Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969–1972

196. Telegram 110121 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Turkey¹ ²

Washington, June 19, 1971, 2040Z.

For Ambassador from Secretary

Subject:

• Turkish Opium Negotiation

1. Ambassador Handley should inform the Prime Minister that he has presented the Turkish situation, together with the June 11 Turkish proposal, to President Nixon and his senior Cabinet officials. He has been instructed by the President to convey the following:

2. The President is deeply concerned that the problem of opium is casting a pall over our entire relationship. He wishes to avoid jeopardizing our close relations, but he may not be able to control punitive measures proposed by Congress under pressure from the American people, who are alarmed because the drug problem is tearing our social fabric and jeopardizing the next generation of Americans.

3. The core of our drug problem is opium-derived heroin, the killer drug, which is also beginning to affect a number of European countries. The President knows full well that this is a global problem and that there are other sources, and the President is also taking steps in other parts of the world. However, Turkey is central to our drug problem, because it is the largest single source of heroin entering the U.S.

4. Ambassador Handley may state the President has authorized him to present the following:

To meet the foreign exchange losses to the Turkish Government and to help it compensate the farmers for a transition period, the U.S. would provide a total grant of $10-15 million of additional assistance over a period of up to three years, provided the Turks agree to the conditions in paragraphs 5 and 6.

5. The Turkish Government must agree to include in their decree yet to be issued this month that:

a. All planting, cultivation, or production of the opium poppy in Turkey is prohibited after June 30, 1972.

b. The entire Turkish opium crop authorized to be planted this fall (only in the four provinces named in the June 30, 1970 decree) will be purchased by the Turkish Government.

c. Outside the decree, the Government of Turkey will agree to utilize part of the lira equivalent of the $10-15 million to pay those farmers who voluntarily abstain from opium planting in Fall 1971 and Spring 1972 in those provinces where legal cultivation will still be permitted. They will be compensated for each of the next three years on 110 per cent basis of their sales to TMO this year. In effect, we are using the US technique of a subsidy not to plant a particular crop. Cash payments to the farmers for this crop year are to be made between June 30 and September 1, in order to precede the September-October planting season. (FYI: the mechanics as to whether it would be by contract or by signing receipt for cash payments and the penalties for breach and strict enforcement can be developed later.)

6. The Turkish Government must agree to pass legislation to make planting of the opium poppy illegal after June 30, 1972. (FYI: This is so that plantings cannot be resumed by decree. END FYI.)

7. If the Turkish Government agrees to the above conditions we would consider providing on a grant basis additional funds to help finance activities aimed at improving the living standards for farmers in the affected regions. We would consider whether we could be helpful in the agro-industrial field.

8. The United States would also undertake to encourage additional World Bank lending and UN Development Fund projects in the affected regions.

9. The US cannot provide a guaranteed market for leather goods or textiles as envisioned in the Turkish proposal.

10. Ambassador Handley may, as appropriate, also say: should the Government of Turkey decide that it will not announce a decision to eliminate opium production, and if the collection of the 1971 crop is not effective, the United States Government would be compelled to take whatever action was necessary to protect the health of its people.

Rogers

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, INCO-DRUGS TUR. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Ogden; cleared by Davies, Sisco, Robert L. Pugh (NEA/TUR), and Richard Kennedy; cleared in substance with Ingersoll, Hardin, Williams, Wellman, and Connally; and approved by Rogers.
2. In a personal message to Ambassador Handley, Secretary of State Rogers provided instructions for a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister ERIM based on a meeting with the President.