Office of the Historian

84. Telegram From the Delegation to the CENTO Ministerial Meeting to the Department of State0

Istanbul, April 30, 1960, 11 p.m.

Secto 41. CENTO Round-up.

1.
General atmosphere meeting maintained high plateau established at Washington. Chiefs of delegations met as old friends prepared talk frankly about their problems and relatively uninhibited by suspicions. Important in establishing this friendly state of affairs were recent visits of President to Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. I am told my heading USDel was greatly appreciated.
2.
Regional members appeared more self-confident at Tehran than at Washington. Iranians, who had most problems last time, displayed calm and aplomb. They did not even mention problems with Iraq; briefly referred to Helmand waters problem.
3.
Nearest approach to problem children this time were Pakistanis who dealt at some length with Afghanistan-Pakistan difficulties although with no particular heat. Qadir said Pakistan appraisal degree Soviet penetration in Afghanistan evidently differed from that of US and UK (with whom we saw eye to eye). Qadir said he looked forward to comparing with Rountree in near future US and Pakistan intelligence evaluations.
4.
When Selwyn Lloyd and I made frank statements on disarmament and summit regional members followed with keen interest. This evidently what they hoped for and member self-esteem enhanced by being taken into US and UK confidence. After hearing our presentations regional members vied with each other in expressing thanks and asserting their full confidence in US and UK at summit.
5.
Military Committee reports (including controversial section re [command] structure) went through without difficulty; emphasis this meeting almost wholly political; beyond thanks for US help in past none of regional members plugged during meeting for increased US military aid.
6.
Regional members evidently arrived considerably exercised over communications project delay but ruffled feathers quickly fell into place when I stated this problem now resolved. Turks had already received favorable indications re railway loan before arriving Tehran and had no complaint on this score. Regional members stressed importance they attach to Turk-Iranian rail link.
7.
Presence General White greatly appreciated as evidence importance US attached CENTO. White did excellent job in presenting Military report.
8.
Student demonstrations Turkey, although prime topic in corridors, never referred to in meetings. Zorlu turned in particularly able performance in discussing ME affairs and exhibited high degree self-confidence.
9.
At no time were quips and innuendoes made re US observer status. This accepted as a matter of course and made no difference in nature US participation in meeting.
10.
Iranian Government from point of view of hospitality did its superior best. Shah arranged private meeting with heads of all delegations, but paid particular attention to US delegation.
Herter

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–TE/4–3060. Confidential. Repeated to Karachi, Tehran, London, Kabul, and Ankara.

    In Cahto 5 to Istanbul, April 30, Herter as head of the U.S. Observer Delegation to the Ministerial Council meeting of CENTO, April 28–30 at Tehran, gave the President a brief and upbeat report. (Ibid.)

    ↩