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Turkey - Prime Minister Demirel
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1555861
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Turkey - Prime Minister Demirel
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collections
Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders (Ford Administration)
Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders
subjects
Greece
Cyprus
Turkey
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. (4/4/1949 - )
Arms transfers
Treaties
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1555861
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1976-05-31
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5
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1976
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1975-04-01
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4
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1975
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The original documents are located in Box 4, folder "Turkey - Prime Minister Demirel" of
the National Security Adviser's Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders
Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 4 of the NSA Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
or STATE
Department of State
of STATE AMERICA UNITED
TELEGRAM
CONFIDENTIAL 1649
PAGE 01 STATE 085198
10
ORIGIN EUR-12
INFO OCT-01 ISO-00 CPR-01 NSC-05 PA-01 88-15 USTA-06
PRS-01 1042 R
DRAFTED BY EUR/SE:JPKLEIN:HEKIRBYsJF:TEXT RECD
APPROVED BY S/S a REWOODS
EUR/SE*WLEAGLETON
EUR:LBLAINGEN
WHITE HOUSE - MR. CLIFT
008537
R 1423567 APR 75
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY ANKARA
C
N
H
STATE 085198
E.O. 11652: GDS
Twice
TAGS: PFOR, TU
SUBJECT:PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO PRIME MINISTER
FOR THE AMBASSADOR
1. PLEASE DELIVER FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT FORD
TO PRIME MINISTER DEMIREL:
2. BEGIN QUOTE: DEAR MR. PRIME MINISTER: ON BEHALF OF THE
PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES AND MYSELF, I OFFER WARM CON-
GRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES AS YOU AGAIN TAKE UP THE DUTIES
OF THE HIGH OFFICE OF PRIME MINISTER OF TURKEY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO FURTHER THE COOPERA-
TION WHICH HAS CHARACTERIZED US=TURKISH RELATIONS FOR NEARLY
THREE DECADES. OUR GOVERNMENTS SHARE A BASIC MUTUALTRUST
Funo
AND UNDERSTANDING WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO SURMOUNT PROBLEMS
CURRENTLY AFFECTING US-TURKISH RELATIONS AND TO WORK TOWARD
CONSTRUCTIVE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO THE BROADER ISSUES WHICH
GERALD
CONP IDENTIA
Dh 3/9/04
or STATE
*
Department of State
AMERICA UNITED
TELEGRAM
STATES OF
CONF IDENTIAL
PAGE 02 STATE 085198
AFFECT THE PEACE AND STABILITY OF THE EASTERN NEWITERRANKAN
AND OF THE WORLD.
REGARDING OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS, THIS ADMINISTRATION WILL
CONTINUE ITS INTENSIVE EFFORTS WITH CONGRESS TO RESUME
MILITARY SALES AND ASSISTANCE TO TURKEY, AN ALLY WHICH,
BECAUSE OF ITS CONTRIBUTION TOOURCOMMON DEFENSE OVER THE
YEARS, IS WIDELY RESPECTED AND ADMIRED IN THEUNITED STATES.
I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT THESE EFFORTS WILL ACHIEVE
POSITIVE RESULTS. WITH WARM REGARDS, SINCERELY, GERALD R.
FORD. END QUOTE. KISSINGER
GERALO LIQUARY ? FORD
CONFIDENTIAL
RRg filed ME.GENERAL
DEPA On state
Department of State
UNITED STATES unless OF ?)
TELEGRAM
CONFIDENTIAL 1659
PAGE 01 STATE 236949
73
ORIGIN SS-25
4
AFR/UN
EUR/CAN
EE
LA
INFO OCT-01 ISO-00 SSO-00 NSCE-00 /026 R
NEA/SA
DRAFTED BY EUR/SE:HKIRBY/NLEDSKY:SK
D/H
PRC
SEA
APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY
EUR - MR. LOWENSTEIN
PGM/ANL
THE WHITE HOUSE - GEN. SCOWCROFT
SCI/ENV
S/S -LCJOHNSTONE
ECON
119791
OPNL/INT
0 0400302 OCT 75
SS/PR
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
CONGR
TO AMEMBASSY ANKARA IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY ATHENS IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTI A L STATE 236949
EXDIS
E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS:
PFOR, TU
SUBJECT:
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO TURKISH PRIME MINISTER
FOR THE CHARGE
1. PLEASE CONVEY THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
TO PRIME MINISTER DEMIREL.
