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

780.5/3–2054: Telegram

No. 199
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bohlen) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Moscow, March 20, 1954—2 p.m.

1108. Re Embtel 1104.² Zorin called in Turkish Chargé here March 18 and handed him note protesting Turko–Pakistani agreement. Text published todays Soviet press says in part:

• “Turko–Pakistani pact is calculated to involve other countries in military bloc, in view of this it is not without foundation considered nucleus for creation Middle Eastern military bloc.
• “Inasmuch as no attack, as is well known, threatens either Turkey or Pakistan, this pact cannot be considered defensive. On contrary, as is evident from statements of officials of Turkey and Pakistan, its preparation is closely connected with military plans of Atlantic bloc and affects security of number of countries, especially in region Near and Middle East and also Southeast Asia.
• “Soviet Government in its notes to Government of Turkey of November 24, 1951 and January 28, 1952 noted that attempts to create blocs in region Near and Middle East have aim of turning countries of Near and Middle East into place d’armes for armed forces of aggressive Atlantic bloc …
• Goes without saying that action of this kind of Turkish government cannot but aggravate situation in Near and Middle East and also Southeast Asia and has direct relation to security of Soviet Union…
• “Such policy cannot but harm Soviet–Turkish relations. Acting in this fashion Turkish Government takes on it self responsibility for consequences of such situation.”

Bohlen

1. Repeated to Ankara, Karachi, and New Delhi. All ellipses in this document are in the source text.
2. Not printed; it reported recent press comment had reflected the Soviet Governments evident displeasure at the Turkish–Pakistan arrangement and the U.S. Pakistan aid agreement. (780.5/3–1954)