740.0011 European War 1939/6–3044: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
1602. Embassy’s 2327 June 28, midnight. As you will have seen from the Department’s 5111 [1581], June 28, 9 p.m.,57 our Embassy at Ankara has been authorized to support British efforts to persuade the Turks to sever economic and diplomatic relations with the Axis. This step does not preclude pressure on the Turks to go further along the lines of Molotov’s proposal to the Turks to enter the war, if it is agreed that this course is militarily desirable in the light of present circumstances. A statement of the current Russian view on this point is awaited with interest.
Steinhardt is expected in Washington about July 3 and will be consulted on the practical aspects of obtaining from Turkey at this time the cooperation which will contribute most effectively to the Allied cause.
Repeated to London and to Ankara