282.1869/11–1450: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Turkey
282. Embtel 294 Nov 14.1 US Govt well appreciates problems involved in influx Turk emigrants from Bulgaria. Hopeful Turk Govt can work out satisfactory agreement with Bulgars re emigrant flow so that resettlement can be effected with minimum dislocations.2 Apparent, however, that Turks may be faced with continuing resettlement problem for some years to come.
Dept believes that primary responsibility in solving refugee problem rests with Turks and that Turks should be given no encouragement re possibility US financial assistance to meet this specific problem. It recognizes however that care and resettlement refugees will undoubtedly impose burdens on Turkish economy which may therefore be factor in determination amounts and nature of economic assistance US Govt or its agencies should extend Turkey in future periods within framework US policies and objectives. Dept finds it difficult to give further guidance re Emb reply to Turks in absence current info re nature of discussions apparently carried on between [Page 1334] ECA Mission and Turks as indicated in Toeca 758 Sep 21 and ECA Sep Progress Report as well as reported ECA Mission cable of Nov 27 to USRep IRO Geneva.3 Therefore believe any comments you may make to Turks re US assistance should be closely coordinated with ECA Mission.
Dept notes IRO favorably disposed provide technical assistance requested by Turk Govt (Geneva tel to Dept 481 Nov 28 quoting tel to AmEmbassy and ECA Ankara).4 Without knowing further re ECA Mission views Dept and ECA/W had thought it quite possible that Turks could formulate TA project which would meet ECA criteria but presume IRO assistance will meet Turks TA needs, at least re reception care maintenance refugees pending resettlement.