2. BEGIN TEXT: DEAR MR. PRIME INISTER 21 AM MOST
PLEASED, AS YOU MUST BE, BY THE VOTE OCTOBER 2 IN THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES TO LIFT THE TURKISH ARMS EMBARGO. AS
YOU KNOW, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED
THIS LEGISLATION, NOT BECAUSE WE AGREE WITH EACH OF ITS PRO-
VISIONS, BUT BECAUSE PASSAGE OF S,2230 SEEMED TO US A VITAL
FIRST STEP IN REBUILDING THE TRUST AND FRIENDSHIP WHICH HAS
SO LONG CHARACTERIZED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR TWO
COUNTRIES.
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Wa 3/9/04
OF STATE
Department of State
UNITED 3 STATES OF
TELEGRAM
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 STATE 236949
3. AMBASSADOR MACOMBER HAS BEEN IN WASHINGTON THIS PAST
WEEK, AND HAS BEEN MOST HELPFUL IN EXPLAINING TO THE CONG-
RESS THE UNFORTUNATE EFFECTS THE EMBARGO HAS HAD. I HAVE
NOW ASKED HIM TO RETURN TO ANKARA THIS WEEKEND TO DISCUSS
WITH YOU OUR CONSIDERATIONS ON HOW WE MAY PROCEED TOGETHER
TO REVITALIZE OUR RELATIONSHIP WHICH HAS MEANT SO MUCH
TO THE PEACE AND SECURITY OF THE REGION FOR THIRTY YEARS,
AND HOW TO MAKE PROGRESS TOWARDS A SETTLEMENT IN CYPRUS.
SINCERELY, GERALD R. FORD. END TEXT. KISSINGER
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED W! FOUNTHER AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
MEMORANDUM
Drgm 74I
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
6625
CONFIDENTIAL
URGENT ACTION
October 3, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR GENERAL SCOWCROFT
FROM:
Mr. Clift ed
SUBJECT:
Presidential Messages to Prime Ministers
Caramanlis and Demirel
The Department of State has submitted for White House clearance
Presidential messages (at Tab B) to Prime Ministers Caramanlis
and Demirel following the recent Congressional approval of legislation
partially lifting the arms embargo against Turkey.
Our revised texts -- cleared with Paul Theis' office -- are at Tab A
for your review and approval. State (EUR) indicates that Secretary
Kissinger has already approved their drafts, but this is not clearly
shown on the State cables.
RECOMMENDATION
That you approve the revised Presidential messages at Tab A for State's
immediate dispatch to Athens (Prime Minister Caramanlis) and Ankara
(Prime Minister Demirel).
APPROVE
DISAPPROVE B- Seved
&/S motifed
approve State Tests
Antinette 10/3/75
5:10 gm.
(2t is too difficult to
chick what changes
have been mads)
add
XGDS of E.O. 11652 by authority
of Brent Scowcroft; Exemption
CONFIDENTIAL (XGDS)
Category Section 5(B)(3).
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NSC MEMO, 11/24/96, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES
BY Wor
, NARA, DATE 3/9/04
CONFIDENTIAL
SUBJECT:
Presidential Message to Greek Prime Minister
1. Please convey following message from the President to Prime Minister
Caramanlis.
2. Begin Text: Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I was very pleased to meet with
you in Helsinki at the time of the European Security Conference. I am
grateful for the efforts you have made since then to keep us informed of
your views on matters of mutual concern. Ambassador Kubisch has reported
fully his recent conversation with you, and I want you to know I share
completely your belief on the importance of acting now to resolve the
Cyprus problem.
You and I have differed on the wisdom of the Congressional embargo
on U.S. arms to Turkey, but we both have been striving to achieve the
same goal, namely a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem.
I am convinced that the United States will be in a better position to influence
the Turkish government on Cyprus now that the embargo has been partially
lifted. I can assure you that very soon we shall begin a major effort to
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NSC MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES
NARA, DATE TE3/9/U4
try to break the current impasse in the negotiations.
DECLASSIFIED
In this endeavor, we will be guided by the principles that Secretary
Kissinger enunciated, at my request, in his September 22 address to the
U.N. General Assembly, including the principles that the present dividing
BY
lines cannot be permanent. Since the territorial arrangements on the
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
- 2 -
island are a key issue in any settlement, we shall seek specifically to
persuade the Turkish government to show understanding and flexibility
on this question.
I hope the development of specific proposals on territory by Turkey
will provide a basis for an early resumption of the intercommunal talks
betwen Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash and that these talks, once resumed,
can address all the outstanding issues in a systematic and productive manner.
The negotiations will not be easy, but you can be sure that the United States
is ready to assist the parties in every way possible to achieve progress.
Let me also assure you that we are willing to do whatever we can to
facilitate a resolution of the Greek-Turkish problems over the Aegean. I
firmly believe these problems must be solved through peaceful means.
We also wish to meet, as quickly and sympathetically as possible,
Greece's needs for economic and military assistance. It is in our common
interest that our longstanding Alliance relationship be restored and strengthened.
