The Council welcomed Mr. Butler to his first CENTO Ministerial Meeting since becoming Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom. In the traditional frank atmosphere of CENTO, the Council reviewed international development since it last met in Karachi.31 The Ministers particularly exchanged views on recent developments in the general area of the Middle East and discussed the implications of these events for the CENTO alliance. The Council expressed its deep concern over the violence which has occurred in Cyprus since December 1963 and in particular over the recent deterioration which has created a dangerous situation with grave implications for peace and security in the whole area. The Council declared its earnest desire that the violence should be brought to an immediate end in accordance with the letter and spirit of the United Nations Security Council resolutions. While welcoming the reduction in world tension which had occurred, the Foreign Ministers recognized that serious dangers to the peace and security of the Free World continue to exist. Specifically, they noted that the danger from subversive activities remains acute." The Ministers reaffirmed their objective of seeking peace and security through world disarmament under adequate safeguards, while maintaining a posture of constant vigilance. They noted with satisfaction that the Test Ban Treaty constituted a valuable first step on the road to disarmament.3 33 The Ministers observed the distinctive contribution of CENTO as a deterrent to aggression in the treaty area. They noted with satisfaction that, behind the defensive shield of the Organization, the regional countries were making noteworthy social, economic and political progress. The Council expressed pleasure at the continuing progress of CENTO in the economic sphere, noting the extensive activities of the Organization in wide-ranging technical fields and the beneficial developments that are occurring on the CENTO communication projects. The microwave and high frequency telecommunication projects linking the region will be in operation by the end of 1964.34 În addition, work is forging ahead on the Turkey-Iran and Iran-Pakistan highway projects; development work has been completed on the port of Trabzon and has begun on the port of Iskenderun; and the current pace of activity on the CENTO Airway will bring this valuable project to completion in 1965. The Council noted with particular pleasure the United States decision to help finance through long-term loans the CENTO railway project which will link the existing railway systems See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1963, pp. 571–572. Text ibid., pp. 1032-1034. 34 See ibid., 1962, p. 756. The microwave link between Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey was completed in Mar. 1964, and used for the first time during the Istanbul conference of the heads of state of Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, July 2021, 1964 (see post, doc. VII-7); a military communications system by 2-way radio teletype circuits between Ankara, Karachi, and Tehran, was inaugurated May 20, 1964. in Iran and Turkey, and the intention of the United Kingdom to increase their financial contribution to the economic activities of the Organization. The Council agreed that the contributions of the CENTO technical cooperation programmes and of the CENTO cultural relations programme are of value to the process of economic and social development in the region and have led to closer relations and improved understanding among the peoples of the member countries. The Council reviewed the report of the CENTO Military Committee 36 and discussed suggestions for further cooperation in the military sphere designed to strengthen the defence potential of the alliance. They also reviewed reports on CENTO military exercises, particularly the recent CENTO-sponsored air, land and sea operation "DELAWAR" in Iran, and the earlier "MIDLINK" naval and "SHAHBAZ" air defence exercises. The Foreign Ministers found their discussions of great value in achieving common understanding on world and regional problems and in planning the continuing work of the alliance. The Council expressed warm appreciation of the work of Dr. Abbas Ali Khalatbary during his current term of office as Secretary General. His appointment was extended for an additional three years. It was decided that the next meeting of the Ministerial Council will be held in Tehran in the Spring of 1965. Document VII-6 Soviet Support of the Arab Position on Israel and the Middle East: ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE U.S.S.R. (KHRUSHCHEV) BEFORE THE U.A.R. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, CAIRO, MAY 11, 1964 (EXCERPTS) 38 The Soviet Union supports the just demands of the Arab countries and all Arabs that Israel must carry out the United Nations resolutions on the Arab refugees from Palestine.39 We support the just demands of the Arab States in connection with the imperialist plans for the utilization by Israel of the waters of the River Jordan to the detriment of the rights of the Arabs who use those At a meeting of the CENTO Economic Committee at Ankara, Mar. 17, 1964, the U.S. delegation announced that the United States would provide long-term loans of $10.5 million to Turkey and $7,840,000 to Iran to cover foreign exchange costs for completion of the remaining section of the CENTO railway project from Mus to Tatvan in east Turkey, opened Oct. 25, 1964. Ultimately the CENTO railway project was to link up by ferry with the Iranian railroad at Sharafkhaneh in 1968, providing a railway link between London and Tehran via Turkey. "Keesing's Contemporary Archives, 1963–1964, vol. No. XIV, p. 20129. Chairman and Mrs. Khrushchev and Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko visited the United Arab Republic, May 9-25, 1964; Chairman Khrushchev took part in ceremonies marking completion of the first stage of the Aswan High Dam, May 13-14, 16, 1964. See post, docs. VII-13, 15. waters. 