761.67/11–245: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Wilson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 3—9:30 a.m.]
1408. Minister of Foreign Affairs told me this afternoon that serious concern which existed few days ago regarding Soviet troop movements near Turkish frontier has diminished. He said Turkish Govt’s present estimate of situation is that probably there has not been appreciable net increase of Soviet troops in area near Turkish frontier, since recent arrivals of Soviet divisions now seem to have been largely offset by withdrawals, While Turkish information is that new Soviet troops are better equipped and trained than those withdrawn it is not felt that this need necessarily give rise to concern.
I told him of Molotov’s comments to Harriman (Moscow’s 3700 to Dept, October 29). He said he had just heard this from British Ambassador who had been informed by his opposite number at Moscow. Saka said he attached great importance to this which was one of elements leading Turkish Govt to take happier view of situation. He also remarked that statements by President Truman and Secretary Byrnes on October 31 regarding satisfactory nature of visit to Stalin [Page 1271] were encouraging.89 He added that Turkish Govt hopes fervently that rapprochement may be effected among Big Three since situation resulting from impasse at London Conference has greatly worried Turks in its possible effect on their relations with USSR.
Sent Dept as 1408, to Moscow as 95.
- In regard to the conversations which Ambassador Harriman had with Stalin, see the memoranda of conversations by Edward Page, First Secretary of Embassy at Moscow, dated Gagry (near Sochi), October 24 and 25, vol. vi, p. 782 and p. 787. Ambassador Harriman gave his impressions of these conversations with Stalin in telegram 3671, October 26, 9 p.m., from Moscow, ibid., p. 796.↩