Office of the Historian

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

Washington, July 31, 1957—2:37 p.m.

287. Embtel 226.2 Department concerned by seeming Turkish change of heart regarding Nasser and particularly by Prime Minister’s assertions he would visit Egypt should Nasser invite him. We see no change in Nasser’s policies and in fact violent anti-Western tone his recent speeches, particularly that of July 26,3 coupled with attacks on Near Eastern states with courage to insist on deciding their own policies, confirm our view that there no sound basis for Western rapprochement with Egypt under present conditions. We recall general view during recent Baghdad Pact meeting4 that present trend Nasser’s isolation should be allowed mature further. We believe Nasser’s approaches to British, and now to Turks, must be viewed as his attempts to counteract this isolation. However, these approaches tactical in nature and do not represent any sincere intention by Nasser to change his ways.

You should discuss above with Prime Minister and try ascertain whether he seriously considering trip prior elections. If it develops he is you may indicate our belief that for Turkey to soften its attitude on Nasser without concrete evidence of change in Nasser’s policies would be to play into Nasser’s hands and tend to discourage Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Sudan in policies they have adopted re GOE. We think visit to Cairo by Menderes would be difficult for above states to understand.

FYI. View large Greek community in Egypt, and fact Greece not neighbor of Arab states nor member Baghdad Pact, our view re possible Karamanlis trip, while negative, was less so than in present case. End FYI.5

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.82/7–2857. Secret. Drafted by Stabler and approved by Wilkins who signed for Herter. Repeated to Cairo.↩
  2. In telegram 226 from Ankara, July 28, Ambassador Fletcher Warren reported that, during a conversation, Prime Minister Menderes expressed satisfaction over the recent warming in relations between Turkey and Egypt. Menderes also stressed that Nasser was not a Communist, and that Nasser’s earlier objections to the Baghdad Pact were “water under the bridge”. (Ibid., 674.82/7–2857) A trend toward a rapprochement between Turkey and Egypt was also the subject of despatch 67 from Ankara, August 5. (Ibid., 674.82/8–557)↩
  3. An Intelligence Note analyzing the contents of Nasser’s speech of July 26 was transmitted by Cumming to Herter on July 30. (Ibid.,INR Files: Lot 62 D 42, Egypt 1957)↩
  4. Documentation on the meeting is scheduled for publication in volume XII.↩
  5. On August 17, Warren quoted the views which Menderes had expressed to him as follows: “‘It is very subtle matter to follow decision (which I supported) taken in Karachi, Tehran and other meetings that Nasser should be isolated, and at same time to be able manage public opinion in Arab world. That public opinion must not be allowed to accept idea that we Turks are enemies of any Arab country. For this reason, Turkey’s position somewhat difficult. Change (i.e. in Turkish policy vis-à-vis Egypt) which Washington thinks it sees is merely change in appearance and not in fact. We Turks also know very well that no essential change in Nasser’s mind has taken place. In any case, we will have to be very careful about this (i.e. appearance of change which Washington sees)’.” (Telegram 415 from Ankara; Department of State, Central Files, 674.82/8–1757)↩