782.5/7–2250: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Turkey

top secret

41. Embtel 51, July 22. Dept shares Turk view that questions of national defense must be placed on highest plane and that reorganization Turk armed forces of great importance. Urges no opportunity be lost to assure active support highest Turk officials to necessity earliest implementation McBride recommendations. Dept primary concern is that Turks take all necessary measures to bring armed forces to “maximum effective potential within practical possibilities and general budget limitations”. Possible consequences—not only on Turks but on other free nations facing common Soviet threat—of their failure to do so are such that Dept feels confident Turks will not delay effecting needed reorganization.

While development of adequate corps of non-commissioned officers and technicians is only one of problems cited by Gen McBride, Dept wishes inform you it recently received letter from Sec Defense1 referring to discussions held with Turks by Gen Collins during his recent visit re necessity this action, and recommending that Dept instruct you to use your influence to bring about such changes as may make this possible. In your discretion you may reiterate to appropriate Turk officials importance US Govt attaches this problem, avoiding of course implication that other problems cited by Gen McBride are of lesser concern.

Dept assumes increased mil expenditures resulting from implementation of the McBride recommendations will be largely internal expenditures, at least in early stages, and Turks will undoubtedly raise problem of financing them. All countries threatened by Soviet aggression face similar problem. Dept naturally keenly interested in [Page 1285] details of measures Turks prepared to take which you and McBride consider necessary, their cost, your appraisal of Turks ability to meet such costs and Turk proposals for meeting them, but not now in position comment on possibility additional US mil or econ aid.

FYI Turk Chargé on July 212 requested Dept support in obtaining for Turk investment program larger allocation ECA direct aid for FY 1951 and larger EPU initial position. Did not relate request possibility increased mil expenditures. In view various factors, such as limited ECA funds available, previous general agreement to their distribution and fact that contemplated ECA assistance to Turkey in FY 1951 will provide for exchange requirements for a fairly substantial investment program, Dept has not felt justified in requesting that question of Turkey’s allocation be reopened by ECA. While entirely appreciative of Turkey’s need for economic development and of the financing problem which has long existed because of defense burden, Dept believes Turks will undoubtedly recognize that larger defense expenditures may be inevitable in light of recent events, with possibility that investment expenditures may have to be curtailed.

Dept appreciates efforts you and Gen McBride are making to assist Turks in strengthening their armed forces and in utilizing US mil aid in most effective manner.

Pls forward copy McBride letter June 30 to Chief General Staff.3

Acheson
  1. Reference is to a letter of July 12 from Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson to the Secretary of State, not printed, regarding a deficiency in the permanent noncommissioned officer corps of both the Italian and Turkish Armies. A letter of August 8, from Under Secretary of State James E. Webb to Secretary of Defense Johnson, not printed, stated that he had instructed the Ambassadors in Rome and Ankara to discuss this matter with the appropriate officials. (765.551/7–1250)
  2. See memorandum of conversation, July 21, by Mr. McGhee, p. 1278.
  3. Letter to Gen. Nuri Yamut, not printed (Ankara Embassy files, lot 58F33, box 3299, 400 MDAP January-June 1950).