WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:07.160 CBS News now presents a special report on one of the most unusual diplomatic events 00:07.160 --> 00:11.360 in recent history, the Nixon-Khrushchev Moscow debate. 00:11.360 --> 00:18.520 Moscow, the heart of world communism, yesterday became, for a day, the headquarters of an 00:18.520 --> 00:23.880 unprecedented and startling international debate, featuring on the one hand Soviet Premier 00:23.880 --> 00:29.200 and Nikita Khrushchev, the irrepressible and outspoken leader of communism. 00:29.200 --> 00:33.560 On the other, the Vice President of the United States, Richard Nixon, capped in the role 00:33.560 --> 00:37.160 of defender of capitalism and American foreign policy. 00:37.160 --> 00:41.920 Mr. Nixon, as you know, arrived in Moscow this week to open the American exhibition 00:41.920 --> 00:42.920 there. 00:42.920 --> 00:46.880 He paid a courtesy call on Premier Khrushchev yesterday at the Kremlin. 00:46.880 --> 00:51.880 After exchanging greetings and pleasantries, the two began trading verbal brick banks in 00:51.880 --> 00:55.280 a heated discussion on Cold War issues. 00:55.280 --> 01:00.360 Part of the unscheduled fireworks was recorded on videotape while they toured the television 01:00.360 --> 01:02.920 studio at the American exhibition. 01:02.920 --> 01:08.280 The tape was flown to New York by a representative of the Ampex Corporation videotape equipment 01:08.280 --> 01:09.720 manufacturers. 01:09.720 --> 01:16.600 And here now is that videotape recording of one of the most unusual foreign policy debates 01:16.600 --> 01:18.600 shortly after it got underway. 01:18.600 --> 01:25.600 We Americans only want to live in peace and friendship. 01:25.600 --> 01:28.600 We are a powerful state. 01:28.600 --> 01:32.600 If we are friends, we will be friends with other countries. 01:32.600 --> 01:36.600 If there is a very military one, we can pull it by the ear and say, don't you dare. 01:36.600 --> 01:40.600 We only want to live with Americans in peace and friendship because we ourselves are a 01:40.600 --> 01:43.600 powerful country and we will be friendly with each other. 01:43.600 --> 01:45.000 Other countries will be friendly too. 01:45.000 --> 01:48.800 And if anybody comes in a fighting mood, we could pull his ear ever so little and tell 01:48.800 --> 01:49.800 him, don't dare. 01:49.800 --> 01:51.800 Wars are not allowed now. 01:51.800 --> 01:53.800 This is a time of atomic weapons. 01:53.800 --> 01:57.800 Any fool could start a war, but no person in his right mind would want the war to continue. 01:57.800 --> 02:02.800 And consequently, that's how we guide ourselves in our policy, both in our internal building 02:02.800 --> 02:03.800 and international policy. 02:03.800 --> 02:04.800 We wish you success. 02:04.800 --> 02:11.200 You could show us American possibilities and then we could say, here is what American possibilities 02:11.200 --> 02:12.200 are. 02:12.200 --> 02:15.200 How many years has America existed already? 02:15.200 --> 02:16.200 300? 02:16.200 --> 02:17.200 150 years of independence. 02:17.200 --> 02:24.200 Well then, we will say America has existed 150 years and this is her level of achievement. 02:24.200 --> 02:30.200 We have existed not quite 42 years and seven years from now we will be on the same level 02:30.200 --> 02:32.200 of achievement as America. 02:32.200 --> 02:35.200 In the following years, we shall continue to surge ahead. 02:35.200 --> 02:42.200 And when we shall overtake you at the crossroads, we shall wave at you. 02:42.200 --> 02:49.200 And after that, if you wish, we can stop and tell you, please follow us. 02:49.200 --> 02:53.200 As to the question of social systems, if you want to live under capitalism, go ahead and 02:53.200 --> 02:54.200 live. 02:54.200 --> 02:55.200 That's your business. 02:55.200 --> 02:56.200 This is your internal affair. 02:56.200 --> 02:57.200 It doesn't concern us. 02:57.200 --> 03:01.200 We can only sympathize with you, but after all, if you don't know how to live, live 03:01.200 --> 03:03.200 as you know. 03:03.200 --> 03:25.200 The main thing that I want to say is that we are very happy at the arrival in Moscow 03:25.200 --> 03:26.200 of Vice President Nixon. 03:26.200 --> 03:32.200 We wish to express our gratitude to the President who has sent a message which I haven't read 03:32.200 --> 03:39.200 yet, but I am aware in advance of its good intent and I can only express my gratitude. 03:39.200 --> 03:46.200 I hope that you will be satisfied with your stay here. 03:46.200 --> 03:49.200 I cannot talk without an if. 03:49.200 --> 04:01.200 If your Congress hadn't passed that resolution, your trip would have been wonderful. 04:01.200 --> 04:05.200 You yourself have troubled the water. 04:05.200 --> 04:11.200 What did you do it for? 04:11.200 --> 04:13.200 God knows. 