394.31/9–1451: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Turkey 1
216. Urtel 251, Sept 14.2
1. Inasmuch as no US tariff rate increases will result directly from termination existing US-Turkish TA, not essential that this be same date as Turkey’s accession GATT. Consequently we prepared agree temporary delay pending approval Turkish Parliament but would hope action wld be taken as soon as possible after Nov 1. However, desire termination instead suspension because US policy since Annecy negots 1949 has been terminate bilateral TAs with countries acceding [Page 1181] GATT.3 US TAs fol countries terminated connection their accession GATT after Annecy: Finland; Haiti; Nicaragua; Sweden.
2. FYI and possible use, US bilateral TAs with govts which became original GATT contracting parties fol 1947 Geneva GATT negots were suspended instead terminated since that time future GATT less certain.4 In light growth GATT since then, however, expected it will continue in force indefinitely as basic internatl instrument field commercial policy.
3. US concessions initially negotiated with Turkey at Torquay will become effective Oct 17.5
- Drafted and approved by Vernon L. Phelps, E/CP, and cleared with John J. Czyzak, L/E, and Francis F. Lincoln, GTI.↩
- Ante, p. 1176.↩
- For documentation regarding the Annecy negotiations, see Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. i, pp. 651 ff.↩
- For documentation regarding the Geneva negotiations, see ibid., 1947, vol. i, pp. 909 ff.↩
- In telegram 512 from Ankara, December 7, not printed, Ambassador Wadsh worth reported that the documents requesting the consent of the Turkish Grand National Assembly to terminate the trade agreement of 1939 had finally been approved by the Turkish Cabinet and were under committee discussion in the Grand National Assembly (394.31/12–751).↩