MIDDLE EAST Observer's Pledge

Turkey clamored for help in its feud with the Greeks over Cyprus. Iran called for U.S. missiles and more economic aid. Pakistan was particularly annoyed because the U.S. had just proposed $225 million aid to India, its neutralist neighbor and rival claimant of Kashmir. Iraq, the Baghdad Pact's one Arab member, demanded action on the Palestine question --"the core of instability and restlessness in the Middle East." All four, who have dubbed themselves the "area" members of the Baghdad Pact to distinguish themselves from "donors" (meaning Britain and the U.S.), wanted more military and economic aid.

In Ankara's new Parliament building, U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles listened impassively. In theory, Dulles was present only as an "observer," because the U.S. is not a member, and to join the Baghdad grouping outright would antagonize Israel and Saudi Arabia. In reality, as the pact members recognized, only Dulles could save the meeting from failure and unseemly bickering. Britain's Selwyn Lloyd quickly made clear that Britain was sympathetic to the area members' pleas, but could offer no more help just now. It was up to Dulles.

Calm Focus. Shrewd and impenetrably affable, Dulles talked with calm realism. Let's get things in focus, was his theme. One and only one basic, unifying interest had brought members together: mutual defense against their Soviet Communist neighbor. Dulles argued that the U.S. could do more for the Baghdad nations by remaining outside the pact than by joining. The Baghdad Pact commits its members only to "cooperate for their security and defense." Under the Eisenhower Doctrine, Dulles pointed out, the U.S. is pledged to send its armed forces, on request, to the aid of any Middle East nation or group of nations under attack by any country controlled by international Communism. Said Dulles: "The Baghdad Pact group of countries can be confident that mobile power of great force would, as needed, be brought to bear against any Communist aggressor." By the five pact members, this was taken to mean instant support from Sixth Fleet planes and SAC bombers.

To the area members' plaintive citation of Russian aid to Syria and Egypt, Dulles promised that the U.S. Development Loan Fund would consider favorably any application for loans. Then, to the members' pleased surprise, Dulles promised that the U.S. would put up an additional $10 million to complete the telecommunications net linking the pact capitals, which was launched with $8,600,000 contributed by the U.S. last year.

Exhibits of Despotism. As for the vaunted Russian aid, Dulles pointed out that the Russian figures are misleading, since the Russians count trade in their totals, e.g., the money they pay Egypt for its cotton and Syria for its wheat. On that basis, U.S. aid to pact member countries alone amounted to $2.2 billion last year, and to about $10 billion over a five-year period. This could be compared with the $300 million Russia claims to be giving Syria over the next five years. Furthermore, said Dulles, the Russians have concentrated their aid in areas that have special strategic significance for them--two-thirds of all Russia's foreign aid outside the Soviet bloc goes to Syria and Egypt.

The U.S. policy, said Dulles, is to give assistance to the world society of free men spread over a vast area, and any other system would be incompatible with the spirit and traditions of the U.S. Altogether, the U.S. has given $60 billion in aid since World War II. Much more must be done, but no one should be despondent because of a few spectacular exhibits of despotism.

Reassured and mollified, the area members stilled their differences in a communique expressing "satisfaction" with the U.S. position. Even Iraq's Nuri asSaid, who had gone to Ankara threatening to withdraw Iraq from the pact unless he got its backing for a Palestine solution, was persuaded by Dulles and Britain's Selwyn Lloyd not to raise the issue publicly. As the delegates departed, an Iraqi aide conceded: "We are much happier than we were, thanks to Mr. Dulles." John Foster Dulles flew home with accomplishment recorded.

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