Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume II

761.67/7–1945: Telegram

No. 1367
The Ambassador in Turkey (Wilson) to the Acting Secretary of State¹

secret

Ankara, July 19, 1945—8 p.m.

990. Acting Foreign Minister² tells me Turkish government is “thoroughly satisfied” with talks which Foreign Minister Saka had with Eden at London.³ He said British “encouraged” Turks to maintain their position regarding Soviet desiderata. British said they were “greatly surprised” that Soviet Government should have raised Montreux revision directly with Turkey without first having presented Soviet views thereon to British and United States as Stalin had promised to do.⁴ (Sent to Dept as 990 rptd London as 71 and Moscow as 64). Also British considered that territorial questions and bases should be treated “in a very different manner” from matter of revision Straits Convention.

Wilson

1. The gist of this message was included in telegram No. 90 of July 21 from Grew to Byrnes (file No. 800.00 Summaries/7–2145).
2. Nurullah Esat Sumer.
3. See vol. i, document No. 706.
4. At Yalta. See document No. 1416, section xiv.