376. Memorandum for the Record0
I attended yesterday afternoon at Secretary Gates’ invitation his meeting in his Office with British Defense Minister Watkinson.1 Among those on the British side were Lord Mountbatten and Lord Hood. On the American side were included Jim Douglas,2 General Twining, and Jack Irwin.
The greater part of the time was devoted to a wide-range discussion of world strategy, the possible use of nuclear weapons, both strategic and tactical in various parts of the world, and informal methods whereby there could be a freer exchange between the two Defense departments on long-term requirements and strategic planning. In the latter connection, it was agreed that General Twining would talk informally to Air Marshal Mills, with particular reference to giving the British informal guidance as to the relative importance in our planning of the continued availability of British bases around the world and the continued deployment of British forces outside of the U.K.
[Page 870]There was some discussion of a memorandum of agreement on Skybolt, confirming our arrangements. Watkinson wanted to take such a paper home with him for reasons which were not entirely clear to me, but which he stated had to do with regularizing matters within the British establishment. I gathered that he had submitted one to Mr. Gates, which Defense undertook to review and submit any suggested changes.
[2 paragraphs (28 lines of source text) not declassified]
At one point in the conversation, Mr. Irwin referred to the Camp David commitment on the provision of the Scottish facilities, but Mr. Watkinson did not answer directly, and the matter was let drop.
There was also a long discussion of MRBMs in relation to NATO. Watkinson said they felt strongly any production program should be multinational, under NATO, and not bilateral. The U.K. strongly favors alternative (1), which Mr. Gates pointed out coincided with our view. There was discussion as to whether any NATO production consortium could work in the absence of any French participation. The U.K. offered to use its influence to persuade the French to come into any such consortium, possibly along the lines of an acceptance of token Polaris missiles deployed in Germany by the French forces.
In discussion of RMEWs the British agreed to cooperate fully in any construction speedup at their end.
It was noted that the Thor [source text illegible] problem has been settled.
Watkinson said that he would leave a piece of paper with Mr. Gates regarding the civilian damage case of Mr. Wheatley, but that he did not wish to discuss it further.3
There was considerable talk on how the U.K. and the U.S. and NATO as a whole could get together early in the R&D stage on the development of weapon systems, aircraft and the like.
[1 paragraph (18 lines of source text) not declassified]
Mr. Irwin had an assistant present taking notes, who has promised to send us a copy of the record as soon as it has been completed.3
- Source: Department of State, G/PM Files: Lot 64 D 354. Secret. Drafted by Merchant.↩
- Minister of Defense Watkinson visited the United States May 31–June 6 for meetings with officials of the Departments of State and Defense. He also toured the headquarters of the Strategic Air Command in Nebraska and the NATO Supreme Atlantic Command in Virginia. According to a memorandum of conversation, May 31, Watkinson and Herter discussed the Skybolt missile and establishment of a U.S. nuclear submarine facility in Scotland, among other topics. (Ibid., Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D199)↩
- Secretary of the Air Force James H. Douglas.↩
- Not found in Department of State files.↩
- Not found in Department of State files.↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