Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Eastern Europe; Soviet Union; Eastern Mediterranean, Volume VIII

760.5/7–1654: Telegram

No. 352
The Ambassador in Turkey (Warren) to the Department of State¹

top secret

Ankara, July 16, 1954—5 p.m.

75. Re Athens’ 111, July 15 and Belgrade’s 37, July 14.² It seems to us that US may have some responsibility for calming current jitters in Belgrade, Athens and Rome on subject proposed Balkan alliance. Unlike their partners Turks have shown themselves willing, largely on basis our influence, to approach questions of timing, preliminary preparations, and presentation to and link with NATO soberly and judiciously, with realization alliance, to have value in collective defense, must rest on solid, well-constructed foundation, located in a friendly environment.

As Birgi has argued at length with Greek and Yugoslav Ambassadors here, Balkan partners decided as long ago as Brione meeting Italy must be brought into pact at earliest date. Tito repeated this in strongest terms during his visit here. Turks have in fact proposed nothing to Greeks and Yugoslavs due to failure Italian Government to realize and grasp opportunity discussed with their Ambassador here. And when Italian Government failed to respond, Turks loyally informed partners even regarding their talks with Italian Ambassador. Both Yugoslav and Greek Ambassadors here have seemed to understand and presumably so reported, so Turks are at some loss to understand current rumpus.

As regards “postponement”, Turks are a bit reluctant to consider Haile Selassie visit to Yugoslavia as being of same order of importance as Balkan alliance. They have repeatedly asked Greek and Yugoslav Ambassadors in effect: “Does your government really want to conclude this alliance without the support and goodwill of “NATO?” And to this they have not received affirmative answer.

I fear Italian vacillations, Greek impetuousness, and Yugoslav suspiciousness have already cost the West a chance for a major victory in the cold war and have impeded effective development of our collective strength.

Warren

1. Repeated for information to London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Belgrade, and Trieste.
2. Telegram 111 from Athens, July 15, reported that the Yugoslavs were indignant because the Turks had requested a delay in the signing of the treaty. (760.5/7–1554) Concerning telegram 37 from Belgrade, see footnote 3, supra.