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The Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State

147. Walker of Socony-Vacuum Oil Company informed me today that seizure of one of his company’s tanks at Serviburnu which resulted from failure of company to pay a double assessment under capital wealth tax has been lifted and that he has been advised by a competent source that assessments occasioned by double taxation will be withdrawn by respective local authorities. He also informed me that authorities in Istanbul are withdrawing their prosecution of Socony-Vacuum Company for failure to deposit its unremitted profits in a blocked account in Central Bank.

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In taking foregoing action Turk authorities are giving effect to recent assurances given me by the Foreign Minister.

Steinhardt