Office of the Historian

882.58/4–2450: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Turkey

restricted
Washington, May 9, 1950—6 p. m.

212. US Rep UN Comm Narcotics1 feels he will be obliged inform Comm. Aug session recent spread heroin addiction US among young people largely result clandestine manufacture heroin Istanbul. In order strengthen Turk position before Comm vigorous action necessary to destroy illicit factories. Both this Dept and Treas believe better results this end cld be achieved by full cooperation and exchange info on spot between US narcotic agent and Istanbul police than by transmittal [Page 1260] info to Turk auths through Ankara Emb as suggested urtel 159, Apr 11.2

In endeavor obtain reconsideration Turk decision request above info be conveyed FonOff not as threat but as indication US view of seriousness of problem and desire cooperate with Turks on problem of mutual concern. (See Istanbul’s Desp. 226, Apr. 24.)3 Also inform FonOff US narcotic agent wld be instructed present full info to Turk auths, take no action independent Istanbul police and make no statement to press.4

Emb also requested ask Turk auths if seizures reported Embs despatches 292, Nov 30, 38 Jan 20 and 168 Mar 315 have been reported to UN for discussion fifth session Comm Narcotics.

Webb
  1. Harry J. Anslinger.↩
  2. Not printed; it reported the Turkish Government’s response to the earlier U.S. proposal (Department’s telegram 140, March 31, to Ankara; p. 1247) that an American narcotics agent he stationed in Istanbul (882.53/4–1150).↩
  3. Not printed.↩
  4. Telegram 336, June 27, from Ankara, not printed, read in part as follows: “In reply to Embassy’s note based on Deptel 212, May 9 Foreign Office has orally informed Embassy of Turkish-US agreement that US narcotic agent may come to Istanbul to cooperate with Turkish police on following conditions: (1) Agent’s, arrival and departure will be kept completely secret, (2) Agent will take no action without consultation with appropriate Turkish authority, (3) Agent will make no statement to Turkish or foreign press” (882.53/6–2750). The Secretary of State’s instruction no. 5, July 17, to Ankara, not printed, identified Mr. Charles, Siragusa as the U.S. narcotics agent being sent to Turkey under the agreement set forth in the Embassy’s telegram under reference (882.53/6–2750).↩
  5. None printed.↩