04:13.200 --> 04:15.200 What happened? 04:15.200 --> 04:22.200 Which black cat appeared among you and twisted your senses? 04:22.200 --> 04:25.200 You adopted a senseless resolution. 04:25.200 --> 04:33.200 However, this is your business and we will not interfere in your internal affairs. 04:33.200 --> 04:37.200 From what you have seen of our exhibition, how do you think it has been of interest to 04:37.200 --> 04:41.200 the people of the Soviet Union? 04:41.200 --> 04:45.200 Well, I have not had much of an opportunity to see it yet, but I have seen a great number 04:45.200 --> 04:50.200 of photographers and, as has, of course, the President and the Prime Minister. 04:50.200 --> 04:57.200 I think, though, that from what I have seen, that it is a very effective exhibit and it 04:57.200 --> 05:01.200 is one that will cause a great deal of interest. 05:01.200 --> 05:08.200 As far as Mr. Khrushchev's comments just now, they are in the tradition we learned to expect 05:08.200 --> 05:15.200 from him of speaking extemporaneously and frankly whenever he has an opportunity. 05:15.200 --> 05:20.200 And I am glad that he did so on our color television at such a time as this. 05:20.200 --> 05:26.200 Of course, later on we will both have the opportunity to speak this evening and, consequently, 05:26.200 --> 05:33.200 I will not comment on the various subjects that he raised at this point, except to say 05:33.200 --> 05:34.200 this. 05:34.200 --> 05:43.200 This, Mr. Khrushchev, is one of the most advanced developments in communication that we have, 05:43.200 --> 05:45.200 at least in our country. 05:45.200 --> 05:48.200 It is color television, of course. 05:48.200 --> 05:55.200 It is, as you will see in a few minutes, and we will see the very picture of your speech 05:55.200 --> 06:04.200 and of my comments that has been transmitted, it is one of the best means of communication 06:04.200 --> 06:05.200 that has been developed. 06:05.200 --> 06:11.200 And I can only say that if this competition, which you have just described so effectively, 06:11.200 --> 06:18.200 in which you plan to outstrip us, particularly in the production of consumer goods, if this 06:18.200 --> 06:26.200 competition is to do the best for both of our people and for people everywhere, there 06:26.200 --> 06:29.200 must be a free exchange of ideas. 06:29.200 --> 06:35.200 There are some instances where you may be ahead of us. 06:35.200 --> 06:42.200 For example, in the development of the thrust of your rockets for the investigation of outer 06:42.200 --> 06:43.200 space. 06:43.200 --> 06:47.200 There may be some instances, for example, color television, where we're ahead of you. 06:47.200 --> 06:54.200 But in order for both of us to benefit, for both of us to benefit, you see, you never 06:54.200 --> 06:55.200 can beat anything. 06:55.200 --> 06:57.200 In what are they ahead of us? 06:57.200 --> 06:58.200 Wrong, wrong. 06:58.200 --> 07:03.200 We are ahead of you in rockets as well as in this technique. 07:03.200 --> 07:05.200 We do not capitulate. 07:05.200 --> 07:10.200 I think it would be interesting for you to know that this program is now being reported 07:10.200 --> 07:15.200 on antarctic color TV, and it can be played back immediately, and you can't tell that 07:15.200 --> 07:18.200 this is a live program. 07:18.200 --> 07:32.200 And you see, I share the enthusiasm of Soviet engineers about the cleverness of the American 07:32.200 --> 07:33.200 people. 07:33.200 --> 07:36.200 We always knew they were clever. 07:36.200 --> 07:41.200 Foolish people could never raise the economy to such a level of achievement. 07:41.200 --> 07:44.200 But we do, as you know. 07:44.200 --> 07:46.200 Don't kill flies with our nostrils. 07:46.200 --> 07:54.200 For 42 years we have gone ahead and we're worthy partners now. 07:54.200 --> 07:56.200 So let's compete. 07:56.200 --> 08:05.200 The system that will give the people more goods will be the better system and victorious. 08:05.200 --> 08:14.200 Let's have a far more communication and exchange in this very area that we speak of. 08:14.200 --> 08:16.200 We should hear you more on our television. 08:16.200 --> 08:19.200 You should hear us more on yours. 08:19.200 --> 08:26.200 Let's do it this way. 08:26.200 --> 08:27.200 Television, of course, is all right. 08:27.200 --> 08:33.200 You appear, but there is no one around, and then everything is put in story. 08:33.200 --> 08:36.200 Let's do it as follows. 08:36.200 --> 08:40.200 You appear before our people and we'll appear before yours. 08:40.200 --> 08:43.200 This will be much better. 08:43.200 --> 08:47.200 People will see with their own eyes. 08:47.200 --> 08:49.200 I am giving you one move ahead. 08:49.200 --> 08:54.200 You must not be afraid of ideas. 08:54.200 --> 08:57.200 That's what we're telling you. 08:57.200 --> 08:59.200 Don't be afraid of ideas. 