BRITISH JET FIGHTERS BEING SENT TO SWEDEN

Grey River Argus, 9 October 1948, Page 5

BRITISH JET FIGHTERS BEING SENT TO SWEDEN

U.S. Objections Overcome

(Rec. 9.30). WASHINGTON, Oct. 7. Britain and America have reached an agreement over the supply of British Vampire jetfighters to Sweden, and Britain’s contract with the Swedish Government presumably will continue, says Reuter.

The United States, ten days ago, objected to thq. contract, claiming that Britain should devote any export surplus of fighters to the other four members of the Western European Defence Alliance—France, Belgium, Holland and Luxemburg—rather than send them to a nation which had declared its intention of maintaining its traditional neutrality, if possible, in the event of another war.

The British reply emphasised (1) that the shipment of planes to Sweden was necessary to earn much needed hard currency; (2) the contract would not interfere with the supply of British fighters to the Western European countries under the military alliance pow being worked out; (3) there was a possibility of Sweden and the whole Scandinavian bloc eventually joining the Western European Alliance. Also, even if Sweden remained neutral in war, the equipment would not fall into a potential enemy’s hands. American officials have accepted the British reply.