867.24/572
The Turkish Ambassador (Ertegün) to the Secretary of State
The Turkish Ambassador presents his compliments to the Honourable Secretary of State and has the honour to inform him that in compliance with the suggestion made by the Lend-Lease Administration a Turkish Supply Office, attached to this Embassy, has been established at 2202 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest in order to handle Lend-Lease transactions between the Turkish Government and the Government of the United States. Mr. S. Eranil has been appointed Chief of this Office.
The principal functions of the Supply Office will be as follows:
- 1.
- For material to be procured through direct Lend-Lease:
- A.
- To prepare and submit in accordance with direct Lend-Lease procedure to various procurement agencies of the United States Government, requisitions, requests, and all necessary information concerning supplies to be transferred from this country to Turkey.
- B.
- To follow up the procurement and shipment of this material.
- 2.
- For materials to be procured by retransfer from the British:
- To cooperate with the British Supply Council for the procurement of these requirements.
- 3.
- For material to be purchased from the open market:
- To apply for the allocation of preference ratings, export licenses, shipping space, and other permits whenever it is necessary.
In order to perform its functions rapidly and efficiently the Chief of the Supply Office is authorized to contact and correspond directly [Page 1094] with the agencies of the United States Government dealing with the procurement and shipment of such materials. He is also authorized to sign all requisitions and requests concerning the material to be procured under Lend-Lease and also applications regarding the material to be purchased from the open market. Mr. Eranil’s specimen signature is transmitted hereto attached.
It is earnestly hoped that the establishment of this Office will help to expedite the solution of various problems connected with the procurement, and to facilitate and increase the supply, of equipment and materials of which Turkey is in critical need.
The Turkish Ambassador would be much obliged to the Honourable Secretary of State if he would kindly have the agencies concerned informed of the establishment and functions of the Supply Office and its Chief.