Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

811.20 Defense (M) Turkey/240: Telegram

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

Ankara, January 8, 1943—3 p.m.
[Received January 9—3:50 a.m.]

51. Department’s 20, January 6.⁴¹ The following is the present status of the four practical considerations referred to by the Department.

(1) Certificates are now being prepared, specifying the amounts of chrome above ground at the various stock piles as of January 8.⁴² It is anticipated that most of the certificates will specify larger stocks than actually exist. Arrangements have been made with individuals on the spot to keep the stock piles under surveillance. In view of these arrangements it has been decided not to insist on permission to visit the Guleman Mine.

(2) Negotiations are being initiated with the Turkish Government for a transportation agreement providing for the movement of chrome and other commodities during the year 1943.

(3) This subject is not being overlooked.

(4) We are continually pressing the Turkish authorities along this line.

With reference to the last paragraph of the Department’s telegram should appreciate being informed whether the 5 million dollars fund referred to in the Department’s 633 of December 4⁴³ is available on an unvouchered basis in connection with our endeavors to reduce to a minimum the amounts of chrome going to Germany after January 8.⁴⁴

Steinhardt

41. Not printed (811.20 Defense (M) Turkey 190); it requested reply as to status of matters dealt with in telegrams No. 1280, December 13, 1942, 6 p.m., and No. 685, December 23, 1942, 7 p.m., from the Ambassador in Turkey, ibid., pp. 783 and 786, respectively.
42. The British-Turkish chrome contract of December 23, 1941, covered the period January 8, 1942, to January 8, 1943; for summary of the contract, see telegram No. 454, November 28, 1941, 6 p.m., from the Ambassador in Turkey, ibid., 1941, Vol. iii, p. 972.
43. Not printed.
44. Telegram No. 36, January 12, 5 p.m., to the Ambassador in Turkey, observed that “progress report… is encouraging.” (811.20 Defense (M) Turkey/240)