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6/1/1952 - Americans in Turkey by Richard D. Robinson

RDR Americans Turkey INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS zveren Sokak No Maltepe Ankara Turkey June Mr Walter S Rogers Institute Current World Affairs Fifth Avenue New York New York Dear Mr Rogers Stripped trappings United States policy Turkey designed shore Turkish military strength American power position global politics R The prodts effort perhaps accurately corollaries substantial American financed economic development cultural propaganda programs When Turkey entered NATO SHAPE effect Turks attack would considered attack As situation stands doubt attack would involvement World War IIl This means shouldered heaviest responsibilities toward Turks therefore vital interest build rapidly possi internally powerful Turkey Ingredients power military economic psychological hence military JAMMAT economic assistance ECA MSA educational USIE programs That strategic political position Turkey warrants heavy involvement debated letter discussion beyond purview these comments The policy fixed policy which American agencies Turkey attemptin implement The administration American foreign policy Turkey proceeded relatively smoothlye Those responsible highly commended Few major incients either personal policy level marred gradUal development close official American Turkish alliance This relative absence serious friction remarkable considers extent American investment Turkish military economic development I large number Americans serving Turkey divers capacities several different agencies represented responsible Adminis tration foreign policy S American influence heavy though subtle fields Turkish administration American OS8 V million direct economic IV5 million indirect economic milllon military million As I0 May there U S Governmen employees American citizenship Turkey agencies U S Embassy Consultes utual Security Administration Joint American ilitary Nission Aid Turkey U S Bureau Public Roas Nission Turkev technical assistance groups largest which Agricultural Advisory Commlssion U S Information Education Service Total staff Am alien Aerican advisers cajole highway construction packing eucaion raffic control What relationship cajolers Wha pressure applied accomplish which desirable necessary An fields Unite Sabes refuse apply pressure It answers queries following welve presente Case No I FIELD TRAINING TEAMS Under Joint Military Aid Mission Turkey Field Training Teams three Turkish Army Headquarters supported division brigade regiment Such teams essentially advisory units inspection never sometimes something Six months estimated nerican Aid supplied vehicles assigned Army order perhaps those Army The reason maintenance Out order merely deadlined Amerlcsn sense meant literally wheels would At present perhaps operating condition How potentially disastrous situation dressed The Job direct intervention American Field Teams Standard operating procedure requies finds something amiss Turkish either resoect equipment training commanding officer What should If refuses conform officer informed matter eported aakara If still stands adamant report Military Aid Mission Headquarters Ankara where matter taken those members Turkish General Staff concerned As American Field Team member declared Then almost invariably action Turkish commanders As result cooperation level excellent Case No AN AMERICAN ADVISER A vehicle parts depot Central Anatolian One vehicles assigned depot needed brake fluid The depot stocked brake fluid The Turkish major charge depot nonetheless refused issue fluid On grounds depot specifically authorized The American officer adviser present asked Major It suggested another depot miles distant which authorized requisition items brake fluid asked requisition fluid fluid truck there The Major realized stupid waste materials refused anything because regulations until American officer sined written order otherwise The depot assigned drivers vehicles One facing Jail sentence The American adviser advise Turkish Major soldier police until another driver assigned The Major afraid assume responsibility action suggested Americanw order Such driver Case No S MILITARY PERSONNEL When American Military Aid Mission arrived Turkey found Turkish Arm possession inadequate obsolete equipment inadequate obsolete personnel system The system noted chiefly absence Trained NO0 rarity Training impractical There personnel classification Highschool college graduates commissioned indiscriminately though could officer status regardless fitness A rigid caste system prevailed separate officers enlisted officers willing anything themselves losing Hence undue training lecture rather demonstration substantial number soldiers utilized house servants officer personnel Personal initiative soldier NO0 iseourage To assimilate utilize efficiently modern military equipment flowing Turkey rapid whole overhaul Turkish Army personnel training systems called By personal persuasion occasional table pounding American advisers these thins accomplished least incorporated thinking Turkish General Staff proposed National Assembly A NO0 making possible officer status qualified NCO Institution testing classification system which basis assignments ultimately Inaugaration service training schools great expansion technical training generally Reorganization Reserve Officers Training Scho Organization personnel section Turkish General Staff assignment separate personnel