. Col. John H. Glenn, Jr., U.S.M.C., orbited the earth three times in the U.S. space capsule Friendship 7. This was the first U.S. manned orbital space flight. The craft attained an apogee of 162.5 miles and a perigee of 98.9 miles. Department of State Bulletin, Mar. 12, 1962, p. 411. Letter From President Kennedy to the Soviet Premier 1 DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I thank you warmly for your message of congratulations on Colonel Glenn's successful space flight, and I welcome your statement that our countries should cooperate in the exploration of space. I have long held this same belief and indeed put it forward strongly in my first State of the Union message. We of course believe also in strong support of the work of the United Nations in this field and we are cooperating directly with many other countries individually. But obviously special opportunities and responsibilities fall to our two countries. I am instructing the appropriate officers of this Government to prepare new and concrete proposals for immediate projects of common action, and I hope that at a very early date our representatives may meet to discuss our ideas and yours in a spirit of practical cooperation. News-Conference Remarks by President Kennedy, February 21, 1962 2 [Extract] THE PRESIDENT. I have one statement. It is increasingly clear that the impact of Colonel Glenn's magnificent achievement yesterday goes far beyond our own time and our own country. The success of this flight, the new knowledge it will give us, and the new steps which can now be undertaken, will affect life on this planet for many years to come. This country has received more than 30 messages of congratulations from other heads of state all over the world which recognize the global benefits of this extraordinary accomplishment. And I want to express my thanks to them and at the same time pay tribute to the international cooperation entailed in the successful operation of the Mercury tracking network, and express particular appreciation to those governments which participated in this international program by permitting the location of 18 such stations all around the world, including those in the Grand Canary Islands, Nigeria, Zanzibar, Australia, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Canton Islands in the Pacific. One of the messages that I received was from Chairman Khrushchev of the Soviet Union, suggesting that it would be beneficial to the advance of science if our countries could work together in the exploration of space. I am replying to his message today, and I regard it as most encouraging, this proposal for international cooperation in space exploration, including specifically Soviet-American cooperation, which I spelled out in my State of the Union Message of last year, and in my address to the United Nations. You may recall that last year in January of 1961 in the State of the Union Address, I said: Specifically I now invite all nations, including the Soviet Union, to join with us in developing a weather prediction program, and a new communication 1 White House press release, Feb. 21, 1962. Stenotype transcript of press conference, Feb. 21, 1962, Department of State files. 3 |