TURKISH ROLE IN N.A.T.O.

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27010, 9 April 1953, Page 9

TURKISH ROLE IN N.A.T.O.

Link Between East And West (Special Correspcndent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, April 8. “It would be idle tc minimise the difficulties obstructing the way to the organisation of Middle East defence, but Turkish diplomacy seems to think that with tact and perseverance they may be smoothed down and finally removed,” says the Ankara correspondent of “The Times,” discussing Turkey’s contibution to N.A.T.O. ana the rapid modernisation of her forces. “If common sense led a former member of the Cominform like Jugoslavia to co-operate with two members of N.A.T.O. like Turkey and Greece, there is no reason why it should not convince the Arab countries of the necessity of uniting themselves with Turkey and their Western friends for the common defence of the Middle TSast against the deadly peril that menaces it. The correspondent emphasises that already the part that Turkey is playing within the framework of N.A.T.O. has amply justified the opportuneness of her integration into it. “She is now in a position to resist Soviet pressure anti to devote her energies to the reorganisation of her armed forces with the help of British instructors and ‘lavish’ American war material and technical assistance. “It is estimated that from 1947 to June, 1953, the total value of American assistance amounts to about £350,000,000. of which 60 per cent, consists of direct military aid and war equipment and the rest comes under Marshall Aid and the Mutual Security Agency. However, many items under the last two heads are closely connected with military objects like road construction or the financial assistance given in order to enable Turkey to ear the burden of keeping her army on a war footing. Turkey, with a population of 20,000,000, possesses an army which, constantly improving in organisation and equipment, could by its size and high morale, stand comparison advantageously with any other army in Europe. “when th‘e reorganisation is completed the Turkish Army will comprise 22 infantry divisions supported by six armoured brigades and three cstvalry divisions apportioned into three armies of which the first covers Western Turkey—Thrace and the Straits area—the second guards Central Anatolia and its northern, western, and southern coasts, and the third keeps watch on the Caucasian frontier. Strength of Fleet “The Turkish fleet comprises 12 des 11 submarines, six minelayers, and 30 minesweepers. Part of the force has been placed under Lord Mountbatten’s Mediterranean Command of N.A.T.O. and the rest kept for the defence of Turkish coasts. The Turkish Air Force is small in comparison with the size of the army. Jet fighters have been given to Turkey, and Turkish pilots are being trained in their use in support of land forces. “However, the main Turkish contribution to* air warfare in the case of war would be the airfields being constructed in various parts of ths country. These airfields eventually will be most useful, not only' for protective purposes but also for counteroffensive operations. “Ninety-five per cent, of the Turkish armed forces are put at the disposal NA.T.O. This means that, with the exception of the very small percentage kept for home defence, practically the entire Turkish war*potential would be thrown into a war which, as every Turk realises, would be a life or death struggle for the Turkish nation. “Thus the Turkish Republic, continuing the long tradition formerly carried on by the Ottoman, and Byzantine empires is ready to perform once more the dual historic mission of acting as a link between the East and the West, and of a deterrent to the advance of the Moscovite colossus towards the south.”