GCHQ

by Richard Aldrich

  10 Allen (Ankara) to Rennie (FO), 13.04.64, C119/2, FO 371/174762.

  11 ‘Envoy Komer’s Car Burned in Turkey’, Washington Post, 07.01.69.

  12 Ankara to SoS, No.669, ‘TUSLOG Bombed’, 29.01.71, Subject Numeric Box 2229, RG 59 NARA.

  13 This was James Finley. Baumann, Diplomatic Kidnapping, p.89.

  14 Bamford, Puzzle Palace, p.159

  15 The four airmen were S/Sgt Jimmie Sexton and three Airmen 1st Class: James M. Gholson, Larry Heavner and Richard Caraszi. ‘No More Tribute for Terrorism’, Time, 22.03.71.

  16 Ankara to SoS, No.933, ‘Kidnapped Airmen: Situation Mid-Morning 5 March’, 5.03.71, Subject Numeric Box 2229, RG 59 NARA.

  17 Kissinger to Nixon, ‘Kidnappings in Turkey’, 06.03.71, FRUS, 1969–76, Vol.XXIX, pp.1082–3

  18 Krahenbuhl, ‘Political Kidnappings in Turkey’, pp.45–7

  19 Ibid., pp.39–40

  20 Ibid., p.48

  21 The terrorists were Deniz Gezmişs, Yusuf Aslan, Huesyin Inan, Sinan Cemgil and Mete Ertekin. Baumann, Diplomatic Kidnappings, pp.89–91

  22 Bamford, Puzzle Palace, p.160.

  23 Krahenbuhl, ‘Political Kidnappings in Turkey’, p.6

  24 Sarell (Ankara) to FCO, 08.06.71, FCO 9/1468. Also private information.

  25 ‘A Tempting Target’, Time, 31.05.71.

  26 Krahenbuhl, ‘Political Kidnappings in Turkey’, p.4

  27 Baumann, Diplomatic Kidnappings, p.173

  28 Ankara to SoS, No.721, ‘Istanbul Reaction to Deniz Gezmişs Gang Death Sentences’, 13.10.71, Subject Numeric Box 2639, RG 59 NARA

  29 Ankara to SoS, No.167, ‘Erim Announces Military Involvement in Cayan Escape’, 01.05.72, Subject Numeric Box 2638, RG59 NARA.

  30 Short (Ankara) to FCO, ‘Turkey: Internal Security’, 22.02.72, FCO 9/1604.

  31 Sam Cohen, ‘Appeal by Three Rejected’, Guardian, 11.01.72. See also Short (Ankara) to FCO, ‘Turkey: Trials of Extremists’, 07.12.71, FCO 9/1604.

  32 Short (Ankara) to FCO, ‘Turkey: Martial Law’, 25.01.72, FCO 9/1604.

  33 Sam Cohen, ‘Turkey Purges Army “Rebels” ‘, Guardian, 13.03.72.

  34 Sam Cohen, ‘Death Penalty for Two’, Guardian, 28.12.71.

  35 Ankara to SoS, No.282, ‘Important Development in Internal Security Situation’, 14.03.72, Subject Numeric Box 2638, RG 59 NARA

  36 Ankara to SoS, No.607, ‘President Signs Three Death Sentences’, 24.03.72, Subject Numeric Box 2637, RG 59 NARA

  37 Ankara to SoS, No.379, ‘Developments on Kidnapping of NATO Tech Reps’, 28.03.72, Subject Numeric Box 2638, RG 59 NARA; ‘Britons Who Escaped Tell of Their Ordeal’, The Times, 01.04.72.

  38 Ankara to SoS, No.476, ‘Kidnapping of Three British Tech Reps’, 27.03.72, ibid.

  39 Douglas-Home to Sarell, tel. no.31, 27.03.72, PREM 15/1256.

  40 Erim to Heath, PM’s Personal Message T125/72, 28.03.72, ibid.

  41 Douglas-Home to Sarell, tel. no.31, 27.03.72, ibid.

  42 Statement by SoS FO in House of Commons, 28.03.72, ibid.

  43 Ankara to SoS, No.876, ‘Kidnapping of Three Tech Reps: PM’s Statement’, 29.03.72, Subject Numeric Box 2638, RG 59 NARA

  44 Everett (PUSD) minute, ‘Kizildere Trial’, 07.06.73, FCO 9/1849. Also Sam Cohen, ‘Guerrillas Killed British Experts’, Guardian, 01.05.73.

