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

767.68119/10–546: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Turkey (Bursley)

secret
u.s. urgent

Washington, October 5, 1946—4 p.m.

684. We are today telegraphing to Secretary⁹¹ draft text of note we propose sending Sov Govt re its Sep 24 note to Turkey. Summary is as follows:

1. After studying Soviet note we still adhere to position taken our note Aug 19 to USSR.

2. We have understood Potsdam agreement as recognizing that US, Britain and USSR each have interest in Straits regime and any changes which may be made in it. Furthermore, we told Sovgovt in our note Aug 19 that we considered regime of interest to US and other non-Black Sea powers as well as to riparian states. Yet we observe that in its latest note Sovgovt apparently maintains position taken its note Aug 7 to Turkey that “establishment regime of Straits should come under competence of Turkey and other Black Sea powers”. We do not consider that Potsdam protocol envisaged that direct conversations with Turkey by one of the three powers should have effect of prejudicing participation of other two in revision of Straits regime. Rather, we consider agreement contemplated merely exchange of views as preliminary to conference of all interested states, including US, to consider revision of Montreux. As stated in Aug 19 note, US Govt ready to participate such conference.

3. We reiterate our view that Turkey should be primarily responsible for Straits’ defense and that if attack on Straits is threatened, it will be matter for Security Council. End summary.

If Secretary and President approve, this note will be delivered at Moscow, following which copies will be handed missions all Montreux signatories here and it will then be released to press.

Foregoing is for your background info only, although you may of course tell Turk Fonoff our position re Straits is unchanged. We do not propose to send any advice or comments to Turks pending receipt of substance their draft reply to Sov note⁹² and of reply from Secretary.⁹³

Acheson

91. Telegram 5323 (Secdel 1061) October 5, 4 p.m., to Secretary Byrnes at Paris, not printed.
92. Telegram 1078, October 5, 7 p.m., from Ankara (sent as No. 104 to Paris for the Secretary), summarized the Turkish draft reply, which consisted of 5,000 words, one-third of which refuted charges that Turkey failed in its Straits duties during the war. For text of note delivered to the Soviet Union, see p. 880.
93. In telegram 5019, October 7, 3 p.m., from Paris (Delsec 1035), Secretary Byrnes gave his approval to the draft U. S. note to the Soviet Union; he stated he had discussed the matter with the British Foreign Secretary and that the British draft was similar to the American in substance (740.00119 Council/10–746).