Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 August 10, 1951 State By DEB NLT, Date 9-5-85 H T SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS GREECE-TURKEY A member of the French NATO delegation in London has informed Mr. Spofford that the French position on the admission of Greece and Turkey to the NATO, sub- ject to confirmation when the new government is formed, is as follows: France would have preferred a separate, inter-locked pact, but it will not oppose full membership provided the command structure is satisfactorily settled. France thinks both Greece and Turkey should be under SHAPE and that any Middle Eastern command should be under the Standing Group as such rather than a separate body composed of Standing Group members and Turkey. The French fear that such a separate body, even though com- posed of the three persons who comprise the Standing Group, would, with the addition of Turkey and possibly a Dominion representative, have in- terests and responsibilities in conflict with those of the Standing Group. The French delegate stated that unless any Middle Eastern command were directly subordinate to the Standing Group as such France would not agree to full membership. UNITED KINGDOM Embassy London reports that the whole tone and language of recent parliamentary debates on the Middle East foreshadows a sterner British policy in the area when these countries show themselves as victims of irresponsible nationalism. The Conservatives, if they come to power, will almost certainly establish a tougher British policy, but the Labor Government's own impatience with the Middle East, plus domestic political pressures, is already leading to a stiffer British attitude. The British take their "major responsibility" for the Middle East seriously and will look to the US for closer support in fulfilling this responsibility. But the British will look to us to support, not supplant, their own efforts. Welcoming our aid, they will listen to our advice, but they will definitely not want to be displaced or relegated to a secondary role in the Middle East. Our Embassy comments that, since our own commitments throughout the world are already so heavy, it is in our best interests to reap the maximum benefits from the present intense British interest in the Middle East and their willingness to shoulder responsibility there.