867.24/517: Telegram

The Chargé in Turkey (Kelley) to the Secretary of State

1085. My 1052, October 22. The Minister of Foreign Affairs today, in response to my inquiry with regard to the status of the negotiations for charter of Swedish vessels to transport wheat from the United States, said that the matter had practically fallen through as a result of difficulties arising out of the agreement between the Swedes and the Germans that whenever a Swedish ship leaves the Baltic another must replace it. He said that the Turkish Government was now seeking to purchase two old Panamanian vessels.

I raised this matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs because the Swedish Minister informed me yesterday that it was his understanding that the matter of the charter of Swedish vessels had not yet fallen through. He said that he had not yet received a definite answer from the Turkish Government. He also mentioned the agreement existing with regard to the Swedish ships in the Baltic but [Page 740] observed that there were Swedish ships outside of the Baltic which might be chartered.

Kelley
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