officers Jot headquarters Elimination soldiers personal servants officers proposed National AsSembly acted Requirement troop before admission Military Academy adopted Reduction initial stint Pay Increase NCO rejected National Assembly Asked these things would absence American Military Aid Mission highly placed U S military official replIed I doubt Case No MEAT PACKING DISPUTE In Soil Products Office engaged American engineering design packing plant Shortly thereafter Turkish Government sporoached ECA financing project ECA brought experts quickly ascertained original project elaborate costly Turkey A smaller aproved ECA financing money appropriated basis It appeared neither enineeri Soil Products Office paying slightest attention limitations imposed E CA For various reasons meanwhile suspicion aroused intentions American ECA informed Turkish Government these suspicions Tuks broke contract ostensible reason cancellation being conformance ECA specifications Other engineers imported ECA project modest scale Repeatedly efforts reach agreement Tuks scaled plant Turkish Government would decision Finally ECA Washington exasperated delay asked reimbursement Turks I million The Turks replied saying wouladhere specifications ECA needed The Chief ECA Mission Ankara Turks strong specifying Soil Products Office funds would qualified technical assistance design mutually satisfactory plant ECA would insist complete reimbursement The Tuks finally moved their hired three Amer Meat Packlng Stitute ECA agreed decision these followed reimbursement would demanded The experts country Case No BUDGET DEFICIT In constructing budget Turkish Government found itself faced I74 million deficit roughly Casting about means pluging Tuks scheme using million liras w6rth ECA counterpart funds Suah written budget though A gency T Ish Government assigned Sob buying storing marketing processing certain types produce These called counterpart funds created through domestic goods imported Turkey financed ECA grant This means Turkish naton whole receives Ift consuming Indlvduals firms agencies local currency which received The counterpart funds which accumulte property Tuklsh Government utilized without prior agreement ECA prior concurrence secured EOA Mission Ankara point agreement being required inter oVernmental under In ECA officials insisted proect financed connterpart funds examined carefully approved merits In balancing budget these funds Turk nominal assignment investment items budget ECA officials satisfied efused release 174million liras Turkish officials attempted local ECA Mission appealing ECA Washington In Turks success referred Ankara mission Eventually Turkish Government compelled produce acceptable programs utilization these funds accumulated counterpart since eleased But initial dispute which bitter words EGA Mission Ankara refused budge position though matter became politically embarrassing Turkish Government Case No AID TO LABOR In December Roy F Renoud organizer AP Ls Electricians International Labor Division Mutual Secrlty Agency Paris brief survey Turkish labor His Pemommendations That labor advisor added staff EGA NSA Mission maintain close working relationship wihlabor reque Deputy Ninister Labor labor organizations country That labor reoognltlon representation alllevels ofactivitynrelationtotheAandMutual Security Aid programs provided Benton amend That Information Office EGA Hission establish weekly bulletin release various labor publleations throughout Turkey aTeeable Infomatlon Division That labor Stat opportunity learn methods collective baraining praetised American labor movement H ORoyF Ren oudtoRussellH Doff LaborSurvey Tuke_y Ankara December The Benton Amendment Security Act It hereby declared policy Congress Act shall administered encourage where suitable development strengthening labor union movements collective bargaining agencies within participating countries Public Law hapter Section Congress Session Shoofly thereafter Russell Do ECA Chief Ankaea turned these recommendations basls actlvty would embroil ECA In domestic Turkish political affalrs _second Turklsh movement doubtful significance Wlthln weeks theless reversed hlmself equested advlser staff M eanwhile USIE office Istanbul contacted Turk labor leadership quietly transmittin labor information United States Even American ficials concerhed worried USIE reson tivity accused aiding abetting class struggle hence communism Turkey Recently attempt delay introduction authorizing right strike Government spokes accused Turkish labor being unduly influenced communists It doubtful communists liible influence organized Turkish labor though present restrictions labor continue indefinitely degree communist influence might crease thereby running counter U S interests Case TURKEY AND THE EPU On May MSA Mission Ankara announced allotment additional million Mutual Se curity funds Turkey account European Paymemts Union Th New allotment cover Turkev trade deficit European Payments Union Acting Chief Mission Henry W Wiens press The Turkish Government taking stron measures lanee trade deficit EPU under control The Mutual Security Agency proud assist allotment An outstanding feature Turkish Government covering deficit emphasis increasin exports I0 By making million available under certain ditions MSA lever resolve existin diffebeneswiththe_ks conditions certain measures taken controlling Turkey deficit EPU including vigorous steps expedite exoorts includin cereals cotton minerals Ministry Defense