890D.927/89: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Palmer) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 7—11:58 a.m.]
Department’s telegram January 5, 7 p.m. I have discussed with Acting High Commissioner Meyrier attitude of Hatay Government [Page 833] toward archaeological expeditions in general and specifically in respect of Princeton Expedition contract and I have made representations in the sense of the Department’s telegram. He confirms Department’s understanding of general situation and is taking up specific question with High Commission delegate Collet at Antioch but he appears to feel that notwithstanding High Commission responsibility its intervention with Hatay authorities is unlikely to be effective at this time. He informs me that Collet is to join French Ambassador at Ankara within the next 10 days for discussion of all outstanding Hatay questions with the Turkish Government and assures me that Collet will be instructed to keep Princeton Expedition in mind for discussion at the appropriate time but he seems to fear that this question may be considered of secondary importance even though I again emphasized the existence of an extraordinary contract in addition to general rights under the Mandate. In the light of my conversation with Meyrier I consider it inadvisable to approach Hatay authorities directly but I believe that in anticipation of imminent negotiations at Ankara it might be helpful if our Paris Embassy were to make representations to the French Government and if the Turkish Government were informally to be made aware of our interest in this question.