Memorandum from Acting Secretary of State Joseph Grew to President Harry S. Truman

DECLASSIFIED TOP SECRET E.O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) OT CED Dept. of State letter, Aug. 10, 1972 NARS Date 7-22-23 DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON June 23, 1945 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Current Foreign Developments Turks Have "Negative Impression" of Further Soviet Talks. The Turkish Government has a "negative impression" of a second talk in Moscow between Molotov and the Turk- ish Ambassador, in which more or less the same ground was covered as in their first conversation two days ago. Somewhat the same subjects were also covered by the Soviet Ambassador in Ankara and the Turkish Acting Foreign Mini- ster. The Turks are making the point that they would value a new treaty of friendship between the two coun- tries, but only on a basis of "mutual regard and respect". The Turkish Acting Foreign Minister told Ambassador Wilson that Lord Halifax and Mr. Grew had discussed the British proposal that the United States join the British in raising the subject at Moscow. Mr. Grew was reported as saying the matter would have to be considered but that he personally regarded the proposal sympathetically. The Turkish Acting Foreign Minister expressed appreciation and hoped that this government would take some action. The Department subsequently decided, however, not to do so, although this phase of the discussion of the question in Washington has not yet been reported to the Turks. The Department's feeling was that, since the earlier conversation had taken place at Turkish instance and was "unclouded by threats", the controversial aspects of the matter would be given undue emphasis if they were made a point of in Moscow by this government at this time. The Turkish