740.0011 E.W.1939/7–2744: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
1789. ReDepts 1765, July 25, 4 p.m. The Russian Chargé d’Affaires sent me today the Soviet reply to our memorandum of July 22 on the Turkish question. The reply states that the Soviet Government remains of the opinion that the position the Turkish Government has taken in respect to Germany is unsatisfactory and comes much too late. It states that discussions of “those or other half measures” do not have any essential significance in the present situation. The reply concludes that the Soviet Government consequently considers it necessary to discontinue pressure on the Turkish Government and “leave it entirely to its own will”.
In the light of this further indication of Soviet dissatisfaction with recent developments concerning Turkey, it seems all the more opportune for you to suggest to Molotov the advisability of a frank discussion of this question between representatives of the Soviet, British and United States governments, either at Moscow or wherever the Russians suggest.
Sent to Moscow, repeated to London, also repeated to Ankara for information of Chargé only.