767.68119/10–3045: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (Wilson)
1049. Following is the proposed text of the communication to the Turkish Government on the Straits question. You will be instructed further regarding its communication to the Turkish authorities.83 Meanwhile your comments will be welcomed.
“The American Government has given careful consideration to the Turkish Government’s note of August 20, 1945,84 together with the aide-mémoire attached thereto, concerning the question of the Straits.
“The Turkish Government is no doubt aware that at the recent conference in Berlin, the President of the United States concurred with Premier Stalin and Prime Minister Attlee (1) that the Convention of 1936 signed at Montreux regarding the regime of the Straits [Page 1266] should be revised to meet present day conditions and (2) that the matter should be the subject of direct conversations between each of the three governments and the Turkish Government. It is the earnest hope of the Government of the United States that the problem of the control and use of the Straits can be solved in a manner which will promote international security, will show due consideration for the interest of Turkey and all Black Sea riparian powers, and will assure the free use of this important waterway to the commerce of all nations.
“It is the understanding of the Government of the United States that the Montreux Convention is subject to revision in 1946. This Government suggests that an international conference be held for the purpose of revising the convention in order that the regime of the Straits may be more in harmony with changed world conditions. The United States, if invited, would be pleased to participate in such a conference.
“The Government of the United States is of the opinion that a revision of the Montreux Convention undertaken to meet changed world conditions should be based on the following principles: (1) the Straits to be open to the merchant vessels of all nations at all times; (2) the Straits to be open to the transit of the warships of Black Sea powers at all times; (3) save for an agreed limited tonnage in time of peace, passage through the Straits to be denied to the warships of non-Black Sea powers at all times, except with the specific consent of the Black Sea powers or except when acting under the authority of the United Nations; and (4) certain changes to modernize the Montreux Convention, such as the substitution of the United Nations system for that of the League of Nations and the elimination of Japan as a signatory.
“The British and Soviet Governments are also being informed of the American Government’s views set forth above.”
Sent to Ankara. Repeated to Moscow and London85 for information only.
- In telegram 1050, October 30, 1945, 7 p.m., to Ankara, the Department instructed Ambassador Wilson to deliver the proposed note to the Turkish Government immediately “unless you perceive strong objection”; the Ambassador was requested further to notify the Department and the Embassies in London and Moscow of the date of delivery of the note; the telegram, repeated to London and Moscow as telegrams 9560 and 2247 of even date, respectively, directed those Missions to hand copies of the note to the British and Soviet authorities at the appropriate time (767.68119/10–3045). In telegram 1397, November 1, 1945, 7 p.m., from Ankara, the Department was informed that the note would be handed to the Turkish Foreign Minister on the afternoon of November 2 at 3:30 p, m., Ankara time (767.68119/11–145).↩
- See footnote 42, p. 1237.↩
- As telegrams 2239 and 9545, respectively.↩