  45 Brown (Ankara) to FCO, ‘Kizildere Trial’, 05.06.73, FCO 9/1849.

  46 Leeland (Ankara) to FCO, ‘Kizildere Trial’, 31.08.73, enclosing extract from Gunaydin, 23.08.73, ibid.

  47 Brown (Ankara) to FCO, ‘Kizildere Trial’, 05.06.73, ibid.

  48 Ankara to SoS, No.2593, ‘Kidnapping of NATO Tech Reps’, 07.04.72, Subject Numeric Box 2638, RG 59 NARA. See also Sarell (Ankara) to FCO, tel. no.412, 30.03.72, PREM 15/1256.

  49 Ibid. The commandos later recovered four machine guns, twenty-seven pistols, 2,358 rounds of ammunition, thirty-six grenades and two radio sets. SWB report, ME/3962/C/1, 13.04.72.

  50 Obituary, Sir Roderick Sarell, Telegraph, 22.11.01.

  51 Erim to Heath, PM’s Personal Message T126/72, in immediate Ankara tel. no.471, 31.03.72, PREM 15/1256; Heath to Erim, PM’s Personal Message T128/72, in immediate Ankara telegram No. 473, 31.03.72, ibid. Also Wright (FCO) to Downing St, 31.03.72, ibid.

  52 Sarell (Ankara) to Heath (PM), 30.03.72, ibid.

  53 Heath to Mrs G. Banner and Mrs C. Taylor, 30.03.72, ibid.

  54 Kennedy (Ankara) to FCO, 10.04.72, FCO 9/1604; Ankara to SoS, No.914, ‘Student Protest Shoot-Out at Kizildere’, 04.04.72, Subject Numeric Box 2638, RG 59 NARA; Ankara to SoS, No.507, ‘Incidents at Istanbul University’, 06.04.72, ibid.

  55 Ankara to SoS, No.2593, ‘Ransom Note Finally Found’, 11.04.72, Subject Numeric Box 2638, RG 59 NARA.

  56 Fyjis-Walker (Ankara) to FCO, 08.05.72, FCO 9/1605.

  57 Krahenbuhl, ‘The Turkish Communists’, pp.405–13.

  58 Short (Ankara) to FCO, 07.07.72, FCO 9/1605.

  59 Golden and Youatt (Solicitors) to Graham (FCO), ‘The Late John Stuart Law’, 07.07.72, DEFE 13/1332.

  60 Wright minute, 01.07.72, on Brown (Ankara) to FCO, ‘Kizildere Trial’, 22.05.73, FCO 9/1849.

  61 FCO to Brown (Ankara), 02.02.73, ibid.

  62 GCHQ is mentioned directly in Prendergast min. ‘J.S. Law Deceased’, 27.06.72, ibid.

  63 On John Somerville as PEO see Benjamin, Five Lives in One, pp.150–1.

  64 Wolfe (FCO) to Leeming (CSD) ‘Charles Turner Deceased and Gordon Banner Deceased’, 27.02.73, FCO 9/1849.

  65 In the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division, Writ issued between Beryl Elizabeth Turner and the Attorney General, 1973, ibid.

  66 Fyjis-Walker (Ankara) to FCO, tel. no.216, 08.02.73, ibid.

  67 Everett (PUSD) minute, ‘Kizildere Trial’ 07.06.73, ibid.

  68 HC Deb 55, 107, 27.02.84, col.93.

  69 Sarell (Ankara) to FCO, ‘Turkey: Internal Situation and Martial Law’, 01.06.71, FCO 9/1468.

  70 McCauliffe (US Mission NATO) to US Sec of S, 19.01.73, NATO 353, Subject Numeric Box 1812 DEF15 Tur-US, RG 59, NARA.

  71 Fearn minute, ‘JIC Paper: Outlook for Turkey’, 16.03.72, WSTI/I, FCO 9/1604.

  Chapter 17: Turmoil on Cyprus

  1 Annex TT, ‘The Turkish Advance on Famagusta – As Seen from Ayios Nikolaos, 15 Aug. 1974’, BNFE/1500/24,’ ‘Report by Commander British Forces Near East on the Cyprus Emergency, 15 Jul.–16 Aug. 1974’, TT 1–4, 15.04.75, AIR 8/2628.

  2 JIC (56) 21 (Final), ‘Likelihood of Global War and Warning of Attack’, 01.04.56, CAB 34/1315.

  3 The Treasury pondered whether it was an Air Ministry project or else ‘in the GCHQ nexus’. They plumped for the former. Wilding (T) memo, ‘Sandra and Zinnia’, 24.10.60, T 225/2198.

