History Research Center

To the Russian People

Richard Nixon is best known for the Watergate scandal (illegal political activities he authorized) that brought his resignation as
U.S. president in 1974. He successfully used his time in office, however, to improve dangerous cold war relations with communist
behemoths China and the Soviet Union. Early in his career, he had been vice president in President Dwight D. Eisenhower's
administration (195260), and he had journeyed to the Soviet Union for a nine-day visit. It was the tense cold war year of 1959,
although the visit came during the Khrushchev thaw, when Soviet premier (and first secretary of the Communist Party) Nikita
Khrushchev (195864) was attempting within Russia to repair some of Stalin's "excesses." In Moscow, Nixon was scheduled to
open the traveling American National Exhibition on its first day. He took Khrushchev to tour the exhibit of American life and
technology before it officially opened. It was then that the testy "Kitchen Debate" occurred, as the pair stood before the display
kitchen in the model American home, debating communism versus capitalism through their interpreters. The day before leaving to
return home, in an unusual gesture of openness from the Soviets, Nixon was permitted to give a televised and radio address to the
Russian people. He complimented them on their hard work and sense of humor, offered a brief history of the arms buildup and
American proposals promoting peace, and, in closing, mentioned a conversation with Khrushchevwho had predicted Nixon's
grandchildren would live under communism. In later years as president, Nixon opened the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks with
the Soviet Union in 1969 to limit the escalating arms race. Relations with China at that time were so tense that an American pingpong team's 1971 visit was a major breakthrough. Nixon followed with a startling visit in 1972 to Mao Zedong, leader of the
government and party of the People's Republic of China (194976); Nixon was said to have "opened" China.
What we need today is not two worlds but one world where different peoples choose the economic and political systems which
they want, but where there is free communication among all the peoples living on this earth.
Let us expand the concept of open skies. What the world also needs are open cities, open minds and open hearts.
Let us have peaceful competition not only in producing the best factories but in producing better lives for our people.
Let us cooperate in our exploration of outer space. As a worker told me in Novosibirsk, let us go to the moon together.
Let our aim be not victory over other peoples but the victory of all mankind over hunger, want, misery and disease, wherever it
exists in the world.
I realize that this era of peaceful competition and even cooperation seems like an impossible dream when we consider the present
differences we have between us. But the leaders of our countries can help make this dream come true. So far as the leader of our
country is concerned, I can assure you that President Eisenhower has no objective to which he is more dedicated.
As far as Mr. Khrushchev is concerned, as I am sure you know, we disagree sharply on political and economic philosophy and on
many world problems. But these characteristics are evident to anyone who meets himHe is a self-made man who worked his
way up from the bottom; he is an articulate spokesman for the economic system in which he believes; he has immense drive; in
sum, he is one of those individuals who, whether you agree with him or disagree with him, is a born leader of men. Because he has
these unique qualities and because the decisions he makes will affect not only the 200 million people of the USSR but the 3 billion
people on this earth, he carries a tremendous responsibility on his shoulders.
I would not be so presumptuous as to try to give him advice on how he should fulfill that responsibility. But could I relate
something that I noted on the trip I have just completed? In every factory and on hundreds of billboards I saw this slogan, "Let us
work for the victory of Communism."
If Mr. Khrushchev means by this slogan working for a better life for the people within the Soviet Union that is one thing. If, on the
other hand, he means the victory of Communism over the United States and other countries, this is a horse of a different color.
For we have our own ideas as to what system is best for us.

If he devotes his immense energies and talents to building a better life for the people of his own country, Mr. Khrushchev can go
down in history as one of the greatest leaders the Soviet people have ever produced. But if he diverts the resources and talents of
his people to the objective of promoting the communization of countries outside the Soviet Union, he will only assure that both he
and his people will continue to live in an era of fear, suspicion and tension.
The Geneva conference is a case in point. It would not be proper for me to comment on the specific proposals that are pending
before that conference at this time. But agreements between great powers cannot be reached unless they take into account the
views and interests of all parties concerned. I was encouraged to note in my conversations with Mr. Khrushchev that he
recognizes this fact and agrees that a successful outcome of this conference could be a great step forward in settling some of the
problems I have discussed tonight.
I have one final thought to add. Mr. Khrushchev predicted that our grandchildren would live under Communism. He reiterated this
to me in our talks last Sunday.
Let me say that we do not object to his saying this will happen. We only object if he tries to bring it about.
And this is my answer to him. I do not say that your grandchildren will live under capitalism. We prefer our system. But the very
essence of our belief is that we do not and will not try to impose our system on anybody else. We believe that you and all other
peoples on this earth should have the right to choose the kind of economic or political system which best fits your particular
problems without any foreign intervention.
As I leave your country, I shall never forget an incident that occurred as I was driving through your beautiful Ural mountains. A
group of children on the side of the road threw wildflowers into my car and cried in English the words "friendship, friendship." Mr.
Zhukov told me that the first word children who study English are taught is the word "friendship." There could be no more
eloquent expression of the attitude of the Soviet people, an attitude which we share in common with you.
Finally, may I express on behalf of my wife and I, and all the members of our party, our deep appreciation for the warm friendship
and boundless hospitality we have found everywhere we have gone in the Soviet Union. I pledge to you that in the years to come I
shall devote my best efforts to the cause of peace with justice for all the peoples of the world.
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