87. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Greece and Turkey1
35397. Subject: Clifford Mission: Letters From President. Vienna for Clifford Mission party.
[Omitted here is a letter from Carter to Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis.]
2. For Ankara: Please deliver as soon as possible following letter from President to Prime Minister Demirel in reply to latter’s message of February 11 (State 33247).2 Begin text:
“February 15, 1977
“Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
“Thank you for your message of February 11 setting forth your views on the critical importance of restoring the security relationship between Turkey and the United States.
“I fully share your desire that early attention be given to finding ways to improve and restore the close security ties between our two countries that have served both our nations so well for more than a generation. The friendship between our two peoples and our partnership in the North Atlantic Alliance has clearly been to the benefit of both nations. It is for all these reason that I have asked one of my most trusted advisers, former Secretary of Defense Clark Clifford, to undertake a special mission on my behalf to the area. Mr. Clifford is a man of broad experience and sound judgment. I hope you will speak frankly with Mr. Clifford about your concerns and that you will also discuss with him how together we might work to restore the closest possible Turkish-American relationship. I will look forward to receiving recommendations from Mr. Clifford on his return.3
“You may be assured that Secretary Vance, Mr. Clifford and I are determined to do all that we can to restore warm and friendly ties of mutual cooperation between Turkey and the United States.
“With very best regards. Sincerely, Jimmy Carter (signature)
[Page 284]“His Excellency
Suleyman Demirel
Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey” End text.
3. Signed originals of both letters being hand carried by Clifford Mission party. Please confirm by immediate cable when letters have been delivered.
4. The White House does not intend to release this exchange of messages but has no objection if the recipient wishes to do so.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 19, Turkey: Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel, 2/77–4/80. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Ewing from text received from the White House; cleared by Peter Sebastian (S/S); approved by Hartman. Sent for information Immediate to Vienna and Nicosia.↩
- Not found. Demirel’s letter is printed as Document 86.↩
- See Documents 8 and 10. For the origins of the Clifford Mission, see Documents 5–7.↩