McNamara’s Immediate Resignation Demanded

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31655, 16 April 1968, Page 15

McNamara’s Immediate Resignation Demanded

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, April 15. A Republican, Senator Thruston Morton, has called for the immediate resignation of Mr Robert McNamara as President of the World Bank because the former Secretary of Defence has praised the Presidential candidate, Senator Robert Kennedy, in two filmed interviews.

“It was indiscreet, at best, for a public official dealing in delicate international finance in a period of grave dollar crisis to allow himself to be crassly used in a domestic political campaign,” Senator Morton said. “I call today for

the immediate resignation of Robert S. McNamara from the presidency of the World Bank.” Senator Morton praised Mr McNamara as “a dedicated and selfless Secretary of Defence,” but added that “he

never showed the slightest interest or understanding of Congress and the political process, and Senator Kennedy’s usage of him is disgusting.” It was disclosed on Saturday that Mr McNamara had made the two film interviews for Senator Kennedy, brother of the President who appointed him Secretary of Defence. Senator Morton accused the Democratic Presidential candidate of “ruthless and tasteless use of personal friendship at perhaps dreadful personal loss to the so-ill-used.” He added: “If this is an example of the future course of Senator Kennedy’s steam roller tactics, then both friend and foe and all those concerned with the national interest had better beware.”

A small boat crowded with Indians celebrating the Hindu New Year’s Day capsized yesterday in the middle of the Hooghly River, 15 miles from Calcutta, and 22 of the 35 persons aboard are feared to have drowned. Calcutta, April 15.