867.24/807: Telegram

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

792. Reference your 1560, September 14, 1943. We assume that the Foreign Minister’s desire to accompany the master lend-lease agreement with an additional exchange of notes along the lines suggested in your telegram under reference arises from the uncertainty of the Turkish Government over the meaning of its obligation to [Page 1110] extend reciprocal aid. We propose that, rather than exchanging additional unpublished notes, the following clarifying paragraph be inserted as numbered paragraph 1 (the numbers of the other paragraphs to be changed accordingly) in the original exchange of notes:

“1. With respect to Articles I and II, it is agreed by our two Governments that each retains the right of final decision, in the light of its own potentialities and responsibilities, to determine what assistance shall be provided to the other Government.”

If you have not already done so, you might mention to Numan that the words “and may authorize” which do not appear in our other lend-lease agreements were added at the end of Article II in recognition of Turkey’s neutral status.

Please tell Numan that we shall be glad to consider whatever changes he may care to make in the wording of the suggested new paragraph which you hand to him.

Berle