611.6731/256: Telegram
The Chargé in Turkey ( Kelley ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22—12:25 p.m.]
6. Department’s January 18, 4 p.m. It is the opinion of the Embassy and also that of the Commercial Attaché that there would be no important advantage or disadvantage in carrying on negotiations in Ankara. We feel that it makes very little difference insofar as terms of eventual agreement are concerned whether the negotiations are carried on here or in Washington. While on the one hand it is probable that there might be less haggling over minor details on the part of the Turks if negotiations were carried on in Washington by a Turkish delegation headed by Faik, Undersecretary of Ministry of [Page 1054] Economy (usually granted considerable authority when sent abroad), on the other hand negotiations carried on in Ankara might be facilitated by the fact that they would be more directly (without intermediation of Foreign Office) under the supervision of Prime Minister who is personally deeply interested in conclusion of agreement.
Prime Minister desires very much to have negotiations here. I understand that his attitude in the matter is due to the great inconvenience caused the Government, especially the Ministry of Economy, by the recent absence for about 2 months of the Turkish delegation under Faik which negotiated a commercial agreement in Bucharest. He has stated that he hopes to be able later in the year to send a trade mission to the United States to study the American market and American products and technique with a view to bringing about an increase in trade.