343. Letter From the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Knight) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Murphy)0
Dear Mr. Murphy: I was pleased to note in your letter of 22 July1 that you anticipate early action on clearance of a formal Circular 175 authority to negotiate an IRBM agreement with Turkey. We will take prompt action on the papers when they arrive.
The best estimate we can now make on the number of U.S. military personnel likely to be stationed in the Izmir area during the next five years, exclusive of those assigned to the IRBM squadron, is 920. This figure represents an increase of 60 over the current strength of 860. The IRBM squadron will require an initial assignment of approximately 1,100 personnel. [3 lines of source text not declassified]
[1 paragraph (5 lines of source text) not declassified]
The question of financing the family housing for U.S. personnel to be stationed in Turkey to implement the IRBM agreement is under study. However, MAP funds must be excluded from consideration since it has been determined that they cannot be made available for this purpose.
The USAFE Team currently making an on-the-spot survey has been directed to go into the questions of alternative sites, cost figures, and other pertinent information. Your staff has received copies of the cable directives for this team. I will provide additional details on control techniques together with family housing financing proposals as soon as possible.
Sincerely yours,
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 782.00/7–3159. Secret↩
- See footnote 2, Document 341.↩