379. Telegram From the Consulate in Istanbul to the Department of State0
55. CODEL Johnson.1
[Here follows an account of Vice President Johnson’s meeting with President Gursel.]
2. Following is record of conversation between Vice President and PriMin Inonu in latter’s office August 27. Also present were FonMin Erkin, Ambassador Hare, Asst. Secretary Rowan, Chief of Protocol Erez, Komer and Ashford.
VP voiced his happiness at being in Turkey, and great pleasure which visit had afforded him. Said he had just been in meeting with President Gursel in which Gursel had expressed concern over slowness modernization Turkish Armed Forces.
VP observed that even in US, military cannot get all things it feels it needs. Aware there is concern in Turkey over type of aircraft possessed by Turkey as against those which Iraq has received from USSR. Noteworthy, [Page 727] however, that modern Iraqi plane had been shot down by what Turks described as old American supplied aircraft, showing what great fighters Turks are.
VP said our represent military assistance plans, which will be discussed in more detail later, provide for delivery two squadrons F–104–G’s to Turkey. PriMin asked when these aircraft would be delivered.
VP replied US officials would be able to talk about details later. Foreign aid bill itself is still under debate in Congress. Turkey would also receive 225,000 M–1 rifles.
VP noted these are difficult years for US GNP and government revenues have been less than were anticipated. National debt limit must be raised by statute from $300 billion to 308 billion. There will be considerable deficit this year and next. New tax measure will be acted on in Congress this week, and President will send broad tax reform measure to Congress in January. We must spend in area of $60 billion in coming year for military and space programs. We also have commitments to provide foreign assistance in various forms, economic, military, or defense support in a few instances.
Since World War II we have already spent more than $80 billion in various foreign programs. We have political problem much like one the Prime Minister would face if he wished to make large Turkish Government expenditure in some faraway place like Texas. In [omission in the source text] one with whom we would [garble] we have more confidence than we have in Turkish people. VP said he was proud of position he took as young Congressman on Greek-Turkish aid 15 years ago when former Vice President Wallace was opposing. His philosophy was that if you allow a bully to force you off the street and make you [garble] home down an alley, he will come up the next day and kick you off your front porch. We very proud of performance of Turkish people. Since passage of original foreign aid bill, we have put almost $4 billion into aid to Turkey. This is almost as much as total annual federal budget when VP first came to Washington. Times have chanced since then; in FY ’63 we are tentatively planning to provide Turkey in neighborhood of $185 million in military assistance and $140 million to $150 million in economic assistance as well as $50 to $60 million in defense support.
All information from projected levels of aid for Turkey is highly classified and should it become known in other countries exactly what we are doing in Turkey there could be unfortunate consequences. These figures have been cited to indicate our great confidence and interests in Turkey. “They are not just conversation; we put our money where our mouth is.” VP concluded by asking Prime Minister for any thoughts and comments which could be taken back to Washington.
[Page 728]At this point the PriMin asked his interpreter to take notes on the aid figures mentioned by the Vice President. VP repeated figures and added that he had approved $33 million development plan to Etibank for hydro-electric dam project, though we did not want to make public announcement of loan at this time. Moreover all projected aid figures are subject to change by Congress. These figures represented our thinking at time aid request was submitted to Congress, and amount projected for Turkey is about $400 million. This information extremely confidential. With regard development loans, cash flow may vary from year to year, depending on many factors, but this indicated range of our thinking. This information on US [aid] to Turkey does not constitute commitment. We are saying to Iran, Greece and to other NATO countries that we cannot give them defense support, but we are not saying this to Turkey. Prime Minister Inonu said VP had brought to Turkey an atmosphere of security. Fact that greetings of friendship from President Kennedy had been brought by such a distinguished representative constituted cause great happiness for all Turkish people. Vice President’s statements show US following Turkey’s problems closely. After passing through severe crisis, Turkey has reached solid decision to adopt democratic system and stick with it. VP knew that other countries passing through similar crises were unable recover in such short time. Results of past year are very promising.
A second problem occupying Turkey, said Prime Minister, is institution of planned development. We have been working for a year to secure the agreement among our friends which implementation of our plans will require. We have found US a helpful friend in these matters in NATO and other international organizations. Securing the required legislation in connection with development plans is not easy. Just this morning he had discussed this problem with his colleagues and had talked to President Gursel about it.
