Foreign Relations: Planting the Seed

How much, if any, benefit is gained by all those official U.S. good-will trips abroad? The answer is rarely to be found in the present—in dramatic diplomatic coups, in visible switches of sentiment among the people or leaders of foreign lands. But sometimes—just sometimes—the seeds of future understanding can be planted. That was Vice President Lyndon Johnson’s aim as he neared the end of his 27-week journey through six countries.

Thus, while conferring with Premier Ismet Inonu in Turkey, he expressed U.S.

satisfaction with Turkey’s steps toward a true parliamentary form of government.

He assured Inonu that the U.S. would continue its military aid to Turkey. But he also pointed out that the U.S. is tightening up on its foreign economic aid programs—and the implication was plain that Turkey could not expect to stay on the receiving end unless it uses the money wisely and well.

In Cyprus, Johnson had a different mission. There, the island’s president, Archbishop Makarios, professes to be a friend to the U.S. even while turning a blind eye to a considerable and growing Communist movement on the island. President Kennedy had personally expressed his concern during a Makarios visit to Washington last June. It was Lyndon’s job to reiterate that concern.

In Greece, Johnson’s assignment was particularly sticky. On the theory that the Greek economy, long supported by the U.S., is now well able to sustain itself, the U.S. has cut to the nub almost all aid except money for military hardware. To Greeks, this seems almost a form of international treason, as if the U.S. were throwing an ally to the wolves. It was up to Johnson to explain the U.S. position.

The results of Johnson’s messages were not very exciting. The Turks seemed politely receptive. If Cyprus’ Makarios was impressed, he managed to conceal his feelings. Greece will certainly continue to be unhappy about the U.S. reluctance to bear gifts. But some time, maybe some time, the seeds of understanding that Lyndon Johnson planted may take productive root. In any event, it is worth the try.