Panorama | Cuba Day: Senator Mansfield in Washington

In this extract from 'Panorama', Robin Day probes the Democratic Congress leader on the US government's current position in the missile crisis. Mansfield gives details on the range capability of the missiles and the possibility of nuclear warheads. He defends the blockade and the open installation of US missiles in Turkey by contrasting them with the clandestine Soviet manoeuvres in Cuba. Mansfield also responds to the British Labour Party's recent statement about the legality of the blockade and subsequent relations with the UN.

At the age of 14, Mike Mansfield left school and served with the US military from 1917 until 1922. He subsequently built a political career and served in the US Senate (1953-1977). During his time as majority leader (1961-1977) he became a significant critic of US policy on Vietnam.