Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Soviet Union, Eastern Mediterranean, Volume XXIV

366. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Turkey¹

Washington, October 18, 1957—9:15 p.m.

1268. Embtel 1140.² You should speak to Turks along following lines regarding tactics in face of Syrian complaint in GA:³

1) We desire closest collaboration with Turkish Government and Turkish delegation New York on this issue.

2) We believe we should make every effort to turn this matter to our advantage and to point up the threat to independence of Syria arising from indirect Soviet aggression and to security of ME arising from pile-up of Soviet arms in Syria. We also believe that outright Soviet threat against Turkey, and reported Bulgarian military movements on Turkish border if latter substantiated will lend themselves to exploitation.

3) Debate will of course give opportunity make clear that charges of aggressive intent made against Turkey, and allegations that US attempting to foment war against Syria, are entirely unfounded.

4) Our tentative thinking regarding tactics in GA, prior to ascertaining attitude other countries, is that we should work for reference of this matter to SC as organ of UN charged with primary responsibility for consideration of items involving alleged threats to peace, and better able to exercise responsibility on continuing basis. We believe that in this matter we should follow orderly procedure. See Charter Art. 11 (2).⁴

5) We have in mind introduction of resolution whereby Assembly, after discussion, would decide to refer Syrian complaint to SC with request that Council determine scope of investigation which should be made. Assembly may, however, insist on seeking itself to direct the investigation.

6) We would like urgently to receive views of Turkish Government regarding desirability of an investigating committee being despatched to area. If such a body were to go forward we would hope it might be composed of non-permanent members of SC. Although Syrian complaint calls for a UN group to investigate situation on Syrian-Turkish border, we are considering whether it would not be desirable for such group to be authorized also to investigate armaments situation in Syria and situations on Soviet-Turkish and Turkish-Bulgarian borders with particular reference to possible military movements. Soviets and Bulgars would probably not accept investigating group.

7) You should emphasize to Turks that these views are entirely preliminary, that we have not yet had an opportunity for full consultation with other delegations, and that we have reached no final determination with regard to procedure. We would welcome urgent and continuing consultation with Turks.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783.00/10–1757. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Rockwell. Repeated to USUN.
2. In telegram 1140, October 17, Warren reported on an October 17 conversation with Esenbel regarding forthcoming U.N. proceedings on Syria. According to the Ambassador, Esenbel believed that the time for the U.N. debate had arrived and that the United States and Turkish Delegates should work “closely together.” Warren solicited instructions from the Department regarding a reply to Esenbel. (Ibid.)
3. On October 15, in a memorandum for the agenda of the General Assembly’s Twelfth Session, Syria requested that, in view of the concentration of Turkish troops on the Syrian border, violations of Syrian air space, armed raids into Syrian territory, and shooting on the border, the General Assembly place the item on its agenda. For text of the Syrian memorandum, see U.N. Doc. A/3699.
4. Article 11, section 2, of the U.N. Charter noted that the General Assembly might discuss any question relating to the maintenance of international peace and security brought before it by any member of the U.N. Security Council, or by a nonmember state. For text of Article 11, see 59 Stat. 1038.