Office of the Historian

700.00(S)/8–2550: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices 1

top secret
Washington, August 25, 1950—2 a. m.

Infotel. Turk PriMin and FonMin,2 disturbed that only bare acknowledgement yet recd to request US support Turk inclusion NAT, jointly recapitulated to Emb Ankara Turk position in view recent intensification world crisis.3 Highlights: 1) pressing new urgency inclusion Turk overall Eur defense as “natural partner” and strong milit element; 2) Turk’s earnest wish contribute to vital immed common interest despite full appreciation that it wld contribute more than wld receive in view limitations possible European aid; 3) as NAT member Turk cld play positive role strengthening morale Eur and NE countries; 4) Turk preparedness effort wld be spurred by moral effect admission; 5) Turk policy today unequivocal, honest, realistic in desire make positive contribution international peace. Thus Turk admission logical all Turks. FonMin outlined Strasbourg mtgs Schuman and Bevin; said former promised wholehearted support but latter noncommittal despite encouraging atmosphere. Norway, Canada, Italy favored in principle. Amb Wadsworth4 emphasizes sound realism Turk position and warns of detriment Turk morale and US-Turk [Page 249] relations if Turks given reason believe US main obstacle to admission.5

Acheson
  1. Sent to London, Paris, and Moscow.↩
  2. Fuad Köprülü.↩
  3. The information summarized here was transmitted to the Department in telegram 124 from Ankara, August 22, scheduled for publication in volume v.↩
  4. George Wadsworth, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey.↩

  5. On August 25, Ambassador Erkin called on Acheson and McGhee to express his government’s feelings about NATO participation and the need for more economic aid. Among his arguments for membership was the observation that Turkey was included in two of the three important organizations of Europe, the OEEC and the Council of Europe, and her exclusion from the third, NATO, would be inconsistent. The discussion is covered in a memorandum of conversation by Acheson, August 25, scheduled for publication in volume v.

    Ambassador Kirk discussed the subject matter of this infotel of August 25 in his telegram 574 from Moscow, August 31, scheduled for publication in volume iv.

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