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

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

Ankara, April 19, 1960, 3 p.m.

2266. Internal politics. Turbulent GNA session afternoon April 18 discussed DP group motion establish GNA investigatory committee to investigate alleged RPP “subversive” activities and recommend remedial legislation, 15-man committee to have full powers suspend all political activity if necessary during three-month investigatory period. Session marred by shouting, scuffles, fisticuffs. After second Inonu speech charging powers proposed committee illegal, undemocratic and unacceptable, he led all RPP deputies in walkout. Motion then passed by 300-plus DP deputies, with only two votes against.

Following GNA vote new investigatory committee inter alia (A) suspended all political activity for three months and (B) banned all publicity re activities of committee. Ulus (RPP) went ahead and published text InonuGNA speeches and entire April 19 issue promptly confiscated.

Membership of committee weighted in favor of jurists and men previously known in DP circles for extremist views re opposition, press, judiciary. Embassy seeking clarify authority of committee decisions via-à-vis construction, other GNA laws.

GNA action climaxes intensive weekend political activity during which both party assembly groups issued proposed investigatory motions, generating blazing press, radio commentaries:

(1) DP assembly group April 15 issued communiqué reiterating full list charges against RPP and calling for investigatory committee with sweeping powers. Among communiqué’s usual arguments particular emphasis given new charge that RPP attempting wreck Turco-American friendship by attacks on bilateral agreements, SOFA, by widespread calumnies re offenses committed by US Forces Turkey.

(2) Above theme stressed in DP Radio Gazette program broadcast over state radio evening April 15. Office of Prime Minister took unusual step telephoning DCM same evening, calling Embassy attention to broadcast and offering provide text. Implication was that this program would show official government line re Turk-American relations issue in domestic politics.

(3) RPP assembly group April 16 retaliated by issuing proposal for GNA investigatory motion to impeach Prime Minister Menderes before High Court Justice for alleged totalitarian violations constitution and laws designed perpetuate him in power and destroy all opposition. (Summary extracts above motions and radio program follow by airgram.)¹

(4) Before returning Ankara [April] 16, Inonu in Istanbul visited by 14 retired generals and admirals. Addressing visitors Inonu praised military as proud defenders nation’s ideals and progress, called on them defend to utmost trust nation puts in them. Radio Gazette 17 charges retired officers call was prearranged political demonstration designed involve army internal politics, which illegal.

Comment:DP embarking on frontal propaganda and legislative attack on existence RPP as presently constituted, using its heavy GNA majority to give legal sanction its partisan objectives. Speed and effectiveness of DP action shows careful advance planning and determination carry through. Sixty-four dollar question remains “what will Republicans do now?” Embassy believes Inonu led walkout indicative only remaining nonviolent recourse left to RPP as form passive resistance or nonparticipation in government. Embassy does not foresee RPP resort violence at this juncture.

Almost formal injection anti-American issue disturbing. As well-known to Department, both sides have endeavored use American presence Turkey for partisan ends. DP has sought identify self as procurer American aid, and therefore indispensable to Turk economic well being. RPP line is that DP “sold out” Turk rights to US, and despite RPP friendship for US and support for alliances, will not tolerate DP “misuse” thereof. Until recent RPP official pronouncement (Embtel 1894)² which DP carefully ignores, RPP had taken no positive steps restrict extremist views within RPP which indiscriminately attack both US and DP. New DP charges, however, serve formally join issue with RPP on anti-Americanism and will inevitably lead to rehash old arguments which Inonu foreign policy statement had almost laid to rest. For moment, both parties apparently more interested making political capital out of Turco-American relations than in objective furtherance thereof. This undoubtedly harmful US interests here, but Embassy remains convinced both parties basically loyal to American alliance principle, despite current tactics.

Tactically, DP apparently hopes its plan crush opposition by charging RPP with anti-Americanism will enlist USA sympathy. Noteworthy Prime Minister’s Secretary told Embassy officer re Radio Gazette 15th: “Instructions are bring this your Ambassador’s attention.” Prime Minister’s Secretary also supplied Embassy April 18 with English translations from provincial press as examples RPP anti-American approach.

Embassy has communicated informally with Consuls Istanbul, Izmir and Iskenderun, calling situation their attention and reminding they should join Embassy endeavor avoid American involvement with either side this controversy.

Warren

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 782.00/4–1960. Confidential; Priority. Transmitted in two sections.
1. The Embassy in Ankara reported on the activities of the Grand National Assembly in airgrams G–503, April 22 (Ibid., 982.61/4–2260), and G–507, April 22 (Ibid., 782.00/4–2260).
2. Telegram 1894, February 29, summarized Inonu’s speech in which he condemned neutralism, endorsed Turkish membership in NATO and CENTO, and reaffirmed Turkey’s ties with the United States. (Ibid., 682.00/2–2960)