361. Memorandum of a Conference With the President, White House, Washington, July 26, 1957, 9 a.m.1
OTHERS PRESENT
- General Norstad
- General Goodpaster
General Norstad said he wanted to talk to the President about the latter’s recent letter to him2 concerning the level of Turkish forces. He said he intended to reply in seven to ten days.3 He expected to send a rather long, official letter, and accompany that with a shorter letter of personal comment on the really serious aspect of the problem.
He said that the Turks feel that they were given assurances by Governor Stassen of a $1 billion program; Menderes, in addition, believes he was assured of $200 million a year in discussions with, State and ICA last year; in addition, Ambassador Richards, during his tour through the Middle East, promised them a squadron of F–100 aircraft.
The President said that by maintaining programs of this size we are making it impossible for a country like Turkey to achieve a viable economy—unless we plan to continue defense support for decades into the future. It is clear the Congress does not intend to provide as much money as these programs contemplate. The result can only be collapse and economic depression in Turkey. He stated how much he admires the Turks, but recalls that Pakistan, Korea and others are in the same situation. We must review these programs because the money is just not going to be provided. He is simply trying to be forehanded in the situation. He thought our efforts must be to get them closer to handling their own affairs. He recognized that, on occasion, people have given them hopes or even promises that shouldn’t have been given. General Norstad said the problem is how to sell this matter to Menderes. The wrong approach might result in a political “explosion.” The President thought it was definitely up to the United States representatives to do this, and felt that General Norstad should not have to do it.
General Norstad said that the 1960–62 study he is preparing might provide an opportunity. He felt that Turkey has, relatively, a stronger defense position than the other sectors of NATO, and that some reduction in forces could be contemplated on this basis. He felt that, if he could pitch his study to reductions resulting from cuts in [Page 732] the Aid bill, he might be able to advise as to where cuts could be made with least adverse effect. The President said he thought that our authorities should suggest that the Turks go to General Norstad and ask where they should make cuts. General Norstad indicated that the problem is an extremely important one, since we want very strongly to keep Menderes on our side. The President recalled that people here wanted to put the burden of the matter on General Norstad and that he had written the letter himself in order to avoid this. He felt that some change has to be made. He suggested that the Turks should not be permanently dependent on outsiders. General Norstad, however, thought that they had no prospect of being able to support substantial forces any time soon.
The discussion then turned to Germany, and General Norstad said he thought the Germans would meet the force build-up requirements once they have gotten past the election. The Chancellor told him recently that the trend is still running in his favor. The Germans are taking a very arbitrary stand on disarmament. The Chancellor is campaigning on his support for NATO as a basic issue, and the Germans think that disarmament is contrary to NATO. They would actually like to suspend the disarmament talks until the election is over.
General Norstad then said that he was here to appear before the Appropriations Committees on the Mutual Security Bill. His main point would be that, with regard to the Mutual Security Act, the United States is getting a lot of security for this $2 billion annual expenditure—security which it could not replace by any available alternative means.
In closing, General Norstad repeated that this letter regarding Turkey should be coming in within a week or ten days. He had simply wanted to have this advance discussion on the problem.
Brigadier General USA