08:59.200 --> 09:01.200 We have nothing to fear. 09:01.200 --> 09:06.200 The time has passed when ideas scare us. 09:06.200 --> 09:07.200 Well, then let's have more exchange of them. 09:07.200 --> 09:09.200 We all agree on that, right? 09:09.200 --> 09:14.200 Agreeing with what? 09:14.200 --> 09:24.200 Of course I agree, but I want to clarify what I agree with. 09:24.200 --> 09:28.200 I have a right. 09:28.200 --> 09:34.200 I know that I am dealing with a good lawyer. 09:34.200 --> 09:40.200 And that's why I want to be in my good miner's form. 09:40.200 --> 09:44.200 So that the miners could say, here he does not give in. 09:44.200 --> 09:46.200 He's one of us. 09:46.200 --> 09:52.200 You can say you're a lawyer for capitalism and I'm a lawyer for communism, so let's compete. 09:52.200 --> 09:57.200 All that I can say from the way you talk and the way you dominate the conversation, 09:57.200 --> 10:05.200 you would have made a good lawyer yourself. 10:05.200 --> 10:19.200 But what I mean is this. Here you can see the type of tape which will transmit this very conversation immediately. 10:19.200 --> 10:24.200 And this indicates the possibilities of increasing communication. 10:24.200 --> 10:30.200 And this increase in communication will teach us some things and it will teach you some things too. 10:30.200 --> 10:36.200 Because after all, you don't know everything. 10:36.200 --> 10:43.200 If I don't know everything, then I would say that you know absolutely nothing about communism. 10:43.200 --> 10:48.200 Nothing except fear of it. 10:48.200 --> 10:54.200 If I don't know something, then you don't know anything about communism except fear. 10:54.200 --> 11:01.200 We are now conducting an argument on unequal terms. The equipment is yours. 11:01.200 --> 11:05.200 You speak English and I speak Russian. 11:05.200 --> 11:08.200 Your English words are being recorded. 11:08.200 --> 11:13.200 They will be shown and they will be heard. 11:13.200 --> 11:20.200 What I have to say is being translated only into your ears, but the American people will never hear it. 11:20.200 --> 11:24.200 I repeat, the terms are unequal. 11:24.200 --> 11:31.200 There isn't a day that goes by in the United States when we can't read everything that you say in the Soviet Union, 11:31.200 --> 11:35.200 when you're not fully recorded in what you said in Parliament. 11:35.200 --> 11:44.200 In fact, when Mr. Kozlov was traveling in California, talking in terms of, as very properly as you have, about peace, 11:44.200 --> 11:51.200 you were talking somewhat the other way and it was reported in our press very extensively. 11:51.200 --> 11:59.200 And I can assure you that never make a statement here that you don't think we read in the United States. 11:59.200 --> 12:19.200 Everything I tell you in Russian should be recorded in the English language. 12:19.200 --> 12:22.200 In the US? 12:22.200 --> 12:24.200 No, right here. 12:24.200 --> 12:29.200 Oh, it's done. 12:29.200 --> 12:36.200 No, no, no, it is being recorded in the English language and you will be showing it in the English language. 12:36.200 --> 12:41.200 I would like everything I say to be translated into the English language. 12:41.200 --> 12:43.200 Do you give your word? 12:43.200 --> 12:48.200 We have all of these recorders here. 12:48.200 --> 12:54.200 We have every word that you have said, every word that you have said has been taken down 12:54.200 --> 12:59.200 and I will promise you that every word that you have said here will be recorded in the United States 12:59.200 --> 13:03.200 and they will see you say it on television. 13:03.200 --> 13:06.200 I doubt it. 13:06.200 --> 13:12.200 That's why I want you, the Vice President, to give your word that my speech will be recorded in the English language. 13:12.200 --> 13:17.200 It will be, yes, 13:17.200 --> 13:21.200 certainly it will. 13:21.200 --> 13:26.200 Your hand. 13:26.200 --> 13:36.200 And at the same token, everything that I say will be recorded and translated 13:36.200 --> 13:40.200 and will be carried all over the Soviet Union. 13:40.200 --> 13:46.200 That's a fair bargain. 13:46.200 --> 13:54.200 Everything will be translated into Russian. 13:54.200 --> 13:56.200 And so it went. 13:56.200 --> 14:02.200 Khrushchev and Nixon exchanging jabs and jibes in a rough and tumble public debate 14:02.200 --> 14:04.200 at the American Exhibition in Moscow. 14:04.200 --> 14:08.200 The result of their dramatic exchange, of course, remains to be seen. 14:08.200 --> 14:11.200 Only time can assess the value of their discussion. 14:11.200 --> 14:16.200 In any event, the world has been treated to an unusual and unprecedented debate. 14:16.200 --> 14:19.200 This is Ron Cochran in New York. 14:19.200 --> 14:44.200 CBS News has just presented a special report on the Nixon-Khrushchev Moscow debate at the U.S. Exhibition in Moscow.