767.68119/9–2245: Telegram

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

1243. Minister of Foreign Affairs asked me yesterday if I had any word regarding discussion in Council of Foreign Ministers at London concerning Straits question. I said I had no information and did not know whether question had yet been discussed. He said he would appreciate greatly receiving any information on subject as soon as available.

He also referred to interest of Turk Government in receiving information concerning details of President Truman’s proposal at Potsdam for international guarantee of Straits. After all, he said, this question affects Turkey far more directly than any other power. I told him that Packer had telegraphed regarding inquiry in this sense made by Secretary General of Foreign Office on September 14 (Embassy’s 1226, September 14) but that no reply had been received. I said I doubted if any reply could be expected until after London meeting. Saka said he assumed this would be the case.

I asked whether Turk Ambassador at Moscow had had any further conversations touching on this matter. He said the question had not been mentioned at Moscow since second Molotov–Sapar conversation on June 18.

Sent to Department as 1243, repeated to Moscow as 74 and to London as 93.

Wilson