394.31/9–1451: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Wadsworth) to the Department of State
251. Embtel 234, Sept 10.1 Re proposed termination 1939 US-Turk trade agreement2 ranking FonOff official now states termination agreement cannot be executed without prior consent Parl because orig instrument ratified by it. Also states Torquay protocol3 not yet signed by Sarper but will be shortly under provision Turk law [Page 1177] whereby internatl instruments may be signed by Exec Dept subj submission for ratification within 90 days fol signature.
As Parl will not convene until Nov 1 FonOff inquires whether US executive procedure exists whereunder provisions 1939 agreement cld simply be suspended rather than terminated. Emb also gathered from FonOff discussion that aside from seeking temporary suspension owing this purely procedural hitch FonOff wld prefer indefinite suspension during life of GATT. Apparently Turk Govt harbors some apprehension re longevity GATT.
Pls instruct.
- In telegram 234 from Ankara, September 10, which is not printed, Ambassador Wadsworth informed the Department that the draft agreement which had been sent to him terminating the United States–Turkey Reciprocal Trade Agreement had been presented to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and that he anticipated that the Turks would sign it soon (394.31/9–1051).↩
- The reference is to the United States–Turkey Reciprocal Trade Agreement of April 1, 1939, the text of which is in EAS No. 163 or 54 Stat. 1870.↩
- For documentation regarding the negotiation of the Torquay Protocol, see vol. i, pp. 1319 ff.↩