  4 Benjamin (RAE), ‘Zinnia: An Ionospheric Reflection Radar’, 02.62, AVIA 6/17569.

  5 DSI memo No 65, ‘Zinnia: Trials in the United States (Project Bart)’, 04.60, DEFE 44/1140.

  6 ‘Sandra: Minutes of a Mtg in the Treasury’, 01.1161, T 225/2198.

  7 Trend (T) to Wood (Air), ‘Sandra’, 25.01.60, ibid.

  8 Scott, Macmillan, Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis, p.177.

  9 Maguire (DGI) memo, ‘Sir Alan Cottrell’s Enquiry into OTHR Systems’, 18.04.71, DEFE 23/100.

  10 Richelson, Wizards of Langley, pp.36–7.

  11 COS (61) 19, ‘Review of Strengths of the Cyprus Garrison’, 19.01.61, DO 181/11.

  12 Douglas-Home (FCO) to Heath (PM), 18.09.70, enclosing ‘Provision of Facilities for the United States Administration’, DEFE 24/603.

  13 Maguire (DGI) memo, ‘Sir Alan Cottrell’s Enquiry into OTHR Systems’, 18.04.71, DEFE 23/100.

  14 The cost was £350,000 per annum. Le Bailly to PUS MoD, ‘Cobra Mist’, and attachment 11.06.73, DEFE 31/155.

  15 SD to London, ‘Even-Steven: Adam–Sisco Exchange’, 19.11.70, Subject Numeric Box 2656, RG 59, NARA.

  16 (Popper) US Embassy Nicosia to Dept of State, 17.04.70, File: Pol 27 Cyp, Subject Numeric Box 2226, RG 59, NARA.<
br />
  17 FRUS, Vol. XXX, Doc. No. 88.

  18 Callaghan, Time and Chance, pp.337–41.

  19 BNFE/1500/24, ‘Report by Commander British Forces Near East on the Cyprus Emergency, 15 Jul.–16 Aug. 1974’, pp.4–6, 15.04.75, AIR 8/2628.

  20 Callaghan, Time and Chance, pp.335–6.

  21 See for example discussion of decisions by the Turkish General Staff in ‘Cyprus Emergency, Akrotiri’, Annex A, HQ Near East Air Force, 25.11.74, AIR 23/8715.

  22 Extract of JIC assessment prepared by the Cabinet Office, Wed. 17.07.74, fo.31, DEFE 13/966.

  23 Entry for 17.07.74, Donoughue, Downing Street Diary, p.166.

  24 BNFE/1500/24, ‘Report by Commander British Forces Near East on the Cyprus Emergency, 15 Jul.–16 Aug. 1974’, pp.18–19, 15.05.75, AIR 8/2628.

  25 JIC(A) 74 (SA)70, 19.07.74, in Annex Q, BNFE/1500/24, ibid.

  26 BNFE/1500/24, ‘Report by Commander British Forces Near East on the Cyprus Emergency, 15 Jul.–16 Aug. 1974’, pp.18–19, 15.05.75, AIR 8/2628. Also private information.

  27 James Schlesinger/Kissinger, 9.10 p.m., 19.07.74, Kissinger Telecons, NPM, NARA.

  28 Tom Braden/Kissinger, 11.50 a.m., 21.07.74, ibid.

  29 Mumford (PS to SoS MoD) to CDS, ‘RAF Reconnaissance Flights Over Cyprus’, 29.07.74, AIR 8/2628.

  30 The main focus of cooperation was Cord Meyer, the Head of Station in London, and his analytical chief Sid Bearman. See Colby (DCI) to Le Bailly (DGI), 31.07.74, Folder 5, Box 21, Le Bailly papers, CCC.

  31 BNFE/1500/24, ‘Report by Commander British Forces Near East on the Cyprus Emergency, 15 Jul.–16 Aug. 1974’, pp.89–90, 15.05.75, AIR 8/2628.

  32 Annex TT, ‘The Turkish Advance on Famagusta – As Seen from Ayios Nikolaos, 15 Aug. 1974’, BNFE/1500/24, ‘Report by Commander British Forces Near East on the Cyprus Emergency, 15 Jul.–16 Aug. 1974’, TT 1–4, 15.05.75, ibid.

