887.24/263a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt)
145. Your 251, April 10. After careful study with a view to improving the present system for handling Turkish requirements, the Department advances the following procedure which is entirely agreeable to the interested Governmental agencies here and to the British both here and in London, and which the Department feels will be particularly satisfactory to the Turkish authorities and to you.
[Here follows suggested alternative procedure set forth in the aide-mémoire of March 30 to the British Embassy, printed on page 689.]
One exception to the normal procedure described above will be in the handling of cereals and similar commodities, which should continue to be referred to the Middle East Supply Centre at Cairo which will shortly include United States representatives.23
To improve the situation at the originating point of the requirements, the Department is hopeful that the Turkish authorities will centralize their own procurement machinery into one main commission which could more effectively collaborate and deal with the proposed enlarged Coordinating Committee. From your cable No. 252 of April 11,24 it appears that the Turkish Government has already taken steps in this direction.
It is believed that the proposed procedure takes into account in a realistic manner the exigencies of the situation and resolves the complications now existing.
By adopting the direct transfer basis, the important benefit of meeting the Turkish wishes for direct dealing between the two Governments will be accomplished, and in addition fuller and clearer information will be available to all concerned for tracing any given requisition.
You are requested to associate yourself with your British colleague in presenting the proposal to the Turkish authorities and obtaining their approval. When this approval is obtained the Department will inform the Turkish Ambassador in Washington and will proceed at [Page 694] once to the adoption of the new procedure and to the negotiation of the necessary master agreement.