40 43 The Soviet Union regards with understanding and sympathy the demands of the peoples for the removal of foreign military bases in the Middle East-in Aden," Libya," and Cyprus. We also regard as just the demand for the abrogation of the enslaving treaties which were imposed by Britain on certain countries of the Middle East, and which provide for the introduction of British troops into these countries.“ Document VII-7 Regional Cooperation for Development: JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ SIGNED AT ISTANBUL BY THE PRESIDENT OF TURKEY (GURSEL), THE SHAH OF IRAN (MOHAMMAD REZA PAHLAVI), AND THE PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN (AYUB KHAN), JULY 21, 1964 45 The heads of state of Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, Iran's Shah-in-Shah Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi, Pakistani President Field Marshal Mohammed Ayub Khan, and Turkey President Cemal Gursel met in Istanbul on 20 and 21 July 1964. The heads of state reiterated their belief that regional cooperation is a basic factor in accelerating the pace of national development and contributing to peace and stability. They expressed the belief that the strong cultural and historic ties which link the peoples of their respective countries, and which already constitute a strong basis for cooperation, should be further reinforced in the common interests of all peoples of the region. For this purpose the heads of state have decided that all appropriate steps should be taken to further broaden and develop existing cooperation in all fields. They unanimously expressed their belief that this new cooperation should be implemented in a spirit of regional cooperation without harming their existing activities within other regional organizations of which they are a member. The three countries will be pleased to study the participation of other countries in the region in this cooperation. The heads of state, who reviewed the practical measures taken in connection with cooperation among the three countries by their foreign ministers at the meeting held on 3 and 4 July 1964 in Ankara, expressed their great appreciation of the progress already achieved in this direction." 40 See ante, doc. VII-1;post, docs. VII-8, 11. For a report on a May 13 1964, protest against this statement to the Soviet Ambassador in Tel Aviv (Bodrov) by the Israel Foreign Minister (Meir), see The New York Times, May 14, 1964. 41 See post, docs. VII-26, 29. 42 See American Foreign Policy, 1950-1955: Basic Documents, vol. II, pp. 2207-2223. 43 See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1963, p. 471, footnote 11. "U.A.R. President Nasser announced Soviet agreement to lend approximately $279,720,000 for the United Arab Republic 2d 5-year plan beginning in 1965, in a speech at a Cairo dinner given by Chairman Khrushchev, May 24, 1954. (See The New York Times, May 25, 1964; Keesing's Contemporary Archives, 1963-1964, vol. No. XIV, p. 20129. 45 Department of State files. In a joint communiqué issued at Ankara, July 5, 1964, the Foreign Ministers of Iran (Aram), Pakistan (Bhutto), and Turkey (Erkin) said they had “decided to cooperate in the implementation of national projects in the fields of communications, industry, mining, agriculture, education, health and regional development," and "to intensify and expand their cultural cooperation." Regarding Cyprus, they "stressed that the constitution and the agreements creating the Cyprus Republic are the sole legitimate basis for the establishment and preservation of the rule of law until a solution acceptable to the parties concerned is found." Regarding Kashmir, they "expressed their desire to see this dispute solved in the near future in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council." (Department of State files.) The heads of state declared that they support the proposals on common and regional interests drawn up on 18 and 19 July at the ministerial meeting in Ankara which preceded the three countries heads of state conference." They noted with [satisfaction?] the setting up of a ministerial council, composed of foreign ministers and other ministers of their governments, to adopt and implement appropriate decisions on matters of common interest. They noted with satisfaction the decision of their heads of government to set up a regional planning committee, which will be composed of the heads of the planning organizations of the three countries, and which will work to harmonize regional cooperation and development projects. They agreed to make arrangements for a secretariat to assist the regional planning committee and the ministerial council. Accord was reached in principle on the following points: 1-To promote free or freer exchange of goods through all kinds of practical means, such as the conclusion of trade agreements. 2-To establish closer cooperation between existing chambers of commerce and eventually to establish a joint chamber of commerce."8 3-To implement projects with joint aims. 4-To reduce postal fees among the three countries to the level of domestic postal fees. 5-To develop air transport services within the region and eventually to set up a strong and competitive international air line establishment among the three countries. 