Office of the Historian

200. Telegram From the President’s Special Assistant (Richards) to the Delegation at the Bermuda Conference1

Ankara, March 21, 1957—7 p.m.

1. Bermuda for USDel. For Secretary from Richards. Deptel 2161.2 I informed Menderes March 21 of our intention join Military Committee of Baghdad Pact if invited to do so by Ministerial Council. I stressed importance we attached to keeping matter from public knowledge at present. He was obviously pleased and said “very well done”.

Menderes had opened our first formal meeting this afternoon by discussion of value of Baghdad Pact. He said Turkey still of opinion that full US membership in pact best means to assure security of Middle East. He considered President’s proposal step in “progressive method” towards US adherence to pact. I pointed out that assurances conveyed by Middle East proposals more far-reaching than pact membership. He replied Turkey realized this but US adherence would have great effect on other states in area, while failure to adhere would cause continuing doubt that US really supported pact.

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At our suggestion Turks have agreed immediately to inform other pact countries in confidence of our decision. Telegrams discussed in Washington regarding notification other countries sent from Ankara.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/3–2157. Secret; Niact. Also sent to the Department of State as telegram 2169, which is the source text.↩
  2. In telegram 2161 to Ankara, March 18, the Department of State advised Ambassador Richards that he should inform Secretary Dulles in Bermuda when Menderes had been told of U.S. willingness to join the Military Committee of the Baghdad Pact, if invited to do so by the Ministerial Council. (Ibid., 120.1580/3–1857)↩