TURKISH REPLY TO RUSSIA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28490, 21 January 1958, Page 11

TURKISH REPLY TO RUSSIA

“No Problem With Syria”

(N2 Press Association —Copvrtpht) (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) ANKARA, January 20. The Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Adnan Menderes, has told the Soviet Premier, Marshal Bulganin, that there is no problem existing between Turkey and Syria or any other Arab country.

Mr Menderes’s reply to the Soviet Premier’s message of last November 22, advising relaxation of Turkish-Syrian tension to improve relations between Russia and Turkey, was reported last night. The Turkish Premier said that Marshal Bulganin’s remarks and views were far from facilitating the realisation of Turkish-Russian friendship and relations based on reciprocal confidence.

“We have no problem with the Syrian nation to be solved,” said Mr Menderes. “This truth also concerns our relations with all our Arab brothers.”

It was officially announced yesterday that the Turkish Defence Minister, Mr Semi Ergin, had resigned and that Mr Ethem Menderes, Minister of Public Works, had been appointed to succeed him.

The State Minister and Deputy Premier, Mr Tevflk Ileri, had been appointed Minister of Public Works, the announcement said.

The Defence Minister’s resignation is believed to be related to the arrest of nine Army officers accused of plotting against the Government.