Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON February 14, 1949 TOOP SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS TURKEY Turkish Foreign Minister Sadak has informed our Embassy in Brussels of Turkey's continued determina- tion to resist Soviet aggression, stating his opinion that Turkey's mobilization has so far served as a definite deterrent to the USSR. The Foreign Minister, however, said that the strain on Turkey's economy is considerable, and expressed his feeling that the US public does not appreciate the serious responsibilitie now borne by Turkey. Our Embassy notes that Turkey is unhappy over possible isolation because of the north Atlantic pact, adding Sadak's belief that an eastern Mediterranean pact within the UN Charter is now "feasible and timely". Meanwhile, Embassy Ankara reports that the Turks are concerned over the recent Soviet demarches to Norway, which have evidently increased Turkey's desire for some sort of regional security. BERLIN We have informed our Embassy in London that we are requesting General Clay, in concert with the British military government, to inform the French that unless the USSR accepts by March 10 a satisfactory solution to the Berlin question, we are going to proceed with the introduction of the western mark in Berlih regard- less of French participation. We hope however that the French will agree to act with us. Our Embassy in Paris has already indicated to the French government that the time has come to change its position on Berlin currency. GREECE We have instructed Embassy Athens to express to the Greek authorities our great concern over reports that the Greek government is calling up conscripts without reference to availability of funds, as well as over the attitude of the Greek com- mander-in-chief favoring a substantial increase in the Greek army and implying that such an increase was a condition of his acceptance of his present post. We are telling the Greeks that it is our opinion that the Greek national forces now have sufficient manpower and equipment, given adequate leadership, to reduce the guerrilla menace. We state that the essential basis for cooperation between Greece and the US must be the understanding that the US cannot be coerced into extending aid to Greece in an amount contrary to our best judgment and beyond our capacity. DECLASSIFIED PALESTINE E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guideline, June 12, 1979 By NLT- NC NARS, Date 11-13-to