681.82/9–2850: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Athens 1
1088. Re Embtel 1072 [1073].2 US reps in Ankara have on nr occasions raised subj Grk-Turk coop. Gen McBride3 in conversations here reported improved attitude on part Turk mil leaders concerning usefulness [Page 425] Grk-Turk staff talks. Dept presumes Amb Wadsworth will continue place emphasis on desirability such coop in his conversations with Turk officials. Dept not inclined, however, suggest any extraordinary representations by Amb Wadsworth at this time, particularly since Turks may well resent Grk efforts exercise pressure thru US. Dept hopes mil coop, which unquestionably desirable, will evolve naturally from arrangements to be created permitting Grk and Turk assoc in NATO mil planning work for Medit area.4 Moreover, US wld not be prepared participate in Grk-Turk staff talks outside NAT planning org.
Dept perceives no objection if, when subj raised again, you advise Grk Govt that since US officials have from time to time mentioned to Turk auths desirability closer Grk-Turk mil coop and since Dept hopes mil planning work in assoc with NATO will meet Grk objectives Dept questions usefulness further US representations at this moment. Dept, however has no desire discourage any further Grk initiative in this regard.
Efforts within recent years improve econ coop between Greece and Turkey have foundered for lack specific fields of proposed coop. Unless Grks have developed certain fields in which closer coop might usefully be advanced Dept sees little advantage in raising this issue again at this time.
- Repeated as telegram 172 to Ankara.↩
- September 28, p. 422.↩
- Maj. Gen. Horace L. McBride, former Chief, Joint Military Mission for Aid to Turkey.↩
- For documentation on Greek and Turkish association with North Atlantic Treaty Organization defense planning for the Mediterranean area, see vol. iii, pp. 1 ff.↩