330. Telegram From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State1
63. Pass Treasury. Reference: Deptel 21.2 After briefing by Ambassador per reftelFlues accompanied by Cusack Narcotics/Rome and Embassy officer during three-day Ankara visit conferred with Minister Agriculture Tosun and Minister Commerce/Acting Minister Foreign Office Baydur, Minister Interior Zeytinoglu, Minister Finance Kurdas and Assistant Secretary General Foreign Office Hayta along lines reftel.
[Page 731]Suggested in general terms desirability GOT reexamining implications ratification 1953 protocol particularly in terms provisions governing opium production/export in the several previous treaties in light provisions included Single Convention. Importance to Turkey as one of authorized producing countries of adequate international control legislation reemphasized as well as importance to US. Very receptive attitude evinced by Ministers Commerce, Agriculture, Finance, Interior.
Hayta interested, sympathetic but said frankly re-look unlikely change GOT position on 1953 protocol which developed by technical experts. This connection also conferred M. Ozkul, Turkell UN Narcotics Commission and top Turkish Technical Adviser International Narcotic Affairs now on leave as member constituent assembly. His views well known Department and Treasury. Has been committed to Turkish non-ratification 1953 protocol for past eight years and talk indicated he unlikely change views. Hayta however promised take new look at Turkish position on 1953 protocol as well as Single Convention. He agreed persuasiveness previous GOT objections to protocol might be lessened by deficiencies controls in Single Convention to point where advantages ratifying protocol might prevail. Hayta stressed, Flues agreed talk pertained usefulness re-look, not substantive discussion GOT position. All Ministers voiced thanks usefulness conversations as contribution to GOT study. Especial support for re-study/discussion GOT position given by Kurdas who took initiative stress broad social/economic aspects favoring strictest control this critical field.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 341.9/7–1561. Official Use Only. Repeated to Athens and Rome.↩
- Telegram 21 notified the Embassies in Ankara and Athens that Assistant Secretary Flues planned to visit Ankara and Athens to “explore in general terms implications of ratification by these two countries of [the 1953 Opium] Protocol.” Flues was to inform Turkish and Greek officials that the United States had not decided whether to ratify the Single Convention. (Ibid., 341.9/7–761)↩