767.68119/11–1245: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Wilson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 13—8 a.m.]
1445. In conversation this morning with Erkin, Secretary General of Foreign Office, he referred to our proposal concerning revision of Montreux Convention. He said that he had been authorized by Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to inform me officially that Turkish Govt is glad to have received this proposal and appreciates warmly evident concern of United States Govt in drafting proposal to safeguard sovereignty and independence of Turkey. Suggestions of United States are in principle acceptable to Turkish Govt subject to agreement on details at contemplated international conference. Turkish Govt regards as essential that United States Govt participate in conference. Before making more detailed reply to our note, Turkish Govt prefers to await receipt of views of British and Soviet Govts. But in meanwhile foregoing may be considered as interim official reply of Turkish Govt.
Erkin then went on to express what he said were his personal views regarding certain details of our proposal (these follow lines of what British Ambassador told me of his conversation with Erkin, see Embtel 1442, November 10, 2 p.m.95). As regards first point Turkish Govt, of course, fully supports principle of freedom of passage. However, in time of war, Turkey being belligerent, it would be difficult to expect Turkey to permit passage of merchant vessels of neutral powers carrying munitions and supplies destined for country at war with Turkey. Some exception covering this case would doubtless be necessary as also in case of merchant vessels belonging to country at war with Turkey. Regarding our second point, Erkin said that with complete freedom of transit for warships of Black Sea powers at all times, possibility [Page 1276] would exist for Soviet Union, for example, to send overwhelming naval force through Bosphorus for surprise attack on Istanbul. Some formula could probably be found under which tonnage of warships of other Black Sea powers in transit through Straits at any one time would be inferior to tonnage of Turkish fleet in sea of Marmara. Also regarding our second point possibility would exist for Black Sea powers to send naval force through Straits for attack on some port in Mediterranean and then to take refuge in Straits where non-Black Sea powers could not pursue them. This, however, is a question which primarily concerns non-Black Sea powers rather than Turkey.
As regards our third point procedural difficulties can be foreseen as regards obtaining specific consent of Black Sea powers for passage through Straits of warships of non-Black Sea powers. For example, 38 [3?] votes in affirmative, 1 in negative: What would be decision? Here again, however, it is a question which concerns primarily non-Black Sea powers rather than Turkey and if they are interested, they will presumably raise question at contemplated conference. Erkin reiterated that foregoing were his personal views.
Sent Dept as 1445; repeated to London as 129 and Moscow as 101.