Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Near East: Jordan-Yemen, Volume XIII

408. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Turkey¹

Washington, October 18, 1957—9:15 p.m.

1268. Embtel 1140.² You should speak to Turks along following lines regarding tactics in face of Syrian complaint in GA:

1) We desire closest collaboration with Turkish Government and Turkish delegation New York on this issue.

2) We believe we should make every effort to turn this matter to our advantage and to point up the threat to independence of Syria arising from indirect Soviet aggression and to security of ME arising from pile-up of Soviet arms in Syria. We also believe that outright Soviet threat against Turkey, and reported Bulgarian military movements on Turkish border if latter substantiated will lend themselves to exploitation.

3) Debate will of course give opportunity make clear that charges of aggressive intent made against Turkey, and allegations that US attempting to foment war against Syria, are entirely unfounded.

4) Our tentative thinking regarding tactics in GA, prior to ascertaining attitude other countries, is that we should work for reference of this matter to SC as organ of UN charged with primary responsibility for consideration of items involving alleged threats to peace, and better able to exercise responsibility on continuing basis. We believe that in this matter we should follow orderly procedure. See Charter Art. 11(2).

5) We have in mind introduction of resolution whereby Assembly, after discussion, would decide to refer Syrian complaint to SC with request that Council determine scope of investigation which should be made. Assembly may, however, insist on seeking itself to direct the investigation.

6) We would like urgently to receive views of Turkish Government regarding desirability of an investigating committee being despatched to area. If such a body were to go forward we would hope it might be composed of non-permanent members of SC. Although Syrian complaint calls for a UN group to investigate situation on Syrian-Turkish border, we are considering whether it would not be desirable for such group to be authorized also to investigate armaments situation in Syria and situations on Soviet-Turkish and Turkish-Bulgarian borders with particular reference to possible military movements. Soviets and Bulgars would probably not accept investigating group.

7) You should emphasize to Turks that these views are entirely preliminary, that we have not yet had an opportunity for full consultation with other delegations, and that we have reached no final determination with regard to procedure. We would welcome urgent and continuing consultation with Turks.³

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783.00/10–1757. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Rockwell; cleared with Walmsley and Brewster; and approved and signed by Dulles. Repeated to USUN.
2. In telegram 1140 from Ankara, October 17, Warren conveyed Esenbel’s comments that the time had arrived for a U.N. debate and that Turkey and the United States should work closely together on it. Esenbel also requested the Department of State’s position on the debate and requested any constructive suggestion that Secretary Dulles might have. (Ibid.)
3. On October 20, Warren reported that after being informed of the U.S. position contained in telegram 1268 to Ankara, Esenbel commented to Warren that Turkey was not in a position to make a decision on an effective resolution, intended to request that the U.N. debate be postponed until after the Turkish national elections, and did not want an investigation in Turkey during the elections. If an investigating committee should be sent after the elections, Esenbel said, Turkey would want its frame of reference to be expanded along the lines described in paragraph 6 of telegram 1268 to Ankara. (Telegram 1161 from Ankara; ibid., 682.83/10–2057)