In this connection, let me emphasize the importance to both our governments,
as well as to our mutual allies, of a resumption by Greece of a full role
in NATO. At the same time, I hope your government will continue to show
appreciation for the importance of U.S. military facilities, whose presence
in Greece, I believe, serves the security interests of both countries and of
the NATO Alliance as a whole.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
- 3 -
Finally, let me re-emphasize that the partial lifting of the embargo
will enable the United States to play a positive role in trying to achieve
a fair and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem. I hope the people
of Greece will come to view this week's Congressional action in that
light. Sincerely, Gera Id R. Ford. END TEXT.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONF IDENTIAL
SUBJECT:
Presidential Message to Turkish Prime Minister
1. Please convey the following letter from the President to Prime
Minister Demirel.
2. BEGIN TEXT: Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I am most pleased,
as you must be, by the vote October 2 in the House of Representatives
to lift the Turkish arms embargo. As you know, the Administration has
strongly supported this legislation, not because we agree with each of its
provisions, but because passage seemed to us a vital first step in
rebuilding the trust and friendship which has so long characterized the
relationship between our two countries.
I am confident this assessment is correct and that the opportunities
now open to us both will be utilized to the fullest in the weeks ahead.
What is clearly needed now is early and visible movement toward a
Cyprus settlement, and the re-activation of military facilities which are
vital to both of our countries and to the Western Alliance structure. The
United States Government will be prepared to work closely and cooperatively
with the Government of Turkey on both these issues.
Ambassador Macomber has been in Washington this past week, and has
been most helpful in explaining to the Congress the unfortunate effects the
DECLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NSC MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES
BY Wh
, NARA, DATE 3/9/04
CONFIDENTIAL
- 2 -
embargo has had. I have asked him to return to Ankara this weekend to talk
to you at greater length about how we may proceed together to rebuild and
revitalize our relationship which has meant so much to the peace and security
of the region for thirty years. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford. END TEXT.
CONFIDENTIAL
3
to GIVIS of S
WA
*
AMERICA ORLING
Department of State
TELEGRAM
STATES of
SECRET 3611
PAGE 01 STATE 244266
60
ORIGIN SS-25
INFO OCT-01 ISO-00 SSO-00 NSCE-00 1926 R
DRAFTED BY EUR/SE:WLEAGLETON:VF
APPROVED BY SECRETARY
EUR:AAHARTMAN
S/S REWOODS
WH-GENERAL SCOWCROFT
104154
0 142348Z OCT 75
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY ANKARA IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY ATHENS IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA IMMEDIATE
SECRET STATE 244266
EXDIS
E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: TU, CY, PFOR
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT FORD'S LETTER TO DEMIREL
REF: ANKARA 7669
FOR THE AMBASSADOR
1. YOU SHOULD SEEK A MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER DEMIREL
TO DELIVER THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND TO
DISCUSS NEXT STEPS REGARDING CYPRUS AND US-TURKISH RELATIONS
FORD
2. BEGIN TEXT: DEAR MR. PRIME MINISTER: NOW THAT YOUR
of
ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND AMBASSADOR MACOMBER HAS
HAD AN INITIAL DISCUSSION OF SUBJECTS OF MUTUAL INTEREST
WITH FOREIGN MINISTER CAGLAYANGIL, I HAVE ASKED HIM TO
GERALD
LIBRARY
CONVEY TO YOU PERSONALLY MY VIEWS ON HOW WE MIGHT WORK
TOGETHER DURING THIS COMING PERIOD TO REINVIGORATE THE
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
to Wa 3/9/04
SECRET
;
STATE
*
UNITED
Department of State
TELEGRAM
STATES OF
SECRET
PAGE 02 STATE 244256
ALLIANCE BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES AND ACHIEVE PROGRESS
TOWARD A CYPRUS SETTLEMENT.
3. THE RECENT VOTE IN THE MOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEMONG
STRATED, BY A SUBSTANTIAL MARGIN, THAT THE AMERICAN
CONGRESS AND PEUPLE VALUE THE FRIENDSHIP OF TURKEY AND ITS
PEOPLE. INDEED, MANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WERE WILLING TO
REVERSE EARLIER POSITIONS TO WHICH THEY WERE STRONGLY
ATTACHED IN ORDER TO PRESERVE AND REVITALIZE OUR SECURITY
RELATIONSHIP AND PROMOTE PROGRESS TOWARD A CYPRUS SETTLE
MENT.
