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13.

(iv) It would be difficult to continue to exclude from the Western

"defence club" two countries so closely aligned with Western Page 59offther Turkey or Greece were attackage they would almost certainly have to be supported by the N.A.T. Powers, whether or not they were members of the Organisation;

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(v) We should not be extending our commitment to Turkey, since we

are already bound by treaty to go to her aid if attacked.

The alternative of a Mediterranean Treaty, which the Americans themselves suggest and reject in their aide memoire, has never so far been fully explored. My general view is, however, that the arguments on this point in paragraph 4 of the American aide-memoire are sound and that a Mediterranean Pact would offer no advantages over Greek and Turkish membership of N.A.T.O.

Conclusion

14.

I therefore ask my colleagues to agree that we should accept the American proposal for the admission of Greece and Turkey to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and should support it when the question is raised by the North Atlantic Council Deputies.

Foreign Office, S. W.1.,

17TH MAY, 1951.

H.M.

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