Office of the Historian

770A.5/12–250: Telegram

The Ambassador in Turkey (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State 1

top secret
Ankara, December 1, 1950—noon.2

326. Following is reply to four numbered paragraphs Deptel 266, November 22.3 General Arnold concurs.

1.
Since receipt Deptel 122, September 1, suggesting we “avoid giving impression US directly interested in influencing Turk decision”, our discussions and joint studies with Turks on question of laying controlled mines has been kept oh strictly military level within framework of larger project entitled “Bosporous Sea defense”. We have, however, gathered clear impression (confirmed in comment made to me and Admirals Ginder and Rees4 by President Bayar last month) that considerations put forward in last three sentences of paragraph 2 of British aide-mémoire5 have led Turks to feel they would not be on wholly sound ground were they to lay mines. Consequently [Page 1335] we believe British concurrence in principle would dispel Turk apprehension on this score.
2.
We believe it would be helpful were British so to indicate, but we have not gathered from high ranking Turk officers that they “want” British to do so. Rather do they suggest that they cannot, as they would wish, proceed with project before receiving green light from Turk Foreign Office.
3.
Foregoing comments incorporate best answer we can make to your question re Turk thinking. We suggest Department may wish modify above quoted passage its telegram 122, September 1 in light paragraph 5–f JCS paper 2009/7 October 196 which states that denial of Soviet exit from Black Sea through the Straits is one of objectives to be sought in associating Turkey in defense planning for Mediterranean area prior to any outbreak of hostilities.
4.
We gather that Turks are not approaching British; and I confirmed in conversation yesterday with British Ambassador that they have not done so since initial Foreign Office démarche last April. Turks feel, we believe, that as matter has been under discussion between Washington and London next move should come from our side.
Wadsworth
  1. This paper bears the following notations: “Taken up with Navy. Moored ground—not cable. Adm Conolly—took up with Brit Adm. Have money in aid program for mines.”↩
  2. The source text is the corrected copy sent December 2, 7:48 a. m.↩
  3. Not printed.↩
  4. Rear Adm. William L. Rees arrived in Turkey on November 2 and assumed command as Chief of the United States Navy Group, Joint Military Mission for Aid to Turkey on November 9, replacing Rear Adm. Samuel P. Ginder who left Ankara, November 12, en route to the United States.↩
  5. Of June 19, not printed; the three sentences under reference dealt with possible controversy arising from the proposed controlled mining of the Straits (enclosure to despatch 113, August 29, from Ankara, 681.8229/8–2950, not printed).↩
  6. Not found in Department of State files.↩