Conference files, lot 60D 627, CF 286
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Special Adviser to the United States Delegation (Thurston)
Subject:
- Turkish Views on Korean and Indochinese Questions
Participants:
- Ambassador Acikalin, Turkish Delegation
- Mr. Benler, Turkish Delegation
- General Smith, US Delegation
- Ray L. Thurston, US Delegation
[Here follows the first portion of the conversation dealing with the Korean phase of the Geneva Conference.]
After a preliminary remark to the effect that Turkey was not a participant in the Indochinese discussions, Acikalin asked General Smith how things were going on that side. General Smith emphasized that the problem at this stage was primarily one for the French and the Associated States. The US has not yet formulated a definite position, but it was our thought that we might be able to save Laos and Cambodia in any event. In his remarks the Turkish delegate took a very pessimistic line on Indochina and with fervent gestures to a map of the Far East on the wall asked how he could contain the Communist march on Southeast Asia once a Communist state obtained control of a part of Indochina. He was critical of the French on the colonial [Page 716] aspect and talked about the importance of the free Asian nations having a role to play. He referred to the color consciousness of the Asians as a factor we had to take into account.