Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

782.022/11–1850: Telegram

The Ambassador in Turkey (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State

top secret

Ankara, November 18, 1950—2 p. m.

307. Deptel 229, November 1.¹

1. As reported mytel 273, November 4² Turkish Government is disposed to implement rounded project for Bosporus sea defense.

This disposition must, however, be measured by usual practice in such matters; that is (a) agreement in principle, (b) careful elaboration of project on technical military level, and (c) definitive agreement in light of such elaborations.

Consequently, we read Turkish disposition to proceed as being expressed “in principle”.

Meanwhile Turkish General Staff and JAMMAT are working out details of project. Their study³ should be completed within a fortnight.

2. British Embassy tells us no new instructions have been received from London.

We believe Turks will not take final definitive decision before British Ambassador conveys British Government concurrence that controlled mines actually be laid; not simply that, juridically, Turkey is free to lay them.

Consequently, we suggest that new démarche be made by Washington to London.

Wadsworth

1. Not printed; it inquired whether the Turks had given any indication of their plans regarding controlled mining of the Straits in view of British and U.S. agreement as to the Turks’ legal right to do so under the Montreux Convention (770A.5/11–150).
2. Ante, p. 1328.
3. Not found in Department of State files.