357. Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Greek, Turkish, and Iranian Affairs (Jones) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Rountree)1
SUBJECT
- Call of Ambassador Fletcher Warren, April 12, 2:30 p.m.
Ambassador Warren has spent a very active two weeks in Washington and saw the President for about ten minutes. He has also seen the Secretary very briefly, Governor Herter, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Dillon, Mr. Bowie and others within the Department. He had appointments with Mr. Randall, Mr. Hollister, Mr. Humphrey and Mr. Burgess, Mr. Larson, Mr. Benson, Mr. [Page 716] Sprague, and Mr. Wisner. He has also met with Mr. Cochran, IMF, Mr. Black, IBRD, and Mr. Waugh, EX-IM Bank.
Call on the President
Ambassador Warren was particularly pleased to have had the opportunity to see the President and to be in a position on his return to Ankara to convey personal greetings from the President to President Bayar and Prime Minister Menderes.2 He may wish to pass on to you what was told him by the President. With reference to Cyprus, the President suggested the Ambassador tell Prime Minister Menderes not to be so sticky on the Cyprus problem; a solution among reasonable partners should be possible.
Cyprus
The Ambassador feels it important to continue close consultations with the Turks on the Cyprus problem and will personally convey the US Government’s reply to the Turkish aide-mémoire of April 43 immediately upon his return to Ankara.
Destroyers for Turkey
The Ambassador recognizes that there is no likelihood of the US going along with an increase in the NATO force goals for destroyers from eight to twelve. The present NATO ceiling is eight. Should the UK-Turkish arrangements for obtaining four destroyers on a long-term credit not materialize, the US Government may have to consider replacing the four UK Hunt class destroyers on a one a year phased schedule.
Economic Measures
Ambassador Warren has heard from many quarters concerning the need for the Turkish Government to take measures to put its economic house in order. The Ambassador has recognized this need but has pointed out that Prime Minister Menderes, as a politician with an election coming in May 1958, is unlikely in the next year to take measures Washington authorities consider adequate.
Ambassador Warren’s Concerns
Ambassador Warren is very concerned at the attitude he has found in many quarters in Washington to the effect that the Turks are always asking for assistance from the U.S., i.e. $300 million loan, [Page 717] additional destroyers, more PL 480 wheat, an increase in the US support for their defense budget from 240 million TL to 314 million TL, an additional $30 million in 1947 FY aid, special treatment on the $4.2 million interest payments which have fallen due. He states that the Turks have accepted negative replies in the past and will continue to do so, but Ambassador Warren is sincerely concerned that these turndowns will lead to a deterioration in U.S.-Turk relations to the point where the US will not be able to obtain what it wants from Turkey when it wants it. He hopes that Washington authorities have taken into full account the implications of continuing to maintain pressures on the Turks by refusing additional help. He is concerned lest the Turkish officials begin placing a price tag on the facilities that country is offering the US and about the impact such a move might have on U.S.-Turk relations. He is however fully conscious of the fact the aid legislation may have rough sledding on the Hill. He simply hopes that Turkey will receive a fair share of whatever aid the Congress appropriates.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 782.5–MSP/4–1257. Secret. Drafted by Brewster.↩
- According to Eisenhower’s Appointment Book, Warren met with the President at the White House on April 9 from 10:55 to 11:02 a.m. (Eisenhower Library, President’s Appointment Book)↩
- The Turkish aide-mémoire is not printed, but see Document 238.↩