867.24/195: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray)
205. Your No. 413, November 4, 4 p.m.,12 and Department’s No. 200, November 6, 8 p.m. The following procedure with regard to Lend-Lease aid to Turkey has now been agreed upon by American and British authorities. Full report of conversations follow by mail.
“Assistance accorded to Turkey by the American Government under the Lend-Lease Act will continue, at least for the time being, to be furnished to Great Britain for retransfer to Turkey. In order, however, that difficulties which have been experienced in the past may be avoided, the following procedure will be followed:
- 1.
- The Department of State will notify the Turkish Government, through the Turkish Embassy in Washington and the American Embassy in Ankara, whenever the American Government transfers articles to the British for retransfer to Turkey.
- 2.
- In the unlikely event that material granted to Great Britain for retransfer to Turkey should subsequently be diverted, the British authorities will obtain the approval of the American Government before such diversion takes place, except in case of very grave emergency, when the British authorities may be called upon to act immediately. In such case the American Government will be consulted at the earliest feasible moment thereafter.
- 3.
- The Department of State will be informed by the British authorities when supplies destined for Turkey actually leave the United States, including a statement of the particular commodities concerned. This statement will also include, if feasible, the name of the vessels on which the commodities are shipped, the port of departure, the port of destination, and the approximate date of prospective arrival.
- 4.
- The Department of State will also be informed by the British authorities when the vessels mentioned above reach the Near East, if this is practicable.
- 5.
- Lend-Lease aid to Turkey in the class of cases known as ‘cash-reimbursable transactions’ will be extended by the American authorities direct to Turkey, with the understanding that there will be prior consultation between the American and British authorities regarding [Page 927] the Turkish need for the commodities concerned before any such transaction will be approved by the American authorities. It is understood, however, that in the unlikely event of disagreement between the American and British military authorities the American Government reserves the right to make the decision concerning this special type transaction.
- 6.
- There will be close consultation and cooperation between the American and British military authorities at the earliest stage with regard to all requests of Turkey for Lend-Lease aid. This consultation is for the purpose of avoiding the deferment of Turkish requisitions subsequent to their initial approval.
- 7.
- The Lend-Lease Administration will be informed of all Turkish requests for Lend-Lease materials which are received by the British authorities in the United States. Those requests which the British authorities in the United States do not approve will be forwarded to the Lend-Lease Administration with a memorandum giving the reasons for such disapproval. The purpose of this notification is to keep the American Government as fully informed as possible of Turkish requests, in order that the Lend-Lease Administration may make estimates of American production needs in advance, on the basis of the potential requirements of Turkey and of other countries concerned.”
British Embassy in Washington has concurred in the procedure. It has telegraphed the above quotation to the British Foreign Office and is awaiting reply.
With reference to second paragraph of Department’s 200, November 6, 8 p.m., the President issued a formal finding on November 7 that the defense of Turkey is considered vital to the defense of the United States. Public announcement is being withheld pending your reply to Department’s no. 200.
- Not printed; in this telegram the Ambassador asked to be advised of the decisions reached with the British regarding lend-lease aid to Turkey.↩