Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
Transfer of Ampex 2" color quad recording of Vice President Richard M. Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev meeting at the American National Exhibit in the Soviet Union for a spirited off-the-cuff debate on the merits of capitalism & communism. Though the crude image signal of this early tube camera may be initially off-setting, the astounding historical significance of the material itself far outweighs all aesthetic properties.
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
IMAGE QUALITY IS ORIGINAL TO THE MASTER-MS microphone on stage in front of reddish-orange curtain, Nikita Khrushchev and Richard Nixon and their respective interpreters enter frame. Mr. Nixon makes a comment to Mr. Khrushchev as to why it's so hot (the colored lights). Mr. Khrushchev: [In jest] "You look very angry, as if you want to fight me. Are you still angry?" Mr. Nixon: [in jest] "That's right!" Khrushchev: "And Nixon was once a lawyer? Now he's nervous." N: (chuckling) "Oh yes, he still is!"
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
IMAGE QUALITY IS ORIGINAL TO THE MASTER-Other Russian speaker: "Tell us, please, what are your general impressions of the exhibit?" Nikita Khrushchev responds in Russian It's clear to me that the construction workers didn't manage to finish their work & the exhibit still is not put in order...This is what America is capable of, and how long has she existed? 300 years? 150 years of independence and this is her level. We haven't quite reached 42 years, and in another 7 years, we'll be at the level of America and after that we'll go farther.
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
IMAGE QUALITY IS ORIGINAL TO THE MASTER-Nikita Khrushchev responds in Russian As we pass you by, we'll wave hi to you & then if you want we'll stop & say, please come along behind us...If you want to live under capitalism, go ahead, that's your question, an internal matter, it doesn't concern us. We can feel sorry for you, but really, you wouldn't understand. We've already seen how you understand things."
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
IMAGE QUALITY IS ORIGINAL TO THE MASTER-A reporter off-screen asks Vice President Richard Nixon if he thinks the Soviet people are impressed with the American National Exhibition. Nixon steps up to the microphone and replies It s a very effective exhibit, and it s one that will cause a great deal of interest. I might say that this morning I, very early in the morning, went down to visit a market, where the farmers from various outskirts of the city bring in their items to sell. As I was taking to them several of them came up and asked me if I knew where they could get tickets for the exhibition. I had none with me but I did make arrangements to send some back to the manager of the market. I can only say that there was a great deal of interest among these people, who were workers and farmers, etc... I would imagine that the exhibition from that standpoint would, therefore, be a considerable success.
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
IMAGE QUALITY IS ORIGINAL TO THE MASTER-Vice President Richard Nixon As far as Mr Khrushchev s comments just now, they are in the tradition we learned to expect from him of speaking extemporaneously and frankly whenever he has an opportunity. I am glad that he did say on our color television at such a time as this, of course later on with will both have the opportunity to seek this evening, consequently comment on the various subjects that he raised at this point. Except to say this, this Mr. Khrushchev is one of the most advanced developments in communication that we have, at least in our country. It is color television of course. It is as you will see in a few minutes when we receive the very picture of your speech and my comments that has been transmitted. It s one of the best means of communication that has been developed. And I can only say that if this competition which you have described so effectively, in which you plan to outstrip us, and particularly in the production of consumer goods If this competition is to do the best for both of our peoples and for people everywhere, there must be a free exchange of ideas.
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
IMAGE QUALITY IS ORIGINAL TO THE MASTER-Vice President Richard Nixon There are some instances where you may be ahead of us--for example in the development of the thrust of your rockets for the investigation of outer space. There may be some instances, for example, color television, where we re ahead of you. But in order for both of us benefit...Khrushchev interrupting No, in rockets we ve passed you by, and in the technology I do not capitulate. Nixon "You see, you never concede anything. Wait till you see the picture. An off-screen spokesman praises the advancement of color TV I think it d be interesting for him to know that this program is now being recorded on Ampex color tape and it can be played back immediately and you can t tell that it isn t a live program. Khrushchev "No, I share the enthusiasm of Soviet engineers about the cleverness of the American people. We always knew that Americans were clever. Foolish people could not have risen to the economic level that they've reached. But as you know, we don't kill flies with our nostrils! In 42 years we've made progress & we're worthy competitors now so let's compete!"
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
IMAGE QUALITY IS ORIGINAL TO THE MASTER-Vice President Richard Nixon Look, let s have a far more communication and exchange in this very area that we speak of. We should hear you more on our television, you should hear us more on yours. Khrushchev responds in Russian. Nixon (patting K's shoulder) "You must not be afraid of ideas." Khrushchev "We have nothing to fear. We're saying it is you who must not be afraid of ideas." Nixon "Well, then, let's have more exchange of them. We all agree on that, right?" [Khrushchev turns to translator and asks what he agreed on? Khrushchev "I want to clarify what I'm agreeing on. Don't I have that right? I know that I'm dealing with a very good lawyer. I want to be unwavering in my miner's girth, so our miners will say, He's ours & he doesn't give in! You're a lawyer of Capitalism, I'm a lawyer for Communism. Let's compete." Nixon: "All that I can say, from the way you talk and the way you dominate the conversation, you would have made a good lawyer yourself."
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
IMAGE QUALITY IS ORIGINAL TO THE MASTER-Vice President Richard Nixon What I mean is this, here you can see the type of tape which will transmit this very conversation immediately. This indicates the possibilities of increasing communication and this increase in communication will teach us some things & you some things, too. Because, after all, you don't know everything." Nikita Khrushchev "If I don't know everything, then you know absolutely nothing about Communism, except for fear! But now the dispute will be on an unequal basis. The apparatus is yours, and you speak English, while I speak Russian. Your words are taped and will be shown and heard. What I say to you about science won't be translated, and so your people won't hear it. These aren't equal conditions."
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
IMAGE QUALITY IS ORIGINAL TO THE MASTER-Vice President Richard Nixon "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, when you re not fully reported in what you said in Poland, in fact Mr Kaslov was traveling in California, talking in terms as you have about peace, you were talking somewhat the other way and it was reported in our press very extensively. And I can assure you, never make a statement here that you don't think we read in the United States."
Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate
IMAGE QUALITY IS ORIGINAL TO THE MASTER-Khrushchev "If that's the way it is, I'm holding you to it. Give me your word...I want you, the Vice President, to give me your word that my speech will also be taped in English. Will it be?" Nixon "Certainly it will be. And by the same token, everything that I say will be recorded and translated and will be carried all over the Soviet Union. That's a fair bargain." Khrushchev seizes Nixon's arm, makes many pointed gestures to himself, to Nixon, to the camera; Nixon backs away, grabs the microphone for leverage. They shake hands again, followed by a grand, sweeping handshake.