File No. 867.48/443
The Ambassador in Turkey (Elkus) to the Secretary of State 1
[Received October 24, 8.15 a. m.]
2192. Your 3034, October 14, 5 p. m. Details of distribution not yet finally arranged, principally owing to absence of Minister for Foreign Affairs. I have consented to distribution supplies; nominally Red Crescent will share with Red Cross in control, but believe any decision past experience Red Cross will substantially control effective distribution. Believe inadvisable to raise question of detail method of distribution at this time.
Will it be possible to send on collier for use of Embassy and Embassy staff substantial quantity of gasoline, kerosene oil, sugar, coffee, rice?
For reasons given in Embassy’s 1987,2 July 26, 2 p. m., believe Turkish Government would not assent officially to distribution being entirely controlled by American Red Cross. Most inadvisable to publish French or any other Government is sending any of these supplies.