DEFENCE BY A.B.M.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31908, 8 February 1969, Page 13

DEFENCE BY A.B.M.

Building Halted

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.

Construction on sites for the Sentinel anti-ballistic missile system and acquisition of new locations had been halted pending a review of the Budget, the Pentagon said yesterday. The United States Army, which is managing the project aimed at defending the United States against missile attack from China, said however, that the Defence Secretary (Mr Melvin Laird) had ordered it “to move forward without interruption on all research and development aspects related to anti-missile defence.”

The Budget review, revealed by Mr Laird in a press conference last week, was expected to be completed in early March, the Army said. The Army also confirmed reports that Mr Laird had received a letter from a member of the Congress, Mr L. Mendel Rivers, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, which temporarily blocks Pentagon efforts to deploy the weapon. Mr Rivers demanded a “definite statement” from the Nixon Administration as to whether it wants the Sentinel before his group will approve further funds.

A reply is being prepared, but the Army said it might not be sent to Mr Rivers before early next week.