JFK and Agostinho Neto: the reasons for a failed relationship

«A man does what he must — in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers, and pressures — and that is the basis of all human morality». Quote in Profiles in Courage (1956)

John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.

 

John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President of the United States of America at noon on January 20, 1961. In his inaugural address he spoke of the need for all Americans to be active citizens, famously saying, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." He also asked the nations of the world to join together to fight what he called the "common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself." In closing, he expanded on his desire for greater internationalism.

But inspite of supporting the civil rights movement in the USA, President Kennedy's foreign policy was dominated by American-Soviet relations. Much foreign policy revolved around proxy interventions in the context of the early stage Cold WarCold (the continuing state of political conflict, military tension, and economic competition existing after World War II , primarily between the USSR and its satellite states, and the powers of the Western world, including the United States).

The Cuban Missile Crisis began on October 14, 1962 as JFK tried to contain communism in Latin America.

In this political environment, Agostinho Neto visited Washington D.C., United States in 1962 and asked the Kennedy for aid in his war with Portugal. The U.S. government turned him down, choosing to instead support Holden Roberto's anti-Communist FNLA.