Office of the Historian

191. Telegram From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State0

Ankara, March 13, 1958, noon.

2389. Embassy is pleased by evidence Turk flexibility on partition as reflected London 5368 to Department.1

At same time we are surprised because Ross report (1) does not reflect in any sense attitude GOT and particularly Zorlu repeatedly manifested to me and others over past few months, and (2) is inconsistent with growing Turk resentfulness of British over Cyprus which noticeable to many observers Ankara (including British Embassy personnel) and which taking form of (of) refusal permit UK Embassy military and civilian personnel travel to restricted zones of country; (b) vocal hostility ranking Turk military to UK; (c) closing certain air corridors previously available to UK aircraft flying over Turkey en route Iraq; and (d) harassment UK Embassy by Foreign Office with respect importation supplies for British diplomatic personnel Ankara.

At same time, Ross report may indicate that Turks have come to rationalization [realization?] that several bases on island now would give them significant measure of control over its eventual disposition.

Warren
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/3–1358. Secret; Limit Distribution; Noforn; Need-To-Know. Repeated to London, Athens, Nicosia, and Paris for USRO.↩
  2. Document 190.↩