Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Near East and Africa, Volume VII

767.68119/8–1946: Telegram

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

secret
priority

Ankara, August 19, 1946—7 p.m.
[Received August 20—12:31 a.m.]

893. Most urgent telegram relayed from Paris as 23, August 17⁶⁹ just received.

You will have noted from my 888, August 18 to Dept, repeated Paris for the Secretary as 54, and my 892, August 19,⁷⁰ repeated Paris for the Secretary as 57, that Turkish Foreign Office since receipt our reply and British reply is working on line of omitting from its proposed note to Soviets any categoric rejection of points 4 and 5 of Soviet note in sense which could lead to assumption that Turkey would not attend international conference if these points were to be considered as forming basis of discussion. Turkish draft according to my latest information will, while stating objections to points 4 and 5, not give appearance of trying to limit points which might be discussed at conference and will make clear Turkish willingness to attend an international conference on revision Montreux Convention.

In view information given me this morning by Secretary General, Foreign Office, my 892 to Dept and 57 to Paris, I am of opinion that if I now convey to Turkish Govt content of relay from Paris 23 Turkish Govt will stiffen attitude and so draft reply as to indicate that while Turkey is willing attend international conference for revision Montreux Convention it will not attend conference if points 4 and 5 of Soviet note are to be discussed.

In view foregoing please telegraph me immediately whether you wish telegram from Paris 23 to be conveyed to Turkish Govt.

My own judgment is that under all circumstances better leave things as they are and not convey telegram. My present information is Turkish note to Soviets will be delivered to Soviet Embassy here Wednesday or Thursday. If I find note is to be delivered before Thursday morning 10 a.m., Turkish time, I shall suggest to Foreign Minister to delay delivery until that date and hour on off chance I might receive some further word from my Govt.⁷¹

Sent Dept; to Paris for the Secretary as 58.

Wilson

69. See last paragraph of telegram 4078, August 17, from Paris, p. 846.
70. Latter not printed; it reported Turkish wish to refrain from action which might cause difficulties for the U.S. and British Governments in dealing with the Soviet Union (767.68119/8–1146).
71. In telegram 4115, Delsec 833, August 20, from Paris, Secretary Byrnes expressed agreement with the Ambassador’s views to refrain from conveying to Turkish Government contents of telegram 23 from Paris (740.00119 Council/8–2046).