Confronting the unthinkable: The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Cuban missile crisis, October-November 1962 (Part One).

The article discusses the International Committee of the Red Cross's (ICRC) role during the Cuban missile crisis in October-November 1962 between the USA and the USSR. Topics discussed include a historical account of the missile crisis as well the the involvement of Roger Gallopin, the ICRC's executive director. The mediating role of the United Nations, including Secretary General U Thant as well as representatives from countries including France and the United Kingdom are presented. The plan to have ICRC representatives sent on an inspection mission to Cuba headed by the United Nations as negotiators is discussed, as well as the end of the crisis before the plan was implemented.