37. Telegram From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State1
1462. Re Embtel 1461, May 20.2 While Turks have not been explicit on subject, we have received impression from recent talks on Mid-East matters they are becoming discouraged, and increasingly perplexed, by what seems to them an inexplicable indifference on our part toward Middle East defense. Discouragement arises mainly from “hands-off” attitude, on one hand, towards extension Turco-Iraqi pact, as regards both our own participation and use of our influence with others, and on other hand, towards frustration ESS rival pact. Puzzlement arises from contrast our present indifference with earlier fervent support “northern tier” concept, as demonstrated by our active role in development Turco-Pakistani and Turco-Iraqi pacts, which they regard [as] practically disowning our own child; and from even greater [Page 56] contrast our disinterest in present practical developments with our willingness participate actively in less realistic—and in the event, abortive—MEC and MEDO projects. Turks’ perplexity has obviously been enhanced by our recent initiative, on military level, in inviting them to participate in London tripartite staff talks on Middle East defense.
Though reiterating that foregoing has not yet been articulated by Turks, I am confident it is accurate analysis present trend their thinking which Department will want to take into account in reviewing and deciding our future course of action in this area. It would, of course, be helpful if I could send a positive and encouraging statement as regards our policy before the Turks do articulate their present uneasiness on the subject.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 780.5/5–2155. Secret. Repeated to London.↩
- In telegram 1461 from Ankara, Warren reported that Nuri Birgi had informed the Embassy of Turkish concern over Saudi pressure on Lebanon and had referred to a previous Turkish memorandum, given to the United States and the United Kingdom, concerning the Syrian situation. (Ibid., 780.5/5–2055) The Embassy in Ankara transmitted a summary of the April 28 Turkish memorandum to the Department of State in telegram 1346, April 29. (Ibid., 783.00/4–2955) The Turkish memorandum expressed concern over the ESS Pact and urged a dual line of action: strengthen the Baghdad Pact as soon as possible, thus increasing its attraction to other Arab States; take steps to help Syrian opposition to the ESS Pact. The full text of the memorandum was transmitted to the Department of State in despatch 563, April 29. (Ibid., 780.5/4–2955)↩