Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Near East and Africa, Volume VIII

867.014/12–2845: Telegram

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

Ankara , December 28, 1945—1 p.m.]
[Received December 29—10:57 a.m.]

1631. In 2–hour conversation with Soviet Ambassador following points seem of interest:

1. He said he had not received full text of Georgian professors’ article but knew that Georgian people felt very strongly on question of recovering territory from Turkey which they regarded as Georgian.

2. After discussion causes [of?] present tension between USSR and Turkey I asked what could be done to improve relations. He said Molotov had given Sarper formula last June. I asked whether this meant that from Soviet viewpoint only way improve relations was cession bases in [and?] eastern territories. He replied that Soviet security required bases; and that Armenian Republic insists upon reincorporation eastern vilayets and USSR must advance interests of Armenian Republic. I asked how territorial demands could be squared with provision United Nations Charter for respect sovereign equality of all states. He said provision for equal rights of peoples applies to Georgian people as well. I remarked that frontiers were settled by treaties of Moscow and Kars of 1921. He replied that those treaties were negotiated “when USSR was weak” and that situation now requires reconsideration in view changed conditions.

3. With regard to persons in Turkey of Armenian origin desiring to proceed to Armenian Republic, Vinogradov said “several thousand” had so far applied to Soviet Consulate. He said he has not yet received instructions regarding facilities for transportation these people to Armenian Republic. He remarked “Turks seem very nervous and upset about this”.

4. He told me that his Counselor Mikhailov had received orders to report for duty in Moscow and would leave next month. (This seems of some interest when read in connection with my secret airgram 228, Nov 27.⁷)

Sent Dept as 1631, repeated Moscow as 144.

Wilson

7. Not printed; it reported that the Soviet Military and Naval Attachés of Embassy in Turkey had left for Moscow 2 weeks before the Potsdam Conference and had never returned (701.6167/11–2745).