867.00/4–447: Telegram
The Ambassador to Turkey (Wilson) to the Embassy in Turkey 1
185. For Bursley2 from Wilson. Turk Amb3 asked to see me yesterday and read me telegram from his Govt giving their reaction to pending bill for aid to Greece and Turkey. Gist of it was that they felt bill as now drafted contained principle of control to be exercised in Turkey and if this was so they could not accept aid.
I explained to Baydur impossible now to obtain amendment to change wording of bill. I told him, moreover, that in my view bill as drafted does not contemplate exercise of control by US in Turkey. What bill does in Section 3 para a (paragraph Turk govt objects to) is to provide that Turkey shall agree to permit US officials to observe manner in which assistance is utilized. I said that there will of course be control exercised in United States by US Govt in same manner as Eximbank exercises control over utilization of $25,000,000 credit through giving its approval or disapproval specific economic projects. In much same way, US Govt after consultation with Turkey, will determine what military equipment and other aid should be provided to Turkey, will procure, ship and deliver this equipment to Turkey. All that will take place on Turkish territory will be “observing” by US officials as to manner in which Turkey utilizes assistance given.
I pointed out to Amb that Greek and Turkish situations wholly different. Greece is on verge of collapse and has in effect requested US to send mission to reorganize Greek finance, economy, etc. There will also be an extension aid similar to UNRRA activties under control of US officials. Nothing of this sort has been requested by Turk Govt and nothing of this sort is contemplated by US Govt.
I also told Amb that I had recommended to State Dept that in order to emphasize difference between ways of handling program in Greece and Turkey, the person who under the bill will be appointed to head mission for observing utilization of aid in Turkey should be myself; one of my functions as Amb to Turkey has been to observe conditions in that country and under terms of proposed legislation I would observe and report to my Govt manner in which Turkey utilizes US assistance.
I said to Turk Amb that in view of my interpretation of bill and its application as stated above, I felt Turk Govt fears of US “control” [Page 139] being exercised in Turkey were groundless. He said he would report my views to his Govt.
I suggest you call on Erkin and give him my views of this matter as stated above. These views are of course personal and I am sending them to you without any check in offices of Dept. I feel, however, that they are sound and in accordance with principles and purpose of program to aid Turkey. If these views turn out to be correct and are approved by Dept, as I believe they will be, Turk Govt can accept this aid without any apprehension concerning “control”. If, however, these views are disapproved and some element of control within Turkey comes into picture, Turk Govt will of course be free to decline assistance. Please add to Erkin that if I believed there were any thought or intention of seeking exercise control by US in Turkey, I should advise Dept to omit Turkey from bill.
Since dictating foregoing, I have shown it to Acting Sec who agrees with views expressed as covering situation at present stage, and who has explained matter to Congressional Committees in same manner. This is for your information only since it seems better not to bring Dept into picture at this stage in view possibility legislation may be amended later.