4, CONCERNING OUR SECURITY RELATIONSHIP, I SHOULD LIKE TO
EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE WE ATTACHED TO THE FARLY REACTI-
VATION OF COMMON DEFENSE INSTALLATIONS WHICH SERVE OUR
MUTUAL INTEREST AND THAT OF OUR ALLIES. AMBASSADOR
MACOMBER WILL BE DISCUSSING WITH YOU OUR HOPE THAT THIS
CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED ON A PROVISIONAL BASTS WHILE NEW PRO-
VISIONS OF A DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT ARE BEING
NEGOTIATED. WE WILL FULLY COOPERATE WITH YOUR GOVERNMENT
TO DEVISE MUTUALLY ADVANTAGEOUS ARRANGEMENTS IN THIS
REGARD.
5. OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE TU OUR COMMON INTERESTS IS THE
REMOVAL OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM AS AN ELEMENT OF TENSION
AND DIVISION IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, SECRETARY
KISSTNGER'S TALKS IN NEW YORK WITH ARCHBISHOP MAKARIOS
AND WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF GREECE HAVE CONVINCED ME
THAT CONDITIONS NOW EXIST FOR THE NEGOTIATION OF A CYPRUS
SETTLEMENT WHICH WOULD PROVIDE THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMU-
NITY THE SECURITY AND LOCAL AUTONOMY THEY HAVE SOUGHT AND
WOULD REMOVE THE CYPRUS ISSUE AS A BONE OF CONTENTION
BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY. WITH THE PROSPECTS FOR A LONG
TERM SOLUTION BETTER NOW THAN EVER BEFORE IT IS OUR BELIEF
THAT THE INTERCUMMUNAL TALKS SHOULD BE RESUMED AT AN
FARLY DATE AT WHICH TIME THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF A CYPRUS
SETTLEMENT, INCLUDING THE POWERS OF THE CENTRAL AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE GEOGRAPHICAL DEFINITION OF THE
TWO REGIONS. COULD BE SIMULTANEUUSLY CONSIDERED
1
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
PER PARTMENT OF STATE
UNITED AMERICA
Department of State
TELEGRAM
STATES OF
SECRET
PAGE 03 STATE 244266
6. I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING AMBASSADOR MACUMBER'S REPORT
ON YOUR VIEW OF HOW THIS MIGHT BE ACCOMPLISHED AND YOUR
RECOMMENDATIONS ON STEPS WE MIGHT TAKE TOGETHER TO RESTORE
THE ALLIANCE RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS SERVED OUR MUTUAL
INTERESTS SO WELL IN THE PAST AND WHICH I AM CONFIDENT
WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE PEACE AND SECURITY OF THE AREA IN
THE FUTURE. SINCERELY, GERALD R. FORD. END TEXT. INGERSOLL
GERALD ? FORD
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
or
*
Department of State
OF STATE AMERICA UNITED
TELEGRAM
CONFIDENTIAL 6468
PAGE 01 STATE 272496
50
ORIGIN SS-25
INFO OCT-01 ISO-00 SSO-00 /026 R
DRAFTED BY EUR/SE*WLEAGLETON:VF
APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY
EUR:AAHARTMAN
S/S:LMATTESON
WHIBSCOWCROFT
053853
R 1801382 NOV 75
FM SECSTATE WASHOC
TO AMEMBASSY ANKARA
C N E N STATE 272496
EXDIS
E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: PFOR, TU
SUBJECT: MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT TO PRIME MINISTER
DEMIREL
PLEASE PREPARE THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO
PRIME MINISTER DEMIREL FOR CONGRESSMAN WAYNE HAYS TO TAKE
WITH HIM WHEN HE CALLS ON DEMIREL.
BEGIN TEXT: DEAR MR. PRIME MINISTER: I HAVE ASKED MY GOOD
FRIEND WAYNE HAYS TO GIVE YOU HIS FRANK ASSESSMENT OF THE
CONGRESSIONAL SITUATION AS IT AFFECTS OUR EFFORTS TO REMOVE
REMAINING RESTRICTIONS ON THE SUPPLY OF UNITED STATES
MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO YURKEY. AS YOU KNOW, WAYNE HAYS 18
A PROVEN FRIEND OF TURKEY AND OF THE TURKISH-AMERICAN
RELATIONSHIP. WITHOUT HIS HELP, AND THAT OF LIKE-MINDED
CONGRESSMEN OF BOTH PARTIES, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD NOT
HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE OCTOBER 2 VOTE LIFTING MAJOR
ASPECTS OF THE ARMS EMBARGO,
GERALD & <<<<<013 FORD
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT TIDAUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
the 3/9/04
FORM
ARTMENT
;
STATE
Department of State
or STATE AMERICAN UNITED
TELEGRAM
CONF IDENTIAL
PAGE 02 STATE 272496
CONGRESSMAN HAYS AND I HAVE DISCUSSED THE POLITICAL PROB-
LEMS THAT MUST BE FACED WHEN THE CONGRESS VOTES ON LEGI-
SLATION ESTABLISHING WHETHER AND AT WHAT LEVEL FOREIGN
MILITARY ASSISTANCE SALES, CREDITS AND GRANT AID WILL BE
AUTHORIZED FOR TURKEY. WAYNE HAYS' ASSESSMENT IS ENTIRELY
REALISTIC AND ACCORDS WITH MY OWN VIEWS. I HAVE THEREFORE
ASKED HIM TO DISCUSS IT WITH YOU IN THE HOPE THAT DECISIVE
ACTION CAN BE TAKEN TOWARD A CYPRUS SETTLEMENT WHICH WILL
ENCOURAGE THE CONGRESS TO REMOVE PROMPTLY THE REMAINING
RESTRICTIONS ON us MILITARY SUPPLIES TO TURKEY.
YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON ME AND ON THIS ADMINISTRA-
TION TO SUPPORT IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE THE STRENGTHENING OF
OUR SECURITY AND MILITARY SUPPLY RELATIONSHIP. I AM
CONFIDENT THAT BOTH OF OUR GOVERNMENTS HAVE THE ABILITY
AND THE WILL TO DO so. SINCERELY, GERALD R. FORD END
OF TEXT. KISSINGER
FORD
CONFIDENTIAL
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
5a
7609303
2657
department OF STATE
I
Washington, D.C. 20520
CONF IDENTIAL
May 6, 1976
EXDIS
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. BRENT SCOWCROFT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Subject: Turkish Prime Minister's Letter to
the President
There is at Tab 1 a letter to the President
from Turkish Prime Minister Demirel, in which the
Prime Minister emphasizes the importance to US-
Turkish relations of the recently concluded bi-
lateral Defense Cooperation Agreement and warns
of the "fatal consequences" for the bilateral
relationship if the U.S. Congress should reject
the Agreement.
There is at Tab 2 a draft reply from the
President, in the form of a telegram to our Embassy
in Ankara, emphasizing the importance the U.S.
attaches to US-Turkish relations and reaffirming
our intention to try to get the Agreement through
Congress at an early date.
C. arthur Bag
for
George S. Springsteen
Executive Secretary
Attachments:
1. Letter to the President from Demirel
2. Draft Reply
FORD
&
CONFIDENTIAL
GDS
GERALD
lak 3/9/04
TURKISH EMBASSY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
April 27, 1976
CONFIDENTIAL
Dear Mr Sisco,
Enclosed is the text of a message from the
Prime Minister of Turkey to the President of the
United States of America on the new Turkish-American
defense cooperation agreement signed recently in
Washington.
I would appreciate it if the message is brought
to the President's attention.
With warm regards.
Sincerely,
Melih Esenbel
Ambassador of Turkey
The Honorable
Joseph J. Sisco
Undersecretary for
Political Affairs
Department of State
Washington, D.C.
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, Sec. 3.5
State Dept. Guidelines
By
lab
, NARA, Date 3/9/04
"April 25, 1976
Dear Mr. President,
I am confident you will share my view that the Agreement
signed on March 26th, during the visit of Foreign Minister Ihsan
Sabri Çaglayangil to Washington, constitutes a significant and
positive step in our mutual efforts to reinvigorate our bilateral
defence cooperation and restore friendship and trust which
characterized the relationship between our two countries for the
last three decades.
After I left the meeting which I had with you in Helsinki,
I had declared to newsmen inter alia: "
we will do everything
not to spoil relations between Turkey and the United States.
"
In all our endeavors in this direction we have constantly been
guided by this thought.
No doubt, this Agreement constitutes a compromise between
the respective views of the two governments. In conducting these
negotiations my government has been mainly guided by the imperatives
of higher interests which we believed to be common for the
respective security of our two countries and for that of the
Alliance to which we both belong, rather than by technicalities
of lesser significance. I have no doubt that your government did
the same. Therefore, the conclusion reached after intensive and
hard negotiations constitutes a delicate balance based on mutual
sacrifices between the respective positions of the two governments.
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, Sec. 3.5
/
Cab State Dept. Guidelines Review 9/17/03
, NARA, Date 3/9/04
-2-
Reports reaching us from Washington indicate that some
tendencies exist within the Congress to oppose this Agreement.
Although I am not in a position to judge how much these tendencies
will be influential on the final outcome, I, however, deem it
necessary to inform you about the consequences on Turkey, should
the Congress choose to negate this Agreement.
