767.68119/8–2146: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received August 22—10 a.m.]
908. I have just read final draft Turkish note in reply to Soviets on Straits. It seems to me excellent job and is as Dept suggested, both reasonable and firm. In general it follows lines draft summary of which I telegraphed my 874, August 15 to Dept, 50 to Paris. A few phrases have been modified which otherwise might have been open to interpretation that Turkey was unwilling attend conference unless it was agreed beforehand points 4 and 5 of Soviet note would not be discussed. At insistence of Cabinet a statement has been inserted regarding point 5 of Soviet note to following effect: That from national viewpoint Soviet proposal is incompatible with inalienable sovereign rights of Turkey and with its security which cannot be made subject to restriction. Essence of Turkish observations regarding points 4 and 5 Soviet note is that they state firmly Turkish objections thereto but do not give impression that Turkey would be unwilling to attend a conference unless these points were barred beforehand from discussion.
Note makes clear Turkey’s willingness attend international conference with other signatory states and US to discuss specified amendments to Montreux Convention.
Note will probably be delivered to Soviet Embassy tomorrow morning and published Turkish press morning August 24.
Repeated Paris for Secdel as 62, London as 135, Moscow as 100.