740.5/9–1950: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State

top secret

Secto 33. Secretary received Turkish Ambassador this morning1 communicate decision NAT Council re Turkish request membership. Secretary made following points:

1.
Request seriously considered by Council.
2.
Council recognized importance Turkey’s role in free world and vital Near East area.
3.
Council unanimously concluded vitally important develop strength within framework present organization and, therefore, impossible make additional commitments or extend treaty arrangements this time.
4.
Council noted Turkey enjoyed substantial international support by virtue French and UK treaties, public statements of US interest in Turkish independence, and considerable military assistance which Turkey continues receive from US.
5.
Council believed, however, Turkey deserves some measure reassurance and therefore directed Secretary invite Turkey, if Turkish Government so desired, associate itself with appropriate phases military planning work NATO concerned with defense Mediterranean urea.

[Page 1321]

Secretary provided Turkish Ambassador with note verb ale2 briefly setting forth-Council’s proposal. He added, in capacity Secretary State, he hoped Turkish Government would accept.

Ambassador said he did not understand how Turkey could participate in defense Mediterranean area without some prior political commitment. Secretary noted Council proposed Turkey should participate in “planning” and said he did not consider this a weakness. It is difficult, almost impossible, conceive of Soviet attack on Turkey under conditions which would not bring on general war. In Secretary’s opinion USSR would not mount major attack without also attacking US. USSR would not make mistake providing US time to prepare. Attack, if it comes, will probably be against US, western Europe, and Turkey simultaneously. All will be in together.

Turkish Ambassador pointed out community free nations desperately seeking develop military and moral strength. Turkey has moral strength and, as result US assistance, military strength which Turkey eager place disposal free nations, but which they reject. In his opinion Council’s reply would be unsatisfactory to Turkish Government. Secretary said he realized that, in fact, anything short full membership in pact would be unsatisfactory to Turkish Government. Proposal is, however, move in right direction.

Ambassador said he was greatly disturbed at probable reaction Turkish people. USSR and everyone else knows US has made no commitment to Turkey. When it is known NAT Council has denied Turkish request, public reaction will be very bad. He feared very much USSR might be encouraged believe NAT powers have no fundamental interest in Turkey and that USSR might, therefore, make strong bid for Turkish friendship. Secretary pointed out US had not made public Turkish request for NAT membership and that international commitments could not be made on basis newspaper articles. Secretary, however, disagreed with Turkish Ambassador’s analysis and said, on contrary, he thought Council’s proposal would make USSR sit up and take notice. He conceded, however, it is impossible accurately forecast Soviet reaction.3

Ambassador inquired whether anything more could be done in this matter. Secretary replied if Ambassador meant whether Council would reconsider at this time, answer was “no”. Ambassador then inquired whether it would be possible for US make unilateral commitment. [Page 1322] Secretary replied it would not be possible make US commitment at this time. US already has too many commitments. However, US aided Turkey when no one else did and has been providing assistance now for more than three years. He suggested Turks not get nervous like French and talk about commitments. What is desired of Turks is remain strong and preserve their independence as they have done for centuries. Secretary added we must endeavor establish an integrated command and an integrated force in western Europe within next twelve to eighteen months and develop adequate strength within framework present arrangements before we can think in terms of additional commitments. At this moment strength upon which base new commitments is just not available.

In closing Secretary reiterated Council proposal was good one and he hoped Turkish Government would accept.

Department pass Ankara, London, Moscow, Athens; sent Ankara unnumbered; repeated Department Secto 33, London unnumbered, Moscow unnumbered, Athens unnumbered.

Acheson
  1. See memorandum of conversation, September 19, by Secretary of State Acheson, vol. iii, p. 333.
  2. Department of State Bulletin, October 16, 1950, p. 632. A note verbale of October 2, transmitted by Turkish Ambassador Erkin to the Council through Secretary of State Acheson, stated that the Government of Turkey had decided to associate itself with the above-indicated military planning work (ibid., p. 633).
  3. For an analysis of possible Soviet reaction to Turkey’s admission to NATO, see telegram 574, August 31, from Moscow, scheduled for publication in volume iv.