Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

740.0011 European War 1939/7–1444: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)

Washington, July 14, 1944—7 p.m.

1699. Reference your 2471, July 8, 11 a.m.⁶⁹ British Embassy has handed Department a paraphrase of Mr. Eden’s telegram of July 12 to British Ambassador, Moscow dealing with Mr. Eden’s statements to the Soviet Ambassador in London.

Subject to the reply of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Department views are as outlined in the telegram of even date to Ankara,⁷⁰ repeated to Moscow and to London.

The Department is convinced that Turkey’s entry into the war is as desirable now as at the time of Moscow and Tehran. However, it believes that the method proposed by the British is a more practical and realistic approach to bringing the Turks into the war than the simple demand which appears to be contemplated by the Soviet Government. Such disagreement as might be thought to exist between the Soviet, American and British Governments is, in the view of this Government, only one of method and not of substance.

In your discretion, you may make this point to the Soviet Government.

Hull

69. Not printed.
70. Telegram 634, July 14, 6 p.m., to Ankara, repeated to London as 5528 and to Moscow as 1698, not printed; the opinions expressed were tentative and for informational purposes only.