Kennedy, John F. (1917-1963) to Nate White
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01521 Author/Creator: Kennedy, John F. (1917-1963) Place Written: Washington, D. C. Type: Typed letter signed Date: 26 December 1961 Pagination: 1 p. ; 26 x 17.6 cm. Order a Copy
President Kennedy informs White, the Business and Financial Editor of the newspaper "The Christian Science Monitor," that the Marshall Plan was implemented to "encourage the economic integration of Western Europe," not to establish Europe as a "band of followers." States that the economic markets of the United States and Western Europe have the combined resources to "rally men and nations to the cause of freedom the world over."
The White House
Washington
December 26, 1961
Dear Mr. White:
Since the inauguration of the Marshall Plan, one of the major objectives of American foreign policy has been to encourage the economic integration of Western Europe. We have sought among our European allies, not a band of followers, but a strong partnership capable of sharing with us the leadership of the many enterprises around the world which free nations must undertake today. The Common Market makes it possible to foresee the fulfillment of this objective before many more months pass.
As Americans we should welcome the new Europe and be proud of our contribution to it. We should also recognize that just as the Common Market opens up exciting new opportunities for us, it also demands from us new policies and new initiatives. In particular, the economics of Atlantic partnership demand from us a new set of bargaining instruments with which to negotiate the freest possible flow of trade, not just with the Common Market, but between us both and the rest of the free world as well. These two great Atlantic markets, if they grow together, have the resources and resourcefulness to rally men and nations to the cause of freedom the world over. We must not let this opportunity pass.
John F. Kennedy
Mr. Nate White
Business and Financial Editor
The Christian Science Monitor
One Norway Street
Boston 15 Massachusetts
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