Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NLT (Navil Aide) 174 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE the DECLASSIFIED WASHINGTON E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DEB NLT, Date 9-4-85 February 23, 1951 TOP SECRE SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS GREECE-TURKEY - Assistant Secretary McGhee reports that the conference of Middle East Chiefs of Mission meeting at Istanbul has concluded that the attainment of US political and military objectives in Turkey and Greece requires that the US enter, at the earliest possible moment, into reciprocal security arrangements with those countries. The political situation in Turkey presently reveals such a strong popular as well as official demand for a security commitment as to assure the US of maximum flexibility in any arrangements offered with a minimum commitment required. The conference thinks that moral commitments which the US has already made, through the UN and elsewhere, would probably dictate that we take action to support Greece and Turkey against aggression, and if such be the case, the US should move to get credit now and to make clear our position as a deterrent to the Soviets. The conference believes that the US obligation could be limited to practicable naval and air sup- port plus resupply support, and that ground forces would not be involved. NORTH ATLANTIC Our representative on the Council of TREATY ORGANIZATION Deputies reports that as a result of Mr. Churchill's attack against the Labor Government for not insisting that a British officer be named Supreme Sea Commander, the British representative has suggested holding up over the weekend final action in the Council confirming the appointment of Admiral Fechteler. INDIA Ambassador Henderson reports that in a conversation on February 20 Prime Minister Nehru displayed more friendliness and seemed to speak with more frank- - ness than in any previous talks. However, Nehru said little that was new and the general theme of his remarks was that he was not convinced of the inherent aggressiveness of international communism. Nehru stated that India's policy was to endeavor to restore confidence and convince each T.O/P SECRET