740.5/9–2451: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State
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283. Supplementing Embtel 280, Sept 24 in reply Deptel 229, Sept 23.1
1) President Bayar attended by Foreign Minister Koprulu received me as arranged. He had he said already read with highest gratification translation prepared by Foreign Officer of President Truman’s first message; its text would be broadcast by Ankara Radio this evening. He would read with equal interest and satisfaction, he felt sure, the secret second note he understood I was to hand him.
2) I did so, with translation prepared by Embassy. This he read slowly aloud, then with customary courtesy asked if there was anything I wished to add. I answered that second message of course spoke for itself, but I welcomed opportunity to recapitulate and add one point made by Department in my most recent instructions. As I saw it there were three questions before us:
- a)
- Did he share President Truman’s hope that Turkey would participate as a founding member in the setting up of a ME Command?
- b)
- Would it be agreeable to him were President Truman to send to Turkey at a very early date our highest military representative, General Bradley, for conversations, with the appropriate Turkish-authorities, of the purely preliminary and private nature which Foreign Minister Koprulu had already informed me he would welcome? and
- c)
- A new question: Would he—if his answer to my first question should be, as we sincerely hoped, in the affirmative—approve Turkey cooperating with the British and ourselves in urging on Egypt acceptance of a similar invitation that it too participate as a founding member in setting up MEC?
3) I then outlined very briefly Department’s arguments for MEC and reason for and urgency of this suggested approach first to King Farouk and then to Egyptian Govt. President listened attentively, then made general reply. Based on brief notes which I took, its highlights (with paragraphing representing pauses for translation) were as follows:
I thank you sincerely for this best of good news; this is one of the happiest days of my life. I, my govt and people, are deeply grateful.
Please convey to your govt our appreciation for the great help it has given Turkey. At an early date I will write of our thanks and feelings to your President.2
[Page 579]I have now read his second message and listened to your words. I am certain of its importance. I see also need for urgency in the case of Egypt. I am in agreement in principle with all this message says and with what you have added as to your govt’s views.
I will submit these desires to my govt. I am sure you will receive early reply.
I am in agreement that we should discuss together these matters of highest importance and all other similar matters as well.
We have all our heart in it. By building the security of this country and of ME we shall contribute to securing security of free world.
Please convey to President Truman our deeply grateful greetings and appreciation.
4) President Bayar paused and, after exchanging a few words with Foreign Minister, continued in substance:
Egypt, like other newly independent countries this area, is highly sensitive to presence foreign troops. Egypt is particularly sensitive because British troops there seem continuance of historic occupation.
Today we have only good intentions, but it is difficult make Egypt understand. Our Foreign Minister has long sought similar formula which, while not offending national feelings, will assure strategic position. We recognize fully need for maintaining Allied troops there. We sense that your formula offers an only answer.
5) In reply I spoke of latest word from Ambassador Caffery (Deptel 219, Sept 21)3. Foreign Minister commented he too sensed urgency and believed our formula of inviting Egypt to participate in founding MEC offered only hopeful solution.
6) I then spoke of General Bradley. It might well be I said, that with postponement of next AP council meeting until after British elections, ratifications of Turkish invitation could be had so as to permit Turkey to be represented as full NATO member. Meanwhile the suggested preliminary conversations could not but be immensely helpful to us all; that we lose no time seemed vital. I had been told of Foreign Minister’s comment when seeing British Ambassador in Istanbul yesterday (see my immediately following telegram). I ventured in reply to urge that advantages of Bradley visit to Turkey would far outweigh any disadvantages.
7) After confirming sense his remarks to British Ambassador, Koprulu replied. Partly by implication and partly directly he gave me to understand that, if General Bradley were on tour and should wish visit Turkey for what would appear to be private exchange of views—and not as head of Allied military mission of such outstanding top brass—he would be welcome. This, Koprulu added, was however [Page 580] only his personal views; it would of course have to be confirmed by Turkish Cabinet.
8) In closing remarks I arranged see Koprulu tomorrow should he wish; and President, after reiterating his earlier remark re need for cooperation in all matters of high interest and common concern, again voiced sincerest appreciation President Truman’s two messages.
Department please repeat to Cairo and elsewhere as desired.
- Deptel 229 had asked Ambassador Wadsworth “most urgently” if he had received Deptels 213 and 214 of September 20 (pp. 575, 576). Embtel 280 reported the reception of Deptels 213 and 214 and Wadsworth’s short delay in obtaining an appointment with Foreign Minister Köprülü who was returning from Istanbul. (740.5/9–2351; 9–2451)↩
- See footnote 1, p. 575.↩
- Telegram Deptel 219 of September 21 repeated telegram 343 from Cairo, September 20, in which Ambassador Caffery reported British concern over probable Egyptian abrogation of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936 and the agreements of 1899 regarding the Sudan and also reported, inter alia, that King Farouk had intimated that he would welcome the inclusion of Turkey “in any proposed regional set-up” for the Middle East.↩