Reference: Our Tel 386 Mar 6.?

Repeat Washington (Information).

INCLUSION OF NEW WEAPONS IN THE USA 1957 MUTUAL AID PROGRAMME

Following is statement made by USA representative together with proposed press release. Begins:

USA STATEMENT ON NEW WEAPONS INCLUDED IN FY 57 MUTUAL AID PROGRAM

The USA recently advised certain countries of the new weapons which the USA is tentatively planning to make available for force modernization under the FY 1957 Mutual Security Program. Final agreement on the details of this program, however, is dependent on several factors. Foremost among these factors is the countries' capability effectively to utilize existing materiel and the planned new weapons, including provision of adequate manpower, training and sites. Another important requirement is assurance of security safeguards comparable to those employed by the USA for these weapons.

There follows a list, country by country, of the advanced weapons which have been tentatively allocated under the FY 1957 grant aid program.

This Mutual Aid Program is in support of the statement made by Secretary Wilson at the December 1956 ministerial meeting. At that time Secretary Wilson stated, "Our belief in the need for the continual modernization of NATO forces is reflected in the USA's FY 1957 military assistance program. We intend to propose a similar program for FY 1958. The ability of the USA to assist in a modernization program for NATO is dependent to a considerable degree on the willingness and the increasing capability of the other NATO countries to provide most of the maintenance support for their own forces. The manner and extent to which modern weapons will be incorporated into NATO forces must, of course, be determined in conjunction with NATO military authorities and with what the countries themselves can afford in their own overall military programs."

Country allocations of the listed new weapons have been made with the advice of NATO military authorities. Within the limits of USA funds and weapons availabilities, the USA program has taken into account to the maximum extent possible the highest priority NATO requirements. It is hoped that in those instances where the capability of forces to utilize equipment was a limiting factor in the FY 1957 new weapons allocations, countries will be able to take the necessary steps to improve their ability to absorb new weapons under subsequent programs.

In addition to the tentative grant aid program as outlined, some of these weapons are being made available on a reimbursable basis to certain NATO countries. It should be understood that the USA, subject to production limitations, stands ready to make such reimbursable offers to any NATO country under approved NATO military requirements.

At the ministerial meeting last December, Secretary Wilson also stressed the importance of developing properly trained personnel in NATO military forces in order to receive and handle the advanced weapons which are being integrated into those forces. The USA can now inform the Council that training in the employment of these weapons will be provided. This training will include training of selected NATO units in the techniques of delivering atomic weapons, using the weapons systems being provided through mutual aid programs. Training will be undertaken with special training devices and, therefore, will not entail possession of nuclear components by the forces being trained. This training program will be in harmony with the priorities established by NATO military authorities and will be carried out under arrangements worked out directly between appropriate military authorities of the USA and the NATO member countries receiving training.

While it is not envisaged that any special security arrangements with respect to this training will be required initially, it is possible that such a contingency might arise at some later date. Text ends.

Press Release

The USA Government today informed the North Atlantic Council of the advanced weapons which are being included in the American Mutual Aid Program for countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation for the USA fiscal year 1957. The weapons include the Honest John and Matador ground-to-ground missiles, and the Nike, a ground-to-air missile. They are being provided, in accordance with NATO military priorities, with the wholly defensive purpose of protecting military and population centers and to deter and, if need be, to repel aggression. The USA representative to the Council described this action as further implementation of the long-standing policy of the USA to include modern and the most effective possible weapons in its Mutual Aid Program.

The USA representative informed the Council that the advanced weapons being furnished under the USA mutual aid program for fiscal year 1957 had been tentatively allocated to certain NATO nations based upon the guidance of NATO military authorities. He made clear that these allocations, of which no details can now be released, would remain tentative pending discussions on measures necessary to the satisfactory absorption of the weapons in the recipient countries' forces. USA law, of course, does not permit transfers of nuclear components for weapons. The USA representative also stated that the USA was prepared to furnish NATO countries with advanced weapons on a reimbursable basis, subject to availability of the desired weapons and other conditions normally surrounding such reimbursable aid.

[L.D.] WILGRESS