Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX, Eastern Europe; Eastern Mediterranean, 1969–1972

446. Telegram From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State¹

Ankara, May 18, 1971, 1145Z.

3498. Subj: Opium Eradication Proposals, Meeting With Prime Minister Erim. Ref: A) State 84563; B) Ankara 3357.²

1. Summary: Prime Minister Erim recd me May 17 at 1630 in response my request for meeting which I had indicated would be on subject opium. Throughout our conversation he was entirely cordial, forthcoming and positive. Our proposals he said provided “answer” to question he had raised in our last meeting on substitute for opium if cultivation to be banned. Subsidy scheme especially interesting, he said, “could gain us a year.” At conclusion our talk he referred to paper I left with him (based on paras 3 through 8 reftel B) and instructed his aides (Asim Akyamac and Resat Arim, Director and Deputy Director General, IO Affairs, Foreign Ministry) to study it with interested ministries and put it “in proper form” soonest, in any event “before end of June.” End summary.

2. In 40 minute meeting with Prime Minister Erim late afternoon May 17 I presented our proposal for eradication opium production as outlined paras 3 through 8 reftel. Recalling our last meeting, when he had asked for our ideas on what might be offered peasant producers as substitute if poppy banned, I said we wished propose a program which seemed to us to be feasible way for banning further planting altogether this year. Control is difficult, demanding and expensive, I said, and as long as any production permitted some illicit traffic virtually inevitable. Even with tight controls some would get out and Turkey would be held accountable in world opinion. Total eradication best. I also recalled that since 1967 Ambassador Hart and later I had discussed this subject with Demirel. He had told us he hoped eliminate all planting within 3–5 years, i.e. by about 1972. Subject had also been discussed both here and in Washington with Foreign Minister Caglayangil, who had agreed eradication best solution. Prime Minister nodded acknowledgment these points but made no comment.

3. I then proceeded review fully our proposal for decree banning further production, subsidy payment scheme, announcement development plan for region centered on Afyon, and financing possibilities, including all elements paras 3 through 8 reftel B and concluded with expression willingness discuss details at any time with Turkish officials. During my discussion financing I took occasion, at mention of possible recourse to UN CND fund, to give him full page ad from New York Times, “The Poppy is also a Flower,” showing serious effort in US to increase UN funds for opium control. I did not attempt go into details on financing beyond those included paras cited reftel. I concluded with assurance that “If you, sir, are interested, we think it can be done.”

4. Prime Minister listened attentively to my presentation, without interruption, nodding occasionally his appreciation particular points. He appeared understand fully. Only when I had concluded did he speak up, saying it was true his idea was to “to prohibit all further cultivation” poppy plant but, as he had said in our first meeting, problem was what substitute could be offered producers. Now, he said, “your proposal provides answer.” It must be carefully studied. 5. During ensuing discussion Prime Minister said draft control bill “going well,” will provide that Turkish poppy production from seed to harvest will be controlled by single agency, TMO, in manner similar current sugar beet controls. But, he said, our proposed program has “most impressive element” in its proposal pay subsidy adding “this could gain us a year.”

6. Reminded by his aide (Akyamac) that GOT Ministry Public Health has mentioned internal need for medicinal opium products Prime Minister said this could be taken from current stock or “it can be bought from another country.” Control measures he said are not enough. Turkey has just raised price it will pay this year for current crop but traffickers will only raise their price to TL 500 or more; on Iranian border price already TL 2,000, he said. As he had noted in GOT program, Prime Minister continued, this humanitarian question and humanitarian considerations must always come before economic.

7. Prime Minister said twice during conversation he was troubled by question does GOT have legal authority ban planting altogether? Is such authority in new control bill? Akyamac said requirement was for one year advance notice before ban effective but then noted that subsidy scheme would seem eliminate need for such notice. I suggested new control bill (which Prime Minister said is planned become effective July 1 this year) could be used assure full collection this year, then ban production next year. As for application subsidy scheme, I said, four provinces listed for next year, and especially two of them (Afyon, Isparta) are principal growers, hence most desirable make ban effective there soonest.

8. In discussion what provinces would be affected Akyamac mentioned that while he was working on substitution plans with Ministry Agriculture, Ministry officials had said provinces recently taken out of production, not merely seven current or four authorized for next year, would want share in any substitution program. He also mentioned opium growing interest in Malatya was especially “persistent” and Prime Minister interjected that people from Konya had also pressed him for renewal authorization grow poppy at least in northern part. He then added, however, they must be made to “forget” poppy growing. In his own province 40 years ago people grew opium, now it is “forgotten.” This has been done in other provinces where growing progressively banned; it can be done with remainder.

9. At conclusion my initial presentation our proposals I had handed him copy of paper quoting almost verbatim from paras 3 through 8 reftel B which he accepted with expression appreciation. As our meeting drew to close he pointed to this paper and instructed his aides to take it up with Ministers Agriculture and Commerce, work it over with them to “put it in proper form” and do this “as soon as possible, before end of June.” Turning to me he said these are “good proposals” and he hoped they could be made to work.

10. Comment: I am greatly encouraged by positive attitude shown by Prime Minister Erim. Although we had some earlier indications he was being influenced to accept continued production with controls he seemed in our talk convinced that total eradication provides only answer to opium problem. Moreover, he seemed more than willing to accept our idea for immediate ban, if it could be done legally.

11. We must realize however that our proposals will now go to technicians for “study” and that what may finally emerge is unknown. We know some these technicians still believe strict controls should at least be given a chance. They may well try to delay implementation any eradication scheme on legal or technical grounds. There are also political pressures which will be brought to bear.

12. We should also be prepared for possibility Turkish version eradication plan will be costly, calling for additional aid input. I think it unlikely technicians will merely accept use of accumulated PL 480 counterpart, for example, foregoing chance to go for new project loans and additional help. These demands will presumably be negotiable but in final analysis we must be prepared to be generous.

13. All this being said I found Prime Minister Erimʼs words most encouraging and I think we can proceed with greater confidence that some solution to opium problem in Turkey at any rate is attainable. Goes without saying public premature disclosure gist of our proposals and of Prime Ministerʼs positive reaction must be avoided.

Handley

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 633, Country Files—Middle East, Turkey, Vol. II 1 Jan 1970–31 Dec 1971. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to Adana, Izmir, and Istanbul.
2. Telegram 84563 to Ankara, May 14, reads: “We agree with you that discussions need to be initiated soonest. Your proposals are an excellent beginning and suggest you present them GOT ASAP.” (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, INCO–DRUGS–TUR) Telegram 3357 from Ankara, May 12, outlined the statement on opium eradication that Handley intended to make to Erim at their meeting. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 633, Country Files—Middle East, Turkey, Vol. II 1 Jan 1970–31 Dec 1971)