Office of the Historian

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

Ankara, July 25, 1960, 4 p.m.

158. When I saw General July 24 re Deptel 1271 and completed my presentation2 I mentioned upcoming trial leaders former government and constant rumors certain number them will be executed. I proceeded thus:

PGOT had requested USG for 100 million liras connection compulsory retirement plan. There would be other requests (I had in mind urgent need for 34.4 million dollars foreign exchange). As in present retirement proposal, each request would be carefully considered and USG would be as helpful as possible. Our being helpful, however, depended upon USA Executive getting funds from Congress. In turn appropriations by Congress depend upon USA public opinion. That opinion is greatly influenced by American and international press. Proposed trials would be reported by US and European press. I had tried point out to previous GOT leaders importance this relationship between USG funds and public opinion influenced by press. In same way and in same spirit of friendship I wanted do likewise today. I was speaking without instructions but with a friend’s understanding of USA public opinion and that other countries allied with Turkey. Should former leaders be executed there would be a revulsion of feeling in Western world that would influence amount help which USG could give Turkey when Congress under new administration makes appropriations and deterioration USA–Turk relations.

General Gursel listened attentively. When I had finished he looked first at Turkes, then Kuneralp, and smiled. He remarked in English “I thank you very much.”

Comment: I did not sense meaning Gursel’s smile. Both Minister Cowles and I have mentioned this matter to Foreign Minister Sarper. I have now done so to Gursel. I have reason believe British, [garble] Italian, Swiss, Pakistani, Israeli and perhaps others have raised subject with Sarper or Gursel, or both.

I do not intend mention matter again unless Department instructs me do so.

Warren
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 782.5/7–2560. Secret; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Istanbul, Izmir, and Iskenderun.↩
  2. See footnote 1, Document 372.↩
  3. See Document 372.↩