Selected Secret Documents from Soviet Foreign Policy Documents Archives

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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Conversation of advisor of the plenipotentiary of the USSR representation in the kingdom of Afghanistan Kozlov with the ambassador of Turkey in Afghanistan Shevket

Sent to comrade Molotov, comrade Vyshinsky, comrade Dekanozov, comrade Lozovsky, general secretariat

November 15, 1940

The ambassador inquired about the reason for the absence of the plenipotentiary envoy, comrade Mikhailov, at the film show in the English mission, and talkatively told me the following:

1. At the present time Turkey has calmed down and has great confidence in the foreign policy of the Soviet Union. Friendly relations between the USSR and Turkey have existed for as long as 20 years, and unexpectedly for the Turks, some time ago, what should be considered already in the past, a period of cold attitude of the USSR towards Turkey, the reason for which the Turks cannot understand, since, for example , the fact of the conclusion of a non‐aggression pact between Turkey and England129 was, as is known, agreed with Moscow. In addition, during Potemkin’s last stay in Turkey, the ambassador asked his opinion about the attitude of the Soviet Union towards Turkey. Potemkin allegedly said not only on his own behalf, but also on behalf of the Soviet government, that the attitude of the Soviet Union towards Turkey was good. When asked about the reasons for, as the ambassador put it, ʺthe cold attitude of the USSR to Turkeyʺ, the Turk could not say anything and hastened to move on to another question.

2. He said that he had heard on the radio that there were currently two national flags in Romania ‐ Romania and Germany. This is a very significant fact, the Turks noted, especially considering that at present, according to reliable data, there are 14 German divisions in Romania. Then the ambassador, referring to not entirely accurate information at his disposal, said that he had heard that Romania had already disbanded its troops, which, in his opinion, meant the complete surrender of Romania to Germany, i.e. Essentially the military occupation of Romania.

3. Then the Turk turned to the question of the war between Italy and Greece and noted that Italy alone cannot cope with Greece, not because it is technically poorly armed, ʺbut for the reason that the Italian army fights badly,ʺ and this fact worries Germany and makes her think about the need to provide Italy with substantial assistance. Apparently, it will take decisive steps in this direction in the near future. When I asked how Germany can do this, the ambassador replied that Germany is probably using the territory of Yugoslavia or Bulgaria for this purpose with all the ensuing consequences.

4. Then the ambassador briefly spoke about the relationship between Germany and Afghanistan. The Turk noticed that the Germans did not understand the psychology of the afghans. When I asked what exactly this conclusion of the ambassador is based on, the Turk said that the Germans are trying to show their military power by showing films about their victory over France and the colossal destruction caused by Germany to England, but by this the Germans repel the afghans from themselves, as can be seen from the fact that afghans are reluctant to attend the German missionʹs film shows. (the ambassador completely forgot that the British film we just watched was just a picture seeking to show the power of England in the air and on the water, as a result of which the British inflict colossal damage on the Germans.) To my question about the state of trade relations between Afghanistan and Germany, the ambassador said they were improving. Moreover, the afghan government has received a large loan from Germany. The Germans, the Turks continued, have adherents among some part of the ruling clique of Afghanistan, in particular, he named the names of the minister of war Ahmed Khan, the minister of health ‐ Yahya khan, the minister of the national economy ‐ Abdul Majid khan, and others. He especially singled out the military minister, emphasizing that that he is everywhere and everywhere shouts loudly about the military might of Germany. All this group at one time tried in every possible way to prevent the strengthening of relations between Turkey and Afghanistan and even tried to oust the Turks from Afghanistan and dramatically improve relations with Germany. Currently, this group has changed its point of view and does not prevent the Turks from strengthening their relations with Afghanistan. The ambassador further stressed that foreign minister Ali Mohammed khan, minister of education Naim khan and some others are certain supporters of friendship with England.

5. I asked the Turk how the afghans assess comrade Molotovʹs trip to berlin. The Turk replied: “they (?) Asked me many times what significance this fact of Molotov’s trip to berlin would have, and at first they were very worried about the upcoming meeting between Molotov and Hitler, moreover, they were scared, but as soon as the message was received about Molotovʹs return to Moscow, the afghans have calmed down a little, and even they are happy about this trip. ʺ listening to this chatter of the Turk, I asked him what exactly the afghans were afraid of and what they were happy about. The ambassador hesitated and said that he could not specifically answer this question, but what he said is really believable.

6. Already saying goodbye, the ambassador again repeated what was said earlier that the Turks are very good at the USSR, but if Germany takes a commanding role in its relations with the USSR and strengthens itself in Afghanistan, the Turks pointedly emphasized, most will be undermined.

V. Kozlov

P.s. It is interesting to note that at the time of the appearance of the warrior Ahmed khan in the cinema (somewhat belated), everyone presents stood up as if on command. After watching the film, I asked the 1st secretary of the British mission Fletcher on the reasons for this special respect shown in relation to the military man. Fletcher replied that such a meeting is always in the English mission to the military and the prime minister.

Avp rf, f. 071, on. 22, p. 192, d. 7, l. 72‐75.

Telegram of the plenipotentiary representative of the USSR in the

Great Britain I.M. Maisky in the NKID of the USSR

November 15, 1940

Immediately top secret

On further reactions in London to comrade Molotovʹs visit to berlin, I can report the following: today, in a conversation with a diplomat, butler among other things said that the talks in berlin, in his opinion, had the most concrete results in the economic field and that the expansion of the Soviet‐German economic cooperation can lead to great military and political consequences. As for purely political issues, butler doubts that anything definite has been decided in berlin in this area. Rather, he believes that comrade Molotov took with him to Moscow any political proposals of Hitler, which the Soviet] government will still discuss and consider. Of these political issues, the British are most concerned about Turkey: is there an agreement between the USSR and Germany on joint pressure on Turkey in order to let German troops into Syria through its territory? Less responsible foreign office officials (for example, McLean, deputy head of the northern department) say that if, as they expect, Turkey resists any such attempt, relations between Britain and the USSR could become extremely acute. The British are very worried about another question: why did the two deputy commissars of aviation go to berlin with comrade Molotov? In government circles, they are expressing concern: are we talking about the deployment of German industry in the USSR? In government circles, concern is expressed: are we talking about placing German orders in the USSR for the construction of aircraft? This fear is partly based on the fact that, according to the foreign office, the trade negotiations in Moscow will raise the issue of our sale of weapons to the British, and we are supposedly ready to supply them with guns, revolvers and other things, while the supply of aircraft is in question. In government circles, the argument is as follows: if the USSR can sell some weapons to England, why cannot it accept orders for airplanes for Germany? This prospect of the British is very embarrassing, because then the effect of American aid to Great Britain would be greatly weakened. In general, however, no one here knows anything for sure about the content of the berlin talks, everyone is speculating and noticeably worried.

Maisky wua rf, f. 059, on. 1, p. 326, d. 2237, l. 120‐121.