304. Memorandum of Conversation0
US OBSERVER DELEGATION FOURTH SESSION, MINISTERIAL COUNCIL BAGHDAD PACT
- US Participants
- The Secretary
- Ambassador Warren
- Mr. Rountree
- Turkish Participants
- President Bayar
- Foreign Minister Zorlu
- President’s Interpreter
SUBJECT
- The Secretary’s Call on President Bayar
President Bayar began by telling the Secretary how delighted he was to have him in Ankara at this time. He said that “quite apart from [Page 739] the usual reasons for the Turkish pleasure in receiving the Secretary,” it was important for him to be here to add strength to the Baghdad Pact. He was particularly gratified that the Secretary had gone to Iran before attending the Baghdad Pact meetings,1 as it was highly important that Iranian resolve be strengthened.
The Secretary responded by referring to the importance which the United States attached to its relations with Turkey. The United States, he said, considered Turkey one of the staunchest allies. Also, he was pleased to demonstrate by his presence at the Baghdad Pact meetings the strong interest and support of the United States in the Pact.
The President observed that Mr. Dulles’ last visit to the Middle East had been five years ago,2 and that since then there had been a marked deterioration of the situation in the area. The Secretary said that it was, of course, true that there had been a deterioration in certain aspects, but he did not feel that the overall situation had worsened as much as was often thought. He recalled that during his visit five years ago, eggs were thrown at him by Communist demonstrators in Cairo, and the Lebanese Government had asked him not to visit the American University because of expected Communist demonstrations. He had then felt it necessary to omit Iran from his itinerary since Iran under Dr. Mosadegh was under the heavy influence of Communists. He said that among the changes that had taken place in the Middle East in the interim, the situation in Iran had been completely reversed and the attitude of some Arab governments toward unfriendly elements in Egypt and Syria had improved. There were, as he had said, factors which obviously were serious, but we should not be too pessimistic.
The President agreed that there was both good and bad in the situation. He felt that developments in Iran had been particularly gratifying, all the more so since Iran was now a member of the Baghdad Pact.3 He recalled that during a visit to Jordan some time ago,4 he, himself, had been the object of attacks similar to those made against Mr. Dulles in Egypt. Jordanian elements were violently outspoken against him and against any Jordanian association with Western organizations such as the Baghdad Pact. He had been greatly impressed by the fortitude shown by King Hussein, and by the change which had taken place in Jordan. The Secretary concurred fully with the President’s comments about King Hussein, and commented upon the helpful influence of his mother.
[Page 740]The President felt that Saudi Arabia was very much concerned about its position, and thought that King Saud would like to draw closer to Turkey. The difficulty, however, was that the King was surrounded by bad elements whom he did not trust. He was therefore afraid to speak freely.
Mr. Zorlu described his recent visit to Saudi Arabia during which he had long discussions with King Saud. He said that he had gained the impression that King Saud was favorably disposed toward the Baghdad Pact, and was irrevocably at odds with Nasser, but that he was immensely cautious because of the dangerous position brought about by having so many bad elements surrounding him.
At this point the Secretary made a move to depart, but the President asked him to stay on for a few minutes longer. He said that he had had long and earnest thought as to whether he should discuss with the Secretary a matter which had been very much on his mind, he had concluded that because of its importance and because of the nature of the close relations between our two countries, he should frankly bring it to the attention of the Secretary. He wished to ask the Secretary to give his personal attention—he repeated “personal attention” several times—to the question of economic and financial assistance to Turkey. He said that he could “do nothing but express his appreciation” for American military and political aid and “even economic aid.” He then made a rather cryptic statement to the effect that the differences which have existed in the past on this question should be forgotten, and the situation should be considered as it was at present. Continuing in this cryptic vein, he said he was sure that there had been mistakes on both sides but that they should be forgotten. In urging the Secretary to look into the matter he said that even though additional assistance might not be realized, friendly relations would of course continue between our two countries.
The Secretary said the President could be assured that he always gave close personal attention to the broad aspects of United States-Turkish relations. He felt that no country, people or government in the world today reacted more firmly and effectively to the Soviet Communist menace than did the Turks, and he considered Turkey a highly important American ally. When, however, it came to technical economic and financial questions, the Secretary was not a technician. He felt that the development of a sound economy must in any event be at least ninety percent the responsibility and the role of “the home government.” There was a marginal role for foreign assistance, and the United States had gladly endeavored to participate in that role. While he could not then comment in detail regarding the question of American assistance, it was his earnest desire always to solve questions between Turkey and the United States on a basis of friendly cooperation, trust and confidence which characterized relations between the two countries.
- Source: Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D199. Secret. Drafted by Rountree. The meeting was held at the President’s Palace.↩
- Dulles visited Iran January 24–26.↩
- Dulles visited the Middle East May 11–28, 1953.↩
- Iran joined the Baghdad Pact on October 12, 1955.↩
- Apparently during Bayar’s November 1955 visit to Jordan.↩