As you know Turkey views its membership to the North
Atlantic Alliance and its close cooperation with the United States
in the field of bilateral defence as the main pillar of its foreign
policy and vital requirement for its security. This has been our
policy in the past and we believe that it is in our interest to
continue in such a policy in the future. But I would like to point
out to you in all frankness that it would be impossible for us to
justify such a policy to our public opinion when we will be constantly
offended by the actions of the United States Congress. Cooperation
and friendship cannot be maintained when one of the parties constantly
displays hostility. Mutuality, goodwill and trust are essential
prerequisites for the maintenance of such a relationship and where
they lack, no goodwill will be enough to maintain it.
It is certainly not up to me to point out to the United States
Congress where its country's interests lie. But I can indulge
myself in saying that if the occasion provided to us by the signing
of the last Agreement is lost, nothing to be gained by such an action
will be enough to compensate the loss which will thus be incurred.
Because, as you will understand, another serious setback will
-3-
unavoidably have fatal consequences on our already damaged
relationship which with mutual endeavors we have intensively
worked to revitalize, despite adverse conditions created by
the Congress. Historians will seriously question the logic
of ruining the efforts of both governments to restore a
relationship which is so strikingly in their mutual interest
and of forcing Turkey to opt a course of action which it is
unwilling to take and which is so openly against United States'
interests as well as the interests of an alliance it committed
itself to protect.
If this Agreement is to be turned down by the Congress,
it is evident that all efforts which we have mutually made to
reinvigorate our relationship will be wasted and it will be
extremely difficult to explain to anybody why we concluded an
agreement which had no chance of Congressional approval. The
setback to be created by such an unfortunate development will bring
about much more serious conditions than those prevailed prior to
the conclusion of this Agreement and would leave little hope of
success if none, for our subsequent efforts to reduce the damage
to the minimum. I am sure none of us would wish to see conditions
in which we all would have preferred this Agreement not concluded
at all.
I thought I should put these views to you in all frankness
at this stage which I believe is historically most critical, and
-4-
in doing so, I have been exclusively guided by my very
sincere belief in the necessity of maintaining the friend-
ship and cooperation between our two countries, which I
know is equally and sincerely shared by you.
With warm regards.
Suleyman Demirel
Prime Minister
of the Republic of Turkey
The Honorable Gerald R. Ford
The President of the
United States of America
CONFIDENTIAL
EUR/SE:HEKIRBY:VSS
5/5/76 X 21429
THE SECRETARY {PER SECTO 11309}
EUR/SE WLEAGLETON
EUR:AAHARTMAN
S/S: RKKUCHEL
RWAHERNE
H:HNELSON
IMMEDIATE
ANKARA
EXDIS
HA
S((ds
E.O. 11652: GDS
HEKLY
WLE
TAGS: MARR, PFOR, TU
AAHA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO THE PRIME MINISTER
S/S
REF: ANKARA 3305
SA
S
1. PLEASE DELIVER THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
HN HM,
TO PRIME MINISTER DEMIREL. IT IS IN REPLY TO THE PRIME
MINISTER'S LETTER OF APRIL 25 {REFTEL}.
2. BEGIN TEXT. DEAR MR. PRIME MINISTER: THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LETTER OF APRIL 25 IN WHICH YOU PERSUASIVELY CITED THE
IMPORTANCE TO TURKISH, U.S. AND NATO SECURITY INTERESTS
OF THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED US-TURKISH DEFENSE COOPERATION
AGREEMENT, AND OF THE SETBACK YOU FORESEE FOR THOSE
INTERESTS, AND PARTICULARLY FOR US-TURKISH TIES, SHOULD
THE AGREEMENT FAIL TO OBTAIN THE APPROVAL OF THE U.S.
CONGRESS.
YOU AND I ARE IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF
US-TURKISH DEFENSE TIES TO THE SECURITY OF OUR RESPECTIVE
COUNTRIES AND TO THE SECURITY OF THE BROADER NORTH ATLANTIC
ALLIANCE. IT IS BECAUSE I VALUE so HIGHLY A RELATIONSHIP
WHICH HAS SERVED BOTH OUR COUNTRIES WELL FOR NEARLY THREE
DECADES THAT MY ADMINISTRATION HAS WORKED CEASELESSLY TO
IDENTIAL
Ha 3/9/04
FORM DS 322A{0CR}
CONFIDENTIAL
2
RECONSTITUTE AND STRENGTHEN OUR CLOSE TIES. AS I EX-
PLAINED TO FOREIGN MINISTER CAGLAYANGIL WHEN HE VISITED
US LAST MONTH, I AM AS CONVINCED TODAY AS EVER THAT IT IS
MANIFESTLY IN THE INTERESTS OF BOTH COUNTRIES, AND OF THE
WEST, THAT OUR BILATERAL TIES BE RESTORED. THAT IS THE
SPIRIT WHICH ANIMATED THE U.S., AND QUITE CLEARLY YOUR
SIDE AS WELL, IN THE RECENT NEGOTIATIONS WHICH CULMINATED
IN THE SIGNING OF THE NEW DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT
BY THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND SECRETARY KISSINGER ON MARCH
26. I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S
SUCCESSFUL VISIT HERE MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE RESTORA-
TION OF OUR RELATIONS TO THEIR FORMER STATE.
