Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NLTCNaval Aide) 272 is OFFICE OF DECLASSIFIED THE SECRETARY OF STATE E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 WASHINGTON State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DED NTT, Date 9-5-85 October 29, 1951 SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS MIDDLE EAST In a recent meeting of the British, French and COMMAND American Ambassadors with the Turkish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the Turks handed each Ambassador a lengthy aide-memoire recapitulating the Turkish Gov- ernment's views regarding the Middle East as expressed during lastweek's meeting with the tripartite allied military mission. Our Ambassador has learned that the Turks attach highest importance to this document as "an important state document of permanent record". In essence the Turkish position is that although it is necessary to endeavor to solve the question of the Middle East Com- mand with the utmost speed, this question should not be confounded with the question of Turkey's place within the Atlantic Pact. The Turks point out that, as expressed by General Bradley, the US is not, at least for the present, in a position to undertake commitments on a contractual basis for the defense of the Middle East area. The Turks believe that this situa- tion makes it necessary for Turkey to take her place within a command directly attached to the NATO. The aide-memoire points out the strategic position of Turkey and states, "it appears therefore that Turkey is an in- tegral part of Europe which stands as an entity against Russia. " "It would be proper for her (Turkey) to be joined. to the headquarters of General Eisenhower. 11 Meanwhile, representatives of the four powers sponsoring the Middle East Command made consecutive approaches on Saturday in several Middle Eastern capitals. The Lebanese Foreign Min- ister, speaking personally said it was essential that the states in the Near East cooperate with the West and that he wishes to do what he can to change the Egyptian attitude. He revealed that the Lebanese President has sent a telegram to King Ibn Saud stating: 1) neutrality of the Arab states under present conditions is impossible; 2) Ibn Saud should intervene personally with the King of Egypt to bring about an altered attitude: 3) Lebanon is prepared to follow Saudi Arabian leadership in this question; and 4) action is urgent and should be taken before public opinion in the Arab countries hardens.