Prime Minister Inonu said President Gursel was taking advantage of the presence of so distinguished a visitor to explain Turkey’s military requirements. They had already discussed these requirements several times with distinguished military representatives and with Ambassador Hare. These discussions are continuing. They are asking several things from US and US is doing its best to meet these demands. Of course, US is trying to meet demands of other countries and has heard each one claim that it is more important than others.
PriMin said he had one specific point to make in this connection, which is necessity of accelerating delivery of military aircraft to Turkey. In current attitudes of Iraq he perceived a dangerous situation which originated with the ideas of the Iraqi Head of State. NATO defense is a big problem, concerning aggression by major powers, and with the extensive planning required left in hands of NATO commander. The area [Page 729] of Iraq, however, is theroretically out of NATO, and Iraq is engaged in arms race with Turkey as concerns military aircraft. They have done well in first lap of this race. It should be expected that Turkey’s small neighbors might take advantage of smalll incidents which affect adversely their relationships with Turkey. We have plans for modernizing our armed forces, and some measures have been taken to implement these plans, however, we badly need acceleration of deliveries to provide our requirements in military aircraft. We touched by VP’s appreciation of skill of our armed forces, but strength of our military aviation is closely tied to quality of our equipment. Acceleration of delivery of M–1 rifles would be greatly appreciated, and we expect the two squadrons of F–104–G’s to arrive as soon as possible. In light of recent developments it would be desirable add another squadron these aircraft.
With regard to economic plan, PriMin Inonu said situation has not matured sufficiently to explain latest developments even to Ambassador Hare. GOT believes strongly, however, that implementation of its plans will require closest interest and probably additional assistance on part of US. One of results of our determination to adopt a democratic system following revolution is that our social problems have become more important and more heated, and success of our system will depend largely on implementation of our development plans. We feel our political difficulties will be resolved if our planned economic development is successful.
PriMin Inonu said US-Turkish relations were best possible. Ambassador Hare being regularly informed of our internal and external policies. We have nothing to hide. Two countries with mutual destinies require mutual confidence and understanding. VP’s visit has strengthened our confidence in America. Every word of VP’s has been very important to us. We request him take back to President word of our close friendship and partnership, our heartfelt greetings, and our warmest regards. Gradually, as our economic and military plans are implemented, our position will be better understood. We hope Vice President will take with him pleasant memories of Turkey.
The VP replied that he would take away best of memories, particularly of PriMin.
PriMin remarked he wanted find out from Ambassador Hare just when new aircraft would arrive. Turk military attached great importance to these aircraft.
VP said that he would have US military talk to Ambassador Hare about it. We will have problems on delivery time but Ambassador Hare will find out what is best that can be done. Such aircraft are of course a highly competitive item. My authority to convey news of their programming indicates importance we attach to Turkey.
[Page 730]In subsequent brief private discussion with Prime Minister Inonu and Foreign Minister Erkin, VP re-emphasized that the aid figures he had mentioned to President and PriMin should be recognized as those being considered by the Executive branch and still subject to cutting by the Congress. He cited difficulties that we are having with the Passman committee, indication it might cut as much as $90 million from new aid appropriation. He told FonMin Erkin that, as a former Turkish Ambassador in Washington, he would remember complications of our appropriations procedure and that as a result no aid figures could be taken as final. FonMin Erkin said that Turkish Government fully understood this problem.
Mr. Komer added that VP had deliberately chosen to mention specific aid planning figures for Turkey in FY ’63 as unprecedented mark of confidence in Turkish Government. Turkish Government should bear in mind that (1) as indicated by VP, these are planning figures of what we hope to do, not what we necessarily could do; (2) it was most important that Turks regard such figures as highly confidential; if other Allies became aware of how much aid we plan to provide Turkey and which we are not planning to provide to these other countries, it could be most embarrassing for us.
FonMin Erkin assured those present that full security would be observed, and that Turks well understood problems which publicity would create. Mr. Komer mentioned again to FonMin Erkin as VP was leaving that we had really leveled with Turks and they should realize that our final aid figures might perforce come out somewhat differently.
3. Above memoranda have been approved by VP and Ambassador Hare.