Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

780.5/2–1354: Telegram

No. 193
The Ambassador in Turkey (Warren) to the Department of State

top secret
niact

Ankara, February 13, 1954—4 p.m.

847. Deptel 883.¹

1. Six-day interval necessary to permit Turks (and presumably Pakistanis and US) make secret diplomatic approaches three days in advance release communiqué to Iraq, Iran, India and Afghanistan, as already agreed by US with Turks. Additional day needed for telegraphic advice from Turkish Ambassador Karachi to Ankara that Pakistani Government agrees issuance communiqué, and other day for telegraphic instructions Ankara to four capitals re diplomatic approach, and one additional day allowed as necessary precaution against delays and garbles in transmission. (This especially true in case communications to Kabul.)

2. Turks informed Pakistani agreement awaits word from Prime Minister with whom Zafrullah has communicated in Dakka. No question of postponing issuance communiqué pending study text proposed agreement, which was merely communicated to Pakistanis quickly as possible to permit maximum speed in achieving other agreed steps leading up to US military aid to Pakistan.

3. Department refers understanding communiqué would be released few days after text joint communiqué agreed by Turkey and Pakistan, inferring six-day interval much longer. In fact, there is difference of only one day from five-day interval mentioned in Karachi’s 607 to Department,² now cited in reference the “few days” in question. I do not feel that we should now urge the Turks alter plans when such negligible time difference involved, and particularly I should not like to base request on our concern over another press story from Washington. Discussing this question of recurring press leaks in general way Birgi commented “what difference does one more story make now, anyway?” Turk cooperation this whole matter in my opinion has been exceptional; they have now fully prepared further moves along lines agreed with us and sent preliminary instructions Turkish representatives Iraq, Iran, India and Afghanistan, as well as at NAC; and I strongly feel we should not disrupt plans for sake of saving perhaps one day’s time.

Warren

1. Repeated as telegram 657 to Karachi, Feb. 12, not printed, it advised the Embassies a Washington radio commentator had reported the decision had been made to extend arms aid to Pakistan immediately following the announcement of the Turkish–Pakistan Cooperation Agreement. The Department of State had assumed a communiqué announcing an agreement would be issued shortly after agreement on the text and asked the Embassies to consult with the two governments and advise the Department if it would be possible to issue the communiqué sooner. (780.5/2–1154)
2. Not printed, but see footnote 2, supra. The section of telegram 607 referred to in the source text read: “Expected simultaneous release communiqué Ankara Karachi would occur about five days after approval given by both governments.”