given priority claim available foreign exchange Ti situation developed Since writing RDR The European Payments Union ablished September effect clearing house which central banks partici pating countries members through which settle their accounts another Each country deficits member nations offset against surpluses others single settlement between central Clearin house EPU necessary A debtor country meets deficit payment dollars Payments Union nless deficit within fixed limits purel seasonal character A creditor country receives vment cover wupluses prtly dollars The remains simply European currencies owedto creditor nation Union Turkey debtor countr utilized signed quota durin current fiscal Unable dollar obligations Union MSA funds allocoted Press Release No Mut Security Agency Ankara RDR PaeV grain storage project accelerated certain changes power construction programs counterpart Ministry Defense MSA common items II without duction expenditure proram Case No FARM PROGRAING UNDER PRESSURE As reported RDR January Turkish Ministers Agriculture Sae their signatures Agricultural Project Agreement which stipulated Marehall Plan tractors equipment ordered future those suitable cereal production Marshall Plan tractors ported allocated Seyhan Manisa Aydln Iel Izmir Hatw Antalya provinces wealthy provinces lndlordism prominent The upshot ministers concurred these conditions dismissed Cabinet ECA informed Turkish governm would honor inasmuch never properly acted Since reoortin series events I received further details position intimately vJhat transpired behind scenes The following summarizes statement By Spring Ser Of agricultural adviser FA issi0n Ankara intensely concerned What feared concentration equipment certain areas would happen materializing Turks renegih agree agricultur credit would administered favor cereal production purchase matched modest equipment Agricultural credit administrators tonin morelikely Just misunderstanding group purchase principle equipment which ECA hoped would peasant program Certain ECA officlalsc extremely irritated Turks apparent faith inability administer general reement decided program based prohibition rather positive An agreement incorporating approach drawn signa This American tured inisters State Ariculture occupation working objectives rather method approach their intense concentration technical rather political aspects matched situation Turkish inistries State Agriculture unfortunate break agricultural polie freeze ission inisters This situation played cerned dismissed Cabinet hands inistry Foreign Affairs which rently seekln every opportunity express petulan disapproval exert maximum pressure government relative securin Turkey admission So inistry Foreign Affairs verythiu possible NAT0 Ater U S support Turke Vs in61uslon within maintain freeze NAT0 announ ahead program almost miracu cooperation agreement I itemsot iusvei military nature clothing Summarized letter agreement signed Russell H Dorr SA concurred Fatin R Zorlu Turkish Government April This policy having further importation heavy equlpmant eertaln aress T2key first become inflamed during Fall B V Winte controversy The March Cabinet crisis matter Turks provided opportunity renouncing previous agreement ECA Mission subSect opportunity which quickly advan So existed where sides concessions Hence June July Mission relunctantly rmmed additional imports tractors matched equipment In doing there almost break between certai members Mission All concurred terms Minister Foreign Affairs letter June worked Thus Doff Chief Mission posmmed additlonal tractors program against preference doing tactical order control composition equipment imports Turkey He tractors lever force recognition principles import program whole considered include adequate provisionfer parts equipment units balance pBtten credit administration further matched futhe sales equip should concentrated cereal producing_ areas through credit controls limiting sales localities which distributo ships existed emphasis placed extension credit those wishing This spelled Turks prior writing Foreign Minister lette June which settled argument No A FLICK OF THE EAGLE S WING Although Lausanne Treaty provided continuation existing foreign medical Turkey Turkish domestic since Republic permitted issuance medical licenses cltizens In nonetheless permission Panted American doctor already under Teaty succeeded American doctor This chane policy affected following manne Deeming auspicious reason rapidly rising American prestige Turkey American Ission Board officials approached U S Embassy Ankara securin permission particular individual replace missionary doctor already retirement The Ambassador became personally interested A months number level conversations between Turks Americans Turkish Gover nment induced propose draft National Assembly which would empowered inistrv Health grant licenses foreign doctors When became quite obvious defeated ermitted Government parliamentary leaders quickly retired committee burial search formul See RDR pages terms letter It effect agreement certain programs undertaken cereal production launched Such discovered after inter governmental convers ations submission memolre Embassy The formula which emerged predieatedponr8interpretation Lausanne Treaty permit replacement foreign doctors already licensed Having decision validity inter pretation Order Council sufficed grant permit Apparently Order never publis Government ofeiCialm warned those Americans concerned opposition