867.00/3126: Telegram

The Ambassador in Turkey ( Steinhardt ) to the Secretary of State

143. In a conversation with Kelley41 yesterday the Secretary General of Foreign Office stated Soviet Consul General in Istanbul has surrendered to Turkish police the individual referred to in my 124, March 6, 6 p.m., who took sanctuary in the Consulate. He said police have also arrested an employee of the Soviet Commercial Delegation in Istanbul, this individual having been taken off a train at Kayseri by the police. It appears that one member of the Soviet Embassy in Ankara is considered by the police to be involved but Turkish authorities have not made any demand for his surrender. Secretary General emphasized Turkish Government intended to probe matter to the very bottom and was determined to take whatever measures were necessary to prevent occurrence of another incident of this sort in Ankara. He made it clear Turkish authorities are convinced of the guilt of the Soviet nationals who have been implicated.

Secretary General indicated Soviet Ambassador42 has been very helpful in the matter.

I am inclined to believe one or more members of Soviet Embassy will shortly find it convenient to leave Ankara permanently.

Repeated to Kuibyshev.

Steinhardt
  1. Robert F. Kelley, Counselor of Embassy in Turkey.
  2. Sergey Alexandrovich Vinogradov.