867.24/193: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray)
200. Your 365, September 30, 7 p.m., paragraph 2. Following extended conferences with the British authorities in Washington, the Department has agreed to accede, at least for the time being, to the [Page 922] wishes of the British Government that articles intended for Turkey under lend-lease continue to be granted to the British for retransfer to Turkey, as in the past. The plans for direct lend-lease aid to Turkey referred to in your telegram under reference have therefore been dropped for the time being, as a result of strong British insistence. However, since Turkish purchases for cash in the United States may be made more advantageously by Turkey, both as regards price and priorities, if consummated as lend-lease transactions, it has been decided to extend direct lend-lease aid to Turkey with respect to this class of cases, known as cash-reimbursable transactions under the Lend-Lease Act.
As a result of recent changes in lend-lease procedure, in which the President has delegated to Mr. Stettinius authority to transfer articles under the Lend-Lease Act and to authorize their retransfer to countries whose defense shall have been found by the President to be vital to the defense of the United States, it appears necessary for the President to issue such a finding with respect to Turkey, whether lend-lease aid to Turkey is given direct or indirect. In connection with this finding, expected to take place within the next few days, the Lend-Lease Administration considers it desirable to issue the following statement for the press:
“The President announced today that he had found the defense of Turkey vital to-the defense of the United States and had directed Lend-Lease Administrator Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., to see that the defense needs of the Government of Turkey were filled as fast as possible.
The program of aid to Turkey is being worked out in close cooperation with the State Department and with the Government of Great Britain.”
The Lend-Lease Administration believes that the finding of the President regarding Turkey will become known to the press since, under the procedure recently set up, any further aid for Turkey will pre-suppose such a finding. The Department is inclined to agree that some statement for the press may be desirable, but before expressing its concurrence will be glad to have your recommendations.