How Adlai Stevenson proved power of compromise in Cuban missile crisis

Pan-dems could learn from man who helped defuse Cuban missile crisis

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Published: 2:14am, 15 May 2015

In this Dec. 17, 1962 file photo, Ambassador Adlai Stevenson, the U.S. delegate to the United Nations, shakes hands with Martin Luther King Jr., president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Atlanta at the White House in Washington with President John F. Kennedy (right). Photo: AP

Half a century ago in 1965, four exceptional personalities passed away: Winston Churchill, T.S. Eliot, Nat King Cole and Adlai Stevenson. Most would agree the first three were among the top of their lots. Many, however, would wonder why Stevenson ranks in the same category.

Stevenson was a US politician known for his intellectual demeanour and decency in the conduct of public affairs. He had been nominated twice for the presidency, but was defeated by Dwight Eisenhower on both occasions.

His last position in public service was as ambassador to the UN from 1961, until his sudden death in London in July, 1965, at the age of 65.

Stevenson played a crucial role in helping US president John F. Kennedy to resolve the Cuban missile crisis. The world might have ended then, had the counsel been less prudent.

In October 1962, US intelligence confirmed the Soviet Union had secretly deployed nuclear missiles in Cuba. Washington was within range of these missiles and could be destroyed within five minutes of launch.

Having learned how the European powers had tumbled into the devastating first world war back in 1914, Kennedy was determined to leave all military options to the last. He put together an emergency crisis management team of the National Security Council, the Executive Committee (ExComm), headed by his trusted brother, Robert Kennedy. Its task was to explore all possible options to resolve the crisis.