How Rumsfeld tried to influence British military policy - in the 1970s

The US politician who was America's youngest ever secretary of defence - Donald Rumsfeld - attempted to influence British military policy in the mid-1970s, newly released government archives showed today.

Nearly 30 years before the invasion of Iraq, Rumsfeld wrote to his UK counterpart, Roy Mason, and the prime minister, James Callaghan, opposing plans for large-scale defence cuts.

The message, marked "Secret" and dated July 19 1976, is a mixture of anxiety and flattery - mingled with the hint of a threat.

"You will understand my deep concern over reports that the British government is considering yet further reductions in the UK defence budget," Rumsfeld wrote.

"The discussions among ministers at last month's Defence Planning Committee underscored the growing appreciation by all Nato allies that the trend in the military balance with the Soviet Union is adverse. Allied ministers at Brussels recognized that we must face up to the inevitable consequences - which are fundamentally unacceptable.

"Any reductions which weaken or appear to weaken your defences would impinge adversely and directly on the collective security of every ally. Moreover any such action would impair the influence Britain exerts as a major European ally, which in turn will have important - and from our viewpoint regrettable - implications for the future cohesion of the Alliance and thus for European stability.

"It is my hope that you - together with your cabinet colleagues - will succeed in ensuring that any actions [do] not jeopardise our defence efforts."