371. Memorandum From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Macmillan0
Camp David,
March 29,
1960.
- A.
- Skybolt—In a desire to be of assistance in improving and extending the effective life of the V–Bomber force, the US, subject only to US priorities, is prepared to provide Skybolt missiles—minus warheads—to the UK on a reimbursable basis in 1965 or thereafter. Since Skybolt is still in the early stages of development, this offer is necessarily dependent on the successful and timely completion of its development program. Sales will be without any conditions as to use other than those contained in the usual Mutual Security military sales agreements.
- B.
- Polaris—As the UK is aware, the US is offering at the current NATO Defense Ministers meeting to make mobile Polaris missiles—minus warheads—available from US production to NATO countries in order to meet SACEUR’s requirements for MRBM’s. The US is also offering to assist joint European production of Polaris if our preference for US production proves unacceptable. It does not appear appropriate to consider a bilateral understanding on Polaris until the problem of SACEUR’s MRBM requirements has been satisfactorily disposed of in NATO.
- C.
- Scottish Ports—We welcome the assurance that, in the same spirit of cooperation, the UK would be agreeable in principle to making the necessary arrangements for US Polaris tenders in Scottish ports.