761.67/12–3046: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:51 p.m.]
1293. In conversation with Erkin reported my 1292, December 30,16 he made further statements of interest as follows:
With possibility in mind that Soviets having given way on Iran and perhaps on Greece might soon be prepared consider reasonable settlement with Turkey, he is turning over in mind formula to have ready for such eventuality. He says if Soviets should show reasonable attitude, he believes Turkey should make every effort satisfy within limitations Turk sovereignty and independence any legitimate Soviet request. On possibility Soviets may feel or assert they feel genuine apprehension grounds security as affected by Turk defense Straits, he believes best way attempt deal with matter would be by meeting squarely problem of defense Straits rather than beat about bush on secondary issues such as passage through Straits. With this in mind, he is giving thought to what he termed regional agreement between USA, UK, USSR and Turkey for defense Straits in time war.
Erkin went on say if no change Soviet attitude re Turkey and Soviet pressure continues, future looks dreary indeed for Turkey. Economic [Page 899] burden maintaining large military establishment against Soviet threats creating very serious problems for Turkey. There is no doubt widespread discontent over economic situation exists among Turk people and this creates political difficulties for Government. Unless he said some real settlement can be made soon thereby relieving Turkey of Soviet pressure, Turkey will be obliged to appeal to USA for economic aid as country cannot continue carry this burden alone indefinitely.
[In reply to a Turkish inquiry reported in telegram 2, January 2, 1947, from Ankara, the Department’s telegram 14, January 10, 1947, stated that the Straits question did not arise at recent meetings either of the Council of Foreign Ministers or of the United Nations General Assembly (767.68119/1–247).]
- Not printed.↩