740.0011 European War 1939/7–2344: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
1765. It appears to us possible that the Soviet Government may have gained the impression, in view of our acquiescence in the British Government’s suggestion that Turkey move in steps toward a state of war with Germany, that the United States Government is not living up to its position taken at Moscow and Tehran, that Turkey should be brought into the war as soon as practicable. If, after discussing the contents of Department’s 1761 of July 24, 1944,75 with the Soviet authorities [Page 892] you gain the above impression, it is felt that it might be well to bring up with Molotov the advisability of taking up and discussing among the Soviet, British and United States Governments the best method of implementing the decision to bring Turkey into the war as soon as practicable.
In your discussion of this question with Soviet officials, you should make absolutely clear that this Government desires in every way to live up to the Moscow and Tehran decisions and that the only question in our mind is the most feasible method to bring Turkey into the war.
Sent to Moscow, repeated to London, also repeated to Ankara for information of Chargé only.