868.48/3255a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt)41
424. Greek War Relief Association has expressed serious concern over anticipated termination of food relief shipments from Turkey [Page 773] to Greece because of unavailability of suitable foodstuffs, particularly dried vegetables, for export from Turkey.
The Department understands that the foodstuffs in question have been acquired by UKCC in Turkey and shipped on a Swedish vessel chartered (perhaps indirectly) by the Greek Government. Reports have been received indicating that these supplies were the mainstay of the soup kitchens organized by the International Red Cross which last winter provided a minimum nourishment for as many as 700,000 persons in the Athens area alone.
The Department hopes, for humanitarian reasons, that the shipment to Greece from Turkey of dried vegetables and other food products suitable for soup kitchens can be maintained, especially since this Government would be reluctant to consider extending the concessions already made in connection with Greek relief to include food supplies other than breadstuffs originating outside the blockade area. Turkey is considered inside the blockade area. The Department has been informed that the British Government holds similar views.
The Department would appreciate your comments on this matter. Should the reported unavailability of foodstuffs be due to restrictions of the Turkish Government you are authorized to intervene informally with the Turkish authorities if you feel that any useful purpose would be served by your so doing.
Repeated to London.
- Repeated to Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, Jr., Minister to the Greek Government in Exile at London, as Greek Series No. 7, September 4, 11 p.m.↩