6-To set up a joint marine transport establishment in the field of marine transport or to seek means of closer cooperation, including the holding of conferences. 7-To carry out the work necessary to construct and develop railway and highway links. 8-To conclude an agreement in the near future between the three countries for the development of tourism; 9-To abolish visa formalities on travel between the three countries. 10-To provide mutual technical aid in the procurement of experts and educational facilities. The heads of states have also asked that all opportunities be sought to expand cultural development between the regional countries. The program on cultural relations, among other things, particularly proposes joint activities designed to create among the people of the region a desire to acquire a common heritage, to create seats in universities, to exchange students, to grant scholarships, to establish cultural centers, and to set up an institute to carry out studies and research on the common cultural heritage of the peoples in the region. The activities falling within the scope of this cooperation will be carried out under the title "Regional Cooperation for Development." The heads of state have expressed the hope that the spirit of excellent harmony and regional solidarity, which from the start prevailed in the Istanbul talks, will insure the attainment of the objectives and aims declared at the conference. They are confident that the joint efforts which will be exerted by their peoples for this purpose will unfold before them new horizons of hope and new opportunities, and that in this way they will contribute to world peace and the prosperity of the whole region." "Not printed here. 49 Formed at Karachi, Oct. 20, 1964. "For a report on a joint communiqué issued at Tehran by the ministerial council on Regional Cooperation for Development, consisting of the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Oct. 16, 1964, see Keesing's Contemporary Archives, 1963-1964, vol. No. XIV, p. 20439. Document VII-8 Arab League Council of Kings and Heads of State, Second Session, Alexandria, September 5-11, 1964: DECLARATION ISSUED SEPTEMBER 11, 1964 (EXCERPT) 50 The Council studies the Arab League Secretary General's report on the resolutions and principles adopted by the first session of the Arab Summit Conference, the implementations of these resolutions and means of strengthening them." The Council expressed its satisfaction with the unity of Arab ranks, with the progress of work on the resolutions of the first session, and with the initiation of collective constructive work for the advancement of the Arab people and for ensuring victory for the cause for which they are struggling. In its second session, the Council achieved remarkable success in strengthening the solidarity of the Arab world and of joint Arab action, and adopted resolutions augmenting and completing those of the first Summit Conference. The Council was unanimous in defining national objectives for the liberation of Palestine from Zionist colonialism and in committing itself to a plan for joint Arab action both in the present stage for which plans have been made, and in the following stage." The Council stressed the necessity of utilizing all Arab potentialities, and the mobilization of their resources and capabilities, in order to counter the challenge of colonialism and Zionism as well as Israel's continued aggressive policies and its insistence in denying the rights of the Arabs of Palestine to their homeland. 53 The Council adopted resolutions for the implementation of Arab plans, especially in the technical and military fields, including embarking on immediate work on projects for the exploitation of the waters of the River Jordan and its tributaries.54 The Council welcomed the establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organization to consolidate the Palestine Entity, and as a vanguard for the collective 50 U.N. doc. S/6003. This meeting was attended by the heads of state of the 13 countries of the Arab League (see footnote 1 to doc. VII-1, ante), except Lebanon represented by President-elect Helou, Morocco by Prince Moulay Abdallah; Saudi Arabia by the Prime Minister, Prince Faisal, and Tunisia by the Secretary of State to the Presidency, Bahi Ladgham. A representative of Palestine (Shukairy) also attended. 61 See ante, doc. VII-1. 62 See post, doc. VII-16. 63 The Joint Arab Defence Council met at Alexandria, Sept. 7-9, 1964, and agreed on Sept. 9 to adopt defense proposals that each country keep part of its armed forces permanently ready for any emergency. Kuwait, the United Arab Republic, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Yemen, would contribute a total of $11,550,000 a year for the next 5 years to cover costs. (See Keesing's Contemporary Archives, 1963-1964, vol. No. XIV, pp. 20335-20336.) 54 See ante, doc. VII-1; post, doc. VII-11. It was unofficially reported that the conference failed to reach agreement on diversion of the northern tributaries of the Jordan River (Hasbani, Banias, Dan Rivers) because of objections by Lebanon, which needed assurances of its security in event of attack by Israel once work began on diversion of the Hasbani River, and Syria, which reportedly felt that an early offensive against Israel would make the diversion scheme unnecessary. King Hussein of Jordan was ready to begin work on the Mokheiba Dam, near Maqarin on the River Yarmuk, a project which would not affect Israel's plan for use of Jordan River waters, because the Yarmuk enters the Jordan below the Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Tiberias or Lake Kinneret), the site of the Israel project. (See Keesing's Contemporary Archives, 1963-1964, vol. No. XIV, pp. 20335-20336.) |