Office of the Historian

780.5/10–2354: Telegram

No. 233
The Ambassador in Turkey (Warren) to the Department of State1

secret
Ankara, October 23, 1954—10 a.m.

441. In conversation with Prime Minister yesterday he said Nuri Said’s visit to Istanbul prolonged several days because conversations difficult and Turks found it hard going move Nuri away from negative thinking.2 On arrival, Nuri inquired of Menderes what he wanted. Menderes replied to effect Turks would like know how Nuri and his government faced political, economical and social problems of the area as applied to Iraq and what was his solution. To this Nuri returned that Iraqis feared Russians less and hated Israelis more. Their primary preoccupation was to find friends who would help them meet threat of Jewish expansion.

With this in view, Nuri proposed negotiate agreement with Pakistan rather than Turkey, also similar arrangements with Syria. He said that Turks had less preoccupation with problem of Israel than Arab states because territories not contiguous to Israel, and that Pakistan in his opinion would be more willing identify itself with Arab concept Middle East defense, which includes primarily containment of Jews. Menderes felt only way approach this situation constructively was for Nuri present written procès verbal setting forth Iraq estimate of Middle East problem and ideas for a solution, while Turks on their part prepared procès verbal setting forth Turk attitudes and thinking. When this had been done (Prime Minister said Nuri’s paper was very short) they then proceeded in frankest manner to narrow field of disagreement and initial points on which there was common understanding. Result of week’s conversation was undertaking on part of Nuri Said to accept Turco-Iraqis agreement [Page 555] along lines of Turco-Pakistani pact. Nuri expressed willingness sign immediately but Menderes felt agreement should not be signed until he returns Nuri a visit at Baghdad next January.

Prime Ministers agreed Iraqis should approach Pakistanis also for bilateral agreement and that Turks should approach Syrians. Turks also during course of exchange of visits between Turk and Egyptian Prime Ministers in next few weeks will attempt obtain Egyptian support of program. Menderes explained to me that phasing of steps to be taken will be: 1. His forthcoming visit to Prime Minister of Egypt in Cairo third week in November; 2. Nasir’s return visit to Turkey in December; 3. Menderes visit to Nuri at Baghdad in January; and 4. If moment favorable, Menderes visit to Syria following visit to Iraq. Iraqis undertake to sound out Shah re eventual participation Iran but do not believe precipitate action advisable and preferable await reorganization of Iranian armed forces. Menderes believes this series of steps undertaken over period of next six months will establish pattern of Middle East defense in manner particularly satisfactory to US and UK and will bring problem of Israeli-Arab relations into better perspective with hope of establishing modus vivendi on basis Israeli agreement forego unlimited immigration, internationalization of Jerusalem and establishment of boundaries with Arab neighbors along ceasefire lines. In return Arab States will negotiate peace and abandon boycott. Prime Minister added he is informing British Ambassador of his conversations with Nuri in practically same detail given me in order allay any possible British suspicions. He feels complete honesty and frankness on his part with British is essential. He requests Department give him indication its thinking concerning substance foregoing conversations before he leaves for Egypt next month.3

Warren
  1. Repeated to London, Cairo, Paris, Karachi, Baghdad, Tehran, Damascus, Jidda, Beirut, Amman, and Tel Aviv.↩
  2. Despatch 196 from Ankara, Oct. 27, 1954, transmitted the texts in translation of documents covering the discussions between Turkish officials and Nuri Said during the latter’s visit to Turkey from Oct. 9 to 18. (780.5/10–2754)↩

  3. Circular telegram 211, Oct. 27, not printed, was sent to Amman, Ankara, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Jidda, Karachi, London, Paris, Tehran, and Tel Aviv. It requested comments on telegram 441, particularly Nuri Said’s version of his talks with Menderes. The Embassy in Turkey was requested to explain, if possible, the reasons Menderes discouraged Nuri Said from signing the Turkish-Iraqi agreement until after his visit to Baghdad in January. (780.5/10–2754)

    For replies to circular telegram 211, see the editorial note, infra.

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