867.24/378: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Istanbul (Berry)
Washington, August 17,
1942—9 p.m.
95. Following for the Ambassador. Your 22 of August 11, 5 p.m.
- 1.
- The Department has been informed by the British Embassy here that MESC, with full London approval, definitely offers to provide for Turkey 15,000 additional tons of wheat out of early arrivals in the Near East. On the basis of the opinion as to Turkish reaction expressed in your telegram under reference, the Department has replied that it would welcome this arrangement.
- 2.
- As the consequence of this undertaking, MESC has increased its projected wheat loading schedule in North America by 15,000 tons with the consequence that the Turks should expect little or no shipment of munitions or civilian supplies for next month or two.
- 3.
- The Department agrees that the Turks should extract the full measure of satisfaction from the knowledge that the U. S. responded to their urgent appeal, and that the response took the form best suited to provide the promptest possible solution to their immediate needs. In informing the Prime Minister of the conclusion of the arrangements described in paragraph 1 above, however, it is suggested that you also take occasion to point out that MESC is now an Anglo-American organization, and that the shipping limitations which were responsible for its creation make doubly logical today its acceptance in the future as the machinery for an orderly and expeditious channeling of the essential cereal and sugar requirements throughout the area including Turkey.
Hull