Dec. 18, 1962 - President Kennedy arrived in the Bahamas today for two days of talks with British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. The Prime Minister was at the airport in Nassau to greet the President as he came down the ramp from his jet. The warm greeting masked the sobering fact that because of differences between the two nations over development of the Skybolt ballistic missile, the future of Britain as an independent nuclear power is at stake, as is the future of the Anglo-American alliance, which has had a decisive influence on world affairs during 20 years of war and uncertain peace. Also involved, perhaps, are the political fortunes of Mr. Macmillan and the Conservative party. Unless the Prime Minister can return home with an assurance that the U.S. will continue to help Britain maintain a strong nuclear deterrent, the underpinnings of British foreign policy and strategy will be badly shaken.
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