867.00/7–1547
Supplementary Report of the United States Ambassador Recommending Continuing Aid to Turkey1
secret
[Ankara, undated.]
- a.
- The United States aid for the armed forces of Turkey, as provided for in Public Law 75 of the Eightieth Congress, will be of material assistance to the Turks in initiating their program of modernization of equipment. It is thought highly desirable, however, that the aid program be extended by authorizing an annual appropriation of $100,000,000 from the United States Treasury for five (5) years for the reasons outlined below.
- b.
- The Turkish program for modernization of their armed forces, to the point where they can be made effective fighting forces equal to Western standards, requires the outlay of a considerable sum of money beyond that provided in the current $100,000,000 aid program. Present estimates indicate that modernization of an Army ⅔ in strength of present Turkish forces will require funds in excess of $500,000,000.
- c.
- Money spent on Turkish armed forces can be considered in the nature of a national life-insurance premium for the United States. It is believed that an equal sum spent for armaments for American armed forces would not produce the corresponding effect of reducing Russia’s aggressive attitude toward the rest of the world.
- d.
- Without additional money for modernization of equipment above the current aid program, Turkey cannot be expected to reduce her armed forces in face of the present international situation. A five (5) year program as suggested above will go far in enabling the Turks to reduce the manpower of their present armed forces by relieving men from military service for work in agriculture and in industry and thus improve the overall economy of the country.
- e.
- In the absence of a program for continuing aid to Turkey, it is believed that much of the benefit hoped to be obtained from the present program will be lost.
- f.
- In an aggressive war by Russia in the foreseeable future, Russia for strategic purposes must overrun Turkey rapidly before aid can arrive. Because of her strategic position Turkey becomes actually the [Page 260] first line of defense for the United States in any aggressive move by Russia. The Turks are brave, patriotic, and excellent soldiers. They intend to fight ‘and if necessary die in place defending their territory and their independence. It is imperative that the Turkish armed forces be modernized to the extent that they will be capable of defending their country over a considerable period of months, until American and/or British forces can come to their assistance. Every month of resistance by the Turks would strengthen the protection of the United States.
- g.
- Few nations in the world are at present as free from communistic Influence as is Turkey. In modern history Turkey has been invaded by Russia a total of twelve times. There is a hatred of Russia and anything savoring of Russia, which has been passed down by the Turks from father to son for generations. The determination of the Turks to resist any communistic influence will be strengthened, as well as the means to accomplish this end, by a continuing five (5) year aid program.
- h.
- Turkey alone cannot hope to modernize her armed forces according to Western standards without lowering her standard of living. Continued modernization without further aid above the urgent $100,000,000 aid program will of necessity lower the standard, which at present is improving gradually for the great mass of the Turkish people. As long as improvement in the standard of living can be maintained, it is virtually a certainty that the Turks will continue to have a deep-seated love for the republic and its armed forces, and will continue to support these forces wholeheartedly.
Edwin C. Wilson
- Transmitted in despatch 1750–A, which the Embassy in Turkey dated July 15.↩