Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-12-09

Saturday.
One of the most burning
issues before the alliance since
1860, the proposed separate nu-
clear force for NATO or its
European members. is not even
on the agenda.
No European power, appar-
emily, feels the need to discuss
1t formally in the wake of the
last two months extraordinary
events.
Main u. s. Theme
The most important Ameri-
can theme. Europe's require
ment for greater conventional
power to offset the Soviet
Unions preponderence in this
category, will be pressed by
Mr.. Mcnamara. But the lesson
OF Cuba. where the United
States had conspicuous conven-
tional force superiority, speaks
mainly for itself.
The United States spends 10
per cent of its gross national
product on defense and hopes
to raise its European allies de-
Tense expenditures to an aver
age Of 2 per cent from the pres
ent 4 to 5 per cent.
The calls for closer consul
tation. a nearly traditional rit-
ual Of reproach for the United
States by the rest Of the alli-
ance, will be emptier than usual
this year with the memory of
President Kennedy's deliberate
avoidance of consultation in
the Cuba crisis until the last
minute. There was even some
indication that a few European
powers did not want to be con-
suited.
Reds Are Quiet
The Soviet Union is quiet
The Kremlin seldom passes up
the opportunity to issue some
disruptive propaganda blast on
the eve of a NATO ministerial
meeting, frequently threaten
ing the smaller powers of the
alliance for risking annihila-
ton in their association with
the big Western nations.
This time there have been
no threats. On the contrary,
there is the spectacle of Soviet
ships stealing away silently
from Cuba with missiles and
bombers on their decks.
AS for the strategic defense"
of the NATO alliance, meaning
the United States nuclear de-
terrent, it is in good shape"
American planners beheve. But
the administration Sympathizes
with the larger European pow
ers. which face the 'psycholog-
ical-political" problem of fall
ing into a more-or-less perma-
nent dependency on the United
States for protection against
the Soviet nuclear threat.
For both Britain and France,
the modern nuclear deterrent
is rapidly being priced beyond
their ability to pay.
Case in Point
A current illustration of in
dividual European nations DIFF
ficulty in paying for a place in
the nuclear arms race is the
case Of the American-made
Skybolt, a l.000-mile nuclear
missile, which could be fired
from bombers standing well out
Of range of Soviet anti-aircraft
defenses.
Britain has an order in for
100 Skybolts, and the United
States intended to build 1000
for itself. London staked al
most its entire nuclear deter
rent on these bomber borne
weapons.
Recently, however, technol-
ogy overlook the Skybolt and
next years Defense Depart
Inent budget has no provision
for continuing it.
Secretary Of Defense Nc
Namara stops off in London
tomorrow on his way to Paris
to break the news officially to
the British. II they still want
Skybolt, the price per copy will
Jump way UP because only Brit
aims 100. not LOO. will be built.
The United States intends TO
switch the funds planned for
its 1000 Skybolts to help pay
for more advanced. and pre-
sumably more expensive, weap-
ons showing more promise.
Race Too Expensive
Washington is convinced that
an independent nuclear deter
rent will get too expensive for
Britain at some stage, II II is
not already. It's better to face
the pain Of leaving the nuclear
field while still solvent, the adj
ministration contends.
France also has chosen the
expensive course OF developing
its own nuclear deterrent rather
than trusting the United States
to come TO Its defense.
The United States will con-
tend in Paris. as 1t has In the
past. that this is squandering
NATo resources. especially
since the European powers are
not spending up to agreed
levels on conventional forces.
German Role Under Cloud
West Germans role in this
NATO meeting IA under a cloud