would generated decision subject popular discussion Thus steer between U S Embassy National Assembly Turks granted permission practice medicine within existing medical institution license practice freely Turkey Later doctor concerned commented It would prove presence delightful accomplished gentle flick eagle It seems doubtful U S Ambassador interested himself limited license would granted American doctor Case No AMERICAN VISAS Recently former professor sociolo University Ankara perhaps leading authority Turkish folklore invited United States professor University Callfornia It apoened particulr Turkish professor three charged leftism tried Frustrated court University shottly therea removed theprofessor chair leavin without Job Preliminary going United States course became necessary Professor secure American already given passport Turkish Forei Offic The refused ostensibly grounds professor America supplied necessary documents reality I learned later because Turkish secret police indicated suspicion Professor political beliefs It turned custom United States Consul consult Turkish scret peliee Via applicants If political clearance Turkish police refused apparently without further investigation question Americans The Turkish professor impatient Paris He difficult securing French Case Ne II BLACKARKETEER There American Ankara Ja He Kenneth Roberson warrant officer formerly Air Attache office Ankara convicted Turkish court Summer charges large scale blackmarket operation He sentenced Jail fined Turkish about Inasmuch csnnot faces total years Jail Though confused there legitimate doubt Roberson guily charges former American Ambassador Turkey fused ineres himself matter The reason Roberson shoul never turned himself Turkish police Id thereby creating unfavorable publicity The Americans inended nohing Turks Roberson counry Having heard remarks informed persons hiher officials prime movers blackmarket which Roberson alone stands convicted American Journalist became interested To obtain whole story necessary interview Roberson After passing Ankara District Attorney visit Roberson would possible American Ambassador would request permitted This Ameicsn Ambassador refused grounds would constitute Interference Turkish affairs Case No FREEDOM OF THE PRESS In Spring American Journalist applied Turkish Press Office permission travel through eastern provinces Turkey Foreignors moving Euphrates River carry special permission Ministry Interlor Generally there little difficulty securin permit though considerable delay involved After weeks Journalist notified request turned A second quest similar The U S Embassy ssked inquiries should The Journalist received followin reply Embs The outheastern Turkey Euphrates River military administratively prBhibted which foreigner allowed tavel without permission Mioistry Interior Since prohibition general applying foreigners categories I think properl described abridgement recognized principles freedom Dress The question closed travel foreigners without permission excluded Turkish Government Jurisdiction foreign consulates Turkey And Embassy refused inquiy After further argument second letter produced Embassy which stated There ar__e places America other lands which Americanopeople I The author compare eastern third Turkey Oak Ridge completely missing points course which eastern Turkey Oak Ridge ressonable facimile several large U S financed ECA projects underway eastern Turkey press coverage Of which subject clause Turkish American Aid Agreement I three havin gined permit travel estern Turkey wander perfect freedom those provinces Journalists hence validating claim military security From beginning smacked dlscriminaory which delayed eensorshlp R Much ascertained Embassy thereason refusal Turks found brief articles ritten previously Journalis question which mildly criti certain aspects Turkish Army specifically training organization I retaliate these remarks permission denied Such delayed censorship having reporting American Aid Turkey interest U S Embassy From these cases emerges pattern ficial relationship American TurM In economic milia spheres U S adminis trators perfectly willing pursue issue point ultimatum political embarrassment matter essentially political freedom press encouragement labor rights American subjects reverse American officials inclined slowly offending In truth singular aspects admiis tration American foreign policy emphasis attached gaining approbation vocal Turke It appears American officials primarily concerned With public relat favorable utterances vocal public secondarily promotion American political principles Probably nothing produces reaction American officials posted public criticism anticipation suche One reason curious allergy possibly found nature American mentality SociologlsDavidReisman inhworkTheLonelyCrowd classifies societies domlnaSingpe rsonali Tpes traition irected other directed In first instance Letter signed arwick Pekins Counselor Embassy Ankara Ii April I Letter signed Gillesple S Evans Public Affairs 0fficer Ankara July I49 A Teement Aid Turkey July I4 reads The Government Turkey Government United St cooperate essurin peoples United States Turkey inform concernin assistance furnished pursuant agreement To consistent security countries I Representatives Press Radio United States permitted observe freely report fully regarding utiliZation assistance Article III David Reisman The L onely Crowd Y University Press New Haven Chapter individual defined functional