740.0011 European War 1939/13883: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 12—8:53 a.m.]
3569. Embassy’s 3511, August 8, 10 p.m., 3550, August 11, 5 p.m., and 3559, August 11, 8 p.m. The statement in sixth paragraph of my 3511 that the Turks have been already advised of the Anglo-Russian démarche to be made at Tehran on August 14, due to a misunderstanding is incorrect. Sir Orme Sargent73 informed me yesterday afternoon that Mr. Eden has been discussing with the Soviet Ambassador the manner and time of informing the Turkish Government [Page 396] of this move. Following a talk today with M. Maisky, Mr. Eden has telegraphed the British Ambassador at Ankara along the following lines:
“Mr. Eden is discussing with the Soviet Government the proposal that the two Ambassadors should inform the Turkish Government on August 14 of the substance of the memorandum which is to be addressed to the Iranian Government on that date and that when doing so they should give the Turkish authorities, mutatis mutandis, assurances in the following terms:
‘H. M. Government (the Soviet Government), as they have informed the Iranian Government, fully accept and endorse the Iranian policy of neutrality. They have themselves no designs against Iran’s political independence or territorial integrity. It is their sincere desire to maintain that policy of friendship and cooperation with Iran which they believe to be in the best interests of both Iran and the British Empire (Soviet Union).’”
Mr. Eden has asked Ambassador Knatchbull-Hugessen to arrange with his Soviet colleague73a how best to make their communications to the Turkish Government, assuming that the Soviet Government agrees. The British Ambassador has been told that Mr. Eden sees no objection to the communication being made jointly if he and his Soviet colleague think this would be the best procedure.
Sargent said that Mr. Eden hopes (my 3511, August 8, sixth paragraph) Mr. MacMurray74 may be authorized to express approval of the Iranian move with a view to facilitating Turkish acceptance and realization that Anglo-Russian aims are not directed at the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran. Mr. Eden hopes also that Mr. Mac-Murray may if the Department approves of the foregoing be authorized to discuss the matter with both the British and Russian Ambassadors before he determines way of approach to the question.
Maisky has not received word from Moscow of approval for this action at Ankara on August 14 but Mr. Eden thinks there is no doubt it will come as the Russians have shown every indication of a sincere and enthusiastic desire to calm Turkish anxiety and suspicions. It was on Russian initiative that the declarations to the Turkish Government reported in my 3550, August 11, 5 p.m. were made.