761.67/9–1045: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Harriman ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 10—9 p.m.]
3228. While Soviet press campaign against Turkey has somewhat subsided, members of my staff have recently heard from various Soviet contacts remarks which seem to indicate that at least some Soviet citizens feel that USSR still has a score to settle with Turkey. These remarks which we regard as genuine expressions of personal opinion range from prophecy that USSR will go to war with Turkey this autumn to statements that “we shall have to have a talk with the Turks”. There have been reported no such remarks regarding Greece or Iran.57
[Page 1246]Presumably these comments reflect recent party guidance for domestic public opinion. The fact that press agitation against Turkey has recently been muted may indicate a subsequent moderation of policy toward Turkey to which public opinion has not yet been adjusted. Or it may simply be a calculated lull in overt verbal attacks.
To Dept 3228 repeated London 443 Ankara 52.
[For a conversation of September 10, as recorded on October 15, between the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Merriam) and the Turkish Ambassador (Baydur), see page 1253.]