  33 Ibid.

  34 Biles (CGS staff), ‘Notes of an Informal Meeting Between A/CDS (CGS) and CBFNE’, 27.08.74, DEFE 24/578.

  35 Le Bailly (DGI) to CDS, ‘Promulgation of Intelligence in the Cyprus Situation to UKMILREP’, 24.07.74, DEFE 25/345.

  36 Hockaday (MoD) to Arthur (FCO), ‘Cyprus’, 29.07.74, ibid.

  37 OPD (74) 35, ‘Defence Review: International Consultations’, note by the Secretaries, 18.10.74, CAB 148/145. I am indebted to Matthew Jones for this reference.

  38 Tonkin (PUSD), ‘Coverage of Middle East Broadcasting Stations’, 12.11.74, AIR 20/12691. Private information.

  39 D/DS11/3/4, ‘Cyprus: Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary’s Talk with Mr Clark Clifford’, 25.02.77, AIR 8/2747. The Cabinet decision was CC(74) 41st conclusions.

  40 Weston (FCO) to Lane (Ankara), ‘British Interests in the Eastern Mediterranean’, 11.04.75, FCO 46/1248.

  41 D/DS11/3/4, ‘Cyprus: Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary’s Talk with Mr Clark Clifford’, 25.02.77, AIR 8/2747. The Cabinet decision was CC(74) 41st conclusions.

  42 Tonkin (PUSD), ‘Coverage of Middle East Broadcasting Stations’, 12.11.74, AIR 20/12691.

  43 JIC (75) 12th mtg, 13.03.75, discussing JIC (75) 9, ‘The Implications for Turkish Foreign Policy of the Suspension of United States Military Assistance’, CAB 185/17.

  44 Robert Kleiman/Kissinger, 7.10 p.m., 25.07.75, Kissinger Telecons, NPM, NARA.

  45 Dillon (NEA SD), ‘Troublesome Times Ahead in Relations with Turkey’, 10.07.73, Subject Numeric Box 2639, RG 59 NARA. See also the discussion of NSA’s Woods Study in Johnson, American Cryptology, Vol.2, p.391.

  46 Bagnall (Sec to COS) to CBFNE, ‘Cyprus Future Force Levels’, COS 1055/733A, 27.02.75, DEFE 25/340.

  47 DP6/75 (Final), ‘Cyprus – Future Force Level’, 03.07.75, DEFE 11/874.

  48 About £60 million. PSIS (75) 1st mtg (3), discussed in ibid.

  49 Adams (JARIB) to DS8, ‘US Navy Request for Reconnaissance of Eastern Mediterranean Ports’, 08.04.75, AIR 2/18991.

  50 Leslie (DS8), ‘American U2 Operations in Cyprus’, 07.04.75, AIR 20/12652.

  51 McDonnell (DS1 MoD) ‘Dr Schlesinger’s Visit’, 22.09.75, T 225/4177. See also Mason to PM, MO 25/2/50/1, 19.06.75, ibid.

  52 Hall (MoD) to PPS, ‘Dr Schlesinger’s Visit on 24 September’, 09.75, ibid.

  53 D/DS11/3/4, ‘Cyprus: Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary’s Talk with Mr Clark Clifford’, 25.02.77, AIR 8/2747. The Cabinet decision was CC(74) 41st conclusions.

  54 Mtg between Owen (SoS FO) and Clifford, London, 28.02.77, AIR 8/2747.

  55 Aldrich, ‘The UK–US Intelligence Alliance in 1975’.

  56 UK intelligence spending was £147.1 million in 1976–77, and was now scheduled to fall by £12.8 million at current prices by 1980–81. COS (76) 12th mtg (2), Confidential Annex, ‘The Intelligence Coordinator’s Annual Review of Intelligence 1976’, 13.07.76, DEFE 32/23.

  57 COS (76) 3rd mtg (1), 03.02.76, ‘Defence Intelligence Staff Annual Report 1975’, DEFE 32/23. See also Johnson, American Cryptology, Vol.3, p.160.

  58 McGeorge Bundy, NSAM 301, ‘Intelligence Installations’, 19.05.64, File: NSAM 301, Box 4, National Security File – NSAMs, LBJL.

  59 The island that was initially of interest was Aldabra, the most westerly in the BIOT group. However, Aldabra was home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises, estimated at some 100,000. Protests prompted the officials to turn their attention to the neighbouring atoll of Diego Garcia. See Morland (MoD) memo, ‘Aldabra’, 22.04.66, T 225/3052.