relationship other members group Relative stability preserved infrequent highly import process fitting suchdeviantss there institutionalized In inner directed society source direction individual sense Implanted early elders directed toward enerlized nonetheless inescapably destined goals Other directed individuals uided action their contepoaies The toward which other directed person strives shift uidance process striving itself process payin close attention signals others remain unaltered throuhout The actual goals shift Classical personalities these three found personsof Anatolisn peasant Puritan modern American urban middle class The values latter Reisman finds plaing increasingly important shaping American thought Is American foreign policy Turkey Turkish leaders rather coldly calculated interests United States interest which tansliterated Turkish terms means emegence powerful Turkey possible shortest posslble Is constant American foreign oliey desire liked approved others In short other dlrected American society itself becoming It wouId JudgingfomtheTuklshexperience Butinsobeing itmay constitute enlightened foreign policy devlsed Play olStleal others dictate through popularity And through popularity exert pessue chane poltlcl level whout proclaiming principles whleh counte status societies which operating In Turkish ststus itself productive strength peaceful chane policy beopeatlve advlsed But there dilemma Whie perfectly relatively Turks Justifiable cause become violently American sense American prestige fewer reason ecome emotionally charged Americnism To Anatolians Americanism defined icily functional terms It which America Turkev which meaningful R True supplying Turkey large ottOf material ideas prlnclples machines And effort achieve universal popularity pursu operational level clearly defined political principles We intervene balance freign trade maximize effectiveness machinery alter organization Turkish Army hesitate active interest Turkish labor movement stand irrevocablyr freedom press Hence difficult Turk become devoted American cause communist Soviet It perhaps reason there American Internatlonal In fortunate Inherent administration U S foreign policy Turkey fundamental conflict which American officials constantly attempting esolve To build strong Turkev pldly esslble calls direct intervention sectors Tukish affairs American advisors That intervene certain economic military matters several cases presented Even greater intervention called particularly political level Turkey maxlmm efficiency machines techniques which trying strengthen military economic titutions Examples It doubtful efficient industry possible absence labor movement It doubtful further inter governmental Justified energetic action encoagngroregn vestment The exemption agricutal income tation probably means US tfunds quired bolste Tkish defense expenditures thane Justified Restrictions channels conication might oneday conceivablyendercotion Aidpro though termination might counter erican interests Intervention political matters would perhaps stinging criticism Even purely economic matters illustrated cases discussed above application American corrective pressure created temporarily situations Obviously foreign nolicy increased power expanding popularity times compatible Therein fundamental problem American foreign policy Turkey suspected greater extent elsewhere On problem American administrators Turkey expressed selves uestion It would shortcomings Turkish Armed oCesin reference supply personnel policy training extremely dangerous security Turkey ourselves Do therefore United States Government should apply pressure effect certain basic reforms short critical cannot afford longe stand ceemony General Arnold That would worst thing esrthtO Te coopertin elize their short If forced would through forms You results In opinion mainSeaance million fiends worth diplomacy uestion There certain school thought United StateSWC wouldhave S bringgreterpressure forbasic economic reforms countries benefittin American What comment srVieW MaS Gene William H Arnold Chief Joint American Mllitay Mission Aid Turke Ankara September Mr Dorr That something woPked through personal relations That keeps scrambling It matter human relations plaining mutual interests The Aid Areement Turkey shall maximum natural resources We cannot change things night these people As progressively Sob overseas economic military assistance correspondingly geter degree American intervention requie conserve maximize eturn investment Such intervention times assume political strike basic problems points resistance In event there sharp between economic militawy political And beneficiary countries become increasingly dependent United States material uidance likely inclined esist pressure change apply It process subtle though already advanced Turkey The degree U S intervention Turkish affairs seems growing investment increases number American advisors expands A Prime Minister question party What happen budget Marshall Aid The PM answered saying This stste equire support Marshall Plan Country Turkey pesition support herself Given Russian Bear polar nature power given capital formation Turkey relative dearth industry there doubt vlidity Prime Minlsters onouncement That asked question indicates suspicion abrosd Turkey already riding uneasily proverbial tiger Sinceelv vours Richard D Robinson Received New York Inter Wlth HJ Doff Chief ECA Special Mission As reported Th_e Turish Times May I Turkey Ankara January