377. Telegram From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State0
823. Embtel 801.1 In course informal talk with Foreign Minister Sarper evening January 27 he indicted awareness current unrest and plotting within military, saying rumor now circulating to effect this Embassy sympathetic military take-over. He said he knew us too well believe any such thing and had so told Prime Minister but wondered how such stories could get started. He speculated might be Soviet inspired or propagated by interested Turkish officers.
I gave Sarper categorical assurance we completely support civilian government and this is line our entire staff instructed to take. Said he could so confirm to Prime Minister. Re origin of stories, I said nature our relationship such that we naturally have extensive contacts with Turkish military which might be adversely exploited if any such officers were of restive type as I suspected few might be. However, this would be gross misrepresentation since our stand absolutely clear.
Sarper said Chief TGS Sunay aware of activities of what he termed military junta. He described it as having origins in loosely organized group of military officers who last summer became concerned that principles of May 27 coup would not continue be applied. He said at that time Sunay told those officers he supported same principles and asserted right as senior general to lead defense those principles by military. By inference he indicated however this not relationship existing today between Sunay and those anxious for military take-over.
Sarper’s comments indicative fairly widespread knowledge and concern about military plotting among top commanders and civilian government leaders including Inonu. Evidence they actively trying counter this movement provided by Sunay’s current visit to Istanbul and his meeting with officers there January 25 [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. Inonu also went Istanbul January 28. Announced purpose his visit is contact with business community but it also reported [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. He may take opportunity present case for civilian government to military officers there. Press reports Inonu talked to Sunay for hours after his arrival Istanbul January 28.