The Turkish arms embargo : executive-legislative interaction

Author

Gulay Turhan

Date of Award

6-1983

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Political Science

Major Professor

Robert L. Peterson

Committee Members

Robert Cunningham, Vernon Iredell

Abstract

Since the late 1960s, Congress has exhibited a new dynamism in exerting its prerogatives in foreign affairs and has increasingly acted to constrain, to limit and often to dominate foreign affairs. Thus, the primary purpose of this study is to examine the Turkish arms embargo issue during the period of 1974-1978 as an illustration of the conflict between the executive and legislative branches over foreign policy issues and of Congress's efforts to impose its own foreign policy objectives on the administration.

The study is based on secondary sources in the form of scholarly works, contemporary newspapers and journal accounts, and public documents such as State Department releases. Congressional hearings and debates.

The study first provides the background of the embargo by describing the general pattern of congressional-executive relations in the foreign policy area and by presenting a brief history of the Cyprus crisis. The congressional decision-making process is then examined with particular attention given to the legal and political components concerning the issue, and to the effects of the following factors: the Post-Vietnam congressional mood to reassert its foreign policy prerogatives; the post-Watergate era crisis of confidence in executive leadership; the role and activities of the Greek-American lobby; disapproval over Turkey's decision to renew production of opium; and congressional dissatisfaction with the strategies and policies of Secretary Kissinger.

The study concludes that congressional activity in this case interfered with effective diplomatic action on the part of the executive branch and that effective foreign policy requires a partnership between the executive and legislative branches. Furthermore, the setting of the United States foreign policy course should be based on an enlightened understanding of the complete context of the countries and peoples involved in order to operate effectively in the complex international system.

Recommended Citation

Turhan, Gulay, "The Turkish arms embargo : executive-legislative interaction. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1983.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/14929