368. Preliminary Notes of a Meeting of the Operations Coordinating Board0
[Here follows agenda item 1.]
2. Oral Briefing on Turkey (Secret)
Mr. Owen T. Jones, Director of the Office of Greek, Turkish and Iranian Affairs, gave an oral assessment to the Board on developments in Turkey since the May 27 coup. (On May 25 the Board had considered the Operations Plan for Turkey and, at that time, had requested a reassessment of the Turkish political situation.)1 Mr. Jones told the Board that the initial relief and optimism resultant from the actions and statements of the military junta had later been followed by anxiety which itself had later subsided.
He said the US has recognized the new regime which has the power but that to pinpoint its location within the junta is difficult. He thought that what comes to be the new government’s attitude toward the Status of Forces Agreement and the question of access to facilities might reveal whether there will be a changed line. Mr. Jones noted that it would be difficult to hold elections as one of the two major political parties had been shattered. He predicted that within a few months it should be easier to forecast the government’s orientation. He pointed out that Menderes had sought personnel reductions in the brigade in Korea.
Mr. Harr (White House) said it appeared we would have to proceed in our operations by making various assumptions regarding the new government. Mr. Riddleberger (ICA) noted we would have to go ahead with our planning and present program figures to the Congress. He considered his reports from Turkey somewhat encouraging. Mr. Harr raised the possible fate of the deposed Turkish leaders and suggested we seek means to ensure clemency for Menderes. Mr. Jones observed that, in this regard, we were operating in the realm of speculation. We did not know what the charges against Menderes might be but do know the Turks are unusually sensitive to outside interference.
Mr. Macy (Budget) noted that the Operations Plan had not indicated a “cash squeeze” on May 25 but that now the new government wais pressing for immediate assistance,2 and Budget was being asked to [Page 852] “juggle the books.” Mr. Jones said the money involved was for Defense purposes which had been well staffed in Washington. He suggested it would be unwise to have a confrontation with the new government at this particular time. The Turks were making a reassessment of their financial standing and would undoubtedly communicate with us when completed. Mr. Harr said a query to the field appeared to be in order. The Board agreed that the Operations Plan in which it concurred on May 25 be sent to the field with a covering memorandum indicating its provisional nature.
[Here follow the remaining agenda items.]
- Source: Department of State, OCB Files: Lot 61 D 385, M/OP Informal Notes 1960. Secret. Prepared by Jeremiah J. O’Connor.↩
- See Document 364.↩
- In a note delivered to the Department of State on June 10, the Government of Turkey reported that its deficit would reach $53.7 million by August 31. (Department of State, Central Files, 882.00/6–1060)↩