I AM ASKING CONGRESS FOR ITS EXPEDITIOUS APPROVAL OF THE
NEW DEFENSE AGREEMENT. IN PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS WITH
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WE HAVE EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE WE
ATTACH TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE DELETERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
WE FORESEE FOR THE SECURITY SITUATION ON THE SOUTHEASTERN
FLANK OF NATO IF IT IS NOT APPROVED. I THINK IT IS CLEAR
THAT A MAJORITY IN CONGRESS WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR BI-
LATERAL RELATIONSHIP FULLY RESTORED. AS YOU KNOW, THE
CONGRESS BELIEVES EQUALLY STRONGLY THAT EARLY MOVEMENT
TOWARD A CYPRUS SOLUTION IS IMPERATIVE. IT WILL BE THE
TASK OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND OF CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
WHO VIEW THE MATTER IN THIS SAME PERSPECTIVE TO SEE TO IT
THAT THESE BROADLY HELD SENTIMENTS DO NOT COME INTO CON-
FLICT AND THAT CONGRESS MOVES TO APPROVE THE US-TURKISH
DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT.
SINCE WE SHARE THESE SAME GOALS, I KNOW YOU WILL WISH TO
JOIN US IN DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BRING OUR EFFORTS
TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. SINCERELY, GERALD R. FORD.
END TEXT.
YY
CONFIDENTIAL
DEPARTMENT OF state
WH52
Department of State
OF STATES CELING the AMERICA
TELEGRAM
CONF JOENTI
4534
PAGE 01 STATE 110143
73
ORIGIN SS=25
INFO OCT-01 ISO-00 SSO-00 CCO-00 NSCE-00 /026 R
DRAFTED BY EUR/SE:HEKIRBY:VSS
APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY (PER SECTO 11309)
EUR/SE:WLEAGLETON
EURSAAHARTMAN
S:RWAHERNE
H:HNELSON
AFR/UN
S/S:MR. ORTIZ
EUR/CAN
110321
FE
0 061859Z MAY 76
LA
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
NEA/SA
TO AMEMBASSY ANKARA IMMEDIATE
PRC
SEA
e Θ N I E N T I STATE 110143
NSC/PLNG
PGM/ANL
EXDIS
>
SCI/ENV
ECON
E.O. 11652: GDS
OPNL/INT
SS/PR
TAGS: MARR, PFOR, TU
CONGR
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO THE PRIME MINISTER
REF: ANKARA 3325
1. PLEASE DELIVER THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
TO PRIME MINISTER DEMIREL. IT IS IN REPLY TO THE PRIME
MINISTER'S LETTER OF APRIL 25 (REFTEL).
2. BEGIN TEXT. DEAR MR. PRIME NINISTER: THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LETTER OF APRIL 25 IN WHICH YOU PERSUASIVELY CITED THE
IMPORTANCE TO TURKISH, U.S. AND NATO SECURITY INTERESTS
OF THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED US-TURKISH DEFENSE COOPERATION
AGREEMENT, AND OF THE SETSACK YOU FORESEE FOR THOSE
INTERESTS, AND PARTICULARLY FOR US-TURKISH TIES, SHOULD
THE AGREEMENT FAIL TC OBTAIN THE APPROVAL OF THE U.S.
FORD
CONGRESS.
&
GERALO
MARAHY
SONFIGENTIAL
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETAR'
lab 3/9/04
ARTMENT
in
DAFA
STATE
Department of State
OF AMERICA OKLING
TELEGRAM
CONF IDENTI
PAGE 02 STATE 113143
YOU AND I ARE IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF
US-TURKISH DEFENSE TIES TO THE SECURITY OF OUR RESPECTIVE
COUNTRIES AND TO THE SECURITY OF THE BROADER NORTH ATLANTIC
ALLIANCE. IT IS BECAUSE I VALUE so HIGHLY A RELATIONSHIP
WHICH HAS SERVED BOTH OUR COUNTRIES WELL FOR NEARLY THREE
DECADES THAT MY ADMINISTRATION HAS WORKED CEASELESSLY TO
RECONSTITUTE AND STRENGTHEN OUR CLOSE TIES. AS I EX-
PLAINED TO FOREIGN MINISTER CAGLAYANGIL WHEN HE VISITED
US LAST MONTH, I AM AS CONVINCED TODAY AS EVER THAT IT IS
MANIFESTLY IN THE INTERESTS OF BOTH COUNTRIES, AND OF THE
S
WEST, THAT OUR BILATERAL TIES BE RESTORED. THAT IS THE
SPIRIT WHICH ANIMATED THE U.S.P AND QUITE CLEARLY YOUR
SIDE AS WELL, IN THE RECENT NEGOTIATIONS WHICH CULMINATED
IN THE SIGNING OF THE NEW DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT
BY THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND SECRETARY KISSINGER ON MARCH
26. I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S
SUCCESSFUL VISIT HERE MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE RESTORA-
TION OF OUR RELATIONS TO THEIR FORMER STATE.
