Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, European Security and the German Question, Volume III, Part 1

Editorial Note

On November 3 the Soviet Embassy presented a note to the Turkish Government protesting the inclusion of Turkey in NATO and charging that Turkish territory was about to be used as a base for aggressive acts against the Soviet Union. The Government of Turkey replied on November 12, categorically denying the Soviet charges. A further Russian note of November 30 reiterated Soviet belief in the aggressive designs of NATO and warned that the adherence of Turkey to the North Atlantic Treaty would undoubtedly cause serious harm to the relations between Turkey and the Soviet Union. (Folliot, Documents on International Affairs, 1951, pages 68–71.) For further documentation on Soviet displeasure with Turkey’s decision to align itself with Western military command systems, see volume V, pages 1 ff.