Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XVI, Cyprus; Greece; Turkey

311. Telegram From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State¹

Ankara, November 18, 1967, 0200Z.

2393. Ref: State 70962.² Subj: President’s message to Sunay.

1. Delivered President’s message to Caglayangil at FonMin at earliest he could receive me, approx 1235 am. Kuneralp and Turkmen were present. I delivered it verbally but left them copy at their request. (I did it this way so that if necessary they could say technically that I had not delivered a “letter” or note or any formal written communication which could be subject of controversy within govt or between govt and Parliament as was case from June 1964 to Jan 1966).³ Turkmen translated immediately into Turkish and Caglayangil immediately dictated following provisional reaction:

“I would like to thank President Johnson and the US Govt for the interest they have shown in the matter but I would like to point out that the problem is no longer a problem of passions or good will. You know that the incident of the Greek patrols to Bogazici (Ayios Theodoros) has caused very tragic events. Twenty-four of my kinsmen have been killed. One thousand Turks had to flee their homes and live under deprivation. An 80-year old man, a Turk, has been burned alive in Gecitkale (Kophinou). Tortures like the ones used in the Middle Ages have been applied against the Turkish community, and after all these tragic events we have seen that the Greeks have again sent their patrol yesterday and today in a very ostentatious manner. This example of the 80-year old man who was burned alive which has shocked you (he referred to my facial expression) is only one incident among many others. If you can read them without being shocked and without feeling nausea, I can give you other accounts of events which have been witnessed by the UN forces. The Turkish public opinion and the Turkish community have been incurably aroused against the Turkish Govt. We have sent today to the people of Gecitkale some relief goods through the Turkish Red Crescent and these people are people whose houses have been destroyed, whose belongings have been pillaged and who had barely escaped a massacre. They were all hungry and despite the fact that they were hungry they have refused all the relief goods and they said:

“‘We don’t want anything from Turkey. Get out of here.’ This is not a sad story I am telling you, it is what happened today in the island.

“We, as the Turkish people, have a love for the American people because we feel they are our friends, because we share their philosophy and their democratic principles and it is for this reason that we have formed our destiny with that of the United States. Because we believe that it would bring no good to the world we are struggling together against an ideology and since many years we are the sentinels of the struggle on the very frontier. At such an hour I had expected that a message coming from a country with which we have a common destiny would be different. Since 10:00 PM today Erenkoy (Kokkina) has been surrounded by Greek forces and subjected to heavy firing. I had expected that given this situation (the entire present situation) our American friends would come and tell us that they regret that they have prevented in the past a Turkish initiative and that they would say: ‘Now the decision is yours.’

“This message, the message you have brought is addressed to our head of state. We will, of course, convey this message to its high destination. We will, of course, study it and evaluate it, bearing in mind its importance and in the spirit of Turkish-American friendship. We shall weigh carefully each word. During the time we have worked together I have seen, Excellency, how much value you attach to Turkish-American friendship and I know also your tireless efforts to promote this friendship. I would like to thank you for the interest you have shown for our national issue.

“Some one and half hours ago I have called in the Greek Ambassador. I told him that we were holding the Greek Govt responsible for everything that happened. I told him that we were definitely determined not to allow the Greek Govt and its puppet in Cyprus to continue to undermine the interests and prestige of the Turkish state.

“Seeing that these brutal actions in Gecitkala have not received any reaction the Greeks do not any longer recognize the influence of any authority and all of them by individual initiatives are attacking at any occasion our innocent people. The Turkish Govt cannot condemn its 120,000 kinsmen to live like cattle while waiting their turn in a slaughter house. I believe that from now on it’s not what we want but what God wants that will happen. This, Mr. Ambassador, is what I wanted to tell you.” (It is interesting that there was no mention of Czech arms.)

2. I commented that I much appreciated his remarks concerning my devotion to Turkish-American friendship. I would continue to apply myself with all my energies to furtherance of this relationship and to assistance in finding some way out from fearful problem which Turkey faces today in such manner as to avoid further loss of human life. I deeply admired statesmanship and restraint shown by FonMin in present crisis, as well as his attitude and attitude of rest of govt throughout last two years. Prospect of a war between two allies was a nightmare for us all. It was in spirit of foregoing that President’s message should be read and understood. As I had indicated, messages had been sent to King Constantine and to Archbishop Makarios. These were strong messages. Up to time these messages had been sent tremendous efforts had been spent to stop patrolling in stricken villages of Cyprus and otherwise ease situation by every means. Some progress being registered, as shown by fact, still very secret, Grivas being recalled to Athens and due to depart 2:00 AM or 10:00 AM today. We hoped very much his recall would be permanent. Patrols also had been suspended temporarily and we hoped suspensions could be made indefinite.

Caglayangil replied: “You have rightly referred to the prospect of a war between two allies as a nightmare, but to go through this nightmare once and for all is preferable to seeing a nightmare every night.” At this point I felt Caglayangil was not being quite as serious as before.

I said that without trying just to have the last word I must say that he and I both knew that a war would not be a nightmare for one night but for an indefinite number of days and nights and with incalculable consequences.

Caglayangil who had been very tense at start of meeting, appeared much more relaxed as I left. He and I agreed I would refuse all comment to press and I did so when they surrounded my car a few minutes later.⁴

Hart

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 CYP. Secret; Flash; Exdis. Received at 0332Z and repeated to Athens, London, Nicosia, the Mission to NATO, USUN, USCINCEUR, and USDOCOSouth.
2. See footnote 2, Document 310.
3. In telegram 2396 from Ankara, November 18, Hart amplified on the reasons for delivering the message orally. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 CYP)
4. In telegram 2224 from Athens, November 20, Talbot commented that he believed Turkey was trying to force the United States to adopt its position on the troop issue by the use of an ultimatum. (Ibid.)