I AM ASKING CONGRESS FOR ITS EXPEDITIOUS APPROVAL OF THE
does
NEW DEFENSE AGREEMENT. IN PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS WITH
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WE HAVE EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE WE
ATTACH TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE DELETERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
WE FORESEE FOR THE SECURITY SITUATION ON THE SOUTHEASTERN
S
FLANK OF NATO IF IT IS NOT APPROVED. I THINK IT IS CLEAR
THAT A MAJORITY IN CONGRESS WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR BI-
LATERAL RELATIONSHIP FULLY RESTORED. AS YOU KNOW, THE
CONGRESS BELIEVES EQUALLY STRONGLY THAT EARLY MOVEMENT
TOWARD A CYPRUS SOLUTION IS IMPERATIVE. IT WILL BE THE
TASK OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND OF CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
WHO VIEW THE MATTER IN THIS SAME PERSPECTIVE TO SEE TO IT
THAT THESE BROADLY HELD SENTIMENTS DC NOT COME INTO CON-
FLICT AND THAT CONGRESS MOVES TO APPROVE THE US-TURKISH
DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT.
SINCE WE SHARE THESE SAME GOALS, I KNOW YOU WILL WISH TO
JOIN US IN DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BRING OUR EFFORTS
FORD
TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. SINCERELY, GERALD R. FORD.
&
END TEXT.
S
GERALD
AMOUNT
SISCO
CONF IDENTIAL
NOI 10 BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
5t
DOC
RECD
LOG NUMBER
MO
DA
MO
DA
HR
INITIAL ACTION o
NSC CORRESPONDENCE PROFILE
56
5618
7602657
CLIft
TO: PRES
FROM: SECSTATE
S/S
7609303
UNCLAS
LOG IN/OUT
X
SCOWCROFT
SECDEF
LOU
NO FORN
NODIS
HYLAND
DCI
X. REF
EYES ONL
EXDIS
x
DAVIS
S
CODEWORD
SOURCE/CLASS/DESCRIPTION
STATE OTHER EXSEC Demiel, Suleyman
TS
SENSITIVE
SUBJECT Ack ltr to Pres for PM Demirel of Turkey
re US & Turkey Defense agreement & Consequences
is US INTERNAL Congress ROUTING AND DISTRIBUTION rejects REC ACTION same REQUIRED agreement
ADV G CYS/S'CROFT WGH
ACTION
CONCUR-
COOR-
INFO
CY
RENCE
DINATE
FOR
MEMO FOR SCOWCROFT
STAFF SECRETARY
MEMO FOR PRES
IV
CONGRESSIONAL
REPLY FOR
ECONOMIC
DISTRIBUTION/INITIAL ACTION ASGMT
APPROPRIATE ACTION
EUR/ CANADA / OCEANS
X
MEMO
TO
FAR EAST PRC
RECOMMENDATIONS
INTELLIGENCE
JOINT MEMO
LATIN AMERICA
REFER TO
FOR:
,
MID EAST/ NO. AFRICA
ANY ACTION NECESSARY?
NSC PLANNING
CONCURRENCE
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
SCIENTIFIC
DUE DATE: 5/12
COMMENTS: (INCLUDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS)
SUB-SAH/ AFRICA/ UN
DATE
FROM
TO
STATUS
SUBSEQUENT ACTION REQUIRED (OR TAKENI:
DUE
CY TO
5/7
cryt
NSC/S
C
actin completed beg
attached cale. No
SUBSEQUENT ROUTING/ACTIONS
furTher (5/7) catin required
DISPATCH
NOTIFY
MICROFILM & FILE ROMTS
NSC/S DISP INSTR
M/ D
BY
SPECIAL DISPOSITION:
IF
SPECIAL INDEXING:
OPEN CRT ID: MK
NS
DY
WH SA FP
CLOSE CAP
SUSPENSE CY ATTACHED *
PA
NSC 76-21
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE - 599-022 - 1976
599-022