357. Editorial Note
The political situation in Turkey was the subject of discussion at the meeting of the Operations Coordinating Board on April 27. During the meeting: “Mr. Hare gave a short briefing on the present political situation in Turkey noting that the approaching national elections make the domestic activity fairly typical. He cited the need to exercise care to avoid US involvement with either side. Mr. Dulles (CIA) outlined certain developments which, if elections were to be held immediately, the opposition could be able to use effectively to come out on top.
“Mr. Gray thought it was generally understood that the present situation is not serene, neither is it at a spark-producing stage. All agreed on the desirability of close observation of the scene.” A copy of [Page 833] the preliminary notes on the meeting, from which this quotation is taken, is in Department of State, OCB Files: Lot 61 D 385, M/OP Informal Notes. A copy of the briefing paper from which Hare spoke is ibid.: Lot 62 D 430, OCB Luncheon Items.
Allen Dulles commented on the instability in Turkey during his briefing at the 442d meeting of the NSC on April 28:
“Turning to Turkey, Mr. Dulles reported that that country might find itself in a critical situation sometime during the next few years. Since early 1960 the opposition party in Turkey, the Republican People’s Party of ex-President Ismet Inonu, has been increasingly oppressed by the government. Some questions have arisen as to the validity of the last election in Turkey, although the situation is not as bad as it was in Korea. The Turkish Government has now appointed a committee to investigate subversive activities. This committee, exercising wide powers, has been moving against Inonu and his party. Mr. Dulles felt this problem required careful consideration by the U.S. Government in the future. The Turkish Army was probably behind the government; however, there was a strong popular feeling in favor of Inonu. Unless constitutional procedures are more carefully followed in Turkey, a situation similar to that now existing in Korea might develop. The Inonu Party may attempt demonstrations at the time or the NATO Council Meeting in Istanbul.” (Memorandum of discussion; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)