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  Selected Secret Documents from Soviet Foreign Policy Documents Archives - 1919 to 1941

Concentrated on 1st and  2nd WW Correspondence and Meetings related to Turkey, Balkans and Iran, with some additions from Afghanistan and India.

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Telegram from the plenipotentiary representative of the USSR in Turkey to the peopleʹs commissariat of foreign affairs of the USSR. June 2, 1937

June 2, 1937

1.                   Ataturk, at the beginning of the conversation, tried to prove to me that there were no disagreements between us, and everything was based on a misunderstanding. I have outlined our attitude towards Turkish politics in recent times. Atatürk assured of the Turkish governmentʹs desire to further develop relations and cooperation, expressed full satisfaction with the explanations that Litvinov and Inonu had. We have come to the conclusion that complete frankness is necessary in our relationship. I said that in case of any ambiguity, I would like to be able to contact him personally, to which he readily agreed.

2.                   Inonu said that Turkey considers it necessary to cooperate with us on the principles of the league of nations and collective security and that it does not at all sympathize with aggressive states and does not intend to encourage them in any way.

3.                   Atatürk, like Inonu and Saracoglu, expressed great satisfaction with the resolution of the Sanjak issue. The press speaks in a similar spirit. However, Inonu stressed the need for loyal implementation of the agreement. He has no doubts about the goodwill of the French government but fears the actions of local French agents and Syrians. According to unverified reports, the Syrian parliament is protesting against the agreement. I expressed the hope that the issue was over and that there would be no new complications. Inonu assured of the desire of the Turkish government to seriously improve relations with France and reported on a positive impression from the meeting with representatives of the French government,

4.                   Inonu denied the weakening of the Balkan entente and stated as evidence that Yugoslavia, on behalf of other members of the Balkan entente, made a serious deMarche in Sofia over the revisionist demonstrations that took place in Bulgaria on 4 may.

5.                   Atatürk and all my interlocutors stated that they hoped that Aras’s trip would finally dispel our doubts about Turkish policy, and Inonu stressed that he asked Litvinov to clarify the visit so that Aras could find all the leaders of the Soviet government in Moscow. The Turks attach particular importance to the latter circumstance. Saracoglu said that it was likely that Shukru Kaya would accompany

Aras. Considering this circumstance, I would consider it desirable to confirm our readiness to receive Shukru kai.

6.                   My general impression is that the Turks have tried to show me their attention and emphasize that our relationship is as close as before.

The trade agreement has been extended until July 1.