Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Eastern Europe; Finland; Greece; Turkey, Volume X, Part 2

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

Ankara, September 5, 1958, 4 p.m.

804. Re Embtel 803.¹ In my talk with Prime Minister Menderes September 4, I stated next three or four weeks would subject Menderes administration and Prime Minister in particular to tremendous pressures to avoid hard measures which implementation stability program requires. I stated to Prime Minister I had mentioned this to Foreign Minister Zorlu, and desired to repeat, that if necessary measures for implementation were not adopted within short time, $359 million would be gone and Turkey would be worse off than before.

Prime Minister scarcely let me finish before interrupting to state he already feeling pressures, which will become even more intense and from every quarter, but that he was not going to yield. He emphasized his administration well aware transition period will be difficult but that they will do all necessary in order implement program.

Comment: I believe Prime Minister sincere in his determination.

Warren

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 882.10/9–558. Confidential. Repeated to Istanbul, Izmir, and Iskenderun.
1. Telegram 803, September 5, reported on discussions with Menderes on the Turkish economic stabilization program. (Ibid., 882.10/9–558)