TURKISH POLICY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 116, 11 February 1944, Page 5

TURKISH POLICY

Lack Of Agreement Apparent ANKARA CONFERENCE (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.! (Special Australian Correspondent.) LONDON, February 9. The consultations which have been proceeding since November between the Allies and Turkey on the subject of establishing definitely Turkey’s attitude to the war appear to have reached a stage of stagnation, says the Ankara correspondent of “The Times.” He adds: “In fact, in spite of the reticence observed in official quarters, the impression is gaining ground that the term ‘deadlock” might aptly describe the present position. There is a baffling apparent discrepancy between the attitude of the Turkish official circles and the trend of Turkish public opinion about the war. The former believe that as the crucial period of the war approaches there is an increasing chance that Turkey may be involved, but among the people anti-war feeling has become pronounced.”

The correspondent continues: “Sferious divergencies seem to have arisen among Allied and Turkish political and military circles, due to differences in appreciation of the conditions under which Turkey should execute her treaty obligations. It should be borne in mind that though the conversations in Cairo, London and Ankara have been confined officially to Britain and Turkey, nevertheless Russia and America are also taking part in them, specially since the Cairo talks, when President Inonu met Mr. Roosevelt and Russian representatives. There is a difference of opinion as to whether the granting to the Allies of the use of Turkish airfields would result in. a combined attack by Bulgaria and Germany against Turkey.”

A message last Sunday from Ankara, the Turkish capital, stated briefly: “The British military mission departed after five weeks' -discussions with the Turkish military leaders. The talks ■ are described as the natural result of the Cairo conference-”