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Sound recording of remarks by Prime Minister of Laos Prince Sovanna Phouma paying tribute to the late President John F. Kennedy on June 16, 1964. The Prime Minister delivers the remarks in English twice, in French, and in Lao. Information on tape box label: "Vientiane, Laos." Accession MR-1965-082.

Sound recording of remarks about the late President John F. Kennedy delivered in French by King Sri Savang Vatthana of Laos on June 16, 1964. An unidentified speaker provides an introduction in English. Information on tape box label: "Vientiane, Laos." Accession MR-1965-082-r02.

Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s speech addressed to the American people from his office in the White House. In his speech the President summarizes his trip to Paris, France; Vienna, Austria; and London, England. The President affirms the strong alliance between European nations and the United States as an assurance of mutual security. He then reports on his meeting with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev regarding nuclear weapons proliferation, the current situation in Laos, and relations between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s welcoming remarks to King of Laos Sri Savang Vatthana from the North Portico of the White House. In his address the President recognizes challenges faced by the King and discusses the shared responsibility to maintain freedom in Laos.

Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s toast to King Sri Savang Vatthana of Laos at a luncheon held in the State Dining Room of the White House. In his speech the President discusses the importance of the commitment and unity of the signatories of the Geneva Accord to the independence of Laos.

Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 8, 1961 (News Conference 6). President Kennedy begins the press conference by urging the public to support Radio Free Europe. He then announces that he would be making a statement concerning his views of problems in the Americas following an upcoming reception at the White House; that he has directed Federal departments and agencies to speed up government spending; and the upcoming visit of Swedish Prime Minister Tage Erlander to the United States. He then makes several statements concerning the building of schools for Native American and Inuit children, the distribution of surplus food, and the polio outbreak in Cuba. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the President’s economic program, the situation in Laos, and federal aid to education.

Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 23, 1961 (News Conference 8). President Kennedy begins the press conference with a statement concerning the advances of Communist forces in Laos, emphasizing his administration’s support for the goal of a peaceful, neutral, and independent Laos. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation in Laos, foreign aid, and segregation.

Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of April 24, 1963 (News Conference 54). The President begins the press conference by announcing that he would meet with Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts on May 10 and 11. He goes on to say that Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman will travel to Moscow to meet with Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko to discuss the situation in Laos. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the tax cut, Laos, the nuclear test ban treaty, the number of Soviet personnel and troops in Cuba, Scientist John Rock’s recommendation of Government-funded population growth programs, civil rights, and the space program.

Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of May 17, 1962 (News Conference 33). During this press conference President Kennedy answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the investigation of Billie Sol Estes’ involvement in federal farm programs, United States-French political differences concerning the Berlin negotiations and French President Charles De Gaulle’s proposal for an independent European nuclear deterrent, the dispatch of United States forces to Thailand, and the situation in Laos.

Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s toast to Prince Souvanna Phouma, Prime Minister of Laos, at a luncheon in the White House State Dining Room. In his speech President Kennedy discusses the International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos signed in Geneva, Switzerland.

Sound recording of a meeting held on October 4, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Main topics of discussion are Secretary Dean Rusk’s meeting with Soviet Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Dobrynin regarding Berlin, Germany; Secretary Rusk’s talks with Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Gromyko regarding Laos; President Kennedy’s meeting with Minister Gromyko; a "New York Times" article regarding the race to the moon; and the possibility of sharing space information with the Soviet Union. They also discuss the Caribbean and Latin American regions, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and civil rights. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 114/A49, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 114/A49 in its entirety.

Dictation Belt 18A contains eight sound recordings. Item 18A.1 is a sound recording of a brief fragment of a telephone conversation held on April 4, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Walter W. Heller, Chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. They talk about budgetary matters. The recording starts in mid-conversation. Item 18A.2 is a brief telephone exchange on April 4, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Ralph A. Dungan, Special Assistant to the President. They talk about a letter from Lucius Clay. Item 18A.3 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. The topic of discussion is unclear. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Machine noise follows the conversation. Item 18A.3A is a brief telephone exchange between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and a White House Operator. The operator notifies Lincoln of an incoming call from Robert B. Troutman. The recording ends abruptly. The telephone conversation with Troutman is not recorded. Item 18A.4 is a telephone conversation held on April 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and W. Averell Harriman. They discuss fighting in Laos involving the Pathet Lao and the forces of Kong Le and others. They also discuss whether the United States should discuss the matter with Soviet officials. Item 18A.5 is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation held on April 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy. They talk about a Laos statement and a list of raids. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 18A.6 is a telephone conversation held on May 6, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. They discuss Secretary Rusk’s trip to Europe, matters involving Yugoslavia, and arrangements for a meeting. Item 18A.7 is part of a telephone conversation held on May 7, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Representative Edith S. Green of Oregon. They discuss an education bill and a newspaper article that characterized their political relationship. The recording ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 18B.

Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.

Sound recording of a telephone conversation held on April 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and W. Averell Harriman. They discuss fighting in Laos involving the Pathet Lao and the forces of Kong Le and others. They also discuss whether the United States should discuss the matter with Soviet officials.

Transcript included. This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 18A, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-18A, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 18A.

Sound recording of a brief fragment of a telephone conversation held on April 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy. They talk about a Laos statement and a list of raids.

The recording begins in mid-conversation.

Transcript included. This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 18A, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-18A, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 18A.

Sound recording of a meeting held on July 4, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs Roger Hilsman, and member of the National Security Council Michael Forrestal. The main focus of this White House off-the-record meeting is the situation in Vietnam. The meeting takes place not long after a Buddhist monk burned himself to death to protest the relationship between the government of Vietnam and the Buddhists and amidst recent Buddhist demonstrations. The possibility of a coup in Vietnam and differing staff assessments of that possibility are also presented. Other topics are discussed near the end of the meeting, including Laos, Indonesia, Brazil, and Averell Harriman’s upcoming mission to Moscow concerning the treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT), and specific aspects of its negotiations. One segment of the recording totaling 35 seconds has been removed in accordance with the donor's deed of gift. Four segments of the recording totaling 41 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 12958. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 96, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 96 in its entirety.