  60 SD to US Embassy London, 21.08.63, Lot Files, UK (1962–74) – Office of Northern European Affairs, Box 5, RG 59, NARA.

  61 Downey (T) memo, ‘Indian Ocean’, 02.07.65, T 225/3474.

  62 ‘British Indian Ocean Territory, Amended Draft; Financial Agreement’, enclosure B in Bruce to State Dept, No.6275, 02.07.66, File UK Cables Vol.VIII, Box 209, NSF – Country Files, LBJL.

  63 Draft note from SoS Def to Foreign Secretary, June 1966, T 225/3052.

  64 FCO to Washington, No.4030, 25.04.67, ibid.

  65 Sykes (FCO) to Campbell (MoD), ‘British Indian Ocean Territories: Financial Arrangements’, 26.04.67, ibid.

  66 Bolling (ASA), ‘Negotiations with Ethiopia Concerning Retention of D/A Facilities in Eritrea’, 20.03.51, File 350.09, Box 1, Army Int. TS Decimal File, 1945–52, Entry 47A, RG 319, NARA

  67 Campbell (Consul Asmara) to Alsop, 02.05.69, File 4, Box 79, Alsop papers, HGARC.

  68 G. Cook, ‘Kagnew Station – Tract C’, http://www.kagnewstation.com/stories/49.html

  69 Dept of State to US London Embassy, tel.118250, 18.06.73, FRUS, 1969–76, Vol.E-8, South East Asia, 1973–76, Doc. 57.

  70 DS5 to SoS MoD, ‘Expansion of Diego Garcia Communications Facility’, 27.06.73, DEFE 17/726.

  71 Douglas-Home (SoS FCO) to Heath (PM), PM/74/4, ‘Diego Garcia: US Proposals for Expanded Facilities’, 10.01.74, PREM15/2233. See also Douglas-Home (SoS FCO) to Freedman (Washington), 16.01.74, DEFE 17/726.

  72 Weiss (PM/SD) to SoS, ‘DOD Plans for Upgrading Diego Garcia Facility’, 01.74, Box 6, Lot Files, UK (1964–72) – Office of Northern European Affairs, RG 59, NARA. I am indebted to Matthew Jones for guidance on this point.

  73 Buell (SD), ‘Diego Garcia- Current Status’, 28.01.74, Box 1, Lot Files, UK (1964–72) – Office of Northern European Affairs, RG 59, NARA.

  74 Hunt (Cab Sec) to Heath (PM), A06004, ‘Diego Garcia’, 10.01.74.

  75 Mtg between Hunt (Cab Sec) and Kissinger, 30.01.74, PREM 15/2233.

  76 Nixon to Heath (PM), T60/74, 20.02.74, ibid.

  77 Sykes (Washington) to Bridges (Downing St), 20.02.74, ibid.

  78 Whitmore (MoD) to Bryard (Cab), ‘Mr Schlesinger’s Visit: Briefs for the Prime Minister’, 23.09.75, T 225/4177.

  79 US Embassy London to Department of State, No.2597, 17.02.81, DDRS.

  80 Hyam, Britain’s Declining Empire, p.391.

  81 Pilger, Freedom Next Time, p.38.

  Chapter 18: Unmasking GCHQ: The ABC Trial

  1 ABC Newsletter 10.03.78, ‘Cheltenh
am 27 May – “B” There!’, DEFE 13/1303.

  2 Freeman (Washington) to FCO, 30.10.69, FCO 7/1235.

  3 Ibid. See also Aid, Secret Sentry, pp.61–3.

  4 In 2008 Goonhilly was scheduled to close, with operations moving to the Madley Communications Centre in Herefordshire.

  5 Lanning and Norton-Taylor, Conflict of Loyalties, p.33

  6 Hooper (D/GCHQ) to White (CAB), D/7873/1802/13, 03.03.69, CAB 163/119.

  7 Lanning and Norton-Taylor, Conflict of Loyalties, p.64.

  8 Ibid., p.69.

  9 Andrew, President’s Eyes Only, pp.358–9.

  10 SPM (74) 19, ‘State of Security in Syria’, 16.08.74, CAB 134/3843.

  11 SPM (74) 22, ‘State of Security in Oman’, 22.10.74, ibid.

  12 INT 15 (73) 1, JIC (A), ‘Intelligence Priorities: Particular Issues’, CAB 190/44.

  13 ‘Annex A: Intelligence Requirements Order of Priorities List 1’, Note to VCDS, ‘Defence Intelligence Priorities in the 1970s’, May 1970, DEFE 27/1.

  14 Johnson, American Cryptology, Vol.2, p.397.