760F.6727/1–849: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
us urgent
148. Ankara’s report Turks seeking excuse denounce Czech-Turk air agreement (Ankara’s 16 Jan 81) provides hoped-for opportunity [Page 185] which, in Depts opinion shld be quickly seized, forge important link ME containment chain which Brit-US joint Satellite aviation policy seeks. Dept intends cable Ankara text paras 3, 4 and 5 background memo accompanying cirinstrs2 now in mail as info supporting Turk desire denounce Czech agreement. Plan inform Turks same cable that US, while not presently obliged consider necessity denounce US-Czech agreement, since Czechs have not requested requisite permit operate US under bilateral, wld not under US policy grant Czechs such permit if requested; that since Czech operations Turk already authorized, best grounds Turk denunciation agreement or cancellation operating rights thereunder appears be ownership and control clause; that while CSA may be Czech owned (para 1 Ankara’s 16 Jan 8) Turks could justifiably take position it not satisfied CSA controlled by Czech natls.
Inform FonOff foregoing and advise urgently if Brit a) perceive any objection thereto and b) would be willing instruct Brit Emb Ankara endorse such views. Advise FonOff Dept considered withholding reply Ankara’s 16 Jan 8 until joint instrs recd by respective missions and subsequent overall conversations held but concluded situation calls for strongest support least possible delay Turk inclination break Czech air agreement.