BRITAIN WARNS U.S. OF RIFT

Press, Volume CI, Issue 30004, 13 December 1962, Page 17

BRITAIN WARNS U.S. OF RIFT

Sharp Talks Over Skybolt Missile (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, December 12. Britain has warned the United States of likely damage to British-American relations if the Skybolt missile is scrapped, British newspapers said today. Diplomatic and defence correspondents generally expressed deep concern over the effect on British defence if the missile was dropped. The United States Defence Secretary, Mr Robert McNamara, and the British Minister of Defence, Mr Thorneycroft, discussed the Skybolt at hard-hitting talks in London yesterday.

The “Daily Telegraph” said it was dear Mr McNamara gave Mr Thorneycroft every indication that the United States was seriously considering scrapping the Skybolt, which Britain is counting on for her independent nuclear deterrent in the late 1960’5.

The 1000 mile range air-to-ground missile is planned to provide the nuclear “teeth” for the Royal Air Force’s Vulcan bombers. A British Defence Ministry spokesman said tonight: “This has been tough going for Mr McNamara. "Mr McNamara is the one person in the world who is crystal clear about the fierce reaction to any suggestion of a cancellation of the Skybolt. He is under no illusions whatever, because the Minister told him what the consequences would be.” Five Tests Fail In a written statement, Mr McNamara emphasised that the United States Government had as yet made no decision about the future of the Skybolt, bqt added that “it is not secret that all five flight tests attempted so far have failed.”

The “Daily Telegraph’s” defence correspondent said Mr Thorneycroft emphasised that scrapping of the Skybolt would mean: The present special defence relationship between Britain and America would be “very seriously impaired.” Britain’s defence programme would have to be thoroughly reshaped from 1965 around new weapons systems. The “Guardian” diplomatic correspondent said British sources made it clear Mr Thorneycroft had left Mr McNamara in no doubt about “the likely consequences ... on BritishAmerican relations.” “Shake The Alliance”

The “Daily Herald’s” defence correspondent said Britain had warned that

scrapping of the Skybolt would "shake’’ the BritishAmerican alliance and “rock" Britain’s whole defence policy. A Defence Department spokesman said Mr McNamara had been "staggered by Mr Thorneycroft's firmness.” The “Daily Sketch” political writer said: "Britain took her toughest-ever line with her long-standing ally, the United States, yesterday with the blunt warning: our alliance could be seriously weakened if the Skybolt were scrapped.” He said the meeting was “one of the stormiest” ever seen between top Ministers of the two Governments. A “Daily Mail" correspondent said the talks developed into “a grim dogfight.” “It is one of the most serious British-American clashes since the war,” he said. “Strong Warning” Mr Thorneycroft gave Mr McNamara “a strong warning that cancellation of the Skybolt would strain the alliance seriously.” The correspondent said Mr McNamara was believed to have telephoned President Kennedy after being “shocked • and surprised” by the British stand. A “Daily Express" writer said the Skybolt row was exposing British-American friendship to “its severest test since the war.”