390D.11/155

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. George V. Allen of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs

Participants: Turkish Ambassador;
Mr. Murray;
Mr. Alling;74
Mr. Allen.

The Turkish Ambassador stated that the draft exchange of notes and letters75 regarding the above subject which had recently been handed to him met with his full approval, and he agreed to recommend to his Government their acceptance. He added, however, that he did not feel that the portion of the draft exchange of letters which set forth the American Government’s policy of not espousing the claims of naturalized American citizens if those claims arose prior to the time when the persons in question obtained American nationality, was sufficient to reassure the Turkish fears that we might present claims arising between 1934 and the date of signature of the proposed agreement. He pointed out that claims may have arisen during that period on the part of persons whom we regard as American citizens but whom the Turkish Government regard as Turkish nationals, and that if his Government accepted our exchange of letters as drafted such action might be held to imply acceptance on its part that it would receive and consider the claims of such persons.

Under the circumstances he proposed that in replying to our letter the Turkish Government might add a unilateral statement that it reaffirmed the position which it put forward at the time of the American-Turkish Claims Agreement of 1934 to the effect that it could not entertain the claims of any persons who, under Turkish law, were Turkish nationals at the time the claim arose.

The Turkish Ambassador indicated that he would not expect the American Government to acquiesce in this statement; it would be merely a unilateral declaration on the part of the Turkish Government.

Mr. Murray stated that he could perceive no objection to the American Embassy receiving without comment such a unilateral declaration.

Reverting to the subject of the manner in which the Turkish Government might release from Turkish citizenship the persons to be covered by the exchange of notes, the Turkish Ambassador said that if the Turkish Council of Ministers should find itself not empowered to approve, on its own authority, the proposed exchange of notes, the Turkish Government’s note would have to be submitted to the Turkish [Page 1113] Parliament for approval. He thought it possible that at the time of such approval, or thereafter, implementing legislation would have to be enacted by Parliament to release from Turkish citizenship the persons to be affected. If such implementing legislation was subsequent to the exchange of notes, the wording of the notes would have to be altered to some extent to indicate that the loss of Turkish citizenship would take place as of the effective date of such legislation.

The Turkish Ambassador said that he would communicate immediately with his Government, indicating that he concurred fully in the exchange of notes and letters as at present drafted and recommending their acceptance by his Government.

  1. Paul H. Alling, Assistant Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs.
  2. For drafts of notes and letters, see pp. 11191120.