782.022/4–2950: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Wadsworth ) to the Secretary of State 1
213. Foreign Office Secretary General Akdur2 has asked me to inquire whether, in Department’s opinion, controlled mining of Straits would constitute an infringement of “complete freedom of transit and navigation in the Straits” which Turkey is required to accord by Article 2 of Montreux Convention. Turkish general staff desires to lay a shore-controlled mine field, and while there is no question as to Turkey’s right in principle to defend Straits—for instance, to fortify the land approaches—Turkish Government wishes before proceeding with mine-laying to assure itself that this particular measure defense would be compatible with letter and spirit of convention.
(2) Admiral Ginder3 and Naval aide-mémoire,4 with whom Turks have discussed plan, inform me it is proposed to lay three lines of moored and ground mines at depth of 20–30 fathoms near Black Sea entrance to Straits. Mines would be controlled from harbor entrance post planned as part of harbor entrance defense system. When not energized mines would constitute no menace to navigation and field could be crossed at any point, so that no pilotage would be required. Moored mines that broke loose would be sterile and consequently would not endanger passing vessels.
(3) Information in foregoing paragraph is, however, largely beside point stressed by Akdur who concluded: “Question is strictly a juridical one, technical and political factors not presently entering our consideration thereof. It is on juridical aspect of problem that I should much appreciate an expression of your Department’s opinion.”
- This paper bears the notation: “C. R[obert] M[oore]: As a preliminary step, I suggest you consult Harry [N.] Howard, [United Nations Adviser, Bureau of Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs] then L [Office of the Legal Adviser] J[ohn] D. J[ernegan].”↩
- Faik Zihni Akdur, Secretary-General of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, raised the question set forth in this telegram in a discussion with Ambassador George Wadsworth at Ankara on April 20, 1950 (memorandum, April 20, by Ambassador Wadsworth to Warwick Perkins, Counselor of Embassy in Turkey; Ankara Embassy files, lot 57F72, box 2, 322.2 Straits, 1950–52, not printed).↩
- Rear Adm. Samuel P. Ginder, Chief of the United States Navy Group, Joint Military Mission for Aid to Turkey.↩
- Capt. William L. Kabler.↩